Mark has been working with my son for several years. He has received many compliments on his swing. My son is currently 10 years old and competing in tournaments. He just got a 33 for 9 holes. Next year, with Mark's help, we hope that he consistently scores in the low 60s for 18 holes when he competes as an 11 year old. Mark is awesome! read more

Mark E. is the best coach I have ever seen. He patiently corrects every movement and swing of yours. Thank you very much..

Mark is a great teacher who does an excellent job communicating the "why" of what the golf ball is doing by explaining the "how" of your individual golf swing. He is very detail-oriented at identifying one's strengths and weaknesses and provides great instruction techniques to develop one's swing. Also, he is all about mastering golf fundamentals. To that end, he analyzes all stages of one's golf swing, starting with proper grip, and identifies what needs to be improved on while also providing techniques to work on post-instruction. With Mark's guidance, I have been able to develop a consistent golf swing. I also highly recommend the multi-lesson package with Mark because with just a few lessons you will see substantial progress in your golf game. Consistency is key. For me, I noticed substantial improvement just after my first instruction, but I regret not pursuing a multi-lesson package immediately. He's a 10/10 instructor and I would recommend him to any golfer. read more

Mark is an amazing instructor!! I came in not knowing how to swing a golf club to having a proper grip and swinging different sets of clubs effectively. He's super detail and explains what type of problems he sees in your swing. After a couple of lessons I was able to learn the feel of what a true golf swing and now I'm hitting the course!! I highly recommend taking his classes!! read more

Great lessons and Mark's ability to translate quickly your "bad habits" into positive change is dramatic!

I went to Mark after hitting my 3 year anniversary of picking up the game, feeling I'd hit a plateau, and it has been by far the best investment I've made in my golf game. After my time with Mark I am hitting every club more consistently, further and most importantly in the intended direction. With his guidance I have even begun to a able to shape my shots. I highly recommend the multi lesson package, as having him check my progress after a few weeks of practice in between lessons has been key. Bottom line is, if you want to enjoy golf even more than you already do, go see Mark. read more

I've been taking lessons from Mark for the last 5-7 years and every time I think he has nothing new to teach me I'm wrong! Mark is terrific at teaching and adjusting the "fundamentals" of your swing that after each lesson I feel like I'm ready to take on the pros! Mark provides excellent verbal and visual aids for insuring complete understanding without overwhelming. I know I will not stop taking lessons from Mark. read more

Bought a groupon for two 1-hr lessons. I've never golfed, except at the driving range years ago. Never had lessons before. Dug my old clubs out of the closet.... Amazing! Within minutes, Mark had me reconsider my grip and I was nailing balls far and straight. UNBELIEVABLE. I expected to get barraged with tons of tips and corrective actions which would be of only minor help (and probably confusing/distracting) -- but instead got almost zen-like guidance, aided by a really cool video system to show the results of improved technique. Results were immediate and VERY noticeable. More of the same at the second lesson: No video but really easygoing help with my swing, some other seemingly minor but important mechanical issues. All explained and demonstrated in a way that really made sense. Really looking forward to trying this out, with the lads and/or at the range soon! If I stick with golf I'll be back for more with Mark. I will not hesitate to recommend him to anyone. read more

I've been golfing a long time and have never had such great instruction. I highly recommend Mark for his ability to spot the root cause and provide instruction in a non-technical, easy to implement manner. My index has gone down by 1.5 in a very short amount of time...and I haven't mastered his lessons yet! For those who are just starting, my friend, who is beginner, did the series of lessons with me. She's made amazing progress and is well on her way. There are not enough good things to say about Mark. read more

Mark Emmons is the best Golf instructor I played with. He helped me more in one lessons that others during weeks of training. His facility is outstanding and features top of the line video analysis equipment. I enjoy each class with Mark and leave as a better player every time I visited. I made the mistake to bring my daughter once & now she want's to come back & practice with Mark all the time ;-) We're lucky to have that kind of facility and talent in our area offering affordable rates for lessons and packages. Mark also offers group sessions and corporate events, which is great for small businesses who want to impress their clients or larger corporation who want to do a company event. I am there as much as I can. Thank You Mark for improving my game. read more

I have had several instructors in the past. At Harding Golf Course, Indian Valley, but Mark Emmons is probably the best i've had. I have had one only one lesson with Mark,but within the first couple minutes he saw my biggest flaws and explained to me the right way to swing and get on plane. He didn't try to change my swing but work with it. I will take more lessons from him in the near future when I have moneyyyyy. read more

Mark is a wonderful teacher and a even better person. He has coached my twin girls for a little more than a year. He instructs in a way that they understand and he never talks down to them. He explains things in a way that you can understand and instantly apply. He is also fun to be around. They enjoy instruction so they learn more. I highly reccommend Coach Mark. read more

