Compress Your Irons
Meet Zach
Teaching Approach
Since 1997 Zach has taught aspiring golfers of all levels and ages — from 4-year-old beginners to professionals with over twenty years’ experience. His students have included nationally-ranked juniors, touring pros, celebrities, and CEOs. Zach’s goal is always the same: equipping students with a basic understanding of their golf swings, so they become their own, best teachers.
Accolades
Zach Allen is a PGA-certified golf instructor. He was voted the Southern California PGA’s Teacher of the Year. Golf Digest recognized Zach as one of the Best Young Teachers in America. And GolfTips Magazine named him a Top 25 Golf Instructor.
Competitive Golf
Zach’s golf odyssey began inauspiciously, with a 144 at San Clemente Municipal Golf Course. He subsequently climbed the junior golf rankings, ultimately reaching 3rd in California — just behind another promising, young golfer named Tiger Woods. In high school, Zach was twice voted First Team All County, repeated as champion of the Pacific Coast League, and led his team to a California state title in 1993. He also won over 40 SCPGA and AJGA tournaments. His junior golf record earned him a scholarship to the University of Southern California. During Zach’s tenure at USC, the Trojans ascended the Division I golf standings — moving from 30th to 3rd.
After graduating from USC with a degree in International Relations, Zach successfully qualified for the Omega Asian Tour. He also competed on various mini tours — including the Golden State Tour — and PGA section events around the country.
Instruction & Techniques
Zach has experienced every level and type of golf — from junior to professional, from casual to competitive. This diverse experience translates to an innate understanding of the goals and needs of aspiring golfers.
Zach’s instruction incorporates state-of-the-art video analysis software, cutting-edge training aids, and on-course playing lessons. He is equally adept at teaching different learning styles — from visual to kinesthetic players, from feel to analytical students. Zach works with students to develop achievable goals in all facets of their full swing, short game, putting, course management, mental skills, and competitive readiness. The results are lower scores, understanding the golf swing through accurate ball-flight analysis, and increased confidence to play golf with anyone in any situation.
More About Zach
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• Testimonials
Bad Lies
Feet In Bunker, Ball Out
The key to this shot is to choke down on the golf club far enough—all the way to the shaft—if necessary.
When you set up to this golf shot, imagine you’re making the same rounded golf swing you would if you were playing tee ball. This shot is on the same swing-plane angle.
Before you actually hit the ball, make sure you take plenty of extra practice golf swings to not only find the proper swing plane, but also locate the point where your golf club bottoms out. Don’t hit the sand! [Read more…]
Chip Control
Light A Match 
Admit it. Chipping isn’t exactly exciting. Some might say it’s downright boring. It certainly isn’t as thrilling as busting a drive 300 yards down the middle. But as a golf instructor in Burbank, I have found that if you want to shoot the lights out (or save par), the only way to do it is to get the ball close to the hole, and it’s chipping that’ll do that. [Read more…]
Stripe It
Who says you can’t hit it far and straight?
On the PGA Tour, they call it “Total Driving.” That’s the stat that ranks players according to how far and straight they drive the ball. Currently, Bo Van Pelt is the Tour’s best all-around driver, but there are a number of top-ranked players on his heels, including Zach Johnson, K.J. Choi and this year’s Northern Trust Champ, Steve Stricker (see the sidebar at the end of this story for more on Stricker’s excellent driving). Each man loves to hit his second shot with a short club from the short grass. Then again, who doesn’t? [Read more…]
