Can anyone recommend a good golf instructor in the Chicago Fox Valley/Far West Suburbs?

LeftHandLeads · July 23, 2011

To anyone who lives in the Fox Valley (Aurora, Batavia, , Geneva, Naperville, etc..) IL area, can you recommend a good PGA pro/instructor for lessons?

I really want to go to someone who's approach is to take your swing (assuming my fundementals are correct) and make it better versus completely retooling and teaching the same swing to everyone (i.e. rotary, S&T). I am a decent player (13), but have gotten very inconsistent off of the tee with my driver (even 3 wood). My irons and short game continue to improve, but I really would like to go to someone to see what I am doing with my driver and then return to them on a regular basis to make sure my bad habits are not creeping back into my swing.

I really want to go to someone who uses video to analyze the swing as part of their instruction. I think this is exremely helpful, so that I can actually see what I am doing incorrectly, versus counting entirely on feel. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

-JG

hawaiiandude · July 24, 2011

The staff at Cantigny are top notch - Take your pick - They even have the 2010 Illinois Teacher of the year by the Illinois PGA

2ball · July 26, 2011

I work with Rich Dukolow at Cantigny. Great instructor. Relaxed and funny. We work on fundamentals (video) in the spring inside when it's still cold out. In the summer I will do a maintenance lesson and a playing lesson with him. I also play tournament golf and have gained alot of insight from him. He plays in quite a few tournaments himself.

LeftHandLeads · July 26, 2011

Thanks guys! I should have guessed that Catigny would have good instructors. The course and the facility are top notch.

I had also heard good things from my neighbor about the instructor at Mill Creek in Geneva.

Any other suggestions would be great. Thanks!

2ball, where do you live in North Aurora? I am in Tanner Trails.

-JG

putts4bogey · December 27, 2011

Rich Flores. I think he is still at Mill Creek.

2ball · January 24, 2012

[quote name='LeftHandLeads' timestamp='1311733826' post='3427217']
Thanks guys! I should have guessed that Catigny would have good instructors. The course and the facility are top notch.

I had also heard good things from my neighbor about the instructor at Mill Creek in Geneva.

Any other suggestions would be great. Thanks!

2ball, where do you live in North Aurora? I am in Tanner Trails.

-JG

[/quote]

Pine Creek. Also left handed.

2ball · January 24, 2012

[quote name='LeftHandLeads' timestamp='1311435183' post='3416667']
To anyone who lives in the Fox Valley (Aurora, Batavia, , Geneva, Naperville, etc..) IL area, can you recommend a good PGA pro/instructor for lessons?

I really want to go to someone who's approach is to take your swing (assuming my fundementals are correct) and make it better versus completely retooling and teaching the same swing to everyone (i.e. rotary, S&T). I am a decent player (13), but have gotten very inconsistent off of the tee with my driver (even 3 wood). My irons and short game continue to improve, but I really would like to go to someone to see what I am doing with my driver and then return to them on a regular basis to make sure my bad habits are not creeping back into my swing.

I really want to go to someone who uses video to analyze the swing as part of their instruction. I think this is exremely helpful, so that I can actually see what I am doing incorrectly, versus counting entirely on feel. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

-JG
[/quote]

My brother (lives in Geneva) took a few lesson from Brian King at Prairie Landing at the end of the season and is happy with the initial results. More affordable than the Cantigny Guys.

allegrolink · January 24, 2012

[/quote]

My brother (lives in Geneva) took a few lesson from Brian King at Prairie Landing at the end of the season and is happy with the initial results. More affordable than the Cantigny Guys.
[/quote]

I've often seen Brian working on the range. He has a good manner and seems to work well with both kids and adults. He has a loyal following. He has had great results with competitive high school kids. I do not know his approach.

Between Prairie and Cantigny, you also have two of the best practice facilities in the area -- allowing for all kinds of instruction.

LeftHandLeads · February 25, 2012

I finally looked at this thread again! Only took me a few months :russian_roulette:

I actually went to Brian King late last year, and have gone to him once this winter at his indoor teaching area at PL. He is a great guy and I really like his approach and he has a very simple way of explaining things. Great ability to communicate with golfers at all levels. I wish I would have started going to him early last Spring, and I probably would have played much better last Summer. I plan on taking lessons from him this Spring at least once/month and maybe even a playing lesson. He identified what I was doing incorrectly in my swing almost immediately. After a couple adjustments, I was hitting it way better.

One of his students from St. Charles goes to UNLV and did really well at the US Amateur last year.

[quote name='2ball' timestamp='1327427514' post='4145701']
[quote name='LeftHandLeads' timestamp='1311435183' post='3416667']
To anyone who lives in the Fox Valley (Aurora, Batavia, , Geneva, Naperville, etc..) IL area, can you recommend a good PGA pro/instructor for lessons?

I really want to go to someone who's approach is to take your swing (assuming my fundementals are correct) and make it better versus completely retooling and teaching the same swing to everyone (i.e. rotary, S&T). I am a decent player (13), but have gotten very inconsistent off of the tee with my driver (even 3 wood). My irons and short game continue to improve, but I really would like to go to someone to see what I am doing with my driver and then return to them on a regular basis to make sure my bad habits are not creeping back into my swing.

I really want to go to someone who uses video to analyze the swing as part of their instruction. I think this is exremely helpful, so that I can actually see what I am doing incorrectly, versus counting entirely on feel. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

-JG
[/quote]

My brother (lives in Geneva) took a few lesson from Brian King at Prairie Landing at the end of the season and is happy with the initial results. More affordable than the Cantigny Guys.
[/quote]

saggysag · February 26, 2012

ive worked with quite a few teaches in chicago land... far and away ...the best is.....kevin weeks at cog hill . . . .he's excellent in every regard.

JakeBarnes · August 4, 2012

[quote name='putts4bogey' timestamp='1324998662' post='3992011']
Rich Flores. I think he is still at Mill Creek.
[/quote]

I concur with Rich. Really good guy that gave me lessons when I was a junior. He really broke the game down for me on a "feel" level which catered to my learning and understanding of the golf swing. Highly suggest him.