Danny gets 'homework' aid

Danny Willett’s wedge play should be sharper than ever after installing a short game area in his back garden. It wasn't a great trip back to Augusta for the 2016 Masters champion at the weekend, just missing the cut, but at least he can work on things in the comfort of his back garden!

Huxley Golf has built the practise area at his South Yorkshire home to go with the putting green they fitted just before he won the 2016 Masters.

Willett came up with a very specific brief that would enable him to work on his wedge play from 120 yards in and the resulting area has been carefully crafted to create the contours and three hole locations to give him a wide range of difficult wedge shots.

The back tee lines up to the centre of the green, so that the front centre flag has exactly three yards either side of it, allowing Danny to work on scoring as he practises. There are a further two tees and a fringe surround of varied width to create an interesting shape that blends well with its surroundings.

Measuring 900 sq. ft, the Huxley Golf team created the area using the company’s tournament-quality Premier Nylon Golf Green – chosen for its superb ball reception and durability. The contours that Willett required were created while constructing the special base for the green.

Explaining the need to expand his practise facilities, Willett said: “I have been so delighted with my Huxley indoor putting green over the last couple of years that I wanted to build on that experience outdoors. I can honestly say it’s been fantastic. Despite the Yorkshire weather, I was able to practise at home to prepare for the DP World Tour Championship and the US PGA Tour.”

Will Alsop at Huxley Golf, who worked with Willett’s team, commented: “When we first installed a practice area for Danny in 2016, he went on to win his first major championship. Shortly after his second Huxley Golf installation, he secured victory at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, so we’d like to think that our amazing golf surfaces had a small part to play in equipping Danny to be the best that he can be! We’re thrilled to have been asked to work on this project and look forward to supporting his future successes.”