Two Day Short Game & Mental Training Course with Matt Woods
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Matthew Woods Director of Instruction at the Jonathan Yarwood Golf Academy and Sports Psychologist Jon Adler of Golf is a Mind Game, will be running a two day short game and mental training course, based at the stunning Donnington Grove Country Club.
Improve your skills
During the 2 days you will be shown how to improve your chipping, pitching, bunker play and putting, each of these areas will be videoed and shown to you, and the subsequent improvements, this will then be burnt to a take home DVD that you can use for future reference.
Performance Coaching
You will also benefit from Jon Adler’s Performance Coaching which is designed to develop your concentration skills and the ability to overcome anxiety and inconsistency. Practical exercises on the range and practice greens make this the only Mental Coaching of its type in the UK.
The Two Day Course Will Include
Tuition with Matt – Chipping, Pitching, Bunker Play and Putting
Tuition with Jon – Concentration and focus exercises while swinging a club, develop trust and feel in your stroke. Overcoming mental interference.
9 holes of golf – to put what you have learned into practice
Lunch on both days. Dinner and overnight accommodation in the beautiful Donnington Grove Hotel.
The cost for this exclusive two day package is normally £399.00 per person, as an introductory offer this package will be available for the cost of £299.00 per person with numbers limited to 8 people per course.
The Dates Avaliable:
March 11th & 12th
For more information and to book your place please contact. . .
Matt woods mw@golfjy.com 07776100210
Jon Alder jon@golfisamindgame.com 07850299722
Donnington Grove welcomes our new fury member
Donnington Grove made the news last week as golfer Steve Gridley and his friends discovered a fury creature admiring their game! Steve was walking back from the 18th tee towards the club house when he saw a rare otter sitting on the wooden bridge. Mr Gridley said ‘As soon as it saw us it ran to the far side of the bridge, slid down the bank and into the water and disappeared. We just stood there in amazement.’ There have been attempts at re-colonising in the Hungerford area but a spokesman for the Berks Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust said “This must be the first recorded otter in this area for many years.” Otters are solitary, nomadic creatures and very territorial. During the daytime they lie in secure resting sites, usually amongst tree roots or dense scrub. Otters can breed at any time of the year although most cubs are born in winter. Environment Agency spokesman Duncan Revell said: ‘This is fantastic news. The presence of otters is a very good indicator of the environmental health of a river. “It reflects good water quality, habitat and food supply.’
Donnington Grove is very proud to have an environment at such a high standard to cater for these rare mammals. Having these creatures around is a representation of how clean and well maintained our grounds are. If you are lucky enough to spot an otter on our grounds please let us know as we would love to hear of anymore sightings, even better send a photo in for us to post on the blog!
A full article regarding the re-colonising of otters in the Hungerford area is available on the Newbury Today website along with footage of the otter in action.
Donnington Grove – 3 for 2 Golf Lessons
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All lessons until the end of March 2010 are 3 for the price of 2All Lessons must be used by the end of MarchThe JYGA offers a wide range of tuition services from a 1 hour individual lesson to running a corporate golf day. Our facilities are arguably some of the best in the country with the range fully supported by Titleist, and an indoor facility that even the British weather can’t spoil. Every lesson includes computer and video analysis and you will receive a take home DVD with a “before and after” of your lesson. |
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Pease contact Matt at the Jonathan Yarwood Golf Academy on 01635 581000, or email mw@golfjy.com, to book an appointment. |
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Junior Golf Coaching Offer developed by Jonathan Yarwood
Let’s Play!
Our 8 week Junior Coaching courses are totally unique – developed by Jonathan Yarwood, one of the most successful British Golf Coaches ever, it balances the basics of golf with fun games and challenges to enhance skill development.
Each week will cover a different element of the game and will use a multitude of exercises to improve technique, coordination, motor skills and instinct.
Throughout the 8 weeks each child will have different aspects of the game videoed, computer analysed, and comparisons made to some of the worlds best players. This will be burnt to a take home DVD.
