It has been two years since my first Bird Golf School. In that period of time you have helped me improve from shooting rounds in the 130’s to breaking 80 (78) for the first time. I cannot express to you all how grateful I am for all your help and the true dedication that you have to teaching. People at my club are always commenting on how good my swing looks and how it was that I have improved so quickly; and I tell them “it’s all because of Bird Golf, their great golf school which exceeded expectations in every way and make them, without a doubt, the best golf school in the world”. See you again soon (now I want to get into the 60’s!).

Dr. Michael Wachs
Denver, CO

We've returned back to the east coast safe, sound, and swinging much better after our experience at your golf school. Certainly we were pleased with all aspects of the golf school including the resort and your attention to detail and customer satisfaction. What was, however, well beyond our very high expectations was the quality of interactions with had with Sharon (Miller). Her ability to communicate and relate to us (as two very different learning types, at two very different abilities) was incredible. She was able to capture and sustain our complete interest and involvement for five FULL days while making it fun, deeply enriching, and highly educational. We WILL return to the Bird School when it's time for our next golf school experience - simply put - because of Sharon. See you then!

T. Kyle Vanderlick
Professor and Chair-Princeton University
Department of Chemical Engineering

As you know I attended a Golf School with one of your competitors - what a difference. The biggest difference was the instructor. Jim (Samsing) is in a class of his own. After leaving the other school I went home trying to remember all the angles and the lines of my terrible posture etc. (very confused) but with Jim I feel that I have a real chance of improving my game. Jim showed me (simply) how to identify why my shots went the direction that they do. Having the opportunity to have your continuing help only a phone call away is another great part of the school. I guarantee you that I will be visiting you again next year and will recommend you to all my buddies. Thanks again.”

Warren Dyer
Venezuela

Update: June 2004

I would have to say that our latest school was the turning point in my game. I shot some great golf in Houston last week and have gained about 15 yards a club. I have also stuck to the yoga stretches that Kelly showed me and they really help. Thanks again for your time and for putting on a third great golf school.

Brian and I wanted to send a short note to you and Jim about the three day Bird Golf Schools session we attended last week. After you and I first talked on the telephone about what to expect, I must admit I came to the school with high expectations. If anything, those expectations were exceeded.

First, you may recall I am a 9 and my son is a 16. I have played for years whereas he has taken up the game in earnest in the past few years. Despite those differences, Jim Samsing was able to customize a program that fit our different swings and personalities, and do it in a way that was fun. I have a better fundamental understanding of my golf swing now than ever before. I am sure that is true for Brian as well. In fact, he just called this afternoon from the Bay Area thanking me again for the golf school and reporting that he just shot a career best of 37 on the front nine.

Second, the "clear key" mental approach to the game that you teach is a real differentiator from the other golf schools. How many times do people say, "golf is such a mental game", and yet how many people have taken a mental lesson? The player and personality profiles that we filled out beforehand, I am sure, helped Jim tailor our lessons.

Finally, the facilities at Palm Valley were outstanding (as well as the Wigwam). To be able to go from the driving range, to the chipping/putting area, to the Executive course, plus be able to play a championship 18 hole course all in one location is a real plus. Conversations at the 19th afterwards were also high on our list.

I have already recommended Bird Schools to several of my friends and I know Brian has done the same thing. Feel free to use this unsolicited testimonial in any way you would like. Based on our experience, most golfers would benefit enormously from your school, especially if Jim Samsing is the instructor.

Best regards,
Gary Coburn

Craig, Can't tell you how pleased I am to have had you as my golf instructor. I learned a tremendous amount about how to play the game and what I need to do to improve my swing and my scoring. I came to the Bird Academy with high expectations and you did not disappoint. And aside from all the golf I learned, it was a genuine pleasure spending four days on the course with you. You're a true gentleman.

Ray Sweet
Rowland Heights, California

"We wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed our weekend with Pam. She is the greatest golf instructor ever. I don't think I'll ever take another lesson from anyone else. We are recommending your school all over the place!"

