Twas the week before xmas!

Last week i posted that i was in Melbourne with Tour player Tim Frazer at stage 2 of tour school for his Australasian tour card. It was a terrific week, getting to see what Tim gets up to on the course when he is playing in tournament conditions. Just like you guys this is where i spend my time working on his game. You may make the same mistake 5 times while on the course, well in this scenario, a mistake made once can be very expensive so we are looking for what transpires and how we can prevent it next time. We were at the Peninsula Golf Club just south of the Sand belt (and a particular favourite course of mine) Tim played great with limited luck.He hit the ball off the fairway 3 times the first day and had to chip out once and had two un-playables for a round of 76. At the half way mark this left him around 65th place, so with 60 positions on offer for the final stage a score better than round 1 for round 2 should put him in good place (or so we thought) Tim played even better during round 2, the wind had picked up and the course really showed it's teeth. Tim shot a round of 75 and then we waited for everyone to finish. Boy what a wait. Definitely the least fun i have had for a long time. As it turned out Tim score was one more than the cut line at 150 for the two rounds. The guys must have played some good golf on the second day in all that wind.

So what was learnt.
That you can play well and it won't always be good enough.
How much luck plays a part in this game ( The young guy Tim played with had nine provisional tee shots and didn't lose a ball, didn't take a penalty - Tim hit off the fairway three times in two days and took two penalties),
How important experience is when it comes to golf. Tim's only been a pro for a little over five months and he has come such a long way but he knows how much more he has to learn. But there is so much more to being a pro golfer than just golf and Tim is going in the right direction, his future looks great so now it's just time and experience. I had a great week and learnt a lot about my young charge and a lot about golf. Well done Tim, we will get them next time.

Next time you get upset with yourself because of the way you played or that you didn't qualify for the event you were hoping too, remember, it's just a game and s#&t  happens and don't let it get you down, work out what you need to do to change it and make it better, Tim and i have started already

I hope you had a great Xmas and got to spend some nice time with your families and that you have a fantastic new year.

Play well, i will see you on the course.
Jeff Mansfield 

Having fun on the course!

Hi guys.

While the golf schools are on a break over Christmas Dave and I are up to our usual gig of trying to get golfers enjoying and improving at this marvellous game we love. I would like to tell you about some of the things we do to not only help people play better but also to get our pupils having more fun with their golf.

This week while on the golf course with regular pupils i have engaged in different tactics to create more enjoyment while giving an authentic learning experience.

Firstly i start with Lee, who is a very regular pupil who over the past 22 months has improved from a 12 handicap to a 4. Lee is a very hard worker on his game, putting in at least three days per week of serious practice (including tuition). A regular session with Lee will include a warm up on the range, either a chipping or a putting competition, 18 holes which include a point score game that i have devised for our sessions as well as a 9 hole scratch competition between he and I. Now if you were to look at what we get up to on a usual session it would look like a great skylark and two grown men playing golf, but the sessions have much greater depth. Firstly they allow for evaluation. Because we catch up regularly it is hard for us to be able to adequately keep check on Lees improvement. Games like the point score allows him to compare point scores now to that of the past noticing a nearly 50 % increase in the past 9 months, also with the 9 hole comp starting at 3 holes and growing to 6 ( and from next year we are going to 12 holes). Playing golf with someone who (at present - and maybe not much longer if he keeps getting better) plays better than he can be quite off putting for an average person. Having these games tailored to match Lees progress and standard at the time, allows him to have success without being patronised by receiving something that he is not entitled and puts him under real life pressures which allows us to check whether what he is learning actually works. Sometimes the procedure fails and it allows Lee and I to evaluate where it went wrong and what we do to make it better. Which really is what a good golf lesson is about. By the way if you were wondering Lee is the current holder of the chips which is the trophy we play for over 9 holes and he has taken them with him to the UK to visit his family. Well done mate.

