Golfhacker: Issue 12

GOLFHACKER.ORG
ISSUE NO. 12
GOLFHACKER
T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R T H E A V E R A G E G O L F E R
British Par 3 Championship
Why the BP3 embodies everything
that is great about golf
Travel: Valencia
Golfhacker searches for
golfing paradise at La Galiana
five reasons why we find
putting so difficult!
James Lambdon explains why we
struggle on the greens
the power of golf
How the game has brought
families together
The Last King of Scotland
lawrie
paul
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CONTENTS
Editor's Notes
The Open 2018:
Paul Lawrie. The Last
King of Scotland.
Why The British Par 3
Championship
embodies everything
that is great about
golf.
The Power of Golf:
Keeping it in the family
The Ricoh Women's
British Open Preview
Five reasons why putting
is so difficult
Travel: Valencia
Golfhacker searches for
golfing paradise at La
Galiana
Fashion: Walk in the
footsteps of Champions
with Stuburt's new S/S
18 range
GOLFHACKER
www.golfhacker.org

Golfhacker, it gave us the perfect chance to remind our
course. The Last King of Scotland is not just another catchy
However, for Golfhacker, we can not help but love the British
Murfitt, David Wheatley
Lambdon, Champions
PLC, Medi8, Azalea, Pure
Championship, Valencia
GOLFHACKER
MAGAZINE
www.golfhacker.org
@Golfhacker_mag
@golfhacker1
THE SUMMER OF GOLF IS
FINALLY HERE!
EDITORIAL
NICK KEVERN
Editor
CONTRIBUTORS
Nick Kevern, William
For many golfers, it is the time of year that they love the most.
Robert Cross, James
It is also that time when the world's greatest players arrive on
our shores to showcase the very best that the game has to
offer.
Sports
This year, The Open Championship heads to Carnoustie. For
readers about Paul Lawrie's amazing victory on the same
WITH THANKS TO:
headline as Lawrie was the last Scot to lift the Claret Jug. Who
British Par 3
knows what will happen this year?
Premium, BigMax,
The Ricoh Women's British Open will be held at Royal Lytham
Findagolfbreak.com,
St Annes and will provide a stern test for the world's finest
Stampyourballs.com,
Twisted Frog
women players. Our preview has all the bases covered for this
event.
3 Championship. For us, it embodies everything that is
Par
the game. As Nailcote Hall prepares for another fantastic
great
we thought we would spell out exactly why we
tournament,
this tournament so much.
love
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N I C K K E V E R N
Editor-In-Chief

Paul
Lawrie
The Last
King of
Scotland

“It was a victory that
literally changed my
life,” Lawrie said. “I
was a very good player
before The Open, but
all of a sudden, I was
The Open Champion –
a big difference. People
forget I had to qualify
to get in.”
Image: Flickr/Vinod Divakaran
point, Lawrie must have still thought
Sitting in the clubhouse there must
have been a lot going through the
that the Frenchman’s coronation was
a formality. Then the leader entered
mind of Paul Lawrie as the events of
the final round of the 1999 Open
Barry Burn with his second. With his
ball in the water, the shoes and socks
Championship were unfolding. He had
came off as he desperately thought
already done all he could do. Starting
the final round 10 shots behind the
about what to do next. He opted to
be sensible and take a stroke
leader, Jean Van De Velde, Lawrie
had climbed up in leaderboard in style
penalty. From here he could still win
the Open Championship.
with a four under par round. All he
now could do was watch and hope.
As the world watched, the nature of
his collapse was there for all to see.
Approaching the final hole of the
128th Open Championship at
He would then enter the greenside
bunker. All of a sudden Paul Lawrie
Carnoustie, Jean Van De Velde held a
three shot lead over Lawrie and a two
was preparing himself for a play off.
The engraver was now scratching
shot lead over his nearest rival, Justin
Leonard. A cool head was needed to
through Van De Velde’s name from
the Claret Jug. The four hole play off
negotiate the last hole. He was only
487 yards away from golfing
would feature the home favourite.
Scotland could believe once again.
immortality. What happened next
would reverberate around the world.
The three men were evenly matched
A wild tee shot saw Van De Velde
for the first two play off holes before
enter the thick rough. Even at this

