Welcome to the Roger Gray Golf blog. Here you'll find practical tips, coaching advice, and insights from a PGA Professional with decades of tournament and teaching experience. Whether you're a beginner taking golf lessons in Brentwood or an experienced player looking to shave strokes off your handicap, these articles are written to help you play better golf.
15 May 2026
5 Tips to Improve Your Golf Swing: A PGA Professional's Guide
Your golf swing is the foundation of your game. As a PGA Professional who has taught hundreds of golfers at Thorndon Park in Brentwood, I've seen the same issues come up time and again. Here are five practical adjustments that will make the biggest difference to your ball striking.
1. Get Your Grip Right
The grip is the only connection between you and the club, yet most amateur golfers never have theirs checked. A neutral grip — where you can see two knuckles on your lead hand at address — gives you the best chance of returning the clubface square at impact. Too strong or too weak, and you'll fight a hook or slice all day.
2. Check Your Posture at Address
Good posture sets up everything that follows. Bend from the hips (not the waist), keep a slight flex in the knees, and let your arms hang naturally. Your weight should be balanced on the balls of your feet. I see many golfers in Brentwood standing too upright or too hunched — a small adjustment here can transform your swing plane.
3. Focus on Tempo, Not Speed
One of the most common mistakes I see is golfers trying to hit the ball hard rather than swing smoothly. A good tempo — roughly a 3:1 ratio of backswing to downswing — produces more consistent contact and, counterintuitively, more distance. Think "smooth" rather than "fast" and you'll be surprised by the results.
4. Complete Your Backswing
Many golfers cut their backswing short, especially under pressure. Make sure you complete a full shoulder turn — your back should face the target at the top. This creates the coil and stored energy that generates power on the downswing without any extra effort.
5. Finish in Balance
A good swing has a good finish. If you can hold your follow-through position for three seconds with your weight on your front foot and your belt buckle facing the target, you've made a balanced swing. If you're falling off balance, something earlier in the swing needs attention.
Want personalised help with your swing? Book a golf lesson in Brentwood with me at Thorndon Park and we'll work on the specific areas that will make the biggest difference to your game.
10 May 2026
What to Expect at Your First Golf Lesson
Thinking about taking up golf but not sure what a lesson involves? Here's everything you need to know before booking your first session with a PGA Professional in Brentwood.
Before Your Lesson
You don't need any experience or equipment to start. If you don't have your own clubs, I can provide them for your lesson. All you need is comfortable clothing — at Thorndon Park, the dress code is traditional golf attire (trousers with a collared shirt, tucked in). Arrive 5-10 minutes early so we can have a quick chat about your goals.
During the Lesson
Each lesson lasts 45 minutes and is entirely one-to-one. I'll start by watching you hit a few shots (or, if you're a complete beginner, we'll start with the basics of how to hold and swing a club). From there, I'll identify the key areas to work on and give you clear, simple drills and adjustments. Practice balls are included.
What You'll Learn
In your first lesson, you'll typically cover the fundamentals: grip, stance, posture, and a basic swing. For complete beginners, the goal is to have you making consistent contact with the ball by the end of the session. For more experienced golfers, we'll focus on whatever aspect of your game needs the most attention.
After Your Lesson
I'll give you one or two things to practice before our next session. I keep things simple — there's no point overloading you with ten different swing thoughts. Most of my students see noticeable improvement after just one lesson, and significant progress after a block of three.
Ready to get started? Book your first golf lesson at Thorndon Park, Brentwood.
5 May 2026
Why Your Short Game Is Costing You Shots (And How to Fix It)
The quickest way to lower your scores isn't hitting the ball further — it's getting better around the greens. Here's why your short game matters more than you think, and what you can do about it.
The Numbers Don't Lie
The average 18-handicap golfer hits fewer than 4 greens in regulation per round. That means on at least 14 holes, your score depends on how well you chip, pitch, and putt. Yet most amateur golfers spend 90% of their practice time on the driving range hitting full shots. If you want to lower your scores quickly, flip that ratio.
The 3 Most Common Short Game Mistakes
1. Trying to scoop the ball into the air. Let the loft of the club do the work. Keep your hands ahead of the clubhead through impact, and you'll get a clean, consistent strike every time.
2. Using the wrong club. You don't need to hit a lob wedge from 10 yards off the green. A bump-and-run with an 8-iron is far more reliable and predictable. Choose the club that gets the ball on the ground and rolling towards the hole as quickly as possible.
3. No distance control. Distance control on chips and pitches comes from the length of your backswing, not the speed of your hands through the ball. Practice hitting chips to specific landing spots and you'll develop the feel that saves strokes.
A Simple Practice Routine
Next time you're at the course, spend 20 minutes on the practice green. Hit 10 chips each from three different distances (5 yards, 15 yards, and 30 yards). Focus on landing the ball on a specific spot and letting it roll to the hole. You'll see a measurable improvement in your scoring within weeks.
Want to take your short game to the next level? Book a short game lesson and we'll work on the techniques that will save you the most strokes.