Well here is the fourth edition of my new Portlethen Pro Shop Newsletter. So far no Unsubscribers!!

I hope you`re enjoying it and my daily Facebook/Twitter updates? I`ve certainly had some nice feedback, in fact a couple of people had remarked that I`m in the wrong job!!

Those 2 people just happened to be my Bank Manager and my Accountant though!! But I`m not going to take much notice of my Accountants opinion! I once asked him "What does it take to be a top Accountant!?", he said "It only really takes TWO things to be good at this job, Number 1: You clearly have to be good a counting! Number 2: With all the Quarterly deadlines and different financial year ends you need a really sharp memory! And I can`t remember what Number 3 is!!?"

Speaking of Accountants, this week Greece is the word, is the word, is the word! With the country again hitting headlines with their economic struggles. They think that cash is automatic, but they need to be more systematic, instead of always reacting manic. WHY ITS GREECE LENDING! They could get some overdraft lifters and some four billion wads, Oh yeah (they`ll keep on taking, whoa keep taking) A cash injection payoff and chrome plated cards (You`ll get your money, But don't kill you`ll get your money) With recession on the floor and Europe knocking at the door, You know this ain`t no time to bet, you`ll just get in way more debt! IT`S GREECE LEEEENNDING!!

The worst kind is that Summer Loaning, sell me more, sell me more, it don't get you too far, they`d best try WeBuyAnyCar!!

So, clearly Greece haven`t learned their lesson. But as I come to the end of my 3rdweek in Aberdeenshire I continue my cultural acclimatisation.

So here are the "THINGS IVE LEARNED THIS WEEK!"

1. Hump Day is disappointingly just signifying the middle of the week, and not worth shaving your legs for! Although it is probably the best day to have a Sausage Softie!!
2. "Fit Furr" is a question not the hide off of Cheetah or Greyhound!
3. There are more "Kens at the Club than I appreciated!
4. More names include Bigguywiththeglasses, Himwi-the Bigguywiththeglasses and Hesplayinbehind-the Bigguywiththeglasses!
5. Deeside is a place not the build up to making a decision.

All joking aside though I did learn an awful lot this week as I closed off my Members Pro Shop Survey. I sifted through the results and now have to use these as I look to my product range for this up coming summer season. Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to fill it out, and in total we got 227 completed entries back.

As I mentioned there will be a Prize Draw held for those who completed the survey and I will bring you the results of that soon.

In typical Family Fortunes style here are some of the Top Answers that came out of the Survey.

• There were 212 Male responses and 15 Female
• 222 People were Right Handed and 5 Left
• Handcaps Ranged from (+5-0)5, (1-4)13, (5-9)39, (10-15)74, (16-20)60, (21-25)21, (25+)16
• Shoe Sizes ranged from 3 to 13 with the 3 most popular sizes being (8)27, (9)51, (10)34.
• Glove Size breakdown was (S)22, (M)63, (M/L)75, (L)49, (XL)11
• Top 3 Clothing Brands were Footjoy, Galvin Green & Adidas
• Top 3 Waterproof Brands were Galvin Green, Sunderland & FootJoy
• Top 2 Shoes were FootJoy & adidas
• Top 3 Equipment Companies were TaylorMade, Titleist & PING
• Top 3 Wedge Companies were Titleist, Cleveland & PING
• Top 3 Putter Companies were Odyssey, PING & Scotty Cameron
• Top 3 Golf Bag Companies were Titleist, TaylorMade, Powakaddy
• 28 People Carry, 133 use a Trolley and 66 have both.
• Although interestingly despite only 199 saying they use some form of Trolley there are 208 who use either (Push/Pull)66 and (Powered)142
• Top 2 Trolley Brands were Powakaddy & Motocaddy
• Top 3 Ball Companies were Titleist, Srixon & Callaway.

My task now is to take a look at the ranges of these Companies and structure my orders for the Shop space that we have. Again what I`ll say is "Watch This Space"

The space on the wall that used to be behind the old counter no is the home of our shoe wall so we already have some new for 2015 product for you to take advantage of.

Which leads me nicely to my next instalment what I`m bringing to the table!

Once all the nice shiney new product has been ordered it will start to arrive through the early part of March. As the season "Officially" starts with the Opening Day Comp on Sat 28th March I am planning to have a "GRAND OPENING - Official Launch" over the weekend of Sat 21st March the week previous. Obviously this will be to showcase the new look shop layout and all the fresh goodies inside, but it will also be a chance for you to come along and met myself if you haven't already done so, my new Members of Staff that I hope to have in place by then and also to take part in some of the fun stuff I`ll be laying on in and around the shop that day!

