Product Review - Vice Drive Golf Ball

I’m back and this time it’s another product review. This one is looking at the Vice DRIVE, their two piece offering. As with all my ball reviews, it’s just me as a mid-handicapper straight out of the car, onto the course and playing three holes, a par 3, par 4 and a par 5. No gimmicks, no launch monitors no data. Just me hitting the ball in real conditions and coming back with my honest and totally unbiased opinions. This isn’t my first review of the Vice range and I’ve done a review on their four piece offering, the Pro Plus which you can check out here Vice Pro Plus Blog Review. As always, there was a video review of my on course reactions as I tried it and you can see that here (Vice Pro Plus Youtube Review)

As I’ve already said, this is their two piece ball. I’ve done a video review to accompany this review and now would be a good time to stop, get a drink and watch how I got on. Check the video here (Vice DRIVE Youtube Review). If you made it to the end, a) well done and b) you’ll have a good idea of what I thought but this blog will go into more detail and I’ll give my thoughts on key areas and score each out of ten as well as an overall rating. Before I proceed further, many thanks to Nick Kevern, editor of Golfhacker, a brilliant online magazine (check their website here for the latest magazine and loads more great stuff – Golfhacker Website) for giving me the balls to test. It seems like excellent product placement too with the Golfhacker logo on them, ready for free advertising when I lose them.

Vice are a German company, founded in 2012, and were designed to bring premium golf balls at a cheaper price, and do so by only selling over the internet and directly to the consumer. They offer some fantastic price breaks for buying in bulk. Don't be fooled, cheap doesn't mean poor quality and Vice claim they perform equally if not better than other comparable balls already on the market

Whilst this is their two piece offering, it’s not an entry level ball by any stretch of the imagination and bears no resemblance to some of the cheap two piece balls on the market. Vice say this is designed for players with a low to medium club head speed (so perhaps not ideal for someone that swings as fast as I do, although I am working hard to slow it to a blur). It’s a 368 dimple design and has a surlyn cover that Vice say is resistant to scuffing and marking up.

The Vice Drive Two Piece Ball

I played my home course, Royal Ascot just after a bout of rain, not really enough to make a difference to the fairways which the green staff had worked on after the summer drought but just enough to give the greens a modicum of hold. That said throughout the summer the greens were still relatively receptive to a well struck shot and our greens staff did a brilliant job, on very limited resources to ensure they were some of the best I’ve putted on in 2019 and I’ve played a number of top 100 courses in the UK.

So after all this build up, what did I think? Well I didn’t swing the club perfectly after a stressful day in work and a fraught rush to the course. That said, this is fairly representative of where my game was at that time anyway, I was playing a premium four piece in the firm summer conditions and will switch to a three piece, the AD333 tour, once the colder, wetter weather arrives.

As I stated in the video, this ball actually surprised me. It performed far better than my pre-conceptions when I did my initial introduction and even when I pegged it up on the first hole I filmed. Let me reiterate, as I feel it’s an important point worth repetition, that what you see on the videos, warts and all, including poor swings and shots, are as it happened. I don’t re-shoot any poor or duffed shots and I test the ball exactly as I find it on the course, whatever the lie or position on the hole.

As always, I conclude these reviews breaking the ball and the way it performed into a number of key components and mark each separately out of ten and then give an overall score. Again, this is subjective to how I found they performed and please bear in mind these may not hold true for all standard of golfing standards. Vice do offer a testing pack, which is a two ball sleeve of each ball in their range and so it may be worth investing in one of these and trying the DRIVE (and all their other balls) to make sure it’s the ball for you.

Looks

The DRIVE looked a nice bright colour, and was in marked contrast to the more matte finish that seems to be en vogue from some companies at the moment. The Golfhacker logo was crisp and bright with no blurring around the edges. Vice offer a customisation programme across the range and this example was really impressive. 9/10

Flight

I have used some of the well known two piece balls on the market, in particular the Srixon AD333, especially in winter conditions, as a self-confessed short hitter, and like that ball for the higher flight I get, which in turn means more carry. Perfect when the fairways are wet. I found the DRIVE gave a comparable flight, and while the fairways were still firm, there was an impressive amount of run on landing. 8/10

Control

Now, while it’s one thing to throw a two piece ball onto damp winter greens and expect a level of stop, hitting the Vice DRIVE onto firmer green would provide a sterner test. It actually performed very well and as you’ll have seen I hit a nice chip on the first hole (the par four 10^th) that finished stone dead, and when I hit the green on the par three (the 13^th at Royal Ascot) it pitched and stopped up very well. I played a few holes off camera, having already filmed a par three and four on our back nine and with pitches and bunker shots there was a level of stop I wouldn’t normally associate with a two-piece ball. 8/10

Durability

Vice have already stated the DRIVE is designed for durability. I didn’t strike the ball particularly well, hit it out of bunkers and generally gave it a thorough going over throughout the back nine. What I found was, and as I mentioned in the video, it stood up to everything very well and there were no discernible marks or scuffs. It was perhaps one of the most durable balls I’ve played with in a long time. 9/10

Feel

This brings me neatly back to the most subjective category of all. How do you mark “feel” as it differs from player to player subjective to the strike put on the shot? All I can really do is compare it to the other balls on the market and again, if we use the Srixon AD333 as a bench mark, then it doesn’t perform any differently in terms of feel. Well struck shots felt soft of the face (but so do range balls if you hit them right) but there wasn’t any discernible click or nasty hard feeling off the putter face. Clearly as a two-piece it’s never going to be the softest ball on the market and it’s not designed or sold that way, but again, it did outweigh my personal pre-conceptions I had. If anything, it felt hardest off the driver but ultimately if that’s going to help lead to a few more yards, that would be a trade-off I’m happy to accept. 8/10

Overall

I called the DRIVE as the Vice entry level ball. It’s so not that in any way at all. It’s a ball designed to be both part of their range as a whole and capable of standing on its own merits. It fits both parts of the criteria well. It definitely ticks a lot of boxes, particularly in terms of durability, which may be a buying decision when you look to purchase new golf balls. As far as a two-piece ball goes, this is right up there with any of the market leaders in my opinion. I’ve spoken already about pre-conceptions and I think we all suffer from this whenever we try new gear. Once I get out there and film any review I try and be as open minded as I can and each and every one are an honest and unbiased opinion on what I really thought.

