AG194-November by Asia Pacific Golf Group

INTRODUCING INTRODUCIN G

N E W T I T L E I S T 9 1 7 D R I V E R S. M A X I M U M D I S TA N C E, F O R G I V E N E S S A N D P R E C I S E A D J U S T A B I L I T Y. E x p e r i e n ce 9 1 7 d r i ve r s f o r yo u r s e l f. Vi s i t t i t l e i st .co m . s g /9 1 7 to l e a r n m o re.

ISSUE

194

NOVEMBER 2016

SPECIAL FEATURE 18 Bali – Golf’s Super Change Agent There’s a new golf course on Bali, and it’s already making waves. Called Bukit Pandawa Golf & Country Club, the layout opened in mid-October as the first 18-hole par-3 championship course in Indonesia. Asian Golf brings you the story behind this evolution.

22 USA on Asia’s Doorstep Have you ever dreamed of a fun golf vacation to the United States along with great duty-free shopping in large American stores and Las Vegas style shows? Well, there is no need for a long and expensive flight to the mainland USA or Hawaii – the beautiful island of Guam and the Northern Marianas are an easy flight from every major air-hub in Asia and it is waiting to be discovered.

26 Driven By Innovation The Marina Bay Golf Club, nestled within the outer boundaries of the bustling city of Singapore has caused quite a stir. Already a very established and successful public facility, the club has introduced a revolutionary Par 6 which is proving to be a big draw with golfers.

6 Asian Golf Editorial Team

7 Shared Thoughts From Publisher

64 Next Issue

36 COBRA PUMA Has Done It – The DeChambeau Irons!

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56 How You Can Hit Golf Shots Under Pressure by Building a Pressure Loop

44 The Ultimate In Feel, Feedback And Forgiveness

In the golf world we praise the victor but don’t think twice about the guy or gal who came second. When we see Adam Scott put on the green jacket, Henrik Stenson kiss the Open Championship claret jug, or Lydia Ko getting showered by champagne following a victory, we rarely consider the thousands of hours of physical and mental investment it took to get them there.

Wilson has launched its most exciting iron to date. It is the newest addition to its award winning FG Tour line, the Wilson Staff FG Tour™ V6 Irons.

60 Muay Thai And Golf – There Is A Connection! Who would have ever thought that golff ers could benefit from Muay Thai boxing? It’s a tough form of martial arts that demands total fitness and mental concentration. But our man Tony Meechai (who is an American of Thai origin) believes that serious golfers have a lot to learn from the ancient martial arts.

40 A Global Tour – It Will Happen! Over the past few years, there has been a lot of talk and discussions about the formation of one global golf tour. Whatever you call it, the likelihood of a global golf tour materializing stands a better chance of becoming reality than just remaining as a pipe-dream.

52 Problems With Putting – PING’s Master Fitter Is The Man To Call Asian Golf’s dedicated section on club fitting is proud to present part five of a six part series in this month’s edition. The focus this month falls on the finer points relating to the most important aspect of the game of golf – putting.

48 How Would You Like To Drive Crazy Long? Chances are that there are many of you out there who have heard of special competitions that are devoted exclusively to “long drives”. These events are no circus shows – these tournaments are serious and both the contestants and manufacturers take it seriously. One such manufacturer that has been involved in long drive championships for many years is KRANK Golf, a club maker who lives and breathes in the long drive world. ASIAN GOLF caught up with Lance recently and sat down for a chat with the man who designs drivers that sort of resemble the gutsy and ferocious cars that race on the NASCAR circuit.

FASHION TREND 30 FootJoy’s HYPERFLEX™ - Another ther Winner! After its successful global launch, FootJoy tJoy has come back with the HYPERFLEX II, the latest iteration in the highly successful HYPERFLEX family and nd the latest offering is described as “Performance Reimagined”.

34 PING Launches Innovative Apparel parel Line PING, the brand associated with quality ty golf clubs has entered the golf apparel business.. The Phoenixbased company has introduced a new w partnership with COOLMAX®, a leading fabric-technology hnology brand, to further elevate PING’s innovative SensorCool ensorCool and SensorWarm product categories.

MIKE SEBASTIAN Chief Executive Officer/Managing Editor

ANGELA RAYMOND President

[ mike@asiapacificgolfgroup.com ]

[ angela@asiapacificgolfgroup.com ]

RAQUEL M. ARCEGA Art Director & Ezine Development [ raquel@asiapacificgolfgroup.com ]

WAYNE LWEE Social Media/Video Editor

LAWRENCE YOUNG Editor (New Equipment)

[ wayne@asiapacificgolfgroup.com ]

MYRA PARAS Accounts Executive

[ myra@asiapacificgolfgroup.com ]

Contributing Professionals

[ lawrence@asiapacificgolfgroup.com ]

ALICE HO Marketing Executive

[ alice@asiapacificgolfgroup.com ]

TONY MEECHAI, DAVID MILNE & LAWRIE MONTAGUE (PRO TOUR GOLF COLLEGE), JEFFREY BOSE, JIM PRUSA (INTERNATIONAL ROVING EDITOR)

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SHARED THOUGHTS From The Publisher

he media, both general news and the trade need to be led to the edge of a steep cliff and unceremoniously bumped off into the deepest part of a bottomless abyss. Nothing less will be fair treatment for the rubbishing that they have accorded Tiger Woods – arguably the greatest player of all time. Let us all not forget that Tiger is a winner of fourteen major championships and seventy-nine career PGA tournaments. With such a track record to his name, is it proper for us to question if and when he decides to make a comeback to the game that he helped grow or even to reprimand him if and when he decides to change his mind? For what he has done for the modern game of golf, he is entitled to a certain degree of latitude in making decisions about his future in golf. Anyway, as far as we are concerned, we made the call nearly two years ago that Tiger would not be able to return to the game at the level that he had occupied and dominated for so long. He first reached the number one position in the world rankings in June 1997. Through the 2000s, Tiger was the dominant force in golf, spending 264 weeks from August 1999 to September 2004 and 281 weeks from June 2005 to October 2010 as World Number One. How many of us recall the “fear factor” that Tiger’s very presence created in the minds of his fellow competitors especially on the world’s number one tour – the PGA Tour. His supreme physical fitness, playing skills and mental frame of mind was almost god-like. His insatiable desire to win was an incessant obsession and he would not settle for anything less. That killer instinct is now gone and we do not see it coming back. The very phenomenon that he created, the Tiger “fear factor” is now a mental obstacle for him and as long as he questions his ability to perform at the highest level and drive himself towards victory, the fist-pumping, teethgnashing and prancing champion that we all got to know and love will never be. We spoke to a leading orthopaedic sur-

geon who rationalises that given the injuries that Tiger has suffered and the surgical procedures that he has had conducted on him, it will not permit him to play at the level that led him to such astronomical stardom and fame. While the operations have “repaired” him to be able to continue living a normal, pain-free life, he will never again be able to become competitive and smash golf balls with his power swings, a hallmark of his game. So, as we bid Tiger’s competitive career good-bye let us get ready to welcome the emergence of a global business titan. Meet Tiger The Entrepreneur! He has embarked on a new career and recently announced the launch of TGR, a new company that will house a portfolio of Tiger-related businesses. Tiger will serve as chairman and plans to be closely involved in day-to-day decisionmaking. In making the announcement, he said, “There is so much excitement about the potential of TGR and I’m excited to explore the possibilities in design, product development, hospitality, and possibly entertainment.” He is also unveiling his new logo, made up of three triangles that look like a tiger’s stripes and also resemble a W. It’s a big move for the golf superstar, who is bringing all of his existing businesses under a single umbrella for the first time and will also pursue new endeavours under the TGR brand. The company gives Tiger a unified corporate structure that will serve as a home base for all of his businesses moving forward. Tiger is wagering that the move will help define his legacy and keep him in the game long after he’s done bringing home golf titles. Here’s wishing him the best of luck as an entrepreneur and if he conducts his business affairs like he played his game of golf, let the billions start rolling in!

