Palm Springs Golf Academy Testimonials

Hi Rod (and Sandy)

A few comments regarding my experience in Palm Springs with you and your crew...

As a beginning golfer, the Palm Springs Golf Academy provided me with much more than just the basics. I now have a strong understanding of the swing that will allow me to continue to improve and enjoy further learning the game.

Elaine San Jose, CA
Class of 2008

Rod,

You could pay more for golf school and get a handshake from a name-brand teacher, but you won't receive better instruction, use better practice, range and golf course facilities or have a better overall golfing experience at any price than you'll receive at the Palm Springs Golf Academy. Surely no other golf school has four of the top ten teaching professionals from any state. The Westin Mission Hills Resort and its golf facilities are world-class. The Academy's planning and organization are flawlessly executed, with each student receiving tailored instruction and a level of personal attention not provided elsewhere. Your only regret will be when the week ends too soon.

Tim G
San Jose, California
Class of 2008

I have been a single handicap golfer for many years with no hope for improvement until I attended The Palm Springs Golf Academy (the past two sessions). My short game and putting are much better; my drives longer than ever. The instructors and staff are patient and easy to understand. It was fun!!! I shall attend next year.

Katie Blaess
Class of 2008

During my 27 years in medical practice and 60 hour workweeks I often wondered where my associates were on Wednesday afternoons. Golfing! I often thought about it but never had time to begin! Since I retired, The Palm Springs Golf Academy has taught me the fundamentals and given me the confidence I needed to play almost anywhere, anytime. In the past five years my handicap has improved from 31 to 22! I now comfortably play approximately 100 rounds per year.

Richard N. Roger, M.D. Four Time P.S.G.A. Alumnus
Class of 2008

The best kept secret for Aussie golfers (of all standards) is the Palm Springs Golf Academy! We stumbled on this via their web site and were rewarded with a perfect mix of golf instruction, in small groups, golf rounds with expert and patient instructors, and most enjoyable "apres golf" each evening.

We have already booked to secure a spot for next year.

Wendy and David Brender
Sydney Australia
Class of 2008

Rod "professional instructors are excellent; I learn new info every year".

Marv Woodall (attends every year since 2002)
Class of 2009

Dear Rod,

As a 4 time attendee of the Palm Springs Golf Academy, I wish I could say that I attended just to improve my game. It is true that my handicap index at the beginning was in the high 20s and thanks to the school it is down to 12. It is also true that the instructors are fantastic and give each student detailed personal attention. My experiences at the school have taught me that the best way to improve my game to go through the intensive instruction, practice and play in a golf school environment at the beginning of the season. If you can call practicing and playing golf working hard, we certainly do and it has paid off every year. Game improvement alone probably would not have kept me coming back.

The real reason I keep coming back is that the school is simply a lot of fun. The golf is great, the people are great and you can't beat the Palm Springs area. There is no better way to spend a week to open the season and enjoy yourself.

Ernie Auciello Jr.
Cleveland, Ohio
Class of 2009

My wife and I have attended the Palm Springs Golf academy the last two years and plan to keep coming back for years to come. Like a lot of beginning golfers, we wanted to learn to play the game well enough to play social golf. We were concerned that the Palm Springs Golf Academy would be over our heads but soon learned that Rod Johnston and his excellent staff genuinely enjoyed working with people of all skill levels. We never would have progressed so much working with a pro in our hometown a day or two a week. The expert observation and advice we’ve received at the practice area and on the course has improved our golf. But mostly we’ve had a great time! The social interaction with the other participants has been almost as rewarding as the coaching of Charlie Wood, Chuck Rininger and Larry Manski. We’re already looking forward to next year.

Lee Woodward
Colorado
Class of 2009

I am so pleased that I attended the Palm Springs Golf Academy this year.
I am a 6 handicap, and learned more about the do's and don'ts of my golf game, both technical and mental than I could imagine.
I also enjoyed the social atmosphere with the other attendees and the professionalism and camraderie of Rod's staff.

Mike Beck
Class of 2009

Hi Rod!

I have really enjoyed my 2 trips to the golf school. It is a wonderful way to start the golf season. I don't generally get away during the winter, so I look forward to working on my game intensively for 5 days. The staff is warm and encouraging, and we've met some great people from around the country. My family thinks that it has really improved my golf game (which needs a lot of work!!)We have had terrific weather both times and the setting is spectacular, which makes practicing more fun! Palm Springs is a sophisticated town in a wonderful area, and I look forward to returning!

Meg Stanton
Class of 2009

I have been going to the Palm Springs Golf Academy for the last 7 years with my father. All the instructors are top notch and genuinely care about every individual in the class. There is nowhere else that I am aware of where you can spend the morning on the range getting one-on-one instruction then going out on the course in the afternoon with your instructor.

Mark Woodall
Wahington, DC
Class of 2009

Hi Rod!

Four years of “Golf School” and on to my fifth with hopes I never graduate! Dedicated talented professionals of an unchallengeable learning opportunity. Lots of fun and social opportunities with other fellow participants in the beautiful surroundings of Palm Springs. Doesn’t get any better than this…..

Mary & Gary
British Columbia
Class of 2009

Dear Rod,

Thank you very much for a wonderful Golf Academy. I got out of it exactly what I wanted. It was a wonderful mix of personalized golf instruction and social activities. My instructor was fantastic and I especially appreciated the on-course instruction and video feedback. This academy is truly for all levels of golf abilities and is held in the perfect setting with excellent facilities. Your staff was very helpful and friendly.

Thanks so much for offering a golf instruction program that was well worth the trip!

Cory Etchberger
Switzerland
Class of 2009

Rod,

As an absolute beginner you took the fear of the course away and turned what was otherwise an arcane mystery into a fun event.

