Coaching highlights
As Scotland's national boys' coach
2006 - Scotland first victory over England, Under-16 Boys International (right)
2014 – Bronze medal, European Boys Championship
Neil is proud to see several of his national Under-18 charges making their way at the top of the game on the European and
Challenge Tours today, players such as Bob MacIntyre, Connor Syme and Grant Forrest.
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As Head Teaching Professional at Meldrum House
Neil has coached golfers at every level, from beginners through monthly medal winners to club champions. He has taken players from low handicap through scratch and on to Tour level professional.
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Chris Robb on the Pro Golf Tour
Coaching highlights have included:
- European Tour player Paul Lawrie
- Jordan Findlay, British Boys Amateur Champion 2004
- Michele Thomson, Scottish Ladies Amateur Champion 2008
- David Law, Scottish Amateur Champion 2009, 2011
- Chris Robb, Scottish Amateur Champion 2014
- Coached Michele Thomson to Top 20 Order of Merit, European Ladies Tour 2017
- Coached Chris Robb to European Challenge Tour player 2019
- Continues to coach Chris as Meldrum House’s Tour Professional on the European Challenge Tour and coaches pro golfers making their way on European satellite tours
Influences
As a youngster Neil was infected by his grandfather’s interest in the mechanics of the golf swing and his enthusiasm for the methods of Henry Cotton and Bobby Jones.
In 1994 at the PGAs of Europe Teaching and Coaching Conference in Nimes, sessions with the likes of Hank Haney, Jim McLean, Michael Hebron and Chuck Cook lit a spark for Neil.
Later, Ian Rae and Mac O’Grady both helped solidify Neil’s opinions on what works and doesn’t work in teaching people how to play better.
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All of these influences combined to inspire Neil to teach a modern swing that draws on the best of the classic swings. Neil is still acquiring knowledge and ideas from the world’s most exciting coaches on how best to improve every aspect of the golfer’s game.
Development
Coaching - Over the years Neil has shadowed some top coaches, and he still attends seminars and coaching schools regularly, most recently with Canadian Tour coach and biomechanist Scott Cowx (photo), and short game coach to European Tour players James Ridyard.
Swing physics - Neil takes a keen interest in the latest sports science research into the various forces and torques in the golf swing and the technologies that measure them.
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Strength training - Neil has a long-held passion for strength training with barbells, believing it can protect against injury, and enhance and conserve fitness for golf in adults through middle age and beyond. Neil used the 2020 lockdown to qualify as an Active IQ Level 3 Personal Trainer. His focus is on strength for golf. He attends sessions where he is mentored in technique and best coaching practice. Neil now offers strength training for golfers in the teaching studio at Meldrum House.