Our mission

Helping Golfers Putt Well

Here at Frankly Golf we have been dedicated to helping golfers since Frank and I founded the company at The Open Championship at St Andrews in 2000.

It was there that we decided to combine our talents in equipment, science, research, creativity and innovation to deliver honest, trusted information and products.

We recognized that putting was approximately 45% of the golf score, so that is an area in which we have specialized. Firstly, with Frank’s design of the ground-breaking Frankly Frog putter. Secondly, our research into putting mechanics and mindset have been distilled to golfers through our teachings at the Putting PAD, our book The Fundamentals of Putting and our online Certified Putting Instructor Course for PGA and LPGA professionals. 

We strive to share our deep love of the game and through our weekly email correspondence have created a community of Frankly Friends.

Very tragically, Frank died in 2021. He was my soulmate, my best friend, husband, business partner and golf buddy. We were always together and committed our lives to our company and to helping other people.

It is now my mission to keep Frank’s creations and voice alive and to share our knowledge with our Frankly Friends. I look forward to using everything he taught me to innovate and help you smile on the green.

May the Frog be with you,

Valerie

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FRANK

FRANK THOMAS

  • Invented the graphite shaft

  • Introduced the Stimpmeter

  • USGA Technical Director for 26 years

  • Set equipment standards for golf industry

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VALERIE THOMAS

  • B.Sc. (Hons) Psychology

  • M.Sc. (Med. Sci.) Sport and Exercise Science

  • Played golf for Scotland and Florida State Golf Association

  • Former Editor of Golf Science International, a publication of the World Scientific Congress of Golf

Timeline

1963

Frank Thomas and a friend sail from South Africa to America in a 25 foot sailboat “Banshee”.

1969

Invents the graphite golf shaft while with Shakespeare Sporting Goods.

1974

Joins USGA as Technical Director. Tests and governs all equipment used in the game of golf.

1977

Introduces the Stimpmeter to the world of golf.

1979

Directs the development of the GHIN Handicap System.

1983-2000

Directs the design and oversees the development of the USGA Research and Test Center. Directs the development of the Indoor Test Range used to measure the aerodynamic properties of golf balls.

2000

Birth of Frankly Golf at Open Championship, St Andrews

2001

Launch of www.franklygolf.com. Joins Golf Digest as Chief Technical Advisor. Introduces F-16 putter.

2002-2004

2003: Joins The Golf Channel as Chief Technical Advisor.

2004: Speaks to golfers and PGA professionals all over the USA, Australia, Africa and Europe.
2004: Growing the Game Research project, a study of over 18,000 golfers’ preferences.

2005

Established Putting PAD, a leading research center and putting academy in Orlando Florida.

2007

Frankly Frog commercial to air on The Golf Channel, week beginning 30th April.

Frankly Golf Receives a Certificate of Registration for the color PINK as a Trademark on Golf Putters.

Three time Major winner Larry Nelson and his son Josh putt their way to victory at the Father Son Challenge with The Frog.

2008

Authored “Just Hit It, Our Equipment and Our Game”.

Authored “Dear Frank: Answers to 100 of Your Golf Equipment Questions”.

Frank Thomas adds to the Frog Family with the introduction of the Blade Frog, a blade with forgiveness.

Frankly Golf "Growing the Game" research is presented at the World Scientific Congress of Golf at Arizona State University.

2009

Frankly Golf participates as a sponsor of the 2009 PGA Tour Children’s Miracle Network Championship at Disney in Orlando, FL.

Frankly Golf exhibits at Golf Europe 2009, Europe's biggest golf show and Frank speaks at education conference.

Frank delivers keynote address to the South African Golf Summit at Fancourt, South Africa.

2010

Created the online Certified Putting Instructor (CPI) Course for PGA and LPGA professionals ongoing education.

2011

Authored From Sticks and Stones: The Evolution of Golf Equipment Rules.

Presented Lifetime Achievement Award for Services to the Golf Industry by the PGA of South Africa.

2012

Authored The Fundamentals of Putting.

Putting PAD Student Andy Zhang Becomes Youngest Player to Qualify for U.S. Open.

Frank is a Keynote speaker for the World Scientific Congress of Golf in Phoenix, AZ talking about “The Importance of Science in Golf: Applying Technology to Putting Instruction”.

CPI Scholarship scheme launched to select PGA professionals in Great Britain and Ireland, Denmark, South Africa and LPGA.

2013

Golfing World Airs Frankly Golf Putting Tips on 67 TV platforms in 50 countries.

Putting PAD Student Yu Liu Wins SRIXON XXIO Ladies Open in China.

2014

Frank Stars in UL Innovation Series on The Golf Channel.

2015

Introduction of the Frog Stick, the ultimate practice putting device.

Frank's Ground-breaking Putting Article Published in Golf Digest.

Putting PAD student Angel Yin Wins Annika Invitational. 

2016

Frank lends his expertise as a judge on Wilson Golf’s Driver vs Driver a TV show which aired on Golf Channel.