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COVER STORY Tanjong Re-Born

ISSUE 194

NOVEMBER 2016

COVER STORY Tanjong Re-Born

hat many thought would be a run-ofthe-mill renovation exercise instead turned out to be a full-blown total transformation of the Tanjong. The finished product bears no resemblance to the old Tanjong. It is an absolutely awe-inspiring experience to stand on the first tee-box and be able to soak in a stunning golf vista of the new course. It is a brilliant design concept that has been cleverly carved out of a tight piece of land which has taken in all of the environmental assets and natural beauty of the real estate and armed with a sizeable budget and deft management, has breathed a new life and vibrancy to an old and tired course. Gone are the days when the Tanjong had no choice but to quietly submit to playing second fiddle to its world-renowned sister course, the award-winning Serapong Course. After a history spanning over forty years and playing the role of Cinderella to the flamboyant Serapong, the New Tanjong has emerged from its chrysalis, transformed and re-born as a majestic beauty. The New Tanjong is a golf course that has been meticulously planned, creatively crafted and expertly sculptured on what is perhaps some of the most expensive real state avail-

13 ASIAN GOLF

After a history spanning over forty years and playing the role of Cinderella to the flamboyant Serapong, the New Tanjong has emerged from its chrysalis, transformed and re-born as a majestic beauty.” able on the face of this planet. The public unveiling of the New Tanjong is just weeks away and it would be worth mentioning that the multi-million dollar project was brought in ahead of schedule and under budget. This in itself is something to crow about because it is tangible evidence that when a project of this scale is left in the hands of experts, only the best can be expected as the final outcome. The man who had the task of piloting the project was Andy Johnston, general manager and director of agronomy at Sentosa Golf Club. With a check for S$32.5 million in the bank, Johnston assembled a crack team of professionals and flew right into action late in 2015. In an interview with Asian Golf, Johnston revealed that the New Tanjong had been stretched to more than 6,620 metres

from the championship tees. “Uppermost in our minds when we embarked on the project was to think bold and be different,” Johnston said. And that’s exactly how the course has turned out – bold and different. And these qualities have manifested themselves in many aspects of the course which provide for a real discovery – a discovery of exhilaration and fascination that will appeal to the most discerning of golfers! For a sense of how Johnston and his team pulled off their magical touch on the New Tanjong, Asian Golf conducted a wide-ranging interview with Johnston and is proud to present excerpts from this interview:

ASIAN GOLF: Tanjong completed ahead of schedule. This must come as a very satisfying achievement. Talk to this.

ISSUE 194

ANDY JOHNSTON: From the onset, we estab-

AG: There is no denying the fact

lished some aggressive goals for the project. This involved a one year window to redevelop the New Tanjong. Several industry associates had labelled this as an impossible mission. The requirements of the New Tanjong were immense: no two holes or lakes were to be in the same location; we moved over 750,000m3 of earth during the process. The project planning worked out to be a full 12 months, comprising 8 months of construction followed by a 4-month maturation period. For most of my career, I have been involved in golf course development, golf course design, agronomy and operations. Early in my career, I worked for the late great Dave Harman (designer of Kurry Cliffs). He had a saying that has resonated with me for the better part of 25 years: “Plan your work and work your plan”. When you follow this simple rule of thumb, everything will fall into place.

that you put to use every inch of land available to you in building this course. This must have been a big challenge?

AG: What started as a renovation of an old course seems to have turned out to be a total re-build. Would this be a correct assumption?

AJ: The transformation has no resemblance to the old layout due to the fact that we took a decision to abort the old layout and take on a brand new routing that gives us future options to continue to grow.

AJ: The New Tanjong property is very tight. It is smaller than most would want when looking at a golf course layout. We used our creative skills to accomplish this.

AG: Looking at the way the course has been sculptured, it is very ery apparr ent that that you spent many y sleepless hours and nights seeking ng out the most creative ways in which to lay-out the course. Talk to this. his. AJ: Having such a close connection ion to the e been land over the several years I have o develop working for Sentosa, I was able to essed our a new creative routing that addressed past problems. I then passed the proposed routing to o studied my colleague, Matt Swanson who the routing, made improvementss and ombined helped develop a grading plan combined ents. with the balance of plan documents. edevelop Together we used these to redevelop the New Tanjong. With my deep background working with Matt and being on site daily, I was able to enhance the deeep the sign with field adjustments to keep st as pace of the project moving as fast

The large amount of annual rainfall in Singapore meant we needed to design a bunker that nott only looks great but can hold up to the weather without having to push h up the sand on a daily basis. Not only nly can I say that we have achieved thiss but we have done it in the spirit of Alister and his work.”

NOVEMBER 2016

possible, and also to enhance the quality of the design. The end result is a New Tanjong which embodies our vast golf design and operational experience.

AG: There are some fabulous vistas that you have opened up on the course – especially some of the elevated tee positions and the panoramic visual sweeps of the ocean and the cityscape. These are fairly stunning treats for golfers wouldn’t you agree?

COVER STORY Tanjong Re-Born

AJ: The views from the historic Pyramid area of the New Tanjong are unreal. So many people say they have never seen anything like it. We can see into the CBD of Singapore, the Southern Islands of Singapore and over the SGC Clubhouse out to the Singapore Straits. It is a stunning panoramic view that is a must see!

AG: With the completion of the New Tanjong, you seem to have achieved an “integrated look” for the two courses. There seems to be a seamless integration of both the courses. Would you agree?

AJ: There are features that are distinct and special to each of our golf courses, such as in their design style, the number and size of bunkers, size of greens and the type fairway grass. But overall, our plan is to deliver and present two high quality golf courses of equal challenge, with the best greens in Asia 365 days of the year. AG: The turf on the course looks fabulous – hear you have planted the course with Zorro Zoysia. Why did you select this species of turf? AJ: There are several new varieties of sport turf grasses in the market. Most of these have not had the opportunity to be used in new golf courses in the past 10 years, large-

15 ASIAN GOLF

ly due to the depressed world economy and the overall lack of new golf construction worldwide. I saw the new Zorro grass we are now using for the New Tanjong for the very first time some seven years ago while helping Tom Watson’s design firm update one of Kansas City’s great courses - Loch Lloyd Country Club. Although the Zorro was not a fit for that particular project, I continued to keep an eye on the development of this grass. This grass will be a game changer for golf, as we continue to explore the possibilities it offers. I hope to offer a fairway cut between 5mm and 7mm on the new Tanjong.

AG: Your fairways look so well-manicured that one could mistake them to be greens. In fact, the fairways look good enough to putt on. How do achieve this condition?

AJ: The credit goes to the new Zorro grass in the fairways and our relentless agronomic programme to push the turf to perform to the highest standards of excellence. With the use of the new Zorro, our vision is to present the fairways like our greens and tees.

AG: Unlike Serapong, the New Tanjong has only about 30 bunkers. Talk about the bunkers and what is unique about these features? And did you draw inspiration from the late

great Alister MacKenzie especially in relation to the way your bunkers have been designed?

AJ: One of the challenges of redeveloping the New Tanjong was to give the course its own identity. The reduction in bunkers was a design concept inspired in part by the award winning Serapong Course - which has 122 bunkers. The reduction in bunkers will help with productivity. We also know that bunkers are a distinctive part of a golf course’s personality. Therefore, we developed a concept that embraced a design concept of a more traditional golf course. The inspiration of Alister MacKenzie’s work at Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath, Metropolitan in the Melbourne sand belt has had a big impact on the design thinking and planning, but so did another one of his greats efforts - the collaboration with Bobby Jones at Augusta National. The high face of the sand belt bunkering combined with the massive size of bunkers at Augusta both allowed us to develop a bunkering scheme that shares some hints from these historic venues but still allowed us to develop our own style, as we are in a very different weather location. The large amount of annual rainfall in Singapore meant we needed to design a bunker that not only looks great but can hold up to the weather without having to push up the sand on a daily basis. Not only can I say that

ISSUE 194

we have achieved this but we have done it in the spirit of Alister and his work.

AG: The way the course has been designed and built, one gets a sense that it drains extremely well. Is this really the case? AJ: The New Tanjong not only drains well, but it is a blue print example of golf construction for many to take note of and follow - on how efficient we have been with the existing features, soils and resources. The old Tanjong had a metre sand cap on it. During our planning phases, we mapped out an earth work management plan to remove the sand cap, stockpile it, then once the grade work was completed replace this sand. This on top of an extremely aggressive infrastructure and network of drainage could make this one of the most well-draining golf courses in Asia. On top of reusing the sand cap on the fairways, we also reused the greens mix in the greens, crushed all the old cart paths and used the concrete as base aggregate for the cart paths and relocated hundreds of trees including over ten very large Ficus trees. AG: You have some exciting water features on the course. Describe the features?

AJ: In the design concept, we used the property’s natural contouring to incorporate

NOVEMBER 2016

The Tanjong will be welcoming golfers in a few days from now and as the English philosopher and writer Alan Watts said, “The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance. So, let the party begin as The New Tanjong works its way to fame and glory!” a few water features. These features can be seen on the 1st and 10th holes as well as the 4th, 5th,6th and 7th holes. The features allow us to aerate our irrigation water through a water reticulation mechanism that pushes the water around the property. The water features are also designed to allow us to use them to minimise any “noise pollution” as they are strategically located in some highly congested areas to improve the playing experience.

AG: Were many mature trees moved and re-planted? AJ: We replanted well over 300 of the existing trees and took bold measures to relocate even some very large Ficus trees. The contractor did a great job handling these

and moved them to new locations.

