Welcome to the biggest online golf club in the UK...
No images? Click here
SEPTEMBER NEWS...
Dear TSGers, What a month of golf we have ahead of us. The delayed 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits next weekend, followed by the TSG MatchPlay Final at Farleigh Golf Club on Sunday 3rd October.
In other news, we have just celebrated the busiest month EVER on the site with our July stats showing over 39K golfers visited the site, which is a testament to you, the members.
Finally, now we have our new mobile-friendly Game Posting pages and Scorecard Entry pages rebuilt, we can move on to redesigning the Group Page and reviewing the Handicapping system, so a busy winter is ahead for Adam our lead Developer. #ComeOnTeamEurope Ian & The TSG Team
#TSGISAHAPPYPLACE #BEHAPPY
TSG MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP - THE FINAL: The Race to Farleigh GC
With only a few weeks until the TSG Matchplay Finals day, we have our first finalist decided - David Johnson, who beat Tuan Nguyen.
David is a former TSG Masters Champion (2018) and will play the winner of the final semi-final match between two former TSG Matchplay Champions Mr Andy King and Mr Roger Dickson.
Set within 350 acres of the stunning North Surrey Downs, Farleigh Golf Club is a downland-style course, which boasts 27 Championship-standard holes designed by Ryder Cup legend John Jacobs and greens built to USGA specifications.
There is variety and quality in abundance with three separate nine-hole loops, which can be played as three different 18-hole layouts, to provide an enjoyable challenge for golfers of all abilities.
Farleigh is the only national PGA venue in the area and was selected to host the prestigious PGA Fourball Championship in both 2019 and 2020 because of its excellent course conditions and ease of access from the M25 and London.
The course boasts unrivalled year-round playing surfaces with the ‘Farleigh Guarantee’ of no temporary greens or tees which means golfers don’t have to hang up their clubs in the colder and wetter months – a rare feat for a UK golf club.
Visit the Farleigh GC website here www.farleighfox.co.uk
INDUSTRY NEWS: Has golf's bubble burst?
For the golf industry, the Covid-19 pandemic cloud has had a substantial silver lining. Similar to the ‘Tiger Effect’ in the 2000s when golf’s popularity soared, the Covid Effect created seismic shifts in behaviour that saw new people take up the game, lapsed golfers return to the course, families play together and avid golfers with more time on their hands play even more golf.
Working from home, furlough, the closure of bars and restaurants, and the lack of other sports while golf courses (for the most part) remained open, was the recipe for a record-breaking year in 2020. With its outdoor setting and built-in social distancing, golf was the perfect sport for people to take up in the pandemic. And they did, in their thousands.
Many clubs experienced a huge boom in visitor play last year. But has this trend continued? When we compare visitor rounds booked through BRS Golf and GolfNow in 2021 to rounds booked in 2019, the outlook is still positive. However, the golf industry should not ignore the clear signs of a slowdown in visitor golf in June and July this year from the levels seen in 2020...
Article supplied courtesy of www.thegolfbusiness.co.uk
TSG LEADERBOARD: (sponsored by 2fore1.co.uk)
John Barber at Redbourn GC in Herts with an EXCEPTIONAL = 44 pts.
Well done to John (JB) on his first leaderboard win since joining the site in July 2008 (while it was still in development!) Oh, how sweet it must be to FINALLY get your hands on the GREEN TOWEL after such a long wait!
Welcome to the 2022 TSG Masters Mr Barber!
H'cap change: 18.4 to 13.7!
SOCIETY GOLF VENUES: Best Courses in Kent
There are plenty of Golf courses in Kent for those who enjoy variety, but with many courses changing hands in recent months, following the recent surge in participation, many are now re-investing in their venues.
There are more than 80 golf courses for Kent Golf Societies to enjoy and with a good Motorway network including the M2, M20, M26 and A21, it is pretty easy to move around the county freely.
However, be warned, there are a number of ‘Private Members’ clubs in the county that are far from welcoming and some see nomadic golfers as second class citizens. We say to avoid these clubs and visit those with proven hospitality and a warm welcome.
