turnberry launching new performance academy

The sweeping links of Ayrshire will soon become home to the Turnberry Performance Academy, a centre of excellence offering a unique holistic approach to coaching the game of golf at Turnberry.

Opening in April 2013, the Turnberry Performance Academy’s aim will be to help players maximise their golfing  potential by assessing their equipment, as well as physical, technical and mental aspects of their game, in order to develop and achieve individual goals. 

The opening of the Performance Academy marks another major milestone in the enviable golfing history of Turnberry – a Luxury Collection resort – which began in 1906 when it created a world first by opening a hotel next to an 18-hole golf course.

The Turnberry Performance Academy will offer tuition incorporating the principles of the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI), recognised as world leader’s in studying the physical elements of golf coaching.  

Golfers will be able to book one-to-one and group tuition from TPI-qualified staff covering all areas of a golfer’s game, fitness level and lifestyle.

The new TPA concept will complement Turnberry’s long-standing partnership with TaylorMade Golf.  Turnberry is the only place in Scotland to host TaylorMade’s world-leading Performance Lab in which players can receive a fully-customised golf club fitting experience.  The Performance Lab utilises 3D motion capture technology to match a set of clubs to an individual’s swing characteristics.

Jordi Tarrida, General Manager at Turnberry Resort, commented: “It is unique advantage and a privilege for Turnberry to be able to offer a fully holistic golf academy suitable for all ages and skill levels and fitting that this should be located at the world’s first golf resort. 

“With the Turnberry Performance Academy, players of all ages and abilities will be able to receive world-class training, coaching and facilities to improve all aspects of their game in one location.”

The Turnberry Performance Academy will offer the following world-class components to both day visitors and resort guests:

*Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) – Offers players a full golf-specific physical assessment before advising them on the best way to learn or perfect their golfing technique, as well as including comprehensive long- and short-game evaluation.

*Turnberry Putting Lab – A state-of-the-art putting studio features a Huxley all-weather putting surface (official supplier to the PGA and golf unions). HD slow-motion video cameras are also used to capture both the individual’s movement and the golf ball’s roll whilst utilising SAM technology.   SAM technology uses ultrasound to provide scientifically precise feedback on all parameters of the individual’s putting stroke.

*Taylor Made Performance Lab (TMPL) – Utilises 3D motion capture technology to match a set of clubs to an individual’s swing characteristics. A two hour session leads to a CD of swings and club specifications. This is the only lab of its kind in Scotland and one of only two in the United Kingdom.

*Ladies Golf – Specialist tuition for lady golfers will be offered for all levels and abilities.  There will also be a range of packages available including treatments in Turnberry’s ESPA spa.

*World Class Technology for coaching – The Performance Academy will make use of Golf Analysis Software for Professionals (G.A.S.P.) which allows the professional to visually record and evaluate the golfer’s technique frame by frame and from a variety of different positions; above, face on and from behind. 

*Flight Scope – Arguably the world’s most accurate portable launch monitor – uses a radar to track the golf ball’s entire flight and will be invaluable to the professionals at TPA in establishing club/ball impact conditions (which cannot be visually seen) for changes in technique or for custom fitting for equipment. 

*Junior Golf -Turnberry has partnered with Clubgolf, the national junior golf strategy for Scotland, which offers a pathway for talented young players to progress. 

*Tour Master Classes (Seniors Golf) – In another first for Scotland, the Turnberry Performance Academy will host a Tour Master Class events programme. Tailored for the more mature golfer, these once-in-a-lifetime golf experiences allow access to some of Europe’s favourite golfing legends in an intimate environment.