One hop and stop. How does that sound?

Friday, 19 October 2018

Watching golf on TV recently we were struck by the flight of wedge shots into greens. The ball flight of the Professionals on mid and longer wedge shots is almost always significantly lower than those we see amateurs playing. But these lower flighted shots land, hop and stop quickly.

If you’re interested in learning how to play that shot, contact us.

Golf is a simple game actually. The swing is a circle. It returns a relatively large clubhead
to a ball that hasn’t moved. And when you hit the sweet spot, it’s a great feeling.

How easy is it to find the sweet spot if the heel of your club is making contact with
the turf and the toe is raised? Which way is the club face pointing if you do find the
sweet spot? Would this be a great swing spoiled by a lie angle that was too upright?

Many manufacturers today are
building ‘standard’ clubs with very
upright lie angles. They think that
compensates for an over-the-top swing.
But do you have such a swing?
And how much over-the-top is it?

Let us help you hit more great shots. Let us check out your lie angles.
Get that right, and you’ll be amazed at how much more accurate you are.
This applies to all golfers. Why waste a great swing?

One of the greatest things about golf is that with a little commitment to improvement and practice
we can be like the finest wine, and get better with age.

Of course at the elite level power matters, but for most of us, a better technique, a sweet spot found more often,
and better game management, will all help us play better and better golf. Golf is rhythm and timing,
allied to the use of that special muscle: your brain.

Investing in better golf makes the game more enjoyable. If it’s more enjoyable you’ll practice and play more frequently.
The more golf you play, the more exercise you’re getting, the more supple you’ll remain.
Maybe more than your best golf is ahead of you.

If you’re a golfer who’s settled for their game throughout their playing experience,
or you’re a golfer worrying about the impact of a slowing swing speed, we want you to come and see us.
We want to help you set a new level of playing experience.

Happy golfing!
Steve

When it’s breezy, swing easy

Friday, 12 October 2018

Nice to see that Brandon Stone had another top 10 finish in the cold and windy Dunhill Championship at St Andrews last week. He reached the top ranking’s list for South Africa on the Race to Dubai (14th position). It’s nice to be in such a good form towards the end of the European season. Hopefully we will see his best game on this year’s Sunshine Tour.

Last Friday we had our monthly Pitch for Cash Competition, sponsored by Harbour Wealth. Well done to Luke Rathilal who holed out with his very last attempt! Luke is a student and a regular at the Range so I am sure the R2 000 will be well spent.

The windy season is upon us but this season you do not have to be intimidated by the Cape weather. Here are some tips that might help you the next time you find yourself in the middle of a “buster”:

  • Always try and reduce the spin on your ball.
  • Choke down on the shaft – this stiffens the flex which will help.
  • Take more club and hit softer, I always think of hitting at 60% power.
  • Downwind remember that the ball can get ‘knocked down” with high lofted clubs so it won’t always go as far as your think.

  Like my first coach always said: “when it’s breezy, swing easy”.

If you want to learn how to play better in windy conditions, contact us.

The fourth term has officially began and with it comes a heavy load of homework, projects, tests and exams. But it doesn’t mean the end of fun-filled activities. During the October Spring holiday we kept the juniors busy with golf day camps, private lessons, a 9-hole competition and other fun-filled activities. This is not the end. We gladly introduce a new term of group coachings on Saturdays and Sundays, and a 9-hole competition to look forward to!

Your approach shot accuracy depends on you squaring the face to the target line.
You must have the right Lie angles for your golf swing.
The sole will be square to the turf at impact. You’ll be straighter.

If the toe is up (vs. the heel), then your
face will automatically point to the left
(for right-handers). You’re missing
before you start.		 If the heel is up (vs. the toe), then your face
will automatically point to the right (for right-handers).
Perfectly aligned, great swing,
you’re still missing right?

Let us help you hit more great shots. Let us check out your lie angles.
Get that right, and you’ll be amazed at how much more accurate you are.
This applies to all golfers. Why waste a great swing?

In line with that argument, we weren’t expecting 30% of
you to say that your primary motivation for coaching
was to “lower your handicap”.
The survey didn’t collect personal data, like gender
or age or how much golf the respondent played.To us, your gender or age or how much you play,
doesn’t really matter. Whoever you are,
we see your handicap as
more than an ability to compete with the
best on an even field.We see your handicap as an accomplishment.
A measure of how you’re progressing.
A measure of the commitment to better.

Along with a lower handicap also comes better golf shots, a more fulfilling experience out on the course,
and more time on the fairway walking with friends.
It also comes with the feeling of pride and accomplishment.

R2000 can be yours tonight

Friday, 05 October 2018

I hope you all enjoyed the Ryder Cup, my thoughts on the picks of Garcia and Stenson proved to be 100% wrong. Team Europe was on fire, whoever would have predicted such a heavy defeat for one of the strongest teams the USA have ever put out…just shows.

I missed most of the event as I was in Zambia for a wedding and 100 miles from a TV and Wi-Fi, I did however get to play again at Lusaka GC where I had my first ever round of golf. My brother, nephew and I we hosted by the long serving Professional Paul Tembo and it was wonderful to reminisce.

Congratulations to Kevin Stone on his runner-up finish in this weeks SA Senior Open, he finished 2 behind Mark McNulty.Kevin has had a torrid year health-wise so this is a remarkable achievement, well done!

What can you learn from Kevin?

It’s that time of the month again so please join us at the range for the putt for cash and pitch for dough competition, sponsored by Harbour Wealth. There is a carry over from last month so the first to pitch into the “bin” will win R2000!

They say that “it only takes one great shot to bring you back again.”
Next time you’re out we want you to hit more great shots than usual.
Then we want you to hit even more the next time.

A set of irons working for you and not against you makes this so much easier to achieve.
You’ll square face to target; and sole to turf; experiencing the real joy of sweet contact
so much more often.

There are over 1,000 fitting options on
any single iron. Wow. Yes, lie angle; shaft type;
and length & flex alone usually makes for over
900 options. And we still haven’t touched grip
type and size; swing weight;
or even the amount of offset.		 The correct lie angle on your irons brings
the sole of the club back square to the turf
at impact. An incorrect lie angle will make that
very difficult to achieve. Depending on whether
you are toe or heel up at impact, the face will be
pointing to the hook or slice side of your target
at impact. Why suffer that challenge?

Don’t suffer in silence. Let us help you hit more great shots.
Check out your lie angles with us.

In a recent survey 38% of the golfers who responded,
stated that the greatest motivation to join a coaching
programme was “hitting better golf shots”.
We agree. The pleasure you get from hitting good
golf shots more than justifies any time spent
on improvement.

What is it that you enjoyed most about your last round? Was it the score? Was it winning?
Was it the social experience? Was it enjoying the moments when you hit a shot flush, solid, and accurate?

Investing some effort and time in improving your ball striking brings you all of the above.
The joy of better shots more often; a better score; more victories; and surprisingly to some, a better social experience.
Next time it’s going well, check your lightness of mood. We bet you’re having more fun with your friends.

Every time you hit a great golf shot, you feel a real sense of accomplishment and fulfillment, however good or experienced you are. Come on. Take a step to hitting more great shots.

Happy golfing!
Steve