Hello golfers,
Welcome to another edition of the Hockley pro shop weekly newsletter, bringing you up-to-date with all the latest news and offers.
Modernising Golf's Rules
Last week the R&A proposed some key changes to the Rules of Golf from 2019. Their Rules Modernisation initiative has been underway for a few years now and this is the next stage in that process. The aim is to not only make the Rules easier to understand, but also to address some of the game's current problems, such as speed of play, and ensure they fit the needs of today's game.
Please spare a couple of minutes to complete our survey, which gives you the chance to have your say on the proposed changes.
We've picked out some of the most significant Rules changes for you to digest in this survey, before giving you the chance to say whether you agree or disagree with each of them. It'll be great to know your thoughts.
Have your say here.
Charity Quiz Night - What A Night!
Thank you to everyone who attended the charity quiz night held at the club on Friday, 3 March. It was great to see over 100 people attend the evening and do battle in the "Hockley University Challenge". Winners on the night with 76 points were "The Late Peter Crowe" pipping "Still Thinking" by half a point. The highlight of the evening was when, during the music round, everyone appeared to have their hands in the air waving them around like they just didn't care! Brilliant.
In total the night raise over £700 for our Charity - Naomi House and Jack's Place, thank you to everyone for your kind generosity and well done to our raffle winners. A big thank you to our quiz support team on the night, our front of house and catering teams. We must do it again sometime, we've started, so let's not finish...
Nick Goater & Damian Cain,
Club Captain & Vice Captain.
Charity Games
The winner of the bonus ball this weekend was John Fisher.
Masters Sweepstake
We now countdown to The Masters, only four weeks away, and our Masters Draw is now up and running. Who are you tipping to win? Dustin Johnson is on form or will Tiger surprise us, if you're not sure then why not enter our Masters Sweepstake? Only £5 per ticket for your chance to win the first prize of over a £100 to spend in the pro shop, this would certainly knock a dent in the new driver or trolley you may be considering purchasing.
We will also be running daily prizes of £10 each for the best and worst scores and the main prizes will go to fifth place.
New Arrivals
More exciting deliveries this week from Under Armour with two spiked shoes including the 'Speith One' shoe and two spikeless shoes, along with t-shirts, trousers, shorts and zip tops. Make sure you pay us a visit over the weekend to check out these new ranges for yourselves.
Bag Trade-in
With the golfing season now upon us, there's no better time to treat yourself to a new golf bag as we're offering £20 OFF selected bags when you trade-in your old one - no matter its condition.
Broken zips? Bent stands? Tattered upholstery? If any of these are true of your bag, then take to the course in 2017 with a new style from Motocaddy or Callaway. Next time you're around be sure to pop into the shop and explore our full range in this promotion or click here to learn more.
How to Stop Missing Right
If you tend to slice, which is 90 percent of players you probably hang back as you start down, pushing the club away from you and cutting across the ball. Using your lower body better can break that sequence.
From the top, make your first move a bump of the hips laterally, so that the side of your lead hip would hit and move the chair standing outside your foot. Once you make that bump with your upper body staying over the ball, turn your hips and swing through. Notice how I am able to push the chair up with the correct sequence.
That sets up a downswing from the inside, eliminating that out-to-in slice pattern. If you are still struggling with this area of your game and would like to book a lesson with one of our team, please click here to get in touch.
Fitting Day
There are still spaces available on the 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.
Captain/Pro Match
Four matches last week and the first on Thursday was played on a lovely Hockley day, warm with a gentle breeze. Another couple of great games against Jo and Jonathan Russell with Polly Church and Richard Broughton. A steady start from Nick and myself got us 2up at the turn with our strong nine to come, however both our opponents had other ideas. Jo and Jonathan started back 4, 3, 4, 4 to our 4, 4, 3, 5 and to Polly and Richard's 3, 5, 3, Jo and Jonathan then bogeyed the next three holes to be dormy 3 and after a half in four on 17, our game came to end. Polly and Richard kept their form going nicely and took the lead on 15, halves on 16 and 17 holed from 90 feet for a winning birdie! Two threes on 18 meant we were down the 1st and Nick rolled one up to three feet to just edge out Polly and Richard.
Sunday's games however, were played in cold, breezy and wet conditions. Nick and I played my close friend Paul Spooner and Stuart Humphries with Ian Napleton and Simon Forbes. Paul and Stuart started like a train birdieing the first two holes, so we were down early and remained two down after nine. Our other game was a little closer and we turned 2up against Ian and Simon and then we then birdied 13 to go 3up on them and 1down on Paul and Stuart. We halved the next two holes with both pairs and then parred 16 to beat Ian and Simon 4&3 and go level with the other two. We then halved the next three to go down the 19th where we narrowly lost out on the nearest in three for the first time in this series. Once again, all the games were played in a great spirit with some good golf as well.
Pro-Ams
My Pro-Am list has now been published on the noticeboard 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.
New Arrivals
I have had a small delivery of Under Armour Capri trousers, t-shirts and gilets just as a taster to see what you think? The JRB stock has also arrived and will hopefully be displayed early next week.
Notice
Ladies, don't forget to enter your Summer Knockouts the Southgate Cup and American Tournament which are now open for entry on the PSI in the locker room.
John Simpson Sixth Card Results
The final card was played this weekend with a large entry on Saturday. The best score from the three days was from Mark Kent on Saturday with 41 points, but the rest of the results have been posted on the noticeboard. The overall winner of the trophy is Scott Cook with 162 points, closely followed by Scott Hammond with 160 points.
Winter League
The second Semi-final was played on Saturday between Mike Black and Crispin Weidman against Kevin Stansfield and Sean Dolphin. The match was won by Kevin and Sean who now play Dave Daish and John Fisher in the Final on Sunday, 12 March.
Family Foursomes
The entry sheet for the Family Foursomes on Sunday, 19 March has now been posted on the notice board priced at only £15 per pair. The closing dates for entries is this coming weekend. Why not play with a member of your immediate or extended family? They do not have to be a member.
Upcoming Events
Thursday, 9 March - Men's Short Course Stableford and Ladies Medal.
Friday, 10 March - Seniors' match - The tee is reserved from 1:00pm - 2:00pm.
Saturday, 11 March - Capt/Pro tee reserved from 11.55am - 12.05pm and Men's Short Course Stableford.
Sunday, 12 March - Men's Short Course Stableford and the Winter League Final, the tee is reserved from 11:00am - 11:30am for this Final.
Tuesday, 14 March - The Ladies Fun Day, the tee is reserved from 9:30am -10:30am.
Wednesday, 15 March - Men's Short Course Stableford.
Sunday, 26 March - Mother's Day Roast.
A Few Forward Dates For Your Diary
The Delhi Cup on Saturday, 20 May is a 36 hole scratch open event for those with handicaps of seven and under. Hockley members are eligible to play so please complete an entry form available on the website or in the foyer and hand in to the office.
The Hockley Pro-Am on Wednesday, 24 May, we would love to see more members playing in this event and supporting our club and Captain. Why not invite some of your friends to play and make up a team of three? Your chance to play with a Hampshire Professional and your entry fee includes coffee and a bacon roll on arrival, a two course meal and prizes.
