Georgina Swallow - 5 tips for shotsinto the green
1.Aim for the middle of the green- So many golfers think they must aim for theflag! If a flag is tucked behind a bunker orclose to water and you mishit your ball, chancesare you could end up in it! Aim for the middleof the green, that way if you miss hit left orright you are still on the dance floor with achance for a putt.
2. Don't be macho - Don't tryto squeeze more out of a club than it can go,this results in fat and top shots. Instead, takeone club more and swing easily. You'll getalmost as much spin and a lot more control.
3. Always check the wind conditions- I don't see golfers do this enough and yet itshould be one of the first things you check forwith any shot. All you need to do is look at theflag. If it's blowing towards the left aim alittle right and vice versa, if it's downwind,club down and if it's into wind, club up.
4. Keep your rhythm - Watchany of the lady golfers on tour, they are keyexamples - good rhythm, not sheer power, is whatmakes the ball go long - and straight.
5. Watch the club hit the ball- We've all done it (me included). We are sodesperate to know where the ball has gone wehave lifted, separated our arms and stoprotating and the result is a fantastic top shotthrough the green into the lake at the back! Seeyour clubhead hit the ball, this way you willremain more solid through impact and have moreconsistent strikes.
Georgina is a fully qualified PGA Professionalwho is available for lessons throughout the weekand teaches anybody from junior and beginners toladies and experienced golfers. Please contactGeorgina at georgina@garonparkgolf.co.ukfor more info.
Gary Jacom - How to get out oftrouble!
1.Don't go in it - No seriously,hit a club (especially off the tee) that is muchmore unlikely to put you into trouble. Becausethe hole is 400 yards it doesn't mean driver!
2. Takeyour punishment - If the ball sits indown in rough twice the height of the ball takethe shortest way back into play with a club thatwill make that possible. E.g. If you think8-iron maybe take a wedge to make sure.
3. Use the rules of golf -Sometimes taking a penalty drop for one couldsave you shots or even default back to where youhit your last shot from.
4. Be prepared - Bad weatherconditions, wearing good waterproofs in therain, keeping a dry towel inside your bag forthe grips, wearing shoes that havecleats/spikes (not dimple). In the wind takemore club and swing shorter rather than try tohit it harder.
5. Watch your ball - When youdo hit a ball off line, keep an eye on it allway and pick out object where the ball landedby. You will be surprised how much quicker youfind it and get less frustrated by looking.
All these things can be more avoided by havinggreat coaching at Garon Park so call us on 01702601701 to play better golf!
Steven Richardson - Driver slice
The most common missed shot with a driver is aslice. Here's two tips to help prevent chippingout from the trees with your second shot!
1. Make sure you completeyour backswing - Try and get yourleft shoulder behind the ball once fully turned.This will help you to start your downswing onthe correct line.
2. Keep this swing thought - Agood swing thought for the downswing is to keepyour back facing the target for longer. Mostslicers of the ball tend to start the downswingforcing the right shoulder towards the ballcausing a steep out-to-in swing path and endingup constantly fighting the slice.
So to recap, complete your backswing then try tohold your back to the target a little longer onyour downswing! Good luck!!
Ben Jones - 5 key tips to improveyour chipping
1. Randompractice - When practicing yourchipping, try to avoid block practicing from thesame spot to the same target with the same club.Try to vary the shot every two balls.
2. Set yourself targets and goals- Place six balls around a green and setyourself a target area around the flag and seehow many of the six you can chip within thatarea. Each time you practice the drill try andbeat your last score.
3. Visualise the shot - Tryand visualise the type of shot you would like toplay before actually hitting it.
4. Choose the correct club -If you have visualised a particular type of shotmake sure you use the correct club for thatshot. A low chip and run will require a lesslofted club like a 7-iron, a higher lofted shotwill require a more lofted club such as a sandiron
5. Pre-shot routine - It isessential you put into practice a pre-shotroutine, this will give you continuity in yourgame and relax you before playing your shot.
Ben is one of the county's leading junior andadult beginner golf coaches and has beenrewarded as The Golf Foundation's PGA Coach ofthe Year in recognition of this. Ben currentlydelivers four junior group classes and variousdifferent classes for adults of all abilities.For more details on Ben's sessions pleasecontact him on 07904 960515 or email ben@garonparkgolf.co.uk.
SteveJackson - 5 tips for better putting
1. Choose the right putterfor your stroke - If your eyes overthe ball then a face-balanced putter, eyesslightly behind ball then a mild-slant and ifyour eyes are well behind the ball then atoe-down putter.
2. Usetee pegs in practice - Put two teepegs about six feet apart, address your ball andlook at the tees not the ball. Then stroke theball towards the tee, this will help you developa better feel and stroke. You will be amazed howmany times you can hit a 5mm tee peg.
3. Practice your pace control- Before you start your round practice yourputting by trying to stop the ball on the fringefrom about 12 feet away. This will help youjudge the pace of the greens.
4. Ask yourself who is the best putterin the world? Your answer should beme! As you are the one who is about to putt. Seeyourself hole out before you putt.
5. Want to stop three-putting? Thenthink about holing your long putts rather thantrying not to three-putt.
For all your lesson requirements from individualto groups please call me on 07796274086. For a free putterfitting please come into the pro shop and ask.
If you want to book a lesson with any of ourpros then come and see us in store or getin touch here.
