Google Reviews
Glenn Petersen
17:24 30 Oct 24
As a 21 handicapper who does not make solid contact on most shots, coupled with a relatively strong slice, Mark’s coaching has made a noticeable and encouraging difference after only one lesson and one subsequent round of golf. I was able to hit the balls 20-25 yards longer and much straighter when I properly executed the swing changes.
Deno Y
12:08 26 Sep 24
Mark is outstanding. Provides actionable feedback in an easy to follow manner. Highly recommend him regardless of your playing level.
John Kuntz
13:07 13 Sep 24
I’ve been working with the top 100 instructor that’s 4 1/2 hours away from Naples and I finally found Mark Durland. The level of instruction easily equals Or exceeds what I was receiving from my previous instructor. Quickly changed my game, shave, some strokes, and I’m thoroughly enjoying the game more than ever. Mark’s pedigree and teaching style is absolutely perfect for my needs.
Michael Thannert
22:09 29 Jun 24
I’ve had several lessons with Mark. What stands out to me is his ability to keep things simple. He doesn’t overload you with information. I’ve had noticeable improvement off the tee and with my irons. Most recently we worked on short game and it has improved my chipping and pitching around the green. I can’t say enough about his coaching style and approach.
Nick Gaughan
13:03 18 Apr 24
Always enjoy my time with Mark - he's super knowledgeable and is always able to leave me with a few concrete things to work on in order to help improve my game. See you next time, Mark!
Walter Tonyes
20:16 16 Apr 24
Would Definitely recommend the two day golf school! Mark was super informative and provided me with many tools to improve my game. Great Instructor and super nice guy!
Dave De Yong III
19:35 09 Apr 24
Had my first lesson with Mark and couldn't be more pleased. Looked at what I was doing, and didn't try to overhaul my swing but made slight adjustments for me to work on. Provided some swings thoughts and practice tips and can't wait to see him again next week.
Jay Mazelsky
19:52 06 Apr 24
Mark has the unique ability to quickly and successfully zero in on the most impactful approach to correcting a problem with the mechanics of your swing. He is also an outstanding teacher so that golfers at all levels can more fully enjoy the game.
Kristin G.
19:40 05 Apr 24
I have been a client of Mark's for many years and his knowledgeable teaching technique equals immediate improvements to improve upon on the range or golf course. He is very busy and booking advance lessonsare a must because he's THAT GOOD! THANKS MARK!! 😊
Martin Brill
11:32 05 Apr 24
Mark's use of his in-depth knowledge, trackman and videos of my swing gave me a greater understanding of what I need to work on to become a better golfer. His lesson focus emails which summarize the main points of the lesson have also been extremely helpful.
Stephen Higgins
13:25 22 Mar 24
Mark Durland is a great golf instructor. I have had a certain problem with my swing for several years and multiple lessons have not helped. In the past, always told to get into this position or this feel which never helped or made sense. Mark figured out the root cause of my swing problem in a few minutes and gave me a structured plan and drill to help. First time that I have actually felt like I have a good idea of what I am trying to do to improve. Highly recommend Mark. Good guy too.
Ron Nersesian
12:52 22 Mar 24
Mark is an exceptional teacher who corrects your swing with simple instructions despite using high-tech Trackman data. Highly recommend!!!
Albert Burns
14:57 16 Mar 24
I felt Mark was of great assistance to me on my first lesson.It truly was a school of golf and I learned a lot from his teachings.I highly recommend him and look forward to my next lesson.
Shelton Thomas
15:34 05 Mar 24
I went to a 2-day school. It was a lot of fun and full of useful information that made sense. Highly recommend it.
Stephen Mainardi
14:57 13 Feb 24
Mark is great to work with and has helped my swing tremendously. Highly recommend him.
Mark Spang
22:25 12 Feb 24
Mark works with your swing to make adjustments, not changing your swing to "fit" a pre-conceived ideal.
Ed Pickett
13:39 10 Feb 24
Mark is an excellent instructor. I highly recommend him as an instructor. Ed
carl page
00:50 03 Feb 24
Mark is that rare golf instructor who not only tells you what you need to change but also explains why in clear and easy to understand language. His use of Trackman on his outdoor hitting area to analyze every shot hit during lessons is a huge plus as well.
