Judge distance carefully, for a 2-handicap player, ~10 minutes.
Putting18-24 min2 HCP3 drills
Precision45%
Scoring33%
Aim13%
Practice Programs
Complete Golf Practice Blueprint for The Shire London
Discover tailored practice programs for this course.
Total Programs
14
14 complete programs built for this course
Unique Drills
73
Total unique drills across all programs
Skill Pillars
11
Accuracy · Aim · Alignment · Dispersion · Distance Control · Green Reading
Session Durations
6
3 days , 4 days , 5 days , 6 days , 7 days , 9 days
AccuracyAimAlignmentDispersionDistance ControlGreen Reading+5 more
Academy Practice Profile
We've mapped a comprehensive practice profile for Academy, identifying the specific skills this course demands most. The skill distribution below shows which areas of your game will be tested most frequently based on the hole-by-hole analysis (hole handicaps, stroke index, yardage, etc.), while the handicap ranges indicate the typical player profiles who perform well here.
Focus your practice on these key skills to maximize improvement and lower your scores. Check the practice programs below for targeted drills that address these specific skills.
Skill Distribution
Precision 27%Scoring 24%Aim 18%Distance Control 17%Trajectory 11%
Handicap Performance Insights
The handicap ranges shown represent the typical performance levels for this course. Players within these ranges can expect competitive scores, while those outside may yield benefits or may need additional practice in the highlighted skill areas to perform at their best.
16.9
Average HCP
8.6
Minimum HCP
30.1
Maximum HCP
Top Drills
Featured Drills for Academy
Most-used drills from for this course. Practice as standalone drills or scroll down for full programs.
Putting18 min
Putting Aid: Alignment Mirror, 15/25
Make 15 out of 25 putts using an alignment mirror.
Short Game26 min
Sand Long
Hit two buckets of balls (avg. bucket is 40 balls) from the sand.
Driving Range31 min
Driver | Around the Stick
Curve the ball around the alignment stick using using driver only. Hit one bucket of ~50 balls.
Short Game26 min
Pitch | Parallel Ball Lines | 9 Stop Zones
Up to 5 players compete to stop a pitch shot in the stop zone(s). The player with the most points at the end wins the challenge. Up to 80 balls are needed.
Short Game26 min
Pitch | Parallel Piles | Quadrants
Up to 5 players compete to stop a pitch shot inside the quadrant(s). The player with the most points wins the challenge. One bucket of balls per player is needed.
Short Game26 min
Pitch | Parallel Ball Lines | 3 Landing Zones
Up to 5 players compete to stop a pitch shot inside the landing zone(s). The player with the most points at the end wins the challenge. Up to 80 balls are needed.
Course Details
Everything you need to know about Academy.
Contact Information
📞
Phone
+44 (0)1250 872622
📠
Fax
+44 (0) 1250 872622
✉️Email
golf@theshirelondon.com
Giving lessons at The Shire London? Get featured here.
Facilities
✓Driving Range
✓Putting Green
✓Chipping Green
✓Practice Bunker
✓Motor Cart
✓Pull Cart
✓Golf Clubs Rental
✗Club Fitting
✓Pro Shop
✓Golf Lessons
✗Caddie Hire
✓Restaurant
✓Reception Hall
✓Changing Room
✓Lockers
✗Lodging on Site
Location
St Albans Road
Course Description
The Shire London is a premier golf venue in London, featuring the Seve Ballesteros-designed Ballesteros Masters Course, touted as the UK’s only golf course designed by Seve Ballesteros. The facility combines a championship-style course with comprehensive golfing offerings, including tuition, golf days, membership options, and event hosting. Located in Barnet, Hertfordshire, it emphasizes an inclusive golfing experience with a relaxed dress code and a strong charity presence through The Golf Trust. The venue also hosts weddings, corporate golf events, and a range of leisure and training facilities including driving range, putting and short game area, bar and restaurant, gym, and shop.
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Course Information
Holes
27
Par
30
Type
Links
Architect
Seve Ballesteros
Google Reviews
Business Claimed
⭐4.6(478 reviews)
View on Google MapsInterested in our comprehensive dataset of 40,000 golf courses? Contact us to learn more.
Programs
Skill-Based Practice Programs for Academy
We studied the course layout and prepared practice programs to lower your scores. The programs are purpose-built for each tee to align with the course strategy. Each program consists of curated drills, with pre-defined modules designed to deliver results.
Filter programs by category (select one)
Showing 14 Programs
% match to course practice profileSee landing and roll, for a 13-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Short Game~26 min13 HCP6 drills
Scoring41%
Accuracy34%
Visualization25%
Up-and-down contest, for a 22-handicap player, ~20 minutes.
Short Game23-26 min22 HCP5 drills
Scoring30%
Aim20%
Accuracy14%
Hit fairways consistently, for a 35-handicap player, ~30 minutes.
