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ISSUE
221
FEBRUARY 2019
The journey to get to the top in any field of human endeavour is always a struggle. Nothing comes easy. To be the best that one can be requires the coming together of many human qualities among which are focus, determination, commitment, endurance and panache. The pathway to reaching the absolute pinnacle of success is paved with a never-ending series of obstacles, each being greater than the one before.
10 SPECIAL FEATURE 64 THE GOLD STANDARD IN GOLFING EXPERIENCES With over 30,000 golf courses in the world, it cannot be said that golfers are not spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding where to play a round of golf. Although there are many to choose from, it always helps if there is a way to make a good decision and pick the right course to play at. Given this scenario, ASIAN GOLF has partnered with IMG which designs, operates and manages quality golf courses in Asia and elsewhere.
78 PGA TOUR: ASIA – A FORCE TO RECKON WITH! It wasn’t long ago when Asian golfers would take delight at simply being in a World Golf Championships event. Rubbing shoulders with the game’s elite, watching their heroes up close and personal and competing alongside them were often good enough an experience to take home and cherish.
12
84 PGA TOUR: APPLEBY AND LEONARD TO LEAD JUNIOR PRESIDENTS CUP TEAMS Top juniors are beginning to get ready to make the teams set to compete in the 2019 Junior Presidents Cup. The PGA TOUR and American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) have revealed that Australia’s Stuart Appleby and the United States’ Justin Leonard will be captains of the International and U.S. Teams respectively. The event will be contested for the second time from December 8 to 9, 2019 at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia just days before the Presidents Cup tees off at the same venue.
Q REGULARS 4 EDITORIAL TEAM
|
6 SHARED THOUGHTS: FROM PUBLISHER | SHOULD GOLF BE LOOKING AT ATHLEISURE?
78 84
34
EQUIPMENT FOCUS 28 SPEED RE-DEFINED! Titleist has done it yet again. It has just rolled out the ultimate in speed – undoubtedly the fastest golf ball in the world! In launching the new iterations of the Pro V1 and Pro V1x, Titleist has proudly declared that the new arrivals have been specifically “engineered for more speed”!
28
34 PING’S G410 DRIVERS – YOU WANT TO HUG AND KISS ‘EM! PING has just launched its latest – the PING G410 drivers, woods, hybrids, crossovers and irons. The G410 drivers feature significant advancements in custom fitting while delivering golfers the highest MOI’s and ball speeds available”.
40 PARSONS IS BACK!
40
PXG has launched the brand new PXG GEN2 drivers, fairway woods, and hybrids. The new arrivals feature “Hot Rod Technology” inspired by the look and extreme performance of American muscle cars which is Parsons’s favourite rides. Among his favourites is the Dodge Challenger Hellcat that he drives. The metalwoods are awesome!
46 THE RACE IS ON – MEET THE SPEEDSTERS!
58
TaylorMade, now detached from Adidas has launched the next generation of the globally successful line of its M metalwoods, highlighted by the all-new M5 and M6 drivers, fairways and hybrids.
52 EPIC FLASH – INNOVATION PUSHED TO THE EXTREME! The EPIC Flash driver, woods and hybrids are the end products of a highly sophisticated design architecture created using Artificial Intelligence and crunched out with the aid of a super computer. According to Callaway and other informed sources, the design and building of the new driver is the first known instance of the use of AI in the golf equipment industry.
62
52
58 ON THE RISE AGAIN! The Wilson Staff D7 is pitched as a “ground-breaking, super game improvement distance irons for the 2019 season. Combining the aesthetics from the award-winning FG Tour V6 and C300 irons with ground-breaking game improvement technology, the new D7 line gives golfers greater distance and a more consistent performance during each round on the course.
64
GAME-IMPROVEMENT 722 BLACK HAT TIPS: REMEMBER #19 – IT’LL PROVE VERY PRODUCTIVE! After fter a short hiatus, our resident golf olf guru Tony Meechai is back!, ony has teamed up with the leadTony ing g golf-tee-time booking App Golf Citizen tizen and he is now the brand’s ambassador. mbassador. Henceforth, all his golf olf tips will be brought to you ourtesy of Golf Citizen who courtesy offer fer the best Apps for olf clubs and it’s all for golf FREE! REE!
46
Mike Sebastian
INTERNATIONAL ROVING EDITOR
Editor/Chief Executive Officer [mike@asiapacificgolfgroup.com]
Alan Campbell (China/Middle East) Correspondent
GLOBAL EDITORIAL ADVISORY PANEL
Angela Raymond
President [angela@asiapacificgolfgroup.com]
Gregg Patterson
President, Tribal Magic Inc.
Andrew Wood Founder/President, Legendary Marketing
James Prusa
Raquel Arcega
Executive Creative Art Director [raquel@asiapacificgolfgroup.com]
President, James Graham Prusa Associates
James Cronk President, Cronk Group
Digital Services
Alice Ho
Tech-Know Integrators
Business Executive [alice@asiapacificgolfgroup.com]
SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR
Tony Meechai (Black Hat Golf Tips -Thailand Myra Paras
INTERNATIONAL ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES
Accounts Executive [myra@asiapacificgolfgroup.com]
Alice Ho
Email: alice@asiapacificgolfgroup.com
ASIA PACIFIC GOLF GROUP(2014) PTE LTD Singapore Post Centre Post Office, P.O. Box 532, Singapore 914018 Tel: +65 6323 2800 | Fax: +65 6323 2838 Company Registration No.: 201405689G
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED No part of Asian Golf may be reproduced in any other publications, printed or published without the written permission of the publisher. Opinions in Asian Golf are the writers’ and are not necessarily endorsed by Asian Golf. Asian Golf accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, transparencies or other materials. Manuscripts, photographs and artwork will not be returned unless accompanied by appropriate postage.
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e have already gone past the first month of 2019 and as far as the global golf industry is concerned, we have entered another period with no dramatic changes and developments that point to the need for he industry to be pulled up by its jock-straps. It is still the ame old, same old. We would not be amiss if we declared that we see no hanges in the horizon that would help turn the golf industry round. For all intents and purposes, the game is not renewng itself at a fast enough pace to ensure that the game is ept alive. It’s like the growing ageing problem that the world s faced with – many advanced nations are not growing their opulations and this is placing an untold amount of pressure pon these nations. In many countries, especially advanced nations, golf has een experiencing a worrying trend where golf clubs are shutng down in concert with golfers giving up club memberships nd hanging up their golf bags. Combined with the fact that the lack created by post-war Baby Boomers is not being taken up y Gen Xers, Gen Ys and Millennials, the challenge to grow the ame is a huge headache for the men and women charged with eeping golf relevant in these rapidly changing times. Rules changes will not do the trick. New formats will ot hook new players to the game. Take Topgolf – it’s a social ctivity not dissimilar to the “singles bars” of yore and while will crank up huge profits for the operators, it is not going o have a significant impact on new golfers taking up “green rass” golf. There are no shortages of ideas to make golf atractive to the newer generations but there is a dire need for paradigm mind-set shift to make the game relevant to these ounger people. In its current form and structure, golf does not fit in with their value system, unlike the fast receding baby-boom eneration where a golf club membership carried with it a ighly desired elite status. Today’s generations don’t give a oot for this “elite status”. Furthermore, they have access to a
ton of other activities that are representative of their dynamic, fast-paced life-style. Put simply – golf is their fathers’ game and the majority don’t want to have anything to do with it! So, is there hope of casting a wide net to try and snare a good number of youngsters to the game to keep it alive and hopefully growing? We think so! And the bait is what many in the sports industry are calling “Athleisure”. In case you’ve not heard about it, it is being described as a trend in fashion in which clothing and accessories designed for workouts and other athletic activities is worn in other settings, such as at the workplace, at school, or at other casual or social occasions. Athleisure outfits are yoga pants, tights, sneakers, leggings and shorts that “look like athletic wear” and are characterized as “fashionable, dressed up sweat and exercise clothing”. The idea is that gym clothes are supposedly making their way out of the gym and becoming a larger part of people’s everyday wardrobes. This is COOL! An excellent example of how exciting Athleisure is, is the craze for “Yeezy” sneakers launched by Adidas and made hugely popular by wrap-star Kanye West. This red-hot athleisure trend has led many retailers and brands to unveil their own collections in recent years and it’s not showing any signs of losing steam any time soon!. Globally, sales are expected to rise to US$350 billion by 2019. Fashion-oriented brands are eager to expand in athleisure and one big beneficiary of that trend is none other than the world’s No. 2 sneaker giant Adidas. The trend is for REAL. The money involved is MASSIVE. It’s about time that the golf industry took notice of this invasive trend and made a concerted effort to cash in on what younger generations are demanding. Make golf apparel, accessories and everything that appeal to younger generations, more hip. Break away from conservative traditions. It’s time for golf to let its hair down and get into the grove of what’s sweeping the world. Inject the industry with a big helping of ATHLEISURE COOL. What do you have to lose?
