Trouble viewing this email? Click here to view it in your browser
 

Stuart Wilson

Portlethen Golf Club PGA Golf Professional

Get in Touch: 01224 782571
Website: Golf Shop | Golf Club
Send us an email: Stuart Wilson

 
 
Your Golf Travel - Dubai Media Rotana From £969 Cleveland RTX-3 Wedge
 
Glenmuir AW16 Lambswool SweatersUA CGI Insulated Jacket
 
 

Choose Life…

Pros news 

Choose a line. Choose a speed. Choose a different line because the one you first picked now seems to low. Choose to hit it too soft because you raced the last one miles past. Choose to worry about how your backstroke looks and forget to follow through. Choose to worry about missing rather than think about holing. Choose practicing your Driver swing rather than reading the line while someone else is taking their turn. Choose to chip from a foot off the green. Choose to go 'Cack-Handed' on the 3rd just because two 20 footers didn`t drop on the first two greens. Choose a different ball because this one won`t go in the hole. Choose to order another pint before your tee time rather than practice. Choose not to practice…ever. Choose a new Club in the vein hope that the old one was just faulty. Choose to 'give yourself' all the tricky ones in bounce games to make sure your score is better. Choose to take up carpet bowls. Choose life…

That was just a little excerpt from a new Coaching Book I`m putting together called - Trainputting.

I think we`d all agree that a bad day on the greens would drive anyone to drink or drugs, but just for the record I`m not encouraging that. And if at any point in the remainder of this blog I mention having 'some good gear' or 'some quality merchandise' in the Shop it 100% relates to golfing product. Although I do still have some Sale Items at prices that are not to be sniffed at, while the new stock due to arrive at the beginning of March will give the shop a much needed shot in the arm.

Of course my little opening parody was a nod to the Trainspotting movie which made its long awaited return to the Big Screen last weekend with the T2 sequel. It`s been 20 years since the original became a cult film, and judging by the mass invasion of the cinemas over the weekend (with every Friday, Saturday & Sunday showing virtually sold out) it looked like it had been two decades since some of these people had been to the Cinema. I think films like that resonate more with the Scottish audience because virtually every scene has a backdrop that is so recognisable to many. The new film certainly tips a wink to many of the changes that have happened in Edinburgh over the time period since the original, namely the Tramline (which took about that long to complete) but it still showed what a beautiful old City, with classic cobbled streets and breeze block buildings, that the Capital has to offer.

My weekend seemed to be crammed with ancient architecture. With Sunday providing some beautiful blue skies, it was apt that I took a trip with my girlfriend to a place where there were bricks-a-plenty, so you could say it was a Stonehaven. Not the first time I`ve been to Stoney, but the first time I`ve taken the time to walk around it. And with the sun beating down on the harbour it really was stunning, and so did the hundreds of other people think that were there! I assumed two things from the amount of people we encountered. 1: The entire population of Stonehaven were out for a walk, and 2: they all own a canine of some description.

I ended up making a terrible Freudian slip later that day when I was asked what we had been up to. "We went dogging in Stonehaven" was a consequence of me not putting the lid on my mind/mouth blender. Perhaps it`s me that needs a muzzle?


Tour news 

There were wild animals on the loose last week too.

Someone had thrown a cat amongst the pigeons or was it they unleashed a Tiger back in amongst the birdies? Either way, they were in the right place with some Farmers Insurance to hand.

Tiger Woods made his first Tour Start of 2017 at a place he would feel right at home. Torrey Pines in "San Diago" (as Ron Burgundy would say) has been a prosperous hunting ground for Tiger in the past. He has won their 8 times during his Career, 7 at this event and once in the US Open in 2008 (The last of his Major Wins).

Unfortunately 'Local Knowledge' couldn`t make up for obvious signs of rust on Tigers game, but when you consider that his playing partners in the 'marque' 3-some that week, Dustin Johnson (Hot off a 2nd place finish in Abu Dhabi the previous week) and World No.1, Jason Day, also missed the halfway cut, then I think we shouldn`t be too critical or expectant of Tiger`s early season form.

So if the Farmers Insurance Championship coincided with the return of one of the game`s greatest Champions, then perhaps the 2017 event also witnessed the emergence of one of the games NEXT great Champions? The Championship was won in a way that Tiger in his pomp would`ve been proud of. Spookily it was won by a man in a Sunday Red Shirt. It was won by a fist pump-followed last hole Eagle. It wasn`t won by a Tiger, it was won by a Rahm.

Jon Rahm is a 22 Year Old Spaniard from the Basque Country. He had previously been the No1 Rank Amateur in the World and won the Low Amateur at last year`s US Open. Not that it had any influence on his victory, but he was also the golfer that I featured last week in the video for the new TaylorMade TP5 Ball.

I guess it confirms 1: He`s a great player, 2: His new Clubs work, & 3: The new Ball performs. - I can definitely deliver the new Clubs & the new Ball to you, so 2 out of 3 `ain't bad. Told you I had 'some good gear' or 'some quality merchandise.'

As for Jon, the only downer on his weekend was when he got in a heated altercation with former President Barrack. Bystanders couldn`t believe what they were seeing and reports suggested it was A Rahm-Obama-Ding-Dong.

It was quite a spectacle over in Europe as well thanks to the Qatar-Act, where the event went to a 3 Man Playoff. But as always there could only be Wang Winner, Korean, Jeunghun Wang won with a birdie at the 1st Playoff Hole to clinch his 3rd Tour win.

Next up in Europe is the 4th and last event in the 'Desert Swing', the Dubai Desert Classic which will see Tiger make his second competitive appearance of 2017. There is no question, having Tiger back is a great boost for Golf in general, but I know his new Club Sponsor are even more delighted he is back!