John Gamba
19:11 31 Jan 24
I attended the 3 day Short Game Mark Durland Golf School at Naples Grande. It was the best short game instruction I have ever received. My short game disappeared over a year ago. I panicked and read short game books by Stan Utley, David Pelz, and James Siekmann. Unfortunately, my performance deteriorated. They all provide too much detail and confusing contradictory information creating fear/uncertainty/doubt.Mark's approach is much simpler and easy to understand. He builds his approach on my swing without major reconstruction. Mark is well organized and builds an effective structure to the chipping and pitching wedge game. He provides a simple framework to calibrate varied distances for the finesse wedge and the distance wedge.Mark also provides a simple and effective approach to bunker play. I have been losing 4 to 6 shots a round due to poor bunker play highlighted by my terror in the sand. I played my first round of golf today since the school. I'm excited to say that I had 2 sandies out of two bunkers and two putted on the third. A most satisfying improvement thanks to Mark. I also 1 putted 6 additional greens which is a new level of success for me thanks to Mark's excellent approach and his school. I recommend it highly.
Melissa Roman
16:12 29 Jan 24
I had a lesson with Samantha on Sunday and I will absolutely be scheduling more with her. She was so great. I've had a couple other lessons in town and she is by far my favorite instructor yet. I love that she takes me out on the actual range, not a simulator. She listens and communicates in a way that gives me the info without overwhelming me with too much info at once. I left with a few things to work on, and then we will meet again. I loved her approach, sense of humor and clarity. She made it fun and I left feeling accomplished, not defeated as I have in prior lessons.
Thomas Curran
06:22 28 Jan 24
Thanks to the excellent instruction from Mark, I saw immediate improvement in my game and can't wait to put my new skills to the test!
William ONeill
04:19 24 Jan 24
Took a one hour lesson with my wife. Mark was very personable and knowledgeable . He helped me work on the things that I had requested. Overall I did feel as though he taught me the things I need to practice to improve my game. Would definitely take another lesson from Mark
Nancy Neshek
03:30 01 Jan 24
I had my first group lesson with Sam (Samantha) this weekend. I loved that the class was limited to 6 people! She is a great teacher and was able to give each of us personal attention and instruction. I will be signing up for more lessons and I’m looking forward to the next one!
Mary Soyka Abbate
00:03 27 Nov 23
Samantha is so professional and patient and a joy to learn from. We all (all 5 of us total after 3 separate lessons) developed a love for golf after just 3 lessons and cannot wait to come back again soon!
Larry McPherson
18:40 18 Nov 23
Mark's assessment and his simple recommendation for improving my game was clearly communicated and has been extremely helpful.
Bob Scudieri
16:06 31 Oct 23
Mark Durland is a top teacher. I have been playing golf regularly for over fifteen years and have worked with wonderful teachers - but in my first lesson he gave me three tips I had not heard before and helped me be a better golfer.
Martin Barker
23:04 25 Oct 23
Mark is a terrific instructor. I joined him in a group session, and it was clear to see that he can work with golfers of all levels with the same enthusiasm and passion. His knowledge for advanced golfers is outstanding, and he has great patience with those who are early learners. Check out some of his videos online, and you will see that he is a nice guy too!
Legrand's Roofing LLC
23:01 13 Oct 23
Highly Recommend to anyone, very professional, and all around great experience!
Simon Cuartas
13:16 25 Sep 23
Mark looked at my swing and after just a few minutes he already had a plan of action to improve it. He is a gifted teacher who has helped me understand my golf game. It feels like I jumped forward years of progress after just 3 sessions. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to level up their game
Keith Hilton
19:41 16 Aug 23
I can not recommend Mark enough. I was a big baseball guy my whole life and only got into golf within the last year and a half. No matter what I did or what I tried I could not correct a wicked slice! I am happy to say after one lesson with Mark...50 MINUTES!!! My dreaded slice is now gone. My nest round prior to coming to mark was an 88 but my average round is mid to high 90's. I went and played and the first round after i shot an 82! I gained so much distance now that my slice was gone I decided to pay my next round from the tips and shot a 90! I already scheduled my next lesson and will be coming back routinely for years. Thanks again Mark you are the man!
