Many golfers remember their first lesson as a turning point — the moment they finally received real answers about their swing instead of guessing at fixes. A good instructor can quickly identify what’s holding you back and guide you toward a more consistent, confident swing.
If you’re considering golf lessons in 2026, it’s important to understand not just how much lessons cost, but what you’re actually getting for that investment.
This guide breaks down general golf lesson pricing, explains why costs vary, and shows exactly what’s included when taking lessons with Mark Rippy Golf — so you can make an informed decision and know what to expect long term.
GENERAL GOLF LESSON PRICING (MARKET OVERVIEW)
At most golf clubs in the Memphis area, private golf lessons typically range from $50 to $150 per hour. Instructors or assistant professionals at the public clubs are usually on the lower end, while experienced PGA Professionals at private clubs tend to charge between $125 and $200 per hour.
Nationally, Elite instructors, Top 100 teachers, or tour-level coaches often charge $300 to $500 or more per hour.
Group lessons and clinics are more affordable, usually between $25 and $75 per person per hour, but they offer less individual attention and limited feedback.
At first glance, many instructors in the local market may appear similarly priced. The real difference often lies in what’s included in the lesson. This blog will explain to you in detail what you should expect to pay and recieve for private golf lessons.
WHY TWO LESSONS AT THE SAME PRICE CAN BE VERY DIFFERENT
Golfers take lessons for different reasons. Some shop for lessons on a budget looking for the cheapest lesson they can possibly find. Others want to work with who they think are the best instructors possible, regardless of what it cost. Golf instructor's rates vary for many reasons. Prestige, experience, quality of facilities and simply location are just a few. Many golfers assume that lessons charging similar rates offer similar value. In reality, that’s rarely the case.
Some instructors, often offering lower rates, simply rely primarily on verbal instruction and visual observation. Others combine coaching experience with advanced technology that provides measurable, repeatable feedback. You can find almost everything in between. Regardless of where you or your coach fits in, you want value for the money you spend on lessons. That's exactly what Mark Rippy Golf provides. I offer the best technology available in all lessons, regardless of the players skill level.
Technology doesn’t replace coaching — it enhances it. When used correctly, it accelerates learning, improves retention, and removes guesswork from both the instructor and the golfer.
MARK RIPPY GOLF LESSON PRICING (2026)
Beginning in 2026, lessons with Mark Rippy Golf are priced at:
$150 per 1.5-hour private lesson
All lessons include full technology integration including advanced radar data, high def swing video & biomechanical analysis, and wrist angle measurements throughout the swing. Very few instructors in the Memphis area bring that level of technology to the table when giving lessons.
That works out to approximately $100 per hour — squarely within the average market rate — while offering significantly more feedback and analysis than most instructors charging similar prices.
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN A MARK RIPPY GOLF LESSON
Every lesson is structured, data-driven, and personalized to your swing.
High-definition swing video review is used to break down your motion in detail. This isn’t just slow-motion video — it includes biomechanical analysis of key swing components such as hip rotation, shoulder turn, X-factor, and side bend. These measurements help identify movement inefficiencies that are difficult to see with the naked eye alone. With 20 years of experience playing and coaching golf, I’ve found that the human eye cannot match the level of detail captured by a swing recorded at 240 frames per second.
Radar-based swing data using FlightScope Mevo+ is also included in every session. Using launch monitor technology, lessons track key performance metrics including, club speed, ball speed, club path, and face-to-path & face-to-target data points. This allows changes to be measured objectively instead of relying on feel alone. With high detailed visuals, we can literally see your improvement with every swing.
New in 2026, Mark Rippy Golf will be using HackMotion technology to analyze wrist mechanics throughout the swing. Wrist angles play a critical role in clubface control, consistency, and ball flight. This feedback, along with radar and high def video, helps golfers understand why shots curve, launch too high or low, or struggle with contact. I know exactly when your face gets out of position, by how much, and what to do to fix it.
Most importantly, all of this data is translated into simple, actionable coaching. You won’t be overwhelmed with numbers. The technology is used to support clear priorities, drills, and practice plans.
HOW THIS COMPARES TO OTHER INSTRUCTORS AT SIMILAR PRICE
Many instructors in the $100–$150 per hour range offer solid coaching but offer limited technology. Lessons often rely on verbal feedback, basic video, or ball flight observation alone.
