"Wet & Wild", "Sends shivers down your spine whilst taking your breath away!", "Murky and Mysterious!"

You may be thinking that they are the Billboard teasers for the "50 Shades Of Grey" movie that hit Cinemas (and libidos) last Valentines Weekend but it was in fact a quick synopsis of the weather last Saturday & Sunday here at Portlethen! But despite it being a tad underwhelming, people still turned up in their droves. (That line can relate to both the previously mentioned occasions!!)

I can`t in fact comment of the quality of either the film or the book, however, I`m going on the feedback I`ve heard from friends! What I can mention without fear of contraception,….I mean contradiction, (this 50 Shades has got my mind even further in the gutter than normal!) is that Saturday and Sunday were extremely busy with the Tee Sheet full from first light (7.40) until well after lunchtime. And it was great to see so many people through the door of the Professional Shop on a weekend after the previous few being wiped out because the course closures. But in typical fashion the weekend still seemed to attract the poorest conditions compared to midweek. It basically went from this on Saturday (Below left) to this on Tuesday (below right)

But back to the Film for a second! I thought it provided a great social, well perhaps more gender, example of how we as animals are so very different! For women, the mere thought of a guy watching anything remotely resembling a blue movie, never mind enjoying it, has them reaching for their bloke bashers! But the minute a 'Grey' movie comes out it's a reason for them to buy a new outfit, arrange a day out, hire a limo, enjoy a liquid lunch, roll out the bunting and discard with any decorum!!

Stories of 3 women getting arrested and a man being 'bottled' in an incident at a Glasgow Cinema have since hit the headlines. Apparently the Cinema staff had to wipe blood from the seats before the next screening! But two things struck me when I read that. Firstly, they just wiped the blood off a fabric seat and thought "yeah, that`ll be fine for someone else to sit in now!" And secondly, this all occurred at the early showing!! Good job these girls didn`t have tickets for the later session or it might have turned into cross between a Booze Britain documentary and a Tarantino film!! 50 Shades Of D`Jango!

But other than the 50 Shades phenomenon, I have to admit that this last month since I`ve been up here in Aberdeen, I`ve been in such a frenetic, work focused bubble that I have completely lost track of anything else that is going on. I`m having withdrawal symptoms at my lack of Sky Sports news, if only to have my day brightened up by the likes of Kirsty Gallacher, Kate Abdo and Natalie Sawyer. And not having `Cooncil TV` yet either I`ve absolutely no clue or input into who killed Lucy Beale!? She didn`t go to the Cinema in Glasgow did she?

I haven`t even managed to see any of the latest golf either and having just looked up the latest European Tour results, my fragile and slightly fried mind really struggled to cope with what I was trying to read! But I`ll try my best to put it down in black and white for you. Here goes!

The True Thai Classic, saw two Thais try to tie for the number 1 spot. But that spot, which is the top spot was eventually won by the Aussie Dodt who no one could stop, fellow countryman Scott Hend was sec-end in the end. Now I`m going to try and tell you that the Thai Thongchai tried to tie without getting tongue-tied, but I`m going to abandon that and try and tell you that Aphibarnrat never did that. So that Thai ended up being tied with an American guy, has name was Jason Knutzon who got some putts in but just failed to win. So I guess in summary the only guy in Thailand that didn`t tie was the lucky guy! And when you look at the name of the resort I`m sure Andy from Oz will always be thinking Hua Hin the world did I win that?

I guess sitting watching the coverage from these far off lands and seeing the guys playing in near perfect conditions really gets you excited for the new season here at Portlethen! And in all honesty it is just around the corner. The signs are already there that Spring is boinging its way here quickly.

"He`s Our Soil Barron!"

Neil and his intrepid team have been busy taking advantage of the milder weather….ok, less frosty weather, and have been cracking on with some essential Pre-Season prep. On Sunday the conditions improved enough to allow most of the Summer Greens to go back on. Perhaps one very disappointing thing to come out of that was a few of the later players both Sunday and Monday commented on the number of fresh unrepaired pitchmarks! We as golfers have a responsibility to look after our own greens as best we can. If you want, smooth, true and envious greens during the golf season and sustainable full course usage during the off-season then you need to `Keep your end up!` by repairing your own pitch marks. Click here to check out this short video to remind yourself the best method to repair these marks so they recover best.

