Tag Archives: Carlos Vivas

Golf & Technology, Golf Academies, Instruction, Interview, Training

MYGOLFWAY INTERVIEW – Dr. Robert Neal: “The key lies in the little fundamentals that make the swing effective”

November 14, 2025 — Dr. Robert Neal, one of the world’s leading authorities in golf biomechanics and swing analysis, recently visited the Barcelona Golf Academy (BGA) at the Club de Golf Barcelona, where he worked closely with coaches and junior players on the advanced use of 3D Golf BioDynamics technology.

His presence reaffirmed the academy’s commitment to innovation, technical precision, and continuous improvement in high-performance golf instruction.

During his stay, from October 28 to 30, 2025, Dr. Neal delivered specialized training sessions for the academy’s technical team, both in the driving range box and on the putting green, focusing on the biomechanical interpretation of the swing and the practical application of 3D technology for all types of shots.

These sessions represented a valuable opportunity to strengthen BGA’s working methodology and to raise the technical knowledge level of its coaching staff.

In the afternoons, accompanied by Head Coach, Carlos Vivas, Dr. Neal carried out detailed, individualized swing analyses for players in the Elite Junior Program, providing each with a personalized diagnosis and training plan.

His visit not only helped assess the progress of young talents but also inspired a new stage of technical and motivational development within the academy. In this interview, Dr. Neal shares his vision of modern golf instruction, the importance of fundamentals, and the future of biomechanics in the game.

MYGOLFWAY: Golf is a very complex game, and when you come to Barcelona, a bit of a revolution happens. The coaches and juniors at the academy all want you to make their “swing radiography,” as if you brought a magic elixir or had discovered the secret of the perfect swing. But in fact, how do you see yourself?

Dr. ROBERT NEAL: When I come here to work with Carlos and his team of coaches at the Barcelona Golf Academy, my duty is to help them identify the issues in the students’ swings and also reinforce for them how important it is to pay attention to the little fundamental things that make a golf swing truly effective.

I spend time working with the players, identifying areas for improvement, but I also emphasize to the coaches that they must watch those details and ensure that the practice is done properly — otherwise, the players won’t get better.

MYGOLFWAY: There are several advanced swing analysis systems today. Why would you recommend your 3D Golf BioDynamics system over others?

Dr. ROBERT NEAL: There are many reasons why I like the electromagnetic Golf BioDynamics systems. First, it’s portable, so I can travel with them. Second, they’re quick to set up, very accurate, and perhaps the best thing for coaching is the real-time audio feedback. So, I can set corridors of movement possibilities, and then the player can work with the coach and find out what it feels like to move correctly.

The tone helps them realize that even if a movement feels awful, but I know it’s correct, I’m moving the right way.That’s really valuable compared to other systems that don’t offer real-time feedback.

MYGOLFWAY: Analysis systems can be more or less professional, sophisticated or promoted, but I think success depends mostly on the people, on their knowledge, and on the quality of their human relationship with the players. Do you agree?

Dr. ROBERT NEAL: Yes, definitely. There are more and more systems becoming available, many using AI and cameras. Some are accurate, others less so. But even with the most accurate systems, the real value lies in the coach’s knowledge — their understanding of 3D biomechanics and then how to use that information in developing or building a golf swing. If you don’t have that knowledge, the information you get from a 3D system is almost worthless.

MYGOLFWAY: Do you think junior players should go through the 3D Golf BioDynamics analysis once or twice a year? Why?

Dr. ROBERT NEAL: At least twice a year. Why? Because it allows them to know what to work on, work on it, and then check their progress. It’s a continuous evaluation process: analyze, train, and review. If you can use the system for real-time feedback, even better — so that you don’t have backward steps in the learning process and helps ensure constant progress. Golf is hard enough already; going backwards only makes it more frustrating.

MYGOLFWAY: Motivation and progress are essential for teenagers to stay engaged. Have you introduced anything new or special for juniors?

Dr. ROBERT NEAL: The software doesn’t have a specific junior version, but the key lies in how the coach would use the information to motivate them. You can “gamify” the learning process a little bit to make it more engaging.

You can get them to really focus in on particular aspects of the swing, and when juniors see progress, they get more involved, then they really engage and embrace the system so that they want to keep doing that. It’s a little bit addictive that way. If they notice improvement, they want to keep going.

Also, receiving accurate feedback gives them confidence: they know the coach isn’t just saying, “Good, that looks better,” but that they can verify it with real data. Measuring and quantifying progress is very powerful.

MYGOLFWAY: How have you seen the Barcelona Golf Academy this year? Are the juniors motivated?

Dr. ROBERT NEAL: Yes, Carlos and his team have created an excellent environment for the juniors. They’re good kids, and they work hard. There’s always room for improvement, and Carlos is constantly looking for ways to move forward. I’ve given him a few suggestions to put into practice.

MYGOLFWAY:  What’s next for you in golf technology?