J.T. Roth
02:59 28 Jul 23
Mark Durland us the most detail oriented, knowledgeable golf instructor with remarkable follow up explaining what needs work for my goals.
Annette Fuller
22:11 11 May 23
Attended a fantastic 2 day golf school, I found Mark to be personable and friendly, his teaching style to be innovative interesting and very effective.Can not recommend the his instruction highly enough.
Steve Shuff
18:21 29 Apr 23
Great 3 one-half day golf school. Mark Durland was personable and informative. It was the best golf instruction we had ever received. My wife joins me with this review. We will be back in the future. Steve Shuff, Tiffin Ohio
MaryLou Herrmann
22:25 25 Apr 23
Mark is personable and his instruction is easy to understand. I noticed improvements right away. He has definitely helped me take my game to the next level!
Don Hakes
20:24 12 Apr 23
I have taken several lessons with Mark over the past few months and found his teaching to be excellent! Definitely highly recommend Mark.
Jim O'Keefe
19:13 30 Mar 23
Mark is a tremendous golf coach - knowledgeable, personable, and flexible. He was able to bring out the best in my strokes while helping me make the changes I need to improve. He used the Trackman technology to break down the elements of my swing, and showed me how subtle adjustments could lead to a more efficient and consistent stroke. Mark also had great tips on putting and reading greens that will help me bring down my handicap. Finally, I have been frustrated by bunkers for as long as I've played golf, and in about 10 minutes Mark had me popping balls out of the sand with consistency. Mark's the best!
Mary Passananti
17:46 26 Mar 23
Mark was a terrific golf instructor!! He’s very easy going and really knows the game of Golf!! We really enjoyed his 2 day Golf school! Will definitely go back and do it again next year!!
Paul Juliano
13:37 16 Mar 23
Mark is a true professional and an excellent instructor! He was able to help me correct my swing and set it on the proper path. I highly recommend Mark's 3 day golf school for people at any level.
Stan Hopp
15:29 08 Mar 23
Just finished a 3 day golf school with Mark. We have been playing 2 years and learned a lot. Mark is very attentive and efficient. My wife and I enjoyed it thoroughly. It was much better than the previous golf instruction we received via a "chain instruction" firm.
Mark Rouillard
14:56 06 Mar 23
I had never been on a golf course and wanted to learn the right way to play from the best golf teacher I could find, and Mark was outstanding. Gifted teacher, nice to spend time with, constructive, and informative. The best golf investment I could have made, highly recommend.
robin hopp
14:20 06 Mar 23
My husband and I really enjoyed our time with Mark during the three day golf school. Mark is extremely professional, patient and kind. He tailored our experiences individually to meet our golf needs. We both feel like we came home with tools to improve our golf game. Plan to return in the near future. Thanks Mark!
Pat Murphy Russo
13:44 13 Feb 23
Mark keeps his focus on my needs and has enabled me to improve my swing and have more consistent contact with the ball. He explains things in a way that are easy to understand…. Excellent experience
Gary Jones
13:33 09 Feb 23
Mark is an EXCELLENT golf instructor! He is an excellent communicator in describing the proper golf swing and will patiently get you there. I wish I would have taken instruction from him years ago.
Bill Woods
00:33 18 Sep 22
Mark - quickly picked up on everything I was trying to fix. My son also joined us and he was very impressed as well. We just scheduled are 2nd lesson with Mark. Top Notch Golf Instructor!!!
Paul Griffin
16:32 12 Sep 22
Mark is the real deal. If you’re looking for someone to immediately identify your swing weaknesses; and provide a simple correction, then this is your guy. You always leave a lesson with a good positive feeling.
David Beier
19:48 04 Aug 22
Besides being extremely knowledgeable, which of course goes without saying, Mark has the patience of a saint. Although I believe at times he must have thought perhaps it would be better if I chose a different sport, as did I, Mark always was and is encouraging and positive. He never let my frustration with myself become a barrier to my enjoyment of the game. Mark does not overwhelm you with fixes but works with you to fix one thing before moving to the next. Mark proceeds at your speed, not his. You will see the results. I cannot imagine a better instructor.
