I am so glad I started golf lessons here at Nice Shot! John is the owner and he's amazing at what he does. I've been taking lessons every 1-2 weeks and my game has improved so much. I like that John has a structure and plan tailored to my skill level. He was able to assess my abilities and tell me what I needed to work on after the first lesson. I followed his direction for practice and noticed my golf swing has been more consistently solid. Golf lessons are definitely an investment in yourself. If you want to get better at golf, you need a great instructor. John is that person. read more

Nice Shot! Golf Training Centers - Great place! - Golf Lessons Near Me - Huntington Beach, California

I can't recommend John enough! He's really a great instructor and I've improved so much in a short amount of time.

When I attended the class the coach's attitude was rude and disrespectful, which made me feel very uncomfortable. I wanted to practice more seriously, but instead I left with a very negative impression. I hope he can improve communication skill and customer service in the future. read more

I'm a novice to golf and John helped me get ready for my brothers 40th birthday golf trip. Definitely helped me feel more comfortable playing. Can't recommend enough! read more

Nice Shot! Golf Training Centers - Golf Lessons Near Me - Huntington Beach, California

John is a fantastic trainer. I started working with John about two months ago and I started from ground zero! I have friends that have been playing for years that are shocked at how quickly I was able to get my backswing down and it's truly all thanks to John. He's helped me build the confidence to go to the driving range and now I'm finally ready to get on a course. I look forward to every lesson and I get even more excited to execute his feedback at the driving range. I'll continue to see John as he provides valuable insights/recommendations that has given me great results. If you're on the fence, take this review as your sign to take up a lesson with him you won't regret it!! I couldn't ask for a better trainer. Grateful for you, John!! read more

I have been golfing for a few years and finally decided it was time to take some lessons, I had plateaued off and knew I had many bad habits. I also went through a several month patch where I could not hit my driver AT ALL and scheduled lessons with John. It has been 8-9 months now and nearly every aspect of my game has improved since. To top it off, I recently set the house record on his driving simulator and made the Wall of Fame, I had to post this as it was the reason I came in to get lessons. Hats off to John Francis at Nice Shot! read more

Nice Shot! Golf Training Centers - Nice Shot! Golf Training Center's Wall of Fame - Golf Lessons Near Me - Huntington Beach, California

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John is great. I've taken two lessons with him and just got a package for 8. He really helps you work on what you want to yet still reminds you to have fun! I have already seen improvement in my game and can't wait to get better with his help! read more

Nice Shot! Golf Training Centers - Golf simulator - Golf Lessons Near Me - Huntington Beach, California

Have had two lessons with John so far and really enjoying it! He makes it easy to understand the swing changes he is implementing, and the Trackman is great for seeing if you are improving with each shot! Highly recommend lessons with John for anyone who is interested in getting better at golf! read more

Just finished my third lesson and after a 25 year career of hitting the ball to the right , I have found the middle path. John is patient and intuitive and is equivalent to a Jedi. I found the right instructor to make golf enjoyable for myself and anyone who kicks the can with me on a golf course. Thankful, Marty Moore read more

John is the man! I recently picked up the game of golf, and decided that lessons would be the right way to go versus relying on friends/myself to teach me. I signed up for the 8-class boot camp, and it was everything I needed! John took it at the exact speed that I needed, slowing down on things that I had trouble with, and doing the opposite with things that I was catching quickly. I've progressed a ton, mostly in thanks to John (and a ton of range time), have started a second boot camp, and realistically will continue to see him for a good bit of time. Stop reading a Yelp review and go book some time here, your game will thank you! read more

I completed my 2nd lesson and my daughter (young adult) completed her first. So far we LOVE it! We are new to golf and coming here feels like your friend is teaching you. John is is super patient and is a "black belt" in golf. I'd recommend anyone at any level to give Nice Shot a try! read more

My husband and I are beginner golfers so we chose the 8 class boot camp! Money well spent! Each lesson we learned a new club and new techniques. These 8 classes have not only taught us the technical side of golf, but the mental part of learning how to golf. We quickly learned golf is a challenging sport and a lifelong learning game. I looked forward to every lesson and we learned more in 4 weeks than I have in my whole life! I can't wait to golf with my husband! Thank you for your patience, knowledge and how easy you made this experience. We highly recommend Nice Shot! John is a wealth of golf knowledge and he's a pretty cool guy! :) read more

