Welcome to this week's fun packed edition of the PMGA newsletter!
This week we had a lovely group of five for disabled golf. As the weather was so bad on Saturday, the group began with putting on the putting strip inside the Pro Shop. They all really loved it, and it certainly encouraged a little competitive nature! Luke and Paul coached this group and they really brought the best out of the participants. This week the aim was to introduce the attendees to the concept of competition and they played a golf xtreme adapted game. Oh wow, they all did so well and it is a testament to these young people that they can commit week after week to achieve their goals. Maybe Phil was right, it might be soon time to play a few holes…!
Phil had also been shopping and bought two golf gloves. I am so pleased that this group is so dedicated and I am so proud of my team, what a brilliant group of guys. I am not boasting (I am not competitive whatsoever) but my own little Cam actually hit an amazing one handed shot to win the game for his team (yaaaaaaaaaay! Woo hoo!). This group is also about helping with social interaction and it has benefitted both Cam and little Kane massively, as they have both struggled with being in group scenarios in the past. I intend to continue providing inclusive golf for as long as there is demand.
In ten days time, we coach for four weeks in Kingsweston Special School. There will be seventeen children in the group with profound disabilities, so we are looking forward to helping them learn the very basics. I have been awarded further funding from the Golf Foundation's Feel Inspired fund, and this is how we are actually able to provide these services. All the boring paperwork is so worth it when you consider the enjoyment.
I also featured in this month's Fairway Golfing News, and also in the official EGU missives, with Andi and Kane, following her successful charity fundraising for our sessions. It's not the best photo of me (eyes closed!) or Kane (looking away) but Andi looks good! You can read the article from Fairway here or the EGU one here.
Mind Factor Coach alert!
Paul has been working really hard outside of golf club and pro shop work on a home study course under the watchful eye of Dr Karl Morris. After a really intense programme of writing assignments and watching golf performance coaching videos, Paul is now a qualified Mind Factor Coach. He has decided to continue with his studies in order to gain a Masters in this. How exciting!
Paul is also in the process of purchasing a new piece of technological kit for the academy - I can't say too much at this stage but we will be the first in the UK to have one. I will leave it hanging there….(ha ha what a meanie!) 
Pudding Lane!
In my wisdom (mmm) I decided to create Pudding Lane, a line of laminated Christmas puds with gift ideas, on our windows of the pro shop. This may help you with some gift choices if you can't make up your mind!
We have so much in store for the golfer in your life. Here are some more suggestions to help you with your choices!
Lesson vouchers - for any of our four coaches and for as many lessons as you like!
Stewart Rain cover £30 - these are amazing! Ask anyone who has one
Masters Shag Bag £15.99 - keep your balls in the right place!
FootJoy winter mitts £19.99 a pair - warm and squishy
Titleist pencil bag £55 - don't need to carry a full set? This is perfect for you
Motocaddy clearview umbrella £35 - see through window makes this the ideal trolley umbrella
Sunderland Vancouver Jacket £89.99 - no crinkle noises, lightweight, guaranteed three years waterproof
Sunderland Ladies Annapurna bonded fleece £69.99 - warm and stylish, beautifully fitted shape
Greg Norman lined sweaters £65 with a current 10% OFF marked price promotion!
Frosty Fox snoods, doofers and bud hats £12.99 (but one get one half price whilst stocks allow!)
Dr Karl Morris seminar tickets £20 - how cool is a chance to learn methods to reduce your handicap?
Digicards for range balls £30 per 20 token card - fits perfectly into a Christmas card or voucher envelope. Great for dedicated practisers
Glenmuir lambswool sweaters £65 or buy two for £120 - comes in a beautiful gift box. Can be plain or crested
There are so many products we sell that if you still remain unsure, please come and talk to us or have a browse around the shop.
Don't forget, we are selling our Professional's xmas draw tickets - £1 per ticket or 6 tickets for a fiver. Just one pound could buy a ticket which wins you a trolley!
We had our first Pro Shop Stableford of the year, but sadly we only had four entries, two of whom did not survive the poor early weather and pulled out of playing. Eek! At times it felt so dark it was like the middle of the night as the rain bucketed down and soaked all in its way. I was grateful to be sitting next to the electric fire in the office on Saturday morning. Anyway the winner of the Pro Shop Stableford, shooting a respectable 75 gross off 9 handicap, was Mark Simmonds. In second place was Paul Sheppard. Congratulations Mark, king of the Pro shop stableford! This was Mark's best ever round, awesome news Mark.
The Ladies had a not much better week of weather and the winner of the Ladies stableford on 4th was our fabulous Ladies' Captain Liz Hale (31 points on count back), followed by Julie Knox (31 points). Well done Ladies.
Paul and Azim took on the mighty challenge of Richard Bromilow and Charles Rasche in the latest Captain/Pro Challenge. At mid point they were all square and I waited in the shop with trepidation to see what the final outcome would be. The winners were eventually decided on the 17th, and my congratulations go to Richard & Charles. Congratulations to you both!
Now we move on to an instructional from Andy McGreevy, fresh back from his travels (actually he's at the Belfry next week, so I have merely borrowed him temporarily)
Time to get sweeping!
Whether it's through lack of mobility or a technical misunderstanding, many golfers struggle to understand how to properly rotate their shoulders in the backswing. In an effort to crank out some more distance they think a bigger shoulder turn is the answer! Well it is, but only if done properly. I often see players lose their posture by standing up in their quest for a bigger shoulder turn (see Picture 1).
By standing up you can see how the club that is held across my shoulders is pointing out almost horizontal. I may have turned my shoulders, but I have come up out of my posture robbing me of power and meaning the club can't now travel on a consistent path around my body as I swing.
In order to get the correct feeling for how a shoulder turn should feel try standing in your normal posture with your driver held across your chest. Hold the club so the grip is on your right shoulder and the head cover is pointing out to your left. Now try to turn your shoulders, and as you do so feel as if you're sweeping the floor with the head cover. This will help to keep your shoulders on a flatter plane with the club pointing more 'down' toward the ball (see Picture 2) instead of horizontal as in the first picture.
If you do this properly you may also feel a strain across your back and in your shoulders. This is what is sometimes termed 'coil' and helps to produce power in your golf swing. Something you can't do if you lose your posture and stand up. As well as teaching you how to turn your shoulders correctly, this drill is also good for giving you the correct feeling of how a proper sequenced backswing should feel.
Have a great week,
Andy
That's all for this week but you know we're coming back!
Bye for now
Caren, Paul, Andy, Kris & Luke
