8–15 November 2008

I left Valle del Este and headed up the road to Almerimar to meet my new group. They were a happy bunch as it was nice and warm for them +22 and off they went for a nice lunch at the port, while I set up.

Day 1 we worked on chipping and pitching, concentrating on the importance of making good contact between club and ball. We also did some long game techniques and I used my video camera to highlight the changes that needed to be made. We also worked on maintaining balance and on getting the basics right ie a good grip, a strong balanced set up and most importantly achieving correct alignment with the target. This is something I feel most people get wrong, it is hard to do, but makes a massive difference when it’s right! After lunch in the sunshine we hit the long Almerimar course and played a Texas Scramble. This is a great way to get the group going, as none of the group of friends had played there before.

Day 2 we started with putting. I introduced the group to the reversed putting grip which was also new to most of them. We also worked on drills, the importance of staying still and not turning the head to follow the ball.  All of this would help them hole more of those 3 to 4 footers, as no one holes enough of them.  This was followed by more long game tuition and again we worked on alignment and changing your targets when you are on the practice ground, so you practice like it’s for real!!  We then hit the course where I played a 6 hole drop back, and worked on course management. The winner of the day was the leader of the group Deb Lewis.

After the day of rest we went into the bunkers, and I showed the group the 3 different club face angles you would use if the ball is lying good, bad, or really bad !!... It was a session they all really enjoyed, bunker skills are the ones we probably all practice the least. We worked on some more long game, again making sure of good contact and after seeing themselves on video the night before it was great to see all their hard work was paying off. It is much easer to understand just why things go wrong. We then played 9 holes on the Master course and than the old 1^st nine, again working on getting the ball around the course, and chipping and putting better. Best player of the day was David.

Day 4 we did pitching, both short and long ones, this was something every one improved on and then we also worked to improve distance control before a bit more attention on the long game. I do like to do some short game every day as around 43% of the game is putting and we must work on these things to get better scores.

After a bite of lunch we played the old course, it was so warm even the local players were in shorts and tee shirts, not just the mad British…..I am sure the guys who work at Almerimar can’t quite believe we are all in shorts when they are in coats and hats !! …..best of the day was John.

The last day came around all to soon, even if the group was a little tired, as they are not used to playing and practicing for 5 days, but all in great spirits, and up for their last day challenge. We had a round up clinic and went over woods, some short game including chipping and pitching. We then played the course. The overall winner was David, the secret 9 hole winner was Mags, and the secret pairs were John and Debs.

A really great group of people who worked hard all week and kept a great sense of humour, a big thank you to you all...

The Deb Lewis Group!!

28 February to 6 March 2008

As I left the UK in cold and windy weather it was lovely to land in Spain, in +17, it may have been overcast but so warm.

The group started in the practice ground at a clinic on the basics, as I feel everyone needs to go over things such as the grip, set up, posture and of course lining up.

We also worked on a good chipping position, and distance control. The short game is so important to controlling and reducing your score that none of us can practice enough. My schools will always spend a lot of time on the short game.

After lunch we did a Texas Scramble, where the team of Nigel, Arie, Kassy and Pat came out on top – well played guys!

Day 2 we started with pitching. Really useful to get the ball over bunkers and poor ground. Again something most people don’t practice enough, so this was a good session. I also got the group to do the par 18 drill. This is a new drill I am encouraging everyone to try. You use 1 ball and your short game clubs and play from 9 different positions around the practice green, trying to just get the ball in the hole from each position using only 1 chip and 1 putt.

This is a fab drill and the group did this drill once every day, it made them work on the short game... some thing they all enjoyed… and they could track their improvement during the week. Then it was time for some more long game coaching and a video session before lunch, and then some on-course tuition as they played this lovely course.

Day 3 we started with bunkers, again this part of the game is the least practiced, so a great session. Some driving followed to iron out some of those strangely shaped shots, then more on-course tuition to make the most of what we had practiced.  We all tried to think better, and really work on concentrating on the target.  The one thing to think about on the course.

After the day of rest where some did a bit of practice and others just had a good rest in the sunshine, we all went out for a chinese meal… good food and good fun too.

Day 4 is putting day. We worked on some drills, a good set up with good balance and the importance of using the same routine every time. More long game, working on good contact with their irons, and better balance. After lunch they played again with more on course tuition, in the lovely Spanish sunshine

Day 5 came all too quickly. Our round up clinic was filled with reminders of what we had covered, more drills and routines for them to take home and use both on the range and their own course. We talked about how to let go of the poor shots and how to try and remember the good ones. The group also again worked on the par 18 drill, and now could all see an improvement in their short game... it just got sharper and their confidence increased around the greens. We also went over the long game techniques remembering the importance of good balance and how to focus on the target with every shot!!

The winner of the week was Kassy with 82 points – well done!!

Thank you all for a great week, it’s always nice to spend time in the sun with fun people wanting to do well….. so thanks again guys, see you soon!!

Team Almerimar Feb/Mar 2008