Nice Shot! Golf Training Centers - My husband learning to use the driver! - Golf Lessons Near Me - Huntington Beach, California

John is a fabulous golf coach/teacher !! I highly recommend for lady golfers. So much better to learn in a quiet, controlled setting without distractions. He is patient and very very GOOD !!!! He corrected one thing in my swing and it's been an absolute game changer read more

John is great a Golf instructor makes the lessons fun but at the same time you learn so much after each lesson. My swing has improved since I started my lessons. I highly recommend this business for anyone who is looking to improve there game. read more

John is an incredible coach. Like all good teachers, he's kind, generous, patient, and knowledgeable. His boot camp has been transformative for my game, providing me with a base to build upon and a solid confidence each time I set up for a shot. John's emphasis on routine and mental focus clicks perfectly with my needs in fixing the frustrations that I felt trying to teach myself and perform on the course. I've begun recommending John to my friends (as I was recommended to him) and I hope that if you're considering approaching him for instruction, do so with no delay. read more

John has been amazing to work with!! My grip, swing and mentality have all changed for the better. My only regret is not going to him sooner!! read more

John Francis is an excellent instructor and his knowledge, patience, and guidance are unequivocal. I was a hopeless beginner in a hopeless predicament but after one lesson with John, I survived an 18-hole tournament at a championship golf course. That's how good John is. Here's what happened... On a late Thursday afternoon at work, I was surprisingly informed that I was to participate in a golf tournament that following Monday at a renowned and challenging course (top 50 in the world, top 25 in the US). Mind you, I had never played golf in my life, save for barely a handful of miniature golf outings that were more of a stroll through the cute displays than actual playing and an excruciatingly humbling experience at Top Golf four months prior. (It was there I learned that just being able to hit the ball involved a lot more skill than just ball-stick, ball-stick. Contact should never be assumed.) As excited I was to even be invited to the course, sheer terror set in as the realization hit that I may end up chucking my ball at each hole rather than hold up my teammates and the other groups. I immediately began my search for a last minute golf lesson; survival and a shred of dignity after 18 holes was my only goal. My father, who had played golf in his younger years, was amused at my panic. After going through a few instructors on Yelp and Google, I came across Nice Shot. It was a few minutes after closing but their website welcomed texting for any inquiries. I nervously typed my predicament to John. In a nutshell, I've never played golf and kept missing the ball at Top Golf but I am playing in a tournament in 3 days at a prestigious resort and I need help. With the time crunch and hopeless state I was in, I knew that any instructor would be reluctant to take me on. I anxiously awaited a response and when John messaged me back, fortune had it that he had a last minute opening the next afternoon. When I arrived at Nice Shot for my lesson, I meekly walked in and was so nervous that I would be so terrible that I'd be told that I was a lost cause. John was welcoming, affable, and sympathetic to the situation I found myself in, but also level-set any expectation I may have that I would be an expert after one lesson. I assured him I did not hold such delusions and quickly demonstrated my self-awareness of my ineptitude when he handed me a club and told me to show him my swing. After three pathetic swings he told me to stop. Apparently they were that painful to watch and I braced myself to hear that no lesson in the world could help me. However, John continued with the lesson and patiently demonstrated the proper stance, grip, and swing. Because this crash course was my only lesson before the tournament, he structured the lesson into condensed fundamentals to "make golf simple", and most importantly, to have fun. Within the first 10 minutes, there were noticeable improvements and at the end of the hour, it seemed like there was actual chance that I would survive through 18 holes. The tournament was definitely a challenge and the scrabble format saved my life, but somehow I pulled off the first best ball. Needless to say, this was hands down all due to John's knowledge and guidance. After the tournament, I signed up for the 8-lesson package. During the second lesson John admitted that when he read my text, he thought that his friends were playing a prank on him. It was definitely a humorous situation that I can appreciate now and a funny story when people ask how I suddenly got into golf. It's been a little over a month since my first lesson and I am excited to continue learning this sport and extremely grateful to John for persevering through that first lesson and his continued guidance and expertise. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, highly recommend! read more

