The Comeback, The Craft & The Next Level
Twelve months ago, Jackson Bell was on the physio table wondering if his hands would ever feel normal again. Three surgeries down, and the Dubai-based PGA Teaching Professional wasn’t exactly mapping out a victory parade for the season ahead.
Fast forward to today, and Bell has racked up three wins at the start of the season. Not bad for someone who spent most of last year rehabbing rather than competing.
“I wasn’t expecting anything, honestly,” Bell says. “I’d just come back from three hand operations, so to start the season with three wins was a massive shock. But it gave me huge confidence for the rest of the year.”
That confidence has fuelled one of Bell’s strongest seasons yet. As both a top competitor in the UAE and a respected coach at the Tommy Fleetwood Academy, he’s proof that stubbornness and smart work eventually pay off in golf.
The Double Life: Competitor and Coach
For Bell, coaching and competing aren’t separate careers. They’re intertwined in a way that makes each one better.
“I’m big on searching for things to get better in this game,” he explains. “I love to hit balls in between coaching and mess around with different ideas all the time. It helps me transfer those ideas straight to my players.”
Working at Tommy Fleetwood Academy gives Bell access to some of the best practice facilities anywhere in the world. The technology alone sets it apart.
“The technology we have at the academy is a real standout,” Bell says. “We’ve got everything. So if someone needs a specific area looked at, we can dive into it in proper detail.”
Launch monitors, swing analysis software, force plates, biomechanics labs. The tools are world-class. But Bell is the first to admit that technology is only useful when you know what to do with it.
“You can have all the gadgets in the world, but if you don’t understand what you’re looking at, it’s just noise,” he adds.
That understanding comes from years of learning under the right people.
Learning From the Best
Bell’s coaching philosophy carries the fingerprints of two major influences: Peter Cowen and Tommy Fleetwood.
“Pete was my mentor for years,” Bell says. “I had a great relationship with him, and I still use his methods to this day. He’s played a massive part in the coach I am today.”
Cowen, who has worked with major champions and Ryder Cup players, gave Bell a foundation built on simplicity and ball-striking fundamentals. That influence shows up in how Bell approaches every lesson.
Then there’s Tommy Fleetwood, whose academy Bell now calls home.
“Tommy’s been amazing, not just for me, but for the whole academy,” Bell says. “His presence just gives the place a buzz. The way he interacts with everyone, especially the juniors, is special.”
Fleetwood’s influence extends beyond the academy branding. He and Bell practice together regularly, and their relationship has become a genuine mentorship.
“We practise and play to gether a lot,” Bell says. “I’m always picking his brains when I can. He even follows my events to see how I’m doing, which is pretty cool.”
It’s rare for a player at Fleetwood’s level to stay that engaged with an academy bearing his name. For Bell, it’s been invaluable.
The Body-First Approach
As a TPI Certified coach, Bell spends as much time analysing how players move as he does watching their swings. It’s a shift in thinking that separates good coaches from great ones.
“For most amateurs, the big problem is not using the correct muscles,” Bell explains. “Too much arms, not enough body. The big muscles should take charge of the golf swing – the hips, chest, shoulders, rotation.”
He breaks it down simply: “Your body is your engine. Too many people just sway and lift the club with their arms.”
That biomechanical focus has become even more personal after Bell’s surgeries. Physical preparation isn’t optional anymore. It’s what keeps him playing.
“I’m basically trying to avoid more injuries,” he says with a laugh. “Any more surgeries and I think I’m done.”
Working closely with TFA fitness coach Jamie, Bell now focuses on strength, mobility and injury prevention. The goal isn’t just to play better. It’s to play longer.
“So far so good,” Bell says, quickly knocking on wood.
Chasing Tour-Level Experience
Bell’s recent appearances on the HotelPlanner Tour and Clutch Tour have given him a sobering look at what it takes to compete at the next level.
“Golf is such a fine line,” he says. “These guys are travelling all over the world, playing week in, week out. If you want any chance, you need your absolute A-game.”
The Emirates Golf Federation has been instrumental in creating those opportunities for UAE-based professionals.
“It’s huge for us,” Bell says. “And I can’t wait for the next one.”
The experience has sharpened his competitive edge. Playing against tour-calibre fields every week forces you to raise your standards. There’s no coasting.
“You’re always trying to get better,” Bell says. “I really believe you can keep improving at this game.”
Part of that drive comes from unfinished business.
“I’ve won most of the big titles apart from the PGA Championship,” he says. “So that’s definitely on my radar. The UAE Grand Slam, maybe? Haha.”
Beyond trophies, though, Bell is chasing something more fundamental.
“I want more experience at tour level,” he says. “Getting in there, making cuts – that’s where you really learn.”
Course Management Over Power
After watching Matt Fitzpatrick grind out another victory at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Bell was asked what advice he’d give amateurs tackling the Earth Course.
“Just putt like him,” he laughs. “Keep putting.”
But behind the humour is a serious point about course management.
“Earth isn’t a course where you just swing driver everywhere. It needs a mixed bag of tee shots. You’ve got to think your way around it.”
It’s a refreshing perspective in an era where bomb-and-gouge has become the dominant strategy. Bell sees value in the chess match, not just the power game.
“The best players know when to take their medicine,” he says. “They don’t force things. They play the percentages.”
That mindset has served him well in competition and coaching. Golf rewards smart decisions as much as pure talent.
The MENA Golf Tour Renaissance
As the MENA Golf Tour prepares for its relaunch, Bell is optimistic about what it means for the region.
“It’s going to be massive for player development in the UAE,” he says. “To have that and the Clutch Tour running alongside is a huge opportunity to gain experience.”
The MENA Tour has historically been a crucial stepping stone for players trying to break into European or Asian tours. Its return gives UAE-based professionals like Bell a legitimate pathway to compete regularly at a high level.
“I definitely want to play lots of them and keep learning,” Bell says.
Even with multiple wins this season, he still sees himself as a student of the game. That mindset keeps him hungry.
Equipment: What Stays, What Goes
Finally, there’s the eternal golfer’s question: does Bell tinker with his equipment constantly, or does he stick with what works?
He laughs. “I’m usually a ‘what works, don’t change’ guy… within reason.”
His irons and wedges have recently been updated to stay current.
His woods? “Borderline antiques,” he admits.
His putter? “That changes most weeks… ahhhh,” he laughs.
The putter answer gets the biggest laugh because every golfer understands the ritual of blaming the flatstick. Some things never change in golf, no matter how good you get.
What’s Next
As Dubai continues to position itself as a global golf destination, Jackson Bell represents the modern professional. He’s equal parts competitor, coach and mad scientist, constantly experimenting with ways to improve.
After the toughest comeback of his career, Bell isn’t slowing down. If anything, the surgeries and rehab have made him more determined.
“You realize how quickly it can all go away,” he says. “So when you get another chance, you don’t waste it.”
With the MENA Golf Tour returning, more international events on the horizon, and a growing reputation as one of the region’s top coaches, Bell has plenty to chase in the months ahead.
The hunger is still there. The hands are healing. And the student is far from finished learning.
For Jackson Bell, this might just be the beginning of the next chapter.
