Great Scott...

Hello Golfers, Congratulations to Adam Scott, another fine win in what some pundits describe as his best year on tour, many more to come we hope. With all this fine weather we are currently enjoying, there are several courses looking more than a bit dry. This is a little concerning as we head into summer, but can you believe we are not even in spring yet! Some rain would be good before summer to really give the golf courses a much needed boost and increase playability during the summer months. Great Scott Adam Scott continued his fabulous 2013 season by winning The Barclays at Liberty National Golf Course on Sunday, shooting a final-round score of 66. The win lifted Scott from 11th to second in the FedEx Cup standings, just behind world No.1 Woods. It also elevated him to a career high second spot in the world rankings, with only one man ahead of him. Scott finished one shot ahead of Justin Rose, Graham DeLaet, Gary Woodland, and an injured Tiger Woods. Scott expressed astonishment after his round that his lead was able to withstand his competitors’ charges: I can’t believe it to be honest. I just played a good round and I came in and really didn’t think it had a chance. But obviously things went my way a lot out there, When Scott started his final round, he was counted as just an also-ran at Liberty National Golf Course. He was stuck in a large pack of near-contenders at six-under par. Matt Kuchar and Gary Woodland held the lead at 12-under and it appeared that one of those two players would have the best chance to win. Scott wasn't focused on the idea of winning when he teed off, he just wanted to play well and perhaps make a few putts, and that's just what happened. He made five birdies and the rest of his card was clean. He did not have a single bogey. With that victory, Scott has put himself in prime contention for PGA Player of the Year honours. The 33-year-old has had a tremendous year, putting the rest of the golfing world on notice when he beat Angel Cabrera in a playoff to win the Masters in April. Scott's win at The Barclays may have put him in the lead for the honour. When you win a major, contend in two others and win a playoff event, your resume looks pretty good. And the great thing is we get to watch our hero play on our shores later on this year. Why Should Kids Play Golf? We firmly believe kids should take up the game for a whole host of reasons, but we have short listed a few reasons below that we feel are quite important. Enjoy the great outdoors: Young people should play golf because it is an opportunity to spend a few hours in the fresh air. While playing golf, kids can experience all types of fauna and flora. Develop lifelong friendships: You never know who you will meet on a golf course and interaction with others allow young people to develop social skills. Practice personal responsibility: Sometimes the ball doesn’t always bounce your way, but regardless of the outcome, there is no blaming your teammates for what happens. Have a safe place to play: The golf course is a safe place and facilitates mentoring relationships in a safe environment. Managing emotions: Golf closely parallels real life as one experiences the highs and lows of the game. This range of experience from birdies to triple bogeys rewards a young person’s ability to keep each shot in perspective, manage one’s emotions, maintain a positive outlook and focus on the shot at hand. Appreciate diversity: Golf is a game that can be played for a lifetime by anyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, size or skill level. Learn etiquette: Children should play golf because it is based on characteristics that are missing in our society. Golf places an emphasis on etiquette. In golf there is no judge or referee; instead, players govern themselves and fellow competitors. Spend time with family: Golf is a game that encourages family participation. To my mind there aren't any sports or activities out there whereby people can interact, socialise and compete with one another at the same time! It really is a unique game. What's in the bag Name: Gary Woodland Age: 29 Professional Wins: 4 Clubs: Callaway Driver: RAZR Hawk Fairway Wood: RAZR Fit Xtreme Lob Wedge: Titleist Vokey Design SM4 Putter: Odyssey Versa #1 In March 2011, Woodland won his first PGA Tour title at the Transitions Championship by one stroke when fellow