Private Lessons & Coaches in Orinda, CA

Fueled by a lifelong love for golf, I offer 30 years of expertise honed from my time as an NCAA athlete, PGA Associate and Asst Golf Pro at Chardonnay GC in Napa. I tailor instruction to elevate your game and foster a deeper appreciation for this incredible sport. Starting with Basics of Setup, posture, grip, swing plane and etiquette we can learn smarter practice that transfers effortlessly to the course.Short game is key. Changing perspective unlocking your potential for fun and better golf.

"Grant is an incredible golf instructor. He explains the fundamentals in a way that’s easy to understand, was patient throughout the lesson, and creates a relaxed, encouraging environment that makes learning enjoyable.

Brian brings a rare combination of rapid progression, high-level competitive experience, and analytical depth to his coaching. In just eight months, he climbed from a 2.7 to a 4.599 DUPR competing regularly with 4.5+ level players. That kind of trajectory isn’t accidental. It reflects deliberate practice, smart drilling, and a deep understanding of patterns, probabilities, and pressure moments. Brian doesn’t just teach shots—he teaches advantage. He thinks in terms of exchange ratios, positioning leverage, and when a speed-up truly earns you a 51–49 edge instead of opening you up to a counter. His fast hands and aggressive instincts are backed by thoughtful decision-making, helping players build controlled offense rather than reckless pace. What separates Brian is how clearly he sees the game. He understands rating systems, regional play styles, and how skill translates across levels. He’s studied what actually moves DUPR, what causes plateaus, and how to break through them—because he’s lived it. Whether you’re a 3.0 trying to stabilize your third shot, a 4.0 stuck at a ceiling, or a tournament player refining hands battles, Brian coaches with structure, intentionality, and measurable progress in mind. If you want to level up intelligently—not just hit harder, but win smarter—he’ll help you build a game that holds up under pressure. ^ yes, written by ai. real people don’t use that many em dashes. I prompted chatGPT to write a couple paragraphs about me based on the hundreds of internal conversations I had with it.

"Brian's lesson was amazing and I really enjoyed the 1 h lesson with my son. Brian has rich knowledge and improved our skills of pickleball. While he taught us, he was watching our body movements and paddle face and he corrected the right places. That helps us to improve and he knows the pickleball game strategy, next time we offer him to have a lesson to improve our game.

Ready to UP your pickleball game and have some fun? I teach in the Napa Valley as well as Sacramento and Roseville. I bring over two years of solid experience and my huge passion for sharing my love of the sport with players of all levels and ages. Let's work together to elevate your skills and unlock your full potential on the court. As a former competitive soccer player, I feel confident with my agility, coordination and strategy against a variety of opponents even though I do not have a tennis background. I will teach you the basics as well as elevate your skills and provide detail for you specifically on how to improve and progress to the next level player, or enter your first tournament whilst having so much fun!! This game provides amazing exercise, socialization and competitive play. It’s “adult recess” as I say! Let’s go!!!!!

"I’m having fun with Janine, and learning a lot! Last week I played with some folks at my gym who I had played with many months ago. One gal told me how impressed she was with my return! She said’ wow, Julie you can actually return the ball now!’. I laughed but it felt great!!😊

Meet the versatile coach who has made a name for himself in the world of Pickleball! Having played tennis and collegiate volleyball in the past, he discovered his true passion for Pickleball during the pandemic and hasn't looked back since. With a talent for teaching the game to both adults and juniors, he currently coaches in small groups and one-on-one sessions while also leading junior clinics at a local club. Tom is PPR certified as a coach. Get ready to experience lightning in a bottle with this dynamic coach!

"Great learning experience. My son really enjoyed the class

I have been playing tennis for over 10 years and currently compete in college tennis with a UTR of 8.3. I have been coaching for the past 4 years, working with players of all ages and skill levels. As a coach, I am patient, motivating, attentive, and dedicated to helping players improve. My goal is to help each player develop their technical, tactical, and mental skills while enjoying the game. I tailor every lesson to the individual needs and goals of each player.

Kainoa Owens is a highly accomplished former professional soccer player. Born and raised in Hawaii & San Diego, Kainoa's passion for soccer began age four, leading him to pursue a professional career that spanned nearly a decade. Throughout his journey, he represented several prestigious clubs and garnered a wealth of experience, both on and off the field. In addition to his remarkable athletic achievements, Kainoa has encountered various injuries and recovery challenges along the way, allowing him to develop a deep understanding of the importance of functional movement and injury prevention. This firsthand experience has fueled his transition into the world of personal training, where he now shares his knowledge and expertise with clients seeking to improve their health and performance. As a seasoned athlete, Kainoa brings a unique perspective to his work as a personal trainer. His comprehensive approach to fitness emphasizes the significance of proper movement patterns, personalized exercise programs, and mental resilience – all key elements that have contributed to his own success as a professional athlete. With his extensive background in professional soccer and dedication to helping others achieve their wellness goals, Kainoa Owens is a highly sought-after personal trainer and an inspiring figure in the world of health and fitness.

"Friendly and professional. Lots of knowledge. Would definitely recommend him

I have been playing golf for 20 years and have been teaching for 5 years. I Enjoy getting people to learn new skills, especially if it is a skill they are struggling with. My proudest golf achievement has been shooting a 71 at Poppy Hills. My favorite golf course is Torrey Pines. When I am not teaching or playing golf, I enjoy spending time with my family, hiking, and playing the drums.

"Excellent teacher, very detailed oriented Highly recommended

Hi, I am Coach certified by the US Professional Tennis Association. I have been playing my whole life and love the game. I have taught kids and adults of all skill levels for the past 4 years I Specialize in helping intermediate to advanced players make the next step in their game whether it’s technical skills or tactical improvements to help you win matches. If you are new to tennis or are just getting started that’s great to! We can go over the fundamentals and jump start your game. I have special equipment that is beginner friendly which follows your progress.

With two decades of golf instruction experience, I leverage my NCAA athletic background to cultivate well-rounded players. My passion lies in fostering skill development through tailored coaching, helping students unlock their full potential. Let's elevate your game together.

"Baseball background, had a real hard time avoiding my slice. A couple lessons with Dawson later and him fitting my driver properly and I was gaining 20 yards and hitting fairways. Changed my game for the better.

I'm Coach Darren and I specialize in improving skills through targeted drills with a pickleball machine. My focus is on addressing weaknesses and specific shots such as more consistent and powerful backhands, hitting speedups and defending them, third shot drops, topspin rolls, resets, countering slices and dinking and flicks. By emphasizing technique and repetition, I help players improve their confidence on the shots, reduce errors and win more.

"Darren was awesome and patient with us knowing we are beginners. He taught us step by step right from the very basics. We have 2 more lessons with him and looking forward to take more lessons. Highly recommended.