Private Lessons & Coaches in Newport Beach, CA

Fueled from a life long passion for racquet sports including playing for UC Irvine tennis 1986-1990, I became a dedicated pickleball enthusiast in January 2021. I started at over 190 lbs and currently am at 160 lbs and in the best shape I have been for the last 20+ years, so I know the benefits of pickleball. Not to mention the wide array of good friends I have made over the years. I currently compete at the Senior Pro level and my DUPR rating is over 5.0 in both singles and doubles. I work with all levels of pickleball players and have coached students now competing at the professional level. I am an IPTPA certified instructor and my teaching philosophy is not just about how to swing the paddle, but teaching the art of pickleball - strategy, spins, footwork, and how to get the most out of your game.

"Bill is the best pickleball coach I’ve ever had. In addition to his technical instruction, he provides valuable tactical guidance thanks to his own experience as an active professional player. What’s even more remarkable is the emotional support he offers—as both my coach and my 10-year-old son’s coach, he has helped my child learn how to manage emotions on the court.

Hi! My name is Ivanka and I have been playing tennis for 10 years. I still currently playing USTA Tournaments and have won many level 6 and 5 tournaments. My UTR is a 8.5 and I also have been playing on the ITF circuit, and represented the country of Sri Lanka in the national Billie Jean King Cup of 2024.

"Ivanka is a wonderful player with a great personality

Fueling court confidence is my specialty. For two years, I've helped players elevate their pickleball game. I bring passion, tailored strategies, and my experience as a dedicated player to every lesson.

I'm a passionate pickleball coach/player with over 5 years of experience teaching and playing competitively. I consistently play at a 4.5 level to 5.0 and have a strong track record in tournaments. I'm dedicated to continuous improvement and always eager to compete and test my skills against other players. As far as my coaching goes, I am a very supportive teacher to beginners and intermediate players in helping them to learn to play the game, improve their game where they need and give them the skills they require to play at a higher level.

"You were an absolute rockstar! And you were the absolute MVP! Thank you for finding that other location. You were beyond professional, and as I said, are an excellent coach. Glad to know you. Thank you! -Michael Traynor

David Byrne is an internationally experienced PGA Professional and Golf Performance Coach, bringing over 25 years of elite coaching expertise across the United States and Europe. Originally from Ireland, David is a dual member of both the PGA of America and the European/UK PGA, a distinction that reflects his global perspective and deep-rooted knowledge of the game. Known as “The Golf Whisperer,” David has built a reputation for transforming players of all levels—from complete beginners to elite amateurs and touring professionals—by simplifying the golf swing and delivering measurable, lasting results. David holds a Master’s degree in Sports Psychology, giving him a unique edge in performance coaching. He integrates mental conditioning, focus training, and competitive mindset development into every lesson, helping players not only improve technically but also perform under pressure. His coaching philosophy blends athletic movement, body-driven mechanics, and efficient ball striking, moving away from overly technical instruction and toward a more natural, repeatable swing. In addition to his coaching career, David is a published author and co-creator of the golf book “The Swing,” where he shares his insights into simplifying the game and unlocking peak performance. His background also includes experience as a college-level coach, further strengthening his ability to develop players in structured, high-performance environments. A firm believer in combining tradition with innovation, David utilizes advanced technology such as TrackMan, GCQuad, and high-speed video analysis to provide precise feedback and accelerate improvement. He also incorporates golf-specific fitness and mobility training, ensuring his players develop strength, flexibility, and durability to support a powerful, efficient swing. David’s coaching covers all aspects of the game, including: Full Swing (Driver & Irons) Short Game & Scoring Course Management & Strategy Mental Performance & Golf Psychology Competitive Player Development Golf Fitness & Movement Training A former Irish Sports Writers Pro-Am Champion (2016) with a sub-par winning performance, David combines competitive playing experience with world-class coaching knowledge. Now based in Santa Monica, California, David works with dedicated golfers seeking to elevate their game, lower their scores, and play with clarity, confidence, and consistency.

"I was only fortunate enough to know and work with David Byrne for a little over a month before he relocated to California, but that short time made a lasting impact on my game. I truly enjoyed his passion for golf and his genuine desire to help players get better. David often went out of his way to coach me between lessons whenever he wasn’t already busy teaching others—something I greatly appreciated. At 67 years old, I’m not looking to completely rebuild my golf swing, and David understood that from day one. His approach focuses on helping you find a swing thought that works for your swing, rather than forcing a onesizefitsall method. He helped me understand my swing plane and path, and how to consistently get into the right position before impact. After that, his favorite encouragement was always: ‘Turn the corner!’ And it worked. David is a talented instructor, an insightful coach, and an allaround good person. And watch out for his son—just a wee lad with a fabulous golf swing already! David’s passion clearly runs in the family.

I was a four-year varsity player at Oberlin College and currently work in economic consulting. I am also currently building a post-match feedback platform for competitive players (we are currently demoing the product for a select group of players). Outside of tennis, I completed a 2,800 mile walk across America a few years ago and recently completed an Ironman. I value discipline, consistency, and long-term development, and I enjoy working with players who want to improve and are willing to put in the work.

"My 12-year old son has been taking lessons with James and it’s been a really positive experience. James is very encouraging but also keeps him focused and working hard. My son looks forward to the lessons each work and has been doing better in his tournaments recently.