The DRIVE is a very strong performer in the two-piece sector of the market. I’ve tried several Vice offerings now and as a newcomer (relatively speaking) to the crowded ball market place they’ve really created a place for themselves as well as a growing reputation. The DRIVE performed really well and I was very impressed. In fact, I was so impressed I’m seriously considering buying a few dozen and switching to these as my winter ball of choice. I don’t think you can give a better recommendation than that. 9/10

Product Review - Taylormade Project (s) Golf Ball

As seems the way these days, there’s never enough time to get around to doing everything on here I want. I’ve a new job which is working me far harder than I envisaged but one I’m really enjoying and I’m still trying to drip the last few weeks of getting to the club after work before the light finally closes in and signals the imminent arrival of Winter.

It seems ages (yes it is I hear you cry) since I reviewed the recent golf ball offering from Taylormade, their Project (s) on my Three Off The Tee youtube channel (check the channel as a whole here Three Off The Tee Youtube channel). You should be familiar by now that whenever I do a product review there is a video you can watch here (Project (s) Video Review) As always with my golf ball reviews, there is no fancy data, no launch monitors, just me as a mid-handicapper straight from the car after work to the course, playing a par 3, par 4 and a par 5 and giving an honest an independent review of what I think.

I hope you check the video out and please feel free to leave a comment and I’ll make sure I respond. To start the review, let’s begin with the technical blurb and hype from Taylormade:

“The all-new Project (s) offers an even softer feel while continuing the company's focus on low driver spin and significant driver distance. TaylorMade has designed one golf ball that delivers on the two performance attributes amateur players in this category want most: soft feel AND distance combined in a single product.

The Project (s) uses TaylorMade's high lift 342LDP dimple pattern, which, in combination with the lower backspin construction, reduces drag throughout the golf ball's flight for more distance.

In general, lower compression golf balls travel the shortest distance, but with Project (s), TaylorMade's engineers have solved for soft while maintaining impressive distance. The result is a golf ball that delivers on both distance and feel, allowing for golfers to no longer having to choose between one over the other

The Project (s) ball and box

Eric Loper, Director of R&D Golf Balls, said:  "The new multilayer design incorporates a softer yet resilient dual distance core that maximises distance and enables us to utilise a softer ionomer cover for soft feel and great control. We are eliminating the need for a golfer to choose between distance and feel in this category. The new Project (s) provides both softer feel AND distance." 

TaylorMade Project (s) Golf Ball: Key Features

Dual-Distance Core
Similar to the Project (a) the Dual-Distance Core in the Project (s) decreases the overall compression of the ball for soft feel while maintaining rebound and speed. The Project (s)'s compression is 60, 10 less than the Project (a). The dual distance core is a two-layer system that has a large, low compression inner core that reduces unwanted driver spin and creates great feel. The outer core consists of a softer-resilient polymer that also improves feel and maintains high ball velocities.

Aerodynamic Ionomer Cover
Due to the high COR of the Dual-Distance Core, engineers were able to use a soft ionomer cover that improves feel and control around the green. Compared to the competitive set, the Project (s) has the softest cover which provides more greenside spin and soft feel.

Pricing
TaylorMade's Project (s) golf balls available matt white, matt orange and matt yellow at an RRP of £24.99

So enough of the spiel, what did I think? As I said in the video, I swing the club quickly and definitely fall outside the speed parameters the ball was designed for. That said it did a job. There were elements that surprised, especially off the putter and around the greens where I thought it would struggle but it gave me enough control and there were no issues with the feel off the putter face. When I found the middle of the club face off the tee, I was surprised, if not a little shocked on how far it went.

I have tried other low compression balls and to be fair this was a standout performer compared to others on the market. It’s a growing niche of the ball market and while I don’t think it’s where I’d position myself, there are plenty of golfers out there that would benefit from this sort of ball.

As I’ve mentioned and as I commented on the video, my swing on the day wasn’t as loose and fluid as I’d like but coming straight from work, straight from the car and onto the course is representative of how many of us get a golfing fix in the summer so I think my findings stand up as being representative.

As I've done with other ball reviews I'll finish the review by breaking the Taylormade Project (S) into various categories and giving a final verdict

Looks

The matt white left me fairly ambivalent and while it seems to be a growing trend in the golf ball market, I am fairly traditional and prefer my new golf ball to look bright and shiny on the tee, straight out of the box and waiting for the first hit. I’ve seen the other colours on offer and again they are functional but not my cup of tea. 6/10

Distance

As I’m sure I’ve mentioned in other videos and reviews, I am currently in the three piece sector of the market and my preferred ball of choice is the AD333 Tour. Given the unusually hot conditions in the UK this summer, these have given way to four piece premium balls to get as much control as possible as distance wasn’t an issue on baked fairways. Now autumn is here, I need to maximise distance. I was dubious on how the Project (s) would fare but it did surprise me and I did get it out there. On all shots, including irons and wedges, there wasn’t a huge drop off on where I’d normally be distance wise 8/10

Flight

The ball produced a fairly low flight for me. Whether that was the swing I brought to the course on the day or a result of the dimple pattern and aerodynamics Taylormade have put into the design I can’t say. I would suggest it would give a good flight on a blustery Autumnal day and didn’t impact stop and control hitting into greens 7/10

Control

Around and on the green, this ball was far better than my own pre-conceptions on how it would perform and managed to easily exceed my expectations. The ball seemed to stop well coming into greens and when playing chip shots seemed to have a good degree of grab especially my recovery shot on the par five. 8/10

Durability

As always in my reviews I only played three holes with this ball. I had no issues with the durability and if you have seen the video review (Project S video review) you can see that my strike wasn’t always the best and I didn’t always put it in position A but there were no significant scratches or marks after I played the three holes. 8/10

Feel

That subjective word that is so hard to describe or categorise but is normally the first requirement any club golfer asks about whenever a golf ball is discussed. Taylormade are marketing the Project (s) as a soft ball. I’m not sure I go along with that 100% and on certain shots, especially off with the driver in my case, it felt no different to firmer two piece or some three piece balls I’ve hit. Again, there were some iron shots that it felt “soft” such as my approach into the first hole on the video with a wedge from just over 100 yards and others like my second into the par 5 when I caught it flush where it felt much firmer. The way it felt off the club face definitely didn’t put me off it. Did it tick my “feel” box? In truth no, but it definitely didn’t feel horrible. 7/10

Overall

I’ve already been honest and said I came into this review with a few pre-conceived thoughts about this low compression offering and that I didn’t think it was a ball aimed at me. I stand by those. That said, in the growing low compression ball market, this was a standout performer. I managed to get enough out of the ball on the three holes I played to enjoy using it.

As you’ll have seen, it wasn’t a particularly good ball striking round and technically my swing was messy at best. Given that and the fact I perhaps swing too fast to get optimum performance from the Project (s) I got some good distance when I hit it well, didn’t seem to lose too much on the bad ones and was very pleased and surprised with the control on offer around the greens. It performed solidly, and better than I thought and so while my overall mark could be seen as somewhat stingy and unjust, it is brought up on control and durability and let down on overall performance (based on my swing speed) and for me, the looks.

