For many of you, I know your hybrids have become invaluable additions to the bag. One of their great strengths is the versatility they offer, allowing you to hit powerful shots from a range of different lies. For help on how to hit your hybrids or advice on what to buy, please visit your local Foremost Golf professional. 

From The Fairway 

From a good lie on the fairway, the ball should sit fairly central in your stance - just as you would have it for a long iron. One of the big mistakes I see is when players treat their hybrids like fairway woods, setting the ball too far forward in the stance. This will often cause you to lean back on the shot through impact resulting in a range of poor strikes. Make sure that your sternum is over the ball at address and that you make a solid turn from there without swaying or falling off the shot. 

From The Rough

From the rough your hybrids will come into their own. Simply move the ball a fraction further back in your stance and place your hands slightly further down the grip than usual. Remember to stay down over the shot and let the loft of the club get the ball into the air for you. These adjustments will enable you to strike the ball before the grass and make the most of the technology on offer.

The great Ben Hogan came up with an image that works really well in this part of the game. He told players to imagine a plane of glass running from just outside the ball up towards his neck. The idea was that by swinging underneath the glass you can shallow out the plane of your swing - ideal for improving your performance with your fairway woods.

You can use Hogan's image as you practice by placing a stick in the ground at the angle shown here. Simply set the stick parallel to the angle of the shaft at address - it should point towards the top of your chest. Hit a series of shots swinging the club beneath the angle of the stick. This drill will really help you find that shallow angle of attack and sweeping strike that is so important to consistent fairway wood play.

If there is anything you are struggling with, Fairway Woods or otherwise, please visit your local Foremost Golf professional who will be able to assist you further. 

One of the reasons why players often struggle with their fairway woods is that they treat them too much like irons. By setting the ball towards the centre of your stance, you'll create an angle of attack that is a little too steep. This will have a detrimental affect on both the strike and the flight.

 Set Up Keys 

You need to think of your fairway wood more like a driver. With the ball teed up and your driver in hand you should be looking to strike the ball slightly on the 'upswing'. This will deliver the optimum trajectory to maximise your distance. With a fairway wood in hand, you are looking to find a sweeping strike with a shallow angle of attack so the ball should still sit ahead of centre in your stance (not quite as far forward as with the driver).

One other important point to make is that your sternum should be over the centre of your stance at address. If your upper body is leaning forward or back, you will be changing the angle of attack. The next time you practice this area of your game, take time to ensure these fundamentals are spot on, they really should help you strike your fairway woods better. Alternatively, if you are struggling with your woods and want some specific help, please visit your local Foremsot Golf professional who will be able to assist you further. 

For many of you I know that fairway woods feel like the hardest clubs to hit consistently well. The key here is to find the ideal shallow angle of attack into the ball that delivers a 'sweeping' strike. By brushing the grass through impact you should be able to clip the ball off the top of the turf and find a flight that offers good power and distance. On the following pages there is some simple advice on how to do that.

One important point to make first is that your fairway woods must feature the right lofts for your game. It may be that a standard 3-wood bought straight off the shelf doesn't actually go any further than your 5-wood because of the flights you are able to produce with the different lofts. Finding a line-up of fairway woods to perform different tasks and hit different distances is crucial and I am always here to help you find tha

From The Tee

One big mistake that I often see amateurs make is, when they are using their fairway woods from the tee, they peg the ball up too high. Remember these clubs are designed to be hit from the deck and if you strike the ball too high on the face you'll be missing the sweetspot. When teeing the ball up, ensure that it sits just above the grass to give yourself the best chance of a powerful strike.

To get the most from your driver, you need to be in the best possible position at address. Get the set up right and you'll be able to make a powerful, balanced swing that delivers consistently long, straight drives.

Shoulder Angle 

The ideal ball position with a driver is forward in your stance, just inside your left heel. This will create a small amount of shoulder tilt - your left will be higher than your right. This will help you strike the ball slightly on the upswing optimising your ball flight for maximum distance.

Posture and Alignment 

Now concentrate on two of golf's most important fundamentals - posture and alignment. Take care to line the clubface up with your target first. Once you have done that, set your stance - your feet, hips and shoulders should all be parallel to your ball to target line. One common mistake is to aim your feet at the target but this simple error will lead to a closed stance.

For an athletic posture, set your upper body in position by bending from the hips, keeping your back straight. Letting your back hunch over will affect both the swing path and the quality of your ball striking. Allow for some flex in your knees and set a little more weight on your left side. In the ideal position you should feel both balanced and athletic.

You should now be in the perfect position to hit a powerful, accurate drive. Any small mistakes here can have a big impact on the shots you hit. For more advice don't hesitate to visit your local Foremost Golf professional. 

David Lingmerth beat Justin Rose in a playoff for victory at the Memorial Tournament in Ohio. The win ended a run of two playoff defeats dating back to 2013 and moved him up to 28th in the FedEx Cup standings. 

Starting the day three behind Rose, the Swede worked his way in to a position where a 10 foot birdie putt on the 18th would have led to victory in regulation. It missed just right but it still took a heroic up and down on the same hole for Rose to work his way in to the play-off. 

Both players went back and forth for two holes until Lingmerth pipped Rose on the third to walk away with victory. Next up for the Swede is a 36 hole US Open qualifier starting today. 

