Generation GOLFx

A new online coaching conference gave a platform to eight PGA pros to raise their profiles among their peers.

Golfx, an idea inspired by Germany-based PGA Advanced Fellow Professional Ian Peek, saw eight online presentations on various aspects of coaching research and best practice.

It proved a hit with more than 70 PGA members from across the world tuning in throughout the day.

PGA Advanced Professional Alex Saary’s presentation on exploring the new dynamic ball flight laws of golf was voted the best and has earned the West London Golf Centre coach a spot on the 2017 member education programme. The 20 minute sessions were based on the popular TED talks with 10 minutes for question and answers.

“Traditionally with member education, we only want to put people with a great reputation and highly-respected profile in the game in front of our members,” said Michael Abbott, The PGA’s manager of lifelong learning and career development.

“The problem with that, is that for people wanting to get there, it is not always an easy pathway so Golf X was designed specifically for PGA pros who want to raise their profile or attempt to deliver to their fellow pros because they believe they have something great to share.

“We delivered it online to get as many people to attend as possible and give the opportunity to our members based overseas to get engaged as well.

“There were some great presentations and it was very close but Alex Saary came first, narrowly ahead of Andrew Simmonds and Ian Kearney.

“It’s an event we intend to roll out on an annual basis. We are looking at doing more online education to benefit our members who for whatever reason find it hard to travel for education.”

Saary (pictured left) enjoyed the experience but admitted it was slightly nerve-wracking.

“It was a new experience but quite exciting, I felt my heart racing a bit. I was trying to do something that no-one was attempting - trying to provide a high speed video link – I was bit apprehensive if it was going to work or not so was quite relieved at the end.

“The reason for my doing this research is there is a lot of tracking technology for club and ball.

“All this technology is coming out and what I wanted to do was help people understand how it is measured and how it can help the students.”

The full line up of speakers: Andrew Gordon, Andrew Simmonds, David Meaney, Ian Kearney, Alex Saary, Richard Hughes, Darran Bird & Peter Millhouse.

** All of the presentations were recorded and can be viewed on the members’ area of www.pga.info Additionally, if any PGA Professionals are interested in presenting at GOLFx in 2017 they should email cpd@pga.org.uk