Why is Golf in decline ? How can we reverse it?

I was asked to put my spin on this Question "why is golf in decline ? And how to reverse it ?" 

So here goes, together with 8 friends and colleagues we have been working on a specialised golf website , to make it a success we believe it will be, we've had to do a lot of research and thanks to some amazing help from 5 interns at Coventry University Business School we've now got a much clearer picture about Golf.

Here is a glimpse at one stat we found 

I believe Golf isn't in decline it's just being accessed in a different way. 

Traditionally people joined golf club , played mostly at that venue, made friends and formed micro communities. The golf club became a central meeting place and a go to environment. All this happened way before current communication was the norm. Back then golfers agreed to meet up next week and stuck to their plans. 

So let's fast forward to 2015, mobile technology and the Internet, how's these 2 things transformed the golfing world? 

Quite simply choice, we can choose where and when we play we can invite friends at the touch of a button , choose the amount we want to pay at a course of our choice, Golf Clubs fight for our business and make it a NO BRAINER not to join theirs because the deals are so fantastic for the consumer, why on earth would the modern Savvy Golfer want a membership weight around their neck? 

Golfers don't need to be loyal anymore, they can get their handicaps on line, track their scores, seek out advice on forums , get the best deals on golfing equipment and have it sent to their home FOC. 

Just because Non Members of golf clubs can't easily be tracked doesn't mean that they are not playing. It's different to how it used to be, unions fees are dropping through the roof and they scream golfs on the decline, when it really isn't ,  clubs have just created a MUNICIPAL culture and the Internet has enabled it to grow. 

Golfers CAN have their cake and eat it.

I love this saying from "FIELD OF DREAMS" if you build it they will come, give golfers a reason to come to your venue and they probably will; but not alone, they will invite their Facebook friends, txt their mates and share in linked in and twitter groups. The golfing world is the smallest it's ever been because of these social media sites, stories are spread to every corner of the world and before you know it's gone viral. 

Once clubs wake up to the power of sharing and do something about it, then their stories will be told, stop being exclusive and become inclusive, welcome the modern golfer into their world and all of a sudden courses will be full again. 

Remember Golfers haven't stopped playing they just do it when they want to, not when you want them too. 

Become open minded to new ideas, and make sure you spread the word preferably not on the notice board stuck in the corner.

These are some of my own thoughts and I'm always happy to share your spin on this story. 

Thanks for reading 

JULIAN MELLOR 

PGA PROFESSIONAL 

Julianmellorpga.blogspot.co.uk

www.julianmellorgolfschool.co.uk

Let it Rain, Let it Rain, Let it rain !!

Whilst living in England is a beautiful place to be in the summer, it's not the best place when the weather starts to turn and the rain seems to come down relentlessly.

Due to the nature of my job it sometimes leaves me with the odd spare hour in which I get time to think about what golfers could be doing if the weather is bad.

I've made a list of different things that you may find helpful, some can be done in your arm chair and some you'll need to stand up for.

To become a rounded golfer you need to work on three key areas, MIND, BODY & TECHNIQUE. I made the fatal mistake when I was younger just to work on technique and didn't realise the added Value of being efficient at the Mind and Body bit.

So here are my simple tips...

There is so much free information available at the touch of a button now, so grab your phone/ tablet and type in "Golf Psychology" and a myriad of things will pop up. Two people who instantly spring to mind are Dr Bob Rotella, and Dr Karl Morris, these two have become very well know on tour and they have produced a wealth of information that will spark some inspiration within you. A good friend of mine Adrian Riddell is also a sports psychologist & his website www.sports-mind.com is well worth a look at.

You see working on your mind set could easily save you shots on the golf course and give you a greater understanding of what might be holding you back. Take time to digest and implement the information.

The next subject you could be looking for is Golf fitness,  a good friend of mine is Luke Perrin who's based in Stratford upon Avon , he's genius at training golfing bodies and works out programmes that fit around you , contact him on Luke.perrin@golfperformanceacademy.co.uk and give me a quick mention. A refined body can only enhance your golfing performance. 

Failing that get on YouTube and research golf training exercises - there are literally thousands on there. Start off gently and build yourself up, just imagine how far forward you'll be by March next year if you make a start now. Set yourself some simple goals and raise the bar once you've reached them, and hey you never know you may just enjoy it.

