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A different kind of lesson

Each session is a blend of fun, fundamentals, and fitness.

Who We Are

Tim Handley

At age 60, my USTA rating, DUPR rating, and golf handicap all sit in the 5 range. I still whisper to all those balls with love and passion and believe I hear them whisper back. While I coached 7 high school girls tennis teams, the bulk of my coaching cycles through the years was in the form of mentoring exceptional junior players, often nationally ranked. For me, seeing improvement catalyzed by my participation is one of my life's greatest joys.

Our Philosophy

Your Sherpa

The ball has lots of stuff going on. It has velocity, spin, trajectory, and a rebound coefficient (how bouncy the ball and paddle are together) that all have a huge effect on the outcome of your ball strike. Navigating all of this to produce good shots is essentially what experience will deliver to all of us. But for those who don't want to wait for that deliverance, getting quality guidance will get you there faster.

A Typical Session

Physics, Kinesiology, Balance and Presence

Sessions start with a gratitude infused evocation. Most instruction focuses on understanding the 'why' behind all aspects of the game which informs our actions and intentions. Concepts like preparation, loading and executing are easier to grasp when you know the why. With the greater understanding, the sessions become live ball drill, often where I am the ball machine putting your ball back in the exact position to apply what we are working on. I put significant effort in modeling the behavior I want my students to exhibit, like split stepping and chasing every ball like your life depends on it.

An Experience vs a lesson

The Neurology of Presence and Gratitude

Eckhart Tolle has suggested that sports deliver a substantial and effective meditative practice. So that autopilot that is executing without you thinking is what presence is all about. You aren't feeling guilty when chasing or hitting a ball nor do you stress about anything other than what is happening at the moment. Some use a lotus position, we chase balls. Mindsets like gratitude enhance brain function. Balance gives the cerebellum extra resources to smack your shot. Balance + Presence = a sweet shot = joy. It's just science!

"Before and after every point or ball in play, be centered, breathe and be grateful that you are playing a game."

Tennis has a combative quality unlike almost any other sport. Ancient parts of the brain light up — the same circuits wired for survival — and in doing so, the game hands us a rare opportunity: to confront the ego directly, point by point, rally by rally. The Zen tradition speaks of "dying before you die," surrendering attachment to outcome so that presence can fill the space. Tennis offers exactly that classroom, whether we show up as a student or not.

The challenge, of course, is detachment. We are asked to care deeply about winning while holding the result loosely — to play with full commitment and zero clinging. This is perhaps the most difficult thing a human being can attempt. It is also the most rewarding. As the Bhagavad Gita puts it: act without attachment to the fruits of the action. Every point is the entire practice.

The fitness dimension is almost a side effect. When your ego is on the line chasing a ball down, the fatigue barely registers. Tennis delivers genuine cardiovascular conditioning, a flood of endorphins, and — according to several longitudinal studies — a life expectancy roughly ten years beyond the average. Free exercise has never been so engrossing.

And then there is the sweet spot. Physically speaking, it is the node where the racket's natural vibration frequency cancels itself out — meaning virtually zero energy is lost to the frame on impact, and nearly all of it transfers directly into the ball. The forces at work are remarkable: rotational momentum stored in the swing, the spring-like rebound of the strings, and the lever mechanics of a 27-inch frame all converge in a region about the size of a silver dollar. Hit it, and the racket feels like it weighs nothing. The ball simply leaves — fast, clean, and deep — with an almost embarrassing lack of effort. That contrast between minimal input and outsized output is the mechanical magic of the sweet spot, and the brain knows it immediately. Dopamine floods in. The body files it away and quietly starts scheming to make it happen again. This is why tennis players keep coming back — not just to win, but to feel that again.

Pickleball is far more accessible than tennis, and uniquely friendly to players of different skill levels — which is exactly why it's the fastest growing sport in America, and it isn't close.

Here are the vital skills you will develop working with Tim:

Golf is the most humbling game ever invented — and also the most rewarding. Unlike racket sports where reaction time carries you, golf is entirely premeditated: every shot is a deliberate act of intention, physics, and feel. The good news is that deliberate can be coached, measured, and transformed.

All golf sessions are held at BetterGolf in the Capitola Mall, where a Uneekor launch monitor running GSPro captures your swing with two high-speed cameras at up to 500 frames per second. Every session generates a complete data portrait of your ball and club — club path, face angle, attack angle, smash factor, spin axis, carry distance, and dozens more — all analyzed in real time by AI. There is nowhere for a flaw to hide, and nowhere for a breakthrough to go unnoticed. You will see your improvement as it happens.

Here is the curriculum Tim works through with every golfer:

What students and players say — the words that matter most.

improvement fun encouraging highly recommend patient game-changer relentlessly positive confidence accessible mechanics infectious energy knowledgeable topspin clear feedback uplifting engaging perceptive holistic body mechanics kids simulator tailored player-focused active practitioner shot repertoire instant improvement constructive criticism great eye tennis pickleball consistency solid human being efficient exceptional vastly improved genuinely fun two-handed backhand cares about you golf instant results every lesson upbeat addictive kind human pinpoint strengths
Pickleball

Tim is a great pickleball coach and in general an enthusiastic ambassador for the sport! He quickly assesses what I am doing and offers coaching that is accessible and I am able to put his suggestions into practice right away. He really understands body mechanics well and his style of coaching borrows from his vast tennis experience. I feel like he really understands where you are and what you need to hear to make immediate changes, improvement and have a blast while doing it all!

