Wiltshire Golf Guide Newsletter Issue #3

A picture showing the details of what's included in the Wiltshire Golf Guide Newsletter

Welcome to the latest Newsletter

We are thrilled to bring you another issue of our Newsletter about all things golf in the beautiful county of Wiltshire.

Whether you are a seasoned golfer or just starting out, this newsletter is your go-to source for the latest local golf news, events, and tips to enhance your golfing experience.

From course info and tips from the pro's, to player profiles of local golfers to upcoming open tournaments, we have it covered.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy the latest Wiltshire Golf Guide Newsletter.

In The Spotlight

A picture of manor house golf club 8th hole after some heavy rain

How To Play Golf During The Winter Months

Playing golf in the winter can be a challenge.

The courses are wet and the ball doesn’t travel as far, making it difficult to score well.

Plus, you have to deal with the cold weather and your waterproof clothing that can get in the way of your golf swing.

But don’t let that discourage you; playing golf during the winter months is still possible and there are some things you can do to make your game better.

Let’s take a look at how you can play great golf during the coldest season of the year.

Do You Need To Change Your Golf Swing Mechanics In The Winter

The cold weather impacts how far the ball will travel when hit, so you need to adjust your swing accordingly.

For example, try using more club speed on shorter shots because the ball is not travelling as far as normal. If you don’t you are very likely to come up short

In addition, make sure to keep your grip relaxed so that you don’t lose control of the club due to coldness in your fingers or hands.

Wear some winter golf mittens and maybe get one of those pocket warmers to help keep your fingers warm.

They’re not allowed in competitions, as you are deemed to be having an advantage over the field of other players, but if it’s just a friendly game with friends, then I say warm hands are a must.

a picture of playing golf in the fog...almost no visibility
Playing Golf In The Fog is always a challenge. It is really foggy rather than a blurry picture 🙂

Use Appropriate Winter Golf Equipment

Using equipment designed for winter golf will help you play to your normal levels even when it’s chilly out.

Think about using clubs with wider soles, as the fairways will be much softer than normal.

Bounce is your friend here, especially through the rough and semi, where the grass has been made slick by rain or snowfall.

Also look for grips made from softer materials like rubber as this will help keep a consistent feel even when wearing gloves.

If it’s wet while you play, think about buying a wet weather glove, as this will help you keep your normal grip pressure and help make sure you’re not holding on for dear life of the club in case it flies out of your hands.

Finally, choose balls specifically for winter play such as mid-range balls (think about balls like Srixon Soft Feel or AD333, or Titleist True Soft) which are better suited to colder conditions.

They probably feel harder, but then they’re also not £50 a box

You May Need To Carry Your Golf Bag In Winter

It’s not unusual for Golf Clubs to have bans on both Buggy and Trolleys (as their wheels can damage the course).

When conditions aren’t too wet, you may just be asked to keep off the fairways and either walk on the designated pathways, or on the rough on the edges of the fairways.

Think about where you put your bag around the green, try to keep it away from greens and the aprons surrounding them.

No matter where you play, they is usually a pathway that all the golfers on that day have walked, which usually ends up in a muddy track. Do your best to not add to this if you can.

Dress Warmly But Smartly For Winter Golf

The key here is layering;

you want several thin layers of clothing rather than one thick layer as this will help protect against wind chill while providing enough flexibility for a good swing motion.

Wear lightweight fabrics designed for wet weather golf.

They’re also less intrusive to your golf swing.

They will help in keeping you dryer for longer while playing in wet weather conditions – no matter how hard it might be raining!

Be sure not to overdress either; too much clothing can restrict your movement causing improper swings which won’t achieve optimal results – so dress warmly but smartly!

a picture of the 8th hole at manor house in the rain
The 8th hole at Manor House is often affected by the heavy rain

Enjoy Your Winter Golf

Playing golf during the winter months is possible with some adjustments both on and off the course.

Then enjoy hitting the warm bar afterwards for much needed beers and hot food!

Upcoming Open Golf Events In Wiltshire

These are some of the Open Events taking place in Wiltshire over the next couple of months

These are just a few of the events and you can see more on our Open Golf Competitions page

The Player Profiles Series

In our Player Profiles Series, we dive into the experiences and passions of local golfers, bringing you closer to the heart of the game.

Each interview unveils the personal preferences of a Wiltshire golfer, from where they play most of their golf, to their favourite hole, their go-to clubs, a favourite post game meal and some other interesting golf related trivia

Tucker Thompson enjoying a beer at The Blue Boar

This week’s Player Profile is Tucker Thompson

This week’s Player Profile shines the spotlight on Tucker Thompson, a golfer whose passion for the game is matched only by his love for the picturesque courses of Wiltshire.

Tucker’s golfing adventures are not just about sinking putts; they’re infused with stories of challenging holes and unexpected discoveries along the way.

From his favoured club on the course to the intriguing rituals that accompany his pre-tee routines.

