Are Britain about to conquer the World!?
It`s ok, I`m not about to wade in to the war debate again……although I`m not sure the government are talking the same stance. No, instead my question was aimed more at the Sporting World with some great performances and achievements by British best grabbing the back page headlines last weekend.
But where to start? I guess there`s no better place to start this week`s waffle than Belgium! And when the going Ghents tough, the tough Ghents going! It was there that `Scotland` claimed a momentous victory in the Davis Cup Final. Officially the history books will say it was Great Britain that won but given that Andy Murray & his brother Jamie were the only ones to win points then I think the rest of the Team were basically there because Scotland doesn`t have enough Tennis Pro`s to lift hulking great trophy! It`s been 79 years since GB won the Davis Cup and some are saying that this triumph and all his single title success that Andy Murray has HAD an unbelievable career. I, however, would say he is HAVING an unbelievable career because otherwise that is in the past tennis!
Many are even clamouring for Andy to push for a Knighthood, but I`m sure he won`t bow to that kind of pressure!
Another Brit who has just picked up a new title is Boxing`s latest 4-Time World Heavyweight Champion, Tyson Fury! Now, when you`re named after Heavy Weight Boxing`s most lethal fighter and with a surname as equally ferocious it`s no surprise to hear that this person has become a World Heavyweight Boxing Champ. Your imagination instantly pictures someone in the mould of Iron Mike with perhaps a hint of Clubber Lang (Rocky III, for those of you a bit puzzled!) but the reality is that the real life Tyson Fury is actually more of a cross between Henry Cooper, Frank Bruno and Worzel Gummidge! Heavyweight boxing has only occasionally produced the spectacular slug-fest that is glamorised in the Rocky films, the type more associated with the Middleweight Boxers, but you always knew that one piledriver of a punch could end it which kept you on the edge of your seat. The Fury v Klitschko bout was essentially a pillow fight which would`ve come in handy as it pretty much sent everyone to sleep! Apparently the stats showed that Fury won by only landing 86 punches in 12 rounds. That`s basically like only hitting a fridge freezer twice in a minute! But then again, it`s maybe not that surprising when you see the new "4 Time World Champion`s" punching ability! Click here to see!
I think he has misinterpreted Muhammad Ali`s famous "Rope-A-Dope"! But as the old adage goes "You can only beat (occasionally) what`s stood RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU!!" and the history books will now show that Tyson Fury was indeed the Heavy Weight Champion of the World! I`m sure he feels like Christmas has come early!
Over in the football world I`m sure Leicester`s James Vardy feels like he`s in Eleventh Heaven as he has just gone and set a new Premiership Scoring record. His 11 goals in 11 consecutive games has left the previous record holder, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, with a long face!
There are no competition results to bring you, however there is still some Competition News to bring you. Firstly, next Wednesday the Club have agreed to host an extra event on the North East Alliance Associations Calendar. Whilst this means the course will be reserved until 12pm it does however bring in some welcome income at this quiet time of year.
Secondly, I am looking to introduce a couple of Fun & Friendly events to the Club over the Off Season and I'm looking for feedback as to whether these events would be welcomed and, more importantly, supported!?
A Festive Competition - Potentially a 9 Hole Shotgun Scramble between Christmas & New Year. Teams can be mixed, include Juniors and Guests. Followed by a Pie, a Pint and a Prize giving!
A Night Golf Event - Potentially a Friday evening after New Year before the new Season starts. A shortened course (both length and number of holes!) defined by florescent markers, flag poles and holes. And played with a glowing ball. Followed by food & fun in the Clubhouse.
I'd like to hear your feedback about either or both these events so let me know by clicking here!
It was all smiles last weekend for many of you here at the Golf Club. And despite last Friday being Black I hope none of the Members who came along to my Late Night Opening left feeling Blue!? Many thanks to everyone who came to support that event and especially to all of you who managed to grab yourself a Black Bargain!
The shop turned from Black to red overnight and on Saturday & Sunday I held my Christmas Cracker Weekend. The Tree and Christmas decorations were up, we had Mulled Wine & Mince Pies and even Santa & his little helper & No1 Elf on duty! The promo ticket prices weren`t quite as lucrative as they were Black Friday but with my additional "Snowball Savings" Discount on offer anyone who`s purchase was £40 or more had the opportunity to get their Christmas Shopping for FREE with anything from 5% to 100% on offer in the Balloons.
And to prove this wasn`t just a Marketing ploy we had Customers who walked away with 25%, 50% and 100% savings on their purchases! Graham Black was the lucky lad who got himself a Portlethen Shirt & matching Portlethen Saltire Sweater ABSOLUTELY FREE when he popped the 100% 'Snowball'.
For now the extra Balloon discount has finished but I will be continuing all of my In Store Christmas Prices & Promo`s along with our FREE Gift Bag or Wrapping Service.
And remember if you`re not sure what you want, or what to get for the golfer in your family then why not just treat them to a Gift Voucher or Lesson Voucher that they can then use at a time that suits them.
Here are a few of our great gift ideas if you are looking for inspiration, but remember there is still time to order in anything that you know you want but we don`t have in stock.
"Saving For A Rainy Day!"
ALL Galvin Green Jackets - ONLY £219! Or a Full Suit For ONLY £360!
"I Must Be Off My Trolley!"
