Spring break best time to get back to school of golf

With the passing of winter arrives the moment when golfers emerge sleepily from their dens and fix their gaze upon fairways and greens. OK, that may be a stretch, considering that -- for those willing to brave nippy temperatures -- golf is always in season here in Southern Nevada. However, like their counterparts in chillier climes, many local players stow their clubs for the winter, leading to the formation of rust, particularly on the hinge where hands meet grip.

By most accounts, millions of golfers have never taken a single lesson. While cost may be a factor, that theory starts to leak like a push fade when one sees the proliferation of new TaylorMade R11 drivers on local ranges. A more plausible explanation, based upon personal experience, is anxiety about "starting over" with a new swing, combined with a reluctance to show a professional instructor a move reminiscent of a rec-league hockey player being swarmed by wasps.

Those whose disposable income does not allow for big-ticket golf expenditures can take heart: Although formal instruction isn't free (start planting gift idea seeds now for Father's Day and Mother's Day or anniversaries and birthdays that end in zero), it doesn't have to break the bank. Almost every golf course in Southern Nevada has a teaching pro or two, and many facilities host group clinics.

Both individual lessons and clinics have their limitations, however. For the former, improvement is going to take some time, based upon the frequency of sessions. Also, keeping new swing thoughts fresh between lessons can be a challenge. Clinics are the most affordable option, but the trade-off is attention. With anywhere from four to 10 or more students, the swing tips can be relatively few and far between.

The sweet spot of instruction is the "golf school," where students spend anywhere from one to five full days immersing themselves in the game. From physical aspects such as the proper grip, weight transfer and short-game techniques to mental elements like course management and shot selection, instructional academies are high-intensity boot camps from which weekend hackers can emerge lean, mean golfing machines.

Southern Nevada, by virtue of its tourism trade, is fortunate to house several of the nation's most prominent facilities. While initial sticker shock may be an obstacle, the cumulative per-hour rate isn't unreasonable, and these schools are selling more than swing tips; the outings are as much about the experience as they are about learning.

If golf instruction had a first name, it would be Butch. It doesn't seem to matter who's making the list, Butch Harmon is consistently rated America's best golf teacher. Best known for honing the swing of a young Tiger Woods, Harmon still oversees an impressive stable of PGA pros that includes Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott and Natalie Gulbis.

His legend only grew earlier this year when Mickelson, struggling during a tournament, flew Harmon out for a quick morning session. Lefty won the following week at Pebble Beach.

Based out of Henderson's Rio Secco Golf Club, the Butch Harmon School of Golf utilizes a somewhat different approach than many other well-regarded academies. Rather than starting from square one, Harmon's instructors take a student's existing swing and try to remove the fatal flaws. That isn't to say that Harmon's teachers won't address fundamentals or can't work with newbies; they can and do regularly teach players whose swings make Charles Barkley look like Fred Couples.

As an institution, no name is more synonymous with golf excellence than the PGA. Based out of TPC Las Vegas, the Tour Academy brings meticulous attention to detail to the turf classroom. Like PGA players, this school emphasizes one thing above all others: consistency.

Using a combination of advanced video technology and the keen eye of seasoned instructors, the Tour Academy takes a building-block approach to help golfers acquire repeatable skills. Game-improvement drills designed for focused practice sessions provide benefits that extend long after the school bell rings. Players leave with personalized lesson plans, and the Tour Academy keeps teacher-student ratios very low so everyone gets personalized attention.

Founded by longtime PGA Tour veterans Bob May and Jeff Gallagher, the Bob May Golf Academy at Silverstone Golf Club gives students a chance to learn from active golf professionals. May is best known for taking Tiger Woods to the brink during the 2000 PGA Championship, succumbing by a single stroke in the tournament's first three-hole playoff.

Both individual and family lessons are available, and more advanced players can take advantage of a private playing lesson or full round with either May or Gallagher. The academy also serves Primm Valley Golf Club and Badlands Golf Club.

For those who are less interested in the experience than they are in the analysis, the nationwide chain GolfTEC offers a different kind of learning. At these indoor facilities, it's all about technology. Swing planes are compared to professionals so players can see how their positions at key points differ from the pros. All of the vital stats are recorded so students can track their progress, and enrollees have access to videos of their swing through GolfTEC's website.

With options at every price point, cost is no longer a viable excuse for skipping school. Embarrassment, on the other hand? Seriously, these instructors have seen everything, including club-throwing.