Putting Coaching at the Dubai Desert Classic

Thursday, 04 February 2010 17:02

Dubai was the venue for the last event in the 'Desert Swing', the 'Omega Dubai Desert Classic'.

The practice days saw some fantastic weather and the course was in superb condition.I arrived in Dubai the weekend prior, so I arranged to meet up with Darren Clarke, who was there early to practice, and with whom I hadn't seen since he finished 2^nd In the Jo'Burg Open.

Darren's stroke is looking a lot better in practice and the data we collected highlighted that, which also pleased Darren. We also tested some different weight options in the Yes! SWS putter range. Darren tested really well with the Callie 100g internal weighting and so has a new putter in play this week. Let's hope it brings him luck.

On the Tuesday I met up with Henrik Stenson again and we put some productive work in ready for the week. I also spent some time with Edoardo Molinari tweaking a few things, while also looking at a slightly shorter putter which Edoardo felt helped him achieve his ideal eye position, now that we have improved his weight distribution and balance at set up.

One player I started working with this week for the first time is Joost Luiten, which is really exciting for me as he is a very good prospect. The week previous, Joost had visited the Yes Putting centre in Holland which is run by our Harold Swash Accredited Instructor Rob Mouwen.

Rob conducted an in-depth analysis using forceplates, SAM puttlab and high speed video. Rob then passed the data over with his comments and critique and I caught up with Joost, this week, to put a plan in place that he can follow on tour and also when back at home with Rob in Holland.

Dave Horsey who achieved another top 15 last week in Qatar was also playing so we met for some work on the green. Dave this year has gone back to his trusty Callie putter which he used ever so well when winning the challenge tour order or merit in 2008. He briefly used a Tracy FC at the back end of last year, but has found form again with his Callie. I believe Dave is one to watch this year.

Other students in the field included Ollie Fisher and Richard Finch. From a product perspective it was a pretty quite week with having seen most of the guys the week before in Qatar.

On a final note it was great to see Tom Watson in Dubai, and just like every other golf fan if they had the chance, I couldn't resist having my picture taken with him! My next event back out on tour will be the Andalucia Masters in Malaga in March.

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Phil Kenyon with Tom Watson

Qatar Masters Report

Sunday, 31 January 2010 18:20

It was great to be back out for my first event of the 2010 season at the Qatars Masters. This was my first visit to Qatar, for what is the 2nd event in the early season 'Desert Swing'.

The Doha Golf Course is a great facility and the course was set up very tough, with thick rough, hard greens but soft fairways. The practice days also brought strong winds, which is common I believe in these parts, that only added to the difficulty.

On the Tuesday it was good to catch up with Edoardo Molinari with whom I hadn't seen so far this year. Edoardo was meant to visit the studio in early January but his flight was cancelled due to the snow we had. Edoardo however has been in good form and the improvements we have been working on looked like they were taking shape.

I also met up with Henrik Stenson on the Tuesday to do some work on the SAM Puttlab, and see how his stats were, in comparison to where we left off last year.

Dave Horsey was also playing this week but was happy with what he was doing. Prior to coming out into the Desert, Dave had been to the studio where we had worked on a few different aspects.

Last week in Abu Dhabi Dave led the putting stats with 100 putts over the 4 rounds, an average of 25 putts per round!. He also had an average of under 1.6 putts per green in regulation on his way to a top 10 finish.

From a product point of view we had a few guys pick up the Yes! Putter. Rafa Echenique picked up a Callie as did Oscar Henningson. Mark Brown also picked up a Victoria 2, while Mikael Lunberg picked up a back up for his Donna.

Next week its Dubai for the Desert classic. I will be meeting up with Darren Clarke over the weeked prior to the practice days to do some more work on his putting. Darren took a week off this week and stayed in Dubai to practice as opposed to playing in Qatar.

Things hopefully are improving on the greens for Darren with a 2nd place finish in the Jo'Burg Open a few weeks back, while in the Abu Dhabi Tournamnet last week in the first round he only needed 22 putts.