Motocaddy M1 Lead Acid Trolley + FREE Lite Series Cart Bag* - All For ONLY £399! (*Or Upgrade to the Pro Series Cart Bag for Only £475)
"Get The Shirt Off My Rack!"
Galvin Green & UnderArmour Clothing - 20% OFF!
"Best Foot Forward"
All Shoes Reduced! - Up To £40 Off.
"Save Pounds & Shots!"
Golfbuddy GPS Wristbands - NOW ONLY £159! (Many Other GPS Reduced)
"A New Life For Bag!"
All Golf Bags Reduced - 25% OFF!
"Bonus Balls!"
Srixon Z Star - 2 Dozen For ONLY £50!
Srixon Ladys Soft Feel - 2 Dozen For ONLY £25!
Or if it`s something smaller we have some great gift ideas, stocking fillers AND Filled Stockings!
Golfers Stockings Deluxe:
Bumpa Bag of Wooden Tees
FJ Socks
4 Srixon SoftFeel Balls
Tin Cup Ball Personaliser & Sharpie
Handwarmers
Plus Stocking
ALL FOR ONLY £20! (RRP £44)
Basic:
Bumpa Bag of Wooden Tees
2 Srixon SoftFeel Balls
Masters Ball Personaliser & Pen
Handwarmers
Plus Stocking
ALL FOR ONLY £10! (RRP £16)
Winter Hats, Snoods, Gloves & Mitts -
From ONLY £10!
Shoe Bags, Holdalls & Umbrellas -
From ONLY £15!
Portlethen Gifts - Scorecard Holders, Umbrellas, Shoebags, Caps & Holdalls - From ONLY £12!
Glenmuir Box Sets - Ladies & Gents Hat & Scarf or Sock Sets - From ONLY £13
Someone that did take advantage of not only my great Prices, but also my great Services as well has walked away with some pounds left in his pocket but most importantly I hope more drives on the fairway. A bargain is only a bargain if you can benefit from it and last week Jim Byers came to me to see if one of the latest drivers could make a difference to his game.
Jim was currently using a TaylorMade Rocketballs Driver which is reasonably new technology. Using my GC2 Launch Monitor I was able to assess how his current club (and swing were performing). Jim typically would swing quite sharply down and across the ball with the face very open to the target. This caused him to lose most shots to the right with a slice. Now, whilst the swing caused a lot of the slice it was accentuated quite a bit by his strikes being very much out the heel of the clubface (see below) which in its own right creates a slice type of spin on the ball. This was largely down to his Club Shaft being too long.
Before After
I mentioned a few of his swing characteristics to him, and after a few minor swing adjustments we tried a few different Models of New Driver. They all performed slightly better than his own but one in particular gave Jim a THIRTY YARD gain, but was so much more consistent into the bargain. This was not just simply down to it being a newer and better Club! This was because the improvements in the Clubs technology were being allowed to flourish because the Shaft length was more suitable, which in turn allowed Jim to hit the centre of the face more regularly. Plus the swing adjustments allowed him to do that with a straighter to target Clubface.
Before
After
No matter how much you invest in a new club or clubs. To get the best benefit out of them they have to suit YOUR GAME!
We are still Club Fitting throughout Winter.
Not much to report on from last week with this cold weather and even snow at times! For me it's been work, gym and getting a start on my sports science assignment and my usual game on a Wednesday in the alliance!
Last week it was at Newburgh where I strategically asked for an earlier tee time as the rain was meant to start later in the afternoon. But just as we made it to the tee and looked back, we quickly went into our bags to get the waterproofs on for what looked like Armageddon. Right enough after 40 mins of heavy rain it was glorious sunshine once everything was wet.
The golf wasn't actually that bad. I shot 74 (+4) with a poor performance on the greens. Maybe by me saying that my putting is terrible every week I've talked myself into having a bad day on the greens!
Paul Lawrie showed the youngsters how it's done in the tough conditions with a 5 under par 65! Next week is at Buckpool and even though it's a bit of a trek, I do like the course.
The course found itself on the Temporary Greens for the first time this winter over the weekend as the frost took hold. Following a dusting of snow and more frost the Course closed through the early part of this week but it looks as if things will be ok for this weekend.
But I thought this would be a good time to remind everyone of how the Winter Course Regulations will work this year. Neil and the Committee are trying everything they can to give you as full a course as they can when they can so here is a good way to remember what is allowable and when:
Course Conditions
When the Full Greens are IN PLAY
o Fairways are IN PLAY
o Preferred Lies
o Bunkers are IN PLAY! (See Local Winter Rule No.2)
When the Full Greens are OUT of PLAY(Aka Winter Greens)
o The Fairways are OUT of PLAY (Lift to the nearest Side*)
o Place In Semi-Rough
o Bunkers are OUT of PLAY! (Drop Outside)
*Left 1/3 of Fairway = Lift Left
Right 1/3 of Fairway = Lift Right
Middle 1/3 of Fairway = Players Choice
The Committee have also introduced two Local Rules for the Winter Period.
1) You may now take relief from an Embedded Ball(Plugged) anywhere "Thru The Green" (aka
everywhere including rough but excluding hazards)
2) When the Bunkers are in play, you may now Lift, Rake & Replace!
This is an alternative to taking the bunkers out of play completely as has happened in previous years.
