Hi, I’m Tom Gees.
Maybe you’ve been golfing your entire life or are looking to get started. Maybe you play competitively or as a pastime. Whatever it is, I can help you improve your golf skills and find more joy in the game.
I’m a PGA golf professional of more than 45 years and experience teaching at all levels. Here are some of my highlights:
Wisconsin PGA Teacher of the Year
Best Teachers in your State 2017 - 2018 as published in Golf Digest
Golf professional in Milwaukee and Chicago who played professionally on the mini-tour circuit.
Director of Golf at the 4-Star Rancho Las Palmas Resort in the Palm Springs, California area where my golf operation won numerous awards.
Featured on the nationally syndicated program, Inside Golf, and the southwestern United States Visitors Video cable network.
Featured instructor on promotional videos for golf equipment manufacturers and the PGA’s Southern California Golf Almanac television show.
Golf tip columns have been featured in numerous west coast newspapers.
Golf Performance Consultant for Los Angeles Centinela Hospital’s noted fitness institute.
Guest speaker at PGA Business Schools, universities, and golf expositions.
Instructor of LPGA and PGA professional golfers, celebrity players, collegiate and junior champions and fortune 500 companies.
Even though I have produced a significant number of successes in competitive golf situations, my most cherished accomplishments still come from helping the average golfer or beginner develop a lifetime love for the game of golf through new-found ability to play well.
My teaching philosopy
When I first began as a PGA Teaching Professional over 45 years ago, I was influenced by several famous instructors including John Jacobs, Manuel de la Torre, Michael Hebron, Harvey Penick, Phil Rodgers, Gary Wiren, John Elliott, David Leadbetter, Bob Toski, Jim Flick, Carol Mann, Jim Hardy and Mike Malaska.
My teaching philosophy has been honed over many years of observing and working with these and other teaching professionals. I credit Jim Hardy (2008 PGA Teacher of the Year) with significant contributions to my knowledge of the golf swing.
Each instructor interprets a player's golf swing differently. Most everything you have heard about the golf swing is correct; however, most of the knowledge does not apply to you.
I believe that golf is a lifetime achievement award of self-discovery. My task is to both moderate the feel of the swing and to identify which swing is the best fit.
A positive learning environment is provided as I employ visual and mechanical reinforcement techniques, which help all levels of golfers to improve. My V1 Digital Coaching System provides each student with clear, graphic illustrations as to what I see and what they feel.
To summarize what you can expect in working with me, I will change your perception of golf, which will dramatically change how you play the game. There isn’t just a single best way to play golf, but there is a better way.
As one student puts it: “I’m still amazed that I can consistently hit a golf ball well without tremendous effort. This, I think I can live with!”
My greatest teacher
Earl Gees is the best putter I’ve ever seen!
I was blessed to have a Dad who was a great example for me. He helped turn his hobby into my lifetime career by getting me started in golf when I was 5-years-old.
He was an accomplished player, as low as a 2 handicap at one time, yet in 60 years of playing golf, he never had a hole-in-one. But he was, without a doubt, the greatest putter I’ve ever seen!
We enjoyed many rounds of golf together. He shot his age a number of times. When he was 69 years old, I shot a 74, he posted a 73 and beat me--- best day either of us ever had.
A fun-loving guy, an intense competitor, my Dad loved coming out to Palm Springs with my Mother to visit my wife and I and their grandchildren. They both loved playing golf out in the desert sun. Many were the times when Dad would come to work with me in the morning, stay all day practicing and playing his favorite game, then stop by the pro shop and tell me stories of the previous ten hours before we’d call it a day. Often they’d included how yet another of our resort guests had cornered him for one of his now-famous putting lessons.
My Dad, Earl, guided me through most of my years…he instructed me, he counseled me, he mentored me, he lectured me, he loved me…he was a great Dad.
My mother, Lucille, also enjoyed the game, won many tournaments and was an active player well into her 80’s.
I strongly recommend that you take your son, daughter, niece, nephew, grandchild out to practice or play a full round of golf. They’ll remember it for a lifetime, and who knows…you might even influence them into turning your hobby into their life’s vocation. It’s not a bad place to be!