The other story i would like to relay is the junior group i teach at Wallacia Panthers where i took 4 (of the usual 8 that attend when it's not xmas) for a game of cross country golf. I had been explaining to the guys and girls how when i was their age, me and my friends would make up holes from the first tee to the 8 green, then the 9th tee to the 13th green and so on to see what we would need to do to have the best score we could. This was something the kids thought sounded like great fun , so we held the latest edition of cross country golf to be held at Wallacia in over twenty years (at least that i have been involved in). We played the boys versus the girls with me being an honouree girl for the day. We played 5 holes over two hours including a par 8 from the 8th tee to the 18th green in ambrose format with the boys finishing triumphant. But nobody really lost as everyone had a great time, we all thought a little different on the course for a change and saw some of the holes from a different perspective for a little while.

Just remember. Golf is a game. It's supposed to be fun, we are supposed to enjoy it and if we can learn while we are having fun well who can complain about that.

This will be the last posting before Christmas. I would like to thank all the attendees of the schools, classes, trips and anything else that Absolute Golf has been involved in this year. Thanks to all our guest coaches Bryan, Bob, Paul, Geoff and of course Scott as well as all the venues who have looked after us so beautifully during the year, with out you all we could not be doing what we are doing. we look forward to helping you with your game next year and getting everyone to enjoy their golf just that little bit more.

See you on the course.

Jeff Mansfield      

Back in Melbourne and having a great time.

Dave and I headed down to Melbourne Sunday morning, we had to drive as we were taking all of our videoequipment with us for the corporate function we were attending. it's a long trip but gave us plenty of time to work through our schedules for next year and talk about upcoming trips and events we have on. It was great catching up with Bryan and Diane Ferguson, their hospitality is always very generous and something that makes our trips bearable.

Monday morning we headed off to Huntingdale Golf Club for our corporate event starting at 12.00 noon. We were set up on the first tee and had the cold south easter trying to blow us away all day. Mind you it was still better than the weather in Sydney. We had about 70 players to look after, the day ran like clockwork and we were all done by about 5.30. We would like to thank David Andrews for his invitation to do the two days and we look forward to many more. It was also great catching up with Paul Gow an old mate who's now cutting a future for himself in the corporate world. Paul was at both the days we did for HSBC Bank and as usual he was in fine fettle. By the time we got back to Bryan's, put all the golfers details in the computer and downloaded all the swings it was about 11.00pm and we were delirious. Another long day but we had a great time.

The clubhouse and putting green at Hutingdale Golf Club

Jeff on the first tee at Hutingdale with the proshop in the background.

On the Tuesday we headed to Sunshine Golf Club. It was a beautiful day, warm and sunny and Bryan and Geoff had organised 11 golfers for our "myths and influences" school. It was great. We spent the first two and a half hours on the range going over some of the schools legendary drills and then after lunch it was out on the course for 3 hours of on-course tuition. We rotated through the groups giving everyone plenty of time, with each of the coaches working on something a bit different. We had two repeat attendees Lee and Ashish and the boys had a great time again, making sure they were on the invitation list for our next trip down to Melbourne in February. They were a terrific group of guys and everyone went home with some new acrewed knowledge and i am sure we will see most of them again. This really is a good facility, brand new undercover driving range, the golf course is a bit new but has some great golf holes on it and the fairways, tees and greens were in top condition and the clubhouse with it's city views looked after us very well with coffees and lunch. We have been very lucky to hook up with such a fine facility within 30 minutes of the centre of Melbourne. We can't wait to get back there. well done to both Geoff and Bryan for their efforts at getting the group together. As usual you did great! 

David working with part of the group on the putting green before teeing off.



On the Wednesday we had the morning off so we caught up with an old mate Russell Barlow for a round of golf at Sandhurst Golf Club on the Champions layout. It was another cracker of a day on a very pleasant golf course. This fun day out on the course reminded us why you guys love playing so much and will be something we will try and do more often. With all the travel we are doing these days it is important to take the time to smell the roses. After golf and a bit of lunch we headed back to Sydney. 11 hours in the car gave us plenty of time to Post Morten our efforts for the week and plan anything that had come up over our travels. It's a tough life but someone has to do it.

With the run into Christmas, next week is sure to be a busy one i will keep you posted with the latest then.

See you on the course.