Hong Kong Open

Tuesday, 24 November 2009 11:02

It was a memorable first visit to Royal Hong Kong Golf Club for the final regular event of the 2009 season, where a lot was at stake for many of the guys. Whether it's your Tour Card for 2010 or making the Race to Dubai, pressure is always relevant.

For Darren Clarke whom I was working with this week the goal was to finish high enough to qualify for the Race to Dubai. While for Ollie Fisher it was securing enough money to keep his card for 2010.

I met with Darren on the Monday and it was good to see some big improvements in his stroke. We collected some data on the SAM Puttlab again and video and compared it to when we first started work in Portugal and the difference was very recognisable.

Darren has been working hard and also put a lot of work in during the week of Hong Kong. The hard work resulted in finishing 11th in the event which unfortunately was one shot out of making the Race to Dubai. However he was pleased with his putting stats for the week of 29.2 per round and the direction his game is going in.

For Ollie the week wasn't as positive, in that he missed the cut, which means he will now go back to tour school in an effort to regain full playing rights for 2010. It was a week where without playing too badly nothing clicked for him. However his form of late and the work he has put in, has seen him turn a corner. I'm very confident he will make it through tour school with a Grade A!

Well there you go....Hong Kong was the last Tour Event for me in 2009. It all starts again in the desert next January. Hope you all winter well and keep checking the news section for the last info, what we are up to and which of our guys are doing well.

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Phil Kenyon keeping a watchful eye over Darren Clarke at the Hong Kong Open

Putting Coach at the Castello Masters

Thursday, 22 October 2009 19:27

It was the last strokeplay event in mainland Europe for me this week. The venue was Club de Campo Mediteraneo for the Castello Masters, near Valencia.

Portugal Masters Tour Report

Thursday, 15 October 2009 12:11

Vilamoura was the venue this week for the Portugal Masters and once again the weather was kind. Great practice facilities and sunshine mean the practice days were very busy.

On the Monday Darren Clark had asked me to arrive earlier than planned to do some work specifically on his putting technique. He has been struggling of late and although I have helped him a couple of times in the past at certain events, he hasn't been working with anybody on his putting of late.

Madrid Masters Tour Report

Sunday, 11 October 2009 11:31

Thankfully the weather in Madrid was a lot better than the previous week in St Andrews, which allowed for a more productive Tuesday and Wednesday in the preparation for the Madrid Masters.

On Tuesday first thing, I spent some time with Mads Vibe Hastrup on the SAM system testing both the Callie and Donna. I also helped him with a few technical issues and he also took both putters to the course to test. Mads will be using one of them this week. I also made up a Tracy 3 with a 'plumbers neck' for Joyti Randawa.

Dunhill Championship at St Andrews

Friday, 02 October 2009 11:32

After a couple of weeks break it was up to St Andrews this week for the Dunhill Championship that is played across 3 courses, those being the Old Course, Kingsbarns and Carnoustie.

Putting Coaching at the Mercedes Championship

Saturday, 12 September 2009 13:10

It was Cologne this week for the Mercedes Championship. A reduced field event, but a quality field.Oskar Henningson who won the Czech Open recently using the Abbie putter picked up a Tracy 3 with plumbers neck we had made up for him. The new Tracy 3 has a choice of 4 hosels, which alters the balance of the club as well as look. The putter has also proved quite popular with the players with Gonzalez Fernandez Castano and Lee Slattery also using it.

European Masters Tour Report

Saturday, 05 September 2009 12:28

It was my first visit to Crans Sur Sierre this week for the Omega European Masters, where the location was every bit as beautiful as people had told me. Situated in the Swiss Alps the course is a popular stop with the players not just for the scenery but the atmosphere the week brings.

Putting Coach reports from Gleneagles

Sunday, 30 August 2009 10:39

The tour moved on to Gleneagles this week for the Johnny Walker Championship. As per usual for this event the weather during the practice days was typically Scottish, wind and rain, which made things a little bit more difficult.