So, this Easter, you can enjoy a day out on the course with the whole family and why not visit the newly refurbished Clubhouse to sample our great menu afterwards too?  

To find out more and book your places for a really great day out, see:  

newcastle-racecourse.co.uk/golf/welcome  

The post It’s Never Too Early To Start Playing Golf appeared first on Golf North.

The Championship, staged from 13–18 June, attracted 585 entries with players hailing from 43 different countries. This is an increase of 32 per cent on the previous entries record which was set in 2017 at The 122nd Amateur Championship played at Royal St George’s and Princes.

This year, for the first time, a pre-qualifying competition has been introduced for the Championship. A maximum of 72 entrants will compete over 18 holes of stroke play at St Annes Old Links tomorrow, Friday 10 June, to qualify for a minimum of 10 places into the Championship.

Pre-Qualifying provides a route into the Championship for those players who do not have the pre-requisite World Amateur Golf Ranking® (WAGR®)

The 288-man field will then play 36 holes of stroke play on Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 June to determine the top-64 players and ties who make it through to the match play rounds.

The 36-hole Final will be played on Saturday 18 June with the Champion earning a place in The 150th Open at St Andrews next month.

The field will feature three players from the top ten of the World Amateur Golf Ranking, including number three Ludvig Aberg of Sweden, number eight David Puig of Spain and number nine Ratchanon Chantananuwat of Thailand. The highest-ranked Great Britain and Ireland player is Sam Bairstow of England at number 22.

The local favourites in the field will include Royal Lytham & St Annes member Callan Barrow and John Gough, who won the Lytham Trophy last month.

Gough is hoping to follow in the footsteps of one of golf’s greatest amateurs, Sir Michael Bonallack, by winning The Amateur and Lytham Trophy in the same year. Only Bonallack has achieved that feat.

Gough, number 50 in the WAGR, should also be a factor in this year’s Amateur Championship because of another impressive record,

“I’m currently 21 matches unbeaten going back to last year’s English Amateur, going through the Home Internationals, a France match and the Spanish Amateur. I hope to keep the streak going,” said the Beaconsfield Golf Club member, who won the Spanish Amateur in March. He is also reigning English Amateur champion and won the Palmetto Amateur last year after graduating from the University of South Carolina.

“With a win comes a lot of confidence and expectations and I just have the right mind set before every tournament. I’m ready to go out to win every tournament I play, but I fully expect Lytham to play totally different in The Amateur.

“The Amateur will be a fresh start, a stronger field, but I have the same chance as everyone else. I know the key to playing well around there. Every tee shot is important because you have to be in play and avoid the bunkers. There are plenty of them and they are very penal. I managed to do that well in the Lytham Trophy and that was one of the keys to my win.”

Other players to watch in The 127th Amateur Championship include last year’s runner-up Monty Scowsill, 2021 Walker Cup player Barclay Brown and Australian Amateur Champion Connor McKinney, with the Fife-born Australian also winning the St Andrews Links Trophy at the weekend.

The R&A will provide live broadcast coverage of the quarter-finals and semi-finals on Friday 17 June and the 36-hole Final on Saturday 18 June.

This can be watched on The R&A’s website randa.org as well as its YouTube channel. This will also be available on the Sky Sports red button.

This will be a seven camera production following the golf action across two days with the commentary team being led by Dougie Donnelly, with Beth Allen and Kit Alexander joining him in the booth throughout the two days and an onsite presenter team of Iona Stephen and George Harper Jnr.

The 127th Amateur Championship is open to spectators with tickets available here.

For more information about The 127th Amateur Championship please visit The R&A website and sign-up for access to The R&A’s Virtual Media Centre.

The post THE 127TH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP ATTRACTS INTERNATIONAL FIELD appeared first on Golf North.

The lithium battery cars each include full Visage GPS touch screens, designed to further enhance golfers’ experiences on the course. The heightened GPS systems on the new fleet provide golfers with more accurate distance measuring and location services.

The state-of-the-art buggies feature additional environmentally friendly benefits, including being lighter in weight than older, lead acid battery buggies. Each charge of the battery lasts approximately 12 hours, enabling golfers to complete 36 holes without a loss of power.

