Foston’s formula with Huxley Golf

Premier all-weather playing surfaces from Huxley Golf are contributing to what the PGA describes as a world class training facility in Kent.

The Paul Foston Golf Academy, a unique, private academy of excellence in Smarden, sports a Huxley Golf indoor modular green and bespoke Huxley outdoor all-weather putting and chipping greens.

The tournament-quality installations have helped the Academy gain recognition as the specialist short game training centre in the county.

Paul, an Advanced Fellow of the PGA and one of Golf Monthly's top 25 golf coaches, said: "By providing consistent high quality practice surfaces all year round, the installations are a compelling proposition for students, helping to boost income by 25%. The indoor facility is a big plus for winter practice. We have students from 10 to 80 years of age and the Huxley Golf greens are fantastic for all levels from beginners to advanced."

The outdoor all-weather installations are a four-hole, 900 sq ft putting green and an 1,800 sq ft chipping green, both built and installed by Huxley Golf in response to Paul's design commission.

The putting green runs at a championship course pace of between 10 and 11 on the stimpmeter and is designed to provide up to a three-foot break, making it extremely challenging.

The chipping green has two bunkers, one for beginners and a second more difficult St Andrews-type for advanced students seeking to fine tune their game. Built to receive a well struck chip or pitch and offer very realistic ball response, the green allows golfers to perfect their short game technique and touch.
The indoor modular green offers consistent practice alongside an advanced two-camera video swing analyser. This, along with a plasma screen, gives instant feedback during lessons allowing for immediate corrective action.

Paul added: "Huxley Golf surfaces are world-renowned. It is no surprise they are installed at the homes of many of the world's top golfers because they are perfect for year-round practice. I can see why tour players choose Huxley Golf."

After seeing the overall design and build of the short game course, Kyle Phillpots, Director of Education and Career Development at the PGA, said the Academy was "a world class teaching facility".

Huxley Golf, the PGA's official supplier and installer of premier all-weather putting and chipping greens, provides surfaces for golf around the world. Clients include training and coaching establishments, golf resorts, ranges and academies as well as many well known courses including several Open Championship and Ryder Cup venues.

Paul Huxley, Director of Huxley Golf, said: "The Paul Foston Golf Academy is a superbly maintained and highly respected centre of excellence. The Huxley all-weather greens were expertly designed and constructed by Mark Scott of Huxley Golf South East to offer a wide range of practice and tuition facilities. We're delighted that Huxley Golf's premier all-weather surfaces are helping customers like Paul Foston to offer top class facilities all-year-round - something we are doing for courses and teaching facilities internationally through our growing network of distributors in the UK and overseas."

For more information, visit www.huxleygolf.com.