A year in pictures: A look back at some of the fun TSGers had in 2016...

Site News & Competition: Crown Golf ....

To celebrate Crown Golf renewing our partnership, we have a four-ball voucher to giveaway at any of the Crown Golf venues listed on the TSG club Partners page.

How To Enter? Easy, with a bit of research (or by clicking a few links) just tell us how many Crown Golf courses TSGers qualify to play at Guest Rates?

Email your answers to theteam@thesocialgolfer.com - Competition closes on Friday16th Dec.

For more information on the TSG Crown Golf Offer - Visit the TSG Partners page - CLICK HERE

TSG Player of the Month: Pete Dodds, South London, UK.

Southern Valley GC - 47 Pts (sponsored by Trophies&Medals.com)

"Some unlikely things have happened in 2016 (President Trump anyone?), and my 47 points at Southern Valley is probably one of them. I’ve been playing golf a little over a year, and although I’ve broken 100 a few times, my occasional heavy fade (or violent slice, as others insist on calling it), and problems staying consistent over 18 holes, have undone more than one potentially good round.

But golf’s a funny game, and this was one of those days when it all came together. I'd shot 41 at the turn, and dropped only 1 more shot in the next 3 holes, leaving me 7 over par and with 35 points after 12. Unfortunately, at this point I made the mistake of totting up my score. So, having realised how well I was scoring, the golfing gods stepped in and I promptly hooked the next tee shot out of bounds… I escaped with a double bogey but after a par at the 14th, went on to drop another 7 shots over the last 4 holes... Still, a round of 85 was 10 shots better than my previous best, so I can’t complain!"

Handicap change: Prior to game 27.1, now 23.5!                            

How Did You Do - Click Here...                                                                                Buy Your Own TSG Towel Now!

Featured Blog: Disabled Golf takes huge step back....

Having got to know some disabled golfers pretty well over the last few years, I stupidly thought discrimination in golf was a thing of past....We know golf is always some years behind the rest of the world in its moral outlook maybe it should have been no surprise, when I recently experienced a TRULY AWFUL SHOW OF IGNORANCE by my local council toward Paul.

Discrimination in Golf  - Setting the scene...

Now we play a couple of times a year together, so was very pleased when he agreed to play at my local municipal course (which is one of the best in the South East). Having extolled the values of this super little course to Paul many times, he may have brought with him on the day, a little too much expectation. However, I had no idea what was about to unfold. Here’s the story in Paul’s own words with some excerpts from the letter he sent to the local council officer (N.B. Real names and places have been replaced) ...

Discrimination in Golf  -  The Story....

"Dear Sir or Madam, I was invited to play golf at your municipal course by a resident of your borough. This is his local course but he is not a member. On a Saturday in August, we arrived to play at the allotted tee time that we had booked. I introduced myself in the Pro shop and paid for my round. I was told to present my chit to the starter in his hut. As I left the Pro shop the man behind the counter ‘Dave’, followed me out and told me that I would not be allowed onto the golf course using my Electrokart! Of course, a little surprised, I asked why this was as I possess my own public liability insurance for the vehicle and possess an EDGA tour card (European Disabled Golf Association) for which I had to qualify with a medical through England Golf. ‘Dave’ was very quick to reply, stating that without proper paperwork, he could only take my word for it that I am disabled. I very quickly replied asking “Could he not except the fact that my leg is missing as proof?”, “No, the Council say I must have the proper paperwork before we let you on the course”. You won’t be surprised that my initial response is not printable.

Slightly rattled by my determination to not back down and slightly panicked by the thought a lawsuit was already winging its way to his employers.... ‘Dave’ quickly scanned the council website (not the Golf Course website – which has no information!) and stated that all the information was available online. Now the paragraph on the council site is less than clear but does state that a letter must be obtained from the players ‘Doctor’ to justify the use of a buggy. As I am an above knee amputee it seems pretty damn obvious of my impairment (my leg also make a tinny sound when you smack your driver against it) but ‘Dave’ stated that it was a ‘Council’ ruling and I would not be allowed on the course without the proper documents. (This document would take a matter of weeks to obtain and a Doctor would charge for the letter!). He also indicated that crossing a road which cuts through the course can be dangerous, but surely that is the same for all golfers?

So how is this all helping golf to be seen a progressive, accessible sport for all? ... READ MORE

Did You know: Rules, etiquette and other useless information...

Much criticised for still upholding some of the sillier rules in our sport, every now and again, the R&A get it right and tweak the rules in the favour of the golfer. This month saw golf's governing bodies make a change to local rules, regarding a ball accidentally moving on the putting green.

The R&A and the USGA confirmed the new rule, which takes effect from January 1, "eliminates the penalty when a ball is accidentally moved on the putting green". As you probably know, this rule change was born out of the ridiculous situation that faced Dustin Johnson back in the Summer during the final round of the US Open in June.