It is no idle boast! Black Mountain Gol By being manifested with the prestigi exclusive member of an elite gr
The Zenith Award, presented to us at of our all-round standard of e
At Black Mountain we deliver da are judged b
We are The Ultim
Black Mountain G
565 Moo7, Nong Hieng Road, Hin L Tel: +66 (0) 32 618 666 or Email: sa
www.blac
f Club has reached the ultimate pinnacle of excellence. ious Asia PaciÅc Order Of Zenith, our club is now an rouping of the best golf clubs in the Asia PaciÅc. the “Oscars” of the golf industry is acknowledgement xcellence in all operational aspects of the club.
ay after day, a standard of excellence by which we by our members and patrons. ate GolÅng Experience, Bar None!
Golf Club. Nothing Gets Better!
LekFai, Hua Hin, Prachaubkirikhan 77110, Thailand ales@bmghuahin.com | realestate@bmghuahin.com
ckmountainhuahin.com
The journey to get to the top in any field of human endeavour is always a struggle. Nothing coming together of many human qualities among which are focus, determination, commitm absolute pinnacle of success is paved with a never-ending series of obstacles, each being lenges is the ever-present threat of giving up and calling it quits and admitting to failure. Th everyone is imbued with. The battle for the ultimate-goal is a gut-wrenching ordeal that sap frail human body but the final attainment of success is a reward worth the struggle and the engage in the pursuit of excellence and for those who make the grade, they get that specia smell of success. There is nothing that can cap this ultimate sense of achievement. The rep to the success of one of Asia’s true greats in the golf club industry. It is a club that has striv great product – a product of pride crafted by a team of dedicated people driven by a sense ence that often excels above their own targets. What you are about to share is a recollecti record in ten years. The work is not done yet because the same team is working hard at rai GOLF is proud to sing out the praises of Banyan Golf Club in the prestigious Royal City of Hu
comes easy. To be the best that one can be requires the ment, endurance and panache. The pathway to reaching the greater than the one before. Coupled with these chalhe will to strive and beat all odds is not something that ps every ounce of blood, sweat and tears from the e effort. Every day, individuals and organisations al opportunity to sense and taste the sweet port that is about to unravel is a proud tribute ved for the past ten years to deliver a truly of purpose to deliver a customer experion of how a golf club has built an enviable ising the bar for the next ten years! ASIAN ua Hin in Thailand.
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IF YOU DO
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towards the end of its cycle, some entrepreneurs were huddled in deep discussion on an investment that they
WHAT YOU
unique
s the ďŹ rst decade of the new Millennium was creeping
were about to make. Very few knew what was on their minds at that time because what they were looking at was
LOVE YOU WILL NEVER
a plot of land that was part of a sprawling pineapple plantation nestled by
FEEL LIKE YOU’VE
a mountain range in the coastal town of Hua Hin in Thailand. If they had
WORKED A DAY IN
made it known that they were pondering developing a golf course and club then, they would have most likely been laughed out of town. There was
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hardly any infrastructure in place then. Outside of narrow, winding village roads, stray dogs and free-range cows, the setting did not and could not have conjured up an
underst
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image of a golf club and golf course. Not just any golf club and golf course but one that would
speak with the two pionee
eventually go on to become a multi-award-winning facility. The people behind the realisation
general manager and Stua
of the dream had a vision and like most successful entrepreneurs, they could envision in their
director. After the sit-dow
minds-eye what other mere mortals could not see.
both Walton and Daly, we
Two of the people who were privy to this dream from the onset were part of the initial launch team that worked at bringing Banyan Golf Club to the world. They were not men who had any experience in launching and running a golf club. In fact, even when it came to playing golf, they were anything but ordinary. However, they possessed a very special quality that most club operators in Asia are found lacking in and that is a solid, hands-on working experience in the hospitality trade. You see,
we will have them tell our the story in their own wor
ASIAN GOLF proudly p
ents excerpts from that na
marking Banyan Golf Club Anniversary:
wo men were from the hotel industry and they possessed an innate
tanding of the quality of service, the importance of delivering a customer experience and plating up food and beverage that would ple coming back for more.
ese factors served as the bedrock for Banyan’s business culture and
ever wavered ever since. If at all, it has become better with age!
IAN GOLF has had the honour of tracking the growth of Banyan
s beginning and we say with great pride that over the years, Banyan
en the proud recipient of numerous ASIAN GOLF AWARDS – the uni-
measure of excellence in the golf club industry in the Asia Pacific.
decade of success for Banyan Golf Club, ASIAN GOLF elected to
ers who have helmed the club from its opening – Stacey Walton,
art Daly, operations
wn session with
decided that
r readers
ds.
pres-
arrative ’s 10th
STACEY WALTON
STUART DALY
ASIAN GOLF: Ten years – it has certainly flown by in a flash! How do you look back on these ten years? STACEY WALTON: I agree with the quote that “if you do what you love you will never feel like you’ve worked a day in your life”. I can’t believe 10-years has gone so quickly. I look back at the pictures of when as part of the pre-opening management team we first set foot on the construction - we looked so young back then and what an accomplishment at a tender age of 33 years old and probably one of the youngest opening general managers in Asia Pacific at the time. Stuart Daly was just 32 years old. When we now look back – ten years down the line and what a great track record. When we first introduced ourselves to the Asian golf industry, I remember the headline in ASIAN GOLF MONTHLY (predecessor to ASIAN GOLF) branding us as the “New Kids on the Block! in 2009”
ASIAN GOLF: Can you recall some of the key milestones over the past ten years – those milestones that have gone on to identify and symbolise what Banyan Golf Club represents and stands for? WALTON: Banyan Golf Club was part of an integrated master plan consisting of resort pool villas, and a residential development. It was first presented to me in blue print and I was shown material boards, architectural drawings and a mock up sales brochure. It was hard to imagine that such vision by the developers was going to be realized on a plot size of 2.1 million square meters of land in a resort town like Hua Hin. We met with the Thai golf course architect Pirapon Namatra and he was already underway moving earth and shaping holes. His inspiration and passion for the course made us realize that this was for real.
So, phase one seemed that it could be completed on time which was the golf course and clubhouse. Our first milestone was the handover of the golf course and clubhouse and what an amazing piece of architecture. It was the challenge of pre-opening budgets, recruitment and ordering of fixtures, fittings and equipment which seemed like a daunting task at the time as we basically started from a blank sheet of paper. It was so much fun pre-opening. I enjoyed seeing the job get done with progress in recruitment and training, leading a team with goals, objectives, action plans and project management which had started to form and grow into an organisation which now has 119 employees with a very strong customer, team and quality focused work culture for success. I was leading the club’s PR, Sales and Marketing from the beginning. I prepared the club’s business plan from
OUR OPERATIONS TEAM WERE ON A MISSION TO DELIGHT AND EXCEED THE EXPECTATIONS OF EVERY GUEST AND
I
MEAN EVERY GUEST WHICH IS ONE OF THE REASONS THE CLUB IS SO SUCCESSFUL AS THE NUMBER OF RETURNING CUSTOMERS IS SO HIGH.
AS HOUSES WERE SOLD, THE MEMBERS STARTED TO JOIN, AND THIS CHANGED THE DYNAMIC OF THE CLUB FOR THE BETTER. WE NOW HAVE A CORE GROUP OF AMBASSADORS AND SUPPORT TOWARDS CLUB EVENTS WHICH ARE EXCITING ON AND OFF THE GOLF COURSE.
scratch and presented the budgets to our shareholders. I had set the financial targets and goals which we went out and achieved year on year. Financial success now and for the future is our main goal. In order to achieve this goal our sales, marketing and PR campaigns were needed to position the club as the “Best in Asia”. Our operations team were on a mission to delight and exceed the expectations of every guest and I mean every guest which is one of the reasons the club is so successful as the number of returning customers is so high. As houses were sold, the members started to join, and this changed the dynamic of the club for the better. We now have a core group of ambassadors and support towards club events which are exciting on and off the golf course. Membership services over the past five years has also been the essence of our club’s success. Membership satisfaction is at the heart of our business.
Events, we are the most popular host venue in Thailand to many prestigious golf days’ and events. We are proud to have founded the Hyatt Open, been host to Mercedes, BMW and other major corporate events. For two consecutive years 2015 and 2016 we hosted the Mahasamutr Masters with the MENA Tour and Banyan is now home to very talented Asian golf tour professionals Wolmer Murillo, Lionel Weber and Danthai Boonma. Another major milestone was when Banyan received the award for “Best Golf Club Experience in Asia Pacific” at the prestigious ASIAN GOLF AWARDS. It’s the pinnacle of our success being recognized in our industry with such prestige.
ASIAN GOLF: It is hard to imagine that you folks carved this award-winning golf club out of acres of pineapple plantations. What you have
achieve agree?
WALTO
ers and t early on n lay-of-the removal o large Ban and it wa painstaki until it es
ASIAN
was lau fied peo quired a up to sp
d here is truly historic – wouldn’t you
ON: The credit here really must go to the own-
he course architect, as they really discussed not to make too many changes to the natural e-land and the general topography. Even the of trees was taboo in most cases. There was a nyan tree which sat to the left side of hole 10 s sitting right in the middle of the fairway. It was ngly moved, set on metal stilts for a few years stablished itself once more at its new site.
