Marcus HillGrowing up in NC in a heavily Basketball-influenced circle, I felt out of place since my Michael Jordan was Tiger Woods. Fortunately, my parents were extremely supportive because when I told them that I wasn’t into the NBA but the PGA, they immediately paired me with a golf coach.
Fast forward to today, and I’m still grateful that I got to be personally trained by an exceptional pro. So, to pay it forward, I enlisted my team’s help to find Charlotte’s best golf coaches and help future golfers find their swing early on.
So, whether you want to enroll your kid or want to get started on your tee time yourself, keep on reading to discover the best golf coaches in Charlotte who’ll help you swing smarter!
What is the average cost of golf coaches in Charlotte?
The average cost of hiring Golf coaches in Charlotte ranges from $60 to $150 or more per hour for one-on-one coaching, depending on the facilities, lesson type, and the experience of the coach themselves.
1. Stuart McKechnie – SM Golf Coaching
Services: Individual coaching, ladies groups, elite development program, junior and adult programs
Location: 10420 John Price Rd, Unit D
Contact: [email protected]
Business hours:
- Monday and Tuesday: 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Wednesday and Friday: 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM
- Thursday: 11:00 AM to 6:30 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Stuart McKechnie was one of our top prospects due to his strong credentials, being recognized as a Class-A certified teaching professional by the Professional Golfers’ Association. This signifies that he has undergone the necessary training and evaluation to become an instructor.
We also discovered that he holds a Master’s in Kinesiology, where he uses his expertise on body movements to translate into golf swings.
Aside from the technicalities, Stuart also includes mental strategies in his classes to target his students holistically. Previous students have shared that this approach helped them become more confident in the field and develop a more competitive mindset.
Our interviewees also stated that Stuart takes his time with each student, allowing him to work on their personal strengths and weaknesses.
Stuart also has access to modern tech to aid his coaching, such as launch monitors, video analysis, and practice platforms.
The only downside? His pedigree and use of state-of-the-art facilities also mean pricier rates.
The support my son has needed
“My now 16-year-old has been working with Coach Stuart for over 8 years! He was one of his first students at SM Golf, and loves being there learning from him every week!
He has grown as a golfer physically and mentally, and as he is quickly approaching what to do after high school, he is more prepared because of Stuart’s advice and coaching.
This program has been the support he’s needed through his high school golf career, which started in 7th grade.”
Kevin and Alice Davis, Google Review
Highly suggest
“As a long-time golfer, I’ve played at a high level and still compete today. It has been great to see Stuart’s attention to detail and connection to all aspects of the game (fitness, mental, putting, and full swing) through the use of technology as a visual training aid. Highly suggest.”
Colleen Shepard, Google Review
2. Randy Joyner – Tour Techniques
Services: Skill building, club fitting, one-on-one, on-course sessions, playing assessments
Location: 11120 Ballantyne Country Club Dr
Contact: +1 704-791-2379
Business hours:
Randy Joyner was a no-brainer for us, given his extensive golfing experience as both a PGA player and coach. This makes him one of the most well-rounded coaches in Charlotte, as he understands both the mental and physical aspects of being a golfer.
His portfolio speaks for itself as well, as he’s coached students in various leagues, including players on the Korn Ferry and LPGA Tours. With that said, his pricing is appropriately premium.
However, our interviewees noted that they didn’t regret a single penny, as Randy offered coaching that tackled lessons beyond just swinging. Students shared how he gave them a glimpse into his mind by teaching them how to think and strategize in the course like a pro.
Moreover, students understood the cost when they saw that his training was always held on the golf course of Ballantyne Country Club, no less.
We also appreciated how Randy kept it simple during his lessons, allowing students to learn techniques in clear and understandable instructions.
One of the top golf coaches in Charlotte
“You can’t change my mind that Randy Joyner is one of the top golf coaches in Charlotte, NC, if not the very best!
I had the pleasure of working with Randy when I was first getting into golf, and I was trying to lower my score and handicap. In two years, Randy helped take me from a 30 handicap down to a 2 handicap.
He is able to take the game of golf and explain it in a unique way that people can understand and use in their game.
He’s not a scientist who calculates your swing plane and club head speed to make sure you have the optimal ball flight…but a very practical, down-to-earth, and personable coach who makes the game of golf fun and enjoyable for any golfer who has the pleasure of working with him.
He’s coached tour players all the way to amateurs and youth golfers because his style of instruction is so simple yet effective.
If you’re looking for a local golf coach in Charlotte to help lower your scores, you’d be making a mistake not reaching out to Randy Joyner.”
Jordan Ledwein, Google Review
Simple and consistent
“If you have the opportunity to get on Randy’s schedule, don’t hesitate, pull the trigger! Went from an 18 handicap to 11 in 5 lessons.
The best thing about Randy is that he doesn’t give you a million things to think about at once. He keeps things simple and consistent. He also doesn’t use all the contraptions you see other instructors on YouTube using. The guy knows golf!
10/10!”
Christopher Germain, Google Review
3. Scott Hadley – GOLFTEC Tyvola
Services: Club fitting, swing evaluation, personalized improvement plans, on-course golf lessons
Location: 726 Tyvola Rd.
Contact: +1 704-405-1490
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
We wanted to include Scott Hadley because we know he has completed the rigorous GOLFTEC training. Although it’s not as prestigious as a PGA certification, this signifies that he has a deep understanding of swing mechanics and advanced coaching techniques.
