About

Born on the East Coast, raised in the Midwest, and eventually settling on the West Coast – I am grateful for the people and places that brought me to where I am today. I was first introduced to golf by friends around age 12 and quickly became obsessed with hitting the ball purely and controlling my ball flight. This fascination led to a true passion as I began taking formal lessons and competing in junior events. Ready to take my game to the next level, I attended Chapman University in Southern California to pursue a Business Degree and play golf year round. 

After graduating with a B.S. in Business Marketing and a minor in Psychology, I began competing in amateur, USGA, and mini tour events throughout California. During my years of competing, I trained with a number of talented professionals which sparked my interest in coaching. I started shadowing lessons from one of my mentors at Aviara Golf Academy to learn how to effectively communicate about different elements in the swing. 

In 2023, my wife and I relocated to Northern California where I joined the GOLFTEC team and quickly became one of the Bay Area’s leading instructors. I have now started Ian Arcellana Golf to help as many people as I can to enjoy this amazing game. I am fortunate to have worked with a handful of California’s top ranked instructors and will continue to seek guidance from the best in the industry to help you on your path towards improvement. 

Coaching Philosophy

My goal is to clear the confusion around “quick fix” tips that are widespread in the golf world and to help you understand your own swing. No one has the same build or athletic ability so I don’t expect everyone to swing the club the same way. I believe in developing a unique coaching plan to meet each student’s needs and taking a systematic approach so the changes you make have a direct impact on contact and ball flight. 

I also believe there is more to golf than a pretty swing. I am a proponent of learning how to play the game which includes full swing, short game, mental game, and course management. This holistic approach is what leads to lower scores.

Credentials:

  • Dana Dahlquist Level III
  • PGA Associate Level I
  • Swing Catalyst Level I
  • Mach 3 Authorized Instructor