Hi guys and girls. Welcome to our latest newsletter. 

Here endeth the first lesson.....

So I always thought I would never play golf. As a busy working mum, it never occurred to me that I really should take advantage of the most amazingly beautiful place in Bristol and #getintogolf myself! I am forever tweeting and writing about the wonders of the game but never actually practicing what I preach, until now...........! 

Many years ago, Paul tried to teach me but I was a young stubborn girl full of attitude when we met aged 24. Golf? Isn't that something people who keep fit do? I was more interested in sitting on the beach in my bikini (wistfully remembering my waistline at this point, yes I did have one once but it's been a while!) sipping a mojito and getting as tanned as I could than standing on a cold and wet driving range whacking a blob with a stick. 

As the years have rolled by, I often walk over to the range (only in good weather of course) and wonder what I have been missing. I made the mistake of voicing this to my husband of 15 years, and although I am sure I initially saw pure terror in his eyeballs, he has nevertheless gallantly agreed to teach me in the noble art of hitting a blob with a stick. Hurrah! So my golfing career has begun afresh. 

Fresh air shots aplenty, the sheer horror of thinking somebody else might come to the range and see me top it. Do Jimmy Choo make golf shoes?, can you wear stilettos on the first tee?, is there enough room in the cooler pocket of a golf bag for a bottle of Moët? (Mmmm I might have to investigate) and have I left it too late? All these thoughts dominate my mind as I step up to the ball! 

My first lesson centred around the 7 iron. In the past irons have not been my friend, I do not even like ironing clothes. Historically I have been hopeless unless I use the frying pan (driver), and even with that, only less marginally hopeless. So I took on the challenge with a familiar feeling of dread....but I actually hit the ball more than the ground. 

I also managed to cope with at least three other people in the range watching! I actually even managed one good shot (out of 30 balls). I don't think the bug has bitten me yet but I am proud to say that I snapped nothing and did not throw a big baby tantrum. That's saved for next week's lesson, woods, so I should avoid the driving range next week if I were you! 

Now here's Paul's view of my attempts! 

I had a new recruit to my teaching portfolio this week! Caren has decided to take up the game and wanted me to give her a few tips to help with her practice. When Caren and I first met back in 1998 (wow!), I did give her a couple of lessons and I must admit she did hit, to my surprise, a couple of cracking shots. The husband and wife coaching relationship is often not encouraged but on this occasion, I plucked up the courage to ensure impeccable patience and encouragement. 

Firstly we worked on Caren's posture as she was a little too hunched over the ball. I positioned the weight more on the shoes laces rather than the heels and asked her to lift the chin off the chest to allow a free turn of the shoulders. 

As you can see Caren has a very full swing and the club often swings past the horizontal position at the top of the backswing. I'm not too bothered about this as long as the position coming down isn't compromised. Many of the top players can often over swing; Bubba Watson, John Daly, Tom Watson, Paula Creamer and Phil Mickelson are just to name a few and Caren is certainly in this category. 

It is a 'so called' unorthodox way of swinging the golf club but for me is a way of creating extra power in the golf swing. The extra rotation and wrist hinge will create a powerful angle in the wrist that, if held during the downswing, can produce an extremely powerful release through the ball. Yes it requires great timing and could potentially be more erratic but the jury is out as to whether extra power is an asset for more success on the course? Unless I see Caren changing the Clubface position or bending the left arm excessively, I am certainly not going to change the long backswing position. 

One thing that slightly bothered me was the very open Clubface approaching impact. Many of the shots were shanked off into the trees on the right as a result of this but as soon as Caren tried to turn the hips and belt buckle towards the target and close the Clubface by rolling the hands and arms, she hit some wonderful shots. She even surprised herself and many of the keen practicers in the driving bays. 

There is some potential and I know Caren is determined to progress so don't be alarmed to hear Caren's laugh every now and then in the driving range. 

Back to the missus now. 

Keeping you cool! 

The weather has started to pick up, and with this we are moving into selling more ice creams. We have a mini freezer and stock several different, but nonetheless delicious, gelateria. You can choose from Magnums in classic, almond, mint or Marc De Champagne varities, Mars ice creams, cornetto, Solero, ice pops and Del Monte orange juice lollies with no additives. Fabulous! Sadly we do not possess a Mr Whippy machine (god help us) as I don't think the staff would get the hang of it! 

What's been happening at the academy this week? 

Our Academy Tri Golf festival was an unmitigated success. The weather was kind to us and 110 little ones, year 3-4 pupils from 11 South West schools, joined us for their regional qualifying stage 2 on the bottom practice ground. Paul, Andy, Luke and Kris coached the little ones whilst they competed to go on to the next stage, the Wesport final at Bath University Sports Village on 2nd July. It is always lovely to see little ones here at the golf club, and we hope some of them may join our junior golf passport groups on Sundays here at the club. 

The eventual winners were St Bernadette's primary so well done guys and good luck in the final round. I would also like to thank Matt Hawker and his team for cutting and arranging the bottom practice ground so beautifully for me, it was a pleasure to set up the festival on such a perfect surface. Thanks boys for all your help. We owe you one! I would also like to thank Debbie Casling for lending me the Get Into Golf flags and banners, and also Mark Boscott (Golf Roots South West Development Officer) for his help in running the festival. And thanks to the weather for being nice! 

Golf Club results update 

The June Medal was held on 7th, and was won by Reece Johnson with an amazing gross 64 (equalling the amateur course record).

The Ladies Medal on 3rd June was won by Dorothy Bastable and in second place was Sue Beswick. 

Great work guys, maybe one day I might be as good as you! (Unlikely) 

Forthcoming events news flash.... Andy is running another series of his ever popular Ladies golf coaching groups. See the notice board in the Ladies' changing room to sign up for these. These are always really popular so get in there early! 

Following on from the success of our Get into Golf day in May, and now being an official Gloucestershire Get into Golf Centre, our Academy has decided to do another Get Into Golf Day on 19th August, and I am currently in talks to run this event at a well known shopping centre. I may not be able to but I am sure going to try! If I don't get permission I have another idea up my sleeve. Sorry to be so mysterious but good things come to those who wait.....! 

We are also holding another Ladies' Golf Fashion Show later this year, on September 23rd at 6.30pm, so save the date! Invitations will be sent during August.