The biggest debate in the modern era!

The best golfer ever? Better than Jack? The best sportsperson ever? Bigger than Ali?

All valid questions, but all open to opinion. But one thing that is undeniable, never has one person ever had such an all-encompassing, good or bad, comma jumping, constantly recurring 'Headline'!

"TIGER'S BACK!!"

(Ok, perhaps "Trump's A Twat!" Could be used to describe every one of his public appearances too, but you get the drift!)

It seems that for the last 2 years Tiger has been either come-ing or gone-ing! If it wasn't a 'Come-Back' it was a 'Back-Gone' headline, this week sees him make his return as he hosts the Hero World Challenge - essentially his own Tournament with a select field of only 18 Players!...but you wouldn't think it was such a small event given the media frenzy that has stirred with the return of 'The Great One!'

But, if there was ever any doubt about how big a draw Tiger still is in the game then a quick scroll through the PGA Tours Facebook & Twitter feeds is all the proof anyone would ever need. I truly hope he is as fit and physically ready as he says he is, and that he can get a sustained run of tournament play!

I'll admit I'm giddy with excitement to see him back in action but not sure if I'm more nappy-wettingly anticipating that or the arrival of the new Star Wars Movie!

Anyway, I`m sure the physical rehab Tigers done and the imminent return of Luke Skywalker in both cases ‘The Force Is Strong’. If the trailers are anything to go by good guy Skywalker ‘Lukes’ like he`s been living like a homeless tramp….while we`ve always known that Tiger has a lot of the Dark Side in him.

The outlook this last week was been particularly on the dark side…and I`m not just talking about the weather, however it certainly hasn`t helped with the course sometimes closed but ALWAYS QUIET!

Too many ZERO Transaction Days are becoming a worrying trend! But the reality is our weather, seasons and the unpredictable nature of both aren`t going away anytime soon. These sometimes Closed and sometimes Quiet days don`t just impact on me, but on both yourselves as Members starved of use of their facility and the revenue streams of that facility, and we are not alone!

It`s what you do and how you react to circumstance & environment that matters. As I look around the country I see many Clubs embracing those challenges and moving in a direction to create the environment that perhaps will keep their proposition to Members moving forward and desirable, or at the very least not falling backwards. And in doing so is also creating more opportunity for their Professionals to deliver a higher standard of service and Member interaction which in turn makes it easier to combat and cultivate an easier and more balanced year round livelihood.

The one thing my Studio didn`t offer at the time was the fun & interactive element, but with the huge strides in Technology (technology that I have already invested in here at Portlethen) the tools are there to allow us to create an area that provides:

• Fun Simulator Course Play when the conditions or daylight don`t allow the real deal!
• Long Drive & Nearest The Pin Challenges to add to value to Social Events or Golf Days.
• A Warm, Year Round Coaching & Learning Environment to complement our current green grass facility.
• Better & All Encompassing Club Fitting Environment to make that process more efficient & enjoyable.
• Bring (or keep) essential revenue to the Club in weather challenged times.
• Truly create value for a 12 month Golf Membership.

Check some of the examples below from progressive Golf Clubs in Scotland that have already embraced the need for this kind of facility.

Do you think this would be a good addition to Portlethen GC!? I`d love to hear your thoughts (For or Against) – Click Here if you`d like to comment.

Despite the weather challenges I`m doing everything I can to brighten the landscape whether it`s just the rainbow décor In Store or the fantastic Savings to be had my SPECTRUM SALE SAVINGS on tonnes of fantastic products is something you don`t want to miss.

I appreciate that in the build up to Christmas that it`s not you doing your golf buying so all I ask is that you make your loved ones know if they are looking to buy you golf themed prezzies to think of me first. It`s convenient, it`s cosy, no hustle & bustle, FREE Parking with quick & easy access and most importantly personal service & advice from trained people who know and care about you! Plus, if you get something that`s not what you`re after or not quite right you get hassle free returns service.

The Sale has a few more days to run and finishes at close of business this Sunday, 3 December.

So as this Saturday is SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY come on and do the right thing by not only supporting a Local Small Business….but YOUR Local Small Business. My survival only leads to you and your Club benefitting.

Here is a reminder of how the Promotion works.

Guaranteed 20% OFF everything in store - FRIDAY 24th NOV – SUNDAY 3rd DEC

So come along and take advantage of my ‘SPECTRUM sale savings!’ You`ll be sure to find ‘Hot Deals’ for that ‘money you`ve been saving for a rainy day!’

We are guaranteeing you 20% OFF everything in-store, but when you bring your purchase to the till you will be able to ‘Dip For Discount’ which could see you receive up to an incredible 40% EXTRA discount! That’s right. The chance to get your shopping for HALF PRICE!