Now to your golf game , I teach a brain surgeon and I was asking him about learning and what humans need to make changes, I was very surprised by his answer , humans need 2 things he said, "you need to practise something a thousand times and you need Positive Feed back" without feed back you'll never make the changes, that's why watching videos alone dont work, you need a professional to tell you what's happening . So if your making some swing changes seek out a professional,  better still contact me and let's work on things together. 

I would also recommend you purchase a Swingrite, this is without exception the best training aid on the market , if you stop hitting balls for just a week and swing this I guarantee your swing will improve , when you purchase it, you'll receive a PDF explaining how to use it and all the benefits that go with it , details are on the picture below 

Now here's a novel idea - "Your Garage" - haven't you been looking for an excuse to clear out all that junk you've been hoarding? And turn it into the ultimate practise facility. Imagine if you cleared the floor and put down some green carpet, maybe even paint the walls white and put up a couple of mirrors, print off some posters that inspire you and get some heating in there. You could even put a DVD player in and a TV, now you're talking, you could then watch body training DVDs and participate, watch your most inspiring golf shots videos that keep you focused. Make it your second home this winter.

You see, with a little imagination you could transform your game over the winter! Stop looking outside and feeling sorry for yourself and get motivated. Treat yourself to a Swingrite training AID and remember to tell the family what you intend doing this winter and start NOW.

I hope this blog inspires you to make some changes and please contact me,  I'll happily help with your questions.

So here's to a winter of change!

Follow me on twitter @julianmellorpro

Facebook Julianmellor

Julian Mellor PGA Professional 

Positive Impact Golf Coach

Stoneleigh Deer Park Golf Club 

Julianmellorpga@icloud.com

www.julianmellorgolfschool.co.uk

Julianmellorpga.blogspot.co.uk

Are we too stupid to change ?

I love this saying " if you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always got" 

If we have the intelligence to know this then why do so many golfers continue to make the same mistakes? Are we that stupid to think something will change if we don't do something different? 

The times I see people hit a shot , shake their head and mutter to themselves whys that happened again, not once thinking should I be doing something different, they carry on regardless and blame their bad shot on the same old thing. 

have a look at your handicap over the last year and see what's happened to it!! 

About 5 years ago I made a conscious decision to stop playing competitive golf, I didn't enjoy practising anymore and my golf wasn't what I'd come to expect. As a professional you set your own standard and anything less than that isn't acceptable. Playing in tournaments and making up the numbers doesn't cut it for me, so what was the point i thought!! 

However, since I started coaching Positive Impact Golf I have once again found my love of the game, this didn't happen over night, it  took about 4-5 months in total, I've rediscovered the love of striking a beautiful golf shot, hearing the unmistakable sound of ball on club face and spine tingling feeling when you see your shot raining down on its intended target. 

Discovering what an effortless golf swing felt like and hitting the ball longer and straighter than ever was pure magic to me, I thought those feelings had gone forever but by god they haven't. 

My issue now is two fold , do I fully commit to playing again OR do I tell the golfing world about this amazing methodology ? My heart says one thing and my brain says the other.. I think what's nice about this problem is there is no urgency to make a decision. 

So ask yourself these questions..

Do I really want to play better golf? 

Am I prepared to listen to somebody with an alternative methodology? 

Or is that it for me? 

These are simple yet very powerful questions, only you can answer them.

Your never too old to change, the love of the game is still as strong as ever when you strike the ball well and it's hard taking the smile off your face when you take the £1 off your playing partners week in week out. 

I hope this has put a little fire back in your belly and got you all inspired again. 

Don't follow the pack, get out of your comfort Zone , see how good you really can be ...

if you need my help, contact me on the details below. 

Thanks for reading 

Happy golfing 

Julian Mellor

PGA Professional 

Positive Impact Golf Coach

Julianmellorpga@icloud.com

07595 157452

www.julianmellorgolfschool.co.uk

Julianmellorpga.blogspot.co.uk

Benefits of Playing Golf on Your Own

People have different opinions about playing golf alone, but I for one love it. If nothing else, it gives me time on my own and a chance to practice different shots without anyone telling me what they think I’m doing wrong!

