Hello and welcome to this week’s newsletter. What a busy week it’s been for us all since Ben’s departure. As you will see from Aaron’s report he's had a couple of good finishes in the East Region Pro-Am circuit with members and a very expensive day at the St Claire's hospice. Sarah has been busy coaching all over Saffron Walden including a visit to the local Brownies where apparently she was teaching them trick shots out of a fourth floor window at residents enjoying the evening sunshine in their gardens below. I managed to get out a couple of times and enjoy the sunshine too, including my debut in the Club against the Scots match. I was partnered with Ian Hudson playing against Bill Rutherford and Peter Stanley. Unlike Steve Plumb’s match it was a closely fought contest. We were never behind but we kept on getting pegged back every time we got our noses in front until we were able to pull away by winning 8, 9 and 10. They kept themselves in it by having nett birdies on 12 and 13 but we managed to get over the line eventually winning 2&1.
The Club won every game bar two. One was halved and well, as you'll see from the other match it was rather one sided. Thanks to Colin for the invite and the chance to beat the Scots, my playing partners and Ian who came into his own on the back nine after recovering over the front 9 from having to spend the previous 24 hours with Danny Fielding from East Herts Golf Club.
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 | | Mr Plumb |
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Our Mizuno Fitting Day is on today so thank you to everyone that comes down and tries out their fantastic range of woods and irons.
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Chipping Over A Bunker Many people struggle getting over a bunker as they thin or fat the shots. Here is a good example of how to do it right. Deb actually came for a bunker lesson but we worked on a technique which can be used to pitch over the sand as well as from it.
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One of the most common things I see when people play this shot is that they either try to help it up or freeze over it at impact, both with terrible consequences. Deb was leaning back and either catching them heavy or cutting across it. We altered her stance to point more at the target then set the weight more to the left side whilst leaning the shaft back. This allows the bounce/sole of the club to be used more in the strike making it a more forgiving technique as you don't have to get the ball first every time. |
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What you will notice is the weight transfers through now to the left side rather than leaning back trying to help the ball up. At impact the club doesn't dig and if you're able to watch in slow motion you'll see that it strikes the ground before the ball and stays on the ground for quite a while giving margin for error.
Like I said earlier this can be used in the bunker too as its using the bounce of the club. |
Morrow Trophy
Sunday saw the annual holding of the Morrow trophy. Lady Morrow, whose husband was a reaction of Old Tom Morris was in attendance and the day was very well supported.
Coming in with a fantastic score to win with a spectacular back nine was Stellar Parker, Sylvia Goddard, Mick Hayes and James Haupt.
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Aaron Howard - Pro-Am's
Muswell Hill Pro-Am
Last Friday I played alongside Ben Gill, Tim Wells and Matt Wells in the Muswell Hill Pro-Am. In some great company, I loved the quick greens and the way the course was immaculately presented. I had a great round, recording the third best score in the individual competition and collected a prize. Despite a strong back nine our team score didn’t manage to quite make it to the prize table where double figures under par were required. John O’Gaunt Pro-Am
Playing alongside Hugh and Jonathan Jenkins and Olly Jones we started on the hard par 3 tenth hole. We only managed 2 under for the first 9 but conspired to produce some good golf on the back nine to help us achieve an eleven under par total. Although it matched last year’s winning score, this year it unfortunately was just outside of the prizes. Individually I grinded out a score of three over par to finish off a tough but respectable round.
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St Claire Charity Day - Saffron Walden GC
I always enjoy doing the “beat the pro” challenge on the 18th hole as it is great fun and is well supported in aid of such a good cause. After the odd near-miss including one nervous shot in front of the Saffron Walden Captains. I managed to get my second ever hole in one at the club. A beautiful 8 iron from 165 yards found the mark and never left the flag in flight.
The Captain’s team won the day and they raised the substantial amount of approximately £13,500 for St Claire’s which makes everyone’s efforts worth it. Thanks to John Burgess, Geoff Woolerson, the Epping Rotary Club and all the others who helped organise such a successful golf day.
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Sarah Smith - Tuition Breaks As you may know I have been running Tuition Breaks for the last 2 years now. With some great feedback and recent places visited this winter, we are running these again! What better way to spend your winter season than in some warm sunshine at 5* golf resort… El Rompido in January 2020.
Anybody, with any handicap can come. Numbers are limited for each break and the spaces are going quick!
Please let me know if you are interested or have further questions.
Click here to enlarge poster. |
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PING Demo Day
We're delighted to announce that PING will be coming to Saffron Walden on Friday 31st May giving you the chance to try out and get fitted for their fantastic G410 range. Here are the key details:
Friday 31st May - 11am-3pm - FREE Click here to book your slot or let us know in the pro shop. |
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| Friday’s free swing advice |
Ball Position! The ball position for every club is slightly different, this is because each club is a different length & loft and will ‘bottom out’ in a different position at impact. It’s important to get this correct during your set up as it can make a difference to how you strike the ball! Wedges: These are to go slightly further back in your stance, this will allow you to hit down on the ball - there is no need to help it up in the air! Mid Irons: Keep it simple, middle of your feet. Driver: Just inside your front foot, the driver has the least loft therefore you want to hit it on the up part of your stroke.
