"It's` easy to grin when your ship comes in......and you've got the stock market beat. But the man worthwhile is the man who can smile......when his shorts are too tight in the seat!" |
A light-hearted quote from one of my favourite Films – Those golf geeks out there will recognise it from the cult ‘gawlf’ classic, Caddyshack!
But given the sad events of the past week, I feel it`s quite apt. It is easy just to be happy when things are going really well, but sometimes it`s important just to be thankful and enjoy just what you have.
The sporting world lost one of its global icons with the tragic passing of NBA Superstar, Kobe Bryant and close family & friends following a horrific helicopter accident.
I won`t claim to be a Basketball Fanatic, but I`d say it is definitely a reflection of how bright a worldwide sporting superstar Kobe was that even I knew who he was. And I`d say that goes for many more of you too? He was to Basketball what Tiger is to Golf, and like Tiger is the Modern era GOAT in the debate v Jack Nicklaus then Kobe Bryant is the modern era GOAT v Michael Jordan in the Basketball Debate. His Stats and his stature back up what a fantastic career he had, and although only 41 he was enjoying the early years of his retirement, largely down to the blossoming promise his daughter, Gianna (15), was showing at Basketball. Sadly she too was one of the victims in the aerial crash. These events once again go to show that no matter how well you`re doing, things can come crashing down in an instant. Life can be great one minute and devastating the next. So is the message to be learned this week – ‘Always be grateful of, and enjoy what you have right now because everything can be gone in an instant!`? But to lighten the mood slightly, Basketball has given me one of the most entertaining pieces of trivia ever! In 1891 James Naismith created Basketball by nailing a Peach Basket to a Backboard… but it wasn`t until 1893, TWO YEARS LATER, that they decided to cut the bottom of the Basket so the ball would drop back through! Haha! So for 2 Years, someone had to either stand on the balcony behind the board and pick the Ball out an throw it back, or they had to get a ladder out every time someone scored a basket! Thinking of that ‘lightbulb moment’ just makes me smile!
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Nostalgia and evolution of things, especially sports, is a great thing. Here at Duddingston GC we are celebrating our 125th Year, and perhaps would shouldn`t laugh too much at the Basketball scenario when you consider how the size of the Golf Hole, that we all just take for granted now, came about!? Similarly to the advent of Basketball the first recorded mention of the Standard Hole Size by the R&A also was documented in 1891 – measuring 4.25” Inches.
Why that size was decided seems to still be somewhat folklore and hearsay, however, up until that point the Hole that you putted into was also the same source of the little pile of soil/earth you used to Tee your ball upon to start the next Hole. This meant that every hole was wider, deeper or both than any other until, legend has it, that someone cut a small piece of Pipe and put it in the ground ensuring that the hole would not get any wider. Henceforth we now put to a 4.25” Putting Cup!
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We plan on starting this upcoming Golf Season with a trip down Memory Lane, so stay tuned for details of how that will work later next week, and thank you to everyone who responded to the email we sent out last week looking for anyone who may have had some vintage equipment.
Here is a glimpse of some of the ‘Technology’ that was wielded back in the day! |
 | | History In Hickory |
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But back in the here and now the golf on both Tours last weekend also mirrored the sentiments of this week`s Newsletter…you never know when the highs will quickly become the lows!
The European Tour continued its Desert Swing in Dubai. Before a ball was struck on Sunday`s 4th Round Ashun Wu, Victor Perez and Bryson De Chambeau were the Top 3 after 54 Holes. Some 6 Shots behind was the duo of Lucas Herbert and Christian Bezuidenhout. By the time the Last group had 4 holes to play Herbert & Bezuidenhuit had posted a 9 under Clubhouse Lead and only De Chambeau, also on 9 Under at that point, looked like he could match or overtake them. But having seemingly been in complete control of his new Longer Hitting, Quicker Playing style of play he crumbled to a 4 Bogey finish and dropped to a Tie for 8th (with Bobby MacIntyre on his first event back after injury!) That meant the Top 3 at the beginning of the day had tumbled to 6th=, 8th= & 16th=! |
Of the 2 Clubhouse Leaders, it seemed that the Playoff was a case of who would make the least mistakes to win! That turned out to be Australian, Lucas Herbert who scrapped through after both players dunked their 2nd Shots into the Water on the Par 5 18th first time around, before Herbert took it after birdying the same hole the second time around.
