Newly qualified Certified Putting Instructor (CPI) Ross McConnachie has recently launched an indoor putting lab at Peterculter Golf Club in Aberdeen to help golfers understand more about putting and save shots on the green.
“I have always been interested in putting as it is really a neglected area of the game, but it is an area where you can save a lot of shots.
“At the golf club there was space available which was ideal for an indoor putting studio. I wanted to specialize in an area of the game and focus my CPD points into building my expertise,” said McConnachie.
Taking advantage of the special PGA in Scotland education subsidy, McConnachie immediately recognized that the CPI Course was something that would help him achieve his goals.
“The CPI Course caught my eye and I did it in September/October. It was brilliant. I liked the fact that it was not an “idea” or a “method”. It was just pure, simple facts and pointed out what all good putters do without thinking about it.
“Sometimes the basics are overlooked in teaching. The CPI Course delivers good, solid information about so many different aspects of putting,” said McConnachie.
CPI Ross McConnachie
His indoor studio has a SAM Putt Lab, which provides him and his students with data about the putter head movement and helps him pinpoint areas that need to be improved, using the knowledge gleaned from the CPI Course. He believes that there is no reason why all levels of golfer cannot become good putters.
The Peterculter Putting Lab
The Certified Putting Instructor (CPI) Course, is a certification based on scientific principles offered by U.S. based Frankly Golf and the PGA with the goal of helping golfers putt better, adding an extra dimension to the services that the golf professional can deliver.
McConnachie is applying what he has learned immediately, with some very happy clients.
Graham Cox, a 1 handicap golfer was very pleased with his experience.
“Ross took the time to explain all the data and put a plan to aid improvement. I can highly recommended a visit for anyone wanting to improve their putting,” said Mr Cox.
A Peterculter member, and 12-handicap George Barr also learned a lot from his visit.
“I attended Ross’s putting lab for a one hour session. The equipment used gives a very detailed analysis of your putting stroke and I found the session very enjoyable and useful,” said Mr. Barr.
Another visitor to the putting lab, Ron Macpherson saw immediate results, is working on what he learned indoors over the winter and plans a follow up lesson
“I felt my putting improved significantly during the lesson…. if I can now strike the ball correctly, then I’ll have a better chance of sinking more putts,” said Mr. Macpherson.
McConnachie, a graduate of The University of Aberdeen has made rapid progress in his journey as a PGA professional, becoming a Head professional at Peterculter Golf Club, where he worked as an assistant under Dean Vannet, in less than 5 years from the beginning of his training. He is very grateful to Peterculter and its committee for the opportunity it has given him.
“The golf club, its members and the committee have been very good to me, giving me the use of the room for my indoor studio. It allows me to enhance my offerings and have another amenity at the club which we can use all year round. I plan on having an evening as we move towards the season with our members where I can show everyone what it is I can do and help more of them putt better and get ready for the season. Putting is something you can practice indoors in the winter, you just need a putter and a carpet.”
Frank Thomas, founder of Frankly Golf and the CPI Course, former longtime USGA Technical Director and inventor of the graphite shaft said,
“As Ross has implied, even good putters need to know why they putt well so that when they inevitably fall off the tracks they can easily get back by applying what they have learned instead of trying to patch an error with another. I wish Ross and Peterculter Golf Club all the best for their venture and congratulate them on their new and very useful amenity.”
To learn more about the Peterculter Golf Club Putting Lab, visit www.pgcputtinglab.co.uk
Certified Putting Instructor 