GOLF: What was it like when the club nched? Did you have the suitably qualiople to run the club? It must have rea lot of training to get the various teams peed to deliver a world class product?
WALTON: Our recruitment of the team members started six months prior to opening and we staggered the starting dates to ensure we had the facilities ready to train them, and house them in many cases. A few of our hotel colleagues made the jump into the golf industry with us, so we always had the hospitality skills within the team. We’ve empowered our team members to take ownership over their respective departments, so in most cases, there is an immense sense of pride in what they do and have achieved.
hospitality at 99% of the courses we visited. We believed then, as we do now, that golf is essentially an entertainment business, so if you get that bit right, the rest falls in place. Of course, we were both exposed to golf specific demands and challenges but being surrounded by key personnel and a willingness to learn, we’ve managed most of the challenges that were thrown at us. We are proud to say that we now know a lot more about verti-cutting & fertigation than we did 10 years ago!
ASIAN GOLF: Like any new golf course, there must have been challenges – what were some of the major challenges and how were these overcome?
ASIAN GOLF: A visit to Banyan makes one quickly realise that it smacks of a five-star hotel atmosphere. The sense of arrival does not give you the impression that one is at a golf club upon arrival. Was this intended?
WALTON: Golf courses and new buildings are always telling you what they need, and you must listen to what they are telling you. Unfortunately, the drainage around our office had not been completed when we moved in, and we were hit by a big storm within four days of opening. We arrived to work to see our office furniture floating. We’ve since fixed that!
WALTON: Absolutely, it’s all part of the big picture which we drew up with the owners at the pre-opening stage. Any hospitality professional will tell you that the arrival and departure are key to any experience. Most golf clubs miss those key points on the customer journey.
ASIAN GOLF: Both you and Stuart were literally at the club from the moment the first shovel full of earth was moved. What sort of experience was it for both of you to shunt across from the hotel industry to the golf club business?
ASIAN GOLF: The lay-out of the course is quite stunning – from the vantage point of the clubhouse, most of the spectacular golf course vista unravels itself. This is quite a sight to behold – don’t you agree?
WALTON: Much less of a dramatic move than most people think. We are both average golfers but play as often as our schedules allow. We noticed a distinct lack of
WALTON: The location and orientation of the clubhouse was chosen purely based on the views of sunsets and maximising the views over the course. The clubhouse has got
experience. Talk about the high standards that have been set and maintained through the years. Your eggs benedict is quite a gastronomic experience in itself!
WALTON: Well the fact that Stuart and I have extensive food and beverage experience, it makes sense that we want to deliver a superb dining experience. We like to offer seasonal menus but there are some signature dishes such as the Eggs Benedict and the Banyan Burger that we can never touch, as there would be mutiny amongst the members. Eating well is a joy and eating well at a golf course is rare. ASIAN GOLF: It is also said that Banyan has a wine cellar and wine collection to die for. Talk to this. WALTON: Choosing a wine from a menu can be daunting and downright scary to many. Our cellar allows diners to browse through our collection, hold the bottle, and read the label. In some cases, we can offer a sample taste. It’s simply a nicer way to choose your wines. Additionally, the a “homely” feel to it, and many non-golfers use it simply to enjoy great natural views. There are clear views of 14 of the 18 holes from the clubhouse terraces. This was not an accident.
ASIAN GOLF: Speaking about vistas and impressive views, one can’t help but notice that the club’s watering hole is strategically located to provide a sweeping panoramic view of a good part of the course. What a brilliant idea to sit down with a relaxing drink, soak in the beauty of the course and view some golf action. WALTON: Mulligan’s Pub is simply the best 19th hole we can think of. It’s small enough to feel cosy, but large enough to host groups. We had the option of purchasing lots of golf memorabilia at the beginning to give it atmosphere, but we decided against it as we wanted it to take shape slowly. Now the walls are covered in memorabilia, and each piece has its own unique story and has a meaning to the club ASIAN GOLF: Mulligan’s Pub must surely have some fascinating stories to tell. Share with us some of the game’s great names who have stopped by to imbibe in some of the creative offerings of the bar-tender? WALTON: We don’t like to name names, as most of our visitors are simply there to relax. Let’s say that we’ve served Ryder Cup Captains, European Tour players, Wimbledon tennis Champions, Rock stars and much more! ASIAN GOLF: Dining at the club is also quite an
temperature-controlled climate ensures that the wines are being stored properly to ensure that the quality remains. The ambient temperature in Thailand is generally more than 30 degrees Celcius, so it’s critical to keep them in a temperaturecontrolled environment.
ASIAN GOLF: The measure of a world class golf club normally is centred around the total experience that a golfer has – Banyan certainly has this special quality – walk us through briefly on what a golfer can expect on a visit to the club?
WALTON: The team at the club is focused on the overall experience as opposed to the golf score. This starts at the time of making the booking, be it by phone, email or in person. It needs to be easy and efficient. I’ve mentioned the importance of the welcome to the club. We do not like to cram golfers onto the course on any given day, as we’d prefer 180 happy golfers rather than 230 frustrated golfers. Pace of Play is an important factor in the experience. Quality locker room facilities also
add to the overall feeling of the day, as does the ice-cold beer and perfect steak at the end of the round. We always focus on the big picture, but it’s the sum of all the smaller details that creates this experience.
ASIAN GOLF: Your caddies are your best ambassadors. This is borne out by the fact that some of Asia’s best caddies are in Banyan’s employ. This must make all of you very proud? WALTON: Caddies, and our team members in general, are the heart and soul of the club. You will spend up to 4 ½ hours with your caddy, so we focus heavily on that relationship and experience. Luckily, we are blessed with a great group of girls who love and know their job, and honestly do want you to play your best. Happy golfers tip more and return more often. ASIAN GOLF: This leads automatically to the awards that Banyan has secured over the years. Being recognised for what you do as the recipient of some of the most sought-after awards in the industry
to have them all wrapped into one award, it must be the ‘Best Golf Experience in Asia Pacific” award we received in 2016. This shows that all the parts of the engine are working in unison with each other. Selfishly, and purely from a GLS Asia (a management services company) point of view, the 2016 recognition of “Best Managed Golf Club in Asia Pacific” was a special moment.
ASIAN GOLF: Finally, let’s talk about the little hill on the course that is home to a Buddhist monk and his temple. What’s the story behind this very tranquil setting on the course?
must give you a tremendous sense of satisfaction. Talk to this.
WALTON: We received our first industry award in 2009 as the Best New Course in Asia Pacific. We were immensely proud of that but decided on the night that this was not enough. We set a new goal of being recognised as one of the best clubs in the region over the long term, and we’ve been fortunate to been able to achieve this so far. However, every year there is the chance to be knocked off our perch by our competitive set, so it’s part of our club credo and instilled in every team member that we must remain the best at what we do and to improve on our weaknesses. Our awards and successes are shared with the team and they feel as proud as we do with each and every award received. ASIAN GOLF: Over the course of your first decade, which award is representative and reflective of Banyan? WALTON: Each and every award or recognition we have received since our opening in 2008 means a lot, but if we were
WALTON: What a piece of real estate that is! But more importantly, even though it is the home of a solitary Buddhist monk, it is classed as a Temple. The Monk received special permission from the Royal family to live there more than twenty years ago. The structure is set on top on a huge rock, which sits right beside our 13th tee box. He built it himself and it is one of the most peaceful places you will ever visit. The views from this area are simply amazing, and he has been very welcoming of all the new activity below him in the past ten years. He has blessed new structures, vehicles and facilities. This has a tremendous meaning to our team members. He has been welcoming to visitors to his temple, as they must take a bit of a hike to get up there to see him. The presence of the temple brings a certain tranquillity to the course, as well as being the aim on holes like 3, 7 & 12. The presence of the Monk has most definitely given Banyan Golf Club a special aura and this is reflected by the blessed and successful first decade that the club has experienced. “I think that we have over the past 10-years of managing the club positioned ourselves as an industry leader in quality, service excellence from providing a memorable and true golf club experience to our customers,” concluded Walton.
S
uccess in anything for success is gai that complement example of succe to set up a manag golf club in Thailand. The two friends set up G and created a path for the mu to become a trail-blazer in th and Stuart Daly, the partners for excellence, including in tor, Best General Manage numerous awards for Be Banyan Golf Club i Commenting on their things that has bro owners our full co long term.� “We are ha
g does not come easy. Invariably, the formula ned through a coming together of many forces each other to deliver success. A classic ss has to do with how two friends got together gement company that went on to manage a top
LS, a management company eleven years ago ulti-award-winning Banyan Golf Club in Hua Hin e golf club industry. Helmed by Stacey Walton have garnered over 40 “Best in Asia Awards” dividual awards for Best Managed Club Operar and Best Golf Operations Manager including st Golf Course Superintendent. s both the show-piece and flagship of GLS. management style Walton said, “One of the ught us success is that we offer golf course ommitment, ownership and dedication for the
ands-on golf operators and we aim to keep it
this way because our owners view us as an invaluable asset to their club …. we are results driven, top and bottom line and we work hard at ensuring that we provide owners with key financial and performance indicators which are fundamental to a successful business operation.” Both friends were from the hotel industry and as hoteliers, they had a vision to transform the golf club industry. “We both found that the level of service and experience in golf clubs and golf resorts in Asia needed change. Properties were built in the late 90’s and were showing signs of decline and neglect not only in operating standards but also service levels which were generally poor and to us we felt that this wasn’t acceptable and so switched from hotels to golf clubs and resorts,” Daly explained. It was our mission to make sure that Banyan Golf Club became our flag ship property and headquarters. A year after opening, we won “Best New Course in Asia Pacific” and every subsequent year to date, our club has been featured in the awards of excellence becoming recognized as one of the best in Asia and I think that we have over the past 10-years of managing the club positioned ourselves as an industry leader in quality and service excellence from providing a memorable and true golf club experience to our customers,” Walton pointed out.
