Robert-Jan Derksen Academy: a valuable contribution to putting

Putt coaching you can say hello to. At the Robert-Jan Derksen Academy in Nunspeet, you'll learn to better understand what you need to do to improve your putting technique with aid systems and targeted coaching. Established in 2011, the modern-furnished academy uses high-speed cameras, a ball-rolling computer and special analysis software, allowing you to better observe things you can't see with the naked eye in the putting stroke. MASTERS talks to Robert-Jan Derksen, top golfer and founder of the academy.

Text: Mical Joseph
Image: Robert-Jan Derksen Academy

You didn't establish the academy on your own, did you?

"From the time I made my living with golf, starting in 1997, I have had successes, but certainly also difficult moments. Through hard training, working on my techniques and a great deal of willpower, I crowned my career in 2003 by winning my first European Tour tournament in Dubai, The Dubai Desert Classic. Through years of hard work and continued belief in myself, I was rewarded on that day in March. This was followed by my win in Madeira in 2005. To keep improving my performance over the years, I have gathered a team of specialists around me. For example, Paul Hurrion has been my putting coach for many years. The Robert-Jan Derksen Academy originated from a joint venture between Paul Hurrion and I. The know-how is entirely based on the technique Paul uses in his own Quintic putting laboratory, based in Birmingham, England."

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

Why the Robert-Jan Derksen Academy?

"Golfers all know what to change in the swing when the ball goes right into the woods, for example, but experience shows that almost no player knows why the putt didn't go in. Was the speed not right? Was I reading the green wrong? Was I misaligned? Or maybe it was a bad stroke after all? At the academy, we look for the real problem.

In fact, 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 feel lets you down. When you consider that nearly fifty percent of our strokes take place on the green, good putting makes the difference between a good score and a bad one. Consider, "Am I paying enough attention to putting? Do I know what to practice and am I practicing purposefully?' Partly because I have been coaching young Dutch golf talents for a number of years through my Golf Junior Team, I saw that the putting level in the Netherlands could be raised considerably. 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. Ik 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 below are more than welcome to have their putts analyzed and structurally improved under the guidance of our specialists. Meanwhile, our clientele includes tour players, top amateurs, numerous club golfers and competition teams. During the first session we mainly work on the fundamentals of putting. These 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 a custom made golf set but the putter remains the poor relation. Not with us. There, putting is number one."

Robert-Jan Derksen, The Academy