At risk of being predictable this week, I will be talking about the Masters.

Having just returned from my annual pilgrimage to Augusta with a group of Thurlestone members, I think it is safe to say that everyone was impressed with not only the quality of the golf, but the Augusta course and everything that goes with the show that is the Masters. It truly is a great sporting event.

I always like to go there and see the world's best players with a view to learning something myself, I like to look what equipment they are all using, what they are working on on the range, putting green and short game area and of course how they play.

I also like to think what the regular golfer out there can learn from it all. I'm sure most, if not all of you were watching the events unfold last week and will have enjoyed it immensely.

One of the problems is that the course, distances they hit, shots they play and world they live in is so far removed from a club golfer it can sometimes be hard to relate to. Here are 3 things that I think you can learn from this week's Masters:

1) Beliefs are not fact!

Golfers have many beliefs, none of which are fact. One of the beliefs we hear constantly is that you need experience to win a major and that you need to have played the course at Augusta many times before you can win there. Spieth is 21 and finished 2nd in his first Masters and first in his 2nd. He dealt with the final round in a way that proved these beliefs to be rubbish. Have a think about what you "believe" about golf and your ability.

Decide whether it is helping or not and if it isn't, maybe it's time to question the origin and validity of that belief.  

2) Spieth's "unusual" putting style

It's interesting for me to coach golf and also work in the mental side of sport and see how people have ideas about golf that never appear in any other sport. I hear golfers telling each other constantly that they have to keep their head still and yet in no other dynamic sport have I ever heard this said. The fundamental movements in a golf swing are the same as throwing a ball, hitting a tennis shot or swinging a baseball bat.

Try throwing a ball and keeping your head still and see what happens. Could Spieth's putting from short range be an example of this? I have been asked about the way he looks at the hole when he putts from short range and not the ball as it is "weird" and "risky" but is it? Let me ask you this: If I gave you a piece of screwed up paper to throw in a bin Basketball style, would you look at the paper in your hand or the bin? When playing darts do you look at the dart or the board?

3) You have to be long to win at Augusta

You have to be long to compete nowadays. Spieth is 63rd in driving distance. Stop obsessing about distance and concentrate on getting it around the course with good decisions. Spieth did this as well as anyone I've seen in recent times.

Hopefully the first Major of the year, and indeed Jordan Speith, Justin Rose and Phil Mickleson have inspired you to get your clubs out and start practicing and playing.

Masters Sweepstake

- Winner- Jordan Spieth- John Lapthorn £100
- Joint 2nd- J.Rose/P Mickelson- Shona Wilson & Marcus Longbottom £32.50 Each
- Top European- Rory McIlroy- Gavin Price £10
- Top USA- Dustin Johnson- Midge Henderson £10
- Lowest Round-Jordan Spieth- John Lapthorn £5
- Worst Round- Ben Crenshaw- Liz Britton £5 
- 1st Round Leader- Jordan Spieth- John Lapthorn £5

Thank you for all of you who took part in our pro shop draw.  

If you have any questions about you golf or equipment that you would like some help with or indeed if you would like to put your name down for next year's Masters Trip, please just drop me an emai here or pop in to the pro shop.

Pro's 9 Hole Roll-Up

With this in mind, we start our 9 Hole Roll-Up this Friday afternoon. All are welcome to tee off between 3pm-6pm every Friday throughout the summer, with the prize giving at 8pm.

This fun 9 hole Stableford competition is designed to get all members from the different sections of the Club to mix and play some social golf together. I will be playing on a Friday afternoon and would like to play with any members who would like a game.

If you are interested in playing 9 holes with me over the next few weeks, please just email me by clicking here.

Special Congratulations

I would like to congratulate Keith Crawford who recently won the Devon Captain's Winter Medal here at Thurlestone a few weeks ago by 4 shots with a magnificent Nett 65. Keith plays off a handicap of 5 and returned a gross 70 (-1 under par), reducing his handicap from 4.6 to 3.8. Well done Keith.