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David Ledingham

St. Augustines Golf Club PGA Golf Professional

Get in Touch: 01843 590222
Website: Golf Shop | Golf Club
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Hi everyone,  

Well the sun has certainly been shining recently and it seems that as this improves the course so too has  your scoring been improving. This weekend's Medal and Lombard qualifier saw some fantastic scores with a score in the sixties not being good enough to win. That honour went to Kier Dutton with a terrific nett 59. I have to mention a number of other good scores as well though - Jim Radford's nett 60 has to be one of the best medal scores not to win here for some time and your Captain's nett 62 shows the work he's been putting in lately. Mark Harrison also continued his recent form by winning division 3 with a nett 63. I could go on, but I will just say well done to everyone who had a good score. Very impressive!


Tour news 

Elsewhere in the world we had a local man, Max Orrin, coming in the top twenty on the European Tour, which will hopefully give him a big lift for the rest of the season. Max was actually one of my son's classmates, so it's very pleasing for everyone, especially those at his home course, North Foreland, to see him doing well. Let's hope he builds on it.

Elsewhere the biggest surprise when I woke on Monday morning was that Jason Dufner had somehow won at Muirfield Village. Anyone who has seen Dufner play will be very aware of his putting problems. At times his backswing on short putts is almost non-existent and super quick. As a result he misses a few horrors in every tournament.

This then makes you wonder how he can win, as we all know how important putting is. Well, yes but actually it's a little deceiving. He misses the odd putt but generally gets most of the short ones despite looking edgy. However, he makes up for those by being extremely good from 8-15 feet. He made 21 birdies and 2 eagles over the four rounds and if you're doing that two things must be true - firstly you're hitting it great to give yourself all those chances and secondly, you are putting well to take advantage of them.

So what's my point? Don't we all worry like mad if we miss the odd short putt? Do we not also let it affect us and possibly the rest of our game? I think that happens a lot. If nothing else Dufner's success shows he actually has great mental strength to not let things affect him too much. Yes he had a minor crisis in round three but he came back and eventually ran out a deserved winner. The lesson is - we all miss short putts occasionally. The actual difference is whether you make a few longer ones and I'm talking 8-15 feet. The bombs from 25+ are great when they happen but you can't bank on them. I personally think Dufner, much like Jordan Spieth, is a great reader of putts. That's how you make them consistently.

So if this is an area you think you could improve on then maybe I can help you. At the weekend I putted well again for a level par 70 in the Mid-Kent Pro-Am. Nowhere near the winner, but I was pleased as I made a number of good putts and four birdies. My ball striking was clearly not quite good enough but that's the ever present challenge. So, let me know if you'd like some putting help. It couple be the difference that you are looking for.

If you would like to book a lesson then please click here or get in touch.


Tips from the team 

Hole 16:  

A good par 3 but one that will worry the shorter hitters because of the bunkers well short of the green. Firstly, for the longer hitters who are always pitching on the green - ALWAYS play for just short of the flag. Above the hole on this green is very tricky but from below you can definitely make putts. So always think about this when you're sorting out your club. Also remember it's a little uphill but that can be in your favour given my first piece of advice. This is not one to over-club on.  Shorter hitters have a bit more of a problem here. As I sit here thinking about the hole it is indicative that I'm not entirely sure of the amount or positioning of the shorter bunkers here - they are just not in play for me at all. But they are for you so you have to think. It would be lovely to play to the right of them as the green slopes a little that way as well but it's too tight to the trees to do it safely. Therefore there is only one course of action and that is to aim to the open space short left. This is only if you cannot make the carry. If you can, be sure you can! Once again it's that 'know your distances' thing. You must be able to comfortably carry the last bunker. If you can then go for it, but otherwise it's left and short for you. It will, once again, pay you dividends to play it safe.


Hole 17:  

We finish with two good birdie chances but they can also be card wreckers. The 17th is very gettable for most of the longer hitters but the tee shot, in particular, is fraught with danger. Apart from the 1st and the 12th this is the tee shot that I give most attention to. If I get a good one away it's almost a gimme birdie, but if I get it wrong it could mean anything. Firstly, I always aim down the left edge of the fairway and I tee up as far right as I can. Then I concentrate on releasing the club - better a hook here than a big fade!  Once I'm in the fairway then the second plays relatively short as it's downhill to the green. It's a green flag situation - just go for it.  For the shorter hitters it's basically the same but you are definitely playing at least three shots. You now also need to be aware of the pond on the left so this is a hole where you need to consider hitting maybe a shorter tee shot than your second shot. If you find the fairway short of the dip then you are reasonably free to hit a longer fairway wood up the hole. It's the tee shot that's all important here so think about it. Lastly, on a green with three tiers that are unusually cascading front to back, where is it best to be? Past the flag! Think about that the next time you're there.


Hole 18:  

Another birdie hole as many of us can get there with our drives but the out of bounds is a danger. So, let's be clear here - if you have the potential to hit a big cut (I hesitate to say slice) then you need to be careful and that might mean not going for it. This is also a simple iron off the tee and a short wedge second, which also gives you the chance of a birdie so if the wind is wrong, or if you've hit a few big slices that day already, then consider the lay-up. Equally I don't want to find the bunker thirty yards short of the green on the right so a miss just left is always preferable.  Once again I think this is almost harder for the short hitters as the tree 50 yards off the tee is very in play as are the two fairway bunkers. An accurate tee shot is therefore pretty essential. Once in the fairway most of you can get there so now the one thing to avoid is that bunker short and right. Think about that. A fade off the left side of the green avoids that possibility so make sure of your alignment and think well here. For most of you that then gives you a good chance to make 4 for 3 points so think well, right to the end.


Offer of the week RED 

Not Just For Father's Day...

You might have already seen that we are running a Father's Day Garmin promotion. We have 3 of their most popular models available at great prices (we've even matched AG on the S20). Now, whilst it is certainly true that a Garmin is a great gift for Father's Day, it is also a great gift for any golfer; whether you're a beginner or scratch golfer, knowing the distance to the flag is a must, and it is just as good a treat for yourself as it is for a loved one.

The limited time offer on our Garmin units are as follows:

  • Garmin Approach S20 was £199 - NOW £149, save £50
  • Garmin Approach G8 was £359 - NOW £309, save £50
  • Garmin TruSwing was £129 - NOW £99, save £30

Come in and see us or click here for more info.


Shop news 

 
ProQuip Summer Showers

Not looking great…

Let’s face it; the weather forecast is looking rather bleak over the coming days, but don’t let this stop you venturing down to the club for a game of golf. If you do find yourself getting drenched on the course, we have a range of Ryder Cup-inspired outerwear from ProQuip with your name on. Think of it as preparation for the winter.

Explore ProQuip's range

 
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Thank you for reading, have a great week everyone and see you on the course!
 
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David Ledingham, St. Augustines Golf Club, Cottington Road
Cliffsend, Ramsgate, CT12 5JN

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