Requiring less charges and therefore less power consumption, these lithium operated buggies are also due to soon be charged using the power from the sun. The club will be fitting solar panels onto the roof of the buggy store, further enhancing The Manor House’s ambitions to create a more sustainable golf club.

Andrew Ryan, Golf Club Manager at The Manor House Golf Club, said: “This fleet of buggies has been a great investment for our club. We are always looking for ways to boost golfers experience here and become more sustainable. These buggies enable us to improve all of that.”

In true British golf club fashion, the new fleet of buggies also come with rain covers for all golf bags – to help keep members and guests playing in all weather. This is particularly useful for The Manor House golfers, as the course benefits from exceptional drainage conditions and tarmac buggy paths, which keeps golfers playing in all weather conditions, year-round.

In addition, all buggies have also been kitted out with dual USB charging ports, to keep golfers connected during their round. This is expected to prove popular with corporate members of the club in particular, who benefit from members-only tee times as well as use of the club’s meeting facilities.

Future plans for the new buggies include allowing golfers to order food from the clubhouse while out on a round. The Manor House golf team plan to offer a limited choice of menu items that can be ordered using the touch screens when on the 8^th hole. Golfers can then collect their order from the club’s Airstream half-way house.

Andrew Ryan added: “We are excited to offer golfers more choice when it comes to ‘on course’ refreshments during their round. We are trialling this now and aim to launch the service fully in the early summer months.”

The Manor House is renowned as an exceptional destination for avid golfers with some of the most idyllic scenery which can be seen on an English golf course. The delightful championship-standard 18-hole course is immersed in the enchanting surroundings of the Cotswolds, with 365 acres of rolling countryside as a backdrop. Designed by Peter Alliss and Clive Clark, the mature oak and beech trees that line the beautifully manicured fairways, together with the immaculate greens and the River Bybrook meandering through the middle, bring both drama and beauty to the 6,500-yard parkland course, which is rightly considered one of the best in the south west. In addition to the golf club, The Manor House hotel provides an exceptional accommodation for golf breaks. The stately 14th-century country house full of charm and traditional quirky features. 50 comfortable, individually styled rooms and suites can be found across the estate which also includes a picturesque row of cottages.

For more information, please visit: The Manor House Golf Club.

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Although the One Plane Academy has only been open for a short period of time – it has created a lot of interest and attendance for those who wish to develop and play with a more bio mechanically sound method of swinging a golf club.

One Plane Golf offers those carrying old sports injuries or golfers who have recently undergone Knee Hip replacement surgery some in part due to the way they play golf – and of course our ageing bodies a new lease of life and golf longevity. In most cases with the “One Plane Golf” and its simplicity to learn and adapt to even lower your handicap – Moe Norman who most golf commentators would say perfected the “One Plane Swing”  Moe Norman knew what he was doing when he developed the style and brought it to the world.

WHY IS THE SINGLE PLANE GOLF SWING BETTER?

There are many golf players that believe a one-plane golf swing is the best swing to adopt for your game. There are, of course, multiple reasons why they think that should be the case.

IT’S EASIER TO REPEAT AND SIMPLER

When practiced correctly the one -plane golf swing, if you practice it correctly, will synchronize the movements of your hands, arms, shoulders, and hips easily. You won’t need to practice any specialized motions for this swing, such as thrusting with your hips, an abrupt hinge with your wrists, or dropping the club into the plane during the downswing. All you need to do is ensure that your hands are in the correct position and hold the clubface square to make a solid connection.

YOU GET A CONSISTENT DRAW SHOT

For golfers who love hitting draws on the golf course, the single-plane golf swing is the best option. When you swing the shoulders and arms on the same plane, it creates a flatter swing naturally, where the club arches around the body. That helps promote the club head’s path to approach the ball from the inside line, and that holds the key to hitting shots from left to right. That produces a draw and allows you to get out of tricky situations on the golf course.