As an amateur golfer with only a year of experience, I can say that I've picked up a number of bad habits. This not only affected my performance in the golf course but it also made the sport less enjoyable. I was referred to John through a friend and it's safe to say that I've fallen in love with the sport again. John's straight forward approach towards coaching has helped to greatly improve the way I play golf. After a quick assessment of my concerns and struggle points, he was able to develop a lesson plan that suited my needs entirely. He explains things in a very easy to understand manner which can definitely help those with zero golfing experience. Whether or not you have experience in the golf course , I recommend everyone to seek out Coach John Francis as he will help set the foundation for those looking to become better golfers. read more

I tried out golfing with my husband and father and although I liked it.... I really sucked at it. No style, no grace, no game. So I decided to take lessons, and since I lived relatively close to this center, I thought I would give Nice Shot a try....BEST DECISION EVER. I am 4 lessons in with John and my game gets better each week. I NEVER thought I would ever be able to drive more than 100 yards (yes, I know no biggie to some of you!), but just yesterday I was regularly doing 120-130....!!! YAY me! The instruction is great, the pace is perfect, and the lesson is different every week. I also really love the technology they use and the fact that I can see how I am doing right away! read more

John teaches a wide range of skills and taught one skill at a time before progressing to the next. He is patient, encouraging, and has a great sense of humor. His golfing simulators really help you get the feedback you need to strike the ball properly. I took six lessons and am now striking the ball much better. Not only am I striking the ball better, but the simulators and John's instructions taught me to correct my swing path and club face when at the range and on the course. read more

Thank you John! Best boot camp I have experienced. I have never succeeded in a sport so coming in with a hesitation that I was not going to do well was already part of my challenge. However I wanted to master the art of golfing. I've been playing the better part of this last 1.5 years and have enjoyed doing what I can to have fun with my husband. These 8 classes have not only taught me the technical side of golf but the mental part of learning how to golf. I'm playing a new game when I go out to the greens. My husband and others have noticed the difference. I've noticed the difference. I can now play and watch a game and know how to dissect and understand the game. I'm a new person! Thank you for your patience, knowledge and how easy you made this experience. read more

Nice Shot! Golf Training Center is an amazing, fun, and safe place. Also, John Francis is a wonderful coach. I have been with him for over 2 years and I have never been better at playing golf in my life. John teaches you so many fundamentals and helps with your swing and the best part, you get to play golf! I HIGHLY recommend going to Nice Shot! Golf Training Center if you are new to golf, need help with your swing, just want to play golf and have a good time with John, this is the place!! - Sara Minsky read more

John's designed and created a fine golf training oasis here. It has very cool launch simulator bays that provide invaluable feedback, as well as a putting area for short and long practice drills. He's good at spotting your problems and helping you work through them at a pace that adjusts to where you are each lesson. He'll push you ahead, but then walk you back to the basics when inconsistency rears it's head. I particularly appreciate how he toggles between the technical things going on with your swings, as well as the mental space you're navigating on both good and bad strokes. That's real added value. Highly recommend the boot camp package. It's a deal, particularly for us high handicappers looking for all-around improvement. read more

My wife and I took up golf after retirement in our 60s. After playing for a while on our local par 3 course, we wanted to move up to bigger courses but didn't feel confident we were good enough. In just a few lessons, John has already helped us improve all aspects of our game. He's very patient and positive with beginners, gives lots of practical advice, and (most helpful for us) explains the "why" as well as the "what" behind his directions. He has a well-thought-out sequence of instruction for taking students through the basics, and he emphasizes that golf swings are very individual and tries to help us find what works for us. He has a great indoor setup with a simulator and practice putting surface, and makes good use of it in his lessons. We're looking forward to continuing to work with him, and recommend him to anyone who wants to get started with golf or take the next step in improvement. read more

I never knew I would be able to play golf after taking John's bootcamp lessons. He made it seem so easy that you dont get intimidated learning. Not only is he very patient but very informative, optimistic and fun. I would recommend taking lessons from him because its worth it. read more

I have been coming to John for a year as I picked up the sport during Covid. I started by taking the boot camp. I recommend highly, then I stayed in as a client. My husband has been playing for 35 years and I can now keep up with him and any foursome on any course. I'm still working hard in learning, and the sport that I thought would give me more time with my husband has now turned into a passion that I can do with or without my husband. My husband is not allowed to give me golf tips on the course -- as I pay for my tips, from a pro. Arguments have been diverted. read more