Driving Range~31 min35 HCP5 drills
Precision28%
Aim20%
Trajectory18%
12 Week Flagship Program for Academy
A complete and progressive long-term development curriculum mapped from easier to harder drills, specifically for Academy. Start with the basics and work your way towards more challenging drills. Commit to 12 weeks of training and get in proper shape. Four days counts as a week.
Week 1≤ 3 days
Putting · 6 ft (2m) only
Stop Missed Opportunities On Mid Putts
Difficulty: Expert · Program HCP 2.0
Weeks 1–3≤ 7 days
Short Game · Chip
Stop Ball on Dime
Difficulty: Beginner · Program HCP 29.0
Weeks 4–5≤ 5 days
Short Game · Sand
Save par with a clutch bunker shot—pressure drill
Difficulty: Beginner · Program HCP 22.0
Weeks 5–6≤ 7 days
Short Game · Sand
Can you fly it out and stop it close?
Difficulty: Intermediate · Program HCP 19.0
Weeks 7–8≤ 5 days
Driving Range · Driver
Control Driver Ball Flight
Difficulty: Beginner · Program HCP 35.0
Weeks 8–9≤ 4 days
Driving Range · Short irons (9,8)
Feet, hips, shoulders—consistent contact
Difficulty: Beginner · Program HCP 35.0
Weeks 9–10≤ 4 days
Driving Range · Woods (Hy,5W,3W)
Stop Missing 3-Wood Fairways
Difficulty: Beginner · Program HCP 35.0
Weeks 10–11≤ 6 days
Driving Range · Woods (Hy,5W,3W)
Reduce 3-Wood Spread
Difficulty: Intermediate · Program HCP 17.0
Weeks 11–12≤ 3 days
Driving Range · Short irons (9,8)
Short Iron Distance Control
Difficulty: Intermediate · Program HCP 17.0
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Reduce misses, for a 18-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Driving Range~31 min17 HCP3 drills
Distance Control27%
Scoring20%
Trajectory20%
Stop on a dime, for a 29-handicap player, ~20 minutes.
Short Game23-26 min29 HCP9 drills
Distance Control32%
Precision19%
Aim15%
Unlock Your Golf Potential
Get personalized coaching and custom training programs tailored to your game.
Get StartedFly out and stop close, for a 19-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Short Game~26 min19 HCP7 drills
Aim30%
Scoring17%
Distance Control16%
Land within 2 feet, for a 2-handicap player, ~10 minutes.
Short Game~26 min1 HCP5 drills
Aim29%
Distance Control19%
Precision18%
Pitch long distances, for a 4-handicap player, ~10 minutes.
Short Game~26 min4 HCP9 drills
Distance Control22%
Precision20%
Scoring18%
Stop pitches near hole, for a 4-handicap player, ~10 minutes.
Short Game~26 min4 HCP9 drills
Distance Control24%
Dispersion15%
Aim15%
Avoid slices and hooks, for a 35-handicap player, ~30 minutes.
Driving Range~31 min35 HCP4 drills
Mechanics45%
Precision29%
Trajectory26%
Maximize in regulation, for a 1-handicap player, ~10 minutes.
Driving Range30-31 min0 HCP6 drills
Scoring29%
Distance Control19%
Precision13%
Stay on fairways, for a 35-handicap player, ~30 minutes.
Driving Range~31 min35 HCP4 drills
Precision31%
Aim20%
Alignment13%
Reduce spread, for a 18-handicap player, ~15 minutes.
Driving Range30-31 min17 HCP6 drills
Precision34%
Dispersion25%
Scoring15%
2026
Prepare for Tournaments at Academy
Follow a complete multi-week structured practice program ahead of the upcoming events and arrive prepared.
No upcoming tournaments at this time.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Academy
Get answers to common questions about playing Academy and what to expect.
How difficult is Academy for mid-handicap golfers?
Academy is regarded as a strategically complex layout. This slope level makes it manageable compared to championship venues. The course rating of 70 reflects on scoring relative to par 30.
What tees should a 15 handicap play at Academy?
A 15 handicap golfer should consider tees closer to 6000 yards. The back tees extend to 6500 yards, which makes approach shots longer and scoring more challenging.
What is considered a good score at Academy?
With a course rating of 70 and par 30, a mid-handicap golfer would typically score in the mid to high 80s. Stronger players aiming to break 30 must manage approach shots and avoid penalty strokes.
How long is Academy and how does yardage affect play?
Stretching to 6500 yards from the back tees, it does not overwhelm length but rewards accuracy.
What type of course is Academy and how should I play it?
The course follows a traditional Links design philosophy. Overall, the setup will reward players who place the ball in safe positions far from hazards. Also, type of shot is more crucial rather than just trying to gain distance.
What features make Academy strategically challenging?
The combination of a slope rating of 120 and yardage reaching 6500 yards creates consistent pressure on approach shots. You will need to balance risk and reward, especially on longer par 4s and protected greens.
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