If you can hole one or two makeable birdie putts and eliminate three putts from your game, you'll never be too far off the prizes. Of course, there are certain key fundamentals that will help the consistency of your stroke. For advice on how to groove these, please book a lesson with your local Foremost Golf professional. In the meantime, here are a couple of drills designed to help your feel on the greens.

Control The Face 

As with every other club in the bag, your hands need to work together when you putt. However, a good way to think about your stroke is to think of your hands performing two slightly different roles. Your left hand (for right-handed players) controls the direction while the right hand controls the fluidity and rhythm of the stroke. To help with the former, hit some putts with just your left hand on the club. This is a great way of gaining control over the direction of the putt through impact.

Let The Stroke Flow

Now turn your attention to the rhythm and path of your stroke. Use three clubs to set up a box around the hole as shown here (the hole should be at the very front of that box). The idea is from around 20ft, to hit a series of putts that run fast enough to enter the box without hitting the shaft at the back. Once you have a feel for the putt, hit some more with just your right hand on the grip. You should notice how the stroke develops its own freedom improving your feel for the distance. It should illustrate how a fluid, unhurried motion is so important for consistent distance control.

There are certain clues with regards to the way in which putts break that you mustn't miss. One of those relates to water. Natural water hazards appear in low-lying areas and these are often used by course designers to add interest and protection around the green. If you are on a green with water surrounding it, remember that the putting surface will tend to slope towards that water.

One of the big mistakes that I see is when players think too much about their specific putt and miss some of the major slopes running through the green. How many times have you hit a putt that finishes short of the hole only to discover that you hadn't spotted the gentle slope you were putting up? For this reason, make sure that as you walk up to the putting surface, you take in the general topography of the green. Spot the major slopes, see where the big run offs are and you'll be in a much better position to go on and read your own putt.

Walk it 

When looking at your own putt, if it is long with a significant break, it makes sense to walk it. Feeling the contours in the green beneath your feet will give you a feel for how the putt will roll. Try to build a picture for where the putt will start to break from. This will be your aim point so understanding where that is, is crucial.

Reading greens is an art that many golfers spend too little time thinking about. Spotting subtle slopes and building a picture in your mind for how the ball will roll requires some careful observations. The first thing to remember however is that, essentially every putt is straight. All you can do is pick your line and hit a straight putt to the apex of the curve. Then, depending on the quality of your read and judgement of pace the ball will either go in or it won't. Before we get into the specifics of green-reading remember that once you have picked your line, aim the putter face at the point at which you expect the ball to break. I often think many amateurs get drawn into aiming too far towards the hole when they face a big, swinging putt. Don't fall into this trap.

Over-flowing with water tip

Of course, the slower the ball is travelling, the more break it will take. That's why you need to pay particular attention to the slopes surrounding the hole. A good tip is to imagine the hole over-flowing with water - where would that water drain off? Visualising this will really help you pick out those subtle slopes that many others will miss.

Worn and shiny grips can cause you to play loose shots that wreck your round. Your Foremost Golf professional can help you fix this is no time at all. Not only that but they can discuss your grip options as well. 

Our recent research revealed that 75% of you haven't been re-gripped in the last year. Furthermore, 65% of you haven't been measured for the correct grip thickness. These are stats we want to address because we know how easily we can rectify the problem.

At the 2015 PGA Show in Orlando we caught up with Golf Pride's Bruce Miller to find out why it's so important to re-grip your clubs. We also discussed the options you have in terms of new and exisiting products, plus the different sizes available.

If there is one thing I think we all want from our golf is to become more consistent. Being able to compile solid rounds time and again without any bad scores creeping in is something that even Tiger Woods strives for.

To be a consistent performer you need to be able to hit good shots from every type of lie and this includes wet, thick lies in the rough. The key here is to make a couple of small tweaks to your address position that ensure you catch the ball before the grass. Start by setting the ball back in your stance. Now place a little more weight on your left side in the address position. By moving the ball back and your weight forward you should be able to make a normal swing and find a steeper angle of attack that catches the ball before the grass.

Of course, wet lies are just one of many different, tricky scenarios you'll face during a round of golf. Why not think about booking a playing lesson with your local Foremost Golf professional, this will help arm you with all the knowledge and skill required to become a more consistent competitor.

Don’t let a little rain ruin your round or scorecard…

Unlike many sports, golf is not exclusively a summer game and played in all weather and conditions. It is therefore important to ensure the best protection from wind, rain and even snow and buying the right golf waterproofs.

It can be difficult to identify the most suitable attire for you; with an array of styles, technologies and brands, we provide a breakdown to assist your clothing dilemma.

Types of wet weather wear

There are waterproof options for pretty much every part of the human body. This includes jackets, hats, trousers and gloves.

