KEVIN Caplehonrn who spent a week coaching spectators in the PGA Swingzone at The 152nd Open Championship, at Royal Troon, was buzzing about the experience laid on for the thousands of spectators at the final Major of the season.
The Hampshire PGA club pro was part of a team of 25 coaches giving 15-minute lessons at the Ayrshire links. And Kev’s visit to the famous Scottish club – celebrating its centenary this year – means he has now worked at all nine of the links courses on the R&A’s Open rota.
Royal Troon is famous for its Postage Stamp hole, which barely measures 100 yards, yet forced many of the best players in the world to play it in four and even five shots at times.
“I love coaching at the Open every year, and to say I have now done every club on The Open rota feels like a major achievement,” said Kevin.
CAPLEHORN’S PRAISE FOR JUSTIN ROSE IN OPEN AT TROON
“There is a great range of coaching experience in the Swingzone, with some of the younger guys and girls starting out their careers, often with the latest ideas and innovations.
“And then there are coaches who have years and years of experience, who are all keen to share them – with each other, as well as the public during the lessons.
“Last week, there were coaches who had worked with Danny Willett as a youngster, and Tommy Fleetwood. Even Joe Dean, who has been playing really well this year having taken a bit longer to get out on the European Tour – one of his coaches was with us.
“If you get asked a question about the golf swing, or for some advice, if that coach does not have the answer, there is someone in the Swingzone team who can provide it.
“And it really is a standout example of how the PGA can spread best practice around the game, offering a fantastic networking experience with all the top people in the game, not just the coaches.
“The R&A organise such a fantastic event, it’s a privilege to be part of it. You have to apply to be in the Swingzone every year, and the deadline is quite early, but I definitely want to be back at Royal Portrush next year if I can.”
Hampshire PGA coach Kevin Caplehorn giving a lesson in the PGA Swingzone at The Open, at Royal Troon
The Swingzone includes nets to hit shots in, and as well as large Huxley putting green – as favoured in the Sky TV Shot Centre and by top academies around the world.
And for the first time this year, they also had Top Tracer technology and Foresight’s Quad launch monitors for the pupils to measure their game on.
Kev, who heads Hampshire’s Future Champions Tour for players U12, added: “Having the technology people see in the TV coverage and the launch monitor that throws out all that data about swing and clubhead speed, launch angles, distance off the tee, spin rates for their ball was fantastic – it’s transforming our teaching.
“It just helps bring the professional game to life for the beginners – from humble hackers to serious club players. We get to see them all at The Open.
“The youngsters in particular, love that side of the game. You can see the excitement on their faces, and the benefits the learning process brings even in such a short space of time.
“We had people from all over the UK, and all over the world. There was a guy from Rwanda who wanted to learn all about golf. I even had someone pull out their phone and show me footage of me teaching them five years ago when they were a bit younger.
“They keep coming back and it’s really rewarding when you connect like that and can see how someone has gone away, kept practicing and developed their game.
“If I helped just one beginner take up the game after an introduction at The Open, that would be great. But we are helping thousands literally, and if they become golfers for life, what can top that? That’s what coaching is about.”
The PGA pro still loves to play as much as anyone, but admitted he had not yet been able to play Royal Troon – and its brutal back nine – as well as the terrorizing short hole at the eighth.
“We were able to play Troon on the simulators – what a beast of a hole the Postage Stamp is. I have been invited over to Royal Portrush – the venue for the 2025 Open – later this summer. I can’t wait.”
Open Champion Paul Lawrie dropped by at the PGA Swingzone at Royal Troon