Nick's tip of the week

Now the season is over it time to start thinking about your past seasons Success. 

Ask yourself this question: Did I complete the goals I set myself last winter? 

If yes well done and its now time to set some winter goals for the 2016 season. Look back at this past season and see what the weakest part of your game was i.e. driving, short game etc. 

Now I want you to make it your strongest part of your game by the start of next season. That's where we come in! 

Take advantage of the golf team here at Dunston Hall, we can help you achieve your goals no matter how big or small. If you're short game is the weakest part of your game and you need some help, Come in tell us what usually happens when you're chipping or a specific shot your struggling with. Then we can have a look at your technique and thought process and work out a structure plan for improvement. 

By simply working on your weakest part of you game this winter you will see the rewards come 2016.

Sam's tip of the week 

5 simple drills for common golf swing flaws

I believe that coaches learn more from students than students learn from coaches, since they have a different perspective on how everything feels during the golf swing. And feel is arguably the most important part of building a golf swing that works. With that in mind, I wanted to offer a few simple drills that students of mine have used for years to fix their issues. Funny enough, most of these drills came from student feedback on what they feel, and my response to those feelings. 

To ALL my students, I say thank you for helping me to become a better coach.

1) Hanging Back?.. Close your right eye

Hanging back, or failing to properly shift your weight, is an easy habit to fall into if you're not careful. One of my students, Jack, gave me a great thought. He said he closed his right eye and hit a few balls to get a better feeling of staying more "on top" of the ball through impact. Why does this work? Because if you fall back, you will lose sight of the ball on the downswing. This simple drill helps you feel how to stay more stacked through impact thus fixing your faulty pivot. 

2) Restricted Hip Turn on Backswing?.. Pull your right foot back

Whenever you pull your rear foot back at address and leave everything else square, it will encourage a 'freer' hip-turn on the backswing. This helps you to turn a touch more on the way back. Some people say that this "isn't correct" and won't do it on the course as they feel that they should align squarely to the target, but if you're older or have trouble turning into your rear foot on the backswing, this position works wonders. You will get "into" your rear foot more than ever on the backswing - just make sure you move back through the ball or you will hit the ball fat.

3) Turning hips too much during the backswing?..Pull your left foot back...

The opposite reaction occurs when you pull your left foot back. This drill will restrict hip motion on the backswing and increase hip motion on the forward swing. I use this drill for my over-flexible juniors and ladies who tend to spin themselves into the ground on the backswing. This gives them a feeling of tightness on the backswing and one that will help them to spring back through the ball more than ever before

4) Can't clear your hips?.. Turn left foot outward

This drill is great for the players who cannot seem to "clear" their hips on the downswing, and the ones who feel too little leg action through the impact zone. This left foot position helps to restrict hip motion on the backswing and allows the hips to whip through on the forward swing naturally. This position at address is a MUST for the older golfers who are losing distance due to an arms-only downswing. Try this and I guarantee you will have a better feeling of how to move more efficiently on the downswing!

5) Too much hip slide on the forward swing?.. Turn left foot inward

This drill will stop you from sliding your hips on the way through the ball, but be careful! 

By turning the left foot inward, you will place some stress on your left knee if you hit full speed shots, so PLEASE only hit quarter swing shots with this drill or you might hurt yourself. 

For those of you who tend to get "soft in the legs" on the downswing, I suggest you give this drill a try It just might help.

Special Offer!

I am doing a special offer at the moment. £25 for an hour lesson for the rest of October. 

Just call or email me and Quote 'MOT' 

Call 07979 822 885 or email me on Sam.cubitt@btinternet.com.