William Saez
03:51 13 Jun 22
Mark is a consummate professional. His teaching method and feedback is thorough and effective. I immediately saw an improvement in my game. I look forward to working with him again in the future.
William Stuart
16:16 22 May 22
It took Mark about a minute to see what I was doing wrong and his suggestions of how to swing correctly were very helpful. It is very encouraging to have a path toward improvement. I highly recommend him no matter what your skill level (mine is not high).
Mike Dodson
19:07 04 May 22
Mark:I have worked hard practicing the drills, technique and specific motion instructions you have given me. After only one month my game has vastly improved. Incredible. Thanks so much for enabling me to enjoy golf again.RegardsMike D
Ed Mettelman
21:12 22 Apr 22
After quite a bit of research, my wife and I traveled from Colorado to Naples (over 2,000 miles) to attend The Durland Golf School. I did the 3 day school and she did a 2 day school. We came with high expectations … and Mark EXCEEDED them!His disciplined and experienced approach provided the perfect blend of personal instruction, technological reinforcement (Trackman and video), and on-course coaching. He was quick to find our weaknesses and help us overcome them with his ever-present positive attitude. Not only did he help us with swing mechanics, he also gave us the “tools” we needed to self-diagnose and make our own corrections. The entire experience was first rate and we intend on returning (with some of our golfing friends!)
Scott DEBISSCHOP
02:21 09 Apr 22
I have taken 2 one hour lessons with Mark over the last few weeks. While I am 71 years old and have playedgolf many years, I “lost my swing “ over the last couple of years. Mark got me back on track with just a fewthought processes. He has the ability to demonstrate and explain in simple terms, fundamental swingnecessities to improve on one’s individuals abilities to make the game enjoyable again. I am happy that I met him.Scott DeBisschop
David Rezendes
13:48 16 Mar 22
I attended a 3 day golf school in March. Mark is a great teacher and a good guy. He provides his lessons in person and provides drills for each skill. He also provides the material in written format and you can watch his lessons on YouTube for a refresher. I'm still working on trying to master these skills, but my game is improving and my recent scores are encouraging.
Courtney Potts
17:42 23 Feb 22
We had such a great couple of days with Mark! He is a fun, charismatic and thorough teacher. The two half days were a perfect combination of drills, ball hitting and lessons. Mark also seamlessly incorporates technology into his teaching and you'll leave the lesson with lots to work on! Looking forward to coming back next winter!
Sean Madden
21:54 10 Feb 22
My wife and I shared a one hour lesson with Mark, It was great! He was able to share new, simple thoughts with each of us and spent time with each of us as we worked on the new concept. Looking forward to our next session.
derek upson
20:17 08 Feb 22
Mark is a great instructor. Makes things easy to comprehend and follow. Look forward to going back to work with him again!
Tom DiVittorio
20:28 29 Jan 22
My wife and I are launching our golfing careers in our 50’s. We took a two day private school with Mark and were very happy with the experience. We spent much of the time working on the fundamentals of short and long game swings. He used a nice mix of instruction, practice and technology. We now have a great foundation to build on. Mark is an excellent instructor and very personable. We highly recommend Mark Durland’s golf school / lessons.
Aaron Pitney
00:29 19 Jan 22
An afternoon with Mark may appear expensive, but if you look at the results you get and his ability to focus on a few key changes and not overhaul your entire golf swing on one day, it is well worth it. He uses data but not in an intimidating or overwhelming manner. Cannot say how pleased I am with his input and what he wants me to focus and work on.
Andy Sisti
00:34 13 Jan 22
Mark is a compassionate teaching pro. He has a calming way about him and is able to drill down to analyze and correct swing defects. I look forward to hooking up again.To update - I recently spent 2 days with Mark and he worked wonders with my game. He is the best and I plan to return. I live 1000 miles away.
John Goebel
17:11 11 Jan 22
Mark is an excellent teacher! The combination of trackman data and practical application tips is perfect for improving without crowding your brain with too many thoughts. I highly recommend working with Mark if you're interested in getting better without completely rebuilding your swing.
Elaine Wachtel
03:46 24 Dec 21
I went to the 3 day Mark Durland Golf School. From the first day Mark had me swinging better. The third day I felt good about my golf swing. Mark worked wonders with me. I plan to follow up with him with a playing lesson.
