Our team enjoyed a wonderful TaylorMade Golf Day for women at Porters Park last month. This special event welcomed 20 guests with a team of four readers from Women & Golf, Golf Monthly, Golfalot, and National Club Golfer plus golf influencer Mia Baker.
Both Claire and Ju were delighted to hear that they had won the day with Team TaylorMade Athletes Charley Hull and Annabel Dimmock, it almost seemed too good to be true when the email arrived in their inboxes!
Each winner was able to bring a friend, so they were joined by Vanessa and Martine who we hope will become part of the Women & Golf Members Club very soon ????
The itinerary
Hosted by TaylorMade Ambassador Mia Baker our team enjoyed:
– A driving range masterclass and Q&A with Charley & Annabel.
– Tried the latest TaylorMade products and competed in a longest drive challenge.
– Hit the course for a 9-hole competition.
Plus a hearty breakfast and fulfilling lunch.
Q&A with Charley and Annabel
The day started with a Q&A with Charley & Annabel on the driving range.
How did you get into golf?
CH: Started playing with Dad at 2 years old. Hot ball over the house at 7. Left school at 13 to play golf. Played all through the summer holidays at local golf club.
AD: Started playing with Dad at 8 yeats old with sister who was 2 years older. Wanted to be a professional footballer but there was more money in women’s golf.
What’s in the bag?
CH: Grew up with steel shafts and blades and have never changed. Steel on driver and irons. Favourite club: 4-iron.
AD: Steel fibre shafts with graphite for driver and irons. Steel for wedges – like the heavier feel. Favourite club: Driver.
At what age did you reach scratch?
CH: 10. Turned Pro @ 16
AD: 15
What’s your best advice?
CH: Turn a negative into a positive. Players make bad shots, it happens. It’s what you do afterwards that makes a difference. My tee shot on 18 on final day at AIGWO. I walked up to the ball thinking right I’m going to get this on the green. And I did.
The Masterclass
Following the Q&A, Charley & Annabel talked us through how they warmed up before a game.
- Stretching (or physio session)
- Putting green
- Driving range – play each club in the bag – wedge -> driver
- Take 3 shots to a specific target (use alignment sticks if you have them)
- Stay warm
- Warm up as close to your tee time as possible
The session then covered driving, and a short game clinic in chipping and bunker play.
The bunker play was frankly amazing; who knew you could ‘draw’ the ball out a bunker. Charley Hull did/ can.
Club Testing
All the group got to test a wide variety of TaylorMade drivers, fairway woods, hybrids and irons. Fitters were on hand to discuss each player’s requirements and answer any questions about existing clubs or new options. The Stealth driver was a particular favourite, and I know some of our team were keen to add it to their bag. Watch this space.
Nine hole Competition
The Porters Park course looked in fantastic condition and the Women & Golf team had a great 9 holes in lovely conditions although it did get colder later in the day.
The highlight of the round was the par 4 4th (425 yards with a brook at 370 yards). Charley and Annabel both took tee shots that the team could take as their preferred ball down the fairway. Charley hit a massive tee shot that fell left of the fairway but not that short of the brook. Our team as you can imagine were some way back!
Prize Giving
Team Women & Golf didn’t win the 1st prize but we did pick up Team Longest Drive and Ju won Nearest the Pin. Fabulous prizes includes TaylorMade Tour bags, trolley & stand bags plus winter gloves & champagne!
Final Thoughts
Ju’s thoughts
It was an excellent day. Lovely food, brilliant goody bag and prizes, nice course. I did not expect to win that prize from Women and Golf or played golf and meet with the top England player. I really was speechless. I also would like to say big thank you to the TaylorMade team, Charley Hull, Annabel Dimmock and Mia Baker… it was big opportunity to learn and help play better golf. Special thanks to Women and Golf. Thanks again, it’s much appreciated.
Claire’s thoughts
“I think we all had a wonderful experience on a fantastic course and even the weather was kind. Vanessa and I very much enjoyed the hospitality of Porters Park and meeting Ju and Martine and also Jane, from Women and Golf, who really looked after us all day. The variety of events during the day made it not only fun but we learned a lot. Charley, Annabel, Mia and the TaylorMade team were very friendly and were generous with their time, knowledge and experience. I have tried to put their hints and tips to good use – some with better results than others but it’s always helpful to see how this complicated game of golf could be played. Jane is quite right, both Ju and I were surprised to find ourselves at this TaylorMade event which I believe was their first for women – bravo TaylorMade – but I think we made the most of it – thank you! Of course a big thank you also goes to Women and Golf for providing the opportunity.”
“A money can’t buy experience” was one comment I heard during the day. Our team had a wonderful time and would love to see more of these days.
The organisation by TaylorMade, the beautiful and interesting course (Porters Park in Hertfordshire) and the clubhouse hospitality were all top-notch. The team’s favourite hole was the 9th. And the prizes, fantastic! Plus a real treat to meet, up close and personal, two female English professional golf stars and get to question them about their game and what advice they would give to us amateurs.
Bravo Charley Hull and Annabel Dimmock. Thank You TaylorMade.
P.S. Annabel scored an impressive -14 and tied 5th at the KPMG Womens Irish Open the following week & we like to think we sprinkled a little bit of stardust on her!
You can see the latest TaylorMade women’s clubs at taylormadegolf.co.uk
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