What Pelz Golf does

Pelz Golf, legally Independent Golf Research, Inc., is a privately held golf instruction company founded by renowned golf researcher Dave Pelz in the 1990s and headquartered in Spicewood, Texas. The company specializes in scientifically validated short game and putting instruction, offering a tiered curriculum of 3-Day Schools ($2,995 per student), 2-Day Schools ($1,345-$2,095), 1-Day Clinics ($595), Alumni Tune-Ups ($950), Corporate Events, and Private Lessons at approximately 20 partner golf resort and club locations across the US (Michigan, New York, Georgia, California) and Europe (UK, Ireland, Northern Ireland, France, Portugal, Spain, Germany), with entry into the UAE. The company also operates Dave Pelz's Backyard, a nearly 3-acre short game and putting complex in Dripping Springs, Texas replicating eight famous greens including Augusta's 12th, TPC Sawgrass's 17th, and St Andrews's 17th.

The underlying technology and product surface consists of a proprietary short-game teaching methodology developed over 30+ years of biomechanical and statistical research, paired with a branded portfolio of physical training aids (Putting Tutor, Short Game Position Mat, Elevated Aim Line, Putting Track, O-Balls, impact tapes, short game nets) and the co-branded Dave Pelz GreenMaker portable synthetic putting greens (6'x12' at $2,350 and 8'x14' at $4,150) developed with strategic partner SYNLawn Golf. The business model combines professional services revenue from multi-day schools and clinics with consumer product sales via the website Pro Shop, distributed through enterprise-style field sales via premier resort partnerships, inside phone sales, and self-serve e-commerce. The company maintains low operational scale (11-50 employees), has no disclosed external funding, and operates without a mobile app or AI/ML product layer; it continues to operate as a founder-owned business following Dave Pelz's passing.

Name

Pelz Golf

Legal name

Independent Golf Research, Inc.

Website

https://pelzgolf.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pelz Golf is a privately held golf instruction company offering scientifically validated short game and putting schools, clinics, and branded training aids at approximately 20 premier golf resort locations across the US and Europe, serving amateur golfers seeking to lower their scores.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Golf Instruction Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949)

akta.pro primary industry

Golf Training Aids & Swing Analytics Retail (CRAMAGAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Golf Simulators, Nets & Practice Equipment Retail (CRAMAGAI)

Keywords

• Golf instruction services
• Short game coaching
• Putting training
• Golf training aids
• Golf schools

Headquarters

HQ city

Spicewood

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Golf Instruction Schools and Clinics: Revenue from 3-day schools, 2-day schools, 1-day clinics, alumni tune-up sessions, corporate events, and private lessons held at partner golf club locations worldwide
2. Pro Shop Product Sales: Sales of Dave Pelz branded training aids, books, videos, and the Dave Pelz GreenMaker portable putting greens through the company's e-commerce Pro Shop
3. Gift Certificates: Gift certificates sold in US, UK, and EU denominations, redeemable for instructional programs and Pro Shop purchases

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Pelz Golf delivers in-person golf instruction programs (3-day schools, 2-day schools, 1-day clinics, alumni tune-ups, corporate events, and private lessons) at 20 partner golf club locations across the US and Europe, focused on scientifically validated short game and putting techniques. The company also sells a branded line of training aids, instructional books, and videos through its e-commerce Pro Shop, leveraging founder Dave Pelz's 30+ years of golf research.

Product overview

Pelz Golf is a golf instruction company founded by golf researcher and coach Dave Pelz, offering scientifically validated techniques for short game improvement. The company operates as a platform combining instructional services with a proprietary product line of training aids and educational books. Instructional services include 3-Day Schools, 2-Day Schools, 1-Day Clinics, Alumni Tune-Up Sessions, Corporate Events, and Private Lessons offered at 20+ premier golf club locations across the U.S. and Europe. The product portfolio includes Dave Pelz-branded training aids (Putting Tutor, Short Game Position Mat, Elevated Aim Line, Putting Track, GreenMaker portable putting greens, O-Balls, impact tapes, and short game nets), instructional videos, and books (Short Game Bible, Putting Bible, Damage Control, and others). The company also sells gift certificates for both instructional programs and Pro Shop merchandise.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Dave Pelz's Short Game Bible: Book by Dave Pelz on mastering the finesse swing and lowering golf scores
• Dave Pelz's Putting Bible
• Dave Pelz GreenMaker
• Dave Pelz's Putting Tutor
• Dave Pelz's Short Game Position Mat
• Dave Pelz's Putting Track