LEGENDARY GOLFERS USED THIS GOLF SWING

Most golfers try to mirror their game on their idols and some of the most legendary golfers of all time used to play with the one plane golf swing. You can count the legendary golfer Ben Hogan as one individual who used the single-plane golf swing when he dominated the golf circuit. Moe Norman was another legendary golf player who used this golf swing to great effect on the golf course. If this swing was great for these golfers, you could truly take your game to the next level as well.

EASIER TO GENERATE POWER INTO SHOTS

The main reason why many golfers prefer the single-plane golf swing is that it is thought to help them generate extra power on their shots. Bryson Dechambeau is a case in point and proven that a one plane swing can certainly out drive the conventional swinger. The unrestricted motion of the swing helps to hit the ball cleaner and harder. As a result, you manage to create a powerful and wide shallower arc with the single-plane golf swing. The rotational force of the swing also plays a major role in ensuring the golf ball travels a significant distance.

The One Plane swing may not be for everyone, there is no doubt that it is the most bio mechanically natural swing path and providing you are prepared to run the drills practice one plane golf can be easily learned as your body learns new habits. So you should have no problems reaping the same benefits from a one -plane golf swing and elevating your golf game to the next level on the golf course.

WHERE CAN I GET ONE PLANE INSTRUCTION?

One Plane Instruction presently is really only taught in the USA where quite a few schools provide and instruct in “Single Plane” or “Rotary Golf” “Set up 4 impact” etc etc each giving the style different names, and each with their own method of instruction and interpretation of what single plane is. These can be sought out and would be happy to take your money and provide you with online instruction, but no face to face instruction unless of course you can pay the fees to get to the USA.

Here in the UK there are a few Single Plane instructors working at various venues, however in the last 10 years of playing one plane golf it has been my experience that no- one in the UK could help or advise and to my amazement very few club PGA pros even knew who Moe Norman was. It was this factor that drove me to set up the “One Plane Golf Academy” to my knowledge this may well be the only Academy set up and calling itself and providing instruction in “One Plane Golf”

At this moment the Academy is in discussion with venues in the South West to host a one day “Introduction to one plane golf” event –

The intention of “One Plane UK” would be to travel the South West and start a spring program of one day “Introduction to One Plane Golf” based on the style of Moe Norman and of course more recently Bryson Dechambeau amongst other one plane golfers presently playing on tour.

The dates and timing for the schools will be finalized in due course but if you are keen to start your “One Plane” golfing journey sooner please feel free to contact the Academy either via the web page or Face Book Page or simply call (details below)

The Academy has Trackman Range indoor GC2 teaching suite and indoor teaching bay,

oneplanegolf.co.uk

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The R&A Scholars Education Day provides the chance for scholars to learn from industry leaders, and network with others also undertaking professional turf management qualifications.

Organised by Wendy Cole, Sustainability Manager of the R&A, the seminar consisted of crucial topics for course management, including sustainable development, integrated turf management, ecology and

water management, and tips for working alongside the wider course administration team.

We also welcomed Jim Croxton, CEO BIGGA; James Hutchinson, Sustainability Executive, BIGGA; Alistair Beggs, Head of Agronomy, R&A. Following the speaker presentations in the Egerton Suite, the group enjoyed a delicious lunch and round of golf to finish on our impeccably presented course.

In attendance was Knutsford Golf Club’s Course Manager, David Jones, who was selected to receive a place on the prestigious R&A Scholarship scheme in 2014 and completed his HNC in Golf Course Management in 2017. The scheme supports 411 scholars in 37 countries, who must go through a rigorous selection process in order to prove their commitment to continued professional development.

The Club is dedicated to supporting its employees in their professional development, and counting our own Course Manager among this elite group of scholars, together with Deputy Course Manager, Neil Sidebotham, studying HNC Golf Course Management and Assistant Greenkeeper, Ben Lambert, studying NVQ Level 2 “Sports Turf”, ensures that Knutsford remains at the forefront of industry developments, and the course continues to be better, healthier and more sustainable.

