Welcome to this week’s newsletter, it's been a busy week with Pro-Am's and competitions!
Did you manage to watch any of the Ladies British Open this week? Or pop down to Woburn? If you didn't see my social media results from the qualifying round, I was very pleased to have missed out by just 6 shots with Rob on the bag caddying - it was a good birthday!
Rob is now recovering for a few days having his wisdom teeth removed so I hope you enjoy my write up this week.
Sarah |
Saffron Walden Pro-Am
Friday last week saw our Centenary Pro-Am. It was a great day and all three of us Professionals were lucky enough to take part alongside 40 other teams! I think a huge thank you goes to John Roberts for all the hard work organising the precious day - we have had lots of great feedback.
A new course record was set by Jason Levermore from Little Channels Golf Club with an impressive 8 under par! Well done to the winning team - Simon Hawkins, Jenny Hawkins & Paul Linwood with Professional Matthew Cousens who scored 128 total, on count back from Professionals team Andrew Pestell.
|
|
We’re very thankful also to Mizuno kindly sponsored our first prize which was a custom set of irons for each amateur. Already looking forward to next years... |
Newmarket Pro-Am Thursday this week, myself and Aaron took teams to Newmarket Pro-Am. Playing back at my home course brought back lots of memories and I had a great day with my team, Charlotte Pienaar, Matt Cross & Wendy Cook.
The course definitely had a few changes to it since I've been a member there from the ages of 6-20 years old - trees removed, rough grown up, bunkers redesigned, but it did show how lucky we are to have greener fairways as sadly it looked like they'd suffered from the hot spell! We scored 6 under as a team, closely following Aaron's team with a score of 7 under - middle of the leaderboard! I played pretty scrappy at the start (don't think Pro’s have good rounds all the time!) but was happier with my back half after I'd learnt how to grip it correctly! (Also didn't want to admit to Rob he was right all along with my strong grip!). I've got one more ladies event left in the One Day Series at Salisbury & South Wilts Golf Course in a couple of weeks time where I am currently placed 4th in the Order Of Merit, hoping a top 10 finish could get me to top 3! Looking forward to it. Have a read of Aaron's write up below... |
I was lucky enough to be joined by in-form swigs players Steve Plumb, Gordon Plumb and Steve Sistig at the Newmarket Pro-Am yesterday., most of which disappointingly had their handicaps cut over the last few days. We needed all the shots we could get as the leading team score was 17 under par. As Sarah mentioned, we all ended mid-table not being able to get any momentum going after some good play. Individually I played really well apart from one bad hole that cost me several shots. Jason Levermore continued his Saffron Walden Pro-Am winning form by shooting 5 under par to win the competition. The next one is Ely City Pro-Am where I’m joined by three other SWGC members in just over a weeks time. |
|
Aaron Howard - PGA Professional |
Jock Stewart Final
Tomorrow sees the final of the Jock Stewart competition. Saffron Walden members will play St Neots members at Newmarket Golf Club. The format stays the same as it has for previous round and the first tee off is 8.00am followed by the afternoon round at 1.30pm. If you'd like to go to support you are more than welcome to, I'm sure it will be much appreciated. The team consists of:
Chris & Tim Davey
Simon Hawkins & Chris Reynolds
Nick Selves & Ben Gill Wishing you all the best of luck, come home with the trophy!
|
Junior Golf Sixes
Last Sunday our Junior Golf Sixes team played at Kingsway Golf Club. If you don't know about the Golf Sixes, it’s a great way of getting the younger juniors without handicap involved in a competition! Our region is made up from Kingsway, Royston, Bourn, Saffron Walden, Thorpe Wood & St Ives Golf Clubs and a team of six juniors turn up on the day at the hosting venue. They play a version of greensomes where they both tee off, choose the best ball, both play from there, choose the best ball… etc… giving them two chances at each shot! Points are then awarded from scoring a 1 on the hole for 10 points to a 10 on the hole for 1 point.
With just three games left to play we are currently 5th on the leaderboard but points are very close! Good luck to the team playing at Royston tomorrow- please don't get blown away!
|
Maintaining a good posture.
I see many players in completely different postures during the set up of the swing. Posture is so important to a golf swing as your body needs to rotate, slouchy posture of posture to upright or to far over the ball can make a difference to your swing path, leading to a bad ball flight. Follow these simple instructions to create a good posture during your set up:
- Feet shoulder-width apart with your knees slightly flexed, standing upright.
- Now put your club across your hips and tilt from your waist (never your lower back) until your weight feels as though it's on your bottom shoelaces of your feet.
- Let your arms dangle down in a relaxed position, this is where you should be holding the club (roughly two fists widths away from you).
- Depending on which club you are hitting, move the ball position around. If it feels awkward to you, it's more than likely going to be correct! Changes aren't easy to make as many of you will know but trusting it going forwards will reduce your scores AND can prevent injuries. Here are some before and afters of my clients when we have been working on posture throughout the golf swing. |
Centenary Junior Coaching Programme
Sundays; 9-10am, 10-11am 0r 11-12noon
8th, 15th, 29th September, 6th, 13th & 20th October
(Please be aware no coaching on Sunday 22nd September) |
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.
Other Info:
- 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 |
Improve Your Short Game
At Saffron Walden Golf Club Chipping Green - Thursday 29th August - 7.00pm-8.00pm
|
This short game session is run by PGA Professional Sarah Smith. It's aimed to improve your chipping and also increase your chances of holing that birdie putt by getting the ball closer to the hole! You will learn what all your wedges are useful for around the edge of the green & also play some more complicated shots
from in the dips!
After the hour is complete, perhaps go test it by playing on the course with the people from the group!
ONLY £10 for an hour! Book now to secure your place, a maximum of 8 in a group: Email - sarah@smithperformancegolf.co.uk OR Telephone - 01799 522786 |
Mathematics can be a complicated subject with all that pi, algebra and calculus floating around, but there is one simple equation we can all understand: uncomfortable golf shoes = a miserable time for all
|
 | | Under Armour's HOVR Drive shoes |
|
Let’s break down this equation further The main problem here is that walking on hard ground for four hours/18 holes in the summer months can take its toll on our feet. Blisters and bleeding are common signs that something isn't quite right and the issue will only be exasperated if your golf shoes are worn, cracking or ill-fitting.
|
So, what’s the answer? After running the numbers through our super-computer, we end up with a pair of golf shoes that are designed for comfort, like UA’s HOVR Drive. They've taken HOVR from their other athletic departments to create a midsole that is lightweight, responsive and remarkably comfortable. Why not pop in the shop and try a pair on this summer? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
