Velaa Private Island; What Does Golf in Paradise Look Like?

Velaa Golf Academy by Olazábal is a unique golfing experience featuring a 9-hole golf course in structured and casual combinations. Designed by José María Olazábal, renowned for his short game mastery, the Velaa Golf Academy provides an unequalled backdrop to enjoy and develop your game.

Due to its unique design the course caters for both the beginner and professional golfer. Velaa Golf Academy boasts a studio offering one-on-one tuition with PGA professionals and prides itself in tailoring golf lessons to suit the individual, focusing on the areas required for improvement. The indoor teaching studio allows guests to practice or take instruction regardless of the weather. With the studio’s retractable doors, players are able to enjoy hitting from an air-conditioned area whilst still playing to the greens outside. The academy also holds swing analysis software with the latest technology and is equipped with a state-of-the-art Trackman simulator to enhance the golfing experience. A putting green and tailor-made tuition programmes make the Velaa Golf Academy an experience for the whole family to enjoy.

Gavin Campbell, Velaa Private Island's Director of Golf and the Velaa Golf Academy’s resident golf professional talked to us about the facility, his life in golf and his most memorable round.

1. Could you please tell us a little about your background, what initially drew you to golf, and when realised wanted to make it a career?

Around the age of 12/13 went on a family holiday to Cornwall and stayed right in the middle of a golf course. Took first steps with putting and carrying the bag of a kid who was in the next villa who already played... I had usually been good at sports and was intrigued that golf did not come easily.

On return from holiday took 6 lessons and joined a golf club that was 500m from where we lived. Outside of school most of my time was spent at the golf club as friends were there and I improved my game quickly.

I played football, judo, and golf to a good level and always had the feeling I was going to end up in sports one way or the other. Golf became the main sport which also had recognised pathways for a job or career so that is the direction I followed.

2. What makes Velaa Golf Academy by Olazabal so unique?

Velaa is a clever use of space. The focus on being able to create shots and the different ways the facility can be used from practicing skills to playing the course to night golf provides different looks for the player. The fact that you have the facility totally to yourself plus the ability to play barefoot adds extra moments you don't usually experience in golf.

3. What is most memorable round of golf and why?

Have played many tournaments and events but the most memorable round would be playing Kananaskis GC in Canada. Was a 3-hour drive into the mountains with the last hour you see not a single person before arriving at a course situated under the Rocky Mountains. The course was very good but the scenery and adventure of getting to the course made the experience. So peaceful also, a whisper would be the equivalent of shouting.

4. How has technology changed the way you coach or play the game?

Technology allows you to view and understand more precise data which contributes to making more precise factual decisions on how to move forwards as well as being able to show small incremental improvements which can often be overlooked.

From a playing angle, the ball certainly goes further and clubs to some degree are more forgiving though ultimately are always secondary as the skill of the player determines the outcome of the shot for the most part as the club cannot move on its own.

5. If you could play with 3 people living or historical, who would they be and why?

Any 3 friends of the group i played with at my home club during the early years of playing. It was a good group of perhaps 25-30 people, and it was such a good fun period. Where i am overseas most of the time now I rarely get the opportunity to get to my home club and play but is always the most memorable experience and takes me right back to that period straight away.

6. What’s your favourite drill or practice routine that helps a golfer improve the fastest?

A simple drill but one most amateurs rarely think about, and pros rarely talk about as a skill they have. Make the same swing at different speeds to be able to hit the ball at different distances. It teaches so much feeling and awareness. Elite amateurs and professionals are always hitting shots at a quieter speed than full speed to control flight and distance. Amateurs almost never focus on this and tend to work at full speed all the time.

7. What’s one piece of advice you wish you had received earlier in your golfing career?

To explore being out of the UK sooner. Have been out of the UK for 16 years now and have experienced a few different countries and properties each that have created their own moments. I love the UK, and it is ultimately my home so when I get to go back, I appreciate it more than if I was there all the time.