By Vincent Manginelli, PGA
Over the past five months, we’ve been treated to the coaching insights of British PGA Professional Cameron Robinson, as he shared his teaching philosophies in a golf swing case study series.
In this interview, we find out the story behind the golf swing case studies, as Robinson shares the story of his professional golf journey, his favorite tour player and how he keeps up with the ever-evolving world of golf.
How long have you been playing golf?
23 years. I started when I was just five years old.
How did you get into golf?
I was introduced to the game by my parents via group lessons at a local driving range (Beverley) New Malden, Greater London. From there, I fell in love with the game and joined Malden Golf Club as a junior member. The rest is history. Summer holidays were filled with the joy of playing golf from dawn to dusk, as juniors do. In fact, we averaged at least 36 holes a day. During my junior years, I had a key mentor who is now the current Head Professional. Benjamin Tebbs helped me with my game and gifted me with very solid fundamentals.
Ben, with his infectious humor and enthusiasm, fueled my passion not only for golf but also for football (soccer). Around the age of 13, he organized a 5-a-side football team comprising club members, the general manager, friends and former professionals. This dual commitment to golf and football became a potent source of motivation. The thrill of transitioning from a full day on the golf course to lacing up the Copa Mundials and playing under the lights remains a cherished memory, marking what I fondly refer to as the glory days.
What is your motivation for playing golf?
Since starting the game at five years old and turning professional at age 19, I have eaten, slept and breathed the game my whole life. The consistent journey of working on my game equips me to do what I love, helping other players navigate their way through the golfing development journey. Every season I put together a competitive playing schedule and enter professional events, including U.S. Open and Open Championship qualifying, PGA tournaments, state opens and various satellite tours. I love playing at any possible opportunity with friends, fellow professionals and members of the club. On days off I really enjoy playing at Los Angeles city courses – they’re fun, quirky and you get paired with people from all walks of life.
What are you working towards now?
I am working on dual membership to become a PGA of America member as well as a British PGA member. Regarding golf coaching specifically, I am completing Hugh Marr’s Coach Mastery Programme (CMAS) online this year.
Have you been involved in any extracurricular activities since being in the U.S.?
I’ve contributed on various panels since being here. I was picked to be part of the Southern California PGA Section Engagement Committee and the SCPGA Rules Committee. I also presented for the SCPGA launchpad series. Events attended include the Southern California Teaching Summit and the Southern California Youth Development Summit. I attended the U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club and went to Riviera last week!
Are you right- or left-handed?
Right-handed.
Where do you play most of your golf?
I learned to play in an English county called Surrey just outside of Greater London. The courses were predominantly parkland/heathland golf courses. At present, I am experiencing the interesting tropical grasses that California has to offer. It’s amazing that playing a golf shot from inside 30 yards in the USA can be so incredibly different from playing off UK grass and soil.
What is your best score for 18 holes?
65
What are your greatest achievements in the field of golf playing and coaching?
Playing accolades include qualifying/playing in the English PGA Championship and California State Open, as well as winning a Pro-am at Riviera in 2023.
Coaching achievements include helping top amateur player Micky Tudor to a successful playing season in 2023. He became the English Mid-Am Champion. The experience of building a team of coaches was cool and included a personal trainer, clubhead speed coach and putting coach.
What injuries or restrictions to movement do you have?
I broke my left arm at age seven, which set at the elbow a slightly different angle to my right arm. In the golf swing I appear slightly to chicken wing my left arm through impact which has always posed a problem question for coaches: Is this a result of a swing characteristic or an anatomical characteristic?
What is your background in sport/physical activity?
I love all sports and will play any sport if the opportunity comes my way. I played soccer from the age of walking, competitively from 6-18 and now I play small, sided football at Santa Monica Airport. As mentioned, I’ve played golf since the age of five, and I swam and played tennis and cricket.
Who is your favorite tour player?
My favorite Tour player is Shane Lowry. He is very down to earth, talks in a straight line, is a wizard with a wedge, loves a Guinness and his natural ability is fun to watch.
How much time do you spend working on your game and do you practice before rounds?
I practice for 2+ hours a week minimum when I am not in tournament season. It can increase up to 10+ hours per week running up to tournaments.
For a driver, describe your best shots.
A fade, mid-flight.
For a driver, describe your worst shots.
A pull hook (toe strike).
For a 5-iron, describe your best shots.
A fade.
For a 5-iron, describe your worst shots.
A pull struck low on the clubface, which affects distance and direction.
Sometimes struck out of the toe.
Weak push/push slice
On wedge shots, do your divots tend to be shallow or deep?
Inside 30 yards divots are shallow, but for shots greater than 30 yards, I create deeper divots.
Around the green, what is your favorite club for playing chip shots?
59 degree.
What is your favorite club in the bag?
59 degree.
What is your desired ball flight?
Fade.
Precisely what ball flight characteristics would you like to improve?
Higher trajectory fades with the driver, 3 wood and driving iron.
Cameron Robinson, a British PGA Member, brings his golf expertise from London to Brentwood Country Club in Los Angeles, California. With a background as a lead assistant at London’s top private clubs and a coaching record that includes PGA Professionals and British Senior mid-am champions, Cameron is dedicated to helping golfers reach their goals by enhancing their current technique to achieve desired ball flight results while preserving their functional swing tendencies.