So get that date in your diary! Sat 21st March

Looming fast is the Michael Buble Night - Sat 7th Feb so you still have time to get Tickets for that.

There are lots more great looking nights in store throughout this season at Portlethen so get these pencilled in to that Diary too:

Saturday 4th April: Ultimate Legends (No it`s not an Auction for Oscar Pistorious Bladez!) A multi tribute performer.

Saturday 23rd May: Elvis Is In The Building (I hope he`s getting signed in!?) A Tribute To the King

Saturday 27th June: 5th Avenue (It`s £5 for Parking that night) This Group are Streets ahead!

Saturday 26th September: Patrice & McRuvie (A Couple o`Jokers!) There`ll be some Port Belly Laughs that night!

I'll start with Instruction. This is probably the aspect of my job that I love the most. There is nothing more satisfying than helping someone improve their game, win competitions or prizes and generally have more fun, and that is what my Tuition Service delivers - Improvement & Personal Development.

My philosophy is simple and, keeping it on a wintery theme, I realize that Golfers are like snowflakes! No 2 are the same. Therefore there isn't a "One Size Fits All" method to coaching. Probably the most significant part to my Lesson is the conversation to establish what the Pupils ultimate goal is. Whether that be the long term plan or the short term fix. From there I will structure the session or the program in a way that will suit both the expectations of the pupil and also their learning & life style. I'm not going to introduce a technique change that would likely need a lot of range/practice time if your lifestyle doesn't allow for that!

To help me deliver the simplest and most effective remedy to improve your results I use various "Tools" that allow me to properly assess and evaluate your performance. Video Analysis & Playback are still an important and powerful tool, but now we can complement the visuals with more detailed data using Launch Monitors. I use the Flightscope Radar which captures all the influences and outputs in scientific data of both the way your swing/club attacks the ball and the subsequent behaviour of the ball as it's launched! So when you merge the analysis of how it looks with how it flies, it really is much easier to focus on the bit that is making it go wrong!

Below are details of my Lesson Tariffs and Package Options:

Individual LessonPrices

30 Minute Lesson - £30*  
45 Minute Lesson - £35*  
60 Minute Lesson - £40*

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.

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), your Approach Play (Session 2 - Shortgame) and your Putting Prowess (Session 3 - Putting)

Scoring Zone: "The Ultimate Shortgame Session" (2 Hour Session) - £75* (Session Can Be Shared: 2 People = £37.50 Each, 3 People = £25 Each, 4 People = £20 Each)

The ideal way to make significant and lasting improvements to the one area of the game that guarantees lower scores! This session contains a detailed assessment of your Shortgame "Strengths & Weaknesses", a skills test, Stroke Analysis, Green Reading & Pace Control as well as an overview of Pitching & Bunker technique, Chipping method and shot choices.

Playing Lesson: "Take It To The Course" (2 Hour Session) - £75* (Session Can Be Shared: 2 People = £37.50 Each, 3 People = £25 Each, 4 People = £20 Each)

This On Course Session focuses predominantly on your ability to manage your game and the course, mental approach, visualisation, routine, green reading, rules, etiquette and shot execution. Whilst how to play certain types of shots will be covered technique and swing changes will kept for on the Practice Range.

Consultation "Performance Analysis & Overview" (2 Hour Session) - £ 75

This session contains a detailed assessment of your game and your goals! Important performance data is recorded using Flightscope which alongside a comprehensive Skills Test and questionnaire allow a "Plan For Progress" to be created specifically for your game. 
*Anyone who takes this assessment automatically qualifies for a 10% Reduction on all future Lessons & Packages that season.

Group Tuition

2 People (1 Hour) - £30PP  
3 People (1 Hour) - £20PP 
4 People (1 Hour) - £15PP

So for the upcoming 2015 Season ask yourself what you want to improve about your game!

Do you want your shots to be…

LONGER
STRAIGHTER
FEWER
BETTER
STRONGER
HIGHER

Do you want your Shortgame to be…

CLOSER
CRISPER
CONTROLLED
VARIED
CONSISTENT
POSITIVE

Do you want your putts to have better…

LINE
SPEED
CONTROL
CONSISTENCY
CONFIDENCE

Then I`m here to help you achieve your best. You`ll always enjoy something more when you do it better!

