Staying at Apes Hill Barbados promises a golfing experience unlike anywhere else, with our Championship Golf Course that stands at the highest point on the island, offering panoramic views over the East Coast and the blossoming flora, fauna and wildlife nestled in and around the green. We’re excited to introduce a new addition to our golfing community - our Performance and Teaching Centre. Sustainably-built, and sustainably maintained, our new state-of-the-art centre is a breakthrough in golfing technology and the only facility of its kind on the island and indeed the Caribbean. What better time to pick up a club and dive into the game of golf, or polish your skills on some of the finest greens in the Caribbean, than when you’re staying with us here at Apes Hill? Whether you're new to the game or looking to refine your skills, we’ll help you get into the swing of things.
The Apes Hill Golf Performance and Teaching Center: Improving Your Game One Swing At A Time
Jody Addison, our Director of Golf & Golf Operations, and Tim Cutshall, President of Lasports LLC.
A Breakthrough in Golf Technology Brought to Barbados
The new Performance Centre at Apes Hill is poised to revolutionise golf instruction in the Caribbean, having been meticulously designed by the legendary Tim Cutshall, President of Lasports LLC and a renowned figure in the creation of cutting-edge teaching facilities. And to ensure only the best for our community and members, we engaged two leading experts, Tim Cutshall and Dave Phillips, to handpick state-of-the-art equipment and technology.
And we’re thrilled to be the first to provide a high performance teaching centre on the island. Until now, elite amateurs in the Caribbean would have to travel to the States to hone their game in a teaching facility like this, but now they don’t have to. Meanwhile, if you are a novice or intermediate player, we can now work with the technology in our Performance Centre to tailor individual plans for more robust teaching when it comes to game improvement. And though the Performance Centre is currently an exclusive amenity for members, coaching will soon be extended to elite athletes in the near future. It is another exciting landmark in the development and story of Apes Hill Barbados.
From a Swing Catalyst to a Puttview Putting Green - All The Tracking Technology To Help You Improve
At Apes Hill, we hold a steadfast belief that with the right guidance, anyone can become an excellent golfer. And when you pair the expertise and dedication of our golfing team, with the technology at the new Performance Centre, you're assured of being in the most capable hands.
Our facility features two bays, each designed with a specific focus in mind, together providing one of the most comprehensive golf development experiences in the world. We go beyond just technique, with an extensive range of fitness equipment that allows our coaches to evaluate a player's physical attributes and condition in relation to their golfing, enabling them to recommend personalised training schedules and help to improve their game. No two golfers play in the same way, and our new Performance Centre allows us to tailor your training plan to your unique ability and experience. Whether it's having your biomechanics analysed to create a golf-specific fitness plan, being fitted for clubs from driver to putter, or opting for a custom plan with one-on-one sessions from our experienced coach, every aspect of your game can be refined and enhanced right here at Apes Hill.
Swing Catalyst
One of our new pieces of technology in the Golf Performance and Teaching Centre at Apes Hill is the Swing Catalyst, which stands at the forefront of golf technology as the most sought-after video analysis software. Rather than primarily focusing on the physical aspects of a golf swing like traditional video analysis tools, the Swing Catalyst incorporates motion and force into its assessment. The system allows golfers to harness the power of synchronised video footage and launch monitor data to gain comprehensive insights into their swing mechanics. And with the Swing Catalyst Dual Force Plate, detailed analysis of both feet during the swing are given the left and right feet during the swing. This allows our coaches to combine visual feedback from multiple high-speed cameras with data from a highly sensitive balance plate, pinpointing and correcting the subtlest nuances in a player's swing.
PuttView Interactive Putting Green
Another piece of equipment we are excited to have in our Centre is the Puttview Interactive Putting Green, which is the perfect domain for players to sharpen their short game, with its augmented reality projections and tracking systems.
Skills are honed through a variety of games, designed to analyse every aspect of a putt, offering tailor-made challenges that are not only engaging and entertaining but also perfect for all the family, no matter the age!
