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JON RAHM MEET EUROPE’S NO.1 GOLFER MARCH ISSUE (30 JAN-26 FEB) £4.99

Straighter Better!

Your ultimate guide to driving it better in 2020

FAULT FIXER

3 tips to transform your ball-striking P62 —

SAVE YOUR SCORE

TO U R E XC LU S I V E S

How to play the flop shot P64

CHARLEY HULL LUKE DONALD WAYNE RILEY

Test your knowledge P72

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Contents MARCH 2020

76 30

The Game 10

Your View

Month In Pictures

Winners’ Circle

Inside The Ropes

Diary

Love To Play

What Will 2020’s Best Event Be?

Features 30

Jon Rahm

Old Course In Reverse

Charley Hull

Bad Swing Thoughts

Luke Donald

Opinion 26

Wayne Riley

Matthew Southgate

114 Bill Elliott

Don’t Miss This Month!

Improve your driving in 2020 with our comprehensive guide p57

Instruction 57

Complete Guide To Better Driving

Fault Fixer

Strategy

Save Par

Swing Sequence

Rules

Equipment 76

New Gear Special

Tour Gear

Tested By Golf Monthly

Test Centre

Head To Head

Courses 100 Must Play 102 Travelling Golfers 104 Voyage Of Discovery 110 Five Of The Best

104

FROM THE EDITOR Michael Harris michael.harris@ti-media.com

Brighter days are coming As I sit here in mid-January typing this welcome, the rain is hammering away at the window and an email from the club has just landed to say the golf course remains waterlogged and is once again not open for play. Judging from posts on social media and the Golf Monthly forum, the ‘course closed’ signs have been going up rather a lot this winter. Talking to a number of course managers and hearing the rainfall figures, it’s perhaps surprising there weren’t more days where golf wasn’t possible. One links course in the south-east had a total of 400mm of rain in the first nine months of 2019… and then almost exactly the same again in the final three. Truly biblical stuff. From a personal perspective, I found that wet end to the year frustrating. After a disappointing season where my handicap had crept up, I was starting to find a bit of form and hoping to sneak a late-season cut to end the year on a positive. It wasn’t to be, as competitions were cancelled. However, after taking on board a lot of the tips and advice in our recent issues about how to think smart and avoid those mental-game mistakes that see one bad shot turn into a disaster hole (or run of holes), I have started the year in a positive frame of mind. The mini dry spell at the start of the month allowed me to tee it up in the first competition of 2020. Thankfully, I managed to put in a good showing and get enough of a cut to get back to single figures. That performance in general, and the fact I managed a whole 18 holes without making a poor mental-game decision specifically, put a spring in my step and I’m now really looking forward to the season ahead. I’ve had another dose of inspiration from reading the exclusive interviews we have with Jon Rahm and Charley Hull in this issue. Both are refreshingly honest about just how non-technical they are. With strategy and the mental game, it seems like you benefit from analysing things, but when it comes to executing the shot, less may well be more in terms of thinking. So, for 2020 I have decided my mantra will be ‘think about the shot you want to hit, not how you want to hit it’. I’ll let you know how I get on with that. Now, if someone could just have a word with the weather gods, things would really be on the up!

Contacts EDITORIAL Editor: Michael Harris Digital editor: Neil Tappin Senior content editor: Tom Clarke Technical editor: Joel Tadman Content editors: Nick Bonfield, David Taylor Editor-at-large: Bill Elliott Design director: Kevin Eason Design editor: Jamie Latchford Deputy design editor: Dan Franklin Picture researcher: Duncan Bond Digital writer: Elliott Heath Contributing editors: Fergus Bisset, Jeremy Ellwood, Rob Smith, Michael Weston Contributing writers: Roderick Easdale, Sam Tremlett Playing editor: Matthew Southgate Staff photographers: Tom Miles, Kevin Murray Contributors: Getty Images, Wayne Riley, Paul Severn, Kenny Smith, Robin Barwick, James Mason Golf Monthly, TI Media Limited, Pinehurst 2, Pinehurst Road, Farnborough Business Park, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 7BF Tel: 01252 555213 Email: golfmonthly@ti-media.com Website: golf-monthly.co.uk ©TI Media Limited ISSN 0017-1816 Sell-out hotline: 020 7907 7777 Back issues: MAGS-UK Opening hours: 9.30am – 1.30pm Monday to Friday mags-uk.com/browse-by-publisher/ti-media.html Tel: 01795 662976 Email: support@mags-uk.com International editions: +1 888 313 5528 Syndication: Lucy Cox 020 314 85483, lucy.cox@ti-media.com / ti-mediacontent.com