Dr. ROBERT NEAL: I’m continuing to develop the electromagnetic system software because I believe it has enormous value for coaching. But I’m also involved in a markerless, camera-based system, very accurate, called ELVA Golf, developed with a team from Iceland. We’ve been working on it for about 18 months. We presented it at the PGA Show in Orlando this year, and we’ll return next year with a much-improved version.

The big difference is that it’s not portable — it’s designed for studio type scenario with fixed cameras, no cables, sensors, or markers. It’s very convenient, though it doesn’t provide real-time feedback. Every system has its strengths and weaknesses.

MYGOLFWAY: Final question: Then, will you have time for all of this development?

Dr. ROBERT NEAL: Yeah, I hope so. If I go to the PGA Show in Orlando, I’m sure many clubs will be interested. And yes, I’ll need to build a team. Exactly.

Thank you very much for your time, Dr Robert.

Golf Academies, Interview, Training

MYGOLFWAY INTERVIEW – Dr Robert Neal, the finest swing analyst with his own 3D Golf BioDynamics

December 6, 2024 – Every time Dr Robert Neal, CEO at Golf BioDynamics Inc., stops by the Club de Golf Barcelona, his visit becomes one of the most special moments of the year for the Barcelona Golf Academy of Carlos Vivas, both for the coaches and the pupils.

Having a pioneer and world erudite in golf biomechanics visiting Spain makes the junior players want to get close to him to check their swing. The golf coaches are there too, ready to increase their knowledge about swing analysis, and learn to interpret the valuable, precise data extracted from his advanced 3D analysis software and reporting system, always one step ahead in terms of technology.

In fact, this year professional players like Cameron Davis (PGA Tour), Grace Kim (LPGA Tour) or Thomas Rosenmüller (who won at Korn Ferry Tour and now has his PGA Tour card) have visited him to improve their performance.

And every time Dr Robert Neal comes to Barcelona, MyGolfWay is alert to have the privilege to interview him, as he kindly agrees to provide us with updates of the innovations and progression of his precious technology, as his expertise spreads little by little worldwide. 

MYGOLFWAY: Looking back, how many years have you been on the 3D Golf BioDynamics adventure?

Dr ROBERT NEAL: I first started getting into 3D biomechanics in 1982. And at the end of ‘82, beginning of 83, is the first three-dimensional analysis that I did. From 82 to 2024, that’s 42 years.

MYGOLFWAY: Did you imagine that you’d get this far?

Dr ROBERT NEAL: No, I mean, you just couldn’t imagine what would be possible in my lifetime. In those days, you would film, you would get the film back in a week, then you would digitize by hand. And so it took many hours just to get the initial data. Then you had to run it through a computer and do the analytics. And now it’s just done in real time.

Now you capture the data in real time and you create an avatar. And all the analytics are just there. It’s incredible. That’s due to changes in the sensor technology, and computing power has just been exponential in its growth. Then we used a computer that was the size of a decent-sized kitchen. Now you have more power in your phone than that computer had.

So it’s incredible what you can do. It wasn’t possible to imagine that. Also, at that time in my life, I didn’t imagine that I would work in golf full-time either. I was on a track to becoming an academic and working in a university. And so it’s been a very nice second career, going into golf and working full-time in golf.

MYGOLFWAY: What is your route through Europe this time? Is it like previous years or is there something new? 

Dr ROBERT NEAL: It’s a somewhat similar route to previous years, but I started in Switzerland, did a few days there, then went to Italy where I worked in a national camp for the Swiss, developing talented players and the national team. Then to Germany, kind of similar, working with their national girls’ team. Then here with Barcelona Golf Academy and a bit of coach education, coupled with some work with his junior players. Then I’ll go after that back to Switzerland to work with some junior players in our program development. Then back to Orlando where I am based.

 

MYGOLFWAY: What do you like more, working with young golfers or with adults, and why?

Dr ROBERT NEAL: That’s really hard question… Probably with young golfers. I think there’s more for me to add to their skill set and experience because of the work that I’ve done over the years.

I do like working with adults. My least favorite actually is working with Tour players. They all think they’re very special and that we should be at their beck and call and that sort of thing. So it’s challenging.

Also, if you’re suggesting changes to be made to a Tour player’s swing or game, you better be very, very confident that it’s going to make them better because that’s their professional career.

MYGOLFWAY: But probably you’ve been in the process of a young player becoming a Tour player.

Dr ROBERT NEAL: Yeah, that’s right. That’s the part that’s probably the most rewarding. You work with young people, they get better in golf, and you keep giving them more information, fine-tuning it, getting their swings and short games to a point where they can first make an impression at a national-level tournament and then maybe international amateur tournaments, and ultimately the very best go on and play professionally. And that’s a nice situation when you can follow them over multiple years.

MYGOLFWAY: Is this what gives you more satisfaction in your job?

