Tour talk and tips with Shaun Ferguson Playgolf Academy

August 2nd, 2010

What a fantastic Open Championship we’ve just seen, and a massive Congratulations to Louis!

Apart from the wonderful way he conducted himself over the four days and how well he took his opportunities, one of the things that struck home with me the most was his ability to keep focus and concentration whilst all around him were not.

It really showed the value of a Pre- and Post-Shot Routine.

Nearly all of us, at every level, simply do not appreciate how important it is to develop a routine that gets you focused on the RELEVANT stuff, and that helps you to get the CLUBFACE INTO THE BACK OF THE BALL, IN THE APPROPRIATE POSITION for the shot at hand.

Did you wonder about the “Red dot” he had drawn on his glove? The BBC commentators did.

Well, I can tell you exactly what it was for, because I have trained with Louis’ Sport Psychologist (Dr Karl Morris) and it serves as a simple trigger for him to go into a deep state (almost hypnotic) and allows him to ‘switch on’ and ‘switch off’ to be able to maintain focus at the RIGHT time. The RED DOT became the focus point to “go in”, play the shot and then “come out” of that state in between shots, all he had to do was put the reminder in a place where he’d find it easily enough – the glove!

Do you think knowing HOW to concentrate and HOW to build a robust routine might just help YOU?

This kind of skill is one of the many things we can help you with at the Playgolf Northwick Park.

Call reception to book an assessment today.

What a fantastic Open Championship we’ve just seen, and a massive Congratulations to Louis!

Apart from the wonderful way he conducted himself over the four days and how well he took his opportunities, one of the things that struck home with me the most was his ability to keep focus and concentration whilst all around him were not.

It really showed the value of a Pre- and Post-Shot Routine.

Nearly all of us, at every level, simply do not appreciate how important it is to develop a routine that gets you focused on the RELEVANT stuff, and that helps you to get the CLUBFACE INTO THE BACK OF THE BALL, IN THE APPROPRIATE POSITION for the shot at hand.

Did you wonder about the “Red dot” he had drawn on his glove? The BBC commentators did.

Well, I can tell you exactly what it was for, because I have trained with Louis’ Sport Psychologist (Dr Karl Morris) and it serves as a simple trigger for him to go into a deep state (almost hypnotic) and allows him to ‘switch on’ and ‘switch off’ to be able to maintain focus at the RIGHT time. The RED DOT became the focus point to “go in”, play the shot and then “come out” of that state in between shots, all he had to do was put the reminder in a place where he’d find it easily enough – the glove!

Optimize Your Game

August 2nd, 2010

Playgolf have just introduced the latest must have tour tec piece of kit to the academy in Manchester.

Flightscope radar has been developed from military ballistic tracking so in simple terms it sees and tracks the golf ball for its full flight. This data is then displayed in real time with 3D graphics showing shot shape and flight on screen. You can use Flightscope to calibrate each club in the bag providing you with yardages between irons or use the optimiser feature that provides you the optimum figures you can achieve to hit the ball further and straighter.

Ball

Ball Speed

Vertical Launch

Horizontal Launch

Sidespin / Backspin

Club

Club Head Speed

Vertical Attack Angle

Horizontal Attack Angle

Face Angle

Introductory offers

MOT your game

1 hour on Flightscope inclusive of balls and private bay

Just £ 20

Ultimate assessment lesson

90 minutes assessment on Flightscope with one of our PGA professionals
Plus a follow up 30 minute assessment

Just £ 99

Expensive Week for Woods

July 1st, 2010

History is about to be made. Tiger Woods is going to be placed in the record books once again; however his latest record is slightly different than previous milestones. Mr Woods is reported to be paying his soon-to-be-ex-wife, Swedish model, Elin Nordegren, £500 million in their divorce settlement.

This has eclipsed the previous record of £100million that Michael Jordan had to pay out to his ex-wife in 2007.

Elin also receives sole physical custody of their two children, Sam, 3 and Charlie, 1, the family home in Windemere, Florida, a new unfinished estate in Jupiter, Florida and an apartment in Stockholm, Sweden – all worth millions. Tiger has also agreed that he will not bring any new women into the childrens’ lives unless he remarries in the future.

In return, Elin is not permitted to sell her story to any magazines, take part in any interviews or write any telltale books, but after receiving £500 million I doubt she will need to tell all on Tiger’s infidelity to top up the bank account any time soon!

Hopefully when all this has subsided, Tiger can put it behind him and focus on his golf again, getting back to winning ways.

Can he regain his old form and forget the past year? Or will losing £500 million and a gorgeous wife prove too much?

 I’d love to hear your views, why not post a comment?

 Author: Thomas Marsh, Playgolf.

Steady McDowell Captures His First Major

June 23rd, 2010

The final day at the 2010 US Open brought many surprises as expected, but the biggest surprise was the man lifting the trophy after the end of a gruelling day. Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell.

The Ulsterman started the day three shots behind America’s big-hitting Dustin Johnson; however, this was soon reversed after Johnson made a bogey, double bogey and a triple bogey -before he’d reached the fifth hole, finally finishing with a lack lustre 82 to leave him in 8th place.

McDowell continued with his steady play throughout Sunday, which put him in position after the first three rounds. He eventually carded a 74 to finish, on even par for the week and became the first European winner of the US Open for 40 years.

Many expected challenges from the big three on the final day -Woods, Els and Mickelson, who were all in striking distance. However, the tough conditions on Sunday saw them all struggle. A pair of 73s for Els and Mickelson and a 75 for Woods saw them all come a few shots shy of McDowell’s impressive even par total.

