CARLY FROST  Editor  Ladies Golf Today

Carly's blog - news and views on the world of ladies' golf
February 17, 2012

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It's nice to hear good news in golf

When there has been nothing but doom and gloom about the economy in the news for the last few years it's always nice to hear a positive story from the world of golf, especially when the ladies game has had a really good impact on tourism. Such was the good news delivered to my inbox this week from EventScotland who helped staged the highly successful Ricoh Women's British Open, which was played at the wonderful and very challenging Carnoustie links in Scotland last July.

According to EventScotland the Major Championship contributed over £4.7m to the Scottish economy with over 30% of visitors travelling from outside of Scotland to watch the world's best female players battle the elements. Spectators were so impressed with the event that over 70% of those interviewed said they were planning to buy tickets for this year's Championship.

With the Olympics dominating the sporting schedule for the summer it has been pushed back to September 13-16 at Royal Liverpool Golf Club and promises to be a fantastic few days' golf for the spectator. I've already bought my tickets! Log onto: www.ricohwomensbritishopen.com for more information.

NEWS

Struggling with your game? Try the 'App' with the answer!

I must confess I am completely addicted to my iPhone, it goes with me everywhere and I have endless fun downloading Apps, so I was intrigued when I heard of a new app that is targeted at the eager game improver.
It's appropriately named 'Pocket Pro' and has been created by golf professional James Ellis. The app's clever design means that it is not just a handy driving range reference tool but is a great on-course companion (when you're not in a competition of course) for those moments when help is most needed!

Awkward lies, bunker shots, tricky putts - you name it - if you're not quite sure how to play the shot from an unusual scenario then the Pocket Pro app has the answer. Two simple clicks gives you access to a video showing you how to play the shot.

There are 25 lessons on the App and at just £2.99 it's far cheaper than a lesson with your pro! Pocket Pro can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or direct from www.pocketprogolf.co.uk

Tried & tested: TaylorMade's new RocketBallz

Rocket by name Rocket by nature!

I'm the sort of golfer who tends to find a golf ball they like and stick with it for a long time, despite anything else being introduced. So I have managed to resist the urge to switch every time a new ball has come onto the market over the last few years, preferring to stick with the ball I trust and which gives me reliable performance. But TaylorMade has just turned that on its head with the RocketBallz. Right from the very first hit it impressed and literally rocketed through the air, no wonder they gave it this name. Not only is this ball noticeably longer than any other I have used, and I'm talking a good 10 yards off the tee, quite significant at my handicap and level, it also has an amazing buttery soft feel off the clubface and chips with check and precision.

So what's the secret? It's actually hidden deep inside the ballThe ball speed and distance gains come from a combination of what TaylorMade call their REACT core technology and a new SPEEDMANTLE for increased velocity and added spin for all swing speeds. The great feel is courtesy of a special IOTHANE cover which coupled with the Speedmantle material give the ball incredible bite and hold on the greens.

TaylorMade may be lesser known in the ball market than some of the big brands but I'm convinced that this ball is going to be a big hit, quite literally! There's no target golfer in mind, just everyone who is seeking more distance and shot-making confidence. The best part is the price. The RocketBallz are really good value - just £26.99 a dozen. For more information visit: www.taylormadegolf.eu

Fashion for the fairways
Stuburt's new stylish shoes

Open Champion Darren Clarke has been a busy man since lifting the Claret Jug last summer and among his enterprises he has just unveiled a line of golf shoes he has designed for Stuburt.

The Stuburt Darren Clarke Golf Shoe Collection come in five colour options and the shoe has a classic look that will appeal to the traditionalist.
These premium shoes have a full grain leather wing tip, plain toe upper and full leather lined interior for supreme comfort and anti-slip on the course. A Dri-Back Plus bootie membrane offers a one-year waterproof guarantee, perfect for the soggy course conditions we're experiencing at present.

