Captain's Day

Last Saturday Club Captain Tim Cattaneo hosted his Captain's Day. The format of the event was a Texas Scramble, with teams of 4 playing. I had the pleasure of the Captain's company for the afternoon along with Lee Baker (Assistant Professional) and new member Carl Fidler. The end result was very close between the 11 teams that competed. The team of Steve Baugh, Dave Davies, Simon Brant and Duncan Brant (pictured below) were victorious by 0.2 of a shot. The handicap allowance was 10% of the team's combined handicap. The team narrowly beaten into second placed was Bob Shrieves-Yeates, Lee Preston, Andy Taylor and Denis Nixon. 

   

Keith King Play and Putt

The Keith King Memorial Golf afternoon was held last Sunday, with 17 pairs taking part in the annual event. Keith King was the Captain of Hassocks Golf Club in 1998/1999. The competition is over 9 holes with a 'golfer' playing from tee to green and a 'non-golfer' putting out. The winners were Steve and Alex Baugh (pictured above) with a nett 36, Steve collecting his second win in recent events. Second were Paul Gumbrell and Anne Marie Harding from Keith's family with a nett 38. Anne Mullett won the best 'non-golfer' putting with 16 putts, arguably improving Peter's normal putting statistics!

Also taking place last Saturday was the Junior Club Championship, producing the closest of finishes. Standing on the last tee three players could still win the title. Jake Gabell, playing off a handicap of 16, held a one shot lead on six over par gross from brothers Lloyd and Lucas Durrant. Lucas produced the best drive of the three players and followed it with a superb approach shot to four feet; he converted the birdie putt to win the title by one shot from Jake. Lucas' birdie at the final hole helped him cover the back nine in 34 shots (level par) to win the Junior Club Championship for 2014, congratulations Lucas.

  

Also, special congratulations to Jake who returned a nett score of 61 on the day. Jake had his handicap reduced by four shots on the day from 16 to 12 (11.8). Jake's handicap has reduced by two shots on the day because of his excellent score, plus an additional two shots for an exceptional score reduction because of his recent superb performances.

Neville Pells' Memorial Golf Day

Member Tony Pells celebrated his son's life last Tuesday at Hassocks Golf Club. Neville Pells tragically died from a brain hemorrhage last year. Neville was in his twenties and was recently married. 60 members, guests and family took part in the memorial golf day. A great time was had by all with the golf course in fantastic condition and the weather staying kind to all. 

The Grip - The grip of the golf club is one of the most important elements of the correct technique. It is the only contact we have with the golf club and has a huge effect over the trajectory and consistency of the golf ball. Much is written about the grip in the golf press and it is mostly about the difference between an interlocking and a Vardon grip, I would like to educate you with something different.

The correct wrist angles when gripping the club are far more important than how you bind your hands together. The wrist angles should be neutral to each other; one should not have more angle than the other. Also the wrist angles should be facing each other - please see below.

   

The first photo shows the correct grip with neutral wrist angles (the same amount of angle in each wrist) and with the wrists facing each other - this will give you the desired grip with 2 knuckles showing on each hand. The second photo shows a common incorrect grip - known as a strong grip. The wrist angles are not matching and the wrists are facing in the opposite direction, one wrist is facing up and the other is facing down.

How does your grip rate? Think it needs some work?

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