Tom Godwin, Head Professional at Rockliffe Hall, the north-east’s newest golf destination is launching an innovative teaching concept in the north east this season which is expected to significantly improve the play of club golfers at all levels.
The 32 year old Englishman who has more than 12 years teaching experience at some of the best-known venues in the UK is one of only three “Plane Truth Certified Instructors” in the UK.
The concept emanates from the US and is based on the premise that all golfers fall into one of two categories of swing path, a one or two plane swing. In basic terms they either swing around the body like Lee Westwood or more upright in the manner of Colin Montgomerie and a series of tests have been devised to determine the best method for each individual player followed by a programme of exercises to improve technique.
The concept is the brainchild of US Golf Coach Jim Hardy who has taught some of the leading professionals on the PGA Tour over a career spanning more than 40 years, culminating in the best selling instruction book “The Plane Truth For Golfers”.
Tom visited the Black Horse Golf Club in Houston, Texas in 2009 to take part in an intensive training programme to qualify as a certified Plane Truth Instructor. He is now coaching a number of clients throughout the north east who are seeing a significant improvement in their game by finding the correct plane to suit their frame, strength, flexibility and gender.
The former Senior Teaching Professional at Gleneagles joined Rockliffe Hall in Spring 2009 and recently said: “I am delighted with the opportunities that lie ahead as we head into our first full season here at Rockliffe Hall, we have a very discerning clientele and we want to continue to combine the traditional values of personal service with the enthusiasm that is required to run a championship property.”
Tom brings a wealth of experience in the golf industry to Rockliffe and was previously based at Queenwood Golf Club, Surrey where he regularly joined fellow members and Ryder Cup stars Darrren Clarke, Paul McGinley, Thomas Bjorn and former Open Champion Ernie Els in friendly matches and observed them at first hand.
Opened in November 2009 Rockliffe Hall (www.rockliffehall.com) in County Durham is the most exciting hotel debut in the North for many years. Set on 375 acres on the banks of the River Tees just outside the village of Hurworth, the heart of this privately owned hotel is a wonderfully Gothic mansion, the former home of the family behind the Stockton to Darlington Railway and Barclays Bank. It was designed by Alfred Waterhouse, the architect responsible for the Natural History Museum in London.
Rockliffe Hall is five minutes from Darlington Railway Station and Durham and Tees Valley Airport. It is a two and a half hour train journey to London and two hours by train to Edinburgh. The historic city of Durham is on the doorstep, as are Newcastle, York, Leeds and the Yorkshire Dales. Newcastle International Airport is an hour away.
Rockliffe Hall www.rockliffehall.com