What else has been happening?

Last week I was at the Belfry for a Coaching Seminar called ‘Constraints-led Coaching.’ For those that regularly read this newsletter you will know I love coaching golfers and getting them to improve not only their golf games but their own knowledge.

For me it is really important to continue my education in coaching and regularly try and attend seminars. I’ve actually just booked two more yesterday for May and June. I have and do incorporate this style of coaching in my lessons, but thought I wanted to explore it more. The definition of a constraint is ‘a boundary which encourages the learner to emerge with new behaviours and/or movement solutions.’

It was very informative day. Looking at what you can constrain: the player, environment, task and equipment with potential benefits from constraints-led learning being, but not limited, to:

• Technical change
• A new skill
• Better focus and heightened awareness
• Improved learning or state
• Changed Perspectives
• Better Decision Making
• Ability to deal with pressure
• Develop Grit
  
• Develop Ownership and Autonomy.
  

It was a very hands on day trying out lots of shots situations and believe it or not games!

Some people forget the F-Word! Yes games you are allowed to have FUN when playing golf.

Watch this space for some group coaching around the day I attended, which will involve lots of games!

The importance of being fitted for your new driver

We have been at it again this last week fitting players ready for the season, which included an Edel Putter, Cobra F8 irons and Cobra driver.

One of our fittings was with Stevenage Golf Club Member, David Hatmil who has been after the new Cobra F8 driver since it was announced last year.

Well, we got David in the teaching studio and the results were not as we expected.

See Davids Report below:

"I had been looking for a new Driver before Christmas and spoke to Matt who mentioned the new Cobra F8 with the unique "milled face". Full of excitement, I read about this wonder club and made up my mind that a new one was heading for my bag.

"Yesterday, the day arrived and I went for my fitting with Matt. The whole experience (nearly two hours) was well structured and enjoyable.

"We tried various combinations of the F8 and although it looked good, I wasn't getting much more in distance. Before frustration started to set in, Matt suggested that I try the FMax Offset Driver. Albeit another new model, it didn't appear to have all the razzamatazz of the F8.

"However, to my (and Matt's) surprise, from the very first drive, I started to gain 20 to 30 yards on my old driver and the F8.

"Suddenly, this became my favourite club and I duly left the session with a brand new FMax and £100 better off!! https://www.cobragolf.co.uk/f-max-offset-driver

"Moral of this Tale: It's great to get excited about new fancy equipment, but it is far better to undertake a proper fitting and walk away with the right club!"

Report by David Hatmil

Schedule has been announced...

The PGA East Region Pro Am schedule has been released and below are the Pro Ams myself and Ryan are available to play. Prices range per Pro Am, so if you fancy playing in a Pro Am or making up a team please let me know and I will get a price for playing.

A great day or two under tournament conditions.

The London Open

One interesting event is ‘The London Open’ a two day Pro-am in the style of the Dunhill links where there is the pro event and better ball team event going on at the same time. Day one draw is a random tee time and day two is a reverse order with the leaders going out last.

Herts PGA Pro-Am

These are £65pp and include coffee bacon rolls on arrival, 18 holes, 2 course meal and prizes. Two great courses coming up are Sandy Lodge where I played with Gordon Farmer in the Lombard Regional final last year and Ashridge also where the Lombard qualifier was the previous year and where I played with Bob ‘The Grip’.

If you fancy it I’m sure both those guys will tell you ho great both those courses are and I and Ryan would love to take two teams to these Pro Ams.

Thursday 1st March, Sandy Lodge
Monday 12th March, Ashridge

PGA East Region schedule

Monday 21st May John O’Gaunt GC
Wednesday 30th May Sudbury GC
Wednesday 6th June The Hertfordshire GC
Wednesday/Thursday 13th & 14th June The London Open 2 day Pro-am £130
Wednesday 27th June Theydon Bois
Wednesday 11th July Manor of Groves
Thursday 12th July The Richmond GC
Monday 16th July Kings Lynn GC
Monday 30th July The Grove
Thursday 9th August Links (Newmarket GC
Wednesday 15th August Leighton Buzzard GC
Tuesday 21st August Ely City GC
Tuesday 4th September Wanstead GC
Monday 10th September The Shire GC
Wednesday 19th September Stanmore GC

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