Hello golfers,
I hope you've all had a good week on and off the golf course, although I've not seen as many of you due to this wet weather we have been experiencing. Not to worry, sit back in the warm and take a read of what's been happening at Hockley over the past week.
It's time you got fitted for a driver!
Our GC2 launch monitor measures the following statistics:
Ball Speed - The initial velocity of the ball as it leaves the clubface. Nothing is more important to distance. Ideally, your ball speed should be 1½ times your swing speed.
Launch Angle - The angle in relation to the ground of the trajectory of the ball after impact. Launch angle is not the loft on a driver, although launch angle can be affected by driver loft. Your launch angle should be 12 degrees or higher.
Backspin - The rotation of the ball after impact. Ideally, it's 2,000 to 3,000 revolutions per minute; slightly higher spin is OK for slow swing speeds.
This weekend we were able to improve two of our members carry distance on a driver by 10 yards. Reduce spin axis (side spin) and find more fairways and here is how we did it.
If we look at each chart and compare the bottom line (which is the average of all the shots), you can see that in the second column Andy has increased the launch resulting in him carrying the ball further, which is shown in the seventh column (carry). Andy has increased his carry yardage by over 10 yards, meaning he can now finally keep up with his wife, our Ladies Captain Wendy off the tee! Also the fourth column (side spin) went from fade to draw which everyone loves! We softened the flex of the shaft to increase launch and height of the shot, then changed the head weight and moved nearer the heel to allow the club face to creature back to square. These two changes allowed us to increase distance and hit straighter shots.
See how much distance and accuracy you can gain in a fitting, call the professional shop today or click here to send us an email.
Fitting Day
We will be holding a Cobra Fitting Day on Saturday, 25 March from 10:00am - 3:00pm, come and try the new F7 range and the 'Single Length' irons from Cobra.
Click here to book your slot now.
Putting and Chipping Clinic
There are a few spaces left on our Putting and Chipping Clinic on Monday, 13 February from 10.00am - 11.30am. £10 per person, limited to 12 and please sign-up in the pro shop or click here to send us an email..
Captain/Pro Challenge
Another bad start from Nick and myself this week, we were two down and three down walking down the 9th against Darren Firth and Tony Davies and Mark Diaper and Gareth Mead, but after the 9th we were one down to Mark and Gareth and two down to Darren and Tony. However foursomes is a funny old game. Nick and I started the back nine; 4, 3, 2, to then be up in both games standing on the 13th tee. At that point we went on a very steady run, finishing with five pars to beat Mark and Gareth 3&2 and Darren and Tony 2&1.
So onto four matches this week, our Ladies Captain Wendy Evans and her other half Andy, (who no doubt will be using his new driver) with Monica Finlayson and Chris Stephens, then on Sunday we have the Drayton brothers with Pat Lawson and Alan Carpenter.
Ladies Medal
Only five ladies took part in the Medal on Sunday and the overall winner was Julie Moss with a nett 75. The next Ladies Medal takes place this Thursday, 9 February.
Special Offer
Ladies, the winter sale has been extended, so come and enjoy 20% OFF all JRB products.
Junior Coaching
Saturday and Sunday morning junior lessons return on Saturday, 11 February at 9.30am and 10.30am (full) and Sunday, 12 February at 9.30am. The cost for six one hour lessons is £48.
Please contact one of the pro team if you have a youngster interested in taking up golf or click here to send us an email.
Thank You
On behalf of the juniors I would like to thank Kevin May for his very kind donation of his Club Champs voucher and some of his bonus ball winnings. This money has been put into a shop account to help towards prizes for junior events and competitions and should any other member wish to donate to the juniors, please speak to Colin Field or any member of the pro team.
John Simpson Card
The fourth John Simpson Card was played this weekend and the full results have been posted in the locker room, but the best score over the two days with 43 points was Mark Gillard. With four rounds played so far, the leader with 156 points is Jonathan Hillier, closely followed by Bob Kimber on 155 points. Five members had a 'two' on Saturday and £4 has been added to their pro shop accounts.
Winter Foursomes
After four knock-out rounds, the final of the popular Winter Foursomes took place on a cold and cloudy Sunday morning between the Basingstoke father and daughter pair Oscar and Lucy O'Herlihy and Hockley pair Gary Whitfield and Duncan Barlow. The match was keenly contested and went to the final hole with Gary and Duncan running out winners by 1up. Third place went to Hockley pair Richard and David Gillespie who beat another Hockley pair Dan Mould and Clive Keywood on the 21st hole. The plate competition was won by Hockley pair Chris Holloway and Daniel Keyworth with 37 points with runners-up Loz Hopper from Hockley and Mark Kendall from Stoneham on 35 points.
Pictured is Captain Nick presenting the Winter Foursomes trophies to Gary and Duncan. Many thanks go to Paul Brown for his overall organising of the event and also to Jack and Chris for recording the results after each round and their general help with the event.
Adrian Nicol,
Competition and Handicap Secretary.
Bar News
The next roast will take place on Sunday, 26 February and Sunday, 26 March (Mother's Day), book now with any member of the bar team.
Date for your Diary
A charity quiz night will be held on Friday, 3 March at 7.30pm, full details have now been posted on the noticeboard in the foyer. Please give this event your support as it will be a fun evening.
Charity Games
The winner of the bonus ball this weekend was Terry Azor.
Upcoming Events
We have a number of events coming up at the club over the next few weeks including:
Thursday, 9 February and Sunday, 12 February - Captain/Pro event, tee reserved from 11.55am - 12.05pm.
Saturday, 11 February - Men's Short Course Stableford.
Monday, 13 February - Men's Short Course Stableford.
Thursday, 23 February The PGA in Hampshire Annual Dinner.
Sunday, 26 February - Sunday Roast.
Friday, 3 March - Charity Quiz Night (7:30pm).
Saturday, 25 March - Cobra Fitting Day (10:00am - 3:00pm).