American Webb Simpson missed a par putt on the final hole. Just a few moments earlier Woodland had scrambled a fantastic par from the same position as Simpson on the last, after hitting his second shot over the back of the green. This win secured Woodland a place at the 2011 MastersTournament and also elevated him to a career high 53rd in the Official World Golf Rankings. In November 2011, he won the Omega Mission Hills World Cup with Matt Kuchar. He finished 2011 ranked 17th on the PGA Tour money list and 51st in the OWGR. Kucher to play the Australian Masters Matt Kuchar has pledged to play in the Australian Masters at Royal Melbourne this year. The world No 6, who made his professional debut at the 2000 Australian Open, is the latest in what's expected to be a long list of superstars at Royal from November 14-17, with the World Cup at the same venue the following week. Kuchar, a dual winner on the US PGA Tour this year, including the WGC World Matchplay, will join Australia's first US Masters champion Adam Scott and Jarrod Lyle, who will return to tournament golf after twice beating leukaemia. Rory McIlroy, fellow Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell, Rickie Fowler and US Masters runner-upAngel Cabrera remain high on the wish-list. Old clubs? We'll buy them from you... Golf Traders offer our customers a fantastic service whereby we can purchase, part exchange or swap your equipment. With the golf season in full swing, we all have clubs lying around that are basically redundant. 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 want. View all of our stock here or come in store and have a hit in our brand new practice net and try before you buy! Golf Traders 02 9517 3471 33 Nelson Street Annandale, NSW 2038 Australia Golf Traders PRO TIP: Putting Breaks One of the toughest shots around the green is the chip from above the hole. But why chip it? Next time you are out on the course try putting it instead. You’re going to have to practice to get a feel for how the ball reacts out of the rough or fringe, but even from above the hole, using the “old flat stick” is a high-percentage option for most amateurs to consider. The longer rough will slow the ball down, and even though it’s a downhill putt, the ball still will lose momentum (mainly from the friction of the grass). Just make sure you have a decent lie and some green to work with, and play for plenty of break. In a few tries, you’ll soon wonder why you ever messed with hitting chips and lobs in the first place. Happy golfing David Fearns (PGA) Golf Traders ©2013 Golf Traders | 33 Nelson Street Annandale NSW 2038 Australia

Lion at Heart...

Hello Golfers, The weather has been awesome of late, has spring already sprung? Im sure we will have some more cool weather at some stage. Did you see that news article last week about a Chinese zoo parading a dressed up dog as an African Lion, apparently it gave itself away when it stared barking... This leads me onto the subject of forged golf clubs, at Golf Traders we have seen the odd fake over the years and we don't like them. Therefore we only sell genuine products, we value our name and more importantly our customers too much to let that happen. Back in Oz Rory McIlroy will end his season contesting the Australian Open in Sydney. McIlroy confirmed his appearance Down Under after finishing in a share of eighth place in the defence of his PGA Championship title at Oak Hill. The Australian Open* will be staged at the Royal Sydney course from November 28 to December 1.* "It is pretty much locked in place I will be playing the Australian Open in Sydney," he said. "It's been a couple of years since I last competed in an Australian Open. I competed in 2006 when I was still an amateur and then a year later after just turning pro. "Both were in Sydney and I've always enjoyed myself in Sydney so I am very much looking forward to returning to Royal Sydney." On his last Australian Open appearance in 2007 McIlroy finished well down the field in a share of 59th with scores of 74, 74, 76 and 77. McIlroy is no stranger to Sydney as earlier this year his girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki contested the APIA International and the pair were photographed atop Sydney Tower. There had been suggestions McIlroy was all set to compete in last year's Australian Open for a reported$1 million appearance