Head west, to PGA West, for a better golf game

If you’ve got a little spare cash and time and you’re looking to get your golf game in shape, this might be the ultimate: La Quinta Resort & Club and PGA West just opened their PGA West Golf Academy to the public this month.

The facility gives you access to some of the best teachers and tools in the business. It’s a comprehensive approach that also includes clubfitting and golf fitness.

The Academy’s instructional offering ranges from private lessons to half- and full-day coaching sessions. A full-day Player’s School, the Academy’s most comprehensive golf school program, consists of a one-hour Trackman session, five hours of instruction using on-range JC Video, lunch and a two-hour playing lesson. Customized golf schools for groups of eight or more may also be arranged.

Master club fitter Charlie Rodi, who has worked with ten major PGA/LPGA Champion winners and more than 100 pro golfers on all major tours, is in charge of clubfitting. On the golf fitness side, the academy’s Training and Nutrition Center will help golfers determine nutritional, warm-up and recovery actions which best suit their individual needs. The Training and Nutrition Center is led by noted strength and conditioning coach, Rick Stassi, who has trained Olympic and world record-holding athletes as well as collegiate All-Americans and members of pro sports teams including No. 1 draft picks in both baseball and football.

The lineup of teachers includes Bryan Lebedevitch, ranked one of the top 20 U.S. instructors under the age of 40; Chris Walkey, honored by Golf Magazine as one of the “Best in State” for California; John Battaglia, currently on the 2012 Men’s Golf All-American team; Jason Jenkins, ranked a top instructor by both Golf and Golf Digest magazines and a staff pro with Puma Golf since 2008; Jerry Mowlds, an acclaimed national top-100 instructor since 1997; and several other top teachers.

“The Academy has long been a dream of the golf team at La Quinta Resort and PGA West, and we believe we are opening with the most exciting offering, and the most accomplished group of instructors, club fitters and trainers, ever assembled in the sport” said Jerry Eye, senior director of golf, La Quinta Resort & Club. “Look for more to come in the next few months as well, with a second phase of the Academy to be announced later this year.”

For more information, visit PGAWestGolfAcademy.com.