Greg Hanley On His Lesson Experience With Martin Brown - April 28 2009 In 2009 I started my 10th season at Delamere Forest. I’m still amazed at the beauty of the Course and feel a sense of excitement when I make my way to Delamere. The Course is always in great condition, but over the years my handicap has gone up and I have not been happy with my game. It went through my mind to call it a day and this made me feel very sad. I fell in love with golf and this felt like a divorce.

Since Martin has come to Delamere I have enjoyed reading his Newsletter and a couple of testimonials impressed me. So I decided to let him have a look at my swing. I took the plunge and booked 5 lessons. I felt very nervous as I approached my first lesson imagining that I would now suffer more and have my brain filled with so many thoughts. I was pleasantly surprised with Martins simple approach. He spotted immediately my swing fault and corrected this on the first lesson. Now I needed to practice and by the second lesson he could see some improvement. A few more helpful ideas, even how to practice on the driving range, and I was getting more confident. Another few lessons and a simple thought helped to increase height with the irons.

Now we are into the season I have been playing to my handicap for the first time in many years. My confidence was rising so much so, that my first Society competition with the Trafford Eagles at Heaton Park, saw me come in with 40 points to win the trophy. Best of all I am now back to enjoying my golf and looking forward to my next lesson and producing some good scores at Delamere. In my mind I’m already thinking of my next set of lesson.

Anne Perry Custom fitting by Martin Brown – Head PGA Professional - March 30 2009 Annie has supported me with lessons since arriving at Delamere. Annie has good fundamentals but I always felt she swung a little leisurely. Like most ladies she settled for just hitting it! I felt Annie was missing out, having witnessed husband Steve embrace technology last year which led him to winning Delamere Forests’ Major knockout competition, the time was right for Annie.

With her solid mechanics she really is in a great position to give it a hit. Having settled into Delamere life I subtly suggested that equipment had moved on, she embraced the idea and I introduced her to my chamber of doom! The results from the launch monitor were there to be seen. The larger cavity back, more flexible shaft and overall lightness increased launch, club speed, ball speed that resulted in far greater distance.

Even to my naked eye I could see that Annie felt more comfortable and was now in charge of the clubhead and wasn’t so afraid to swish the club through the ball on the way down.

Whether Annie enjoys Major success this remains to be seen, but her enjoyment for the game is back, and I always say what price for enjoyment

Anne’s Response To Her Custom Fitting

My winter golf was getting me down
Off I went to Martin Brown.
He looked at my swing and tested my grip,
Don't look so pretty - give it some zip.

My irons he did look at and said 'They are old!'
Come up on the Vector and out of the cold.
I hit balls with old irons then tested some new,
The difference -- amazing -- just see how they flew.

He measured my height and tested position,
Martin you've turned into quite a magician!
My new irons arrived, my game has turned round,
Enthusiasm returned with great leaps and bounds.

Go to our Pro and get yourself sorted
Don't struggle around just feeling thwarted.
My golf has improved though I may not have won
I'm out of the doldrums and finding it fun!

Anne Perry with thanks to TaylorMade Burner Irons and Martin!!

Malcolm Durney's Testimonial - February 09 2009 *An older testiomnial
Dear Mr Ayres

In times when major manufacturers appear to release a new set of clubs every few months I am pleased to see both club professionals and manufacturers still take pride in the service provided to their customers.

After a golf society meeting I returned home with the new designer two piece pitching wedge after an altercation with a rather savage bush. The Professional at my home club was unfortunately away from work for a while so I contacted Fulford Golf Club, York, who were happy to help.

The club pro, Martin Brown, contacted Mizuno to order a replacement shaft to match those already in my irons to retain both playing characteristics and value if resold. Mizuno unfortunately did not hold the shaft in my Comp EZ anymore so I was expecting to have a different shaft. (Which in reality this 21 handicapper could have coped with).

However I was then surprised beyond belief as Mizuno offered to replace all of the shafts in my Irons under warranty to one of their current range of shafts. After a discussion with the pro I decided on the type and flex of the new shafts and gleefully handed over my clubs, (including the extra 1 iron and gap wedge!!).

At a time where you could be forgiven in thinking that club manufacturers are totally sales focused with the plethora of new products hitting the shelves Mizuno's attention to their existing customers should be applauded and be the benchmark all manufacturers aspire to.

The lesson I learned was that I made two correct choices. Namely the right manufacturer but vitally I was right to use club pro's, (whether at my home course or when needed other courses as well), their knowledge re setting up the club is invaluable and I can't believe golfers don't use them more. Martin Brown treated me in a manner that should make the members of Fulford proud and I hope he enjoys the bottle of wine which he so richly deserved by way of thank you.

Malcolm Durney