WE ARE HANDS-ON GOLF OPERATORS AND WE AIM TO KEEP IT THIS WAY BECAUSE OUR OWNERS VIEW US AS AN INVALUABLE ASSET TO THEIR CLUB
…. WE ARE RESULTS DRIVEN, TOP AND BOTTOM LINE AND WE WORK HARD AT ENSURING THAT WE PROVIDE OWNERS WITH KEY FINANCIAL AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS WHICH ARE FUNDAMENTAL TO A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS OPERATION.
It’s been an acknowledged fact for a long time that the fastest golf ball in the world has be stamp Pro V1 and Pro V1x. It is common knowledge that this brand is relied upon by more
and it is also the king of the hill when it comes to worldwide wins every year in profession
pion that it is, developmental work on the world’s winningest golf ball is a constant pursui
to seek out a better performing golf ball is incessant, and the brand behind the success of
it yet again. It has just rolled out the ultimate in speed – undoubtedly the fastest golf ball in
een the ball that bears the familiar of the world’s top golf professionals
nal tournaments. Like the true chamt in search of excellence. The quest
f the Pro V1 legend, Titleist, has done
n the world!
I
n launching the new iterations of the Pro V1 and Pro V1x, Titleist has proudly declared that the new arrivals have been specifically “engineered for more speed”! “When we set out to develop the 2019 models,
we found that golfers at every level are extraordinarily satisfied with the performance of their Pro V1 or Pro V1x. At the same time, golfers keep telling us they would still like more distance – as long as they don’t have to give anything else up,” said Michael Mahoney, Vice President, Golf Ball Marketing. “Through the prototyping process, our chemists and engineers discovered a way to cast an even thinner urethane cover, and therefore increase the percentage of speedenhancing materials in the overall construction. Pro V1 and Pro V1x are now even faster, as a result, all while maintaining the scoring performance and feel characteristics that golfers demand from these golf balls,” explained Mahoney. The new Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls are faster from core to cover, and have been designed to leave the clubface with more ball speed and lower long game spin for more distance, while providing the best short game control to help golfers shoot lower scores. “The advancements of 2019 Pro V1 and Pro V1x, underscore the Titleist R&D and Operations teams’ relentless mission to continuously improve the best performing, most consistent golf balls in the game,” Mahoney pointed out. The new balls are a direct result of the innovations in Titleist’s industry-leading multi-component technology and precision manufacturing process that have combined to deliver the most advanced Pro V1 and Pro V1x models yet. On a drill-down on the new balls, ASIAN GOLF learned
distance. The outermost portions of the solid core Pro V1 and dual core Pro V1x have increased in stiffness while
the following:
maintaining their soft centres, creating faster engines with
Q The advancement of Titleist’s thermoset urethane cast-
higher ball speed and lower long game spin.
ing technology has allowed its engineers to cast a thinner
In a nutshell, the technology that has been engineered
layer of the proprietary cover formulation, developed ex-
into the new PRO V1 AND PRO V1x make these high perfor-
clusively for Pro V1 and Pro V1x, while retaining its trusted
mance balls the best of breed. When it comes to choosing
Drop-and-Stop™ greenside control and soft feel. The 17%
between the total performance of Pro V1 and Pro V1x, golf-
thinner cast Urethane Elastomer cover system delivers
ers will notice similar differences in flight, feel and spin as
more ball speed.
the prior generation models.
Q Faster ionomeric casing layer increases ball speed and
Both Pro V1 and Pro V1x deliver increased ball speed
lowers long game spin. Beneath the thinner cover, the
and lower long game spin for maximum distance, consistent
speed enhancing casing layer has thickened by 14% on Pro
flight, Drop-and-Stop™ short game control and long-lasting
V1 and 11% on Pro V1x, creating higher ball speeds with
durability. Pro V1 provides optimal flight and spin for most
lower driver and long game spin.
golfers, flying lower than Pro V1x with a penetrating trajec-
Q New 2.0 ZG Process Cores are formulated for more
tory, with very soft feel. Pro V1x flies higher, spins more on
THROUGH THE PROTOTYPING PROCESS, OUR CHEMISTS AND ENGINEERS DISCOVERED A WAY TO CAST AN EVEN THINNER URETHANE COVER, AND THEREFORE INCREASE THE PERCENTAGE OF SPEED-ENHANCING MATERIALS IN THE OVERALL CONSTRUCTION.
PRO V1 AND PRO V1X ARE NOW EVEN FASTER, AS A RESULT, ALL WHILE MAINTAINING THE SCORING PERFORMANCE AND FEEL CHARACTERISTICS THAT GOLFERS DEMAND FROM THESE GOLF BALLS.
– MICHAEL MAHONEY
I’M GETTING ALL THE BALL SPEED I HAD WITH THE PRIOR GENERATION PRO V1X AND MORE. PLUS, THE NEW PRO V1 FEELS SOFTER TO ME AROUND THE GREEN, WHICH I PREFER. I GO THROUGH A FAIRLY RIGOROUS TESTING PROCESS WHEN IT COMES TO NEW EQUIPMENT, BUT IT DID NOT TAKE LONG FOR ME TO PUT THIS BALL INTO PLAY SEEING IT GIVES ME THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS. iron shots and has a slightly firmer feel. And the quest for excellence does not stop here. Titleist
– CHARLES HOWELL
playoff for his first PGA Tour victory in 11 years. “The 2019 Pro V1 for me is a home run,” Howell said. “I’m getting all
has also launched the High Optic YELLOW golf ball. “Fol-
the ball speed I had with the prior generation Pro V1x and
lowing a tour seeding and validation period in early 2019,
more. Plus, the new Pro V1 feels softer to me around the
the new high visibility colour option will be available in golf
green, which I prefer. I go through a fairly rigorous testing
shops soon and as the demand for yellow Pro V1 and Pro
process when it comes to new equipment, but it did not
V1x started to grow, our material scientists got to work on
take long for me to put this ball into play seeing it gives
what we knew would be a significant R&D undertaking,”
me the best of both worlds.”
Mahoney said. “The performance and durability characteristics of our
Howell is one of more than 60 players that have put new Pro V1 and Pro V1x in play around the world since the
cast urethane are the best in the industry. It’s because we
tour seeding and validation process began:
formulate and manufacture the cover ourselves that we are
Q Cameron Smith won the Australian PGA Championship
able to control the material with such precision and consis-
playing new Pro V1x, making three birdies on the final
tency. While it may seem pretty straightforward, recreating
nine to win by two shots.
those properties in yellow required a new and complex
Q Brian Harman (new Pro V1) and Patton Kizzire (new
chemistry with considerable iteration until we got it just
Pro V1x) put 2019 models in play for the first time at the
right,” Mahoney added.
two-man QBE Shootout, where they teamed up to win by
An excellent measure of a new golf ball’s performance
one shot with a 30-under total.
is how professionals rate its performance. Since the
Q The first victory for the 2019 models came on the
introduction of new Pro V1 and Pro V1x in November 2018
Japan Tour, where Tatsunori Nukaga played new Pro
across the worldwide tours players have been amazed by
V1x for his first professional win at the VISA Taiheiyo
the results delivered.
Masters. Two weeks later, Ho-Sun Choi earned his sec-
Playing the new Pro V1 for the first time in competition, Charles Howell III won the RSM Classic in a sudden-death
ond Japan Tour victory playing new Pro V1x at the Casio World Open.
Not because they are good lookers (which they certainly are), but because they are so darn friendly that you want to put them into play as frequently as possible! More on this as we unravel the latest from PING. It was not too long ago when we were singing the praises of the PING G400 drivers. These drivers were so typical of PING’s renowned reputation for pushing the limits of forgiveness that they made most golfers look good even on their worst hits! It was all about playability and user friendliness and the company could not make them fast enough to meet market demands. However, the terriďŹ c track record of the G400 series is now history because it has been overshadowed by the G410 drivers. In two words, the new arrivals are THE BEST!