Dr ROBERT NEAL: I think so, yeah. It’s just seeing the development. I would say the majority of adults with whom I work, just don’t have the time to dedicate to the training. They’ve got too many other things that they need to attend to. And so they get better, but they don’t get better as rapidly or maybe as much as they would hope. And they don’t necessarily want to be professionals, no.

MYGOLFWAY: Do you have players that don’t understand the technology?  

Dr ROBERT NEAL: Of course, you have players like that. The skill is actually to give them the information in a way that they can understand it. Not just bombard them with numbers or graphs or saying that you have to do this and you must do that. Just put it in a way that allows them to comprehend it and then progress from there. 

MYGOLFWAY: In general, how is your technology used the most? To help players to correct their swing based on a recommended training? Or to help players to fine-tune their swings on the driving range, just before a tournament? 

Dr ROBERT NEAL: Mostly the developmental stages. I don’t think it’s really very beneficial to be using the technology on the range prior to an event. I mean you can do that sort of thing, but the best use is away from tournament play, always working back to what the gold standard is for that player. And then, I think there are some interesting things happening in the technology.

One is that there’s this big push with AI and cameras and phones to try to get rid of markers or sensors on the body. I’m involved in a project with a group of very smart people from Iceland and we’re developing a markerless system so you can just walk into a sort of simulator and hit some shots and it will automatically do the 3D without you having to put sensors on or things like that. But to achieve it, there is still a lot of work to be done.

I think that the best-case scenario will be kind of a hybrid, where you use the wireless technology like Carlos has in his academy, and do real-time feedback but maybe doing the full analytics without any sensors on. So, analytics comes first, with biofeedback training to change movement patterns and make sure that people are getting a good feel for what they need to do. 

MYGOLFWAY: So, you think that the 3D Golf BioDynamics is not going to replace the launch monitors at the driving range of the tournaments?

Dr ROBERT NEAL: No, no, it’s not going to, no. Definitely not.

MYGOLFWAY: Do you think there is still room for improvement in your technology?

Dr ROBERT NEAL: Yeah, there’s always room for the improvement. I mean, I could invest more money in making the avatar look a little more human-like but to me that’s not the most important thing. The most important thing is the underlying metrics and understanding how best to change the way people swing and give them the feedback, the information. It will continue to improve because computing will get faster and so you can do more things.

We’re already coupled with launch monitors, so that’s a good thing. And I think in the next few years I’ll probably integrate force plates so that we know how people are pushing on the ground during the swing and that gives you additional insight. Like an extension of a type of BodiTrack mat that measures pressure, actually the forces under each foot and then the rotations, how you’re twisting on the ground and things like that.

MYGOLFWAY: And especially this year, are you presenting something new in the technology?

Dr ROBERT NEAL: Nothing new in the technology. I would say that nothing particularly new in the last 12 months other than improvements in the way I deliver the information back to people, and making golf coaches very aware of how important dynamic loft is.

I don’t think people have really cottoned on to the fact that, the amount of loft that you hit the golf ball with is crucial to not just how far it goes but how much it spins and things like that. I continue to make updates in the software, adding bits and pieces but more from an analytic perspective and to help golf coaches understand what’s going on.

MYGOLFWAY: And are you introducing Artificial Intelligence in the system?

Dr ROBERT NEAL: Not in software but in the markerless one we are. We’re using neural networks, machine learning, machine vision, all of those sorts of things that are AI-based to really track the movement of a human body swinging a golf club without having any sensors or markers on. It’s a very challenging question.

MYGOLFWAY: Finally, how do you see the team of coaches in Barcelona Golf Academy working with your technology?

Dr ROBERT NEAL: I think they’re a really good example of how you can use the technology to help guide the development of players. Carlos Vivas has been tremendous in making sure that his coaches know how to use it, so that they get continual measurement and testing of players as they go along. And that’s just such an important part of learning. You have to test yourself because you don’t know if you’ve learned until you test yourself.

MYGOLFWAY: And then the junior players, they’re excited about having their swing analysed, right?

Dr ROBERT NEAL: Yes, it’s just become part of and parcel of developing a good golf swing these days. Almost every player in my tour to Swiss, Germany and Spain had been on 3D before and, if not, they ask me for it. So, they actually really like it.

So, they are understanding that just like you would go and train in the gym if you wanted to be an athlete for sprinting, you do 3D in golf because your technique is really critical to your success.

Training

BGA – The R2D2 Putt, a golf training aid to take your putting to the next level

January 20, 2023 – Carlos Vivas, Head Coach of the Barcelona Golf Academy, shows us through the YouTube channel of the academy, a new product that may become a true revolution as an aid for putting training.

Called R2D2 Putt because of the shape of its head, which resembles the famous robot of the same name from the movie ‘Star Wars’, this is an ingenious putter, handmade at the Barcelona Golf Academy, which has been created with the mission to improve contact with the center of the clubface, improve direction, and improve distance control.