Jeff Mansfield

The week between!

That's right, it's the week between our last visit to Melbourne and our next week in Melbourne. David and I have had a busy week with our day to day commitments as well as putting arrangements together for next weeks trip. We did take the opportunity to catch up and start working on next years calender which looks great. Our goal for next year is is to have an average of two events each week and we are very close to fulfilling that plan. Next year we hope to run 24 guest coach schools, 12 on-course days, 3 Wisemans Ferry Weekends, the Tasmania Trip, the U.S.A. Trip, the Western Australian Trip, as well as picking up about 20 schools at our new Absolute Golf School venue - Sunshine Golf Club. So far we are about 85% of the way there and with some other activities being made available to us in the near future we are very confident of making it in 2012. This is great for us but it's also great for you as this means more opportunity for you to get along to an Absolute Golf activity which are still proving to be the "best way to play golf". 

Picture of the 3rd green at Huntingdale Golf Club.

Venue of our next corporate function.

Next week we have a corporate day at Huntingdale Golf Club, past home of the Australian Masters, with the HSBC bank people. The last day we ran at Terrey Hills for them was a terrific event and something we very much enjoyed doing. Guests at the days are Paul Gow (ex PGA tour player and Media personality) and past U.S. Open Champion Michael Campbell. All the golfers at these days are in great spirits, big smiles on their faces, all happy to be there. This really is what the game is all about and something most of us just don't get the opportunity to do, so it does remind me that the reason we all started playing the game is is to have fun which i am sure sometimes we forget.
While we are in Melbourne we are also going to run a golf school with Bryan Ferguson and Geoff Ross at Sunshine Golf Club. Our day there two weeks ago was a huge hit and some of the people who missed out last time are coming along to see what it is all about and i can't wait. It should be good fun. 

Dave and I will be back on Thursday as i am sure we will have a lot of people wanting to get hold of us before the weekend. It will be back to Sydney and back in to it, which is just how we like it.

If you are interested in any of the activities at the top of this post from the schools, to the golf days, to the trips or even organising a corporate day please go to www.absolutegolf.com.au or contact David or myself today.

See you on the course.
Jeff Mansfield    

Life Goes On when Bob Goes Home!

As i mentioned in my last posting Bob Duncan headed home to Bend, Oregon. on Tuesday and David and I headed south of the border to do a golf school at Sunshine Golf Club and to do a Corporate Day at Victoria Golf Club.

                                                    2nd green at Sunshine Golf Course

The trip to Melbourne was a huge success. The opportunity for David and I to do golf schools with our old mate Bryan Ferguson in Melbourne is something we have been all trying to put together for quite a while, so for it to finally come together was great. Our day at Sunshine Golf Club was fantastic. This was my first time at this new facility and boy what a great place. Undercover driving range, chipping and putting green as well as a very nice 18 hole golf course. Head Professional at the club, Geoff Ross is very proud of his new facility and after being there i am not surprised. (The City views are unbelievable). Geoff was also the new inductee into the Absolute Golf schools program and he took to it like a duck to water (which we knew he would). He is an exact match to the Absolute Golf Philosophy, which is to making the game easier. A trend we all agree is not the normal in our industry. After a two hour session on the range we had a beautiful sit down lunch in the club and then out to the course for the last three hours. We saw a lot of improvement, some great golf and lots of happy golfers.

1st hole at Victoria Golf Club

Our corporate day at Victoria Golf Club also went very well. We were set up on the 1st tee with our video analysis gear taking video of the golfers as they teed off. Victoria G.C. is a great course and will be the host of the Australian Masters next week and they really had the course in terrific condition. We had about 60 players go through in the period of about 5 hours and there was lots of laughs and good humour. (just how we like to see our golf played).

                  David hard at work videoing a golfers swing at the Deloites Golf Day

The best news about our trip to Melbourne was the weather was clear (a little windy) and dry, while it was hosing rain in Sydney. For a couple of days it certainly was the place to be and we had a good time while we were at it.

And guess what. We have to go back next we as we have another corporate day booked at Huntingdale Golf Club on the 5th and at least another school booked on the 6th and 7th.

