How to filter through instructors in my area? (Socal)

[awolmartinez]

I'll start by saying I'm a very rough 18ish handicap, but the definition of inconsistent. I'll shoot a +6 front 9, followed by a +12 back 9! It's so frustrating, so I want to start taking lessons, but there are so many available instructors around me, orange county to inland empire in southern california, how is one supposed to figure out which instructor to choose? Does anyone have a method or a process or any advice? Or even better, if anyone knows of a good instructor in this area please recommend!

[wagsgt]

Dana Dahlquist and George Gankas are driving distance. Check out their Instagram pages

[miles59]

Go see Monte Scheinblum at Oak Creek in Irvine. [rebelliongolf.com](http://rebelliongolf.com "rebelliongolf.com")

[Krt22]

> @miles59 said:

> Go see Monte Scheinblum at Oak Creek in Irvine. [rebelliongolf.com](http://rebelliongolf.com "rebelliongolf.com")

 

Yep. No brainer if you are in OC

 

[ebk]

Yes. Monte.

[carrera]

GG is $500/hr now and booked several months out. So that’s an easy delete from your list.

 

Monte is an easy choice.

[wmblake2000]

The thing many better teachers do is they also produce supporting videos that lay out a lot of detail and give you an overview of their thinking. This information makes a lesson much more meaningful. So the videos provide the general education and the lessons provide specific diagnosis of what you should attend to next. I would not choose someone who didn’t have this kind of media support...

[jcolton]

Outside of the instructors already mentioned, a few more I would check out are James Jordan, Josh Park, Mike McNary.

[kekoa]

I like Dana, but I think his prices are up there in the $300 range now.

 

My son takes lessons with Mike Block at Arroyo Trabuco. Very good instructor and player.

[nevets88]

> @kekoa said:

> I like Dana, but I think his prices are up there in the $300 range now.

> My son takes lessons with Mike Block at Arroyo Trabuco. Very good instructor and player.

 

What about someone who has mentored with Dana Dahlquist? His website has online lessons available from someone on his team. I think he is doing seminars/certification.

[kekoa]

> @nevets88 said:

> > @kekoa said:

> > I like Dana, but I think his prices are up there in the $300 range now.

> > My son takes lessons with Mike Block at Arroyo Trabuco. Very good instructor and player.

>

> What about someone who has mentored with Dana Dahlquist? His website has online lessons available from someone on his team. I think he is doing seminars/certification.

 

Might be worth looking into if cost is a big factor, but I much prefer in person instruction.

[nevets88]

> @kekoa said:

> > @nevets88 said:

> > > @kekoa said:

> > > I like Dana, but I think his prices are up there in the $300 range now.

> > > My son takes lessons with Mike Block at Arroyo Trabuco. Very good instructor and player.

> >

> > What about someone who has mentored with Dana Dahlquist? His website has online lessons available from someone on his team. I think he is doing seminars/certification.

>

> Might be worth looking into if cost is a big factor, but I much prefer in person instruction.

 

I meant live instruction. Maybe there are some who have gotten certified by Dahlquist who are in the Socal area?

[KC13]

Mike McNary at Costa Mesa CC

[ShutSteepStuck]

Dana is big time!!! One of the very best around.

 

Check out Brady Riggs too. Mike McNary and James Jordan are excellent. None of the guys I’ve mentioned will have you chasing feels from day to day.

[TIM929]

How much are you considering spending on one lesson OP?

[nfmoto]

Make this easy and go see Monte.

[DaRiz]

Monte is right in your backyard and a good value at $150. I can vouch for him. I saw him 3 years ago (first lesson ever) as a 15-16 cap and he fixed my issues in 5 minutes. I had to work hard to break my bad habits, but that one lesson gave me a huge push in the right direction. I give him 100% credit for me getting to a 9 within a year or so, and then with a lot of technical study of swing concepts (mainly Monte and GG videos), I am now am down to a 6. If you are an 18 you need to get that monkey off your back and most likely have someone break you down. Monte simplifies the swing better than anyone, so I would totally recommend for a first timer (he's very gentle). :wink:

 

[awolmartinez]

> @TIM929 said:

> How much are you considering spending on one lesson OP?

 

I was initially trying to stay under $100/lesson, but looking around it varies wildly from $60/hr to $500! I think the absolute most I would consider is maybe $150 if he is THAT GOOD. Because I get that I can pay $60 guy 10 times, where a $150 guy could fix me in 4 or 5, so it's all relative at this point.