Katherine is the most effective communicator I have ever worked with -- she definitely lives up to her website's accolade of being "student centered" and providing a "unique learning experience"! I'm planning on scheduling a lesson every time I visit the Monterey Peninsula.
Nancy S. Phoenix, AZ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I have been working with Katherine on my golf game for the past several years and she has been extremely helpful. Katherine was quick to identify both the strengths and weaknesses of my game and provide me with specific swing thoughts to address the weaknesses. She is not a "cookie cutter pro" who gives all of her students the same advice; rather, the advice is tailored for each individual and his or her game. Katherine is an excellent communicator and very specific and concise in her instruction.
Harvey H. Bay Area, Northern California
I can't say enough about what a great teacher Katherine is. She zones in on her student's individual style and form and intuitively helps improve their swing. She tempers her teaching method to each student, and teaches that person in the way in which he or she best learns. I have never had a golf instructor who is personally so skilled in the game, be able to impart that knowledge to a student in the way it will be best learned and understood.
My wife and I, plus two other couples, recently completed a three-day golf school with Katherine. Katherine is a very professional instructor as well as an intelligent and fun person with whom to work. We all came away with many helpful hints on how to improve almost every aspect of our games. After each session, we had an opportunity to demonstrate what we had learned through on-course instruction. We have recommended Katherine to our golfing friends, and we'll be back for another round of instruction.
I have taken two or three lessons per year with Katherine since the late 1990's. My prior golf instruction has included lessons from several notable instructors in Northern California, and Katherine ranks with the very best! She is very professional, technically skilled and projects a positive attitude, all of which enhance the learning experience and retention. She combines her extensive knowledge of the golf swing with her sports psychology training to provide her clients with both physical and mental aspects of the game. At the completion of each session, I always felt that I had learned something valuable that I could apply to further practice and on-course performance.
Christopher Smith, Los Altos Hills, CA __________________________________________________________________________________________
After taking numerous lessons from "pros" who told me that I was as good as I would ever get, I was referred to Katherine by a friend who was taking lessons from her. Lo and behold, my game has improved beyond my wildest dreams. If you think you have learned all you can, give Katherine a try before giving up on instruction. Thank you Katherine!
Sally from San Jose __________________________________________________________________________________________
I have taken lessons from lots of great instructors, and Katherine is the best. Trust me, she delivers!
Excellent instructor! Student-centered, intelligent, patient, with a keen eye to identify and prioritize the aspects of my swing and my game most in need of her expertise. I would strongly recommend her to golfers of all temperaments, and all skill levels.
Joseph N., Walnut Creek, CA
Hi Katherine: I want to thank you for the most amazing experience you have provided to me over the past two days. I have taken lessons, played the game, but you delivered something to me that even I am having a hard time explaining to myself. If it is possible to "cleanse" yourself of the past and open your mind to new beginnings in the world of golf, that is what you have done for me. Thank you so very much. I have never been so excited to play this game. Sherri H. Contract Paralegal Newark, CA
"I've been working with Katherine for several years and my index has dropped significantly during that time, over 3 points in the last year alone. Katherine's instruction style accomodates my golfing abilities and she adapts readily whenever I need to focus on a specific problem. With her guidance, I've weeded out consistent flaws in my golf swing, and her sense of humor alleviates my frustration when they do re-occur. I walk away from each lesson with a 'swing thought' so I can visualize my swing both on and off the course. I believe that without Katherine's instruction, I possibly wouldn't be playing golf at all, and I know that I wouldn't enjoy it as much as I do."
Susan Schwarz, Los Altos, CA "Katherine was an excellent instructor who explained the mechanics of the swing clearly, without being intimidating. She has a quiet, self-assured manner that is very conducive to learning this frequently exasperating game. My husband also took lessons from Katherine and was happy with the results. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Katherine to any golfer, male or female."
E. O'Neill-Hitch, Soquel
"As a former 16-handicap golfer and now a 12-handicap player, I strongly recommend The Golf Institute, and specifically Katherine Nino, for anyone who wishes to take strokes off of their game!
Larry Thompson, Los Angeles CA
The Golf Institute at Monterey Bay is a 10! Katherine Nino is an outstanding instructor who not only delivers the necessary fundamentals to improving one's game, but also makes it so enjoyable that at the end of a Full-Day Cinic you wonder where the day went. I would recommend her clinics to anyone - particularly those who might be a bit gun shy because they fear being intimidated by a "golf pro."
