Hello and welcome to this week's newsletter.
Yet again the cold weather is taking its toll on playing conditions with only the really keen getting out there. Tuesday morning saw the worst of it with early temperatures of -5.5! Slightly different from Qatar where the European Tour has based itself this week.
This week saw the continuation of the ladies winter training programme and this month we are focussing in on some on course work and short game to help them get over the line and win some silverware this year.
From my point of view it helps me to see lessons on the course as opposed to the range. Range golf is great for working on parts of the game or warming up, but you are not hitting at a specific target or yardage and you are nicely aligned with the mats. On the course you have to play the consequence of the previous swing rather than saying it doesn't matter and getting another ball out the basket. Player's pre-shot routines, or often lack of them, are interesting to watch as is their reaction to see how they move on from bad shots and not compound the error. Often it can be something basic like alignment, tempo change on the course or strategy that will make a big impact to a player's game and score.
If you are interested in course lessons and would like to take up the members 9 hole playing lesson winter offer please call the pro shop, email me at rob@swgc.com or click here to get in touch.
News from the States
I woke up to an email saying that two of the world's biggest hitters met at the Orlando trade show this week. I recognise Philip but can't make out the other chap, must be a rookie...
On course alignment drill
It's amazing how many people believe that they are aiming at the target when really they are doing anything but. The most common mistake I see are players aiming to the right of target. I think this can come down to a misunderstanding of what you are supposed to be aiming at. A common fault is to alien the body to the target and not the club face, thus aiming you right of target. Here is a method to get you aiming correctly.
1. Move in from behind the ball not the side. I see a lot of people getting set up to the ball then take the alignment. If you watch tour players they will all take their aim from down the line not sideways on.
2. Use the club face as the point of reference to your target not your body. Grip the club, and moving in from down the line, point the club face at the target. This will allow you to get a much better aim.
3. Set your body parallel to the target line Once the club is pointing at the target, set your body parallel to the target line. A good image to have is that of train tracks with the club on one and the body line on another. At first it may feel a bit open and that the ball will go left. Persist with it and you will see the ball go straighter and the swing feel freer as the body is not blocking the path to the target.