AG: Once you launch the New Tanjong, your members and golfers would have access to two world class golf courses. This in itself is quite an achievement. Your thoughts? AJ: Members will have a “happy dilemma” choosing which golf course to play. I hope that they will come and enjoy and be proud of both our golf courses. The Tanjong will be welcoming golfers in a few days from now and as the English philosopher and writer Alan Watts said, “The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance. So, let the party begin as The New Tanjong works its way to fame and glory!

SPECIAL FEATURE FEATTURE Bukit Pandawa Golf and Country Club

19 ASIAN GOLF

ISSUE 194

NOVEMBER 2016

With the reported decline in golf, especially in the developed world, the brilliant gate-keepers of the hallowed game have been busy racking their brains to come up with equally brilliant and ingenuous ways to place a tourniquet to stop the haemorrhaging. Ideas have ranged from shortening golf courses to new formats of play and even relaxing the somewhat stern rules of the game which many feel is killing golf. But so typical of a bureaucracy-driven initiative, a lot of these suggestions have been more lip service than anything else. Just a lot of talk but very little action until NOW! Who would have thought that the idyllic “Island of the Gods”, more popularly known as Bali, would be the agent of change to step up to the plate and hit a homerun for the “new face of golf”? Well, Bali has done it and let’s hope that the golf world sits up to acknowledge and salute Bali for what it has done.

SPECIAL FEATURE Bukit Pandawa Golf and Country Club

o, what has Bali done? Simply put, some Indonesian entrepreneurs have awoken to the need to think differently and come up with an out-of-the-box idea for golf. They have come up with a Par-3 course. Hold on a minute – a Par-3 course – what’s the big deal you may ask? Well, for starters it is not a basic Par-3 course of which we have a few in Southeast Asia. Unlike others in the region, this new course is spread out over 18-holes. Let your mind’s eye go absolutely ballistic and imagine what it would be like playing Par-3’s over 18-holes - what a treat! The Bali course is a beauty – a sacred shrine that all golfers should visit as a special pilgrimage. The course is the Bukit Pandawa Golf and Country Club which opened to play in mid-October, the fifth golf venue on the Island of the Gods and the first 18-hole par-3 championship course in Indonesia. Located on a spectacular limestone clifftop overlooking the world-famous surf breaks of Bukit Peninsula, the course offers 18 exquisite par-3 holes ranging from 117 to 244 yards in length. “We’re setting the stage for everything that’s to come here,” said Stephen Banks,

21 ASIAN GOLF

In designing Bukit Pandawa, the architect, American Bob Moore, embraced the contours and characteristics of a site that was rife with rock outcroppings, architectural ruins and sea views. Indeed, the ocean is visible from 15 holes.” general manager of Bukit Pandawa. “We’re equal parts ground-breaking, eye-popping and extraordinary.” From the back tees, it plays 3,027 yards. Some holes at Bukit Pandawa are backdropped by the Indian Ocean. Others are accented by waterfalls, lakes or terraced rice paddies. All are subject to the wind. “It can be a real test ….. when the breeze is up – and it almost always is – there’s a good chance you’ll use every club in the bag. Even driver,” said Banks. A standout hole is the 148-yard 13th, which is framed by three bunkers and features curved stone walls in the foreground and a traditional Balinese kul-kul tower in the background.

One important consideration to note is that a round takes no more than a couple hours to complete. In designing Bukit Pandawa, the architect, American Bob Moore, embraced the contours and characteristics of a site that was rife with rock outcroppings, architectural ruins and sea views. Indeed, the ocean is visible from 15 holes. To round out the total golf experience at Bukit Pandawa, a 3,000-square-metre clubhouse inspired by the ancient temples and towers of Bali has been constructed. Finally, change has become reality and we can only hope that this will lead to more easy-to-play, fun golf courses in Southeast Asia! Well done Bali!

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SPECIAL FEATURE Micronesia Golf Tourism Report

Have you ever dreamed of a fun golf vacation to the United States along with great duty-free shopping in large American stores and Las Vegas style shows? Well, [OLYL PZ UV ULLK MVY H SVUN HUK L_WLUZP]L ÅPNO[ [V [OL THPUSHUK <:( VY /H^HPP ¶ [OL ILH\[PM\S PZSHUK VM .\HT HUK [OL 5VY[OLYU 4HYPHUHZ HYL HU LHZ` ÅPNO[ MYVT L]LY` major air-hub in Asia, Australia and New Zealand. hby James Graham Prusai

23 ASIAN GOLF

Jim Prusa and Noburu Izumi, Managing Director /GHRA Vice Chairman

ISSUE 194

ew realize that the USA is actually sitting directly on Asia’s doorstep and waiting to greet visitors with a warm “Hafa Adai!” With its great golf courses, terrific scuba diving, abundant shopping, island hopping, Vegas shows, and world-class epicurean delights, Guam is an affordable, quick trip to the USA. It’s only a difference of a few timezone hours from Manila, Singapore, Jakarta or Kuala Lumpur with no jetlag. Upon landing at Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport (GUM) – without jetlag – one immediately sees and experiences that it is the USA, albeit with a comforting Asian accent. Guam is a hidden treasure that has primarily been catering for decades to inbound tourists from Japan – and more recently a wave from Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, and a groundswell from Southeast Asia is starting. Getting there for Asians is easy with low cost airfares and growing numbers of direct

flights. Hotels are abundant and run a wide range of pricing. Guam is the perfect blend of 100% America combined with distinctive Asian flavors of culture, food, and hospitality. The tropical islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota are easily accessible from Guam as well. So how is golf fairing in the Northern Mariana Islands? Golf course development in the Mariana Islands has now come to a standstill after a mini-boom that lasted three decades. Originally driven by inbound golf tourism from Japan, now Koreans and Chinese have buoyed up play participation although Japan still accounts for the majority of golfers on most courses. The devaluation of the yen has made it more expensive for visitors from Japan and this has play levels flat – the golf season does peak from December through March as the snowbird golfers flock to Guam from Northeast Asia. However, there is certainly plenty more starting time availability these

NOVEMBER 2016

days, as inbound golf tourism from Northeast Asia has leveled. “While Guam tourism and visitor arrivals seem to be climbing overall, in the golf industry here we see a slight decline,” explains Lon Lindsey, the Director of Golf at the Country Club of the Pacific. “We are seeing the Japanese market segment gradually declining with Japan’s aging population and the devalued yen as influencing factors. However, Guam is viewed as a very safe destination and our huge diversity of cultures here helps us compete to attract new golf visitors from South Asia. “I know Guam as a whole is working to promote tourism from all of Asia – we are definitely facing directly west to Asia. Guam golf clubs have experienced a slight decline in memberships and there was a drop after 9/11 on top of the Asian financial crisis – golf never fully recovered. So, we definitely can accommodate more golfers on Guam’s golf courses.”

Country Club of the Pacific

SPECIAL FEATURE Micronesia Golf Tourism Report

Starts Guam Golf Resort

Jim Prusa and Lon Lindsey, the Director of Golf at the Country Club of the Pacific:

25 ASIAN GOLF

According to the Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB), inbound traffic now exceeds 1.3 million annually with waning numbers of Japanese still significantly leading the Northeast Asia inbound traffic and growing numbers of travelers from the Philippines leading inbound visits from Southeast Asia. Josh Tyquiengco with the GVB reports that, “We get a majority of our tourists from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, the United States, and China. Those are the target markets right now, where growth and diversification has been expanding in recent years.” Additionally, there are efforts being made to add the Philippines and Vietnam to the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program, but that is something the federal government [USA] will have to decide on. There are seven golf courses on Guam and another five on Saipan – all are accessible to the public. Green fees are very reasonable and run from a low-end ranging up to a top out at around US$150. These rates are inclusive of golf cars. Hotels can provide arrangements, but one can also easily book a time directly with the golf courses. Golf is definitely American self-play style with 2-seater golf buggies. Thus an adjustment is necessary for Asians who are usually accustomed to the traditional service of caddies. Guam’s golf courses are well maintained and players from East Asia can expect to play on familiar grasses including Bermuda, Zoysia and Paspalum. Noboru Izumi is the Managing Director /GHRA Vice Chairman who runs the Starts

Guam Golf Resort is from Japan and has been on Guam managing golf courses for years. “We are a Japanese company with 1,200 members at Starts Guam Golf resort and housing around 18-holes that is sold out. There is another housing phase planned. Most of our golfers are Japanese, but we are seeing a small amount of Koreans now. “Our Starts course was designed by Chohei Miyazawa (who also designed the respected Royal Golf & Country Club in Thailand and others throughout Asia) thirty years ago now. Additionally we have a luxury hotel on the property with sixty-two very large rooms and these are packed with our members many times of the year.” Izumi-san made note that “We really want to attract in some other Asians and we are looking at Southeast Asia. I now see many Filipinos coming to Guam to shop and buy things. Merchandise on Guam is actually less expensive here than in Asia and there’s no tax. It’s better to buy on Guam – it’s kind of a shopping paradise!” With Guam so closely positioned geographically to Southeast Asia, if the USA will wisely approve the addition of all the ASEAN nations to the special Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program it would further boost inbound tourism from Asia’s fastest growing economies. Such would surely be good for all of Asia Pacific golf. As Southeast Asians increasingly flock to Guam for golf and more, one can expect to hear the Chamorro greeting of Hafa Adai and that it can well become as familiar to Asian golfers as Hawaii’s Aloha!

