Scott Godfrey - March Newsletter

Matt Wallace

It's great to turn on the tv at the moment and watch the US PGA Tour with so many British players in contention. One player in particular that is playing more golf in America this year and has catapulted himself into the top echelons of world golf over the past 12 months is the Englishman Matt Wallace. Wallace won a mere 4 times last season in his first full year on the European tour and some critics would say he was immensely unlucky to miss out on a wild card pick for last years Ryder Cup.

Like all the young talented players out on tour, Wallace works extremely hard on his game and is certainly open-minded when advice is offered his way from some of his peers. In fact, the interesting thing regarding Wallace is that his coach is current European tour player Robert Rock. Where he finds the time to compete on tour and give lessons is beyond me but they have struck up a fantastic successful partnership. Let's look at the key aspects of Matts swing and what we can all learn from:

An example of a superb well-balanced set up comprising of great body angles.

We are starting to see this in more modern day tour players now where the clubface angle is pointing more towards the sky with a flatter left wrist position.

I love this delivery position on his downswing and the position of his right elbow, this is something many amateurs can learn from where I would typically see the right elbow further out in front of their body.

The golf swing is a chain reaction and this follow through position with a great extension of the arms is a consequence of a good sequence of movement.

Golf Health Week:

We sometimes forget some of the reasons why we actually play golf especially when our game isn't at its best! There has been much research into the health benefits of golf over recent years and one stat I think is worth mentioning is that those people who play golf live 5 years longer than those who don't! I know various case studies are always subjective but the health and well-being benefits to golf are as we know very strong. A major week long R&A backed campaign to raise awareness of these benefits will begin a day after the masters from April 15th - 19th. For more information visit this link https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12176/11670287/golf-and-health-week-to-highlight-role-sport-plays-in-wellbeing

Group Coaching:

Thank you to those who have attended the ladies and men's senior group coaching sessions. I still have a couple of places left for the following dates if you would like to attend then please contact me:

Ladies group coaching:

Monday 25th March 10.00

Monday 29th April 10.00

Men's senior group coaching:

Wednesday 24th April 10.00

A Good Read:

One of the best books to be written on golf psychology, in my opinion, is 'every shot must have a purpose'. This was written by Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott who were very much instrumental behind Annika Sorenstam's rise to the top of women's golf. As a Christmas present, I was given the next book in their range titled 'Be A Player' and this is every bit as good as their first book. The book covers simple things such as awareness of your balance, tension and tempo, as well as the ability to control mental, emotional and social variables you encounter whilst on the golf course. Certainly, a good book to pack in the bag for any holidays coming up!

Joe Swaine heading for university tour finals:

Congratulations to Joe Swaine who has qualified for British Universities Tour Finals at Lundin Golf Club in Scotland next month. Joe secured his place after finishing 9th in the English and Welsh strokeplay championship at West Lancs golf club. Joe finished the 72 hole event on 5 over par (This was even after a 12 on the 11th hole in his second round) and has consequently reduced his handicap to + 0.2. I've coached the Bournemouth university team for several years now and have seen the standard of university golf in Britain get stronger and stronger. This a great achievement and I'm sure everyone at Ferndown wishes him all the best for the finals next month.

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