fee. However, both Golf Australia and his Dublin-based Horizon Sports manager, Conor Ridge, denied the rumour. McIlroy said he has also accepted an invitation a week later to play in the Tiger Woods hosted World Challenge from December 5-8 at the Sherwood Country Club course in suburban Los Angeles. "It will be a great two weeks to finish up my year so I'm looking forward to competing in both events," he said. Organisers in Australia are really working hard to get the big names out here, we look forward to seeing Rory play later on this year. Dufnering! Jason Dufner claimed the PGA Championship, transforming the 36-year-old cult figure into a major winner. Dufner, who is not prone to displays of emotion, allowed himself a sheepish smile and a hesitant double fist bump following a two-shot victory over Jim Furyk. But he left the real celebrations to the galleries packed around Oak Hill Country Club's 18th green that watched him clinch the season's final major two days after he shot a 63, matching the lowest round in any major. Until Dufner planted a shy kiss on the shiny Wanamaker trophy in the fading sunlight, he was best known as a social media sensation - the inspiration behind the 'Dufnering' craze which went viral. Despite being a two-time winner on the PGA Tour, it was not until last April when golf fans began to take notice of Dufner when he was photographed apparently nodding off as he lay with his back to a wall, arms by his sides and legs stretched out in front of him while visiting grade schoolers to help promote a tournament in Dallas. Since then, multiple versions of 'Dufnering' have been posted by golfers, golf fans and the general public on social media. "Got some notoriety for maybe something that was probably trying to hurt me a little bit and ran with it and it helped me a lot," said Dufner. "I got a lot of fans because of it and people identified me through it and that was good." "I come across as a pretty cool customer I guess, but there are definitely some nerves out there, especially when you're trying to win a major championship." What's in the bag Name: Matteo Manassero Age: 20 Professional Wins: 4 Clubs: Titleist Driver: 913D2 Fairway Wood: 913F Wedge: Vokey Design SM4 Putter: Scotty Cameron GoLo Matteo Manassero won the BMW PGA Championship in England earlier this year, becoming the youngest champion of that event as a 20-year-old. Manassero has aspirations beyond winning individual tournaments. He has only won $50,000 on the PGA Tour this year, but it is clear he has the ability to compete consistently. Hear no Evil! AN old man was about to tee off on the golf course when he felt a tap on his shoulder. A young man handed him a card that read: I am mute. I am not able to speak. May I play through, please? The old man angrily pulled out his pen and wrote on the card. No, you may not play through and your handicap does not give you such a right. The old man gave the card back to the young man and prepared to tee off. After he whacked the ball on to the green up ahead, he marched off to finish the hole. Just as the old man was about to putt the ball into the hole, he was hit on the head with a golf ball, laying him out cold. When he came to a few minutes later, he looked around and saw the young man sternly looking at him,holding up four fingers. We just had to share this one with you. Old clubs? We'll buy them from you... Golf Traders offer our customers a fantastic service whereby we can purchase, part exchange or swap your equipment. With the golf season in full swing, we all have clubs lying around that are basically redundant. 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 want. View all of our stock here or come in store and have a hit in our brand new practice net and try before you buy! Golf Traders 02 9517 3471 33 Nelson Street Annandale, NSW 2038 Australia Golf Traders PRO TIP: How well am I Playing? There is one sure-fire way to find out how well you are swinging the golf club, pay attention to your divots. From the image opposite your divot(s) should look like the picture on the right, nice and square to the target line with a nice even slice taken out of the ground. The picture on the left represents a poor swing, get into the habit of checking your divots as they are great indicators to how well you are playing. Happy golfing David Fearns (PGA) Golf Traders

The Duffmeister...