SPECIAL FEATURE Driven By Innovation

Are golf courses susceptible to change? It’s a fascinating question and like the game of golf, it would probably be fair to say that change is not something that would occupy prominence and be uppermost on a golf club’s operational KPIs. It is very much the nature of the business. Why change when everything is looking hunky dory. Then again, golfers are a strange breed of people – by and large they like their golf clubs to remain as they like it – UNCHANGED! It is the way it is and the trend is global. It is called maintaining the status quo. Against this backdrop, when change does happen, it gets noticed and this report is about how one golf club decided to buck the trend and become a change agent.

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hange becomes even more significant when the club that makes the change is a public golf course and not an exclusive private country club. The club that has caused quite a stir is the Marina Bay Golf Club nestled within the outer boundaries of the bustling city of Singapore. Already a very established and successful public facility, the club decided to introduce some changes to widen its appeal to golfers. The highpoint of its change menu involved the introduction of a revolutionary Par 6 on a course that was already very tight on real estate. Against this challenge, the management pushed through with the idea, found the space and built the Par 6 without even shutting down the golf course! Since the Par 6 has opened to general

play, droves of golfers have been taking up the challenge to play the hole and many golfers are enjoying the experience of playing the long Par 6. “Overall, most golfers have found the par 6 to be challenging and fun. Once the trees in front of the green mature, golfers can look forward to a more interesting game at the par 6,” explained Stanley Ho, golf manager of the club. Ho went on to say, “The creation of a par 6 aims to provide golfers with a renewed experience of our golf course now that it has been 10 years’ since it opened to the public and against a slowing economy, the introduction of the Par 6 has fueled interest among the golfing community and has kept the golfers coming.” Since its launch ten years ago, the club has set very high operational standards not dissimilar to that of a private country club. “We have made it our mission to provide

NOVEMBER 2016

our guests with the best value-for-money golfing experience without compromising our financial obligations. And as we do not rely on a steady income stream of membership fees, you could say that we have been compelled to think out of the box on ways to differentiate ourselves and to make Marina Bay Golf Course appealing to golfers,” Ho pointed out. The club does not plan to sit on its laurels and is already considering more changes to help boost the playing experience for golfers. Get a hold of this – the club is already planning on introducing six balls-per-flight, Golf+ (premier) services and flexible tee times and hole tee-offs. Marina Bay Golf Club is certainly on a roll and it is keeping golf exciting and relevant to changing times. “The only constant is change. And we want to change for the better,” Ho concluded.

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FASHION TREND FootJoy Hyperﬂex II

Do you recall FootJoy’s HyperFlex golf shoes? This was the revolutionary design that was inspired by the Leonard P. Zakim suspension bridge in Boston. The HyperFlex was described as a major breakthrough in golf shoe technology and design and it featured a neverbefore-seen, wholly engineered material known as FlexGrid - claimed to provide both comfort and the lateral stability necessary to support the unique movements of golf. In a nutshell the /`WLYÅL_ LHYULK P[Z YPNO[ [V IL JHSSLK [OL NVSM ZOVL that “let’s you perform at your highest level.”

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FASHION TREND FootJoy Hyperﬂex II

A newly designed FlexGrid 3.0 BioMorph upper pattern is fused to the underlying mesh. Designed to mimic and work in concert with the ligaments of the foot, the new BioMorph pattern allows for more natural movement and flexibility while walking and throughout the golf swing, yet still delivers the lateral stability needed.

fter its successful global launch, FootJoy has come back with the HYPERFLEX II, the latest iteration in the highly successful HYPERFLEX family and the latest offering is described as “Performance Reimagined”. Commenting on the HYPERFLEX II, Timothy Yoong, FJ’s Regional Brand Manager said, “Another winner from FJ with the new Biomorphing look. The shoes look outstanding with some great colour options to select from. The new HyperFlex II is a shoe

33 ASIAN GOLF

that will perform as good as it looks.” The HYPERFLEX™ II features a completely reimagined BioMorph exoskeleton upper designed to mimic the ligaments of the foot – as such HYPERFLEX II delivers lightweight support, cushioning and enhanced flexibility to elevate your game to its highest level. It features a tight-knit, lightweight, soft, flexible, waterproof mesh upper, which allows for maximum comfort, breathability and flexibility. A newly designed FlexGrid 3.0 BioMorph upper pattern is fused to the underlying mesh. Designed to mimic and work in concert with the ligaments of the foot, the new BioMorph pattern allows for

more natural movement and flexibility while walking and throughout the golf swing, yet still delivers the lateral stability needed. “With the new Biomorph upper, our goal was to strike a balance between structure and flexibility and deliver those benefits in the exact locations they’re needed,” said Doug Robinson, vice president of Golf Footwear world-wide. “We accomplished this by studying the physiology of the human foot and building an upper that worked in unison with the musculature and tendons of the foot to give the golfer a shoe that will move when they need it to and provide support when they need it,” he added.

OWNED AND MANAGED BY THE PENINSULA HOTELS

Thai Country Club www.thaicountryclub.com Tel: +66 (38) 570-234 inquiry@thaicountryclub.com The Peninsula Bangkok www.peninsula.com Tel: +66 (2) 861-2888 pbk@peninsula.com

FASHION TREND PING Apparel

PING, the brand associated with quality golf clubs has entered the golf apparel business. The Phoenix-based company has introduced a new partnership with COOLMAX®, a leading fabric-technology brand, to further elevate PING’s innovative SensorCool and SensorWarm product categories.

e’re committed to delivering premium products that are consistent with the quality and innovation that make PING one of only a few authentic golf brands,” said Andy Solheim, PING Executive Vice President. “Innovation begins with our in-house design and development teams working in close collaboration with partners like COOLMAX to offer cutting-edge designs that perform in all playing conditions.” COOLMAX All Season fabric contains fibres with a channeled surface to move moisture away from the body when

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the golfer is hot. In addition, COOLMAX fibres feature a hollow core to provide insulation for added comfort on cooler days. The fabric offers a permanent moisture-management solution in the Atlas and Radar polos, and the Midas ½ Zip, a polyester COOLMAX and Merino wool mid-layer piece. PING Apparel is also introducing its first golf pant to the U.S. market. The Lennox, a five-pocket chino-style pant, offers mechanical stretch and moisture-moving properties, is quick drying and crease resistant. “We’ve done extraordinarily well with our pants in Europe,” Solheim said. “We’re excited to bring the same technology and innovation to the States so golfers here can appreciate the advanced performance, comfort and easy care the Lennox provides.” PING Apparel is a new PING, Inc. business entity developed using the following design language: clean, considered, timeless, tailored and authentically cool. Every garment is engineered with one of three proprietary Sensor technologies - SensorCool, SensorWarm and SensorDry - and offers a contemporary fit, engineered for full freedom of movement.

COOLMAX All Season fabric contains fibres with a channeled surface to move moisture away from the body when the golfer is hot.”

NOVEMBER 2016

EQUIPMENT FOCUS COBRA KING

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Early in 2016, a young golfer who answers to the name Bryson DeChambeau hit the golf links and very quickly drew attention from a wide spectrum of the game’s pundits. He was so special that COBRA PUMA dashed out of the starting blocks to sign on the young man to P[Z ;V\Y :[HɈ )HJR [OLU +L*OHTILH\ ^HZ HU HTH[L\Y albeit a darn good one at that! When the American brand signed him on, there was widespread speculation that within months of DeChambeau coming on board, COBRA PUMA would launch a unique set VM JS\IZ THKL PU HJJVYKHUJL [V OPZ ZWLJPÄJH[PVUZ And what you may ask are DeChambeau’s speciÄJH[PVUZ& 65, 3,5.;/ MVY HSS JS\IZ 0[ ZV\UKZ strange but that’s how DeChambeau likes his clubs and now COBRA PUMA has come up with a 65, 3,5.;/ ZL[ VM JS\IZ