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FROM EXPLORING AN ICE CAP TO MAKING YOUR OWN NIGHTCAP

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Customers rate P&O Cruises Powered by Rating as of January 2020

THE GAME

YOU R VI EW

The pick of the letters and emails to hit the Golf Monthly offices this month

For young and old While we are all focused on how to speed up play and attract young players to the game, we should also be mindful of the positive impact the game has on the older generation. Our seniors’ section at the Wychwood Golf Club in West Oxfordshire is large and thriving. We have many in their 70s and 80s who relish regular competition and we recently celebrated the 90th birthday of one of our most enthusiastic golfers. We raise money for good causes and invest heavily in our excellent pro and his team. Golf remains a very popular and healthy pursuit for many of advancing seniority. Let’s celebrate its longevity! Peter Hilling, via email

Golf brings numerous benefits to seniors

Standing the test of time While cleaning my golf shoes the other day, it occurred to me that I have been doing the same thing on a regular basis for the last 12 years! Twelve years ago I bought my first pair of FootJoy Contour golf shoes and, to this day, they remain my go-to pair during the winter months. Twelve years! Having been a football player all my life, I’m one of those middle-aged dads who’s always insisted on buying black leather boots – much to my son’s bemusement, who always insists on the brightly coloured boots that seem to be all the rage these days, and last for all of three months before falling apart! The Contours remain the most comfortable shoes I have, and always 10

keep my feet warm and dry. The moral of the story? You get what you pay for, and you can’t put a price on real quality. As for the golf, I might not have won bragging rights in the Christmas duel, but I was the only one without trench foot afterwards! Colin Brunton, Nottingham

An unfair advantage? Without doubt, the pros can hit the ball further and better than we can manage as amateurs. The equipment, training and practice are certainly instrumental in this, and good for them. However, instead of making the courses longer

and more difficult, or making them use different equipment and golf balls, might there not be a simpler way to make them rein it in a bit? I certainly have the ability to hit the ball further than I do when I’m out playing, but that runs the risk of losing the ball left or right. I don’t have the luxury of ball spotters or members of the public helping me find the errant ball – just my playing partners and three minutes. So why not simply say that only the players and their caddies can look for a ball in three minutes? I know some will say that you can’t stop the spectators from pointing where the ball has landed in association with

Letter of the Month With the recent passing of golf course architect Pete Dye at the age of 94, it struck me how designers in the game of golf are underappreciated for the job they do. They create the canvasses for us to play on and yet all too often their names are relegated to obscurity. Dye, of course, was one of the exceptions to this common trend, thanks to several incredible designs that have hosted some of the biggest events in the game. Kiawah Island, Harbour Town and TPC Sawgrass often frequent our television screens and usually create mesmeric entertainment. Indeed, it is fitting that the Ryder Cup in 2020 will head to another of his famous designs, Whistling Straits in Wisconsin. I can only hope the powers that be acknowledge the genius of his design career at some stage during the event. Steve Sinclair, Berkshire The iconic 17th at Pete Dye’s TPC Sawgrass

LETTERS

OU R VI EW

Pros have ample help when they hit a wayward drive

Will we see progress on slow play in the pro game this year?

Trolley folly A bemused smile usually accompanies me as I arrive at the golf club car park and once again survey a bizarre and all too familiar scene. There they are, Trolleys aren’t for everyone

opening their boots to reveal all manner of paraphernalia appertaining to that complicated and totally confusing piece of equipment they call the golf trolley. Eventually, when they are all set up, they venture out on to the golf course, whereupon they are subsequently the subject of direction signs, designated pathways and certain directives as legislated by the club committee. My bemused smile broadens into one of enthusiasm and anticipation as, within a matter of a few seconds, I open my boot, yank out my stand bag and close the boot again. Job done. Now, with a perfectly balanced bag, the weight of which is hardly noticeable, slung over my shoulders, I’m off to the course on which I’m permitted to roam wherever I choose, speeding up play in the process in an era where slow play is a contentious issue. I’m 72 and will carry until I die! Paul Smith, via email

Win!

