The next Sunday Roast will be on 7th February, please book in advance at the bar. 

The March date is perfectly timed for Mother's Day on Sunday, 6 March, so why not treat your Mum and give her a day off.


 

One for the Ladies this week as we introduce the new range of shoes from FootJoy.

Emerge: 

A lightweight shoe, with a waterproof leather upper and cushioned inner sole that provides comfort underfoot by dampening shock while walking. 

Available with a Navy or purple trim or in all black.


Empower:

Again a lightweight shoe with a breathable waterproof upper. 

Available in white, black or white and Taupe.

             

Embody: 

A lightweight and breathable yet waterproof shoe. This is an athletic-inspired shoes for women seeking footwear that will perform on course and will hook up with their sporty outfits.

                          

Should we not have your size in stock we are more than happy to order them for you, and if available the shoes are usually delivered within 2 days.

Furthermore, if you are unsure of your size please ask to be measured by myself, Jack or Chris who are fully trained. Did you know that 70% of golfers are wearing the wrong sized shoes? Come and have a chat with us in the pro shop to find out more.


 

Another nice couple of Capt/Pro matches with some of our over 21 members, Eddie Francis & Danny Munro with Michael Moore & Henry Cooper gave us a very enjoyable afternoon. Although none of us played at our peak this only added to the excitement of the game. Unusually Aide and I we were a few up after 9 on both pairs and with Aide staying nice and steady, and a few missed putts from our opponents, we saw both matches out.

A couple of matches ago we were beaten by the usual suspects Dr Tony Crawford & Dr Martin Mitchell and despite their claim that previous Capt/Pro results have gone against them (I can't remember that) I forgot to mention this year's result, which was a loss for us 3 & 1. Aide and I will have to try and seek revenge in the final.

This week we are playing on Saturday against two new members who have settled in nicely, Dennis Hodgetts and his son Luke, who just happened to win the Sonny Sharpe trophy last year, so that should be fun! And the other pairing and a great supporter of our family Nigel Newman (our accountant) and Damian Cain.

My Pro Am list has now been published on the notice board in the foyer and I look forward to playing around the County with some of you this year. Please do not hesitate to ask me or any member of my team for more information on these events, or click here to get in touch if you have any questions.


 

Improving your shoulder turn 

One of the biggest differences between the swings of a high-handicapper and a better player is the way the shoulders rotate. Higher handicap golfers tend to rotate their shoulders back and through level with the ground. This leads to a host of problems with the golf swing-most notably poor contact and sliced or pulled shots.

While it might feel natural for the shoulders to rotate level with the ground-the way they do in sports such as baseball or tennis-you have to remember that a golf club is NOT swung on a plane parallel with the ground. The plane is tilted. In order to swing on the proper path and make solid, centre-face contact, the shoulders need to rotate on a tilted axis. That's how better players swing. The left shoulder moves down and the right shoulder moves up during the backswing and the reverse happens during the follow-through.

                             

The shoulders turn perpendicular to the spine, so from the forward-tilted position you create bending from the hips at address, the shoulders should tilt when you turn. A lot of higher-handicap players lift their arms to get the club to the top. The front shoulder never tilts downward nor does it get behind the ball.

Click here to let us know how you get on with this tip.


 

Saturday and Sunday morning Junior lessons return on Saturday, 30 and Sunday, 31 January at 9.30am. 

The cost for 6 x 1 hour lessons is £48, the Saturday session is FULL, but we still have spaces on Sunday. 

Please contact the pro team for more information, or click here to get in touch.


 

Past captain Graham Light was suddenly taken ill with pneumonia last week. He has been receiving care in the Royal County Hospital, Winchester and is expected home soon. Graham anticipates being back on Hockley fairways after about three months recuperating. Cards have been sent by the Club and myself on behalf of all our Seniors wishing him a speedy recovery.


Seniors Veteran Cup - Add to your Diary - Wednesday, 1 June 

Format - 18 hole stableford

Presented in 1968 by Colonel Gunn and open to all Hockley Seniors PLUS an additional age related handicap allowance for our over 70's!


Hockley Seniors Open - Wednesday, 7 September 

Click here to find out more details or to print off an entry form.


Other Local Clubs' Opens

Details are continually being updated in the Seniors Opens folder in the men's changing room:

12-May Wellow, 10-Jun Wickham Park, 16-Jun Petersfield, 23-Jun Brokenhurst Manor, 21-Jul Chobham, 1-Aug Basingstoke, 2-Aug Royal Winchester. 

Geoff Charnley 
Seniors Captain


 

Only 5 Ladies braved the temperatures last week and played in the first stableford of the year and the winner was June Glasspell with 34 points and Runner Up was Lucy Barraclough with 28 points.


  

A small entry into Saturday's Short course stableford consequently this was processed as one division: 

Winner: Vince Holmes with 39 points 
Runner Up: Jonathan Hillier with 35 points, winning on a countback from Jason Laney. 

Sunday's winners were: 
Division One: Carl Faulds with 39 points 
Runner Up: last Sundays winner Simon Orr with 36 points, beating Ed Player on a countback. 

Division Two: Paul Wynn with 36 points beating Dan Hood on a countback. 

A reminder that first round matches of the Winter League must be completed by this coming Sunday, 31 January.




Saturday, 30 January - Men's Short Course stableford, played from the yellow tees and enter on the day in the Pro Shop. 

Capt/Pro please note the tee is reserved from 11.55am - 12.05pm for this event. 

Sunday, 31 January - Men's Short Course stableford. 

The final of the Winter Foursomes and the Plate competition, please note the course is CLOSED until 10.15am, there will be NO early morning play.