March News...

Dear TSGers, this month's TSG Newsletter is being compiled in EXCEPTIONAL circumstances. Not only are we all asked to remain vigilant and considerate to others, but we now ponder the devastating effect this could have on both golfers and golf clubs alike. Whilst we at TSG HQ are not qualified to give advice on how to react to the CORONAS-VIRUS outbreak, we refer you to the following advice given by the UK’s chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance who said: “It is OK – if you keep a distance.” However, above all DONT PANIC! We will get through this... Ian & The TSG Team

TSG Major's in 2020: The MatchPlayChampionship...

With only a few more weeks until our first competition of the year gets underway, let's look at who's drawn who' in the first round! ALL ties must be played by the end of April 2020.

Visit the TSG Matchplay Championship group page for more details...

Golfing in Vilamoura: Day three & four...

In the first of our two articles on ‘Golfing in Vilamoura’, we talked about our visits to The Laguna and The Millennium.

In this second of our two ‘Golfing in Vilamoura’ articles, now read about our visit to the world-renowned Vale do Lobo’s The Royal and The Ocean courses...

Golfing in Vilamoura - Vale Do Lobo - The Clubhouse...

You know on your way into the resort that you are approaching one of Europe’s premier golf destinations. On arrival at The Clubhouse, pleasant and friendly staff immediately showed us to the Golf reception - an area that gives you an indication of your experience for the day. That is where we met Daniel who has worked at the resort for 12 years. Something not unusual among the staff here, as we find out. In fact, many of the staff have been here for over 10 years which suggests it’s a well-run place.

On sharing a coffee in the Players lounge, Dan explains to us that the whole resort, including the two-courses, is roughly the size of Monaco. Having worked in marketing for some 25+ years, I conclude (given the audience they wish to attract) this is a superb way to promote themselves. Especially if you want to appeal to the European golfers with a high disposable income. Looking out from the lounge, we have a beautiful view of both the Putting Green and the Grandstand, which gives the place a very grand feel. However, this theme continues as we take a tour of the facilities.

They have it all covered here including a Private lounge for members, a Spa, an 8-bay driving bay (which is due for a refurb), a gym, snooker area and a yoga studio. All surrounded by beautiful shady areas, cobbled paths, an outside bar area, scenic views across the sea - somewhere we return to after our round. The changing room is large, trendy and immaculately clean, as you would expect from a high-end resort.

Dan goes on to tell me that whilst the membership is not cheap at 5,000 euros a year, there are a good 200+ members. Both the corporate members and tourist day-trippers keep the place very busy. If you're going to visit Vale do Lobo, make sure you make a full day of it, enjoy the surroundings, the ambience and the friendly staff. Give your self plenty of time to enjoy the views - and I haven’t even mentioned the golf yet...

Golfing in Vilamoura – Vale Do Lobo -  The Courses -  The Royal Course...

So, I guess all golfers with a number of years of playing under their belt have a ‘bucket list’ of courses they want to play. Having heard about the famous 16th, Par 3, from many friends, 'The Royal' was one golf course I've wanted to play for a while. However, to focus solely on this hole would do the rest of the course a disservice. The course starts with some very straight but pretty holes, enclosed by whitewashed villas and I immediately felt at home and encouraged by what was to come.

The fairways are clean, soft and well maintained as you would expect and it’s a pleasure to be playing on firm fairways again (we really do have to put up with a lot back in 'Blightly' with its wet, damp and cold conditions) and I feel I will save a few shots today because of it! (I didn’t!

The course is very walkable, despite some big inclines and declines, but there’s always a shady area close by under which to cool down. The stand out hole on the front nine is definitely the 7th hole - 140 yards, 130 yards carry over water (see below) to a slightly sloping green. Despite a pretty ropey scorecard up to this point, I just make it over and scramble a par, so I am happy! This is quickly followed by another carry over water on the 150 yards, Par 3, ninth hole. Alas, here I was not so lucky. Splosh!

So, on to the back nine. More picturesque and with a more varied hole layout, the course now gets more interesting. I won’t talk about each hole but I will say it’s beautiful, pretty tree-lined fairways and immaculate greens all run quickly And as we approach the sea and the Par 3, 16th signature hole, you really do feel you’re playing Millionaire's golf!.

At this point I must commend the club, as they run a ten-minute tee system, meaning we saw hardly any other golfers until the 17th hole. If I had any criticism with the course at all, I would say some of the tee boxes could be flatter in places... but now I am picking 'holes'. This is both a well managed and beautifully presented golf resort, and they couldn't have been more courteous to us. I will definitely return here.

