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| Win a complete SubSeventy outfit of your choice To enter our competition simply email us a picture of yourself or a friend (or both of you?!) sporting some funky SubSeventy clobber. The more entertaining, the better! It's completely up to you where the picture is taken. The competition will run throughout April (starting April 1st). The closing date is Saturday 30th April 2011. One winner will receive a complete outfit (trousers, shirt, belt & cap) from our brand new 2011 range. 2 runners up will receive a 2011 shirt of their choice. The winning picture will be posted on our facebook page, our twitter account and on our news section. Send your picture to info@subseventy.co.uk competition is restricted to one picture per person. The winning picture will be selected by our SubSeventy panel along with both runners up. We will contact the winners on the 4th May. |
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Thursday, March 31, 2011
SubSeventy Contest
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
River Club, Jewel Of South Myrtle Beach
River Club: 5 Things You Need to Know
With sand and water surrounding nearly every green, River Club is a second shot golf course.
Playing through property that used to be home to a thriving rice plantation, River Club is the quintessential South Strand golf course. The layout is superb, conditions are pristine, and the facility oozes charm. Before playing your next round at the Tom Jackson design, here are five things you need to know.
1. Length Matters: The greens at River Club are well guarded, typically by a combination of a sand and water. Most of the trouble is in front of the greens, so when you are pulling an iron for your approach, make sure take enough club to get to the middle of the green.
2. Drive for show, putt for dough, but …: Everyone knows the cliche about the importance of the flat stick, but River Club is a second shot golf course. The fairways are generous, so players can swing away with the driver, and the greens are conducive to making putts, but you have to be the in the right spots. Pay attention to where the pins are make sure your mid to low irons are dialed in.
3. What you see is what you get: River Club is a creative design and is fun to play, but Jackson didn’t trick the course up. The challenges are in front of you and there are no unwanted architectural surprises.
4. The biggest challenge is: Bring your ‘A’ game to the 15th hole. It’s not exceedingly long at 409 yards from the tips (384 from the white tees), but the dogleg right requires players to carry water off the tee and on the approach. Adding to the challenge is a relatively narrow green that runs at an angle. If you make par at 15, you are setup for a strong finish.
5. What you will love!: The 18th hole at River Club is a stunning risk-reward, par 5. Players can attempt to go for the green in two, but it requires them to carry water twice and you have to reach the green on the fly. With the clubhouse (which can include the rest of your group watching you finish) on a hill overlooking the green, it’s a spectacular close to a round.
River Club: 5 Things You Need to Know
With sand and water surrounding nearly every green, River Club is a second shot golf course.
Playing through property that used to be home to a thriving rice plantation, River Club is the quintessential South Strand golf course. The layout is superb, conditions are pristine, and the facility oozes charm. Before playing your next round at the Tom Jackson design, here are five things you need to know.
1. Length Matters: The greens at River Club are well guarded, typically by a combination of a sand and water. Most of the trouble is in front of the greens, so when you are pulling an iron for your approach, make sure take enough club to get to the middle of the green.
2. Drive for show, putt for dough, but …: Everyone knows the cliche about the importance of the flat stick, but River Club is a second shot golf course. The fairways are generous, so players can swing away with the driver, and the greens are conducive to making putts, but you have to be the in the right spots. Pay attention to where the pins are make sure your mid to low irons are dialed in.
3. What you see is what you get: River Club is a creative design and is fun to play, but Jackson didn’t trick the course up. The challenges are in front of you and there are no unwanted architectural surprises.
4. The biggest challenge is: Bring your ‘A’ game to the 15th hole. It’s not exceedingly long at 409 yards from the tips (384 from the white tees), but the dogleg right requires players to carry water off the tee and on the approach. Adding to the challenge is a relatively narrow green that runs at an angle. If you make par at 15, you are setup for a strong finish.
5. What you will love!: The 18th hole at River Club is a stunning risk-reward, par 5. Players can attempt to go for the green in two, but it requires them to carry water twice and you have to reach the green on the fly. With the clubhouse (which can include the rest of your group watching you finish) on a hill overlooking the green, it’s a spectacular close to a round.
