Our story began in 1912 when "Idle Hour Farms" was purchased and The Idle Hour Club was founded. A.W. Tillinghast designed the golf course and over 100 years later the Idle Hour Club stands as one the most prestigious and historic country clubs in all of Middle Georgia!
The Arnold Blum Golf Learning Center and the A.J. Duck Swann Par-3 course were erected in 2004 and have since served the golfers of Middle Georgia as the premier golf instruction and club fitting facility in the region. Whether beginner or expert, The Golf Learning Center is your "one-stop-shop" for all your golf instruction and club fitting needs.
Our staff is an all-star team, receiving more accolades and awards than any other in the instruction and fitting fields. They are respected nationally and continue to draw some of the best players to our learning center.
We welcome you to The Blum Golf Learning Center and want you to know as a staff, our goal is to help you play better golf. We hope to see you often and look forward to watching you grow!
Idle Hour Club Professional Staff
Kirk Hice
PGA Director of Golf Operations
Hice, a 20-year veteran of the PGA of America, now enters his second stint with Idle Hour after previously serving as Head Professional in the early 2000s. A decorated professional with over 25 years of experience in the golf industry, Kirk is also a member of the Club Managers Association of America. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the lesson tee and enjoys teaching golfers of all ages and ability levels. • Bachelor of Science - Ferris State University, Professional Golf Management Specialization (1999)
• Member, PGA of America (2000 - present)
• Georgia PGA Central Chapter Assistant Golf Professional of the Year (2001)
• Georgia PGA Central Chapter Golf Professional of the Year (2006)
• Georgia PGA Board of Directors (2004 - 2006)
• PGA of America President's Council (2010)
• Member, Club Management Association of America (2013 - present)
• Association of Golf Merchandisers Platinum Award Winner (2014, 2015)
Email khice@idlehourclub.com or call 706-829-1849.
Bobby Hix
PGA Idle Hour Teaching Professional
Over time the 29-year PGA member boasts a diverse teaching base from young up and coming female talents to PGA Tour winner Russell Henley. Along with Henley, Bobby was elected to the Stratford Academy Sports Hall of Fame. • Georgia PGA Teacher of the Year 2010
• Certified Titleist, Mizuno, Ping, Mizuno Clubfitter
• Golf Digest “Best in State” Instructor
• US Kids Top 50 Kids Teacher, 2007
• Written Articles for Golf Digest, PGA.com and FORE Georgia magazine
• Georgia PGA Junior Golf Leader 1994
• Former Head Men’s Golf Coach, Mercer University
Email bhix@idlehourclub.com call/text at 478-318-7200.
Neal Johnson
Master Club Fitter
This master club maker spearheads The Blum Golf Learning Center’s place as one of the nation’s best club fitting facilities according to Golf Digest. Neal has helped manage Cutright Classics and Sea Island Custom Clubs for the Sea Island Company. Considering he’s built clubs for former President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush, as well as professional legends Davis Love III, Curtis Strange, Jim Dent, Andy Bean, Donna Andrews and Beth Daniel, Neal has the knowledge to get you in the proper club setup to succeed. • Golf Digest “America’s 100 Best Clubfitters” 2012-2016
• Ping Top 100 Fitter 2012-2017
• Certified club fitter For Ping, Titleist, Taylor Made, And Mizuno
• Ping National Club Fitter of the Year 2005
• Mizuno National Club Fitter of the Year 2000
• PGA of America Business Schools Teaching club making, repair and fitting 1980-1985
• Taught club making, repair and fitting for Mississippi State University Professional Golf Management Program
Email njohnson@idlehourclub call/text at 478-318-1327.
Seth Sanders
Assistant Golf Professional
The former college all-American, Sanders came to Idle Hour in 2019 after working as a professional caddie at the Sea Island Golf Club in St. Simons Island, Georgia. Having previously served as an assistant golf coach at the collegiate level, Seth is well versed in player development and enjoys helping golfers of all levels learn how to improve their game.
• Letterman, Darton State College (2013 - 2015) and College of Coastal Georgia (2015 - 2017)• Named NAIA PING 2nd Team All-American and NAIA PING South All-Region Team (2016)
• Former Professional Caddie, Sea Island Golf Club
• Former Assistant Professional, Sea Island Golf Performance Center
• Former Graduate Assistant Golf Coach, College of Coastal Georgia
Email ssanders@idlehourclub.com call/text at 478-957-2971.