We recently caught up for a conversation with Phil Kenyon, PGA Master Professional and putting coach, who is now a Titleist and Scotty Cameron brand ambassador.
For those who don't know you, please introduce yourself.
Hi. My name is Phil Kenyon. I'm a specialist putting coach and ambassador for Scotty Cameron.
Phil, you've been here a couple days now. What are your first impressions of the Putter Studio?
It's been great, honestly. Yesterday, was a really busy day. Meeting the team, full tour of the facility here at the Putter Studio and the Barn. It was a lot to take in, but it's been great. Everyone's been great. And just to get a feel for the culture, that was great. The one thing that kind of came across was everything is driven for the player and performance. So that's something that I'm a big believer in. It's been really good so far.
Phil, a lot of our fans know you well. Some may be getting to know you for the first time. Tell us a little bit about your background.
Well, I'm a specialist putting coach. I've been coaching now for over 20 years at that level. I've been fortunate to work with a whole range of players from newcomers to the game to some of the world's best players. I spend a lot my time traveling on the PGA Tour, working with a number of clients. We have a studio at Sea Island in Georgia where we teach all-comers and a studio back in the U.K. where I live, as well. I just enjoy coaching and try and help golfers get better.
You've worked with a lot of the best players in the world. What's something that any dedicated golfer can take from what you see in those players to improve their putting?
Well, I think putting is a very individual part of the game. There are a variety of techniques and putters that people can use. But I think ultimately you've got three skills which you really need to try and command and blend together. You know: start line, speed and read. I look at putting as this kind of skill-based game and it's ultimately trying to match the right technique to the right player. And match the right putter to the right player. I'd always encourage anyone to go and take lessons. Go and get fitted and work out what the right recipe is for you.
What are you most looking forward to about this new start here working with the team?
I think, for me, it's an opportunity to really get involved in product feedback. With working with the players that I work with, getting that feedback from them and helping the design team come out with the next line of putters that can improve performance. I think fitting is a really important part. It's an integral part of my role as a coach. Being able to share my experiences with the team here, I'm looking forward to doing that.
What got you into golf and into what you do now?
I picked up a club when I was eight years old. My mum and dad got me into the game. There was my dad, one of his best friends was a guy called Harold Swash, who was a designer of putters. And, he was a putting coach himself. So I was always around Harold from an early age. I was always inspired by him to play the game. Also, putting was a passion of mine from a very early age. I went to university, turned professional, tried to play the game professionally for five years.
I worked with Harold just to earn some money. We all know the professional game is expensive. So, then once I'd kind of decided to hang up my playing boots, I was always going to go into coaching. And there was an opportunity with Harold. He was a mentor of mine. So, I started my journey into coaching and putting, specifically.
What's the importance of feel? How do you think about feel with your players?
I think feel is everything. Golfers, we play with feel, and some guys rely on that more than others in terms of athletic ability. That feel. But regardless of whether you're very technically minded or not, you're ultimately playing golf with feel. So that's an important part of the coaching processes to tap into. You know, what are the feels of golf? It's an important part of my role.
Awesome. Thanks, Phil. We're really excited to have you.
I appreciate it. Me, too.