The 3 Best Holes at River Club
No. 14 at River Club is ranked among the Grand Strand's top 100 holes.
The beauty of River Club lies in its consistent excellence. Hole after hole the South Strand layout provides players with a different and enjoyable challenge. We assigned head pro Christa Bodensteiner the difficult task of giving us River Club’s three best holes and after careful thought, she delivered.
No. 9, 413-yard, par 4: A long dogleg right, No. 9 doesn’t leave a lot of room for error but it decides a lot of nine-hole matches. Off the tee there is a bunker on the right and out-of-bounds on the left, and the second shot is into a large angled green that is well bunkered.
“My advice would be to make sure you are hitting to the correct side of the green,” Bodensteiner says. “Look where the flag is and make sure you use enough club. With bunker in front it’s okay to be long but not short.”
A par on No. 9 is a good score.
No. 14, 186-yard, par 3: A beautiful island green, No. 14 isn’t particularly long but danger lurks. Best case scenario on a mishit shot is to find one of the three bunkers that guard the green, otherwise you are donating a ball to the cause. That being said the green is fairly large so you players don’t have to be throwing darts to stay dry.
No. 18, 518-yard, par 5: On a course full of memorable holes, the eighteenth would be on nearly everyone’s list of River Club’s best. The dogleg left features a pair of yawning bunkers on each side of the fairway off the tee and a lake that surrounds the green on two sides.
With the clubhouse in the background, No. 18 is a beautiful hole and its reachable in two, but it will take some nerve to execute one of the most daring shots on the Grand Strand.
“You’ve got to be brave to go for it in two,” Bodensteiner says. “You’ve got to cross the water twice. My advice would be to hit one more club than you think you should.”
What are your favorite holes at River Club?
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Saturday's Group Lesson Canceled Due To Weather
I hope everyone got the message about canceling Saturdays class last week. Anytime the weather is threatening it might be best to call Bow Creek to see if the class is still on.
We will get back to the original plan this Saturday, April 2. The weather looks pretty good...60 degrees with a slight chance of early showers. We will be hitting bunker shots and pitch shots. I suggest bringing your highest lofted clubs such as pitching wedge and sand wedge. ( or any other wedges you have in your bag.)
As usual please email me at pgapro24@yahoo.com if you plan to attend. Two sessions again this week... 1030 to noon and 1230 to 2. Cost is still $10 this week.
I also have my April schedule set up... if anyone is ready for private lessons, just click on the day and time on the calendar to set up a time.
Thank you,
Rick Bidnick, PGA
Monday, March 28, 2011
Ford's Colony In Williamsburg
The most picturesque golf course at Ford's Colony presents many challenges to golfers of all abilities with water coming into play on 13 holes, a total of 9 doglegs and bunkers guarding every green. There are many elevations changes and the prevailing winds are usually howling, making this course play a lot longer than the 6,621 yards stated on the scorecard.
The best example of Blackheath's beauty can be found when standing on the 12th tee. You are looking straight down to the green and must carry water the entire way. If you turn to your left, you will look down the 16th fairway and an intimidating tee shot that you will have to hit later in your round.
The eighteenth hole, a short par 4 with an island green best describes the challenges found on the Blackheath golf course. Water protects the entire left side of this hole, forcing you to hit an accurate shot to the fairway. Your approach shot is the most intimidating shot at Ford's Colony, because you are hitting to an undulating green that is completely surrounded by water. Par is a great finish on Blackheath.
A favorite to Ford's Colony members, this continuous 18 consists of long and challenging par 3's, fair and forthright par 4's and intimidating par 5's. Blue Heron provides some room for error off of the tee, but makes up for it by having 17 out of 18 greens guarded by bunkers. Many of these holes are carved out of dense wetlands, which provide not only a unique golf course setting, but a home to many different species of birds, fish and other aquatic life.The fourth hole is a good example of the course's challenges. An accurate tee shot is a must, because the wetlands border the entire left side of this par 5 and there is a fairway bunker on the right. You must play your second shot over a long water hazard, to a narrow landing area that is guarded by bunkers. Your approach shot is to a green that is severely sloped from right to left and back to front. A front right hole location is almost impossible to get to. A par on this hole is a good score any day of the week.
