My Blog

Well having had my previous irons checked for ‘tour sanctioned’ grooves, and them being fine. I have now changed them anyhow, and had a set of CG Tour red Cleveland irons built for me on the tour truck , by the head man Iain Clarke.

They feel terrific & its now just a bedding in time to get the lies spot on, I have the short irons a tad flat, the long irons a tad upright. Fizz the club-maker at Lymm has been doing all the fine tuning for me, I am sure he thinks I am truly fussy beyond the call! The driver and hybrid are a little more tricky to get right straight off and need some more working on, a more stable shaft in driver perhaps, we shall see.

Wedges are where its really at, the scoring zone that can turn a round for good to bad. I feel I have got the lofts spot on now, it’s now just time and practice. The new grooves reduce the spin from the rough by a huge amount, I have heard up to 30% less spin, I am sure it depends who hits it and the angle of delivery, but even so it will be a massive difference when I get out to South Africa and play Fancourt in my 1st event of 2010. First though is the Sunningdale Foursomes, played over the Old & New at Sunningdale, 2 finer courses in the world I doubt there is! My son Tom is partnering me this year for the 1st time, we are both so excited already! Pete Barber and myself lost in the Semi’s one year, that’s just about the furthest we managed. This year he felt   it was time I played with Tom, his choice not mine to ’sack’ him! Tom has just returned from Portugal after a 2 week practice stint at  Boa Vista & Pinhieros Altos, so is in good form. i just hope the old man does not let him down. I will keep you posted ..whatever I promise!

This week I have the delight of playing at Delamere Forest with 3 older chaps, as part of a 70th birthday present for one of them, John Boyle a member of Lymm. I can’t wait to play, wish John all the best and try my clubs on a proper course! In fact more than proper, it’s  one of the very best around- no question.  Thursday we are back there with 44 guests for the AM Golf corporate club event too!

All in all, a busy old week and the reds play Milan Wednesday too…anyone got 2 spare tickets ?….

cheers Andrew

This week has been a special one already. My son’s Tom & Matt accompanied me to spend a day with John Jacobs, a former Ryder Cup player and captain , probably the most respected man in European golf. He was the instigator of the   tour as we know it today, after creating a breakaway section from the  PGA,  for players only. Therefore the birth of The European Tour. Not only that but for 50 years has been the greatest golf coach from these shores, some may say in the world. Butch Harmon says of JJ, that  ‘he single handedly made me the coach I am today’ ! Praise indeed , what a man.

Peter Barber and his son Jack joined us last Monday too, breakfast with John & daughter Jo at their home in the New Forest, then to a nearby range to hit some shots.  Just magic! Peter & I met John 32 years ago when he and Tommy Horton hosted a young playing pros seminar at Meon Valley and have sought advice from the master ever since. He has the gift of making golf coaching so simple and logical, and of putting folk at ease too. Now  aged 85, he still hits the ball ok and plays once a week. He signed a book each for us this week too, ‘50 years of golfing wisdom’ written by himself. In the foreward are quotes from Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Jose Maria Olazabal and a few more icons. My favourite though is by Jose. He starts by saying ‘ John is the nicest person I have ever met in 25 years of my golfing life…..and then on to say…simplicity is the word I  would use about his teaching’. What a terrific day and especially to share it with our kids too.

Next we met up with son Ben at Reading Uni, and great to catch up with him too, before heading to Srixon to test drivers and balls! New irons and driver are being built for Tom & I, hopefully in time for us to use in the Sunningdale Foursomes in March when we are partners for the first time.

Meanwhile off to practice what John told me 32 years ago , ‘a tad flatter young man on the backswing’! Not much has changed then, apart from haircolour maybe!

cheers Andrew

This week started with a scheduled trip to the R&A in St Andrew’s for the research lab to check the legality of the grooves in my  irons. The world tours have, in their wisdom changed the rules regarding the width and shape of ‘tour’ players clubs, starting in May this year for us on the Senior tour.  Logistically this will be a nightmare to supply equipment and police it, that said mine are fine apart from my Cleveland  wedges. I am now in possession of legal versions of those now, and the spin rate is very different from the rough..I know the answer, just don’t hit it in the rough!

