GOLF GURU
Inspired by the stars
GREEN DAYS
Our luxe guide to golf days, overnight stays and local praise...
BEAUTIFUL BREAKS >>
Summer saw Close House host the British Masters on the Lee Westwood Colt course, the first European Tour event since the COVID pandemic. Sally HintonLewis gives us an insider update...
Big things are happening over at Aldwark Manor, a golf, spa and hotel estate nestled in the North Yorkshire countryside between Harrogate and York. The lockdown period gave the estate owners a chance to get ahead of the game, completing a major transformation to the hotel and its first-class facilities. With everything from a gorgeous Secret Garden including a stunning wedding pavilion and a glorious walled garden, to elegant new bedrooms, an indoor-outdoor atrium restaurant and sparkling new health and wellness facilities, its new look makes it an unrivalled destination for golf, wellness and staycations. Backed with a vibrant new a la carte menu featuring some of the finest Yorkshire produce, there’s never been a better time to book a luxe golf break close to home. Golfers of all abilities will be blown away by the facilities here. Think rolling Yorkshire countryside, natural hazards including the winding River Ure, a short game area and two dining options for pre and post-round refreshments. Whether it’s a couples getaway, a family staycation, or a golf break with friends, the historic manor house and grounds, having had a stunning contemporary makeover, is the ultimate place to relax, unwind and enjoy some of the best golf in the region. aldwarkmanorhotel.co.uk
The event was held behind closed doors with no spectators and strict guidelines were in place to ensure the bubble was maintained for the safety of the players and staff.
Kit list >>
I was lucky enough to be allowed inside-the-ropes access at the Academy. The week had a very different feel to what it did in 2017, but it was still very exciting to be a part of it.
LULULEMON >> Days Shade Ball Cap £35, lululemon.co.uk BOGNER SPORT >> Florin Functional Shirt in White £90, bogner.com
It was great to see the players up close warming up before their rounds and practicing afterwards. I was amazed at the smooth tempo of their swings. This is something that regularly comes up in coaching as club players wrongly believe a faster swing speed will guarantee more distance or that you should speed up in the downswing. Both of these generally lead to a deterioration in the quality of the strike and a resulting loss of distance. Another observation I made was the fantastic quality of the player’s short games. They spent as much time around the green as they did hitting balls. This is another mistake club golfers often make. An overemphasis on long game practice, therefore neglecting the short game. At least 50% of practice should be on short game- pitching, chipping, putting and bunker play.
LULULEMON >> Tech Pique Polo £68, lululemon.co.uk
NIKE GOLF >> Therma Half-Zip Fleece Hoodie £75, mrporter.com
It was a great week, congratulations to Renato Paratore who won the event and to The European Tour and Close House for putting on a fantastic event.
EYES ON THE PRIZE >>
Whether you’re new to the sport, looking to get back into golf, or want to make 2020 the year for improving your game, get in touch with the PGA Golf Academy today on: 01661 852255 or sally.hintonlewis@closehouse.co.uk.
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CLUB CHAMPION Huge congratulations to Shannon O’Dwyer, who lifted the club championship trophy at Wynyard Golf Club at the end of the summer season. Scoring a round of 67, Shannon became the club’s first ever female champion. Way to go! wynyardgolfclub.co.uk
A DOUBLE WIN There were big celebrations at Rockliffe Hall Golf in September as two of the club’s familiar faces came away with a win following the North East & North West Professional Golfers’ Association competitions at Ramside Hall. Head of Instruction, Simon Robinson came away with the Matchplay Championship trophy and PGA Assistant Professional, James Maw topped the scoreboard for Assistants Championship. rockliffehall.com
OCT20