P
ING which has a very solid research
golfer’s hands. “We’ve also expanded the loft and
and development foundation backed
lie options with a new eight-setting, lightweight
up by the best-of-breed engineer-
hosel that further fine-tunes ball flight, “ Solheim
ing practices, has brought all of
explained.
this know-how into play in creating
In the G410 Plus model, three positions
the G410 drivers. The company reports that
(Draw, Neutral, Fade) for the ultra-high-density
“significant advancements in custom fitting while
tungsten back weight shift the centre of gravity
delivering golfers the highest MOI’s and ball
(CG) location by 1/10” in each direction from
speeds available” as being the hallmarks of the
neutral to influence left or right shot direction
new multi-material PING G410 Plus and G410
approximately 10 yards (20 yards of correction be-
SFT drivers.
tween Draw and Fade settings). By positioning the
“We’ve continued to increase both forgive-
weight on the extreme boundary of the clubhead,
ness and distance in the G410 Plus driver while
the moment of inertia increases compared to the
adding more dimensions to driver custom
original G400 driver – ensuring golfers enjoy the
fitting,” said John K. Solheim, PING President.
added ball speed and forgiveness required to hit
PING’s new, movable-weight technology provides
their tee shots longer and straighter.
the benefits of custom CG locations, including
“Our engineering team took on the challenge
directional control, without sacrificing MOI or ball
of advancing driver fitting through custom CG lo-
speeds.”
cations without compromising the key attributes
The G410 Plus offers golfers a simple, logical
that ensure performance,” said Solheim. “It’s
way to customize their driver and allows them to
amazing how they’ve been able to deliver this new
swing away on the tee box without fear of miss-
fitting element while also improving ball speed
ing the fairway. It puts tour-level fitting into the
and MOI. The movable-weight technology clearly
THE G410 PLUS OFFERS GOLFERS A SIMPLE, LOGICAL WAY TO CUSTOMIZE THEIR DRIVER AND ALLOWS THEM TO SWING AWAY ON THE TEE BOX WITHOUT FEAR OF MISSING THE FAIRWAY. IT PUTS TOUR-LEVEL FITTING INTO THE GOLFER’S HANDS.
demonstrates the effects on shot shape and the ability to dial in your desired ball flight. This additional fitting element optimizes a golfer’s trajectory – meaning they’ll consistently be farther and straighter down the fairway than ever before.” The G410 SFT (Straight Flight Technology) model
adjustable
is engineered with a fixed ultra-high-density tungsten
hosel expands
weight positioned on the clubhead’s extreme perimeter
from five to eight
and 50% more heel-side CG than its predecessor to ensure
settings, offering loft (0,
straighter ball flights. A lighter swing-weight (D1) further
+1˚, +1.5˚, -1˚, -1.5˚) and lie
influences direction by helping square the face at impact.
adjustments (including up to 3˚
“There is still a large segment of golfers who will play better with a driver completely optimized for performance
flatter than standard) to optimize ball flight. “The expansion of the loft options is a tremendous
with the benefit of maximum fade correction,” Solheim
benefit for all golfers who can now further optimize their
added. “When we pioneered Straight Flight Technology sev-
launch conditions, including increasing ball speed, with
eral years ago, we wanted to provide a ‘slice-fixing’ driver
the guidance of a club fitter or through their own experi-
without adding huge offset or just closing the face. The
mentation,” said Solheim. “The lie angle fitting option
G410 SFT sits visually square at address and delivers all
adds another layer of opportunity for expert club fitters
the performance benefits of the G410 Plus while ensuring a
to really fine-tune a golfer’s driver performance based
consistently straight ball flight.”
on a more detailed analysis of their ball flight and launch
The new, patented lightweight and aerodynamic
conditions.” Playing with the G410’s is like having the luxury of your own private Tour custom-fitting van. It just doesn’t get any better! PS: In conjunction with the launch of the G410 drivers, PING has also launched the G410 woods, hybrids and cross-overs and the G410 irons. These products will be covered in the March edition of ASIAN GOLF.
How can anyone forget the charismatic Bob Parsons! The American billionaire entrepreneur extraordinaire who gave the world its best Internet domain registry – GoDaddy and the youngest major brand in golf equipment, PXG. With his broad shoulders and a unique voice that would be ideally suited as a ring announcer on WWE, Parsons has built a kick-ass brand that punched up its critics blue and black and proved that there was a market for high-priced golf clubs which came packed with quality and performance. Not only did Parsons silence the naysayers but he also signed up a crack team of brand ambassadors who have delivered gold both on the world’s toughest professional tours – the PGA TOUR and the LPGA TOUR. This is huge bragging rights for a company that was only started in 2014. There’s only one word for this and if you asked Parsons, he would say: “AWESOME Brother!”
H
arking back to the article’s headline,
“With a bigger sweet spot, the GEN2 driver’s
Parsons is indeed BACK! Not only is
performance is insane, and the consistency is unreal,”
he back with a whole arsenal of new
said 2-time PGA TOUR winner James Hahn. “I can
clubs but the new products are just
actually swing the driver a little faster and not
rippling with shiny, brawny muscles!
worry about mishits because I know, even on
Golfers, time to get on the golf course and do some
a mishit, the ball is going to fly straight and
serious pose-downs with golf clubs designed to help
go long.” Echoing Hahn, 2014 FedExCup
you play your best and to send your competitors scur-
Champion Billy Horschel added, “This
rying for cover!
driver goes forever! Of all the drivers I have
Besides being brawny, the new PXG GEN2 drivers, fairway woods, and hybrids feature “Hot Rod Technology” inspired by the look and extreme performance
hit, it is by far the easiest to hit in the centre of the face.” The honeycomb construction of the
of American muscle cars which is Parsons’s favourite
PXG driver helps reduce the mass of the
rides. Among his favourites is the Dodge Challenger
dampening structure, allowing for more weight
Hellcat that he drives.
to be repositioned around the sole, keeping the
With raw power in and under the hood, PXG GEN2
CG low and the MOI high. Also, fine-tuning, using
metal woods are engineered to inspire confidence and
PXG’s signature Precision Weighting Technology, al-
support maximum performance. The new Hot Rod
ters the initial launch conditions. New, larger, heavier
Technology includes a multi-level, variable thickness
weights create efficient adjustability and significantly
carbon fibre crown, honeycomb TPE insert, variable
more influence on ball flight with each weight moved.
face design, and precision weighting system.
As a result, golfers can achieve the best possible
“The technology we are introducing in our GEN2 metal woods is ground-breaking,” Parsons said. “The
performance without modifying their swing. After putting PXG’s GEN2 metal woods in play,
clubs are absolutely beautiful, and the performance
American actor and PXG customer Don Cheadle ex-
will shift your game into overdrive.”
claimed, “Boom! These sticks are sick. My game has
AFTER PUTTING PXG’S GEN2 METAL WOODS IN PLAY, AMERICAN ACTOR AND PXG CUSTOMER DON CHEADLE EXCLAIMED, “BOOM! THESE STICKS ARE SICK. MY GAME HAS NEVER BEEN MORE DIALLED IN. I’M
never been more dialled in. I’m shooting my lowest scores ever and my index is plummeting!” Besides the incredible performance of the new PXG GEN2 clubs, there is also some good news for golfers and it relates to the pricing. While some may feel like the new pricing is a departure from the company’s original brand positioning Parsons explains, “PXG’s goal has always been to develop the world’s finest golf club technology – and I believe we have done just that. Initially our prices reflected what it cost to manufacture our game-changing clubs at low quantities. PXG’s growth has been tremendous and with that comes certain economies of
SHOOTING MY LOWEST
scale. Our new pricing, while still premium, is exactly where it ought to
SCORES EVER AND MY INDEX
be given our success.”
IS PLUMMETING!
“The people who buy our equipment are twofold,” according to Parsons. “First, there’s people that don’t even look at the price. They might buy three sets and come in on their private jet. I don’t think it matters to them. The second are the people where it does matter, and I think we’re going to have a wider berth there. We’ve got the panache of the brand and the performance behind it. And I believe when people hit these woods and they talk to others who have, that is what will carry the day.” “The big news about our supercharged new drivers, fairway woods and hybrids aren’t the more competitive prices. The big news is that they perform! What we were able to accomplish even surprised us,” Parsons pointed out.
Owned & managed by The Peninsula Hotels & often voted as possessing the “BEST CLUBHOUSE IN ASIA” & “BEST COURSE IN THAILAND”, Thai Country Club is less than 45 minutes from downtown Bangkok and is renowned for having the friendliest staff of «À viÃà > Ã Ì i }` V ÌÌi` Ì «À Û ` } Ì i 1 Ì >Ìi w } Ý«iÀ i Vi° For registered guests of The Peninsula Bangkok, we are happy to arrange > Ìii Ì i >Ì > ÃÕLÃÌ> Ì > Ài`ÕVÌ vÀ ÕÀ À > Û Ã Ì À½Ã À>Ìi° ÝÌi ` Þ ÕÀ LÕà iÃà ÌÀ « > } ] À L > }iÌ >Ü>Þ } w } «>V >}i° 7 i Ì V iÃ Ì iÝV Õà Ûi } w } Ü Ì «iVV>L i ë Ì> ÌÞ q Üi « >Þ vv ÃVÀ>ÌV °
For 2018 Thai Country Club is proud to accept awards for
The Zenith Award The 101 Sustainability Citation Best Food & Beverage Experience ƂÃ > *>V wV Best Locker Room (Male & Female) ƂÃ > *>V wV (1st Runner Up) Best Managed Golf Club ƂÃ > *>V wV (1st Runner Up) Best Pro-Shop ƂÃ > *>V wV (2nd Runner Up) À > v ÕÃ >Ì / > Õ ÌÀÞ ÕL°°° / > 9 Õt Owned and Managed by The Peninsula Hotels Thai Country Club www.thaicountryclub.com Tel: +66 (38) 562-700 inquiry@thaicountryclub.com
The mantra for 2019 amongst manufacturers of golf clubs seems to be all about SPEED. It traverses the entire spectrum of equipment and accessories – from drivers, to woods to hybrids to irons and to golf balls. Every brand has a story associated with its new 2019 line of products and it all makes reference to pushing the boundaries of engineering like never before. Well, what else can you expect when innovation is the key operative word! In this issue of ASIAN GOLF, we take a look at some new sticks from the house of TaylorMade, one of the industry leaders in product innovation, technology and performance and the reported makers of the #1 Driver in Golf™ for seventeen consecutive years.
