A request from
Jeff Ashford, could male members with handicaps between 11 - 18 please sign up for the Millennium League matches, the sheet is in the changing room. The first match is on 15th March and there isn't a full team yet.
Bar News
Bookings are now being taken for the next Sunday lunch on February 22nd.
On a very cold & extremely windy Sunday, Hockley ladies played the first round of the 2015 Mail on Sunday at Hockley against Alresford.
The team of Sue Poulter, Julie Moss, Bethany Goater, Kay Walshe & Louise Spruce recorded a resounding 5-0 victory. Home advantage and tough conditions played to Hockley's strengths leading to some resounding victories, notably Kay Walshe giving 5 shots & winning 5&4, Julie Moss winning 7 & 6 and Beth Goater sent out first against a county first team player off a 1 handicap and bringing in the first point by a fantastic 5&4 victory ! Thanks to the supporters who braved the cold.
Juniors are required for the Ladies/Juniors match on Tuesday, 17 February. If you haven't had an e-mail or phone call from Junior Captain George Hoarton please contact Jack or Chris in the Pro Shop, or click here to get in touch.
There will be a junior stableford during half term on
Thursday, 19 February, please enter in the Pro Shop for a roll up at 11am.
I am delighted to report that Graham and his team secured a 3:1 win against Corhampton on Tuesday, very well done in blustery conditions. They are now 3 points ahead of SWGC.
They now wait to see how SWGC get on with their away match against RWGC on 4 Feb. If they win, they would be one point ahead of us. We would then need to beat them on 10 Feb to retain the trophy, because although a draw would level the points, we would lose on the tie break which is the number of away wins (we have 1, they would have 2).
If they draw, they would be one point behind us. We would then need a draw (or a win) to retain the trophy.
If they lose, they would stay 3 points behind us, but if we lost to them on the 10th, we would draw level again, this time, with the same number of away wins, the same number of home wins and the same number of away and home draws! Graham has checked the past minutes to find out what happens then and it says "Pistols at Dawn"! In the event this is the outcome, any volunteers?
Short Course Stableford - Tuesday, 27 January
Division one winner was Mike Kelly with 40 points
Division 2 winner with an outstanding 46 points was Tom Brooks, who has now had his handicap cut by 3.
Stubby Stableford - Saturday, 31 January
Due to the low entry this competition was processed as one division. Winning again was Tony Canning with 40 points.
Stubby Stableford - Sunday, 1 February
Again due to the low entry (could this be because it's so cold!!) this was processed as one division. The winner with 40 points was Tom Brooks again. Tom has now had an exceptional scoring reduction, bringing his handicap now to 9, he started the week off 15.
Winter Foursomes
Played on a bitterly cold, but dry day the winners of this competition were Russell Clayton and Neil Griffiths beating Paul Mantell and Ben L'Enfant 3 and 2. Jack and I were third by default as Terry Ealey overslept, you're working too hard Terry!
30 players returned for the Plate competition and the winners with 34 points were Mark Dawe and Rob Clothier, closely followed by John Fisher and Mark Eades with 33 points. Our thanks to Dan for coming early to supply the coffee and bacon rolls, Adrian Nicol for the starting and scoring and to referees Mike Eames and Howard Gleadow.
Due to the pending ban on long putters I have to try something different, my new putter to try, is an arm lock putter from Odyssey.
The Odyssey Works #1 Wide Armlock Putter is a compact heel-toe weighted blade with a wide flange, Versa high contrast alignment, alternative Arm Lock design, a double bend shaft and full-shaft offset. Come in and try it next time you are in, I've already got 2 possible takers!
Click here to find out more about the Odyssey putter range
NEW IN - Nike Golf Vapor Pro Combo Irons
Nike golf have refined their mixed iron set construction in the Vapor Pro Combo's to create a high performing set of irons with forgiveness and workability at the core - all steaming from the RZN insert and modern muscle head shapes.
Your longer irons (4-7) incorporates RZN technology into the cavity which is the same as used in the premium golf ball range. The addition of this technology gives you a great feel and stability on your shots - which is what you need when finesse is needed playing into the greens.
Modern muscle design cavity in the shorter irons (8-PW) for a pure feel and feedback on the shots you need to control into the greens while also allowing you to work the ball closer to the pin.
