For a change the computer passed its trial in this year's April Trial Medal. Ivan Kennedy scored 72-5=67 and won division 1 on a card play-off from Mark Watkins. Ivan has played more golf recently and has found some form.

Robin Titterington had the best score of the day with 76-11=65. Robin has ability and over the past couple of years or so, has really improved although his scores haven't fully reflected it. On Thursday last week Robin came for a lesson and a wedge fitting. Whenever Robin takes lessons he improves. Robin also invested in three new Vokey SM5 wedges on this occasion so all wedges match, each giving the same feel and and the lofts are all spaced perfectly. Robin said that he played much better on Saturday, loves the new wedges and could even have been a couple or so shots better off if it were not for a couple of 3 putts. This has taken Robin to within half a shot of achieving his long term goal of being off single figures which I am certain will be achieved. Book your free wedge fitting now and let's try and reduce the important shots around the green. Div 3 was won by Paul Wade with 89-19=70. The lowest gross was won by Ryan Swift and Ryan Jackson both with 71.

Tomorrow's competition will be the Founders Trophy. This is a new major and has only been played for a few times, it is the first major of this year. If there are any spaces and you want to play, take a look on the brs system or phone the shop and we will find you a spot.

The Pro's Easter stableford which ran Friday, Sunday and Monday had 158 entrants thank you. Derek Simpkins was the eventual winner with the last card returned. Derek's 40 points won by one from Mark Watkins who had lead since Friday. Derek's eagle two on the 5th consisted quite simply of a drive to four feet and a tap in for eagle. Prizes went all the way down to 10th as the entry was so big.

There were 31 twos, worth £5.96 each. Click here to see full comp results.

Wednesdays comp was a Medal, Curtis Brokenbrow won Div 1 with 69-1=68, Paddy Weadick div 2 with 82-14=68 and Duncan Hayes div 3 with 82-16=66.

Hole In One

Bradley Brokenbrow holed his 9 iron for an ace on the 9th in the medal on Wednesday. The group in front on the 10th tee witnessed the ball go in the hole, and waved in excitement. Bradley misunderstood and thinking that his ball was out of bounds, announced that he was playing a provisional and played another! Only when they saw Bradley looking for the second ball in the rough did the group ahead mention that his first was in the hole!

Reminder Presentation

This Saturday will be the first Presentation of this season, and John Seaton's first as Captain. The presentation will begin at 6.00 so if you have won a voucher, please come and collect it, have a FREE PINT and support The Captain!

Click here to see the list of all voucher winners.

Also this Sunday is the Mixed Open, they have times reserved from 10.20 to 2.40.

New PING Putters

As many of you may have noticed I have a new range of PING putters in stock. I have the copper finish Karsten putters; they are the classic designs that are well known from PING but they have the new modern technology. PING have created the True roll which has helped increase consistency and control with putts. You can hit the ball from anywhere on the club face and the distance control will be very similar.

Due in is the PING Ketsch putter as modelled by Lee Westwood. Wow! A putter that Lee is finally holing putts with, pity that it has come the week after The Masters. Lee won by 7 shots last week in the Malaysian and that is the difference that putting well makes. Louis Oosthuizen finished second last week, using an identical putter to Lee's. These are due in to the Pro Shop next week. As always give them a try on the putting green with pleasure. The right wand will transform you!

Trion: Z

The new Trion: Z bands are proving to be a big hit. Eight people invested in one on Saturday alone. With magnetic ions which help to increase blood flow reducing muscle stiffness and general aches, people are feeling the benefit of these. With various colours and sizes, they are only £19.99. Get yours now.

Look the part

After the first lot were raided so quickly, more PING shirts are in your Pro Shop now. They look fantastic. Looking good is often the key to feeling good, and when you feel good you play good.

Juniors

There are a growing number of juniors which are showing an interest in golf. We currently have a list in the pro shop with 17 names on, we still wish to build on this figure so if any of your children or grandchildren are showing an interest please keep them coming. Register your child in The Pro Shop.

How often do you take golf lessons?

Never?

After weeks of poor performance, guessing what the problem might be and trying all different things to correct it?

When you get so absolutely desperate that you can no longer hit the ball?

Too many golfers are still languishing in the Luddite ways above. This golfer wastes lots of time (and shots), before they eventually turn up for that lesson, often expecting a miracle in half an hour.

Here's a fact; In Germany around 80% of golfers take regular lessons. In the UK it is less than 20%. Perhaps it's British thing of pride, or do we just not understand how to learn? As much as we all love the Germans, we must admire their winning mentality and their desire to do things right. Perhaps we could learn something from this?

To an experienced, PGA Qualified coach, faults in golf swings are seen in seconds. Some fixes are simple and achieve quick results. Others take longer, and how long depends upon both what the fault is - and crucially the ability of the pupil to focus on the correct advice and follow it.

Things like bad grips (the most destructive is the strong right hand (in right handed player) will cause long term misery if not corrected. The longer you put it off, the longer you will keep making the same mistakes over and over again, and the harder it will be to correct later. If you have been playing golf let's say for 5 years with a poor grip, it doesn't take a genius to work out that although the fault can be diagnosed in a single shot, it will take longer than half an hour for a player to become proficient, feel confident and see the benefit.

The instruction you will receive from me during coaching is second to none. The emphasis is then upon you to follow the instruction practice the right things and book further lessons if necessary.

Regular lessons are the key to long term improvement and success. If you are in the categories above, take heed; stop making excuses and tackle the issues head on. I have been teaching golf for 20 years now and I have seen every fault there is. It is more years than I would care to mention since I graduated on the PGA Diploma programme at The Belfry. Our exams then focussed greatly on all the sports science aspects in coaching as well as the usual things like technique. Gradually, and even in the UK the importance of tuition is being realised, how it has developed and the role this plays in acquiring skill.

Oh and by the way, coaching can be fun!