This week has inspired me to appreciate the frustrations of a golfer. I can remember feeling like this when I used to play seriously back in my mid-teens and I can remember many tears and the haunting feeling of a bad day on the course. Seeing a high quality player such as Thomas Pieters, who through sheer frustration, snapped his club around his neck, shows just how hard he is trying, how much playing well means to him and reminds me that the game of golf can really get to any player.

Certain processes need to be in place to ensure progression including:

Correct assessment of performance - It is very easy to incorrectly analyse a round of golf and an accurate overview helps a player to set meaningful goals.


Working on the right things - An experienced eye should steer you in the right direction and help monitor progression.


Good simple coaching - Simple swing thoughts are always good during the playing season. The swing thoughts should always guarantee shot outcomes and this is what a coach should provide for you.


Quality practice - A ten minute practice session can sometimes be as productive as a two hour session. Using feedback, instruction and using your practice time wisely will help progression off but also on the course.


The Exams - Treat each shot with the same amount of attention and play each shot to the best of your ability regardless of result or score. Add the score up at the end and stay focused on the shot in hand.


The Golf Plan (business plan) - Have twenty year, ten year, five year, two year, one year and season goals which you would like to achieve. Setting goals over a period of time allows you to take time to achieve them in the long run.

Enjoying the process - It’s great fitness, keeps your mind busy and the socialising aspect is good for the soul. Trying too hard can make you expect too much, get too tense and interfere with positive results. Keep a low level of expectancy on each shot.

Happy golfing this week, with very best wishes.

Paul, Caren, Nick, Andy and luke