As he made it, Carlos realized that it could be used in training at two levels. LEVEL 1: Putting from the flat surface; and once you have acquired some control this way you move on to LEVEL 2: putting from the hemispherical surface, which requires you to putt from the exact point in order not to lose the perfect direction towards the hole.

This is an innovative putting tool that can be purchased from the @barcelonagolfacademy shop on Instagram, or by contacting the academy via Direct Message.

Golf Junior, Instruction

BGA – First students enrolled in the Agora Barcelona school for the high-performance golf program

September 4, 2020 – The Agora International School Barcelona has begun to receive the first students in the 2020/21 course of its Academic and Sports Program, for junior golfers seeking comprehensive educational and sports training at the highest level, culminating with access to a university degree in the United States focused on professional golf.

This program is the result of the recently established alliance between Agora Barcelona and the Barcelona Golf Academy (EIBGA) of the Club de Golf Barcelona, which are just next door to eachother, located in Sant Esteve Sesrovires (Barcelona).

The students who will benefit from their enrollment in the program are the brothers Vladimir and Danil Taldikyn, from Russia, and Alejandro de Castro, from Spain. The photos show the moment when Vladimir’s tutor signs, and also standing with Carlos Vivas, Head Coach of Barcelona Golf Academy and PGA professional, and Marc Andreu, Director of Agora Barcelona’ Sports Program.

Agora International School Barcelona is considered the best private school in Barcelona and Catalonia, and is also among the three best schools in Spain according to the 2020 ranking of the newspaper El Mundo. Barcelona Golf Academy, of Club de Golf Barcelona, complies with the highest standards in coaching, methodologies and technologies for golf training.

The academic and sports program combines studies with high performance training and competitions, with an individual customized sports plan for each pupil, open to Spanish and foreign golfers.

Both Vladimir and Alejandro will follow the ABI international curriculum, which is recognized worldwide for its academic tuition at the highest level. In addition, the Agora Barcelona school is an exam center for the SAT and ACT exams, which give access to the best universities in the United States.  Entries for the Academic and Sports Program for the 2020/21 Course of Agora Barcelona and BGA are still open.

More information: Carlos Vivas, tel.  (+34) 695 675 006 and e:mail carlosvivas@eibga.com.

Golf Academies, Golf Courses and resorts

Golf BioDynamics – The academy of Club de Golf Barcelona has incorporated the latest technological innovations

April 17, 2020 – Virtual golf events, golf courses working on renovations and maintenance, golf lessons for amateurs on social networks, live sessions with Tour professionals on Instagram, webinars for managers and golf coaches… Golf doesn’t stop at almost any level, especially the technological side.

This abrupt stop caused by the Covid-19 pandemic hasn’t made the golf industry lose its enthusiasm, and it’s as ready as ever to serve its golfers. The academy of the Club de Golf Barcelona, in Spain, directed by golf coach Carlos Vivas, is taking advantage of the time by adding the latest applications of the sophisticated 3D Golf BioDynamics software. This is the only official distributor in Spain for the instruction of golfers, and is highly appreciated both by amateurs and by local and Tour professionals who have used it.

The last update was added at the beginning of November 2019, with the visit to the EIBGA (Elite Intl. Barcelona Golf Academy) at the Club de Golf Barcelona Golf, by one of the top world gurus of golf biomechanics, Dr. Robert Neal, creator of the software. The technological development is constantly evolving towards the perfection of the golf swing, with a detailed customized analysis for each player. A few months ago, head golf coach Carlos Vivas updated his 3D Golf BioDynamics with the new pitching application, completing the operation of the software for every part of the game. And now what?

“Given the circumstances of the coronavirus, as has happened with elite athletes of other disciplines, we now supervise the activities of the academy of our students in a virtual way”, says Carlos Vivas. “Players have a golf challenge written out that includes physical exercise at home and, for example, distance control when putting.”

“On the other hand, I have been working on incorporating the latest innovations into our 3D Golf BioDynamics teaching method,” he continues.

 

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Practicing with the Freedom System by @drrobneal3d and his GBD Software, we are able to do a “proper” digitized calibration of the body segments and create a 4-segment model of the lead arm and upper torso. Thus, we can calculate, using established biomechanics principles ALL the joint motions of the wrist, elbow and shoulder including: Wrist flexion-extension Radial-ulnar deviation Forearm pronation-supination Elbow flexion-extension Shoulder internal-external rotation Shoulder flexion-extension Shoulder AB/Adduction NO OTHER wireless system is able to do this in real time and with such ease of use!!! Only at @barcelonagolfclub and @elite.intl.bga #golfcoaching #tourcoach #technology #touracademy #3Dtechnology

Una publicación compartida de Carlos Vivas (@carlosvivascoach) el

Many more variables can now be customized from the initial screen. The new setup option allows us to control the upper body, the lead arm, the angle of the wrist and the golf club release patterns.

