Junior Golf Academies With Boarding & Education in the USA

Junior golf academies are boarding schools for budding golf players. Half the day is spent in classes, the other half is dedicated to golf instruction. A year of tuition can cost more than $50,000, but students get a college preparatory education along with golf instruction from knowledgeable coaches. Graduates of golf academies often play in college, and sometimes professionally. Housing and meals are provided by the academy as part of the tuition fee.

Arnold Palmer Golf Academy

The academy, part of the Saddlebrook Preparatory School, is a no-nonsense institution that's designed to turn young golfers into college-level players. Elementary and middle school students are on a split schedule from Monday to Thursday. High school students' schedule runs from Monday to Friday. The head teaching professional is Rolf Deming, a Class A PGA member who played on the PGA Tour for four years. In addition to the academy schedule, students play in the International Junior Golf Tour, the Future Collegiate World Tour and the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour. High school students also compete on the school team that plays other Florida high schools.

Arnold Palmer Golf Academy
Saddlebrook Preparatory School
5700 Saddlebrook Way
Wesley Chapel, FL 33543
[phone]
saddlebrook.com/prep/arnold_palmer_golf.html

IMG David Leadbetter Golf Academy

The Leadbetter Golf Academy is part of the IMG Academies that train budding elite athletes. Other schools include the Bollettieri Tennis Academy and IMG Baseball Academy. IMG isn't for kids just looking to play sports on a casual level. The academy asserts that good sn't good enough. IMG Leadbetter Golf Academy students are subjected to a demanding program and schedule where young men and women are taught to unleash their potential. Golf Digest named David Leadbetter the third-best golf teacher in its 2009 "America's 50 Greatest Teachers" ranking. The academy teaches not only golf technique, but other areas such as course management, mental conditioning and practice techniques. Academic classes are taken at Pendleton High School, which is on the academy's grounds. The nearby St. Stephen's Episcopal School is another option. All students take a split schedule with either morning classes and afternoon golf or morning golf and afternoon classes.

IMG David Leadbetter Golf Academy
5500 34th St. W.
Bradenton, FL 34210
[phone]
imgacademies.com/david-leadbetter-golf-academy

Junior Players Golf Academy

Two Class A PGA Professionals lead the school--Keith Bach is the owner and director of programs and Brian Moore is the director of instruction. The instructors don't teach a cookie-cutter approach as each student receives tailored instruction based on his style. A 4:1 student-teacher ratio allows teachers to pay close attention to their students. Students participate in the instructional program five days a week after school, and play in six Junior PGA Tour events on Saturdays. Classes are taken at the Hilton Head Preparatory School.

Junior Players Golf Academy
PO Box 6324
Hilton Head Island, SC 29938
[phone]
jrpga.com/junior-golf-academy-academics.html

References

• Arnold Palmer Golf Academy
• Arnold Palmer Golf Academy: Tuition
• IMG David Leadbetter Golf Academy: Junior Full-Time

Resources

• American Junior Golf Association