It isn’t a bad ball and I am only giving an honest and unbiased opinion. I strongly urge you to get a sleeve in your local pro shop and give them a go. They are definitely a strong partner for the existing Project (a) ball (which I like very much) and you may find it suits your game far better than it does mine. As a result my overall mark is 7.5/10

Good Courses, Good Company, Good Cause

Salutations and welcome to another epic blog entry (or not depending on your point of view). Despite the nights drawing in ever quicker now making it impossible to get to the club after work to work on my game and play, I’ve had the opportunity in the last few weeks to play two very enjoyable rounds of golf. on courses rated in the top 100 UK courses.

As many may be aware, I have had a long standing acquaintance with Golf Monthly magazine and especially their internet forum (Golf Monthly Forum). The forum has long been a melting pot and discussion space for all things golf (as well as non-golf) related. Perhaps though, its single greatest triumph though has been its support of the Help For Heroes charity (The Help For Heroes Charity Website).

Before this years event, being held at Liphook Golf Club in Hampshire, the total amount raised was already close to £100,000 and we were certain to break that barrier. A fantastic effort since the initial day held at Luton Hoo in 2010 with a handful of players. Sadly the main driving force, a wonderful man and forum stalwart Rick Garg was tragically taken from us a couple of years ago at no age at all. His presence both on the forum and especially on Help for Heroes day is sorely missed and there is always a hole in proceedings. We do now have the Rick Garg memorial trophy which is awarded annually for services towards the H4H day and the charity. This years winner Robin Hopkins was a close friend of Rick and visibly moved to receive the award.

Golf Monthly editor Mike Harris (left) presents Robin Hopkins with the Rick Garg Memorial Trophy for 2018

Liphook was founded in 1921. Not perhaps the longest course but it places a huge premium on accuracy and thinking as thick heather awaits for any wayward shot. (Liphook Golf Club website) Perhaps the greatest defence though are its greens. Not only is the pace of them some of the quickest around on a regular basis but there are so many subtle breaks and borrows that no putt can be considered truly “in” until the ball actually drops. When you add in undulating fairways and the odd blind tee shot, it really makes for a magical blend. The quality is a real testament to their green keeping staff and the course presented to us on the day was in perfect condition.

As a result, apart from one player in a field of seventy odd, the scoring was challenging for most myself included. I was playing with one of the Battleback guys Rich Cross who Help For Heroes assist to get back into normal life. Rich injured himself in a UK parachute accident, trying to prevent himself crashing into the public crowds when his display went wrong. He’s been virtually rebuilt top to bottom and although there are some ongoing issues he has to deal with for the main he’s able to lead a “normal” life and judging by his early showing including his first drive on the second hole (it was a shotgun start) his golf is coming on.

My group. I'm second left and Rich Cross our Battleback Golfer is on the right

The course was too tough for me on the day along with some very erratic playing but the greens in particular for fiendish and I can imagine playing those on say club championship weekend present the sternest of test. However the day is never about winning. It’s about meeting old friends, new faces and raising as much money for a great cause. We were treated to a great carvery and dessert and then we had returning professional auctioneer Mark Head back yet again to try and prise more money in a charity auction. As always he kindly gave his services free of charge

Golf Monthly editor Mike Harris presented the cheque to Barrie Griffiths, a Beneficiary Ambassador for Help for Heroes. He gave a poignant speech about the charity and how it helped bring him back from a very dark place. It certainly left an impression on everyone in attendance and reinforced just how crucial the work of Help for Heroes is.

 As always it was a marvellous event and on this year has already raised a marvellous £17,500 the current amount raised now stands at well over £110,000 and everyone is eagerly anticipating the announcement of next years event.

The cheque being presented

It’s open to all forum members, so simply register, get involved on the forum regularly and get your name down. That applies to all forum meets that are arranged which brings me neatly onto my other game. The day before Liphook, I travelled the relatively short distance to West Hill Golf Club. As so many travel so far for the H4H day, there is usually a pre-cursor arranged to make it a more viable and enjoyable few days rather than a long drive there and back for one game of golf.

There were around 40 golfers on the day at West Hill. We were blessed with glorious autumn weather and another gorse lined heathland course. It’s another course that has hosted a H4H day (West Hill H4H Day at West Hill - blog report). I was playing with three others, well known activists on the Golf Monthly forum and although we’d enjoyed an online friendship and seen each other at various golf courses up and down the country this was the first time we’d played together. To say it was fun was an understatement. I was partnered with a South African, capable of prodigious length off the tee, but equally capable of hitting the adjoining course or the main rail line into London. Add in his penchant for multi-lingual swearing and the scene was set.

We had a friendly game against the “Scouse Mafia” a Liverpudlian and a staunch Liverpool fan. We lost not helped by my erratic play, my partner unable to always find the course and some more tricky greens that were a perfect rehearsal for those we’d face at Liphook. Again, scoring overall was very mixed and a testament to the challenge West Hill presents. Again it’s not long but needs planning and a steady nerve on the greens.

So, all in all two very enjoyable days of golf in some fantastic company. My own form may have been pretty in and out, but when you are playing great courses in great company, does it really matter? It’s a shame the season is drawing to a close, but with a two day Golf Monthly forum meet already planned for Sunningdale next year, preceded the day before with a round at The Addington (a UK top 100 course) as well as another great H4H day, there’s still loads to look forward to.

Thanks to everyone that played over the two days, but more so to those behind the scenes at Golf Monthly and the forum members who give up huge swathes of their time each year to make sure each years event goes off perfectly and surpasses the previous year. There are far too many to name individually (although the forum members know who they are). We're really lucky to play some great courses so why not join the forum, get involved and maybe I'll see you at an event in 2019

Weather Wins Out

As golfers we are constantly looking at the weather. Will it rain? Is it going to be windy? For the most part we’re a fairly robust and hardy bunch and will usually venture out in most conditions, especially if it’s a match or competition. Now I don’t know about you, but having said that, it’s one thing to already be on the course and playing and for the conditions to deteriorate, especially rain, but a totally different scenario knowing a few days in advance it’s going to be pouring before you even get to the club and there’s no sign of it stopping until long after you’ve finished. That takes a different mind-set totally.

