Dr Paul Hurrion - Official Site of Putting Coach

The following article is a feature that appeared in the March 2008 Edition of SGB Golf (The European trade Magazine). The interview and article was written by Duncan Lennard, Editor of the magazine, during the 2008 PGA Orlando Trade Show.

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Dr Paul Hurrion (pictured) of GEL Golf discusses his research into the science of putting – research that has led the likes of Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Henrik Stenson to his door. He also outlines how a mix of science and biomechanics has helped him fashion his first signature range of putters.

We are in the middle of a pulsating 2008 PGA Orlando Trade Show, however Dr Paul Hurrion’s mind is miles away, focused on a tranquil early-morning practice green,
soaked with dew. “We’ve all seen it,” he says. “You strike the putt across the green and it takes a while before the ball starts making a solid line in the dew. Before that the ball is airborne, hopping and skipping across the ground. At this point it can easily be deflected.
“We’re in the business of getting that solid line to start a lot closer to the ball’s address position.”

Hurrion’s new range of four GEL putters, constructed with the help of his Quintic computer system (www.quinticballroll.com) – essentially a launch monitor for putts – is designed to do just that. The most obvious design trait of his new range is the face grooves (GEL stands for Groove Equipment Limited), which are oriented upwards at an optimal yet undisclosed angle to impart forward spin on the ball. And while a putter with grooves might still sound as odd as a face-balanced wedge, to Hurrion it’s simple common sense.
“It’s exactly the same as grooves in a wedge,” he insists. “You wouldn’t dream of using a wedge without grooves. It’s just that with a wedge the grooves are to impart backspin. They’re at 90 degrees to the face, with much of the spin created through angle of attack. Our putter grooves are effectively smoothed upwards, reversed to created forward spin.”
Hurrion discounts the theory that forward spin can be created by angle of attack.

“One of the things the Quintic system showed us was just how briefly the ball is on the face during a putt. We are talking less than a millsecond; there is no compression of the ball at all. That’s very little time for the angle of attack to have much of an effect; plus those who try to putt low-to-high are always in danger of missing the putter’s sweetspot vertically; the sweetspot doesn’t just run from heel-to-toe, but up and down the face.”

To download the full article please click on the following link:

Page 1 : SGBGolf_Mar08_p30.pdf
Page 2 : SGBGolf_Mar08_p31.pdf

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The 3rd Annual Better Golf Through Technology

February 26th, 2008 | Biomechanics Consultancy, Putting Biomechanics, Quintic Video Software

The 3rd Annual Better Golf Through Technology conference took place at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). MIT is a private university located in Cambridge, BOSTON, Massachusetts, USA during the 24th & 25th February 08. It was great conference attracting some key researchers, scientists and teaching professionals. The itinerary for the two days along with video presentations of each of the presenters can be found by visiting the following link.

I presented research and teaching philosophy of my ‘Putting Biomechanics’.

It was a great honour to be asked to speak at the prestigious MIT (MIT’s reputation is built on its competencies in science, engineering & Technology). My father, Dr Robert Hurrion, presented some of his early research into computer simulation some thirty years ago! Two Hurrion’s invited to speak at MIT, quite an honour. I look forward to the next conference.

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PGA Show - Orlando 2008 : Launch of the GEL Hurrion Signature Range!

January 9th, 2008 | Putting Biomechanics, Quintic Video Software

I am very much looking forward to Orlando this year, as it sees the launch of my personal range of putters. I have tried to capture the science and biomechanics I incorporate in my teaching within my putter range designs. Increase the sweet spot, create stability through the impact zone, increase the forward roll and most importantly take the hit out the stroke. “Let the ball get in the way” is one of my key objectives…

I hope you like the putters! For further details please visit www.gelgolf.com

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The following is a press release for the Thursday, January 17, 2008, Orlando, USA;

GEL Golf officially launches its new range of Groove Putters, the GEL Paul Hurrion Signature Range, into the international golf market today (January 19) at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando.

Designed by sports biomechanist and putting coach Dr Paul Hurrion, the range incorporates the very latest groove technology with the essence of over 10 years of study and research by Hurrion into the art and science of putting.

Rigorous testing at The Quintic Consultancy* in the British Midlands, has proved that the use of groove technology in putters creates instant forward roll on the golf ball, thus reducing the unwelcome effects of skidding.

Given that biomechanical analysis has proved that the performance of a golf ball during the first portion of the putt is the most crucial element to direct the ball towards the intended target, grooved putters will therefore always outperform all other putters.

GEL’s groove and insert technology, using a unique multi-layer aluminium insert, also allows weight to be positioned around the perimeter of the club head creating a high moment of inertia (MOI) so increasing the forgiveness and creating a truer roll. This delivers great feel and exceptional feedback.

“Working with GEL Golf, I have designed the Paul Hurrion Signature Range of putters to help golfers enjoy the key benefits tour players look for on the greens. That is, a putter designed with horizontal grooves to impart forward roll, peripheral-weighting that maximises the sweet spot across the putter face and heel-toe weighting to increase the MOI for improved resistance to twisting on off-centre hits,” explains Hurrion, who works with a host of European Tour players on their putting, including The Open Champion, Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley, David Howell and Lee Westwood amongst others…

“Based on the biomechanical principles that I have studied, the new GEL range of putters creates stability at impact in the area of the game that matters most,” he concludes.