The letter of the month winner receives a year’s supply (six dozen) of the best Titleist golf ball for his or her game

Yes 30%

No 70%

immediate one-shot penalty for players recording two ‘bad times’ during a tournament. But haven’t we been here before? Both tours have had the power to dock shots up until now, but this has rarely been enforced. These new measures seem to be upping the ante, but there is an air of ambiguity about some of the smallprint which will set off alarm bells in some quarters. While these sound like quite drastic measures, it will all come down to how strictly they are implemented. Let’s hope these headlines are not just window dressing and we finally see some progress being made. 11

Photography: Getty Images, Tom Miles

300-plus yards from the tee, but surely this is an option worth exploring? If not, the pros will continue hitting it further and further into the distance, almost totally assured that someone else will find it for them if it’s off line somewhere in the cabbage patch. There’s nothing worse than the walk of shame back to the tee for a reload. Just a thought… Peter Adams, Norfolk

Both the European and PGA Tours have announced new tougher measures to combat slow play this season, so will we see a real difference in 2020? The subject has been causing headlines for years, but seemed to come to a head last season when Bryson DeChambeau was recorded taking over two minutes to line up an eight-foot putt. This looks to have jolted both tours into action, with the European Tour vowing to rigorously enforce its new timing guidelines – 50 seconds if first to play and 40 seconds for the next players in the group – with an

FRO M TE E TO G RE EN

The Game Edited by Nick Bonfield and David Taylor

Branden Grace Back on track Branden Grace started the final round of the South African Open four shots behind compatriot Louis Oosthuizen, but propelled himself to the top of the leaderboard with a sublime closing 62 to register his first worldwide victory since the 2017 Nedbank Golf Challenge. Grace started 2019 as world number 49, but fell to 130th after November’s visit to Sun City. He’ll look to build on his first victory for 26 months and force his way back into the world’s top 50 ahead of the first Major of the season.

MONTH IN PICTURES

Grace shot a final-round 62 in South Africa. He had eight birdies and an eagle

His world ranking following his first win in his national open

Number of victories since the start of 2012 across the PGA and European Tours

European Tour wins since the start of 2012 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; only Rory McIlroy (11) has more

B Y TH E NU M BE RS

THE GAME

Adam Scott won his second Australian PGA Championship in December. His first came in 2013

Justin Thomas has the most wins of any PGA Tour player over the past five seasons (12)

Jazz Janewattananond won four Asian Tour titles in 2019

Cameron Smith won his second PGA Tour title at the Sony Open in Hawaii

Xander Schauffeleâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s world ranking after the Tournament of Champions

Sungjae Im finished in a tie for 21st at the Sony Open to move to 35th in the world rankings

THE GAME

MONTH IN PICTURES

Jon Rahmâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s finish at the Tournament of Champions, his fourth consecutive top-ten

Drew Weaver finished 36th on the 2019 Web.com Tour Order of Merit

WINNERS’ CIRCLE

“I really don’t know how I won. I got very fortunate” Justin Thomas won his 12th PGA Tour title at the Sentry Tournament of Champions despite bogeying two of the last three holes in regulation the wind on that putt. It really is not a hard putt. It’s probably the two easiest putts that you could get to that pin. But the wind kind of picked up on mine and went low and the wind stopped on his and that’s why his broke. It was the same with Patrick’s putt on the last hole [Reed joined Thomas and Schauffele in the play-off]. I really don’t know how I won. I got very fortunate.