Lawrie struck the fatal blow on the
18th. 221 yards away from the hole,
Lawrie opted for his four iron. He
struck it sweetly with his ball rolling
ever closer towards the hole leaving
A news article discusses curren
recent news of either general i
him a five foot putt for the title. The
rest is history.
(i.e. daily newspapers) or of a
topic (i.e. political or trade new
That winning putter now resides in
magazines, club newsletters, o
the British Golf Museum in St
technology news websites).
Andrews. A relic of golfing greatness
that tells Lawrie’s story for
A news article can include acc
of eyewitnesses to the happen
generations to come. In most cases,
event. It can contain photogra
no one remembers those who
accounts, statistics, graphs,
finished in either second or third
recollections, interviews, polls,
place. The golfing world however,
on the topic, etc.
certainly won’t forget Jean Van De
Velde.
Headlines can be used to focu
reader’s attention on a particu
They will also remember Paul Lawrie
main) part of the article. The w
can also give facts and detaile
with affection. The man who came
back from the brink to make the
information following answers
general questions like who, wh
greatest comeback in Open history.
Yet, the comeback is even
when, where, why and how.
greater as we should also consider
The writer can use redirection t
that Lawrie had to qualify in the first
place.
ensure that the reader keeps re
the article and to draw her att
“It was a victory that literally
other articles.
changed my life,” Lawrie said. “I was
a very good player before The Open,
but all of a sudden, I was The Open
Champion – a big difference. People
forget I had to qualify to get in.”
Since his Open victory, Lawrie has
been a key part of all aspect of the
game in Scotland. From his course,
the Paul Lawrie Matchplay and his
own apparel company, Cardinal.
A legacy was born in 1999 and it is a
legacy that has helped to develop
golf in Scotland further. For many,
Paul Lawrie was the Last King of
Scotland in a golfing sense. With a
younger generation now aiming to
Image: Cardinal Golf
emulate his success, a new king will
be aiming to be crowned once
again.

Why The
British Par 3
Championship
embodies
everything that
is great about
golf.
Nick Kevern
Words:
Champions PLC
Photos:

summer a very special tournament
Every
played. It doesn’t have the same
is
that some of the other
fanfare
have during the summer of
tournaments
that invades Britain. Instead, it
golf
goes about its business whilst at
quietly
same time breaking barriers within
the
game. The Cromwell Course at
the
Hall plays host to the British Par
Nailcote
Championship and if you have never
3
about this hidden gem within the
heard
then perhaps this might make you
game,
about coming along. Here is a
think
where age, ability, sex and
tournament
counts for nothing. For four
reputation
in August in Warwickshire, the
days
Course brings the game
Cromwell
in ways that often feel is
together
Cressman, the owner of Nailcote
Rick
perhaps sums up the event better
Hall,
we ever could. He told Golfhacker
than
“It doesn’t matter how old they are,
that:
doesn’t matter what sex they are. It’s a
it
opportunity to show that this game
real
a game for all and it’s a sport that
is
is a sport for life. You can enjoy
really
3 Golf has an enormous role to
“Par
in the future of the game in a
play
around the world that has less
society
to enjoy their leisure,” continued
time
who also believes that Par 3
Cressman
is where you can really hone in on
golf
is where you can practice the
“This
that pay the bills. We have all
skills
the phrase “Driver for show, putt
heard
dough”, but this is where you can
for
all of those short game skills that if
see
are going to be a really good
you
player who regularly graces the
One
at Nailcote Hall is Carly Booth.
course
LET player echoes what Cressman
The
about the short game. “Do you
says
what, it kills me every year. It
know
me feel like I have the worst
makes
“It makes me realise
how important the
short game is. You play
for great money so the
competition is top with
great players. It brings
a little fun and a
different light to golf
as well.”
Carly Booth
LET Professional
this from 5 to 95.”
your golfing improvement.
impossible.
golfer, you’ve got to have.”
Above: Nigel Mansell (Champions PLC)
Top Left: Carly Booth (ChampionsPLC).

