Summer sports may seem like a swing and a miss these days. But one game that lends itself to social distancing? Golf lessons for your pint-sized putters. We’ve uncovered some awesome golf camps and instructors around town that are open for business, with safety measures firmly established. Read on for all the details and get ready for an above par summer!
Golf Tec - Multiple Locations
With more than half a dozen Southern California locations to choose from, Golf Tec makes it easy to find a great teacher for your golf-loving tot! Their customized lesson packages are all about zeroing in on what your golfer needs and how to fine-tune their skills. Package plans start at 5 lessons for $357 (with swing evaluations an extra cost) or if you really want to submerge your student in some hardcore instruction there are comprehensive game plan packages starting at $928. Best to contact them directly for accurate pricing which can vary depending on the location.
Ages: While there are no age minimums in place, they usually teach kids ages 8 and up.
Covid considerations: Golf Tec has put a ton of new safety procedures into place for all budding golfers such as masks required for both teacher and student, reducing the number of people in the facility at any given time, and hand sanitizer pumps available at all teaching bays.
Online: golftec.com
Golf Outings With Derrick - Rancho Park
From now through September 4, get your mini Mickelsons signed up for personalized golf instruction from one of LA's finest at the Rancho Park Golf Academy. Their "Golf Outings With Derrick" classes are taught by former PGA golf pro Derrick Allen (who has also taught the likes of Bill Clinton, Morgan Freeman, and David Duchovney to name a few!). These outings are scheduled Monday - Friday each week, 3 sessions per day and each session is 2.5 hours long with only 3 kiddos in a session at a time. Prices range from $165/per student per day for a 3 student session to $375 per day for a one-student/private golf outing with Derrick! Check out the website for more details on how to get the little golf pros in your family signed up!
Ages: 5 - 16.
Covid considerations: To adhere to state-mandated safety measures, there can only be a maximum of 3 students per session, students must bring and wear their own protective masks, no sharing of supplies, hand washing, and sanitizing often and 6 feet of distance between everyone involved.
Online: ranchoparkgolfacademy.com
PGA Junior Golf Camps - Encino & Van Nuys
If private lessons are a bit more than you were looking to spend, there actually is a golf camp running this Summer and you can find it either at the Sepulveda Golf Complex located on the Encino/Balboa golf courses or in Van Nuys at the Van Nuys course. PGA Junior Golf camps are offering both half-day (best for beginners) and full-day (geared more toward the advanced player) experiences with hands-on instruction from certified PGA professionals for a fraction of the cost of private lessons. Here your little birdies will learn basic golf skills while they have a blast playing engaging games and activities.
Encino/Balboa: Your tiny Tigers are in good hands here with coaches/camp directors Riley Michaelis and Dan Martin who have years of experience with both professional golfing and with instructing others! Camp runs from July 27 - August 7 with the half-day camp (3 hours) at $295/week and full-day camp (7 hours) is $495/week.
Van Nuys: PGA member Wayne Tyni wants to make sure all junior golfers enjoy themselves on the golf course so there is no doubt his campers are in for an ace of a time! Camp runs from August 3 - 7 and costs $250/week for half-day instruction and $495/week for a full 7 hours.
Ages: The half-day camp is specifically for kids ages 6-13 while the full-day camp is aimed at ages 9-16.
Covid considerations: Safety is PGA Golf Camps' biggest concern with rules in place to keep everyone safe such as 6 feet between campers at all times, no sharing of equipment, and mandatory hand washing/sanitizing every 60 minutes (and more!).
Online: pgajuniorgolfcamps.com
Ayumi Hori
Another PGA golf pro offering private lessons, Ayumi Hori has years of experience teaching the younger set and even recently won "Best Teacher in the State of California" from Golf Digest magazine (so you know you're small swingers are in good hands)! Her first experience with your kiddo will be an introductory evaluation and swing analysis where she will be able to gauge ability and from there will tailor each individual lesson to make sure you're getting the right bang for your buck. Ayumi teaches her private lessons at the Encino Balboa golf course and prices range from $85 for a 30-minute lesson to $125 for an hour session. If you have a real putter-in-training on your hands, it's most cost-effective to purchase one of her package deals which also range from $440 for 8 lessons at 30 minutes each or $680 for 8 lessons at one hour each. If your wee one is 6 and under, prices drop to $396 for 8 30-minute lessons or $612 for 8 60-minute lessons!
Ages: All ages
Covid considerations: Masks for both instructor and student are required and everyone tries to stay at least 6 feet apart during the lesson. At the course, every other stall is blocked off with caution tape so your student will certainly be 20 feet apart from the person hitting behind and in front of them! Ayumi also carries disinfecting wipes and rubbing alcohol with her at all times to make sure everything is sanitized before use!
Online: @ayumihorigolf
Coming Soon!
It's worth keeping the following kid-centered golf schools/coaches on your radar as they all may be taking students soon!
Play Golf LA - Sean Keller, PGA
L.A. Golf Academy - Carlos Rodriguez, PGA
Westchester Golf Course - Lynn Ralston
–Jenifer Scott
featured photo: Donna Berry Glass
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Everything You Need to Know About LA Summer Camps
32 Things to Do with LA Kids this Summer (Social Distancing Edition)
LA Farms Open for Socially Distanced Berry Picking
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