Saturday, 28 August 2010 18:31

A busy couple of days at Gleneagles for the Johnny Walker Championship and unusually for this event some half decent weather and half decent greens.

On the Tuesday I had a sports vision consultant alongside me to assist me with the players that I work with. Michel Guillon was there to conduct some screenings with the players to assess their vision and check if there are any issues that might need correction. Michel and I have been collaberating over the past year and investigating an area that is mostly overlooked within golf, with some really interesting findings.

As you can appreciate the role your eyes play in the putting stroke is very important. We also had some eye tracking equipment with us that monitors the movement of both eyes during the stroke. This along with the screening information can help fine tune aspects of a players pre shot routine, set up and stroke. The findings proved very interesting and the feedback from all the players was very encouraging.

Hopefully Edoardo Molinari, one of the players with whom I work with, and who went through the screening and testing, can do well this week and give Monty a nudge. It would be great to see him alongside his brother in the Ryder Cup team. Certainly his form this year warrants a place.

Ross Fisher also went through the screening and we spent some follow up time working on his stroke. Ross's place is secured and his game looks like it has found some consistency of form of late.

From a product perspective we had a busy week also. Plenty of Yes! putters were taken by the players. Peter Hanson won last week with the new Mollie which was great, so he picked up a back up as he was so happy with putter.

The next event for me will be the Dutch Open in a few weeks.

Edoardo Molinari going through the eye tracking analysis on the Gleneagles Putting Green

Friday, 30 July 2010 18:40

Killarney was the venue for the Irish Open this week. The talk on the range was that a 59 could be on the cards, as the course was set up for good scoring. Very little rough and good greens always help.

On the Monday I did some work with Darren Clarke. We spent some time on the SAM system working on his tempo and strike and it was looking better.

On Tuesday I spent some time with Michael Hoey and Chris Woods. Michael had a good finish last week, tied 14th in Sweden, and is looking better on the greens each time I see him. He could be a good outside bet at Killarney with the home crowd behind him.

Mark Brown also did well in Sweden finishing 3rd. Mark met up with me on the Wednesday and we collected some data on the SAM system to see where he was at. It was looking the best it has been so hopefully he can keep up the momentum.

On Wednesday I spent some time with Ross Fisher. A key with Ross is his tempo and we introduced an audio file to help him practice at  his optimum tempo. When his tempo is good Ross's stroke is excellent. A good putting week is not far away, as this year he has struggled a little on the greens.

The new models by Yes Golf continue to do well, the Donna 2 and Mollie were popular models again this week with Francesco Molinari taking a Mollie. Francesco has used the Yes Putter before and has recently gone back to a shorter putter after using a belly putter. It would be great to have Francesco using the putter as well as his brother Edoardo.

Other pupils playing were David Horsey and Richard Finch. Thats all now until Gleneagles. A few weeks of from the tour, but no rest I'm afraid! During that time we will be moving studio to a bigger and better location. So keep an eye on the news section to where we are moving too!

Thursday, 22 July 2010 21:41

It was a first visit to Bro Hof Slot Golf Club this week for the Scandinavian Masters.A new purpose built course for tournament golf it will provide a spectacular setting amongst the forest and lakes.

The course itself can be played as long 8400 yards amazingly, although I'm pretty sure the European tour won't be testing the players that much this week. What with normally breezy conditions, combined with testing undulating greens the course will play tough enough from the standard length tees.

Ollie Fisher was back playing this week after a few weeks off and it was good to meet with him and do some work on the Tuesday morning. We collected some data on the SAM system and work on some aspects of Ollie's technique as well some pace drills. Pace, touch and imagination will be very important this week on the greens as they are in great condition, but also very slopey, grainy and quick.

On Wednesday I spent some time with Joost Luiten also working on his speed and green reading. The two obviously go hand in hand.Other pupils Richie Ramsey, Michael Hoey, Richard Finch, Rob Coles and Edoardo Molinari were also playing this week. I caught up with Edoardo on the Wednesday and we spent some time on the SAM system and made a little tweak to the set up, moving the ball back into optimum position for him as it had crept to far forward.

I'm sure all the players will enjoy the week and one of the better courses they will play this year on the tour.

Pictures from Bro Hof Slot Golf Club

Thursday, 15 July 2010 14:07

Well it can't get any better than the Open Championship at St Andrews! For history, atmosphere and also a well conditioned golf course this was it.

I arrived on the Friday prior to meet up with Henrik Stenson, who had arrived early to prepare with some links golf before the event.