U Z A N S
U R O E

game but its good fun,” Booth
short
us. “ It makes me realise how
told
the short game is. You play
important
great money so the competition is
for
with great players. It brings a little
top
and a different light to golf as
fun
knows exactly what she is
Golfhacker
about. Last year, we were
talking
to play alongside Ashley Mason.
invited
the course might look relatively
Whilst
it is anything but. This
straightforward,
can easily chew you up and spit
course
out. Not for Mason though who
you
finished in a tie for second
eventually
is what makes the British Par 3
This
so special. From Major
Championship
such as Tony Jacklin and Ian
champions
to some of the top Women
Woosnam
including Charley Hull and
players
Laura Davies, the tournament
Dame
for a level playing field even
allows
players from lesser known
allowing
to challenge for the €50,000 first
tours
prize.
is also a tournament loved by the
It
celebrities that play in the Celeb-
many
From Formula One champion, Nigel
Am.
to boy band royalty including
Mansell
Mcfadden and Keith Duffy, the
Brian
Par 3 Championship attracts
British
big names to enjoy a round of
many
golf.
price is right for spectators too.
The
tournament is completely free to
The
and enjoy. It gives us a rare
attend
to see players loving the game
chance
are playing. For us, it continues to
they
our love of the game, to
rekindle
us that the barriers of age and
remind
that exist in the game are there to
sex
broken down with a smile, laughter
be
the occasional cry of “Fore!”
and
British Par 3 Championship takes
The
at Nailcote Hall, Warwickshire.
place
road to freedom • may 2020
well.”
alongside Eddie Pepperell.
7-10th August 2018
Above
Ian Woosnam (Champions PLC)
2017 British Par 3 Champion, Richard
O'Hanlon (Champions PLC)

KEEPING
GOLF IN
THE FAMILY
O V E R R E C E N T Y E A R S A M E R I C A N G O L F H A S H E L P E D M A N Y
F A M I L I E S S P E N D M O R E T I M E T O G E T H E R , O N A N D O F F T H E
C O U R S E , T H R O U G H E V E N T S S U C H A S T H E A M E R I C A N G O L F
J U N I O R C H A M P I O N S H I P , F A M I L Y C H A M P I O N S H I P A N D L O N G
D R I V E C H A M P I O N S H I P . T H E B R A N D H A S M E T S O M E
I N C R E D I B L E F A M I L I E S W H O H A V E S T O O D O U T B O T H F O R
T H E I R A B I L I T Y A N D T H E S T R E N G T H O F T H E I R B O N D . H E R E A R E
T H E I R S T O R I E S .
W o r d s : D a v i d W h e a t l e y
P h o t o g r a p h s : M e d i 8 / A m e r i c a n G o l f
Elle and Dean Gibson first
met the team at American
Golf when Elle took part in the
2016 American Golf Junior
Championship. At just 13
years old and playing off 16
Elle plotted her way round the
final, with the help of dad
Dean caddying, to record an
incredible net 63 and take the
girls title. On winning the
event Elle commented, "I
really enjoyed the day,
everyone was really friendly
which helped to calm my
nerves! It was great having
my Dad caddy so he could
share the experience too.”
Elle has since gone on to
finish second by just one
yard in the 2017 American
Golf Long Drive
Championship, during which
Dean showed far more nerves
than his daughter!
Dean credits golf for the
strength of his relationship
with Elle and treasures the
times that it’s just him, Elle
and their clubs, “As Elle has
got better at golf I’ve spent as
much time supporting her as
I did playing but that is just
as special as being on the
course.
That said, one of my favourite
things is just grabbing a few
clubs and heading down to
Topgolf for a couple of hours
with her. We’re guaranteed to
have a laugh and enjoy the
competition. Golf gives me
time with Elle that is so
unusual for a dad and a
teenage daughter and I think
it’s played a huge part in us
getting on so well.”

