Hello Golfers,
I hope this finds you well. So I think we can officially say that the golf season is under way. The clocks changed last weekend and this weekend sees the return of summer tees so what with the Masters only a week away we are off and running in golf season 2015. There has been plenty of activity at the Club this past week with lots of you taking to the course and gearing your game up for the season ahead. Now is the perfect time to fine-tune both your game and the equipment you use. We are your complete solution for any help required in these areas, as I will explain below. For now though, I hope you enjoy the rest of this week's newsletter and have a fruitful week on the course.
Here in the pro shop we are your complete golfing solution. Our team with Myself, James and Chris are experts in the fields that matter most to all golfers: the standard of their golf game and the equipment they use. So what services can we offer and who can deliver those services?
Custom Fitting - All three of us are trained to be able to custom fit any golfer. We can help establish the correct type of equipment that would best suit your game and fit you with the correct shaft, grip, lie angle and much more. All this is done at no cost if you purchase the equipment you are fitted for from us. We can book fittings any time of the week to suit the individual. To book a fitting come and talk to either Myself, James or Chris.
Gap Testing and Ball Fittings - All three of us are trained to be able to give a customer either a complete gap testing which will allow us to show you how far you hit each of the clubs in your bag on average including carry distances and total distances. We can then print out a complete list for you to take away as a reminder. We are again trained to fit you for the correct golf ball that best suits your game. This can be based around a certain feel you like from a ball or how much spin you create which can affect distance. Once we have fitted you with the correct ball you will given a sleeve of the chosen ball to take away and play with. To book a fitting come and talk to either Myself, James or Chris.
Coaching - Both James and I are both PGA qualified golf coaches. James is here as a full-time coach/custom fitter. I am also available for coaching if any one specifically requires me and of course am around full-time for custom fittings. Lesson packages can be tailored to suit a player's game or if it is just a quick brush-up session or quick fix then this can also be catered for. To book a fitting come and talk to myself or James.
So as you can see we really are your complete golfing solution and are here to help and advise you on your way to better golf. For more information on any of the services above please come and see us in store or get in touch here.
We are currently running the following fantastic Trade-In campaigns for our customers to take advantage of.
Battery Trade-In - This is a fantastic opportunity to upgrade your current lead acid battery for a new lithium version. Lithium is not only lighter but also takes less time to charge and has a 5-year guarantee. If you trade-in your old lead acid battery you will receive £25 OFF the retail price off a new lithium battery. Learn more here.
Shoe Trade-In - We are offering a great trade in campaign on certain pairs of new golf shoes from FootJoy and adidas. All you have to do is bring in your old golf shoes and we will give you up to £20 OFF certain models. Learn more here.
FootJoy Shoe Fitting Day - We held our FootJoy Shoe Fitting Day on Saturday and it was a huge success. We had Sam from FootJoy here for five hours giving members the opportunity to have their feet expertly measured not just for the correct size but also the correct width and even for the best suited style of shoe. It was very enlightening and amazing how many golfers wear ill-fitted shoes.
We had the benefit of receiving some staff training from Sam using our shoe fitting gauge so we can offer our customers a shoe fitting experience any day of the week.
As promised last week, I am going to start a US Masters countdown with a bit of information about some key holes at Augusta and I am also going o give you my top tips for who may be putting on the Green Jacket.
Course Guide
Hole 11 - White Dogwood - 505 yards (Par 4) - This hole begins Amen Corner and wind is often a facto. The tee shot plays downhill and left-to-right. A pond guards the green to the left and a bunker is strategically placed right centre. This hole may best be remembered for Larry Mize's miraculous chip-in to defeat Greg Norman in a playoff in the 1987 Masters. Prior to 1950, Rae's Creek ran in front of this green. It was replaced by a larger hazard in form of the current pond.
Hole 12 - Golden Bell - 155 yards (Par 3) - One of the world's most famous golf holes, this is Augusta National's shortest par three. Club selection is often difficult, as varying winds can require anything from a 6-iron to a nine-iron for Masters competitors. The daunting presence of Rae's Creek and three strategically placed bunkers make it imperative that players land their shots on the putting surface. Golfers walk across the Ben Hogan Bridge to reach the green. The 12th hole has been a heartbreaker from the start. Its fickle winds, narrow green and looming water have thwarted many runs for the Masters title.
