To book call (760) 443-0738 or email Grant
Grant has been playing golf for over 30 years. He started playing golf under the guidance of his father Jack who is a lifetime member of the PGA. He had a successful junior career winning many local and national junior tournaments. At fourteen he qualified for the National Insurance Youth Classic Tournament and Made the Cut. He also qualified for the 1986 US Junior Amateur at Murifield Village Golf Club where he made it to the final eight of match play.
In high school he was conference, regional, and sectional champion on 3 different occasions. He led his high school team to two State of Illinois State championships. His success in high school led him to receiving a golf scholarship to the University of Georgia. While at Georgia, he competed with current PGA Tour professionals Tommy Tolles, Franklin Langham, Paul Claxton, Matt Peterson and current Furman University golf coach Todd Satterfield. Upon completion at Georgia, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history in 1991.
After college, he successfully competed on the Teardrop Golf Tour where he finished seventh on the year-end money list. That finish propelled him to try to qualify for the European PGA Tour. He competed on the European PGA Tour, the European Challenge Tour, and the South African PGA Tour from 1991-1994. Although he did not win overseas, he did have a successful playing career and enjoyed many high finishes. He played with and competed against Ernie Els, Colin Mongomerie, Seve Ballesteros, Nick Price, Nick Faldo, Denis Watson, David Frost, and Retief Goosen to name a few.
When he finished his playing career, he developed a passion for teaching golf. He has taught with a number of the world’s greatest instructors including Dr. Jim Suttie, Peggy Kirk Bell, and David Leadbetter. Before joining the staff at the Aviara Golf Academy, he taught at the Bayonet and Black Horse Golf Courses in Monterey, California.
At the Aviara Golf Academy, he has enjoyed working with the staff and has developed his teaching even further while working for and with Kip Puterbaugh. He became a full time member at the academy in 1999. While working at the academy, he has taught students of all skill levels in schools and private lessons. In fact, he has one student, Sarah Salvo, who is a 12 year old girl that is currently going to play in the final stage of the US Women’s Open qualifying. She finished 5th at the first stage of qualifying beating many of the country’s best amateurs and professionals.
Grant’s biggest thrill in golf now is helping people overcome their swing flaws and making them enjoy the game even more.
Grant’s Master Instructor Tip
To hit your drives higher and farther follow these few tips and don’t be afraid to let it rip: First, tee the ball up high. Second, let your head and your spine tilt to the right more and feel like you tuck your hips slightly more forward (or underneath you). Third, swing the club away low and slow and try to keep your right arm as wide from your body as possible. Fourth, let the club settle or pause slightly at the top. This will allow the body to start the forward swing. Fifth, swing the club out through the ball and into the fullest possible finish position that you can. Do not try to hit the ball, just let the ball get in the way of your swing. Finally, let the club rip. It is ok to have a little reckless abandon.
