The Proclaimers, The MacDonald Brothers, Gavin & Scott Hastings, Richie & Jonny Gray, Hen & Joe Broon, Gash & Burney Nesbitt.
Scotland have a long history of producing Brothers for the Big Time but it`s safe to say that none of the above have reached the dizzy heights, nope not even the lanky Hen Broon, of the Marvellous Murray`s.
As a Nation known more for making a racket than playing Tennis with one, it is actually quite astounding to think that right now Scotland has the World`s Best Tennis Player, and also the one half of the World`s Best Tennis Doubles Partnership. Perhaps, like all success in Tennis, it starts with a good cervix. (See what I did there). So much of the credit for this tremendous tennis twosome must go to Judy. I`m sure she`s as proud as punch and thinking to herself 'dats de way to do it.'
I suppose it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the important role that their dad played in this fairytale, because without his initial input it`s pretty safe to say they wouldn`t be around to tell the tale at all. In fact you could say that Andy`s rise to the top was all thanks to Murray`s Mount?
Being serious for a second, the achievement of both boys is incredible, but in particular Andy Murray reaching Number 1 in the World in a sport that constantly requires you to overcome the best face-to-face, week after week, is fantastic. Many would say that Tennis has just witnessed the era that included 3 of the greatest players the sport has ever had in Federer, Nadal & Djokovic….now Murray has made a great case for people to claim it was 4.
That`s the equivalent of toppling Palmer, Nicklaus & Player in their prime. Just a phenomenal achievement.
So what`s the secret?
Personally I don`t think there is one. Just massive amounts of hard work, dedication, passion (which he shows in typically Scottish style), hunger and belief. No question there is talent there in abundance too, but he`s the best in the World now because he took all his talent and worked his backside off to improve all the skills required to be a top tennis player and a world class athlete.
What`s even more interesting is what it took to become Number 1 in the World this year compared to last year. Not much.
That sounds blasé but by not much I mean, nothing blatantly obvious. It was more a case of making small improvements in EVERYTHING. So now when you compare his performance in every aspect of both his individual skill set and the in match situations he needs those skills for, he has improved his stats/performance in every single area.
So as Winter sets in and you reflect on your 2016 Golfing year, and perhaps think about what went wrong, let me set you this challenge.
What about in 2017 your goal was to simply improve every aspect/department of your game by only a few percent?
For example:
Just hitting 1 more fairway per round / Or 1 less destructive Tee shot?
Just hitting 1 more Green in 1 less shot?
Just hitting 1 pitch or chip close enough to tap in?
Just getting 1 bunker shot to makeable distance?
Just making 1 more sensible decision rather than going for the glory recovery?
Just holing 1 more putt per round that you thought you should make?
Just being that little bit more prepared for every round?
So as we are reflecting on last season I did my own look back at 2016 to see if I could give you some inspiration. Firstly here is a number that impressed me:
198 Portlethen Male Members (boys & men) finished 2016 with a Lower Exact Handicap than they started.
Of those golfers, 157 actually finished 2016 with a Lower Playing Handicap than they started as well.
Now hopefully here is a number that will impress you... 85 of those golfers had Invested in Coaching, Customised Equipment or both.
Now, I`m not trying to convince you I work miracles. For some these improvements might have come quickly and easily. For others they might have had to work harder, endure a little regress, before they made any progress. And there will also be some that didn`t get any success from their instruction.
But, if you want to IMPROVE, you definitely need something to CHANGE. If you cut your finger - yes, time will heel that. If you cut your drives - taking the winter off I`m afraid will not have the same effect.
So here is my promise to you - My Coaching will not strip you down and ask you to start from scratch, it will not ridicule you and it will not ruin you. What it will do is give you firstly an understanding of why it doesn`t work as efficiently as you`d like, secondly that knowledge will then give you a foundation to build on as you work towards making each individual part of your skill set just that little bit better. Get enough small gains in each area of your game then you`ll have more confidence, trust and ability to go out and score better, more often.
Taking 3 strokes off your handicap might be just as easy as improving each bit of your game 5%.
So if you find yourself answering the question "What do you want for your Christmas?" with "Acht, I really don`t need anything"...