The Marsh Hawk golf course was an instant classic when it opened in 1985. The traditional tree-lined fairways, undulating greens and the best finishing holes around, create a complete journey through the property. A par 72, measuring 6,650 yards from the back tees, Marsh Hawk's greatest defense are narrow fairways and strategically placed bunkers. The real beauty of this golf course lies within the contour of the holes around natural lakes and elevation changes that can delude your depth perception.Marsh Hawk has played host to the 1998 and 1999 Virginia State Opens, Monday qualifying for the 2005, 2006 and 2007 Nationwide Tour's Henrico County Open and the Monday qualifier for the PGA Tour's Michelob Championship for 12 years straight.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Three Things To Know About Golf Lessons
Golf is an incredibly useful game to know. It is a fun and relaxing form of recreation and so much more. It is a great and easy way to interact socially, especially when it comes to work. The problem with golf is that for those who do not know the game really well, there seems to be an extremely high learning curve. For many, the cost of learning on your own seems too expensive: the green fees, equipment, and the embarrassment of learning in front of others. Golf's learning curve does not have to be so steep. There are three important things to know about golf instruction that make learning golf easier and more practical. They include how you are instructed, what you are instructed on and who does the instructing. The first important thing to know about golf instruction is how you are instructed; knowing that you have to walk before you can crawl. In other words, you have got to learn to swing before you can drive.
There are many instruction plans out there that offer you quick tips for learning golf. In reality, there are no quick tips in the beginning. When looking for golf instruction, be weary of these offers that make learning golf sound like a one step process. Instruction involves learning the equipment, course, and especially the fundamentals. Don't be afraid of the fundamentals. Grip and posture are important aspects to your driving, short game, and putting. Especially learning golf late in the game, it is important to develop a good grip. Most of the time, what people initially think is a comfortable grip turns out to be a problematic grip so, do not be afraid to constantly re-evaluate your grip. Learning swing sequences step by step is also a great way to begin. The next important thing to know about golf instruction is what you are instructed on.
Many people make the mistake of thinking that mastering distance at the driving range is enough to get you started on the course. There is no one aspect of the game to master. It is important to develop your full swing, driving, short game, and putting. Once all of these aspects of the game are learned, then you can move on to learning trouble shots and strategy for maneuvering around course obstacles. The important thing to remember here is that golf is not all one thing, rather, there are several important aspects of the game to consider. The third important thing to know about golf instruction is who is doing the instructing. There are several ways to go about getting instructed in golf. Many courses have staff available that are able to instruct players at multiple skill levels from beginners to intermediates.
This can sometimes be a very expensive option. What about learning on your own with guided instruction? This can work out well for many people. Several golf websites and magazines offer instructional tips to help you at many levels of play. Out of all of these options, make sure to check the credibility of your source of instruction. Golf instruction involves knowing how to learn, what to learn and who to learn it from. Knowing and being aware of these three things can help you to learn golf more easily and more productively.
Not everyone is able to take golf lessons growing up but that does not mean that learning is impossible. Learning this game is a great way to interact at work, socially, or just to have a fun and relaxing form of recreation.
There are many instruction plans out there that offer you quick tips for learning golf. In reality, there are no quick tips in the beginning. When looking for golf instruction, be weary of these offers that make learning golf sound like a one step process. Instruction involves learning the equipment, course, and especially the fundamentals. Don't be afraid of the fundamentals. Grip and posture are important aspects to your driving, short game, and putting. Especially learning golf late in the game, it is important to develop a good grip. Most of the time, what people initially think is a comfortable grip turns out to be a problematic grip so, do not be afraid to constantly re-evaluate your grip. Learning swing sequences step by step is also a great way to begin. The next important thing to know about golf instruction is what you are instructed on.
Many people make the mistake of thinking that mastering distance at the driving range is enough to get you started on the course. There is no one aspect of the game to master. It is important to develop your full swing, driving, short game, and putting. Once all of these aspects of the game are learned, then you can move on to learning trouble shots and strategy for maneuvering around course obstacles. The important thing to remember here is that golf is not all one thing, rather, there are several important aspects of the game to consider. The third important thing to know about golf instruction is who is doing the instructing. There are several ways to go about getting instructed in golf. Many courses have staff available that are able to instruct players at multiple skill levels from beginners to intermediates.