Product spotlight 

I`ve been waxing lyrical about TaylorMade since the start of the year, and rightly so, they have launched an impressive range of products this year which has been backed up by some un-matched success on both the Major Tours. I think they now boast 3 Wins from 7 Tour events with 2 Runner Up finishes as well.

Now they have announced that Tiger will be playing their equipment also. Click here to view video.

Last week I featured how well the new woods performed in Customer Fittings and I was interested to see that Jon Rahm was using the M2 Driver, the lower priced and lower tech model, last week in a 10.5° Loft. 

Here is what he had 'In the Bag.'

 

Click here to view video.


Improving your game 

I`ll keep stressing this point until I`m blue in the face, but the Clubs that these guys have in their bag are exactly what their game requires from week to week, and set exactly to the spec they need.

Don`t overlook the important role Club Fitting can play in you performing consistently at to your maximum potential.

That`s why I`m always striving to provide the best Fitting, Learning & Improving Environment for you that I can.

Right on your doorstep here at Portlethen you have the combination of:

  • The most accurate Fitting Launch Monitor on the Market - Foresight GC2 + HMT.
  • As comprehensive a Fitting Inventory as you will find at any Professional outlet.
  • A convenient and substantial Driving Range Facility.
  • An expert Fitter who knows you, your Course & your Game.

AND you get the benefit of all this for FREE*
(*My Fitting Charge is included in my Price - Fitting Only Appointments are £30)

PLUS any purchase can take advantage of::

  • Trade-In Facility
  • Record of Sale against Shop Account
  • Multiple Payment Options (Account Credits, Vouchers, All Cards including AMEX)

Shop changes are already underway to create more wall and floor space which will incorporate my 'Fitting Wall' - As you can see from the image here is a little glimpse of the TaylorMade section.


I want to use Jon Rahm one more time to illustrate something that I advocate to many of my students. Especially the ones who often complain about poor contact and poor distance.

Many of them tell me they are trying to 'lengthen their backswing' or 'make a bigger turn back' - Some might have achieved it, but they all struggle to GET THROUGH THE BALL!

As I say all the time, you don`t hit the ball on the Backswing so don't put all your emphasis on it. Jim Furyk is the obvious example of not needing the perfect backswing, but today I want to use Jon Rahm to highlight how you can achieve better distance (because he certainly bombs it!)

If you look at the little swing sequence photo I`ve put together you`ll see he definitely doesn`t have a long backswing (Arm swing - Pic1), but what he does next encourages and maximizes his power output. Namely, he unwinds his body towards the target which in turn moves his arms, then Club. 

He stores the energy he has created between his body, arms and club as long as possible on the downward part of his forward swing (Pic2&3). And with his body continuing to lead that motion his power output (body, arms & club) flow past the ball and through to the target (Pic5), before he eventually completes a dynamic and poised finish position (Pic6). 

By doing all that the most important position that has improved is IMPACT (Pic4).

So remember, the Backswing is no different to an Archer pulling back his bow string, or a Baseball Player setting his Bat ready to hit a homerun. All the energy is going to be released on the follow through. Make your Backswing half the effort (both length and speed of swing) then you`ll benefit from your follow through being twice the build-up of energy!


Competition news 

We had a rare break from Winter League action and finally got to play a Pro Shop Sweep.

The 15 Hole Stableford was won by John Goate with 35 points, which was good enough by 1 point to edge in front of Rab Dickson and Paul Singer.

   

The big winner of the weekend though was Arthur Graham who scooped the Bonus Ball Rollover of £102.

You could say he received a 'Bumper' Pay-out

(For those of you not in the know, that`s Arthur`s nickname and if you look closely enough is also his Car Registration!)




It`s been a real 'rollercoaster 'week for Neil and his Team.

On the weather front we`ve gone through every permutation from raining on Summer Greens, blazing sunshine over Frost Greens to rivers running off greens.


 

 

Neil also got news that one of his Team, Jack has just been offered an exciting new opportunity to go and work at a new course in Denmark which isn`t due to open until the summer. Jack will be finishing up here at Portlethen on the 24th of February and I`m sure you`ll all join me in wishing him all the best and good luck in his big move.

 
It keeps on getting better and better
 
Titleist Pro V1
 
Request a Fitting
 
FootJoy Pro/SL
 
Be honest…
 
Wilson D300
 
Request a Fitting
 
Garmin Approach X40
 
   
FIXTURESRESULTS

FIXTURES

RESULTS

 
LESSONSTIPS

LESSONS

TIPS

 
 
I hope you have enjoyed this weeks update.
We hope to see you soon
Stuart
 
TaylorMade M Irons - 2017
 

 

  

Stuart Wilson, Portlethen Golf Club, Badentoy Road, Portlethen, AB12 4YA

Foremost Golf, the UK's largest golf retail group, delivering value through expertise for the Club Golfer
 

This email was sent to you by Stuart Wilson and is provided as a service for the members and guests of Portlethen Golf Club and the customers of the Portlethen Golf Club Pro Shop and has been supported and sponsored by advertisers in this mail and by our partner suppliers:
 
® The Crest is a registered trademark of The Professional Golfers’ Association Limited
 
adidas | Callaway | Cleveland Golf | FootJoy | Garmin | Glenmuir | Motocaddy | Odyssey | PING | ProQuip | Srixon | TaylorMade | Titleist | Under Armour | Vokey Wedges | Wilson Staff | YOB Golf | Your Golf Travel |

 

Please click here if you want to stop receiving emails from Stuart Wilson