Make the off season your on season

This is the time of year to evaluate your season to see where you can make improvements for next year. You can then be ready and primed like a well trained race horse ready to bust loose in spring! Don't leave it till the last minute. The work you do over the winter will determine your summer game.

SWING TRAINING

Diagnose your mis< hits with your coach, get to the root of the problem and apply golf swing training drills during your practice. You can even do this at home with a golf club and a mirror. It's well worth having one or two lessons a month through the winter. Repetitive drill training for your golf swing will encourage your muscles to produce the correct technique. If you were to learn a language the best way is to keep speaking it all of the time so you hear the phrases and memorise them. This can't happen with long breaks. Learning a sport is no different. Constant repetition and practice is the key. STRENGTH TRAINING

This is a great time of year to strengthen specific golf muscles. TPI training and screening is available, see Carla in the Pro Shop for details. These are just simple golf exercises, you don't have to pound the gym for hours on end and any age can do it! Just a few minutes a day in your own home.

STRETCHING

This is a biggy! As golfers get older they lose a tremendous amount of flexibility, which results in a massive reduction in distance and golf swing consistency. The only way to stop this decline is to plan a specific stretching program. Please see Carla in the Pro Shop for help with this. You will be amazed over time at the freedom you will get in your movement if you do a few simple stretches 3 times a week.

Golfers always find time to come to the driving range, why not find some time for the activities above and really feel the difference by the spring.

A few short game facts

Everyone wants to shoot lower scores. The best players in the world all agree that the key to lower scores is improving your short game. On the driving range I see 90% of golfers pounding balls, trying to find that perfect groove but the most valuable time is spent working on shots from 100 yards into the greens.
Even though average golfers are hitting their longest ever drives on their local courses they still aren't shooting lower scores.
I believe this game for beginners and high handicappers should be taught from the green backwards and especially for juniors, it's the part of the game that they don't get bored with. There is always an interesting result. After all they hit less greens than better players which mean they face more short game shots per round.

Which wedge?

Hard turf, less bounce

Wet turf, more bounce

Steep angle, more bounce

Shallow angle, less bounce

If marks on the wedge are at the back edge, less bounce

If marks on the wedge are at the front edge, more bounce

Hybrids compared to irons

Hybrid clubs are designed to replace mid to long irons. For example, no.3 hybrid would replace a 3 iron. A typical golfer would hit a 3 hybrid further and more consistently than a 3 iron. The hybrid will out perform the 3 iron by at least 10 yards. The reason for this, is that the hybrid has a deeper and lower centre of gravity which make them a lot easier to get the ball air born much quicker and wait till you try them out of the rough!

ACCURACY - Hybrids are more tolerant to mis hits.
Most golfers I custom fit say they are most comfortable with a 6/7 iron. Anything above that is a struggle for consistency.
Use the hybrid as an iron so keep the ball in the same position of your stance and just a little forward if you are using from the tee.

FACT - 60% of tour players do not carry a 3 iron. (what does that tell you).

CARLA WHITE
PGA Advanced Professional

Testimonial from a player receiving coaching from Carla:

I have been working with Carla for the last two years and I consider myself as a friend and not just a student. My handicap has reduced from 28 to 18 and this is due to her tuition and expertise. It doesn’t sound much, but I must confess I am not the best student to work with. To Carla’s credit it is her persistence and sheer determination that has improved my game to the point where I have just won a board competition at my club and I dedicate this win to her. Her help is not restricted to the range. I have phoned, text and emailed her on numerous occasions and she is always willing to assist and help with no hesitation. Combine that with the excellent set of Tom Wishon golf clubs that have been designed and made to fit my game is another reason for my success. Carla and Tom’s tireless emails, video’s and conversations over my swing they have developed a set of clubs to suit my game perfectly. They have made a set of clubs that has made me enjoy every game of golf again. I have recommended both Carla and Tom to a number of friends and I would not hesitate to promote both of them should anyone ask me in the future.

Zach and SeeMore putter wins the Open

I hope you had the opportunity to watch the 2015 Open Championship. From the weather delays, to an Amateur leading after 54-holes and of course Jordan Spieth's run for three straight major championships, it was quite an event to say the least! But in the end, it was Zach Johnson who trusted his SeeMore FGP to make birdie on the 72nd hole (see picture) to make the playoff and emerge as the Champion Golfer for 2015! With that said, your Golf Shop is an authorized SeeMore Putter dealer and has demos available including the SeeMore FGP that Zach used to become a two-time major champion! Try out a SeeMore today and start your journey to playing better golf!
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a fitting please don't hesitate to contact me.

Carla White

Advanced PGA Professional

SeeMore fitter/instructor

Chip and Run

This is a shot you will use regularly at this time of year with the tight, dry lies. You will have much more control around the greens using a chip and run shot. The choice of club is up to you and what you are comfortable with. Personally I use a 9 iron but you may be more comfortable with an 8 or a 7 iron.

(Pic 1) The ball is well back in my stance which will get the ball running lower. My weight and hands are forward.

(Pic 2) When taking the club back I keep the line between my arms and club in a Y shape with no leg movement holding my weight on the left side.