They say that you can learn more from a loss than a win, but this feels like a win that you’ll take a lot away from. Is that the case? You should take something from every round, but yeah, it was just such a bizarre way for it to ﬁnish. There’s something about this place – I seem to have the tournament pretty well under control and then I hit it in a hazard. I truly felt like through 15 holes it was one of the best rounds I had played. I was in such control tee to green. I was putting it beautifully, my irons were awesome. I hit a really good drive on the 16th, just the wind took it, and then 18 was just a disaster. I really didn’t hit very many good shots on the hole. But it worked out. You’ve now won 12 PGA Tour titles, which is more than any other current player in their 20s. What does that mean to you? Yeah, it means a lot. I’ve been fortunate with a decent amount of them. That’s what happens when you win. Stuff goes your way. Obviously you have to play well and make some putts and hit some shots, but at the end of the day, you need stuff to go your way. It deﬁnitely did here, and it feels great. When you missed the eight-footer on 18 and Schauffele had a similar putt to win, did you think it was all over? Yeah, for sure. It’s so weird. Xander had to go through the same thing I did with

Driver Titleist TS3

3-wood Titleist TS3 5-wood Titleist 915fd

Have you ever had to play the same hole four times in a row in a tournament before? No, deﬁnitely not. It was the worst hole we could have possibly played to try to beat daylight. We picked a 680-yard par-5 with the wind blowing 30. Winning score: -14 New world ranking: 4 Prize money: $1,340,000 PGA Tour victories: 12

Thomas needed three extra holes to win the tournament

At 26, Thomas has the most PGA Tour victories of any current player in their 20s. Jordan Spieth is next on 11

What’s in the bag?

You won this tournament back in 2017 and went on to land the USPGA Championship. How does this win compare and are you in a similar place with your game this year? I don't know, they're very different wins. I was in a different stage of my career then. I’m not saying that one win was better than the other or felt better. They're both tremendous accomplishments and huge for me, but that was a long time ago and they were both done differently. This one was a lot more stressful and a lot more hardfought. So I'm probably a little bit more tired, a little bit more exhausted after this one. But they both ended with the correct result, which is nice.

Wedges Irons Putter Titleist Vokey SM7 Titleist T100 (4-iron), Scotty Cameron X Titleist 620MB (5-9) (46˚, 52˚, 56˚), Vokey Flow Neck Prototyp SM6 (60˚)

Smith hoped his Sony Open victory would bring “a bit of joy to Australia”

TOUR NEWS

Cameron Smith won his first individual PGA Tour event at the Sony Open in Hawaii, with a par on the opening hole of a play-off securing victory against American Brendan Steele. The win was all the more significant for the Australian given the deadly bushfires

that have been ravaging his home country for months. Speaking at the trophy ceremony, Smith talked emotionally about what it meant to him: “I might tear up here, but I just hope this brings a bit of joy to Australia. I know we’re going through some tough times, but keep in there. We’re all trying to raise money for you. We all love you.”

GOOD MONTH/BAD MONTH Sandy Lyle The former Open and Masters Champion received the 2019 PGA Recognition Award for his outstanding contribution to golf.

Catriona Matthew The 2019 Solheim Cup-winning captain was awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours List. She will captain the European side again in 2021.

Jordan Spieth Looking to kick off 2020 in style, Spieth had to withdrew from the Sony Open in Hawaii because of illness. Martin Trainer Since winning in Puerto Rico in 2019, Trainer has missed 18 cuts from 23 events. He finished last at the Tournament of Champions, where there was no cut. He shot 18-over-par for the four rounds.

The 26-year-old’s family has been greatly impacted by the fires. His uncle, Warren, recently re-visited his evacuated property to find only a shed standing. Smith joined several other Australian players including Marc Leishman and Matt Jones in donating money to the cause. The International Presidents Cup team also contributed $125,000 to the relief effort. Speaking in Hawaii, Leishman said: “I want to thank the rest of the International Team for their contributions to the cause and I know all of Australia – and particularly the victims – will be very grateful. But the scale of the destruction is huge and it will continue to take a team effort from every corner of the globe as we look to the future.” In a time of devastation and tragedy, it’s good to see the world of golf coming together to give something back.

Words: Sam Tremlett Photography: Getty Images

Emotional Aussie Smith wins in Hawaii to aid bushﬁre relief effort

INSIDE THE ROPES

3 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT

Marcus Armitage

SHOT OF THE MONTH During the final round of the South African Open, Louis Oosthuizen holed his tee shot at the par-3 8th to move into the lead. He finished 2nd.