T
aylorMade, now detached from Adidas has launched the next generation of the globally successful line of its M metalwoods, highlighted by the all-new M5 and M6 drivers, fairways
and hybrids. Central to the new drivers is the “Twist Face” technology which was first introduced in its 2018 product line. For 2019, TaylorMade has taken Twist Face to the next level of performance with the introduction of “Injected Twist Face” technology. There are four key features to the design of Speed Injected Twist Face that has permitted TaylorMade to maximize ball speed and to allow every M5 and M6 driver to be precision-tuned with a new, rigorous process to maximize speed to the allowable limit. A very unique feature of the new drivers is that every M5 and M6 driver head is inspected, measured, and tuned for maximum speed and to ensure conformity. This is a process unmatched in the golf industry. Whereas current drivers have a level of variation from one to the next, TaylorMade’s new engineering and development processes effectively deliver a level of precision that ensures every golfer gets a hot and fast driver head. M5 and M6 drivers, have designed from the sole up to be the highestperforming drivers in company history.
“Injected Twist Face delivers a hot, yet accurate performance package in the new M6 driver. When you add optimized centre-of-gravity and MOI through the use of a full carbon crown and sole, the result is a complete driver that delivers on all fronts,” said Brian Bazzel, vice president of Product Creation at TaylorMade. First off, here’s the ASIAN GOLF drill-down on the M5 driver which comes in two versions – the standard and the tour version. In the M5 and M5 Tour drivers, a new Inverted T-Track makes personalization more intuitive and simplified than ever and allows the golfer more precise CG adjustability with 1770 unique CG configurations; made possible through the allowance of 20 grams (two 10g weights) of movable weight to be utilized for both the benefit of heel to toe control as well as front to back CG adjustment. Though there are 1770 unique settings, the adjustability process has been made incredibly intuitive with high/low and draw/fade settings. The front-to-back CG shift allows golfers to fine-tune their ball flight through launch angle and backspin. The flat curvature of the front/back track provides the lowest CG possible regardless which weight setting fits a golfer best; this promotes high launch and low spin in any of the M5’s weight configurations.
It also provides options - position b forward for the low speed with very low are pushed all the w of the Inverted T-Tr ball-speed protecti the golfer up to one 600rpm of spin cha to-right adjustabilit ization, the 2° loft s ment of the loft, lie driver; and when co T-Track, makes the customizable driver Both the M6 an ers are also injecte Speed. Like the M5 is individually speed with tuning resin to the entire face and speed and distance The heel and to face have allowed T speed across the en created, delivering pushing fast and ho The M6 feature
s a wide range of MOI oth weights all the way est CG projection to maximize w spin, and when the weights way back into both sections rac, this maximizes MOI and on on mishits. The result gives e degree of launch angle and nge as well as 25 yards of leftty. For even further personalsleeve allows for the adjustangle and face angle of the ombined with the Inverted e M5 the company’s most r in company history. nd M6 D-Type Drivd for a New Level of , each M6 driver head d tested and injected o optimize COR across deliver maximum ball . oe ports in the driver TaylorMade to maximize ntire face in every driver to each golfer a boundaryot driver head. es Twist Face technology, which
provides more loft in the high toe and less loft in the delivering a square clubface to the golf ball. low-heel to produce more consistent spin where golfers Next, the M5 fairway which represents a complete commonly mis-hit. re-engineering of TaylorMade’s adjustable fairways. The The M6, like the M5 features a 6-layer carbon comM5 fairway features an advanced multi-material head conposite crown allowing for significantly more discretionary struction with a titanium body, 5-layer carbon composite weight to be used elsewhere in the club-head. With the crown with a steel movable weight - a tri-material conweight savings, TaylorMade’s engineers were able to struction. The unique design of movable weight also crecreate a sleek, aerodynamic shape inclusive of the new ates a more seamless sole contour, producing smoother ‘inertia generator.’ The inertia generator houses the adturf interaction regardless of the weight position. ditional discretionary weight extremely low and back for Commenting on the new fairway wood, Tomo Bystedt, maximum forgiveness while lowering the CG compared to senior director, Product Creation, Metalwoods said, “This previous models. is the first ever fairway wood to use our revolutionary The M6 D-Type driver brings the same performance Twist-Face technology for unparalleled accuracy and features found in the M6 driver into a draw-biased, easygame-changing performance.” to-launch package. TaylorMade engineers have utilized a So, are you ready to put some of the finest drivers combination of technologies to create a significant amount and fairway woods in your bag? If you are give the new of draw bias to help golfers prevent a right miss. The key TaylorMades a test drive! feature is the optical engineering that creates NJECTED WIST ACE DELIVERS A a high-contrast topline masking configured to HOT YET ACCURATE PERFORMANCE make the face angle PACKAGE IN THE NEW DRIVER HEN YOU appear more open than the actual face angle, ADD OPTIMIZED CENTRE OF GRAVITY AND resulting in the golfer THROUGH THE USE OF A FULL CARBON CROWN returning a more closed face at impact. In addiAND SOLE THE RESULT IS A COMPLETE DRIVER tion, the centre of gravity THAT DELIVERS ON ALL FRONTS – BRIAN is moved slightly toward the heel to further aid in BAZZEL, VICE PRESIDENT OF PRODUCT CREATION AT TAYLORMADE
I
T
F
,
M6 - -
.W
MOI
,
.
ArtiďŹ cial Intelligence and the use of a US$5 million-dollar super computer to evolve a state-of-the-art golf driver? Sounds like a whole lotta mumbo-jumbo spun by some Silicon Valley tech upstart! That’s what many would think, and we include ourselves in this bunch of sceptical naysayers. In fact, everything that is said and claimed by Callaway Golf about their brand-new thunder sticks is all hard facts!
T
he EPIC Flash driver, woods and hybrids are the end products of a highly sophisticated design architecture created using Artificial Intelligence and crunched out with the aid of a super computer. According to Callaway and
“Through machine learning our computers cycled through 15,000 face architecture iterations, learning from each one, before arriving at Flash Face,” stated the release. “We couldn’t have come up with Flash Face us-
other informed sources, the design and building of the new driver is the first known instance of the use of AI in the golf equipment industry This in itself is EPIC! “Machine Learning,” is an advanced field of computer science that uses statistical tech-
ing conventional engineering principles,” Senior Vice President of R&D for Callaway Dr Alan Hocknell said. “We wouldn’t have gone in this direction without AI because
niques and algorithms to give computer systems the ability to “learn” with data without being explicitly programmed. ASIAN GOLF has learnt that through machine learning
“The wave configuration isn’t symmetrical, nor does the pattern seem logical. Yet the ripples work together in a complex manner to maximize ball speed. There’s never
Callaway’s super-computer cycled through 15,000 face iterations, learning from each one, before arriving at Flash Face.
been anything like Flash Face before in golf equipment, and the effect on performance is intense,” Hocknell
Again, something that is awesomely EPIC! As a result of this cutting-edge technology, Callaway reports that it has “created products designed to make every
added.
golfer a better golfer”. The new EPIC Flash drivers are being touted as “the most innovative and technologically advanced in Callaway’s history.” In a company press release, Callaway claims that the design may never have existed without AI and that the technology developed a design that can make drives longer and increase ball speed. Callaway explains that the EPIC Flash’s face can typically take eight to 10 iterations before landing on the best one. However, it stated that through machine learning it was able to analyse tens of thousands of iterations to find what works best.
it’s non-intuitive compared to previous face technologies, including our own ‘VFT’ and ‘X-Face’.
AS A RESULT OF THIS CUTTINGEDGE TECHNOLOGY, CALLAWAY REPORTS THAT IT HAS “CREATED PRODUCTS DESIGNED TO MAKE EVERY GOLFER A BETTER GOLFER”. THE NEW EPIC FLASH DRIVERS ARE BEING TOUTED AS “THE MOST INNOVATIVE AND TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED IN CALLAWAY’S HISTORY.
