8–15 May 2010

My group and I were very lucky to get to the school at Islantilla in Spain as the ash from the Icelandic volcano had caused a lot of flights to be delayed or cancelled. Susy and Keith had to come a day late but better late than never!

Our first day was spent in the short game area where we started with short chipping and pitching. Working on good set up, ball position and then making the right length swing to where we wanted to land the ball. I like to get everyone to work on distance control once they have got a bit more consistency with the quality of the contact they make. I gave them a better understanding of the different advantages of using different clubs so they could see the benefits of using a 7 iron chip and run rather than making a short pitch with a pitching wedge when the short requires it. We then moved over to the driving range where I gave a clinic on all the basics and how important it is to always aim at a target when practicing, so you get use to doing so on the golf course.

This is one of the things most people must work on all the time... the club head should aim at the target and the body will be parallel right, for a right handed player. I then videoed everyone before we had a bite of lunch and went out onto the course. I got the group to play a texas scramble which is a great way to ease everyone in.

Day 2 we started with pitching, both short and long shots, trying to get everyone to really work on the landing point, say with a pitching wedge 75% in the air and 25% run and also working on good contact with no flicking of the wrists... again something a lot of people have trouble with. We then went back to the driving range working on making crisper Iron play, with good balance and direction. After a short rest we played the Blue and Yellow course, and played a stableford. Most people like to keep a card, but I do say to them the most important thing is to try and put into practice what they have been working on with me on the range. A great day in the sunshine was had by all, and nice breeze and +23.

Best score was made by Claire, 32 points.

Day 3 we started with putting, I talked to the group about the importance of a good set up with their eyes over the ball and the importance of keeping the body very still as so many people move around and miss hit putts. I try and get the group to look at a gap between the ball and the blade and not watch the ball, keeping the eyes still is a good thing to do and listen to the ball going in to the hole! We had lots of drills to do to help get better feel and consistency. We then talked through what could be seen on each personís video as that identified what they specifically had to work on. That was a great session with much more understanding of what they need to do!

We then hit the course playing a stableford, and putting in to practice what we were working on which is not always easy, as it is all to easy to go back to what feels comfortable...

Then the day of rest where some had a long lay in, some practiced, others played and then the rest had lunch and spent some time by the pool.

Day 4, we hit the beach, bunkers, something a lot of people really donít practice, so I really like this part of my schools, I show the group the different lies in the bunker and how to choose what club face angle you need to get the ball out! Always a great one when they see they can get out of a bunker whatever position they find themselves in!

We then worked on fairway woods and driving... another favourite, making sure you have the right height of your tee peg is important too. A bit of lunch and then we were off. Playing the running stableford, and again Viv came out on top with 29 points, I also got to play with everyone, it was great to play in +24.

As we came to the last day, all too soon, we did a pre-tournament practice, going over all the points we have worked on over the week, and then they were off in the last day fun competition. Winner on the day was Alan with 33 points the secret pairs of Susy and Delia with 55 points, and the winner overall on the week was Viv with 121 points.

A great week with fab people in nice weather, everyone has gone off with plenty to work on and I look forward to hearing how itís all gone over the season, as last season Viv, Debby, Helen, and Claire all have had their handicaps cut... so good luck and thank you all!