The 32-year-old qualified for the 2020 Open courtesy of a thirdplace finish in the South African Open. It was his best result in a European Tour event and it came just two months after he secured a card via Q-School.

When he was young, his father came home with a set of clubs that were given to him as payment for a debt. They gathered dust in the garage before one day Armitage decided to fire a shot into a field on the family farm. He left school at 13 after his mum died and from that moment onwards spent all his time practising. He got his handicap down to +1 before he received a single lesson.

In 2018, Armitage qualified for The Open. Ten days before, he went indoor skydiving and ripped his shoulder out of its socket. He saw a Challenge Tour physio, who told him: “You’re not playing in The Open next week.” He said, “Yes I am, you watch me.” He played with a half swing and missed the cut, despite shooting 69 in the second round.

NEWS WRAP Adidas Golf has signed talented Danish twins Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard to apparel, footwear and accessories contracts. The latter won the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open at the end of 2019.

SOCIAL CORNER @VictorPerezgolf: A big thank you to @themasters for the invitation! #atraditionunlikeanyother Victor Perez received his first Masters invite after ending 2019 in the world’s top 50.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

94 Iconic architect Pete Dye has passed away aged 94. His most famous designs include TPC Sawgrass and Whistling Straits.

“TWO MORE HOLES AND WE CAN GET A MAI TAI” Patrick Cantlay was looking forward to a drink after the final round of the Tournament of Champions.

BET OF THE MONTH As predicted by the GM Tipster at 40/1, Cameron Smith secured his second PGA Tour victory in Hawaii. 19

THE GAME

DIARY

Your Golfing Calendar

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

APRIL ISSUE OF GM OUT

Words: Sam Tremlett Photography: Getty Images

10 Greg Norman’s birthday The Great White Shark turns 65 today.

MARCH

1971: Golf balls hit on the moon As part of the Apollo 14 mission, American astronaut Alan Shepard hit two golf balls on the moon with a makeshift club.

2 FEBRUARY

1949: Ben and Valerie Hogan survive crash The couple collided with a Greyhound bus in Texas, which left Ben with significant injuries. Incredibly, he returned to golf later that year and went on to win six more Majors.

TaylorMade SIM range goes on sale TaylorMade’s new SIM (shape in motion) range of metalwoods and irons features new aerodynamic and forgiving designs for more clubhead speed and distance.

WGC-Mexico Championship The game’s top players head to Club de Golf Chapultepec in Mexico City for the second WGC of the PGA Tour season.

DEBATE

Would fewer pro tournaments make golf more interesting? No

Yes

The tapestry of worldwide modern pro golf tournaments Pablo Larrazabal won the first event of the European Tour’s makes for a compelling year-round narrative. Those who follow 2020 season a week after Jon Rahm had clinched the Race to the sport come to know the pattern of events, the protagonists, Dubai in dramatic fashion at the DP World Tour Championship, the challenges and the prizes on offer at various levels. the final event of the 2019 season. Am I alone in craving For die-hard golf fans, there are always sufficient breathing space to allow a degree of tournaments to watch on TV, but it’s not finality before excitement builds once more as obligatory to watch them all. Was Tiger’s a new season approaches? Absence makes AND OUR incredible 2019 Masters win any less exciting the heart grow fonder, they say. SURVEYS SAID... because there had already been televised In my early years of following golf, the pro events earlier in the year? Of course not. season finished in November before starting There are multiple pro tennis tournaments again the following spring. The 1988 Would fewer pro played every week, but they don’t make European Tour schedule ended with the tournaments make golf Wimbledon less interesting. Those who Volvo Masters from October 27-30, with the more interesting? prefer to watch or follow only the biggest 1989 season then teeing off at the Tenerife events in any sport can still do so. Open from February 23-26, meaning four But the complexity of the pro game means months between events. The perfect window lesser tournaments can also be interesting. In to allow the seeds of anticipation to Yes 31% second-tier events, players compete not just germinate among golf fans, or am I just 69% No for cash, but also a chance to make it into the looking back through rose-tinted spectacles? Majors and other top competitions. Lower Now, we have pretty much a 52-week still, on feeder tours and in qualifying schools, schedule in Europe and America, with players battle for their livelihoods, with the countless other major and minor tours serving objective of moving up through the ranks. All up a never-ending feast of professional golf. How many golf these levels of professional golf showcase For professional golfers, that’s great, and no tournaments do you drama, emotion and tension, making for one can blame them for going wherever the watch a year? inspiring and interesting viewing. money is. We would do the same in their shoes. An incredible number of pro tournaments But is it so good for golf fans and the sport are now played by both sexes on a weekly as a whole? For me, over-exposure detracts 34% <10 basis across the globe. Every continent has a from the natural ebb and flow of following a 10-20 31% tour and many have lower-level tours to boot. sport. You can get too much of a good thing. 20-30 17% This strength in depth feeds the top level with Rahm hardly had time to settle that crown >30 18% a constant stream of new talent who inspire firmly on his head before his colleagues began new players and grow the game. The more their campaigns to dethrone him just four days professional tournaments there are around later. Professional golf needs to be careful that the world, the better golf’s global health. Fewer oversaturation doesn’t lead to a decrease, pro tournaments would make golf weaker and, rather than increase, in interest among those it in the long run, less interesting. relies on for support. What’s your view? Email golfmonthly@ti-media.com

