It's only four weeks until the start of the new golf season and we can't wait to get going again! Following what has been a VERY long winter, we can now see the day light stretching and even occasionally, the sun in the sky.
We have lots planned at the golf centre over the next couple of months, starting with some pre-season coaching classes where you can really work on your game whether you are wanting to brush up on your technique, or if you are new to the game and want to get started. This coaching starts on Wednesday, 16 March and will run for 5 weeks. There's more information further down the newsletter, with information on prices and how to sign up.
We are also holding a junior golf camp during the Easter Holidays, which will be over 3 days, Tuesday 5th to Thursday 7th April. The camp will be 2 hours per day and we'll be learning all aspects of the game, with fun being at the heart of the sessions. Once again, you'll find more information further down the newsletter.
I'm also very sad to say that we are waving goodbye to Jonny Belford on Sunday. Jonny has been with us at Noah's Ark since he was a snotty nosed 15 year old, when he used to collect balls on the driving range. Jonny then moved on to being our Saturday worker in the shop and then became a professional golf coach and has been part of our Coaching and Custom Fitting team ever since. Jonny is moving on to a new career away from golf and we wish him all the best.
With Jonny's departure, the search has been on to find a suitable replacement and following a recent recruitment process, I'm really happy to say that we will be joined by PGA Professional Fraser Cramb, who will be joining us from Crieff Golf Club.
If the name sounds familiar, it should be! Fraser has previously worked with our team and actually started his PGA training under me at Noah's Ark and was with us for 2 years until he left to go to Crieff in February 2013. Now that Fraser has fully qualified as a PGA Professional, he is keen to expand his knowledge and experience and will be heavily involved in our coaching and custom fitting business. Fraser will also take over the reins of our Junior Golf Program and will look to develop this further.
It looks like it's going to be an exciting year at Noah's Ark…
We talk to golfers on a daily basis about shaft flex and whether they are playing a shaft that is too stiff or too flexible for their game. Most players have an opinion as to what flex they should be using, but many don't have any evidence to back up their view. Although there are several things that can influence the most suitable shaft flex, club head speed is the most important.
It is a common misconception that a club shaft 'whips' at impact and helps to generate club head speed. Unfortunately, this is not true and although a shaft does 'bend' at impact it is most certainly not a whipping action. A club shaft is actually design to resist bend, or at least it's designed to bend just the right amount at just the right time for the player using it.
The two main forces imparted on to a club shaft come from either end of the shaft. There is force imparted at the grip end of the club which comes from the golfer swinging the club and the second force comes from the club head and more importantly the centre of gravity (COG) within the club head.
A modern drivers COG tends to be low and back in the club head and as you approach impact and the bottom of your swing arc, the clubs COG will try to 'bottom out'. This movement of the centre of COG is what causes the club shaft to forward bend at impact and is the bend that is misconceived as whip. The club shaft is designed to resist this bending, with a stiff shaft producing more resistance and a regular/senior shaft less.
The shaft's flex also provides stability for the club head as it impacts the ball. If a shaft is too flexible for your club head speed, then this will cause excessive deflection of the club as it strikes the ball and once again will lose both distance and accuracy. Please do not make any guesses as to what shaft flex you should be playing. Come and see the experts!
If you are interested in being custom fitted for some new golf clubs, then please give us a call on 01738 440678 or email info@noahsarkgolf.com
A 1-Hour custom fitting session costs £40. If following the session, you purchase fitted clubs with a value over £100 we'll refund 50% of the fitting fee. If you spend over £300, we'll give you a full refund of your fitting fee.
Pre-Season Night Classes
Our popular Pre-Season night class starts on Wednesday, 16 March 2016. This is a great opportunity to improve your technique or get started at golf as we approach the new season. The class lasts for 1 hour from 6-7pm and will run for five weeks.
The classes offer great value for money at just £60 per person and this includes all your range balls and the use of any golf clubs if required.
We keep our classes to a maximum of 8 golfers to 1 Coach and this means that you will get plenty of coach time in order to work on your game. Places are limited, so if you'd like to book yourself in, then please just give us a call on 01738 440678 or email info@noahsarkgolf.com
Easter Holiday Junior Coaching
We are running a Junior Golf Camp during the upcoming Easter Holidays, where your budding young golfers can come and learn the game in a great fun environment.
The camps will run over 3 day classes with 2 hours of golf per day.
The dates are Tuesday 5th - Thursday 7th April. The cost of the camp is £42 per person and this includes 6 hours of coaching and all range balls hit.
If you have a budding young golfer in the family, then give us a call on 01738 440 678 , email info@noahsarkgolf.com or message us here to book.
Play Better Golf - Distance from Ball
Depending on the length of the club that you are holding, the amount that you tip from the waist at address will vary, with a greater tip for shorter clubs and less for longer ones.
Firstly try this without a club and when you have set your body tip, you should allow your arm to hang naturally from your shoulders. When this is done, you can see that my arms hang pretty much vertically under my shoulders. You should now take hold of a club and once again allow your arms to hang in their natural position. This is the distance that you should stand from the ball. If you were to measure this distance, the butt end of the club would sit around a closed fist distance from your left thigh.
The most common fault I see is a player who stands too far from the ball and has to stretch to reach it. Before the swing has even started this players arms and body are disconnected and it will be very difficult for him to consistently deliver the club head back to the golf ball. If you try remember that its posture first followed by arm hang, then you won't go far wrong.
If you need any more help please click here and send us an email.
North Inch Golf Course Season Tickets
If you are looking for a new course to join in 2016, then look no further! North Inch Golf Course offers some of the best value golf in Perthshire. Our course is set up to be enjoyable to play and is a challenge to all levels of player without being overly tricked up. We'd love you to come and join us this year!
2016 Season Ticket Prices
Adult £279
Senior £189
Young Adult (18-29yrs) £189
Concession £189 (Unemployed/Full time student)
Junior (U18yrs) £20
Green Fees
Midweek Round (Adult) £15
Midweek Round (Senior) £12
Midweek Round (Junior) £5
Weekend Round (Adult) £20
Weekend Round (Senior) £16
Weekend Round (Junior) £5
If you are looking to organise a group golf outing this year, we can offer you a reduced rate for groups of 8 or more players. We can also offer you catering at either Café Active at Bells Sports Centre or Black Watch Café at Balhousie Castle.
For more information on anything North Inch Golf, the give us a call on 01738 636 481 or email northinchgolf@pkc.gov.uk You can also find more information on our website www .northinchgolf.co.uk.
