Author Archive: Gary Tubb

Golf Range Vs Golf Cage

Golf Range Vs Golf Cage

Golf Ranges and Golf Cages are Essential Practice Tools

Practice, Practice, Practice is the mantra of Bruce Loome (Class 'A' Professional). Working with Bruce, Princes Risborough Golf Club have developed a unique Short Game Academy Course. This 9 hole golf course is focused on helping you to practice the 9 'smart shots' to a better scorecard.

Practice, is about rehearsing and 'grooving in' the right disciplines rather than finding workarounds for the wrong ones.

So why use a Golf Cage or a Golf Range?

On a golf range you get to see the flight of the ball and where it lands. The problem is that you are using a golf range ball rather than your own.
With a golf cage, you are using your own ball, but get a more limited idea of the flight of the ball and where it lands.

So which is the best?

Well, in short they both have their place.

The big upside of the golf cage over the golf range is achieving the right sound and feel when connecting with 'your' golf ball.

When being coached a particular shot, a Class 'A' pro will ask you to hear and feel the shot as well as note its flight and reaction to landing.

So when trying to rehearse and 'groove in' those all important swing mechanics you will often see beginners, intermediate and experienced golfers taking the time to practice in golf cages. Watch for the smile on their face when they hear and feel the perfect shot. To a golfer who has received Class 'A'  coaching, it is as gratifying as watching the ball land in the right spot on a range or golf course.

So before a game and in between games, always try to find time to warm up muscles and 'groove in' your swing technique. Listen and feel that your shots are on point.

Also worthy of note - remember, a Golf Cage is normally free of charge whereas a golf range costs you hard earned money.

At Princes Risborough Golf Club, we encourage a learning culture. We recommend that no matter how good you are that you continue to improve your game through professional coaching. Please practice, practice, practice the right techniques. Learn to listen and to feel that you are making the right connection. If you practice the right techniques, you will get better - if you get better you will enjoy the game more - it is as simple as that!!

Princes Risborough Golf Course have a Golf Cage and welcome Members (and Green Fees) to use it Free of Charge.  Conditions apply however for playing the Short Game Academy Course which opens in May 2017 - please ask at reception.

Our Cage has undergone a full renovation and is available for usage during week commencing 13th February, 2017.  Practice, Practice, Practice!! But practice the right things!! 🙂 Please contact our Class 'A' Golf Pro to find out more.

Coming to a driving cage near you…

We are delighted to confirm that the new netting is now on its way and our driving cage renovation will soon be completed!! The greenkeeping team have used the cold weather to their advantage in sanding down and protecting the cage with rust resistant paint. So please watch this space - the netting is on its way and very soon the cage will be driving like new 🙂

Lady Captain – February Update

Ladies February Golf Update

It's hard to believe that we have put January behind us already but here we are in the first week of February. Our playing schedule in January was disrupted by frozen greens and even when we weren't on temporaries it was seldom truly enjoyable to be out on the course.  Hopefully now it won't be too long before the weather improves as the days lengthen. 

During January we welcomed a new lady member to our fold and many of you will have met Anna Antonie already.  Anna is playing her three cards to achieve her handicap and is keen to be taking part in our competitions as soon as possible.  If you see Anna please do take a few minutes to introduce yourself - I'm sure we can all remember how daunting it is when you are trying to put names to faces.    

Our programme for February has been adjusted so please do take a moment to check your diaries against the following and read through to the end of this message for more information.  

DIARY DATES

All Mondays in February
Ladies Roll Up
Depending on weather conditions the Monday roll-up will continue throughout the month.  In principle players will go out in arrival order, playing 9, 14 or 18 holes as mutually agreed.  It can be disappointing if you happen to be the one who turns up when there's no one else around, so it's worth remembering that most ladies choose to go out about 09.00 during the winter months, a little earlier in spring/summer.  And if the weather does turn against us some ladies still pop into the club mid-late morning for a coffee (or hot chocolate!) and a chat. 

Wednesday 8 February
Ladies Informal Morning  (note this is a change from our original schedule)
The informal game this day will be an  Irons Only  competition.  Tee times from 08.45 onwards with ladies going out in arrival order in threes where possible.  This is a good opportunity to practise with your irons so get to the back of that garage and find the 5 or 6 iron that isn't usually in your golf bag and you'll be sailing down the fairway.  
A gentle reminder for our informal mornings - please hand your card into the clubhouse with your playing fee  as soon as you clear the 18th green .  This helps our organiser, Foxy, to tally up the results and will hopefully mean that we can most often announce winners before the early birds head off.

 
Wednesday 15 February
Ladies Informal Morning
The format for the game this day will be announced on 8 February.  
 
Saturday 18 February 
Alternative day for the February Stableford  (note this is a change from our original schedule)
If you're planning to play on this day please remember that it's off the yellows and that you will need to book a tee time at Reception.
 
Wednesday 22 February  
February Stableford   (note this is a change from our original schedule)
The sign-up sheet has been posted on the noticeboard in the Locker Room so don't forget to sign up soon.
 
