Tiger Woods expected return has had more delays than a Tyson Fury V Klitschko rematch. Woods latest announcement throws even more speculation over the great man's nerve to return to the "ring" to engage the young guns again. 

How does he think he will revive his game without playing? 

Range work is great but nothing beats competition and with Woods having not competed for many months he has to start somewhere! If we all thought we were nearly there and our games were "just around the corner", many courses would be empty. If he waits for perfection he could be sitting out a long time. He needs to just suck it up and give it a go. 

British Masters this week at The Grove, for those going to watch enjoy the course as much as the golf, it's great. After Tyrell Hatton's first win last week at St Andrews with unbelievable scoring, the Grove is a different proposition being green and soft. 

Not the longest so it could be a free for all. Someone who could do with a win is Graeme Mc Dowell. Not making the Ryder Cup team would have hurt and a reasonable show last week gets me thinking GMac won't be far away from being the Master this week. 

A strong field supporting, host Luke Donald will make it a perfect event to go and watch and it's less than an hour away, so easy commuting. 

Weather looks good, so those going, enjoy it.




Captain's Drive In this weekend... 

Club Captain, John Charlick hands over the reins of office to Andy Lee this weekend with the ceremonial drive in. Likewise for Ladies Captain, Sue Mason passing the cap onto Christine Gordon. Well done both of you a great year in office topped off with the team County wins in the Thornton Cup and Silver Team trophy. 

If you would like to attend the Captains lunch and see The Captains drive in, there are still some seats available. Call at the bar ASAP to make arrangements. 




Perry is at it again... 

The green staff have got their annual bunker rebuilding programme under way. Apologies for the temporary green before the cross bunkers but at least more of you can say you hit a par 5 in two. 

  

As you may well know those bunkers are in need of restoration to the point that some of them had a slight over hang to the front lips. The rivetting will clear this problem and allow for the ball to come back into the bunker. The bunker approaches have been angled so the ball again runs towards the flat. The banks then require shaping to blend into the existing terrain, not to mention top soil and turfing. 

  

Groundwork should be finished in the next couple of weeks as there are so many bunkers on the hole. It will look amazing much like the other holes done in the last 3 years so the little bit of upheaval will be well worth it. And many think a bunker is just a hole in the ground with some sand in! 

Real fairies or hydrophobia? 

I have been asked about the greens regularly this past week and the number of fairy rings now visible. I could just say that the fairies like playing and dancing on our greens but you sceptics out there may not believe me. So here`s the other option that may have caused the markings we see so often on short grass. 

These areas are actually a fungus in the soil and as the grass grows the soil loses nutrients and spreads into the disc shape we always see. It doesn`t cause any damage but does take all the moisture leaving hydrophobic grass. 

This is like having water repellent grass plants and sadly there is no known cure without serious consequences(digging down 6 feet and not missing a blade)The remedy however is to constantly aerate and core which takes it away but then reseeding and soil needs to go back in drying the areas even more. 

It`s a massive balancing act and as we have been involved in our annual maintenance programme of coring and sanding these areas look worse than normal. We need water on these spots and keep them dry at the same time (good luck with that one Perry) once the weather gets wetter sadly so the rings will disappear and the surfaces will once again look fine.




One more thing... 

I recently played on the course with some members and noticed them using a "finger roll" on the ball to move it out of the core holes in the green approaches, sorry YOU CAN NOT DO THAT. 

There is no local rule been advised on it in the Club. Of course if you agree to do so in your friendly matches or sweeps all well and good but any Club competitions you must play the ball as it lies. 

This is the sort of area I am talking about. Please remember you will incur a penalty if you touch your ball.