Richard Fish, PGA Coach & Ex-Tour Player says this about Positive Impact Golf:

This is an entirely new way of learning golf. No more fixation on positions, making more subtle and natural changes while maintaining a relaxed and fluid golfswing.

This style of coaching is about learning more about the pupil and working with the pupil to find their own, more natural swing. It's more about finding  the real "source" of any problem, and not making a judgement from any visual impression when a golfswing  deviates from a so called "textbook" swing.

No more 2steps backward, to take 3 steps forward. This is more about constant and sustained improvement.

This is about quickly breaking down the pupils mis-conceptions about the golfswing and then, once free of some of these "tension building" theories, helping them to create a relaxed and more natural swing.

22 years ago, I was a successful tour player. I then had a very dramatic loss of form, and have struggled hopelessly ever since. I have had many lessons, but each time, I not only didn't improve, but got considerably worse. About 3 weeks after my first lesson with Brian, I am not only back at my best, I also understand why, and my swing is 100% natural, and amazingly I have done it all without any conscious effort, or even a swing thought.

At 52 years of age I had accepted hitting the ball less far but, suddenly, with my newly liberated swing I'm hitting it as far as ever!

Richard finished runner-up to Order of Merit winner Vijay Singh on the Safari Circuit in 1988

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Dear Brian,

Many thanks for your excellent report. I have been working on your instructions and have found great improvements. I am hitting the ball further and straighter.

I should add that I am 78 with 2 knee replacements. Most golf books I have read are directed at young athletic golfers.

The raising of the left heel with the left knee coming across has helped me so much.

I must finish with telling you after working on your report and the article in the Kent Golfer on 30th August I won the King George V Bogey with +6 and have been cut from 20 to 18 at Sidcup GC.

Many many thanks, Brian.

Bill Haffenden

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Gary,

I would like to say how happy I was with your reponse to my mid-season report....thanks again for putting the light on. I have been walking around in the dark for a while! Everything you're doing and saying is great, just keep the emails coming. All the questions you ask are great as they keep reminding me to work on my strengths because these are what make the money and, of course, to work on the weaknesses but bit by bit.

Steve Tiley, PGA Tour Pro who is currently playing on the Asian Circuit.

Steve's stats have improved dramatically since he started using Positive Impact Golf concepts with Senior Coach, Gary Bason, in June 2008. Gary's main contact with him is via text and email.

Visit: www.steventiley.com

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David,

Just wanted to let you know that after Thomas’s lesson with you last Saturday & mine the week before, we played 9 holes & both played better than we have ever done before. We were hitting straighter & longer with less effort. We were also much more relaxed. I had 5 pars in the first 6 holes. I don’t remember getting 5 in 18 before! I finished up with 40 – 8 shots less than before my lesson. Thomas went round in 54 – his best score. The bit that pleased him the most was he got this score despite not putting well, which shows how good the rest of his game was.

Thanks again.

Martin & Thomas N

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In a little over two years David turned me from a complete novice into a 23 handicap golfer and in the last year not only have I consistently broken 80 for 18 holes but David has given me the belief that I am now capable of playing par golf. The confidence and encouragement given by David is also re-enforced by all at Manston golf from the other professionals, through the course marshals to the green keepers who are always there with a word of encouragement.

Bob Mill - 23 handicap

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When I came to Manston I was a complete novice at golf and had great doubts as to whether I had done the right thing. However, I need not have worried as I found nothing but support and encouragement from everyone at the centre including the marshals and the groundsmen.

With David's expert tuition and guidance, I have gained confidence and achieved a handicap of 36. I am now working on reducing it this year as I am now averaging a score of 95 for an 18 hole round. This is something I never in my wildest dreams thought I could achieve.

Thank you everyone.

Miriam - 36 handicap

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I turned fifty last spring, never having hit a golf ball in my life.

David immediately made me feel relaxed and instilled in me the belief that anyone with the correct rudimentary set up and, more importantly , the right mind set can play and enjoy this wonderful game called golf.

Through a sequence of ups and downs, I have been nurtured always to draw on the positives.

I have progressed from playing the local pitch and putt courses to the greater  challenge of the centre’s course. I am now employing the whole gamut of club available with ever increasing confidence and progressively pleasing results. No Tiger Woods - but on the way!

What I have been taught is an approach to golf that can bring out the best in anyone’s game. I cannot recommend positive impact golf’s method of teaching more highly. Thank you for unearthing the golfer in me.

Tony P - no handicap (yet!)