On the Friday we spent some time working on his green reading and stroke and on the Saturday we walked around the old course just spending some time on and around the greens, looking at the potenital pins and surrounding contours. The greens putt better than they look and although they will not be quick (stimping at about 10) they are rolling out well.

On Monday I caught up with Edoardo Molinari who was obviously in great spirits after his win at Loch Lomond. Edoardo was also very happy with his putting, having putted so well in his maiden victory. I walked a few holes with Edoardo and Ross Fisher on the Tuesday, as they both also share the same full swing coach Dennis Pugh. Both guys were in great form and could well figure this week. Ross is looking better in practice and this is transfering itself to the course nicely, with 2 top 10's in the last 3 weeks.

Chris Woods was also playing this week. His 3rd Open championship, and after top 5 finishes in his first 2, Chris has set some high standards to follow. We spent some time following up on the work we did last week at Loch Lomond and some of the asects we had worked on certainly looked better.

Lets hope the guys sink a few putts this week. Next week its the Scandanavian Masters

A view down the 18th during the Saturday Practice Round

Sunday, 11 July 2010 16:36

As always Loch Lomond was a great place to be for the Barclays Scottish Open. The Tuesday however was typical Loch Lomond weather as rain came down most of the day. The Wednesday though was a lot better with sunshine for most of the day.

This Yes! Mollie continues to a be very popular amongst the players with several again taking the putter this week, including tour winners Paul Lawrie and Filipe Aguilar.

From a coaching perspective I worked this week for the first time with Chris Woods. I was asked to spend some time with Chris by his management group who also look  after a couple of other players that I work with. Having never met Chris before properly, I was really impressed with his attitude and he was great to work with. By his own admittance he has been struggling on the greens this year, and with his long game in such good form he has found it very frustrating. We had a productive session, essentually just re-addressing some of the basics, so hopefully Chris can start to roll a few in this week.

Other players I worked with this week were Michael Hoey and Joost Luiten. Michael had his best result for a while the week before in France with an 11th place finish. Other students in the field included Edoardo Molinari, David Horsey, Darren Clarke, Ross Fisher and Richie Ramsey.

Next week we move onto St Andrews for the Open Championship. The highlight of the year for me. The best event of the season at the most historic of courses. I will be up there early this year to meet up with Henrik Stenson to help him with his preparations.

I look forward to bringing you some news from the 'Home of Golf'.

Phil Kenyon working with Chris Woods

Thursday, 01 July 2010 17:00

It was the French Open this week at Le Golf National and the weather was perfect for the practice days. The venue has fantatsic facilities and a great golf course.

It was ncie to meet up with David Horsey this week after his fantastic win in Munich the previous week. It was David's maiden win on tour and after working with him since he was an amateur it was great to see somebodies hard work and efforts pay off. David has been putting particularly well this season and in Munich it was no different finishing 5^th on the putting stats and holing a 10 foot putt on the last to secure the win.

I also spent some time with the guy whom he beat into 2nd place in Germany, Ross Fisher, Ross's stroke was looking better and he is feeling more confident on that aspect of the game. As soon as things click for Ross I'm really sure a win is just around the corner.

Other players I spent some time this week were Joost Luiten, Michael Hoey and Mark Brown. Joost finished 11^th in Munich with a final round of 65 so is in good form, while Michael missed the cut after a few weeks off with fitness issues. Michael however was looking a lot better. Previously we have worked a lot on Michaels set up and posture which is much improved and as a result his putter face alignment is much better. We also spent some time doing some green reading work, which will be well needed this week as the greens are big and undulating.

It was also great to see amateur Tommy Fleetwood playing in the event. Tommy is a pupil of mine and he gained entry into the field through a pre qualifying tournament. Tommy played Walker Cup last year and I'm sure is destined to mark his mark on golf as a professional. This week will be a good experience for him, and I'm sure he wont be afraid to do well.

That's all from this week next week it's Loch Lomond. Looking forward to that one!

Phil Kenyon working with Ross Fisher at the French Open

Monday, 28 June 2010 12:57

Munich was the venue this week for the BMW Championship at Eichenried Golf Club.On the Tuesday I met up with Ross Fisher with who decided to play in this event at the last minute after missing the cut in the US Open. This will be a busy spell now for Ross with him also playing in France, Loch Lomond and the Open. Events he will be looking to kick on in after his top 10 at Wentworth

We had a good session on the practice green, essentially working on Ross's tempo and alignment. His stroke was looking good.Over both practice days I also met with Joost Luiten, with whom I had not seen since Wentworth. Joost's putting has improved a lot this year, since we started working together and recently he finished top of the putting stats at the Madrid Masters.

