Private Lessons & Coaches in St. Helena, 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.

For nearly two decades, I've built a passion for soccer in many athletes. My coaching emphasizes skill mastery, strategic thinking, and fostering a love for the game. I strive to create a supportive, challenging environment where players reach their full potential. I love football and I love helping others be more successful because they want to be better. There’s nothing better than a person who wants to improve themselves and for me I will do whatever I can to improve yourself.

"Gabriel trained my son in GK he was wonderful my son said he really help out with tips and training will most definitely return to train with Gabriel for once a week.

**GREAT STUDENTS MAKE GREAT COACHES** For the past 20 years, I have been coaching and instructing many of the top golfers in Solano County. I firmly believe that "great players make great coaches." Here are some of my esteemed references: Aaron Beverly: Aaron has competed on the PGA, APGA, and Canadian Tours. During his time at Sac State, he broke numerous records and has won on the APGA Tour. He holds several course records, including a 59 at Rancho Murieta. Easton Hether: Class of 2026 at Cal State East Bay, Easton has already secured first-place finishes in tournaments and was named the 2023 Conference Freshman of the Year; 2025 CSEB Athlete of the Year; 2026 Career Athlete Award Anthony Del Dotto: A Class A PGA Professional and graduate of PGA/PGM New Mexico State, where he was a Jones Cup Champion. Mark Mills: Operations Manager at Jelly Belly. Mark improved from shooting over 100 to breaking 90 in just months through dedication to my 'Five Keys Method.' Although I now coach part-time, I have spent the past 20 years coaching and instructing for The City of Fairfield, Holy Spirit Middle School, and most recently, the Vacaville High Bulldogs. More than 10 of my students have gone on to play at the college level. But one of my proudest accomplishments is every junior player I have coached that went on to play in high school made their varsity squad as freshmen. Throughout these two decades, I have developed "The Five Keys" method of rapid learning. While I have specialized in instructing juniors with aspirations to play at the highest level, this method is designed for players who cannot dedicate hours each day to practice. The Five Keys Method focuses on accelerating progress without requiring extensive practice time. The Five Keys has consistently proven its effectiveness over the years, and I take great satisfaction in helping golfers achieve their personal goals, whatever they may be.

"Coach Nelson made me regret not starting golf 20 years ago. I thought I was signing up for golf lessons, but somehow I got life coaching, therapy, and a reality check all in one package. Every lesson has me thinking, “Wow, that applies to golf". Never had coach so commited to help me improved.

I’ve been golfing for over 30 years and as I grew older I’ve learned to maximize what I have. I’m 5’6” and though I consider myself an athlete, I do believe a good swing can be achieved by good fundamentals and what I call positioning. By ingraining certain aspects of a swing, we can continue to improve by doing. I’m just a low-handicap golfer who want to teach average golfers good fundamentals as a takeaway, so you can start to improve on your own. I’m not a teaching professional, but I was a design instructor at an art school for over 17 years, I hope I can make improving your golf game fun.

"Thank you for such a great lesson!

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!!😊

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

Glen brings valuable experience as a high school coach and a highly skilled player, competing as a 5.0 in doubles and a 4.5 in singles. Remarkably, Glen can play with both hands, offering a unique perspective to students. Specializing in singles and doubles strategy, Glen is passionate about helping players elevate their game through tailored coaching and insightful techniques.

Sushil is a sought-after coach and mentor, helping players of all levels unlock their full potential --teaches shot placement, strategy, smart play, and advanced racket skills. Sushil is a passionate and enthusiastic coach who customizes each session according to the skill level, play style, and goals of a player. Sushil is a former #1-ranked cricket player in the US and 🥈 silver medalist in badminton at the US Open Nationals, bringing the world-class athleticism to northern California Pickleball communities. Sushil has recently secured🏅 Gold medal at the San Diego USA Pickleball Tournament — a proven champion on the court. With a distinguished background in sports at the highest levels, Sushil brings a wealth of experience coupled with the strategic mindset and fastest hand-eye coordination to the pickleball. Sushil is a father of three athletic and academically successful boys and is a long term resident of Marin County. With 30+ years of success as an engineering professional in the Silicon Valley, Sushil brings a rare blend of discipline, commitment to excellence, versatility, and mentorship. Sushil is poised to make a significant impact as a coach and as a player and continue to inspire, teach and elevate the sport of pickleball in local communities.

"What sets my pickleball coach apart is his rare combination of elite athletic experience and analytical thinking. As a former badminton champion and an engineer, he understands how physics strategy and mechanics intersect on the court - and he explains it in a way that makes immediate sense. He quickly identifies what's happening in your stroke, clearly explains why it's happening, and shows you exactly how to fix it. He adapts his teaching to the individual player, which makes his coaching incredibly effective. I've gained both confidence and a deeper understanding of the game because of him.