Your ball speed and ball trajectory is amplified in the longer irons thanks to the inclusion of the ultra-fast Spring Steel face while the shorter irons give the ball a more penetrating ball flight.
Control is key especially when playing into the greens so you know you will have consistency and the ball stopping spin, every Speed Iron has this thanks to X3X grooves. X3X 'high-frequency' fully conforming grooves offer a stronger, more aggressive groove edge and deeper groove channels for ultimate stopping power and distance control.
Maximum confidence comes on every shot comes from looking down and the progressive blade lengths depending on which iron your chose. The longer blade lengths in the longer irons help you to be confident on working the ball around the course while the more classic blade length in the shorter irons allows you to have control into the greens. Full set 4-PW
Click here to find out more about the new Vapor range.
Ladies, JRB quilted, reversible gilets are now only £29.99 save £10. Available in Grey and Pink or Navy and White and all sizes in stock.
This week's tip is about the mental side of the game. This is an area that is such a big part of the game, but many of us do not know how to practice it. Below is about that difficult tee shot that you come across either here at Hockley or other golf courses.
Think of Your Favourite Tee Shot
Sometimes you come across a tee shot that doesn't suit your eye. It's not easy to commit to a target. That lack of commitment makes it hard to swing freely, and your results are inconsistent.
Imagine you're standing on your favourite tee box, one where you feel confident about hitting a good drive. Standing behind the ball, pick a place in the fairway you'd like the ball to land, and aim in a way that accounts for the shape of your usual ball flight when you play from that favourite tee. After you set your club at address and take your stance, don't look toward the fairway again. Imagine that fairway where you can hit your favourite drive, and swing away. For further help, please come and see Chris or I and book a playing lesson where all these aspects can be worked on.
Click here to get in touch if you would like to book a lesson.
Gapping
One of the most important questions you can ask of your game is - how far do I hit the ball? Do you know the answer?
Knowing what distance you hit the ball and how far each club carries can help you plan your way round the golf course and lower your score. A distance gap exercise could be one of the most important hours of your season.
Book a gap fitting session today, using our new GC2 Launch monitor and we will give you detailed analysis on how far you hit your clubs and provide you with written data to keep in your bag. £25 per gapping session.
From the 1st February my lesson prices and structure will be changing. The cost will be £30, but the lessons will now be 40 minutes long, this will give us time to discuss your needs, work on them and give you a way forward.
Individual Lesson 40 minutes = £30
3 x 40 minute lesson package = £70
1 Hour Launch Monitor lesson = £45
9 Hole Playing lesson = £50
Junior Lesson 30 minutes = £20
Junior lessons return on Saturday, 7 and Sunday, 8 February at 9.30am. The cost for 6 x 1 hour lessons is £48. Please contact the pro team for more information. The Saturday session is now full, but 6 places are available on the Sunday session.
Friday 6th, Sat 7th and Sun 8th February John Simpson 4th Card, played from the yellow tees, please enter on the day in the Pro shop.
Saturday 7th Capt/Pro match from 11.55 - 12.05pm
Sunday 8th tee reservation from 12 noon to 12.45 for the Men's Mail on Sunday match v Dummer.
Mystery Matchplay
This popular event returns on Sunday, 15 February and entry can now be made on the psi in either changing room, to date only 10 entries have been received. The entry fee of £12.50 will include coffee from 11am, a one course meal after play and prizes.
The format is a shotgun start from holes 1 - 6 at 12 noon, play 18 holes medal in a drawn fourball. Whilst you are out playing a 'Matchplay' draw will be produced, when you come in from playing you will be able to eat and also find who you have been drawn against, play a matchplay round from your card with that person and so on until we reach the semi final stage. The semi final and final are played 'out loud' in front of the other competitors. I will be on hand to help.
The PGA in Hampshire Dinner
Last chance for tickets this week. The PGA in Hampshire's 64th Annual Dinner & Golf Tournament will take place at Rowlands Castle Golf Club on Friday, 20 February 2015.
Tickets for Golf & Dinner Tickets cost £55.00.
Tickets for the Dinner only are £40.00 to include guest speakers.
Please contact me or a member of my team by February 6th if you would like to attend. Full details are on the notice board in the foyer.
