Ampfield head pro Martin Butcher on Charlie Forster

The 70-year-old former European Tour player, who currently works as the head pro at Ampfield Golf Club in Romsey, has been the man responsible for developing the swings of two of the eight Hampshire players who have gone on to represent Great Britain and Ireland in the biennial clash against the USA, which has been played for more than 100 years.

Former Hampshire Junior Champion Charlie Forster was something of a late developer, only taking up the game seriously some seven years ago, having been a promising footballer.

Father Lance was coached by Martin and Charlie would tag along while dad was having a lesson at Meon Valley Golf & Country Club.

Forster’s coach Martin Butcher believes Charlie’s ball-striking has the all hall-marks of being world-class. (Image: Lance Forster) Charlie’s talent quickly became obvious, and he was soon following Lance to see Martin for his own lessons as his handicap came tumbling down from 13 to low, single figures in a matter of months.

Butcher is confident that Forster has the tools to acquit himself well in the Californian cauldron awaiting at Cypress Point, this weekend, when the USA are again overwhelming favourites to add to their 39 victories out of the 49 matches played in total as the Walker Cup celebrates its 50th staging.

Martin said: "There are several things about Charlie that stand out and make him a real prospect in my eyes.

"Yes, when he first came to see me, he had a bit of an awkward swing. But Charlie is very, very intelligent.

"And he is really keen to work hard and learn how to make his swing better.

"I have been a big student of biomechanics down the years.

"Yes, the players have got to have talent and got to have a good technique.

"Concentrating on working on those things has paid off for Charlie.

"I don’t say it lightly but the way he has learned to deliver the clubface to the ball is really world-class.

"When I think about the best players with the best swings in the game’s history, for me there are three truly world-class ball strikers – Ben Hogan, Sam Snead and Sergio Garcia.

"I have told Charlie that there are lots of similarities between the way he strikes the ball when you examine his swing on video and compare it to Sergio.

"There is a lot of talk about how you have to be able to hit shots under pressure.

"Charlie’s technique is so good and he just wants to get better," said Martin, who has taught at Hedge End Golf Centre and Meon Valley G&CC over the last 20 years.

"I would say right now, Charlie is not even close to his full potential – maybe he’s at 80 per cent.

"He has got what only the very, very good players have got, and Charlie can go on to be really, really good."

Report by Andrew Griffin