GOLF
Ladies golf day
If you think you can you will - if you think you can’t you won’t.It’s a mantra for
anyone trying to improve their self confidence and Gail Smirthwaite is convinced it
is an essential state of mind for golfers. A trainer for the CPD programme and the
PGA (Professional Golf Association - UK) Gail travels the country encouraging
golfers to play like a pro. Cotswold Essence met the woman who firmly believes golf
is an ‘inside’ job.
Words by Sue Smith golf club myself,Iwent along to see if the all played to varying degrees before,
event would encourage me to take up the began to sound more positive.
game that has famously been described as They had handicaps ranging fromSOME people talk about
a good walk ruined. 36 to 9 but they all shared a love of thea game of golf as though
After focusing on the basics - grip, game.
stance,posture and balance -with Alison “I took it up five years ago,“it is a trip to the dentist,
we all moved on to the Zen Leader board reluctantly at first, as I thought it wasnot a hobby,” said Gail to a
with golf pro Michael Chamberlain. an old people’s game,” said Fiona
The board has two foot pads on a spring Hudman who lives close toroom full of women golfers
and the idea is to push them apart until Tewkesbury Park Hotel. She now playswho had spent the morning
body and weight are correct. If you get it off9and has won several bigbemoaning their own lack of
wrong the pads snap back together like a competitions.
pair of crocodile teeth. “I have gained a whole new socialtechnique.
“Now it is time to link the body with the life and learned a lot about myself as“What you have to remember is that
mind,” said Michael as we made our way well,” she added.golf is an emotional game.The person
to the boardroom for Gail’s motivational Bronwyn Godley of Abbeydale,you are is the person you are going to take
talk. Gloucester,apublic administrator,wason to the golf courses.”
After a divorce seven years ago Gail says fed up with being left behind when herThere was a bit of shuffling on seats as
she had lost her confidence and decided to male colleagues went offfor corporatewe all knew we had been guilty of mass
seek counselling.This led her to her golf days.She took up the game eightself deprecation from the minute we set
embarking on a life-coaching degree at years ago and now plays off18.foot on the driving range that morning
Wolverhampton University where a year “People have come here today withwith Alison Nicholas,US Open
down the line she was asked by friends to the right attitude.Ihave found itChampion and ladies captain for UK and
coach a young amateur golfer who was informative and good fun,” she said.Europe for the Solheim Cup.
having difficulty making the transition to Ann Lawe of Bromsgrove took up“I can never.... I just wish I could.... I
professional. the game when she retired andam so rubbish at .... I always fall apart
“I had never set foot on a golf course so although she hasn’t progressed herat....,” seemed to prefix every sentence as
I focused on helping him as a person,” handicap from 36 she said: “I think Iwe hit the balls out on to the practice
says Gail. “I believe if you can get into the have learned a lot today withoutrange.
right frame of mind, the rest will follow.” realising it. I am looking forward to“The mental side of golf can never be
She quickly gained a reputation for her putting it into practice.’underestimated,” said Alison. And Gail
success with golfers and now gives talks And Sarah Nicol from Witcombe,agreed. “Instead of trying to hit away
around the country. who was a newcomer to the game,from your hazards,focus on hitting
She has also written a book, The 7 said: “I have enjoyed it more than Itowards your goals,” she said.
Secrets of a Highly Successful Golfer. thought I would. I always thoughtSounds simple enough but we are all
“My philosophy is you can make golf everyone was a better golfer than meguilty of focusing on the negative when
the game you want it to be once you and I could never be as good but thissomething isn’t going well and women
discover your inner confidence. has definitely given me confidence andperhaps are more prone to this fault than
“There are some mentally strong golfers a belief in my own ability.”men.
out there who might not be technically so As for me,Ihave definitely got theThe Ladies In Golf Day was held in the
good but their belief in themselves has bug and will certainly be taking up golfpicturesque surroundings of Tewkesbury
helped to make them the best.” this year.Park Hotel Golf and Country Club in the
For the past six years she has been Te wkesbury Park Hotel Golf and Countryheart of Gloucestershire.
helping golfers specialise in learning new Club is keen to welcome more womenSpecifically aimed at getting more
mental skills to develop a consistent and members. Te lephone: 01684 272320.women into golf,the day was one of a
positive game.Her Confidence Caddy Another Ladies in Golf Day will be held atseries taking place around the country and
website offers free weekly tips,information Marriott Forest of Arden Golf Club onpacked with tips and advice from the
and advice along with details of golfing Monday.September 1. To find out more aboutprofessionals at the top of their game.
events. Gail Smirthwaite’s free newsletter,personal“We want more women in this fantastic
As the day progressed with chipping, coaching and forthcoming events log on togame which has long been man’s best kept
putting and the chance to try out all the
www.confidencecaddie.com orsecret from women,” said Gail.
latest gadgets my fellow golfers, who had
www.ladiesingolf.co.ukHaving never so much as picked up a
58 COTSWOLDESSENCE September - November 2008 Inspiring life in the Cotswolds
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