Robert-Jan Derksen Academy: a valuable contribution to putting

Putting coaching that you hate. On the Robert-Jan Derksen Academy in Nunspeet you will learn to better understand what you need to do to improve your putting technique with assistance systems and targeted coaching. The modern academy was founded in 2011 and uses high-speed cameras, a ball rolling computer and special analysis software, allowing you to better observe things that you cannot see with the naked eye in the putting stroke. MASTERS will be talking to Robert-Jan Derksen, top golfer and founder of the academy.

Text: Mical Joseph
Image: Robert-Jan Derksen Academy

You didn't found the academy alone, right?

“From the moment I started making a living playing golf in 1997, I have achieved success, but I have certainly also had difficult moments. By training hard, working on my techniques and a good dose of willpower, I crowned my career in 2003 by winning my first European Tour tournament in Dubai, The Dubai Desert Classic. By working hard for years and continuing to believe in myself, I was rewarded on that day in March. My victory in Madeira followed in 2005. To continue to improve my performance over the years, I have gathered a team of specialists around me. For example, Paul Hurrion has been my putting coach for years. The Robert-Jan Derksen Academy was created from a joint venture between Paul Hurrion and myself. The know-how is entirely based on the technique that Paul uses in his own Quintic putting laboratory, located in Birmingham, England.” 

Robert-Jan Derksen with one of the coaches in The Academy, Hayo Bensdorp.

Why the Robert-Jan Derksen Academy?

“Golfers all know what to change in their swing if, for example, the ball goes into the woods on the right, but experience shows that almost no player knows why the putt did not go in. Was the speed not right? Did I read the green wrong? Maybe I was lined up wrong? Or maybe it was a bad stroke after all? At the academy Let's see where the real problem is.

Putting is an underexposed part of the game of golf. What is often forgotten is that your putting technique is crucial. After all, there are days when your feelings let you down. Considering that almost fifty percent of our shots are on the green, good putting makes the difference between a good score and a bad one. Think about it: 'Am I paying enough attention to putting? Do I know what I need to practice and do I practice purposefully?' Partly because I have been coaching young Dutch golf talents for a number of years through my Golf Juniors team, I saw that the putting level in the Netherlands can be significantly improved. That is why Paul and I joined forces and brought Paul's techniques and analysis software to the Netherlands. With the opening of The Academy, a great wish came true for me. II want to make a valuable contribution to the putting technique of Dutch golfers and to golf in general.”

Who is the Academy for?

“All golfers with a handicap of 18 and lower are more than welcome to have their putting analyzed and structurally improved under the guidance of our specialists. Our clientele now consists of tour players, top amateurs, numerous club golfers and competition teams. During the first session we mainly work on the fundamentals of putting. They are slightly different for everyone. With the right fundamentals we can also determine the correct specifications of the putter. This is then immediately adjusted with the correct loft, lie and length. Many players have had a custom golf set made, but the putter remains the neglected child. Not with us. Putting is number one there.”

Robert-Jan Derksen, The Academy