OJ Amaya Golf Academy — Local services in Chula Vista

Background: I'm reasonably athletic, but didn't grow up doing hand-eye coordination-based sports (I was a runner). I've taken all kinds of sports-related lessons as an adult, and I'm a teacher, so I've become pretty savvy over the years in terms of identifying instructors who are good teachers vs. those who are not. I started playing golf about ten years ago, playing for a little bit and then putting the clubs away for years at a stretch. OJ is the third or fourth golf instructor that I've had. Even though I have to drive 30 minutes each way to see him, I will continue to do so, because he is FANTASTIC. Here's what I like about him (in no particular order):

He is professional. He comports himself as a professional. Sounds like a no-brainer, but I've been surprised over the years at the various instructors who don't seem to take their jobs seriously. If I'm paying for a private lesson, I expect the instructor to act like a professional -- which OJ does. While professional, OJ is not overly serious or overly uptight. I think he strikes just the right balance of being focused on instruction and being approachable and relaxed. The reality is that connecting with your instructor is an important element of the lesson, and OJ does a good job of it. No matter your skill level, OJ can work with you. I've taken a few semi-private lessons and the range of ability has been wide. He was able to work with each person and give them pointers (male and female, young and old, athletic and not). He never seems to be talking down to anyone, or focusing too much on the "talented" people. OJ can work with anyone. SUPER IMPORTANT: OJ does not overwhelm you with a million things to work on at once. This is particularly important with golf, where you have a lot of time to overthink everything! When I started, he could've told me 37 things to do (tweak this, don't forget about that, do this, make sure of that...). If he had, I may have thought he was a genius and that he was very helpful, but now that I've been playing for a while, I've realized that telling me too much would've been a disaster. It was more genius of him to tell me only one or two things to focus on at a time. The instinct to "over-instruct" is strong in many people, but not OJ. This is critically important when you're learning something as complex as a golf swing! OJ will video you on his iPad and show it to you, using some amazing golf program to compare your swing to those of professionals. Yes, I was intimidated at first. But it's not a big deal at all, and I've learned a ton from watching 20 seconds here and 20 seconds there. Other pros will charge you extra for such services. OJ is organized and reliable. No last-minute cancellations or confusion about lessons. He is also easily reachable by text. Again, not all instructors are as reliable/organized. OJ varies lessons and works on all aspects of the game (as he should). All of it has been useful and helpful! My golf game has improved TREMENDOUSLY in the time I've taken lessons from OJ. I know I should play more often, but mostly I go to my weekly lesson, and every few weeks or so I might get out to the driving range or play 9 holes. Even then, because of the things we've worked on and the tips he's given me, I've made great progress. Even my male friends who are serious golfers have complimented me on my swing (trust me, they wouldn't do it "just because"). Improving is the whole point of lessons, isn't it?!!

I know this is a long and detailed review, but I mean every word and I would highly encourage anyone who's considering golf lessons to at least give OJ a try. (An added bonus is that he's at the Eastlake Country Club, which has a GRASS driving range... ...

Our family started taking lessons from OJ 2 years ago after our daughters participated in OJ's Junior Golf Camp. They have since attended just about every golf camp that he has offered and we now plan our vacations during school breaks around them. At the time we started, my youngest daughter was 6 and my oldest 8 year old. We wanted to take lessons so that we could play together as a family while on vacation and on weekends for family time. OJ has been fantastic with my daughters and not only has patience for all the kids but a wonderful, calm presence that not only encourages them but allows them to have a lot of fun. He has great skills games that he has the kids play during camp and junior clinic that my daughters love. During the end of golf camp party that he holds, I always see a bunch of smiling faces. He has not only fostered a great love of golf in my kids, but my husband has been bitten by the bug too. We have all learned so much and continue to learn a lot as we continue under OJ's instruction. I do not play as much as the rest of the family and we recently all played together. Let me just say that OJ has done a most excellent job of teaching all the different rules of golf to my daughters. I was corrected many times by my daughters and I think they enjoyed it! I love watching how each of my daughters' swings have evolved under OJ's instruction and he also has a swing analysis program that documents it wonderfully. Most recently, my youngest had her first birdie and she just wanted to keep playing. I took golf lessons 14 years ago and then quit because I wasn't able to hit a ball off the ground without hitting it too thin. OJ was able to analyze and correct my problem so that this is no longer an issue. Whether young or old, OJ will do an excellent job in his...

I have wanted to learn how to golf for years. My husband and dad are great golfers, but a few trips to the range with them unmotivated me from going again. I had no idea what I was doing, I couldn't make contact with the ball.

My husband took a private lesson with OJ, and told me about the 'Get Golf Ready' program that is available. It's an introductory group lesson, 5 sessions at 1 hr each. I was a little hesitant to join at first, but then figured I should give it one last try.

I am so glad I took this course with OJ! He explained the golf etiquette and showed us the proper way to use each club.

The basic itinerary for the course is: Session 1 - putting Session 2 - chipping Session 3 - full swing with irons Session 4 - full swing with woods and driver Session 5 - play 1 hole of the course

He made me feel very comfortable, and was able to tell me what I was doing wrong and correct it. I now enjoy going to the driving range and practice what I learned from the class. And, as OJ's student, you get 50% off for the range balls at the golf course!

For those of you that want to learn how to golf, this is the program! Don't hesitate,...