Golf Academy

The UK’s leading Golf Academy

Meet our Director of Golf

Fintan Bonner

Fintan Bonner is Director of Golf at St Leonards, and is a Senior Instructor at the St Andrews Links Golf Academy. He is a PGA Level 3 certified practitioner, a UKCC Level 3 qualified professional, a Class AA PGA Professional, and is K-Vest 3D and BodiTrak certified.

As a Neuro-Linguistic Programming Practitioner, Fintan delivers world-class instruction through a combination of strategic analysis, cutting-edge technology and effective communication.

His coaching career has seen him accompany players to tournaments all over the world, including European Tour events, Challenge Tour events, the US Kids World Championships and the Jack Bunny Tour Finals in Japan.

As well as being a highly-regarded instructor, Fintan is a Custom Fit specialist. He has led the leading Golf Programme at St Leonards since 2014.

The St Leonards Golf Programme

St Andrews is known as the Home of Golf, and the Golf Programme at St Leonards is recognised as one of the finest golfing schools. Its six-tier specialist programme is delivered in partnership with the St Andrews Links, giving students access to some of the best Links courses, including the Old Course.

Our Golf Programme caters to all abilities, from complete beginners to the elite golfer aspiring to play on a professional level. Students graduating from St Leonards have a strong track record of securing prestigious Golf Scholarships at US universities including Indianapolis, Houston Christian University in Texas, and Wingate, North Carolina. Our expert instructors are fully equipped to support future scholarship applications.

St Leonards Minis

The Minis programme has been designed for pupils aged 8-12 who are looking to gain, or continue to build on, an understanding of golf, including basic skills and techniques. The Minis train at the St Andrews Links Golf Academy under expert instructors.
Introduction to Golf

The second tier is Introduction to Golf, which is tailored for pupils in Years 7-13 who are new to the game and looking to develop skills in the driving range and on the golf course. The ultimate goal is for players to achieve their first handicap.
Q School

Q School serves as the ideal stepping stone for players coming up from Introduction to Golf and is open to golfers with handicaps of 25 and above. Q School golfers benefit from weekend group coaching at the St Andrews Links Golf Academy, as well as individual tuition and a bespoke player development plan.
Development Squad

This tier is designed for pupils who have some golfing experience and are enthusiastic about developing their game, improving their handicap and increasing their confidence on the course. The Development Squad caters for handicaps between 13 and 24.
Performance Squad

The Performance Squad is for experienced, skilled golfers who want to perfect their game alongside their academic studies at St Leonards. Pupils enrolled in the Performance Squad must have handicaps of between 5 and 12. They receive a personal player development plan, coaching and the opportunity to represent St Leonards at national golf events and on golf tours abroad.
High Performance Squad

Our top tier is the High Performance Squad, which requires players to have a handicap of between +5 and -4. It is an elite group of 12 players who are typically striving for golf scholarships at institutions across the globe and have aspirations to play golf professionally.

World-Class Facilities

St Leonards golfers train at the St Andrews Links Academy, benefitting from some of the finest facilities and tracking technology in the world.

With a suite of indoor and outdoor bays, practice area for putting, and incredible views across the famous Old Course, the Golf Academy is truly unique.

Powered by state-of-the-art technology, the Academy gives St Leonards students access to Top Tracer, Digital V1 Pro, Trackman and SAMPuttLab systems, as well as a BodiTrak BalanceLab to evaluate balance and weight transfer during a golf swing.

St Leonards students are eligible for a coveted Links Ticket, at a minimal cost of around £50 per year, which gives access to the seven stunning Links Courses in St Andrews.

St Andrews Links and St Leonards are partnered with Callaway, providing custom branded Callaway kit for those enrolled on the Programme.

History of the Home of Golf

St Andrews is known worldwide as the Home of Golf, the sport having first been played on the links in the town in the early 15th century. Since then, St Andrews has hosted many famous championships, from the Open (including the 150th in 2022) to the Dunhill, the Walker Cup and the Amateur Championship.

Old Tom Morris was born and raised in the town, becoming known as The Grand Old Man of Golf. St Leonards School was once home to its own golf course designed by Old Tom Morris himself. We award a special Tom Morris Scholarship to one of our pupils each year in his memory.

Today, tourists and golfers travel to St Andrews to play the outstanding courses, see the iconic Swilcan Bridge, and watch some of the top talent the sport has to offer, playing here in the place it first took root.

If you’ve got a budding Tiger Woods in your midst, then quick, down to the first tee, because believe us, St Leonards’ Golf Academy is second to none. How could it not be when they have joined forces with the St Andrews Links Golf Academy, the actual home of golf. As a St Leonards’ golfer every inch of your stroke can be analysed, tweaked or overhauled using some of the best facilities anywhere.

The Good Schools Guide

Scottish Golf Champions

At the beginning of the month, the St Leonards Golf Team triumphed at the Scottish Area Golf Championships against Merchiston School. The team won without losing a single point.
Junior School Cadets Trip

Our Junior School golf cadets thoroughly enjoyed their first visit to the Golf Academy, where they engaged in fun activities, began honing their golfing skills, and posed for a memorable photograph on the iconic Swilcan Bridge!
Victory at Dundonald Links

The St Leonards Golf Academy team emerged victorious in the Swifts Strokeplay Series at Dundonald Links, winning the team prize by a 2-stroke margin over Bedford School.