Dear Members, 

As Christmas fast approaches, it's a time to look back at the year just passed, and see how we would be able to improve things for the coming year. We are doing the same here at Oulton Hall Golf, and 2016 certainly looks like an exciting year for all of us, both as a Club, and for the team that put your golf experience together. We are laying the final pieces into the calendar of events, which I know will be keenly awaited by the competitive ones amongst us, and we also look to vary up the way in which they are run throughout the year, to try to ensure that all of our members have an opportunity to be part of this vital part of the Membership at Oulton Hall. We are also looking at redeveloping the retail offering, with new exciting brands, resort wear and a heightened awareness of custom fitting and club repairs. 

We hope that you will enjoy the gradual improvements over the first part of the year, and please of course feel free to continue to give your feedback to us, as I can assure you that it is very much appreciated. On a side note, and to reiterate last week's message, can I ask that all players book tee times, and register in the golf reception prior to play. Not only will this help us protect the value of your membership, but from your safety point of view, we must know who is out on the course and where they are; as you know we have holes 1 to 9 closed at the moment, but players are still using the course. If you register before play it gives us the opportunity to let you know what is happening on a day to day basis and ensure that you have the most enjoyable experience possible during your visit to Your Club.

Happy golfing,
The Golf Team

 

Baber’s Blog
By Mark Baber, Mind Coach 

I’ve been part of the Q Academies team at Oulton Hall for a year now and I’ve seen a lot of different people with a lot of different “issues”. I’ve worked with professionals that drive the ball 300 yards but can’t get it off the first tee in tournaments, to juniors that just want to learn everything there is to know about how they can become the next Jordan Spieth . The underlying issue is that no matter why someone ends up in a session with me, the outcome they want is always the same – when it counts they want to hit the ball farther, straighter and more accurate than they do at the moment. So that’s the “what” covered, now for the “how” – well the simple truth is that it changes depending on the person, HOWEVER, the basic principle stays the same.

If you would like to read more please click here.

You’re never too old to improve your golf! 
By Rachael Tibbs, Golf Specific Fitness Trainer, Oulton Hall image

As many golfers hit their 50’s and 60’s they resign themselves to the fact that their golfing ability and performance is on the decline. They have lost 10 yards with every club in their bag, they are generating less club head speed and their swing feels stiff and less functional due to decreased mobility. These are all common areas of decline, observed in the aging golfers game.

These characteristics are to be expected when we consider the typical effects of aging on our bodies and in particularly our muscles. Research has found that up to a 50% decrease in muscle mass is seen between the ages of 20 and 50, amongst those with a sedentary lifestyle. It has also been found that on average we lose 30% of our body strength between 50 and 70. These two statistical facts provide a good basis to suggest that an aging golfer will therefore naturally see a decrease in club head speed and distance due to the decline in muscle mass and capabilities.

If you would like to read more please click here.