(Pic 3) When striking the ball I keep the Y shape in tact, my weight and hands staying forward and looking to balance a glass on my clubface!

<i>Now you really will have fun lowering your scores!

Seven Heaven

A modern 7 wood is well worth having in your golf bag. It gives a lovely high ball flight which will give you plenty of carry distance along With 21 degree of loft it will be very forgiving! 7 woods are modern day 5 woods.

Get lofted for more distance It is well worth getting an 18 degree fairway following on from this so you will have your fairways ideally gapped for distance. I see a lot of golfers carrying clubs that all do the same distance because all their clubs are not evenly gapped.
With a shallow face they are much easier to hit off the deck than deeper faced 15 degree 3 woods.

QUICK FIX

When you book a golf lesson expecting a quick fix, there is no such thing! It takes planning with your coach to make changes along with ongoing commitment and dedication.

For example, if you wanted to learn to play the piano or guitar, or any musical instrument.It takes time. You can't learn it in Five minutes. To be fluid at anything it takes many, many months and even years. As long as you are guided in the right way. Sounds like common sense to me. We never stop learning.

In golf you know what it's like when you suddenly make a small change such as moving your grip 1/4 inch, it feels very uncomfortable, bear with it and trust it till it feels right. Don't rush the change, take your time and feel it. It's worth it!

This is where I see golfers losing patience and getting frustrated and almost giving up the game because it doesn't work the first time. You can only improve slowly like baby steps, this is a massive achievement!

ALIGNMENT AND AIM.

I find alignment and aim in golf is a very common fault for lots of players. It is crucial for players to aim accurately for them to swing on the correct swing path. But it is not as easy as you might think, it should not be taken for granted and needs to be practised. Firstly, the club face should be square to the target line. For instance, if you are setting your club face right of the target line, it will be inevitable that your body will face that way too. This you can check regularly, just by putting a card or tee down on the ground, anything with a straight line, to check your club face position. Your eyes can soon get used to the wrong lines and when you look at it crooked for so long, it starts to look right when really it isn't. You will find then, that you will be manipulating your club face during your golf swing in an attempt to start the ball in the desired direction. When you practice, always use alignment sticks or Powerlines, this is the quickest way for your eyes to see the straight lines.
The longer the club the more inaccurate you can be, as you are standing further away from the ball. In my 22 years of coaching, by far the largest proportion of golfers aim mostly too far to the right, (right handed players).

COURSE MANAGEMENT

There are two main rules the average golfer should be taught in regard to plotting strategy on the golf course.

1. Plan to avoid the worst trouble
2. Do not plan on hitting perfect shots. Just take one at a time and not get ahead of yourself.

It is well known that is is not the quality of your good shots, but the quality of your bad ones.

If your predominant shot is left to right try teeing up on the right hand side of the tee box.
If your predominant shot is right to left, tee up on the left side of the tee. This will open up your landing area and you will be giving yourself a chance of playing away from the trouble.

FOR ADVANCED PLAYERS

If the flagstick is on the left side of the green, then the tee shot should be on the right side of the fairway. If the flagstick is on the right side of the green then plan your tee shot to be on the left side of the fairway. This will give you a nice route into the green.

APPROACH SHOTS

If the flagstick is on the front of the green, aim for the middle of the green. There are two reasons for this.

1. Most golfers under club and leave the ball short.
2. You may not strike the ball solidly.

With the pin on the right side of the green well guarded by a bunker, the ball should be played to the middle of the green or left, avoiding trouble and keeping the bunker out of play.

At the end of the day, you have to use your own strategy and stick with it, for good course management.Play to your strengths and not your weaknesses.

HAVE FUN

Plan for winter

I hope 2014 has been a great year for all of you.

This time of year is a great opportunity for all you golfers to look at your highlights from last year and find what area of your game could be improved and what you can work on during the off season.
It's worth jotting down on a piece of paper what you did well, good rounds, good holes, situations you handled well, good attitude anything positive you can think of. It is very important to have great reminders from last season.
Take a hard look at areas of your game that you might be struggling with. For example, quality of practice, short game, fitness anything you feel you could improve on this winter. Once you have done this you could set up a monthly plan for the next 3 months. This should give you a focus on the particular aspect you want to work on. You might seek guidance and advice with your coach. If so, get cracking!
Once you've decided, it is important to keep things simple and not complicate your development with gimmicks and quick fixes. Apply yourself to the simple methods of improvement and look forward to the new season armed with your new skills

Carla's Society - the Cowboys Roundup 2014 Season

After a long wet winter, it was nice to roll into Frodsham Golf Club in March, on a beautiful spring day. The cowboys were raring to go and we had a new member join us, singing cowboy Nick! The winner on the day was Tumbleweed Jeff with 35 points.