Why not add, 'Enjoyment', 'Fun', 'Lower Scores & Handicap'….and maybe even 'Trophies' to your list, then tell your loved ones to get you a Lesson Package Voucher - And get your Golfing New Year off on the front 'first' foot.
Complete Game Package: "Top To Toe Improvement" (3x 45 Minute Session) - £105
This Package focuses on every aspect of your game where you will be given analysis and advice on how to improve your:
Tee To Green Game (Session 1 - Long Game)
Approach Play (Session 2 - Shortgame)
Putting Prowess (Session 3 - Putting)
Development Plan Package: "The Game Changer" (4x 45 Minute Session) - £140
This Package is the ideal way to make simple, effective and long lasting improvements to your game. Whether it is focusing on one particular aspect or gaining knowledge and adding improvement to every department of your golf game.
Individual Lesson Prices
30 Minute Lesson - £30
45 Minute Lesson - £35
60 Minute Lesson - £40
To book your lesson, click here.
I`m sure there will be many of the Tour Players reflecting on their 2016 Season now that it has officially finished.
The Race To Dubai finished its final lap in the DP World Tour Championship at the Jumeriah Golf Estate. There are not many golf events that produce 2 winners but the season finally would settle who had won the season long Race to Dubai (Order of Merit in old money.) as well as who would win that week`s event.
In the week that saw Andy Murray claim No.1 following an incredible year that had the highs of a Major at Wimbledon, a fantastic Olympic Games and a supreme level of consistency it was quite fitting that a man who`s golf season carried many of the same parallels would be crowned European No.1.
Henrik Stenson played 15 events in Europe and finished in the Top 10 in 11. He also claimed his first Major with a sensational, record breaking, performance in The Open Championship at Troon and was just pipped to a Gold Medal at the Rio Olympics. He only just pipped Danny Willet to the Race To Dubai title and given that the Masters Champion has really had quite a poor mid-to-end of season which included a woeful showing at the Ryder Cup so it perhaps highlights flaws in the points allocations for the season long title.
Someone else who had a Ryder Cup debut to forget was Matthew Fitzpatrick but he definitely has something to smile about (and build on into 2017) having triumphed in the stand alone event last weekend. I`m sure he`ll be particularly proud of how he 'closed out ' the win with a fabulous up-&-down at the 18th for Birdie to clinch it.
I`m sure it`ll be a Very Merry Christmas in the Fitzpatrick household this year following his 1.2 Million Euro haul.
Remember you`ve got the perfect opportunity to make your Christmas better value this year too.
Especially if you come along to my:
There are some Crazy Savings to be had on virtually every Product Category.
We`ve got great Deals & Promotions on:
Woods
Wedges
Waterproofs
Bags
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Sweaters
GPS
Trolleys
Remember, we`ve also got the Night Golf & Late Night Disco running too so why not come along and see what`s on offer or simply sample the Mulled wine & Stovies.
I`m praying that the weather plays ball....
Certainly it hasn`t recently with the course flip-flopping between open and closed because a whole host of weather conditions. It`s been frosty, then flooded, then sunny, then showery! When it has been open we have had to resort to the Winter Greens. Which gives me the perfect opportunity to remind you all of the Winter 'Course Regulations'
When the Course is playing to the:
Summer Greens =
Winter Greens =
It`s pretty straight forward wouldn`t you agree?
Summer Greens ON = Fairways ON = Bunkers ON
Summer Greens OFF = Fairways OFF = Bunkers OFF
Before the weather turned we did manage to get the Week 3 Fixtures of the Winter League played which keeps us on track with that.
Click here to check out how those series of matches played out and the current Standings to date..
Black Friday will give you plenty of Big Buck Savings, but if it`s just small Gift Ideas and Stocking Fillers you`re after then we`ve got them in abundance too.
These will make the ideal Christmas gift for the Golfer or Jedi in your family. They might not use it until next Spring, so on Dec 25th May the 4th be with you.
If you`re just thinking 'Balls' to Christmas this year then we can help you there too.
Callaway Chrome Soft Double dozen Packs - ONLY £49.99
Callaway Supersoft 15-Ball Superpack - ONLY £19.99.