The new app includes:

  • Wrist flexion-extension
  • Radial ulnar deviation
  • Forearm pronation-supination
  • Elbow flexion-extension
  • Shoulder internal-external rotation
  • Shoulder AB/Adduction

“By practicing with the new Freedom System, in contact with Dr. Rob Neal and online with his 3D Golf Biodynamics software in digital mode, we can now do a proper digitized calibration of the body segments, and create a 4-segment model of the lead arm and upper torso.”

“In this way, using established biomechanical principles, we can calculate ALL the articulated movements of the wrist, elbow and shoulder.”

“Until now, no other wireless system in the world has been able to do this in real time, and with such ease of use, as 3D Golf BioDynamics, and here we have it,” concludes Carlos Vivas.

Without a doubt, when the confinement time is over, the pupils of the Club de Golf Barcelona will be able to have 3D Golf sessions at The Box High Performance LAB station, with the most precise information ever, to help them achieve their most excellent swing.

More information at www.eibga.com and on Instagram: carlosvivascoach.

Golf & Technology, Golf Academies, Instruction, Professionals

Golf BioDynamics – The EIBGA of Club de Golf Barcelona updates its technology handled by Dr. Robert Neal

November 6, 2019 – It is a great privilege that one of the world’s best known golf biodynamic gurus, Dr. Robert Neal, has come to Spain. So MyGolfWay went to meet him for an exclusive interview during his visit to the Elite Intl. Barcelona Golf Academy (EIBGA) at the Club de Golf Barcelona.

The creator of the sophisticated 3D Golf BioDynamics comes often to Europe on a tour. He travelled from his headquarters in Orlando, and this time after visiting Switzerland and Italy, made a stopover in Barcelona before returning to the US. Dr. Robert Neal has spent four days of intense work together with Carlos Vivas, head golf coach of the new EIBGA and certified in 3D Golf BioDynamics. This is one of the most innovative and advanced instructional methods to achieve excellence in golf swing through 3D technology, which many of the best golfers on Tour have turned to.

Robert’s mission was not only to update the software with the new pitching application, thus completing the popular versions of swing analysis for the long and medium golf game, and of putting; but also to meet and educate the instructor staff of the EIBGA, of which he is coach advisor; to analyse and improve the pitching with the 3D Golf BioDynamics of outstanding junior pupils of the Academy like Maxim Danilin, Alisa Khokhlova, Jordan Schmid, Joan Panisello, Vladimir Taldikyn or Marc Pantaleoni, among others; and do a demonstration in front of several members of the Club de Golf Barcelona.

Luckily, Dr. Robert Neal found time in his busy agenda to answer some questions, and update us on his 3D Golf BioDynamics:

MYGOLFWAY: In the last couple of years, what have you improved in the 3D Golf BioDynamics?

Dr. ROBERT NEAL: The most important things that I’ve added to the system that Carlos has are two new models, with two different areas of the software: one to look at pitching technique, and the other to exam in detail the movements of the left arm during the swing. So that you can understand the movements at the wrist joint, the elbow and the shoulder. That was not possible in the previous version of the software.

And the pitching has come out of the research work that I’ve been doing with the technique with Tour players for shots that are generally under 100 yards. So, we examed the best players in the world, how they hit shots from 10, 20, 30, 50 and 75 yards. And we looked at how they hit sometimes with the leading edge rotated to the right of the club, what people traditionally call ‘open clubface’, and then we looked at other shots out of the bunker, and also out of the rough.

So we have a very good understanding now of proper technique for short game, and some of the variations you can use to hit those types of shots. Because its not just as straight forward as the long game where you try to do the same thing every time. With short game you’ve got such a variety of shots around the green complexes that you have to be able to change some of the key club delivery parameters such the angle of attack, shaft lean, or club hit speed. But you don’t do that in the long game where really you’re just trying to hit the same each time.

MGW: Now the software can work for every part of the game. What’s next then? 

Dr. ROBERT NEAL: We’ve covered all of the skill bases. I think the next step will be probably to continue the development of technologies and also to better track changes over time. So if I examine a player today, and then again in three months time and six months time, I’ll be able to track how the player’s technique is changing as a function of time, and maybe look at other things we have worked on. The software is a little weak in that area right now, as you have to do it manually, but I would like to build a mechanism for tracking the change over time.

MGW: How many times do you recommend for an amateur player need to go through the 3D Golf BioDynamics? One a year, twice? 

Dr. ROBERT NEAL: It depends on what the goals are. So for the kids in the junior academy here at the Club Golf Barcelona, for example, I would recommend they be tested probably once a month. It doesn’t have to take very long. The Tour player who is already established may only be seen once a year for a very detailed analysis as they do the golf setting each year, and they decide what the priorities are… I think that for the typical amateur players or the club golfer may be twice a year would be good for them. It might not necessarily be on a focus of a technique lesson. An analysis might be more about giving them feedback. For example, something like ‘you’ve started swaying your hips again … lets do a quick feedback session to give you the feel of what it’s like to turn properly’.