I hear lots of poor advice being passed on between players out on the course, and if you’re playing on your own you can happily avoid it for a while! For example, one of the most said things in golf is “keep your head down”, we’ve all heard it and then probably even said it to ourselves when addressing the ball – but actually it’s one of the worst things you can do. Keeping your head down too long stops your body moving through impact, which is a very dangerous thing to do. If you do, it’s really easy to hit lots of shots left if you’re right-handed – and if you’re playing golf alone and your head remained down, how would you ever know where to look for your ball?

Other benefits of playing on your own include you getting to choose how long you want to play for, and you can hit another ball without penalty if the last shot didn’t go to plan (obviously without holding up anyone behind, of course!).

Also, if you get a hole in one you don’t have to tell anyone, therefore avoiding buying a round of drinks for everyone in the clubhouse, and you do get to win every time you play!

Seriously though, the different things you can try when the pressure is off really can change the way you play golf for the better. For example, try playing the hole ‘backwards’, which would go like this – hit a wedge off the tee, then a wood to the green, try various lofted clubs when it comes to chipping and even putt with a wedge – you’ll be amazed by the benefits of doing this.

Play with just one club, this takes away decision making and opens up your mind to different possibilities. Like playing safe on a hole that you may struggle on in normal play, or taking a half swing because you’ve got way too much club which will give you a great understanding of your swing and what you’re capable of.

You could really create a brand new strategy for the next time you play in a medal. If you’re not holding up play and your club allows it, when you’re out on your own play 3 or 4 balls on each hole and hit 4 different clubs off the tee. Lay up to different areas and hit running shots into the green instead of the high shots you may normally play, keep count of the shots you play with each ball and see which method gives you the best results, you may just knock several shots off your normal score.

Remember the health benefits as well, walking 9 holes is far better than sitting around if there’s no one to play against – and you could always speed up your walk between shots to give yourself a cardio workout. Don’t rush your shots though or you might as well just go for a brisk walk. Why not even go out early in the morning when it’s quiet – imagine if you tee off at 5.30am you’ll be finished by 7ish –  and what a way that is to start the day!

In summary, the next time you see a person playing alone don’t think ‘oh there’s old Billy No Mates’, because they might just be out there getting the edge on you!

What do I always say….PLAY, LEARN, WIN!

Remember, I’m always here if you need any help with your game, enjoy the sun whilst it lasts and see if playing alone now and again can improve your game.

Julian is a highly respected Golf Coach who works with players of all standards to improve the way they play the game. To find out how he can help you, and learn all about what the Julian Mellor Golf School has to offer, please visit www.julianmellorgolfschool.co.uk

Julian Mellor PGA Professional

Modern savvy golfers

The Modern Savvy Golfer Expects!

What some golf clubs seem to forget is that the world of communication and competition has changed. No longer will golfers necessarily seek you out, so it’s vital to communicate directly with them. Competition is also much fiercer these days, and there’s a need to entice and incentivise.

Technology rules the way, and the way we all access our information is far removed from bothering to read the minutes from a stuffy old committee meeting that have been pinned to the clubhouse notice board!

Even a special offer on the club’s website or having a few leaflets put through letterboxes doesn’t suffice anymore. Instead, it’s the ability to deliver immediate and well targeted messages to a wide and varied audience that matters. Things like effective social media campaigns, eNewsletters and the use of discounting platforms like Groupon and Tee Times hit the mark with their real time mass delivery of offers which are just too good to resist.

Let’s face it, with the cost of an annual membership at a private club being around £1000 you need to play fairly regularly to get your money’s worth. Even playing once a week at those rates costs £19 a throw, and how many working people get the chance to play that often – particularly with the good old British weather spoiling things? So golf clubs need to catch up and realise that membership might not be the Holy Grail, and in fact many different offer seeking ‘nomad’ golfers might just be the future. Albeit at the risk of upsetting a few long in the tooth stuck in the mud members who are quite literally sucking the life out of many clubs by stubbornly opposing evolution.  So the time to communicate and compete effectively in order to reach a new audience is here – and the need to embrace new technology is vital.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against private clubs one little bit as they can be a second home for many people. However, we don’t pay full price for anything anymore and we’re certainly not restricted to spending all of our spare time in one place. So clubs need to evaluate what the future holds, look after their members yes, but realise new revenue streams are there to be secured if they embrace new technology, communicate and compete in a way the modern savvy golfer expects.

