We are all looking forward to the start of a new golf season, but the one downside to the return of the sun is the dastardly sight of thickening rough.

But it's here that the hybrid or utility club really earns its corn. Even the tangliest grass struggles to grab its sleek, rounded head, while its low-profile shape and weight distribution promote easy launch. From distance, the club can force the ball closer to the green than the short-iron alternative.

This is why we believe now is the ideal time to talk to us about the hybrids that should be in your bag - or even the ones that already are. Not only do we have some great options for you, all of which we personally endorse; we can also advise on aspects like lofts, custom-fit and how to blend hybrids with your existing irons.

Used properly, the hybrid can save you shots all summer. Get yours sorted now… and hit the ground running in 2014. Click here to visit my website and see some of the hybrids I have in my shop catalogue.

Walden beat Ely 3-1

Last Sunday the SWGC scratch team beat Ely 3-1 in their recent pre-season match. Walden remain unbeaten this year having drawn against Bury St. Edmunds last month. Again Walden fielded a youthful team in order to give the juniors a run out.

After a rain delay, the sun came out and the Saffron Walden course looked immaculate in the spring sunshine. Going out first, and in the subsequent hail storms, the current Walden Club Champion, Tom Duggan partnered past Club Champion Olly Tuck in a formidable pairing. They went through the first 4 holes in 2 under par and cruised to a 5 and 4 victory over Nixon and Butcher. In the next pairing James Goodfellow and Ian Macdonald took on the Ely pairing of Smith and Woods. The game was close early on, but after 10 holes Walden had taken a 2 hole advantage. Goodfellows' chipping coming to the fore, and Macdonald's dogged determination carried them through and they ran out 4 and 2 winners.

Next up Walden's young pairing of Stuart Hall and Charlie Duke, who fought hard against Walker and Sizer. They were 2 down going into the 17th hole. Ely pulled their drive and lost the ball so Walden went into the 18th only 1 down. They halved this hole in 3 so Ely won the game 1 up.

Bringing up the rear, the Walden star pairing of the last friendly, Ryan Hunt and Callum Brookes started where they left off against Bury St Edmunds and took a 4 up lead through 8 holes. The Ely pairing of Ryan and Hornsey narrowed the margin, and cut the lead to 2 holes going into the finishing holes. This is when young Brookes showed his huge potential with a drawn iron around the trees to reach the 15th green. A bunker shot to 4ft on 16, and a downhill putt of 8ft on 18 sealed the victory for the Walden pairing 1 up.

Graham Goodman, Captain said "Again we fielded a youthful team to give them experience against a strong Ely team. These last two games have been invaluable to both Stuart, Charlie and Callum in order to develop their golf skills. The putt that Callum holed on the last with a gallery watching was invaluable. Our top pairings won in style and are in form. So far so good in the run up to the league season"

Back to the target Drill

A common fault I see is pupils coming over the top of the ball, holding the club off to add loft as the angle is steep and hitting a push or fade. Here is an exercise to get you swinging more from the inside and releasing the club at the target.

Photo 1. Get set up with the club pointing at the ball but the body pointing 45 degrees away from the target line so that your back is at the target.

Photo 2. Using a 7 iron, swing the club into 3/4 position so that the left arm works across the body.

Photo 3. Keeping you back at the target, swing back to the ball, hitting from inside the line as if to start the ball right.

Photo 4. Strike the ball and release the club with the back still at the target. You may hit pushes to start off with but eventually when you release the club the ball will start to draw.

Photo 5. The back swing may feel odd, but when you change your feet back to the correct position you will see the club is in a great slot at the top of the back swing.