Hole 13 - Azalea - 510 yards (Par 5) - An accurate tee shot to the centre of the fairway on this sweeping dogleg left allows a player to go for the green in two. A tributary to Rae's Creek winds in front of the raised green, and four bunkers threaten behind. The Byron Nelson Bridge is located just off the tee. More discovered than designed, this hole was originally an open field. Virtually all that Alistair Mackenzie had to do was to build a green on the far side of the stream.
Hole 18 - Holly - 465 yards (Par 4) - One of the most famous finishing holes in golf, this uphill dogleg right is protected by two bunkers at the left elbow of the fairway. A drive hit down the centre will often require a middle iron for a second shot to a deep, narrow green guarded by one bunker short-left and another hard right. Even in its original form, the 18th green had two distinct tiers. The surrounds have been contoured to improve sight lines for spectators.
My top tips
This year, more than ever, there seems to be a big buzz around the season's first major. There are so many good players teeing it up that it becomes almost impossible to pick a winner. However I have picked three players who I think may have a great chance of slipping on that famous Green Jacket at Augusta. So if you have a few pennies to spare this may be where to place your bets:
Rory McIlroy - World number one and chasing the career grand slam
Bubba Watson - Two time Masters winner, enough said
Jordan Speith - Only a matter of time before he wins his first major
Masters Sweepstake
We sold our first Masters Sweepstake sheet out inside the first week so we are selling it again! £2.50 will get you a drawn player in the Masters field and a chance to win some ££££'s. There are prizes for best and worst rounds each day as well so there are plenty of chances to win. Come in to the pro shop and buy your square, but be quick!
Pop then Shop over the Masters Weeend
Over the weekend of the Masters we are holding a "pop then shop" promotion. Basically, the shop will be full of green and yellow balloons and every balloon will have a ticket inside offering some kind of discount or FREE product.
Anyone spending £1 or more will get the opportunity to pop a balloon and see what ticket comes out. They then will have until 6pm on Sunday, 12 April to use whatever is on their ticket. Celebrate the Masters in style.
Masters Putting Challenge
In tribute to the Masters we are holding a Masters putting competition on Saturday, 11 April. Held on the putting green, players pay £1 for five putts and are putting to a hole with surrounding target. Players receive points depending on where they putt their balls. Players can have as many goes as they like. Be aware that as it is a Masters putting challenge the putt is likely to be quick!! Who's up to the challenge?? There is a great prize on offer to the winner!
Absent Friends - This year's Absent Friends competition takes place on bank holiday Monday, 25 May. This year is the 20th year anniversary and hopefully it will be a bumper field. This is a day where members past and present unite to share memories. Sue Pearman will be sponsoring the day with any guest paying just £6. Please support the day and sign up for the event on the mixed board.
Team Multiplier - Saturday saw a good field compete in a team multiplier. With the best two scores on each hole then multiplied together it was going to be interesting to see what the scoring would be like. The winning score was registered by the last group out by the team of Micky Davis, Roger Carpenter and Kieran Hewings who signed for 113 points.
Ladies Medal - The ladies played their first qualifying medal of the season this week. On Saturday, Sue Longstreeth won Division One with a nett 72 and Fiona Carpenter won Division Two. On Tuesday it was Sarah Faithfull who defied strong winds to post a superb nett 71 to win Division One. Serena Skinner took Division Two's honours with Pauline Robinson leading the way in Division Three.
When talking to golfers there seems to be a desire to hit the TV pitch shot. The one that fires in low with speed, has a few bounces and then dances around the flag. This is a very in-depth shot/technique to practice however here are some main tips to provide some help.
Weight should be on the left side with the handle leaning forward. The body and hips should rotate together through impact into a short finish to help drive the ball. To generate the most spin, speed is crucial along with strike. A soft and slow pitch will generate much less spin (hopefully backspin not sidespin) than a quicker motion. Strike must be in the middle of the club but one of two grooves down from centre to create maximum friction leading to spin. The divot should be minimal and the head must not move back through the shot.
When mastered this technique it can be used from approximately 30-90 yards and can save countless shots. Can you afford to not try this? To talk to me about this concept or to book a lesson come in at anytime.
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 4 Apr - 10.00am-11.00am - Junior Coaching