Anyhow after the check we managed to get a start on the old course, alongside Tom and 2 pals, we played in glorious sunshine and had one of those ‘memorable’ days. Tom played some sparkling golf as he and his partner defeated Paul and I 2&1. There is surely no finer place than the home of golf on such fabulous clear days…perhaps 15 degrees warmer maybe!

Day 2 we played Crail, the 7th oldest course in the world and a real gem, another fab , clear day right alongside the coast. Just fantastic, and Paul & I gained revenge by 3&2. Some great company and solid golf too considering we have been playing so little in Cheshire. Crail is really worth a visit, great hospitality and a marvelous old links.

Another highlight, was to visit The St Andrew’s Golf Club for the first time since becoming a country member, established in 1847. A historians dream in the clubhouse, that is just full of photographs and records of  The Open and how golf began. Young Tom Morris’s  watch is even on show! I have only been a member since Jan 1st,  and even as a Pro can play in the club comps on the various courses in town. A smashing place to chill out too, right opposite the most famous 18th green in the world!

On that note I bid you farewell, with on odd pic of the trip, the guy in orange is my son Tom at Crail, if only dad could get into a position like that at the top!  cheers.

Now that is a pretty good partnership don’t you think?

I have just teamed up with the Lexus brand as part of their golf support from the RRG Group, just a part of this agreement is the loan of a new RX450h, now that is a treat! A little subtle number in bright white it is too.

The other part of this week’s new agreement is a  2010 club contract and short game ambassador role with Cleveland Golf, the leading wedge manufacturer in the world. This is a fabulous feather in ‘our’ cap, to be associated with the brand and have the added advantage of the Cleveland demo wedges for use at our forthcoming ’short game masterclasses’. A win win all around for our clients.

Spring feels as though it may be just around the corner too, 10 deg today in Cheshire. I can’t wait for some better ground conditions and get stuck into some good coaching and playing days.

I am up to St Andrews this next week with Tom and pals to play a little golf at the ‘home’ of golf. I have just become a country member at St Andrews GC, one of the worlds oldest its clubhouse overlooking the most famous green in world golf! What a treat, if the weather stays calm especially. The main reason for the visit is to check the grooves on both mine and Tom’s irons at the R &A research centre, it will be interesting and informative too.

See the website for info on golf schools , all should be announced by the end of next week,

cheers Andrew

Mr Phil  Hirst is a star! He is the leading knee specialist in the North of England maybe beyond, who knows. I was under his scalpel 2 Friday’s ago for a tidy up and snip of a damaged cartilage in my left knee, and hope to be playing next Friday 2 weeks after watching the whole thing on a TV monitor, with his commentary and me asking far too many questions! Fascinating stuff it really was.

I can’t wait to play again after the poor weather too, so all being well Lymm for a trial 9 will be the start of it. My son Tom has just issued a share scheme in an effort to raise funds for his year ahead on the Players tour. Anyone that may be interested in more details please e mail me, in brief the shares are £200 each and it is intended to put 50% of his winnings back into the shareholders pot at the end of his year. He has  a real chance, given the chance of becoming a true winner. Having tasted victory in his 1st year in 09 I think 2010 will be great for him. He is stronger now, more focussed and of course a tad more experienced , I will keep you all informed and point you to his blog to when all is up and running.

Exciting day on Thursday for me when I collect a new Lexus from the showroom, all part of their advertising campaign for 2010 some of which is through us. So my RX450 hybrid will be the toast of my club at the week end..photo to follow!

Short game details very soon, a new brochure on the website too…it’s all happening!

all the best Andrew

Like everyone else I am fed up with the snow now. The novelty has gone and whilst it was great fun, kids off school everybody walking everywhere together etc..enough now please!

After my week end of the humiliation of seeing the mighty Reds defeated by Leeds,  I did take some stick for that from my various pals from ‘tother side of the Penines.