Mrs. Janet Wardlaw
Marion, Iowa
"I am a novice golfer - I knew nothing about golf before my lesson. I thought Katherine's instruction was great. She taught us the basic movement for each of the key strokes and gave us one-on-one instruction as we practiced what we learned. I learned what I am supposed to do -doing it, however, is another matter. It takes a lot of practice to be a good golfer. Katherine got me off to a great start".
Christine Gianascol, Attorney at Law Noland, Hamerly, Etienne & Hoss, Salinas CA.
"Katherine is a great instructor. I was an 18-handicap golfer before I took lessons from Katherine. I am now a solid 14! During individual instruction she helped me eliminate my bad habits. She also took me out on the course and helped me identify the areas where I needed major improvement."
George T. Pacific Grove, CA
"Katherine is a thoughtful and thorough instructor. In my small group lesson, she immediately identified problems with my technique and helped me establish my own routine for applying the fundamentals she taught. Above all, Katherine has a great sense of humor, the most fundamental fundamental in golf!"
Dorothy Lank, Attorney at Law Monterey, CA
"Katherine is a great teacher, very patient and kind to a novice golfer like myself. Thanks to her, my enjoyment of the game has increased tremendously."
B. Cotter, Pacific Grove, CA
"Katherine is a wonderful teacher. She has the unique ability to explain complex matters very simply. The Bayonet-Blackhorse Golf Course is a hidden gem with fantastic views of Monterey Bay. What a spot to learn how to better your golf game. Katherine's seminar for women golfers is excellent. Her strategy tips on the short game will help us be better golfers. We learned how to make up strokes in the short game so I won't worry so much about hitting the ball long distances.
Thanks for a truly inspiring day!"
Anne Secker, Attorney at Law Salinas, CA
"Katherine's class was so fun that we willingly stood in the rain learning to putt! With a few words of advice, she gave me the tools I need to get to the next level. Katherine is the kind of instructor that I will return to in the future, because I know she can teach me to play well even though I am not athletic. The class was the turning point in my golf game. I've officially been bitten by the golf bug, much to my husband's delight."
Janet Knox Arthur Andersen, San Jose CA
"Katherine Nino is one of the best explainers I have encountered. I often find that it is difficult for natural athletes to get ideas across to those of us less gifted. Katherine is so wonderful and the seminar is well worth the price!"
Jacqueline Pierce, Attorney at Law Law Offices of Jacqueline Pierce, Monterey CA
I took my first lesson with Katherine in early June of 2008, and a second lesson a couple of weeks later. Katherine is so very patient, understanding my frustrations at not playing as well as I would like. Her teaching is so detailed, she tells you what to do and why you should do it, explaining everything explicitly. Katherine can spot right away your swing, correcting it over and over again until I finally 'feel it'! Well, the end of June, I had a 'Katherine swing' on a par three and had my first Hole in One!! Four more lessons later, another 'Katherine swing' and another Hole in One the end of December! My handicap has come down five strokes, and I am now really enjoying golf and can hold my own with the 'big girls'! I will continue to take lessons from Katherine, wanting to improve a lot more. I have given my husband, a good golfer, a 'six pack' of lessons with Katherine, we both like her so much!!
Judy Quintana Monterey CA
I first learned of Katherine a few years ago when I was really struggling with my game. From the very first lesson this was an instructor I could really connect with. Katherine’s teaching method just clicked. After a few swings she nailed my problems and gave me drills I could work on on my own. She analyzed my swing and explained what I was doing wrong and what caused it. This made sense to me because then I could make necessary adjustments on the course because I would understand what old habits I was falling back on. Thank you, thank you, thank you. As long as Katherine keeps instructing I will keep coming back for those necessary tune-ups.
Sandy Ferrario Ione, Ca
The best Christmas gift I ever received from my husband was a 4 lesson package of golf lessons by Katherine Nino! My swing has improved dramatically and I have increased distance and accuracy. Katherine is easy to understand and doesn't give too much information at one time. Everyone asks what I am doing differently and I tell them--Lessons from Katherine Nino!
B. DiBona
I met Katherine while buying a new set of clubs at From Tee to Green in Carmel. The idea of driving from San Francisco to Carmel for golf lessons seemed rather outrageous. However, I am a 12 year beginner, and I felt like trying something outrageous may be exactly what my game needed. I have had golf lessons before from not so good teaching pros and excellent teaching pros, but Katherine is in a class all by herself. She is patient and thoughtful in her approach to teaching. I walked away with motivation and confidence that I may finally be able to take my game to the next level. Katherine's real gift is her ability and desire to listen. It is this skill that enables her to personalize the lesson to each individual. The two hour drive from San Francisco for a golf lesson no longer seems outrageous...it is one of the best decisions I have ever made! Believe me when I say I am so thrilled I could go on and on forever!!
