Rita knows more about golf in her few years of learning and playing the game than I have accumulated in all of my golfing years and experiences and, my handicap has varied from scratch to what is now about 19.  More importantly, she knows how to quickly recognize your flaws and implement the techniques to fix the problems.

The use of videos made by Dale Moser, an excellent club fitter and maker, allows each student to see their swing problems, but Rita's ability to analyze each student's swing and her willingness to take the time to review with each student the problems was most helpful. She looked at my swing and immediately spotted my big loop and Emil pointed out the importance of bringing the club back at 7 o'clock and back through at 1 o'clock as a technique to help correct the problem.

I was very impressed with the training schedule she used which allowed for training time on the driving range, putting green, and the course and even exercises specifically geared to prepare your body to play. During all of this training, Rita worked with each individual student to correct their golfing problems. Rita might not have realized it, but it was the help she gave me as part of the instructions on the sand bunker play that I started to turn my game around. I was just getting over rotator cuff surgery on both shoulders and my game was really so bad that I was afraid to swing at the ball with my irons. She helped by continually pointing out in the bunker play that I was not swinging through the ball. Then she corrected my grip and alignment on the driving range. Once I got the corrections through and accepted by the six inches between the ears, my game started to improve.

I can only say that the money I spent at Rita's school of instruction was some of the best money I have ever spent on the game of golf. I would, without hesitation, give it five stars out of five.
Gary R. Slone

October 2011
It was an extremely positive experience to be instructed by a knowledgeable and passionate Golf Professional like Rita.  She has the ability to tailor her approach to teaching according to the individual.  She focused  not only on my swing mechanics but also my mental attitude which has greatly benefited my game.  Rita also reinforced the importance of  two words in my golf vocabulary.......FOCUS and above all FUN.   
Mary Parrella

September  2011
A good teacher is able to analyze what her students need in order to improve, has a toolbox full of ideas and strategies for fixing problems and supporting progress, and has an acute understanding for how to match the sequence of instruction to the unique abilities of her students. Rita has these qualities and more, including the most important – the force of character to encourage students to strive for more when progress is evident and persist when it is not. It is for Rita’s unwillingness to accept anything less than 100% effort that I am most grateful.
Linda Whitesitt
Berkeley Springs, WV

September 2011
I am a beginning golfer, and Rita helped me to understand the fundamentals I need to improve all aspects of my game.  Her knowledge, experience and patience with her students made the class very enjoyable.  I would recommend Rita's Golf Academy to golfers of all skill levels, and I am looking forward to returning in 2012. 
B. Wilson
Wheeling, WV

July 2011
Whether your golf game needs a tweak or an overhaul, Rita Slavetskas is your go-to pro!  She is such a positive, energetic instructor and uses several golf aids to get her point across and improve your swing.  Rita also stresses the importance of muscle strength which no one but YOU can accomplish.  I'm proof positive that she's successful!
Cis M
Hilton Head Island, SC

June 2011
I just completed Rita’s 3-day golf academy at Cacapon State Park with my husband
and would like to share some thoughts of my experience.   I purchased my first set of clubs  - 5 clubs total – about 5 years ago as I thought golf would be a fun activity upon retirement.  By no means am I a natural athlete and really really struggled!   Fortunately, I met Rita and over the years received 2 or 3 private lessons from her.  Last year I found the courage to join 2 women’s leagues and discovered that I love to play!   Although increased playing helped to improve my skills and level of confidence, I continued to joke that each shot remained a surprise and I left the course more often with disappointment than excitement. 

When my husband suggested that we attend Rita’s Golf Academy, I hesitated as I thought 3 days of instruction would be far beyond my level of comprehension and, to be honest, interest.  However, I enrolled with 3 goals:  to improve consistency, to increase distance, and to learn to chip/pitch. 

The Golf Academy experience went beyond my expectations.   Each session began with a discussion and demonstration of the skill we were to practice.    Because Rita thoughtfully structured the small group lessons according to each participant’s abilities I never felt stressed.  She was able to help me visualize what I needed to do, and had numerous ways to present a technique.  Rita’s emphasis on the importance of basics such as correct stance, alignment, aim/target, as well as the importance of meaningful practice sessions, and thinking while playing were especially helpful.    And, Rita did not hesitate to discuss the dreaded age-factor.  She stressed the importance of core strength and demonstrated hand, wrist, arm and shoulder strengthening exercises. Through all Rita displayed tremendous patience and a great sense of humor! 

For me the Academy was extremely helpful on many different levels.   Can’t say that I already met my 3 goals, but I know that I will.   Most importantly, I now have a better sense of what the game is about, and for me that will be fun, relaxation, self-improvement and a sense of personal accomplishment. 