Gayle Dalrymple
Fredericksburg, VA

I want to take this moment to thank Shirley and Bird Golf for providing me golf school experience that exceeded my expectations. With Shirley as my instructor, I learned sound fundamentals of the golf swing starting from the grip, athletic stance and posture, and the actual swinging plane. In addition, with the help of clear key, I was able to reduce tension in my body before hitting the golf ball. I must say, with Shirley's extensive knowledge of the golf swing and her fine attention to details, I finally learned and developed a golf swing that can be repeated. Furthermore, with her experience as a Tour pro, I've learned many ways of attacking the hole from within 50 yards. Thanks Shirley and next time, I'll bring my wife with me. The experience really couldn't have been any better!!! THANKS for the great teaching and a great vacation.

Chin-Yu Lin
Tokyo, Japan

Dear Jay,

I wanted to let you know that Julie and I very much enjoyed our golf school experience at Jekyll Island in mid July. Mary Mills was a great selection — particularly for Julie and her work as a beginner. However, it is also true that she helped me significantly with tempo, follow through and finish. I have recently found myself misjudging distance in that using a 7 wood for a 150-160 yard shot found the ball traveling oops, 180 yards! Not a bad problem to have although it has meant rethinking the distance of all my middle irons, though I am still struggling a bit between the new distance swing and the old distance swing—if that makes any sense.

Again, let me offer praise for the style and type of school you have on the market and in particular, the great job that Mary did over our three days.

Sincerely,

Ray,
Raymond P. Webb, Ph. D.

Dear Jay:

After researching golf schools and talking to the various individuals associated with those schools, Bird Golf was the clear winner for my husband and I to attend. The 5-day school in Phoenix (with you as my instructor, and Jim Samsing as Charlie's instructor) exceeded all of our expectations. As you know, I came to you with little experience playing golf; having played a round of golf only a handful of times (and even then, picking up my ball on many of the holes and never being able to record a score). However, I left the school with the skill and confidence to play a full round of golf (with no pick-ups!). With your encouragement, I joined the lady 9-holers at my club, and played very well, not only during our weekly playdays, but also in the interclub tournaments. Your continued encouragement and teaching (both via e-mail and by telephone) elevated my golf game from nothing to winning several interclubs and team competitions, breaking 50 in the nine-holers, and then breaking 100 for a full round. And less than 5 months after attending Bird Golf, I shot a hole-in-one on a 163-yard par 3! Bird Golf is the absolute best golf school, and you are absolutely the best teacher!

Marilyn Eickenhorst
Sugar Land, Texas

Dear Jay

Let me start by saying that Debbie & I were treated in a first class manner for the entire Bird Family experience. The accommodations were outstanding; the instructions were also outstanding and the location in Sedona was gorgeous! We found Shirley to be patient with us and her instructions were clear and appropriate! She is an excellent instructor and we enjoyed her company as well. You are lucky to have her as part of the team!

The Clear Key concept, which Shirley gave us, is particularly appealing to us as we are constantly thinking about all the things we SHOULD be doing and therefore we don't do them properly! I am looking forward to the day we can get out on the course and work on the game in real time.

By the way - we both found the personality profile quite interesting and right on the mark - perhaps so correct to be amusing! We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and expect to be back next year!

Thanks
John & Debbie McCrea
Ontario, Canada

After a very long back trip to Poland I had another couple days business trip. Two weeks in the Bird Golf Academy it was my good time both for my golf knowledge and my rest. It was my pleasure to meet you personally. Craig is an excellent coach and a very interesting companion. His style of coaching is very productive and attractive. I better understand why golf is truly a wonderful game and why never is too late to start. I am waiting for 2008 springtime in Poland for checking my progress in this game. Thank you very much for your offer to access to Carey Mumford and "long distance" help. It will be great for me to be together with you on November 13-17 in the Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa. I will keep this date in my 2008 calendar.

Best regards,
Zdzislaw Chabowski
Poland

"I wanted you to know what a great experience we had this week taking lessons from Tim. He was a good match for us & we really enjoyed working with him. We learned a lot & also enjoyed his sense of humor. Bird Golf Academy is such a professionally run organization and our whole experience was very positive."

Tindy MacBain
Ann Arbor, MI

I enjoyed meeting you and look forward to seeing you again.

I truly enjoyed our sessions with Lee Maiden; he is super! I think he has taught me a lot; and more miraculously, I seem to have absorbed some of it. My game improved greatly in the four days I spent with him. Hope to keep improving as the short season here goes along.