NOVEMBER 2016

EQUIPMENT FOCUS COBRA KING

he men’s KING F7 ONE LENGTH irons have debuted as COBRA’s first ever single-length iron set. Inspired by the brand’s relationship with DeChambeau, KING F7 ONE has been re-engineered for 7-iron length and weighting throughout the set, and the clubs are designed with optimized geometry to produce consistent trajectory and distance gapping from long irons to wedges. There are many in the industry who believe DeChambeau has the potential to be one of the best players in the world. Remember his win at Hilton Head where he gained 10 strokes on the field with his approach shots? If that type of strong play continues, if his potential is realized, expect ONE to be at the forefront of COBRA’s offerings for years to come. COBRA’s research shows that across the board players testing KING F7 ONE irons improved in accuracy, with tighter distance and dispersion variation from shot-to-shot. In addition, the clubs one-length design simplifies the set-up for one swing through the set leading to more centred club face impacts. Beyond long irons and approach shots, COBRA testing demonstrated improved short-game performance with the single-length set, due to the simplicity of set-up and execution. “I approach the game of golf a lot differently than most, primarily from a scientific standpoint,” said DeChambeau. “I have a more technical, unique swing than many other players, but there is a misconception that single-length irons are only for a single-plane swing like mine. That is simply not true. Regardless of how you swing and what your skill level is, you can benefit from the simplicity of a constant length set of irons. I am proud to be at the forefront of this with COBRA as preliminary research has shown that singlelength sets can make the game easier and more enjoyable for players of all swing types.” COBRA has also introduced the KING FORGED TOUR, along with its first FORGED TOUR ONE LENGTH set. “The KING FORGED ONE LENGTH irons are perfect for my game - allowing me to perform at

39 ASIAN GOLF

the highest level,” said DeChambeau. “My preferred feel is a forging, which these irons deliver along with a more compact head and reduced offset design for trajectory and shot-shaping control.” Rounding out the set are specialty wedges in 56 and 60 degrees. The Versatile grind design features toe, heel and trailing edge relief and is combined with COBRA’s notch technology, which allows the club to sit square and lower at address. COBRA’s patented milling technique delivers optimized surface roughness across the face that helps maximize spin and control for more precise shots around the green. The ONE LENGTH Wedge is a stunning looking wedge with extreme durability. In concert with the ONE LENGTH club launch, COBRA has also introduced the new KING F7 set of irons. “The 2017 iron offering is COBRA’s most innovative and exciting yet,” said Tom Olsavsky, Head of R&D for COBRA. “Not only have we improved our progressive sets this year, but we have introduced our first-ever ONE LENGTH option that will help to bring more consistency and simplicity to the game of golf for all players. In 2017 we will truly have an innovative, high-quality iron solution for every type of player.” The KING F7 builds upon the KING F6 model and incorporates COBRA’s patented TECFLO technology that utilizes advanced cavity construction to optimize the performance characteristics of each iron. What are the benefits of ONE Length irons you may ask? Well, according to COBRA, the answer can be summed up in a single word: Consistency. By their reckoning when irons are all one length, a 5-iron swing is the same as a pitching wedge swing. A more consistent setup should lead to more consistent results. According to COBRA’s Olsavsky, “If we can make you more consistent, you’re going to hit it better.”

SPECIAL FEATURE PGA Tour

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Over the past few years, there has been a lot of talk and discussions about the formation of one global golf tour. No doubt, given the various agendas involved and the complex politics of the professional game, many naysayers have held to the belief that such a [V\Y ^V\SK UL]LY OHWWLU HUK ZVTL OH]L NVUL VU [V L]LU KLJSHYL [OH[ P[ PZ H ÄNTLU[ VM H megalomaniac’s dream. Whatever you call it, the likelihood of a global golf tour materializing stands a better chance of becoming reality than just remaining as a pipe-dream.

global tour sort of exists already in that the world’s most dominant tour, the PGA Tour has spread its reach beyond what is its turf – the United States of America. Today, this cash-rich sports behemoth has collaborations in Canada, Latin America, Japan, China and Southeast Asia. This is almost most of the world covered with the exception of the United Kingdom and continental Europe which is the closely and jealously guarded turf of the European Tour. The European Tour also has ambitions of becoming a global tour and this desire

TIM FINCHEM

to live out his retirement in 2017, he has elected to leave this mission to his successor Jay Monahan. Finchem is fiercely supportive of Monahan who he regards as the right man to take over the helm at the PGA Tour. According to Finchem, Monahan takes over at a time when the “next 25 years will be awesome.” It’s a solid vote of confidence from Finchem for the man who will only be the fourth commissioner of the PGA Tour since it started. Since then, the tour has grown exponentially under Finchem and it is currently peaking at US$320 million for the 2015-2016 season.

While in Kuala Lumpur, Monahan announced that the US$7 million CIMB Classic had been extended for another four years until 2020 and he explained, “We are extremely proud of this extension and we see the continuation of this event as an important opportunity for us to continue to expand our global profile.” The operation base in Kuala Lumpur serves as a hub for the PGA Tour and this beach-head will be an important channel to help the tour actualize the development of a global tour. In fact, at the time of writing this report, Commissioner Finchem announced another PGA tournament in Asia which will

As Finchem rides out into the sunset to live out his retirement in 2017, he has elected to leave this mission to his successor Jay Monahan. Finchem is fiercely supportive of Monahan who he regards as the right man to take over the helm at the PGA Tour. According to Finchem, Monahan takes over at a time when the “next 25 years will be awesome.”

seems to have picked up a head of steam under its new head, a Canadian who answers to the name Keith Pelley. Whether it intends to go it alone or in partnership has not been made clear. However, if Pelley’s thoughts are to be interpreted, it looks like he would like to go it alone. He was recently reported in a British newspaper as saying, “We are golf’s global tour - we play in 26 countries in five continents of the world, including the United States.” So, where does the issue of the global golf tour stand? We think that the Americans will lead the drive and the out-going commissioner of the PGA Tour, Tim Finchem recently made reference to the “globality” of the game which many believe applies to a single global tour. As Finchem rides out into the sunset

How does Monahan feel about taking over the PGA Tour as it is poised to record impressive annual gains going forward? In an exclusive interview with ASIAN GOLF, Monahan said, “We have a clear commitment to grow the game of golf throughout the world and we do that week in and week out with our tournaments on the PGA tour and all of our other tours.” It is clear that Monahan will continue with the Finchem legacy to shoot for one global tour and in this regard and the PGA Tour’s growth plans for Asia, he said, “The establishment of TPC Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia (home to the PGA Tour’s CIMB Classic) is another important step in our commitment to the game around the world and in particular to Southeast Asia and Asia generally.”

JAY MONAHAN

be part of its build-up towards becoming a global tour. No sooner had the CIMB Classic, a fullfledged PGA Tour and FEDEX Cup tournament teed off in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in October, Finchem disclosed plans for a new tournament in South Korea that will start next year. Together with this new event and the World Golf Championship in Shanghai, the PGA will soon have three straight weeks of golf in Asia that offer at least US$7 million each in prize money. Yet another indication that the PGA Tour is moving aggressively to position itself as the single claimant to a truly global tour, a dream and vision that Finchem has been propounding for quite some time and which Monahan is going to work on delivering.

EQUIPMENT FOCUS Wilson Staff FG Tour™ V6 Irons

What more can a golfer ask from an iron. Before we address the question, we would SPRL [V [OYV^ ZVTL SPNO[ VU [OL IYHUK [OH[ PZ KLSP]LYPUN VU [OPZ WYVTPZL ¶ >PSZVU :[HɈ +PK `V\ RUV^ [OH[ >PSZVU :[HɈ OHZ ILLU HYV\UK MVY TVYL [OHU `LHYZ& (UK [OH[»Z UV[ HSS ¶ [OL JVTWHU`»Z SPUL VM PYVUZ OHZ ¸TVYL THQVYZ ^VU [OHU HU` V[OLY IYHUK ¹ 7SH`LYZ \ZPUN >PSZVU :[HɈ JS\IZ OH]L ^VU H [V[HS VM THQVYZ 5V^ [OH[»Z ZVTL incredible validation that continues to remain unmatched by any other brand in the golf club industry!

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The V6s are the best looking irons I’ve ever played and the tungsten sole technology helps make every shot count.”

ith this sort of pedigree behind the brand, Wilson has launched its most exciting iron to date. It is the newest addition to its award winning FG Tour line, the Wilson Staff FG Tour™ V6 Irons. Engineered to enhance the “Feel” player’s game, the V6 Irons are an evolution of the highly acclaimed V4 Irons, the company’s most played iron on the PGA Tour by twotime champion Kevin Streelman, Tour winner Troy Merritt and three-time major winner Padraig Harrington. “There is no feeling that compares to hitting a ball pure off the face of a forged FG Tour Iron,” said Streelman. “The V6s are the best looking irons I’ve ever played and the tungsten sole technology helps make every shot count.” The newly added 20-gram tungsten insert is built to increase launch angle without increasing spin rate, which adds forgiveness

in the long irons. This makes for a wellbalanced and consistent iron with accuracy, impact stability, and generous distance. The insert on the split heel and toe on the 3, 4, 5 irons and centered on the 6, 7 irons. Mass concentrated in the impact area delivers a solid, muscle back-like feel and helps players shape their shots. It is also complemented by a back cavity design that provides feedback and some forgiveness on off-centre hits. “It’s not easy to incorporate real innovation and technology in a forged, but the FG Tour V6 Irons do just that. From the tungsten inserts, to what was done to enhance feel and feedback in the impact area, to the sole design and thinner topline, every aspect was refined for better amateurs and tour players,” said Michael Vrska, Global Director of Golf Innovation. Forged from 8620 carbon steel, the V6 Irons are clad in a nickel-chrome plating, a high-end mirror finish and completed with True Temper Dynamic Gold AMT shafts.