Illustrations: Peter Strain

says Jeremy Ellwood

says Fergus Bisset

THE GAME

Royal Norwich Wo rd s Rob S mith

England £120 Par 73, 6,763 yards

LOVE TO PLAY

literally and metaphorically groundbreaking move by Royal Norwich came to fruition last September when the club relocated seven miles from its old home near the city centre. Funded by the sale of their James Braid course for housing, they took over the site of Weston Park Golf Club and commissioned Ross McMurray of European Golf Design to create something special. The result is an extremely attractive and varied course that runs over easy-walking turf through magniﬁcent trees across the estate.

The club offers state-of-the-art clubhouse and practice facilities and even its own micro-brewery, but the course is deﬁnitely the star of the show. The design ensures that it can be played and fully enjoyed by golfers of all standards while also having the potential to host a top-level tournament. With the possible exception of the beautiful, watery par-3 17th, it is very much a course of strength-in-depth rather than signature holes. The sweeping par-5 3rd is a real gem, as is the excellent 440-yard 8th, but the green complexes and run-off areas create interest on each and every hole.

In the area? Why not play these…

1 2 3 4

Royal Cromer GF: £50-£80 Sheringham GF: £70-£95 Sprowston Manor GF: £30 Thetford GF: £35-£50

G M A S KS ...

What will be the standout event of 2020? Wo rd s Fergu s Bi s s et • P hotog rap hy G ett y Im a ges

With the Olympics and Ryder Cup thrown into the mix, which tournament will deliver the greatest golfing thrill in the first year of the Roaring ‘20s?

his year could be an absolute cracker in terms of top-level competitive golf. On top of the regular season and the always exciting annual Majors, golf fans will also be treated to Olympic golf and the Ryder Cup. Which of these great events might stand out and electrify the sporting world? With a nine-month wait for a men’s Major Championship, since Shane Lowry’s momentous victory at Portrush last July, The Masters will be even more eagerly anticipated this year. The tapestry of colours at Augusta ushers in the golf season and, perhaps more so than any other event, The Masters inspires people to dust off the clubs and head for the fairways. Golf fans know the course so well and every hole conjures memories of historic strokes of brilliance or moments of costly misfortune. The lush fairways, challenging undulations, run-offs and hazards are all comfortingly familiar to those who can enjoy the test from the safety of their armchair. Last year’s Masters was simply incredible, with Tiger completing one of the great comebacks in