Obviously if you have access to the technology you can use it more often, like here, and it helps you keep on top of any of the techniques that are especially important.

MGW: What Tour players have used the 3D Golf BioDynamics? 

Dr. ROBERT NEAL: I’ve been with Justin Rose, Charles Howell III, Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson… in the last few years… Yes, they like to exam what are they doing, and it’s kind of fun to work with them, but typically there are not many ways you can make many changes, because you really can’t ask Rory to change his swing, ha, ha, ha! You can find little things about short game aspects and they can get a lot of value from that. Prevention of injuries is another important aspect, rather than trying necessarily to improve or change their technique. It is more about how to make them more efficient in what they do and particularly prevent injuries, in concrete for the long game, as the short game is different story.

MGW: What do you think about the new Elite Intl. Barcelona Golf Academy at Golf Club Barcelona?

Dr. ROBERT NEAL: I think that coming to Club de Golf Barcelona has been a great step for Carlos Vivas, to break away from before and get a new start, with a new perspective on things, to find an environment that is supportive of what he is doing. He is so enthusiastic and is driven by the whole junior team academy. He is going to be very successful for sure.

The investment in the teaching studio, ‘The Box’ as he calls it, has been awesome and I am sure the players are going to benefit a lot from it. The discipline with which I’ve seen him work in terms of structuring the programmes since he started doing this has been incredible. It is all very well organized and takes a lot of time, work that people don’t see. With his spreadsheet organization, when kids come here and they know exactly what activities they are going a do, and how many shots they are going to hit, what the practice routines are…

They are now young golfers with good potential to become great players. The kids I’ve seen these days have improved a lot since I saw them two or three years ago, and this is because Carlos has become technically a better coach and he is also much more rounded in his understanding of how to motivate kids to do things, and get them working in the right direction.

More information at www.eibga.com.

Pictures: ©MyGolfWay.com and ©EIBGA

Golf Academies, Golf Courses and resorts, Instruction, Professionals

EIBGA – Great beginning for the Elite Intl. Barcelona Golf Academy at the Club de Golf Barcelona

10 October 2019 – A new golf season has begun and golfers, whether junior, teens or adults, recreational or competitive, can choose for one of the best academies in Spain, the Elite International Barcelona Golf Academy (EIBGA), which opened its doors a few weeks ago at the Club de Golf Barcelona.

After several months of intense work on the golf course of Sant Esteve Sesrovires (Barcelona, Spain), in addition to renewing its layout, the Barcelona golf club has greatly updated its driving range with a modern training station, THE BOX High Performance Lab. The activity of the EIBGA has started in style, with the most advanced and innovative technologies for golf instruction, and a great team led by the professional golf head coach Carlos Vivas.

“We have reached an agreement with the Club de Golf Barcelona for which we handle the entire golf academy,” explains Carlos Vivas. “The golf club is developing a precise strategic plan, which covers the golf course, the driving range and the entire complex itself, which will end up becoming a spectacular resort, including a Hilton Hotel that will open in two months. Large investments are being made in the course and driving range, and we are working so that we are not only a reference academy in Spain, but also internationally.”

From now on, the EIBGA will offer the first international golf program in Catalonia (the second in Spain) in the Club de Golf Barcelona, with players who can come to train here from anywhere in the world.

“We are convinced that here, with the ‘Barcelona’ label, we have a plus in favour, and it is thanks to the club with its commitment to its junior school that it has given us its full support. We feel proud of the academy, as we have magnificent facilities, with which we will become a reference point for golf instruction”.

In this first course, the EIBGA has a first long-term athletic development program, looking for a large pyramid base of junior golfers.

“For the juniors who are looking for golf instruction and first-class academic training, we have two international schools, the European International School of Barcelona in Sant Cugat, and another that is just next door to us, the Agora International School Barcelona in Sant Esteve Sesrovires. So you can almost say that the golf club has a school, and that the school has a golf course, which is a great advantage,” continues Carlos Vivas.

The academy of the Club de Golf Barcelona started in September with some forty pupils, half a dozen of them international, ranging from 5 to 21 years old. Different programs are proposed according to the ages of the children and the levels of play. So as they grow, logically, they increase the frequency, intensity and duration of training.

“The EIBGA is open to anyone who is interested, without necessarily being a member of the club, because everyone is welcome. Moreover, the person who wants to come to one of our programs will have many advantages, just because they belong to the academy”, specifies Carlos Vivas (in the picture above, with Maxim Danilin). “First of all, all the kids who belong to the academy become players of the golf club, and can enjoy the same advantages as any member.”

The philosophy is similar for everyone, a lot of fun for the youngest kids, but without losing sight of their task of learning to play golf. And it is the same for older kids, because they are still just boys and girls aged 14 and 15. “Yes, it is true that when they get older everything becomes more serious, but here we make everything we do as fun and enjoyable possible, within each person’s reach.”

