Chef's recipe for golfing success gives food for thought.

Golfers who have been playing the new on‐course game GolfMission have hailed its birdie‐boosting effects after seeing their handicaps tumble.

GolfMission is a challenge‐based game, played on the course alongside the usual Stableford or stroke‐play format. It was originally designed to add spice and entertainment to an annual social tournament, but it soon became clear that the benefits of the game went way beyond playing for a wager.

At the start of the round each player receives a GolfMission card which demands certain tasks be completed on pre‐determined holes during the round. Depending on individual handicaps, players need to complete between three and six missions to win.

Phil Andrews, a member at South Herefordshire GC, has been playing GolfMission for three months and has seen his handicap drop from 28 to 19.

He said: “The great thing about GolfMission is that it concentrates the mind and identifies the parts of your game which require improvement.

“If you don’t achieve the mission set then it’s easy to pinpoint your weaknesses. Normally you’d probably focus only on the good aspects of your game.
“I’ve used it a lot when playing with my brothers or friends because it’s also an entertaining game as well as being beneficial. And if you’re having a bad round, with GolfMission you can still achieve your given goals. It’s a great product.”

Celtic Manor member Gavin Lawler echoed Andrews’ sentiments.

He said: “After a three‐month trial using GolfMission twice a week, my handicap dropped from 9.6 down to 4.6. It has completely transformed my focus out on the course and my thoughts are on golf for the entire round.
“If you’ve already taken a six on a hole you may still get the opportunity to achieve your mission with one putt. So you still concentrate on your game and it keeps me positive. I then go to the next tee in a much more positive frame of mind and it stops me losing my head.

“Since I’ve started using GolfMission my course management has become outstanding and my game has come on in leaps and bounds. I’m forever preaching about it to my friends and now they’re seeing the benefits too.”

So did Lawler, who, a few weeks after eulogising about GolfMission went on to win Celtic Manor’s club championship!
Another amateur golfer who has found success with GolfMission is Ashley Palmer‐Watts, the executive chef at the three‐Michelin‐starred Fat Duck restaurant.

He said: “Like most amateur golfers I struggle to take my range game to the course but when I started playing GolfMission I realised it helped to focus my mind. It encourages better course management and helps me get used to playing shots under pressure. Subsequently my game has definitely improved.”

Palmer‐Watts was one of the first to be introduced to the game because it was devised by a fellow chef, Geoff Chapman, and was demonstrated while the two were enjoying a social round of golf.

Chapman said: “It is often said that the simplest ideas are the best and the concept behind GolfMission is quite simple. But it is also said that 90 per cent of golf is played between the ears, yet as amateur golfers we spend thousands of pounds on training gimmicks just to help us try to find an advantage in the other 10 per cent.”

“GolfMission is a fraction of the cost of such gizmos and works on the 90 per cent while increasing enjoyment of the game. It couldn’t be simpler. After all, we learn the most when we are having fun and being stretched and challenged.”

The product is due to launch very soon and available via http://www.golf-mission.com and will feature at the NEC Golf Show in the UK at the end of November.

Look out for the Golfshake.com feature review once we have been on the course and tried it out!