"Voting lines are now closed. If you phone in now your vote won`t be counted but you may still be charged!" - And the winner of this years "Britain`s Got Torment" is……..(unnecessarily long pause for effect)……(dramatic music to build the suspense)…….(Ant-Dermott O`Declan-McPartleary to announce the Result)…..(Close up of Simon Cowell because he must`ve had some involvement in it!?)……Blue Man Group…..I mean The Conservatwats!

So apparently it was General Election time again!? I have to admit that right now I am so far removed from what`s going on in the world outside of Portlethen Golf Club that unless Jake Legge was running for Scotlands First Minister I have no real clue about what was going on in the various parties Campaigns. Although I did hear that the residents of my home town Glenrothes got quite excited at the SNP`s promises of a Food Bank, but only because they thought it would allow them to put their Tesco`s Clubcard in to a Cash Machine and withdraw rashers of bacon! (Surely everyone knows you`d only get that kind of withdrawal from a Piggy Bank!)

To give you an indication of how out of touch with things I am right now, I wasn`t sure if it was the election results or the English Premiership League Table I was looking at! The big winners were the Blue billionaires, mainly from London who were dominating the top, then the further down the table and up the country you came the colour turned red, and despite being well ahead of the rest they`re clearly not good enough to shift the balance of power right now. Then come the best of the rest and where Scotland have one standout clear cut dominant force, who in reality is an absolute nobody and will only ever do well in Scotland given their limited resources!

When I saw a graphic of the Election Map my first instinct was that it looked like a `Zoom` Ice Lolly with the big blue bit at the bottom, then the red, then the little yellow peak at the top! And ironically that too had a big stick up its backside which was a bit of a joke as well! But I guess like any Government it will be a case of `suck it and see`, although similarly too much too quickly and they`ll just end up nipping your brain!!

Speaking of looking like an Ice Lolly, I see Ricky Fowler ditched his trademark Last Day `EasyJet` Orange outfit (or has he been sacked from B&Q?) for a very eye catching but equally less `Conservative` (you see what I did there!!) bright blue, pink & white ensemble as he won at the Players Championship last Sunday! Affectionately referred to as `The Fifth Major`, Ricky`s win at the famous TPC Sawgrass course has perhaps (hopefully) got him over that nearly man hillock! Having contended, but ultimately fallen short, at all of last year's Majors, big things were expected of Master Fowler this season. Maybe this is just the start of it? A quite phenomenal finish of Birdie, Eagle, Birdie, Birdie got him in a 3 man Playoff with Sergio Garcia and Kevin Kisner who obviously drew on all his experience of taking on shots over water with arrow like accuracy gained while making `Tin Cup`, `Waterworld` and `Robin Hood`! (Eh!? What!? ….oh that`s Kevin Kostner!) Oh well, maybe that explains why it was Ricky Fowler who was Untouchable in the Playoff too, with a further 2 birdies in 4 holes. I think anyone who plays the final 8 holes of an event in 7 under par deserves to win! I can think of only one finish to a golf event that outdoes Ricky`s. And it happen not far from here at Gleneagles in the old Bells Scottish Open over the Kings Course. A fairly unknown Aussie called Peter O`Malley finished Eagle, Birdie, Birdie, Birdie, Eagle for 7 Under over the last 5 holes to snatch the title from under the nose of local favourite Colin Montgomerie. If it doesn`t ring any bells (not sponsors pun intended there) perhaps the sweater that Monty was wearing that day will? It was a bright blue jumper with the white Scottish Saltire criss-crossed on the front! But despite looking like the Scottish Flag it was the white flag of defeat that Colin was waving by the time he moob-moped down the final fairway.

