St Andrews Links Golf Academy is a major addition to the facilities at the Home of Golf featuring four instruction studios equipped with some of the most advanced ball-tracking, digital analysis and ultrasound putting scan technology available.
The academy is part of an extension of the existing St Andrews Links Golf Practice Centre, which has seen the creation of an additional 14 covered bays, taking the total number of bays to 51, improved outdoor bays and upgraded lighting. The Golf Practice Centre originally opened in 1993.
A team of PGA Golf Management professionals led by director of instruction Steve North is already delivering coaching as part of a unique instruction programme covering all aspects of the game but with a particular focus on helping golfers to develop the skills needed to play successfully at St Andrews Links.
A state of the art custom fit centre is also based in the academy. Operated by Applied Golf Technology, the centre will provide an expert custom fitting, clubmaking and club repair service.
Alan McGregor, general manager of St Andrews Links Trust said, “The academy is an excellent facility which I’m sure will benefit golfers from near and far. We believe it is one of the best facilities of its kind offering a range of state of the art technologies and coaching expertise. The academy is open to golfers of all abilities from beginners to professionals and adds a new dimension to the golfing experience in St Andrews.”
Steve North added, “We have brought together a team of PGA professionals who provide the highest quality of instruction. Our approach is very much based on building a relationship with our clients to enable us to give them advice and tips to suit their game. The technology enables us to deliver services such as eCoaching to clients around the world but it is the one-to-one advice we can offer which is most valuable.”
The golf academy comprises four large coaching bays equipped with plasma screens and computer displays. The bays are set up to use the Dartfish video analysis system which enables the instructor to film a golfer’s swing, analyse it on computer and then email swing tips to the golfer wherever he or she is in the world. The Trackman system which tracks the flight of a ball completely, measuring parameters such as height, speed, direction, spin rate and smash rate, is also available.
An ultrasound scanning system developed by Science & Motion can be used to scan up to 25 different parameters of golfers’ putting strokes to help them improve their performance on the greens. A specialised custom fit service provided by Applied Golf Technology uses equipment such as Trackman and the Nakashima Htec driver and shaft-fitting system which enables golfers to quickly test different driver shafts using a detachable clubhead.
A new website outlining the full range of services available at the academy has been launched. It can be found at www.standrewslinksgolfacademy.com.
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