 Knutsford Golf Club recently commissioned an Environmental Report, conducted by James Hutchinson of BIGGA, who was also speaking at the Scholars Education Day, providing insight on best practices to develop the ecological aspects of the course. Forward thinking ensures not only the members and visitors’ enjoyment of the Club, but the longevity and preservation of an environment which supports an abundance of wildlife.

Phil Smeathers, Knutsford Golf Club Chair of Greens, said:

“All of us at Knutsford Golf Club were thrilled to host the R&A Scholarship Day. Seeing this group of forward-thinking Course Managers getting together with experts from The R&A and BIGGA to hone their approaches to Course Ecology and Sustainability was inspiring for me and our members.”

“Our Course Manager, David Jones, is an R&A Scholar who is passionately engaged with developing our course to best in class ecological standards. It was great to see David and the delegates playing a few holes and seeing the many positive changes we are making. Thank you for your feedback and encouragement. We look forward to welcoming The R&A back to Knutsford, where you are guaranteed a warm reception.”

 David Jones, Course Manager at Knutsford Golf Club, said:

“It was a pleasure to welcome fellow Scholars and The R&A representatives to Knutsford to enjoy a day of learning and golf together.”

 The Knutsford Golf Club is a welcoming and friendly members club in the heart of Cheshire. With 130 years of heritage and unique positioning next to Tatton Park, the club is dedicated to developing a modern and progressive culture, enabling players of all abilities to enjoy the fantastic course.

More information can be found at www.knutsfordgolf.com and via our social media channels Facebook www.facebook.com/knutsfordgolf , Instagram www.instagram.com/knutsfordgolf and Twitter www.twitter.com/knutsfordgolf

The post A Day of Learning with The R&A Scholars at Knutsford Golf Club appeared first on Golf North.

 It has been designed and built in as sustainable a manner as possible, using materials already available within the Park and locally. This facility will help open up the game of golf to people of all ages and backgrounds, introducing a whole new generation to the sport, and above all, making it a fun and entertaining experience for families and friends.

Speaking of the announcement Padraig commented:

“I have always been in awe of the popularity of the Himalayas Putting Course in St. Andrews and wanted to be involved in providing something similar for the people of Ireland to allow them to experience golf in a fun and family focused setting.

 With this in mind, the Padraig Harrington Charitable Foundation, with the assistance of a golf development grant from The R&A to contribute towards the construction of the facility and also a grant from Golf Ireland, supported by Sport Ireland’s special projects scheme, will fund the design and construction of  a state of the art, undulating and unique putting course covering 3,000 square metres at Marlay Park, working in partnership with Turfgrass® and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

 My sincere thanks go to John Clarkin and his team at Turfgrass®, Anthony Bennett at Atlantic Golf Construction, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and it’s Parks team, all the contractors who have also offered their time and services for free or at preferential rates, as well as both The R&A and Golf Ireland for their generous grants.”

 An Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Cllr Lettie McCarthy said:

 “Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is dedicated to maintaining and developing the very best in publicly accessible sports and leisure facilities to the citizens of the county and is very proud of this new partnership with one of Irelands greatest sports stars. We very much look forward to its official opening in Spring 2022!”

The design and construction began in recent months, with the next step being to seed the putting green with a blend of grasses which are both indigenous and sustainable. The intention is to have an official opening in Spring of next year, depending on the growing conditions over the winter. Harrington, the Council and everyone involved in the inception and delivery of what will be a world class local facility very much look forward to bringing the game of golf in an accessible way to a new generation and a new audience.

For more information, please visit www.padraigharrington.com

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Littlehampton Golf Club hits the mark with national golf accreditation for safeguarding

Littlehampton Golf Club golf club in West Sussex, which is backing the drive to grow the game, has achieved the SafeGolf club accreditation from England Golf.

Littlehampton Golf Club, the oldest course in Sussex and the only Links Course in West Sussex has just received the SafeGolf, demonstrating the clubs commitment to safeguarding children and young people, as well as adults in risk in the sport of golf.

General Manager; Shaun Manning, who led the club’s push to SafeGolf, said: “Littlehampton is a great club, it’s very friendly, welcoming and forward-thinking. This award helps us to spread that message and to tell people that children are safe and secure here and that we understand about beginner golfers.”