Joseph Hendry
17:40 13 Dec 21
I have known Mark for several years and have worked with him on a number of things over the years when I am visiting Naples. On my most recent visit I asked Mark to help me get more distance with my driver. My game is in decent shape overall but I just did not have the distance to hit most greens in regulation. Within two lessons Mark had me driving the ball on average 30 yards longer and sometimes 40! And at the same time my accuracy improved. It is the combination of the great technology and facilities that Mark has and his own communication skills that allow him to explain complex concepts very clearly and succinctly. Thanks again for your help Mark, look forward to seeing you again next visit!
Randy Sallade
12:21 05 Dec 21
Mark has a great knowledge of golf and a gentle touch while imparting it. While I didn’t fix every issue, I have a better understanding of what is happening in my golf swing and drills to help me continue to improve!
Claude Ruibal
16:01 25 Nov 21
Mark is an outstanding instructor of golf. He is able, with his vast experience, to quickly understand the key swing issues you should be working on and is careful not to give you too much to work on so that yous stay focused on the key things you need to do to improve your game. In addition his quick follow up using your Trackman data with a voice over analysis of your swing is a great tool to help you focus on the key things he discussed with you during your lesson. I highly recommend Mark!
You-You Ma
05:59 08 Nov 21
Coach Mark was the best. For a beginner like me, an hour’s lesson was worth its weight in gold! First lesson, he already got me swinging and making contact. Set a great foundation from which to go forwards! Thank you Coach Mark!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Donald Allen
16:24 29 Oct 21
Mark is very professional while fun to work with. He spots areas of needed improvement quickly and gives simple yet very helpful suggestions that work. He doesn’t talk golf language that’s over the average students understanding and focuses on only 2-3 things which I can relate to. I have had several lessons and tuneups and Mark has always helped me improve immediately
Simon Lack
22:30 19 Oct 21
I was having trouble with driving. Mark used Trackman technology to see what was happening, but combines this with helpful tips on how to adjust. I have been very happy with the results since, after playing a couple of rounds. He's a very good teacher!
Charles Tetta
13:54 10 Aug 21
Mark Durland has transformed my golf game. Heading into my first lesson with Mark I was an 18 handicap now at around 15. Mark is a practical coach. He worked within my physical abilities but also made significant tweaks which were a must in me getting my hands and body in the right position. His advice completely divorced me from hitting the ball off the heel of the club. I am able to hit more solid and consistent golf shots AND make smarter decisions in club selection particularly around the greens. Although a lower handicap is desirable Mark’s instruction has made the game more fun!
Robert K
18:19 01 Jul 21
After looking for Golf instructors during my stay in Naples , I came across several. After narrowing them down I choose Mark Durland. I decided on 2 ( 1 hour lessons) due to my scheduling and the instruction was far better than expected. Not only does he work to correct your weakness he takes the time to break it down on Trackman and video which was a huge help in understanding what was actually happening. Being able to see what mistakes I was making made for easier correction for me to use on my own time - Mark also follows up with notes and addresses Any questions.Highly recommend and I will be back for his other lesson programs.
Marcus Larrea
20:41 19 Jun 21
I was a not so great golfer playing only about 6 times a year the last few years. Finally decided to take it seriously and commit to improving my game through lessons and decided to go with Mark at Durland Golf School. After the first lesson Mark, adjusted my swing to hit the ball much cleaner. I have taken 3 more lessons since then and have seen improvement in all aspects of my game. Each lesson Mark seeks to give tips that resonate with each individual. The notes and Video/Trackman Data he provides after each lesson are great to reference as well. I look forward to many more lessons as I see consistent improvement.Highly recommend Mark for anyone looking to improve their game!
Joe Belz
14:54 07 Jun 21
I have taken golf lessons from several teachers in the past but none improved my game like the Mark has. Mark has a way of explaining what he is teaching so that it make sense and isn't too complicated. After two lessons and a few trips to the range to practice and I am hitting the ball better and further than ever.
Testimonials
Hi Mark,
It's very kind of you to say "Thanks."
I've had a number of lessons over the years and I would say my first lesson with you would rank at the TOP. Why?
- I appreciated your explanation of the various points you were trying to make. Plus, I understood what you were explaining to me.