It’s What’s on the Inside that Counts

The new OnCore Avant is a low, 65 compression distance ball with SoftCell technology that creates the distance and feel players want off the club face and around the greens. The proprietary chemistry technology incorporated into the core composition combines softness with a high coefficient of restitution, making the Avant “the best low compression ball in golf”. The next generation of golfers want MORE, and that is exactly what OnCore Golf delivers with every one of its innovative golf balls. M.O.R.E. stands for: Maximum performance, Optimal trajectory, Revolutionary technology and Explosive velocity!

MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE

The Caliber is the most radical departure from solid rubber construction in nearly 30 years. This ball is ideal for the golfer who puts an emphasis on accuracy. Designed for swing speeds under 100 mph and is our softest version of the hollow metal core technology to date. The ball features a 392 dimple pattern, an 80 compression, that comes from the unification of our .9 inch hollow metal core and our SoftCell technology around the mantle layer.

We have been optimizing our innovative hollow core technology for several years to be able to offer a product that truly does what it was created to do and will lead to better performance on the course. As a result of our .9 inch hollow metal core, when the ball is struck you get significant rifle spin while reducing sidespin, allowing the ball to travel along a straight trajectory similar to a bullet leaving the barrel.

OnCore Golf Balls - Available at all leading golf outlets in Asia

EQUIPMENT FOCUS KRANK Golf Chances are that there are many of you out there who have heard of special competitions that are devoted exclusively to “long drives”. For a lack of a better word to describe this, we would like to label this type of contest as the “heavyweight championship” for drivers and the guys who wield these big sticks to smash a golf ball to distances that the majority of us can only dream about.

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ut in Asia, there is very little interest in the World Long Drive Championships, more popularly known as the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship. This is an annual world championship in long drive golf driving, hosted since 1975. To qualify, entrants are required to go through a three-step qualifying process and step one generally requires a drive of over 330 yards. The finalists of the competition can often hit the ball over 400 yards, over 100 yards longer than the average professional PGA golfer, although many of the drives are in the 360400 yard range. It’s no circus show – these tournaments are serious and both the contestants and manufacturers take it seriously. One such manufacturer that has been involved in long drive championships for many years is KRANK Golf, a club maker who lives and breathes in the long drive world. This will surprise readers because KRANK claims that 95% of all its sales go to regular golfers like you and me. According to Lance Reader, founder and president of the company, “We all want a longer shot off the tee and are willing to have the right equipment in hand.” ASIAN GOLF caught up with Lance recently and sat down for a chat with the man who designs drivers that sort of resemble the gutsy and ferocious cars that race on the NASCAR circuit. The following are excerpts from that conversation:

ASIAN GOLF: How did this fascinating odyssey to design

and build drivers that are renowned for smashing golf balls to go a country mile start? Walk us through the journey.

LANCE READER: I started this crazy journey back in 2002 as a Professional Long Driver simply wanting to see how far I hit a golf ball. What really amazed me was how few hitters hit the major name brand drivers. The fastest ball speed drivers were from companies I’d never heard of. In 2004 in a Long Drivers of America Pro Tour

NOVEMBER 2016

event, I hit 526 yards. At the time it was the longest ball ever hit in an official Professional Long Drive event. I tested every driver and believed I knew what made the driver I was using hit further. At that point, I decided to learn more about how to build golf drivers. I started to study metals, heat treating and many other things related to golf driver heads design. I was very fascinated by it. I was in a unique situation being a Professional Long Driver. I could test every aspect of the drivers myself. Little by little I discovered some very important aspect of what makes a driver hit the ball further. I decided to launch Krank Golf and came out with our first driver called the Red Hot Chili Pepper, then the El Diablo, Rage, Rage Black, Formula 5, Formula 6 and now the Formula 6.5. Without going into too much more detail, we have now won 19 World Long Drive Championships. We are the most winning Drivers by far. We dominate distance because we develop golf drivers that are not only the longest hitting drivers in the world, but also the most durable.

AG: What is it that makes your drivers send golf balls

hurtling distances that most other drivers can only sit by and watch with envy?

LR: What makes the ball fly faster for the longest hitters in the world also applies to every golfer. Creating pure ball speed off the face is really based on energy transfer back to the ball. Krank Golf drivers do that more efficiently than any golf driver in the world. AG: To be the top dog amongst drivers has obviously taken a huge dose of passion, an inordinate amount

EQUIPMENT FOCUS KRANK Golf

would it be implausible to expect more golfers in the world to place a KRANK driver in their bags. After all, distance is a winning feeling and it will give a lot of us no-hopers a chance to at least sink an occasional birdie. Your thoughts?

LR: It really is incredible that golf companies continue to promote more and more distance. It is even more incredible that golfers continue to buy into it. Like I stated, distance is created by increasing ball speed. Cast drivers are at their limit. Increasing ball speed is really based on how fast the energy is transferred back to the golf ball. This is done more efficiently through forged beta titanium then cast metal.

AG: KRANK drivers are USGA legal. That said, why aren’t of technical aptitude and a massive desire to kick-ass big time. Besides all of the aforementioned qualities, what else does it take to be the king of the hill in driver country?

LR: The longest hitters in the world are Not normal! They are extreme athletes and have a very special gift of speed. The best in the world work very hard at it. This is a very competitive sport. If you want to be the best you will have to earn it.

AG: Do you have serious challengers in this niche market? LR: The challenge is to reach the masses. Unfortunately, there is a lot of ignorance in golf. The simple truth is that there is a big difference between golf drivers. The longest hitting golf drivers are not the major named brand drivers. Just because they have the big marketing budgets, doesn’t mean they are the best. We spend all our time and money pushing the boundaries of speed and accuracy. Our only passion is golf driver performance. Getting that out to the public is difficult.

AG: Speaking about a niche market, you obviously enjoy a good demand for your product to have remained PU VWLYH[PVU MVY V]LY [LU `LHYZ +LÄUL `V\Y [`WPJHS customer? LR: Our typical customer is over the age of 50 and simply wants to hit the ball further. Only 2% of our sales go to Long Drivers. We are known for regular golfers hitting the ball further. That is our main market. Long Drive is how we promote to the general golf market that we make the longest hitting driver in the world. AG: The fact that your drivers are designed to send a golf

ball careening distances unmatched by most conventional drivers, would it not be correct to say that KRANK is a godsend especially for the thousands of hackers who would kill to be able to get the sort of distances that KRANK drivers produce?

LR: We have thousands of testimonials stating that. Krank Golf drivers hit the ball further because it is simple science. There is no way at any swing speed a cast insert face driver is going to compete with a hardened cupped faced forged driver. AG: In the conventional market for drivers, manufacturers talk about a few yards gained with every iteration of a product. What KRANK achieves makes these distance claims seem inconsequential. Against this backdrop,

51 ASIAN GOLF

more professional tour players sticking one of your bombers in their bags?

LR: Money! It’s about that simple. However, rest assured that Krank Golf will be played on the PGA Tour very soon.

AG: The millions of amateur golfers in Asia have huge

dreams – dreams about hitting their drives as far as humanly possible. Given this aspiration, Asia should be a massive market for KRANK? What are your plans to grow your footprint in Asia?

LR: We have sold many thousands of drivers in Asia. We are being distributed in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, China, Hong Kong and Indonesia. We will continue to expand throughout Asia. We do understand how important it is to maximize distance for all golfers. We are committed to the Asian golf market. AG: In this context, would KRANK support a LONG DRIVE contest in Asia for Asians?

LR: Yes. We have for many years. We are always looking for quality opportunities to participate with long drive event coordinators to expand long driver throughout the world.