Jim Shutiak
Calgary, Canada

Just got back from my annual two man better ball tournament in Elmira, New York and my partner and I won the third flight. It.s the first time we won in ten years of trying. I owe much of my improved play to Anne-Marie and your school. I got the new driver (PING G 5) when I arrived so everything worked out great. Thanks very much and I will keep in contact.

Rick Solon
Auburn Hills, MI

"There are not enough words to describe how much my game has improved thanks to Steve. The ladies club championship finals were held August 19 and 20. In prior years this has been a match play event which I have lost (badly last year) in the finals. This year's format was 36 holes of medal play and I've got to say I played the best golf of my life. Had we played match play we might still be at it since I won as many holes as I lost....medal play wasn't as kind to me. I lost by 6 strokes to someone whose handicap is 8. I shot 176 for 36 holes. It was quite the accomplishment for me to play so well and I owe it to Steve's fine instructions. I now find myself invited to member guest affairs at other golf clubs and have won three of those as well as placing third in another. My daughter also reports great improvement in her game. We will forever be disciples of the Bird Golf Academy."

Peggy Dudley
Harrisville, Rhode Island

Dear Jay,

Three years ago, no-one, including myself would have believed that I would be playing golf at the level I am today. I give all the credit to your golf school and my instructor, Jim Samsing. I have gone from a best ever score of 126 (three years ago) to a personal best of 84. My accomplishments have included a Flight Championship and a Member/Member Championship at my home club but best of all, I have developed a love of and passion for-the game.

While the accomplishments are mine, the credit all goes to the Bird Golf Academy. I could not have done it on my own. The beauty of the golf school is more than the desire to share your knowledge and skills with your students; it is the devotion that you give your students.

Thank you for giving me this gift. Any professional can teach the skills. Few, however, can a person develop a love and passion for playing and enjoying the game.

Sandy Cable
Genoa Lakes, Nevada

"I have been golfing for the past 48 years. In all that time I have never hit a draw shot off the tee, or for that matter anywhere else on the course. Inside of a couple of hours, Tim, had me drawing the ball. I feel that the three days with Tim were very rewarding. The location at Mission Inn was just perfect and please extend my thanks to Tim for improving a hacker's golf game."

Dominic Salvino Sr.
Naperville, IL

After the three day 6 hours a day one on one instruction the only thing left from my old golf game is my good attitude. Talk about getting reinvented... teaching old dogs new trick.. etc. Amazing learning experience!! Lee is an outstanding teacher and mentor. I now have both a new coach and friend. If you want a Senior Poster Boy for Bird Golf, sign me up. I'd recommend the program to anyone who is really serious about improving their game

Ron Deiss
Palo Alto, California

“our compliments on our experience at Jekyll Island with Mary Mills. Our time with Mary was awesome. The location is perfect with great facilities and such friendly staff. We had absolutely no problems obtaining tee times or spots on the practice range. We told Mary her patience was "Academy Award Winning"!!!!!! We have both played a few times here and already notice a great improvement particularly in certain situations where we previously had difficulty. Thanks for an experience we will never forget.”

Sincerely

Linda & Dick Mills
(Canada and Florida)

“I wanted to personally thank you for the great experience I had at the Bird Golf Academy. My 5 days with you were very productive but also a lot of fun. You are a great teacher of the game of golf and I know already that I will be a much improved golfer. Please use my name as a reference to anyone interested in a great golf school”

Michael Gelinas, MD
Wisconsin

“I want to THANK YOU for a FANTASTIC WEEK of golf instruction. Not only did I learn and gain a thorough appreciation for the golf swing, I had fun. The knowledge gained can only improve my game. Both you and Jay made me feel as if I was a part of the Bird Team, not as a tourist showing up for a few lessons. The attention to detail, taking notes, discussions and practice sessions made perfect common sense. The discussions based on observations and the feel of the golf swing really helped. I can't believe how simple the swing really is: everything moves together at the same time in the same direction at the same rate.”

