As I write this week's newsletter the sun is actually shining, although only 5 degrees it still makes you feel better. All we ask is for it to stop raining, well at least for a few days.
Subscription renewals will be sent out this week by e mail, so please keep an eye on your inbox.
For a limited time only we are offering one FREE OF CHARGE Golf Pride grip on your 7 iron, that's right, completely FREE!! There's no catch.
We want to show you just how beneficial a new grip can be, just some of the added bonuses are increased grip, greater control of the golf club and the potential to gain more speed through the ball.
A fresh set of grips is an inexpensive and fast way to bring a noticeable change to your game. Come and see us now for a fitting and take advantage of our 'Golf Pride FREE 7 iron grip offer'.
What are you waiting for?
Our new Golf Pride grip wall has been installed by Chris and we are ready and waiting to measure you for the correct size and talk to you about the different textures available.
Our 2 great offers continue, and have been proving really popular over the past week or so:
Titleist NXT Tour S balls
Buy One dozen for £24.99 saving £5 or Buy 2 Dozen for £40 saving £20.
Hurry while stocks last.
Buy a pair of FootJoy D.N.A golf shoes and receive a FREE D.N.A shoe bag.
Click here to find out more about this offer.
New in this week:
TaylorMade Waterproof Bags
Protect your valuable equipment from the rain with the TaylorMade Waterproof Cart Bag, made with waterproof fabric, thermo-sealed zippers and heat welded seams and available in 3 colours.
Cart Bag Features:
- 9.5" x 8.5" Top Size
- 14-Way Club Divider System
- 7 Total Pockets
- Trolley Key Lock Base System
- An integrated grab handle for ease of use when transporting your bag.
- A trolley key lock base system to secure your bag to your cart.
- 2 garment pockets, rangefinder pocket, accessory pocket, tee pocket, ball pocket, plus an insulated beverage pocket.
- The bag weighs 2.4kgs and has a matching rain hood.
We need your help!
I have had one member with a single figure handicap come forward to do some product testing, but would like another with a higher handicap please. All we ask is for you to take the new product on the driving range or out on the course and then write a small review on your findings which we will include in the weekly newsletter.
Please contact one of us in the Professional shop if that is you or click here to get in touch.
Stop skulling your irons
Golfers who hit a lot of thin shots tend to swing the club too steeply into the ball. That's because they slide past the ball on the downswing and have to force the club down to make contact. When they slide too far, they catch only the top half of the ball, hitting it thin.
The problem actually starts on the backswing. Thin hitters usually lift the club abruptly, without much shoulder turn (NO), which leads to the forward slide. If you don't wind up going back, you have nothing to unwind on the downswing. So you slide.
Here's how to stop that cycle
Swing your arms back wide, and make a full shoulder turn. Try to get your back to the target (YES). Don't be too eager to hit the ball: Turn to the top, and then turn through. If you make a good move going back, you'll be in position to make a more level strike and stop hitting it thin.
Give this drill a try
Tee up some balls as you would for a driver, and practice hitting them with your 5-iron. If you move in front of the ball on the downswing, like thin hitters do, you'll swing down too steeply and slide the club under the ball, making contact high on the face.
To hit a ball solidly off a high tee with an iron, your swing has to be pretty level at the bottom. Make a full backswing and feel as if you're staying over the ball through impact.
Valentine's Day massacre (not quite)
A couple of old adversaries came back to haunt us this week in the shape of Robin Webb and John Fisher, along with Neil Cutmore and Phil (Dwarf) Rowlands. On a very blustery and cold day, highlighted by all of us having to hit full tilt drivers into the 8th and only getting a few yards on the green!
Both games again stayed very close and with very few shots being given it would come down to a few key shots, unfortunately we 3 putted the 16th for a half with both pairs, to stay 1 down to Robin and John and 1 up on Neil and Phil.
We all parred 17 which was a great score, when Phil then hit the shot of the day on 18 nearly holing it, more surprising was Neil then holing it from 6 feet. Those who play with Neil regularly will know how surprised all of us were when it went in.
