Breakthrough Pro of the year

What can I say?  Last week I was privileged to attend the PGA Golf Show at Harrogate.  This annual event is a fantastic learning experience with seminars hosted by both the PGA and Foremost.  In between those I met with most of our suppliers, reviewed their new products and negotiated supply terms for the coming year.  All in all it was an intense few days, but the experience is one I wouldn't want to miss.  Everything we do there is designed to help us provide a better service for you guys and that's always our goal.  Well, almost everything we do.

Wednesday evening I attended the Foremost Golf Industry Awards Gala Dinner hosted by BBC TV pundit Andrew Cotter.  This was a great evening and a first class illustration of how to provide hospitality.  For me it was set to be an emotional evening having been nominated for an award.  As the moment arrived, my old buddy Andrew announced the four nominees in my category, then, to my delight, he called me up to receive the award.  I was speechless.  Well as close as I'm ever likely to be that is.

   

I could go into a long winded explanation of what the award was for, but I wouldn't do that to you.  Instead I'll let Steve Bird of Foremost do it for me:

"Warren has taken an average Pro shop and turned it into an inviting, exciting, professional retail environment that is now flourishing. Always willing to learn and try new ideas, he refuses to stand still. His hard work and proactivity have culminated in a premier coaching, custom fitting and retail business."

As ever, the work we do in the Shop and the progress we make is only possible because of you guys.  Once again a big thanks to each and every one of you from Mike, Jerry, Keith and myself, we really do appreciate your support.

We have more initiatives to roll out through the coming year and of course will keep you informed via this newsletter, but we are always pleased to talk about what we're doing, maybe over coffee, or whilst showing you our newest arrivals.

 

Ladies Captain's Prize Giving Dinner

Friday evening saw the Lady Captain's Prize Giving Dinner.  We are reliably informed it was a marvellous occasion as very kindly reported by our hidden correspondent, our 'fly on the wall'.

"The food was delicious and the wine flowed with the Prize-Giving presentation running like clockwork.  Maggie Gill, our Lady Captain and Mandy Ellis, our Competition Secretary carried out a splendid job of presenting the many cups and trophies with the banter and cheering being encouraged by those who should know better!!!

The Lady Vice Captain who would moan “I never win anything” was able to collect not one but three prizes (her chest puffed out with pride on the long walk to collect her trophies)! However, we must not detract from the wonderful exploits of Mollie Lawrence who won the Cornell Cup (champion of champions).  Mollie continues to go from strength to strength.  Congratulations Mollie!

I must mention Karen Sinden, who swept the floor winning the Darnley Medal Cup, Farleigh Cup, Stewards Bowl (2013), Henderson Salver, Kent Playing Fields Cup, Staples Cup and was also awarded the prestigious Sue Mitchell Trophy (Player of the year).  Well done Karen and well deserved! Congratulations to all our winners and a special thank you to Liz for our lovely flower arrangements."

   

I won't mention that winners Jo Beslee (3) Sarah Brice (2) Sue Siddle (3) and Karen (7) are all students of the Warren Wood Coaching Academy (I have a dream!), why would I even think that relevant?

Come to think of it I'm sure I've given Mollie the odd tip or two!

 

Texas Scramble

This years event is a sell out, with all tees filled morning and afternoon.  We are running reserve lists, so it's still worth enquiring in the Shop if you're interested.  Don't forget, it's 8:00 am and 12:45 pm shotgun starts and allow yourself enough time to walk out to your start position.

 

Titliest ball personalisation promotion

After the success of our offer last year we have another fantastic ball personalisation deal for the coming weeks.

Be it your name, nickname, or a Christmas greeting, as long as you keep it 'decent' all things are possible.  Though we might struggle if you want the complete lyrics to 'I saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus.'