The SafeGolf is a partnership of UK golf bodies committed to promoting a safe and positive environment for all those participating, working and volunteering in the sport of golf.

The SafeGolf partnership consists of members from the golfing bodies across Great Britain & Ireland and has been established to help golf respond to the issue of child protection in sport. Its mission is to safeguard the welfare of children and young people, as well as adults at risk, in the sport of golf.

SafeGolf is firstly, a website – www.safegolf.org – through which anyone with a concern about the welfare of a player, or the behaviour or practice of a coach, volunteer, organiser, parent or a player, can contact the lead safeguarding officer at their national governing body.

Secondly, it is the safeguarding standard England Golf will promote to all their affiliated clubs to ensure all clubs provide a safe and positive experience to children and young people whilst playing golf. The PGA are also using the standards to apply to all their PGA professional Coaches.

Find an accredited coach – www.safegolf.org

Coming Soon – a full list of clubs and facilities that that uphold the standards of SafeGolf will be housed here – www.safegolf.org

The post SafeGolf appeared first on Golf North.

Designed by Rory Cashin Design Consultants the project took seven months to complete and  has transformed the clubhouse into a stylish and modern bar and eatery where members and  visitors can relax, enjoy a bite to eat and choose from a wide selection of beverages.

Inside the clubhouse on the first floor the bar has been extended by incorporating the existing  external terrace into the room, making a brighter, more spacious lounge bar filled with natural  light. The modern interior is styled with ‘mid-century’ design influences and features a new  bar with marble effect quartz counter tops, Italian designer furniture, modern Murano glass lighting and a custom designed trophy cabinet.

Accessed directly from the lounge bar, a new build exterior terrace, constructed along the  west elevation of the clubhouse has created a wonderful alfresco dining experience. Bordered by glass balustrading and furnished with contemporary Italian outdoor furniture the sun terrace is the project wow factor offering magnificent panoramic views across the course.

As well as the lounge bar, Colt’s Restaurant, also on the first floor, has been extended and remodelled from the existing clubhouse function room to an elegant and stylish all-day restaurant experience. The interior of the 96-cover restaurant now features new full-length  windows, custom designed lighting, wide board oak flooring and Italian furniture. Equipped with a private bar and food servery unit, Colt’s Restaurant offers a contemporary and versatile hospitality venue, well-suited to the needs of individuals, golf societies and group bookings.

To find out more about the clubhouse extension or make a general inquiry about Blackmoor  Golf Club, please contact:

Simon Burton on 01420 472775,

email  secretary@blackmoorgolf.co.uk,

or visit www.blackmoorgolf.co.uk 

The post Blackmoor Golf Club – Clubhouse Extension and Remodelling appeared first on Golf North.

In addition to those members in Surrey, Sussex and Kent already on their books, Ready Golf has signed up a host of new clubs in Somerset, Hampshire, Hertfordshire and Essex.

With the pent-up demand following lockdown likely to trigger green fees hikes and more and more waiting lists at clubs, Ready Golf is an increasingly-attractive option for golfers who like to experience playing different golf courses around the country throughout the year for a one-off payment that offers exceptional value.

Thanks to Ready Golf’s current Spring offer, members can play as many golf courses as they like for just £64 per month whilst those golfers wanting to wait for the better weather to return are able to secure a membership spot with a refundable £75 deposit and choose a start date that suits them.

“During lockdown we have worked hard to extend our reach and add to the number of clubs in the Ready Golf family,” comments Tom Bishop, founder of Ready Golf.  “And with the return of golf at the end of the month, we are currently offering a 15% discount and a refundable deposit of £75 given the uncertain pandemic conditions for those who’d prefer to wait for some better playing conditions.

“With the new clubs now on board and several others keen to join, we believe we have a great golf offering for nomadic golfers who like to tee it up at a range of different courses. Whilst our golf courses are currently concentrated in the south east, we are looking to sign up more clubs from other counties in order to attract golfers from all over.”