SPECIAL FEATURE PING Custom Fittingg

– PING’S MASTER FITTER IS THE MAN TO CALL (ZPHU .VSM»Z KLKPJH[LK ZLJ[PVU VU JS\I Ä[[PUN PZ WYV\K [V WYLZLU[ WHY[ Ä]L VM H ZP_ WHY[ ZLYPLZ PU [OPZ TVU[O»Z LKP[PVU ;OL MVJ\Z [OPZ TVU[O MHSSZ VU [OL ÄULY WVPU[ YLSH[PUN [V [OL TVZ[ PTWVY[HU[ HZWLJ[ VM [OL NHTL VM NVSM ¶ W\[[PUN -VY [OL HUZ^LYZ ^L [\YU [V 1LɈYL` )VZL ^P[O ^OVT ^L HYL JVSSHIVYH[PUN [V WYVK\JL [OPZ ZLYPLZ VU JS\I Ä[[PUN )VZL PZ LTPULU[S` X\HSPÄLK HUK PZ HSZV [OL YLJPWPLU[ VM [OL WYLZ[PNPV\Z (ZPHU .VSM (^HYK MVY ¸)LZ[ *S\I -P[[LY 0U (ZPH¹ JP[H[PVU I can’t sink a three-foot putt to save my life! Can a new putter help? What should I be looking for?

hether you are a Tour professional or weekend golfer, you have probably experienced putting woes at some point in time. The experience and possible frustration can be temporary or can last fairly prolonged periods. For inexplicable reasons, your touch seems to have left you and your putter has acquired a mind of its own. So what can golfers do when they find themselves in such a dilemma? To begin with, it will help to understand a few fundamentals about putting: The putting stroke is actually a mini golf swing, consisting the address position, backswing, impact, follow-through and finish. The above components of the putting stroke work dynamically in unison to

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cause the golf ball to roll in response to the stroke. Contrary to popular belief, putting strokes are seldom as consistent as most golfers assume. Even Tour professionals exhibit minor inconsistencies in their putting strokes. Modern technology has allowed PING club fitters to measure and analyse various components of a golfer’s putting stroke, namely Stroke Type(or Closing Angle), Impact Angle, Tempo, Lie Angle(Address vs Impact), and Shaft Lean(Address and Impact). It is a proven fact that a golfer’s ability to sink putts rests more on the consistency of his/her putting stroke than on his/ her technique. This is evident in the fact that the best putters on Tour at any given tournament have very different putting strokes, styles and techniques. However, they will all have very high degrees of consistency when analysed for the above measurable variables.

ISSUE 194

Above is an illustration of how individual putting strokes can differ. Club fitters categorize putting strokes as Straight, Slight Arc and Strong Arc.

Once we understand the above, we can better understand why golfers go through lean putting spells. When closely analysed, these golfers display one or more of the following: Recent CHANGES in Stroke Type (Closing Angle), Impact Angle and/or Tempo causing changes in the way the golf ball travels after impact. INCONSISTENCIES showing up in the Closing Angle, Impact Angle and/or Tempo. Damage/adjustment done to the putter. Even minor mishaps like dropping the golf bag can sometimes result in changes to the loft, lie and/or face angles of a putter. For this reason, professionals on major Tours will have their putters (and virtually all the clubs in their bags) checked for SPECIFICATIONS quite frequently. When they notice any club or putter behaving strangely, they will immediately ask for the

NOVEMBER 2016

specifications to be checked first. Very minor changes in the specifications of a putter, e.g. lie angle, loft, length, regardless of whether these changes were caused by damage or adjustments, can alter the manner a golf ball comes off the putter face and thereby direction and distance it travels. Modern putter fitting technology allows club fitters to measure precisely each component of a golfer’s putting stroke. Such data allows for more accurate analysis and recommendations. After identifying where the root of the issue lies, i.e. changes, inconsistencies and/or putter specifications, it is then possible to prescribe a course of action or solution. The following are examples of possible solutions that PING club fitters commonly used to help golfers get back their putting touch and lower their putting scores on the golf course:

Change in Stroke Type (Closing Angle) Golfers who have taken short game lessons, watched instructional videos, changed the way they grip the putter or received help from friends can sometimes register changes in Stroke Type (Closing Angle). The results would include frequently “pulled” or “pushed” putts, and dif-

iPING Putter fitting software is used to measure for Stroke Type (Closing Angle), Impact Angle, Tempo, etc.

SPECIAL FEATURE PING Custom Fitting ficulty getting the ball to start off on line. With modern day electronic measurement aids, we can identify and measure changes in Stroke Type (Closing Angle) very quickly and easily. If the Stroke Type (Closing Angle) is deemed to have changed significantly, the golfer should try using a putter built for his new Stroke Type. Very often, some changes in the length, lie, loft or even grip-type or size may also be required to get the golfer’s putting back on track.

Change in Putting Set Up The golfer may have changed the way he sets up to the ball, e.g. standing closer, further, hands higher, hands lower, hands forward, hands backward, etc. Any or a combination of these changes can affect the optimal lie angle and loft of the putter. Once again, the golfer will notice undesirable tendencies in the way the ball comes off the face of the putter, e.g. “pushed putts,” “pulled putts,” inconsistent roll, and/ or difficulty in lagging long putts. Some of these symptoms are so similar to changes in Stroke Type that the wrong solution can be prescribed without accurate data and diagnosis.

Miscellaneous Issues Besides the more common issues mentioned above, we do come across golfers with a range of other putting-related issues. The goal of this article is not so much to highlight and explain every issue but rather to make readers aware of the problem solving process for putting woes. With the right approach, the majority of putting issues can be correctly identified and resolved. Much agony and frustration can often be avoided this way. Visiting a qualified, reputable club fitter brings you closer to the right solution than going into a retail store and picking a putter off-the-rack hoping it solves your putting problems. Even if you are happy with your putting, it is useful to consult a reputable club fitter to identify and record the specifications on the putter you are using, e.g. length, lie, loft, stroke type and head weight. The majority of successful Tour professionals maintain a record of the specifications on every club in their golf bag. I know some who save the information on their smart phones for easy access anytime they need it. If ever the golf bag or any individual club gets lost or damaged, it is easier to get a matching or similar replacement if you know your required 54

55 ASIAN GOLF

PING putters are classified into Straight, Slight Arc and Strong Arc categories to match different putting strokes and styles.

specifications. Without such information you will be subjecting yourself to total guesswork if you need a replacement set, club or putter. I hope this article has given you a clearer perspective of how club fitters and perhaps all golfers should approach putting issues, if and when they arise. I have always maintained that golf is a difficult game to master, even for Tour calibre players. The right knowledge and approach to equipLoft angle on a putter

ment can save you a few strokes every round and help you Play Your Best. Any change in a golfer’s putting setup may require corresponding adjustments to the length, lie, loft and balance of the putter. World class professionals like World #7 Bubba Watson and World #16 Louis Oosthuizen rely on professionally fitted PING putters and equipment to compete with the world’s best.

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Owned and managed by The Peninsula Hotels and often voted as possessing the “Best Clubhouse in Asia” and “Best Course in Thailand”, Thai Country Club is less than 45 minutes from KVÛ[VÛ HUK PZ YLUVÛLK MVY OH]PUN [OL MYPLUKSPLZ[ Z[HɈ VM WYVMLZZPVUHSZ PU [OL 2PUNKVT JVTTP[[LK [V WYV]PKPUN [OL <S[PTH[L .VSÄUN ,_WLYPLUJL For registered guests of The Peninsula Bangkok, >L HYL OHWW` [V HYYHUNL H [LL [PTL H[ H Z\IZ[HU[PHS YLK\J[PVU MYVT V\Y UVYTHS ]PZP[VY»Z YH[L ,_[LUK `V\Y I\ZPULZZ [YPW PU )HUNRVR VY IVVR H NL[ H^H` NVSÄUN WHJRHNL >OLU P[ JVTLZ [V L_JS\ZP]L NVSÄUN ^P[O PTWLJJHISL OVZWP[HSP[` ¶ ^L WSH` VɈ ZJYH[JO

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GAME IMPROVEMENT Pro Tour Golf College If you want to become a successful golfer, you must develop a high level of acceptance for GLIÃ&#x20AC;FXOW\ DQG PLVIRUWXQH which is a normal aspect of playing golf. David Milne (left) and Lawrie Montague (right).

www.ProTourGolfCollege.com 56

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ISSUE 194

NOVEMBER 2016

ou see, we don’t respect the work load—we respect the results. When we see the end result, we see the attractive side of golf, the cheering galleries, the big cheques, the smiling faces, but what we don’t see what it took to get there. I think it’s fair to say that there’s one attribute all these professional golfers possess, and it is the difference that makes the difference when you play. Our students at Pro Tour Golf College learn very quickly that ‘pressure is a privilege.’ We want them to see that pressure is not a destructive force, but an essential part of growing as a golfer, and that

they should strive to put themselves into pressure situations as often as possible. We want them to embrace the challenge of uncertainty, to manage their fears, and learn to hit their best golf shots under any type of pressure.

DON’T LET YOUR EMOTIONS RULE YOUR DECISIONS It is important that you don’t let your emotions run riot on the golf course; you must not lose your head when things don’t go your way. If you allow yourself to react poorly, you will invite disaster into your game.

