Golf Traders Newsletter, 16/02/13

Hello Golfers, Another week of politics, big headline news stories about performance enhancing drugs and cheating on a grand scale, when will it all end. As we previously mentioned in our newsletter golf is still one of the very few sports at an elite or even social level, where the players score and officiate themselves. Golfers more often than not penalise themselves for indiscretions because they know it is the right thing to do and that by cheating, they are only cheating themselves. There have been almost no recorded cases of any pro golfer being banned for taking performance enhancing drugs, there was one infamous case when unheralded American Doug Barron became the first player to be banned by the PGA Tour for taking performance-enhancing drugs. The 40-year-old was given a one-year suspension. He was the first professional to fail a drugs test since the PGA and European Tours began their anti-doping programs in July 2008. Sneak Peak Golf Traders has recently taken delivery of new stock items that have yet to appear on our Golf Traders online store. At present we simply cannot keep up with demand for our quality used equipment, making our task of updating our sites very challenging. Very recently we had over 600 items in our online store, with our current back log yet to be listed expect that 600 number to be eclipsed. We are always trading stock both online and in-store so why not come in and see us at our new home if you happen to live in or near the Sydney area or visit us online. Golf Traders will always have a warm welcome for you. Trump Card Trump submits plan for second golf course Donald Trump, has submitted plans for a second course at his controversial golf resort on Scotland’s northeast coast, despite a battle with Scottish authorities over a proposed offshore wind power complex nearby. Residents and other locals alike have been ignored to comply with the aims of those who have a political investment in the 'success' of the site. The environment has been destroyed and a huge reduction in the bio diversity of the site has taken place along with a significant level of threats and intimidation, not just to those of us who live there but to anyone coming into the area with a view to recording what is actually happening. The local media have taken a very biased and unrepresentative position, going so far as to produce a poll that states 80 per cent of the population support the development. Mr Trump said: “Unprecedented demand to play our championship course has accelerated our plans to build the second course.” Mr Trump has complained that the view from his golf courses will be spoilt by the planned European offshore wind deployment centre, a £230m joint venture between the utility Vattenfall, engineering firm Technip and the Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group. Has he played his trump card yet? What's in the bag Name: Bubba Watson Age: 34 Career PGA Tour wins: 4 Clubs: Ping Driver: G25 Driver Fairway Woods: G25 Fairway Wood Wedges: Tour S Wedge Putter: Redwood Anser Putter Bubba Watson who turned pro in 2003 shot to fame with victory in the 2012 Masters Tournament which saw hime rocket up the World Rankings to no.4. It was his 1st Major win and there were emotional scenes on the 10th green after his play off against Louis Oosthuizen. Bubba is one of only a small minority of left-handed golfers on the pro tour. The 34-year-old is regarded as having the longest drive on the PGA Tour and is one of the few tour pros to be able to hit a golf ball over 350 yards in distance. In order to generate those staggering ball speeds of up to 194mph Watson endorses Ping clubs and equipment. If you want an authentic Bubba Watson driver the Florida-born ace uses the PING G20 driver with great effect. Keep your clubs safe With the golf season in full swing, many well known and established golf clubs can become a target for thief's who quite often brazenly stroll into locker rooms and the like to steal your prized belongings right from under your nose. When you have competed your round, please make sure that you store your clubs away promptly in your locker or your car. If you intend to leave them in the car for a period of time make sure to cover them up so prying eyes cannot get a glimpse and discourage any unwanted attention. HOT PICKS Ping G20 10.5º Driver TFC 169D Tour Stiff Flex + Cover Ping Tour Black Dot 56º Sand Wedge Z-Z65 Steel Shaft Wedge Flex - LH Ping Anser 4 Milled Green Dot 34" Heel-Shafted Putter Old clubs? We'll buy them from you... Golf Traders and The Custom Golf Shop have joined forces to offer customers another fantastic service. With the golf season in full swing and Christmas just passed, we all have clubs that are being made redundant every day. Instead of letting them collect dust in the garage, turn them into cash... or at least let them go some way to buying the new clubs you so desperately need. View all of our stock here or come in store and have a shot on our Triple Surround Simulator to try before you buy! The Custom Golf Group 24 Burleigh Street Burwood, NSW 2134 Australia thecustomgolfshop.com.au Find us on Twitter PRO TIP: Know your distances An interesting thought occurred to me during the week. Many amateurs like to state how far they hit the ball with a certain club, usually the driver! If you want to really progress your game I suggest you take an afternoon out at the range and hit about 6-8 balls with each of your irons working your way from the wedge to the 1 iron (if you still carry one). What you are setting out to do is record the average distance for each club in a small notebook, on your smartphone or in your head. Use this information the next time you are out on the course, distance markers are usually quite accurate so trust the distances and even more importantly know exactly what club YOU NEED to hit, and not the club your playing partner used. This information will save you many shots over successive competition rounds both at home and away courses. David Fearns (PGA) Golf Traders