Simply choose a colour card from the Spectrum Of Saving and receive these additional discounts (on top of the 10% you are already receiving):

T&Cs:

Purchase must be £20 or Over. Does NOT Include Motocaddy and PowaKaddy FREE Bag Promotion, Ex Trial Equipment or Golf Balls and cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion. Full payment purchases only – no shop credit.

If the quiet Winter Days were a stark reminder of life in the Off-Season then one of the tasks we were kept busy with this week painted an even more powerful picture of what takes up the majority of the Professional Shops time throughout the actual Golf Season, the period when I need to be making a living.

So sorry to the guys who won some money, it`s just a few pennies less than it could/should have been!

Division 1
1 Jack Douglas (5) 35 Points
2 Arthur Graham (8) 34 Points
3 Jake Legge (12) 34 Points

With the golfing spotlight solely on Tiger, one thing that caught my eye was his Equipment Choices going into his first start in a long time.

So there`s a couple of this year`s TaylorMade M Series Woods (Driver & Fairway) in there, a set of classic but bespoke Tiger Bladed Irons, interestingly Tiger has kept a few of his Nike Wedges but it was his inclusion of the TaylorMade UDI Long Iron that I was drawn too. I had 2 of these Clubs (#3 & #4 Iron) until I took delivery of my new P790 Irons, TaylorMade actually stopped production of them in 2016, a decision that I think they regretted hence the P790 release. However having had a chance to use the new P790 long irons I would say that the older UDI model is a much better Long Iron choice, clearly an opinion shared by Tiger (who absolutely is a better Test Subject than me – bad back or not!!)

For someone who struggles with Long Irons but equally doesn`t get on great with Hybrids or lofted Fairway Woods then I`d thoroughly recommend getting your hands on one of these even if it is only for a trial.

We still have a #4 TaylorMade UDI in Reg Flex that is both available for trial and included in the SPECTRUM SALE SAVINGS so you could pick this up for as little as £65!

Another interesting observation I made last week was from the ‘Season Opening’ (seems strange to say that with the year just coming to a close) Hong Kong Open. Now granted, it wasn`t the strongest field in golf ever assembled but none the less it included the likes of Fleetwood, Rose, Garcia & Fitzpatrick, but those names and the 150 or so others that made up the field were playing on the SHORTEST Course of all the European Tour venues at 6700 Yards (that’s only 46 Yards longer than our Black Tee Course)

So you`d think with a course that short in the current power game era these guys would kill it with record scoring, etc, etc. Quite the contrary, with the first round scoring average (in ideal conditions) the HIGHEST on Tour that year at just over 71 strokes, which was 1 and a bit over the Par of 70. Even the 2nd Round Scoring Average was over Par.

The main reason, in my opinion, was because the Players skill & intelligence was tested not their brawn. To me that is the way to measure the players ability (other than limit the ball), rather than just keep making the courses longer!

Shorter & more fun is the name of the game here at Portlethen too.

First up is a message and info. from our ‘Commander In Chief’ of the Portlethen Junior Development Gang – Terry Kennedy which I`d like to share with you regarding a Festive Period Event that we`d love lots of participation in.

Message from Terry to his Juniors (& Parents/Family & Friends):

‘Thanks for all your support this year. Your enthusiasm has inspired me to run a new event during the Xmas holidays.

FAST FUN GOLF FAMILY DAY - £5 Per Pair
27th December at 12.30pm

Open to all gang members and 9 holers you will be playing on THE GOLF COURSE (A first for many of you)
6 Holes will be set up to cater for all ages and abilities.
You will need an adult partner who DOES NOT NEED to be a member of the club so get your Mum/Dad or a friend to play with you and see how well you have progressed this Year.

- 6 holes of golf with a friend or relation
- On course prizes
- Clubhouse competitions
- Juice, crisps and sausage rolls

The entry fee is £5 per pair and places must be booked with me by 17th December by email tkennedy784@btinternet.com or on 07795522078 (If you cannot get a partner tell me and I will arrange one).

So come on boys and girls get your folks involved and even if they do not play they can always come along to support you and even get a sausage if you don't scoff them all first! Look forward to hearing from you. Regards Terry’

Also don’t forget our Santa Scramble

"SANTA SCRAMBLE" - Saturday, 23 December

This is going to be a Two Man Texas Scramble - £2 per person entry.

15 holes, 5 drives per person, 25% total handicap.

If you want to gain an advantage, here it is: I`m giving an extra shot on the individuals handicap to any golfer who plays in either a Christmas jumper or Santa hat. PLUS we`ve brought back the ‘Search For Santa’ Treasure Hunt. There will be a Chocolate Treat hidden somewhere on every hole. Whoever finds it, keeps it – But we will also have a Chocolate Santa lurking somewhere too. If you or your Team find it, take a ‘Santa Selfie’ and send it in. The Best Selfie will win the Chocolate Santa.

To play in this you just book as normal via the BRS a week in advance.