Thornbury Member News - May by Burhill Golf & Leisure

MEMBER NEWS

May Newsletter Dear member, Firstly, I wanted to thank everyone who attended the Divot evening last Thursday. In total 35 people kindly volunteers their time, thankfully the weather was kind and we managed to complete the whole course in under 2 hours, which is a great achievement and will really help the course as we approach Club Championship. Robin, the greens team and myself really appreciate your help and support.

Robin was a happy man this week as he took delivery of two new machines for the golf course. A Triflex 3400 Greens Mower and a new workman. The two machines received are the first instalment of four machines on order and highlights our continued investment and focus on improving the course. At present, we don’t have a delivery date for the top dresser or fairway mower, but as soon as we do I will keep you informed.

The irrigation system project is well underway, and we now have a new pumphouse and tank which is located behind the 18th green on the par 3 course. The contractors will connect the electrics and start to run the main pipework from the irrigation lake (between 10th & 17th) to the new tank in the coming weeks. We are very mindful that we are about to hit the peak golfing season and may delay certain aspects of the works until September. This would minimise disruption to the playability of the course and allow the second phase of the works to roll into each other when the course is quieter in the winter. The formal planning application for the pergola is now in process, having passed the pre- application stage we are hopeful that the project can move forward fairly swiftly. The pergola will be a welcomed addition and give us some much-needed additional space. Once I have an update on the planning process I will let you know, but if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask. On 23rd June we will have a photographer on site who will be taking pictures / videos of the course and clubhouse. Over recent years the course and clubhouse has improved significantly and many of our current pictures are outdated, therefore the updated pictures will be used for our website and club collateral. Nearer the time, I will place signage throughout the club and provide GDPR filming forms on the day. Hopefully, mother nature will play her part and give us a great weather to get the best shots. The question was raised at the last committee meeting whether 5-day members were eligible to play on Bank holidays. As part of the membership Terms & Conditions, 5-day members are not eligible to play on Bank Holidays inclusive of their membership. A green fee can be paid at the prevailing rate, alternatively, an annual upgrade to a 7-day category is available for just £140.

Recent Feedback and scores... Every so often you will receive and email from me asking for your feedback and rating. The feedback and your suggestions are really appreciated and helps the team and myself to focus on improving your experience. The feedback received of late has been very constructive and complimentary, from suggestions both on and off course, to recognising our staff for their friendliness and professionalism. Following some of your feedback, I wanted to share the actions we have taken. • • • • •

Cut the rough around the trees – the rough has been cut and will be maintained throughout the season. Improve the bunkers – we have completed the renovation of 7 bunkers over the last 4 months and will continue throughout the season. Line the re-line car parking spaces - this has been completed and we have taken a step further and lined the driveway. Improve the ambiance in the bar when quiet – we have now installed a sound system and new lighting throughout the bar and function room. Speed up play – we have scheduled wardens everyday who are policing the course. We are also adding pace of play signage to the course as a reminder to golfers.

Your feedback, rating and ideas are welcome, one suggestion was to improve the pond as you approach the clubhouse. Well, we have done that and as I write this newsletter the fountain is currently being installed. You feedback is important to all the team, together we can make a difference and I believe in sharing your feedback to them. So, if a staff member has impressed you, please mention their name so I can recognise them. I know this goes a long way and it gives me great pleasure in sharing your positive feedback. Should you have anything in particular that you would like to discuss, please don’t hesitate to contact me direct or call lin when you are at the club next, I’m always happy to have a coffee with you.

Over recent weeks it has been brought to my attention of the number of golfers not following our dress code, sadly this is not just from our visiting golfer, but also includes our members of the club. The professional and wardens’ team will do their upmost to police this, however I would ask you to take note of the below signage and help us to inform our golfers!

As we approach the Platinum Jubilee weekend I’m sure many of you will have made plans and celebrating this historic occasion. The weather outlook is looking promising at Thornbury, so I hope to see you at the club at some stage later this week.

All the very best and I look forward to seeing you soon. Best wishes, Tim General Manager

PGA Professional, Kendle McCrossan explains some of the golfing mysteries in golf. Golf can be a cruel game and the myths that surround it make it that much harder. For this week’s newsletter, I intend to burst a few bubbles and hopefully encourage you to think about what you ‘know’ to be true. Myth 1 – “Keep Your Head Down” Starting off with a myth that’s been around since Julius Caesar was winning chipping competitions against the gladiators (History was never my strong point). Keep your head down… Firstly, it’s important to clarify which part of the game were talking about. If we’re talking about a put or a bump and run about 6ft of the edge of the green, then yes, keeping your head down is fine. But, if were talking about a full swing or a longer pitch, then no……. just no. Keeping your head down in this sense is going to cause you two major issues: Quality of Strike, and Direction. If your head is down, to the point your chin is tucking in toward your chest, and your sole focus is to keep it there as you swing, you will be forced to make compensations with how to rest of your body moves in getting the club back to ball. The main reason for this is excess curving of the top part of your back at address (Before you take to club away from the ball).

A simple way to think of the golf swing is as a big circle around your spine, more specifically your sternum (See images below).

(Image 2)

(Image 3)

So, if you’re setting up to the ball the same as the right-hand side picture of Image 1, you’re going to be putting a lot of restrictions on how well you can make that circle. In fact, you will most likely have to ‘stand up’ (move upwards from original posture). This is one of the main reasons you will hit the top, or even miss, the ball. Normally at this point a friend or family member will then say the age old “You need to keep your head down”. You might then really try your best to follow their advice for the next shot, only to have the same result, and the cycle goes on… and on… and on… Instead, forget about keeping your head down. Focus more on getting yourself into a better posture, like the picture on the left-hand side of Image 1. Having a neutral spine angle will make tilting and twisting your while staying within the same posture body all the easier, see image below. The image shows a golfer’s skeleton at the top of their backswing. Notice how the spine stays in virtually the same position as Image 1.

(Image 4) If you’re interested in how to get yourself in a better posture, give us a call and we can give you the tools to be able to improve the fundamentals of your swing. In the meantime, don’t worry about keeping your head down, and there will be more myth smashing to follow. Happy golfing and we hope to see you soon. Kendle McCrossan - PGA Professional

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