I think you can guess what’s coming. We were due to play a friendly club match against Tylney Park at my home club, Royal Ascot. It was the return leg following the first game at Tylney Park at which Royal Ascot took away a 4-2 lead. Sadly, I was one of the two that lost although in my defence my partner on the day had one of those rounds we all know so well and for the most part struggled. That said, he did come in in the early stages and definitely kept us in it or it could all have ended far earlier and in a greater deficit. The weather forecast had said heavy rain throughout the day for a few days before. For once the forecasters were spot on.

Having woken to a leaden sky, the rain soon came and it was almost biblical by the time we convened for brunch. We were introduced to our opposition, Chris Mitchell off 21 and John Weatherley off 12 who had more than a passing to resemblance to the wrestling star of the 1970’s Jacky Pallo complete with trademark ponytail

It was with a heavy heart that I put the waterproofs on in the locker room knowing I wouldn’t be taking them off again until I returned at the end of the round. No point warming up and getting everything wet and the fact the putting green already had a puddle on it didn’t bode well. Things didn’t get better when my partner Harvey Woods and I made a farce of the opening hole to go one down immediately. We got it back and then lost another. I scrambled a half in a double bogey seven at the par five 5^th having played three off the tee (a great name for a youtube channel, so go check it out here The Three Off The Tee Youtube Channel and PLEASE subscribe while you’re there).

Conditions were horrendous to put it mildly. From the outset every hole had standing water and many greens had puddles. Finding relief from standing water was becoming harder and harder and while scoring wasn’t great, it was a nip and tuck match and played in great spirits. It was a feeling of all in it together and all four of us simply laughed at the absurdity of what faced us, the rubbish we were playing and enjoying the good ones when they came along.

Having got it back to all square at the 7^th Harvey made a great half at the eighth for a crucial half and we managed to get our noses in front one up after winning the 9^th. I have to be honest I wasn’t relishing another two hours in those conditions. I had wet gloves on both hands and was wringing water out of both before playing each shot. I’d taken the precaution of wearing my waterproof socks (a great idea for Christmas) and these were working overtime but my feet were dry and warm.

As we headed towards the 10^th across the car park I was so pleased to see both captains standing at the front door to the club waving us in. Match abandoned as a draw, all scores on the day null and void. I don’t think anyone in our group or across both teams were too distraught at that decision and with the course only going to hold more water a sensible move to protect it, especially the greens. As a result, it was decided the match score from the first game stood and so Royal Ascot got a narrow win.

I’d like to thank my playing partner Harvey, especially for keeping us in it and getting us in front, even in vain, and to both Tylney members Chris and John who were a joy to play with and I’d like the chance of a home and away rematch next year.

Sometimes as our captain Stuart Pearce said in the introductions to the proceedings you have to “man up” but even then, you have to be pragmatic and the decision to call it off was a wise one. It definitely takes a strong mind not to let conditions get the better of you and amongst the rain and the puddles there were some good shots from everyone in our group. There’s definitely a certain madness we golfers have to go out in such conditions to get our golfing fix and represent our clubs. Sometimes the weather may win the battle but as golfers we’ll win the war

European Senior Masters Pro-Am Day

Last week I had the opportunity to attend the pro-am day at the European Senior Masters at the famous Forest of Arden course in Warwickshire. The Arden Course was designed by Donald Steel and opened in the 1970’s sitting within Lord Aylesford’s vast 10,000 acre estate. It has already played host to seven English Opens and five British Masters and this was the second year of hosting the Senior Masters. I was also fortunate enough to be attending on a media pass courtesy of Golfhacker magazine (Golfhacker Website) and Champions UK plc

As part of that I had managed to get an invite to an exclusive round table interview with former Ryder cup player and winning captain Ian Woosnam, European Senior Masters host and former Ryder Cup hero Peter Baker and two French stars of the European Tour and former Ryder Cup players Jean Van De Velde and Thomas Levet (who was also making his European Seniors debut at this event). Golfhacker was the only magazine invited to what should have been a ten minute series of quick fire questions but which turned into a forty five minute discussion on the recent success in Paris and all things Ryder Cup.

Tournament Logo

I was lucky enough to film it all. It was also filmed by European Tour Productions (who managed to walk through my static camera position several times) and the entire interview is available to watch here. It really is worth a watch, even at forty five minutes long. Check it out here (Ryder Cup GOLD video)

After this unique opportunity drew to a close I wandered to the range and putting green to watch a few of the players warming up before heading to the first tee to watch Woosnam and Baker play (it was a shotgun start) and then wandering around a few holes. I managed to get a few players in action and hope this video captures a little of the flavour of the pro-am day. Watch it here (European Senior Masters - A Flavour Of The Day)

As I wandered around the course, it brought back mixed memories. I’d played the course back in October 2011 in the Golf Monthly Centenary Final which was a national event. I qualified at St Pierre in Chepstow and the final was around the Arden course being played by the professionals this week. I say mixed memories as I really enjoyed the course and the setting, played nice and steady and while I won the handicap section, I came second overall and lost on last six count back. If you never read my round up you can do here (Fine Margins Blog).

My tee shot on the 18th at the Forest of Arden in the Golf Monthly Centenary Final

I had a wonderful day covering the event. The organisers were brilliant, the players approachable and the media pass opened up a few opportunities for forthcoming collaborations on Youtube. If you don’t already subscribe, please go over to my channel now (Three Off The Tee youtube channel). 

Once I hit 300 subscribers I’ve a giveaway coming and as I alluded to, there are some interesting projects coming up which I hope I can get some of the channel subscribers involved in.

Unfortunately I couldn’t stay around for the actual event which ran from Friday to Sunday and was eventually won by Santiago Luna of Spain. He was knocking it nicely in the pro-am and maybe I should have read the signs and invested a few pounds on him winning. I followed the progress via the European Seniors twitter thread and despite a few weather issues it was a marvellous event resulting in a narrow win for Luna.

I know Golfhacker are planning a return visit next year and I hope the Forest of Arden host the event again. It’s a majestic setting and provides a stiff test for the players especially in autumnal conditions. This year Golfhacker got behind the scenes and looked at what the scorers do as they follow each group and worked on one of the main scoreboards. I’m hoping for a similar behind the scenes opportunity next year. Golfhacker is designed for the average golfer. That’s the likes of you and me. It tries not to be fixated on the main European and PGA tours but covers a chunk of the ladies game and especially the seniors, as well as travel and product reviews.

As part of their seniors coverage I’m trying to arrange and exclusive interview with Australian former European tour member (and three time winner) and senior tour member Peter O’Malley. Hopefully we can get this organised and filmed early in the 2019 season so another great reason to subscribe to the channel now. I’ve met him informally at my home club Royal Ascot and he’s good fun to be with and has a whole storybook of tales to tell from his time on tour.

