Hello my little avid readers! 

Hope you're all enjoying the nicer weather! This week we start with Club News! 



Last week the Ladies' Section took on the challenge of the ladies' Stableford - The winner of such a fine comp was a very fine Diane Ouzman, pushing Nina Redmond into second place and Janno into third. Great golf Ladies.

Chaps and chapesses then came together to play in the Members' Bowmaker and Presidents Putter, on a dry and pleasant Saturday 18th. The winners of the Bowmaker were Andy Smith, David Robshaw and Alan Thoy, with Doug Peters, Mark Walker and Laurence Roper in second place. Well done to all who played - I hope you had a fab day!

We look forward to lots of events in the next four weeks or so, including the Ladies' Club Championships on 25th & 26th July, Bristol Tankards on 1st August, the August medal on 8th, the Suspension Bridge Cup (bogey competition) on 16th and the (ugliest trophy!) Sea Captain's Trophy on 22nd. I hugely support the work of RNLI - these guys are simply incredible, risking their lives to save others - so the Sea Captain's trophy gets a huge thumbs up from me. 

Plenty to be going on with!



This week we see an instructional from Andy, so settle back and enjoy!

Become a bomber off the tee!

Some people think hitting longer tee shots is only achieved through either swinging harder or by hitting the gym.

Though it can be advantageous to become stronger in the gym this doesn't always translate into longer drives. A simple swing thought such as hitting the ball harder can also be detrimental to your goal of trying to drive the ball further. So let me give you a few keys to hitting your drives longer that everyone can do.

Wide stance 

When really going for a long drive, dropping your right foot away from the target a few inches can help give you some extra stability and help to load up your right side in the backswing. You might also feel a little more torso lean away from the target which is a powerful position when hitting the ball from the tee. 

   

Start smooth 

Make sure you start your backswing together so your chest, hands and arms all move back at the same time nice and smoothly. Not slow, as this can affect your rhythm and cause you to make a sudden grab or snatch at the club in order to try and create more power. 

Build speed 

Once you've wound up to the top of your backswing, start down by shifting your weight and turning your body to the target. This should help you to accelerate the club smoothly without making any sudden movements, which can waste energy. By smoothly accelerating to the ball you're gradually building clubhead speed, which will max out right at impact. 

I hope these tips help you to hit the ball further whilst still staying in control of your swing. 

As always if you've any questions just pop in the shop to see me, or click here to get in touch if you would like some tips or to arrange a lesson. 

Andy 

Thanks Andy, we are always grateful for your hints, tips and jiggery pokery! (but less of the jiggery pokery!!!)

This week we also received the video footage which England Golf shot when they came to watch our tri golf festival and inclusion festival last month. I am proud to show you all the Paul Mitchell Golf Academy at work! 

Please click here to watch us in action. This video is also on our website, Paulmitchellpga.co.uk, so take a squizz and show your friends! 

Paul spent a windy Tuesday caddying on the Trilby Tour for pupil and friend David Gilroy, so it's over to Paul for his report!



I did my annual caddying stint on Tuesday for one of my long standing pupils David Gilroy. 

I started teaching David as a complete beginner in 2008 and today playing off an eight handicap, he competed in the Regional Qualifier on the Trilby Tour at St. Pierre. We are always a formidable force together especially when I get my sleeves rolled up, course planner to the ready and spend four hours of muttering strategy and positive thoughts to David. 

   

This year we came up just one point shy of qualifying in the top ten and a place in the final. I had a great day and as always loved the experience of caddying in this nerve wracking experience run by William Hunt and shown on Sky Sports to 3.5 million viewers. 

   

Better luck next year David! 

Thanks Paul. It's not every bloke can carry off a boiler suit and backwards cap.....!



This week I have also been chasing up loose ends when it comes to our school work. When the children are on their summer break, this is the time where planning for the next term comes into effect. It usually involves me, wine, iPad, wine, pens and paper, wine, diaries, wine and some wine. I write to schools explaining who were are and what we do - it usually works and we can recruit pupils through this route.

I have taken the plunge and written to another four primary schools to recruit more pupils into the academy for coaching - can't wait to hear back! The new recruitment drive includes Compass Point, Hotwells, Southville and St Bernadette's. Fingers crossed!

We have decided, in the winter months after xmas, to have a little refit inside the Pro Shop. Whilst it is OK inside, the carpet desperately needs replacing and some of the stands need refreshing. It's no good looking beautiful on the outside if the heart of you is black and mouldy!!! We will be giving it a spruce with a lick of paint, a new stand or two and a fresh new carpet. You will have to take your shoes off before coming in of course……………..hahaha no not really, it will be spike proof carpet and I am leaning towards a wee bit of tartan. Watch this space!!

   

I have been cooking away as usual - Spring Onion Galette (Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall styley!) and new pots, olives and green beans…yum! Enough to make you fat……….certainly works for me!



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We have our next junior match on Sunday, 9 August 2pm at Knowle, and I am excited to see how our juniors get on. The team is made up of Harry Kennedy, Finnian Smith, Willem Cole, Fergus Cole and Harry Ascherl. At least half the team are new to playing for B&C but they ROCK so it won't be a problem. If you are around on the 9th, pop over to Knowle to see the little warriors tee off. I am so proud of them!

We also need to start recruiting volunteers to help out at Junior Open day on 30th August, especially as Paul and I will be in Spain so John Pajak will need loads of helpers for starters, spotters and marshalls. He will also need desk staff to check in, so please help out if you can. Every hour of help gratefully accepted!

Next week's newsletter will be a report of our Get Into Golf day this Saturday in majestic and tropical Portishead - hope it doesn't rain! We will have fun anyway, teaching people how to play and encouraging beginners to start. It's always a blast - but unfortunately I get to sit this one out as I am needed here. Never mind, there's always next year!

On that note, I bid thee farewell! 

Until next time and beyond 

Caren, Paul, Andy, Luke and Nick