Aaron and Vic Mohun have
been part of the American Golf
family since 2015 when Aaron
took part in the Junior
Championship Future Stars
category at the age of 8. 2 years
later and Aaron was lifting the
overall Junior Championship
title with Dad Vic caddying
throughout the winning round.
Aaron and Vic then teamed up
later in the season to take on
the American Golf Family
Championship. Their consistent
teamwork took them through
the qualifying rounds to secure
a place in the final at Ryder Cup
venue the Belfry where they
enjoyed two days of each
other’s company on the iconic
course.
After spending an incredible
year by Aaron’s side Vic
reflected on the impact that
golf has had, “I’ve been playing
golf with Aaron for most of his
life and I can’t say how much
fun it’s been. To get to spend
time with him away from
school, work and life’s
pressures at some fantastic
golf venues is so special. I
can't think of another activity
we could do that would give us
the same chance to get to know
each other and enjoy each
other’s company so much.”
The Malkins Bank qualifier of
the American Golf Family
Championship in 2017 was the
first time Ian & James Fox had
played competitive golf
together. They secured victory
and a place in the final at the
Belfry, all the time keeping
broad smiles on their faces and
enjoying the camaraderie.
Those smiles only got bigger as
finals weekend progressed with
them ultimately taking the
matchplay final 3 & 2.
That win secured them a spot
in the American Golf
Tournament of Champions in
Mauritius in which, after
sunning themselves for a few
days along with mum Ruth,
they took the overall title of
Champions of Champions. After
the end of their journey from
Mauritius Ian commented,
“When your kids become
teenagers you expect them to
go their own way and start
making their own lives. James
has done that like any normal
lad but we still have our time
on the course. Golf gives us a
connection and common
ground but most importantly it
gives us time to get on and
enjoy each other’s company. To
be so successful with the
American Golf tournaments
was the cherry on top but golf
is what has given so much to
our relationship.”
Previous page: Ellie and Dean Gibson
This page Top: Aaron and Vic Mohun
Above: Ian and James Fox

RICOH
WOMEN'S
OPEN
WRITTEN BY NICK KEVERN
BRITISH
IMAGES: LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR / GOLFHACKER
THE BEST PLAYERS IN WOMEN'S GOLF WILL BATTLE IT OUT ON THE LINKS
OF ROYAL LYTHAM ST ANNES WITH ONLY THING ON THEIR MIND. TO MAKE
THEIR MAJOR DREAMS COME TRUE. GOLFHACKER TAKES A CLOSER LOOK
AT THE CONTENDERS AT THIS YEAR'S RICOH WOMEN'S BRITISH OPEN

it was the location that turned
Perhaps
away from Kingsbarns at last year's
fans
Women’s British Open. Nestled a
Ricoh
miles south of St Andrews, the
few
was a poor draw in terms of
course
It certainly left this writer
attendance.
his head especially compared
scratching
the record breaking attendance at
to
in 2016. Whatever went wrong
Woburn
regards to drawing people in to
with
the finest women’s golfers in
watch
will almost certainly be addressed
action
the tournament heads to the
as
town of Lytham St Annes. I’ll
Lancashire
my cards on the table straight
place
the attendance with be a lot
away,
Kingsbarns may not have drawn in
Whilst
crowds, it certainly provided a
the
in terms of golfing action. The
spectacle
changing conditions, swilling winds
ever
sheer toughness of the course,
and
us with a battle of the
providing
that saw In-Kyung Kim hold her
elements
to claim a two shot victory over
nerve
Kingsbarns was tough then things are
If
to get a bit tougher. Royal
about
St Annes is considered by many
Lytham
be one of the toughest courses in
to
Accuracy will be the key to
England.
to this year’s Ricoh Women’s
success
Open. 206 bunkers pepper the
British
awaiting to gobble up any stray
course
Bernard Darwin, a leading golf
shots.
from the 1930’s probably best
writer
up the course when he wrote:
summed
your ball to the right place and the
'Hit
to the hole is open to you, but hit
way
ball to the wrong place and every
your
of punishment, whether immediate
kind
ultimate, will ensue'.
or
is something that the world's best
It
players will already expect and
women
to a course that will be set up to
adapt
players off guard. As a host
catch
for a major we will expect
venue
less.
nothing
British players involved will certainly
The
the challenges that await.
embrace
'Hit your ball to the
right place and the
way to the hole is open
to you, but hit your
ball to the wrong place
and every kind of
punishment, whether
immediate or ultimate,
will ensue'.
Bernard Darwin
higher for this one.
Above: Charley Hull (LET)
Top Left: Mel Reid (LET)
Jodi Ewart Shadoff.
Five British players finished in top 30 at

