The THSG 2022 Short Game Weekend

Its one of the most anticipated weekends of the coaching calendar for THSG pupils, yes the Short game weekend is back and this year…..BIGGER and BETTER. We are so excited to bring you the very latest theory behind making all shots from 100 yards and in easier for you!! Don't forget the average golfer takes around 75% of his/her shots from 100yards and in......Don’t you think its time to get good at this part of the game!?? 

If your serious about improving, this weekend simply can not be missed!! Our THSG short game festival which runs from Friday 21st - Sunday 23rd October is your ticket to improvement. 

The THSG team have designed an improvement program that caters for all golfers that need help from 100 yards and in. Our sole focus is to offer clinics both on and off the course that cover all aspects of approach play and the short game.

Our clinics will be held in a group format that will be limited to just 6 golfers. Sign up will be on a first come first serve basis. We want to create an interactive learning environment that will help us work closely with each pupil within the group. Our group clinics are always well subscribed so if you want to sign up to any of the below please don't hesitate. We will be charging our normal group clinic of £10 p/p, per clinic. 

All weekend we will be doing demonstrations using the new Ping 2023 putter range and the state of the art wedge fitting kit provided by Ping, showcasing their Glide 4.0 and Glide Forged wedge range. If you would like to book a VIP fitting over that weekend, please get in touch.     

Here is the Itinerary of the weekend - 

Friday 21st October

10am-11am - The Only Bunker Lesson You Will Ever Need..!  
If you struggle out of the sand and want to learn more about how easy this shot can become then sign up to this clinic. We will take you through the basics and give you an insight into how the tour players play this shot so well. 

Coached by: Zach
CLICK HERE to sign up

11am-12pm - Improve Your Bunker Mentality - Problem Shots  
We will cover all shots from greenside bunkers with just one club and explain the reasons why the pros on TV make it look so easy. We will cover plugged ball, high/low shots, playing out of different sands and varying the length of shot.

Coached by: Zach
CLICK HERE to sign up

1pm-2pm - Putting - Learning From The Pro’s  
We will take you through the attributes of a great putter and what we can learn from the worlds best. He will explain how you can take these attributes and apply them in your game, helping you hole more putts and improve confidence in your all round game.

Coached by: Zach
CLICK HERE to sign up

2pm-3pm - Putting - Practice Properly Don't Waste Your Practice Time
We are massive on making everyones practice time more useful and new research has certainly showed us that there is a real skill to practising properly. Don't waste you practice time on the putting green, we will take you through the perfect 60 minute practice session.

Coached by: Zach
Full

3pm-4pm - How To Use Bounce When Chipping & Pitching
Understanding the term 'Bounce' and using it in technique could be the secret to unlocking your short game. We will cover all shots in and around the green (inside 30yards) with just one club and explain the reasons why the pros on TV make it look so easy. You will walk away from the session with clarity and a formula that is easy to understand. 

Coached by: Zach
CLICK HERE to sign up


4pm-6pm -On Course Problem Shots & Q&A With Zach
Zach will be taking this session out on the course, where it matters…!! He will be covering all shots from 40yards and in. This session will be all about those problem shots, bad lies, low, high, medium shots, in bunkers, over bunkers…..you name it, we will go through it. We will also leave 30minutes for a Q and A back in the clubhouse talking through those key decisions.

Coached by: Zach
Full

4pm-6pm - On Course Approach Shots & Q&A With Tim

This session will be out on the course, looking at approach shots. This will help to tackle wedge shots from the fairway, rough and even trees and help you get the ball closer to the hole and hit the green more consistently from all kind of lies and understand what shot and club to use. We will also leave 30minutes for a Q and A back in the clubhouse talking through those key decisions.

Coached by: Tim
CLICK HERE to sign up

Saturday 22nd October

10am-11am - The Only Bunker Lesson You Will Ever Need…!   
Same as above.....