Mark is an excellent instructor with a ton of knowledge about the mechanics of the golf swing but I believe his strongest skill is his ability to communicate that knowledge to his students. I was a 11.7 handicap when I started working with Mark and have since lowered my handicap into the single digits over the past 2 months. I have also shot a personal low score of 70, which was even par, on a tight desert course out in Tucson. Mark first helped me feel important key fundamentals in the set up, take away, and swing. Then he would explain the reasoning behind them and how my former swing thoughts and feels were hindering my improvement. I look forward to continuing to work with Mark on all aspects of my game and would highly recommend anyone looking for a deeper understanding of the golf swing to take a lesson or five with Mark. I have found that it is a much faster route to shooting lower scores than trying to do it by myself. read more

Mark is one of the better sports coaches I've ever had. I'm a slow learner when it comes to the game of golf - it's hard to understand at times. There are lots of things to think about. Mark goes out of his way to help you understand the game in "terms" that best suit the student and he really simplifies the game. If you are new to the game of golf and want someone who can break the game down to its core he is the guy to go see. He will have you hitting the ball and playing the game the right way in no time. read more

Ha! Butch Harmon? at $600/hour?!!! the hell with that i say. like you've heard with the other reviews... MARK IS THE MAN!!!! i've been playing on and off for the 10 years or so. on a good day, i can probably hit a decent shot 1 out of 4 times. and hey! that's better than what most MLB players are averaging these days. WHERE THE HELL IS MY $15 MILLION A YEAR?! =p. oh and that's sans PED enhancement thank you very much. suffice to say, i don't judge my success on the links by how many strokes i make in 18 holes. that's because it's tedious to have to count up to 200-300 strokes. so tedious, i have to hire an accountant to caddie for me and take stroke inventory. and he can't do that without his interns. yeah! it's that bad. relative success is dependent on how many balls i have left in the bag after 18 holes. yeah, that's pretty bad too. put it this way...by the end of the front nine, when i'm completely ball-less (no pun intended), i have to get the scuba gear out and scrounge for balls in the nearest water hazard just so i can finish the back nine. but after my third lesson with mark, we had a momentous breakthrough. Afterwards, i have not felt such a feeling of eternal optimism, joy and hopefullness since the day when an old high school flame (and her 10 year old brat kid) threatened me with child support only to have maury povich and state of the art DNA testing confirm that I WAS NOT THE FATHER!! ever seen a grown man who can't carry a tune sing michael jackson's "billy jean" with tears streaming down his cheeks? it's a beautiful thing..... and so were the golf shots i was hitting with effortless ease after lesson #3 which i now called mark emmons "the art of swinging without actually swinging" want to know what that's all about? sign up with the man! he's also the more affordable private instructors around. i can't wait to ditch my attorney and scuba gear =) read more

I don't write reviews on Yelp all that often. I do it only when I find some place or someone truly worthy of time and effort to call out and raise awareness to others. This is definitely one of them. From my experience, finding ones way to a truly good and effective golf instructor can be as frustrating and futile as the game of golf itself. So, I'm most pleased to report in that the other Yelpers who submitted a review about Mark Emmons is absolutely right. Like they, I have at long (and I mean long) last, discovered the Painite of all golf instructors named Mark Emmons. I'm a firm believer that, unless you're a pro, no matter how long one has played golf or how good one is at it, getting professional instruction can only help to make playing that often frustrating sport less frustrating. So, it was with that mindset that led me on my quest to find the best instructor for me----a quest that drove me hacking away through the years trying a range of instructors in Mountain View, Foster City, San Leandro, Burlingame, San Mateo and, finally, San Bruno. What makes Mark a truly great instructor above all others I've experienced is a unique combination of attributes that I have not, up until now, found in any other instructor: His instruction is delivered in a very basic, simple, uncomplicated and succinct manner----eliminating that undercurrent of intimidation that seems to come with trying to master the sport; his analogies and concepts are easy to understand and easy to relate to; he's got a very pleasant, approachable, and easy personality; he's professional and knowledgeable without being overbearing or intimidating----not letting the depth of his knowledge and experience take shape as an overinflated ego; he uses his sense of humor wisely to mellow instances when one feels defeated or frustrated with the game; he encourages and sets the appropriate perspective to help keep the sport fun; and he obviously knows this sport well because if you follow his instruction...take the time to practice...one sees positive results. I definitely did and continue to. Net...Mark Emmons not only understands the sport of golf, he understands what to teach to meet an individuals specific need, as well as how to teach it in a way that suits the way individuals learn best. This is especially beneficial for those just learning how to golf and those who aren't so "hard-core"----though, his experience and style would, without a doubt, also suit all other levels above. To make the whole golf instruction with Mark even more sweet, the San Bruno Golf Center where Mark teaches at is what has to be one of the best kept secrets around (at least for now) as I didn't know of it until I discovered Mark. It's got to be the best facility around these neck of the woods for anyone wanting to learn golf or refine their game of golf as it has huge areas specifically designated for practicing all facets of the game (a flyer I got of them said that they have "... 20,000 square foot well-manicured natural grass hitting area with over 25 stalls; a double-deck 65-stall mat range; a 2.5 acre natural grass area with bunkers for practicing sand shots, chipping, pitching and putting; and two large complimentary putting greens..."). And, if that's not all, the San Bruno Golf Center with Mark Emmons is also centrally located----accessible from 101 or 280 and less than 30 minutes from most of San Francisco to the north and San Mateo and Foster City to the south. But wait! There's more! I found out through snooping on Facebook that Mark and his team of instructors also put on corporate events and team building events at the San Bruno Golf Center. When I saw this, I thought it was such a unique and potentially really fun option that I am keeping it in mind for the next opportunity with my own staff. Give him a try for yourself and join the rest of us satisfied golfing Yelpers! read more