Golf

Tim is a fantastic instructor! As a beginner he helped me learn good habits, developed my swing, and also taught me how to process the swing analytics the simulator gives. He was also extremely patient and good at explaining concepts in terms a beginner could understand. Highly recommend!

Tennis

Tim is an excellent tennis coach. He is known in the tennis community. He provides excellent coaching feedback for all levels of play. Clearly, I would recommend him to any serious tennis players.

Tennis · Pickleball

If you're looking to level up your game, Tim is the person to see. He's an exceptional player in both singles and doubles, which is rare to find. His movement is incredibly efficient, and his shot repertoire is deep — specifically his slices, which are a nightmare to deal with. He has a great eye for mechanics and has given me pointers that were game-changers. Highly recommend him for anyone that wants to improve their game!

Tennis

I've been taking lessons with Tim for a while and have seen clear improvement in my game. What I really like is his flexible, player-focused approach. He lets me take the lead on what to focus on each session — sometimes we do targeted drills, other times we focus on match play. It keeps lessons engaging and tailored to what I actually need. Tim gives clear, practical feedback that's easy to apply, and I've noticed better consistency and more confidence during matches as a result.

Tennis · Pickleball

Tim's an awesome, friendly, skilled, & communicative coach. He's perceptive & positive in pointing out & adjusting his coaching with the various skills I need to improve my game. Sessions with Tim are always great fun & also challenging in a good way. I highly recommend him if you want to up level your game or see what incredible top spin can do 👊

Golf · Junior

Awesome coach. My kid progressed a lot. Kids keep losing focus but not a problem for the coach. The simulator at Better Golf could help us analyze all details. The atmosphere, the people, other kids — we love it all. Best golf practice for our family.

Golf

For both local golfers, and new golfers alike, Better Golf is a well needed addition to the Capitola Mall. The simulators are awesome — not only realistic, but informative, with all the stats of your game and nuances of whatever golf course you want to experience. Tim Handley is the golf pro and a super nice guy. He has helped my game considerably with the video, stats, and his thoughtful instruction. Careful, it's addictive!

Tennis

Tim is an amazing coach and taught me my 2 handed tennis backhand that has really elevated my game as yet another middle of the road singles and doubles 3.5 player. He was and is patient, skilled and most of all an active practitioner still playing at a high level across tennis and pickleball. Above all else, Tim is a solid human being and makes practice fun and makes my tennis game better with every lesson.

Tennis · Pickleball

Tim is so talented. He has a great eye for proper technique and potential issues and is quick to correct any problems preventing you from being a better player. Also very patient. Plus, he's a nice guy 😊

Tennis · Pickleball

Tim's the best coach — super fun and very knowledgeable!

Pickleball

Tim is the best! Not only is he a kind human who cares about you as a person and as an athlete but he can quickly pin point your strengths and weaknesses with great constructive criticism to instantly improve your game and make you a more effective player. He's relentlessly positive, extremely encouraging and so fun to learn from. I've only been coached and played doubles with him in pickleball but would trust his advice in any sport he's played as he is a master of that in which he's passionate about.

Golf · Junior

Tim is an incredible instructor for us at BetterGolf! He's especially great with kids — patient, encouraging, and really knows how to keep them engaged. His teaching style is very holistic, focusing not just on swing mechanics but on confidence and overall enjoyment of the game. Every session feels positive and uplifting, and students leave feeling better about their game and themselves. Highly recommend working with him!

Pickleball

Tim brings an infectious energy to every lesson that makes learning pickleball genuinely fun, whether you're a complete beginner or already competitive. His background as a high-level tennis player makes him a uniquely effective instructor. If you're looking for a coach who will push you to improve while keeping every session upbeat and engaging, Tim is your guy.

Tennis

Tim is an AMAZING tennis instructor! He has vastly improved my game. He is so kind and so fun to play with!

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Community Classifieds

Equipment · Lessons · Partners
Tennis · Equipment

Wilson Pro Staff 97 — Excellent Condition

Barely used, strung with Luxilon ALU Power at 52 lbs. Grip size 4¼. Perfect for the intermediate-to-advanced player looking to upgrade their confidence on the court.

Pickleball · Equipment

OWL Pickleball Paddle

Tournament-approved with patented Acoustene™ technology that cuts noise by over 50% — a genuine silent killer on the court. Huge sweet spot, soft feel for drops and resets, anti-head-heavy balance for maximum hand speed. Great for players who want control and touch without sacrificing pop. Lightly used, excellent condition.

Ready to level up your game? Whether you're picking up a paddle for the first time or looking to sharpen a specific part of your game, reach out and let's make it happen. Sessions are available in the South Bay and beyond.

"Thank you — I'll be in touch soon. Something good is ahead."

Location

Skypark · Willowbrook · Brommer · Cabrillo · Callahan Park

Session Rates

Private  ·  $80 / hr
Semi-Private (up to 3)  ·  $90 / hr

4-pack packages available at a discount — a great way to commit to the game and your own improvement.

A Note

Every great player started exactly where you are right now. The best move you can make is simply to begin — the improvement that follows has a way of exceeding what you thought possible.