Finally a huge thanks once again to everyone involved making my trip to the pro-am such and enjoyable experience. The Forest of Arden holds so many memories for me and it’s definitely a course I’m keen to play again. If any of the European Senior Masters organisers want to save me a pro-am spot for next year I’m more than happy to put my iffy swing on camera and show it to the crowds. Now that would be fun.

There’s plenty of other great stuff coming up here too including a much overdue review of the Taylormade Project (s) and Vice DRIVE golf balls. I’ve already done the video reviews (watch here Project (s) video review and Vice DRIVE ball review) but as with all my product reviews I also provide a more detailed review here. I’ve an update on my own golf and the “Quest For Single Figures”. I’ve played a couple of interesting courses and a favourite annual event so plenty to chat about. There was also a club match against Tylney Park to discuss which had several “incidents”. Thanks as always for your time in reading my ramblings and I’ll see you for another blog soon.

Ryder Cup Gold

When you are in the presence of a Ryder Cup Legend like Ian Woosnan, and European team members that have been there and done it as Peter Baker, Jean Van De Velde and Thomas Levet have, you have to simply sit and listen to what they have to say about everything connected to the Ryder Cup.

I was incredibly privileged to be invited by Nick Kevern, editor of Golfhacker magazine, Champions UK PLC, the European Senior Tour and European Tour productions to a round table event on pro-am day at the European Senior Masters at the Forest of Arden.

Golfhacker (Golfhacker website) were the only magazine invited. It should only have lasted fifteen minutes, but as you'll see, once these Ryder Cup stalwarts started talking it was difficult to stop them. In fact had the pro-am not been a shotgun at midday I feel they'd have kept going. My camera was fixed but this was being filmed by European Tour Productions so there are times when their cameraman walks through shot but it doesn't detract from the Ryder Cup gold coming from the table. Enjoy this rare and unique insight into the Ryder Cup from the European perspective. It may not make comfortable listening for American viewers but it's an honest and open assessment of the Ryder Cup just gone with these European team members (and winning captain) and gives their own views on what the European team did well compared to the US side and provide a rare insight into a team room.

This was a one off opportunity and I hope the video is an interesting window into all things Ryder Cup. https://youtu.be/JzKbA3Kypew

I'd love to hear any comments you may have about what these four fantastic Ryder Cup golfers have to say. If you have any thoughts please leave them in the comments section and I'll respond. I'd love to hear what you have to say and think about their insights. At the same time, please subscribe to my youtube channel. The more subscribers I get the more opportunities to provide unique content like this.

Twisting My Melon

Hello once again. Welcome to this, the latest blog update on “The Quest For Single Figures”. It’s getting to that time again isn’t it, when the nights are drawing in and there’s not enough light to squeeze nine holes in after work. I always find this part of the year a rather curious ying/yang time. I love the majesty of nature and the colourful display as the trees begin to change colour but feel sad that another summer of golf is behind me and we’ve got winter golf ahead and in particular playing in several layers of clothing and in damp conditions underfoot.

All well and I good, but what’s been happening.? As always, there’s a fair bit going on. My Three Off The Tee youtube channel is beginning to grow and I’m tantalisingly close to hitting 250 subscribers. If you are new to these ramblings or resisted the urge to this point, please go and check it out here (Three Off The Tee Youtube Channel) for a number of reviews and some subjects I hope you’ll find interesting, particularly the linear method of short game, aimpoint and my recent exploits at the British Par 3 Championship. If you haven’t subscribed, please do so, and if you already do, many thanks for that, but please pass the word to your golfing friends. Once I hit 300 subscribers I’ll make sure there is a decent giveaway to mark this.

I am also hoping to be at the Farmfoods European Senior Masters at the Forest of Arden (a course I know well – Fine Margins - Golf Monthly Centenary Final) to help cover the pro-am for Golfhacker magazine and get some content for my youtube channel (Golfhacker Website). I’ll be sure to post a blog at some point as it promises to be a great day.

Golfing wise, there’s been plenty to tell you about. Having gone from brilliant sunshine and crispy hard fairways, last week saw gale force winds and biblical rain. On Sunday our planned match at home to Caversham Heath was postponed much to my annoyance. I got turned over in the away game and was keen to make amends. The club has taken a very sensible decision and brought winter rules in early as the green staff are faced with a big task to try and get the fairways back from the damage the heat caused over the summer.  They have already started their remedial work hence the early requirement for pick and place on the fairways.

As I am sure I have mentioned in previous posts, “The Quest” has taken a bit of a hammering in 2018 and despite a win and a second place earlier in the season, the handicap has been mostly stuck in reverse and I’ve collected 0.1 increased with alarming regularity. Before I started in the monthly stableford last weekend (22^nd September) the handicap had climbed to 14.8 (15) and had risen a disappointing 0.8 in 2018. I can’t protest it isn’t a fair representation as I’ve not managed to do it often enough in competitive play. I feel I’ve put the hard work in, especially from 100 yards and in and in general terms my game is half decent. I simply can’t string eighteen holes together.

As a result of my competition win (and cut) I qualified for the Royal Ascot “Masters” which is a 36 hole medal event over one day. Conditions weren’t easy and I was a little disappointed with my opening 75 (+5) which was largely a result of two triple bogey sevens on the front nine. However the biggest problem on the day was slow play and a round not far short of five hours and a gap of three holes between one group and the ones ahead wasn’t acceptable. It wasn’t much better in the afternoon. The issue has been discussed and noted within the club and I don’t want to dwell on the subject further, suffice to say it did take some of the gloss of having qualified and spoilt a day I was looking forward to. I shot a net 79 (+9) in the afternoon again largely assisted by two treble bogey holes. To be honest the afternoon round was a snapshot of my glorious inconsistency all season.

I have actually been playing some decent golf in recent weeks and have had some strong showings in the roll up’s on a Saturday and Sunday, never quite good enough to take any cash, and still subject to a momentary lapse of reason and a bad hole or two, but much better than it has been.

As mentioned, last weekend was the monthly stableford. It was much cooler and there was a constant annoying drizzle throughout although the predicted strong winds didn’t show until after I finished. For once I started rather well and had three straight pars from the second, to get through the opening quartet of holes two under my handicap. The fifth at Royal Ascot is a par five and is usually viewed by many as a good hole to pick a shot up on to handicap. That was certainly my intention. The tiger line is down the left of the fairway as it’s the shortest route and the ball invariably runs on and on once it hits the fairway. In my defence your honour, this wasn’t what I was trying. I was looking to hit a draw starting centrally and moving the ball to the left. Instead I started it about five feet too far left of hitting the optimum line and it flew straight into the trees never to be found again (at least by me) and I was forced to hit three off the tee. That’s a great name for a blog and youtube channel if ever I heard it. In the end I walked off with a nasty eight and all that hard work at the start blown away in one hole.

