Stage 4 – Foxhills
Throughout the Tour Fit For Golf programme the winners of the Golfbreaks.com competition have seen how understanding the biomechanics of the golf swing can enable them to develop their game and take it to the next level. It is safe to say that in the early stages the level of detail was at times overwhelming for our amateur golfers, but as they have moved from one stage to the next it is clear that their understanding of these finer details is really contributing to acceleration in their progression.
Understanding the balance and weight transfer throughout the stages of the swing have been key to Nick and Chris’ development from the word go and the team met up this week at the new state of the art practice facilities at Foxhills Resort to work for the first time with custom fitted insoles. The new insoles, working in tandem with some rather flashy new footjoy golf shoes, meant an early start at Snow and Rock in Chertsey just a short drive from the 440 acre estate in the Surrey countryside, home to Foxhills Resort. State of the art equipment at the outlet measured every detail of Nick and Chris’ feet so the specialist on site team could build the insoles to perfectly support their instep, in line with Jean-Jacques Rivet’s specifications.
After a swift turn around Nick and Chris met with Jean-Jacques at Foxhills Resort to discuss the work they had done since the last meeting at St-Omer. The recent £300,000 investment in the driving range at Foxhills has resulted in the perfect facility for the fundamentals of Tour Fit For Golf. The 14 bay range along with 2 specialist teaching bays is familiar with the biomechanical assessment central to the programme with the latest teaching theories and technology central to the development. The Foxhills aim is to offer every golfer - regardless of ability - a service worthy of a Tour professional. This is a venue where current Tour pros Paul Casey and Anthony Wall learnt their trade.
As the process moves towards its climax at the Portugal Masters in October this was the last chance to work with Jean-Jacques and Simon Holmes using the aboutGolf technology and it was great to see the improvements that have been made since day one at Celtic Manor. While Nick and Chris continue to struggle with the inconsistencies that hinder all amateur golfers it was particularly pleasing to see them achieving a much better ball flight when the work clicks into place.
The two competition winners have had so much to think about since the programme began and it has been JJ and Simon’s goal to gradually simplify the swing thoughts as they approach the grand finale in Portugal.
The new insoles were certainly a step in the right direction enabling them to think less about the balance of their weight at setup and concentrate on working on the finer biomechanical details of their swing. While they remain cautiously optimistic about the progress they have made under the tutelage of two of the world’s most respected coaches, it is clear to see as an occasional bystander that both men have come on in leaps and bounds. There is always something new to work on with Simon and JJ but it is easy to forget the details which have slowly become second nature. The graphical representations showing their balance transfer during the swing look worlds apart from the first readings, a testament to both the golfers and coaches alike.
After a superb lunch in the 19th hole discussing the morning session while watching fellow golfers approach the stunning double 18th green of the two Foxhills courses, the work was once again put into practice during an afternoon round on the Bernhard Hunt course, contrary to the forecast superb weather complimented by a course in stunning condition contributed to a great few hours on the fairways complete with on course tuition from Jean-Jacques and Simon.
The fruits of their labour are starting to come together which is something that can inspire every amateur, not only to get out on the course, but also into the gym and down to the range, it’s the little things that go a long way. As more and more venues offer the complete service on offer at Foxhills the gap between the facilities available to amateurs and Tour professionals is certainly narrowing. A visit to Foxhills Resort for example is now about much more than a luxury hotel; take advantage of the teaching technology on offer at the range, work on your strength and conditioning in the superb pool and gym facilities and then there’s two fantastic tree lined courses to test yourself on.
Book yourself a golf break at Foxhills Resort from as little as £125 for 1 night's dinner, bed & breakfast and a round on each course.
Plus, why not come and see us in Portugal where you can take part in a Golfbreaks.com stableford competition to be in with a chance of playing alongside the Tour pros in the Portugal Masters Pro-Am from as little as £349 for a 3 night package.