I truly love the Open Championship. With so many fantastic courses - each with its own history and memories to evoke - the Open has a different story every year. When it’s Turnberry, we recall the Duel in the Sun. At St Georges, it’s Greg Norman’s Sunday 64 or Thomas Bjorn’s bunker breakdown. At Carnoustie thoughts turn to Hogan ‘53 or our last home winner, Paul Lawrie (and, of course, a certain Frenchman). Nevertheless, Masters week – make that Masters month - is unquestionably my favourite time of the golfing year. With the Open at St Andrews on a five-year rotation we are very familiar with the Auld Grey Toon… but it feels like we know every inch of Augusta’s famous green baize. More...

I have never understood the concept of the fair-weather golfer. You know the sort… those who pack the clubs away in November before re-emerging in the spring, usually around the time when thoughts turn to the Azaleas of Augusta National, and usually complaining about not having played for four months. I’d like to know exactly what they’ve been doing all this time. DIY? Christmas shopping? How could they step outside on one of those crisp, clear days and not be overwhelmed by an urge to grab the clubs and head for the tee? I just can’t understand people who can turn it off and on like a tap. You’re either a golfer or you’re not. I most certainly am a golfer. And I’m not alone. More...

On Saturday 6th August Nick carried out the third stage of The Ultimate Tuition Break. Here is his account of his experiences at St Omer...

Having spent the last month since The London Club trying to accurately retain the knowledge imparted and diligently follow the drills supplied by Simon Holmes and JJ Rivet, I felt quietly confident that my swing had started to take shape. The personalised exercise program had started to pay dividends in that my initial physical restrictions had began to be removed and I was able to get in the positions that Simon and JJ were trying to get me into.

We arrived at what must be the premier golfing venue in France, St Omer, and had the opportunity to test the course prior to the reassessments the next day.  Having recently staged a European Tour event we knew that we would have our games severely tested.

The golf course at St Omer is very challenging with numerous changes in elevation, though it is very fair from the tee. Club selection is tested throughout the round with every club in your bag in play. The greens were large, a nice pace and with lots of very tricky putts you will need to putt well to put a score together. More...

Darren Clarke, Open Champion. You wouldn’t have believed it a week ago. Here in the office we like to back a couple of long shots for the majors, this year I had big John Daly at 800/1, a couple of my colleagues had Jimenez and Watson, probably better bets in hindsight. No-one mentioned Darren Clarke at 200/1, but why? If you look at the facts it was obvious. He’s won on tour this year for the first time since 2008 (with a new caddy I might add), he’s taken time out recently which he’s spent playing links golf, oh and he’s Northern Irish. 50% of the last 6 majors have been won by Northern Irishmen. Shame I didn’t think of that last Thursday morning. All joking aside, Clarke knew he could win, he just needed to have the right attitude and it all came together at the right time.  

Just in case you’re skim reading this blog, I’ll repeat, 50% of the last 6 major winners have been Northern Irish. Its staggering. 50%. They must be putting something in the water. How has this happened? Luckily, I’ve been there and can tell you why. More...

After hearing from Chris about the first part of the Tour Fit For Golf Programme, here is Nick's run down of his experience on the next stage at The London Club... 

So with a sense of achievement of having eliminated a sway from my swing and incorporating a ‘proper’ turn I arrived at another premier Golfbreaks.com venue - The London Club for my first reassessment. 

Since the initial assessment at Celtic Manor I had received my personalised exercise program and thrown myself head first into improving my flexibility as well as diligently following the drill provided by Simon Holmes which saw me tethered to the ground, by a bit of equipment called the Power Hip Rotator, hitting countless balls on the range much to the amusement of my friends and colleagues at my home club.

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I promised a friend I’d write a blog for people looking to take up golf. That was a couple of weeks ago now and I’ll be honest, I’ve been thinking about all the things I’d need to cover and how difficult it would be to include everything.  So I sat down today and began with a story of my first foray onto the course. Suddenly it all became clear and simple; I had walked onto the first tee with a second hand half set of clubs, wearing trainers with an average golfer as a teacher (sorry Dad). So let’s dispel a couple of myths.

You’re going to need to get all the latest equipment.

As I said, I started with a half set of second hand clubs that were older than me and I’ve had my current set for about 10 years. In fact if you do go out and buy all the latest gear when you’re a beginner, I’m going to call you a plonker. Next! More...

When Chris Hughman and Nick Blunt won the superb Ultimate Tuition Break prize, we asked them if they could blog about their experiences. Over the next few months they will be working with the likes of JJ Rivet, biomechanics expert for some of the top European Tour golfers, and Simon Holmes, world renowned golf coach and Sky Sports commentator. By the end of their 5 month intensive training course both golfers will have improved their health, fitness and, ultimately, their golf handicap – just in time for their appearance in the Portugal Masters Pro Am in October...

Here is Chris' rundown of the launch of the programme at Celtic Manor..

If the prize that myself and Nick had won was simply a night in the hotel at Celtic Manor and a round on the Roman Road course, I would have been chuffed to say the least.  Celtic Manor is simply a fantastic golfing experience.  From the second you see the stunning hotel looming over the M4, it’s clear what an extraordinary resort your heading to.  The Roman Road golf course was immaculate with a nice variation of holes, and to put it into perspective, the tees were comparable to the greens I’m used to putting on!  The Hotel is first class, the food is amazing, and just to stand next to the 18th green on the 2010 course, the scene of so much drama in last year’s victorious Ryder Cup brings home what a special destination Celtic Manor is.

Nick being prepped..                                        Chris with JJ Rivet..                                            Tour Fit For Golf Team & our winners..

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