Driver: Ping G30 (10.5 degrees, 10 degrees of actual loft)

3 Wood: Ping G25 (15 degrees)

Hybrid: Ping Anser (17 degrees, 17.5 degrees of actual loft)

Irons: Ping i25 (4-PW)

Wedges: Ping Glide (50 degrees bent to 50.5, 54SS bent to 55, 60SS)

Putter: Ping Cadence TR Ketsch Traditional

Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

Rory McIlroy continued his blistering run of form by racing to victory at The Wells Fargo Championship in North Carolina. The Northern Irishman's overall total of 21 under par left him a comfortable 7 shots clear of the field - both tournament records. 

The victory follows on from his win at the WGC-Match Play two weeks earlier, cementing his position as the clear favourite for the US Open in just under a months time. 

So, what was in Rory's bag?

Driver: Nike Vapor Pro (8.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana S+ 70X

3 Wood: Nike Vapor Speed (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Rombax Pro 95 (X-Flex)

5 Wood: Nike Vapor Speed (19 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Rombax Pro 95 (X-Flex)

Irons: Nike VR Pro Blades (4-9)
Shafts: Royal Precision Project X 7.0

Wedges: Nike VR Forged (46, 52, 56 degrees) Nike Engage Dual Sole (59 degrees)
Shafts: Royal Precision Project X 6.5

Putter: Nike Method 006

Ball: Nike RZN Black

Golf is often described as a game of tradition and class but etiquette is becoming an increasingly shunned element of the great walk ruined. It is concerning the number of players that are unaware of the proper manner to repair the course after play.

Pitch marks are a major proverbial pain for golf clubs, especially Britain’s soft parkland courses. They are created when approach irons generate spin and grip to the soft green surface - the result being indented holes that significantly impact on the ability to putt accurately. If you have never suffered at the hands of a badly repaired pitch mark you are in a minority.

The importance of repairing the landing zone…

It is a task that takes only a few seconds but failure to act can lead to weeks of damage to a green. Expert keepers advise that a properly repaired pitch mark can recover in half the time. So what is the big problem?

Using the right tools

Every golfer should carry a pitch mark repair tool. They are commonly sold as sets with ball makers but available for as little as a pound on their own. They feature two sharp points that should be inserted into the ground and pull the turf back to the surface.

If you do not have one during a round, a golf tee can serve the same purpose but should be used with caution.

How to Repair the turf properly

It is important to note the mark should be repaired from behind the rear and not the front (where the ball hits the ground). This ensures a smooth and complete restoration. Actively pulling from the entry point will leave a small area that is not smooth or green. It is known as the infamous ‘ugly brown scar’ and severely hinders greens across the country.

Insert at an angle, slowly pushing the compressed turf back to its original position, it usually takes a couple of attempts from either side of the hole to ensure it is surfaced correctly. Never turn the tool in the ground as it may cause further damage. It is also unwise to attempt to push up the fallen turf to the surface. Repairing a pitch is about limiting the damage and not re-landscaping a green. Lever towards the hole from all sides for the best impact.

When finished, use your putter head to tap down to ensure a level finish and remove any unwanted bobble sections.

Useful tip…

The depth of the hole can depend on a number of factors: the softness of the green, the club choice and the shot being attempted. Short irons are likely to cause more damage due to their lofty arrival. When you reach the green follow the line of your ball back and the mark should be obvious. If you land on the fringe around the green, there is a chance you have left a pitch mark so check shots that come up short or long too.

It is important that all golfers buy in to the importance of preserving our courses for the good of all players. Taking a few seconds to rake bunkers, repair divots and restore pitch marks are key to future of British golf courses.

At Foremost Golf we encourage all our customers to look after their course and stock a variety of pitch repair tools to aid your round. Visit our online store now for more details. 

Englishman James Morrison secured the second victory of his European Tour career at The Spanish Open in Barcelona. Morrison, 30, shot a superb bogey-free final round 69 to finish four shots clear of 5 players - most notable of which was the reigning champion, Miguel Angel Jimenez. 

The win bodes well for Morrison heading in to one of the European Tour's flagship events, The BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. 

So, what was in James' bag?

• Driver: Callaway Big Bertha V Series (9º)
• Fairway Wood: Titleist 915F (15º)
• Hybrid: Callaway XR (19º)
• Irons: Callaway X Forged 2013 (3-9)
• Wedges: Callaway Mack Daddy 2 (47º, 54º, 60º)
• Putter: Odyssey Versa BMB Jailbird (Counter Balance)
• Ball: Titleist Pro V1x (2015)
• Apparel: J.Lindeberg
• Footwear: FootJoy
• Bag: Odyssey Golf

Chris Kirk nervelessly holed a 7 foot putt on the 18th to secure victory at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. Kirk, playing in the penultimate group, was left to see if Ian Poulter could make up the two shot difference over the final two holes before the celebrations could begin. However, the Englishman could only finish par-par which gave Kirk the opportunity to celebrate with his family whilst watching on television. 

At one point during the final round there were 15 players within two shots of the lead, including notable names such as Masters Champion Jordan Spieth and the aformentioned Poulter. Thankfully for fans of the Tennessean he held on and sealed his fourth PGA Tour victory. 

So, what was in Chris' bag? 

Driver: Callaway XR Pro (8.5 degrees, neutral setting)

3 Wood: Callaway X2 Hot (15 degrees)

Utility Clubs: Callaway Apex UT (18 degrees and 21 degrees)

Irons: Callaway Razr X Muscleback (4-9)

Wedges: Callaway Mack Daddy 2 (47-11S, 52-12S, 58-14C)

Putter: Odyssey ProType PT10
Length: 35 inches
Loft: 3.5 degrees

Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1x