My golf is like Russian roulette. I know there’s a disaster in there, but never sure which hole its coming on. In the end I went out in 43 which was one over handicap. A strong start to the back nine with pars at the tenth and eleventh got me into red numbers again and under handicap. A streaky net par at the next, followed by a battling bogey at the thirteenth when I had to hole from twelve feet for the bogey tempered progress but I was still level par.

I suppose one of the benefits of the handicap heading upwards is getting an extra shot. In my case this has now come at the par five sixteenth which I played in textbook fashion to make a gross par and slip once more under handicap. I was unlucky at the next when a good drive and well struck second saw the ball run just through the back on the very difficult 425 yard par four. I hit a good chip to six feet and felt more than a little aggrieved to see the put hit the right half of the hole but remain above ground.

I am trying to be more patient on the course and this was rewarded with a par at the penultimate hole. I hit a terrible drive, way right into the heavy rough, managed to find it and pitched on to fifteen feet. I’d have been happy with a four (net par) but was chuffed to see the putt drop. That put me two under handicap. With the last to play, in my head I was thinking I needed a gross par to be in contention.

I did part one of the equation and hit the best drive of the day. However once over my ball, I felt very tight over the shot. Perhaps it was nerves, and definitely something I’ve been working hard on the mental side to overcome, but I was more aware of the poorest scenarios rather than simply hitting it up the fairway and leaving a simple iron to the green. It was definitely not a good mind set and not I’ve been working on.

In the end it was a damp squib, much like the weather and I only made a net par. It was good enough though for 38 points in total. I was surprised to see I’d come back in 21 points which I knew put me in pole position for any count back to determine the outcome but the back nine hadn’t felt that good as I played it. There is maybe a lot to be said for keeping the focus and playing one hole at a time and not getting too far ahead of myself.

As soon as I got into the sanctuary of the 19^th there was a better score of 39 points in. Damn that messy fifth hole. Damn that missed put on the sixteenth. Damn that tame finish and damn the chap that beat me. Actually the guy that won division 2 with that score is a good golfer and great playing partner and I always enjoy his company when we play. He’s been a bit up and down in recent weeks form wise so nice to see him get back on it. Shame he couldn’t have waited a few more days though!

In the end my score was good enough for second place in my division so I should pick up a few quid in the competition pot and also from the group bet we have. However, far better than that, I managed a 0.6 cut and so I am back down to 14 and my official handicap has returned to 14.2. This was where I started 2018 and so I’m pleased for now at least there has been no difference to the handicap this year. The battle as we enter the last hurrah of the season is to get it down further before we move into a new year.

I have said many times, I’m not convinced handicap is always a true barometer of progress and I’ve played many good rounds this year (and previous years) but as the fifth hole showed, I still chuck too many unforced and unnecessary mistakes it too often. It’s a tiresome trait and one I’ve battled for ages. My thinking on the course is clearer and there are far less technical thoughts littering my golfing brain over the ball so why do I keep boring you with the same story. I spoke in my last blog about “Changing The Tune” and in lots of ways I’m doing so, but what do I need to do to put a consistent round together for the full eighteen holes? To quote a song from my youth, “It’s twisting my melons” Happy Mondays - Step On

Happy Mondays - Step On - the single that "twisting my melons comes from

I’m going to take the positives from the last few weeks. I am playing reasonably and very happy to have got cut again. Much overdue of course but where does “The Quest” go from here?  As I alluded to, we’re fast approaching winter golf again but that doesn’t have to be the end of my ambitions to end 2018 lower than I started. My course is in very good nick throughout the year and usually manages to run a qualifying competition each month, subject to conditions (frost, snow etc.).

What I do want to do is sit down with the teaching professional I use, Andy Piper at Lavender Golf Centre, and discuss the highs and the lows and get a series of lessons booked in. I have mentioned before the fact I am trying to reduce the tuition I have, bar the odd emergency fix when things go totally amiss. To my mind, winter is always the ideal time to make any significant technical changes and use the time to work these in on the range and the course. I don’t think there is actually too much to change and it’s more a case of refining and polishing what I have. I plan to use some weekends to work specifically on my short game and really hone the linear method of playing these shots and try and get a short game from 100 yards and in that’s really robust.

Thank you for your enduring patience reading another diatribe and while I’ve found it cathartic to get the angst of slow play and another near miss off my chest, I feel sure it hasn’t been such an experience for you. You’re nearly there and your patience deserves rewarding, so go pour yourself a large drink. Heaven knows reading this rubbish you deserve one.

Yet again I’ve flattered to deceive or as I heard a radio commentator once say when describing French footballing legend Eric Cantona in one game, “dabbled with the palette without painting the full picture”. A brilliant comment and a superb epitaph to my 2018 season to date I feel. I am going to use the near miss last weekend as a catalyst and try and kick on again. I know there is a consistent eighteen holes in me and that when it clicks and I get it all out and for the whole round there is a very low score and big cut fighting to come out. I hope it’s soon! I will continue to do some golf psychology work with James Lambdon (aka The Golf Psych) and work on the mental side of the game. It’s an area I can improve and as my last hole in the competition showed still have inclinations to get tight and nervous when I am in contention.

It’s onwards and hopefully downwards in terms of my handicap. There is plenty to be getting on with and still a lot of competitions to play in. I have some fixed ideas on what I need to be working on and a dogmatic, stubborn self-belief that I can make single figures. As far as I’m concerned to date this year my handicap has simply been marking time. Now is the time to start kicking on again. Thanks once more for reading and I’ll be back to regale you with my progression on “The Quest” and everything else golf related that I’ve been up to in the near future. For now, play well wherever you are and I hope your season has gone well to date and you can find a way to cap it off in style.

Oops I Did It Again!

Welcome to you all and another blog. As always loads to for me to fill you in on with regards my golf, The Quest For Single Figures (which seems more like a holy grail than golfing target - more on that to come) and a couple of new video offerings from my youtube channel. If you haven't subscribed to that yet, go to it here Three Off The Tee Youtube Channel and do so.

