Introducing NCG’s new instruction editor

Hello. My name is Andrew Wright – but you can call me Andy. I’ve just started as NCG’s new instruction editor and in this role I will helping you get better at this beautiful game of ours, whether that be supplying you with quick tips I find on my travels, or more in-depth instruction liaising with some of the best coaches in the game.

So here are a few words to help you get to know me…

My golf

Having grown up in Troon where most of the 15,000 residents are affiliated to golf in some capacity, I was no different. At the age of seven, my grandfather taught me the basics in military fashion to the point where I spent the best (worst) part of a year learning the swing without experiencing the satisfaction of actually hitting a ball.

Once the shackles came off, I was free to begin my assault through the handicap ranks at one of the local public courses, Fullarton. I joined the Troon St. Meddans club and after putting together my first three competitive rounds of golf, was given a modest handicap of 17.

After making steady progress for a couple of years, I left for Kilmarnock (Barassie) where I took my biggest strides. By the time I was 16, I had won a variety of events locally, challenged nationally, and reached the holy grail of scratch.

Since then sadly, there’s been a steady decline as thoughts of technique and a pursuit of perfection took over, albeit with some highlights along the way.

Currently, I hold a respectable handicap of 2 at Royal Troon with hopes to one day rekindle my form of old.

I have made four holes-in-one (Prestwick St Nicholas 12th, Whitecraigs 7th, Troon 14th and Moray 4th) and my favourite golfer growing up was Retief Goosen.

Caddying

As well as playing at Royal Troon, I have spent what feels like forever caddying at the Open Championship layout during the summer months, giving inadvertent coaching to golfers of varying abilities (to put it nicely).

I’ve lost count of the amount of times a player has looked at me, unable to comprehend the poor shot they’ve just hit. A simple “too quick” or “lifted your head” usually works for those deemed beyond hope, but there were success stories along the way.

The main areas where I’ve found shots can be easily saved are in navigating golfers to the path best trodden. While not the ‘sexiest’ way to approach a course you might never get the chance to play again, if you’re interested in post-round bragging rights it might surprise you but it pays to avoid bushes, bunkers and to play for the middle of greens.

Of course, my attempts at reason usually fell on deaf ears as the majority of visitors turn up with some grand notion that they “didn’t come here to lay up” and while that essentially changes the role from caddie to bag carrier, it normally results in spending four and a half hours traipsing through heavy rough looking for balls.

And on the very rare occasion, I have caddied for elite players.

Glasgow Gailes was the venue and I had the chance to caddie Jorge Campillo as he took on a young Rickie Fowler.

Without boring you with every detail, it was an eye-opener in every sense. The final score of the match read all square but truth be told, it was Jorge’s to win but for a ridiculous short game display by the then World No. 1 amateur.

Maybe that’s where the focus of my impending instruction content will begin.

On that note, that’s enough from me. I hope you enjoy the content I produce over the coming weeks, months and years.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below or you can tweet me.