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MAY 2010 PRO SHOP ENEWS
Robert M Irvine, PGA Professional, Douglas
Park Golf Club
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Dear
subscriber
Welcome
I'd like to
start this month by saying a huge thankyou to
everyone who attended the Psychology & Preparation we had in the
clubhouse. I've had a lot of nice feedback and we hope to do
something again soon. I'd particularly like to thank all of you who
purchased raffle tickets or made a donation to the charity raffle.
We raised £420 which has gone to buy sensory equipment for the Childrens Ward at the RAH, so thank you all again.
Congratulations
this month to Carol Fell for achieving (another!) hole in one at the
12th. Congratulations also to Charlie Stewart, Gordon Ferguson
& Martin Davidson who made up the top 3 in the TaylorMade
Adidas sponsored Spring Meeting. First prize won a TaylorMade driver, second a pair of Adidas shoes
& third a dozen TaylorMade balls.
We have now
reached that time of the golfing season when the big tournaments are
coming thick and fast.
Last month we looked ahead to the first Major of the season – The
Masters. This month we look ahead to the unofficial ‘fifth Major’ The Players’
Championship at Sawgrass and its iconic 17th
hole. We preview the event as well as take a look and the facts and
figures as well as the weird and wonderful events that have taken place
at the famous island green at Sawgrass.
There is also an in-depth look at hybrids and how they can help you to
hit the ball higher and longer, as well as some tips on the best way to
strike your hybrid.
There is also a special guest appearance from European Tour player
Alastair Forsyth who will write a monthly column in the newsletter. The
two-time European Tour winner introduces himself by answering a ‘Quick
9’.
We are also giving you the chance this month to win a Greenhill PTS Ultra
electric trolley, the most technologically advanced electric trolley on
the market.
Enjoy the news!
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2010 The
Players Championship
The
world’s best golfers will congregate on the
beautiful Stadium Course at Sawgrass, Florida,
this month for the unofficial ‘fifth major.’
TPC at Sawgrass offers the richest purse in
world golf, and consequently attracts a field made up of the top 50
golfers in the world rankings.
Last year the tournament was claimed by Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, the second year in succession the event was
won by a European, with Sergio Garcia winning in 2008 – before that you had
to go right back to Sandy Lyle’s win in 1987 to
find a European victor.
Since the early 1980s the event has been played on the Stadium Course at Sawgrass, ranked as one of the toughest golf courses
in the world. It was once described by Ben Crenshaw as ‘Star Wars golf,
designed by Darth Vadar.’ While the legendary
Jack Nicklaus, when asked if Sawgrass suited
his game, replied: “No, I’ve never been very good
at stopping a five-iron on the hood of a car.”
If you want to find out more about the event and the fantastic golf
course please click here.
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The Dreaded
17th Hole - Only 121 Yards!!
The
17th hole at TPC Sawgrass, with its
aesthetically pleasing green surrounded by water, is one of the most
iconic images in the world of golf.
Over the years it has seen everything from aces to double figures and many
birdies, though the most memorable must be when a seagull stole Steve Lowery’s ball’s in 1998 and
dropped it in the water (click to watch).
Here we take a look at some of the key facts and amazing feats achieved
at the famous hole. Click here to watch the most memorable
moments at the 17th.
• In May 2007, a record 50 balls landed in the water at the 17th hole in
one round, which broke the single-round tournament record of 45 set in
2000.
• Divers extract around 150,000 golf balls from the water each year
• Angela Spagnolo, who shot 66 during the ‘America’s Worst Avid Golfer’ contest held by Golf Digest in
1985, holds the worst score ever at the hole. He hit 27 balls into the
water from the tee box and drop area. He finally got the ball on the
green by putting around the water and down the walkway to the green.
• Bob Tway holds the unenviable record of the
worst professional score when he shot 12 in 2005 (click here to watch)
• Fred Couples once made a par with a hole-in-one. During the 1999 TPC he
hit his first into the water before re-teeing and hitting his third shot
straight into the hole…literally
SHOP NEWS
We
now have demo models of the new TaylorMade R9
Super Tri & Burner Super Fast, feel free to come in and have a
shot. We also have a terrific deal on last years R9 at only £199,
save £130 whilst stocks last!!