Donnington Grove Golf and Country Club is the ideal setting to learn and have fun in a safe and secure environment and our coaches are CRB checked
The groups will run from Saturday 30th January at 9 am, and Sunday 31st January at 9am and 10-30am. To book a place please contact Matt Woods at JYGA Donnington Grove via email mw@golfjy.com or 01635 581000
Donnington Grove in the Snow
Unfortunately the snow has meant that the clubs are gathering dust at the moment, unless you’ve booked to come in and take advantage of our indoor facilities. In the meantime, please enjoy some of the pictures taken by Gareth earlier in the week. Hopefully the forecasters are wrong and there will be no more snow today!
New Years Eve Party Review
The New Year was welcomed in with some style at Donnington Grove with a fantastic party which was a sell out and very well received by all who came.
With golfers mixing with non golfers, members with hotel guests the atmosphere was just right.
At one point during the evening one table produced party poppers which had been concealed in hand bags and inside pockets and discharged them with much happiness on the neighbouring table, little did they know that their chosen target table had been even more inventive and produced what could only be described as ‘confetti cannons’ in the shape of Champagne bottles and returned the compliment.
Once the glitter and the smoke had all cleared from the air, the white flag was raised and everybody joined together to dance the night away.
Our very own member Mark Seymour provided the disco entertainment for the evening and judging by the comments on New Years morning from those who attended, Mark did a great job keeping the dance floor busy all night.
It was remarkable the next morning just how many made it up on time and on to the golf course. Although the weather was cold and the ground rock hard, the sky was clear blue and everybody enjoyed their golf. We are lucky at Donnington Grove that even in those Arctic conditions we still play on full greens.
Do you have a golf handicap?
Most of us play golf for fun. When you learn to play the game well, the game becomes rewarding and exhilarating. The game can become frustrating if you are not playing it well, and if you watch the professionals playing on the course, you would even find quite upset with frustrations written all over their faces.
You will find golf lessons on the Internet, starting from the basic to the ones meant for people who play the game well. There are books which provide various lessons in golfing. Then again there are instructions which are confusing, conflicting, and misleading.
The handicap system was first introduced in the UK and Ireland on 1st February 2004. This system is called “CONGU Unified Handicapping System”. This system helped to set up a controlled way of measuring between the performances of one golfer who is weaker than the other.
At first, your handicap needs to be identified and this is done at the starting point. After having done this each of your handicaps round is measured by an adjustment made on your performance for those rounds. The calculation for your handicap system starts with three scorecard games which have to be played over an 18-hole course, and the “course standard scratch score” (SSS) of the Tee you are playing on. This generally ranges from 70 to 74.
The COGNU system allows double bogey (+2) maximum. Bogey is the score of one over par on any given hole. So, if you score 4 it is a bogey, while bogey is on a par 3. By COGNU rule if you take 8 shots, a gross score on a par 5, the rule allows a score of 7 for that hole. This is called the adjusted gross score.
Handicaps have been introduced to give an advantage to a moderately skilled golfer playing against a good player. This is similar to ‘levelers’ introduced in other sports, for example, weight divisions in boxing. With the handicap introduced, it brings at par a player with an average score of 98 competing against the other who has an average score of 74. As you become skilled in golfing your handicap gets lowered.
The question now is how you obtain a handicap. This is what you do -
- You would need to play three rounds of golf with a partner who has mark 3 scorecards. These could be from different courses and should be ‘friendly matches’. Have a playing partner to mark your records, and what is important is that you should complete every hole.
- You need to ensure that your scorecards are duly completed in full, and these cards should have your name, membership number, date, gross scores, standard scratch score for the course and have to be signed by you and your marking partner.
- Then you need to post your scorecards to the Handicap Secretary. The name and address of the secretary are available from your club.
You are going to receive an official handicap card. You could also see it on the Internet. This card will have the calculations of your handicap, and you will have an online profile where the handicap would be mentioned.