No matter what part of flesh you are striving to keep dry there are a few general rules to ensure supreme performance. All material must be super lightweight and easily transported when not in use. It must also allow for complete freedom of movement and not impede the swing in anyway. Finally all quality waterproofs should be fast drying to help ensure comfort once conditions start to improve (with any luck).

Waterproof Tops and Trousers

Leading brands include Galvin Green and Nike that specialise in contemporary golfing wear. Their releases include tops that act as pullovers or front zips to block wind. Many now feature double zips as an extra barrier. The pullover option is ideal for wear during a round when weather is variable.

Selected tops now include hoods to help keep rain from the back of the head and neck.

Golfing waterproof trousers are also popular and usually designed with extra pockets. They are thin, tailored and designed to keep out water with draw string base sections on each leg.

It almost goes without saying -do not buy trousers that are too long, they will simply collect water from the ground with added cut grass thrown in for good measure. This will weigh you down and even reduce your grip to the ground.

Most golfing waterproofs are ideal for wear off the course in general bad weather. Their fast drying properties make them ideal for moving from outdoors to indoors quickly and can be easily removed for storage or washing.

Style

This type of clothing is less focused on attractive style and more oriented on performance. They are often produced in dark colours to hide wet patches and offer a loose fitting to compensate for undergarments. It is wise to try on any clothing before buying and be sure to consider layers you may be wearing on any given golfing day. The last thing you want is to experience a ‘hulk’ like effect with your clothes clinging to you and offering significant bulk.

Costs

As with any golfing item, the price of waterproof wear varies considerable depending on manufacturer and included fabric technology. Full outfits begin from as little as £40 but can reach £400 for leading designs.

Before buying, it is worth considering what you need from your waterproofs. Ask yourself the following questions:

1.        How often do you play?
2.        Are you especially fashion conscious or just keen to stay dry?
3.        Are you a fair weather player that will only occasionally need such items?
4.        Are you easily distracted by being wet on the course?

If you are a regular wet weather player, investing in quality proofs will be extremely worthwhile.

Material

The vast majority of wet weather clothing includes a blend of micropoly and lycra. The ability to move freely comes from the inclusion of spandex. This mix of material allows for versatile wear.

Water and wind is repelled by SwingDry TPU laminated polyester that acts as a wall against the elements with the softer undercoat providing the required comfort.

Brands such as Galvin Green and Adidas utilise GoreTex technology which enables the material to both keep out rain and clear internal moisture.

New technology is constantly being added to golf clothing so expect lighter, more flexible options to hit the marketplace in coming years.

Conclusion

It is important to make sure you commit the best golf waterproof range possible. Do not be afraid to try different brands until you find what feels best for you. At the end of the day, staying dry and comfortable is the most influential feature of any protective course wear.

If you are looking a quality supplier, Foremost Golf can offer a wide variety of waterproof clothing at great rates. They stock all the major brands and styles to meet the needs of all avid winter players. 

Breathing new life to the golfing footwear marketplace…

How does the old golfing proverb go; take care of your feet and they will take care of your game. This has never been truer as technology improves and demands increase but what does this revolution entail?

Golfing style is undergoing a transformation and footwear has been spared no reprieve. The traditional classic design sported for generations is being overtaken by a slick, versatile and current format. The trend is being led by the latest crop of top professionals such as USPGA stars Rickie Fowler and Jordan Speith, introducing a golfing attire equally suited to modern off court wear.

The Adidas Adicross Gripmore Golf Shoe is a market leader and we took a pair for a test spin to find out if there was more than meets the eye…

On first look, they resemble a low profile dressy trainer as oppose to a ‘golf shoe’. Sporting the classic three strip look, solid flexible sole and leather exterior it appears to do exactly what it says on the tin. On reversing the shoe to reveal the base, we were hugely impressed.

The Sole

Complete with 43 mini cleats, the shoe combines the comfort features off a trainer with the golfing requirement for grip. The design team at Adidas proudly claim the shoe offers the most impressive connection underfoot available in the marketplace.

The sole features an extreme 243 points of contact with the ground for unrivalled balanced and game support. It felt extremely solid and showed no signs of struggling even under harsh British wet turf.

Comfort

The shoe is designed with all the usual Adidas technology for encouraging the expulsion of unwanted heat and moisture. Textile lining and firm padding section around the ankle and ball prevent unwanted sores. The top section of the shoe allows for exceptional breathability and temperature control – allowing out but not in. Climaproof protection makes the shoes highly weather resistant at all times.

The exterior is complete with solid, durable and premium leather which acts as a strong support but also ensures no compromise on the quality front.

The patented CLOUDFOAM sock liner technology is also placed within the shoe to offer extra support and comfort preventing foot sores and blisters.

