Q&A: Inside the Rolex Series with the ETPI

There's a noticeable new addition to this week's abrdn Scottish Open that has been warmly welcome by some of the world's best golfers.

Located between the driving range and the first tee, there is a brand new gym facility with ample space and a huge range of equipment which is run by the European Tour Performance Institute

We caught up with ETPI consultant physio Nigel Tilley to find out a bit more about it.

Can you explain what’s different for the European Tour Performance Institute this week at the abrdn Scottish Open?

As part of this year's Rolex Series uplifts we were able to build an excellent new gym facility to be put together that also houses the ETPI performance team and therapists. We would be very happy to have this facility every week! We also have a Monday start at Rolex Series events to provide a service uplift, thereby enhancing the player experience.

Is the new gym a Rolex specific addition?

Yes - we have been without the Performance Truck since the return to golf last year and had several events with poor or no gym facilities. We have been exploring solutions and purchased the kit that is in the gym this week so that we can deliver minimum standards each week. Thanks to the Rolex Series uplifts we have been able to construction the incredible gym facility this week with specialised sprung flooring/mirrors/speakers/murals etc to create a fantastic experience.

Can you describe what equipment and areas you have set-up in the gym this week? ​

We have two spin bikes for warm ups, two squat stands plus190kg weight sets for lifting, two trap bars plus additional 160kg weight set, assorted dumbells/kettlebells, slam balls, medicine balls, resistance bands, KO8 suspension trainers and a variety of recovery kit including foam rollers/Normatec compression boots/spikey balls

Why is having this sort of facility important to today's professionals?

​There is building evidence that appropriate strength training helps to reduce injuries as well as enhancing golf performance via gains strength, power and subsequently in increases in clubhead and ball speed and driving distances. Appropriate pre round warm ups also help to enhance performance, so access to the right equipment and spaces to work out in is vital before and after play for today’s modern professional golfers

How has the reception been to the gym so far?

​There has been an excellent reception so far with many of the top names attending so far including Rory, Justin Thomas, Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, Danny Willett. The most popular comment is that players would like to have this facility every week ! It really has been a game changer already for players using it. The size of the space, quality and amount of equipment has been hugely appreciated.

How much do players rely on the ETPI team rather versus coming in with their own plans?

We have a Strength & Conditioning team that help oversee players training and our therapy team and will have contact with around half of the field in a typically week, including this week.

How many people are working this week on behalf of the ETPI, and what do they do?

We have four therapists (x3 physios - Rob Hillman, Nigel Tilley & Alvaro Zerolo & x1 sports therapist - Patrick Smith) and our S&C lead - Dr Dan Coughlan as well as a Health & Wellbing professional starting this week. The therapists help with assessing, treating & managing a large variety of acute and chronic injuries, rehabilitation, warm up and preparation for the players to keep them playing to their optimum.