The second place finisher was an even bigger surprise than the winner. France’s little-known Gregory Havret displayed impressive golf all week to put himself as one of the few in the final group with Tiger Woods on Sunday. With the added pressure of the massive crowds watching, the Frenchman excelled, simply outplaying Woods to eventually fire a 72 to finish +1 for the championship. Not bad – considering he started the week as the world’s 391st ranked golfer.

After a long hard week, it was great to see a European lift the trophy. McDowell did nothing fancy – just what was required, leaving the world’s finest in his wake. The win just goes to show how strong European golf is at present. Names such as Poulter, Casey, Donald, Mcllroy, Westwood, Kaymer, Karlsson seem to be in contention globally each week. With form like this, you have to believe that the European team will be firm favourites for the Ryder Cup which will be held later this year at Celtic Manor in Wales. I for one would like to think so, as I would hate to see the Ryder cup go back on the American plane!

Let me know what your views are, post a comment.

Author: Thomas Marsh

Will Tiger prevail or will Westwood break his Major woes?

June 17th, 2010

It’s the US Open this week and as usual there is much speculation surrounding Tiger Woods, thankfully, this time it’s for the right reasons, his performance at Pebble Beach -and not how many mistresses he has been entertaining in the past week!

Tiger has made it no secret that the seaside links is one of his favoured courses, this reigned true 10 years ago when he destroyed the field by 15 strokes at Pebble to capture his first US Open title.

However, as we all know, things are much different for Mr Woods nowadays, his well-documented private life is in tatters and as recent performances illustrate – his golf game isn’t much better.

A huge contrast to this time 10 years ago, a fresh-faced global superstar in fine form with a private life that was…well, private!

I wouldn’t count Tiger out yet though, any tournament he enters, he has to be seen as a threat.

What are your views? Can he put the turmoil of the past year behind him and focus on what he does best –being the best golfer in the world?

Another golfer not to be overlooked is England’s Lee Westwood. The world number 3 is in fine form capturing his second PGA tour win last week at the St. Jude Classic. Westwood has shown that he is not shy when performing in a major, finishing 3rd in both the Open Championship and PGA Championship in 2009 and a 2nd place finish in the Masters this year.

The potential is there, but can he do it? Can Westwood jump that final hurdle and break his major championship woes?

Let me know what you think by posting a comment.

Author: Thomas Marsh

Introducing the Super Saver Family Fun Ticket

June 14th, 2010

Introducing the Super Saver Family Fun Ticket. Fill those summer holidays with a Super Saver Family Fun Ticket, come and spend the day at Playgolf Manchester.

Super Family Fun Ticket

Available every day of the holidays, 300 golf balls*, nine holes on the Championship Miniature Golf course for a family of four and all equipment hire for only £30!

Call 0161 749 7000 for more details.

*Junior discount applies Monday – Friday 9.00am-5.00pm and Saturdays and Sundays 9.00am-1.00pm

US Open Playgolf Competition

June 14th, 2010

Win a £100 Playgolf voucher by answering this question:

Pebble Beach is located in Carmel in the state of California. Clint Eastwood was the mayor of Carmel but which other Hollywood movie star is the governor of California?

1) Kurt Russell
2) John Travolta
3) Arnold Schwarzenegger

Fill in the form below to enter the competiton. Good Luck

Your Name (required)

Your Email (required)

Your Postcode

 Kurt Russell John Travolta Arnold Schwarzenegger

World Cup Lesson Offer

June 11th, 2010

Don’t let your golf suffer during the World Cup; Playgolf is giving you Extra Time for just £99!

We know that the World Cup can take your focus away from your golf but at Playgolf Manchester – it doesn’t have to.

Golf Lessons

Come down and practice before a LIVE match and then watch the game on the big screen in The View café/bar, taking advantage of our exclusive beer deals throughout the World Cup.

We are currently offering a World Cup Special, which includes:

  • a one hour assessment lesson
  • plus three half hour lessons
  • plus £20 ball credit
  • plus Sixty five supervised practice sessions.

That’s an extra supervised practice session before every LIVE match of the World Cup! All for only £99!

This offer is worth an incredible £137.50 and is available to both new & existing customers at the Playgolf Academy.

All lessons are fully inclusive of balls, clubs, video review and are subject to our Playgolf improvement guarantee.

Extra Supervised Practice Times available throughout the World Cup

Monday 7th June – Sunday 11th July

Facelift for Playgolf Academy

June 3rd, 2010

This month saw the completion of a £50,000 facelift to the Playgolf academy. The Playgolf academy is the largest teaching facility in the North West with 4 private teaching studios and a floodlit short game area.

Playgolf Academy

Each studio is fitted with the latest video recording equipment, every swing you make is captured by digital camera and is then reviewed and analysed by our PGA professional’s.

Playgolf Academy

Coming Soon To Playgolf Academy

The next addition to the team is a FlightScope radar, this piece of technology allows us to track every golf shot measuring ball speed, direction and distance to within inches of landing. It also provides data on club speed, path, angle and attack. All the data is calculated instantly and displayed as a percentage of maximum effectiveness.

flightscope

Watch this space!

Rules on alignment

May 28th, 2010

An interesting question came up the other day….

Alignment on the golf course is crucial and we constantly struggle to get our pupils to align their feet in the correct direction in which to hit the golf ball. However I was asked if it was legal to align a golf club on the floor before addressing the golf ball. If so then is it legal to pick the club up and hit the shot.

After looking through the rules, as long as there is no issue with improving your lie or stance I believe that this process is allowed. Then if it is, why do no tour pro’s use it?

Any other golfers who have experienced this?

Author: James Hopkins, PGA coach at the Playgolf Academy