Dear Santa,
I've been a very good, well behaved and hardworking boy this year....so please, pretty please, may I possibly have the following:
1) A secret third choice for US President. (Or perhaps you could do it? You're not doing much else for the other 364 days. Mexicans celebrate Christmas don't they?)
2) 11 Andy Murray's at Wembley on Friday night (In fact, scrub that - Andy hits the net even less times than our Strikers)
3) Government Law that will allow them to overturn any public vote when they clearly make the wrong decision......in Strictly & X Factor.
4) All the unused 'Alps' that Toblerone aren't going to include now.
5) September again. Or just an Australian November.
6) Joey Barton's time off and spending money.
7) Jordan Spieth's Shortgame if you're feeling really generous?
8) Oh, what the heck, let`s chance my arm and throw in some world peace and a 1 belief system…….you don`t exist anyway so I may as well throw in more stuff of fantasy and make believe.
If only to keep it on a Christmassy theme I guess the next best direction to go is to Turkey.
For Thorbjorn Olesen the Turkish Airlines Open was a cracker (and there's no joke inside this time) only a little gift. 1,065,388 Euros to be precise. That bumper pay day righted a lot of wrongs in a particularly lacklustre season for the Dane. With 11 missed cuts in 25 starts, 2016 was essentially petering out for Olesen, but a strong finish in last week`s Portugal Masters clearly got Thorbjorn re-born again. Now, with that victory and fat cheque he has rocketed up the Race To Dubai standings quicker than a cat under the couch on Bonfire Night and now sits at 9th with only 2 events remaining.
So what was the big turnaround in Thorbjorns form and fortune? I bet it wasn`t as ground breaking as you might think, and it`s amazing how these Tour players perform better but without necessarily playing much better or differently. Significantly it`s almost always on the greens where the most notable stat changes….and the old adage of 'you putt for dough' is definitely on the money so to speak. But for these guys giving themselves easier approaches to the greens and more control over their ball plays a key part too so 'Drive for show' is perhaps just as relevant.
And on that topic, Thorbjorn, a top to toe Nike Staff Player (and virtually all the other Nike Tour Players - McIlroy & Casey included), who as you probably have heard are pulling out of the Golf Hardware/Equipment Market have left their portfolio of players in a fairly uncharted position of being able to choose what equipment they use, rather than playing the clubs they are paid to. What has proved really interesting is that almost every player to a man has opted to play the TaylorMade M Series of drivers.
In fact check out this great stat from the HSBC Event two weeks ago.
In Olesen and McIlroy`s case they both went for the TaylorMade M2 Model. An extremely popular seller this season, but clearly one that performs for every standard of golfer when it is correctly matched to that players ability.
It was reported that McIlroy, who we already know is one of the best drivers of the ball the game has ever seen possessing both length & accuracy, had gained in the region of 15 yards more carry than his old Nike driver, whilst also producing a more aggressive flight that would produce more roll when ground conditions would allow.
When players of that calibre are not only choosing certain equipment but also getting significant performance gains then that is as big an endorsement as you can get.
I personally chose to use the M2 Driver this year as well, and whilst I can`t claim performance figures like Rory, I can hand on heart say that it`s by far the best Driver I have ever used. And if I can add one significant testimony to its performance, it is the fact that I`ve hit some of the best drives with some of the worst swings.
By that I mean the Club is not only long, it`s mishit long too. Now, for Club golfer level that is the big plus.
Click here to find out more about the M family of woods.
If you're looking to book yourself in for a fitting session here at Portlethen, click here to get in touch or come and have a chat with us in the pro shop.
But as Rory has proved, everything can get better. So, I was fortunate enough to be invited to a fairly exclusive screening of the evolution of these products for next year. In an attempt to build that excitement TaylorMade are very keen to keep the details of this under wraps for a little while, and I have signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement so I can`t say too much.
But I can say they have done a great job of improving lots of things, everything you might say. But nothing too radical you`ll be glad to hear.
There will be Pre-Launch Fitting product available in the New Year with the actual products hitting the shelves come February.
So with that news I now have some amazing offers and availability on my M Series Fitting Clubs.
So now you can get your hands on a 'Rory McIlroy' Driver for only £189 .
And we also have the M1 Driver going for only £279 .
These also come with FREE Trial & FREE Set Up
We can also offer an expert Launch Monitor Custom Fit Session to make sure you get the very best set up for your game FOR ONLY £15 (Normal Fitting Session Rate - £30)
Note: All the Fitting Clubs have had Sole & Crown protection since the beginning so are in immaculate condition. The Ghost Tape will be removed after final Trial/Fitting.