Discover Tucker’s dream golf hole design, his thoughts on the quirkiest golf-themed gift he’s ever received, and the one aspect of his game he dreams of magically improving overnight.

Visit Tucker’s Profile and find out more about him

we want YOU to be part of our Player Profiles Series too!

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a weekend warrior, we invite you to share your golf story with us.

To find out more visit the Player Profiles Series.

This Week's Featured Golf Hole

As part of our Player Profile Series we ask the Players to tell us their favourite hole from across the Golf Courses in Wiltshire, this is the choice of this week's Player.

 

Tucker’s Favourite Hole is
The 12th Hole at Manor House – ‘
DOOLITTLE’

Par 5

BLACK 498 YARDS | WHITE 477 YARDS | YELLOW 446 YARDS | RED 430 YARDS

One of the most visually stunning Par 5’s you are likely to see.

The hole doglegs across a valley, with heavy rough, the River Bybrook, the lake and bunkers to negotiate before you reach the green.

Take a fairway wood or long iron off the tee to ensure playing your second from the short grass.

The green can be reached in two but it requires a long shot.

The green undulates and hardly has a straight putt.

The best of luck!

The Performance Zone

Each week we share a tip from a Golf Professional, Coach or Equipment specialist to help you improve your game, from Curing the Shanks to Choosing the right Driver

This week PGA Professional Richard Lawless shares some ideas about Driver Loft’s

Has Your Driver Got The Right Loft

Rich looks at Driver Lofts and some of the options available.

It’s worthwhile to get a custom fit once you have a repeatable swing, but it’s just as important to the have that specification custom built.

But be aware that the tolerances from some of the golf manufacturers just don’t deliver the specs you have paid for.

You can see more video coaching from Richard at the Weekend Golfers Academy

Community Spotlight

Practice Putting Green At Marlborough Golf Club

Night Golf Excitement at Marlborough Golf Club!

Marlborough Golf Club are getting ready for an electrifying evening on Thursday, March 28th, 2024, as the club gears up for a thrilling Night Golf event under the stars.

The club announced its much-anticipated Night Golf 2024 event, set to kick off with a cannon start at 6:00 p.m.

This unique tournament promises an unforgettable experience for golf enthusiasts of all levels.

Event Highlights:

Format: Teams of four will play Texas Scramble across 7 illuminated holes.

Tees Men and women alike will tee off from the Purple tees.

Handicap Allowance: 10% Stableford handicap allowance will ensure fair play and competitive spirit

Maximum Participation: Limited to 40 players, with a maximum of 2 juniors per team, ensuring an intimate and engaging atmosphere.

Entry Fees: Members can secure their spot for £20, while guests are invited to join for £25.

Player Requirements: All players must have a valid World Handicap System (WHS) handicap. Juniors under 16 are warmly encouraged to join but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Playing Format

  • Each team member contributes to the game, with one selected drive determining subsequent shots
  • Players must strategically place their balls near the chosen drive’s endpoint, ensuring fair play and tactical manoeuvring
  • With meticulous scoring, one player will record the gross score for each hole against the player whose tee shot was utilised.

Mark your calendars and rally your team for an evening of golfing excitement like no other.

Marlborough Golf Club’s Night Golf promises not only competitive golfing action but also an opportunity to forge lasting memories under the moonlit sky.

Time For A Laugh

Jesus and Moses were playing golf one day when they arrived at a tough, 235-yard par three, all over water.

With the honour, Jesus stepped up to the tee with a 5-iron.

“That’s not enough club; you need at least a 3 wood,” Moses said.

Jesus responded, “No, I saw Rory McIlroy play this hole the other day and he put a 5-iron to five feet from the pin and then sank the putt for a birdie.”

Moses said, “I’m telling you, that’s not enough club!”

Striking his shot, Jesus put his ball into the water.

He parted the water, walked out and got the ball and teed up again.

Moses said, “I told you that was not enough club; you need at least a 3 wood.”

“This will be fine – remember what I said about Rory McIlroy.” Jesus said.

As he struck his ball, it yet again went into the water.

As Moses looked on in disgust, Jesus got his ball and teed it up for yet another try.

As he was about to hit shot for the third time, a foursome was approaching the tee with one of the golfers shouting,

“What’s he doing hitting a 4 iron on this hole? He needs at least a 3 wood.

Who does he think he is, JESUS CHRIST?”

“No,” replied Moses, “He thinks he’s Rory McIlroy!”

If you would like to have your own golf joke or video featured, just drop us a line

May Your Drives Be Long & Your Putts Be True

Thank you for joining us for this edition of the Wiltshire Golf Guide Newsletter.

We hope you found inspiration in our featured golf spots, player profiles, and expert tips.

Remember, whether you’re teeing off at a local course or honing your skills on a simulator, the joy of golf lies in the camaraderie and the pursuit of excellence.

Stay tuned for our next issue, packed with more exciting updates from the Wiltshire golfing community.

Until then, May Your Drives Be Long And Your Putts Be True!

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