- During previous lessons I sometimes felt confused, I never felt confused with your comments/explanations.
- In previous lessons I sometimes felt discouraged with the lesson, I did not feel discouraged with your teaching. In fact, I felt encouraged.
Please know I'm not saying anything bad about the other instructors, just the differences I've experienced.
Thank you and see you next Wednesday.
Bill H., Naples Resident
The swing change worked perfect today! I can’t thank you enough! It’s easy to understand why you are one of the top 100 golf instructors in the world! In my book you’re number one!
Mike LaVerdiere, Naples Grande Member
Mark, I wanted to take a minute and thank you for the lessons. I have consistently been putting up great scores and my handicap index is falling. I just got back from playing with a client in his member guest in Michigan. We won our flight, and for 3 days, I never lost a golf ball, never had a penalty stroke, and was in almost every hole for the entire weekend. I am excited to keep building on the progress.
David C. Michie, Naples Resident
Hi Mark,
I just wanted to touch base and let you know that my golf game has really improved since your lessons. My drives are going further, my fairway shots are usually straight, and my short game is better. I played with a "veteran" at our club today, who hadn't played with me yet this season. She commented on how my game had improved since last summer! Golf is always a work in progress, but I just thought you'd like to know how pleased I am with my improvement.
I should add that my partner and I won the Ladies two day Member-Member at our club last week. It was such a thrill for me! Thanks again!
Dona Brown, Naples Resident
I have been a very serious golfer for the last thirty some years and have had the privilege to work with many different teaching pros around the country. I have now worked with Mark for the last two years and feel he has done more to teach me the basic golf swing than any of my previous instructors. Mark , understands the golf sing and knows how to get the concept across to his students. I would recommend Mark to any golfer that is serious about improving their game.
Glenn Hasse, Naples Resident
After playing golf for over a decade and trying my fair share of instructors, I came across Mark Durland. He is not only a world class instructor but a student of the game himself. A quality person and golf professional that understands the difficulties of the game and tries to relay his advice to the student in a clear and easily understood manner. Mark doesn't overwhelm his students by throwing every technical term in the book at them, rather he works with the golfer to improve their game step by step. I highly recommend Mark Durland not only as a great golf professional but also as a friend. After a few lessons it was hard not to develop a relationship with him as well. Overall I couldn't ask for more, highly recommended."
Carson Weinand, Yale University Golf Team
As a beginning golfer, Mark worked with me on every part of the game and brought me from a 30+ handicap down to a 12 over two years. He is skilled in listening and worked with me to improve my alignment for a more accurate swing and the results were better than I expected. I have recommended Mark's instruction to friends and they have all been pleased.
Bob Subin, Naples Resident
Mark is a Professional in every aspect of the word. His knowledge of the golf swing and his ability to teach can help any golfer - the high handicapper, the scratch golfer and the professional. For the first half of the year, I was struggling, shooting rounds between 86 to 92 at my home course of Irem Temple CC in Dallas, PA. I had no idea where I was hitting the ball and my confidence was at an all-time low. I had one playing lesson with Mark and he gave me two things to work on with my golf swing. By the end of the round I was hitting more consistent and solid shots. The very next day I shot 78, my best score by far for the year. Since then, I have broken 80 several times. I even shot a 1-under 35 on the front 9 at Irem Temple. Mark, thanks for restoring my confidence and making the game more enjoyable for me.
Walter Pilger, Business Executive
No two people swing the club the same way. Mark has helped me improve my game by identifying things that work for me to improve my game and making it more consistent. When swing problems arise, as they always do for amateurs, he can quickly spot the problem and rectify it, usually within one lesson. He has helped me with the mental game as well. He never lets you get down on yourself - always finding something positive to build on. (PS-my handicap has dropped by 25% after working with Mark).
Jon Davis, Naples Grande Member
My son uses Mark when we vacation in Naples. He is a great teacher for a teenager, as his communication skills are strong for that age group. But Mark's effectiveness does not stop there. In 3 lessons he dramatically improved my golf swing with one simple change, plus gave me check points to keep it in tact while not in Naples. Mark has the personality, along with the golf skills, to allow someone like myself to enjoy lessons.
Louis D. George, Attorney