My Golf Memories

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Aisling O'Hara (above left) came to me with a clear goal on day one. I was taken with her determination to succeed, and she proved to be one of my most outstanding pupils of the year. Along with capturing her Captains Prize in Edmonstown GC over two rounds, she went on to win the Golfer of the Year and even threw in a hole-in-one for good measure. She lost 5 shots off her handicap. Looking forward to working with her in 2019!

Abiding Golf Memory

Getting a phone call from Aisling at 11pm on a Saturday night to tell me she had won her Captains Prize. Moments like that make teaching so rewarding for me personally. 

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I first came across Brooks when he traveled the fairways of Europe with Peter Uihlein learning his trade. He missed the start of the season with a wrist injury but after sitting out the first Major at Augusta, (I would guess more painful than the wrist injury!) came roaring back to defend his US Open crown and also add the PGA Champinship to his list of accomplishments. From one Major to three in the blink of an eye! He finishes the year as World number 1 and the sky's the limit for Brooks Koepka.   

Abiding Golf Memory

I just knew he was going to win the PGA Championship. As Tiger hit the front and others threatened the lead, I felt an air of inevitability about young Brooks. He could be anything in 2019. 

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I attended a putting seminar in Italy in November and was blown away by the technology behind Capto putting. Having been brought up on a staple diet of SamPuttlab and Quitic products, this is different gravy. The ability to see what the body is doing in 3D space as you putt means that there is no more guessing. It can set you up correctly and is mobile and takes 5 minutes to set up! It a game changer in the putting world.

Abiding Golf Memory

The inventor of Capto, Luca Mensi. He uses a system somewhat like I use when teaching golf. He has two markers lined up inside the body which he calls Kernels that he uses to track how the body rotates about the putter head and the hands move in relation to the putter shaft. Essentially lining them up as you putt is the key to great putting. My two markers are the sternum line and the pelvis line!

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The European Tour have really upped their game concerning marketing with some innovative ideas to make golf more attractive to the general public. Night golf, mixed team golf, the "Life on Tour" podcast, the hole-in-one challenges all served to create interest in the game. The 14 club challenge above was another excellent example of making golf fun!

Abiding Golf Memory

There were a few 14 club challenges that were very entertaining, but I will have to go for the two Irishmen battling it out! You can watch it here courtesy of the European Tour! Keep up the good work!

Click here for video! 

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There is no other way to say this, but it has been disappointing how many Irish players have failed to transfer from our fantastic performances at amateur level to the fairways of professional golf. Even former world number one, Leone Maguire, is struggling to adjust to the rigours of play for pay.  On a brighter note, it does look like she will have a place to play on the LET this year and Stephanie Meadows is flying the flag on the LPGA tour. 

Abiding Golf Memory

Gavin Moynihan making the cut at tour school, right on the mark for the second year running! Hopefully, 2019 will see his real talent shine through, and he can become a permanent fixture on Tour. We need him and others to step up!

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Who doesn't like a good picture? I know I do! Especially when it is golf related! Here are some of the best of the year from some of the best photographers out there!

Click to see the best of the best here!

Abiding Golf Memory

I have met Dave Canon and other photographers that travel the world's fairways. You can but admire their work as they capture some incredible images from the golfing year. The link above is courtesy of the European Tour and is their year-end "Photo of the Year" competition.  Some great shots, both on the course, and through the lens!

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I have a friend who is a member of Pine Valley, and I hope to play it in 2019! Outside of touring professionals, I think most golfers would have fond memories of golf courses that impressed them esthetically or that they played well. For me, my golf memories over the years have been dominated by the beauty of golf courses that I have played.

Abiding Golf Memory

I was fortunate in 2018 to play a couple of Open rota courses, Royal Birkdale and Royal Liverpool. If you ever get a chance to play these two courses, do so, as they are spectacular tests of links golf. And the welcome was second to none! 

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What to say about young Frankie? He hit the gym and added some length to his game. After a rocky start to the year, he went into overdrive and annihilated all in front of him! The Champion Golfer of the Year and Ryder Cup hero with a 5/5 record, the affable Italian is known as the consummate pro's pro. An inspiration to anyone taking up the game.

Abiding Golf Memory

Missing the cut at the Players Championship (+2 and a mile away) to winning the Open to being the darling of the European Ryder Cup team. Something has to give in 2019, too many good golfers lining up for silverware!