Hi everyone, 

I walked into my local Next branch today to look at shorts, as I'm actually getting my poor legs out due to this amazing weather, only to find that they had been moved from their normal position due to their autumn stock having arrived. Seriously? On the hottest day of the year they introduce all their heavier trousers and jackets to replace their summer shorts and shirts. Is it really that time already?

Sadly, it is. September is just around the corner and we all know it can change in a heartbeat. So this does mean that our autumn clothing will be arriving very soon so I thought it would be a good time to let you know. Believe it or not, it will rain soon (God knows the course needs it) so we have two ranges of waterproofs arriving along with sweaters and other outerwear.

As you all know my relationship with Nike has now changed so you will see different manufacturers in the shop offering garments at a variety of price points. We will have Island Green waterproof suits at £69.95 which offer outstanding value for money. At the other end of the spectrum we will have the full range from Sunice. You will have seen shirts and 1/2 zips from them in the shop already but you may not know much about them. What you need to know is that they are actually the number one supplier of outerwear on the European and US tours including names such as Henrik Stenson and Lee Westwood as users. They include several Gore-Tex models and offer quality that is second to none.

We will also be adding new crested garments, again at different price-points so you are going to see a very different look to things this autumn and winter. 

In the meantime, of course, we will all be making the most of what late summer brings us and we still have £10 off any shirt in the shop. You will also see a much wider range of shorts in stock now. 

So keep an eye on your shop as there are more great offers coming. This hopefully reassures you all that things really are not changing - if they are they will actually be for the better!

 

A date for your diary 

With the Olympic golf behind us, our attention now turns to the Ryder Cup. Before that first tee shot on September 30, however, come the wild card selections on August 30. This is when Darren Clarke will name his three players who will join those who have already qualified (see below). 

So, how is Team Europe shaping up? The following names are guaranteed their spot on the plane to Minnesota: 

Rory McIlroy, Danny Willett, Henrik Stenson, Chris Wood, Sergio Garcia, Justin Rose, Rafael Cabrera-Bello, Andy Sullivan and Matt Fitzpatrick. 

Yes, some big names are set to miss out! However, the favourites for the wild card spots are Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Russell Knox. You have to say, it's a strong side given the likes of Graeme McDowell, Luke Donald and Shane Lowry are looking like missing out… maybe. 

As the saying goes, 'One man's loss is another man's gain'. Fitzpatrick qualified at the weekend and his reaction was superb - well done that man.

Now I can't promise you'll be on the Ryder Cup team in two years but if you'd like to make some changes to help you move from a golfer who sits at home and thinks...'if only' to a golfer that enjoys their game more and has a chance to compete, click here to request a lesson or lesson package today.