Here are some of the games you can expect to enjoy:
Putt to Target
Players aim to hit virtual targets on the green, which vary in location and size to adjust the difficulty.
Distance Challenge
The goal is to get the ball as close to a target as possible within a limited number of tries and from different distances.
Breaking Putt Challenge
Virtual lines indicate the break of a putt, challenging players to accurately judge the break and speed to succeed.
Skill Ladder
A progressive series of putts that increase in difficulty, with each successful shot escalating the player to a more challenging level.
Timed Challenge
A race against the clock to hole as many putts as possible from various positions.
Match Play
A head-to-head competition where players alternate putts, aiming to hole them in the fewest strokes.
Beat the Pro
Players try to match or outperform a virtual pro's putt.
Obstacle Course
Players navigate their putts around virtually projected obstacles to reach the hole.
Memory Game
After a brief visual guide of the putt line and speed, players must rely on memory to execute the shot.
Score Challenge
With a set number of balls, the objective is to achieve the highest score possible.
A Sustainable Design of The New Performance Centre at Apes Hill
We’ve said it once before, and we’ll continue to say it - sustainability is at the heart of everything at Apes Hill. The well-being of our guests and residents is enhanced through the use of natural light, optimised solar exposure and increased ventilation. Using ARGO's pioneering Climate Intelligence Unit (CIU), traditional architectural styles are merged with contemporary technology, seamlessly integrating both passive and active methods.
Net zero energy buildings are the global goal, and a good first step is energy-positive buildings which support both the building’s needs and the surrounding communities. Our Performance Centre has been designed with 72 solar PV panels which support all the energy consumption of the building, produce more energy than what the building consumes, and sells the energy produced to the national grid. Water is harvested, stored and reused in the building, too.
The design blueprint for the new Performance Centre at Apes Hill embraces a pavilion-style of architecture that is inviting, light and airy. The orientation and placement of the building has been determined by the layout of the driving range and the prevailing wind direction, typically an easterly 'trade wind' in Barbados. The building's diverse spaces are highlighted by a broad entrance breezeway, promoting enhanced passive airflow. We've strategically positioned it to amplify shade while harnessing and managing the flow of the trade winds across the premises. Landmarks like the Old Mill and the vast expanse of the terrain are framed by the colonnade and the open-front design. Blending architectural brilliance with modern technology, we've created wide overhanging canopies to offer shade and protection to residents. By implementing a passive air circulation method, we've included floor-to-ceiling louvres that contrast with the calm texture of the stone exterior and pay homage to classic Bajan designs.
We aren’t here to exist at the cost of our environment, and we are thrilled to now be able to provide such golfing technology that isn’t a drain on Barbados’ natural resources. If you want to learn more about our ethos at Apes Hill, you can read more about our commitment to sustainability.
Good architectural design doesn't have to come at a cost to our environment
Who Can Use The New Performance Teaching Centre At Apes Hill?
Jody Addison, our Director of Golf & Golf Operations articulates our commitment to helping every player have the opportunity to improve their game, no matter their ability, stating, "We want to tick every box when it comes to game improvement for every type of player. Whether someone is just beginning their golfing journey or they're a seasoned professional on the Tour, they're in search of instant and responsive feedback to elevate their game. We've equipped our facility with all the necessary technology to make teaching not only more effective but also engaging." And if you just can't wait until you come and stay with us to start improving your golf game, read Jody's 5 top tips here.
To ensure personalised attention and the best possible experience, we ask that you book a session. While availability may become limited during the high season, the centre generally remains accessible. Members are given priority, but the facility also opens its doors to members' guests and resort visitors, ensuring that all who seek to improve their game have the opportunity to do so with the best resources at hand.
With a promise to perfect your putt and finesse your swing under the Caribbean sun, the Performance Centre is set to redefine golf in Barbados, part of what makes life here at Apes Hill so unique. If you would like to inquire about buying a home here, please get in touch today and we’d be more than happy to answer any questions.