Hello Golfers, Congratulations to Jason Dufner on winning the 2013 USPGA Championship at the Oak Hill Country Club, his maiden major victory. He had to fight off one the most fierce competitors in the game, his fellow countryman Jim Furyk. Masters champion Adam Scott finished as the highest Australian, five shots behind Dufner in a tie for fifth after he shot a 70 containing five birdies and five bogeys. It has been a great year for Adam and we get to see him play in Australia later this year. Back in Vietnam The Asian Tour recently announced that Vietnam would again host a tournament in September this year with a $500,000 prize fund. The event and the country's top golfer expect it to boost Southeast Asia's hopes of competing when golf makes its *Olympic return in 2016.* Announcing details of the September 19-22 event, Asian Tour executive chairman Kyi Hla Han hoped the Vietnam Masters would inspire many more golfers to follow in the footsteps of Michael Tran, the only Vietnamese player on the Tour. "The Asian Tour is celebrating our 10th season in 2013 and in our vision for the next 10 years, we hope to be well represented by players and host nations from all the major markets from across Asia, including Vietnam," Han said in a statement. The event will be played at the Sky Lake Resort and Golf Club, around 40 kilometres from Hanoi. With golf set for its Olympic return in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, Tran felt the timing was perfect. Imagine a whole new generation of Vietnamese golfers out there on tour competing against the world's best. They need tournaments like this one to inspire new blood to take up the game. "The Vietnam Masters will provide the impetus for Asian and Vietnamese golfers to raise the level of their games and improve their positions on the Official World Golf Rankings, which will be used to determine the field for the Olympics," said the golfer still looking for his first win on the tour. Last week, the Asian Tour confirmed the $1.3 million Hong Kong Open, co-sanctioned by European Tour, would take place from Dec 5 at 8 at the Hong Kong Golf Club. Golf Traders 800+ Items on eBay Just a quick message to announce that the staff at Golf Traders HQ have been very busy behind the scenes lately, listing more quality new and used equipment onto our eBay store. We now have over 800 items listed on our eBay store. What's in the bag Name: Ken Duke Age: 44 Professional Wins: 5 Clubs: Taylor Made Driver: RBZ Stage 2 Fairway Wood: RBZ Stage 2 Putter: Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 On June 23, 2013, in his 187th start and after three runner-up finishes in his career, Duke broke through to win his maiden event on the PGA Tour at the Travelers Championship. He beat Chris Stroud with a birdie on the second extra hole of a sudden-death playoff. When Duke was younger he was diagnosed with scoliosis and wore a back brace 23 hours a day. He had surgery two years later and had a 16-inch metal rod attached to his spine that still remains! Photo: Luke Birch. Hooked on golf Story by John Anderson: If any golfer knows her way around a golf course, it is Mildura’s Mabel Crouch. In her 39 years of playing the game, she has travelled to more than 170 different golf courses around Australia. Mabel started playing golf when she was 30 and was instantly challenged by the game she has come to love. “If you have a good round of golf, you think the course is beautiful; if you have a bad round, you think it’s lousy,” the 69-year-old quipped. “It’s hard to say really, you could go back the next day and have a good round." “I was working full-time and still couldn’t afford to buy golf clubs, join up and play – everything was so expensive back in the days when I started playing.­" “I nursed for 37 years and when I semi-retired, I had the time and resources to learn to play golf.” Mabel’s fascinating golf journey started in her home city of Adelaide in 1974 when she was invited to play a social round at Westward Ho Golf Club at Glenelg with four of her friends. “After six months of casual weekend golf, we all joined the club and played in the C-grade championship,” “I was happy with my game and decided to keep doing what I was doing without bothering about taking lessons.“We started travelling around South Australia for the next 10 years playing competition golf on over 40 different golf courses. “I returned to a lot of them over that period and to this day I travel back to South Australia as one of my many Australian destinations.” “I’ve been lucky enough to score a hole-in-one on three occasions, on three different golf courses,” she said. “I like seeing the country, so distance is no problem and I enjoy driving and meeting other people on and off the golf courses.” Good on ya Mabel. Old clubs? We'll buy them from you... Golf Traders offer our customers a fantastic service whereby we can purchase, part exchange or swap your equipment. With the golf season in full swing, we all have clubs lying around that are basically redundant. 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 want. View all of our stock here or come in store and have a hit in our brand new practice net and try before you buy! Golf Traders 02 9517 3471 33 Nelson Street Annandale, NSW 2038 Australia Golf Traders PRO TIP: Get a Grip A customer of mine came in the other week and complained that his game was not quite right, more than anything he was not happy with his clubs. I picked one up and almost dropped it cold, the grips were as hard as nails and you could see your own reflection on them, as they were so shiny. Long story short, we changed his grips (Avon Pro D2 - almost identical to Golf pride's multi-compound and almost half the price at $10 fitted per club). He came back the following week and said that he felt as though he had new clubs again and for a relatively small fee he was back enjoying the his golf. (Don't leave it too long to change your grips). Happy golfing David Fearns (PGA) Golf Traders