As a member of a golf club in the UK you can obtain and maintain your official UK handicap which will provide you with the facility to play in any golf course across the world. If you would like some help obtaining a golf handicap or would like to be introduced to other Donnington Grove members, please contact us.
Improve your Golf game
Even if you are playing golf every day, it does not mean that you are making any progress with your game style. You have to learn and practice your shots if you are keen to improve golf game. It is quite disappointing for you to notice that your fellow golfers keep on improving upon the game and coming up with new skills day after day. You find them constantly getting more and more skilled in the game with you lagging behind. This should not worry you, and if you are keen to improve your performance, here are some tips which you may like to follow.
- When you are playing golf try to relax. Do not be tensive once you enter the golf course with your golf club in your hand. You have come for a game of golf to relax your mind, and golf is a game of fun as any other game. Go in the course aiming to score high, and take a break in between and have a fresh breath of air of the breeze blowing across the golf course.
- Your eyes should be directly on to the ball, and you would need to target the front of the ball. Always get that swing to hit the ball and not the area where the ball is in contact with the ground.
- Do not crush the ball as you are driving. You are not skilled enough yet to crush the ball. Instead you should try to make contact.
- While you swing back your club, take it easy. Doing it in haste may take off your eyes from the ball and either you are going to miss your stroke or hit the ball way out of your target.
- When you are trying to have an iron shot at the ball, you need to aim to hit the ball with an intention to scoop up some earth with it. You need to make a lofty shot and hence there would be some earth scooped up as you hit the ball. If you just hit the ball, the ball would just roll along the fairway and which you would have to pick up more shots to get the ball into the hole. You need to get that ball on to the green.
- Lick your finger and hold it up to the wind or throw a piece of grass in the air. Find out which way the wind is blowing. When lofty shots are required for the ball to travel a distance, wind plays an important part on the way the ball travels. You would perhaps need to change your stance to adjust your shot.
- Before you hit the ball, fix your target and concentrate on where you are aiming the ball to go. Take a few practice swings before you make your shot. Do not mind the people behind you and do not worry if they need to wait till you take your shot.
- When you are taking a closer shot, choke up your pitching wedge. By doing this you would get This will give you much more accuracy and your ball right on the green near the pin.
- While hitting the ball rotate your club face (irons and woods) inwards slightly to gain better control on the ball.
The above are simple basic rules for playing your golf games. As you practice these and get skilled there are more ways for you to perform well.
Doing business on the golf course
Golf is no longer a pastime sport followed by senior citizens as before. The game has become more professional and has been adapted by many business executives and by those who can afford to spend on the equipment and club fees. Statistics states that in the year 2002 golfers spent around $24.5 million on equipment and fees, with about $20 million going towards green fees and dues and the rest on equipment such as clubs, balls, bags, and shoes. In the same year golfers were supposed to have spent 75% out of a sum of $26.1 million towards travels, hotels, transportations, and food and beverages. This is only in the United States, and estimates could be drawn when the other golfing countries are taken into account.
Promotional golf related business:
The game of golf has seen many successful business transactions taking place and the game presents an excellent opportunity for business to be advertised. You can have your logo printed on golf equipment, and some enticing quotes appearing on the golf products. While you are designing such an advertisement campaign make sure that whatever information you wish to display is clearly visible. For example your logo should be highly visible, and if you are putting in words, the messages you want to convey should be short and easily understandable.
One great way to advertise your business is sponsoring a golf tournament. This could be a fundraising effort for local charity. You may like to take things further by giving the participants bags with your business logo which may contain imprinted golf balls, tees, some golf tools, and other golf accessories. You could also have golf gloves imprinted with your logo along with personal accessory bags carrying your product messages.
Your golf based advertisements can also be taken to other arenas of sports. You can distribute golf towels and golf apparels carrying your logo and messages in other sports events. Golf apparels could also be worn on and off the golf course, and such multi-purpose promotional concept provides the opportunity to broaden the name recognition of your company.
