Hello All,

Are you keeping all the new years resolutions?
Hope one was to improve your golf this news letter will help.
Ken wrote it, is good, well worth printing and taking the time to read, the tips will improve your game, they even impressed me. We are the gym training every morning, to get fit and in shape Ready for the Trinidad Carnival next month costumes are ordered and we are up for it. It is the third largest carnival in the world so will be wild fun.

Our News eve party, Caribbean music, rum and coke, fire-works, many beautiful people, went through the night, till sun rise.

We had a great Christmas here in the Caribbean, at our favorite resort Coco Reef Tobago, it was party time every night, if you were still bight eyed and bushy tailed in the morning was diving of the reef or swimming in the bay. Or playing golf, the two best courses are the Mount which is very good value for money, or the Hilton which is expensive.

January 2006, we hope one of your New Year resolutions was to lower your handicap, play better golf, NO not by a quick kick out of the rough, or a spare ball in your pocket. ("Ho! Here it is found it")

We like to think that golf is a game of honor. We say never cheat you will lose the respect of you colleges, and really you are only cheating your self. The handicap system is there to ensure that when you are stood on the first tee all club players have the same chance of winning.
When playing with a very good player in the monthly medal do not try to match his game, all you need to do is play to your handicap or better and you will beat him for sure.

Featured this month:

• Bump and Run the low risk percentage shot.
• Playing the ball from above or below your feet.
• How to play solid shots
• Planning your golf holiday.

Bump & Run:
Bump and run is a low risk shot, but still need practice to develop touch and feel. Bump and Run, ever since Tiger Woods played a three wood like a putter from the edge of the green, in the US open; there has been a change in nearly every ones game.
Bump and run is a low risk shot, but still need practice to develop touch and feel.
The basic guide lines are simple. It is a putting stoke with an Iron.
Philosophy: Select a club with sufficient loft to carry the ball over the rough on to the green with momentum and roll to reach the hole taking into account all of the contours on the green in the same way you would for a long putt ,
The more rough grass there is: The higher the number on the club: Some examples:
If the Flag is 18 paces from the edge of the green and the rough is three paces, take your five iron, take it back like a long putting stroke ---in line with target (e.g. the spot on the green where you intend to land the ball, which for this shot 6 paces onto the green, with the correct weighted shot the ball will roll the remaining 12 paces to the hole - and IN.
The other end of the scale: 18 paces from the flag to the edge of the green, and 12 paces of rough then use your eight iron ( More loft to clear the extra rough grass)
Take the club back in line with the target, eyes fixed on the ball, do not look up, hit through the ball in line with the target, which for this shot is 12 paces onto the green, the ball will land and roll up gently into the hole.
You need to practice using the same basic principles with each club 4 Iron to 9 Iron,
It is not magic; it does still take a lot of practice to perfect.
But the short game is the key to low handicap and good golf.
Important make up your mind on the shot required NO negative thoughts, take the correct stance, one last look at the target area, hard down and play the shot, positive thinking in the hole.

Ball above or below your feet:
When playing on a side slope with the ball above your feet. Take a wide stance good solid balance. Grip down the shaft; stand closer to the ball. Take one or two practice swings to check balance, timing, rhythm, keep your swing pattern consistent, 1-2 nice and easy. Maintain your balance throughout the swing.
Important that you check the line to your target, a ball above you feet will always turn left- (Imagine aircraft banking to the left) the flight of your ball will be the same. Aim to the right of the flag / target to compensate.
Do not rush the shot, take the club back smooth and low in line with the target, and make sure your shoulders turn square
DO NOT LEAN TO THE SIDE, keep your head still eyes on the ball left arm in control - pull down with the left turning the upper body, accelerate to the ball but with timing and rhythm, club face square at impact hit right through the ball, do not look up until the ball has gone.
When the ball is below your feet same set up, but the ball will always turn right, so aim left of your target.
Most high handicap players make the mistake of bending over to compensate for the ball being lower, DO NOT do that, you must maintain your normal posture back straight, just bend your knees more.
If you are on a practice round and not holding other players up, take two balls and play shots from difficult positions, then when you are in competition you will know the shot to play and have confidence.
Remember that difficult shots can be avoided by good course management always select your target and if you need to lay up then that is what you do. You avoid a bunker or water so why put you ball on a sloping bank.

Solid Shots:
Pre- shot routine is not just for on the tee it is for every shot.
Which must be practiced until it is becomes second nature.
Determine your optimum target area, and the correct distance
Check all hazards.
Check wind direction from behind, wind against, swirling.
Now select the correct club, you should know the distance you hit with
every club. Step back behind the ball check the target line. Maybe select an old divot a short distance ahead which is in line with your target, aim to hit the ball over this marker. Take a relaxed practice swing.
Step up to the ball. Arms and club stretched out in front of you, slowly bend fore-ward from the hips until the club touches the ground behind the ball. Take your stance the width of your shoulders. Feet aligned slightly left of the target, check your grip, do not grip the club too tight. Pressure =same as squeezing a tube of tooth paste, shake the arms to release any tension you are now ready to take the shot. Think positive NO negative thoughts. Now this may seem strange thing to say but do not become trance fixed looking at the ball, once you are set up try to spend 75 % of your time looking down the target line, visualize your target, deep breath relax no tension in the arms, just think rhythm and timing, Do NOT freeze over the ball waggle the club, now eyes on the ball, but does not mean your head and neck are like stone they should also be relaxed and little movement is ok, Push back low and smooth with the left arm your upper body starting to turn, DO not sway back, only the upper body turning (timing SET IT LOSE MOTHER GOOSE,)
That is your tempo. Pull down with the left arm in control keep your head down eye fix on the ball hit right through the ball the club staying low and in line with the target.
Key objective to teach your mind and body to synchronize
Maintain balance, smooth transfer of weight from right to left follow though, DO NOT LOOK UP UNTIL THE BALL HAS GONE
Once you have swing which smooth natural and you can repeat it
Every time then will be a single handicap golfer.

Golden rule your weight should always move in the same direction as your swing, as the club moves back the weight transfers to your back Foot, as you swing down the weight moves to the front foot (EASY) But most high handicappers do not transfer weight correctly. The fore-mentioned is mainly driver woods and long irons, some principles will change for chipping / pitching.