Every golfer dreams of that one breakthrough—a moment, a putt, or a connection that finally clicks and changes the trajectory of their game forever. For Shawn LeCrone, that breakthrough came during a two-day VIP Golf School led by JT Thomas, part of the elite coaching team at Performance Golf.
These immersive golf school events at top-rated facilities are unlike any traditional lesson or clinic. Small-group coaching and world-class instructors like JT Thomas, Martin Chuck, Erika Larkin, and Rick Smith create an atmosphere where true transformation happens.
The mission behind the VIP Golf School is simple: “These schools aren’t just random lessons. This is a chance to identify your root flaw, get a good plan, apply the learnings across all parts of your game, but then leave the school and have a full strategy to make this the year you get to your goal rather than just trying to figure it out yourself.”
For Shawn, it delivered exactly that—and more.
Today, we’ll take you inside his experience and how within just 5 minutes, he was able to see a massive difference in his swing’s accuracy and distance. Whether you’re a seasoned player or still chasing consistency, Shawn’s story is proof that with the right coaching and environment, anything is possible.
The Performance Golf VIP School Experience
Shawn LeCrone is an avid amateur golfer, starting in his childhood when his dad introduced him to this great game. In 2023, he made a personal commitment to take control of his health, using golf not just as a hobby—but as a form of exercise, stress relief, and motivation to become the best version of himself.
By walking over 100 rounds that year, Shawn shed 50 pounds and reignited his passion for the game. But like many dedicated golfers, he knew there was still another level left for him to unlock.
So in early 2025, he and his wife attended a Performance Golf VIP Golf School in Deerfield Beach, Florida—an immersive two-day experience led by world-class instructors and designed to deliver tangible results in a short amount of time.
We sat down with Shawn to hear how this immersive VIP Golf School improved his game, deepened his love for golf, and turned it into a shared journey with his wife.
You’ve been around the game a long time, what made you want to attend the VIP Golf School?
Honestly, it was my wife who got the ball rolling. She was tired of just riding along during my rounds and wanted to learn how to play herself. We thought it would be a fun experience to do together—and maybe a way to spend more time together since I golf so often.
I signed us up thinking it would mostly be for her, but I figured, “Why not play golf for two days straight and see if I pick up anything?” To my surprise, I ended up learning more in 48 hours than I had in years of playing hundreds of rounds.
Sounds like a win-win. What were some of your goals heading in?
Honestly, I didn’t go in with many specific goals. I play a lot of golf but had felt like I had reached a bit of a plateau with just playing where I was at. I was mostly hoping to support my wife and to play on a different course, but I ended up getting a ton out of it myself.
One thing that really stood out was how quickly they helped me add distance. Just within two minutes, I was hitting it 10 yards farther after making one small adjustment in my setup. I had a bit of a power fade and wasn’t really able to understand why it was curving, and learning why I was hitting a draw or a slice was a huge part of my improvement.
And the best part? I understood why the change worked because JT was able to diagnose my swing right there. That was huge for me. Now I know how I can implement those fundamentals on the course going forward.
Have you ever attended a golf school before? Or, worked with an instructor in a 1:1 setting?
Not really—at least not in any formal sense. I’ve been around golf pretty much my whole life.
My dad actually cut down some of his old clubs when I was four years old and snuck them into his bag. I’d tag along during his rounds, and around hole two, he’d toss me a ball and a club and tell me to go have fun. That’s how it all started.
But aside from that early intro, I never had formal lessons. The closest thing was a local pro back in my small hometown when I was a teenager—one of those guys who probably played high school golf and called himself a coach.
Other than that, it’s just been me out there learning by playing a lot. That’s what made the VIP Golf School such a game-changer. It was my first real coaching experience—and it made a massive difference with just a few small adjustments.
What stood out most about the coaching?
The biggest lesson was learning how to feel what I was doing wrong instead of guessing. JT Thomas and the coaches taught me how to use a “swing grid” to diagnose mistakes on the fly.
They literally set up sticks on the ground to show how your hands and body should move through the swing. It clicked right away.
“Every time you go through a swing,” JT said, “You can tell where you came out of the grid and what that caused.” That kind of feedback helped me correct my mistakes before they became habits.
The environment was also super relaxed. There was no pressure, no judgment—just helpful instruction from coaches who genuinely cared about making you better. Whether you were a beginner or an experienced golfer, they met you where you were and made the learning feel effortless.
What was the format like?
It was incredibly hands-on, there were two coaches and only about six players. We started out by just taking some swings at the ball so the coaches could start to assess where we were at and start helping us out.
Day one focused heavily on the full swing—setup, posture, ball position, and how to build a more repeatable motion.
