On the 3rd and 4th of December 2007 I attended the first of my three levels to become an accredited coach with Harold Swash.  Having met Harold and Phil Kenyon previously I was well aware that the course would be enjoyable, relaxed and a fantastic experience. 

My reason for attending was that I feel that my expertise within golf is putting as I have always been a pretty good putter.  Well, that was until I had previously spent a day course with the two a mentioned maestros earlier in 2007!  They made a good putter in to a a very good one with a special putting stroke and one who has been admired by his peers.

The two day course was as I expected but more informative.  It was great to meet two new pals in golf - Jesper from Denmark and Alan from the USA.  Amazing how many people from different cultures can gel so well.

The two days went so well and then I had my new qualification but where do I start?  Well, I had great support from Phil and Harold.  I am awaiting Yes Golf to get me up and running.  Then I heard that the team were in Valencia Spain to work with the Spanish Golf Federation.  An opportunity I felt that I needed to be involved in!!!  The students were to be the top amateur players from Spain; some were expected to make the European Tour and maybe more.

Phil and Harold agreed that it would be great for me to attend as an observer and what an experience I was going to witness. 

I cut short my Christmas break in the UK to fly back to Valencia where I met up with Harold, Phil and the third member of the team, Michel Monnard.  Also there was Tommy Horton!  What a great surprise this was!  Tommy was one of my hero’s when I was younger – watching him on the BBC as a kid was a pleasure but now to meet him? 

The experience of observing Harold, Phil and Michel in action with the team from the Spanish Golf Federation was excellent. This gave me a great insight into how important the right sort of coaching was.  Start off with the ball roll to give the student the understanding of how their putts were not rolling correctly gave us the evidence to prove that Harold’s fundamentals would be a magical improvement to their game.  Then came the actual coaching, each student was treated with great respect and nurtured into the correct approach to their putting.  The evidence with most of the team was almost instant.  Pointing out the way the player could improve and add to that demonstration; well it all fell nicely into place.

The Spanish coaching team were in hoer and were so interested in the coaching methods and were obviously astounded by the student’s improvement.  Amongst the coaches was the Spanish national coach, the Spanish Federation directors, just to mention a few!

The time went by so quick, 9 till 1.30 then a break for a while and then off again till 6pm, and just enough light to rap things up.  A debrief was then the next necessity, so, all the coaches met up at 8.30 for dinner and a few drops of the great Spanish Rioja, what a day.

A lot of discussion took place and it was great to hear a few stories from Tommy and Harold about the not so ‘older’ days and a contribution from the Spanish coaches about how they plan to get the best out of their team. 

How can I sum this up?  One word! Fantastic!  I am so proud to be a member of the Harold Swash Putting School and I have so many plans and a head start now that I have met the Spanish Federation members. 

My studio is to soon to open. Yes Golf, European Greens, Quintic and now the experience of being involved in such a professionally conducted coaching occasion, a memory that will last me years and years.

So, thanks Harold, Phil and Michel for allowing me the pleasure of attending.  Of course a mention to Tommy Horton, ‘thanks Tommy’, I look forward to working with you in the future.

Glenn Billington

A ‘Very Proud’ Harold Swash Accredited Putting Coach

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Accredited Instructors Glenn Billington, Allan Renz, Harold Swash, Jesper Sorensen and Phil Kenyon