Coached by: James
CLICK HERE to sign up

11am-12noon - How To Use Bounce When Chipping & Pitching
Same as above .....

Coached by: James
CLICK HERE to sign up

1pm-2pm - Distance Wedges - Know Your Numbers   
Distance Control is King!! The pros are dynamite when it comes to wedges and distance control is the most impressive part of this and this doesn't just come down to feel, they have a bullet proof system which we will cover in this session. We will cover all shots from 30-100 yards. During this session we will be working with our GC Quad launch monitors so you will have accurate information on your yardages from the key the distances. 

Coached by: James
Full

1pm-2pm - Learn how to play the “Putt Chip” Chipping Technique
Ever wondered why it is difficult to putt from off the green and need a bulletproof system to make these shots from just off the green easier. Learning this chipping technique and mastering it with not only a less lofted club like a 7iron but implementing it with any club in the bag can help you get the ball closer to the hole consistently and eliminate some of the dreaded… uh oh shots.

Coached by: Zach
CLICK HERE to sign up

2pm-3pm - Putting - Is your grip holding you back
We see a whole range of grips on the PGA tour, but which are better than others. Zach will take you through the pro's and con's of the different grips in putting. He will explain the importance of grip pressure, placement and how this has a direct influence on the outcome. He will touch on the importance of green reading, positive visualisation, positive self talk, breathing and our think/play box theory. 

Coached by: Zach
CLICK HERE to sign up

3pm-4pm - Putting - Green Reading
There are many different methods in how to read greens and this session will look into many different systems in how to read greens. This session will identify a system that works for you and how this can be implemented on the course. This session will also go through difficult breaking putts, double breaking putts and how to read these types of putts. One of the most popular green reading systems on tour, Aimpoint Express will be discussed.

Coached by: Zach

CLICK HERE to sign up

Sunday 23rd October

1pm-2pm - Putting Under Pressure
Take your 'A' game to the course, its what the PGA Tour players do so well!! James will give you an insight into the processes on how to hole those important short putts under pressure and give you tips on how to start the ball on Line more consistently.

Coached by: James
CLICK HERE to sign up

2pm-3pm - Zone In Your Approach Play
Distance wedges is often overlooked in practice but is an area I get asked about all the time. During this session we will cover distance control and give you a system that suits your game, we will delve into the importance of set-up and the key roles they play in controlling shot trajectory. We will also touch on the basic swing principles that we look for in this unique stye of shot.

Coached by: James
CLICK HERE to sign up

3pm-4pm - Improve Your Bunker Mentality - Problem Shots   
Same as above

Coached by: James
CLICK HERE to sign up

The Importance of Grip

Grip can be a very important factor then many overlook. Below are some things to think about to improve your game.

The grip is the only contact you have with the club. Make sure your grips are looked after by cleaning them or by getting new grips. A worn grip can result in a few potential limitations:

• Reduce clubhead speed (Reduce distance)

• Increase grip tension (reduce feel)

• Reduce clubhead rotation (potential increase in slice ball flight)

• Decrease consistency of strike

There are many different grip models. Here is some information to consider when choosing what grip to use.

• Rubber grips such as a tour velvet (most popular grip on Tour). This grips is soft in texture giving more feel, reducing vibration up the club but is not as good as other in wet conditions or those with sweaty hands.

• Half cord/half rubber such as a multi-compound grip (multicoloured grip such as red and black). This grip is popular for being a mix where the top half is cord providing a firmer feel and more grip in wet conditions under the glove hand, and the softer texture under the non-glove hand.

• Full cord such as the Z-cord grip. This grip is most popular for those who play in all weather conditions, have sweaty hands or want a firmer feel when they grip the club. The dampening of vibration up the club is limited with this grip type but the grip has a tendency to last the longest (less susceptible to wear) than other grips.

How do your hands grip the club?

