Darren Steels PGA Professional - Golf Academy Questionaire

Golf Academy Questionaire Results - Mel Oates

To start the 6 month training plan a questionaire was completed by Mel to highlight areas for improvement. Information was collected about strengths and weaknesses with particular shots along with an equipment review. Answers were also collected regarding fitness and psycology.

The idea of the questionaire was to show that to make improvements in golf it is not only a case of hitting a lot of golf balls on the driving range. To improve targetting practice in particular areas and also looking at all aspects of the game from recording stats to fitness will help to achieve those goals.

We have started working on a fitness plan with the help of Simon to improve core strength and flexability (each session is 45 mins and we are looking to do this 2-3 times a week).

Lesson 2 is planned for 24th April and we will be using video footage to address and explain any swing issues along with explaining how we are going to use stats for more productive practice.

Congratulations on reaching the semi finals of the winter league Mel and good luck with your match.

Darren Steels
Head Golf Professional

Golf lessons with Darren Steels, PGA Golf Professional in Derby

Mel Oates 6 month plan to Reduce his Handicap with the Support of Darren Steels - PGA Professional at Breadsall Priory.  

This is Mel's story

Simon Tranter, Personal Trainer putting Mel through  his new program

I feel very privileged  to have been chosen for the six months tuition by Darren Steels. At the moment I'm an eighteen handicap ( 18.4 ) and like everyone else trying to reduce it.  We golfers  know  its the small things that pile on the shots. Wayward drives, poor approach shots , bad chips around the green , too many putts on the green all lead to high scores. I have got the basics of the game but I now need  to fine tune it  to reduce my handicap.  I have had  lessons with Darren in the past and I have found the lessons very informative because  for an high handicapper like myself it is important  to gain as much information  as I can in knowing what shot to play around the course, especially round the greens. It is also important to understand that when you play a bad shot, why you play it and what to do  to correct it.

My goals for this season are simple, first  to play to an eighteen handicap, which I have not done since I was reduced to it last season. In fact I was reduced down to sixteen but failed to play to it. Secondly,  getting  back to a sixteen handicap by the end of the season would be nice.  Anything after that would really be a bonus.

Our first lesson was on the 27th March 2013 but due to inclement weather Darren decided to start me off in the gym. He devised a set of exercises  to help loosen  and also strengthen my swing .I had planned on  getting in the gym to keep fit anyway and if it also helps with my golf  all well and good.

The exercise routine  takes  about forty five minutes  including a warm up on the rowing machine or bike depending on  which one  is  free. I then   do various exercises  designed to strengthen my abs, arms, and shoulders. I finished off after the exercise in the pool and sauna to relax. Although next day I ached quite a bit  I'm sure it will all be worth it in the end. I plan to do the exercise routine at least once or twice a week depending on how much golf I pull in which is normally  three times a week . But I will monitor this and adjust it accordingly . 

My next lesson is on the  24th of April and I'll let you know how I go on.

Cheers

Mel Oates