BENALUP, Spain, January 2011

How nice it was to get my 2011 golf schools off to a great start in the fabulous resort of BENALUP, Fairplay Golf and Spa Hotel.

I am so lucky, it is my 4th January golf school there and I have also held one there in November too.

Our 1st day was spent doing a mix of short and long game. I started with talking about the importance of making good ball contact, getting the ball in the right position for the shot you are making and where your weight should be.

I really like to see my students staying a quite,or I should as still as possible on those short chip and pitch shots. They worked on keeping the centre of their chest over the ball and trying to maintain the angle in their right wrist as long as possible to help with their contact. We then did a bit on distance control and worked on the difference that using different clubs around the green can make. This was the first time for most of my group to get to practice this year - especially on their short game.

We then did some long game. I talked about the importance of good contact, and how to help them achieve it. I wanted them to feel a 'centered' position, by trying to stay quite still...I feel too many people move off the ball too much in the back swing and then struggle to get back to the ball with a square club face. One of the drills was simply 'hitting a chalk line' ( I drew some chalk lines on the range mats) and got them to see just home many times they could hit the chalk. We started with short swings and them built up to full swings... in a short space of time they were all only to aware of hitting the ball first and striking their irons much crisper... such an easy drill that helps sooo much.

After that it was out onto the golf course, in great weather +19 golf in shorts and tee shirts... how nice for us all. I then decided to do something a bit different. I videoed them 'on course!' Now what a surprise for them all... all shocked at how poor they were with lining up!!! So it was clear we had to get back to work on this very area!!

Day 2 we started with long pitching then moved on to some shorter ones. A shot which they all thought they were pretty good at, well another surprise in store, it was not just hit it on the green, but with in certain distances from the pin, between 3 and 6 yards depending on how far we had to go. I also got them again to concentrate on crisp contact, and distance control, a great session. We then hit the range for long game, once again working on alignment and balance. We talked about routines, and how to practice with a real purpose. A bit of lunch and we were off, once again in great sunshine +19. I got to play too. On-course tuition is a big part of my schools and getting to play some holes with each group is nice, as I like to demonstrate how important pre-shot routines are and how I see shots on the course, so a great day with every one enjoying the experience. We then had afternoon tea... just so nice here, and I believe they all went off to the spa!

Day 3 was skills and drills morning. We started by doing different lengths of chip and run shots from the 1st being 9 yards then 15 yards, and they had to mark out using 3 balls how far they were from the hole. The same with pitching 9 to 15 yards, then a short lob shot over a bunker then a much longer one around 30 yards out, a great drill Then we played Par 18 which is a 9 hole challenge on the putting green where they have to play for a par 2 with 1 chip and 1 putt. So a real challenge from different lies and lengths. Guy was the best at this with 24! At 12.30 off they went for a round of golf.

Day 4 we played at 9.30. On course tuition to include stats. It's like a business person keeping profit and loss accounts, so a real important part of golf. This shows where they lose shots and what then we need to practice on. A bit of lunch down at the pool bar... fab, and then the putting clinic. I like to use lots of drills to help my students understand what we want to do, and look for. I talked about set up, trying to get their eyes over the ball and most important to stay still when making their stroke. I like to get my people to leave a little gap between the ball and the clubface, and focus on that when making their stroke, keep their eyes still on that little spot until the ball has gone out of there peripheral vision... or listening to the ball drop in the hole/ which ever comes first... I know this is sooo hard as we all want to see the ball go in, so it's great practice to wait, and listen, and hold their finish!! We also worked on long distance control rythm and pace, all important. A great session in warm weather. A spot of afternoon tea and cakes was next then a visit to the fantastic spa... a must for everyone!

Day 5 our last day... all too soon. We worked on bunker shots, a great session in a very good practice bunker with nice sand. We talked about the 3 different club face angle at the address, and how and when to chose and use them. Buried lie, club face closed, standers lie, club face square, and a great fluffy lie club face slightly open. I like to get them to feel every swing must have the follow through longer then the back swing. We then did a round-up long game clinic, and answered questions on whatever they needed to be more clear on. A great mornings work. Then on to the course, once again in nice warm sunshine. A time to put it all to work. A good day for Guy, 36 points and 2 birdys!

A big thank you to them all, a great week with nice people at a fab venue... looking forward to 2012 as we speak!!