An aspect of performance that is all too often overlooked or under estimated is suitability of your equipment! I get asked all the time, "What is the best Driver these days!?" (You can replace Driver with Irons/Wedges/Putters!) But the honest answer is "The one that Fits YOU Best!"

This is an area that I really can`t emphasise enough, and to that end I have invested in the best equipment to give you guys as thorough and comprehensive a Fitting Service & Experience as I can. As previously mentioned the Flightscope Radar captures all the important data relating to how you attack and launch the ball. Once that is established it is a lot easier to "Fit" a Club in a way that will improve whatever aspect of that data can/needs to be improved to get you to your optimum performance. To help find you that ideal specification of Club (whether it be Woods, Irons, Wedges or Putters) I also carry the latest Fitting Carts & Clubs from the Manufacturers that will be stocked in the Pro Shop.

Driver Fitting 

Specification Fitting & Set Up Only (Make & Model already established) FREE 
*Includes Flightscope Radar Fitting - 30 Minutes

Full Fitting Experience (Requirements Unknown) - £30  
*Includes Flightscope Radar Fitting, Analyse current Driver, Trial New Driver options, custom fit to players Spec. - 60 Minutes 
(£15 Comes off purchase price - £15 given back as Shop Voucher for future/additional purchase)

Iron Fitting

Specification Fitting & Set Up Only (Make & Model already established) FREE 
*Includes Flightscope Radar Fitting - 30 Minutes

Full Fitting Experience (Requirements Unknown) - £30  
*Includes Flightscope Radar Fitting, Analyse current Irons, Trial New Iron options, custom fit to players Spec. - 60 Minutes 
(£15 Comes off purchase price - £15 given back as Shop Voucher for future/additional purchase)

Putter Fitting 

Specification Fitting & Set Up Only (Make & Model already established) FREE Fitting - 30 Minutes

Full Fitting Experience (Requirements Unknown) - £30 
*Includes Analyse current Putter, Trial New Putter options, custom fit to players Spec. - 60 Minutes  (£15 Comes off purchase price - £15 given back as Shop Voucher for future/additional purchase)

Full Bag Fitting

Specification Fitting & Set Up Only (Make & Model already established) - £30 
*Includes Flightscope Radar - 60 Minutes 
(£15 Comes off purchase price - £15 given back as Shop Voucher for future/additional purchase)

Full Fitting Experience (Requirements Unknown) - £50
*Includes Flightscope Radar - 120 Minutes 
(£30 Comes off purchase price - £20 given back as Shop Voucher for future/additional purchase)

To book a lesson or fitting, click here

The new counter position has created much more shop floor space but I really want to have much more room for all the exciting new product that's out there in 2015 so I`ve put on some Crazy Clearance Offers.

• Galvin Green Jackets - £80 OFF!
• All Shoes - UP TO 30% OFF
• All Putters Reduced!
• Gents Shirts- adidas Climachill Shirts NOW ONLY £30 Each or Any 2 For £50!
• Ladies Clothing - Spring/Summer Glenmuir Buy 1 Get 1 FREE! Plus, SALE RAIL: All Clothing ONLY £10 Waterproof Jackets ONLY £20!
• Golf Balls - Srixon Z Star / AD333 Tour / Ladies Soft Feel ALL 3 For 2!   

"It`s A Turf Life!"

Well, Head Greenkeeper Neil truly is the consummate professional leaving no stone unturned. So much so that he has gone off to Dubai to do some essential research into the agronomy of the golf courses over there! But whilst away his trusty Lieutenant, Bruce has kept that whip cracking and the team have been hard at work returfing many of the areas around the course.

As I mentioned last week these Newsletter Communications go out weekly (50 weeks as there is a 2 week break over Christmas) thanks to everyone who has subscribed so far and if you are reading this directly from your Inbox then you are one of those people! If you think you know of other Members (or golfers!) who would like to receive this then I'd appreciate if you forward it to them and encourage them to subscribe using the relevant link! Once in the database you/they will then be able to receive regular contact (oh no I hear you cry, not daily doses of his pathetic patter!!) through my Broadcast Messages that go straight to your email. I also have my SWING Studio Facebook page where I post and Tweet daily with anything from course updates to shop promotions! So why not like my FB Page or Follow Me on Twitter by clicking the links below.

Now while these are great communication vehicles for me, the Newsletter/Website especially can offer a great Tool for you to get your message out there as well! As you can see if you scroll down there are a few "ADVERTISING BANNER" opportunities that provide great exposure to my ever growing database. So if you have a Company, Brand or Product that you'd like to Advertise then contact me here and I'll happily talk you through the Advertising options.