Ernie Grossman
Class of 2009

Rod,

I had the privilege of attending the Palm Springs Golf Academy (PSGA) this past March 2009. The experience far exceeded my initial expectations. Everything including the accommodations, the golf professional instructors, the fellow golfers, and even the weather made for a quite enjoyable trip. Rod Johnston and his entire staff were wonderful and very accommodating throughout our stay. My wife attended as a non golfer and also enjoyed herself. She enjoyed the hotel amenities including the pool and spa, as well as the Palm Springs area shopping and wonderful restaurants. I attended the PSGA in hopes of improving my golf game and feel I accomplished this during the week with the help of the terrific instruction I received. I also left with a new appreciation for the game. I would strongly recommend the PSGA to any golfer from a beginner to a single digit handicap player. It was a great experience for me, and one I am certain you would appreciate after attending.

Tony Hayek
Class of 2009

Rod,

Enduring professional coaching that continuously improves my game. Thanks,

Marv Woodall
Class of 2010

Rod,

This school is more fun than should be allowed, learn a lot about golf but laugh all the time, great people, great place, great friends, the best

Kal and Gew
Class of 2010

Rod,

The instructors were knowledgeable, friendly professionals who provided practical instructions that I could implement and see quick results. They helped resolve swing problems that I had created over many years of making crazy adjustments and I was able to see immediate improvement in my ball striking and accuracy. The short game instruction was also very helpful and will contribute to more consistent play and lower scores. Great team!

Jim Hummer
Class of 2010

Rod,

For those of us who don't golf much in the winter, golf school is a wonderful way to focus on our game for a week and get rid of all those bad habits we accumulated over the summer season. It's amazing to see on the video how much the pros can improve your golf swing in just a few days!

Meg
Class of 2010

Rod,

We have very much enjoyed our week organised in march 2010 by the Palm Spring Golf Academy. The first evening we have been immediatly welcomed during a cocktail party by Rod and his team, every participant came to talk to us. The hospitality was friendly . Training was very professional , we have really improved our game. The Westin and the golf course are really nice. It was gorgeous. We recommend to European golfers to follow this US golf course , much more prfessional than the ones we had followed in the past in Europe.

Hélène and Luc GILBERT Paris France
Class of 2010

Rod,

What a wonderful vacation! I can't think of a better way for a golf enthusiast to spend a week. The service was first class, the instruction was both informative and personalized, the golf course spectacular, and most importantly, the results were both measurable and immediate. In fact, I shot my lifetime low at the end of the week. As my instructor, Larry Manski likes to say, "The proof is in the pudding!" I recommend The Palm Springs Golf Academy whole-heartedly. I look forward to next year.

Rana Lepp
Class of 2010

Rod,

This was my first trip to the Palm Springs Golf Academy. The week flew by too quickly. Everything was first class and far exceeded my expections! The instructors were professional, personalized and very helpful to my game. Would highly recommend the PSGA to anyone who wants to improve their game.

Maureen Cox
Class of 2010

Rod,

I can’t thank you enough for the week in Palm Springs. It was exactly what I was looking for in a Golf Academy. Wonderful people and fabulous instructors who could correct just about anything that was wrong on the spot. I just have to keep it all going on my home course. I hope to be able to return again and again! I searched the internet inside out for a group to join that would accommodate the needs of a single golfer looking to find a group not only to golf with but also to socialize with after hours! Yours certainly offered what I was looking for.

Thank you again.
Margaret Short - Vancouver, B.C
Class of 2010

Rod,

I went to the Palm Springs Golf Academy for the first time this year. The experience was great in every way! The program was just the right mix of group and individual instruction, practice and course play. The support staff had prepared everything flawlessly. All I had to do was show up!

The best part, though, was the friendly people, both staff and fellow students. We all had a great time playing the game we love. I look forward to attending next year and for many years to come.

Jeff
Class of 2010

Rod,

Our return visit after two years was, if possible, even more enjoyable than the previous. The golf tuition was again superb, and the camaraderie among the group, made for a great week. Well worth the trip from "Down Under". We plan on coming again next year, 2011.

Wendy and David Brender - Sydney Australia
Class of 2010

Rod,

As a past and present golf school attendee I can attest to the benefits by sharing that I was able to achieve my life low in scoring and distance on the fairway. I attribute the improvement to consistent guidance from the pro and also follow-up with our club pro Rod Johnston. It hasn’t happened overnight but you couldn’t ask for a better destination for golf school and we look forward to the great facility and all the amenities it offers as a break from our cold winter.

We’ve met some very interesting people. It becomes one big family trying to master the skill of golf and everyone is supportive of each other. The golf courses are challenging yet achievable. The staff is always on hand to assist with any problems and make the visit stress free for everyone.

I can honestly say that I have never been disappointed, it has exceeded my expectations and I highly recommend this experience to anyone wanting to improve their golf skills or just to simply play golf in lovely surroundings with professional instruction.

Experience the newest techniques, equipment and instruction surrounded by breathtaking views with professionals that care and want you to succeed.

We look forward to each season with enthusiasm and we’ve enjoyed it so much it has become a family vacation destination.

Marsha
Class of 2010

Rod,

My wife and I returned to the Palm Springs Golf Academy for the third time this year and enjoyed it even more than prior years. This year we were accompanied by our adult son as well as a mid-50’s friend. So our group was comprised of four individuals with a wide range of age and golf skills. By the end of the week, we were all playing better golf and planning our return next year.

Rod Johnston, Charlie Wood and Larry Manski love golf and their teaching reflects their passion. Their expert advice at the practice area and on the course is terrific. Of course, we expected to improve with practice but we didn’t know their love of the game would cause us to enjoy playing so much more. The PSGA has been a great experience and we highly recommend it.

Lee Woodward
Class of 2010