John is a great golf instructor, I was struggling with my short games and my swing was not consistent ; and John corrected my swing and helped improve my short games, especially with the bunker. What I like most about John is that he is very patient ; explained very clearly and very passionate about his teaching. I have recommended John to some of my friends and they were very happy with John. I wish I've known John sooner so I didn't have to struggle so much with my golf games in the past few years. read more

John is a fantastic instructor! He is patient and always encouraging. I love that he encourages positive self-talk and continually shapes each person's skills. The indoor area is well set up for putting, chipping and pitching as well as having a virtual driving range and virtual golf course. I'm taking my second "boot camp" and feel that he has really helped me improve in a relatively short period of time. So happy that "I'm the best putter in the world." Rates are extremely reasonable too. I highly recommend Nice Shot! read more

I did the bootcamp, completed it in a month. John quickly assessed my skill level and made adjustment to my grip, tempo and swing. The results were instant and I could not be happier. I golf with he same group of guys every week and after out last time out, my partner sent this to the group "The real champ today... Ronnie!" HaHa! Thanks John! read more

John is a very knowledgeable and patient teacher. I absolutely knew nothing and in a just a few lessons I've been taught so much and have definitely improved my swing. I recommend John if you're looking for a good coach. read more

I had a very helpful and informative experience with John. His setup is great and his golf simulator can break down exactly what is going on with your swing. John does a good job of assessing the numbers on the simulation and translating it into personalized tips and advice. He is a veteran golfer with decades of experience, and it shows through his coaching. He is able to break down technically how to improve your swing in a way even beginners could understand. After just an hour I walked away with multiple ways that I could quickly improve my game. Also, got some exercises to practice on my own. Overall great experience and would highly recommend to golfers of all experience levels. read more

Had a great lesson. Private environment. John really gave me confidence in my game. I'll definitely be back.

I HIGHLY recommend John to anyone who wants to learn how to play golf. My fiancée recently bought me my first golf club set and purchased the boot camp package from John. This is 8 one hour one on one classes. John is extremely patient and encouraging. He made learning extremely enjoyable. read more

John is an amazing coach. He's patient, honest and ready to work with anybody that wants to learn. I'd recommend him to anybody wanting to further develop their golf skills. read more

John is an extraordinary golf instructor. The combination of passion for the sport as well as genuine care for his students puts him above the rest. He doesn't overwhelm you with too many pointers, he is thorough and has you focus on one skill at a time. I have been with John since I was a kid and now that he has his own private studio, I feel my game has improved from the lack of distraction and being in a judgment free zone. If you're on the fence about getting lessons, you will not be disappointed with John. I highly recommend John to my family, friends, coworkers and even strangers I meet throughout the day. read more

I started taking lessons from John in Feb 2021. I had played golf years ago but never took lessons. I wanted a fresh start and learn how to play the game the right way. He is very patient and started me out learning how to putt and chip correctly. This has really improved my game and my scoring. We then started on short iron shots and accuracy and now he is teaching me how to get the most of my longer irons and driver. He's very patient and supportive. He not only teaches you the mechanics of golf but helps you understand the mental aspects of the game. My wife has now started taking lessons. With John's help she has progressed to the point we can go out and play par 3 courses together in a matter of months. Thanks John! read more

Signed up for the boot camp with John to prepare for a golf trip. I haven't played consistently for almost 20 years but the bad habits developed early on have certainly stuck with me. I just finished my 4th lesson and the improvements are dramatic and measurable. I've already dropped a few strokes in my short game and have made significant improvements on my signature shot, the slice. John makes learning fun. His analysis of my "issues" are spot on and the techniques he employs to correct them are very effective. John keeps things simple and fun. He gives me great things to work on at home and at the range. If you really want to improve your golf game, save your $$ on the latest training gimmick and invest in lessons with Nice Shot! read more

I can't say enough about how great of a coach John is! He's helped me completely transform my game! Can't wait to see what's in store! Great personality and an awesome studio! read more

My short game has improved significantly since I started taking lessons with John. He has been helping me "chip away" at some long term poor habits and improving contact and flight path. read more

Our 14 year old daughter wanted to try her hand at golf. We found John Francis on the Internet. We were impressed by his write up of his golf history, and decided to give him a try. So far so good! Our daughter is showing great interest in the game of golf. We are very lucky to have found John. He has great patience and is very knowledgeable in the game of golf. I highly recommend checking John out! read more