The newly relaunched Yas Links Golf Academy at CPG Collection Member Venue, Yas Links Abu Dhabi, is quickly establishing itself as one of the most advanced coaching hubs in the Middle East.
With cutting-edge technology, climate-controlled facilities, and the largest coaching team in the club’s history, the academy is redefining how golf is taught, played, and enjoyed in the region.
We sat down with Marc Arnold, Director of Instruction at Yas Links, to explore the philosophy behind the academy, the impact of its new tools and facilities, and what visiting PGA Professionals, players, and the wider community can expect from this exciting new chapter.
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Q: Yas Links is home to some of the most advanced coaching technology in the region, including PLATFORM Golf, Swing Catalyst, Sam PuttLab and Trackman. How do these tools change the game for visiting PGA Professionals and players looking for a true high-performance training experience?
Marc Arnold: We’ve invested heavily in the academy, bringing in some of the most advanced technology and coaching platforms available. PLATFORM Golf played a key role in rebuilding the academy from the ground up into what it is today.
These tools allow us to offer a much more data-driven, engaging coaching experience – not just for elite players, but for everyone.
Whether it’s juniors, beginners, or seasoned golfers, we can tailor the experience based on real-time data from Trackman, Swing Catalyst, and more.
This technology helps us elevate coaching at all levels and has become an integral part of our school programmes, junior development initiatives, and everyday lessons. It’s a real step forward in making high-performance golf accessible to all.
Q: With year-round access, including climate-controlled indoor facilities, Yas Links is able to maintain player development and coaching programmes throughout the summer. How has this helped your in-house team continue delivering consistent results during Abu Dhabi’s hotter months?
Marc Arnold: Living in the Middle East, the summer heat does have a big impact on participation. Traditionally, we see a drop-off from early June to the end of August. But with the addition of indoor, climate-controlled facilities, we’re able to offer our students a consistent coaching environment all year round.
Our professionals are using the studios every day during the hotter months. This means we’ve been able to retain more students over the summer, keep revenue steady, and continue delivering top-level coaching. The feedback from our members and guests has been really positive – it’s made a huge difference for the academy and the business overall.
Q: How do group coaching programmes and Viya Golf’s expanding academy network support your long-term growth strategy?
Marc Arnold: We’ve made great strides this year, not just at Yas Links, but across our academies at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Yas Acres Golf & Country Club as well. Each location is seeing strong growth, particularly in group programmes and private lessons.
Our coaching team has grown too – bringing in professionals with a broad range of experience and skills. That expansion has allowed us to offer more and tailor our services to a wider audience.
We’re continuing to look at ways to grow, whether through school engagement, expanding our junior development programme, or adding more tournaments and initiatives throughout the year. Having these facilities and the right team in place gives us the platform to keep pushing forward.
Q: Beyond the technology, the relaunch includes a clear investment in people – with the largest coaching team in the club’s history. What’s the thinking behind this growth, and how does it reflect the academy’s new philosophy?
Marc Arnold: We’re aiming to position Yas Links as one of the leading academies in the UAE, if not the Middle East. Bringing in more coaches and building the strongest team possible is a key part of that.
We’ve also introduced a new pricing structure, which allows us to offer different levels of coaching – from beginners to high-performance players. That’s opened up the academy to a much broader audience.
Another big milestone for us has been bringing in a female golf professional. We’ve seen that many women and juniors in the region feel more comfortable learning with a female coach, and we’re now able to engage with those groups in a much more meaningful way.
We’ve grown our ladies’ and juniors’ programmes, introduced par-3 social events, school programmes, and corporate clinics – all with the aim of offering more variety and value to our members and guests. It’s a complete shift in how we approach coaching and engagement.
Q: From your perspective, how does Abu Dhabi as a whole complement the golf offering at Yas Links? What can visiting players and coaching groups expect off the course in terms of hospitality, lifestyle, and culture?
Marc Arnold: Abu Dhabi is evolving rapidly. We’re seeing more hotels, more schools, more theme parks – there’s a huge amount of development and energy in the city right now.
For visiting players, it’s not just Yas Links they’re experiencing – we also have Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Yas Acres Golf & Country Club, both of which are world-class venues in their own right.
Off the course, visitors can enjoy fantastic restaurants, hotels, and entertainment options. The feedback we’ve had has been brilliant – many of our guests are now coming back year after year, not just for the golf, but for the complete experience that Abu Dhabi offers.
Q: With participation rising, especially among juniors and women, how is the academy approaching grassroots development? And how does this fit into your long-term vision for growing the game in Abu Dhabi and the wider region?
Marc Arnold: We’re currently reviewing our junior offering and planning to restructure it again next year to make it even stronger. I’m incredibly proud of what the team has accomplished – we had 200 juniors at our end-of-season presentation this year, which shows just how far we’ve come.
We’ve launched par-3 tournaments, attracting up to 50 juniors per event. That gives young players exposure to the competitive side of the sport, helps them learn rules and etiquette, and introduces them to different formats like scrambles.
We’re also working more closely with local schools and the Emirates Golf Federation to expand our reach and get more kids involved in the game.
There’s a lot to be excited about – including some big projects in the pipeline for 2026. I can’t say too much yet, but the work we’re doing now is laying the foundation for even greater growth in the years ahead.
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From world-class technology to grassroots development, the Yas Links Golf Academy is combining innovation with accessibility to shape the future of coaching in Abu Dhabi. With strong leadership, a growing team, and bold plans for the years ahead, it’s clear that Yas Links is setting a new benchmark for golf education and player development – not just in the UAE, but across the wider region.
To find out more about the facilities at Yas Links, including the new Golf Academy, the 18-hole championship course and the par-3 course, visit: viyagolf.com/yaslinks
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