Interview with an All Square member – Leon Marks

During this week’s interview we had a nice chat with Leon Marks, a professional golfer from Wales who teaches the game at Golf de Luxembourg – Belenhaff in Luxembourg.

1. ABOUT GOLF

To start, can you tell us how you first got into golf?

My Grandfather introduced me. I used to hit rolled up cardboard off a tee against the wall behind his garden. He was a huge influence to my golf until about the age of 16.

How did you become a PGA coach?

I always wanted to be a tour player but had injuries that held me back. I became a qualified PGA coach in 1999 but for many years I still felt I was not 100% concentrated on teaching. A few years ago, I really started enjoying teaching and now I am addicted to learning more that I can use to help golfers.

What do you like most about teaching golf to other people?

My favourite thing about teaching is making a great connection with the person. I love to see unconventional swings because every swing is a puzzle. I like the challenge of helping someone either hit the ball straighter, further, higher, lower or just simply chatting to someone who lets me know that the help I gave them has made them happier about their golf.

What would make golf more fun?

The game is to me already so much fun, but if I could make it more fun, then I would make 6 hole competitions and with 3 clubs maximum 5 seconds maximum to hit the ball. I think that would create some funny situations.

Your funniest golf experience?

Funniest golf experience was playing night golf. We were all worried because if we lost the one light ball that we had, we could not finish the round. A friend found his ball in thick rough, so he was really happy, then proceeded to hit it just 10 meters in front of him. He quickly ran after it to find it again in the thick rough. Did the same 2 more times until eventually getting the ball on the fairway. Then he turned around in the dark and could not find his golf bag. He looked for a few minutes and my other friend said he will have to get a provisional bag. Eventually he did find it, but I must admit, me and the other 2 guys who were there did not even try to look for the bag, we were laughing at him walking around the rough in the dark.

Your top 3 golf courses?

• Royal Porthcawl – An amazing links course in Wales that will probably hold the Open Championship in the next few years that is next to my home
• Castle Course at St Andrews – Breathtaking holes and very tough, not for the average golfer.
• Valderrama – When I played it in the winter a few years ago, the fairways were in better condition than the carpet in my house.

2. ABOUT ALL SQUARE

How did you first discover All Square?

I discovered All Square through Patrick Rahme who I taught when he was a kid. He came to me to ask my opinion about the idea of All Square. I thought he was on to a fantastic idea and encouraged him to pursue it. I am very pleased to see that All Square has surpassed my expectations and is continuously getting better.

Complete the sentence: What I like the most about All Square is …

…the guys that work hard on it.

Your favorite feature on All Square?

My favorite feature is the ability to share photos and videos.

How can All Square make the game more fun?

I think if All Square can provide somewhere on the menu a “Local Tournaments or group gatherings” info column, where golfers can either view or even better register whilst seeing who else is attending, then I believe more people will be able to connect with each other.

3. RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS

Hitting long drives or sinking long putts?

My drives are long most of the time, so I go with a long putt.

Having the round of your life or a hole-in-one?

Having had 6 hole-in-ones, the round of my life will win… I might even have a hole in one in that round.

Early morning or late afternoon tee off?

Early morning, then I have time for another round.

The coolest player on Tour?

The iceman Henrik Stenson is to me the coolest player on Tour.

Follow Leon Marks to learn about his swing tips.