The Deep Cliff Players Academy

Deep Cliff Players Academy Junior Golf Programs

The Deep Cliff Players Academy offers junior instruction programs for all skill levels. Our programs at each level are designed to feed up to the next skill level, leading to competition golf. We offer:

  • Tier 1: A competitive Junior Development League for intermediate/advanced boys and girls ages 8-12 
  • Tier 1: A High School Players Program for intermediate/advanced juniors aged 13-18       
  • Tier 2: Accelerated Development Program for less experienced juniors age 8-17.   
  • Tier 3: Advanced Beginner Program for inexperienced juniors age 7-16. 
  • Full Day and Half Day Golf Camps for Juniors during school breaks and all summer.
  • Customized Individual & Group Lessons for kids, adults and families
  • Adult Instruction

Golf Summer Camp

Golf Summer Camp

Golf Summer Camp

Junior Golf Camps

At the Deep Cliff Players Academy we stress quality with industry leading low student/instructor ratios and an emphasis on education and fun. Our friendly, skilled and highly educated staff includes U.S. Kids Certified Instructors that engage students in a highly supportive, safe and fun learning environment. Our golf camps are open to boys and girls ages 8-16.

Camps Offered: Every School Break!

Full Day Camp 8:00am-3:00pm (includes: instruction, range balls, and prizes)

Half Day Camp 8:00am-12:00pm:(includes: instruction, range balls, and prizes)

Instructors: Ethan Whittier, U.S. Kids Golf Certified Instructor;

Register Here

Competitive Junior Development League

Competitive Junior Development League

Competitive Junior Development League

Deep Cliff Players Academy Junior Development League

Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:00-6:00;

TIER 1. Deep Cliff’s Junior Development League offers specialized coaching and skills development for juniors aged 8-12. The program provides kids with an opportunity to receive age appropriate, professional coaching and training in a fun, competitive, team-like atmosphere. We have an industry leading low student/instructor ratio. This is a dynamic program that enables boys and girls to acquire the necessary athleticism, fundamentals, skills confidence and experience to become successful competitive golfers.

Who is the Junior Development League for?

The Junior Development League is for intermediate to advanced golfers. These are players who play their own ball for 9 to 18 holes and shoot double bogey or better on most holes, have NCGA Youth-on-Course Membership and have an official handicap below 30. They have their own clubs and they can get around the course in a timely manner and have good knowledge of the rules and etiquette.

The Deep Cliff Players Academy is offered on a monthly basis in 2023. We are following all County Covid rules. Please see the registration page for details.

To register email Ewhittier@playdeepcliff.com or call (408) 253-5357

Register Here

High School Players Program

High School Players Program

High School Players Program

Deep Cliff Players Academy High School Players Program

Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00-6:00

TIER 1. Deep Cliff is the home course for five different high school teams! Whether your child hopes to play for one of these schools, or to play for another nearby school, the Players Academy High School Players Program will help get them ready to try-out for the team and compete in tournaments. This program offers specialized coaching and skills development for juniors aged 13-17 (mature 12 year olds may request early admission). The program provides kids with an opportunity to receive age appropriate, professional coaching and training in a fun, competitive, team-like atmosphere. We also have an industry leading low student/instructor ratio. This is a dynamic program that enables kids to acquire the necessary athleticism, fundamentals, skills, confidence and experience to become successful competitive golfers in high school.

Who is the High School Players Program for?

The High School Players Program is designed for intermediate to advanced juniors age 13-17. These are players who play their own ball for 9 to 18 holes, have NCGA Youth-on-Course membership, and have an established handicap of 27 or better.

The High School Players Program Fall season in 2020 is offered on a monthly basis and complies with all county Covid rules.

To register email Ewhittier@playdeepcliff.com or call (408) 253-5357

Register here

Junior Skills Accelerator Program

Junior Skills Accelerator Program

Junior Skills Accelerator Program

Junior Skill Accelerator Clinics

Tuesdays and Thursdays OR Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:00-6:00. All Covid rules are enforced.

Who is the Skill Accelerator Clinic for?

TIER 2. The Skills Accelerator Clinics are for kids age 8-17 who are more experienced than beginners but are not yet able to score double-bogey or better most of the time. They should have the ability to hit the ball consistently, the maturity to respect other players and teammates, and basic knowledge of rules, terminology, and etiquette. Players should have their own set of clubs. These clinics are designed to give players the techniques and experience to feed into the DC Players Academy Competitive Junior League.