It was a similar story on the PGA Tour at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torry Pines. Spaniard, Jon Rahm started in Pole Position going into Sunday, but a horror start saw him slip back into the pack very early on. He did rally towards the end of his final round but found himself needing to eagle the last to force a Playoff. He could only muster a Birdie 4 and settle for 2nd. That meant it was a great day for Australia, aptly on ‘Australia Day’, with Marc Leishman making it a cross-Atlantic double for the Aussies! The last time that happened was 2002 when Adam Scott won at Gleneagles in the Diageo Championship and Craig Parry won the NEC Invitational the same weekend. |
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So what we are saying is, when things are good you`ve got to ride that wave and enjoy the journey.
I guess that is very much the thinking behind FootJoy's 2020 Shoe Range. Especially their edition of the Best Selling and most Popular Shoe for the last 2 Seasons.
The Pro/SL 2020 Version is a subtle tweak to an otherwise fantastic Shoe. It`s comfortable, stylish and comes in some great styles & colours this year.
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We have just taken delivery of our Fitting Shoe Range in the Pro/SL which means, once again, we can make sure you get the perfect fit for your Foot. (or as they say in the North East – ‘fit fit fits fit fit!’) So why not pop in to check them out. We can also very swiftly Measure your Feet so you are trying on the best Length & Width Combo to give you maximum support and comfort.
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Don`t forget this weekend I am hosting a couple of great value-packed events.
Birthday Bargain Bonanza
Saturday 1st February: 9am–3pm
To help celebrate my 1st Full Year here at Duddingston GC I am hosting a ‘Not to be Missed’
CLUBHOUSE CASH CLEARANCE
Below are the ‘Birthday Bargains’ you`ll be able to take advantage of!
*PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE EVENT AND THE SIZE OF THE DISCOUNT SAVINGS ON OFFER THIS IS A FULL PAYMENT EVENT – i.e. Cash or Card ONLY! Shop Credits or Vouchers are not eligible.*
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Clothing
Galvin Green, Under Armour & Stuburt - HALF PRICE!
Shoes
Under Armour Shoes HALF PRICE!
40% OFF FootJoy Shoes! (Ladies & Gents)
Bags
PowaKaddy, Motocaddy Waterproof Bags – NOW ONLY £125! SAVE Up To £95!
Balls
Callaway Truvis Golf Balls – ONLY £20 Per Dozen
TaylorMade Project (a) Golf Balls – ONLY £20 Per Dozen
New Equipment
All PING, Evnroll, TaylorMade & Odyssey Putters HALF PRICE!
Wilson C300 Drivers – NOW ONLY £99! SAVE £250!
Wilson C300 Fairway – NOW ONLY £89! SAVE £130!
Wilson C300 Hybrid – NOW ONLY £79! SAVE £120!
Wilson FG Tour Wedges – NOW ONLY £49! SAVE £50!
Titleist Vokey SM7 Wedges (Black 52, 56, 60) – NOW ONLY £79 EACH – ALL 3 FOR ONLY £210!
Callaway XR Speed Drivers – NOW ONLY £129! SAVE £220! (Ladies & Gents)
Ex-Trial Equipment
PING G400 Drivers – NOW ONLY £149!
Titleist 818 Hybrids – NOW ONLY £79!
PING G Le Ladies Fairways – NOW ONLY £99!
Titleist Vokey SM7 – NOW ONLY £65 or 3 FOR £150!
GPS
All Garmin Devices HALF PRICE! Save Up To £175!
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TaylorMade Launch & Fitting Event Sunday 2nd February
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Your chance to Trial & get Expertly Custom Fitted for the New SIM Range of Drivers & Woods.
OR
Pick up a Bargain whilst also being correctly customised into last Seasons M5 or M6 Ex-Fitting Product at a hugely discounted Prices!
M5 Driver – NOW ONLY £229
M6 Driver – NOW ONLY £199 M5 Fairway – NOW ONLY £129
M6 Fairway – NOW ONLY £119 M6 Hybrid – NOW ONLY £99
To Book Your 30 Minute Fitting Appointment – Click Here – And state whether you are looking at SIM or M-Series
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Anything that makes golf that little bit easier is a good thing in our eyes and if improving your iron play is up there on your to-do list then you’re in luck, as we have a treat we want to share with you. |
Designed with a cavity back and finished with CNC Milled grooves, these irons offer effortless performance to make launching the ball higher, further, and on your intended line easier than ever. If you're using irons that are several years old, we're certain you'll enjoy some performance gains with Lynx's Parallax irons. Come in-store and speak to a member of the team if you're interested in giving them a try.
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