Finishing rounds off and Sawgrass brings me nicely to a bit of news that I`m pleased, but also a wee bit embarrassed to share with you. On Saturday I finally saw grass on the golf course as I played my first holes at Portlethen since my arrival. And given I started back in January that's why I`m a little embarrassed, but the small but significantly obtrusive matter of what I`m calling the W-Factor prevented me doing it before now. (In case you are wondering - Work, Weather, Willpower, Willingness, Worseforwear, Whywouldyou, Wabbit, Wherearemyclubs?) But, much like your first wee on a night out drinking, the seal has now been broken and my 9 holes on Saturday night was quickly followed by my first full 18 holes on the Sunday.

On the Saturday, I decided to play the back nine holes which meant that as the gloom descended it was only the bright beacon, like a lighthouse to a ship, of the Clubhouse glare that guided me home. It took me back to my schooldays where the same combination of illumination and imagination was all you could draw on as I would play and practice so late that the cows were well and truly in the land of S-moo-ooze never mind just coming home! Unfortunately unlike my teenage years I guess my Jedi powers and use of The Force, or lack of Carrots in my diet, perhaps just the advancing years, or maybe there is some truth in the male eyesight-eating myth, however my ability to co-ordinate club on ball as darkness fell had vanished as quick as the daylight. After what turned out to be a perfect drive given it was my virginal venture down the 18th (yip, it was that dark you couldn`t even see that pig fly!!) I proceeded to hit so far behind the ball that archaeologists are contemplating setting up a dig! And one thing that is resigned to history is the whereabouts of my ball!! Perhaps in 2000 years whoever stumbles upon it might think it was a pre-incubated terrordactyl egg! I`m just glad Nobodysaurus!

Let There Be Light!

The light wasn`t an issue in any of last week`s Competitions but, as has become a theme, the weather conditions managed to throw virtually every other element at us! However, as is also common there were quite a number who managed to tackle those conditions better than most. On Wednesdays Medal, I was pleased to see that the 2 best scores by some distance were from 2 golfers who have recently had lessons from myself. Following those rounds it was really nice that both Carson Riches & Kris Hunter made a point of coming to say how much they felt my instruction and advice had helped. Kris dropped his playing handicap by 1 stroke and in Carsons case the combination of a Supplementary Card followed by the Wednesday Medal result saw his playing handicap reduce by 2 shots!

SUPPLEMENTARY MEDALS - Having spoken to many of you, I realise that not many people know about the Supplementary Score procedure!? For those of you who struggle to get Saturday, Sunday or Wednesday Medals or perhaps only 5 day members the option to play a counting card for handicap is there for you to use at any time. Obviously there are guidelines so I`ve outlined the important things below:

How to play a Counting Supplementary Score: (This option is only available to Handicaps 6 & Above - Not available for Cat 1 Golfers)

• Sign In `Supplementary Score` Book in Pro Shop - This is you stating your intention to submit a score for Handicap. No card will be accepted unless this is done prior to your round.
• Play your round stating which Tee/Course you`ve chosen to play. (Yellow or White only)
• Hand Scorecard back in to Pro Shop - All scores count good & bad and your handicap will be adjusted accordingly.
• Score measure against the S.S.S. of Course played - Weather conditions or other scores are not taken into account.
• You can play a maximum of 10 extra Supplementary cards in a season.
• Restricted to 1 Per Week

Here are the Gents Competition Results from last week.

WED WALK ON, Wednesday 6th May `15

Division 1 (10 & BELOW) 
1st: Carson Riches = 79(10) - 69 
2nd: Keith Horne = 71(0) - 71 
3rd: Bruce Harrold = 80(9) - 71

Division 2 (11-15) 
1st: David Spence = 84(13) - 71 
2nd: Ron Fulton = 85(11) - 74 
3rd: Ryan Sheikh = 89(14) - 75

Division 3 (16 & ABOVE) 
1st: Kris Hunter = 86(19) - 67 
2nd: Mark McDonald = 87(18) - 69 
3rd: Stan Lenort = 93(19) - 74 

There were more success stories following Saturdays Competition too. From the 8 people who had their Playing Handicaps reduced 4 of them had had sessions with me that week. I`ve used the term "Session" because not always is the improvement that I can administer a result of a lesson.

