Whether you are new to golf or have been playing for a while, the decision to go for golf coaching from a professional golf academy can be crucial. Golf is a technical and nuanced sport where precision and a deep understanding are key factors. Unlike other sports, winning in golf is not about speed or strength; it is about skill and strategy.
The goal of a golf academy is to help each student-athlete excel by enhancing their physical, mental, and tactical skills. This not only builds confidence and respect on the course but also enriches the overall golfing experience. Professional instructors focus on teaching the rules and social norms of golf, ensuring that newcomers navigate the game responsibly and enjoyably.
So, if you are contemplating golf coaching from a golf academy, you are in the right place. We will introduce you to six golf academies spread across the country that offer elite coaching and are well known for their excellent golf training facilities and top-notch coaches.
1. Tarun Sardesai Golf Academy
Location:
Zion Hills Golf County,
Kolar, Karnataka
Facilities:
- A state-of-the-art functional training center
- Nutrition management with Ryan Fernando and his team from Qua Nutrition
- Club fittings with Nikhil Raj, owner of ClubWorks, India’s only internationally certified fitting and repair company
- Mind training with Vijay Dhruv, a senior yoga therapist
- An in-house academics program
- An indoor training studio, including the SAM Putt LAB, Flightscope X3, and SAM Balance LAB
- Infirmary
Coaching Team:
- Tarun Sardesai: Director of Instruction
- Prithviraj Ram: Assistant Director of Instruction
- Madhusudan CS: Senior Coach
- Murtaza Raja: Senior Coach
- Harikumar S: Assistant Coach
Key Features:
- A world-class coaching team
- A 9-hole golf course
- A 12,000 square foot putting green with top-quality bent grass
- An all-round game on the course designed by Ronald Freem, one of the top golf course designers in the world
- Long and short-term stay options for players participating in various training programs
Link to Official Website:
Tarun Sardesai Golf Academy
Contact Information:
+91 99868 01888
rokhsar@tsgolf.in
2. Protouch Golf Academy
Location:
73, Moore Avenue, Vivekananda Nagar,
Barua Para, Ashok Nagar, Tollygunge,
Kolkata, West Bengal
Facilities:
- A comprehensive sports science wing
- A state-of-the-art high-performance studio
- Advanced 3D motion analysis powered by AI, club and ball data analysis via a launch monitor, video analysis, putting analysis, K-Vest, and other sophisticated tools for advanced player performance monitoring and evaluation
- A premier 9-hole indoor putting studio
- Club fitting studio
Coaching Team:
- Indrajit Bhalotia: Five-time winner of PGA titles, coach of the Indian National Junior Team
- Sreenjoy Majumder: Head Pro
- Bharat Rajawat: ‘A’ certified teaching professional
- Abhishek Ghosh: ‘A’ certified teaching professional
Key Features:
- NGAI-certified coaches
- A 5-hole putting area
- Driving range
- Bunker and chipping area
Link to Official Website:
Protouch Golf Academy
Contact Information:
+91-9339307007 / +91-8420240000
academy@protouchsports.net
3. 9 Aces Golf Greens and Academy
Location:
Near Nandi Farms, Bhilwale Village,
Chowk, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Facilities:
- A dedicated training academy with associated amenities
- Experienced instructors available by appointment
- Customized programs based on a thorough understanding of each learner
- Lessons for groups, including corporate groups or school/college students
- One-day introduction program for an early introduction to the game
Key Features:
- A 9-hole course designed by Chandok & Shekhon – Golfkraft India
- 250 yards driving range
- Short game area and practice putting green
- Bermuda Tifdwarf grass on the greens
Coaching Team:
- Kunal Bhasin: Academy Director & Lead Coach
- PGA of Australia Certified Golf Coach
- 20 years of experience as a touring professional
- Three international victories
- Trackman Level 2 certified
- Ramesh Chhatri: 9 Aces Golf Coach
- 9 years of industry experience
Link to Official Website:
9 Aces Golf Greens and Academy
Contact Information:
+91 87664 96682
+91 98235 38007
info@9acesgolf.com
4. Karnataka Golf Association
Location:
Golf Avenue, Off P.B. No. 817, 1,
HAL Old Airport Rd, Embassy Golf Links Business Park,
Challaghatta, Bengaluru, Karnataka
Facilities:
- Full-service dining at the clubhouse
- All on-course huts equipped with first-aid kits and intercom to the clubhouse, along with Wi-Fi facility
- Bottled water, refreshments, and restrooms provided on the course at the 4th, 6th, and 15th tees
- Buggies available for emergencies
Coaching Team:
- Tarun Sardesai: A-class coach
- Mr. Arjun Lall: A-class coach
- Mr. Sridhar S: A-class coach
- Plus over 30 well-qualified and experienced coaches
Key Features:
- A world-class coaching team
- A 7,219-yard par 72 course
- Designed by Peter Thomson
- A slope rating of 137 off the championship tees
- True-running greens of Bermuda Tiff Dwarf
Link to Official Website:
Karnataka Golf Association
Contact Information:
+91 80 4009 0000
golf@kga.in
5. Golden Swan Golf Academy
Location:
Golden Swan Country Club,
Off Pokhran Rd. 1, Yeoor Hills,
Thane, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Facilities:
- Mumbai & Thane’s only golf academy
- All-weather canopy/shelter
- Exclusive Golf Cafe
- 8 training mats
- 2 practice putting greens
- 2 practice bunkers
- 1 chipping green
- 1 driving range
Coaching Team:
- A team of highly experienced and professional staff
Key Features:
- A challenging 9-hole golf course
- Practice chipping & putting range
- Driving range with putting & chipping areas
- Golf coaching by professional coaches
- Golf learning academy
- I.G.U. affiliation
- Affiliated with over 340 clubs in India & abroad
Link to Official Website:
Golden Swan Golf Academy
Contact Information:
+91 98694 38000
golf@goldenswan.com
6. Hamoni Golf
Location:
CK Farm, Carterpuri,
Sector 23A, Gurgaon, Haryana
(Close to Palam Vihar, opposite Maruti Udyog)
Facilities:
- Customizable golf training modules
- Certified golf instructors
- Video swing analysis (Swing Studio)
- Golf clinics & workshops
- Club repair center
Coaching Team:
- John Volz: Class ‘A’ United States Professional Golfers’ Association member since 1995
- Manish Goyal: Professional golfer with over a decade of playing experience on the PGTI and international tours
- Brijesh Yadav: ‘Class D’ certified Golf Teaching Professional by the National Golf Academy of India
- Rahul Singh Pathania: ‘Class C’ certified Golf Teaching Professional by the National Golf Academy of India
- Astha Madan: Professional golfer and PGA trainee
Key Features:
- 105 driving range bays
- 9 target greens
- 4 practice greens
- 19 bunkers
- A 9-hole pitch & putt
Link to Official Website:
Hamoni Golf
Contact Information:
+91 96431 51511
play@hamonigolf.com
The Role of Golf Academies In Enhancing Performance
A golf academy can enhance your performance in a variety of ways:
1. Instruction
Professional lessons can refine your skills, address any issues affecting your game, and help eliminate performance stagnation. Additionally, a golf instructor can offer valuable advice on your equipment, potentially saving you money by guiding you toward the right choices.
2. Practice
Engaging in practice drills, such as the ladder drill for putting, can be beneficial. This drill involves placing golf balls at various distances from the hole and aiming to get each putt within 5–8 feet of the cup.
Regular practice, ideally at least three times a week, combined with a diverse set of drills and exercises, can significantly improve your skills.
3. Physical Fitness
Golf-specific workouts can enhance your swing speed and distance by targeting the appropriate muscle groups. These exercises can also boost your flexibility and balance, which are crucial for a more effective swing and increased power.
4. Equipment
Upgrading your golf equipment, such as opting for a longer putter, a larger driver, or lighter clubs, can positively impact your game. Consult with a golf professional at your club or a local golf shop to address any equipment issues.
For a more personalized approach, consider getting fitted by a professional who can assess your measurements and playing style.
Choosing the Right Academy
While enrolling for golf coaching may turn out to be the best decision of your golfing career, while selecting the best-fit golf training academy for yourself, it is very important to consider the following factors:
- Personal Goals and Preferences: The first step while choosing a golf academy for yourself is to align your personal goals and preferences with their ethos. It is important to visit the golf academy yourself, check out the facilities, and speak to the management as well as instructors.
- Instructor Quality: The qualification, experience and skill of the coaches/instructors can vary, even if they are full-time staff. Research their credentials online and seek recommendations from friends or fellow players.
- Student-to-Instructor Ratio: A lower ratio often means more personalized attention and tailored instruction.
- Lesson Types: Determine whether the academy offers private, semi-private, or group lessons to match your preference. Also, check if they are open to offering customized coaching lessons or are all about following a one-size-fits-all approach.
- Reputation and Ratings: Get feedback from friends and fellow golfers about the academy’s reputation. Check for ratings on the internet. More often than not you will also find testimonials that will give you insights into the golf academy’s workings.
- Trial Sessions: You should ensure that the golf academy you are looking at is willing to provide trial sessions as golf training facilities are not cheap. You must be sure of finding your comfort with the golf academy facilities as well as the golf instructors before locking in for the long haul.
While the above factors will give you a deeper insight into which golf training academy you want to join, there are also some practical consideration to be kept in mind:
Conclusion
To sum up, enrolling in a golf academy is a worthwhile investment in enhancing your game. However, with the multitude of options available, many academies tend to use a standardized approach that may not address individual needs effectively.
While these general methods can provide some benefit, they often fail to deliver significant, lasting improvements. Fortunately, a rising trend in golf education focuses on tailored programs, where skilled instructors work closely with each student to understand their specific goals, level of dedication, skill set, timeframe for improvement, and even their busy schedules.
This personalized approach by golf academies, which mirrors the benefits of private lessons but often at a more affordable rate, offers a more effective path to long-term progress.
So do not hesitate, take the plunge and enroll in the best golf academy near you now!