To register email Ewhittier@playdeepcliff.com or call (408) 253-5357

Register here

Advanced Beginner Program

Advanced Beginner Program

Advanced Beginner Program

Deep Cliff Players Academy Advanced Beginner Program

Mondays and Wednesdays OR Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. All Covid rules are enforced

TIER 3. The Advanced Beginner Program is for kids age 7-15 who have little or no experience of golf. This program is fun and effective, designed to offer the best odds that your child will like golf. They will gain the ability to hit the ball consistently, to respect other players and teammates, and basic knowledge of rules, terminology, and etiquette. These clinics are designed to give players the techniques and experience to feed into the Tier 2 Deep Cliff Players Academy Accelerator Program and then on to the Tier 1 programs.

To register email Ewhittier@playdeepcliff.com or call (408) 253-5357

Register here

What can all Deep Cliff Players Academy golfers expect?

  • Commitment—and support from the Deep Cliff Players Academy Coaching Staff
  • Fun—Improve golf skills and experience competitive golf in a supportive and engaging environment
  • Friends—meet friendly kids who share an interest in the camaraderie and competition of golf
  • Attention—industry leading low student/instructor ratio, allowing for more personalized attentive feedback for quicker development
  • Learn—etiquette, scoring, shot selection, event preparation, strategy and tactics and golf psychology

If you have any questions, please email Ewhittier@playdeepcliff.com  or call (408) 253-5357

Golf Instruction

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned tournament player, golf lessons can help you achieve your goals. Our qualified instructors will take the time to create a lesson program that meets your needs, whether it's swing basics or eighteen holes of playing strategy.

To schedule a lesson, email any of the instructors below or call the Golf Shop at (408) 253-5357.


Learn more about our Instructors

Ethan Whittier, U.S. Kids

Ethan Whittier, U.S. Kids

Director of the Deep Cliff Players Academy, Deep Cliff Staff Teaching Professional

Ethan is a U.S. Kids Golf Certified Coach
Email: Ewhittier@playdeepcliff.com

Ethan originally came from an engineering and technology background and decided to change careers to pursue his passion for golf. He has now been coaching and introducing juniors to golf for over 5 years at Deep Cliff and finds teaching the game to others to be very rewarding.

Deep Cliff Staff Professional Teaching Rates
Private Lessons   30 Minutes 
60 Minutes
One Lesson $65.00 $120.00
Six Lessons $325.00 $600.00
Semi-Private Lessons    
One Lesson   $150.00
Lesson Series must be completed with original instructor within one (1) year of purchase. Sorry, no refunds for unused lessons.
Semi-Private lessons are for two students and last one hour. Each additional student $30

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Rick Dudley PGA

Rick Dudley PGA

Teaching Professional

Email: dudley_rick@yahoo.com
Phone: 408-802-3207

Rick has been teaching golf in the San Jose area since 2001 and has been a PGA member since 2006. Focusing on private lessons and building long term relationships with students, he has developed many top level juniors and college golfers over the years. Even though golf is played from the tee to the green, Rick strongly believes the game should be learned from the green to the tee. Although, most people play golf for fun and recreation, eventually players desire and work towards lower scores. Without a solid wedge game, short game and putting, lower scores typically will not happen. Video, drills and fundamentals are part of every lesson with Rick, what you think you're doing and what you're really doing are often times not the same. Video will accelerate the student's progress many times over.In addition to teaching golf, Rick also has been studying Mandarin Chinese for many years and is very capable of providing lessons in mandarin. A member of eight NCPGA cup teams, Rick looks forward to sharing his knowledge and experience with anyone from beginner to low handicapper to reach their goals in this game.


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Join a League

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All are welcomed regardless of gender identity or expression.

Clubs & Leagues

Deep Cliff Golf Course offers a great opportunity for a player of any skill level to improve their game in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. The Men's Club offers a way to connect with other men and participate in regular play and tournaments.

The Women's Summer Evening Golf League is a 9 hole golf league and an opportunity for women of all abilities to enjoy the game of golf.

The Deep Cliff Players Academy offers a variety of programs for junior golfers at all levels, from beginner to advanced and everything in between.

Click Here for more information on our golf leagues or call (408) 253-5357

All are welcomed regardless of gender identity or expression.

  • WSEGL : Womens Summer Evening Golf League

    WSEGL : Womens Summer Evening Golf League

    The Women’s Summer Evening Golf League is an opportunity for women of all ages and abilities to enjoy the game of golf in a friendly environment. Whether you have friends you want to play with or want to make new ones on the links, the WSEGL is a great way to unwind in the afternoon.

