Hello Golfers,
I trust this finds you all well and you have managed to play some golf this week. Frost has been a theme this past week or so with most days starting with a white look to them and an air temperature so cold that the greens have stayed frozen all day. Thankfully, as I write this, we are back on main greens with bunkers in play so unfortunately no excuse now for not hitting greens! On the theme of hitting greens, keep reading the newsletter for some great advice on how you can hit more greens this season.
We are giving some of you the opportunity to take part in a new initiative called the Power Hour! The concept is that you team up with a partner to play myself and James around a chosen course over 6 holes on our GC2 Simulator. The format will be betterball pairs Stableford and we will be putting dates and times forward imminently.
The idea is that as well as trying to beat us, you will receive helps and tips throughout your round which you can take away and hopefully benefit from. The best 3 pairs scores after all matches have been played will then qualify for a grand final where the best score will win some great prizes.
The cost per person will be £10 but you will automatically receive a sleeve of three balls for taking part. Look out for the dates and times and good luck! To register your interest please contact the pro shop here.
A good field took to the course at the weekend to play in a men's team event. With the course frozen and playing on temporary greens, it was always going to be interesting to see what the scoring was like. The winning score of 66 points was recorded by the group of Adrian Izod, Brian Barron and Gary Heyworth. The next best three scores all recorded 64 points.
The Ladies took part in a 3 clubs and a putter event on Tuesday. On a cold day, choosing the right clubs to take was always going to be a key. The winning team did just that as Serena Skinner and Carol Wilson took top spot.
Sunderland waterproofs shine in the lights
It is a well known fact that a good set of waterproofs is crucial in order to play good golf in the winter. Well it looks like they are also crucial to a good holiday as well! One of our members recently took a cruise to see the northern lights. In temperatures that registered at -25c, the right clothing was obviously imperative. Therefore, Ian took his Sunderland waterproof trousers with him and was thrilled at the warmth and comfort they gave him. Just shows you how versatile modern golf clothing is.
Our best stock year ever
Exciting times are ahead in the pro shop as this year we will be holding our best ever selection of golfing goods. Our aim is to give our customers a great choice in quality product helping to ensure that you get exactly what you need or want. With our first class service and knowledge and a brilliant range of golfing goods, your very own pro shop here at The Valley is the only place to go for your golfing needs. We offer the following first class services:
Golf Lessons
Custom Fitting
Ball Fitting
Gap Testing
Club Repair Service
Re-Spiking Service
Corporate Day Prizes
Society Day Prizes
Our stock this year includes:
Hardware - Nike, TaylorMade, PING, Mizuno, Cobra and Titleist
Shoes - Nike, FootJoy, adidas and Puma. (Men's and ladies)
Clothing - Nike, Under Armour, FootJoy, adidas, PING and Puma
Bags - Nike, Titleist, PING, Cobra, Sun Mountain, TaylorMade and Motocaddy
Each week I will feature some new stock in the newsletter and on some products write a test review for you to read my thoughts on how it performs.
This year's initiatives
I have been working hard the last few weeks on a number of initiatives for the coming year. Here is a little taster of what we are going to be offering:
Nike Club Fitting Day
Nike Experience Day
Cobra Club Fitting Day
TaylorMade Demo Day
PING Club Fitting Day
10 yard challenge
Skills challenge
Putting clinic
Wedge clinic
Game and equipment MOT
Demo the new TaylorMade range on the course
We are really pleased to announce that we have signed a deal with TaylorMade to have 2 complete demo sets of clubs in stock for our customers to take out on to the course and play with.
This is pretty unique and a fantastic opportunity to properly test the performance of the clubs in a golf course environment. We have one set each of the RSi 1 and RSi 2 irons and a driver, fairway and rescue club in each of R15 and AeroBurner product to demo.
To take advantage of this opportunity please contact the pro shop.
Over the coming weeks I will be featuring a product review from some of the new products we have coming in to stock. I'm starting this week by reviewing what is in my bag for this year, the new Vapor range of woods from Nike Golf. You can view these products on my website, simply click here.
Vapor - On the back of the major success of last year's Covert range, Nike have produced their Vapor range of products. The red and white look has been replaced with black and volt. The shelf appeal of the product looks superb but it doesn't just stop at looks. Performance of the product is outstanding with a varying choice of options to suit every golfer. Let me run through the options with some key features and benefits to help you understand what model may suit your game best.
Flex driver - Classic looking shape with Flex Loft adjustability. Also fitted with adjustable weight cartridge to allow fine tuning of spin rates enabling a player to gain maximum benefit from the head.
Pro driver - Again a classic looking driver head with Flex Loft adjustability. Very much a distance based driver producing a mid launch with fairly low spin. As used by the best driver on the planet Rory McIlroy………..and slightly less impressive as used by myself. Although I have gained around 12 yards of distance with my new driver.
Speed driver - The most forgiving of the three driver options. Designed to launch it high and create distance this will be a very popular option as it is very forgiving. Again fitted with the Flex Loft system to allow total custom fitting.
We have a complete custom fitting cart allowing us to fit each individual golfer with the driver and set up that best suits their own requirements. I hope you have found this useful and if you would like to book a custom fitting to demo the Nike range then please contact the pro shop here.
Alignment - key to hitting more greens
A simple concept this week, alignment. This very key fundamental of set up needs to be constantly checked and worked upon. This is the easiest part of the game to slip into bad habits, or have it slightly out and be a cause to those bad shots. This is hard to master if hitting balls every day - if only playing once a week and be a real pain to master.
To give yourself the best chance of delivering the club to a desired position at impact and seeing the ball go where you want, alignment must play a big role. Feet, shoulders, club face should be pointing towards the same end product otherwise this could cause an unexpected shot.
Try to focus on a point in the distance, or just in front of the ball to help line the club face up. Though this sounds too simple to be true, practice lining up at home on a straight surface. You will be amazed at how out you can be. Slopes, visual tricks etc can make it difficult - a key in a playing lesson is always to watch alignment. You may be making a great swing but just pointing in the wrong direction. How frustrating!!
To talk to me about this concept or to book an on course lesson come in at anytime.
NEW Coaching Offers - Don't miss out!
Playing lesson special 4 holes - £20.00 including detailed report pictures/videos if wanted.
Dates for your diary
Saturday, 14 February - 10.00am-11.00am - Junior Coaching.