GEL Golf, which introduced its first range of GEL groove putters in 2007, has produced four models in the Paul Hurrion Signature Range, namely the Sedo, Sedo II, Scindo and Rego.

“All the independent laboratory testing that has been undertaken on putters proves that grooved putter faces produce greater grip with the golf ball at the moment of impact, therefore enhancing a putter’s ability to produce the desired topspin roll on the ball,” adds Alec Pettigrew, Managing Director of GEL (Groove Equipment Ltd).

“GEL has further improved groove technology by introducing horizontal, precision-cut grooves to generate an even better topspin roll and now that we have drawn on Paul’s scientific expertise for the Signature Range, I am confident that we have developed one of the best ever putter ranges on the market .

“Given the number of strokes that putting can add to a round of golf, and the beneficial effect that grooves can have on a player’s putting, the potential for grooved putters is enormous.”

In order to differentiate itself in the well-established and cluttered putter market, GEL has produced its putters in eye-catching colours of bright blue and yellow for men and blue and pink for ladies. The colourways are used in the WINN grips whilst the face inserts are coloured blue and pink respectively, making the putters look as great as they play.

Ends

For further information, please visit www.GELGolf.com or contact Helen Heady of Heady PR, on behalf of GEL Golf, on T: +44 20 8789 0900 or M: +44 7966 491 509 or E: helen@headypr.co.uk

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Ross McGowan named Sunshine Tour Rookie of the Year!

December 18th, 2007 | PGA European Tour Golfers, Quintic Video Software

Quintic and Dr Paul Hurrion would like to congratulate Ross McGowan who was named the 2007 Bobby Locke Rookie of the Year after a superb debut season on the Sunshine Tour. Ross becomes the first Englishman to win the coveted title.

The award is presented to the Sunshine Tour member judged to have produced the most outstanding first year in his debut season. Ross got his 2008 European Tour of to a great start with a fifth place finish at Leopard Creek last week.

Long may the success continue…

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Bryan Saltus Credits GEL Putter with Cambodian Win…

December 3rd, 2007 | Putting Biomechanics, Quintic Video Software

America’s Bryan Saltus clinched the US$300,000 Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open on the Asian Tour yesterday (December 2) and immediately gave credit to his GEL Groove Putter for helping him lift his first ever major tour title.

“My putting has been the winning formula this week. I had a good start with three birdies and my confidence carried on after that,” said a thrilled Saltus, who was playing with a GEL Sapphire Putter in his bag.

Saltus, a regular on the Asian Tour since 2004, secured the tournament with an impressive 17 under par 271 that comprised rounds of 66, 67, 71 and 67, from Australia’s Adam Groom, who trailed Saltus by three shots.

In all, Saltus took just 114 putts over the four rounds of the tournament thanks to his GEL Sapphire which he used for the first time in Cambodia after missing the cut in Vietnam last week and throwing his old putter into a lake. The 114 putts included 31 single putts, forty two-putts and a just one three-putt.

Asian Tour statistics show that Salts’ putting average prior to Cambodia had been 30.4 per round but using his GEL Putter last week, that average plummeted to 28.5 putts per round.

“I heartily congratulate Bryan and am delighted that one of our GEL putters has made a positive contribution to securing his victory here today. It is GEL’s maiden tour win and we look forward to many more,” said Alec Pettigrew, managing director of Hong Kong-based GEL Golf.

“We have huge belief in our product as we know that Groove Technology really does work and Bryan’s victory in Cambodia should go a long way to exposing to the world the benefits of our technology.”

“Independent testing on our GEL putters, which have horizontal, precision-cut aluminium grooves, has proved that our technology produces greater grip on the ball, so reducing skid and creating more topspin at the moment of impact to keep the ball rolling more truly. The result – good putts are rewarded by ending up in the bottom of the cup and this is what Bryan found this week.”

It was biomechanical testing by Quintic in January that confirmed that GEL putters outperform a number of top competitive brands on the market such as Odyssey, Titleist and PING.

Launched earlier this year, the innovative GEL Groove Putters have already met with success on the Asian Tour. In November’s Hana Bank Vietnam Masters over the Hanoi Phoenix Golf Resort a record 13 players in the field placed their confidence in a GEL putter and three were rewarded with a top-10 finish.

American Anthony Kang had his third top ten in eight events when he clinched fourth spot in Vietnam, catapulting him up the Asian Order of Merit and earning him over US$140,000 in prize money. Alongside him Australia’s David Gleeson, who made his Open Championship debut at Carnoustie in July using a GEL Ruby Putter, has enjoyed a return to form ever since and secured his Asian Tour card for 2008.

The Dr Paul Hurrion signature range of GEL Putters is to be released to the public at the PGA Trade Show in Orlando, Florida, USA in mid January 08…

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Quintic video analysis software - Bionic Belfry!

