TG Blog: First Tour Fit For Golf check-up at the London CLub

In association with

In the second of a series of blogs about their experiences on the ‘money-can’t-buy’ Tour Fit for Golf amateur tuition programme – supported by Golfbreaks.com, Europe’s largest golf travel company, and endorsed by the European Tour Performance Institute – winners Nick Blunt and Chris Hughman, whose games were initially assessed at last month’s launch event, share their thoughts on the first of three progress review sessions at The London Golf Club.

Nick Blunt
“Since the initial assessment I had received my personalised exercise programme and thrown myself head-first into improving my flexibility and diligently following the drill provided by coach Simon Holmes which saw me tethered to the ground, by a piece of equipment called the Power Hip Rotator, hitting countless balls on the range… much to the amusement of my friends at my home club.
 
“However, this sense of achievement was quickly put into context after a morning on the range using the About Golf technology and the skills, knowledge and patience of Simon and JJ Rivet. Yes, there were slight improvements but I was hampered by a lack of flexibility and overreliance on a turn from my hips and not as required from the torso.
 
“So with my brain hurting from the information overload, Simon and JJ broke down the information into bite-size chunks and devised an action plan and drills to take the next step in building a swing that I can trust.”

Chris Hughman
“After a solid month of practice, I was starting to get comfortable with the fairly drastic changes that Simon and JJ had made to my flawed posture and swing. So I was feeling good about showing how much I’d improved when we met once again.  However, one 7-iron on the amazingly in-depth About Golf swing analysis kit soon brought me back to earth… 

“JJ set about altering my weight distribution while Simon worked on the correct positioning of the ball in the stance, and the angle of my shoulders and hips.  Within minutes I realised just why these two experts are working in tandem – because everything is completely interlinked! Your balance affects your ability to repeat your swing – and, conversely, any swing flaws affect your balance.

I ended the session with, hopefully, the foundation of my new stance and swing. Plenty of hard graft lies ahead, but I’m desperate to extract the maximum from this memorable experience.”

The venue
Nick Blunt: “The London Club should be a must-play venue for all golfers. From the palatial clubhouse to the superb practice facilities and two excellent golf courses, what more could any golfer ask for?

“I played the International and was greeted with 18 holes as aesthetically pleasing as any course I have played. With water in play on many holes you must hold your nerve to score well around this challenging track, but it is certainly a fair test of golf.”

Chris Hughman: “The London Club oozes class from the moment you arrive. The clubhouse is perfectly designed with practice facilities to match.

“The International Course boasts too many signature holes to mention, although I challenge anyone not to remember the lake holes – miraculously, I kept my ball dry all day! The pins were unforgiving, making you really think your way around the course, and the greens as true as any I’d putted on. Absolutely first class.”

Deal hunter

Deal 1:
One night’s bed and breakfast at Holiday Inn, Maidstone, and two rounds of golf at The London Club (International Course) and Etchinghill (Leas Course). From £179 per person. Valid until July 31.

Deal 2:
Three nights’ bed and breakfast at Brandshatch Place Hotel & Spa and four rounds of golf at Royal Blackheath, London Club (International Course), Chart Hills and Austin Lodge. From £405 per person. Valid from August 1-31.

Deal 3:
One night’s bed and breakfast at Holiday Inn, Maidstone, and two rounds of golf at London Club (International Course) and Etchinghill (Leas Course). From £179 per person. Valid from September 1-30.

Visit www.golfbreaks.com to book.