There are three different types of functional grips (Full Swing):

The overlap grip - Also called the ‘Vardon Grip’. This grip is where the trail hand pinky finger overlaps the lead hands index finger. This grip is know for being a neutral grip with no bias towards hitting a fade or draw.

The interlock grip - The grip of use by Tiger Woods. This grip is where the trail hand pinky finger interlocks with the lead hand index finger. This grip is popular as many feel more connected when using it. This grip has more of a draw bias if interlock is deep but can be different on a case by case basis.

The 10-finger grip - Also called the ‘Baseball grip’. This grip is where all eight fingers are connected but not overlapping or interlocking. This grip is popular for beginner golfers as the grip can be difficult to grasp straight away. Players have a tendency to have thumbs down the centre of the grip which tends to promote a weak trail hand grip, promoting a fade bias.

With all grip types, it is recommended to have the grip in your fingers and not in the palm (lifeline) of the hand. The lead hand thumb will be on the opposite half of the top of the grip (e.g right handed golfers left hand thumb will be on the right half of the top of the grip).

Strength of Grip

The strength of the grip can affect the functionality of the grip, ball flight and wrist movement.

Neutral grip - A neutral grip is where the players lead hand has 2-3 knuckles showing when addressing the club (Your head should not move or tilt when looking down at your grip to check its strength). Providing you have a neutral lead hand, the player will have a tendency to have a flat lead wrist at the top of the backswing. If this happens, this means your clubface is neutral (square) at the top of the backswing giving greater chance of hitting a neutral (straight) ball flight. For the trail hand to be neutral, the player will have the V-shape (V-shape occurs between the trail thumb and index finger) points towards the trail shoulder with the trail forearm in a relaxed position.

This set up promotes a straight ball flight providing other variables in the swing such as wrists, shoulders and lower body movement match up.

Strong grip - A strong grip is where the players lead hand has 3-4 knuckles showing when addressing the club. If the player has a stronger lead hand, the player will have a tendency to have a cupped lead wrist at the top of the backswing to get the clubface in a square position. For the trail hand to be strong, the player will have the V-shape point behind the trail shoulder with the trail forearm in a relaxed position. This set up promotes a more draw bias ball flight providing other variables in the swing such as wrists, shoulders and lower body movement match up.

Having one hand or both hands in a stronger position can help a golfer who has a tendency to slice the golf ball to reduce the curvature and hit the ball straighter.

Weak Grip - A weak grip is where the players lead hand has zero or 1 knuckle showing when addressing the club. The lead hand thumb will typically be on the middle of the grip. If the player has a weaker lead hand, the player will have a tendency to have a bowed/flexed lead wrist at the top of the backswing to get the clubface in a square position. For the trail hand to be weak, the player will have the V-shape point towards the sternum or lead shoulder. The trail forearm will tend to be above the lead forearm at address in a straight/more tense orientation. This set up promotes a more fade bias ball flight, promotes a more out-to-in swing path as many tend to have shoulders open to the target as a result.

Having one hand or both hands in a weaker position can help a golfer who has a tendency to hook the golf ball to reduce the curvature and hit the ball straighter. It can also be a major cause in promoting a slice ball flight.

* To note, many players can have a combination between lead and trail hands of neutral/strong/weak grip conditions. Players must note that one grip may not be correct for everyone but must match up to their swing characteristics and body movement. If you believe this could be an issue, please talk to your PGA Professional.

*Putter grip is different and will be covered in the future*

Any questions, please speak to any of the THSG Team

Thanks

Zach

Junior Golf Update

It’s a team effort here at the club with new faces coming to our junior sessions thanks to members spreading the word and our schools program. It gives me so much satisfaction to see so many juniors developing and improving their golf having started from scratch!!

Over the course of the last month we have enjoyed welcoming in new faces to the Tigers and Development groups. All academy members that have been playing in the Sunday competitions have been busy reducing their handicaps, some as big as 20 shots!!

Here are a few of the latest pictures taken from our Junior sessions at the weekend including our Tigers and Development group.