Also
in stock now from TaylorMade is the new Penta ball which is earning rave reviews on tour - is
it time you changed ball?
Finally
we now have the new club sweaters in stock from Glenbrae,
why not come and take a look at the new styles.
CLUB NEWS
May 14th sees Douglas Park welcome The ABBA Divas. Tickets
are priced at only £24pp which includes a two course buffet! Book
early at the bar to avoid disapointment!
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Long Iron v
Hybrid
The hybrid is fast becoming the club of choice
with many golfers switching from long irons to the easier-to-hit hybrid,
with some tour professionals even removing their fairway woods in favour
of the rescue club.
Very rarely nowadays do you see a player pulling out a one, two, three or
even four iron.
Hybrids have become so popular because they are built like a fairway
wood, but are only half the size, with a wide sole and more mass than a
long iron and this makes for a better opportunity to hit the shot more
solid and to have shots that are hit less precisely end up better than a
long iron.
The hybrid is a far more forgiving club and promotes a much higher ball
flight, which is why it has become such a popular club with the
professionals, as they like to approach firm greens from height, as it is
easier to stop the ball.
Hybrids are extremely versatile and can be used easily from the fairway,
rough or tee, and they are a great stroke saver.
Below I have listed a couple of hybrids that I would recommend
and stock in the shop. Why not drop by to discuss the clubs you use.
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Taylormade Burner Superfast Rescue
Improved SuperFast Technology package promotes more swing
speed, more ball speed and more distance - eight yards longer than Burner
08 Rescues.
A super-light 30-gram Winn grip (14 grams lighter than Burner 08 grip)
contributes to Burner SuperFast Rescue’s lighter weight, while a triangular high-MOI clubhead is exceptionally forgiving and easy to hit
thanks to Ultra-Thin Wall Technology which precision places the centre of
gravity lower for high, distance-enhancing launch angle
A RE*AX 60 SuperFast Shaft is lightweight with
a soft tip to promote faster swing speed, high launch-angle and high spin
for long carry.
SSP: £129
For more
information on the Taylormade Burner Superfast
Rescue click here.
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Titleist 909H Utility
The Titleist 909H is a progressive line of hybrids that
delivers optimum launch and spin through the lofts.
The 909H features a tour proven, modern profile that creates a deeper CG
for greater stability. The larger head with a longer face of the 909H
provides confidence and forgiveness.
Each 909H is constructed with a precision cast 17-4 Stainless Steel body
and 455 Carpenter Steel face insert for a lively feel and increased ball
speed. The size, shape, offset, and CG location progress through the
lofts to provide the proper ball flight, workability, and trajectory
control.
SSP: £129
For more information on the Titleist 909H
hybrid click here.
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Cobra
Baffler Rail Hybird
Forgiveness.
Versatility. Distance. All improved with the Baffler Rail Hybrid.
More than 30 years ago, Cobra launched the Baffler and revolutionised the
way golfers play long approach shots. The tradition continued with the
Baffler DWS and TWS – the number one selling hybrids in the game. Now,
Cobra is combining inspiration from its original design and years of
knowledge gained from making the game's best-performing hybrids to create
the Baffler Rail Hybrid. It's a nod to its heritage and a huge step
forward that will continue Cobra's tradition of manufacturing the game's
most forgiving, versatile and powerful hybrids.
SSP: £109
For more information on the
Cobra Baffler Rail hybrid click here.
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Hammer Your
Hybrid
A common query
with hybrids is how to actually hit them, do you
strike them like an iron? Or like a wood?
In theory hitting your hybrid is exactly like striking a fairway wood, you need to sweep the ball off the turf to set
it soaring towards the green.
Set up with the ball forward in your stance, just inside the left foot
for right-handed players, with a slight right tilt, not as far as you
would with your driver though.
Concentrate on sweeping the ball off the ground by skipping the sole of
the hybrid off the surface of the ground, rather than digging it in like
an iron.
This will help you to hit a high soaring shot to the heart of the green.
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Short Game Academy
in Association with Titleist
Ever watched the pros playing and wondered how
they get the ball to spin so much on the greens?