EIBGA ELITE PROGRAM AT THE CLUB DE GOLF BARCELONA

  • Monday: 8:15h to 9:30h Fitness; 10h to 13:30h Driving Range
  • Tuesday: 8:15h to 9:30h Fitness; 10h to 13:30h Driving Range
  • Wednesday: 9h Playing the golf course / 18 hole games
  • Thursday: 8:15h to 9:30h Fitness; 10h to 13:30h Driving Range
  • Friday: 9h Playing the golf course / 18 hole games
  • Saturday: Competition or 10h to 11h Fitness; 11h to 13h Driving Range; 14:30h to 17:30h Playing the golf course
  • Sunday: Elite Competition

SCHOOL PROGRAM AT THE CLUB DE GOLF BARCELONA

  • Tuesday: 18h to 19:30h Golf; 19:30h to 20:30h Padel / Fitness
  • Thursday: 18h to 19:30h Golf; 19:30h to 20:30h Padel / Fitness
  • Saturdays: 11h to 13:00h Golf; 14:30h to 17:30h Padel / Fitness

All the human team and technological training resources available to EIBGA are focused on the group of elite juniors, as this is where competition goals are set.

Jesus Chaves (left), director of golf instruction, and Carlos Vivas (right), head golf coach of the EIBGA.

“In high performance programs our pupils have all kinds of technologies to help them take another step. This would probably be more difficult to find in other places, because they don’t have these resources,” says the director of the EIBGA. “We have the technology that Dr. Robert Neal, one of our advisors, has developed in recent years, with a excellent swing analysis software from 3D Golf BioDynamics, which has added a part of distance control with wedges, and 3D putting analysis. We also have the V1 swing analysis software, and the BodiTrak mat, which have recently become associated, with the FlightScope launch monitor.”

Once a term, all the elite pupils go through the 3D analysis and the conclusions set the training guidelines, as the instructors know what they have to work on to perfect the swing of the players. The data can be compared in each phase of the season to see how the swing evolves, to obtain the best performance on the golf course.

“But above all the most important thing is the great technical team of trainers we have, with magnificent curriculums. The whole coordinated team is what makes the difference.”

The EIBGA team is integrated by of Carlos Vivas (head golf coach), Jesús Chaves (director of golf intruction), Pablo Monetti (golf instructor), Alejandro Sánchez (golf instructor), Jesús Chaves Sr. (golf instructor), Sandra (golf instructor), Antonio Corgos (national athletic trainer), Sergio Saura (fitness trainer), Sophie Rousseau (mental coach) and Dr. Robert Neal (coach advisor), in addition to the collaboration of Invisible Training (physiotherapy and nutrition) of Xavi Linde, physiotherapist of FC Barcelona.

After having signed a good agreement with the Club de Golf Barcelona, EIBGA can now work on a long-term basis and consolidate as a reference academy. “I think we have already achieved it in terms of juniors, but now it is about becoming a reference in Europe, so that the juniors of European countries also want to come and train here with us,” says Carlos Vivas, describing his great aspiration.

“Because as a golf club academy, our main objective is to grow. We want to cover all areas, from private lessons for adults, individuals and groups… Each year we want to grow a little more and get bigger and bigger,” he concludes.

More information at tel. (+34 695 675 006) and www.eibga.com.

Golf Academies, Golf Junior, Professionals, Training

Instruction – Registration open for the International Junior Golf Programme 2018/19 in Barcelona

May 28, 2018 – The High Performance Junior Golf of Barcelona Golf Coaching has now opened registration for its International Junior Golf Programme 2018/19. This is an innovative sports programme in Spain, and the first international golf programme in Catalonia, with a unique proposal of academic training and sports training.

“Our goal is to educate students to be academically competitive, and train athletes to play golf with the skills necessary to succeed at the highest level,” says Carlos Vivas, head golf coach and founder of Barcelona Golf Coaching. This is possible thanks to the High Performance Junior Golf Programme in the mornings at the Club de Golf Barcelona (Sant Esteve de Sesrovires) and ZEM Guinardera sports facilities (Sant Cugat); and the exclusive agreement signed with the European International School of Barcelona (Sant Cugat), where students dedicate their afternoons to the finest education, validated by the United States.

In this way, young talents of any nationality can combine their studies focused on obtaining scholarships for the American universities, with high performance sport en route to professional golf. The programme is therefore open to aspiring golfers coming from any part of the world, who seek to combine their training and top golf competition with their studies in the most flexible way possible.

“We have a multidisciplinary team of expert trainers and we use the most advanced technologies in golf instruction,” continues Carlos Vivas.

“We have 3D Golf BioDynamics, FlighScope, TPI, AimPoint Express, BodiTrack, high speed camera, etc. to cover every aspect of the game: long game, short game, playing on the golf course, club fitting, fitness, mental game, nutrition, etc. In other words, the best technology that currently exists for golf training, aimed at elite players, which we use in excellent facilities, such as Club de Golf Barcelona Golf Club and ZEM Guinardera,” he concludes.