One of the latest signings is The Bristol Golf Club in Somerset. Established in a 200-year-old former deer park with panoramic views across the Severn Estuary, it is home to two challenging courses suitable for both experienced and novice golfers.  In addition to the main 18 hole layout, there is an outstanding 9 hole, par 3 course whilst a 15-bay floodlit driving range is ideal for those wanting some practice before teeing it up.

Down the road in Hampshire, Sherfield Oaks just outside Basingstoke boasts 36 holes laid out among mature trees. The open design of the par 72 Wellington Course, set on naturally free-draining land, possesses a couple of driveable par 4s inviting the big hitters to grip it and rip it whilst the par 69 Waterloo Course is more intricately designed and requires more demanding course management from the opening par 5.

Another recent sign-up is Mill Green Golf Club just off the A1(M) near Welwyn Garden City, best known as the birthplace of golfing superstar Sir Nick Faldo. Designed by Peter Alliss and Clive Clark in 1994, this par 72, 6,500 yard track meanders through lakes and woodland and provides one of the best all round golfing experiences in Hertfordshire. In addition to the championship course, Mill Green has exceptional practice facilities and an outstanding 9-hole, par 3 course suitable for golfers of all standards.

Further around the M25 to the east lies Warley Park Golf Club with its 27 holes, set out in three loops of nine that can be played in any combination. Its characteristic undulating, tight fairways and pacey greens are bordered by numerous lakes and mature woodland providing a scenic backdrop for golf. The club’s newly-refurbished spike bar and terrace offer a high standard of service in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

In Surrey, three more clubs have joined founder Ready Golf member, Bletchingley in Redhill; namely Pyrford, Limpsfield Chart and Hampton Court Golf Clubs.

Opened in 1993 and also designed by Alliss and Clark, the picturesque course at Pyrford is set within 23 acres of rolling landscape that features an abundance of lakes in an area of outstanding beauty. Indeed it is its strategically-positioned lakes throughout that give this track its distinctive feel with water ever present and many fairways fringed with bulrushes, reeds and lilies. The course’s extensive drainage systems however ensure that it is playable all year round, even during the wettest months. Easily accessible from the A3/M25 junction, this modern club’s friendly and relaxed clubhouse atmosphere ensures visitors always receive a warm welcome.

Created in 1889 making it one of the oldest clubs in England, Limpsfield Chart is a par 70, 9-hole course with 18 different tees. It retains all of the charm and many of the original features established over 130 years ago while also offering a beautifully-maintained course that has seen significant investment in course improvements over recent months that have added extra challenges as well as interest to this appealing heathland layout.

Another of the latest Surrey signings is Hampton Court Golf Club in Kingston upon Thames near London which offers golfers the unusual opportunity of playing a traditional parkland course located within one of the country’s most famous royal parks. Set in the grounds at Home Park, the 6,500 yard, par 71 design meanders through hundreds of mature trees on free-draining terrain whilst fallow deer roam amongst the flowering grasses bordering the fairways.

Joining Littlestone, West Kent and Broome Park Golf Clubs in Ready Golf’s Kent stable is Redlibbets Golf Club, not too far from Sevenoaks. Designed and built in the 1990s, the course has all the benefits of modern construction methods with USGA specification greens, tees and approaches and a fully-automated irrigation system. The par 72, 6,572 parkland layout boasts mature beech, oak and chestnut trees and offers spectacular views over the Kent countryside.

So for nomadic golfers looking to get back into golf as soon as possible after March 29, Ready Golf offers the ideal package of a low cost online golf club membership that gives easy access to an attractive range of golf courses around the country that can be played as many times as the member wishes once golf is back on the agenda.

Additional attractions for Ready Golf members include;

• offering members an accurate handicap index, in accordance with the new World Handicap System (WHS), which members can use when playing with other members
• ability to bring guests at special rates to any of the member clubs
• linking up with other members on existing bookings and meeting like-minded golfers and potentially, making new friends
• Further down the line, attending social events and members-only competitions

On a practical note, playing statistics for each member will be recorded and displayed online as will each member’s current playing handicap which will be managed by the Ready Golf team.

For more on Ready Golf, please visit www.readygolf.co

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