The driving range has now had to close due to the practice ground being waterlogged, however SkyTrak has just landed in the shop meaning you can now play golf on the simulator on the links of St Andrews or Pebble Beach amongst others. You can also fine-tune your yardages on the virtual range with a cup of coffee in hand. This facility is open to everybody, please book a slot for you or your group via the pro shop. Hire is available at £10 per hour for a single or £20 per hour for two or more people. Get in touch here.

I will be running a Nearest the Pin competition on one of the virtual par-3s from today (Thursday) until Xmas eve. Entry is £5 for six shots and the winner will receive a Nike Hyperadapt waterproof jacket worth £189.99. Come into the shop to have a go.


 

If there was ever a dominant force at an event then it's definitely Charl Schwartzel at Leopard Creek. The South African won his fourth Alfred Dunhill title in 11 years, a 15-under-par total this year was good enough to win by four from Frenchman Gregory Bourdy. In America it was a rout for Kevin Kisner as he took the RSM Classic by six shots at Sea Island, but it was great to see Graeme McDowell continue his recent good form as he finished third.


 

In Thursday's 12-Hole Informal Stableford, Rick Austin continued to venture into unknown territory as he played the course (and three more holes) in one-under-par gross for a winning score of 30 points. Runner-up on the day was another leaderboard regular as Peter Walsh finished with 29, third on countback was David Holgate with 27 points.

The early starters had the best of the weather in Saturday's Winter League for sure. In the Chris Kenrick, Mark Prosser (36) triumphed by one shot over Trevor Starkey-Jones (35). Third place went to John Body (31). David Cederholm had an excellent round of two-over-par, given the conditions, for 38 points in the Blair Salver. Roy Christian was one back with 37 and with the course to themselves in the afternoon, Chris Hornsby was the best in his fourball with 36 points to take third place.

Unfortunately, the course was closed for the Ladies Christmas Stableford on Tuesday. Fingers crossed that this event can be re-played.


 

Christmas is a busy time for the industry and couriers. If you are thinking of ordering something into the shop please do so in plenty of time to avoid disappointment. We are currently working on a 7-10 day lead time. 

Our Xmas Gift Idea this week comes in the form of reduced hardware. Many of you adopt the 'if it isn't broke, don't fix it' approach to your clubs. In some respects this is a good philosophy, however as many of the amateurs with us in Dubai last week realised, modern equipment has a lot to offer both in distance and more importantly forgiveness and playability. Lots of this year's models are now heavily reduced. Bring your current clubs down and do a comparison on the simulator.

The winter is a perfect time to put your clubs in for re-gripping. We are currently running a promotion offering you two free grips with every full set (12) so you only pay for 10. The most popular grips that have been fitted during the offer are the Golf Pride Tour Velvet (£6.99) and Golf Pride New Decade in various colours (£9.99). We will only need half a day to do them so drop yours off today.

As ever at the end of the month, I ask people to pop into the shop to settle their account. If you would like your balance please reply to this email, give us a ring or get in touch here. 

The pro shop Xmas Raffle is also now up and running. £5 for a strip of tickets to be in with the chance of winning one of the five prizes on offer. First prize will be goods to the value of £250+ as always I will do the draw in the clubhouse in Xmas eve.