November 6th, 2007 | Full Swing Biomechanics, Quintic Video Software

The following article is taken from the PGA UK Website, written by Matthew Millard

The man who guided Padraig Harrington to Open success is making his mark at The Belfry’s PGA National Academy.

Biomechanics guru Dr Paul Hurrion has officially opened a state of the art Quintic lab at the famous Ryder Cup venue, equipping it with the latest technology to measure and analyse the golf swing to the tiniest degree.

Hurrion, who will be a headline speaker at next May’s PGA National Teaching and Coaching Conference, is an expert in the field of biomechanics which is an integral part of the PGA Foundation Degree in professional golf programme.

The principles of biomechanics aim to provide a means for the accurate description and explanation of human movement and the changes of the player and their club through the swing. The Quintic video software at The Belfry gives the resort’s stable of pros a library of measurable data they can utilise to show pupils progress in their lessons.

To read the article in full please vist http://www.pga.info/PGAFeatures/40869559.htm

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The Warwickshire Junior Elite squad at Quintic’s Putting studio…

October 31st, 2007 | Putting Biomechanics, Quintic Video Software

With a significant contribution from the English Golf Union, the Warwickshire Union have been able to put in place two new special coaching projects, and one of them is a day with Dr Paul Hurrion, the putting expert whose client roster includes, amongst others, a certain Padraig Harrington, the Open Champion.

Eight of our best Juniors, split into two groups of four, spent a day with Dr Hurrion having their putting strokes analysed then being shown how biometrics can and has been used to improve what is often an under practised and not perfected part of the game.

These sessions are specialist coaching which is now becoming a vital part of any golfer’s armoury, especially for the talented younger player who wants to find out the techniques of the best, to see if they can master them and ingrain the routines so that they achieve the consistency which will take them on to winning golf.

The aim of all the Union’s coaching programs is to give its Juniors the best possible chance of individual and team success, maybe even the as yet elusive Boys County title. It was a long wait for the most recent Major win by a European golfer and Padriag Harrington’s Open win was in part due to working with Dr Hurrion since 2002.

‘Golfers from past decades got away with much more than those you see now,’ said Dr Hurrion, ‘Greens are much faster now - and getting faster.’

His first test for our Juniors was keeping a putt running on a metre of flat (and narrow) thin steel, something those on the coaching could only do 3 or 4 times in 10 goes (at best). They then moved on to having their strokes videoed using high speed cameras - showing up every imperfection.

As lunchtime arrived, Dr Hurrion then showed each group the basics of how biometrics puts a golfer in the best position to make the most accurate putting stroke, some simple science and mechanics combined.

This showed up in some instant improvements in the putting on the steel test. Before moving out onto the artificial putting green at the Quintic studios, just on the outskirts of Berkswell

‘You can only lead them so far,’ said Dr Hurrion, ‘They need to do the drills everyday. The best putters can complete 9 out of 10 using this drill.’

Dr Hurrion works with Harrington all the time, and was just analysing some tape from the recent Grand Slam of Golf, ready for a flying visit to Valderamma three days before the Volvo Masters was due to start. Harrington, and players such as Phillip Archer, are some of the best strikers of a putter he has seen, something only achieved through incredible amounts of hard work.

Each of the players will be able to spend the winter working on techniques which could, next Summer, produce the golfer of their young lives. Many will do so with shorter putters as for a number, biometrics pointed them to positioning their set-ups as effectively as possible with much shorter clubs than commercially available.

What did the Juniors think?

‘It was excellent,’ said Harry Ibbertson, ‘I learnt an awful lot.’

Quintic would like to wish the Warwickshire Juniors all the best with their practice along with a successful 2008 season…

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Kiran Matharu wins the Volvo Challenge…

September 9th, 2007 | Putting Biomechanics, Quintic Video Software

2007 Ladies European Tour Season
Volvo Cross Country Challenge 2007

Final Order of Merit

9th September 2007
following the Nykredit Masters

1st : Kiran Matharu

Kiran Matharu’s tied-second-place finish at the Nykredit Masters was enough to clinch the Volvo Cross Country Challenge and a brand new Volvo XC70 in her first season on the PGA Ladies European Tour.

The 18-year-old from Leeds, England, topped the order of merit after recording a tense runner-up spot following a three-way play-off with Nykredit Masters winner Lisa Hall and fellow Brit Kirsty Taylor – who was also in contention to win the car.

“I am happy to win the car - it was unexpected and I am really pleased,” said Matharu, who has not yet learnt to drive. “I will probably have six weeks off before my next LET tournament so I might get some lessons in so that I can drive this lovely car!”

Matharu finished in tied-fourth in Finland and 28th in the first event in Sweden. The previous three tournaments on the Volvo XC Challenge had all been won by members of this week’s European Solheim Cup Team.

Quintic would like to extend their congratulation to Kiran for this achivement and wish her well for her upcoming tour school in the USA. After a final session on the putting green in Leeds with Dr Paul Hurrion, the signs are looking good…

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Paul McGinley : High Speed Video 1000fps Driver SV

Paul McGinley : High Speed Video 1000fps 6 Iron FV

Starting the ball rolling…