Products and services

• 3-Day Schools Three-day intensive golf instruction programs focusing on short game techniques, putting, and green reading, offered at premier golf clubs across the U.S. and Europe. Priced at $2,995 per student at US locations.
• 2-Day Schools Two-day golf instruction programs covering short game techniques and putting fundamentals. Priced at $1,345-$2,095 per student at US locations.
• 1-Day Clinics Single-day instructional sessions focusing on specific short game skills and techniques. Priced at $595 per student at US locations.
• Alumni Tune-Up Sessions Follow-up sessions for past students featuring tailored review of short game, putting, green reading, and shot strategy, maintaining a maximum 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Priced at $950 per student.
• Corporate Events Customized golf instruction programs for corporate groups and events held at partner golf club locations.
• Private Lessons One-on-one personalized golf instruction sessions delivered at partner golf club locations.
• Dave Pelz's Backyard Sessions Instructional sessions held at Dave Pelz's Backyard, a nearly 3-acre short game and putting complex in Dripping Springs, Texas replicating eight famous golf greens. Available to alumni only at $995 per student.
• Dave Pelz's Putting Tutor A training device designed to help golfers improve their putting stroke and accuracy. Priced at $49.99.
• Dave Pelz's Short Game Position Mat A practice mat that helps golfers perfect their wedge game and address positions for various short game shots including wedges, chipping, and sand shots. Priced at $99.99.
• Dave Pelz's Putting Track A putting training tool that grooves the perfect motion for either in-line or arc stroke, develops down-the-line stroke through impact, and verifies eye position at address. Priced at $89.99.
• Dave Pelz's Elevated Aim Line A putting alignment aid that helps golfers start every putt on line and improve green-reading skills. Priced at $19.99.
• Dave Pelz GreenMaker Portable Putting Greens Portable synthetic putting green kits available in 6' x 12' ($2,350) and 8' x 14' ($4,150) sizes, co-branded with SYNLawn Golf, for practicing putts and chip shots at home.
• Dave Pelz's Short Game Bible Comprehensive guide book by Dave Pelz to mastering the finesse swing and lowering scores through short game improvement. Priced between $13.68 and $26.80.
• Dave Pelz's Putting Bible Complete guide book by Dave Pelz to mastering the green and improving putting skills.
• Instructional Videos (Dave Pelz Series) Individual instructional videos by Dave Pelz covering short game techniques, bunker play, and practice methods. Priced at $19.99 each.
• Gift Certificates (US, UK, EU) Gift certificates redeemable for instructional programs and Pro Shop purchases, sold in US, UK, and EU denominations.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• SYNLawn GolfcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSYNLawn Golf is the official synthetic turf partner for Pelz Golf. Dave Pelz's Backyard uses SYNLawn nylon putting greens, fairways, and roughs. The partnership includes co-branded Dave Pelz GreenMaker portable putting green products sold through the Pelz Golf Pro Shop.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• GOLFTEC: GOLFTEC is the largest dedicated golf-instruction franchise in the US, operating tech-enabled coaching bays with swing analysis. It is the closest direct peer to Pelz Golf because both are paid, multi-session golf-instruction businesses targeting amateur golfers seeking measurable improvement — they compete for the same discretionary training dollar.
• Jim McLean Golf School: Jim McLean Golf School operates multi-day instructional schools at premier club venues across the US (Florida, NY, Las Vegas) using a named-instructor methodology. It is structurally identical to Pelz Golf: a branded coach selling 1/2/3-day schools with a curriculum built around a single renowned instructor's system.
• Leadbetter Golf Academy: David Leadbetter's global academy network offers multi-day golf schools at resort locations worldwide, founded on a named-instructor methodology. Directly comparable to Pelz Golf in business model (premium schools at partner venues) and target customer (serious amateur golfers seeking named-coach instruction).
• Butch Harmon School of Golf: Butch Harmon's Las Vegas school is one of the most prestigious named-instructor golf schools in the world, with multi-day programs and premium pricing. It targets the exact same customer profile as Pelz Golf and competes head-to-head for serious amateur and corporate-event bookings.
• Hank Haney Golf: Hank Haney operates golf schools and digital instruction products based on his coaching methodology. Direct competitor to Pelz Golf in the named-instructor school category, with similar pricing structures and a focus on game-improvement for amateur players.
• Mike Bender Golf Academy: Mike Bender's academy in Lake Mary, Florida is a top-100 teacher school that runs multi-day instructional programs with branded training aids. Comparable to Pelz Golf in combining instruction services with a proprietary product line under a named-instructor brand.
• Eyeline Golf: Eyeline Golf is a leading manufacturer and retailer of golf training aids (putting mirrors, alignment tools, swing trainers). Directly comparable to Pelz Golf's Pro Shop product line (Putting Tutor, Putting Track, Elevated Aim Line) as both compete for the at-home practice/training-aid dollar.
• PuttOut: PuttOut is a UK-based training-aid brand known for its pressure-putt trainer and putting mats, sold through e-commerce globally. Directly comparable to Pelz Golf's portable putting-green and training-aid product line in both category (putting practice equipment) and go-to-market (DTC e-commerce).

Broad incumbents

• Topgolf: Topgolf is the largest golf-entertainment venue operator in the world, offering tech-enabled game bays and lessons at scale. While a different business model (entertainment vs. instruction), it overlaps with Pelz Golf in targeting amateur golfers' leisure time and discretionary spend, and offers competing lesson experiences at its venues.
• PGA of America Coaching: The PGA of America administers the PGA Professional credential and supports thousands of member coaches offering lessons and clinics nationwide. It is the broad incumbent in golf instruction, setting competitive context for premium named-instructor schools like Pelz Golf, which differentiate on depth of curriculum and brand prestige.

Market position

Strengths2 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pelzgolf
• Facebookfacebook.com/PelzGolf
• Instagraminstagram.com/pelzgolf

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pelz Golf