Business on the golf course:
Business transactions often take place on the golf course itself. These days golf has become a sport where business people meet and have a game while they discuss transactions. There is one thing important that one should adhere to. While having a game of golf with a business partner, you got to retain and display same character and integrity that business ethics demands. You need to display your appeal to the other in order that your business succeeds. Discussing business while playing golf has the benefit that both partners are in a relaxing environment, and business is bound to strike in this quiet atmosphere.
For discussing business while playing golf, the best way is to take your business partner to a golf course which he or she likes. Better still, take your business partner to a golf course where they have never played before, or sparingly played. Some would not mind where you take them for a game of golf. However there are some who would judge you on where you take them. You are looking for a quiet quality time with your business partner. Avoid taking him to a course which is packed with golfers, as otherwise your business partner might feel that he like he is part of the big crowd.
Of course, we would be very pleased if you would consider Donnington Grove for your next business meeting. Why not check out our facilities here: Golf, Restaurant, Hotel and Conferences.
Are you interested in Golf? Here are some basic rules
In playing golf, all you need to do is to hit a golf ball into a hole with the fewest possible strokes, which is 18 times. If you are capable of doing that you are a great golf player. While you play golf, your opponent is not necessarily your enemy, but you are importantly the. This game of golf is one of those games where, even in its highest level, the opponents remain united through-out their battle against the odds presented in the course as much as each other. The sections below briefly introduces you to the basics of golf no matter whether you are a player or just a mere spectator.
The golf course:
The golf course is not the same at every place. The courses have different layout and is unique. What is common is that every course has 18 holes, and the first shot in every game is played from a teeing area, which is generally known as ‘tee’. The ball is placed on a plastic or wooden peg holder, the back of which goes into the ground with a cup like shape on top where the ball is placed. This plastic or wooden peg is also called a ‘tee’.
The game area consists of plain fields, with patches of long grasses called ‘roughs’. There are spots where the grass is closely mown and these areas are called ‘fairway’ which leads to the green. The hole is situated within this green. Along with, there are ditches which are called ‘bunkers’ and there are streams as well. The hole is identified by a yellow flag stick which sits on the first 9 holes, and red on the rest. This is kept there for a golfer to identify where the hole is, and these flags help him to target that area. The area in which golf is played is generally 6,000 yards long, and usually the golfers take around three to four hours to play all the 18 holes. This involves walking for about a little over 8 kilometers (5 miles).
The scoring pattern:
The scoring pattern is made up of the number of shots you take to finish the game and the penalties which you accrue during the course of the game. The game score goes like this – if you take 75 shots to finish all 18 holes and if your opponent takes more than that, you are declared the winner.
The terms used in golf scoring are as follows -
- Albatross: Three shots less than par
- Eagle: Two shots less
- Birdie: One shot less
- Bogey: One shot more
- Double bogey: Two shots more
- Triple bogey: Three shots more
‘Par’ is a term used in golf which is the number of strokes a top class golfer would be expecting to take to play each hole at the length and breadth of a golf course, after having faced the difficulties presented in field. In other words ‘par’ is the total number of shots that the golfer would be taking for the complete game as he goes through all the 18 holes. ‘Par’ is usually rated betweenm 70 to 72 strokes which are hardly met by a golfer.
There are other aspects in the scoring method. If you are a good golfer and manage to score five of a ‘par’ four hole, this will be termed as ‘one par over the hole’. More-over, golf rules allow you to play extra strokes when you are pitted against a good player, a kind of head-start for you. This is termed as ‘handicap’.
We find that in many other sports there are umpires or referees. As far as a game of golf is concerned, unless it is a tournament there is no need for a referee or an umpire. In a friendly game the players would themselves need to know the rules of golf and should be able to keep tag on their scores.
As for the ball, though there are exceptions in certain cases, the ball cannot be moved from the place where it is in. If you should have played the ball into a lake or hit it in such a way so as to lose it, you are allowed to play on. Here some common sense prevails. Never-the-less you got to add strokes in order to score.
The above are basic rules for you to get introduced to a golf game. There are more and you would need to learn them all in order to take up golf as a hobby or a career.
