East Midlands Golf Academy

Golf coaching at Morley Hayes, between Derby and Nottingham

East Midlands Golf Academy (EMGA) operates from Morley Hayes in Derbyshire, a location the academy describes as convenient for golfers coming from both Derby and Nottingham. Its coaching team works with players across the full range of levels, from complete beginners and juniors to established golfers and tour professionals.

The academy presents itself as the Midlands' number one golf academy, a claim that reflects its own positioning rather than an independent ranking. It was founded 17 years ago, according to the site, on a basis of customer service, long-term relationships with clients and a coaching team able to help golfers of different levels in different ways.

A coaching team built around six named professionals

EMGA was established in 2007 by Academy Director and Head Professional James Whatley. The site lists six coaches: James Whatley, Steve Astle, Aaron Holtom, Dean Hibbert, Will Davidson and Tom Hamson. The academy describes this group as one of the strongest coaching teams in the country and notes that coaches from around the world spend time at EMGA to develop their own programmes.

Aaron Holtom leads junior coaching, working with children from the age of four through to adulthood. Will Davidson handles beginner enquiries and shares responsibility with James Whatley for the women's programmes.

Programmes for juniors, beginners, women and improving golfers

The academy structures its activity around four main programme areas:

• Juniors: year-round programmes available as one-to-one sessions or regular groups, described as the heart of the academy.
• Beginners: regular programmes for new golfers, individually or in groups, with clubs and equipment provided by the academy.
• Ladies: women's programmes that the academy says bring hundreds of female golfers through each year, either to improve their game or to meet other women playing golf.
• Game development: longer-term improvement programmes for golfers focused on permanent progress, several of which include online options and 24/7 support.

The academy also states that it runs some of the most innovative junior and beginner programmes in the country, a characterisation drawn from its own presentation.

Performance pathway and golf college for 16 to 19 year olds

Under the EMGA Performance banner, the academy runs an education and golf programme for students aged 16 to 19, built around a BTEC in Sports Coaching in conjunction with Derby College. The programme includes experience days at Woodhall Spa and a trip to the PGA Championship at Wentworth, technical and short game coaching from England coaches, physical screening and 3D assessment.

Golf holidays and gift vouchers

James Whatley organises escorted golf trips in his capacity as Head PGA Professional, with a stated specialism in Turkey travel and more than twelve years of experience taking golfers around the world. The offer ranges from coaching trips with organised tournaments to social trips in which logistics are handled for participants.

The academy also sells gift vouchers redeemable with its coaches and for experience days, positioned both for personal gifts and as employee rewards.

Partnership with Morley Hayes

EMGA is based at Morley Hayes and describes itself as complementing the service that venue offers to people in Derbyshire. The academy's contact form states that enquiries receive a reply within 48 hours.