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General Rule
Everything stays inside your feet, which are roughly shoulder width apart - slightly wider with a longer club. The longer the club, the further forwards it will go in your feet, the shorter the club the further back!
Don’t forget to look for more swing advice & videos on my Facebook page – SmithPerformanceGolf
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'Putting The Practice - Into A Round!'
@ Great Chesterford Research Park, Par 3 Course - ONLY 2 SPACES LEFT!
Saturday 8th June 1:30-2:30pm |
The Get Into Golf afternoons at Chesterford's Par 3 course is back for 2019! This hour will be a coached short game session ran by PGA Professional Sarah Smith, aimed to improve your chipping, putting & approach shots onto the green. The group is aimed for those wanting to improve their short game or who may be a little newer to golf & wanting to start somewhere easy! After the hour is complete, you will be allowed to continue at the Par 3 Course, playing as many holes as you like! It's a fun afternoon meeting new people and you will be refreshed on the skills of improving your golf game.
ONLY £15 For The Hour
(Optional free play after the coaching, equipment & balls provided)
Book now to secure your place, maximum of 8 in a group:
Email: sarah@smithperformancegolf.co.uk
Telephone: 07766 727491 |
2019 Junior Programme Sundays - 10am-11am or 11-12 noon
16th, 23rd, 30th June, 7th, 14th & 21st July - NOW FULL
4 week programme on Wednesdays 4-5pm (£36.00)
12th, 26th June, 3rd & 10th July |
Par:
- Video analysis during coaching sessions and monthly reports back to parents.
- Life skills such a learning golf etiquette.
- Skills, challenges and games during the coaching sessions to improve team bonding.
Birdie:
- Video analysis during all coaching sessions, monthly reports back to parents.
- Par 3 course access at Great Chesterford to practice April – Sept for £5pp.
- Coaching on all parts of the game.
Eagle:
- Junior competitions are held monthly to introduce you to a real golf course, blue tees at the 150 yards markers allows a shortened version of a golf hole. Juniors who are ready to adventure out on the course, can play twice in the junior competition for £1 before being invited to junior membership.
- Half price range balls.
- Coaching on all parts of the game, includes more advance subjects such as playing off slopes and hills.
Junior Academy and Membership:
- Half price range balls, bar and restaurant discount as a junior member.
- A chance to play for the Junior Squad and Development Team and to represent the club in matches.
- Crash courses during the Junior Squad and Development sessions on keeping fit for golf.
- Away trips to other Golf Club and coaching days out.
- The programme will run over the six weeks of term time for the price of £48.00.
- There will be limited spaces in each group, spaces must be booked in advance.
- During summer months, there will be an option of an evening time as well.
- During school holidays, Junior camps will be run for all levels, competition days at the par 3 course and we will encourage you to play in as many Junior Roll Up’s and competitions as possible!
Please contact Sarah Smith for more information or further questions.
Telephone: 07766 727491
Email: sarah@smithperformancegolf.co.uk |
Aaron Howard - Junior Summer Camp 2019
August 14th & 15th (10am - 3pm) A 2 day junior course covering all aspects of the golf swing from start to finish. Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced junior player come along and improve your game. There are fun practice drills and games combined with structured teaching to help you progress individually while enjoying a group environment.
Lunch is included to break up the informative yet fun experience. If you want to hit it longer, strike it straighter, pitch and chip it close, and have lots of putting success then book your place. Finally an on-course session (subject to availability) practicing all the new skills you have learnt rounds the camp off with prizes at the finish line. |
£65 per person
Please contact Aaron Howard on 07768 686865 or aahgolf@googlemail.com to reserve your booking. Places available on a first come first served basis, book now to avoid disappointment. |
| Most overlooked club in the bag? |
Thankfully, the penny has dropped when it comes to the importance of getting custom fitted for a new driver or set of irons. Unfortunately, we still see the vast majority of golfers overlook this process when it comes to their fairway woods, but why? |
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“I wouldn’t use it often enough”
“It's too expensive”
“It's not necessary” Yeah, I guess if you’re not concerned with shooting lower scores and maximising your potential then a custom fitted fairway wood isn’t that important. However, if improving your game is something you want to achieve, then having a full set of custom fitted clubs is vital, especially when it comes to gapping between your driver and irons.
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Mizuno ST190 fairway woods One option that we'll certainly get you to try is this beauty from Mizuno. It utilises the brand's Wave Soleplate for brilliant forgiveness when hit a little off-centre - a common strike pattern with fairway woods - for maximum performance.
So, let’s get you booked in for a custom fitting with a member of the team and harness your potential with the most overlooked club in the bag. |
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