The International Junior Golf Programme 2018/19 of the High Performance Junior Golf is directed by the head golf coach Carlos Vivas, and has a staff including Jesús Chaves as director of instruction, Albert Vilarasau as golf instructor, the national trainer of athletics Antonio Corgos, the creator of Golf BioDynamics Dr. Robert Neal as advisor, the mental coach specialized in sports Sophie Rousseau, and the nutritional coach Ines Tusquets.

Download INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR GOLF PROGRAM 2018-19 (PDF)

More information and registration, tel. (+34) 695 675 006 and carlos@barcelonagolfcoaching.com.

Instruction, Professionals

AimPoint – Carlos Vivas and Sara Beautell, new certified golf coaches

AimPoint-Carlos-Vivas-y-Mark-Sweeney. Foto: ©MyGolfWay.com

October 22, 2014 – An exceptional event took place last weekend when Mark Sweeney, the father of AimPoint, came to Spain to give a series of clinics to amateurs concerned about improving their putting, and deliver two new certificates in our country. These qualifications went to Carlos Vivas (‘fully Certified’) and Sara Beautell (‘only Express’), both professional golf instructors at CG Sant Cugat (Barcelona) and Real CG de Tenerife (Canary Islands) respectively.

And if I say exceptional it’s because this original system of Green Reading is spreading like wildfire throughout the golf world. We see it on the PGA Tour, the European Tour, the LPGA Tour, the Ladies European Tour, the Asian Tour… on the golf course with those who come to the tournaments as public, or via the television screen those who stay at home.

AimPoint-Certificacion-01. Foto: ©MyGolfway.com

Indeed, every time Adam Scott, Stacy Lewis, Hunter Mahan, Pablo Larrazabal, Azahara Munoz, and many others raise their hand on the green and measure where they should aim to hole the ball with their fingers, they are using AimPoint Express, or rather, the quick version of AimPoint.

Now its creator, Mark Sweeney, has come to Spain to deliver the merited certificates to these two golf coaches, who have spent several months of preparation and study to obtain it. Carlos Vivas and Sara Beautell thus join Jose Vicente Perez (Foressos Golf), Daniel Colomar and Joaquín Millán Navarro (both at CG Kuneticka Hora in Czech Republic) as the only five certified Spanish instructors, as the others that have it in Spain are foreign pros working for Spanish golf facilities: Robert Mitchell (Las Colinas Golf CC), Tapani Saarentola (Lauro Golf Academy), Peter Ledwidge (Santa Ponsa), and Jason Floyd (Jason Floyd Golf Academies).

Certificacion-AimPoint

In MyGolfWay.com we have been fortunate to meet this ‘maestro of maestros’ in person, attend one of his clinics, and interview him to unveil, shortly, who is behind this breakthrough on the greens called AimPoint. Stay tuned…

Golf Junior, Instruction

Instruction – The season begins at Junior Golf Academy by Sant Cugat

JGAbySantCugat-1

September 10, 2014 – With the start of the school term, the Junior Golf Academy (AGM) of Sant Cugat Golf Club is back, loaded this 2014-2015 season with incentives for children who want to have fun learning golf.

The JGA by Sant Cugat has prepared three new programs covering pupils of all categories (pre-benjamín, benjamín, alevín, infantil, cadete, boy/girl and junior) and any level of play. This is a fun extracurricular activity open to children (members and non members), with the principal purpose of enjoying golf.

The FUNGOLF Program is ideal for learning by acquiring and laying the foundations of golf through varied and fun games and exercises, each with a specific purpose. The PERFORMANCE Program is designed for aspiring golfers who have competed or intend to start playing tournaments. And the ELITE Program includes a comprehensive training plan focused on juniors already competing in local, national and international events. In recent years several young players have emerged from the academy such as the siblings Manel and Patricia Bardají, Enrico and Nina Rissi, as well as Maria Blasco and Paula Solà.

JGAbySantCugat-2

Courses start in mid-September and include equipment, golf balls, fitness training and technical and physical reports for kids, while there are sports psychology programmes, analysis and sessions in 2D, Golf BioDynamics, club fitting and FlightScope, the most advanced technology for golf training at present, aimed at elite players.

On Saturday 20th of September at 8pm the courses will be presented to parents at Sant Cugat Golf Club.

The JGA by Sant Cugat is directed by the golf coach Carlos Vivas, with a renewed team of golf instructors including Jesus Chaves and Pepe Jimenez, and technical areas headed by Berta Folch (psychology), Cari Hernandez (fitness) and Ines Tusquets (nutrition), and assessment by Dr. Robert Neal (Golf BioDynamics) and Antonio Corgos (national athletics coach).

More information: tel. 695 675 006 and www.golfcoachingbarcelona.com.