GAME IMPROVEMENT Pro Tour Golf College Imagine what it must be like for golfers who sabotage any success they might enjoy by continually punishing themselves for every golf shot that they hit that doesn’t come off the way they intend? If you want to become a successful golfer, you must develop a high level of acceptance for difficulty and misfortune, which is a normal aspect of playing golf. So should you acting like a robot with a ‘no emotion’ chip inside you, you might be thinking? No, you act like someone who has the ability to achieve their goal. You work on your strengthening your weak golf skills and your attitude when things don’t go your way, until you achieve more of what you want. You simply keep working on this process, and here’s where it gets interesting.

THE 3 STEP PRESSURE LOOP The process of hitting golf shots can be seen as a 3 step loop or process that has; 1. A cue or trigger that sets you in motion 2. A routine or ritual to get you to the end of the stroke 3. A result, reward or outcome. The cue or trigger sets your golf swing in motion, it’s like flicking on a light switch.

For many golfers it is so well learned they don’t even know they do it. In other words, it switches their swing habit on unconsciously. Now for many amateur golfers this can be a problem if for example you get angry after hitting a bad shot. Why? because this anger can be can inserted into the trigger. What triggers the anger? When you perceive a challenge that you don’t believe you are up to, there’s an increase in perceived pressure, a tightening of the muscles, and a subsequent decrease in performance. When you hit lots of drivers on the driving range with a low commitment level as in you are just hitting mindlessly, and you are mixing in some frustration and anger. When you face an important tee-shot on the golf course, your anxiety level can rise triggering a routine that leads you to a poor tee-shot. Just the way you practiced it – except you didn’t know you were doing it. And here’s where it gets a little strange. The reward part of this process is the scolding or berating you did, either physically – by slamming your golf club into the ground, or your bag, or something else, or a physical and verbal blast, such as swearing and throwing a club. Or it could be simple verbal abuse inside your head. When you get mad in any of these ways you are simply reinforcing a negative habit loop that will let you down when you attempt to hit shots under pressure. By emotionalizing the message of dissatisfaction to your brain, it interprets it as important, and will build it into the swing habit loop.

CHANGE THE REWARD TO CHANGE THE LOOP The key is to change the reward part of the loop so that you change the triggering of the loop to a better one. Your loops are usually made up of a thought (image) a feeling (emotion) and an action (behaviour). So get your image of the shot you want to hit to be consistent with what you are capable of doing most of the time. Don’t try to pull-off shots that you can play just three times out of ten when it matters. Play the shots you can play seven times out of ten—especially when it matters. Next, match the feel of the stroke you are going to play, to the thought you are imagining. This is often described as a mental rehearsal, and is an important part of the process of getting from the thought to the action. Lastly, and the most importantly; swing away, regardless of the outcome you produce, and remember to control your emotional response. The key is to acknowledge (after the shot has gone) that in that moment you did the best you could, and regardless of the outcome, the next time you will do it better. Don’t live in the past by getting bitter and twisted over golf shots that don’t come off as you planned. Move on to the next shot, and practice accepting the shot you played knowing that there’s always better shots to be enjoyed if you do just one simple thing; practice rewarding the habits that pay-off and not the ones that don’t. Lawrie Montague and David Milne - Pro Tour Golf College

When you hit lots of drivers on the driving range with a low commitment level as in you are just hitting mindlessly, and you are mixing in some frustration and anger. When you face an important tee-shot on the golf course, your anxiety level can rise triggering a routine that leads you to a poor tee-shot.”

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GAME IMPROVEMENT

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ISSUE ISS ISSUE SS194 UE 191 UE 9 NOVEMBER AUGUST A AU G ST 2016 GU 201 016 01 6

Who would have ever thought [OH[ NVSMLYZ JV\SK ILULÄ[ from Muay Thai boxing? It’s a tough form of martial arts [OH[ KLTHUKZ [V[HS Ä[ULZZ HUK mental concentration. But our man Tony Meechai (who is an American of Thai origin) believes that serious golfers have a lot to learn from the ancient martial arts. Here are his thoughts:

uay Thai is a world-class martial arts discipline and it is absolutely beneficial for your golf game! It will improve your health and physique and make your swing more powerful…period! Many of my students focus on game improvement through better golf fitness throughout the entire year. The Multi-Disciplined Platform (MDP) curriculum we use with our students require golfers to improve in many areas including better swing dynamics, golf fitness and mental toughness. I’ve been known to use props on my television golf show to simply demonstrate how other sports can help golfers improve their own game. One frequent reference is to the boxing punch! My operation is close to a world-class workout facility that is owned and operated by the Muay Thai World Champion, Buakaw Banchamek. This is a terrific place to learn how to box and punch and muster up some real power and strength. I have discovered that Muay Thai training is a perfect pathway to get in shape real quick and to also help build and strengthen the muscles required

GAME IMPROVEMENT for a powerful golf swing. This is what Muay Thai will do for you - you will generate tremendous power and improve overall cardio and conditioning to make you feel stronger and more alert on the golf course! In less than 20 sessions working out the Muay Thai way, I was able to gain more power and more speed. Muay Thai boxers, like golfers, generate their power from ground up. The power from a proper punch starts from the feet, goes to the hips, to the

core, then to the shoulders. Without this sequence the punch is powerless. When at the gym and punching bags in a Muay Thai workout, there’s only one way to hit the bag…with POWER. The force you apply with your punches allows you to develop proper muscles for speed and endurance. Once you learn how to punch properly (generating power from the ground up) you can apply a lot of force to the hitting bag!

In less than 20 sessions working out the Muay Thai way, I was able to gain more power and more speed. Muay Thai boxers, like golfers, generate their power from ground up. The power from a proper punch starts from the feet, goes to the hips, to the core, then to the shoulders. Without this sequence the punch is powerless.”

I’ve been so fortunate to experience the world of championship Muay Thai training and only wish that more and more golfers will have a chance to experience this amazing workout. The benefits are endless! Trust me - Muay Thai training can benefit golfers of all skill levels. Now that you have been told the value of Muay Thai boxing, go get yourself in front of a boxing bag and begin to practice your punch. Pay attention to the force from the ground up and how the arm reaches fully as you punch the bag. Also, notice how, once you punch the bag, you will quickly bring your fist back to your starting position near your shoulders. Do this for several minutes. You will observe that your cardio and breathing will start to improve and get better. After you are done working out and ready to hit some golf balls, you are bound to see that there will be quite an improvement in your forward swing. The power from the sequence of the body working together to swing the club is unbelievable and you would most definitely be able to feel speed pick up appreciably. Like Muay Thai, there is a lot you can learn from other forms of sports to improve you golf game! You have nothing to lose – just try it out!

ABOUT TONY MEECHAI Born and brought up in the United States, Tony Meechai won his first golf tournament at the age of nine. He began working in the golf industry when aged 15 and competed in various Mini-Tour and PGA Tour qualifiers after turning professional in 1994. Armed with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from New Mexico State University and a degree in Marketing and Professional Golf Management, he has made a name for himself in Asia over the past decade, during which time he has served as Director of Instruction at Thailand’s Heartland Golf Schools and Springfield Royal Country Club as well as presenting tips on numerous region-wide golf television shows. His signature Black Hat Golf Camps and Schools offered at various clubs in Thailand, including Lotus Valley Golf Resort, portrays the unique curriculum and teaching philosophy. Recently, he co-founded the International Preparatory Golf Academy at The American School of Bangkok, which combines an academic and golf education program for junior golfers. Voted 2015 Top 3 Best Professional Golf Coach in Asia Pacific, he continues to strive to grow the game of golf in Asia. For further information, please visit www.tmggroupasia.com or email to tony@tmggroupasia.com.

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www.tmggroupasia.com

PING’S SOLHEIM IS HONOURED AT APGS T

regarded as one Widely of the golf equipment industry’s most dynamic leaders, Robert Philion, president of COBRA PUMA Golf takes a look at 2015 and how his company’s products have performed during the year. He also shares his vision for the club industry in the new year.

DECEMBER

he chairman of PING, John Solheim was inducted into the 2016 Asia Pacific Golf Hall of Fame during the Asia Pacific Golf Summit in Hua Hin, Thailand. He was one of the special featured guests on the programme and highlights of his address will be presented in the December edition of Asian Golf.

ISSUE 195

winners of the 2016 Asia Pacific Golf TheAwards were celebrated in grand-style in the royal Thai city of Hua Hin at the end of October. The glitzy annual awards gala honouring the best of the best in the Asian golf industry were feted and honoured in what is generally looked upon as the “Oscars” for the industry. The full results of the crème de la crème of the trend setters in the Asian golf club industry will be covered extensively in the year-end issue of Asian Golf. For all the latest news and views from the Asian golf scene, subscribe to Asian Golf – Asia’s most powerful golfing voice!

www.asiapacificgolfgroup.com

GLS Asia Limited, 5/F., BOC Group Life Assurance Tower, 136 Des Voeux Road Central Central, Hong Kong. Tel. +66 (0) 3261 6200 Email. info@gls.asia Web. www.gls.asia