LOOKING FURTHER AHEAD
Saturday 18 March
Distinguishables v Incorruptibles.  This is a match between a 'captains' team and a 'management' team.  If you have a current handicap and you'd like to take part watch out for posters and sign-up sheets over the next couple of weeks.  This is a shot-gun start and there's no need to have a partner - we will be sorting out playing order etc.  
 
OTHER INFORMATION
It looks as if all the first round Winter Pairs matches will have been completed by 5 February - well done ladies.  There are now seven weeks before the semi finals must be played but please don't leave it until the middle of March to find a date and if possible please avoid playing these matches on a Wednesday.  
 
With the approach of Spring it's a great time to think about brushing up your game.  Our pro, Bruce Loome, will be running group coaching sessions in the sequence of putting/chipping/pitching/driving and this is an excellent way to eliminate those bad habits that have crept in over the winter months.  Bruce has put up lists in the Ladies Locker Room - do consider joining the group, or if you'd prefer to have individual lessons then I know that Bruce would be delighted to hear from you.  
 
This is the time of year when the Handicap Committee meets.  Some of you will have heard from Jill about changes - both up and down.  This is a reminder that those of us with existing handicaps must submit three cards each year if we wish to retain a competitive handicap meaning that we can take part in any competition.  There is no rush as our year runs until December but I have been asked by Jill to say that it is advisable to avoid N/R (nil return) cards, particularly if you are in a position where you hope the Handicap Committee will review your handicap.  Reviews can only be based on the evidence of submitted cards.  
 
Some of you were at the Club a couple of Wednesdays ago when the new website was launched. I hope that you'll like the fresh style that has been adopted and find it a really useful resource.  To be sure that you get to the new  website use this address:   www.princesrisboroughgolfclub.co.uk.

The up to date members calendar can be found here

 
 
Finally, you will already have received an up-dated telephone list from Beryl - please make sure your records are up-to-date.  
 
That's all of the news for now ladies.  I hope that I've covered everything, but please don't hesitate to get back to me if you've got any questions (or ideas!).
 
See you all at the Club very soon
Best regard
Sue

New Lunch Time Menu – Going Down a Storm

Further to our recent post on Upping Our Game - Nick and Michelle have been enjoying considerable success with their new lunch time menu trial.

Freshly prepared... Toasties, Sandwiches and Jacket potatoes with mouth-wateringly tasty fillings - available 7 days a week.

The Chilli Con Carne Jacket Potato has been particularly popular with the ladies...

"I had some great feedback today from ladies about the food yesterday.  The jacket potatoes with chilli con carne went down a storm and their availability at short notice was much appreciated" ... Sue D'Arcy

Great work Nick and Michelle!!

Further Enhancing the Greens this Winter

Further Enhancing the Greens this Winter

Per previous posts we are working with our Agronomist to maximise the health and playability of our greens during the colder, low light winter months.

Over the next two weeks we will be applying a revolutionary pigment technology which increases soil and surface temperatures and creates a more desirable microclimate for growth. In short it increases the grass plants photosynthesis rate and its metabolism in periods of slow growth.
This is used on the top courses in the USA and we are trying it here!

Key Benefits...
* Increases turf quality and playability during periods of slow growth
* Increases turf colour in the colder, low light winter period
* Looks and works in tune with nature

I will keep you posted

John
Head Greenkeeper

Lake balls on the 3rd are part of the lake bed – remove the balls … destroy the lake

Please note that having thinned the level of lake weed on the 3rd and filled it with fresh water – low and behold we have exposed a treasure trove of golf balls.

Please note that these balls belong to the lake – they are now part of the blue clay structure that holds the water. If you remove them you will damage the integrity of the lake bed and will reduce the effectiveness of the clay bed to retain the water.

We invested heavily in blue clay rather than a lake liner because it is more natural. Because it is more natural we ask that you respect it’s frailties and resist the temptation to gather a few free golf balls at the cost of the lake bed.

Thank you
John
Head Greenkeeper

Feeding the greens… preventing disease and moss

We are currently feeding the greens with a 'spring starter' fertiliser. It comes in a fine granular form which dissolves relatively quickly and so should not interrupt your putting but if you see some granules - you'll now know what they are!

The fertiliser we are applying delivers multiple benefits...

* It contains potassium and iron to improve disease resistance and minimise the incidence of moss
* It is premium 'fine granular' to ensure even coverage and response (it also means minimum to zero disruption to play)

This is one of a sequence of procedures that our agronomist is prescribing as part of our drive for outstanding greens this season.

We will keep you posted on all the green enhancement activities taking place over the coming weeks - particularly where they may impact on your putting in any way.

John
Head Greenkeeper

Upping Our Game – Weekend Lunch Times…

A quick heads up… Either Nick or Michelle will now be managing the weekend lunch time sessions at the Club to support Luke. This will be phased in over the next few weeks starting with this Saturday 14th January.