Bobs on his way home!

It is Tuesday 22nd November, we have just finished our weekend school at Wisemans Ferry (boy what a scorcher). Dave and I have left for Melbourne and Bob Duncan is down at Sydeny Airport waiting for his flight home.

Bob has been out here since the 26th of October in which time we have spent countless hours teaching, talking business strategies, playing golf and generally solving the problems of the planet. Bobs GPS program is moving ahead leaps and bounds, he has really taken it to the next level since we saw him last March and it was a pleasure doing some more work on it with him during this recent visit.

The schools were a relative success. We have never run 5 schools in a month before so to get decent numbers for all 5 was pleasing. The opportunity to hone our skills and present the GPS program to our regular clients was as usual a very enjoyable thing to do. I would like to thank all of our attendees for coming to the schools from some of the long term pupils both David and I have to some brand new golfers who have never been on-course before, even one pupil in particular who made it to three of the sessions (you know who you are). The beauty of all our programs (but Bobs in particular) is that it is a lesson on golf, so it dosen't matter how good you are there is something to learn.

Over his nearly four weeks in the country Bob worked with over 60 of David and my pupils all of whom I know got a great deal of information from his wise and insightful observations.

Bob is going home to do some more work on the program and get ready for his return in late March for our annual trip to Barnbougle Dunes where he is a guest coach and gets to sample the finest Golf, Food and scenery that Tasmania has to offer. He can't wait and either can we. This year we are taking 5 pro's David, Scott Davis, Bob Duncan, Paul Buchanan and myself which allows us to increase the numbers to 15 attendees ( still allowing us a 3 - 1 ratio for pupils to pro's)

Over the next few weeks you will start to see some marketing on this trip which without any advertising already has 8 people confirmed to go. If you want any more information go to http://www.absolutegolf.com.au/ otherwise i will talk to you soon.

See you on the course.
Jeff Mansfield  

Been busy with Bob.

Its Friday the 11th of November and Bob Duncan the golfecoach has been out here for a little over two weeks now. We have had 3 schools. Friday the 4th and 11th and Sunday the 6th and we have two to go Sunday the 13th and next weekends weekend at Wisemans. But the schools have been only a part of the trip with plenty of other teaching, coaching and brainstorming sessions being par for the course. Over  this short time we have had three sessions with my kids at Wallacia (I am sure their parents would like them to be mine some days) a full day with Tim Frazer at Woolongong while the NSWPGA was on and three or four on-course sessions with both David and my pupils littered through the mix. All the pupils have been getting a great deal out of the sessions and Bob and I are learning a little off each other as well.

Bobs relationship with Absolute Golf is one that is blossoming nicely as there are some real synergies between the directions of our businesses (not to mention the types of things we do)  and this trip has allowed us to look at how we can explore these similarities so that everyome can benefit from them, including you our pupils. Things like regular golf schools, on-line teaching forums, golf trips and just all round good advice is just a start of where we believe our future lies.

Bob has another week with us (and boy have i got him hoping) with a round of golf with my good friend Lee Unwin at St Michaels Golf Club, a fitting day at Camden valley on Tuesday morning and the other half of the day with Tim working on his putting, Thursday we have golf in the morning and the final session with the kids at Wallacia on Thursday evening and golf with David, Stephan, Michael, Scott and myself at Twin Creeks on Friday not to mention our final days at Wisemans Ferry on Saturday and Sunday Morning. He will need to go home for a holiday.

I will drop you guys a note next week to let you know how it is all going and keep you abreast of any further developements.

See you on the course.
Jeff Mansfield

Catching up with an old friend.

Went to the airport yesterday to pick up old friend Bob Duncan, who made the journey from the USA to spend a month with David and I doing some golf schools. His first day in Aus was a busy one with a catch up breakfast with David and myself, a Callaway fitting course at Sydney Olympic Park and an afternoon lesson at Llandilo Driving Range and then it was home to my place to catch up with one of his adopted families in Australia (Daves is the other one).