Art Rebello
Somerset, Massachusetts

I had an absolutely great time for three days with Shirley. It was a real treat to work with a pro who for 14 years had to execute the shots she was teaching me in order to make a living - she really knows what she is doing. The Bird school and the three days I spent with Shirley were without a doubt the best thing I have ever done for my golf game. I am definitely planning to work with Shirley again after I have had time to incorporate what we worked on into my game and practice. Plus, Shirley is just a great person and delightful to work with. Thanks for encouraging me to try the school. I would recommend it to anybody who is really interested in improving their game.

Dan McDonald
Fort Worth, Texas

I can not even begin to describe my time at golf school in Florida with Mary Mills. Her energy, enthusiasm and passion for the game of golf is so contagious. I worked hard to improve my game and Mary was there every step and hour of the way. Her method of instruction was phenomenal. You chose the perfect teacher for me! I will definitely return to golf school with Bird Golf and Mary. My passion and drive to achieve my goals in the game of golf have definitely grown because of the experience I had this past week. Thank you again for having the vision of teaching players using these talented and personable professionals. This has been a dream of a lifetime that I will NEVER forget!”

Dianna Ratliff
Orange Beach, AL

I very much enjoyed my three days with you in Arizona. Shelley is an excellent teacher and very good company (she also has a beautiful swing), and I would like to thank her sincerely for her skill and her patience. I'm sorry I was slow to change my bad habits, but at least I know what I'm supposed to be doing now! I'm sure some steady practice in the spring will see improvement on the course. “

Dr. Paul Haycock
England

Larry; thank you so very much for everything you taught me. It was “just right” for what I needed and could handle over 3 days. Everything made sense and stays with me so I can practice well. But more than that, thank you for sharing your live for the game and Life!.......Be aware that your service is excellent and well deserves the praise you and your team receive.

Patrick Walker, M.D
Little Rock, AR

I just wanted to personally thank the both of you for the best three consecutive days of golf EVER!!! Charlie is my golf guardian angel, I only wonder if I met him 15 years ago what could have been? But, better late than never and most importantly I have re discovered my passion for the game of golf. I wish I could do or get involved more, in all the rushing around over the years I forgot how much I enjoyed this game and the environment in which it's played. Keep me posted on any thing related with your golf school. And please thank Camille as well for the wonderful yoga, I will try and keep that going as well.

Thanks so much,

Jon McMahon
Scotch Plains, New Jersey

Jay

I wanted to tell you how much I enjoy working with Shirley. She is amazing. Teaches by example, spots all my mistakes, is wonderful company, and I think she is an all around first class person. I am amazed at how much I have learned on this past trip. Getting the chance to spend 5 days with Shirley - and then having the luxury of being able to go out a few more times while there to work on the lessons - was the perfect combination. I thought you might enjoy hearing that I managed to shoot 86 on Cattail, off the bronze, before we left.... Something to motivate as the season opens here!

Andrea Bodnar
Toronto, Canada

Mary's lessons must have sunk in because I went from a 6 in 2005 to a 3 handicap last summer. My all time best and set a new course record of 64! So now I'm chomping at the bit for the season to start.

Mary Sicard
Lake George, New York

Jay . I wanted to take a moment to compliment the Academy and Sharron Moran for the learning experience I had at Crested Butte. Sharron was a very good teacher, and I believe my golf game has improved permanently. I know I have a long way to go, but for the first time I feel like I understand parts of the game rather than just being a ball striker. Like many amateurs, I have played .at. the game for years, but also like most amateurs I think I was mostly just striking balls rather than really understanding and playing the game. Sharron helped me to understand some of the game itself (at least as much as can be done in three days) with such things as to when to go for the pin and when to just get it on the green; when to take your bogey and go on; don.t make a double bogey by following a bad shot with a bad decision; how to recognize the swing mistakes and correct them with some practice drills; understanding the swing adjustments for different lies and ball positions. I believe I will also get a lot of benefit from the .Clear Key. teaching. I enjoyed Sharron.s company as well as her instruction.

The Club at Crested Butte was a great facility. The course is beautiful and the practice facilities are first rate. Everyone at the Club, members and staff, were very nice and made me feel at home. The town is very unique, and both my wife and I appreciated the small town atmosphere and uncrowned conditions. Although we missed the wild flower festival, there were wild flowers by the thousands everywhere that were easily seen from the roadway.

Overall it was a great experience which I will always remember with good thoughts. Please pass on my compliments to Sharron. Best wishes for the Academy.s continued success.

