24-31 May 2007

I left the UK one day early, with Vivian Ward, so Viv had an extra day to relax and I had a day to get things set up for the group to arrive, and of course we both had a bit of time to catch some extra rays!!

We started the school with some intensive short game tuition, working on making good contact and controlling distance with the 7 iron and wedge.  We then checked our set up for the long game with a video session and after a bite of lunch it was out onto the course.  At Islantilla there are 3 nine hole courses and we played the Azul and Amarillo (1 to 18) in lovely sunshine.  What a nice day to work on the very important short game.

Day 2 we worked on pitching, that hard distance of around 8 to 15 yards away, and over a bunker, again, working on the contact. Then there was some time trying to get the ball to travel the right distance which was something the whole group enjoyed.  It’s one of the shots, like bunkers, that not too many people practice yet it can make such a difference to your game.  So a good session for all of us followed by more work on the long game.  After lunch it was out on the course for course management, with Jennie Brownsden coming out top of the day with 33 points on these challanging courses, a good score!

After our day of rest we hit the grass range for a long game session, working on what we had seen on the V1 Video session.  A great improvement was made with the set up ball position and stance of the group. Then we were off again on the course for more course management, Again Jennie came out on top with Vivan Ward with 33 points.

Day 4 we did putting and bunkers, with plenty of time to work on routines, and drills especially with the putting. After lunch we played holes 1-9 then 19-27, so a new challenge for the group which they all enjoyed in the fab sunshine of Islantilla especially with the courses in such good condition. Another consistent round by Jennie, 33 points again, so all her hard work was paying off, which is always nice to see.

As we came to the last day, everyone was disappointed to see how quickly the time had gone. So we had a round-up clinic, with a challenge for them to work on their routines, and then hit the course.  Debbie Le Quesne shot a great 37 points to be top girl, and Chris Brownsden shot 25 points to be top boy.  Overall winner of the week was a close thing.  Vivian came in with 34 points and Jennie with 28, so they shared top slot with 127 points. Well done to everyone for their hard work, and for being great company.  I look forward to seeing you all again soon……well done guys!

13-20 January 2007

I left the UK at 6:15am on Saturday 13 Jan in cold wet weather, then slept all the way to Spain, and got off the plane in a lovely warm 14oC, what a difference!  Then I picked up the car and headed off to the Golf Resort of Islantilla some 50 min away.  It was just so nice to be in warm weather and look forward to my group arriving a littler later.

The first day we started with pitching, working on making good contact, then distance control. So nice after the muddy conditions at home… then some long game. After lunch we played the course, playing the green course then the blue, and I have to say what a pleasure it was... NO MUD!!

Day 2 of my first school started with chipping, and distance control which is so important to help you improve your scoring.  Then there was a talk on how to score without counting every shot by breaking the 18 holes down in to sets of 3’s, a bit of brain training. After lunch we played the yellow and green courses in lovely weather and it was like millionaires golf, by which I mean that it seemed like we were the only people on the course... just fab!!

After our day of rest we headed off to the beach, bunkers that is, something everyone needs to practice, and pitching over them too. I really like to work a lot on the short shots in my schools.  I feel most people go to the range and hit long shots, but especially this time of the year, don’t really do much on the short game, if anything at all... so some good work in nice weather is great for everyone. Then of course, how to hit those drives long and straight is not missed out. A quick lunch then off we went to use the things we had worked on, out on the yellow and green courses.

Over the week we covered all the things we needed to do, in the best weather I have ever experienced in January.  We must have enjoyed 24oC on our last day.

During the last 3 days we had a running stableford competition, and there were some great scores, with Nigel winning with 86 points over the 3 very challenging 9 hole courses.  A clean sweep for Nigel, as he also was the most improved putter of the week...

All in all a great week, with fab people, a lovely place, and in good weather.  A big thank you to you all. 

See you there in 2008...

the group