Talking of that, let's start with product reviews. As you'll see I've done two recent golf ball reviews on the Vice Drive two piece offering see the video here Vice Drive and the Taylormade Project (S) which is a three piece model. Again see what I made of it here (Project (S). As always I'll be doing a more in depth review on both in the near future and go into more detail on how I felt each performed. For now though enjoy the video, subscribe to the channel, give the video a thumbs up and if you want to know more or have any questions leave them in the comments section of the video and I'll respond

One thing I wrote about a while back was reducing the amount of tuition I am taking. It got to the point where I felt I was almost always working on some change or another from a piece of coaching and that my game and my swing never really had a chance to settle down and for myself to give me a chance to play with what I have. For the most part I've stuck to my word. However, having struggled in the last month or so, I went back to Andy Piper at Lavender Golf Centre in Ascot for a thirty minute MOT. The good news was, for the most part what I have is functional. However I'd become way too active with the hands and wrists on the takeaway and it was too "snatchy" which meant I took it too far inside while lifting it. The simple solution was to work on a one piece takeaway and work on one very, very old but effective drill. Put a club (short iron) in the belly button, assume the address position and and turn, keeping the club in the navel. Then repeat that with the actual swing. Very simple and something that I can return to as an initial starting point.

Now the astute amongst you will have seen the title. No, it's not me doing my best Britney Spears impression (and you should be very thankful for that, trust me).

I'm referring to my handicap. It's clicked back over to 14.5. It makes that "Quest For Single Figures" seem forever way. However what I feel I need to remind everyone of is that I started 2018 at 14.2 and so in the grand scheme of things my handicap has moved 0.3 all season. Hardly a disaster. Granted it's not where I want to be, and definitely not where "The Quest" was planned to be by this stage of 2018.

That brings me to my main point of this post and one I hope will produce some debate. Should the handicap be regarded as the sole indicator of how a player is performing. According to some research conducted by HowdidIdo, in strokeplay, from some 3,601,169 rounds entered into their system, only 26% of these were inside the buffer zone. In stableford, from a total of 3,818,527 rounds that spiked but only to 31%. They then broke that down into handicap category to show how often each section achieved buffer,

Category 1 - (5 handicap or less) = 36%
Category 2 - (6-12 handicap) = 32%
Category 3 - (13-20 handicap) = 29%
Category 4 - (21-28 handicap) = 26%
Category 5 - (29 handicap and above) - 19%

That means for my level of play I'm expected to hit buffer zone no more than 29% as an average. That means I could be three over handicap (net 73 in medal events at my golf club) without a handicap cut. I would suggest if HowdidIdo drilled further, the average per category, of times players play and get a cut would significantly reduce further.

This brings me to the crux. Based even on this very basic breakdown, is the handicap a true reflection of how a player is given at any given time? I've written many times on here of how I feel I am striking the ball really nicely but managing to chuck one or two bad holes in that means I may miss buffer, even by a single shot. I totally accept we have to have the system to manage the handicaps and allow each and every one of us to play on an even playing field (we won't even mention bandits, that's a whole separate blog).

Of course we have days when it doesn't go well. If it's going to go wrong it will. I'm talking about those nearly days where it was so good for so long. What happens, if like me you work on the game, and perhaps have tuition. This all takes time to bleed in from a change in the lesson to something that feels comfortable and works on the course. If you look at a string of 0.1 increases on the handicap, the casual observer would be forgiven for thinking this player is in a rut. In fact, the opposite may be true. That player could have had a lesson, been making the changes and getting better but not quite had the breaks or found a way to hold it together under the pressure of card and pencil in hand.

For me, it's about the ability to combine everything on one day I find difficult. I've written about the mental side of golf and the work I've been doing courtesy of Golfhacker magazine (Golfhacker website) with James Lambdon to improve my thinking and resilience. It's very early days into a long process but so far the results are proving very encouraging and it is definitely making me stronger. I am getting into the mix more in roll up games (and have taken a few quid recently), had a win and a second in 2018. That said I am still chucking a car crash hole into the equation. That is where the focus of my next session with James will be centred.

If you factor in things like golf tuition and the player making swing changes, I'd argue the handicap simply doesn't provide the full picture. Now there isn't (or shouldn't) be anything other than the handicap system but there will be people seeing my handicap has reached 15 and think I won't see 12 again let along single figures. They may, in the fullness of time be proved right. However for everyone working so hard on their games, it is reaching their own personal goals and objectives that drives them on. This means handicaps will increase as they work on their own changes. Hopefully though, when the good times come, the handicap cuts will be significant and there will be some successes in there.

We (well me as a Category 3 player) will only hit buffer just 3/10 times on average and as I surmised, get a cut less often than that. Does it really mean all category three (and factor in for your own standard) players are really playing that badly for the other 7/10 times they don't hit buffer? Let's assume that amongst those seven games I don;'t make the buffer I chuck in two really bad games and disregard those that's five games where I don't make the zone and the handicap goes up. In medal play in particular, that could be down to one hole. I played yesterday. fresh from my lesson on Thursday changing the takeaway into a medal yesterday and shot net 77 (+7). I had an 8 (+3) on a par 5, a 5(+2) on a par three and a 6 (+2, and caused by chipping from the fairway into a bunker but let's not go there). That means for the other fifteen holes I was a competent player despite the new swing change and played to handicap. This where I struggle when people look at 0.1's. We are NOT consistent enough.

When we improve, so in my case getting to category 2 is my first objective, then that level of consistency should begin to improve. However as the figures show, even then buffer is only a fairly meagre 32%. Granted the buffer figures are a fraction higher for stableford play but even then for the most part we don't play to our handicaps. That doesn't stop each and everyone of us going out week in, week out, in all types of weather to try again believing this game in "THE ONE" where it clicks. Perhaps that's why when we do get this rare handicap cuts we wear them as badges of honour. Maybe you've got a cut this weekend (and if so well done) but logic (and the figures) will say it may be a while until the next one. Even when we hit those ever so rare purple patches, I think many will agree the trough we hit at the end of it comes as a sudden and painful hit and seems to last even longer before the next sign of progress.

So there you go, a slightly different post for you to contemplate. Do handicaps provide an accurate and honest assessment of where a player is with their game? Please let me know what you think.

Don't forget to look at the reviews for the Vice Drive and Taylormade Project (S) and subscribe to my channel while you are there. As always my game gives me joy and frustration in equal measures. Handicap wise it's a step back but there is some good in there. I've a few big events left in 2018 to make and impression and compete as well as getting the cuts I desire. Stick around for full product reviews on the two golf balls and more updates on where my game is. Thanks for reading, and play well. 

The British Par 3 Championship

No, I'd never really heard of the British Par 3 Championship either (British Par 3 website). I think I'd seen glimpses of it on Sky Sports but it looked like another celebrity golf event. Having now experienced it for the first time, I realise that I have been missing out on what in essence is a rather well kept secret.