Our respondents also highlighted that Scott and his team at GOLFTEC were great for beginners, as they weren’t intimidating. They added how they welcomed them in their training bays, and even gave them insights outside of training sessions.
The training bay is arguably the best-selling point of choosing Scott. Each GOLFTEC facility is equipped with advanced tech that helps in swing analysis. This data is then used by coaches to create a personalized lesson plan to work on each student’s flaws.
Students also highlighted the in-depth custom club fitting, which helped them find the perfect weight, handle, etc., that suited their swing.
Lastly, we appreciated how Scott also offers on-course golf lessons after the in-depth analysis and plans from their training bay.
This training facility is top-notch
“I’ve had several Golf lessons over the years, but this training facility is top-notch. The main difference for me is the technology they use to help you improve your game.
Other Golf lessons, such as video training, one or two-day lessons are OK to do, but if you’re serious about Golf and want to take it to the next level, GolfTec on Tyvola Rd in Charlotte is what you are looking for.
Each week, you will learn more techniques about improving your Golf game. Now, after only a few weeks of training, I feel so much better and know exactly what I was doing wrong. It takes practice, but this team of professionals knows how to improve your game.
My handicap was an easy 20, and now I’m down to a solid 12 and getting lower each time I play. I’ll be breaking 80 real soon. I’m more consistent with my game and feel so much more confident. Nice!”
AR, Google Review
Excellent instructor
“Scott is an excellent instructor. He is experienced and has the ability to isolate issues to work on, taking a complicated thing like a golf swing and simplifying it for the student. I highly recommend him to anyone interested in becoming a better golfer.”
J’Nell Bryson, Google Review
4. Cleve Coldwater – Leatherman Golf Learning Center
Services: Adult private lessons, adult group lessons, junior group lessons
Location: 5845 S Tryon St.
Contact: (704) 527-1123
Business hours:
- Tuesday: 12:00 PM to 5:30 PM
- Wednesday to Friday: 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM
- Saturday: 9:30 AM to 8:30 PM
We knew we had to include Cleve Coldwater when we discovered that he’s been PGA certified since 1985, making him one of the tenured golf coaches in Charlotte.
Previous students also stated that Cleve doesn’t shy away from sharing insights that aren’t typically taught in lessons, such as the environment in professional golf settings.
His tenure is also a testament to his love for the game, which bleeds into his teaching sessions. For instance, students who started as beginners or were slightly experienced noted that Cleve exudes enthusiasm and made them feel that he wants them to improve through his patience.
Our interviewees also shared that they chose Cleve because of his affiliation with the Leatherman Golf Learning Center. This place offers facilities for training in different aspects of golf, from putting greens to driving ranges.
The only downside we’ve heard from our interviewees is his slightly limited operating hours, as he’s unavailable from Friday to Sunday.
Best range in Charlotte!
“Best range in Charlotte! They just installed TrackMan for all the covered bays and up top.
Great instructors too! Go have Cleve fix you up! Thanks, Leatherman.”
Sam H, Google Review
Improved my golf game by 20 strokes
“Staff inside the pro shop has always been very helpful. They have invested a lot in improving the chipping and putting greens. I also highly advise on lessons. 5 sessions with Cleve improved my golf game by 20 strokes.”
Chris Esquilin, Google Review
5. Rushi Oza Golf
Services: Private classes
Location: 7101 Highland Creek Pkwy
Contact: +1 330-806-9733
Business hours: Daily from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Our interviewees were excited to talk about Rushi Oza, and upon seeing his experience as a Class A PGA professional, we immediately understood why.
Aside from being nationally recognised, Rushi was beloved by his students due to his additional insight as someone who’s competed for championships. Our interviewees stated how they didn’t just pick up fundamentals but the right competitive mindset as well.
We also appreciated how Rushi approaches each student individually as opposed to offering a structured class. Previous students highlighted his passion for identifying their strengths and weaknesses to develop plans and achieve their goals.
Rushi was also praised for not forgetting the basics, as he covers everything from correct posture and backswing to body rotation techniques, proper sequencing, and more.
We were also surprised to see that he can also analyze forms and provide personalized plans online. Of course, the only downside to having a pro like this during your training is the hefty price tag.
I’ve seen significant improvements
“I’ve been taking lessons with Rushi for over a year, and he’s truly an exceptional coach. He takes the time to understand your individual goals and works with your natural swing instead of trying to mold you into a specific style. His personalized approach makes a huge difference.
During the lesson, Rushi uses photos and videos from different angles to provide visual feedback that has been incredibly helpful in understanding what I need to improve.
Thanks to Rushi, I’ve seen significant improvements in both my swing and consistency. If you’re serious about improving your golf game, I highly recommend him!”
Duke Durot, Google Review
Made a lasting impact on my golf game
“Rushi is an amazing golf coach! He has helped me tremendously and is always pushing me to improve my game. He is very detailed and ensures that each lesson is beneficial in making you a better golfer.
He does not let you leave a lesson without feeling improvement. He understands your capabilities and maximizes his knowledge about the game to bring out the best in you as a player.
Rushi has made a lasting impact on my golf game, and I enjoy playing golf every time I play, rather than being worried about being bad”
Mike Cadigan, Google Review
