Stephen Hayes helping golfers to get to most from winter practice

THE January weather continues to hamper many golfers, the recent cold temperatures have meant that many courses have had delayed opening times or stay closed, further impacting the available time for golfers to play with the limited daylight hours. 

With limited playing options the driving ranges in Cork have been busy, and many golfers are also tuning up their games with lessons from their PGA Professional. Stephen Hayes, is one of those, and he’s had a busy January so far.

Hayes is one of five PGA professionals working from Cork Golf Centre in Ballincollig, and the range and the teaching bays have been busy since Christmas. 

Hayes encourages all golfers to hit a few balls at the range. 

“This is a great time of the year to get to the driving range as the golf courses are closed quite a bit due to poor weather. If you have been planning to play at the weekend and the course is closed, use some of that time at the range,” suggests Hayes.

He’s also advises golfers to focus on the their time at the range to get the most from it. 

“When you go to the range it is so important that you go, they’re with a plan and don’t just beat balls. 

"Identify what you are going to work on when you are there, have some drills and exercises that you are going to do when you are there. "Make sure you keep eye on your fundamentals when you are there, take your time in between shots. 

"Play to different targets, hit different clubs, and try play a variety of shots such as low and high shots.”

Stephen works with a wide range of golfers from beginners and recreational swingers, through to some of Cork’s top amateurs. 

While the lessons might differ, Stephen suggests that every can learn from the top amateurs. 

“Every golfer should be looking to improve each year and should be using the off season to prepare for the season ahead and we can learn a lot from what elite amateur golfers do. 

"They are looking at every aspect to help them improve and no stone should be left unturned. 

"When practicing they are working on their fundamentals such as grip, stance, posture grip and alignment and their swing mechanics with the help of a PGA Professional. 

"Most golfers will not have the same time available to dedicate to their games like elite amateurs, but we can learn a lot from them.”

Cork Golf Centre on the western side of Ballincollig has become the go to range for many Cork golfers. 

It reopened in 2018 thanks to the efforts of David Keating, and since then it has undergone several upgrades to provide a great practice facility for golfers. 

The centre is well served by PGA teaching professionals with Wayne O’Callaghan, John Savage, Liam Burns, David Keating and Stephen all providing lessons.

Hayes is well into his second decade as a PGA Professional, the experienced teacher also says that it’s important that golfers know what the want to improve when it comes to practicing as the prepare for the new season. 

“You must clearly identify the areas so that when you are practicing you are focussing on areas of the game which will make you perform better. 

"You will need to look at how much time you have available to practice and play and when you are practicing and how much time you will spend on each of the areas identified above. 

"Set some goals for the year ahead. I like to make these goals more performance oriented.”

“An example might be wanting to add more clubhead speed and ball speed over the winter. If I have identified with my coach that this is an area that I need to improve to help me play better golf and I achieve it then my scores should improve, the handicap should reduce, and I should perform better in competition.”

Last year Stephen launched a new winter improvement package, featuring eight elements designed to help improve a golfers overall game. The package costs €495 which is a big commitment but it remains a very popular option as golfers plan their off-season work. 

“My main package this winter has been our Winter Improvement Package which includes one-hour initial sit-down meeting, one hour trackman combine test, 30 Minute TPI Movement Assessment, 5 x 45 Minute Coaching Sessions, and weekly WhatsApp check-ins.” 

Of course Stephen offer a wide range of coaching packages and options and all are available on his website, www.stephenhayesgolf.com.