Performance

At the end of the day, all golfers want performance from their footwear. The Gripmore includes a midsection mesh which is ultra-lightweight and offers extra movement during the swing. The shoe is designed to allow flexibility and it delivers. We found that footwork was completely unimpeded but a solid base remained in place throughout the swing.

The only issue with the design is that in the event of becoming off balance towards the heel during swinging, there is less grip than the rest of the shoe.

Overall

The Gripmore design is already appearing on the top golfing tours, with current US Open Champion Martin Kaymer sporting the new golf shoes to great effect. They will no doubt encourage scepticism from traditional stylists but the game needs to evolve.

They tick all the boxes for a top performing shoe and likely to become increasingly popular during summer golfing seasons. If you are searching for a replacement for traditional spikes or spider grips, this is the answer.

As you would expect, it comes with a two year guarantee for extra peace of mind and retailing around the middle of the marketplace, it will not price the majority of players out of buying.

Reward your feet and feel the benefit to your game today…

Electric golf trolleys are a relatively new creation and have only been used since the mid-1980s. Designed with the sole purpose of making a round easier, they have grown in popularity in the last decade and appeal to the younger golfer too.

It can be difficult to decide what electric golf trolley is best for you. The marketplace is brimming with options and gadgets but understanding what actually fits your needs the key. We examine electric golf trolleys and what makes them roll…

Types of Trolley

There are fundamentally three forms of trolley:

Standard Battery Drive Trolley

The most affordable and therefore the most popular, it is driven by a chargeable battery and will travel in a straight line or as manually navigated by the user. They are usually reliable options and suitable for golfers searching for an easy round.

Remote Control Trolleys

This is exactly as the title suggests; a motor operated trolley controlled by a remote. It can be navigated without touching the trolley meaning it prevents the need to always be in close contact with your clubs.

GPS Electric Golf Trolleys

The most modern format of trolley, it includes a GPS facility to help the user understand the course layout and ensure successful navigation. 

Advantages

The general principle of all trolleys remains the same with the aim of transporting the clubs successfully and accurately from the 1^st tee to the 18^th green.

The major advantage of any trolley is that it empowers the users to focus on their game and not pulling or carrying a set of clubs across an often wet golf course. It can extend the playing of many older golfers or those with a disability and generally make the round more pleasurable.

One of the major concerns that exists about trolleys is that they take up plenty of room when transporting. This is simply untrue with most major brands folding tidily into a boot. They can also be assembled in seconds and without any significant hassle.

Trolleys come with more than simply an active set of wheels which means they offer bespoke storage opportunity which includes scorecard holder, ball retained and brolly section.

The GPS model trolleys offer an excellent insight into the course and can aid shot making. Many players find it useful to have a detailed map available without raking through the golf bag.

Finally electrical trolleys are easy to use with simple features ad controls. It is unlikely you will ever need to fish them out of a bond of bunker unless you completely lose concentration.

Disadvantages

Different models contain varying specifications meaning that battery life spans may not be comparable. Market leading brands offer batteries that can run up to 36 holes without needing recharged.

Most models will last no more than a round and even this can be touch or go so it is usually wise to be prepared and carry a second battery which is not ideal. There have been many examples of trolleys running out of charge mid round leaving the player stranded.

One of the main issues with the electric trolley is that upgraded models are contently being produced meaning to can be difficult to source replacement parts if something goes wrong and you do not want to buy a replacement.

Prices

The price of trolleys is remarkably vast. The most basic models are available from around £250 with the market leaders fetching close to £700.

It is best to shop around because often price indicates additional features that you may not need. Focus closely on what battery comes within the price bracket to be sure it matches you’re playing time.

There are many specialist suppliers across the UK, Foremost Golf are market leaders and stock all the major brands at great prices.

Maintenance

It is important to take care of your electric trolley and keep the battery topped up and replace when need be. The battery should be left on the charger until completely charged to help lengthen the life of it.

It is also wise to clean the wheels and joints to prevent any debris build up. 

Conclusion

Electric golf trolleys are extremely useful carry items and can remove the unwanted pain of dragging clubs around a parkland course.

Aid you game and reduce your stress with a battery powered trolley today. 

One of the most effective ways to generate power in the golf swing is to use your wrists as levers. You will often hear us coaches refer to the term 'release' referring to the way in which the club should work through the ball. By 'release' we are talking about the angle in the wrists that is initially set half way through the backswing and then maintained until just before impact. As you release this angle at impact you will create an injection of speed at the perfect moment that delivers the sort of effortless power we are all in search of.

Relevance Of Grip 

Of course, this all relates back to the way in which you grip the club. If you have a strong or a weak grip you'll be giving away important power through impact with an ineffective release.

If you feel that you need help with your grip or with any other part of your technique for that matter, don't hesitate to drop into see your local Foremost Golf professional.