With Mark Rippy Golf, that same price range includes:
- High-definition swing video with biomechanical analysis
- Objective measurements of body rotation and movement patterns
- Radar data to quantify speed, efficiency, and strike quality
- HackMotion wrist analysis to control clubface and consistency
- A clear practice plan supported by measurable checkpoints
- 24-hr chat access in coaching platform to ask follow up questions
Instead of guessing whether a change is working, you’ll know. This is exaclty why many of my clients at Irene Golf and Country Club reported lowering their score by more than 5 strokes after thier first golf lesson. Some high handicap students lowered their score in 2025 by more than 20 strokes during the entire season. Sound too good to be true? Book an appointment and see for yourself!
WHAT A QUALITY LESSON SHOULD FEEL LIKE
Regardless of what instructor a golfer chooses, or why, there are expectations that should be met. After all, you work hard for your money. A productive lesson starts with an evaluation and baseline measurement. Your instructor should be able to clearly identify your swing faults and prescribe drills to fix them. The focus should stay on one or two key changes rather than a full swing overhaul. As I learned in seminars from the great Butch Harmon, an instructor's goal is to find the one piece of cancer in a golf swing and remove it.
You should expect guided drills, clear feels, and checkpoints you can use when practicing on your own. Temporary discomfort or inconsistency is normal — meaningful swing changes take time. You need a golf instructor who can guide you through the discomfort while making the change. Most importantly, you should see some sort of progress from one swing to another. That progress doesn't usually reveal itself in the form of perfect struck golf shots. That's why working with an instructor who uses little technology has very little benefit. Instructors who fail to offer technology during lessons simply haven't kept up with the industry standards of modern golf instruction.
Every lesson ends with clarity. You should leave knowing exactly what to work on between lessons, why it matters, and how to measure progress before your next session. Ideally, a coach worth their salt will follow up with you after you've had a few practice sessions. They should be willing to answer any follow up questions you may have. That's exactly what I do in my coaching platform. All of my clients have 24 hour chat features to have thier follow questions answered.
HOW MANY LESSONS MOST GOLFERS NEED
Improvement depends on goals, starting point, and consistency, but most golfers benefit from a steady diet of coaching.
Beginners often see the fastest improvement with more frequent lessons early on, then taper to monthly sessions. Developing and intermediate players usually progress well with one or two lessons per month.
Experienced golfers often shift into maintenance mode, using periodic check-ins to keep fundamentals sharp and address small issues before they grow.
WHAT TO EXPECT TO INVEST OVER TIME WITH MARK RIPPY GOLF
New golfers learning fundamentals and working to break 100 typically take six to ten private lessons over three to four months. At $150 per a 1.5 hour lesson, that’s an investment of approximately $900 to $1,500. A beginner looking to save a few dollars can opt for participating in group clinics. Mark Rippy Golf offers clinics at Irene Golf and Country Club. These sessions focus more on golf fundamentals. This is a great, budget friendly, starting point to begin to learn the fundamentals of golf.
Golfers working toward breaking 80 or 70 often benefit from ten to twenty lessons over six to twelve months, depending on goals and practice time. That usually falls between $1,500 and $3,000.
Low-handicap or competitive golfers often maintain ongoing instruction with regular check-ins throughout the year, using technology to fine-tune mechanics and scoring skills.
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WHY THESE LESSONS ARE DESIGNED TO SAVE YOU TIME
The goal isn’t just to teach — it’s to help you improve efficiently.
By combining professional coaching with biomechanical analysis, radar data, and wrist condition feedback, lessons with Mark Rippy remove trial-and-error practice and replace it with clarity. You spend less time guessing, less time reinforcing bad habits, and more time making productive swings.
When used the right way, technology doesn’t complicate instruction — it simplifies it.
Golf lessons should feel like progress, not confusion. And when structured correctly, they’re not just an expense — they’re an investment in better golf and more enjoyment on the course.
READY TO START IMPROVING YOUR GAME?
If you’re looking for golf lessons that go beyond guesswork and actually show you why your swing does what it does, Mark Rippy Golf offers a data-driven, results-focused approach built for golfers of all skill levels who wants to improve.
Every 1.5-hour lesson includes high-definition swing video with full biomechanical analysis, radar data, HackMotion wrist feedback, and detailed post lesson swing reveiw with practice drills — all translated into clear priorities and a structured practice plan you can trust.
Whether you’re new to the game or working toward lower scores, these lessons are designed to help you improve faster, practice smarter, and play with more confidence.
To schedule a lesson or learn more about working together, visit:
Appointments are limited to ensure every golfer gets focused, high-quality instruction. Book your lesson and take the first step toward better golf today!