Bob is doing some marvelous stuff with his Golfer Positioning System website (GPS). At present he is putting together a document which has all the different lie and stance types with predicted outcomes, difficulty rating and even a probability score. This is the first of anything like this I have ever heard and is very impressive to look at and should be a god send for anyone who is new to the game or looking to improve what they are doing out on the course. He also showed me an interview he did with the golf course disigner David Mclay Kidd who designed not only the course he plays (Tetherow in Bend Oregon) but also designed Bandon Dunes and many more. He was saying that this is the way of the future and that not only Bob but Dave and myself are leading the new wave of golf instruction, which was very nice praise.

Our on course golf schools start next Friday, 4th November at Riverside Oaks with a following school on Sunday, 6th November. These classes are filling nicely (although we do have room in both sessions for more) we also have two more sessions on Friday the 11th and Sunday the 13th and these two sessions at present could do with a few more participants and we also have a weekend group at Wisemans Ferry Resort which is filing nicely but could also do with a few more attendees as well. If any of these classes are something you may be interested in please contact us at jeff@absolutegolf.com.au we might even have a copy of Bobs new chart for all the attendees.

will keep in touch.
Jeff Mansfield 

On Course -The way to go.

Both David and I have hit the ground running since we have been back and boy is it good to be busy. Last week I had 7 (thats right) on course golf lessons and another 5 this week as well, I am playing as much golf as I have for years. They tend to be 2 hours plus in time (depending on the client and what they want to work on) and we work on playing skills as opposed to swing technique. Different levels of golfer, from a young guy I teach who is over playing in the W.A. PGA this week to Tony who I had a couple of hours with yesterday, who plays maybe once a month. The one common denominator is that everyone says to me "thats the way to learn golf", and I agree. Without technique we would not be able to move the ball around the course satisfactorily and would spend most of our time looking for our ball in the rough or taking penalties from hitting our shots into trouble, but once we have a sound movement and some evaluations to measure what we have done we need to get out on the course. Golf is a game, it's not a movement or an action and there is a lot more to playing golf than just hitting the ball. I see so many players at the range with single figure swings, playing off C grade handicaps and it makes me wonder how we got here.

Daylight saving is the best thing for our games, it does fade your curtains and throw the cows of milking, but it is fantastic for our golf, use the opportunity to get to the course for even a few holes, spend some time putting, drop a ball in the bunker and hit it out. If you miss the range stop in on your way home, we will always be happy to see you when you pop in. My rule of thumb when I was playing was always" go to the range when your not playing well and get out on the course when you are hitting well".

To learn a little more about golf skills as opposed to swing technique book in for a playing lesson with your pro or come along to one of our on-course sessions next month with the "golfecoach" Bob Duncan. Bob's GPS coaching program will improve your scores without even talking about your swing, which most people would agree wouldn't be a bad thing. Check out http://www.absolutegolf.com.au/ for more on Bob's schools or ring David or myself and book in a session today. It will be great for your game.

See you on the course

Jeff Mansfield

Back to Business

We have been back for a week and I tell you it has been hard to get back into the routine but i have done my best. 

I have been busy building a new website for J.M.G.S. (Jeff Mansfield Golf Solutions) which should tie in to the Absolute Golf site perfectly. It will be a link for my pupils and followers to the golf school website while also giving some information on what I am upto on a day to day basis. I will be launching the website later today informing everyone on my databases where they need to go to have a look at this marvel of modern technology. Drop me a note and let me know what you think.

I was on Skype on Sunday and talking to my old mate Bob Duncan about his upcoming trip to Australia and I can tell you all he is very pleased to be coming out. Bob arrives on the 26th of October and is here through to about the 20th of November in which time we are going to be running 4 1/2 day golf schools at Riverside Oaks (Fri 4th - Sun 6th - Fri 11th and Sun 13th Nov) as well as a weekend golf school at Wisemans Ferry on Sat 19th and Sun 20th of Nov. Bob will also be conducting some clinics with me at Wallacia Panthers for my Thursday night Junior group as well as some 2 hour clinics with my day to day pupils. All this should be great fun and a fantastic learning opportunity for all involved.