Kerry Thompson,
Scottsburg, Indiana

Just a note to let you know that Scott and I are enjoying the benefits of our 4 days with Jim in Phoenix. We both agree that the set of drills Jim described for us to practice as a result of Jim’s in-depth and easy to understand instruction based on his close attention to our capabilities and tendencies is allowing us to “fix” whatever goes wrong during practice sessions. The ability to self-diagnose our individual situations and correct problems without an endless series of “tune-up” sessions with a local “pro” really helps to build confidence. The ability to self-diagnose, plus learning, for the first time, what and how to “practice” have provided the best value I have ever received from investing a “golf dollar”. … Thanks for providing Scott and me the opportunity to better enjoy the game of golf.

Bob Jeremiasen
Seattle, WA

Dr. Jay:

I call you Dr. because you cured my very poor excuse for a golf swing. I want to thank you again for a very enjoyable 3 days of instruction and conversation. When I got back to work, numerous people asked about the school and if I thought it helped. I can’t say enough good things about this experience. Now everybody wants to go play with me to see the results. Again, thank you. I loved it!

Ted Bast
Arroyo Grande, CA

What was the most helpful part of the school?
Simple, clear, uncomplicated instruction with great take-aways that allow me to recover from swing failure nearly immediately.

What was the biggest disappointment?”
That golf could be taught with simple, clear uncomplicated instruction. The realization that improvement rests solely on the shoulders of the player.

How did your game improve after attending the school?
I have a swing that will last a lifetime and method for self arrest” that can be employed at will. Jay’s simple, no-nonsense approach requires discipline, not magic. When my score goes up, it stays up until I break things down, according to plan, and find the flaw. And it always comes back.

Jim Doran, Austin, TX
Excerpts from a Golf Magazine survey on Golf Schools; June 2004

Hi Jay

I wanted to thank you for a great golf experience. Both Alaina and I had a great time. I’m sure that you will see our faces again in the future. Alaina said that she can’t imagine taking lessons any other way. … Anyway, just wanted to let you know that I worked on my drills, set up the balls in little groups of four and did four mentally and four clear key. I was smackin’ the ball.… I’m looking forward to the tourney in October.

Linda McDonald
Genoa, NV

I came away from our three day golf school with exactly what I had been looking for – a clear idea of what a good golf swing felt like, looked like and simple keys to use in practice, play and to further develop. I have taken a number of golf lessons over the years but you are the first teacher to take the time and have the patience and good humor to tackle the fundamental change that was necessary. I will take you up on your promise to continue monitoring my progress through e-mailed digital photos. I have no hesitation to recommend you to anyone who is serious about making a quantum leap forward in the golf game; and enjoy the experience at the same time.

Jere A. Young
Newton Square, PA

P.S. Give my best to Kelly. I have used some of her exercises to warm up and it helps. She is a great asset to your team.

My 5 day course was fabulous (I am English, I don’t exaggerate). My first encounter with my sensei for the next 5 days, Jay Ewing. A charming, witty and very personable man who I instantly knew I would get along well with.

Intertwined with some superb tales [sometimes of the unexpected] and some incredible golf shots from Jay, he crafted my golf game and started introducing me to the "era of the triangle".

Over the next few days, essentially, Pythagoras became my demigod, my swing was ingrained and I walked away with more distance, more consistency, more understanding of the oxymoron’s that seem to exist in the swing and the ability to feel and correct to, if necessary, a good swing.

My "misses" [i.e. the not pure shots] were as good as my original "peached" shots and my 7 handicap began to feel generous.

All aspects of the game were explained with clarity and I left knowing that I will enjoy the game so much more and with the knowledge that can improve my game enormously.

So, I hear you say, not a bad comment so far.... nope... and there won't be. The place is astonishing, the courses testing and varied, the coaching superb.

James Walker
Jersey, Channel Islands, UK

First of all I would like to thank you for arranging such a nice occasion and giving us the chance to be with such a nice person, Mary Mills. Mary has paved the way for me to be a better golfer. I am very proud of having been instructed by a US Open Champion through the Bird Golf Academy and thank you for such a wonderful time at the World Golf Village….