Many thanks to Rita and fellow instructors Charlie, Emil, and Dale. 
Carol
Fairfax VA

May 12, 2011
Over the years, I’ve worked with a number of professionals to help me with various aspects of my game.  But my game never got better.

This past winter, I was introduced to Rita Slavetskas.  By that time, I had laid off the game due to back problems and the death of my wife.  My goal was to resurrect my game.  Rita came highly recommended and I commenced taking lessons from her.

What I enjoyed about Rita’s approach was her ability to adapt her teaching techniques to the student’s psyche.  I happen to be a quantitative type, so Rita would relate set-up, swing mechanics, etc. in terms that I could easily grasp.  The friend who introduced Rita to me on the other hand, tends to be a “touchy-feely” type, so Rita tailors her instruction accordingly.

Like most lessons, we started on the driving range so Rita could observe my swing.  She quickly started making adjustments to my set-up and swing, slowed me down; and hark, positive things started to happen.  We progressed from the driving range to a playing lesson on the course.  Playing conditions became real and my confidence started to build.  I continue to work on swing consistency and tentativeness in my short game.  With Rita to run to, the progress I’m making is making golf enjoyable again.

The tips and instruction I’ve found invaluable.  I’m pleased to recommend Rita to any golfer who wants to take the their game to the next level and beyond.  Rita was my answer!!
John Howe
Hilton Head Plantation
Hilton Head Island, SC

Hi Rita 
I just returned from my annual three-day tournament in Michigan that I organize.  I have done this with friends for 33 years.  We play high quality courses in northern Michigan.  This year, I shot an 85, 80, and 79.  One of my best tournaments ever.  I was especially proud of the 79.  It came on a course with a USGA rating of 70 and a slope rating of 128.  I had never played it before.  I have just posted my scores.  My USGA index is down to an 8.2, a new all-time low for me.  In late 2008, before I ever took a lesson from you, I was an 11.2.  So I have come down three full strokes with my two lessons from you.  And not a lot of practice.  Thanks again.  Hope the testimonial was helpful.
Bill

June 2010
"This is our fourth year.  We have grown to expect the finest teaching and a relaxed atmosphere.  I would go so far as to say that arriving at Cacapon and seeing Rita, Charlie and Emil feels like coming home to family.  Once again our game has improved as well as our enjoyment of the game of golf.
Thank you all very much.  We look forward to learning from you again next year."
Lee & Joann Stevens
Columbia, MD


Breaking 80
“I have taken just two lessons from Rita--on 1-1-09 and 1-1-10. Before I saw her, despite 25 years' worth of lessons, my USGA handicap index was an 11.2.  Now, a year and one-half later, I am down to an 8.3.  I attribute 90% of that drop to Rita. Two weeks ago, for the first in in my life, I broke 80 in two consecutive rounds.  In the second of those two rounds, I shot a 78 on a private, Donald Ross course with a 135 slope rating.  It was one of the five best rounds of my life.  I have now broken 80 four times in the last 12 months. In the past, I might break 80 once every year or two. 
I highly recommend Rita. She has helped every part of my game, including alignment, the mental approach, on-course strategy, and tournament preparation. I have taken lessons from at least five other pros, and Rita has been the most effective of all of them.”
Bill R.
Detroit, Michigan

April 2010
After spending 15 minutes with Rita, I knew that the lesson was going to be relaxed. I could tell I was going to learn from her terms and methods of showing me things that I could improve my golf game. She did not try to break down my whole swing, just tried to show me small ways to improve it. She asked me to do homework in writing down what I had learned and I did this immediately after I got home.  I still refer to the notes and use many of her tweaks when I practice and play.  After my lesson with her, my handicap has come down 4 strokes and is still trending down.  I just won a big tournament.  I believe that Rita has sent me on the right path to play better golf both through skill improvement and confidence.
Leslie G.
Hilton Head Island

An instructor who can evaluate what teaching method should be used with different students is exceptional and Rita is that kind of instructor.  At my age I just don't have the time or ability to completely break down my swing and start from scratch.  I don't have the work ethic to start over and spend hours per day on the practice range.  I look for an instructor that can pick up on something that has gone astray in my swing, be it setup, grip, take away, or lack of power in the swing and explain in simple English how to go about fixing it. Rita is a natural teacher and has the ability to do this for me and others that go to her for help.  Her enthusiasm for teaching shows the minute you meet her.  She makes you feel comfortable, yet can be a hard task master.  She won't give up until you understand what she wants you to do.  You always come away from a lesson with a feeling of satisfaction and the knowledge of what to practice on.
Linda H.
Hilton Head Island, SC