S U Z A N
E U R O

with Jodi Ewart Shadoff and
Kingsbarns
Hall in contention until the
Georgia
the need for accuracy being
With
the 2016 champion, Ariya
paramount,
will enter as a serious
Jutanugarn
Favouring her long driving
contender.
over her driver, the Thai will be
irons
off the tee.
accurate
Masson has a strong record at
Caroline
Ricoh British Open. The German is
the
together a solid string of results
putting
the LPGA and could also be a threat
on
there are the usual suspects such
Then
Lydia Ko, Lexi Thompson, Inbee Park
as
Anna Nordqvist who have what it
and
to reign supreme at Royal Lytham
takes
truth, we are currently experiencing a
In
age for Women golf. The title
golden
easily be won by any player
could
part. That is a testament to the
taking
of the Women's game at the
strength
moment.
difference will be not in their ability
The
golfers (that is a given) but in how
as
master the elements over the four
they
The Ricoh Women's British Open is
days.
test of mind, body and golf and it is
a
that is clearly on show on difficult
this
that remains is to sit back and enjoy
All
best female players in the world as
the
embark on their quest for major
they
With Blackpool only a few miles
glory.
from Lytham, this will be a
away
beach for all golf fans with all
pleasure
Ricoh Women's British Open takes
The
at Royal Lytham St Annes,
place
Lancashire.
August 2018
2nd-5th
road to freedom • may 2020
final few holes.
to British hopes.
St Annes.
links courses such at Royal Lytham.
of the usual thrills and spills.
Above
Florentyna Parker and Georgia Hall (LET)
Lexi Thompson (LET)

FIVE REASONS
WHY WE FIND
PUTTING
DIFFICULT
T H E R E I S A N O L D S A Y I N G I N G O L F . " D R I V E F O R S H O W , P U T T
F O R D O U G H . I T I S T H E M O M E N T W H E N C H A M P I O N S H I P S A R E
W O N A N D L O S T . A N D Y E T , I T I S T H E P A R T O F T H E G A M E
W H E R E W E O F T E N D O N ' T F O C U S E N O U G H . W E L L F E A R N O T ,
G O L F H A C K E R ' S R E S I D E N T G O L F P S Y C H O L O G I S T I S H E R E T O
E X P L A I N W H E R E Y O U A R E G O I N G W R O N G O N T H E G R E E N S .
W A R N I N G ! T H I S A R T I C L E C O U L D S A V E Y O U A F E W S H O T S .
W o r d s : J a m e s L a m b d o n
There is something about
putting that just feels…
important.
In my experience, having
worked with many golfers, I
have found that we tend to
think of putting as an
important part of the game.
Quite often reasons for doing
vary from player to player.
Think of your own game, your
regular 4-ball, articles you
have seen within the media,
and from the time you have
spent watching the
professionals, and you are
likely to be aware that many
players (touring professional
and club players alike)
attribute the success and/or
failure of their round upon
performance on the greens.
Often considered a ‘game
within the game’, there is an
obvious difference in
technique (you would hope!)
and tactics required in
comparison to that needed
for the long game. By its very
nature, this is the aspect of
the game that draws each
hole (and your overall round)
to a close. This knowledge,
the requirement for a
different technique,
combined with hearing the
opinions of other can make
putting somewhat of a
challenge. At this stage, it is
worth asking yourself if 1)
you feel aware of the inherit
challenges of putting? And 2)
if you are aware of the
impact these challenges
have upon the way that you
think when on the green?
As a Chartered Sport
Psychologist, I work with
many players on the
psychological side of putting.
Within this article, I bring
together a collection of
thoughts from some of my
frequent discussions with
players (of many levels) to
consider the natural
challenge, our predisposition
towards unhelpful thoughts,
and assumptions we often
make when on the green. For
those of you looking for
strategies to help your own
game these are in here too,
with pointers available for
you to apply to your own
game, should you find
yourself in any of these five
thinking traps:

Our first focus is (usually)
on the outcome
Other than the way by which we
classify each hole on the golf
course (e.g. a par 4, or a par 5),
this is one aspect of our golf
performance we define (often)
before we’ve even hit the putt.
Our first (almost automatic)
focus is often outcome OVER
process. This is evident in the
vary way we ‘define’ the putt.
Cast your mind back to your
last round. Were you ever in a
position walking up to or
standing over a putt thinking
any of the following: ‘this for a
birdie’, ‘knock it close to save
par’, ‘just sink this to avoid a
bogey’. You may not consider
this to be overly important
(especially if you sunk each
putt!), but all of these thoughts
can provide you with an
ongoing battle.
Each time (whether you are
aware of it or not) you focus on
the outcome first, you
challenge your ability to stay in
the present. Thoughts
associated purely on the
outcome encourage you to
consider the future (and the
associated benefits or
disadvantages) or reflect
heavily on the past (e.g. your
last missed putt). Putting that
in perspective, you wouldn’t
stand on the tee box of a par 3
and think ‘this is for a hole-inone’.
Yet when on the green we
don’t often follow the same
logic. We use a different our
approach. Many of us will walk
up to or stand over a putt,
thinking automatically of the
outcome first. Often before or at
the expense of considering the
most appropriate process
required for the putt.
A more helpful first point of
focus before approaching each
putt is to opt to focus on the
process first. Spend time ahead
of your next round, considering
the stages you follow to get the
ball in the hole (e.g. read the
green, align your ball, practice
stroke, hit start line etc). Turn a
birdie putt become another 6ft
putt, by startling with your
process. In doing so, you’ll be
rewarded with a good outcome,
more often than not.
We struggle to manage
our expectations.
When playing the game, it is
common for our expectations
to influence the way we think,
and the we choose to perform.
Unlike many other aspects of
the game, putting is often
where our personal
expectations can become
unrealistic or unhelpful, and
even get the better of us.
Consider the following question
and make a note of your
response. Don’t give it too
much thought and go with your
gut instinct.
What percentage of putts (how
many of 10?) would you expect
to hole from 1) 5ft? and 2) 10ft?
Before reading on. Make sure
that you have made a note of
your response above. Next up, I
want you to consider the
question below. Again, without
too much thought.
What percentage of putts (how
many of 10?) does a PGA tour
player hole from 1) 5ft? and 2)
10ft?
What were the differences in
your responses to both
questions? According to the
PGA this season, from 5ft the
best putters average 94%. From
10ft, the best players average
70%. Have a look back at your
personal response. If your
numbers compare or exceed
that of the current performance
of PGA tour players, you are
either out on tour with them (or
you should be!), or this
highlights that you may benefit
from working on changing or
managing your putting
performance expectations.
A helpful strategy here is to
visit the PGA website, make a
note of the statistics of your
preferred player, and take a
copy of these out with you onto
the course (for example written
up on a scorecard, course
guide, or alternative piece of
kit). Before making your way
onto the green, check out a
selection of numbers from
different distances. Use these
stats to help manage your own
personal expectations before
and after each hole.
We aim to avoid certain
behaviours or outcomes
“Don’t leave it short… No threeputts...
Don’t canon it past..
Leave yourself a putt… Just
don’t hit it off the green…Don’t
leave yourself the next putt…”.
You may well have experienced
thoughts like these, which are
all are very normal in a task
that encourages and distracts

