Latest News
I do wonder how many people in America are left on Rory McIlroy's Christmas card list after arguably the most intense Ryder Cup held in America since the 'war on the shore' in 1991. In the end a comfortable 17 - 11 win for the US meant only a second win in the last eight Ryder Cups, a strong performance from the US team and a great win for a popular Captain in Davis Love. I wouldn't be surprised to see a Steve Stricker/Thomas Bjorn double for Captains in France 2018, Paris National as host for the next Ryder Cup. I for one will be taking the opportunity to go watch, or I might try qualify... (Disclaimer - I will be watching).
In our very own Ryder Cup held at Heysham, it was a convincing win for the US team led by Gav Thomson, a great day out in the Hoover Trophy, a tough format and a difficult tournament to win. Well done to Ralph Martinez and Craig Woodrow, at least one of the Martinez brothers can play golf, although I don't know what golf course he played considering he said there were spiders webs everywhere? Well done boys, see you at the Men's Presentation (more on that later).
This week is our Sponsors' Day and Night, so I look forward to seeing many of you there. Please come and support our medal winners, or if you are a medal winner, make sure you collect your prize or have someone there to do it. Presentation will start from 7pm. Don't forget we also have Olly Murs (tribute) on from 9pm, check out the set-up of a driver we have fitted this week, information of the new Titleist 917 range due in early next week and kit yourself out with some waterproofs for the coming winter ahead. Stay tuned!
Members' News
A huge congratulations to HGC member and Ryan Done student; John Wilding. John has recently been awarded a place in the Under 16 Regional England Boys squad going forward. I look forward to seeing John go from strength-to-strength in his golf. Well done John!
Thanks to all that attended our Short Game Masterclass last Saturday, an enjoyable day that was made better with some comments from those that attended. Look out for our next one we will be holding next month.
Men's Presentation Evening - Friday, 4 November - MC - Trevor Newsham (viewer discretion advised)
The sheet is now up for our Annual Men's Presentation Evening, in my opinion the best evening of the year and all male members are invited. Come cheer on our board competition winners in a relaxed fun atmosphere whilst enjoying the great food on offer from our Caterers. Tickets are £17 per person including your first drink and a three course meal (Menu is vegetable soup and roll, lamb shank with all the trimmings and sticky toffee pudding).
Stick your name/names down on the sheet that is situated on the locker room notice board. We look forward to seeing you all there.
The Swing Lounge Winter League is back!
I am excited to say our Swing Lounge Winter League is back, bigger and better than last year! The league will start from Tuesday, 1 November, below are a few points of what to expect including a new fourball betterball format and the top four entering a play-off (like the footy) on our Finals Weekend in March. Titleist are on board and we will have many great prizes. Details are as follows:
New courses including Celtic Manor and Royal Aberdeen.
10 courses in total to be completed (9 holes).
League format culminating in a Matchplay Play-off Weekend and Final.
Format will be Fourball Betterball with a Russian Stableford last event.
Maximum handicaps will apply.
Titleist sponsored event with top 10 receiving prizes plus a highest ladies and mixed prize.
The Winter League will end on the first weekend in March 2017.
Play will be any time excluding Wed, Fri and Sat nights.
Pairs format with no exchanging of players.
Enter NOW, the cost of this is £49 per player, remember it's a pairs format so grab a partner before it's too late...
Fit of the Week...
You may have seen the new Fusion Callaway driver this week and we have been using it for fittings and so far have been very impressed. Today we fitted Chris, a member who was currently using a 910 Titleist driver, around six years old, Chris was looking for something newer and more up to date. Interesting fact for you, the average driver change is five years... so if you're using something older, you may be due one. Sales pun! Anyway, with the options on show the new Fusion driver was similar in comparison distance wise to the TaylorMade M1, a powerful driver, but when put against the Fusion had a wider dispersion. In reality, the driver was straighter and with an optional 44.5" (one inch shorter) shaft, Chris felt more control instantly, Ryan actually kept him in a Recoil 450 stiff shaft, an impressive shaft offered in the range. The head was then adjusted to add a slight draw bias to the 10.5 loft and the 5g weight was replaced with a 12g, slightly heavier head, a little bit less spin and better feel to Chris. Last, but not least, two extra layers on the grip and Chris was all set.
All that adjustability in one club, a perfect club for Chris and his fitting was at no charge. If you would like to find out more about custom fitting, how it can help your game and information on the clubs we offer, send me a message here or give me a call.
Titleist 917 Range
The key feature that pushes the Titleist 917 drivers and fairways to a new level of optimizing individual performance is a weight cylinder that can be oriented in the sole to alter the center of gravity and affect trajectory, direction and how a player squares the face at impact. Dubbed "SureFit CG," this unique take on movable weight technology came directly from the experience of Titleist's research and development team with its extensive tour staff.
The 917 drivers, the 917D2 and 917D3, feature several upgrades from the 915 drivers. Most notable are refinements to the channel at the front part of the sole to improve flexibility in the lower half of the face and also reduce spin. The channel has been selectively thinned in the heel and toe section compared to the 915's constant thickness.
Also enhanced is the 917 drivers' face insert. The variable thickness face features eight distinct areas around the center section. Each section is designed with a constant thickness that varies from section to section and is consistently thinner in the top and bottom of the face than they were on the 915 drivers. The 917D2 is a 460-cubic centimeter model with a deeper center of gravity, a higher MOI and a higher flight than the 440-cc, lower spinning 917D3 (about 250 rpm less). The 917D2 is full pear shape, while the 917D3 is a tour-inspired more compact pear shape.
The new Titleist 917 range is available in FULL fittings from next week, book in for a FREE fitting today. The driver will be selling at £399 and fairways at £249. We will be one of the first in the country to offer fittings on this new product.
Focus on Waterproof Jackets
It may or may not rain all winter, but you best be prepared with some of our latest waterproof jackets we now have in stock, choose from FootJoy, Callaway, Stuburt and further arrivals from Oscar Jacobson and Benross to follow.
FootJoy HydroLite - This full zip waterproof jacket is constructed from a lightweight 2.5-layer fabric that's stretchable, waterproof, breathable and highly packable. Features include; waterproof front zipper, inner and outer storm flaps and velcro tab cuffs. It comes with a 3-year waterproof guarantee. Also available pictured in a half-zip. £119 jacket. £109 half-zip (offers available on full suit options, more colours available).
Callaway Greengrass 3.0 - A technical, fully seam sealed waterproof jacket made in a highly breathable and lightweight waterproof fabric. Callaway's 'Opti-Stretch' and 'Opti-Dri' technology allow maximum range of movement and a moisture management system that will keep you fresh and dry throughout your round. Features velcro cuffs, an internal bungee cord, two contrast zipped hand pockets and zipped scorecard holder to right hip. 3-year waterproof guarantee, available in three colours (red, blue and black). £84.99.
Stuburt Vapour jackets - Fully protect yourself from bad weather with the highly impressive Vapour waterproof jacket. This jacket is made from 100% polyester and features a DRI-back waterproof membrane system with a full length waterproof zip, that comes complete with a 2-year waterproof guarantee. The jacket also provides a windproof protection and has thermal properties to keep you perfectly comfortable as you play. Available in three colours (black, midnight blue and storm grey). £69.99 (suit offers available in store).