In April we played Upton-by-Chester Golf Club, a shorter course but much tighter, lots of par 3’s but there wasn’t a 2 in sight that day. I played with Steve who had a bucket of pars and J.C. who could have had a bucket of pars if he only could chip! He must have told Steve and I that there was no sand in the bunkers on every hole. We get used to it after a while! As we started George was limbering up on the bench on the 1st tee with his bum in the air like a praying mantis stretching out. Steve was shouting “you could get into trouble doing that!” Bagpipe John loaded the longest drive and nearest the pin, smiling like a Cheshire cat! Tumbleweed Jeff just wanted to know what was for dinner! Fast Talkin Bill was having a senior moment on the rules. The usual mayhem! Despite this the scores were good on the day, especially for Julie who won with 39 points.

Played a beautiful golf course in May, called Grange Park at St. Helens, it was a real gem and can’t wait to go back. The greens were fantastic and highly manicured with beautifully designed holes. Not played a course of this calibre for a long time. I had a great day with Jeff and Sundance Stephens. We played as well as we could despite the weather. Talk about the wheels falling off, they literally did for Sundance! Twice it happened “flipping brand new power trolley” he said. The rain was steady all day and it still looked beautiful. We watched our groups come in from the conservatory and as we looked on Jesse James shanked his ball on the 18th, followed by another shank by J.C. Off they marched into the rhododendrons. J.C. was complaining that too much talking was putting him off. Gee up George was a little giddy and put on his card “THE PITTS”. We had a lovely steak pie meal and the chips were great! The winner was Cool John O’Connell with 34 points.

Hawarden was our next outing. This is where Bob is Captain for the year, which is a lovely course and no easy task, the first 12 holes all seem to be uphill. It was a beautiful day for us, perfect weather for golf. We were all itching to go on the 1st tee. Mal was warming up in the nets like a man on a mission, then Jeff decided he would warm up too. I was about to take my tee shot when I heard this almighty CRACK! Cries of laughter rang out as I turned around and saw Jeff looking up into the sky, he had lost sight of his ball, totally perplexed after hitting it through a hole in the net up into the trees! Typical cowboy style, then I tried to settle myself down for my tee shot with not much success. You want to try hitting a golf shot when you have got the giggles! Off I went with Dixie and Bill and Bill played a blinder. He kept his rhythm beautifully all the way round and putted like a demon on those lovely greens. The course was in great shape. Dixie was getting a little frustrated to the extent that the s… word was used once or twice and the b……. word in a tone that threw us a bit. “It’s only a game” we whispered. “It’s supposed to be fun!” It obviously didn’t put Fast Talkin Bill off as he won with 40 points. Best score of the year so far.
It was a true links course in July, St.Annes Old Links and British Open qualifier. All the cowboys were looking forward to this one. Unfortunately it was a true links test with the breeze blowing hard crossing left to right and right to left with at least a 4 club wind. By the scores it was playing very difficult, with deep rough and superfast greens. Patience and perseverance was the order of the day. It was a question of keeping the ball as low to the ground as possible. I played with Jesse James who started with a couple of pars but rapidly went downhill in the testing conditions. Only his red trousers and turquoise shirt kept him in the game! George also struggled to keep the ball on the fairway. The winner of the day was Bronco Brooks who was the only player in the 30’s with 34 points so well done to him!

Aldersey Green was in August, slightly lower on cowboy numbers, with holidays etc but still 10 rode out. I was away also on the Amalfi coast and had a wonderful time, no golf clubs came with me this time as you can see by the coastline, mountainous! When I got back and saw the scores for Aldersey they were quite low so the course must have been a little tricky for folks. There was only one score in the 30’s which was Trixie Dixie with 34 points, obviously had a strategy! Well done Brian.

The John Biss Memorial Trophy was played at Sutton Hall where John was a member. Those of you who knew and met him will all think of him fondly and know how much he enjoyed playing with the cowboys on a Wednesday. We had a good turn out for the windy conditions but it was dry. I played with Bob and Bagpipe John. John played brilliantly but was not so good on the putting surface (if only). He did chip in for a birdie though and I got thrown around a bit after that! With tricky, fast greens and pins in difficult places along with a 2 club wind the scores were down. Cool John O Connell just got his name on that trophy with 30 points!

Just thought it should be brought to your attention that one of our members was banned from a driving range. Basically just for being there! He had to gallop out of that range! None of you use it so you are quite safe. It is rather a funny story so I will let George fill you in if he can bear it. As far as I know it is the first time that a cowboy has been banned from anywhere!

Last competition of the year was at Pryors Hayes, it was a pleasant day and we had our new bright yellow society shirts! The colour was absolutely perfect with George’s shoes, so that was a nice touch! I had the pleasure of playing with Julie and Bronco Brooks who had the ‘swoosh’ of a practice swing that sounded like an express train. It was making my hair part and I could see Julie was positively petrified! Jesse James was feeling good about playing his home course as he proceeded to score 22 points on the front 9 but sadly crap on the back 9! The winner of the day was Bagpipe John with 34 points who was shocked! (as shocked as a Miss World winner!) Great stuff!

The player of the year for 2014 is Julie O Belt It! Well played to you, Julie works very hard on her golf and deserves it. Congratulations!

It just leaves me to wish you all a great Christmas and new year and happy golfing in 2015. Remember what G.O.L.F means? Great Opportunities, Lifelong Friends.


Very Best Wishes from Carla xx