Planning, Planning, Planning

Recently my game has been a little rusty, with actually shooting a score on the course. This is only normal for using my off time to make some swing changes and to focus on the gym work. When i went back to England i had 2 physical screenings to see where my weaknesses are and to then set forward a plan for improving them (details below)

Main Weakness from Physical Screenings

My main focus is to improve my flexibility in my lower half. Strength is not really of high importance Im already strong enough. My hips, external and internal hip rotation was poor. My calves quads and hamstrings were also equally tight. A focused stretching routine using a foam roller and spiky ball is going to get me in better shape to able me to improve my golf swing to where i want it.

Further to fitness testing i also had my Statistics analyzed via a fantastic company www.Strokeaverage.com. The findings opened my eyes to the importance of this data, it really gives you great confidence when u see that your driving accuracy is as good as a top tour pro, and more importantly it gives you great insight into what u need to improve!

Improvements Needed

• Effective Greens in Regulation need to improve - At the moment averaging 10 greens a round
• Improve Putting 6-15 feet
• Improve par 5 scoring average through more fws hit off tee.

I have added some videos of my swing

Continued Short Game practise

As the start of the season is near, me and Jack Bartlett both are spending a lot of time working on our short games, hoping to get them technically superior to what they were last season. I know that distance and directional control is the most important aspect of golf. But i really enjoy practicing the short game, i love tinkering with my technique to improve the flight and spin of the shots

We also played a game of worst ball over 9 holes, its safe to say that game is the hardest form of practice! My overall goal for the year is to break 75 for 18 holes Worst Ball. So far 43 over 9holes is a bit far off the mark but it really is TOUGH. Its the most mentally challenging game you will ever play!

I like playing a lot of competitions to put our scoring games under pressure. A personal favorite is par 18. It was invented by Karl Morris! we also play it with bunkers and some pitching games to put the technique practise under the gun.

Bunker par 18 scores - if you score 22 or better u play with 2 balls

Me 1 Ball - 21

Jack 1 Ball - 20

Me and Jack 2 Balls - 25

Then onto the par 18 and we had scores of

Me 1 Ball - 18 (my lowest score ever)

Jack 1 Ball - 20

Both with 2 balls we scored 23 each

This type of practise has been great and i can really feel my short game getting really sharp, which is exactly what you need in preparation for tournament golf.

Im continuing to work on my golf swing, using the information from my coach Hugh Marr. At the moment im trying create more width and the top of my swing and to continue working on my takeaway, making sure it doesnt roll to the inside as this leads to a poor top of the backswing position.

My Friend here Jack Bartlett is a fantastic player, he is a senior here and graduates in May. He is hoping to make it on the European Tour just like me, he has had some great results since coming over to the US most notably a quarter finalist in British Am in 2009. We both love to practise our swings maybe a bit too much. Check Jacks work station out, his goal here is to feel like he swings towards his water bottle, his tendency is to get the club working under plane so this gives him a great feel.

Looking forward to tournaments now

Mitch Farrer

First Day back at Nova - SHORT GAME SHORT GAME SHORT GAME

Im finally back in the USA. After a great break back in England, im glad to be back in the great weather of South Florida. Today, i organized everything ready for classes and had a good session at the par 3 course.

This years short term goals are to focus on nailing the short game practice rather than hitting hundreds of chips, im getting into the one ball one chance method. In order to improve a performance during tournament golf we must make practice more difficult than the tournament, then the tournament rounds will seem easy. So a lot of testing on the short game is taken place during these early months to prepare me for the long season ahead.

Par 18 scores

1 Ball - 21

2 Balls - 23

Pelz Test

Short Bunker - 12 points

Long Chip - 14 points

10y Fw pitch - 15 points

Another very important plan of mine is to really focus on my putting attitude and routine. In the past i have been a great putter when i have focused on these areas, last semester i struggled with the flat stick because i wanted to improve so bad that i looked to other areas, i turned to the technical side and it didn't work. I do believe its vital to improve this area constantly but a great mental routine must be in place to see success.

Some more great practice tomorrow i love this place

Mitch Farrer