We worked through drills, got one-on-one feedback, and used tools like alignment sticks and a swing grid to understand the “why” behind every move. After lunch, we took what we learned straight to the course for nine holes, with coaches guiding us through real-time course management and swing application.
Day two started with a quick swing refresh and then shifted into the short game. We covered chipping, bunker shots, and putting fundamentals—including how to adapt the same swing principles into these finesse shots.
Then we capped it off with another nine holes, applying everything again. It was immersive, detailed, and really fun—just a great balance of instruction and on-course experience.
Did your wife enjoy the experience too?
Absolutely—she might’ve gotten more out of it than I did! She came in as a total beginner.
Before the school, she could barely get the ball off the ground, and it was tough for her to enjoy playing. But the coaches spent the time to help her understand the basics without overwhelming her. Within just the first two hours, she was hitting the ball in the air consistently and actually enjoying it.
The best part? She joined a women’s golf league after we got back.
That alone was worth the trip. Now we can play together, travel for golf, and enjoy it as a shared hobby. I never expected that to come out of the weekend, but it’s been awesome.
What were some of the biggest improvements in your game?
There were so many, honestly. One of the biggest was learning how to stay inside my swing and use my body more efficiently. Within the first two swings. JT had said hey, try putting your balance more behind your heels, because I was leaning too far forward. And just by shifting my hips, the slice disappeared and I was hitting straight.
I feel less sore after rounds, even though I’m hitting the ball farther because I’m using the right muscles.
I added about 20 yards with my driver and gained 5 to 10 yards with my irons, just from cleaner contact and better mechanics.
But the real game-changer is that even my misses are better. Before, if I missed it, I was digging into the turf or slicing the driver out of bounds. The amount of confidence I’m able to have now after every single swing is just amazing.
Now, I might miss slightly, but the ball still flies straight and goes a solid distance. That kind of consistency keeps the scorecard clean and builds confidence. It honestly saved me several strokes a round.
Did you have any follow-up or support after the event?
Absolutely. JT sent me a personalized video breaking down what we worked on during the school, which was super helpful to reinforce the key takeaways.
The Performance Golf app is super helpful as you can upload your swing for feedback from the instructors. I haven’t used it as much because I’ve been playing a ton, but my wife has used it regularly and she’s loving it.
She still gets responses months later, which shows they’re really committed to your improvement—even after the school ends. The ongoing, personalized support has been a great bonus.
How has the experience impacted your scores?
Before golf school, I was consistently in the mid-to-low 80s. Since the experience, I’ve been living in the high 70s—my highest score was an 82, and I’ve had several rounds under 80. It’s been a noticeable jump in consistency and control. So breaking 80 was definitely a huge moment for me.
Even in casual events like scrambles, I’m seeing the difference. At our Masters weekend, I was always the guy giving money away… this time, I walked away with $200.
Let’s just say my friends were pretty surprised—and a little annoyed.
What would you say to someone considering the VIP School?
I’d recommend it to anyone. Honestly, I didn’t expect to get as much out of it—I figured I had my swing pretty dialed in after playing 100+ rounds of golf every year.
Within five minutes, I had completely changed my mind.
JT was right there to point out a flaw, I made one small adjustment, and I was instantly hitting it 10 yards farther.
It was eye-opening. The coaching is personal, the structure is easy to follow, and it doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or a seasoned golfer. Again, my wife is an absolute beginner so she was getting tons of really great 1:1 help to get the ball up and in the air.
It’s absolutely worth the investment if you care about getting better and actually enjoying the game more.
Any final thoughts?
“It was a joy.” The VIP School completely reignited my passion for golf. Not only did I improve my swing, distance, and scoring, but I also get to share the experience with my wife now.
We’re playing more golf together than ever and it’s become a big part of our lifestyle. Next up, I have a trip to Pinehurst lined up with my dad.
The school wasn’t just a two-day event—it was the beginning of a whole new chapter with the game.
Start Transforming Your Game With a VIP Golf School Experience
Whether you’re looking to break 80 (or 90) for the first time, finally fix that frustrating slice, or just fall back in love with the game, the Performance Golf VIP School offers a proven path forward.
With world-class instructors, small-group coaching, and a hands-on learning experience, this isn’t just another golf lesson—it’s a complete reset for your game and mindset.
Just ask Shawn LeCrone. What started as a way to support his wife turned into a breakthrough in ball striking, confidence, and scoring.
Now he’s consistently shooting in the 70s, hitting it farther than ever, and sharing his passion for golf in a whole new way. If you’re ready to experience the same kind of transformation, don’t wait.
Click here to learn more about the VIP Golf School.
Spots are limited—and your best golf is waiting.
