Stage 1 - The launch at Celtic Manor
Diary of a golfer in need...
Nick Blunt and Chris Hughman, the winners of the Golfbreaks.com Ultimate Tuition Break, have taken their first steps on the road to golfing glory this week when their five month programme of fitness and swing analysis began at Celtic Manor. This is a snapshot of their first couple of days.
Day one: 31 May 2011
11.00am
The day begins with a briefing meeting and the chance for Nick and Chris to meet the world renowned biomechanic guru Jean Jaques Rivet and European Tour coach and Sky Sports golfing commentator Simon Holmes. They are briefed on their schedule for the next two days before heading out for 18 holes of golf to get some well earned practice in.
12.00pm
Simon Holmes walks the course for a few holes to assess Nick and Chris’s swing. After two holes, he has seen enough and makes his way off the course to leave the golfers playing a leisurely round of golf on the Roman Road.
6.00pm
A light dinner all round and a chance for the players to sit and eat with some of the key members of the coaching team.
7.30pm
The physical assessment begins in the European Tour physio truck. This is the first chance for the medical team to get their hands on our intrepid golfers and understand more about their physical capabilities for the task in hand over the next five months. After a long day, an early night is much needed in anticipation of what the next 24 hours will bring.
Day two: 1 June 2011
Nick and Chris arrive early despite being worried about the detailed critical game analysis awaiting them.
9.00am
Back to the physio tour truck first thing in the morning for a warm up session taking in some key golfing exercises, which in theory, will help support the golf swing and the golfing assessment ahead.
10.30am
The players start the golfing assessment on the range and in the impressive Tour Fit for Golf and About Golf assessment booth located on the driving range of the Wales Open (next to GMac himself!).
3.00pm
Swing analysis and physical motion all complete, JJ Rivet and Simon Holmes provide their diagnosis and tips to improve Nick and Chris's golfing swing. They’ve got a lot to work on between now and the London Club in July when they undertake their next assessment.
The time spent with all of the people involved in this program was entertaining, enlightening and thoroughly enjoyable and I thank them all for the kindness, time and commitment in putting this program together. This was a memorable experience and a great start to the 5 month program which will take in many of Golfbreaks.com most prestigious venues including St Omer and Foxhills and culminating at the Portugal Masters in Villamoura. Roll on the next event!!
Nick Blunt - Golfbreaks.com winner