This can sometimes be a very expensive option. What about learning on your own with guided instruction? This can work out well for many people. Several golf websites and magazines offer instructional tips to help you at many levels of play. Out of all of these options, make sure to check the credibility of your source of instruction. Golf instruction involves knowing how to learn, what to learn and who to learn it from. Knowing and being aware of these three things can help you to learn golf more easily and more productively.
Not everyone is able to take golf lessons growing up but that does not mean that learning is impossible. Learning this game is a great way to interact at work, socially, or just to have a fun and relaxing form of recreation.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Pearl West Myrtle Beach, Worth The Time And Money
Pearl Golf Links: West Course is a Gem
The Grand Strand’s emergence as the nation’s premier golf destination has included numerous courses that have opened to national acclaim, but the birth of Pearl Golf Links was a seminal moment on par with nearly any opening, though its significance sometimes goes unrecognized. At the heart of the Myrtle Beach golf boom was the course development just across the state line in North Carolina, and Pearl Golf Links was the first multi-course facility to open in Brunswick County. The first tee shot at the Pearl was struck in 1987 and 24 years later, the facility, both the East and West courses, continue to please golfers.
The success of the Pearl helped pave the way for the numerous multi-course facilities that followed, but the Pearl has maintained its popularity, especially the 4.5-star West Course.
The West Course long ago earned a reputation for playability. The Dan Maples design, with its sweeping fairways, has a links-style feel that encourages players to swing away with the driver.
“The West is similar to an aircraft runway,” head pro Jimmy Biggs said. “You have to do something wrong to miss a lot of these fairways. They are pretty wide, very forgiving and give you a very good angle at the green.”
The West Course has undergone no substantive changes to it routing since it opened, but the greens were rebuilt six years ago and the result was a much more interesting set of greens complexes. Many of the L93 bentgrass greens now feature multiple tiers and plenty of break, but they are very fair. The greens are uniformly smooth and quick.
Just as the greens are consistent, so is the presence of water on a layout that plays along the Calabash River. There is water on all 18 holes at the West Course though its impact on strategy and nerves varies.
The front nine is an outstanding start, highlighted by three par 3s and a varied collection of par 4s. The West Course’s longest and shortest par 4s are on the front nine and each offers distinct challenges.
The sixth hole is only 358 yards from the tips, tempting everyone to bomb away. It’s a birdie hole but an undulating green demands an accurate approach, so players that go for to much and put themselves in a bad situation off the tee will be looking at trouble.
The 458-yard ninth is a par that rarely surrenders a birdie. It’s a dogleg left with a green that is 35 yards long. Par is a great score.
While the front side is good, the home nine is the West Course’s most memorable. Beginning with the 15th green, the scenic Calabash River and marsh come into view on the final four holes.
On 16-17-18 the marsh lurks on the right, and the par 5 16th is particularly daunting, playing 604 yards from the tips with the marsh running from tee to green. Players that miss right will lose a ball (or two).
The par 5 18th (534 yards) is by far the shortest of the three back nine par 5s, but it’s a great closing hole. The green is reachable in two but it requires a carry of more than 200 yards over water, so the risk is considerable.
The closing holes on the West Course understandably garner the attention, but the par 5, 14th hole shouldn’t be overlooked. At 614 yards from the tips, it’s one of the area’s five longest holes and requires three good shots to get home in regulation.
The Verdict: The West Course at Pearl Golf Links offers natural beauty with the Calabash River and it remains a trailblazing layout. Setting history and scenery aside, the West Course’s greatest attribute is its playability. With wide fairways and five sets of tees, including four that range from 5,768 to 7,000 yards, it’s a good layout for any level of golfer, which is vital for large groups. The West Course makes for an outstanding round.
Pearl Golf Links: 5 Things You Need to Know About the West Course
The West Course at Pearl Golf Links requires players to make risk-reward decisions.