    The weekly events are designed to be fun and sociable. At the conclusion of the round enjoy a wine/draft in the DC Tap House. This is a great chance to socialize and enjoy some of our many beverage options. Prizes will be awarded weekly in season on Deep Cliff gift cards. You can spend your winnings on golf, merchandise or memberships.

    Join us Wednesday & Thursday between 3:30-5:00pm starting Day Light Savings and running till end of Day Light Savings. Call the golf shop up to one week in advance (two weeks for Club members) to book a tee time or just walk on and we will pair you up. Events are 9 holes and the green fee is the super twilight rate.

    All are welcomed regardless of gender identity or expression.

    Applications available at the proshop.

  • Saturday Men's Club

    Saturday Men's Club

    When you join the Deep Cliff Men's Club, it offers a way to connect with other men that have your same interest – golf!

    The fee to join is $120.00 for first-time members - transfers or renewals are $120.00 as well- and includes Club dues and Northern California Golf Association (NCGA) membership fees.

    Membership in the Men's Club entitles you to a guaranteed tee time on Saturday mornings, as well as NGCA member discounts for tee times at Poppy Hills (Carmel) and Poppy Ridge (Livermore).

    There are one to two tournaments per month that you will be able to enter with the tournament schedule posted in the Deep Cliff Cafe.

    Applications are available in the Golf Shop.

    All are welcomed regardless of gender identity or expression.

    Click Here for more information or call (408) 253-5357.

  • Deep Cliff Players Academy

    Deep Cliff Players Academy

    Junior Golf Programs

    • Players Academy Junior Development League for intermediate to advanced players. Specialized clinics with industry leading student/instructor ratios.
    • Half day and full-day camps with personalized instruction and on course play when school is out of session: Summer, Winter break, and Spring break.
    • Fast-track beginner instruction. We offer single or small group (no more than 4 students per instructor) lesson packages at great prices so you can most efficiently come up to speed with the personalized instruction our low student/instructor ratio provides. These packages are focused on students advancing quickly to our intermediate programs and leagues.

    What can junior players expect?

    Commitment—Full support from the Deep Cliff Players Academy Coaching Staff

    Fun—Improve golf skills and experience competitive golf in a supportive and engaging environment

    Friends—meet friendly kids who share an interest in the camaraderie and competition of golf

    Attention—the lowest student/instructor ratio in the area, allowing for more personalized attentive feedback for quicker development

    Learn—etiquette, scoring, shot selection, event preparation, strategy, tactics and mental focus.

    Register Here

    Individual instruction

    We offer individual instruction by the hour and half hour for kids and adults--or save money and buy a package of lessons to improve your whole game.

    We also offer playing lessons. Sometimes the best way to improve, or to cure a fault, is to test it in real on-course playing conditions.

    All are welcomed regardless of gender identity or expression.

    *The Deep Cliff Players Academy is led by Deep Cliff Staff Teaching Professional Ethan Whittier.
    Contact: Ewhittier@playdeepcliff.com.

  • Tuesday Morning Ladies Golf Group

    Tuesday Morning Ladies Golf Group

    Looking for a fun and friendly group to join on the golf course?? Here’s what you need to know about our Tuesday Ladies group.

    Meets every Tuesday morning with guaranteed tee times starting at 8:00 a.m. – year round.

    Members must be 18 years of age or older in good amateur standing. To qualify for membership, a player must score 105. She has 6 games in which to achieve this.

    Weekly sweeps is $3 for each tournament. Special tournaments held throughout the year.

    We have a maximum handicap of 36.

    Initiation fee for new members is $10. Members pay an annual dues of $46.

    All are welcomed regardless of gender identity or expression.

    For more information email:

    Shane Stevens
    sstevens@playdeepcliff.com

Events Calendar

23 Apr 2026;
10:00AM - 03:00PM
XXIO 14 Try Out Day
23 Apr 2026;
05:00PM -
Spark Golf Thursday League
30 Apr 2026;
05:00PM -
Spark Golf Thursday League
07 May 2026;
05:00PM -
Spark Golf Thursday League
14 May 2026;
05:00PM -
Spark Golf Thursday League
15 May 2026;
07:00PM -
Night Golf - May 15th with DEL CIELO BREWING CO.
21 May 2026;
05:00PM -
Spark Golf Thursday League
28 May 2026;
05:00PM -
Spark Golf Thursday League
02 Jun 2026;
10:00AM - 03:00PM
XXIO 14 Try Out Day
04 Jun 2026;
05:00PM -
Spark Golf Thursday League

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