Imagery
I was fortunate to attend a seminar recently at Penrith Golf Club given by Tim Barry, Senior Lecturer in Sports Science at the University of Cumbria. Tim is well-know in northern cricketing circles but has recently taken up golf seriously and is a member of Heysham Golf Club. The main focus of his seminar was the importance of imagery in sport and how it can be of immense value in building up mental strength. For a number of years he has successfully used this technique in cricket but having taken up golf he now believes that it can be used equally successfully in our sport. As an example he has started to apply this technique to his own golf game with amazing results.
All the top tour players including Padraig Harrington, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and many leading American golfers now are increasingly including imagery as part of their routines and so there is obvious worth in exploring it as part of ours. Tim said that not everyone has the ability to image successfully for various reasons so he asked all those present at the seminar to take part in the following simple exercise:
'Close your eyes and imagine your favourite room in your house. Think carefully and identify all the things in the room and where they are in relation to where you imagine you are standing. Try to imagine the sounds, the smells, the colours and then think of reasons why this room is your favourite.'
If you were able to recall a lot of accurate information and feelings then there is good reason to expect that you will also be able to apply this technique to your golf by helping you to recall a great shot or a fantastic putt that you have played and to use the feelings you experienced to recreate that moment again.
If this interests you and you would like to learn more then have a look at this web site - http://www.mindtools.com/page11.html. Let me know if you are willing to try this technique and I hope it helps you as much as it has helped Tim Barry and many of the pros on tour.
John Smith - County Junior Team Manager
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PGA Level 1 Coaching Course
This course is the first step on the ladder for anyone wishing to become a professional golfer and consists of a practical examination followed by a written test. All successful course members also have to undergo a Safeguarding Children evaluation
In Cumbria these courses have been organised by the County Development Officer, Jo Tinsley and already many county golfers, men and women, have benefited from the opportunity to get qualified. After a successful conclusion to the course someone with a Level 1 PGA qualification has to offer 15 hours of their time in helping to coach golfers in their own club under the supervision of a PGA Level 3 Professional.
Two of the Cumbria U18 County squad, Jordan Harrison (4th left in the picture) and Carl Johnstone (5th left) are shown here beginning their course at Eden Golf Club on March 6th under the tutelage of PGA Professional, Marcus Webb.
I am delighted to learn that both Jordan and Carl have now passed both the practical and the written tests and need only to complete the qualification by undergoing the Safeguarding Children part of the course.
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Well done Jordan and Carl! Congratulations to two of the County U18 squad who have now taken the first step along the road to becoming a professional golfer. Jordan Harrison (on the left) and Carl Johnstone (on the right) are pictured receiving their PGA Level 1 certificates from County Under 18 Team Manager, John Smith. They were both given a generous grant towards the cost of the course by the Cumbria Youth Alliance through the Cumbria Golf Partnership. The rest of the squad are expected to follow in their footsteps. This course has been specifically designed to give recognition to talented golfers as part of the England Golf Partnership vision of being the leading golf nation in the world by 2020. |
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