21–28 November 2008

I arrived in Jerez Spain around 8.30 pm in the dark but a warm +13, then drove around 40 minutes to the hotel, had a bit of dinner and went to bed for a well earned rest.  I met the group in the morning and they were all surprised to find not a cloud in the sky and by 11.30am it was a nice +20!!

We started on the driving range with a warm up clinic, getting everyone going with a reminder to them all of just how important the set up and lining up really is! We then went to the putting green, and I have to say the greens were the best I have been on all year! We worked on lining up and keeping still, it is all ways good to use the sun on your back to prove just how much people move when they really think that they are staying still. (Try it next time we have some sun! Stand with the sun behind you and watch your shadow to see if you are moving or not as you stroke your putts towards the hole!!)

After lunch we all went to the C course here, it’s the newest one called Campano. We worked on course management, and as always alignment. Everyone was so pleased with such good weather and great greens which were true and fast.

Day 2 we started off at the far end of the range and worked on the basics, club face alignment, posture and of course a sound grip. I always like to talk to the group about where the club face should be half way back, so we worked on drills to help with that too. It is always a surprise to some to find out where the club should really be, and where their club actually is! We then went off to the beach... the bunkers, some may say the hardest shot but I think that’s just because it is the shot that is the least practiced. I think you can play 3 rounds of golf without going in one, so it is great to spend time practicing, and working on how to get out from different lies you get in to. After a bite of lunch we went on the A course a real pleasure, as the course was fab, in nice condition and great greens.

On the day off, I went off to look at Arco Gardens and also went to see the people at Benalup, where I have a school in January, and both places looked great. 

Day 3 started off with chipping and distance control. It is always a surprise to some people to actually see the difference between a chip and run and a pitch shot hit properly. We mark out a distance just about 3 foot on to the green and then try and land balls close to that point first with a 7 iron then with a pitching wedge, and see the difference in where the ball ends up!!

We then hit the course and worked on trying to use the right club for the right shot. We then worked on good balance and lining up on the range. After lunch we played the B course trying to take the range game to the course, a good day was had by all.

Day 4 we started off with chipping and putting and the now famous Par 18 game. This is something I really like and I know if done properly can help reap real rewards with your score and confidence.

We then went to the range to work on driving and using fairway woods before playing the Campaon course, Novo’s newest course.

The group played a Stableford competition where the top girl was Hazel and top boy was Nigel. As we came all too soon to the last day we did a round up clinic, a reminder of what we covered, and then off to the A course. We played secret pairs as well as the running Stableford.

The best of the day was Jamie with 33 points, a new player with a great future. Overall top lady was Susan and top man was Nigel, and the secret pair were Jamie and Pat with 51 points.

Well done to everyone it was a great week with really nice people who had a good laugh... I look forward to seeing you all some time in 2009... thank you all once again!

Team Novo Sancti Petri November 2008