We were now all square with Phil and Neil and still 1 down to Robin and John, after all of us hit the green on 18a John rolled his ball up dead so Adie had to hole his for a halve. Adie made a great attempt, but just missed on the high side, so after Neil had rolled his putt up to 6 feet, Phil had to hole it to get us down the 1st, but unfortunately he just lost it on the low side which gave us a 1-hole win.
Wessex Seniors Winter League
We had a very close match against SWGC last week, all four matches went to the 18th, but unfortunately SWGC beat us 2.5 to 1.5. They are unbeaten at home this season.
Results so far:
1st - Alresford 13 (played 6, 2 away wins)
2nd - SWGC 12 (played 6 - no away wins)
3rd - Hockley 10 (played 5 - 1 away win)
4th - RWGC 7 (played 5 - 1 away win)
5th - Corhampton (played 6 - no away wins)
Away wins are important because they are the tie break.
We have 2 away matches (Corhampton and RWGC) and 1 home match (Corhampton) still to play, so we are still in contention. Another away win would be good!
John Taylor
Seniors' Summer Friendlies
A chart showing fixtures and dates/times from mid-March up to the end of May is now available on the Seniors' Notice Board to indicate YOUR availability. Please tick as many boxes as you can so that I can let as many of you as possible participate - away and home matches. Team selection is also much easier!
I would like to encourage all Seniors to "have a go" in the Friendlies where, unlike our Club's various league matches, the emphasis is primarily on having a great social day out with your pals from Hockley and our opponents from other local clubs. Great value for money, a chance to make new acquaintances/friends and an opportunity to sort out worldly issues with the others; when you're not focusing on your next shot, of course!
Geoff Charnely
Senior's Captain
Men's Mail on Sunday
The team consisting of Jason Cattle, Nick Goater, Luke Hodgetts, Alex Olney and Loz Hopper got off to a good start as they took on Portsmouth GC on Saturday. Highlights were Nick Goater who birdied the last two holes to win 1 up and Luke Hodgetts who was giving 9 shots won his match 3 and 1.
The team result was 4 ½, to ½, we now have a home draw against South Winchester Golf Club to be played on 13th March..
We had very small entries in to the Short course stableford's last week, so both were processed as one division.
Wednesday's results were:
Winner Dean Osman with 38 points, winning on a countback from John Kinnard. Unfortunately, there was a member with 39 points, but he didn't sign his card so was disqualified, he won't do that again.
Saturday's results:
Winner new member Matthew Kneller with 36 points
Runner Up another new member Stuart Humphreys with 34 points.
Monday's Stableford was processed as two divisions:
Division One winner: Dennis Powell with 33 points winning on a countback from Mike Kelly.
Division Two winner : Steve Davis with 38 points, Runner Up: John Kinnard with 36 points
Two's sweep
By popular request the 'Two's ball' sweep will return, commencing with the John Simpson this Friday. Your chance to win balls for only a £1, please pay in the Pro shop when you sign into the competition.
Summer Knockouts
The Summer Knockouts are now open for entry on the psi machines in the locker rooms w/c 8th February. Click here for the information and the conditions of entry and I urge you all to read them please.
Can I also ask that when entering on the psi, that you complete ALL stages and wait until you are thanked for entering, DO NOT walk away when told that the competition fee has been taken, this does not mean you have been entered. If you are unsure, please ask one of my team for help.
The winners of the Toogood Cup were Lorraine Cole and Susie Dryden. They now go forward to play in the Daily Mail Foursomes.
Runners Up were Julie Moss and Ai Lin Liu, and they now play in the Knight Cup.
Friday, 19 - Sunday, 21 February - the John Simpson 5th card, played from the yellow tees and enter on the day in the Pro shop.
Saturday, 20 February - Capt/Pro, the tee is reserved from 11.55 - 12.05pm
Sunday, 21 February - The Winter league semi-finals, the tee is reserved from 9.00 - 9.30am. Ladies Stableford
Monday, 22 February - Course maintenance commences.
Monday, 22 February - New members evening 7pm.
Monday, 29 February - the kitchen will be closed for a deep clean.
Sunday, 6 March - Mother's Day Sunday Lunch, book in advance at the bar.
Friday, 18 March - Callaway Demo day from 12 noon - 4pm. Click here to get in touch if you would like to book a slot.
Sunday, 20 March - Family Foursomes, entry information will be published soon.
