Spotlight on a Local Golf Pro: a Look at Michael Lamanna of the Phoenician
The Phoenician Canyon Golf
Michael Lamanna’s credits as a golf professional date back 30 years, and his resume includes stints as the director of instruction and director of schools for three Jim McLean Golf Academies, director of schools at the PGA TOUR Golf Academy in Saint Augustine, Fla. and heading up clinics with Hall of Fame members like Billy Casper and Tony Jacklin. In 2006, he was named director of instruction at The Phoenician Golf Club. Lamanna believes in a simple teaching philosophy that focuses on fundamentals like paying special attention to grip, alignment, stance and posture to improve your swing. He also instructs that a strong grip helps alleviate a golfer’s tendency to slice and encourages players to address the positioning of their hands on the club – which in turn determines the face position at impact.
Another one of his must-know secrets? Keep your head behind the ball when making full swing shots. It allows you more control over the direction of the ball. When he’s not leading classes or hitting the links at The Phoenician – a club he says golfers of all abilities can enjoy – Lamanna likes to play a round at another highly ranked Scottsdale favorite, Troon North Golf Club. In downtown Scottsdale, you’ll find him indulging in some traditional Thai cuisine at Malee’s on Main or sipping on a martini (shaken, not stirred with three olives) at nightlife hotspot, Martini Ranch.