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Sheila wrote to wish me a Happy New Year. This is what she said:

"Happy New Year to you,  thought you might like an update on how David and I are

doing since we last saw you.  My golf, thanks to your expert tuition, has

gone from strength to strength. handicap now 30 from 35, and playing

consistently, so I hope to get down a bit more in the summer. However that

is not my favourite achievement Which is I have so much more confidence in my game

and am not expecting to make every shot, so I am more relaxed and enjoying

the walk!!  When things start to go wrong I don't analyse, I dance and it has

worked every time."

I wrote back to ask if I could use her message as a testimonial and this is what she replied:

"Hi Brian

Of course you can quote me, if it gets the message out to people that golf doesn't have to be a rigid ritual then I am more than happy.  I have played in some matches with seriously up tight ladies, I think they find my attitude a bit odd, but who cares I am enjoying my golf and improving all the time."

Sheila - 30 handicap

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'Positive Impact Golf has given me a golf swing I didn't think existed.  I'm straighter, more consistent and have gained 15 yards in length.  Amazingly all this with less effort, less thought and more relaxation.  Heaven!'   'Unleashing the beast' is going well, look forward to our next lesson Brian.

Joe - 9 handicap

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I haven’t been playing much but whenever I do I remember the ‘danse de golf’ and find I am able to complete 18 holes without any undue physical strain which was one of my main objectives.

Ken - 3 handicap

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We have been really pleased with golf since our course.    Started the year by going  around in a dreadful 140 but now pleased to say that I'm reaching 100 so it has been a fun year.   Don't suppose I can expect such an improvement next year but will still enjoy it all the same.      Mick's worried about his handicap as all his opponents are muttering about the length of his drives, best one about 380 yards.   Replaced my driver with a taylor made burner and now pleased to say my drive length has just about doubled, what fun!

Carolyn & Mike - 36 & 18 handicaps

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"After 36 years of playing with a permanent slice, and after lots of lessons from many different pros, I went to see Brian Sparks at Positive Impact Golf.  In 4 sessions over 4 months my slice has all but disappeared and I am gaining confidence in my ability to draw the ball  even with my driver.  What has been so surprising is the little amount of technical change that I have been asked to make.  Brian seems to have taken the way I play and suggested minor modifications which have had a powerful effect on my game.  I now see no reason why I can't play without slicing and, at the age of 67, I am confident that I can enjoy my golf more than ever for many years to come."

Phil - 16 handicap

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Overall, we both really enjoyed the 3 days spent under your guiding hand.  We realised from your website that we were to learn a new approach to the game and that is exactly what you delivered.  We took on board the relaxation principles and some of the finer technical points and it all made perfect sense to us.  I can't speak so clearly for Sally (as she is currenty travelling), but, since the course, we are both enjoying the game more based on the relaxation principles alone.  Just speaking for my own game, while I am still experiencing the novelty of hitting shots to the left (such a change from almost always shanking to the right), I am gradually ironing out the angles at the driving range.  The more I think about slowing down the swing (and not 'killing the snake'), the more it seems to work.  I am also gaining more distance and, more often than not, finding myself choosing a more lofted club than previously for the final approach shots to the green.  In terms of results, we've played a few games since the course.  In the first, I shot 102 (!), much higher than my more normal mid nineties and wrote it off to re-adjusting to the new 'danse'.  Since then I have had a 94 and 91 and played nine holes at a slightly harder course where I shot 45.   Hopefully, I'll be below 90 before long.

Compared to what we expected, we knew we were in for a different approach in advance and found your teaching skills well matched to the subject in hand.  The most surprising thing we learnt was the more you relax the better you hit the ball, as opposed to previous lessons which emphasize the point that the more you contort yourself at the top and through your swing the better the shot.  They never say anything about relaxation and adapting your swing to your comfort zone.

Edmund and Sally RW - 25&30 handicaps

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My mind is completely uncluttered and I dance around the golf course.  I now laugh when I do a silly shot and no longer berate myself.  It amazes me how many ladies do exactly that and I now try to persuade them to use your advice.  I have had many comments about my improved swing and await my first qualifying competition and hope the handicap drops.  ;:My only negative comment is that the course was too short !!!!!   You ask about things that we found surprising or totally new and we both felt that the course would actually be structured in a similar way to that of previous courses.  In other words technique based and in actual fact that the emphasis was entirely on positive thinking and allowing the body to react in a very natural way was wonderfully refreshing and certainly positive. 

