A NEW state of the art all-weather golfing facility, aimed at nurturing future talent, has launched at Bromsgrove Golf Centre.

Cameras, computers and monitors have been installed at the Stratford Road centre to teach the skills of the sport and fine tune playing techniques.

Ten years in the pipeline and the first of its kind in the county, the sophisticated academy studios allow coaches, including resident professional Graeme Long, to combine their expertise with technology to show golfers ways to improve.

A players' shot is captured on camera and then analysed on screen to pinpoint areas to work on. Shots can be stored, played back at a later date for comparison and even taken home on CD or video for further study.

And if the weather is bad, the studio can be closed off to the driving range and a net brought down for players to safely drive shots against.

Droitwich Spa golf ace John Bickerton joined Long to officially open the complex on Monday.

The pair fired exploding golf balls on to the driving range before European PGA Tour professional Bickerton demonstrated a few shots.

He said: "I can't see anything but benefits. You can break down the shots and I think it will be well used.

Graeme added: "I have been pushing for it for a few years. It will make the job more professional and attract more people from outside the club."