Available in sizes 7-12 including half sizes, priced at £199.99: www.stuburt.com

TIP OF THE WEEK
Practice like you play

By Dan Frost, PGA Professional, Frost Golf Academy, Pachesham, Surrey
www.frostgolf.com

Why is it that we often play much better golf on the driving range than on the golf course? The answer is simple: few of us practice what is required from the golf course. We practice without challenge or consequence and often not even a target. When the machine gun fire effect of ball after ball after ball is in place, it is hard to build feeling that relates to the golf course. I see lots of eager golfers stood on the range ripping driver out of sight, only to head to the first tee and capitulate.

There are also the golfers who have so many conscious 'swing thoughts' that they simply cannot visualise or flow in any way - the sort of golf by numbers effect. Below are a few simple ways of making your driving range sessions more productive by practising shots like the real thing!

RECREATE A HOLE
Playing a hole as if you were on the course is a great way to transfer your skills from driving range to course mode. It is also a good way of creating positive emotion from a hole you have previously played poorly. I take a second to close my eyes and picture the hole in detail, making it as vivid and clear as possible - I even draw a sketch of the hole into my journal to help me picture it. Next making sure you run through your pre-shot routine play the hole with consequence - you only have one chance to score well here. Always record the results.

TARGET GAME
Take 10 balls, pick a target and try to hit them as close to it as possible. Start each shot with a complete process, running through your pre-shot routine with great visualisation as if each shot were completely brand new. Keep a record of where the balls go so that next time you take on the challenge you can try to beat your best effort. This will also give you key information when you arrive at your next lesson - if there is a particular pattern to your ball flight for instance.

PRACTICE TOUGH SHOTS
We are all guilty of practising the shots we find most enjoyable and of course the easiest. John Jacobs, one of the finest golf coaches of his era, described these types of practisers as 'pickers' because they only ever practised from a lie they picked. It is vital that you practice every scenario that you may encounter on the golf course, so trying mixing it up. Hit shots out of sandy divots, the rough, high lob shots over bunkers to tight pin positions and those always avoided long irons. Practice in such a way that you give yourself one chance to play the shot and then move onto another challenge. This will put you into the frame of mind of real life on-course performance.

PAR 3 CHALLENGE
Next time you are on the golf course I want you to play two golf balls from the equivalent distances of two tough par threes, even if that means starting your hole from the fairway rather than the tee. The first Par 3 must be equivalent to the average distance you hit your driver (around 250-300 yards) and the second must be started from the average distance you hit a long iron (around 190-220 yards), or adjust these markers accordingly to your own distances. The purpose of this challenge is to play a game that is a much tougher test than golf. Think about having the accuracy to hit your driver onto a green and consistency with a long iron to the degree that you hit the green. With these two tough tee shots your short game will also get a great work-out as even the best players in the world will miss the green with these clubs. The great thing about this challenge is that next time you have to hit a really tight tee shot all you need to do is picture that green sitting in the middle of the fairway with the thought in the back of your mind that you can hit greens with this club, how hard can fairways be? Likewise if you have to hit a tough positional long iron think of hitting that small green and if you miss the green by a few yards adopt the mind-set that you must get up and down, just like your par 3 challenge. Trust me emotionally this game really ticks all the boxes.

DRIVING RANGE COMPANIONS
Along with your clubs I want you to always take your rangefinder and a journal with you when you practice. These are vital tools in recording all information and practising your yardages. The reality is that most golfers don't know exactly how far they hit the ball with each club, and I'm not just talking about full swings, but having that vocabulary of half and three-quarter swing distances on tap, especially with the shorter clubs.
Make sure you record your thoughts, feelings and emotions in your journal, along with the obvious - your distances and the results of your challenges/games. This is invaluable information to your coach and to your learning and progression as a player.

PRACTICE COMPANIONS

Titleist Practice Ball Bag: £55
A robust ball bag with very durable leather handles. www.titleist.co.uk

Titleist Towel: £22

This durable and absorbent cotton and microfibre towel is the ideal practice bag companion, perfect for cleaning your clubs in between shots.

www.titleist.co.uk