Welcome to this weeks newsletter. The season seems to have almost happened over night, going from the wet to qualifiers in the blink of an eye. I have actually managed to get out and play over the past week, taking in Thorndon Park, Princes and our very own Saffron Walden.

I started at Thorndon Park last Friday in the Captain Pro challenge winners away day. The course is always a good test of golf and was presented in good condition. It was still quite wet under foot and goes to show how well our course has drained.

I then went away with the BOMs on monday to Princes in Kent, beside Royal St. Georges. This was the second year we have been down there and the weather was much kinder to us than our last visit.

On day one, myself partnered by Mike Price and I came in with what we believed may be a winning score of 42 points round a tricky links, only to be undone by Bill Rutherford and Ian Hudson who scored a remarkable 48 points, of which Ian would have had 46 on his own card. We were so thrilled for Ian, to ensure it didn't happen the following day we paired him off against Mike Price and Mark Jones, and they brought them down to 35 points. Mark and Mike managed to win the second day with 39 points in windier conditions.

My final game was on Wednesday with the Slade. I partnered Eric Fordham who got off to a blinder, and we managed to accumulate 21 points through 7 holes. Unfortunately we were not able to continue this, but finished nicely with a mid-table 42 points. The unfortunate winners on count back (very dubious decision considering who was taking the cards) were George Reynolds and Paul Wisbey. They had the misfortune to have a better back nine than the Slade Captain Robert Register and card official Stephen Griffiths. More importantly, winning the Slade PPP Pot for the first time was a delighted Mike Price and Derek Clarke. Unfortunately the pressure will be on Derek next month as he will be gunning for three in a row, and the possibility of owning the pot outright.

For many, The Masters signals the start of the golf season and we don't have long to wait. One of the things that intrigues me most about the whole week is some of the shots the professionals are faced with, and nine times out of ten they seem to pull them off.

Whether it's uphill or downhill lies, intimidating putts across treacherous greens or approach shots littered with card-wrecking danger, we are treated to a vast array of shots during Masters week. My instruction pages might not advise you how to play a low slinging draw off pine needles, but you will find some great tips and advice for all aspects of your game.

Have a browse, and for during those times when you can't get out onto the course to play, or hone your game on the range, take on board a few useful pointers. You might not find yourself teeing it up at Augusta next year, but I guarantee you'll find it useful for shaving a few shots off round here. So click here to take a look at the videos and tips I have for you.