David and I have recently sat down and put together the calender for the rest of the year and up to March 2012. We are getting lots of interest for corporate golf days, guided golf tours (one in particular to Perth which looks like a cracker)  as well as some other things which prove to keep us very busy running through the silly season. If your company or social group is running an end of year activity and you are looking for a different approach, contact David or Myself and we can put a day together that will have them all talking.

Also, if you get the chance and go to http://www.absolutegolf.com.au/ and check out our tip of the week on the front page of our website. It is a way for David and I  to share some knowledge with the regular readership and for you guys to be able expand on some of the information you have already gained. Drop us a line and let us know what you think.

Talk soon.
Jeff Mansfield
Absolute Golf Coach

Part 2 of the trip. North Idaho.

We made it to Couer D Alene on Sunday and checked in to our luxury rooms overlooking the lake.
What a place!

View out of our room looking over Lake Couer D Alene



Played our day one of golf and the first round of the tournament at Hayden Lake Country Club. H.L.C.C. is the oldest course in Idaho (104 years) and was a favourite place of Bing Crosby's when he was alive. He had two houses on the course. This is a real oldstyle course tree lined (80 - 100 foot pines) doglegs, small to medium size greens, a real shot makers course with views of Hayden Lake that you couldn't imagine.

View down the 18th and over Hayden Lake.

Winner of the day Mick Carroll with 46 points (Yes it reads right). And a great day was had by all.

Day two of golf was at Circling Raven. When this day started we were a bit worried as it had turned cold and a little wet and we thought the northern winter was on it's way early, but thankfully the weather held off for the majority of the day and we were able to get around and stay dry. We started the day with a warm up session at the range and then a group clinic on the putting green touching on aim and some green reading methods using ground control and a little bit of aimpoint.

The course was in great shape. It's hard to describe this course - long, wide fairways but long grass in the rough, very large, fast greens and built on 620 Acres. It's like your group is the only group on the course. Winner for the days event was Howard Fraser with a fine score of 37 points on a pretty tough day.

Heading to the first green at Circling Raven

Day three and the final day of the competition was at the Couer D Alene Resort. We had a 10 minute boat trip to the course (at 40 knotts) where we were greeted by a real North Idaho day. Big blue sky, 75 F  and views to kill for. The course was immaculate and turned out to perfection. This course has 8 water front / view holes (the same amount as Pebble) running along side or nearby Lake Couer D Alene and they were sparkling today. Winner for todays event was Juan Montoya with 39 points on an sensational day for golf.

After golf the group was treated to a clinic with top 100 coach Randy Henry. Randy has worked with numerous Regular, Senior and Ladies tour players and today it was our guys chance to work with a legend and he did not dissapoint. His easy approach and ability to pick the one thing that makes a difference proved to be a huge help to all the attendees and rounded out this massive day of golf and learning.

The group went back to their rooms to freshen up and get ready for dinner, Tournament presentations and a guest speaker that we had put together in the way of Jim Hoffmeister. Jim is a US PGA Member, Teacher and Clubfitter, USPGA Rules Official and R&D expert with the Henry Griffitts golf company and is very knowledgable on most aspects of the game and as we found out quite a mind for red wine as well as the participants were happy to find out.
The three day event prizes was a special event were we compbined each players scores with the pro's in attendance to come up with the best 4BBB score for each player and added the 3 rounds total together to come up with a result. Winner for the 3 day event was Mick Carroll with 135 points with Juan Montoya a close second on 131 points.

The Marina at the Couer D Alene Resort

The next day was a rest day but a few of the group managed to find their ways to the golf course again. Another fantastic day of weather allowed for another fantastic day in the north west and it was enjoyed by all.

The final day in Couer D Alene was started of at the local Public Golf Course. This is better than any public course i have ever played. 6700 yards, Bent fairways, big flat tees and large undulating greens and those 80 - 100 foot pine trees that are the trademark for the local area, it was more like Royal Canberra than any public course i had ever seen. Todays round was overrun by Maree Johnstone who cleaned up with 13 skins over 18 holes. This course averages over 300 rounds per day for their 8 1/2 month golf season and in the condition it was in i am not surprised at all. From there we headed to the airport for our return trip to San Francisco and back to the Bay Landing for our last nights accomodation. We did happen to catch the AFL Grand Final at the nearby Elephant Bar and we were the only table in the crowded place watching, but we did get plenty of coments by the passes by.

