Golfshake Members Embark on A Golfing Odyssey

Golfshake recently welcomed three lucky golfers to embark on their own 'Golfing Odyssey' to the Home of Golf, St. Andrews, where they enjoyed an Odyssey Golf Experience Day in the shadows of the most iconic destination in the game, taking the dream opportunity to walk in the footsteps of history, and to discover which putter is right for them.

Peter Hewitt, Colin Crooke, and Pete Wells are keen Golfshake members and have combined to track around 2,000 rounds on the website. Staying at the spectacular Fairmont St. Andrews, the trio played golf on the Torrance and Kittocks Courses, before later sampling the delights of links golf on the famous New Course at St. Andrews, with their time in the Auld Grey Toon completed with a round on the legendary Himalayas, the original and unquestionably best putting course.

However, the centerpiece of their week was that Odyssey Golf Experience Day. Receiving a Custom Fit Putter Session with Odyssey and the St. Andrews Links Academy Team, the guys learned about the nuances of putter technology, and discovered many of the intricacies within their strokes. Taking this knowledge forward, our winners also had the chance to learn from the highly regarded Director of Instruction at St. Andrews Links, Steve North, who showcased a Putter Masterclass.

Great custom fit session with @OdysseyEurope @TheHomeofGolf with the Links Academy #AGolfingOdyssey pic.twitter.com/46GKFrbYMn

— golfshake (@golfshake) May 10, 2018

Peter, a 12 handicap reflected: "I've already had a putter fitting from an Odyssey Golf Pro so knew what to expect from the fitting experience. All golfers use their putter more than any other club and with the level of detail the SAM Putting Lab can offer, you can really understand what you need to do to improve your putting - as well as it also recommending the perfect putter type and even grip for your technique. It shows how you take your putter back and how you bring the putter through - top this off with the fact that they can provide the perfect putter for your technique and you have a really powerful tool to help improve your putting. Having had both a driver and putter fitting, I would always choose a putter fitting over a driver fitting due to the amount of times you use your putter during a round of golf.

"What I took away from the custom fitting is the confidence to know that the putter I am using is right for me and that has given me huge confidence when on the putting green. Just like when you get fitted for irons, by getting a custom fit experience for your putting, you know the equipment you are using is right for you and with putting being all about feel, it gives you the confidence to hole more putts."

Pete, who has 27 putters in his loft, was in search of an answer to his putting woes during the Odyssey Golf Experience Day. "I’d heard about putter fitting but didn’t realise just how in-depth it was and how the data could be used to change certain characteristics of a putter to complement your individual putting stroke.

"I’ve previously bought putters (many, many, many putters!) on looks, feel, for their stated alignment properties, or a host of other reasons. None have lasted. With the wealth of data available to the fitter and their ability to make various adjustments to a putter I think I’ll have a club that will perform as well as it can and help me get the best out of my stroke. I was especially pleased that our fitter and our masterclass coach were able to explain technical matters in a down to earth manner and get across what these meant to everyday playing of the game."

Colin, an 11 handicap, had never experienced a Putter Fitting, and was looking for a more fact-based method of selecting the right putter for his game. "Going through that session showed me the value of a Putter Fitting. It’s 30 percent of the shots that you hit. I enjoyed it. It was interesting to see how consistent my stroke was and why my ball went to the left. Lot of facts and figures, but you could relate to it. (Odyssey) is quality, easy to use, and comfortable.”

Learning lots about putter strokes & custom fit #AGolfingOdyssey pic.twitter.com/W7aPrZQVLe

— golfshake (@golfshake) May 10, 2018

It was a dream experience for the guys. Spending time at the Home of Golf and receiving an informative and exciting Day with Odyssey Golf. When asked to give a summary of the week, Pete Wells put it best. "My Golfing Odyssey was great fun. The hotel was sumptuous (and served the best apple crumble I have ever tasted!); the Fairmont courses were terrific with fabulous views; St Andrews really is a must-see for all golfers; the putter fitting was meticulous and really made sense; the putting masterclass has given me a few drills to help concentrate my practice, and one tip in particular has boosted my confidence on the greens. And the icing on the cake was the friendliness and camaraderie of all involved – my fellow Golfing Odyssey winners, the St Andrews Academy pros, and the Golfshake guys. Golf is somewhat of an obsession – it was great to share that with others in such a brilliant setting."

Thanks to Pete, Colin and Peter for sharing their Golfing Odyssey with us. For more information about Odyssey Golf, visit the Official Website or follow on Twitter and Facebook. If you wish to stay at the superb Fairmont St. Andrews, check out their Website. And for the St. Andrews Links, and its unrivaled seven courses, here is their Website.