Hello golfers, 

Not all good news this week, the weather has taken a turn for the worse and England are out of the Rugby World Cup! But I couldn't help taking this picture last week of the 'three wise men', Mike Eames, Dave Thompson and Howard Gleadow enjoying the afternoon autumn sunshine. Look closely and you may even spot Howard with a 'Portsmouth' mug of tea instead of his usual glass of Turning heads!


 

Sunday Lunch

A very successful roast lunch was held on Sunday and the next one is scheduled for Sunday 1st November. To reserve a table at the next event, please book in advance at the bar. Another reminder that the bar and clubhouse will close 30 minutes after dusk, which currently is about 7.30pm.

Course News

Please be aware that Course Maintenance will start on Monday 11th October with a number of temporary greens in play whilst the work is carried out.


 

After having a fitting and purchasing new PING i E1 clubs, Kevin Burnett-Whalley booked a lesson with me to work primarily on the slice that had set into his game. His quote on Facebook read, 

"It was really good looking at my swing on his tablet which you will all know is a little odd compared with most players' swings, but I was given good feedback showing me weight transfer and connection on the ball was very good. Gary straightened me out so I am clearer now on what needs to be done to stop the ball moving off to the right off the tee".

The 'tablet' Kevin is referring to is my iPad with a coaching app that I am able to analyse your swing in 'slow motion' or full speed and send you the video after the lesson. 

Please click here to contact me if you are interested in a video analysis lesson. Chris is holding a Chipping Clinic on Wednesday 14th October from 10am - 11.30am only £10, limited spaces so please call in or click here to book to avoid disappointment.


 

The Difference between Driver and Irons

Do we have a different swing with the driver and the irons? To be honest it's hard enough to find time to practice and develop one swing let alone two different swings. The difference in the effect of the swings comes from the modification in our set up and the different design characteristics of the clubs.

Click here to read more about our tip. 


 

A new junior member...

Congratulations to Jaco De Beurs and his partner on the birth of their baby son Kai Nicolaas De Beurs weighing in at 7.5lbs born on 1st October.


 

The Roger Gaines Trophy

The Roger Gaines trophy hasn't been played for the past 2 years and we would love to reinstate it this year. Roger was a very proactive junior organiser when Ben and Jack were juniors, and the trophy was generated and is played in his memory. 

The format is a pairs, greensomes, stableford and we aim to pair one of our more experienced juniors with a newer junior. The entry fee is only £3 and includes sausage/burger and chips after play. The closing date is Friday 23rd October and the event will be played on Monday 26th October with the first tee time at 10.30am. 

Juniors please give this your support, contact the Pro team if you wish to play.


 

The Past HGC Seniors' Captains Match - organised by Peter Betts was an enjoyable event! 

The Seniors' Annual Meeting will be held at 11:00am at Hockley on Friday 9th October. Arrive at 10.30am for coffee - on the Captain. Please attend if you can and bring your diaries. 

Kelly Salvers - Mixed, greensomes, stableford 27th October. 09.30am pairs draw for 10.00am tee followed by a light lunch. See Seniors' notice board and sign up!


 

Saturday's Men's Medal 

In Division One the winner was Chris Stephens with a nett 66. Our runner up was Dan Kelly with a nett 68, beating Kevin McArdle on a countback. In Division Two the winner was Taylor Archer with a nett 71 and runner up was Jonathan Mills with a nett 73. 

Forthcoming Events 
Saturday 10th October - Autumn Texas Scramble. Please note the course is closed until 2.30pm and there will be no play before 8am. If you wish to eat after you have played could we please ask that you pre-order BEFORE you go out on the 'tick sheet' which is available either in the Pro Shop, the bar and in the foyer. 

Sunday 11th October - Men's Short Course Stableford. This event will played from the yellow tees and you can enter on the day in the Pro Shop. 

Friday 23rd October - The AGM for the Club will take place at 7pm.


Men vs. Ladies 

This competition started in our Centenary year will be played on Sunday 25th October with the first tee time at 12 noon. The format is a 4BBB stableford and 16 Men and Ladies are required, please sign up in the foyer. The cost is £8.50 which includes coffee before play and a 1 course meal after. 


Winter League 

This competition is open to all seven day members (Men, Ladies & Juniors) with active handicaps and entry will be via the PSI system as individuals, costing £6 per player. Closing date for entries is November 1st. Click here for more details. 


 

New TaylorMade Woods

This week sees the launch of the new TaylorMade M1 metalwood range and we are taking delivery of the driver. 

Titanium/carbon composite crowns are not a new concept, but TaylorMade has turned to this option to save the maximum possible weight from the clubhead. It may only save a few grams but that can make all the difference in terms of clubhead, and ball speed. 

Features and benefits of the TaylorMade M1 driver include: 

- Lightweight driver featuring composite crown - white titanium at the front, dark carbon at the rear 
- Lighter clubhead helps to generate greater clubhead speed and so more distance 
- Low centre of gravity for maximum MOI 
- T-Track adjustable weight system allows the player to manipulate spin and ball flight 
- T-Track adjustable weight system allows player to select a fade or draw bias 
- Adjustable "loft sleeve" hosel allows player to tweak loft by +/- 2°