The Open returns to St George’s in 2020

sporting history. Could he win it again? Or could we finally see Rory triumph at a course so suited to his game? Whatever happens when the world’s best tee it up at Augusta on April 9, the golfing year will shift firmly into top gear. Moving into the summer, the 149th Open Championship will take place at Royal St George’s from July 16-19. For lovers of golf’s history and purists of the game, there’s no tournament to match The Open. For many professionals, the oldest Major is the one they want to win. To lift the Claret Jug and be named Champion Golfer of the Year is the pinnacle of the sport. The links delivers very different challenges to those faced by the top players week in, week out and it’s always hugely entertaining to see

how the best golfers cope with the vagaries of weather and terrain. The championship returns to Royal St George’s this year – a venue that usually delivers a memorable contest. Last time on the Kent coast, in 2011, Darren Clarke was a hugely popular winner. After Shane Lowry’s triumph at Royal Portrush last year, what price another home champion? Let the Games begin When golf returned to the Rio Olympic Games in 2016, the viewing public weren’t too sure what to expect, neither were the players. But it turned out to be a great success, with Justin Rose winning gold for Team GB in the men’s competition and Inbee Park claiming the title for Korea in the women’s event. Having witnessed the spectacle in Rio, many of the best players who missed out that time have expressed their desire to compete in Tokyo, and it looks set to deliver two fabulous competitions between July 30 and August 8. How exciting would it be to see Tiger versus Rory for a Gold Medal? Golf at the 2020 Olympics will be contested over the

“After Shane Lowry’s triumph at Royal Portrush last year, what price another home champion?”

2020 EVENTS

The Ryder Cup is an event like no other

beautiful Kasumigaseki Country Club. With its sweeping fairways and towering trees, it will provide a fitting setting for the competition. Held only once every four years, the significance of these tournaments will only increase. With players competing for their country, passions are sure to run high. One of a kind Talking of passions running high, the 43rd Ryder Cup matches will take place at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin between September 25 and 27. No event in golf delivers the high-octane drama of a Ryder Cup and Team USA will be

desperate to win the Cup back on home soil following their comprehensive defeat at Le Golf National in 2018. With partisan crowds, fired-up players and nail-biting matches, the Ryder Cup delivers one of golf’s great competitive spectacles. Steve Stricker captains team USA this time out and Padraig Harrington leads the Europeans. With the sides already taking shape, it looks likely to be a contest of the highest quality, featuring the very best players in the world. Whistling Straits is an incredible venue for the tournament, too – a rugged and windswept links-like layout beside Lake Michigan.

Justin Rose won a historic Gold in Rio

Europe has won nine of the last 12 Ryder Cups and the home side will be doing all in their power to prevent that becoming ten of 13. This year looks set to be an incredibly exciting one for professional golf and any one or all of the big tournaments described above could deliver competition that goes down in the sport’s history. Be it a chance to display individual brilliance, secure a medal for your country or step up for the team, 2020 offers a plethora of opportunities for golfing excellence. 25

WAY N E R I L EY

A former member of the European Tour and two-time winner, Wayne is part of the Sky Sports golf team. He writes exclusively for Golf Monthly

ack in my day, there weren’t that many players who could win regularly. Don’t get me wrong, we all had a chance and occasionally we took it, but most of the time the great players ended up lifting the trophies. Some simply weren’t good enough – I know that sounds harsh, but it’s the truth. Seve, Faldo, Langer, Woosnam, Monty, Olazabal and Lyle were the elite players, then you had the likes of Torrance and James the level below them. They were our stars and in a league of their own. Nowadays, however, the situation is completely different. There are so many superstars and a massive number of players who are capable of winning golf’s biggest events. It’s an exciting time, and with the Ryder Cup and the Olympics being played in 2020, it could be a monumental year for golf. For me, Brooks and Rory – with their four Major Championships each – are at the head of the table. And believe it or not, they are old at 30 years of age! I’m not sure what that says about Tiger Woods, who’s still knocking about and keeping them all honest, despite playing with half a knee and a fused back. His win at The Masters last year was amazing and Augusta is where I’m going to start as I offer my predictions for the year ahead. Your Masters winner? Jon Rahm. This guy is a beast. His talent is without question and, for me, he has a good chance of overtaking Brooks and Rory and finishing 2020 as the number-one player in the world – that’s how highly I rate him. He’s only 25 and he’s already third on the Official World Golf Ranking.

