Goodman comeback pushes Walden on

Graham Goodman, SWGC scratch captain, made his scratch league debut this year, to help Saffron Walden scratch team with another emphatic win over Links Newmarket 6-0 in the CAGU Div 1 scratch league.

Owing to the non-availability of Goodfellow and Macdonald, Goodman stepped up after a winter of shoulder operations to make his mark on Walden's push for the title.

In glorious summer evening sunshine Olly Tuck and Mark Reeve started off against Hartley and Marris. In uncharacteristic patchy golf the Walden pairing went behind that is until Reeve holed in 1 on the 7th. From then on they fought back but were still 1 down going into the 16th hole. They then won the last 3 holes to win 2 up. Richard Southall and Cam Brown made it 5 wins out of 5 when they defeated Parsons and Clough 7 up. Southall carried over his fine form winning the scratch prize with 38 pts in the recent captain's day.

Up stepped Captain Goodman with his partner Tom Duggan to take on Bowers and McQueeny. Walden's chipping was on song with Duggan making three superb par saving chips and Goodman making a vital par saving bunker shot on the 8th. Walden were 1 up going into the 13th, but a short putt missed by Goodman meant the game remained 1 up. Newmarket won the 14th to make it all square. Goodman made up for his miss with an 8ft par putt on 15 to keep the game all square. McQueeny drove into the bunker on 16 and Bowers, trying for the green, left the ball in the bunker so Walden won the hole and went 1 up. Newmarket's game deserted them for the remaining holes and they then lost 17 and 18 to give Duggan and Goodman a 3up victory.

With Brampton Park winning 6-0 against Gog Magog it leaves Walden 3 pts ahead of them and with a much better holes up difference. Walden now play Brampton Park this week which will be seen as title decider.

David Watts Away Day - Wellingborough Golf Club

40 members travelled up to play in the annual David Watts away day at Wellingborough golf club. I have had the pleasure of playing the course a number of times before when I was in the Midlands region in order of merit events and it really is a well laid out course with lovely facilities, which despite the arguments of order of tee times on the 1st hole and who's bet on who, it was an excellent choice by Simon Noakes for an away day.

The day was won by the re-juvinated eight handicapped Mike Price and Mike Gebbie with 44 points. I had the pleasure of partnering Peter Taylor, despite getting off to a good start with 22 points after 9 we fell away a touch on the back nine and ended with 39 points.

Captain's Weekend

Last weekend the club held the Captain's weekend in glorious sunshine, the whole weekend was a great success starting with Jonathan Jenkins having 40 points in a 4 club competition to win the Junior Captains day.

Richard Southall won best gross with 37 points off scratch, while James Smith won the main stableford competition with a brilliant 43 points.

Mike Spicer managed to break his duck (apparently not having won for 36 years!) partnering Anne Reynolds they won the mixed on Sunday.

Richard has a very athletic swing with a big shoulder turn and can strike a lovely ball. The main fault in the swing is a shut club face which is caused by a strong grip at address and an early disconnection of the body and arms on the way back. The shoulders complete the turn way before the club completes its move to the top. When the two actually get there, the club and arms are in a great position and this continues throughout the down swing. With a bit of work on getting a better grip and synchronised back swing Richard will become a more consistent player.

Click here to view a video of his swing.

In the picture on the right you can see the reason for the shut club face at the top of the swing, Richard has a strong grip with the V's pointing past his left shoulder.

Build your technique around your body type

When Tiger Woods turned pro in 1996, his shoulder turn was measured at 120 degrees, his hip turn under 30. The huge torque he generated contributed to his immense power; but it also spawned a generation of copycats, all trying to turn their shoulders against their hips and create as much 'X-Factor' as possible.

Of course it didn't work, for a simple reason; torque creation demands flexibility, and not all of us are blessed with it. Every successful golfer, including Tiger, builds their technique around their physiology. Tall, stiffer players (think Davis Love) create power through swing arc width; shorter, heavier players (think JB Holmes) through a punchy weight shift.

If you're looking for a swing role model, find one that matches your build. Better yet, book some time with us. We can ensure your methods are appropriate to your physique.

If they are not, you're facing not just frustration, but potential injury. Click here to enquire about a lesson to review your swing.