The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship produced a surprise winner in Gary Stal, it just shows the depth of talent on the European Tour. I am sure not many people would have had their money on Gary, especially at one point in the final round two time major winner and current US Open holder Martin Kaymer held a ten shot lead. Kaymer had played almost flawless golf on the first three days and when he birdied three out of the first four holes in the final round the tournament looked all over. I am sure we have all experienced things going wrong on the course and not being able to arrest the slide, it just shows even the top players are not immune to this. Rory McIIroy seemed to come from nowhere to finish second in this tournament again with his final round of 66, he once again used the soon to be released (see below for details) Nike Vapor Driver and Fairway's to great effect with some phenomenal driving, he also put into play the new Engage Wedge which will be available in store from early April. Watching some golf being played in the sun certainly makes me look forward to the coming season, hopefully Spring is not too far away now!
It wasn't short sleeve weather this weekend at Thorney Lakes, it was proper Winter League weather! Myself and Pete Seymour just managed to edge out Nick & Malc in our Quarter Final, the game was very close and we just managed to hole a few more putts then them, winning two and one in the end. Wayne Gray and Steve Hurry also just edges out Chris Serjeant & Dave Mackereth in the other Quarter Final in our half of the draw.
It is the first Winter Stableford this Saturday. Booking is by the computer until Thursday evening when we will do the draw for groups, the rest of the tee times are then available to book for casual play or the competition in your own groups, just give the shop a call.
We still have the January SALE on with plenty of bargains, but new product for 2015 have also started to arrive including the new Nike Lunar III golf shoe (see below for details) and the Nike Explorer shoe. The Explorer is proving popular, this spikeless shoe looks great, is waterproof and priced at a very reasonable £54.99 . We also have the Nike RZN Black golf ball now available in the striking Luminous Volt Yellow for the first time, ideal for those frosty mornings. Also, now it is only a couple of weeks until Vapor arrives!!
January SALE now on!
We have lots of big reductions in our January SALE , so why not pop in and grab a bargain next time you are at the club? Nike shirts - buy one get one FREE , Wilson DX2 golf balls - two dozen for £30 or three dozen for £40 while stocks last, Cleveland Wedges - now only £59.99 PLUS...reductions on golf bags from PING, Titleist, Wilson and Nike, TaylorMade SLDR and JetSpeed clearance , savings on TaylorMade, Nike and PING putters, 25% OFF Oakley Sunglasses plus loads more reductions in store.
How did your season go?
How can you improve your performance and enjoyment of the game? This is a good time of the year to set your goals for the winter. It is important to try and keep playing and practicing throughout the winter, even if you can't get out on the course as much as you would like, try to get to the Range or Putting Green just to keep your swing going. You must also set goals for your practice, just blasting balls away will not help, but structured practice concentrating on different aspects of your game is much more likely to pay off. Identify your strengths and weaknesses, work on the part of your game that is letting you down the most. If you can't work it out why not book a lesson? A lot of faults are often very easily cured and if you understand the problem then you have a chance.
Click here to book a lesson.
Winter competitions
The booking sheet is now open for the Winter Stablefords on Saturday 24th January and Saturday 14th February. Please give the shop a call or pop in to book next time you are at the club
Winter League 2014/15 - Knockout stages
Semi Final
Quarter Finals
Winter Competitions
The booking sheet is now open for the Winter Stablefords on Saturday 24th January and Saturday 14th February, please give the shop a call or pop in to book next time you are at the club
Winter trolley use
In the case of bad weather there is the potential of trolley restrictions to protect the course. We will be operating, as last year, a three stage system:
All trolleys permitted
Approved winter wheels, or in the case of very bad weather...
Complete trolley ban.
Please contact the shop in advance to check the situation
Nike Vapor Range - Arriving 31st January
The European release of the New Nike Vapor range is the 31st January and we will have the range in stock from that date. I am hoping we will receive some Demonstration equipment before that date though, so watch this space. This range of clubs will continue on from the success of Covert over the last couple of years, Covert especially with the Driver has seen excellent growth since it was released, but having been lucky enough to test the whole new Vapor range at Nike's Performance Centre at Archerfield GC at the release event last September, this range will move the bar even higher.
