Driving into the Future.
Six
perfect evenings out of six - and in Scotland! With icing on the cake
too! At last, using the driver. A dozen little bodies fairly hurtled
to the range to give their drivers a go. But first, as they pawed the
ground, Pamela Feggans, our LET pro attached to Brunston Castle went
through the basics.
The set up.
First of all, aim, aim, aim - don't leave home without it! No point in
hitting it out of sight - in the wrong direction. Check. Knees, hips,
shoulders all going to the target.
With the ball positioned along the club opposite the left heel instead of the usual middle [and using a club to help get the feel of it], Pamela showed that for this, the longest club, you need to stand with your feet a little wider apart. This is the big one, the big swing and we don't want to fall over! Falling over isn't pretty! Spoils the image! More balance came from the 'butt out' - which naturally, the kids love to be able to say this 'officially' to each other!
With the ball positioned along the club opposite the left heel instead of the usual middle [and using a club to help get the feel of it], Pamela showed that for this, the longest club, you need to stand with your feet a little wider apart. This is the big one, the big swing and we don't want to fall over! Falling over isn't pretty! Spoils the image! More balance came from the 'butt out' - which naturally, the kids love to be able to say this 'officially' to each other!
The turn.
Sounds simple - turn away [back to target] and turn back [tummy to
target] and to get the idea we did the classic crossing the forearms
cross the chest and turning to the right and then to the left. With
width and a smooth takeaway Pamela swung the club to the top if her
swing demonstrating the real thing.
The swish hit.
Pamela did not leap like a dervish or lunge madly at the ball. So
tempting to smash with all your force, but so wrong. She just smoothly
let the wide turn come back and let the power is generated not by a wild
swipe, but by the beginning here of the turn towards the target. Some
not-so-eagle-eyed might think it is just the same as pic 1, but her body
turn is now in the position to whip the clubhead to the target. Her
head is steady and still behind the ball. Have a mad rush and
everything gets in a tangle. Not good.
The follow through. It
always seems daft that what you do after you hit the ball is as
important as what you so before. I used to hope no one was watching
when Bob Jamieson made me stand and just practice my follow through on
the old practice range at Turnberry. He would chant 'high, wide and
handsome' to stop a tendency to swing the club round myself and so duck
hook. [All kids who started with cut down adult clubs will do this.]
Pamela's finish is perfect: facing target, club high and totally
balanced.
Every
one of the twelve set about their drivers with a [controlled!]
vengeance. Just 5 hits each, rest, then another 5 hits. Almost all had
to remember to get their feet a little wider after two weeks of wedges;
they watched their partner in the bay and checked, bossily, 'no
ski-ing, stand up, butt out' and David and I showed them and their
parent how to get then to 'stand up tall to the ball' while still
bending at the hips.
Some
parents helped get this turn, turn feeling with some 'hands on' help to
their young one [just like little kangaroos in pouches!] and between
us, everyone left with a smile on their face and dollar signs in front
of their eyes! They positively sprinted to pick up the balls and hit
again, and our session overran by almost 25 minutes but it was hard to
tear them away. Even little knee high Jacob was sending the ball
whizzing down the range! And, Patrick, usually so serious, had a face
wreathed with smiles.
Remember the clubs are
in a couple of gents' lockers and available to borrow. Pamela
will be doing some special summer coaching packages and the 'team' may
be on hand. and can be bribed with a coffee. I have extra practice
balls for anyone, and chat up a member for the cheaper rate for tokens.
Remember
your basics; and take those vital few seconds to line up. Remember my
secret 'magic move' revealed only to you; then relax and swing. You have
all seen me chatter and laugh while hitting the ball - the easier you
swing, the less you think after the set up - more often than not, slow,
smooth and swish is better than smash, crash and bash.
All the coaches were really pleased with everyone's progress.
Particularly with the easy friendliness between the kids, the adults and
the coaches.
Any
sport is about doing your best and trying to win, but the kindly
teasing, the laughter and the complete lack of any nastiness has, I
hope, been an introduction to the best side of the game.
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