Wedges

The least expensive clubs in your bag may prove to be your most valuable ones. Here are four tips to guarantee your next wedge purchase is on-target.

1. What's bounce and how much of it do I need?

Bounce is the angle represented by a line drawn from the bottom of a wedge (sole) to the leading edge. Many wedge models are offered in a variety of bounce options - standard, low- or high-bounce. Here's a good rule of thumb: Try a low-bounce wedge if you play often in firm conditions (such as tight fairways), a high-bounce wedge in softer conditions.

2. What should I do if I dig?

Get yourself a wedge with more bounce, a wider sole or both. (Incidentally, wedges with broad soles are recommended in fluffy sand.) Check your bounce by hitting off a lie board (like you'd try during an iron fitting). If the mark on the tape is toward the leading edge, then you dig and should consider using more bounce. If the mark is more towards the middle, then you're free to choose among high-, medium- or low-bounce clubs.

3. How many wedges should I use?

We'd recommend four wedges for low and mid-handicappers. These should be a pitching wedge, gap wedge, sand wedge and lob wedge. This'll remove the guesswork from 100 yards in and allow you to make full swings on touch shots rather than gauging distances with half- and three-quarter swings. Higher handicappers should begin by mastering two wedges, a pitching wedge and a sand wedge. You'll add a third, most-likely a gap wedge, as you gain experience.

4. What about the gaps between their lofts?

Be sure to determine the lofts (using four-degree increments) from the pitching wedge (46? to 48? degrees). Thus, we highly-recommend a gap wedge (50? to 52?). Why a four-degree gap? We don't want any distance duplication between two or more clubs. Which means, in some cases, you may be better suited with larger (say, five-degree increments. (Another option is to build your set starting from the putting green and work back towards the tee.)

From my recent equipment survey it shows that 50% of you only have 3 wedges in your bag, and some haven't bought a new wedge in the last 5 years! What better time to try a wedge when we have £10 OFF any Cleveland wedge. Please come and see me to trial some of our wedges from Cleveland, Titleist and TaylorMade, or book in for a FREE wedge assessment from our professional staff, and we can discuss what wedge is correct for you.

Click here to visit my website where you can compare the different models I have in stock, or click here to request your fitting.

On Friday, 19 December we will be holding a Staff v Members match starting at 12 noon just for 10 holes. Soup and a roll will be available from 11.30 for competitors. We are hoping for 12 members to take us up for this challenge, so if you are interested in taking the staff on please sign up in the pro shop.

Due to the vast amount of members wishing to play on a Saturday morning, the golf committee have asked me to inform you, that as of this coming weekend you will not be able to bring guests to play until after midday. However, you will be able to play in competitions from 7.30am on a weekend. The Pro shop will be open from 7.30am to accommodate this.

Bar News

The Sunday roasts are proving to be very popular and the December 7th is now SOLD OUT, so please think in advance and book for the next roast on Sunday, 11 January.

We now have some new table stands resembling mini golf flags, these are all numbered. You will be presented with one of these to take to your table when you order food. This will enable our staff to deliver your food to you quickly and efficiently.

On non-competition days some of the tees maybe moved slightly, so please be aware of this and follow any directional signs from the green staff.

Steps on the Course

It is our intention during the Winter Programme of works to either remove or make safe the steps on many of the tees. You will have seen this work has already started.

Please be as careful as possible during this transitional phase as clearly we cannot rectify all the steps at once, and with all this rain about they can become treacherous very quickly. Every effort is being made to expedite this work we assure you.

This Saturday Saints and Pompey come together, when Robin and I begin the first of the Capt/Pro challenges, so if there any Pompey fans playing us (there must be at least one?) You need to ask me for the gimmee's!

Huge congratulations to Bethany Goater who was presented with the Kerry Smith Award at the Hampshire Girls' Autumn Meeting last month. This is a very special award recognising commitment and achievement over the year and Beth is a worthy winner.

Click here to find out more about her fantastic victory.

Winter League

Last chance to enter this competition which is open to all seven day members (Men, Ladies & Juniors) with active handicaps and entry will be via the PSI system as individuals, £6 per player. Closing date for entries is November 15th.

John Simpson 2nd card this Friday 14th, Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th please enter in the Pro shop before play and note you can now play from 7.30am.

Ladies Stableford Sunday, 16 November.

Turkey Trot - Sunday 14 December

(Closing Date Wed 10th or sooner if full) Entry Fee through the PSI in either locker room, entry fee of £11.00 Adults, Juniors FREE

INCLUDES:

Hearty soup with selection of bread rolls, coffee and tea with festive mince pies and prizes.
A 9am Shotgun start of Singles,
Stableford full handicap allowance,
NON QUALIFIER,
Allowance for Men/Juniors and Ladies 24,
Men off yellow - Ladies off red tees.

MEN'S & LADIES PRIZES, in fact...prizes galore!!!

In the event of the competition being cancelled, all prizes will go into the draw to take place at 1pm. All winners MUST be present to collect prizes. Draw for partners & starting place will be posted on the notice board & website.

I hope this weather improves for the busy golfing weekend!