David Horsey was also playing and was looking good after a recent trip to the studio to work on his putting. I got a call on the Friday evening after David had missed the cut in Portugal and the following day he was in the studio. A hard worker as ever David will be looking to put 3 consecutive missed cuts behind him this week.

Finally I gave a lesson to Chris Gane this week for the first time, who is one of only a few left hander's who play on the European Tour. I find it a little strange working with left hander's and always seem to get my left and my rights mixed up, much to Chris's amusement. Chris has been struggling on the greens this year and was looking for some inspiration. A guy who I always find genuinely very funny and a great sense of humour, let's hope he has something to smile about this week.

Next week it's the city with the rudest waiters, the smallest/dearest hotel rooms, the most overrated food and the worst drivers in the world. Yes it's the French Open in Paris. Not my favourite event of the year!

Thursday, 03 June 2010 21:34

It was Celtic Manor this week, venue of the Wales Open and as we all know the course that will host Ryder Cup later this year. In the mean time however there is a big first prize waiting for somebody at the end of this week as well as nudge in Montys side.

Tuesday was not the best of days. Cold and wet as is usual its seems for this event. However the Wednesday was much better with some glorious sunshine. Over the two days I spent some time with Edoardo Molinari, who has not putted as well the last 2 weeks.

Edoardo had gotten a little out of sync with his timing and we worked on that aspect alongside some balance work. Edoardo was looking confident and could be a good bet this week.

I also caught up with Ross Fisher, with whom I recently started work with just prior to the BMW Championship. Ross achieved his best finish this season with a top 10 finish at Wentworth. The main focus with Ross has been the pace of his stroke and as a result his rotation. Hopefully we can build upon that week with a good finish here.

With regards to product it was a busy coupe of days with Yse! Golf. The Donna 2 was popular this week with Jean Baptiste Gonnet, Mark Hastrup and Maroc Ruiz picking it up, while the news white Yes! Grip went down particualrly well with it requested on most of  the putters that were taken this week.

Others pupils in thefield this week include Darren Clarke, Mark Brown, Richard Fimch, David Horsey, Olie Fisher and Rob Coles. My next event will be Munich in  2 weeks. A couple of weeks without any travel! A welcome change! Speak to you all soon.

Thursday, 20 May 2010 13:33

It was a great few days at Wentworth as usual for the BMW Championship. With the previous event being Mallorca, which many of the top players missed, all three practice days were busy.

All the payers that I work with are playing this week, so what with my product support role for Yes! Golf, it was a busy week, in what is the biggest regular event of the  season with the biggest prize fund.

On the Sunday prior I also met up with Ross Fisher for the first time. Ross has struggled on the greens this year and contacted me as a result, with the idea of putting a plan together to improve this aspect of his game.

We had a productive session which we followed up on over the practice days at Wentworth. Initially the main aspects thats we worked on were Ross's tempo and timing. Previously this had neagtively affected some technical aspects of his stroke. However with some training and an adjustment to his routine he was looking a lot better during the week. With his strong long game I believe he can figure this week and find the form of last year.

I also met up with Edoardo Molinari to do some work. We collected some data of his stroke on the SAM Puttlab and it was the best we have seen it. By his own admmission he has been putting particularly well of late, which was obviously backed up by the data.

My other players with whom I met and worked with included Ollie Fisher, Henrik Stenson, Mark Brown, Michael Hoey, Joost Luiten, Richard Finch and Rob Coles.

David Horsey was also playing, although he didnt need much time, as he was happy with things, which can be shown in his putting stats this year, where he is 5th in putts per round with 27.5 putts per round.

From a product perspective the new Yes! Mollie continues to be really popular with Ricardo Gonzalez, Maarten Lafeber and Graeme Storm takig and testing the putter.

So overall a good few days, hopefully one of our boys can do the business! Next event for me is the Celtic Manor Welsh Open first week of June. Look foward to bringing you some news from the Tour then!

Images from Wenworth

Thursday, 20 May 2010 12:46

The sun was out in Mallorca for an event that saw the entries go well down the list, with many challange tour players getting in. The only player that I work with in the field this week was Robert Coles.

I met with Robert on both the Tuesday and Wednesday and did some productive work. Robert his hoping to reproduce the form that got him a top 5 finish in the Andalucian Open in Malaga at the end of March.

From a product perspective it was a busy couple of days as many of the Challenge Tour Players dont get access to manufacturers most of the season.

The new Yes Mollie putter continues to be very popular with Scott Strange, Lee Slattery and Brandan grace all requesting that particular putter. While the new Dawn was picked up by Emmanuel Canonica.

Next week its Wentworth which is one of the bihhestw eeks of the year and always a great event to attened.