18 holes – Cost = Approx 100 euros

Golfing in Vilamoura – The Courses – Vale Do Lobo - Ocean Course...

Now sadly, this is when I turn to my fellow TSGers for their feedback on the second (and less well-known) course, The Ocean, as I had to head for the airport.

The Ocean Course is composed of the two original 9-hole golf courses designed by Sir Henry Cotton. The Course features undulating fairways which run alongside a nature reserve, before leading gently down to the shores of the Atlantic....READ MORE

DID YOU KNOW: Why 14 Golf Clubs in a bag? And who made this rule? And why?

It doesn’t matter if you use a golf carry bag or a golf stand bag, Callaway, Sun Mountain or Ping golf Bags, most golfers know that you can have up to 14 golf clubs in it. However, it’s not so common for people to know why, and they don’t really ask. The truth is, it hasn’t always been like this – the rule of carrying up to 14 clubs was first introduced in 1938. Before that time, golfers could bring as many clubs as they wanted. Did you want 20 or 30? Well, as long as your caddie could carry it, it was alright.

Before the 1920s, the number of carried clubs hadn’t even been an issue. But, in 1924, the first player in golf history decided to use a steel-shafted club in the US Open. This new club could ensure a longer flight without making a golfer give up control over it. However, many players didn’t want to drop the hickory-shafted clubs that they knew so well so they simply decided to bring them all to the tournaments. So why did The USGA (the United States Golf Association) and the PGA (Professional Golfers’ Association) decide to regulate it? There were several reasons, though all of them related.

Four reasons why golfers carry 14 golf clubs in one bag – When and why…

1.    To unburden caddies…

The average number of golf clubs brought by a single player to the US Open and Amateur in 1935 was 18. The highest total record was set in the same year when one golfer carried 35 clubs with him (a right-handed set and a left-handed set, just in case). Or, to be precise, had his caddie carry them for him. After that, the USGA decided that something needed to be done to limit the number of clubs a single player can bring to one match. The caddies being overloaded and simply exhausted were one of the reasons for finally regulating it.

2.  To down-skill the game…

Since the very beginning, golf was primarily about skill and the idea was to keep it that way. The USGA and the PGA didn’t want some players to seem better than others simply because they may have had many various clubs. The goal was to keep the game as challenging as possible and not to leave all the answers to technology and gear.

3.  To avoid inequality…

Apart from the caddies’ health, the USGA and the PGA also worried that too many different clubs carried by a single player can make him or her unjustly superior to those who couldn’t afford all kinds of different sets of clubs. They wanted to avoid inequality based on social and financial background. ... READ MORE

TSG Player of the Month (sponsored by www.2fore1.co.uk)

Sadly, due to a bug currently found in the TSG handicap system at the time of 'Going To Press', we are unable to confirm this month's winner. However, rest assured we will confirm two winners next month! So, Martin gets another chance to share his picture from February...

Thanking you in advance for your patience!              BUY YOUR OWN TSG TOWEL!

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DONT FORGET EVERY TSG PRO MEMBER GETS A FREE £25 voucher with Golf Escapes!

(mention at time of booking to qualify!)

Course Review of the Month: Dereham GC, Norwich, Norfolk, UK

"If you want a dry course in the winter..."

I expect many of you, like me, experiencing the wettest winter in living memory, dream of finding a dry course? Well, we found one in the enchanting 9-hole Dereham course. It was roughly a 200-mile round trip, but it was the only course we could find in East Anglia without a buggy ban. 

The club could not have been friendlier. Members, the secretary and all the staff welcomed us like returning friends. Dereham is situated about 10 miles from Norwich and is not that easy to get to in a hurry, but we did it in about 2 hours. The course is mature parkland and is 90 years old. The greens are smallish but fast. 

We got around 9 holes in about 1.45 so were on target for a 3.30 round. Not too bad for a three-ball. We had members behind us who pushed us ever so slightly, but not too hard. There were a couple of matt tees and one temporary green. I was leading with 21 points after 11 when we called it a day due to another deluge. 

I found the course offered something for everyone. At just over 6,000 yards, it's certainly not short. Some long par fours and 6 par threes. No water at all on the course other than the rain, which the secretary kept apologising for. 

When we came in, I had a fish finger sandwich which warmed me up for £4.75. Cost of a buggy was £18. 

Our green fee was free as we had a voucher but I think it's around £20. Membership is £560 per year if you're thinking of moving near Norwich. All in all, a great traditional British Parkland course with very friendly members - a real treat to visit. Its bone dry all year round so give it a try if, like me, you've hardly played in the last 5 months!

Paul Houghton - Essex (H'cap 14)