All That's LEFT

Hello Golfers Trust you had a good week and managed to get some golf into your busy schedules. It has been a long week so it seems, especially if you are in politics, the government and elect Government seem to be bashing each other at the moment with a non-stop vengeance. We say come on guys start talking about policy and sorting out some issues, instead of all the smear campaigning, and bad publicity, the people of Australia deserve better than this. That’s quite enough politics for now, other interesting news this week, will Tiger win back the No.1 spot off Rory? News just in, he's back to being the world's number 1 golfer, congratulations Tiger.

Junior Army Do you have a son or daughter who wants to take up the game of golf but you don't know where to start. Well The Australian Junior Golf Academy has been developed specifically to introduce young juniors from the ages of 5 to 18 years into the great game of golf and to assist with their physical, social and life skill development regardless of their background, ability or gender. Their goal is to promote junior golf and develop the individual’s golf game and improve gross motor skills while allowing social interaction in a non-contact environment. The clinic-style format at schools, together with facilities at Tempe Golf Driving Range and Beverley Park Golf Club, NSW gives juniors an opportunity to improve their game and progress through from lessons to the golf course. The Australian Junior Golf Academy has qualified PGA Professional coaches that attend every junior clinic for specialised coaching. By introducing the juniors to golf, they also introduce schools and parents alike into a fun sporting environment. Check out their site www.ajga.com.au

What's in the bag March 10 Name: Greg Chalmers Age: 39 Professional: 9 Clubs: Titleist Driver: 909D3 Fairway Wood: 909F2 Hybrid: 909H Irons: CB Wedges: Vokey Design Spin Milled C-C Greg won the 1993 Australian Amateur and the 1994 French Amateur Championships. The year after he turned professional (1995) and made a strong start to his professional career, winning four times in Australia in the next few years, including the 1998 Australian Open. In Europe he won the second-tier Challenge Tour's Challenge Tour Championship, in 1997 and finished 25th on the European Tour Order of Merit in 1998. The same year he finished fourth at the PGA Tour's Qualifying school to win a PGA Tour card for 1999. In 2011, Chalmers won the Australian Open for the second time in his career, 13 years after he won his first. He held off late charges by John Senden and Tiger Woods to claim victory. He followed this up with a win at the Australian PGA Championship, to take the second Australian major of the year. He defeated Robert Allenby and Marcus Fraser in a sudden death playoff to take the title. These wins led him to win the PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit that year.

LOFT - LIE - and ANGLE Do you know the exact lofts and lie angles of your clubs? Over time and extended use, equipment can get knocked around and potentially affect the balance of your clubs specifications. Why do I need to know this? Well one great reason to know this vital piece of information is knowing which lofted club to purchase to compliment your set. Most manufacturers use a standard set of loft and lie dimensions, but not all. Our team here at Golf Traders can test your clubs using our industry standard equipment within 20 minutes for a whole set of clubs from the time of your arrival in-store. The first individual iron is free, then there is a small charge for the entire set. This could potentially save you money as you will know exactly which lofted club to purchase for the future, that will compliment YOUR SET.

All That's LEFT Lefties always get left out when it comes to golf gear but don't worry we have you plenty of choice for you here at Golf Traders. With the biggest range of quality used equipment in Australia, we are sure to have your golf gear requirements covered. If we don't have an item in stock, we can use our extensive network of suppliers to source your exact requirement(s). So pop in and see us at 33 Nelson Street, Annandale or visit us online at www.golftraders.com.au

What's my gear worth? We get dozens phone calls each week from customers asking us what we think their golf gear is worth. We refer our customers to the PGA value guide website where they can get a comprehensive guide price and information about their gear, prior to and after contacting GT. We urge our customers to use this resource as it can save a lot of time and resources.

