Our squad managers together with local PGA Professionals organised a Clinic at Dereham GC for 20 of our older boys testing their skills against our local head Pro. This was followed by a simulator get together at Mattishall Golf Club organised by Greg Caffyn. It included our under 14/16 age groups. It proved a fun packed afternoon that encouraged social interaction and focus. Our County Coach, Andrew Marshall, attended and provided his expertise regarding swing, ball address and alignment. Sammy has been working on an Under 14’s coaching plan with Lloyd Jones to fortify the squad. The intention is to concentrate on short game practice as this is the secret to winning matches under pressure. There will be three sessions at Royal Norwich beginning in March and completing in April. Ryan Pudney (Sheringham Professional and under 16s manager) will be providing three sessions at Sheringham (dates TBC).
A pre-season get together was held at Royal Norwich. It proved to be a great success, the format was Texas Scramble and 21 boys from our Under 12’s to Under 18’s played. It provided an opportunity for all ages to take part and play as a team regardless of size, age or ability. The winners were Louie Raine, Hugo Fisher-Briggs and Leighton Young, second place went to Alex Blake, Jimmy Mead and Ben Freestone with Liam Caffyn, Tom Burton and JC coming in third.
Ryan organised a Clinic at Sheringham Golf Club which included Under 14/16/18’s. Swing plane, course craft and shot selection were part of the training and Andrew Marshall attended.
Lloyd, Ryan and Lewis are in the process of planning the Under 12/16/18 coaching programmes for 2024. The main focus being the short game and the 150 yard shot into the 10 feet green ‘killer zone’.
Enquiries are increasing with boys and parents becoming interested in what we can offer in their progression. Our County Development Officer, Sammy Martin, is devising an outreach County Smart Skills Pack to market the County further with clubs and junior organisers. She is planning a county trials day for potential player selection, highlighting the standard and maximising our pathway.
Golf is not just about the performance on the course but also the wellbeing of the individual. To this end we have been running Yoga sessions which are becoming more popular with 20 attendees at the first 2024 session. Players are not forced to take part we prefer to allow their free will to appreciate the benefits of the practice. Feedback has been very positive and all feel their flexibility and inner reflection has improved.
In order to balance the mind and body harmony of yoga, Ryan and Sammy have introduced a Strength and Conditioning Initiative. This is intended to correctly tutor how to improve physical performance, heart, bone and lung health, body composition, core stability and endurance. This overall fitness will prevent the risk of injury and allow our players to fully release their potential taking into consideration youthful growth. Miles Collins an ex golfer himself, has become an expert in the field of physical development and will present training programmes for the squads to adhere to. Feedback from the first session was very positive The day also included sessions on the range supervised by Ryan where the boys worked on wedge control and swing speed.
The mental aspect of the game should not be ignored and to this end we are in discussion with Gavin Drake, a mental performance consultant with a view to introduce a psychological aspect to our development platform.
Knowledge of the rules of the game is vital. A rules evening hosted by Mike Rees and Trevor Mason was organised at Royal Norwich. The evening was a great success, Mike and Trevor delivered their presentation with humour and sound knowledge gained from the years of battle scarred refereeing at every level. It is hoped to hold an Am/Am later in the season to raise funds for Junior Golf in Norfolk.