Head Options Available
M2
10.5* HL
M1
9.5*
9.5* 430
10.5*(x2)
12*
Click here to get in touch to arrange your fitting session
Speaking of 'Only a few left' The uptake for the Night Golf Event has been good. However there are still a few spaces left on Friday, 25 November for anyone who hasn`t booked yet, and guests are allowed to come too.
We have slots for 4 Players available @ 5pm, 5.10pm & 5.20pm and also @ 8.10pm, 8.20pm & 8.30pm
We have slots for 2 Players available @ 5.30pm and a single slot @ 5.40pm
Also coming up on Friday, 25 Novemeber - Blackout Friday
Drop, Shop & Bop!
'You Don`t Want To Be Left In The Dark On This Night.'
DROP - Your shots close to the pin
As mentioned above, our night golf event will be taking place - £15 Per Person** Tee Times From 6pm - 8pm
Come along for a great fun event.
- Glowing Balls
- Fluorescent Flags
- Flashing Fairways
Test your skills & senses over our shortened course under the cover of darkness.
- Crazy Night Putting Challenge
- Friends & Family Most Welcome
- Refreshments Included - Warm, Cold, Soft or Hard……You Choose.
- Prizes & Presentation in Clubhouse after Golf.
SHOP - And take advantage of my 'Weekend ONLY Offers'
'Black Friday' In Store Savings. From 6pm
Great Reductions On Many Items*
*Selected & Stock Items ONLY. Full Payment Purchases - No Shop Credit.
BOP - 'Til You Stop
3D Disco - 'Drinking, Dancing & Darkness' - £5 Per Person from 8.30pm
Unwind after your working week and socialise with your fellow Members.
**Includes Post Round Refreshment & Disco Entry
To Book in for Night Golf &/Or Disco click here.
Unless you couldn`t tell from above…..it`s dark.. So just another quick reminder that the Professional Shop Winter Opening Hours are as follows:
Winter Opening Hours
Monday - Friday - 8.30am - 4.00pm
Saturday & Sunday - 8.00am - 4.00pm
Now obviously it`s dark at nights and quiet and cold during the day so unfortunately to help get my Christmas Message out to you guys means blasting you with all the goodies I have in store via this Newsletter. But hopefully it will help make either you, or your loved ones Christmas Shopping trips MUCH easier.
Why shop with us here at Portlethen?
No queues, free parking, open 7 days, free wrapping service if required, late night collection if required
Need I say any more?
We`ve also got Gifts for every golfer and every pocket.
Box Sets:
- Ladies & Gents Zip Sweaters
- Ladies & Gents Socks
- Ladies & Gents Hat & Scarf Sets
Crested Items:
- NEW Portlethen Half Sleeve & Sleevless ProQuip Windtops
- Headcovers for All Clubs
- Shirts
- Scorecard Holders
- Pitchmark Repairers & Ball Markers
- Holdalls
- Towels
- Scarfs
- Golf Gloves
- Caps
- Umbrellas
Fantastic Clothing Ranges
Choose from:
Under Armour
Galvin Green
ProQuip
Stuburt
Plus we will have many more Unbelievable Offers on Products in the next week or so. So make sure you check them out on my 'SHOP SPECIALS' Page on my Website in the next few days.
Click here to visit my website.
Speaking of checking Websites. Last week I mentioned the winter conditions that will now be in play (Below). There is another additional thing to remember on top of that which is as follows.
Mon-Fri: Start @ 10th Tee
Sat & Sun: Start @ 1st Tee as normal.
Always check the Website for early morning Course Conditions as this will be Updated before the Clubhouse phone line.
When the Course is playing to the:
Summer Greens =
- Play FROM Fairway (Preferred Lies)
- Play IN Bunkers (Lift, Rake & Replace)
Winter Greens =
- Lift OFF Fairway (Place In Semi Rough)
- Lift OUT Bunkers (Free Lift Out)
Winter conditions definitely means Winter League and last Saturday was Week 2.
Click here to check out the Results and Points Standings following last weekend`s Matches. Here, you can also check out the Match Ups for Week 3 Scheduled for 19th Nov.
Last week the Winter Alliance was held at a very wet Cruden Bay. The rain was on for the first 5 holes for us, and because we were out 3rd last we ended up playing in the pitch black from the 15th onwards. The golf was a game of two halves.. I went out in 39 and came back in 33 for a 72 (+3) which came T6. I can't say I enjoyed hitting off a mat and playing two holes on winter greens but I suppose it's the same for everyone.
Next week is at Fraserburgh where I've played in a blizzard a couple of years ago. Happy days.
In the club news:
The Junior Prize Giving will be held on Friday, 11 Novmeber. I will be attending and saying a few short words in my review of the Junior Year, from the Development Gang to the progression and success of many of the 18 Hole kids.
