AuburnWarrior
Tour Winner
After our custom fit/lesson, PH went out for a driving clinic and then a six hole skins game. He played of +5, he was up against two club pros and an amateur who received one shot on every hole.
His driving clinic was a joy to behold. He was on the 10th hole of the International course which is 357 yards off the white tees. He drove the bunker at the front of the green! So, a 320 yards drive then! He did this about five times!
They then played the hole. PH went left (!) of the green and was joined by the two club pros. The amateur went slightly right. PH had to take a drop but was on in three. The club pros all made the green as did the amateur. The club pros missed their putts and holed our for par. PH holed our for par (!). The amateur won the hole with a 4 nett 3.
The 11th is 527 yard par 5. PH is in the greenside bunker in two - gets up and down for his birdie.
Now, before anyone states that none of this is exceptional - I'll add that he wasn't using his own clubs. His irons were the same as they're Wilson but he was using a Wilson driver and a Wilson putter. Both to his spec but noit his preferred choice.
The 11th was halved.
They then jumped over to the 15th which is 340 yards off the whites. He almost drove the green! It was wind behind but still, a VERY impressive blow. He got up and down for birdie.
He mentioned something very interesting now. He said that he's an average hitter on the tour. He said that the ball leaves his clubface at 170mph. Mine leaves at 113mph. There's the difference right there! How does he generate such speeds? A question for him for another time.....
He parred the next hole. Not a standard par - oh no! He went left again off the tee and had a fairly decent shot into the green. He mis hit his approach and ended up in another greenside bunker. He splashed out but left himself a tricky five footer.
He said another interesting point here. The green was fairly uneven and the other lads misread their putts. PH said that amateurs misread greens to a factor of three. He rolled in his five footer.
He parred the next and the 18th.
It was here that I realised how long he really is. I played the International back in March and on the 18th I hit a good drive - roughly 280 yards off the whites. I thought this was a mightly blow and was proud of my achievement. Yesterday, PH smashed it 320! It made the hole completely different.
It was a pleasure to walk those six holes with him. He made the game look sooo easy. He was in trouble on some holes but never in trouble. He knew exactly how to remedy the situation.
Anyone considering watching the pros in a tour event - do it! Don't even think about it, just do it - you won't regret it!
Lastly, may I thank Mike, Jezz. Callum, Tom and all at GM for a truly unforgettable day! The company was excellent, we were well looked after and the memories will live with me for two lifetimes!
To Phil and the Wilson tour truck - thank you! In your world of elite performance, you took the time to pass on your expertise to a hacker like me and I thank you. You were kind and courteous and you made me feel like a superstar - I'm in your debt.
To Twire - you were great company my man and if I'm ever in Devon I'll take you up on that offer of a knock!
Finally, to PH. You play this game on another level to me. To you it's a breeze. You made the London Club look like a municipal pitch and putt. You've actually stood over a putt that was for the Open! You've beaten the Americans in their own back yard - loads! And yet, you showed such enthusiasm to help me with my moody game. Your eyes lit up when I thinned one. You came into your own then! You went the extra yard with Twire - that was hugely impressive. You wanted to work on chipping - even though the man said that you didn't have time - although I reckon that was your favourite bit.....
Thanks for the day PH - you've made me want to practice even more and get even better and then, who knows, I might get to meet you again.....
AW - number 1 PH fan!
His driving clinic was a joy to behold. He was on the 10th hole of the International course which is 357 yards off the white tees. He drove the bunker at the front of the green! So, a 320 yards drive then! He did this about five times!
They then played the hole. PH went left (!) of the green and was joined by the two club pros. The amateur went slightly right. PH had to take a drop but was on in three. The club pros all made the green as did the amateur. The club pros missed their putts and holed our for par. PH holed our for par (!). The amateur won the hole with a 4 nett 3.
The 11th is 527 yard par 5. PH is in the greenside bunker in two - gets up and down for his birdie.
Now, before anyone states that none of this is exceptional - I'll add that he wasn't using his own clubs. His irons were the same as they're Wilson but he was using a Wilson driver and a Wilson putter. Both to his spec but noit his preferred choice.
The 11th was halved.
They then jumped over to the 15th which is 340 yards off the whites. He almost drove the green! It was wind behind but still, a VERY impressive blow. He got up and down for birdie.
He mentioned something very interesting now. He said that he's an average hitter on the tour. He said that the ball leaves his clubface at 170mph. Mine leaves at 113mph. There's the difference right there! How does he generate such speeds? A question for him for another time.....
He parred the next hole. Not a standard par - oh no! He went left again off the tee and had a fairly decent shot into the green. He mis hit his approach and ended up in another greenside bunker. He splashed out but left himself a tricky five footer.
He said another interesting point here. The green was fairly uneven and the other lads misread their putts. PH said that amateurs misread greens to a factor of three. He rolled in his five footer.
He parred the next and the 18th.
It was here that I realised how long he really is. I played the International back in March and on the 18th I hit a good drive - roughly 280 yards off the whites. I thought this was a mightly blow and was proud of my achievement. Yesterday, PH smashed it 320! It made the hole completely different.
It was a pleasure to walk those six holes with him. He made the game look sooo easy. He was in trouble on some holes but never in trouble. He knew exactly how to remedy the situation.
Anyone considering watching the pros in a tour event - do it! Don't even think about it, just do it - you won't regret it!
Lastly, may I thank Mike, Jezz. Callum, Tom and all at GM for a truly unforgettable day! The company was excellent, we were well looked after and the memories will live with me for two lifetimes!
To Phil and the Wilson tour truck - thank you! In your world of elite performance, you took the time to pass on your expertise to a hacker like me and I thank you. You were kind and courteous and you made me feel like a superstar - I'm in your debt.
To Twire - you were great company my man and if I'm ever in Devon I'll take you up on that offer of a knock!
Finally, to PH. You play this game on another level to me. To you it's a breeze. You made the London Club look like a municipal pitch and putt. You've actually stood over a putt that was for the Open! You've beaten the Americans in their own back yard - loads! And yet, you showed such enthusiasm to help me with my moody game. Your eyes lit up when I thinned one. You came into your own then! You went the extra yard with Twire - that was hugely impressive. You wanted to work on chipping - even though the man said that you didn't have time - although I reckon that was your favourite bit.....
Thanks for the day PH - you've made me want to practice even more and get even better and then, who knows, I might get to meet you again.....
AW - number 1 PH fan!