So, with this new technology on board, Callaway has charged into 2019 with products that it feels are ideally suited to take game improvement up a couple of notches. This is great news! Offered in a standard model and low spin Sub Zero version, the Epic Flash driver also benefits from a new ‘T2C Triaxial’ carbon crown material and sliding 16gram weight for ball flight customisation. The new crown material features a tighter weave that saves weight, which is then precisely redistributed throughout the head to increase the moment of inertia (MOI) for maximum forgiveness to partner the increased ball speed delivered by the new Flash Face. Like the new drivers, the Epic Flash fairway woods are offered in standard and Sub-Zero models, with the company’s new Flash Face and two internal bars of Jailbreak technology - the headline technologies delivering distance and forgiveness across the entire clubface. So, if you think that you are ready to harness the power of AI and the crunch power of a super computer, take on the challenge and stick these Callaway products of advanced engineering into your bags. What have you got to lose!
There is only one major golf equipment manufacturer that can be rightfully considered a ‘centenarian’ and that company is Wilson Staff. It has an impressive track record and till today, no other brand has been able to achieve what it has achieved which is a total of 61 Majors won with Wilson Staff equipment. No other brand comes even close to challenging and now at the ripe old age of 105 years, Wilson Staff is on the come-back trail. In the last few months, it has launched the revolutionary Cortex driver which was a unique collaborative effort involving crowdsourcing. It has brought on board the top-ranked Gary Woodland as one of its main brand ambassadors. There is no doubt that Wilson Staff is attempting to become a high roller again and the launch of its latest – the D7 irons, bears testimony to its push forward.
T
he D7 is pitched
ment distance ir aesthetics from
irons with groun the new D7 line
consistent performance during “The D7 line is our latest i
will give golfers increased dista
the shorter clubs,” said Jon Pe
tion. “Our RE-AKT technology a
ball speeds to help produce ma give golfers a greater feel and
With the “D” in D7 standing Wilson’s RE-AKT technology to
most. Featuring three rows of P
Wilson’s thinnest club face ever
distance due to the greater resp With fewer Power Holes th
the shorter D7 irons are ideal fo
distance control when approach
The D7 irons look like Wilso
giveness with clean looks that a mission seems to have been ac sleek and sexy!
According to Pergande, the distance iron that could appeal more forgiveness.
as “ground-breaking, super game improve-
rons for the 2019 season. Combining the
Continuing, Pergande added, “We think that the market is shifting away from super-forgiveness looking and super chunky looks and is
the award-winning FG Tour V6 and C300
moving into a much more traditional look with the promise of some added
d-breaking game improvement technology,
distanced.”
gives golfers greater distance and a more
g each round on the course.
Speaking about distance, the D7 features “power holes” on the clubhead’s sole which help create more face-deflection. Power holes are said to
nstallment of game improvement irons that
disconnect the clubface from the head structure as much as possible, allow-
ances on the longer irons and precision with
ing the face to flex more at impact to maximize ball speed, no matter where
ergande, manager, of Wilson Golf Club Innova-
on the face you hit it. Net result, the D7 does deliver greater distance and
and ultra-thin, responsive club face increases
according to reports, it is at least about 5 yards.
aximum distances, while the shorter clubs
more distance control.”
If you are in the market for a quality set of distance irons that are fun to play with, the D7 is already in the market and waiting to be checked out.
g for distance, the new line of irons integrates provide golfers power where it is needed
Power Holes in the long irons (4-7) and
r, the D7 irons ensure golfers get maximum
THE D7 LINE IS OUR LATEST INSTALLMENT OF GAME IMPROVEMENT IRONS THAT WILL GIVE GOLF-
ponsiveness off the club face.
ERS INCREASED DISTANCES ON THE LONGER IRONS AND
an the longer irons and optimized weighting,
PRECISION WITH THE SHORTER CLUBS,” SAID JON
a super game improvement player wants. This
PERGANDE, MANAGER, OF WILSON GOLF CLUB INNOVATION. “OUR RE-AKT TECHNOLOGY AND ULTRA-THIN, RESPONSIVE CLUB
hieved because the irons really look simple,
FACE INCREASES BALL SPEEDS TO HELP PRODUCE MAXIMUM
or golfers seeking maximum feel and precise
hing the green.
on Staff is trying to combine distance and for-
e aim was to create a cleaner, classier looking to distance-seeking players looking for a little
DISTANCES, WHILE THE SHORTER CLUBS GIVE GOLFERS A GREATER FEEL AND MORE DISTANCE CONTROL.
With over 30,000 golf courses in the world, it cannot be said that golfers are not spoil when it comes to deciding where to play a round of golf. Although there are many to c
it always helps if there is a way to make a good decision and pick the right course to pl
this scenario, ASIAN GOLF has partnered with IMG which designs, operates and mana golf courses in Asia and elsewhere.
As part of this collaboration, ASIAN GOLF will review a number of golf courses in th Prestige stable every month. It is hoped that this will serve as a valuable guide to golfers w to have a wonderful experience playing golf in some of the best courses on offer in A
https://www.imgprestige.com
t for choice
hoose from, ay at. Given
ages quality
he IMG who want Asia.
PINE ROC BEIDAIHE O
pened in July Rock was de
mately two hours Ea
ocean, the course fe
holes, and many nat
pine trees and rocky
teresting undulation
across Beidaihe tow
Regarded as one of t
China, Pine Rock is p
development. In add
course, the facilities
well appointed clubh
pro shop, restaurant
rooms. The club is m
www.pinerock
CK GOLF CLUB, E, CHINA
y 2013, the golf course at Pine
signed by IMG. Located approxi-
ast of Beijing, and close to the atures a variety of wonderful ural features including mature
y outcrops. The course has in-
ns that provides excellent views ards the ocean in the distance.
the best layouts in Northern
part of a high end real estate ition to the championship golf
s include a driving range and
house, that has a well stocked
t, locker rooms and meeting
managed by IMG.
golf.cn/GolfClub_en.aspx
IMG ACADEMY GOLF CLUB, BRADENTON, FLORIDA O wned and managed by IMG, the IMG Academy Golf Club
features an 18-hole championship golf course, multiple
practice areas, grille room and bar, as well as a fitness room that provides an array of fitness and cardio equipment. It is a true test for low handicap players, and also very playable for high handicappers who consider it extremely fair, yet challenging. Slender pines, majestic oaks and native foliage along with scenic lakes, provide and extremely playable and enjoyable golfing experience set amidst natural Florida habitat. In 2003, the course was lengthened to 6,855 from the back tees, with a spectacular “island” green for No. 10. The Bar and Grille Room offers a panoramic view of the Sarasota Bay extending into the event and banquet room. This view provides a memorable dining Bayside experience, while enjoying the beautiful Southwest Florida sunsets. The golf course is part of the world famous IMG Academy multi sport training and education facility. www.imgacademygolfclub.com
After a short hiatus, our resident golf gur facilities in various parts of the world and all ďŹ red-up and ready to help you learn n having a tank full of ideas, Tony has also Golf Citizen and he is now the brand’s am you courtesy of Golf Citizen who offer the
u Tony Meechai is back! He has been checking out golf d has returned to his home-base in Bangkok, Thailand, ew tricks to play some awesome golf in 2019. Besides teamed up with the leading golf-tee-time booking App mbassador. Henceforth, all his golf tips will be brought to e best Apps for golf clubs and it’s all for FREE!
S
o, over to coach Tony – Hey folks, it’s good to be back in Asia and in Thailand. Happy New Year! 2019 is going to be a fun and enjoyable time to play golf! It also marks my 20th anniversary as a top golf coach in Thailand.
Goodness, time sure flies! In celebration of my 20 years in Thailand, I’ve hand-picked a sampling of some of my most popular and effective tips. I believe I’m the one of few golf professionals around who has produced golf tips filmed on VHS tapes, CD-ROMs and DVDs. And, now with the digital era, I’m excited to share these ‘timeless’ tips with all of you in 2019. This year, I’m going to focus on game improvement along with golf fitness so that you not only play better golf, but you can also maintain good health! With that said, let’s get you prepared to play some good, consistent golf so you can have more enjoyable days with the family and your friends! Here’s a simple tip while you adjust to 2019! The number “19” in golf is often a colloquial term used in golf to refer to the 19th hole – put simply,
THE AVERAGE GOLFER TO HIT A SHOT. IF Y SECONDS OR BETTER, YOU’LL N
MITTING TO THE SHOT YOU HA
40 SECONDS OR MORE YOU CAN GET THIS NUMBER DOWN BELOW 19 NOTICE THAT YOUR MIND WILL FOCUS ON COMAVE TO HIT!
R SOMETIMES TAKES UP TO
it refers the bar or pub where bets are settled and where the merry-making begins! Since we will be seeing the number 19 a lot this year, I ask you to keep in mind how you can inspire and motivate yourself to take all your shots within 19 seconds. Not only will it help you to keep disturbing thoughts out of your mind, but it will also help speed up your game! Why? Too often golfers WASTE their time pondering which club to use which leads to major indecisions. At our schools, I make it a point to review each player’s PRE-SHOT ROUTINE which starts WAY behind the ball. Here’s what I mean. 1. 2.
