Florida

Tee Time on the Gulf: Learn From the Pros of the Original Golf School

Program No. 21807RJ
Learn from professionals through custom-tailored golf lessons and daily instruction as you improve your swing, situational play and on-course etiquette with the Original Golf School.

Enroll with Confidence

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more

Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

At a Glance

When the Green Mountains of Vermont are covered in snow, the teaching pros from the Original Golf School set up shop on Florida’s beautiful Gulf of Mexico. If you want to improve your game, then pack your clubs and come on down. Receive daily on-course instruction in small groups led by experienced Original Golf School pros, and enjoy outstanding resort accommodations on the wildlife-rich waters of Kings Bay. Don’t miss your chance to learn from the best this winter.
Activity Level
Outdoor: No Sweat
Golf instruction 4-5 hours each day; Both left and right hand rental clubs are available at an additional cost. Requires standing, walking, swinging of clubs outside on practice facilities and on the course.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Get pointers on the short and long game, bunker play, putting and course management, all with a student-instructor ratio of no more than six to one.
  • Take home a golf pro’s analysis of your swing, recorded using JC Video Systems motion-analysis technology, and stay in email contact with your pro instructor throughout the season.
  • Learn principles of on-course etiquette, course management and USGA rules of the game in classes off the links.

General Notes

Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
Jay Morelli
Jay Morelli is the owner of The Original Golf School at Mount Snow, Vermont and The Plantation Golf Resort and Spa in Crystal River, Florida. He has served as the director for The Original Golf School since 1978, and until 2005 was also the director of golf at Mount Snow Golf Club. Jay was the winner of the Northeast New York State PGA Championship, a three-time U.S. Open local qualifying medalist and a two-time Vermont PGA Pro-Pro Champion. He has also won numerous awards for his work as a golf instructor, including the Bill Strausbaugh Award, the New England PGA Teacher of the Year award, and is a four-time recipient of Golf Digest’s “Best Teacher in State” award.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Jay Morelli
Jay Morelli View biography
Jay Morelli is the owner of The Original Golf School at Mount Snow, Vermont and The Plantation Golf Resort and Spa in Crystal River, Florida. He has served as the director for The Original Golf School since 1978, and until 2005 was also the director of golf at Mount Snow Golf Club. Jay was the winner of the Northeast New York State PGA Championship, a three-time U.S. Open local qualifying medalist and a two-time Vermont PGA Pro-Pro Champion. He has also won numerous awards for his work as a golf instructor, including the Bill Strausbaugh Award, the New England PGA Teacher of the Year award, and is a four-time recipient of Golf Digest’s “Best Teacher in State” award.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Print All
Map details are not available for this location.
6 days
5 nights
14 meals
5 B 4 L 5 D
DAY
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Crystal River, Florida
D
Plantation on Crystal River

Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).

Afternoon: Program Registration: 3:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.

Dinner: At the resort.

Evening: Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will review COVID-19 protocols and will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and requirements throughout the program. The director of the Original Golf School will talk about details of the program and the highlights ahead. Each full program day will include four hours of small group instruction and coaching. This multi-day curriculum features instruction and evaluation on every aspect of play with on-course guidance. There will be a pro assigned to each small group. The Original Golf School, founded in 1978, was one of the country’s first and continues to be one of the most trusted programs for golf enthusiasts who want to improve their game. The award-winning golf professionals have helped more than 90,000 golfers of all ability levels. The Original Golf School enjoys the use of their own private 9-hole course. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

DAY
2
Expert Instruction, Course Play, Pro Talk: Golf Etiquette
Crystal River, Florida
B,L,D
Plantation on Crystal River

Activity note: Standing, swinging, walking on course for approximately 4 hours; extent and duration of independent play and other afternoon activities according to personal choice.

Breakfast: At the resort.

Morning: After an introductory talk on the teaching philosophy by a PGA professional, we will divide into small groups according to ability level. Each small group will be led by a Golf School Certified PGA pro who will work with each Road Scholar on aspects of swing basics, grip, putting, chipping, wood play, etc., as appropriate to individual skill and experience. Throughout the course of the week, all students will take part in an individual video analysis and will receive a copy of their video complete with a pro voiceover upon departure.

Lunch: At the golf club restaurant.

Afternoon: We'll continue to work with our pros in small groups this afternoon. Following the afternoon class, there will be free time for golf on your own at either the onsite Championship course or the 9-hole course. You may also choose to enjoy the resort amenities or leave the property on your own and explore many local attractions. Prior to dinner, we’ll meet as a group for a presentation by one of the PGA pros who will discuss golf etiquette. Unlike many sports, golf is played for the most part without the supervision of a referee or umpire. The game relies on the integrity of each individual to show consideration for other players and to abide by the rules. Golf etiquette means all players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, regardless of how competitive they may be. Far from being an old-fashioned concept, this is the spirit of the game.

Dinner: At the resort.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
3
Expert Instruction, Course Play, Pro Talk: Course Management
Crystal River, Florida
B,L,D
Plantation on Crystal River

Activity note: Standing, swinging, walking on course for approximately 4 hours; extent and duration of independent play and other afternoon activities according to personal choice.

Breakfast: At the resort.

Morning: We will continue with instruction and play with our PGA professionals, both at the practice facility and on course.

Lunch: At the golf club restaurant.

Afternoon: We'll continue to work with our pros in small groups this afternoon. Following the afternoon class, there will be free time for golf on your own at either the onsite Championship course or the 9-hole course. You may also choose to enjoy the resort amenities or leave the property on your own and explore many local attractions. Today’s pre-dinner presentation by one of the PGA pros will be on course management techniques.

Dinner: At the resort.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
4
Expert Instruction, Course Play
Crystal River, Florida
B,L,D
Plantation on Crystal River

Activity note: Standing, swinging, walking on course for approximately 4 hours and independent play.

Breakfast: At the resort.

Morning: We will once again have instruction and play with our PGA professionals, both at the practice facility and on the course.

Lunch: At the golf club restaurant.

Afternoon: We'll continue to work with our pros in small groups this afternoon. Following the afternoon class, there will be free time for golf on your own at either the onsite Championship course or the 9-hole course. You may also choose to enjoy the resort amenities or leave the property on your own and explore many local attractions.

Dinner: At the resort.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
5
On Course Play, Scramble With Pro, Awards Ceremony
Crystal River, Florida
B,L,D
Plantation on Crystal River

Activity note: Standing, swinging, walking on course for approximately 4 hours and independent play; extent and duration of independent play and other afternoon activities according to personal choice.

Breakfast: At the resort.

Morning: We'll enjoy a fun scramble tournament with our pros and fellow participants.

Lunch: At the golf club restaurant.

Afternoon: We'll continue to work with our pros in small groups this afternoon. Following the afternoon class, there will be free time for golf on your own at either the onsite Championship course or the 9-hole course. You may also choose to enjoy the resort amenities or leave the property on your own and explore many local attractions. Prior to dinner, we’ll gather for an awards presentation to the top finishers in this morning’s scramble tournament.

Dinner: At the resort. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening: We’ll gather with our pro for a final session reviewing high points of the program and answering any remaining questions. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

DAY
6
Program Concludes
Crystal River, Florida
B

Activity note: Hotel check-out by 10:30 a.m.

Breakfast: At the resort. This concludes our program.

Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!






Recommended For You

loading spinner