Happy Golfing 

Would you encourage a mystery shopper to visit your golf club ?

After lots of twitter rants and plenty of feedback in reaction to my previous blogs, it’s really clear that golf clubs need to improve their offering. What they need is a mystery golfer to visit them who can give unbiased feedback and offer positive recommendations that will not only swell the club’s bank balance but will greatly improve the visitor/members experience of their venue

I've worked at several golf clubs over the past 28 years, from municipals to privates with 9 and 18 hole courses, and they all have their positives and negatives.

However, one thing they all have in common is a lack of training. Club’s normally employ a professional, a secretary, catering staff, green keepers, GM's and volunteer committees , but never in my experience has any club ever sent its staff on a customer service course  - so how can there ever be continuity of service? Can you imagine this happening in any other customer service industry?

Right now clubs are desperate for members and income, but what are they doing differently to stand out above the rest? Maybe now is the perfect time to award clubs an industry standard Kitemark and see how many are prepared to really look at their business, let experts examine it with fresh eyes and then adopt any recommendations that will see them improve……including those from the mystery golfer who really will be on the receiving end of the service they offer!

There are so many ways now for golfers to share their thoughts online and clubs need to listen and make changes. So as a golf club, be proactive not reactive, offer members and visitors a money back guarantee and see how quickly things change for the better!

Do you have to practise to get better at Golf ?

You may not have thought a GOLF COACH would be asking this question, but do you have to practise to get better at golf? " 

 I'm not saying you don't have to do something different, but do you have to hit lots of golf balls to get improve your game? 

Let's start with course management, who do you think has the best course management? low or high handicappers? low handicap golfers don't have many shots to play with, they have to become smart on the course, do you think they would attempt a shot if they thought it would result in a triple bogey? 

Attempting the miracle shot may come off now and again but it's much more likely to go wrong.

BEN HOGAN had a brilliant saying " NEVER ATTEMPT A SHOT YOU HAVENT PRACTISED A THOUSAND TIMES" this one statement has stood me in good sted over my playing career and I never attempt the miracle shot. 

When faced with a difficult shot is it not best to stand back and think of at least 2 options? do I play a low shot or do I use lots of loft ? Thinking about where to play your next shot from would be so much more powerful that hitting the shot with little to no thought at all !! leaveing yourself in the same situation will lead to frustration , frustration will lead to anger and anger results in mistakes. Do you remember " JEAN VAN DE VELDE" in the OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP in 1999 ? on his last hole he took a triple bogey 7 and lost in a Play off to PAUL LAWRIE. ( still painful to watch ) poor course management was to blame, he can clearly hit the ball well but when your brain goes to mush anything can happen. 

How about learning some new rules? The R & A app is fantastic, it's free to download and has a brilliant quiz section, instead of reading posts on Facebook or Twitter why not test your knowledge, you may be surprised at the things you know and the things you don't know, even better, test your playing partners over a drink after the round, this can be fun and will definitely raise some awareness, rules change and you may know the OLD one, but may not be up to speed with the replacement one.

 

Do golfers play their best golf in a relaxed state? 

What happens to your game when you get angry? 

I've watched a lot of winners of the years and one thing they all have in common is the ability to look calm and relaxed under extreme pressure, they have an ability to think clear and make the right decisions when it comes to the wire, JACK NICKLAUS was a master at this, along with TIGER  and a whole host of other leading professionals. Be mindful about your attitude and stay relaxed when things go wrong, remember how lucky you are being in such beautiful surroundings. 

Playing golf is so much nicer with a smile on your face 

So here are 3 simple things you can do to enhance your enjoyment of this beautiful game, learn some new rules, play smart and remember to smile 

I hope these make you think about your game a little more and If you have any other suggestions feel free to share them with me and I'll use them in my next blog 

Happy Golfing 

Julian Mellor 

PGA Professional

Positive Impact Golf Coach 

Stoneleigh Deer Park Golf Club 

www.julianmellorgolfschool.co.uk

Julianmellorpga@icloud.com

07595. 157452