us, to focus on the outcome
first! (see reason 1 for a recap).
Approaching the green
planning to avoid a specific
outcome or behaviour, can by
its very nature lead us to
execute the exact behaviour we
are wanting to avoid! An
example of that is the infamous
3-putt.
If you visit almost any
clubhouse on a Saturday or
Sunday afternoon and you are
(almost) guaranteed to hear a
tale of woe about someone’s
disastrous three (or more) stab
that cost them their round. The
harsh reality here is that we all
make three putts! So why do we
feel a need to avoid them? Even
the Pro’s do.
As I’m sure you’ll know, it is not
helpful to view the 3-putt as
something to be feared. It is far
more helpful to consider your
next 3-putt as an opportunity.
An opportunity to see how long
you can go until your next! Flip
this avoidance behaviour on its
head, use it to your advantage.
Start to log your ‘2-putt’
streaks. Hole by hole, round by
round, course by course, month
by month (if you get there).
When a streak is over, your
personal competition gets back
underway. You’ll soon learn to
harness this situation, and turn
what others can’t into a
competitive advantage.
We can get overly technical
Given the (comparably) smaller
movements required for an
effective putting stroke (in
contrast to the full swing),
many players (just like you) are
aware that a combination of
putting mechanics, green
reading, selecting (and
executing) start line, and pace
control are closely aligned to
putting success. Given this,
many golfers choose to work on
some or all of these areas, in an
attempt to improve their
performance, and lower their
scores.
Whilst almost all (specialist)
putting coaches would suggest
these factors are key to
success on the greens, they do
also pose a potential problem.
When practicing, focusing on
some or all of these aspects of
putting can prove highly useful,
and undoubtedly can be the
source of many players
performance improvements.
However, by choosing to focus
on the same (some or all of
these) factors when out on the
course, can encourage us to get
stuck thinking technically.
Often in the hope that we
achieve a stroke that produces
the desired putt, and our
intended outcome.
Thinking technically can work
well if you sink your putt. But if
you miss, the same process (if
not careful) can lead you to
reinvest attention into
manipulating, with a
heightened awareness of
technical aspects of the stroke,
and their impact upon your
putting success. This cycle is
an easy track to fall into and
can be one that many players
continue within until the end of
a round.
In an instance where you find
yourself getting bogged down in
the technical detail (especially
after missing putts), it would be
far more helpful to focus on a
small controllable factor for
your next putt. Put a good roll
on the next putt by choosing to
focus on a specific, small, part
of the ball for you to impact
(e.g. the number, a coloured dot,
the logo etc.). Choose to narrow
your attention by focussing
only on striking the ball on the
specific spot. Want to learn
more about strategies like this?
Research the ‘quiet eye’
technique to help you with
this.
We often forget that every
putt we face is for the
first time.
How many times have you (or a
playing partner), called out
what a putt will ‘do’ before
being stood behind the ball and
reading the green? I’ve even
heard players discussing how a
putt will break whilst walking
down the fairway! Like many
golfers, familiarity is something
that goes hand in hand with
playing regularly at a home
course. In many cases, a
working knowledge of the
course is really very useful.
However, even a strength can
become weakness if
overplayed. When it comes to
putting, our knowledge of the
course conditions, how the
green is laid out, and how the
ball will react (e.g. “putts from
here always break off the left”)
can lead to us to assume
knowledge, rush, not check for
insight, and overlook additional
information (e.g. how did my
player partners putt break?).
The reality you face when
standing on the green, is that
EVERY putt you face is for the
first time. The conditions, your
experience level, the
temperature, the situation you
are in, your spot on the green,
are all different. It is helpful to
treat every putt as though it’s
the first time you’ve seen it.
Make this part of your process.
In doing so, you’ll likely slow

down, and apply an approach
(swing, line, pace etc) better
suited than if you trust your
gut, and just hit the putt like
you always have.
To raise this awareness, I
recommend the following two
stage process. First up, trace
you eye line back down the
hole, as you stand behind the
ball. Ask yourself what your ball
had to cross over to get to this
part of the green? The second
stage here is to ask yourself
what the ball must cross to get
into the hole? This two-stage
process will help raise your
awareness and enable you to
consider each putt for what it
is; a new putt to attempt.
All in all, these five factors
highlight how sometimes we
can find putting difficult. So, if
you are putting well, enjoy it
and give yourself credit for
doing so!
But it’s not all doom and gloom!
An ability to recognise if you
are falling into any of these five
traps, before, during, or even
after your round, can have
significant impact upon your
game. This awareness can
impact your ability to think
clearly or perform with an
absence of thought (if this is
your preference).
Consider each of the points
made within this article ahead
of your next round, and revisit
them on a regular basis as and
when your performance on the
greens is something you want
to improve. Think clearly is a
skill and is something that
requires practice. If you find
yourself already thinking in a
helpful way, then great. Keep it
up!
Interested to learn more about
golf psychology? Look out for a
new golf psychology article in
the next issue or get in touch
using the details below.
James Lambdon is a Chartered Sport Psychologist, registered with the HCPC, passionate about helping golfers
(of all levels) to think clearly by choice, not chance. For further information, visit www.thegolfpsych.co.uk, email
James@thegolfpsych.co.uk or follow @The_Golf_Psych on twitter.