Mark Wallace posted a good score (which with a Ricky Fowler style finish would`ve been a great score) on Saturday which was good enough to snip a shot off his playing handicap. Mark came to me with what he felt was an unusual issue, but in reality it is one I`m asked about a lot and many golfers suffer from. He was confused why his 3 wood was going as far, if not further, and much straighter than his driver!

I`ll get to the specifics in a second but, like I`ve told many before, in a nutshell it comes down to this. A GOLF BALL CAN`T SEE IT CAN ONLY FEEL!

By this I mean that a golf ball has no idea what Club you are using. It has no idea whether you are holding a driver, 3 wood, 7 iron, whatever! All it knows are the factors hitting it! The factors that will ultimately influence direction and distance.

• SPEED
• ANGLE THE CLUB IS ATTACKING ON
• DIRECTION THE CLUB IS SWINGING
• WHERE THE CLUBFACE IS POINTING
• THE LOFT HITTING IT
• WHERE YOU STRIKE IT ON THE FACE

These factors create what we call `Launch Conditions` - IE: the output, what the ball does.

• ITS SPEED
• ANGLE OF LAUNCH
• SPIN

So Mark & I had a session to analysis the performance of both his clubs. Now, whilst it wasn`t a great surprise to me, the results were a good eye opener to Mark. Using my Flightscope Radar (my new GC2 toy has arrived and I`ll speak about that later too.) we got Mark to hit some shots with both clubs. Despite a longer and lighter shaft in his driver than his fairway wood Mark was able to produce a higher club head speed with his 3 wood. The shaft length was significant in this scenario because not only did the longer shaft NOT create more clubhead speed but it also contributed to lots of off centre hits, another contributing factor in loss of ball speed.

So the speed was down with the driver. Next we compared the launch and spin numbers. Think of these like a married couple, if they`re happily married then the relationship works great, but if one is too dominant or one too weak then it can end up with results that are just ok or some that just don`t work at all! Every speed has an optimum launch and spin partnership, and there are certainly ideal launch & spin parameters for speed too. If you bolt the launch & spin to the speed and a centred hit you end up with a trajectory, a carry distance and associated roll distance. What club you`ve used to create that is fairly irrelevant.

Marks Launch with his 3 wood was consistently around the ideal number as was his spin, whereas his driver on the good ones was ok but more often than not was too low with his spin rate jumping around from too high to ok to too low. Much of which was caused by the inconsistency of where he hit it on the clubface.

Now, I didn`t jump on that and try and flog Mark a new driver. My advice gave Mark a better understanding of the `Why` and as a short term solution/experiment I shortened the shaft on Marks driver, and with the adjustability in the model he was using managed to alter the face angle and move the weight behind the face to a different position that effectively changed the Clubs stability point. These would help Mark hit the centre of the clubface more often, and keep that face squarer to the line he was swinging on. It wasn't a guarantee of more distance because as I`ve mentioned we needed to improve the numbers to get more distance, but what it would do was produce more consistency in those numbers and direction.

KEITH TAIT TROPHY 1st RND, Saturday 9th May`15

Division 1 (10 & BELOW) 
1st: Ryan Donaldson = 72(2) - 70 
2nd: Cameron McDonald = 77(6) - 71 
3rd: David McDowell = 74(3) - 71

Division 2 (11-15) 
1st: Michael D Smith = 83(12) - 71 
2nd: Tom Boyle = 86(14) - 72 
3rd: Ryan Sheikh = 87(14) - 73

Division 3 (16 & ABOVE) 
1st: David McKenzie = 88(18) - 70 
2nd: Peter Somerville = 95(25) - 70 ACB 
3rd: Mark Wallace = 90(19) - 71

                           

Another pupil of mine, Dave Reid, got his first handicap cut in a long time following some early season instruction on his way to topping Division 3 on Sunday.