Sandra and I have been working at he office in ‘planning mode’ for 2010, various ideas, events forthcoming. Firstly the VW commercial vehicles schedule as in 09 that encompasses 6 ‘hidden gem’ courses for their golf promotion for this year. The likes of Denham GC, Delamere Forest & Little Aston amongst others.

Next is the event for the RRG Lexus Manchester day at Stockport GC, a date tbc but an exciting new tournament for this year with a new format and hosted by one of the regions most prestigious clubs. Even more exciting  is the idea of being loaned an RX450h, and you will certainly see me coming as its in white! A terrific motor embracing the hybrid technology and low emission and ‘BIK’ tax breaks, I can’t wait to take delivery next week.

This coming Spring I am intending to set up a number of  ’scoring zone’ clinics , designed to help you all with the short game and how to control the distance of the most important clubs in the bag- the wedges. Alongside Cleveland Golf, we are setting ourselves up as AM’s school of better scoring! Portal G&CC and Lymm GC will host most of these events, predominatley during the week, but several at week ends too.

On the very same subject, I have been working alongside Merit Golf , a small Conway based company specialising in artificial playing surfaces. My new proto-type putting green has helped me loads, although it has to be said its ‘work in progress’!  My task is to improve my stats from 80th on tour to top 10! Terry the boss makes winter tees, putting greens, pitching greens and golf nets to suit all, a top guy who really knows his onions .www.meritgolf.co.uk.

After my wisdom tooth removal of today and minor snip of knee cartilage by Mr Hirst on Friday I will be bang in shape for February and some competitive winter golf before the senior tours 1st event in Brunei. Fingers crossed the snow will go and leave us flood free and we can get back into hitting balls at the range, and then doing some short game onto reasonable surfaces.

Lots more to add , but will save some news for next time, cheers

A Very Happy New Year to everyone!

May I, and my staff wish you all the very best for the forthcoming golf season and beyond, and more importantly good health.

2010 will be a great golfing year again no doubt, with luck my friend and golfing hero to many Seve will continue his recovery from brain surgery. Tiger may come back and defy all odds and win a major or two, much of that may depend on how Mrs Woods reacts though. On top of all that we, the royal ‘we’ Europe have 8 players now in the top 13 in the world ranking, now that is astonishing. Not since the golden era of  Seve, Faldo, Lyle, Langer, Olly & Woosie have ‘we’ had such a gathering at the peak of the world of global golf! And…the Ryder Cup this year is in Wales at the Celtic Manor Resort, 2010 course. Monty of course is ‘our’ captain and so anxious to regain the cup that Faldo’s team narrowly lost in 2008.

What a culmination of a golfing year this could prove to be, albeit an early October date is a tad ambitious to avoid poor weather delays.

My 2010 year will again be varied, I really do hope i can keep my place on the BBC Five Live golf team for the Open at St Andrews, my 19th consecutive I am hoping, and then hope very much to be in Wales with them too. Fingers crossed!

Alongside my curtailed Senior Tour schedule, around 6 events in all probability and the various corporate commitments it will again be a busy year. We hopefully will re vamp an event for Lexus/Toyota to create the Hybrid Cup, the existing arrangement for VW Commercial Vehicles will be finalised soon to we hope.

I intend to create a number of  ’short game ‘ schools too, at a varied number of venues throughout  spring time, Lymm Golf Club, Portal G&CC, Mottram Hall all in Cheshire and most likely The Buckinghamshire GC near Denham. All dates will be published shortly. These will be in conjunction with Cleveland Golf, their demo wedges and Srixon golf balls. An exciting new venture for me, so come and join me to knock shots off your game, enjoy the company of others and sharpen up your game in the ’scoring zone’! Never mind, new drivers….that’s all for show, wedges and putters and the way to lower your score!

Enough from me I am sure, Man United v Leeds in the cup for me this week end!

cheers, and all the best. AM

Lymm Golf club, my local club hosted our first Christmas 9 hole tournament and  lunch last Wednesday. 24 guests, clients and friends joined us for our pre holiday gathering.