As you will know by now if you are a regular follower (and thanks as always for the continued support, and if you don't subscribe here and to my Three Off The Tee youtube channel, which is a click away here Three Off The Tee Channel please do so now and make a middle aged golf hacker very happy) that I am doing some collaborations with Golfhacker magazine, which is a fantastic online magazine that is going from strength to strength. It is aimed at people like you and I, the average golfer. Check out their website here to see what the latest issue has to offer - Golfhacker website

Thanks to Nick Kevern, the Golfhacker editor and the nice people at Champions (UK) plc. Check out what they are all about here - (The Champions (UK) plc website). I managed to get a media pass for the Friday, celebrity finals day. My brief was to simply try and get some simple two minute vignettes from a few of the celebrities, while not intruding on their time or golf too much. So not much to ask a media novice. How did I get on? Check out my efforts on this video - British Par 3 - The Interviews

For those that aren't sure, The British Par 3 Championship is set in a stunning location in the Midlands at Nailcote Hall, not far from the main Warwick University campus. Not only is this a fantastic hotel in its own right, but the course on which everyone plays is stunning. It's short as a par 3 course would indicate, but the holes are fiendishly difficult with tiny greens that were running so fast despite the odd rain show on them. Accuracy is everything.

The great thing about this event is there really is something for everybody. Aside from a tented village and activities to try, It attracts a host of professional golfers, including ex major winners like 2005 US Open Michael Campbell, Masters winner Ian Woosnam OBE and the events host each year Tony Jacklin CBE. It also has a number of LET members such as the fabulous Carly Booth and the up and coming Inchi Mehmet. On top of that are a host of TV and sporting stars that give up their time for free to come and play and raise huge amounts for charity, and the public are actively encourage here to come up and interact with them. To a person, each and every one was so generous to all requests for autographs and photos and it sends such a positive message. In my own mind, if golf wants to attract new people into the great game of golf, they should simply use this event as a template

I managed to get a photo with golf legend Tony Jacklin. A man that has done everything in the game but also a true gent and wonderful host to the British Par 3 Championship

As I alluded to, it's set in a small space, so you do have to keep your wits about you on certain holes but for the most part, there is plenty of room to wander around, enjoy the course in its full glory and see players tackle the challenge laid out before them. Some managed it better than others.

As someone once said (far better than I'm doing) pictures paint a thousand words. Let me show you this, a video I made of my own experience, outside of my media duties. I hope it does some justice to the fun that my wife, a golf widow and someone who had never been to a golf event of any description, and I had. Check it here The Flavour of the British Par 3 Championships

I had a fantastic day. It was a privilege to have a media pass (access all areas and with a glorious lunch thrown in), it's not necessary for people to come along and have a good time. I couldn't believe how many children, especially young children who were there, and were having a great time seeing some of their heroes in action. It's an easy location to get to from most parts of England, although I did speak to some from Wales and Scotland that had come down. The weather had been glorious until I turned up and brought heavy rain showers and the odd clap of thunder with me.

My only regret was not being able to actually have a go and test my golfing skills around the course. Nick Kevern and his partner in crime for the week William Murfitt (check his videos of the week on his own youtube channel here which will show far more of the activities during the week - (William Murfitt Youtube Channel) did get on one evening. It really found them out and re-emphasised just how hard it is for professional and amateur alike.

I hope you enjoyed this blog. Please take the time to click on the links provided as there really is some good stuff to enjoy. More importantly though, if you want to go to somewhere different to get you golf fix, mingle with a few famous names and have a great day out, make sure you book up for the 2019 event. I'll be there for sure.

Time For More Viewing

Welcome back. It's still scorching hot here in the UK and the fairways across the country are brown and parched and even short hitters like me are enjoying the benefits of longer distances off the tee. In a similar vein to my last blog, there is still huge amounts going on and I'll be doing a full update very soon and I've also some very exciting things coming up, particularly next week.

With that to look forward to, I've decided to showcase the latest video content from the sister Three Off The Tee youtube channel. There has been plenty of content and while some featured in the last post, I've put them back here for those that missed them. If you've not been following my exploits on here for a while or have only just stumbled across these whimsical ramblings for the first time welcome.

Linear Method
This is a revolutionary way of playing all the short game shots. If you type "linear" into the search box it'll bring up all of my blogs regarding this. That said, I decided to re-visit this and produce a demonstration from a mid-handicapper's perspective, and from someone who has self taught himself the basics of the technique. Check it out here Linear Demonstration

Better Golf Thinking
It has been over a month since I met James Lambdon, a golf psychologist. We are beginning to work together to to see if he can help improve the way I think around the golf course, not only when I'm playing well but also when things aren't going so well. Check the preview video here Better Golf Thinking With James Lambdon (The Golf Psych)

So that was what has bone before. Now for the main event. I was invited by the online golf magazine Golfhacker (The Golfhacker Website) to join them at Chigwell Golf Club (course report coming) and form a dream team with another youtube contributor, William Murfitt. Check his channel here (William Murfitt Youtube). We were raising funds for small but wonderful charity, The Dream Factory which grant wishes to children with life changing or terminal illnesses.

The Dream Factory
During the evening, post golf, we were shown a video which detailed the history of the charity and the work it does. It's a powerful film and if you choose not to watch any other piece of content on here, I implore you to spend four minutes watching this. It's very moving and yet has a positive message. The Dream Factory - Granting Wishes

As I've said, the main part of the day was a charity golf day. The Golfhacker Dream Team of myself, Nick Kevern, the editor of Golfhacker magazine, William Murfitt and Mark Sapsford, who made up the team and came in at the eleventh hour. I filmed as we plotted our way around the course and I hope this video captures some of the good shots (and the bad) and reflects the fun we had. Sadly we never threatened the prize table but that wasn't what the day was about. Watch our golfing antics here Dream Factory Golf Day

In the evening, we were joined by two celebrities, both patrons of the charity. The first was the ex-football manager Harry Redknapp and the other is the star of stage and screen Vicki Michelle who many may remember from the BBC comedy series Allo Allo. The day was held the day after England played Croatia in the world cup and he did a fantastic Q&A session. Vicki Michelle then spoke about the work of the charity. It's a very entertaining video and something very different for my channel. I think you'll like this a lot 'Arry & Vicki - The Dream Factory Entertainment

As always, plenty going on. My next blog will be a full update of how my golf is going and in particular "The Quest For Single Figures" It will feature some more good, some not so good and some interesting plans going forward. Stick around for that but for now, thanks for taking the time to read this latest blog. I hope you did look at some of the links I posted and that you enjoyed them. Please subscribe to my channel, please give the videos a thumbs up (youtube loves a thumbs up). If you could also share the videos and really get the message out there your help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks once again, I hope the sun isn't too hot where you are and that your golf is going well. See you next time