Hot Picks

Titleist 910D2 10.5 Degree Driver Bassara 50 Gram A Flex - LH

Titleist 909H 17° Hybrid Diamana 80HY Stiff Flex L/H

Titleist Vokey BV SM58.14 56° Sand Wedge Dynamic Gold Wedge Flex Steel - Left Hand

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: Going to School "Reading greens" is a tricky business. That is the process of figuring out how the ball is going to roll up and down and across all the little hills and moguls that are all around the green. If you learn to "read" them well you will be an excellent putter. Meanwhile a great way to learn is by watching the other golfers in your group who are putting ahead of you in turn. Golfers refer to this as "going to school" on a putt. "Going to school" on a putt can save you valuable strokes, but one thing you cannot do is put your education ahead of someone else's opportunity to make a putt. So that means that even though you are studying hard to see where the putt goes, you may not choose a vantage point that is within the peripheral vision of the golfer who is putting or, that will be, in anyway, distracting to the putter.

David Fearns (PGA) Golf Traders

Golf Traders - Winners are Grinners

Hello Golfers Hope you all had a good week. It seems as though the weather is starting to change a little and that can only mean that winter golf is on it's way. I don't know about you but I love being out on the course in June/July bathing in winter sunshine. So to compliment the seasonal change we have featured a rather picturesque course at this time of year, Luera Golf Club (featured below). Nestled in the heart of the Blue Mountains of NSW, this course offers stunning views and vistas every where you look, especially at this time of year the Blue Mountains take on a beautiful gold and red colouring as the trees change colour and leaves brush their way past you in the Autumnal winds.

Winners are Grinners He's Back The man is back and isn't it great to see those pearly whites grinning at you through the camera lens. This can only be good for golf, a fully fit and in form Tiger ready for action before April (the Masters) it's looking good for Woods and even better for us fans as we see Tiger take on Rory and the world's best players. Bring on the Masters already.

What's in the bag 2005 US OPEN Name: Michael Campbell Age: 44 Professional Wins: 15 Clubs: Callaway Driver: Fusion FT-3 Fairway Wood: Steelhead III Hybrid: Heavenwood #3 Irons: X-Tour irons Putter: Odyssey White Hot At age seven, Michael began playing golf on the Patea golf course which had the greens fenced to keep sheep off them. He was introduced to the game by an uncle, Roger Rei, but was also undoubtedly influenced by his father, Tom Campbell, who was a single-figure handicapper. From 1988, Campbell represented New Zealand in various international amateur competitions, including the team victory at the 1992 Eisenhower Trophy, before turning professional in 1993. Two years later, in his first full season on the European Tour, he held a two-shot lead after the third round of The Open Championship, but faded after a final-round 76. Campbell eventually established himself as a solid tour performer, finishing fourth on the European Tour Order of Merit (money list) in 2000, and again finishing in the top ten of the Order of Merit in 2002 and of course winning the 2005 US Open.

Aussie Legend We feel that ladies golf is not given enough credit so we would like to pay a tribute to Australia's most successful female golfer of all time Karrie Ann Webb. Facts: Karrie is Australia's most successful female professional golfer 38 wins on the LPGA Tour Member of the World Golf Hall of Fame Most wins by any active player * Most wins by any active player Karrie is by no means ready to step aside, having won the Australian Ladies Masters this year, expect to see more of her over this year, especially at the majors.

Pain in the TOOTH! It appears that the new kid on the block who last year could do no wrong is suddenly falling by the way side, career on the slide, marriage question marks, part time tournaments and golf gear that doesn't work! Don't believe a word of it, Rory is 21 years old, most of us at that age could only dream of having what he has. Maybe that's the problem, dreaming is easy, dealing with reality can far more difficult. It is a well trodden path taken by many before him, all the cliches start to surface in the media, too much too early, fame and fortune and so on. By signing with Nike Rory has a stable mate who has pretty much done it all, so McIlroy will have the opportunity to seek advice from arguably the best player to have ever played the game and the most publicised. So look out, when the media interrogation light stops highlighting Rory, he can concentrate on what he does best, playing some great golf.