Our final day was spent shopping and sight seeing in San Fran. Most people went their own ways heading to the shops that suited their needs and we all caught up back at the Hotel around 6.00pm to head around to the Airport for our 11.00pm flight.

Thanks to all the attendees Juan, Maree, Michael, Howard and Mick for making the annual pilgrimage with us, Scott for all his help with guest relations and for filling in when needed and to my old mate David who was a huge help and really my right and man stepping up to do all the little jobs (and some of the bigger ones) that need to be done. Special thanks to Caroline (Pebble Beach resorts), Patrick (Poppy Hill G.C.) , Steve (CDA Resorts), Matt Bunn at Hayden Lake Country Club and David Hobson at Couer D Alene Public as well as Jim Hoffmeister, Vannessa Newton, Randall and Randy Henry from Henry Griffitts, whom without all of your efforts the trip would not have been anything like it ended up.

One of next years courses Spanish Bay Golf Links

Keep your eyes open for next years trip which is already on the drawing board and proves to be even bigger and better with us organising Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill and Spanish Bay and the second part of the trip going to be at Palm Springs, California. We are also looking at putting together a non golfers package for 2012, so keep your eyes peeled.

All the best
Jeff Mansfield

    

San Francisco and the Monterey coast

Hi Guys
Flew in to SFO International Airport on Tuesday the 20th of September and headed with David, Scott, Michael, Maree and Mick to the Bay Landing Hotel, Burlingame, California for our first night in the USA. (Howard and Juan both flew into LA and caught up with us later this night).

We headed to our local golf shop in Downtown San Fran for some ammunition and any in-store bargains and then off to Pier 39 for some sight seeing and the first night dinner. Dinner was at the Crab House @ Pier 39. Everyone was there, the meal was great, overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, stories being told and getting to know one another. The stage was set for our Californian Stage of the trip.

Next morning it was down the 101 to Pebble Beach for our first round at Poppy Hills Golf Course. The day was fine with a high fog (typical Monterey weather) and the course was fantastic. This is some course long, tight and tricky. It was the perfect hit our for our first game of the trip. Maree was the gun of the group posting 39 points, but everyone was in agreeance that this was a special way to start. We then headed off to the Inn @ Spanish Bay for our lodgings, which everyone gave the thumbs up and into Carmel by the Sea for dinner.

Next morning we teed it up at Pebble. The sky was clear, the wind was down and the excitement was rampant. The course, unbelievably was in even better condition than it was last year, but it was playing long and tested everyone out and really shows you how good the tour players are ( the pro's off the back tees were really feeling it ). Now one really set the course alight with the best score being about 33 points, but the enjoyment level was high with everyone and we all felt good about aspects of our game, but the main thing was just being there. After golf we had lunch at the course, went through all the shops and just soaked in the atmosphere. Three of the boys wanted more punishment and headed to Spyglass Hill for a reround, with the rest of the group staying back for a bit of fun at the Par 3 course. After golf we headed back to the Inn @ S.B. where after a shower, we sat on the veranda of the Hotel and enjoyed the atmosphere and a performance by the piper of Spanish Bay. This ritual occurs most evenings at around 5.30pm as he plays his way up the 2nd Fairway and up the Hotel and goes for about 45 - 50 minutes. Combined with the afternoon mist this was great.
The next morning we had breakfast at the lodge at Pebble Beach overlooking Clearwater bay and then  played Spanish Bay. This was the first time at the course for most of us and proved to be a real experience for everyone. What a course. Plenty of challenging holes, a little bit of a breeze and a spectacular backdrop with the waves crashing in at the bay and there was plenty to concerntrate on.  After a great day on the course we had a late lunch at the club and headed back to the Bay Landing at San Francisco arriving at around 7.30pm for an evening on the town and a good nights sleep.
The next day was a rest day with participants being able to do what they like. A few of the guys went to Half Moon Bay to play the Ocean Course (which they gave huge raps), with some of the others heading down the road to Gilroy outlets for some retail therapy. It was a huge day for both groups with everyone enjoying their activities and getting the most out of their days.
Sunday the 25th and this is travel day. Today we fly to Spokane, Washington and get a shuttle over the state line to the Couer D Alene Resort in North Idaho for our second part of the trip. Only a couple of the guys have been there before so we should be in for some surprised looks and lots of big smiles. Will let you know how it goes.
Jeff Mansfield

