INSTRUCTION & GOLF ACADEMY
The Golf Academy at the Downers Grove Golf Club started in 1993 with the addition of our 300 yard, 24-station driving range and short game area. The Academy covers everything from full swing to course management and short-game analysis as well as putting consistency. Whether you’re looking for private, semi-private, group lessons, or golf camps designed for young golfers, the Downers Grove Golf Academy offers a multitude of customized group and private teaching programs.
Adult Programming
The Golf Academy has various levels of instruction for the adult golfers. Whether it’s a private setting, group atmosphere or just a night out with the ladies, our instructors will cater to your golf needs. Please browse our adult options for golf lessons and clinics.
Golf Lessons
Improve your skills with lessons from our certified golf professionals, Tom Olms and Jim Festle. The Golf Academy has various levels
of instruction. Whether it’s a private setting, group atmosphere or just a night out with the ladies, our instructors will cater to your golf needs.
Private Adult Lessons
Private golf lessons provide a one-on-one atmosphere with one of our certified golf professionals for 1/2-hour sessions. The analysis of the swing is explained and taught at the student’s level of understanding. All golf balls are included with each lesson.
| Private Lessons (30 minutes) | Adult | Junior (18 years & under) |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $50 | $40 |
| 3 Lessons | $145 | $115 |
| 6 Lessons | $265 | $205 |
| 9 Lessons | $370 | $290 |
| 12 Lessons | $460 | $350 |
Semi-private Adult or Junior Lessons
Semi-private lessons provide golf instruction in a group setting. Learn the golf game or improve your skills with someone you know. All lessons are conducted in 1-hour increments. All golf balls are included with each lesson.
| Semi-Private Lessons (1 hour) | Adult & Junior |
|---|---|
| 2 Students | $45 each |
| 3 Students | $40 each |
| 4 Students | $35 each |
| 5 Students | $30 each |
Private Junior Lessons
Private golf lessons provide a one-on-one atmosphere with one of our certified golf professionals for 1/2-hour sessions. The analysis of the swing is explained and taught at the student’s level of understanding.
| On Course Playing Session (1 hour) | Adult & Junior |
|---|---|
| Private | $100 |
| 2 Students | $60 each |
| 3 Students | $70 each |
Group Lessons
Adult Group Lessons
Have you been looking to pick up the game of golf but feel you can use some pointers and advice? Group lessons are a great way to familiarize yourself with the game and get you comfortable enough to play some rounds of golf!
Parent/Child Golf Lessons
Learn the great game of golf with your child! Classes accommodate al skill levels. Topics covered include grip, stance, swing, club selection, ball striking and basic etiquette and rules.
Women’s Only Golf School
This school provides golf instruction in a group atmosphere with all women. It is a four-week school that covers a new aspect of the golf game each week. All lessons are taught in 1-hour sessions and golf balls are included. Pre-registration is required.
JUNIOR GOLF CAMPS
Junior golfers can still work on their game during the winter months at the Recreation Center. Each participant receives practice balls during each session, Junior Rules Book and instruction by our golf professionals. We ask Junior golfers to bring their own clubs if they have some. Only a limited number of practice clubs are available for use. No make-ups are available during the sessions. Participants must have their own golf clubs. Camps are led by our two certified Golf Professionals, Jim Festle and Tom Olms.
Junior Golf Camps & Programs
Let our certified golf professionals help your junior golfer develop their skills. These popular camps range in ages 3 – 18 and are open to all skill sets. Camps take place at the Golf Course in the Spring and Summer and Indoors at the Recreation Center in Fall and Winter (Little Linkers and Junior Aces).
| Start Smart (3 – 4 years) |
Little Linkers (5 – 7 years) |
Junior Aces (8 – 14 years) |
High School Prep Camp (12 – 18 years) |
|---|
Junior Golf Development Academy
Junior golfers who are looking to put in serious work on their golf game will love this program! Golfers receive a $250 driving range pass, seven greens fee vouchers and 10 lessons from the golf professional of their choice ($55 savings!) Practice on the driving range at your convenience and schedule your lessons with the golf professional.
Junior Golf Development Academy: 12 to 18 Years Old
Junior golfers who are looking to put in serious work on their golf game will love this program! Golfers receive a $250 driving range pass, seven greens fee vouchers and 10 lessons from the golf professional of their choice ($55 savings!). Junior golfers will practice on the driving range at their convenience and golf lessons will be scheduled with the golf professional.
Women’s Only Golf School
This school provides golf instruction in a group atmosphere with all women. It is a four week school that covers a new aspect of the golf game each week. All lessons are taught in 1-hour sessions and golf balls are included. Pre-registration is required.
Parent/Child Golf Lessons
Learn the great game of golf with your child! Classes accommodate all skill levels. Topics covered include grip, stance, swing, club selection, ball striking and basic etiquette and rules. All students must provide their own clubs.
INSTRUCTOR BIOS
Jim Festle, PGTCA Golf Instructor
Jim is starting his 18th season at Downers Grove Golf course. He previously managed and taught at the Diversey Driving Range in Chicago. Last year, he became the varsity golf coach at Riverside Brookfield High School where he had three players advance to the IHSA state sectionals.
He has now given lessons to well over 200 high school golfers and has had numerous go on to play college golf. He has also given high school team clinics and group lessons the past decade at Downers Grove Golf Club.
His teaching philosophy is to keep the golf swing as simple and easy to understand as possible. By sticking with the fundamentals and developing good practice habits, golfers should have some degree of success depending on how much quality time is put into practice. By repeating a fundamentally sound swing, developing a “feel” for a good swing, and creating good muscle memory, the student will develop a good golf swing.
Tom Olms, USGTF Affiliate Member
Tom Olms began teaching golf in 1990 as the assistant golf professional at Village Greens Golf Course where he developed the Junior Golf Program. Tom is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and received a bachelor’s degree in science. He was recently involved in the creation of a swing training device unique to the teaching field.
He is a USGTF Affiliate Member. His training helped him translate how to properly understand and feel what a sound golf swing requires. Stressing the most fundamental aspects of the golf swing and proper mechanics are his keys to a repeatable swing. With practice and patience all of his students have benefited from his teaching methods.