With this said, we must also remind you that Kent is one of only a few counties in England that still hosts The OPEN championship and is home to the ‘holy-trinity of golf clubs; Royal St. Georges, Royal Cinque Ports (see below) and Princes, all of which have hosted the oldest Major golfing competition.
The London Golf Club is well-known for its outstanding 36-holes of golf, but not so many are aware it was Jack Nicklaus who designed the courses. Both provide the visiting golfer (some from all over the world) two golf courses of impeccable quality that both play well all year round. In addition, it has an award-winning clubhouse, first-class hospitality and exceptional service, all set in 700 acres of idyllic Kent countryside, just 25 miles from Central London.
The club officially opened in July 1994, with the Charity Challenge Skins Match played on the Heritage Course. Jack Nicklaus battled with Steve Ballesteros and Tony Jacklin, but in the end, Steve’s magical short game helped him win. Since then, both golf courses have hosted many professional events.
The Heritage course is a Jack Nicklaus Signature design that bears all the hallmarks of the 18-time Major Champion. Host to the 2008 and 2009 European Open, the course provides an exhilarating test for golfers of all abilities. Maintained in pristine condition all year round, with fast-rolling greens and immaculately presented tee-boxes and fairways, the Heritage is rightly regarded as one of the country’s finest golfing experiences, perfect for golf societies in Kent wanting to make special memories.
This is a classic Jack Nicklaus course that forces you to consider every shot. Dramatic tee shots and daunting approaches make this course both memorable and challenging. Exclusively for the use of members and their guests, the Heritage is maintained to the very best standards all year round.
The International course is pure downland. Long grasses sway in an ever-changing breeze. The course is naturally firmer and the quick undulating fairways force a links-style approach, while short holes over the water provide dramatic respite. This is undoubtedly one of the finest downland courses in Europe.
To find out more about Sundridge Park GC, Wrotham Heath GC, Royal Cinque Ports and Bearsted GC ... READ MORE >>
by Mark Crane
Bom Sucesso is the destination for your next escape if you enjoy incredible value semi all-inclusive packages and superb golf.
When packaged together with the spectacular Praia d'el Rey and Royal Obidos courses, both under 10-minutes' drive away with free transfers, this could be your ideal escape for that last-minute getaway or your plans for 2022.
Make sure you mention The Social Golfer when contacting us for your special discount, and to find out more about other great golfing deals visit: www.golf-escapes.com
TSG BLOG PAGES: Recent Popular Articles by the TSG Team & Members
Whenever we can, we like to review courses, Golf equipment, and the latest Golf technology and apps available online. Visit our Golf Blog pages for the latest insights and more...
• Golf GPS Review – The Smart Caddie >>
Course Review of the Month: Cherry Lodge GC, Biggin Hill, Kent.
"Great course... "
So, I managed to finally get my brother-in-law to take me to Cherry Lodge Golf Club after driving past for so many years. It's a lovely course with lots of nasty stuff to avoid if you're very wayward, but keep it on or near the fairway and the greens are easily reachable. N.B. The greens were extremely fast so it took a bit of time to adjust.
A parkland course in layout, with two ponds and a two-tier single green Par 3, 16th, which just needs a windmill to make it crazy golf! I went long and right. I had to chip over a bunker onto the top tier green and watch it roll down the slope to within 10 feet of the pin.... before missing the par putt!
Sadly we didn't go in the clubhouse as our orders were taken outside on the veranda (COVID etc) but the staff were very friendly. However, I did get the feeling it's the sort of club that throws you out for wearing the wrong socks. One downside to our visit was an unprovoked insult by another member to one of our group. Maybe ok if you're friends but not to a complete stranger. That said, there was a Women's competition going on that same day and they were all very friendly.
An odd thing though is that you can't book ahead as the members prefer to just turn up and play? Overall, I'd love to go back and maybe make some better memories.
|
|
Ps. If you have enjoyed reading this Newsletter, please help us to grow the community by forwarding to a friend...     |