 

Group photo at Poppy Hills

Dave and Jeff on the 18th tee at Pebble Beach

12 Hole at Spanish Bay

US adventure to Pebble Beach

Hi Guys.

Dave, Scott and myself are about to head off on our US adventure to Pebble Beach, Through San Francisco and North Idaho via a place called Coeur D Alene. We have golf booked at Pebble Beach, Spanish Bay and Poppy Hills all venues of the AT&T golf tournament held In Monterey, California and then up north we are playing a private course called Hayden Lake, The number 1 course in Idaho which is Circling Raven and our special destination the CDA Resort which is in the top ten resort courses in America and home of the floating green. The group is excited, the weather forecast looks great (but it is why we go this time of year) and a couple of us have even been playing all right.

Our 2.45pm flight today will get us into San Fran at 11.08 Tuesday morning over there were we will make our way to the hotel, into town for a golf shopping expedition and dinner at the world famous Pier 39 overlooking the Golden Gate bridge.

We hope you look forward to a detailed account of our travels for the next few weeks and we will try to post as many pictures as we can to give you a look as well.

By the way we have been in contact with the Golfecoach, our old mate Bob Duncan and he is all primed for his visit arriving October 26^th for a month. We will be holding some ½ day golf schools as well as a weekend @ Wiseman’s while Bob Is out here, so go to the website and check out our video invitations as well as the GPS pages in the golf schools section. Bobs visit is going to be great fun and should prove a terrific opportunity for anyone who comes into contact with Bobs laid back manner and ideal teaching model.

Stay safe and play well and we will see you when we get back to the land of OZ

All the best.

Jeff Mansfield   

August 26th - 27th - 28th Super Schools

Over the weekend of August 26^th, 27^th and 28^th Absolute Golf Held its first Super School for two years, with guest coaches Bryan Ferguson (Melbourne Golf Academy), Paul Buchanan (US PGA) and Scott Davis (Sydney Olympic Park) in attendance. The schools were very well attended with 40 golfers enjoying the fine weather, stimulating topics, the pros good humour and Riverside Oaks hospitality. 

After dividing the attendees into profiled learning groups, we took them over Pitching and Putting on the practice areas, working on topics not regularly covered by coaches in this country. Bringing in the guest coaches adds a dimension and we all feed off each other. After the two range sessions, we went inside for a magnificent Riverside Oaks Terrace BBQ and after lunch we broke into groups and hit the course. With each group having a Professional assigned to it we continued the instruction with each pro having a topic that he worked on with the players and after two holes the pro’s rotated to the next group making sure everyone got to spend time with each pro. The practical (on-course) sessions are integral to the golfers improvement as it allows them to put what they have learned into play, under the watchful eye of the pro.

Special thanks to Paul, Bryan and Scott for their attendance at the schools and to Riverside Oaks Golf Club for looking after us so well. See below some pictures and a testimonial from the weekend.

Jeff Mansfield

                                        Fridays group under beautiful sunshine

                 Guest Coach Bryan Ferguson working with school attendee Alan Deny

Welcome to Absolute Golfs new Blog Site

We have started publishing this blog to keep our good friends and regulars up to date with the latest happenings with the Absolute Golf Team. We will be including upcoming events, past activities and future successes of both us and the attendees of our schools and trips.

Watch this space for dialogue and photo's and feel free to add comments that will add to the enjoyment of the readers involved with our blog.

We hope you enjoy our regular offerings. Feel free to subscribe to our blog for regular updates.

Jeff Mansfield