Yusuf Teoman
Turkey

First we’d like to express what a great time we had attending your school. We had a wonderful experience, and we both feel that we will benefit from our instruction. We will both forge ahead using our notes and I’m determined to play consistently in the 70’s. We both feel that Sharon is fantastic and not only did we thoroughly enjoy her instruction but also her company. She’s a jewel in our opinion. Thanks for the experience and for “leaving the door open” if we need advice.

Dennis and Lana Shimp
Carterville, IL

………To give you some feedback on the lessons we took with Jim. Jay, I can’t tell you have valuable it was. Jim was sensational. To simply put it, he was magnificent. We will definitely come back for a refresher but I have to make sure that I am doing everything that Jim taught me…..I will hate to disappoint him. Jay, thank you very much.

Gabe Dakwa
Santa Clara, CA

I improved a lot over the summer and look forward to even better golf in the future. To be honest Jay I was probably shooting in the high 90’s and low 100’s before I went to your school and learnt the correct way to score. I still haven’t broken 80 yet, but I have shot 37 twice for 9 holes. I used to chip and pitch just trying to get onto the green and now I am looking to put it into the hole. I have become more consistent and when I make a bad swing I can correct it. Thank you for all your help and encouragement throughout the year.

Brian Dziak
Waterford, WI

I shot a 77 yesterday afternoon. I finally broke 80. You are the man! I hit 12 out of 14 fairways. I had eagle putts on 3 out of 4 par 5's. I made birdies on all three.

On a 310 yard par four I hit just short of the green. I am out driving my playing partners by 30 to 50 yards, its alot fun hitting last all the time. When I was playing with you I didn't realize how far I was hitting my drives because you hit yours into a different zip code.

Thanks again and again,

Brian Dziak

Dear Jay ... Bonnie and I had a super trip. The room was great and the weather unreal. We stayed an extra day and played. What a great day. Bonnie played very well, using her "Clear Key", and believed in it. I used it on the final day; and shot a super round for me (MY BEST EVER) ... a 76! Thanks Bird Golf, we had a great time and enjoyed everything very much.

John Curzon
Denver, Colorado

... did well, believe it or not! Played quite a bit before the tournament to get in shape. Was second in longest & straightest drive off #1 tee. (ha, ha was that really me??!! ... I guess nobody saw the golf ball taped under my left shoe) and had a very solid short game going. So well done, Keith! Of course, I practiced with my feet together, and took my practice swings sometimes like that. Still working on my own personalized "Clear Key", but borrowed yours once in a while. Again, many thanks for a fun weekend, outstanding instruction and excellent company. Hope you had some fun too. I will be looking forward to returning to the Wigwam for a refresher. Best.

Klaus Runow
NY, NY

Jay and Shelley,

Where do I start! First of all I would like to extend a huge "THANK YOU" to you both for your kindness and professional courtesy to Kyle.

I found out that there are certain things that can effect this during our life, but I didn't figure that taking my Son to a golf school could have the effect on him that it did.

After the first day with Shelley, he said that this was the best day on the golf course he could remember and that he would "never forget that time" for the rest of his life! WOW, what a statement from a 15 year old.

Kyle was so "Stoked up" for day two that he did not want to go to sleep and wanted to talk all night about his time with Shelley. Well when Kyle woke up he looked at me and said "Man am I sore", I said well that what it feels like after a hard day with an LPGA player, and he just grinned from ear to ear.

So, I have learned more about being a Father! Every once in a while take your Son to Bird Golf School, and see what being a kid again is like! You will love it!

gain, I would like to give my highest complement to Shelley for the GREAT job she did with Kyle. I would recommend her to all of my friends.

Jerry Regelean
Arvada, Colorado

p.s. Kyle went to the range after school today!!

On a scale of 1-10, the 3 days were a 12 ..."

Gary Coburn

“I would like to thank Jim for his incredible instruction. If I had started golf with him, maybe I would be a pro by now!! Jim is an excellent teacher and the best type for me- a “feel” man. He gives the student a feel for what the correct swing is. Thanks again”

Neelesh Uppal
Singapore

Our scores are improving and we believe a lot is due to Mary’s instructions. It was an excellent experience and we continue to sing the praises of your golf school…..we are playing and enjoying the game more than ever!”

Ron & Melinda Thomsen
Alexandria, VA