The best strap-line I think I've ever come across is that of Nike - 'JUST DO IT'. When I was playing full time I used to go to a sports psychologist and he had a different version which we shortened to the acronym J.*.D.I. I'll let you fill in the full version of that one yourself. I use a similar tactic these days and have the letters R.K.L.S on my golf ball.  

JUST DO IT fits perfectly with golf as there is so much time to second guess ourselves when we're playing and when choosing whether to go for a shot or not. JUST DO IT would also be my suggestion with anyone considering making changes to their golf game or equipment. I come across a lot of people with a good goal of doing something proactive but many don't get past the talking stage. 

It's the same as my coaching philosophy of 'NEXT BALL BETTER' - many times a golfer will believe that if they keep practicing the same thing, that they'll eventually get better at it. Someone said to me this weekend 'My short game ruins my scores and always has done, but I guess it'll change in time'. Not gonna happen. 

To hit the next ball better, you have to JFDI and do something different. We played the club match against Leek on Saturday and the pro, Greg, made a couple of fantastic up 'n' downs by using a split handed grip on the club (a sizeable gap between his hands) which has transformed his wedge game overnight. The ball doesn't care what you do - just do something! The Club team had a close game against Leek - the result of Brocton 8, Leek 4, included six games which were halved. The Captain and I had a great game against Leek Captain Phil and Greg, preferring to play to a half rather than continue our '3 up with 7 to play' strategy. Luckily for us we suggested that we play it as a 36 hole match and we now go to Leek as the underdogs for the remaining leg in the summer. Everybody's thoughts were with Phil and his Dad who had to leave swiftly due to a close family bereavement. 

Of course, never does 'JUST DO IT' strike such a chord with us as when life deals someone we know a bad bounce such as this. Just this weekend, a great PGA Pro, talented magician and a very popular character, Clive Fromant, from Leicester, passed away suddenly from a heart attack, aged 45. I write this the evening before I play the County Strokeplay championship at Little Aston and I now positively look forward to relishing all the bounces, curling short putts and tricky bunker shots that will undoubtably come my way. Bring it on. Clive's recommendation was always that you should treat golf like Rock and Roll, enjoy it and don't take it too seriously. 

Here's a great picture of Simon who doesn't take it too seriously and has a great attitude for the game, very similar to Andrew 'BEEF' Johnstone.


 

Lewis has played his first competition this week too in the Bank Holiday stableford, which saw 88 golfers take part - 50% more golfers than a normal Bank Holiday. Thanks for your feedback on the starting times last week. We had 162 golfers for the upcoming Rupert Evans medal last year, so please be patient as this week is a turn up and play event. Let the shop know on 01785 661485 if you need fixing up.

You may be pleased / amazed / stunned / shocked (please delete as appropriate) to hear that I won the Pro medal in the Staffs Alliance at Penn golf club last week. Thanks to my team of Graham Hagan, Chris Grant and Joe Moore as we finished third in the team event too - we Just Did It !! 

I made a calamitous error last week by saying the Seniors had won for the second time away at Beau Desert, something that our club team (with me included) have never managed. In fact they've won for the past three years in a row as the first win was under the Captaincy of Peter Bright I.F.C.C.


 

Junior Medal/Stableford Report The first qualifying competition of the 2017 season was held on Friday and we had 16 athletes out, with some great scoring. (We can be athletes now as golf is an Olympic sport!!) 

The scores were as follows:

Division A (CONGU) 
1st Place - Ellie Treadwell - 62 Nett 
2nd Place - Alex Dommett-Pelaez - 69 Nett 
3rd Place - Ethan Evans - 69 Nett 

Division B ( Club Handicaps ) 
1st Place - Thonas Efford - 46 Points 
2nd Place - Alice Higginson - 39 Points 
3rd Place - Alfie Poole - 37 Points 

Congratulations to Kerr Dollochin who played in his first 18 hole competition and played to his Handicap. Special thanks to all the helpers Christine Davies, Diane Ferriday, Mary Harris, John Pugh, Kate Brookhouse, Maurice Howell and Phyllis Broome.


 

Clubs in for build in the Workshop this week: 

We have more of the PURE grip colours in stock each week - check them out for a chance to pimp up your clubs and improve the grippage too!! 

PING G25 driver re-shaft - Fujikura shaft 
PING S59 irons swing weight and frequency match 
TaylorMade M2 driver - Fujikura shaft 
TaylorMade M2 driver - Graffaloy Blue shaft 
Taylor Made M2 3 wood - Hazardous shaft 
Callaway Epic driver - ACCRA FX shaft 
Cleveland Tour Raw wedges - KBS Tour shafts 
Mizuno S5 blue wedge - Project X shaft 
Mizuno 3 and 5 wood - Fujikura SIX shafts 
PING i200 irons reshaft - XP95 shafts 
Titleist 917 driver - ACCRA tour Extreme shaft 
Cleveland 3 wood re-shaft - ACCRA Tour Z shaft 
TaylorMade M2 driver - ACCRA FX 300 shaft 
Super Stroke and PURE grip putter grips.