Matt Bannister

Hello Golfers,

Welcome back to the south east’s friendliest golf course, here at Stevenage Golf and Conference Centre.

This week, the inaugural ‘be a player’ nine hole group session report, demo day news, deal of the week and more.

Enjoy the read!

Coaching news

It's a state of mind...

Working on technique is always important, however, once you are on the course it is often your mental state that needs attention.

This week was the first of the NEW on-course playing lessons inspired by a book I read earlier in the year called ‘Be a Player’. Stevenage member Carl and Essendon member Denise were the first to head out and experiment over 9 holes.

These 'Be a Player' sessions are aimed at both the golf club player and advanced players and presents a series of 'human skills'. Played over nine holes, we had a new exploration on every hole that strip away the many swing thoughts going on at any one time. Not once did we discuss technique while on the course!

The goal is to unite your technical skills that you already have and are working on and on-course performance to unlock your golfing potential and breakdown milestones!

Costing £20 per person with a maximum of 3 in a group.

Denise said ‘I enjoyed the session very much. It certainly made you think outside the box and look at golf from a different perspective and be more confident to try different clubs as oppose to this hole I always take a driver then 5 wood etc. Definitely be trying out some of the balance shots again! Interesting session and well played Carl!

Carl said ‘My golf has been consistent against my handicap for the last few months. I’ve invested in new fitted irons in 2018 and my swing seems to be working well according to the Trackman stats. However, I can’t seem to shift my handicap towards the downward trend despite my efforts.

I decided to join a 9 hole playing lesson called ‘Be a player’ on 23rd September 2019 aimed at bringing technique, human skills and scoring ability together. I figured at a low-cost playing lesson, it’s worth a try.

The lesson started with a brief on the aim of the lesson, and the approach throughout the 9 holes starting with a standard tee off approach. Throughout the 9 holes we were introduced to a few interesting practice concepts to make us mindful of the ‘Human Skill’ factors of golf and how it affects each of us differently to create our unique playing approach. It was a very enjoyable 9 hole practice session with a 19 pointer finish.

I’m confident that if I practice the ‘Human Skills’ elements of Golf and apply them to my ‘Technical Skills’, then my game would be more enjoyable with a lower handicap imminent.

elialia.

Notes I made on the course, transposed into a graphic

Be a Player Dates:

- Monday 30th September 2:30 pm – 1 Space Available

- Wednesday 9th October 2:00 pm – Fully Booked

New dates:

- Wednesday 23rd October 2 pm tee off

- Wednesday 30th 2 pm tee off

click here to book >

Pro's news

Herts PGA events...

The main Eastern Region calendar is drawing to a close, but not to worry as we still have some events locally that may appeal to you.

The Herts PGA offer a number of Pro-Am events through the ‘off-season’ and start in October. Ryan and I would love to take a couple of teams to each of these events. The venues are great and priced at £65 a man and made up of teams of 3 and a pro. Bacon/coffee rolls to start, a round of golf, two-course meal and a prize table are all included in the day (prize table subject to our results) plus the company and guidance from your resident golf pro’s for the day.

What else could you ask for.

The dates are below and if you want get a team together let us know.

- October 17th - Welwyn Garden City

- October 28th - Mill Green

- November 14th - Gog Magog

- November 20th - Ashridge GC

- December TBC - Letchworth

Fitting news

TS Speed! This is not one to miss

Titleist are back bringing one of the Tour’s most popular range of products to the site. Titleist have consistently been the number one Driver, Fairway, irons and wedge usage on numerous weeks on tour through this year and now with a new range of irons and TS driver models recently released

They are coming to showcase them here on Tuesday 15th October from 12 pm to 4 pm.

Click here and get in touch if you are interested and would like to book a slot.

Deal of the week

To Celebrate The Win

To Celebrate Callaway Staff player Danny Willets victory at the PGA Championship at Wentworth over the weekend.

If you purchase any Stock Epic Flash driver receive £100 off making the driver only £349 or any fairway epic flash and receive £50 off making the fairway only £199.

Come into store and check them out, or click here and get in touch if you are interested and would like to know more.

Studio news

Play and practice indoors...

From September we will be hiring out the teaching studio, to allow you to play or practice for £25 per hour.

You will be able to book online and up to 4 people will be able to use studio at any one time and you can even play US Open venues such as this year's Pebble Beach.

We will provide you more information in future newsletters, so stay-tuned.

Social media

Facebook

@MBGolfPro
@StevenageGolfConferenceCentre

Twitter

@MB_Golf_Pro
@StevenageGolf
@RyanDeerygolf

Instagram

@mb_golf_Pro
@stevenagegcc
@ryan_deery17

Jargon explained

In the latest of our battle series, we set two terms up against each other - bounce and grind - to explain what they mean when it comes to our wedge play as it's actually a lot simpler than you may think.

What is grind?

This is all to do with helping to improve contact with the turf and involves the removal of some of the material from the sole to achieve this.

Some brands have different grinds available within their line-up but we like how simple Cobra has made it, with a single Versatile grind offering maximum versatility in all turf conditions.

What is bounce?

Have you heard the saying 'bounce is your friend'? Well, it's definitely true and having the correct bounce will help you enormously.

It's the angle between your wedge's leading edge and the lowest point of the sole, with factors such as swing type (steep or shallow) and course conditions (firm or soft) playing a key role in what you need.

explore MIM wedges >

Winter is coming

Have you ever noticed how much harder you need to hit your putts in the winter compared to summer? As surfaces begin to slow due to longer grass and wetter greens, the need for a little extra effort on your putting stroke becomes clear.

Should you change your putter?

As putts need to be hit harder to get the ball going the same distance as they do in the summer months, using a heavier putter certainly won’t do you any harm.

The thought here is that a heavier putter will do more of the work for you, allowing for a smooth and more controlled putting stroke.

Whilst still being relatively lightweight compared to some putters, Cleveland's new Frontline range is certainly an option we'd recommend you trying.

Come and see us in the pro shop and we'd be happy to help you find the perfect putter this autumn.

Cleveland Frontline putters

explore the range >

Video of the Week

Enjoy this week's video as we recap Danny Willett's tremendous final-day performance at the BMW Championship from Wentworth, Surrey.

I hope you enjoyed this week's newsletter. As always, if you have anything that you'd like to contribute please speak to one of the pro shop team. I'll see you at the club over the coming days.

Stevenage Golf & Conference Centre
Aston Lane
Stevenage
SG2 7EL

Phone: 01438 880424

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