Mark is great! I had originally stumbled upon this place through a Groupon I bought for Feyoncé, but he liked Mark so much he purchased additional lessons and made me come along. We've gone a few times, and admittedly are slackers, but we look forward to getting more lessons from Mark as soon as we stop being slackers. read more

Mark is both an excellent instructor and a good person to spend some time with. He has also developed his own golf instruction technique, which he tailors to each of his clients. He improved my swing dramatically in the first lesson, and I'm continuing to improve with his help. If you're looking for a good golf instructor around SF, look no further: Mark is the best golf instructor in the bay area. read more

I have been playing golf off and on for 20 years and have been around a 22 handicap. Took a series of five lessons from Mark Emmons and I am now playing to a 17 handicap. I highly recommend the five series. This guy is good!! read more

I started playing golf 3 years ago and I took a series of lessons from a golf franchise to start me on the right track. It got me going but I felt it was a cookie cutter approach. I had to mach my swing to 90% of all pro golfers. I couldn't do it! I'm still an athlete at 70, but at 18 I couldn't hit like Willie Mays as hard as I tried. So I had to find a pro that got it and I feel Mark Emmons -- Got It --. He changed things in my swing that disabled me from developing "MY Swing". I needed "My Swing" to come out and play. When he first saw me he said you're going to hit in the 90's in a few months. I looked and smiled and just shook my head in disbelief. Well, when I started with Mark Emmons I was shooting 120, about 90 days later, today, I shot 96. Yea, I feel with a little work from the student, Mark Emmons will bring your perfect swing out to play and do it in a relaxed fun atmosphere. Thanks Mark, I'll try to keep improving in this great game of Golf. read more

Never took lessons my entire life and I wished I had done so earlier with Mark. I dropped 10 strokes after just 2 lessons when he quickly analyzed and corrected my flaws. He did so without trying to reinvent your swing, just focused on the key fundamentals to promote better impact and consistency. Best investment you can make in golf before you drop a lot of money into expensive equipment. read more

Mark is the man! Had two 1 hr lessons with him. He has a scientific approach to teaching, making sure you understand why your body is doing or not doing certain things. Mark is very generous with his knowledge and pin pointed exactly what was wrong with my swing. As good instructors do, he works with your swing to ensure that the fundamentals are in tact. Good grip, good alignment, etc. etc. Overall, great teacher, lot of knowledge and a lot of simple and technical tools that help you visualize your swing -- there is also a professional swing recorder/machine that lets you literally view your swing and eventual progress. read more

Mark is a great instructor. Last year he took a look at every aspect of my swing and immediately found ways to improve. Actually he changed my swing completely from setup to mechanics. I must admit, it took me months to conform to the new technique, but the results have been amazing. I now swing with less effort and the ball goes higher, straighter and farther! I finally have the ball flight I have always wanted: high launch with a soft landing. It is much easier to control distance especially with my mid to long irons. I am also hitting the center of the club face with more consistency than I ever had previously. His method is not gentle coaxing, but the hard truth. However the things he does tell you will stick in your mind and you can't help but want to improve... and if you do what he suggests, you will improve. read more

Mark is a knowledgeable and insightful instructor. I went with little to no golf experience and my husband came along with many years experience, and Mark has really revolutionized our golf game. After a couple of lessons I was able to learn the feel of what a true golf swing entails, and he improved on my husband's swing such that he no longer comes home from golf trips with a sore back, and is playing the best golf of his life. Mark is also fun to work with so we look forward to our lessons. A very high recommend for anyone who enjoys golf! read more