There are a number of factors that will impact how much the golf ball
will spin, like the type of green and even the weather.
But here are some quick tips on how to get your golf ball dancing on the
greens.
• Firstly, you need to use a soft golf ball to generate plenty of spin
• Set the ball up in the centre of your stance with a little extra weight
on your left foot (right for left handed players) to promote a steeper
downswing
• Aim to catch the ball at the very bottom using a downward blow to nip
the ball off the turf as clean as possible
If you would like to discuss any part of your game please don't hestiate to drop by the shop.
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A Quick 9
with Alastair Forsyth
Over the
coming months two-time European Tour winner Alastair Forsyth will be
giving us a unique insight into life on tour.
In the first of a monthly column the 34-year-old Scot introduces himself
thorough a ‘Quick 9’ questions.
1st: When did you get your Tour card?
I qualified by winning European
Tour Qualifying
School at the end
of 1999.
2nd: What’s been you greatest achievement on Tour?
My two European Tour wins which both came after sudden death
play offs. I beat Stephen Leaney to win
the 2002 Malaysian Open. Then, two years ago, I had to go through a play
off again to beat Hennie Otto at the Madeira
Open.
3rd: What’s the best thing about being
a professional golfer?
Taking something that I started as a hobby when I was a child and being
able to do that for a living and make a career out of it.
4th: What about the worst?
Travel. Being constantly on the move to all four corners of the globe can
take its toll.
5th: What’s your favourite club in your
bag? And why?
My Callaway FT 5-wood. It’s such a versatile
club, I can hit it out of the rough so much easier than a long iron. It
also gives me the ability to hit high soft landing shots when required
while still being able to hit a low penetrating shots
in the wind.
6th: Best piece of advice you’ve
received and who from?
Sports physiologist Jamil Quershi,
who has worked with a number of tour players, once told me: “Whatever
work you put into your game, you will only achieve a percentage of that
back in performance and results.” It is something that has stuck with me
and drives me on.
7th: What golf ball do you use?
I use the Callaway TOUR iX, because its soft
inner core means it is great to control around the greens, while the
heavier outer core allows me to still hit long and straight drives.
8th: If you could change one thing about golf, what would it be?
Pace of play during competition and practice rounds.
9th: If you weren’t a professional
golfer, what would you be?
If I was not playing on the Tour I’m sure I
would still be involved in golf as a professional player, either as a PGA
professional based at a club or a teaching professional.
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Win A
Technologically Advanced Greenhill PTS Ultra
We have
teamed up with Greenhill to offer you the chance to win a PTS Ultra, the
most technologically advanced trolley on the market.
The newly launched trolley, which retails up to £579, is manufactured at Greenhill’s state of the art UK headquarters, features a
kinetic energy recovery system (KERS), which puts power back into the
battery during the round.
The PTS Ultra is one of the most robust and well made trolleys on the
market with over two hours of CNC machining per trolley, with every hinge
manufactured from solid aluminium, and a five-spoke smooth running front
wheel.
The aluminium frame and hinges result in a trolley that has a safe and
durable feel, but is still lightweight at just 10.7kg, and collapses to
just 26 inches high, ensuring a snug fit in your car boot.
It can also be customised to suit your needs with a choice of colours -
white or black frame with green or titanium hinges – three batteries (18,
27 & 36-holes) and a choice of three wheels - Horizon disc, a
lightweight plastic wheel; Skyline, a lightweight, low-profile sports
wheel; or Air, a lightweight, tubeless rubber wheel giving extra grip for
harsh conditions.
To be in with a chance of winning just answer this simple question:
Who won the 2009 Players’ Championship at Sawgrass?
Send your answers to…
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2010 Race
To Dubai
The 2010 Race
To Dubai is still ongoing and bubbling up nicely. We are 1 Major
down but with many huge championships still to take place there is all to
play for.
The game, run by the European Tour, is free to enter, and at the same
time as competing for prizes in the our
competition, you can also win prizes in the Official Fantasy Race to
Dubai 2010.
To enter please click here and register with the
Fantasy Race to Dubai
website, select your team and then join our private league which is TGI Golf
2010 PIN: 298
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