XMAS Gifts: Top 5 GPS's to buy this Xmas...

There was a time when the naked eye, perhaps guided by a 150-yard marker, was sufficient to gauge distances. But this was more by necessity (or lack of invention), rather than design.

Indeed, it wasn’t that long ago that interim measurements between the 150 and 100-yard pole were considered revolutionary but the days of making do with guesstimate distances to the middle or front of the green are long gone and, if you’re trying to improve your game, it has become critical to know exactly how far to hit it.

After all, it’s difficult enough to actually hit a high-quality shot. What’s the point of wasting one or more of these by inadvertently sending it short or long owing to a lack of knowledge?This, of course, is where distance measuring devices (DMDs) come in, and at (or near) the pinnacle of this particular niche are GPS Watches (or related gadgets and devices) which give you exactly what you need: quick, convenient and accurate distances. The latter of these attributes is arguably the most important, Because what can fill you with more confidence than knowing precisely how far it is from A to B, and by extension, that you (hopefully!) have the perfect club in hand as a result?

Of course, some devices perform this task better than others. So which are top of the pops? We’ve picked out the five which we believe will get the job done for you in the simplest, convenient, reliable and most value-for-money manner - READ MORE

Video Vault: The best videos from around the web...

Tiger's back, but what made him so great...

So, Tiger came back on to the tour last weekend and no one, not even he could have predicted such a comeback. Check out the Top 10 shots of Tiger Woods' career on the PGA TOUR (excluding majors), feature incredible putting, clutch hole outs, and amazing finishes.....PLAY VIDEO!

MORE VIDEOS HERE

Special Promotion: Premier Lake Balls...

Used Golf Balls – yes or no?

If you’ve played golf long enough, you’ve probably had that “Tin Cup” moment? It might not have come on a par 5 but on a par 3 but you basically find yourself pumping most of your ball supply into the greenside water, as you stubbornly try to reach the green over a hazard. But what’s more painful, the nine you made on the hole, or the dozen golf balls you just lost? If you’re like most regular golfers, it’s the £15-40 a dozen you just drowned. Of course, if they’re used golf balls, it’s far less painful.

Used Golf Balls – The Prejudice…

Sadly, there’s certainly a stigma associated with playing used golf balls. But why? If we find a good one (such as a Titleist Pro V1)  in the trees, most of us will feel like we’ve won the lottery but if you buy used golf balls, you may be considered a cheapskate, but what’s the difference? For some reason buying recycled or used golf balls is beneath many players. Yet, it was so long ago – post-recession – that we were all quick to return to the days or Yet, it was so long ago – post-recession – that we were all quick to return to the days of ‘Make do and Mend’. After all, these golf balls are usually harvested from ponds, streams and lakes, but surely the water has to be bad for them, right? Well, that’s true but probably to a much lesser degree than you think and it used to be truer than it is now.

Used Golf Balls – The Truth…

The golf manufacturers have long made claims that balls recovered from water lose a significant amount of performance yet much of that was before the solid core technology and advanced cover materials used today. The truth is, golf balls are so well made today that they can spend a few weeks in the water and come out just fine, at least for casual play. (I mean, if you’re playing in the U.S. Open qualifier, by all means break out the new sleeves.) The good news, today, the companies that sell millions of used golf balls harvest lakes regularly, so they’re not spending much time in the water. In addition, the used golf balls are sold according to grade, so you get what you pay for. It also depends on where the golf balls are lost. Buy the top-graded used golf balls, and it’s almost impossible to tell from new. In fact, some golfers have been known to buy high-grade used golf balls and put them back in their old sleeves.

One of the UKs largest online retailers of used golf balls is Premier Lake Balls ....READ MORE

Course Review of the Month: La Manga, Spain.

Bucket List - Check!

La Manga was on my to-do list for some time and a friend and I were staying about 35 min drive away so decided to drive down, stay the night and play 2 of the 3 courses available. Unfortunately, the North course was closed for essential maintenance on all of the holes, so we played the West & South courses. Two more different side by side courses you'd be hard pushed to find. The West is purely about hitting it straight and not straying off the fairway because as soon as you do you're in trees! Big, tall and extremely plentiful fir trees, taking you all the way up into the mountain around the course. Some stunning holes, especially the 18th, which has you teeing off from a plateau approx 200 feet above the fairway in the distance. Stunning finishing hole, take a buggy on this course! The South (Championship) course is completely different, devoid of trees, bushes but plenty of bunkers and water! Tough but fair, it rewards the good shots and punishes you for the poor shots. Thoroughly recommend to anyone thinking of going, the clubhouse/hotel/bars/restaurants are 1st class, well worth spending time (and money) there! Am definitely going back.

Brian Cassidy, Weybridge, Surrey (H'cap 14)

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