Hello Golfers,
So we edge another week closer to the first major of the year - the US Masters. As always it is being eagerly anticipated and this year maybe more so than before, quite rightly so. Not only is it set to be a really open event with so many great players having a chance to don the Green Jacket but also they will all be trying to stop the "Rory Slam". Rory McIlroy goes in search of his first Masters title knowing that he if pulls it off he will become part of a select group of elite players to have one all four major titles in their career. It promises to be a brilliant event and next week I will start a US Masters build-up by reviewing a few of the key Augusta holes as well as picking out some of the leading contenders for the Green Jacket.
Most of us assume we know what size shoe we are. Believe it or not a lot of people are wearing shoes that fit incorrectly. This Saturday (28th March) we are holding a FootJoy Shoe Fitting Day at the club. A FootJoy fitting expert will be at hand to help all of you get the correct fit for your shoes. This is totally FREE and shouldn't be missed.
After the huge success of last year's Nike Experience Day, I am delighted that we will once again be staging the event. This year's date will be Sunday, 26 April and will once again see the Nike Golf fitters coming down to offer their expertise to all of you. We will once again be having some on-course Nike challenges such as a nearest the pin and longest drive competitions as well as a short game station around the putting green. The prize table will be again sponsored by Nike and there is entry in to a draw for a FREE trip to this year's Open Championship up for grabs as well as some superb on the day prizes for both ladies and men. The event is open to all players, both members and non-members and promises to be a brilliant event once again. To enter the Experience Day please come in to the pro shop.
We are currently organising this year's Pro-Am event which this year will be staged on Tuesday, 17 June. As always we would love you all to support what is once again likely to be a superb day. We have been blessed the last few years with brilliant weather and some superb golf and hopefully this year will be no different. We are looking for teams of three amateurs to enter in to the Pro-Am and we will then team you up with a West Region PGA Professional to compete in a team event. Each player will receive a bacon bap and coffee on arrival, 18 holes with a professional, a two-course meal after play and a superb prize table to play for. It really is a brilliant experience and great fun so please support this superb event and put your entries in to me as soon as possible. The Pro-Am precedes the West Region Fourball Professional event, which sees the West Region's top professionals compete over 36 holes in a fourball format.
The biggest field of the year so far took to the course to compete in the Monthly Stableford. Continuing his rich vein of form was club captain Ted Ridgewell who took top spot in Division One with a superb 41 points. Ted has now had his handicap reduced to 7. Steve Allen and Luke Yates recorded 39 points. Division Two was topped by Kieran Hewings with 41 points, one ahead of Steve Riley in second. Graham Horton's 40 points was enough to take top spot in Division Three from Gary Hill on 38 points.
Our new Motocaddy hire fleet goes Lithium - I have now taken delivery of my Motocaddy hire fleet for the season. This year I have chosen lithium batteries for the trolleys. The lithium batteries are a superb addition as they are so much lighter than the old 36 hole lead batteries on the previous trolleys. They also take a lot less time to charge. If you are looking to either upgrade your old electric trolley or simply purchase your first electric trolley then why not hire one of my fleet to take it for a test drive? If you then decide to purchase a trolley, I will refund you the hire cost. Come in to the pro shop to talk to us about this year's electric trolley range.
Battery Trade-In/Trade-Up - We are running a superb battery campaign to start the season. This starts on Monday, 30 March and is based around upgrading your existing lead acid battery for a new lithium battery. If you trade-in your current lead battery you will receive £25 OFF a new lithium battery or £25 OFF a new electric trolley with a lithium battery. The lithium batteries are available for both Motocaddy and Powakaddy trolleys and come in 18 hole and 36 hole options. Come in to the pro shop and talk to us about this great campagin.
Shoe Trade-In - Another superb trade-in campaign available in the pro shop is our shoe trade-in. Starting this Friday, 27 March, we have selected adidas and FootJoy shoe lines available to receive a discount on when trading-in your old shoes. Come in to the pro shop and take a look at the models available.
I have many a conversation in the pro shop with customers regarding their poor putting. It's amazing how many of them put their results on the green to "it's either your day or it's not". Although I agree that the golfing gods can sometimes have an influence, it really does go deeper than that. Technique will have a huge factor over consistency but also so does the type of putter you use.
Everyone will have a slightly different putting style, some people take the putter straight back and through where as others have more of an arcing stroke. Both styles are perfectly fine but will require a putter of varying styles. Straight back and through strokes will see more benefit using a mallet style putter while an arcing stroke would be better suited to a heel and toe type of putter. Which one are you? Come in to the pro shop and let us help you make the right choice with your putter style.
The putter is the club that on a great day you could use 23 times and 43 on a bad day. Wasting unnecessary shots on the green can destroy a great round and make you wonder where all those shots went. Putting techniques vary vastly per person - however each person should have a technique that enables them to deliver the putter in an efficient and repeatable manner the most times possible.
Do you know what stroke type you have?
It is impossible to deliver the putter perfectly straight back and through without manipulating it, however a putter can match a stroke depending on the amount of curve the player has. With putting being from the smallest distance there are plenty of simple, rewarding drills that can be done to quickly condition you into the mindset of holing putts.
I do less putting lessons than any other aspect!! Does that surprise you? In putting a simple technique overhaul followed by the appropriate drills and games will be all you need to lower those scores. The lie and putting technique can cause serious misses. 90% of the balls starting direction is controlled by the putter face, consider that next time you miss a put left and blame your stroke/stance. A custom fit putter can be the last thought for golfers, but one that can really make the quickest difference.
To talk to me about this concept or to book a lesson come in at anytime.
New Coaching Offers - Don't miss out!
Season Starter Package - 30 minute short game session on the course (perfect a shot you want or learn to hit more short shots); 30 minute long game (irons, woods, driver - you decide what would help you best) and 30 minute on-course evaluation (work on those shots, holds, or lies that wreck the scorecard). Yours for just £50.00 !!
Dates for your diary:
- Sat 28 Mar - 10.00am-11.00am - Junior Coaching
- Sun 29 Mar - 10.00am-11.00am - Junior Squad Coaching
