Helping you to play better golf

I was looking through some launch monitor data from our GC2 that we use for custom fitting sessions in our new studio and it made for some very interesting reading. We have now seen nearly 500 golfers for custom fit sessions over the last 12 months and all the feedback we have received has been positive, there have been some great results shown from golfers who have purchased fitted clubs.

Here are some of the most pertinent statistics from the fitting sessions we have conducted:

• over 95% of golfers found more distance on their shots
• over 1400 yards in total distance gained by all the fitted golfers
• nearly 90% hit straighter shots through improved shot dispersion
• around 85% had improved distance gaps within their set after a fitting
• over 80% of competition winners at Hartford have been fitted for clubs here
• nearly 80% of golfers had been using the wrong loft or wrong shaft on their driver before the fitting session
• 12.5 degrees is the most common loft we have fitted for drivers
• PING have been the most popular fitted brand, followed by TaylorMade

The main thing that all this data shows is that custom fitting works, it gets you results and helps you to play better golf! Just last week there were 3 different competition winners using new equipment after a fitting session with us, if you haven't had a fitting session yet it's something that EVERY golfer should do. Click here to book your session now.

Dave Shering wins Midweek Stableford

To prove the benefit of custom fitting Dave Shering is a perfect example. He recently visited us for a fitting session and purchased a new set of Tiltleist irons made to suit him,. With these new clubs he scored a fantastic 43 points in the Midweek Stableford to take the win. Dave's round was highlighted by many good iron shots and a birdie both times round on the fourth hole and as a result of the new clubs Dave's handicap is now dropping in the right direction. Paul Underwood finished in second place on 40 points including a great birdie on the difficult 18th hole, third place went to Chris Webb also on 40 points.

Third hole in one in a week!

Alan Nevin also had cause to celebrate in the Midweek Stableford as he scored a hole in one on the second hole. Last week we mentioned Bob Bowen and Peter Earlam scoring hole in ones, and now Alan Nevin has made it 3 hole in ones in a week for our senior golfers. He aced the second hole, it was his second ever hole in one and his first at Hartford, needless to say Alan celebrated his feat very well in the bar afterwards!

March Bogey

The field was a little depleted on Saturday for the March Bogey as it clashed with the La Manga trip, but nevertheless there was a worthy winning score of 4 up by Kieran Underwood that may well have won even with a bigger field! Conditions were really tough as there was a strong blustery wind, but Kieran had a great round making a birdie on the 15th hole and a strong finish winning 3 of his last 4 holes. Captain Ian Daines had to settle for second place with a score of 1 up, he just finished ahead of wife Julie Daines also on 1 up after a card play off.

Hartford golfers visit Spain

12 of our members embarked on their annual away trip last week. The destination for their latest trip was La Manga in Spain and they played a tournament over 3 rounds on the North, West and South golf courses. There was some good (and bad!) golf played around some tricky courses and there was plenty of post-golf refreshment enjoyed also so details of the trip and scores are a little sketchy but the overall winner was Dave Johnson who overtook Antony Green on the last day. That new Callaway driver we fitted Dave for last week obviously did the business!

We can't even show a photo of Dave with the trophy as it turns out it was accidentally left behind in a hotel room in Spain!

Club AGM

The Club AGM is coming up on Sunday 30th March at 6pm, there is a 9 hole competition before hand at 3pm and winter prizes will be presented after the AGM, it would be appreciated if as many members as possible could make it to the AGM.

The Captain's Drive In is on Saturday 6th April followed by the April Medal. It would be great to see a good turn out for this event as Chris Bird starts his year of captaincy. The entry sheet is up on the notice board now and this competition starts the summer season.

Entry sheets are now also up for the Singles and Pairs knockouts, see the notice board for more details.

Titleist ProV1 or Pro V1x balls: £30 a dozen

Titleist have a great offer on at the moment, normally ProV1 golf balls are £39.99 however if you buy 3 dozen you get a fourth dozen for FREE , meaning that they work out at £30 a dozen! This isn't all - you can also have them personalised with your name on. So you will have a unique ball that your playing partners will not have and also if you lose a ball you may get it back as it will have your name on!

New Product Spotlight - Bushnell Tour Z6 Jolt Rangefinder

Just arrived in the shop is the latest new Bushnell Tour Z6 Jolt rangefinder and it truly is the smallest most advanced rangefinder I have ever seen. It is packed with technology and is amazingly accurate giving yardages up to a distance of 1,300 yards accurate to one-tenth of a yard! The view has also been improved with greater resolution and better brightness levels with up to 6 times magnification, also the jolt feature provides a vibration so you know when the distance has been measured. Bushnell is the brand used by up to 84% of tour players and caddies (including Tiger Woods), this is because they give the clearest, easiest and most accurate measurements.

If you are serious about your golf then you need to know your distances and the Tour Z6 is without a doubt the best rangefinder out there. Call in to the shop now if you would like to have a look at the Bushnell range.

The Seniors played a wet and breezy 18 hole March Stableford on Tuesday. Despite the poor weather there was a good turn out with the winner being Bill Powell scoring a total of 41 points. He beat an in form Alan Nevin who also had 41 points on a card play off and Joe McLean who came in third with 39 points and has recently been playing very well.

The Seniors AGM is taking place at approximately 1pm on Tuesday 25th March after their 9 hole roll up, there will be also be winter prizes presented. All Seniors are asked to try their best to attend the meeting.

A final reminder that the Lady Captain's Drive In takes place this Saturday 22nd March at 12pm followed by a 9 hole competition and the entry sheet has 27 names on it so far. It's open to members and non members and it would be great to see as many ladies as possible supporting this event and witnessing the start of Jill Bebbington's year as Lady Captain.

There was a 9 hole strokeplay competition played last Thursday. Alison Worrall won with a nett 33 including a birdie on the fourth hole, second place went to Collette Walling on nett 34 and Jean Clare finished in third.

Membership renewals reminder

Members should have received a membership renewal form sent by e-mail by now, if you haven't received this yet please let me know. There are even more membership offers than ever including a family and couples options and dual membership with Pryors Hayes Golf Club.

The dual membership is £850 for 7 day full membership and £600 for 5 day membership at both clubs. To enquire about membership please click here.

A warm welcome to new member Paul Simpson who joined the club last week.

'We provide you with a quality golfing experience at an affordable price'

• Lady Captain's Drive In - Saturday 22nd March 12pm start
• Seniors AGM & 9 hole Roll up - Tuesday 25th March 9.30am start
• Ladies 9 Holes Roll up - Thursday 27th March 9am start