There are three different Drivers; Vapor Speed, Vapor Flex and Vapor Pro - which was the Driver Rory McIIroy put straight into play to great effect at the Ryder Cup. All of these Drivers continue with the Covert Cavity Back design but with the addition of FlyBeam and a Compression Channel to enhance the NexCOR face, this gives an even more stable and forgiving club but generates even more ball speed, they all have FlexLoft so can be fine tuned to your exact launch conditions.
There are also two different ranges of Fairways and Hybrids, Vapor Flex which has adjustable loft and Vapor Speed which is fixed. There is also three new irons; 1. Vapor Pro which has major design input from Tiger, this is modern muscle design and the blade replacement. I must say though that it is the most user friendly blade I have ever used, so much so that I will be playing this club while in the past I have always played the Pro Combo. 2. Vapor Pro Combo is a combination of Precision and Power offering a great looking precision club with some forgiveness and then there is 3. the Vapor Speed iron which is all about Power and Distance, this is really a phenomenal golf club, it is very easy to use and just flies.
With all golf clubs it essential to be fitted for your launch conditions and individual swing characteristics, this range is no different so I would definitely recommend that you book a fitting. I am very confident that I can find you extra distance and consistency within this range of clubs.
Click here to book a fitting.
GREAT VALUE OFFER Srixon AD333 24 Ball Super Sleeve
This 24 Ball Sleeve is excellent value at £29.99 saving £10 off the normal price of two dozen AD333.
New Nike Hyperadapt Storm-Fit Waterproof "Built To Move Trial Station"
TRY BEFORE YOU BUY
The Nike Hyperadapt Waterproofs are designed to give more freedom of movement, meaning that you don't feel restricted when wearing waterproofs and subsequently lose swing speed, they offer a Lifetime Waterproof Guarantee, are lightweight and extremely breathable. Nike are very confident in this product to the extent that we now have a "Trial Station" in store, this allows you to actually Demo the product on the course.
Nike Lunar Control III - now in stock!
Rory McIIroy had a major input to the design of this new shoe for 2015, by moving the spikes more to the outer edges and the addition of an extra spike these shoes are exceptionally stable to the ground, the shoe also has a wider base and is lower to the ground than the existing shoe creating a further feeling of stability, with the addition of a new carbon fiber mid foot shank, the shoe is very laterally strong, this lateral support is added to with the improved Flywire technology that wraps around your foot, the sole still has full length Lunarlon cushioning for responsive cushioning. It is amazing how much research and development goes into golf shoes as well as equipment. These shoes will be in store from January 1st.
ProQuip Aquastorm Waterproofs - now in stock!
We now have the ProQuip Aquastorm Waterproofs in stock, these waterproofs offer excellent value with a 3 Year Waterproof Guarantee. The Jackets are £69.99 , Trousers £49.99 with a Full Suit Price of £99 .
PING G30 - bestselling driver!
Another new driver worth a try is the new G30 model from PING. Crown turbulators are designed to help generate greater clubhead speed and enhance ball velocity, this in combination with a lightweight thin face should lead to higher ball speeds and more distance. It,, along with the fairway for the first time, is also now more adjustable for loft to fine tune to your exact requirements. There is also a new hybrid and iron range which offer significant performance gains. We have a range of Demo equipment available to try, so why not give them a try or book a fitting.
Click here to book a fitting or let us know if you'd like to try them out.
Under Armour Winter Collection 2014 - Stay warm this winter
We have now received the Under Armour 2014 Winter Range of Clothing, this includes Waterproofs, Windshirts, Body Warmers, Trousers, Base Layers, Hats and Gloves, many of these include the Infrared Technology to keep you extra warm, this technology was very popular last year and has been expanded for 2014. As the colder weather draws closer, staying warm and dry on the course is paramount.