Mark was great. The facilities need a facelift

Mark is a wonderful golf instructor. I've been playing for years and taken lessons with other golf instructors. In just one lesson, he helped me correct my vicious slice - his directions were so clear and easy to follow, I'm not thinking about what to do, I'm just doing it. He uses a video system too, that helped me visualize what I was doing wrong, and helped explain how to make corrections. I'm so happy with my new game! read more

Had an opportunity to work with Mark to improve my swing. He is a true student of the game and gave me not only a good swing but also a philosophy of how to continue improve my game. read more

After not playing golf for around 15 years and never having taken lessons before, I decided to take lessons with Mark to make sure I established sound fundamentals with my swing in order to help me get back into the game and avoid developing any bad habits. Mark did just that! Without drastically changing my swing, he helped me workout the problems with my grip and setup that were the main sources of my inconsistency and a bad push slice. Small changes felt completely awkward at first, but once I got comfortable with them, everything else just fell into place and my swing never felt more smooth and efficient. I can't wait to see how much further he can help me improve my game! read more

I've played maybe a couple rounds of golf my whole life and mainly practiced at the driving range while getting tips from the internet and friends. Basically I never had any formal lessons. Mark was able to provide great instruction tailored to the lessons to fit my needs. He is able to make his point simply without making anything overly complicated. He is also very easy going and accommodating. When I was unable to make the last lesson of the a 4 lesson package, he was able to reschedule me for a 1 on 1 lesson. Definitely will come back to him for additional lessons once I get a little better. read more

MARK IS AN EXPERT TEACHER. I am a 15 handicap golfer and have played for more than 5 years. I have taken lessons years ago from a fantastic instructor. After a short break I've become very focused on improving. After reading reviews I decided Mark was the instructor for me. DO IT, you will be glad you did. I cannot express enough how deeply Mark understands the golf swing. More importantly, is Marks ability to identify the top 2-3 things that you can do to achieve immediate improvement. At the end of the day, Mark will distill the key focus areas in the most simple way possible that will get you on the fast track to becoming a better golfer. I have not hit more pure golf shots until I started working with Mark. The San Bruno Golf Center is excellent and Mark's instruction studio is top notch. The video analysis and swing diagnosis have been among my favorite things. Look no further, seriously. read more

Simply put, Mark is the best golf instructor I've worked with. What is most impressive about Mark is that, unlike many instructors, he doesn't have cookie-cutter fixes for problems. Instead, he figures out what problems each individual is having with his or her swing and makes adjustments from there. He can make slight tweaks to a swing, but which can lead to significant improvements. To make that type of swing analysis and figure out the proper correction requires a knowledge of biomechanics that is rare among instructors. Mark also provides a thorough explanation of the problem and the fix, so that when you're out of the course and starting to struggle, you can make the correct adjustments, rather than flailing around in the dark. I've worked with Mark for about 6 months, and I now consider him my long-term golf coach. read more

Mark is an absolutely fantastic instructor. Definitely worth the time and the money. From just a few lessons I am swinging the club on a better plane and more effortlessly. The improved swing is easy to understand and perform from his instructions. His explanations are straightforward and easy to understand. I highly recommend Mark to anyone that wants to enjoy the golf game more and improve their scoring. read more

Mark is super for beginners, "old" and young! I didn't start playing or taking lessons until I was well past 50 y.o., but Mark made me feel at ease right from the beginning. He also helped to introduce my pre-teen daughter to golf which is a great time to start -- before she developed bad habits. The "studio" approach using video analysis is really helpful since I have a chance to see what I'm doing (or not) with immediate feedback -- hence it's much easier to see and understand what I need to change for better impact. I HIGHLY recommend starting this way -- before you get to St. Andrews! read more

Mark is fantastic! The other reviewers hit the nail on the head - there isn't one swing that everyone should strive to emulate. Everyone's body is different. Mark finds the perfect swing for you and he does so in just one lesson's time, without deconstructing what you came in the door with. I'm a 12 HCP, and in the first 5 minutes of my lesson, Mark saw that my swing plane did not agree with my body, so not only was I missing out on yards, but I was destined to have back problems down the road. Mark had me change my swing plane by 10 degrees and in my next swing (without any extra effort) I went from from 95 MPH to 108 MPH. I'm hitting the ball longer, more consistently and my swing feels so much more natural/comfortable. Hoping for single digits by the end of the summer! read more

I recently had a lesson with Mark. He came highly recommended, and I see why! Mark's the best kind of teacher -- he doesn't try to teach you HIS swing, he analyzes YOUR existing swing and gives you simple adjustments, which I've already taken out on the course, and after just one round I cut 6-7 strokes off my score and have much more consistency with far less effort! Best single lesson I've ever had, and I'm planning to have more! read more