January 2024 Newsletter – Chris Crowder Golf Academy

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a Great Christmas with family and friends.

I would like to thank everyone who came to see me in 2023. My hope is that you are having more fun, and your game has improved.

Everyone has their own unique swing. My goal is to help every golfer understand how their set-up and swing works best based on the shot pattern they have.

Three Video Tips this month

2 x videos to help you stay centred in the backswing
How to hit a low shot

12 Lessons 2023 Taught Me

Playing with friends – Some of my most enjoyable days are playing Golf with friends. Throwing the balls up & having a match for a few pounds, can’t beat it!
I love to compete – The thrill of competition is something I have always liked. Besides the thrill of competition It is a key to improving. Under competition stress your weakness will be highlighted and you will find skills and powers you didn’t know you had. I didn’t compete as much as I would like last year but i’m already planning my 2024 season and can’t wait to get started.
Don’t neglect short game practise – Pro’s spend 80% of there practise time practising shots from inside 100yards.
Committing to the shot – Jack Nicklaus explained for every shot he hit either practise or tournament, he had a clear image of the shot he was trying to hit. The shape, the flight and the distance.
Preparation – Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. Depending on your level of competition this can vary. However knowing the course you are playing, having a yardage devise and an effective warm up will help you perform closer to your optimum.
Playing with Freedom – Most probably the top of my list. You will execute shots better have more fun, be more to play with and learn far more.
Putting – Don’t neglect your putting. It is the quickest way to lower your handicap. “A good putter is a match for anyone.”
Process/Routine – Have a good process/routine helps you focus on all of the above. My routine is personal, automatic, instinctive and free flowing. My routine feels more comfortable as the pressure increases. Something I can rely on under stress. It’s part of my practise.
Practise – Plan your practise! We all get frustrated at not being able to bring our range practise to the course. A lot of this has to do with practise habits.
Trust your swing – Its the only one you have!! Like many professional golfers I am always searching for improvements in my swing however once I am out on the course I try my best to trust my swing and ability. We have all hit amazing shots with the swing we have got!
Have the correct equipment – As the saying goes a bad workman blames his tools! However the wrong equipment or the wrong specifications to suit you will hinder your game. I made so adjustments to my wedges and it paid off!
Knowing your real distances – Most players overestimate their distances with most clubs. It leads to poor decisions on approach & can cost you plenty of strokes during your round. I have started to take a note pad or course planner that I can write in every round I play. Practise or Tournament. I measure every shot in every round. This has helped me know my yardages for really.

Club Adjustment & Repairs. For Price List Follow Link. Club Repairs

MY 2023 Highlights

Above me playing with colleague and good friend Tim Ford on the left in the PGA 4Ball Professional National Championship at Carden Park. We qualified after 18 hole qualifier at Pleasington Golf Club. The Final was played over 54 Holes on the Cheshire Course at Carden Park.

Below Played in the PGA National Pro-Am at Sherwood Forest Golf Club with Peter Piorun of Lee Park G.C. Peter qualified through a club competition at Lee Park G.C. earlier in the year.