WALK ON MEDAL, Sunday 10th May`15

Division 1 (10 & BELOW) 
1st: Robbie Murdoch = 68(2) - 66 
2nd: Martin G Shand = 72(5) - 67

Division 2 (11-15) 
1st: Stewart Clark = 83(14) - 69 
2nd: Mark Benson = 82(12) - 70

Division 3 (16 & ABOVE) 
1st: Dave Reid = 86(19) - 67 ACB 
2nd: Stanley Lenort = 86(19) - 67 ACB

Saturday is easily the busiest day at Portlethen and just when the last of the 200 or so gents disappear down the 1st that signals the start of the Junior Jamboree. The "Get Golfing Gang" on the Driving Range goes from strength to strength and I started the first of my Development Sessions for the small group of players we have in the Juniors who have Handicaps for the Course but haven`t got them low enough that they are classed as official CONGU Handicaps. There was lots of potential and enthusiasm there so I`m looking forward to seeing how these guys progress with a little bit of my guidance.

There was also a healthy turn out for the Junior Medal & 9 Hole Comp. It was 2nd Round of the Junior Championship Qualifying.

Here are the those results and the subsequent Matchplay Draws that came out.

I was away playing again this week. It was back down to Perthshire again and I`m pleased to say that both the weather conditions and my form were much more enjoyable. It was the Galvin Green PGA Assistants' Championship Qualifier at Auchterarder where despite teeing off in the last 3 I managed to finish in the first 3! Third place after a 71 meant I qualified easily. Now comes the hard part, asking Stuart for the time off!! The tournament is on Aug 5 - Fri, Aug 7 at Coventry Golf Club so plenty time to get my game sharp. 

 

It look like all the Pro Shop staff have been out playing this week! And I`m chuffed because I get the bragging rights! Tuesday was Ladies Walk On Medal Day and part of the Orbane Cup played in what felt like a hurricane!! When I came off I looked like I`d been dragged through a hedge backwards!! Fortunately it would`ve been the only hedge I`d been in that day as I played really well (apart from that bloomin` 9th again, ARRGH!), finished 2nd and got my handicap cut! The highlight was my par at the 18th, the low point (literally) was when I stepped back and fell over my trolley whilst admiring my shot at the 11th!!

As I don`t play on a Saturday I let some others grab the limelight!

Saturday 9th May, Club Champ 1st Round Qual & May Medal

Silver (20 & Below) 
1st: Elaine Stoddart = 97(20) - 77 
2nd: Linda Craik = 93(12) - 81 
3rd: Rowena Keith = 96(14) - 82

Bronze (21 & Above) 
1st: Di Driver = 103(24) - 79 
2nd: Kathleen Johnston = 102(21) - 81 
3rd: Kathleen McCall = 116(30) - 86 

  

"Leader of The Greens Party"

With the Gents Club Championship Qualifying looming fast this weekend, and the weather still very, let`s just say, unhelpful our main focus this week has been to try and `pep` the progress of the greens up. Using a very unobtrusive scarifying machine we were able to get the surfaces aeriated without disrupting the playability. From there we applied top dressing and a grass stimulant to try and encourage a more even growth.

You may have noticed a few `tricky` pin placements over the weekend! The main reason for these, with this weekend`s qualifying in mind, because of the heavy rain we`ve endured and the inconsistent growth patterns we were trying to protect the better areas of the greens so they are more robust for the bigger events that are coming up.

It was Championship Qualifier time for us Seniors too last week in the 3rd of our Scratch Championship. Here are the results.

SENIORS MEDAL, Thursday 7th May`15

Division 1(All) 
1st: Dennis Golder = 80(14) - 66 
2nd: Jake Legge = 82(14) - 68 
3rd: Bill Duff = 91(22) - 69

On Monday there were 10 Portlethen Representatives made the trip to Forfar for the Alliance meeting.

If you watched a bit of the golf coverage from the Players Championship one thing you have to marvel at is the confidence that these players show when taking on incredibly pressurized shots. The back right hand pin at the island green Par 3 17th for instance. To attack a pin like that requires 2 things. One is obviously a technique that you trust but the other is an element that many amateurs neglect. Knowing their yardage and knowing exactly how far they hit their clubs.

