O’Callaghan opens academy at Fernhill

PGA professional Wayne O’Callaghan has joined forces with Fernhill Golf and Country Club to open a state-of-the-art golf academy in Carrigaline, Cork.

The 20-year PGA pro has moved into Fernhill’s newly-built driving range and golf academy to open the Wayne O’Callaghan Golf Academy.

In addition to Fernhill’s 18-hole course, hotel and leisure centre, the academy’s facilities include a driving range with indoor and outdoor practise areas, short-game pitching greens and putting green while the Titleist Performance Institute-certified Level 3 Junior coach also utilises the latest teaching technology.

O’Callaghan’s students will be able to use the Quintic Ball Roll putting analysis software designed by sports biomechanist Dr Paul Hurrion, while cSwing swing analysis software is used to capture, analyse, compare and improve the student’s golf swing. O’Callaghan says cSwing enables students to receive their own personal file with a follow-up service which involves lessons by email complete with voiceover.

Also on hand for academy students is the Vector Pro launch monitor, providing ball flight data from the moment it leaves the clubface and a Swingia Balance Plate, which measures the distribution of a students’ weight at address and where it goes throughout the swing.

The academy at Fernhill also runs a junior programme for golfers aged four and upwards and O’Callaghan said: “It’s unlike any other programme. It’s not a specific golf programme as time is spent developing the juniors’ fundamental movement skills, speed drills, coordination and fitness. Students receive coloured hats based on karate to match their skill level and have to take a test twice a year to see if they can move on to the next level.”