Every dozen Pro V1 or Pro V1x ordered between now and December 8th will be delivered with your very own personal message.  Not only that, but for the duration of the offer we are discounting the price to a ridiculously low £39.99 per dozen.  That's a saving of £11.00 per dozen against the recommended price.  This offer is available across the Titliest range with DT Solo available for just £15.99 per dozen, we're fools to ourselves.

It's the perfect Christmas gift, as I've yet to meet the golfer that doesn't need more balls!  Though I have come across a few that seem to make them last a long time, yes, I'm looking at you Carnell!

Either come and talk to us in the shop, or click here and place your order through the shop.

 

 

Crested Collection

If it's something more than a stocking filler you're looking for why not consider our crested collection.  We have a super range of luggage, there's head covers, golf bags, accessories and of course all the tremendous lines of clothing.  We have a fantastic club, we can all be proud to carry the logo.

I make no apology for raising the spectre of Xmas, it'll be upon us before we know it.  Get to us in good time and we will do all in our power to source whatever you desire.

Ho, ho, ho.  Now where did I put that Slade CD?!

 

Time to re-grip?

As the season draws to a close, winter offers up time to reflect and consider our equipment.  One area that can easily be overlooked through the red hot heat of a busy summer is the condition of our grips.  Grips are made of materials that age and wear as a function of time.  The traction that a fresh grip provides lets you hold the club lightly without the subconscious fear of losing the club during your swing.  This relaxed state promotes proper swing mechanics and wrist action, whilst a worn grip causes you to grasp the club tighter, causing arm and wrist tension that inhibits proper swing mechanics.

Because it happens slowly over time it's not unreasonable that we fail to notice, but just a tiny, imperceptible slip at contact will be magnified and become many yards by the time the ball reaches its target.  It's often not until we fit new grips that the light goes on and we realise just how poor the old ones were.

   

We have a wide range of premium grips available in the shop and can generally turn around a set of irons for the next day.  Drop them in after your round and pick them up next time you're going to the first tee.  We'll even polish your shafts for you, at no extra charge!!

 

Inclement Weather By Jove!

'Why', I hear you say, 'was the course closed on Monday?!'  Could it be we'd sent out for a couple of Mae Wests and a rubber dingy?

After as pleasant a summer as we've enjoyed for a while all of a sudden the course is sodden.  Barry will very shortly be marking out aprons and the like as 'NO GO' areas and I would ask that we all observe them in the interest of future fun.  Compaction becomes a bigger issue as the ground gets wet and avoiding where possible the well trodden routes between green/bunker etc reduces the recovery time needed come spring.

Those few moments it takes to walk round can make a big difference later on to everyone's enjoyment.

Your co-operation here will be highly regarded.

 

Conundrum

I hear tell that some of you have come up with hilarious answers to these and not shared them with us.  Don't be bashful, we love them all!

Last week prompted one response that inferred possible violence and a couple that would certainly be looking for a new partner.  Our good friend Terry Watts was clearly incensed as he answered:

"You give him a filthy look huff and puff and take your shot you stiff it he putts for par and you win 1 up job done.  :)"

Obviously when less annoyed Terry knows full well that in a foursome, under Rule 29-1, penalty strokes do not affect the order of play.  So the filthy look and the huffing and puffing are perfectly legitimate, but you'd still need to rely on matey to knock it stiff for your one putt.

I daren't publish what Bob Florence said, we would get shut down!

 

How to Repair a Pitchmark

Take your ball mark repair tool and insert the prongs into the turf at the edge of the depression. Do NOT insert the prongs into the depression itself, but at the rim of the depression.

Then push the edge of the ball mark towards the centre, using your ball mark repair tool in a gentle twisting motion.

NOTE: This is where golfers who try to repair ball marks usually mess up. Many golfers believe the way to fix a ball mark is to insert the tool at an angle, so the prongs are beneath the centre of the crater, and then to use the tool as a level to push the bottom of the ball mark back up even with the surface. DO NOT DO THIS.

Pushing the bottom of the depression upwards only tears the roots and kills the grass.