Greetings golfers,

 

Last week we had a Scottish Champion crowned, and this week my weekly newsletter will be dedicated to another hard working golfing genius. He goes by the name of 'Stuart Houlden', also by the name of 'my Assistant' and even sometimes known as 'Granville'. 

For those of you who can remember the sitcom 'Open all hours' then you will know all about him. Anyway, I have been helping Stuart with his game since arriving at EKGC and Stuart just keeps going up a level with his golf each month. He is just super keen and as I said last week about Kenny Gallacher, this keenness and desire to get better is worth more than any natural talent you are born with. Stuart has basically dedicated every spare minute to get better and to pursue his dream job of becoming a PGA Professional and I am absolutely delighted to have him as my assistant. 

Last week he told me he wanted to sign off his amateur career in style with one last low round and he only went and did it. With a gross 67, he won the medal in style and showed himself and any doubters that he is ready for the big step into the Professional Golf world. 

Well, done kid, now get that fridge filled.




Wasps 

Yes, I have to talk about these horrible little blighters. I know wasps are renowned for being slightly annoying but this year somebody has been rattling their nests, or is it a byke? Everywhere you turn there they are with their mates dive-bombing you from every perceivable angle. Heaven forbid if you try and sit outside or even have something to eat. They will be on your plate, in your Irn-Bru or even up your trouser leg as quick as you can say boo to a goose. 

It is equally frustrating when someone says "Just stay still, they won't harm you". No, they do harm you, you are thinking about "BEES" and "BEES" I understand. 

In order to conquer these dastardly little yellow and black neds of the air, I have adopted a new style of "Kung-Fu" and it's called "wave your arms and kick your legs as fast as you can without falling over in the hope that you manage to clobber one". 

I also hear people saying that you shouldn't kill any of them as they give out a pheromone that attracts more. Let me address that one quickly...

There's tonnes of them anyway and if I was a wasp and I saw a giant standing on my mate and squashing him, I would not think I was "Chuck Norris" and have a go, I would zoom away.


Please Repair Your Pitchmarks 

This is really becoming a problem at the club and I can assure you that it is the members that are not doing this...

In the last 2 years we have taken in many new members and the majority of our new members are actually highlighting this problem to me. Many of them are so complementary about their new home of golf and simply cannot understand why people who want to play on the best possible surfaces don't repair their pitchmarks. The only people than can make a difference is you, and you can quickly repair your pitchmarks and educate the others you see flaunting this. If you don't then it will never get any better.


 

The American Ryder Cup Captain "Davis Love III" has named his wildcard picks and snubbed 2 time Masters Champion Bubba Watson. Davis picked Ricky Fowler, Matt Kuchar and J B Holmes. 

To be honest I think his picks are a great blend of enthusiasm, patriotism, experience and wonderful facial hair. Love still has one more pick to make after the Tour Championship on September 25th, so maybe Bubba has a little bit more time to sparkle, but will Davis Love him?


 

Want To Hit It Longer? 

Everybody and I mean everybody wants to hit it longer, and there are some things that most people don't do that will give them more distance. I'm going to let you into a little secret which will give you a few more mph onto your swing speed. 

Most players take the club back on too steep a plane on the way back and the depth of the swing is reduced. By having a more inward hand path allows you to create depth (i.e. the distance from the clubs sweet-spot to the ball is increased). This in turn allows more momentum to be built up. 

If you have a look at the following spectrum of the world greatest players from different decades, you will see how they all have an inward hand path and they all hit it a long way.

Click here to get in touch if you are struggling with any aspect of your game.


 

Grip Promotion 

We usually do grip promotions at the start of the season, but with our summer being well wet, I thought I would run one that will help you get the best out of your game.

The amount of golfers I see with poor grips on their clubs really surprises me, and in many cases that's all the player needs, not new clubs.

So if you have been looking down at your grips and seeing your lovely reflection in them, then you really do need to change them. Now is a great time to do it with the following offer:

Half Price Gripping - Get 12 Grips for the price of 6

This promotion we will be running with our Champ line of golf grips

The C8 is made from a new optimum feel TPO material infused with Kevlar for greater torque control and incredible wear resistance. A special tacky compound creates a non-slip feel during all weather conditions and an anti-shock wrap provides a comfortable feel and excellent shock absorption. A great grip for performance and feel.