L A G A L I A N A , V A L E N C I A
WELCOME
TO
PARADISE
L A G A L I A N A I S A F E A S T F O R
T H E E Y E S A S W E L L A S B E I N G A
T R U E T E S T O F G O L F
W o r d s : N i c k K e v e r n
P h o t o g r a p h s : G o l f h a c k e r
It took an hour to get from
Valencia to La Galiana. The
taxi must have had a solid
gearbox as we ascended up
the steep climb to the golf
course. Once we parked
we were able to have our first
view and what a view it was.
If heaven is a place on earth
then it would be called La
Galiana. Surrounded by its
beautiful panoramic views
there was also joy as the club
was hosting an event. We
had met the clubs manager
and professional the night
before and were greeted with
by them. Arturio, the
professional, was teaching a
group of young players whilst
Rafa, the club's manager was
busy on hosting duties.
However, despite being
otherwise engaged they still
made time for us.
With our buggy ready we
were ready to take on the
course. Its beauty may have
taken our breath away but
this is not a course for the
faint-hearted. Each hole has
its challenges and can easily
catch you off guard if you
lose sense of that.
The par 3 third hole is a good
example of the beast within
the course's beauty. A long
par 3 is made even more
difficult by its stunning view.
It can easily catch a golfer off
guard in terms of club
selection. The previous two
holes may have been a
gentle introduction to the
course but the third reminds
you that you are not just
here to admire it. This hole
reminds you to fear it also.

I'm sure that
immaculate.
even heaven has a
not
Underclub and your ball will be
lost. Overclub and a difficult par
awaits. Your attention to this
hole will be well rewarded
with a par. In respecting the
course it duly gives you respect
back.
After surviving that hole the
hardest hole on the course is
waiting for you. A long par
5 that takes bravery to make a
birdie. With the hills right in
front of you, it gives you a clear
choice. Play it safe or be brave.
Be warned, you will need
distance to give it go.
We may have only been four
holes in our trip at La Galiana
but already I had fallen in
love with the place. The course
was challenging, beautiful and
immaculate. I'm sure that not
even heaven has a finer course.
However, time was against us
by the time we got to the ninth
and others on the course were
deep into tournament mode.
Standing outside the clubhouse
with a beer in hand we were
able to take the views for a few
moments more before we said
our goodbyes.
The previous night we dined
with Arturio and Rafa who told
us about their plans to build a
hotel here. When that happens
the place will be a golfing
paradise in more ways than it
already is. It is an exciting time
for the club who, like Valencia,
continues to grow.
Time may have been running
out for us but there was one
more treat in store.
Arturio beckoned us to his
buggy: "Come and see the 15th
hole, it's my favourite"
Armed with our beers we duly
accepted a lift. What stood
before us at the 15th summed
up everything about the course.
A downhill par 4 that was aweinspiring
and challenging for
hackers everywhere. I didn't
say much at the time partly
because my jaw had dropped at
its magnificence.
course was
"The
beautiful and
challenging,
finer course."
It proved to be a good hole to
end on in terms of summing up
La Galiana. Here, every hole can
be a contender for the course's
signature hole. Each felt like
they had their own unique feel
and challenge.
I'm not a huge fan of the
phrase "Hidden Gem". For those
that know the area well, there is
nothing hidden about it at all.
However, for those of us that
have never sampled the course
before, it really is.
I left La Galiana knowing that I
had experienced something
special but more importantly I
knew that in my crusade to
find golf's holy grail then
perhaps I had found it high in
the hills, about an hour south
of Valencia.

WALKING IN THE
FOOTSTEPS OF
CHAMPIONS
W I T H S T U B U R T , Y O U C A N G R A C E T H E
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