David Wood

Hello golfers,

Welcome to another edition of our newsletter, this week we report on our Callaway fitting at their Leatherhead centre, Tiger returns on tour, and can golf upstage the Super Bowl? Enjoy the read!

Fitting news

Callaway fitting centre

Dan Vaughan, one of Orsett’s leading players recently went with me to the Callaway fitting centre in Leatherhead, Surrey. In the market for a new driver and having talked to me about Callaway’s soon to be available Rogue series, which has already won on the European Tour and is being used by many Callaway contract stars on the PGA Tour, the best way forward was a fitting of course.

As you can from the pictures, this studio has everything to entice the player to change. The individual needs to keep their mind on what their intention is or the temptation could put a substantial hole in the wallet! With one of Callaway’s most experienced fitters advising and obligatory cup of coffee, Dan was ready for the fit.

Having tried both the Epic and the Rogue, the longest and most consistent balls flight came in the shape of a low spin Rogue head with an extra one degree loft for launch and a heavier shaft for control. Dan is already able to send his tee shots out over the 270 mark and this added a further 10 yards consistently with the 10 out 10 one’s going another 10 on top of that!

Needless to say, Dan was very excited about the driver. "I was hoping to find more consistency but to be given at least 10 yards was fantastic" he commented. "I had been fitted for my previous driver but it goes to show modern technology really can help everyone"

After Dan’s fitting was complete, I also tried the product out. My stats were even better! I wanted to see if I could get a better launch on the ball. I gained on average 22 yards more carry due to a low spinning Rogue head and half a degree more loft on the clubface and a lighter shaft to help increase my swing speed by over 6 miles an hour! That may not seem like much but it really is. The only problem is I have to wait until February 9th for the club launch in store to use it. So if this sounds like the increase you could do with why not get booked up and become a Rogue user.

Find out more here about a Rogue fitting.

Tour news

Rory is ready, Tiger returns and Noren misses out!

Superstar Rory McIlroy has what can only be described as a very lucrative two weeks in the desert. Following on from Abu Dhabi, he lost out by one shot to Chinese sensation Li Haotong. Li did birdie 4 of the last five to edge it, but Rory's play must have been very satisfying considering the long layoff. He heads to America to prepare and set his sights on his holy grail, a first Masters title in April. Should the Ulsterman find anything of a putting touch by then, the last round may be a procession. His ball striking has improved, if there was much room for that. He will surely be favourite for the event so get on him now when there is a bit of value left.

Another European making his mark in America is Swede Alex Noren, he is known for having heavily blistered hands from hitting so many balls. In fact he wears two gloves some days as his hands cut so badly at times. Noren lost out at Torrey Pines in Tigers big US comeback to Jason Day in a six hole sudden death playofff. Noren will definitely be on Captain Thomas Bjorn Ryder Cup radar and must surely debut in September.

Tiger played well, however similar to previous years he hit it quite wide. Actually REALLY wide from the tee, but great recovery and a fairly steady putter saw him round in an under par total which he must of been happy with. If he drives like that for the rest of the year, even with his skills, I doubt he won't make many cuts. I'm sure it will improve but to win again, that is a whole different matter.

The greatest show on earth

America has one of its biggest events of the sporting calendar this coming week, The Super Bowl. Holders New England take on Philadelphia with grillions of chicken wings, kegs of beer and of course expensive advertising slots playing second fiddle to the Waste Management Tour event in Phoenix. This is the event like no other with a stadium built like the colosseum that's has grown over the years around the par 3, 16th hole. It’s noisy beyond belief, who can forget Tiger’s hole in one on that hole?

Should a player miss the green from the tee, he gets heckled all the way to the green. Over the years there have been caddie races from tee to green and so much player memorabilia given away, it's arguably golfs biggest party.

Of course it isn't quite on the Super Bowl level but gives it a good run as much as golf can away from the first tee at the Ryder Cup. Next week I get the chance to play that hole as I'm playing a Pro Am in Arizona. We're booked to play the TPC course which will be great fun for sure.

Back home, The Six Nations kicks off this weekend. The two favourites are England and Ireland with a potential winner take all confrontation on Paddy’s Day at Twickenham. Captain Kevin Lyons (Irish Ted) is holding a golf match, England v Ireland that day. Should you want to get involved, the information is on the Club notice boards.

Have a good weekend playing.I'll be doing my best not to struggle in the sunshine, cactus and immaculate courses Scottsdale has to offer.

David