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..

But to be given access to one of the best swing coaches in the business, the guru of biomechanics and the European Tour Doctors and Physio Team, was quite simply the most privileged sporting experience of my life.  To cap it all I was at Celtic Manor for the build up to the Wales Open, rubbing shoulders with some of my golfing heroes... Miguel Angel Jiminez, Darren Clarke and G Mac to name but a few.  Those 2 days will certainly not be forgotten in a hurry!

I guess like most other amateur golfers I always believed I had a swing like Nick Faldo… unsurprisingly the term “rusty gate” was more applicable.  And after seeing all of the feedback from the aboutgolf kit, which is truly amazing, Simon and JJ’s advice was so easy to absorb.  Now I just have to turn that into performance through a serious amount of practice!

Chris working on technique                             Perfecting the swing                                        Nick and Chris being coached by Simon

Equally, I know I’m out if shape, but to see the Tour Physios grimace as my knees clicked and my elbow buckled repeatedly during the exercises has given me all of the desire I need to work on my fitness, flexibility and strength, the key physical attributes to a strong, repeatable golf swing.

Now the pressure is really on to work hard on all aspects of my game, my fitness and my core strength... and fingers crossed that will transfer to lower scores and a few gold letter comps at Theydon Bois!