Sheelagh M  - 20 handicap

The course for me was a complete revelation.  It gave me the chance to think about the game in a completely new way and I can honestly say that my actual play since returning has improved beyond recognition.  I am amazed that that I give virtually no thought to actual techniques I make a judgement on line and length and choose a club, which I then swing in a very relaxed manner and find I am achieving excellent, for me, results.   I ask myself "What happened on the course which could have changed my golf in such a significant way?" and feel that it was the stress you placed on allowing the natural rhythms of the body, unimpeded with thoughts of techniques to produce the swing.  I guess to sum up I feel totally relaxed and have no thought that I shall not produce the outcome I am attempting.  Totally amazing.  You asked for negatives but I cannot think of any. "They stand and they swing, the clubs do their own thing and the balls are allergic to holes"  This no longer applies to me. 

Gerry M -  22 handicap

You can now add us to your list of successes for over 70`s,   Thank you again and hope to meet up with you the next time we visit my sister in Kent.        Very best regards.    Gerry and Sheelagh

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Thank you again for your time and instruction this past week. Jeff and I both feel that we are progressing to new levels with your help and we appreciate the simplicity by which you offer this help. As you know, we went to the Ladies British Open on Sunday. While amazed at the small physical size of many players as well as long length of the drivers! used by many of them, we saw many of the basics you taught us in play (Julie Inkster's first putt of Sunday). I know that the quality of our Scotland trip in a couple weeks has already been improved by your help. I shot 104 on the Shores and Dunes at Princes' (brutal reality, no soft scoring). It gives me hope for the future and double digit scoring. I think this particular lesson session was also a significant emotional experience for Jeff. I, too, have seen his transition from super technical player to a more fluid swing player, who has demonstrated competency on all the various strokes. Your coaching has made the difference. I am not sure where you derive your professional satisfaction, but be assured that we will give testimony to your ability to enable and enhance pleasure of play for the most ''casual'' of players(me).

Susan Y - 36 handicap

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I can only say that your style, complete understanding & love of golf suited & intrigued me. I respond well to enthusiasm & I enjoy taking advice from people who know their subject thoroughly & can therefore make the issues very simple.

It's added to my enjoyment of the game, that it doesn't have to be a technique driven exercise to improve, more of a feeling, rhythm & understanding of golf. I thought the facilities were good and the accommodation was perfect.

Dan O - 22 handicap

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We have just completed a 3-day residential course and the 3 words which represent our feelings are: INTERESTING, RELAXING & LIBERATING.

The 3 day course was excellent and the Hotel very good.  As David made the booking I had no idea what to expect and it was very different to what I anticipated,so pleasantly surprised.  It made me realise how tense I was about my game especially chipping, even after numerous lessons. You corrected this in one session, and I am still chipping 99% out of 100%. So it truly worked for me.

David is still very relaxed in his game and I think enjoying it more.  We played today with friends and he didn't get uptight once,  one of these friends has a habit of winding him up!!  So not only relaxed in his game but relaxed with others also.

Thank you again for an excellent 3 days, I look forward to seeing you in the future.

Sheila G - 33 handicap

As I am into life coaching, meditation etc I think  that I thought your course would be more thoughtful and relaxed - and it was.  I did expect more technical work but, with hindsight, I am very pleased that it didn't.

My game is still much more relaxed and my relaxed swing has drawn comments from a couple of my playing partners.  I haven't broken the course record yet but I am still feeling very positive about future improvements to my game as a result of my more relaxed game.  I am hitting some shots with more confidence (ie flop shots) and my drives are longer. 

On the pre-course questionnaire I said my 3 aims were to: 1) hit longer and straighter drives, 2) hit straighter mid-irons and 3) gain a better swing.  Well I am longer off the tee and I am working on keeping it straighter, I feel my mid-irons are straighter because I am more relaxed and I really feel I have a better swing.  On that basis the course a great success!

David G - 12 handicap

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Brian

Just thought i would let you know and thank you for your help in aiding me to win my club's Lady Captains Day. I went round with a net score of 68. I had a great day beating a field of about 100 ladies.

I was really thrilled to win and have to say that a lot of my success i believe is down to your work with me.

I won a lovely bowl and had to give my first golf speech at the prersentation.

I have achieved quite a bit in my life but this was really special

Thanks once again

regards

Sue

Sue N - 24 handicap

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"Thanks again for the recent putting lesson. I played in a four-ball competition at the weekend and was pleased to notch 3 birdies, including 2 fifteen-foot right-to-left putts!  Thanks, as always, for an inspirational session at Manston."

David G - 8 handicap