COURTESY OF The Breakers

Florida provides golfers of varying levels of skill with world-class facilities and pro-tour fairways. Known as the golf capital of the world, it comes as no surprise that this prime golf destination is home to some of America's top golf instructors, as determined by the editors of Golf Magazine.

Palm Beach Polo Golf & Country Club
West Palm Beach
Mike Adams - $180/hour
www.mikeadamsgolf.com 561-602-2476
Teaching Philosophy - Mike Adams is a creative instructor who builds individual swings around body type and strength limitations. He is sought out by numerous tour pros including Michelle McGann.

Orlando World Center Marriott
Orlando
Bill Madonna - Resort guest $150/hour, guest $200/hour
www.billmadonna.com 407-238-8870
Teaching Philosophy - Bill has been teaching for more than 26 years as a PGA member and specializes in driving, pitching and putting.
He is a "PGA Section Teacher of the Year Award" winner and is recognized as an all-around instructor. "My students do not get worse before they get better." His lessons average one to two-and-a-half hours using state-of-the-art video/computer analysis and effective teaching aids and drills. Bill teaches beginners to touring professionals.

Ballard Swing Connection
Key Largo
Jimmy Ballard - $300/hour
www.golfspan.com 800-999-6664
Teaching Philosophy - A golfing guru to more than 200 touring pros, including Curtis Strange, Hal Sutton and Jim Colbert, his favorite saying is: "The dog swings the tail and the body swings the arms." Authored How to Perfect Your Golf Swing.

PGA Learning Center
Port St. Lucie
Rick Martino - $100/hour
www.pgavillage.com 561-624-8402
Teaching Philosophy - PGA of America's 1997 Teacher of the Year and the current director of instruction for the organization, Martino created the curriculum for the PGA's first learning and development facility.

Jim McLean Golf School
Miami
Jim McLean - $500/hour
www.jimmclean.com 800-723-6725
Teaching Philosophy - PGA of America's 1994 Teacher of the Year and author of four books including The Eight Step Swing. Played on University of Houston golf team that included Bruce Lietzke, Bill Rogers and Fuzzy Zoeller.

Naples Grande Golf and Country Club
Naples
Tom Patri - $175/hour
www.tompatri.com 239-455-9179
Teaching Philosophy - Created the "Six Spoke Approach" to Better Golf Learning to encompass the entire learning process that allows golfers to improve. Swing mechanics are only one-sixth of the equation, according to this 20-year teaching veteran.

Under Par Golf Academy
Ormond Beach
Craig Shankland - $175/hour
386-212-4364
Teaching Philosophy - Popular PGA seminar speaker who upholds a "keep it simple" instruction style. Aim the face, hold the handle, aim yourself and make a swing. A great communicator who enjoys working with all levels of players. Beth Daniel's long-time coach. Author of the Golfers Stroke Savers Handbook.

LPGA International
Daytona Beach
Nancy Henderson - $100/hour
www.lpgainternational.com
386-274-5742
Teaching Philosophy - As the Director of Golf at LPGA International, Nancy is a member of the PGA and the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional Division. She was voted National Professional of the Year for the division in 2001.

The Breakers Golf Academy
West Palm Beach
John Webster, Director of Golf Instruction
$195/hour
www.thebreakers.com
561-659-8474
Teaching Philosophy - A PGA Class-A Professional, John has instructed all skill levels, from beginners to PGA Tour professionals, with notable students such as Cal Ripken, Tom Kite and Kyle Boller. John is based at The Breakers during the winter season and, for the balance of the year, he serves as Director of Golf Instruction at Caves Valley Golf Club in Maryland. -