Pearl Golf Links helped lay the foundation for the North Strand’s explosive growth during the height of the Myrtle Beach golf boom. Dan Maples designed a pair of scenic layouts along the banks of the Calabash River and a host of multi-course facilities followed suit in Brunswick County, N.C.Here are five things you need to know about the West Course at Pearl Golf Links:
1. Bring Your Driver: The fairways are generous and it’s a links-style layout so there is room for the ball to roam. In the words of head pro Jimmy Biggs, “you have to be doing something wrong to miss a lot of these fairways.”
2. Weigh Your Options: Pounding the driver at the Pearl is encouraged, but so is good course management. The layout offers risk-reward decisions on everything from relatively short par 4s to long par 5s. The choices you make will likely define your round. Here is one word of caution.
“There are a lot of risk-reward shots and some of them just aren’t worth the risk,” Biggs said. “A very narrow chance at birdie could be a big chance at triple bogey. If you are going to succeed and shoot a low number you are going to have to be smart.”
3. Speaking of Risk-Reward: The West Course has five par 5s, including two of the last three holes, and they are mammoth, ranging from 534 to 614 yards long. The West Course is the only Myrtle Beach area layout with two holes that exceed 600 yards. The 614-yard, 14th hole is one of the area’s five longest and No. 16 (604 yards), narrowly missed the list. The eighteenth hole presents players with their final (and most difficult) risk-reward decision. The green is reachable in two, but it takes a great effort.
4. Smooth, Fast Greens: Many Grand Strand courses are understandably moving towards miniverde bermuda grass greens, but the Pearl maintains L93 bentgrass on both layouts, the preferred surface for many visitors.
5. What you will remember: When people take a golf trip they want to play courses they will remember, and the Pearl’s West Course delivers on that account. Beginning with the 15th green backing up to the Calabash River, the final four holes are the layout’s most scenic. Who can forget playing playing two of the Grand Strand’s longest six holes during the closing stretch?
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Rick Bidnick's Weekly Group Lesson
ATTENTION....We have a change in the original plans. I will be out of town this weekend, However Tim Lewis, PGA Teaching Professional from Kempsville Greens and Gary Kennedy, former PGA Member will run the pitching/bunker workshop. Please email Tim Lewis at tjlewis@pga.com if you plan to attend. He plans on still conducting two classes.. 1030 to noon and 1230 to 2pm. The price is still $10 per person.
Also, There is new management at Bow Creek, Kempsville Greens and Red Wing Golf Courses. I have spoken with them and they are offering some nice offers. There is a range pass that is being offered at discounted prices, they have offered anyone that attends the workshop the opportunity to play the twilite rate immediately after the morning workshop. Normally the twilite rates begin at 2pm but if you attend the workshop you can get that price after the workshop at 12 noon. Tee times are required. If anyone is interested in playing this weekend, let me know and I will try to set up some groups for that.
Lastly, I am also working on the idea of having a workshop outing after the late Saturday session. It would be a 9 hole event, possibly captains choice. My idea is to alternate between the three courses, Bow Creek, Kempsville and Red Wing. Or we may just stay at Bow Creek. (not sure yet)This would be a great way to test our newly learned skills. More to follow soon.
Thank you,
Rick Bidnick, PGA.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Great Golf Deal!!!
| Highlights | Restrictions |
| · Deal #1: an 18-hole round of golf, cart and bucket of range balls for only $29. · Deal #2: a 30-minute golf lesson and three buckets of range balls for only $29. · Only bent grass golf course in the Hampton Roads area. · A rolling gem of 18 holes with unmatched vistas and miles of memorable golf. · No hype, just great golf. · Winner of The Virginian-Pilot Reader's Choice Award for 2010. | · No cash value, no cash back. · May not be combined with other offers, specials, discounts or promotions. · Limit 2 per person of each deal. · Round of golf deal valid Mondays thru Thursdays, any time, and Fridays thru Sundays after 11am. · Not valid on holidays; not valid for tournaments or group outings. · Must call in advance to reserve tee time or book golf lesson. · Gift vouchers must be purchased in separate transactions for each gift recipient, as well as the purchaser, if applicable. Expires 9/1/2011 |
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