As you approach your ball, begin to gauge and narrow down on what club you want to choose for the shot and start your visualization. Once the club is selected begin your Pre-Shot Routine behind the ball. Countdown from the number 19, for instance. 19…18…17…16…and so on to 3…2…1. The average golfer sometimes takes up to 40 seconds or more to hit a
shot. If you can get this number down below 19 seconds or better, you’ll notice that your mind will focus on committing to the shot you have to hit! So, for this year, commit to the shot and execute it in good timing! Remember 19 seconds is all you need to hit a great shot! On behalf of Golf Citizen, happy golfing!
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 PGA Professional Golf Management, he has made a name for himself in Asia over the past decade, during which 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 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 Club-Focused Instruction curriculum and teaching philosophy. Voted 2015 and 2016 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 tony@tmggroupasia.com. Like Black Hat Golf Tips page on facebook.
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If anyone was to have told you a decade ago that professional golfers from Asia would be competing for top honours against the world’s best, chances are you would have just laughed it off. However, this longer is the case because young Asian professionals are not only holding their own against the world’s best, but they also rank amongst the world’s best and win against the best on tour. With the 2019 season underway, ASIAN GOLF reached out to the PGA TOUR’s Chuah Choo Chiang for an assessment on some of Asia’s top stars. Here’s his report:
SHUBHANKAR SHARMA
THIS MONTH’S WGC-MEXICO CHAMPIONSHIP, WHICH IS OFFERING A PRINCELY US$10.25 MILLION IN PRIZE MONEY AT THE CLUB DE GOLF CHAPULTEPEC FROM FEBRUARY 21 TO 24, WILL PRESENT THE REGION’S LEADING LIGHTS WITH THEIR FIRST SHOT AT WGC GLORY IN 2019.
It wasn’t long ago when Asian golfers would being in a World Golf Championships event. the game’s elite, watching their heroes up c competing alongside them were often good to take home and cherish.
O
h, how times have changed.
These days, the new generation of young A
Aphibarnrat of Thailand, India’s Shubhankar S
Korea’s Si Woo Kim, Japan’s Hideki Matsuyam are in it to win it.
They don’t want to merely make up the numbers at the WG
possess a burning desire to win at the highest level. Backed by
less attitudes, the young guns have high doses of confidence ru dead aim at World Golf Championships titles.
This month’s WGC-Mexico Championship, which is offering a princely US$10.25 million in prize money at the Club de Golf Chapultepec from February 21 to 24, will present the region’s leading lights with their first shot at WGC glory in 2019. Twelve months ago, India’s Sharma announced his arrival on the big stage by snatching the second- and third-round lead through some glorious golf before finishing T9. Arriving in Mexico on the back of two Asian Tour-European Tour co-sanctioned victories, the 22-year-old unveiled his growing credentials with a masterful display in Mexico which he followed up later in the year by sharing the third-round lead at the PGA TOUR’s CIMB Classic in Malaysia before finishing T10. American golf legend Phil Mickelson, who played alongside Sharma during the final round in Mexico, was effusive of his praise towards the young Indian, whom he had funnily enough brushed off on the practice putting green during the previous day after thinking Sharma was a journalist hunting for an interview. “I saw how well he struck the golf ball. He hit a beautiful tee shot on one, you can tell he can really play. I saw some of the putts, some of the highlights with the putter. I know he’s a very talented player, so I know what a great player Mr. Sharma is. I probably shouldn’t say that, he’s 26 years younger than me!” said Mickelson, who won the tournament after defeating 2017 FedExCup winner Justin Thomas in a playoff.
d take delight at simply Rubbing shoulders with lose and personal and enough an experience
Asian stars such as Kiradech harma, Haotong Li of China, a and C.T. Pan of Chinese Taipei
GCs or on the PGA TOUR, and now
y armory in their games and fear-
unning through their veins to take KIRADECH APHIBARNRAT
PHIL MICKELSON
As the new European Tour Rookie of the Year and
big-hitting Thai produced his first top-five in a WGC in
2018 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, Sharma has
Mexico, which he credits for helping him become the first
secured a quick return to the WGC-Mexico Championship
Thai to earn a PGA TOUR card for the 2018-19 season.
and he is eager to reproduce his heroics at Chapultepec,
Kiradech also enjoyed top-5s at the WGC-Dell Technolo-
well known for its narrow fairways and tricky greens.
gies Match Play and WGC-HSBC Champions in 2018.
“Those two events (WGC-Mexico Championship and
“I can win one of these events,” declared Kiradech,
CIMB Classic) were definitely the highlights in 2018,”
holder of four European Tour titles. “I’m not far off from
said Sharma. “Obviously I have special memories and
winning. Just keep knocking on the door. I had three
feelings from Mexico. I couldn’t finish it off, but it was a
top-5s in the WGCs and when the moment comes again, I
turning point for me. It showed I could play against best
must control myself better. Winning one event on the PGA
in the world. It was my career-first WGC and to have
TOUR is my goal in 2019. Winning a WGC will be special.”
a chance to win at that stage, it gave me a lot of self-
Another elite line-up of global golf stars will descend
belief. Hopefully I’ll get more chances to win. Getting my
in Mexico City with the likes of Mickelson, Justin Thomas,
card on the PGA TOUR remains my goal in 2019 and get-
Dustin Johnson, Xander Schauffele, Brooks Koepka,
ting into the Presidents Cup International Team is also
Bryson DeChambeau and Jordan Spieth all tipped to
right up there, so hopefully playing well in big events like
headline the prestigious tournament which offers 550
Mexico will help.”
FedExCup points.
As it currently stands, Matsuyama, the ultra-talented
“They are very important tournaments. They are big
and tenacious 26-year-old Japanese ace, is currently the
tournaments. They bring together the best players in the
lone Asian golfer with two victories registered at the 2016
world,” said Johnson, a 19-time PGA TOUR winner includ-
WGC-HSBC Champions and 2017 WGC-FedEx St Jude
ing five WGC titles.
Invitational. Grip it-and-rip it star, Kiradech is keen to add his name to the exclusive winners’ club soon. Last year, the
And for this reason, the Asian brigade cannot wait to challenge the world starting with the WGC-Mexico Championship.
#LIVEUNDERPAR © 2018 PGATOUR, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Player appearance subject to change.
PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
A
STUART APPLEBY JUSTIN LEONARD
has develo as this. Ha I want to s Presidents “I owe Australia t so many o a professio learned fro of golf on a Leon well as thr debut afte without go The Open THE PLAY “It is giving thes “Competin game to th days are o The U Rolex AJGA selection w Ranking™ The In the World A standings, South Kore decided by The U Junior Pre David Tom national Te
A
ppleby is a five-time representative for the International Team and ninetime PGA TOUR winner, with his most recent victory taking place at A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier in 2010, where Appleby became the fifth player in PGA TOUR history to card a 59. The 47-year Aussie has a special devotion to junior golf - “Junior golf oped greatly from when I was a youth when we did not have opportunities such aving competed on the victorious 1998 International Team at Royal Melbourne hare that experience with these kids because they are future PGA TOUR and s Cup Team members on both the U.S. and International Teams.” e so much to the game of golf. It has presented a kid like me from Cohuna, o travel from the dairy farm around the world,” Appleby said. “The game gives pportunities and teaches lessons that kids can learn whether they pursue it as on or simply enjoy the game as a hobby. I feel I owe it to take the lessons I have om the game and help provide those to other kids who truly will be the future all levels.” ard joins Appleby with five Presidents Cup appearances on his resume as ree Ryder Cup stints representing the U.S. Leonard made his PGA TOUR r becoming the fourth golfer to advance directly from college to the TOUR oing through Q-School. He is a 12-time winner on the PGA TOUR, including Championship in 1997, which he followed up a year later with his triumph at ERS in 1998. amazing to see the impact the AJGA has had on growing the game of golf and se boys and girls the chance to compete at such a high level,” Leonard said. ng in AJGA events helped prepare me physically and emotionally to take my he next level. The memories and friendships I cultivated during my junior golf nes that last a lifetime.” U.S. Team will be made up of the leading 12 qualified players based on the A Rankings as of September 5, 2019. In the event of a tie for 12th place, the will be decided by the individual ranked highest on the World Amateur Golf (WAGR™) list at that time. nternational Team will be made up of the leading 12 qualified players based on Amateur Golf Ranking™ (WAGR™) as of September 5, 2019. Based on current from the top 25 ranked players, only eight are from Asia representing China, ea, Japan And Thailand. In the event of a tie for 12th place, the selection will be y the individual ranked highest on the most recent previous WAGR™ revision. U.S. Team defeated the International Team by a score of 14-10 in the inaugural sidents Cup in 2017 at Plainfield Country Club in Edison, New Jersey, where s captained the U.S. Team and South Africa’s Trevor Immelman led the Inteream.
Top juniors are beginning to get ready to make the teams set to compete in the 2019 Junior Presidents Cup. The PGA TOUR and American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) have revealed that Australia’s Stuart Appleby and the United States’ Justin Leonard will be captains of the International and U.S. Teams respectively. The event will be contested for the second time from December 8 to 9, 2019 at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia just days before the Presidents Cup tees off at the same venue.
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Lam Chih Bing
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Panuphol Pittayarat
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