The following are the best golf instructors of the Puget Sound area...
BELLINGHAM/MOUNT VERNON: Kene Bensel, 53, head pro at Lake Padden Golf Course; formerly at Canyon Lakes, Sahalee, Manito, Wenatchee and North Shore; high-end teacher, but good with all levels; opened new golf school last fall; 31-year instructor who changed to Butch Harmon teaching philosophy over past two years, stressing torso move over hand flip; physical fitness expert; Vietnam vet who served 13 months on special forces unit; former Ohio State University player (1968-70); $85 per hour (360-738-7400).
EVERETT/MUKILTEO: Chris Aoki, 50, teaching pro at Harbour Pointe Golf Club; formerly at Sahalee, Mill Creek and Bear Creek country clubs; former University of Washington golfer; author of "The Golf Book for Kids;" has widespread reputation; has worked with No. 1 UW golfer Kelli Kamimura; putter-fitting specialist; $55 per half-hour (800-233-3128).
LYNNWOOD: Dan Smith, 42, head pro at Lynnwood Municipal; formerly at Mill Creek; taught and caddied for Jimin Kang, 1999 U.S. Women's Amateur runner-up and now freshman and No. 1 player at Arizona State University; good with juniors, who make up 70 percent of his clientele; shuns teaching aids; $40 per half-hour (425-672-4653).
SEATTLE: Doug McDonald, 45, co-owner of Seattle Golf Academy and teaching pro at Washington Athletic Club and University of Washington driving range; author of "Home on the Range"; Seattle Post-Intelligencer golf tips columnist; teaches all levels, from UW players to beginners; recognizable by long ponytail; $65 per hour (206-522-8940).
BELLEVUE/REDMOND: Lesley Hobert, 55, founder and co-operator of Studio Fore in Bellevue for 16 years; former LPGA player (1966-73); one of first in area to use computer swing analyzer; 55 percent of clientele are men; used to have 3-month waiting list for lesson, but addition of extra instructor or two has whittled that to 3 weeks during high season; has given lessons to Senior PGA Tour player Don Bies and his wife; $85 for 45 minutes (425-957-9810).
NORTH BEND/SNOQUALMIE: Mark Grandberg, 38, golf pro at the Tournament Players Club at Snoqualmie Ridge; formerly at Jackson Park, Jefferson Park and West Seattle; personable, well-rounded guy who went from one end of golf world to the other extreme; good with bunker game; $100 per hour (teaches members only).
FALL CITY/ISSAQUAH: Bill Tindall, 57, head pro at new Aldarra Golf Club; former pro at Longview Golf and Country Club and Broadmoor Golf Club; former PGA Tour player (1967, '68); former University of Washington golfer and coach, winning Pac-10 titles as both; youngest player to win Seattle City Amateur (14); Washington's No. 1 golf teacher, Golf Digest 2000; known as short-game guru; has laid-back style; $40 per 45 minutes (teaches members only).
RENTON: Gordy Graybeal, 40, teaching pro at Maplewood Golf Course; formerly at Fairwood Country Club; gives lessons to Tom Sovay, considered the region's top teacher; left management end to become a teacher only; good with juniors; $50 per hour (425-430-6813).
KENT/AUBURN: Steve Dubsky, 54, head pro at Elk Run Golf Course; formerly at Lake Spanaway, Meridian Valley and Sand Point; hails from golf family, with older brother, Joe, a golf pro in Pasco; golf was in his backyard -- grew up on sixth hole at Sand Point; shuns technical talk; wears many hats now at busy club, but still finds time to teach; $60 per hour, $80 with video (425-432-8800).
TACOMA/GIG HARBOR: Todd Erwin, 38, teaching pro at Performance Golf Center; formerly at Canterwood Golf and Country Club; three-time Washington Open champion; attempted PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament 10 times; works well with all levels and ages, with juniors comprising the largest segment of his clientele, more than 25 percent; $35 per half-hour (253-853-4653).
PORT ANGELES/SEQUIM: Kelly O'Mera, 38, head pro at SunLand Golf and Country Club; formerly at Druids Glen when it was known as Washington Golf Club; served as Golf Doctor for KSTW-TV; good with seniors, encouraging beginners at advancing age; doesn't recommend single lessons, but will make exceptions; $125 for five lessons (360-683-6800).
BREMERTON/PORT ORCHARD: Ted Naff, 62, teaching pro at Gold Mountain Golf Club; formerly at Glen Acres, Glendale, Riverbend, Golf Park Driving Range and Kaddyshack Driving Range; former Senior PGA Tour player (1990, '91); one of first in region to use videotape, starting in mid-1970s; Washington's No. 3 golf teacher, Golf Digest 2000; $75 per hour (253-627-8904).
OLYMPIA/ABERDEEN: Kathy O'Kelly, 55, teaching pro at Capitol City Golf Club; retired 30-year coach and teacher from North Thurston High School, where she coached golf, tennis and girls' basketball teams; Washington's No. 2 golf teacher, Golf Digest 2000; clientele is 70 percent women; specializes in mental side of game; LPGA certified instructor; $50 per hour (360-491-5111).