In 2015 I have helped many more players than any previous year. Thanks to new facilities such as the new short game area and in particular the new Swing Studio, I can help you more than ever. And I couldn't tell you how many lessons were lost due to rain and bad weather in the past, but thankfully this is no longer the case.
As a qualified golf instructor of 20 years, two things are more obvious to me than ever:
- Regular tuition is good! However you are playing, regular help keeps you on the right path and in control of your golf swing. Thankfully, more players are realising this and are booking lessons when they are playing well as they want to keep going and improve some more! Better understanding gets results. For the rest who wait until they're absolutely desperate, before booking in for an 'emergency golf lesson' and then expecting a miracle in half an hour, I can help you as much as you allow me to!
- Everyone is different! It takes time to appreciate how different people and golfers are, and how differently people learn. Anyone teaching in a book, magazine or on YouTube has bypassed this critical fact, somehow believing they can teach to some generic formula that somehow fits every player regardless of ability, body type or level of understanding. They preach but don't teach. It is impossible to accurately teach you the rights and the wrongs without even seeing you! They have no knowledge of what you have already, and certainly can't see how you respond.
Through the winter I am offering 4 lessons for the price of 3.
This year you have all the benefits of the new Swing Studio as well. This has been very popular in previous years and worked really well even without the Studio as the cost is netted down and it allows you to take a lesson about once a month, although last year several people booked in for a second course and one single figure handicapper had three 4 for 3s!
For all those who say they don't have time to take lessons as it doesn't fit with their daily routine, I can now do evening lessons when it is dark! Now is the time to start thinking about booking regular lessons throughout the winter so you are prepared for 2016. And don't worry, when you improve and start winning things I always seek your permission before I mention how your success was achieved on this newsletter! Book in now and let me help you - get in touch here.
I saw the new Titleist 716 irons at a trade meeting this week and I can tell you they look brilliant. Some of the demo irons and fitting kit will be here in the pro shop as early as next week. I have also ordered the new Titleist and FootJoy product for 2016 which is absolutely first class, as you would expect. I am taking custom fitting bookings for the new Titleist 716 irons as soon as they arrive - I am confident this will be from the week commencing Monday, 26th October.
Clearance - I currently have some Titleist 714 irons in stock which I can discount to clear ready for new stock.
AP2 irons now £529
Forged heads for ultimate feel. Brilliant bargain set of clubs that are for sale at less than trade price. I have the two sets that are in stock only, one in regular flex and the other stiff. Act now if you want them, doubt will be here next week - reserve your set here.
The AP1s have now sold. I will also throw in an hour in the Swing Room with each set, so the buyers can be correctly custom fitted - and will receive my help to ensure you use them to the best of your ability.
Sat 10 Oct - Saturday's Stableford was won by Neil Blakeley with 41 points. Neil plays off 19 and has reduced to 17. John Brown finished second with 40 points, also on 40 points was Mike Short. Fourth this week was Joe Walsh with 39 points. The twos were worth £6.41 each.
Sun 11 Oct - Andy Young won my Pro's Stableford on Sunday with 41 points. Bob Duff finished second with 40 points and third was Richard Howard with 39 points. The prizes went down to 4th this week. Click here to see the full results.
Wed 14 Oct - Wednesday's comp was also a Stableford. Don Roberts was delighted to win Division One with 37 points, Division Two was won by Colin Barr with 36 points and Tony Nelson won Division Three with 37 points. There were six twos each worth £8.66.
The Wednesday Section has now come to an end for the year and I can announce that Ryan Jackson is the 2015 Wednesday Section Player of the Year so well done to him! Dave Hamilton finished a close second.
Order of Merit - Yes it is the first of the Winter Series that counts towards Order of Merit on Saturday. The format is an unusual two-man texas scramble and there are still spaces left to enter. Don't miss out on those points which are so precious come the end of March, get your winter off to a flyer instead!
The seniors and ladies had a great day out on Thursday at Chorlton Golf Club. Well done Geoff Loughlin whose 37 points won by one from Derek Wilson who was second with 36. The ladies winner was Lindsy Warburton with 35 points. Thank you to Phil Reeves for this information, and Phil also took this picture of a chance meeting of Mal Woodcock and a fox! There is a prize to the person who can come up with the best caption to fit the photo, so please send us your entry by clicking here.
Oh and by the way Phil, Ian Mottershead thought the senior section did such a good job on the course last winter that he has made a request that perhaps the area in the trees at the back of the 11th green could be cleared?
I should just add that Ian has been watching some instructional videos on YouTube recently to help improve his pitching. And if you do happen to clear this area Phil, and do happen to find a 58 degree Vokey wedge in there somewhere it belongs to him. Ian didn't feel like going in and looking for it at the time, but if Phil or anyone else happens to find a slightly bent 58 degree Vokey, you know whose it is! In return, Ian will happily share the relevant YouTube link.
Photo of the Year competition
I wanted to remind you about our pro shop best photo of the year (at Reddish Vale Golf Club) competition. Thank you for the many good entries which are currently stored in a file on my computer. I will put some out on the newsletter over the winter so you can have a look and vote for a favourite.
Another excellent photo came to light this week, so well done to David Platt for spotting this on a Facebook page. Take a look at this image that has been taken from a drone and I'm sure you will agree it is a beauty. There aren't many drones in Reddish so I knew who would have taken the photo straight away. I contacted Andy who kindly granted me his permission to use it, so thanks Andy and here it is. I have also put the image on the home page of the club's website where you can click to enlarge it and have a better look.
You may be glad to know that this photo wasn't submitted to me directly as an entry for the competition, so please keep snapping away and keep those entries rolling in! Pictures of people, the course, anything associated with RVGC really, although the course looks particularly stunning with the autumn colours at the moment.