Autumn Golf Luera, NSW Leura Golf Course challenges golfers at all levels. With beautiful scenery and the world famous 14th Hole are only some of the assets to the course. Beautifully manicured greens and lush fairways add to the enjoyment of the round. So if you are after a slightly different golfing experience this year, why not give Luera G.C a go, they can be contacted on 02 4784 1503 and always offer a warm welcome to visitors.

Hot Picks

Callaway - Callaway FT Tour 10.5º Driver Aldila Voodoo Stiff Flex Graphite + Cover Like NEW

Callaway - Callaway X Tour 3-PW Irons Dynamic Gold S300 Stiff Flex Steel**

Odyssey - Odyssey White Hot 2 Ball Long 48

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: Central Axis When setting up to the ball imagine a vertical line around your spine as per the above image. I want you to rotate around this axis point on your backswing and follow through, keeping your head and spine in the same lateral position throughout the process is very important. Too many players sway back and forth from backswing to impact, which affects accuracy and power. It's really about keeping your head still and maintaining a good position through the strike zone.

David Fearns (PGA) Golf Traders

Golf Traders - Try Before You Buy

Try before you buy We are extremely happy to announce that as of last weekend, we have installed our practice net facility at Golf Traders H.Q. This means we will be able to give you lessons on site from our fully qualified PGA staff members and our customers will be able to try out equipment before they purchase, safe in the knowledge they have selected the absolute best gear for themselves. So if you are around this week pop in and see us, we are more than happy to give you advice on your game, equipment and swing. Golf Traders will always have a warm welcome for you.

Look the Part We have a comprehensive range of premium quality tour bags, so if you want to impress your mates or just look damned good on the course, having one of these on your trolley or cart will definitely make you stand out amongst the crowd. Tour bags are very durable and they will virtually last forever if treated well.

What's in the bag Name: Alistair Presnell Age: 33 Professional Wins: 2 Clubs: Titleist Driver: 913D2 Fairway Wood: 913F Hybrid: 913H Wedges: Spin Milled C-C Irons: 712 MB Bag: Titleist Staff Bag Having won three amateur titles during 2003, Alistair turned professional at the start of 2004 and joined both the PGA Tour of Australasia and Asian Tour. Presnell won his first professional title at the 2009 PGA Tour of Australasia's Moonah Classic, which was co-sanctioned by the United States based second tier Nationwide Tour. The win gave him exemption on both tours until the end of the 2010 season. In 2010, Presnell won the Victorian PGA Championship, thanks to a final round score of 60. In doing so, he equalled the lowest score in Australasian PGA Tour history.

Dust Collectors Got a garage full of unwanted equipment? Sets of irons that are redundant? Putters from a forgotten era! If so, you can turn these items into cash, we can buy your equipment from you over the phone or in our custom built brand new showroom store. We can give you a quote within a few minutes after assessing your items. If you are considering selling or trading your items, please visit the PGA value guide website for more detailed information and a price guide for all of your items. (Please note that items we purchase from you require a drivers licence or similar form of identification).

Hot Picks

Titleist 910D2 8.5° Driver Diamana 'Ahina Stiff Flex + Cover New Grip

Titleist 712 CB Forged Irons 3-PW Dynamic Gold X100 NEW

Titleist 909H 17° Hybrid Diamana 80HY Stiff Flex L/H

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: Set Up Following on from our grip tip last week, the correct setup to the golf ball at the beginning of each swing you make, will put you in an excellent position to hit good shots time and time again. The importance of correct setup cannot be overemphasised enough. Hands ahead of the ball at address, club face square to target, hips and shoulders square with your target line as per the above image and feet roughly shoulders width apart. From this position you stand a much better chance of hitting the ball onto your intended target. Another quick tip, try setting up to the ball in a similar fashion as per the above image, on your backswing, if your club is hitting the side of the wall, you are too flat in your swing plane. This drill will help you get the club in a better position at the top of your backswing. PS mind the windows!!

David Fearns (PGA) Golf Traders