A short day format, knowing that everyone is busy getting prepared for the festive period. Bacon rolls then a short game practice clinic and session followed by  a 9 hole 4 ball better ball event.

The winners on 21 points were Dave Roberts from Rowlinsons & Andy Houston from RRG Group who pipped Mary & Clare [ my sis in law!] on a card play off. We had a great morning, we got away with the weather -just, and were treated to turkey sarnies & mince pies by Karen at the club after play!

Cleveland supported my cause a little too by giving us the chance to demo some wedges, although the short game area was a tad wet after the recent deluge. More short game clinics to follow though in the build up to the spring.

Anyhow, all for me now is to wish everyone a happy, peaceful Christmas and New Year!

All the very best from us all at AM Golf

Cheers and be safe

Andrew

What a show the beeb put on last Sunday evening at The Sheffield Arena!

I was lucky enough to have an invitation too  through 5 live golf, so to be there especially this year as Seve was awarded the lifetime achievement award was extra special. During the show I was sat alongside former Ryder Cup Star Peter Oosterhuis, now a highly regarded broadcaster in USA, and my friend, my former coach and legend of the game John Jacobs. Himself a former Ryder Cup player and captain. John is now 84 and a tad unstable on his feet and I was able to escort him onto the stage for Monty’s speech and the  presentation to Seve. It really was extremely moving, the tribute Olazabal paid the great man was just fantastic, words chosen so aptly. how he and Seve managed to compose themselves was a miricle. I played a few times with Seve, a more fierce competitor has never played the game, a true golfing legend fighting cancer the only way he knows and the only was he played..with all his heart. Good luck great man!

As you know already Ryan Giggs won the main award ahead of world champions in their own right, Jensen Button & Jessica Ennis. An amazing array of talented sporting genius was there and to be part of ot albeit a tiny part was truly amazing. The world of sport, and 10,000 members of the public too saluting the great sports achievers of the year , it doesn’t get better than that!

The VIP party after was something else too, James Toseland’s band played alongside Eddie Jordan on drums until the early hours I believe!

Down to earth again now, but really looking forward to our mini golf day at Lymm on wednesday

Cheers A

Hardly the best of weather recently for the game we love has it, but it’s not stopped me or plenty of others in competing at pro am level or corporate golf either.

I have just hosted the final round of the inaugural Travis Perkins v’s RRG Group challenges in the Manchester region, the 1st was a convincing victory by TP at the De Vere Carden Park. The next in pooring rain at De Vere Mottram was an RRG triumph, they took the trophy -just! A 6 man team event, 4 ball better ball format created great banter between the two companies and is something I will strive to grow. The fact that the RRG guys [my car sponsors!] drafted in, at the last minute  subs, due to illness of 2 clients, tipped the balance over the closing 2 holes of our 11 hole match. The subs it has to be said were, son Tom [ a pro] and Jack a 4 hdp junior at Didsbury. Not that John from TP was gutted of course…..he was! And will be all up for revenge come February.

Both Tom & I have played a few pro ams, most recently at Ormskirk GC nr Southport, a gorgeous place  albeit very wet. I managed 3rd spot with 69, whilst Tom was 72 and was gutted after getting offf to a flyer after 9!

Last evening I was a guest speaker at Heaton Moor GC in Stockport, the guys there made me so welcome it was terrific. just a pity therefore that I didn’t repay them with one of my better performances with a mic! A more friendly club I have not been too.

Our Chistmas ‘ golf do’ will be at Lymm Golf Club, Cheshire, the host club of my pro m in july. A short game clinic, 9 holes and then Turkey sandwiches & mince pies. That’s on 16th dec if anyone fancies joining us, Sandra in the office has details.

All the best andrew.

ps; ideas for xmas presents you have to buy…..a short game lesson, a new cleveland wedge, good training aids, loads of other ideas, just e mail me, andrew@andrewmurraygolf.com