Private Lessons & Coaches in Lake Balboa, CA

I’m Alex Sapalicio, with over 20 years of golf experience and more than a decade of coaching under my belt. I hold the course record of 57 at my home course, Alhambra Golf Course, and have competed in multiple PGA pre-qualifying events. My true passion lies in the game itself and in helping others discover and nurture their own love for golf.

"Made it super easy to understand and is quick to constantly critique shots so you can make adjustments throughout lesson. Looking forward to more

David Byrne is an internationally experienced PGA Professional and Golf Performance Coach, bringing over 25 years of elite coaching expertise across the United States and Europe. Originally from Ireland, David is a dual member of both the PGA of America and the European/UK PGA, a distinction that reflects his global perspective and deep-rooted knowledge of the game. Known as “The Golf Whisperer,” David has built a reputation for transforming players of all levels—from complete beginners to elite amateurs and touring professionals—by simplifying the golf swing and delivering measurable, lasting results. David holds a Master’s degree in Sports Psychology, giving him a unique edge in performance coaching. He integrates mental conditioning, focus training, and competitive mindset development into every lesson, helping players not only improve technically but also perform under pressure. His coaching philosophy blends athletic movement, body-driven mechanics, and efficient ball striking, moving away from overly technical instruction and toward a more natural, repeatable swing. In addition to his coaching career, David is a published author and co-creator of the golf book “The Swing,” where he shares his insights into simplifying the game and unlocking peak performance. His background also includes experience as a college-level coach, further strengthening his ability to develop players in structured, high-performance environments. A firm believer in combining tradition with innovation, David utilizes advanced technology such as TrackMan, GCQuad, and high-speed video analysis to provide precise feedback and accelerate improvement. He also incorporates golf-specific fitness and mobility training, ensuring his players develop strength, flexibility, and durability to support a powerful, efficient swing. David’s coaching covers all aspects of the game, including: Full Swing (Driver & Irons) Short Game & Scoring Course Management & Strategy Mental Performance & Golf Psychology Competitive Player Development Golf Fitness & Movement Training A former Irish Sports Writers Pro-Am Champion (2016) with a sub-par winning performance, David combines competitive playing experience with world-class coaching knowledge. Now based in Santa Monica, California, David works with dedicated golfers seeking to elevate their game, lower their scores, and play with clarity, confidence, and consistency.

"I was only fortunate enough to know and work with David Byrne for a little over a month before he relocated to California, but that short time made a lasting impact on my game. I truly enjoyed his passion for golf and his genuine desire to help players get better. David often went out of his way to coach me between lessons whenever he wasn’t already busy teaching others—something I greatly appreciated. At 67 years old, I’m not looking to completely rebuild my golf swing, and David understood that from day one. His approach focuses on helping you find a swing thought that works for your swing, rather than forcing a onesizefitsall method. He helped me understand my swing plane and path, and how to consistently get into the right position before impact. After that, his favorite encouragement was always: ‘Turn the corner!’ And it worked. David is a talented instructor, an insightful coach, and an allaround good person. And watch out for his son—just a wee lad with a fabulous golf swing already! David’s passion clearly runs in the family.

From the Midwest with an easy-going demeanor I've been playing tennis since childhood. Certified USTA and PTR. In the Burbank/North Hollywood area but can visit further. Preference is beginner/intermediate adults/young adults.

"Picked up Tennis because I wanted to incorporate some cardio, very happy I decided to learn alongside Ben. He's super patient, calm, and experienced. Highly recommend him, especially for someone learning for the first time.

I'm a passionate pickleball coach/player with over 5 years of experience teaching and playing competitively. I consistently play at a 4.5 level to 5.0 and have a strong track record in tournaments. I'm dedicated to continuous improvement and always eager to compete and test my skills against other players. As far as my coaching goes, I am a very supportive teacher to beginners and intermediate players in helping them to learn to play the game, improve their game where they need and give them the skills they require to play at a higher level.

"You were an absolute rockstar! And you were the absolute MVP! Thank you for finding that other location. You were beyond professional, and as I said, are an excellent coach. Glad to know you. Thank you! -Michael Traynor

I was a four-year varsity player at Oberlin College and currently work in economic consulting. I am also currently building a post-match feedback platform for competitive players (we are currently demoing the product for a select group of players). Outside of tennis, I completed a 2,800 mile walk across America a few years ago and recently completed an Ironman. I value discipline, consistency, and long-term development, and I enjoy working with players who want to improve and are willing to put in the work.

"My 12-year old son has been taking lessons with James and it’s been a really positive experience. James is very encouraging but also keeps him focused and working hard. My son looks forward to the lessons each work and has been doing better in his tournaments recently.

My name is Arin Meserkhani, I have been playing tennis since the age of 6. I have reached a UTR high of 11, and have competed at the Division 1 level. Im most passionate about mechanics and building the correct foundations, but also having the right mindset. These are the two most important pillars in the sport that I take most pride in. I am currently coaching from my home in Glendale, CA where there is a private court.

"Began taking lessons with Arin and the improvement I’ve seen over the next months has been remarkable!