Hello golfers,

Welcome to another edition of our newsletter, this week we recap on Tiger’s return to the golfing world, we countdown to Christmas with only 3 weeks to go, we call last orders on the ball personalisation, and football is a funny game. Enjoy the read!

The return of Tiger

Tiger Woods scored a minus for me last week in his latest return to the top table of golf. In his charity foundation small field event, the maestro shot three scores under par, only struggling with the Caribbean wind in the third round, the same as the majority of the field. All the talk on TV was would his ball speed be high enough to match the young bucks? I think he ticked that box. Will he be focused? He ticked that box. Would he still be competitive? He ticked that box. Did he add interest to professional golf again? Undoubtedly ticked that box! Has he got over his chipping issues? Not yet.

The buzz around Orsett at the weekend was about the great man’s game. Ok he knew the course really well, but there was no doubt that most of us hoped to watch the Tiger of old just come out on a birdie blitz and wonder what all the fuss had been about? For a first event back, he will be encouraged, I just hope when he next gets interviewed the questions improve!

Rickie Fowler nipped in on Sunday with just the 61, opening up with 7 straight birdies and took another title away from the green machine, Charley Hoffman. Incredibly there were 12 in his second round, including 6 to finish. Charley must be in with a chance of making the US Ryder Cup team next year. Put him with a Mr Steady, like Kuchar and he could make a serious contribution. Of course it was a bit of a holiday course hence the birdie fest from everyone. Fowler just swings flatter and flatter these days, what a talent though. It just proves that one swing style does not fit everyone.

Next year’s golf could stimulate more interest to watch now Tiger is back, it’s amazing how one player can generate the interest of so many. Along with a fit Rory back playing again and in contention, golf could receive the boost it needs to encourage people to play as it did in the late 90's when Tiger first came on the scene.

Three weeks till Christmas

But it is only less than 3 days before the free ball personalisation stops. Get in touch ASAP if you would like to get some of these balls. Just go to my website or click the link below. It is a very easy guide to follow, it shows what the print will look like and how much the balls will cost. It even allows a special number to be printed on the ball!

The shop is full is ideal gifts as I mentioned last week, it only takes a phone call and we can advise your loved ones on the right thing for you. We are there to help you get the most enjoyment from your game, remember to point them to Orsett Golf Shop.

The idea of on course lessons appealed to some of you last week. It is a great way to improve without the worry of needing to change the way you swing, although now would be an ideal time to make a change rather than Spring time which leaves little time to bed them in before your big events. This is what the top players do.

Only last week Sean Martinson popped his head in the door a couple of months after some lessons in the middle of the season and commented "the changes are really beginning to work and I can see the difference". If you can be patient and put some time in, your efforts, like Sean's will be rewarded.

Grant Allen too, he recently purchased some new Titleist AP2 718 irons, second time out with them he scored 41 points and won his sweep and birdied 2 par threes which included a near hole in one. Was it a good idea getting fitted for them? Grant thought so!

Football update

The other talk at the weekend was the spread on goals potentially between Man City and West Ham. Five to seven was the popular number, amazingly "The Hammers" took and held the lead for much of the game before Peps side took the three points with two late goals. Didn't see him rushing up to any West Ham players for a chat after the game though. With the FA Cup draw just taken place this week, Liverpool have been drawn to play arch rivals Everton. Sam Allardyce has already lifted the mood of the Goodison faithful along with Anfield Kop hero, Sammy Lee. Will Sammy remember to sit in the away dugout come the match? It's a funny old game.