Opie Hicks
Teaches golf and basketball in San Diego, CA
I began playing golf after working at a summer camp in the late 90’s. I signed up to coach basketball, but the Bulls were in the Finals again, so by the time I got to camp, the only sport left to coach was golf, and I had zero playing or coaching experience in that sport. I had been an athlete all my life and a coach for almost a decade by that point, so I figured, “How hard can it be?” I found out quickly it was very hard, but also challenging in a way that kept me completely compelled to learn. I spent that summer learning the game from 10 year olds. I vividly remember my mind being blown at the concept of hitting down, to make the ball go up. Fascinating! I got hooked, came home after camp, jumped into any and everything golf. I got pretty good quickly, played all over the place, signed up to attend a golf instructor school in 2002 and the rest is history. I’ve given thousands of lessons coast to coast, including Maui, Scottsdale, NYC, San Diego and even Tijuana. I have a deep knowledge of the game and swing mechanics, combined with a sincere passion to help anyone of any ability learn the game I have come to love so much. I’m looking forward to working with you soon! Thank you!
5.0
280 ratings
384+
Lessons taught
25
Years experience
7
Locations
About Opie
I began playing golf after working at a summer camp in the late 90’s. I signed up to coach basketball, but the Bulls were in the Finals again, so by the time I got to camp, the only sport left to coach was golf, and I had zero playing or coaching experience in that sport. I had been an athlete all my life and a coach for almost a decade by that point, so I figured, “How hard can it be?” I found out quickly it was very hard, but also challenging in a way that kept me completely compelled to learn. I spent that summer learning the game from 10 year olds. We would drive over to the local course in rural Pennsylvania nearest the camp in the late afternoon, the sun getting low as we’re out there laughing and having a blast, usually at my expense. I vividly remember my mind being blown at the concept of hitting down, to make the ball go up. Fascinating! I got hooked, came home after camp, jumped into any and everything golf; Tiger Woods, Dave Pelz, Rick Smith, David Ledbetter, Golf Channel, etc., etc. I got pretty good quickly, played all over the place, signed up to attend a golf instructor school in 2002 and the rest is history. I’ve given thousands of lessons coast to coast, including Maui, Scottsdale, NYC, San Diego and even Tijuana. I have a deep knowledge of the game and swing mechanics, combined with a sincere passion to help anyone of any ability learn the game I have come to love so much. I’m looking forward to working with you soon! Thank you!
See Opie Hicks in Action
Private Lessons
Choose a lesson package that works for you. Every session is personalized to your skill level and goals.
Foreplay!
Designed for the player who already has an understanding of what’s going on in the swing, but still needs some help with mechanics. Whether you need assistance getting up and down from off the green, or you need to be able to hit more fairways, I’ve got you covered. Sometimes, it’s a small fix, then again, sometimes we may have to break with bad habits and build up more consistent movements, such as coming over the top, or not turning the hips or shoulders enough. Lower scores, here we come!
Ages: Kids, Teenagers, Adults, Seniors · beginner, intermediate, expert · Gear provided
- Beachside Greens PB, San Diego
- Bonita Golf Club, Bonita
- JR South Bay Golf Range & Golf Practice Facility, Bonita
- Mission Bay Golf Course, San Diego
- Mission Trails Golf Course, San Diego
- San Diego, California, San Diego
Beginner Lesson
Start From the Fundamentals-Learn the proper grip, alignment, stance, posture and tempo, while also learning the beginning parts of the swing. In order to move on to a longer, full golf swing, ideally, a beginning player must learn the correct mechanics and develop some important muscle memory details. Once the ‘how’ and ‘why’ are absorbed, the game becomes easier and less bad habits form. You’ll also learn proper chipping and putting techniques. I’m ready when you are!
Ages: Kids, Teenagers, Adults, Seniors · beginner, intermediate, expert · Gear provided
- Beachside Greens PB, San Diego
- Bonita Golf Club, Bonita
- JR South Bay Golf Range & Golf Practice Facility, Bonita
- Mission Bay Golf Course, San Diego
- Mission Trails Golf Course, San Diego
- San Diego, California, San Diego
“I can’t recommend Opie highly enough. He is exceptionally knowledgeable, technical, and meticulous, with a true gift for breaking the game down in a way that actually makes sense. What sets him apart is his ability to rebuild your swing and fundamentals from the ground up without overwhelming you. Every change is purposeful, clearly explained, and tailored to your ability and goals. He’s also incredibly personable and patient, which makes every lesson both productive and enjoyable. There’s no rushing, no ego—just thoughtful coaching and genuine care for your progress. He pays close attention to the smallest details while never losing sight of the bigger picture of how everything fits together in your swing. Beyond the lessons themselves, he goes the extra mile by giving practical, structured advice on how to practice at home. The drills and guidance he provides make it easy to reinforce what you learn between sessions, which has made a huge difference in how quickly I’ve improved.”
Judy D.
What Students Say
Jared
1 lesson
Jared arrived on time, with a great attitude, ready to work on some things. We talked briefly about what he felt was his biggest inconsistency, and he told me that was contact. I decided to start with the very basics, so we went to a spot next to a practice green to take a look at his grip and set up. We chipped to a pin a few yards away, and it was important for Jared to understand the various things we were working on at the same time he was actually attempting to make contact with the ball, so we went slowly. By the end of the lesson, Jared had begun to make a lot more solid contact with the ball. His grip and set up were much improved as well. We spent a few extra minutes on the putting green to end the lesson and had so much fun, I lost track of time. It was a phenomenal start, for certain. I hope Jared enjoyed his lesson, and I look forward to hearing from him again soon for lesson #2. Until then, remember to bend your knees 😉
April
1 lesson
April wanted to take a playing lesson because she had been playing golf for a year, but still had some issues during her rounds. She already had a decent swing, as well as an understanding of the game, etiquette, and how to think her way around a course. We spent about two hours together and worked on her grip, stance, alignment and tempo. Chipping and putting are essential, and she improved dramatically. After each hole, she could see herself getting better because the results were in her shots. She was able to understand and apply the small adjustments we were making, and that’s the key-being able to trust yourself enough to change things in order to improve. Great job, April!
Mihai V.
37 lessons
Coach Opie is an excellent golf coach! He really takes the time to work with you and is incredibly patient throughout the entire lesson. He explains things clearly and makes sure you understand each adjustment before moving on. His tips are practical, easy to apply, and made an immediate difference in my swing. I’ve already seen improvement in my consistency and confidence. Highly recommend him to anyone looking to improve their golf game!
Wes P.
1 lesson
This dude is the best. Whether you’ve never swung a club EVER, or you’re trying to break through the performance ceiling you may have, Opie is the coach you want to go to. I’ve been searching high and low for my first coach, and I’ve lucked out, Opie will be my coach, mentor, and consultant for a very long time. I’m sending my mom and my sister my way, and anyone in San Diego I meet in his direction as well. Thank you Coach!
Sandy S.
Student
“Great first lesson with Opie. He worked with me on my grip countless times and kept reassuring me that I would get it. Being new to this is extremely stressful and having a positive reinforcement that has a wealth of knowledge is a huge plus.”
Casmere P.
Beginner student
“Opie is very professional, punctual and patient. He taught me the basics on the first lesson which included the proper grip, form and swing. He’s cool and took time for me to learn. I’d definitely do more lessons with him.”
Plus 213 more ratings from students.
Ready to start?
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Where to train
6 locations in Bonita and San Diego. Pick the one closest to you.
6 locations
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- Private locationSan Diego · Exact spot shared after booking
Booking policies
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your lesson.
Expiry
Prepaid lessons expire 12 months after purchase.