What a week it's been. Firstly the mayhem in Paris last Friday which continued into this week, followed by the incredibly sad news of the passing of 40-year-old All Black legend, Jonah Lomu. The great man actually visited Thanet Wanderers back in the late 90s, unfortunately after I had retired, but all the guys who met him said he was the nicest guy and every one of them said it was a total honour to have met him.

It is an interesting juxtaposition to consider. Firstly, terrorism on a terrible scale puts sport into complete perspective, underlining how unimportant in many ways it is when people are losing their lives needlessly. Then a man loses his life to natural causes who, in just a few short years, transcended his sport and became an icon. I have many friends who may not have ever watched a game of rugby but they would almost all be able to mention the huge All Black who ran over Tony Underwood and Mike Catt!

So it is then that sport can be incredibly important to many. Nothing to lose life over, true, but I firmly believe you can mention sport at the same time as you talk about art in our culture: It brings pleasure to millions of us both in the participation and the watching of those who perform at a level that makes us gasp and dream of being able to do it that well.

My reason for mentioning all this is firstly, that the last week has been momentous in many ways but secondly, that I think it underlines how many of us should look at our wonderful sport. I am incredibly proud to be involved in what I firmly consider to be the best game in the world for a number of reasons, but it is just a game. As such we should always enjoy every minute of being able to get out there and we should remember how lucky we are, even when the game is beating us up! It is a great challenge our game - you have never got it mastered even when you are playing at the top level. Just ask Tiger Woods and Ian Baker-Finch to mention a couple. I have watched lots of people over the years screwing themselves into the floor, getting more and more frustrated, as they try desperately to master an un-masterable game! There is no way that firstly they can be enjoying it very much, and secondly that it can actually be helping them to play very well! Understand that you are only human and enjoy it at all costs. I think you'll find you perform better that way anyway!


 

Yellow Balls

I have no doubt that most of you will have had to search for a few balls underneath the leaves around the course recently. It is definitely one of the most frustrating things to hit a reasonable shot that just finds its way off a green or fairway only to find it nearly impossible to find the ball in amongst a load of fallen leaves.

At this time of year there is no doubt that yellow balls improve your chances. I have used the Srixon Z-Star in yellow for the last three or four seasons in the winter, not just because of the leaves but also because they are far more visible from distance so you can see far easier where they have gone! There is now a great choice in yellow balls which once were just not available. At the top end the Z-Star is a top ball, very close if not equal to the Pro V1. Then you have the Titleist NXT Tour S in yellow which gives most players more distance and yet great control. 

The biggest selling ball in the country, the Srixon AD333 is also available in yellow as is the Titleist DT SoLo, so really there is a ball in yellow for everyone now so it really is worth trying some. Like all things you get used to it very quickly - I have absolutely no problem in switching from white to yellow, particularly if I can see it and find it more easily! We have all the balls above in stock so pop in and we'll help you pick the right one to try.


 

Grips and Spikes

You will also have found out recently that the damper conditions have found out those slippery grips and worn down spikes! We have lots of both in stock and can have your clubs and shoes back in perfect condition very quickly for you. We have found lots of people moving to mid-size grips this year; I think we've sold more of them than standard size and they can be easier to grip when the temperature drops, particularly if your hands suffer in the cold. If you're in any doubt pop in as we have them all on clubs for you to try.


Christmas Draw

Christmas is, believe it or not, just over a month away now. That means only five weekends to go! I say weekends because most of you only get to be here then so if you would like to get some numbers you don't have that long left. We are aiming to have five prizes over £100 this year with the top prize being a £250 PING G30 driver. We will also be doing the usual array of Christmas drinks and some electrical goods. Numbers are just £1 each so get in quickly!