Speaking of recover, Neil and the boys spent this week creating some much needed and essential aeriation in the approaches and greens to help encourage airflow through the soil, whilst also helping drainage of these areas following the winters snow and rain offerings. They did this in 2 distinct ways. Firstly on the Approaches they used a machine that creates small slits in the surface of the turf, whilst the Greens were punched with a very small tine. Much like `Pitchmarks` are the bane of a Greenkeepers life, Coring is the `swear` word that all Golfers hate to hear. The thing to realise, especially here at Portlethen, is the purpose of the coring is to remove "The bad" and replace it with something that is better for the ground, better for the grass and ultimately better for the green! If you look at the soil sample picture it is maybe easier to appreciate `What Lies Beneath!!` Good greens rely on health & strong grass. The grass, like any other plant, depends on its roots for survival. Those roots need space and oxygen to prosper. Then you have problem of moisture retention! The last thing you want is for water to be held near the surface! That's when your greens will flood quickly and become very spongy and lumpy with all the traffic that goes across them. So getting the water to pass from the surface through the soil as quickly as possible is a priority. So when you see the Greens being heavily sanded and top dressed that is to try and build up this `good layer` just beneath the putting surface.

After the Greens were aeriated they were treated to a roll with the Turf Iron and right now, for this time of year, the course really is in fantastic condition.

Preparation for the season also continues in the Shop. I`ve been really touched by all the positive and complimentary feedback I, and the Shop have received from those who have dropped in to see me. However I`ll reiterate what you currently see is very much old stock and when the new ranges start to flood in at the beginning of March then there will be a real change of scenery In Store. My focus "and Mission if choose to accept it!" is to try and create some workable space so that everything fits in, flows and looks inviting but at the same time maximizes the space we are working with.

So as a heads up to the Caffeine addicts amongst you the Coffee Machine has now got a new home…..and so does the Competition Sign In Screen. But don`t worry, you won`t need a Routefinder, GPS or Sat Nav to find it because they have basically only moved a few feet however you could say they have gone up in the world! This has meant that the corner wall is now free to be filled. Check out the photo right but basically now you can get a Grip of a Tee or Coffee!

What I have been busy doing this week though is readying the shop for my "SALE OF THE CENTURY!"

With the new ranges not for away from being delivered in time for the start of the Golf Season the task at hand is to create some Shop space for them so most of the current Stock has made its way in to my Crazy Clearance.

And I`ve put the Century into Sale Of The Century, with all products featured in it £100 or LESS!

-ALL SALE DRIVERS - £100 or LESS! (TaylorMade, Wilson, Callaway, PING) 
-ALL SALE CLOTHING - HALF PRICE or LESS! (adidas, Glenmuir, Galvin Green, Green Lamb, ProQuip) 
-ALL SALE SHOES - HALF PRICE! (FootJoy & adidas) 
-3 For 2 - ALL SRIXON BALLS 
-ANY 2 WEDGES - ONLY £100! (Cleveland, Callaway) 
-MacGREGOR CART BAGS - HALF PRICE! (Now Only - £60!) 
-USED IRONS - ONLY £100! (Ping G10 4-SW, Wilson D100 5-SW*, Tour Edge Bazooka Graph 5-PW + Driver*) *FREE CART BAG INCLUDED! 
-ALL SALE PUTTERS - HALF PRICE! 
-All Woods & Irons Come With FREE Trial & Set Up - Driver Fitting Sessions can be added for £30. 

I was able to get out and do some of my first Lessons this week and hopefully these guys are off on a journey of improvement and enjoyment. Perhaps if even to just highlight the sort of content you`ll experience during a lesson I`d like to show an example of my lesson structure.

Ray Jellema came for a session to work on his Long Game/Approach Play. Ray is a Right handed golfer, Handicap 11. His main frustration was his long bad shots all started left and curved to the right whilst his shorter bad shots all tended to miss left. In the split screen photos below you can see the Before(Left) and After(Right) comparisons. The first screen highlights the importance and influence of `Set Up`. Ray`s Posture was too close to the ball and arms, with no real athletic setting of his spine angle(Pic 1). This essentially caused his arms to swing up a little too tall(Pic 2) but more importantly swing over(out and away from his body- Pic 3 & 4) and across the ball to the left of target(Pic 5 & 6). Whilst his arms were doing this his body was more tilting than tuning which forced his body to `Jump` up to create space for the arms (as the moved in too close to his body) at impact(Pic 5). This swing line caused the ball to travel left. Because Ray needed the ball to move to the right to find the target he would `block` his Clubface movement essentially keeping it aiming at the target, and certainly aiming to the right of where his swing was going. If the swing and clubface are going in different directions the ball will almost always curve in the direction that the clubface is pointing. However as the club loft increases there is more likelihood of the ball traveling along the line of the swing. Hence the reason that Ray`s long shots missed right (with a curve) and shorter shots missed left (straight following the line of his divot!)

This type of swing is not untypical of golfers but the remedy needs to always be specific to the individual. If this looks or sounds familiar you should book yourself in for a Lesson to get a PERSONAL Recovery Plan!

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!

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

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!

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.