Even more so now due to the arrival of some quite fantastic technology I can 100% help you with both.

Knowing YOUR Yardage:

As I`ve constantly mentioned in previous Newsletters I have the Technology to give you this info. in the form of my Flightscope Radar. But the truth of the matter is it wasn`t really portable or practical enough for the logistics of the Portlethen Driving Range. But have no fear because I have invested in the very latest Camera driven Launch Monitor. The GC2 with HMT (Head Measuring Technology) now gives me, but more importantly you, the best kit to get the best feedback. It will be a big part of my Club Fitting and Tuition Sessions but right now I`m offering you guess the chance to get your game "Dialled In" starting wioth knowing how far you hit each club. This `Distance Gapping` Session does two distinct things for you. It gives you peace of mind that you know how far you hit each club, and it also highlights if there are any significant GAPS or CLUSTERS in your Set.

Book You Gapping Session Today - ONLY £20!

Knowing THE Yardage

Knowing how far you hit each club is a start, now all you need to know is the ACTUAL Distance you have left to hit. For that there are many forms of Measuring Device on the market. There are Lasers which accurately pin point the target you are shooting at with a very easy `Point & Press` function. Then there are handheld Units that give you a visual arial display of the hole, all is hazards and features as well as the front, middle and back distances of the green. Then finally the most convenient and popular just now is the watch/wrist mounted device. The information is more basic due to the size of the display but it is every bit as accurate and you know how far you are away from the front middle or in most cases the best yardage to use is the back edge of the green from anywhere on the course just by having a quick glance at your wrist!

We have just taken delivery of all the latest models of laser, unit & watch styles from Golfbuddy, Garmin & Nikon. So why not take one for a test drive and see the confidence that KNOWING THE EXACT YARDAGE can have on your game. I`ll put money on most of the good players will be relying on something like that in this week`s Champ Qualifiers.

Book you Golfbuddy Test Drive Today - FOC! 

 

Although have a quick peek at this week`s video and you might see that knowing your lay up yardage better might have help! But good players can escape from any awkward situation!.....can`t they!?

A definite date for your diary is next weekend.

As I`m sure many of you will know by now a large part of what I am trying to offer is the ability to make you perform better. We have the very best Green Grass Trial & Fitting Service you`ll find in the area. To reinforce that Service for the next Month I will be adding some incredible value to that service by offering not only FREE Fitting on Equipment* Purchases but also a Performance Enhancing Lesson ABSOLUTELY FREE as well! For more details of my Complete Equipment Solution then keep reading!

*On Featured Brands/Products

But I`m confident that I can help you guys Improve so much so that I`m going to introduce the following Promotion.

My search is on to find the "GAME IMPROVEMENT CHAMPION!"

Here`s how you qualify to be I the running for this Award.

For the Months of May & June I will be offering this exclusive Lesson Package.

"The Game Changer" - 4 x 45 Minute Lessons 
Lesson 1 - Full Swing Analysis 
Lesson 2 - Pitching & Chipping 
Lesson 3 - Bunkers 
Lesson 4 - Putting

ONLY £120! (That`s A £20 Saving!)**

**Top Up Lessons will be given at the equivalent reduced individual price!

Everyone who signs up for this Package will have their Handicap Progress recorded until the end of August (Lessons are recommended to be taken over the maximum of 2 week intervals and are only Valid until the end of this period) The Player who achieves the BIGGEST PERCENTAGE IMPROVEMENT on their Handicap will be crowned my "GAME IMPROVEMENT CHAMPION" and receive a Commemorative Sweater, Certificate and an All-Expenses Paid Away Golf Day with myself. (If the Promotion attracts enough interest I will offer 2 Runners-Up Prizes to join the All-Expenses Paid Away Golf Day with myself)

That lasting improvement to your Golf Game is just one Click away! Book your first session up today! 

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.