Johnson. I know that seems like a ridiculous thing to say about someone who’s fifth in the world, but his tie for seventh at the Tournament of Champions was his first top-ten since he pushed Brooks Koepka all the way at the USPGA Championship last May. That’s an extremely barren run for a player of his quality. I’m also looking for more this year from Rickie Fowler, who’s dropped to 22nd in the world, and Justin Rose, who’s now ninth after being World No.1 last February. I also have no idea what’s going on with Jason Day. Anyhow, back to the Majors, and I think your US Open champion will be Xander Schauffele. He’s been knocking on the door of late and I think it will open for him at Winged Foot. And The Open? I’m going for Tommy Fleetwood to go one better than last year’s second at Royal Portrush and claim his first Major Championship at Royal St George’s. These days it’s so difficult to pick a winner – that’s how deep the golfing talent pool is. I mean, who honestly thought Tiger Woods was going to prevail at Augusta last year? Can you tell me who won the US Open? Quickly, quickly, have a think… have you got it yet? You probably have now, but it took you a while, didn’t it! I think 2020 will be a year where the established names continue to dominate, with more talented youngsters starting to infiltrate the elite in 2021. There’s a lot of talent on the horizon, but there are so many strong players at the top end of the game that I don’t expect too many surprise packages in 2020. Famous last words or what!

Illustration: Peter Strain

“Jon Rahm is a beast. He has a good chance of finishing 2020 as World No.1”

It’s amazing to think he’s only had three full seasons on tour and he’s already won ten professional events. With the new schedule, the second Major of the year is the USPGA. I think Justin Thomas will win again, following up his triumph in the same event in 2017. It took him a little while to recapture his best form after injury in early 2019, but he now looks back to his best and he’s won three times in the last six months. He’s only 26 but he’s already notched 12 PGA Tour wins. He’s some player. By the way, has anyone seen his close friend Jordan Spieth? He has disappeared off the golfing planet. Is that, as I’ve been saying for some time, something to do with that weak left-hand grip? I wonder if we’ll ever see him back to his best. He hasn’t won a tournament since the 2017 Open Championship and he’s fallen to 43rd in the world. If his current form continues it won’t be long before he slides out of the top 50. Someone else who seems to have gone quietly walkabout is Dustin

MATTHEW SOUTHGATE Our playing editor has ten European Tour top-tens, including a 6th at the 2017 Open and a 2nd at last year’s Dunhill Links

fter an enjoyable festive period, it’s nice to be back in the routine of tournament golf again. I’m looking forward to the season ahead and optimistic about my game as I start my tenth full year as a professional golfer. I actually did a lot more practice in the off-season than I thought I was going to. I worked a lot on my short game, but to be honest, it didn’t really improve. I spent a lot of hours on it and it wasn’t really getting much better, which was a pain. I actually went to the range a few times, too – something I wasn’t really planning on doing. I didn’t expect to want to practise when I left the DP World Tour Championship, but I got the bug for it when I got home. I had a few swing thoughts I felt were worth investing some hours in, so I got stuck in. I had some really good sessions. Coming into the new year, I’m hitting it as well as I ever have. The week before Abu Dhabi, I went to Dubai and picked up the short game practice again, which I’d parked after not getting the results I’d wanted over the Christmas period. I’ve got a friend who plays on the mini tours, but his short game, and his understanding of the short game, is unbelievable. We spent hours on end at the European Tour Performance Institute at Jumeirah Golf Estates. I reckon I did 35 hours of short game practice and hit thousands of chip shots. My friend was quite demanding and it was good to get that intense practice in ahead of my first tournament of the new year.

greens and my putting is as good as it’s ever been, so if I can get my short game back to where it was a couple of years ago, good things could be on the horizon. It’s been a good off-season. I’m often asked about goals for the year ahead, but I don’t generally set them. I always find it’s a bit of a dangerous thing. I’ve found in the past that if I set a goal and then achieve it quicker than I expected, I take my foot off the pedal a little bit. If I say my goal for the year is to win a tournament and I do that in January or February, I’m not going to quit for the rest of the season, am I? The goalposts move so quickly in professional golf that it’s very difficult to know what a realistic target is. I feel like if I play really well I could be on the fringes of Ryder Cup contention, but do I want to set that as a goal? It’s a lofty ambition and if I don’t achieve it, there’s a good chance I’m going to end up disappointed. If I set the goal of making the DP World Tour Championship and do it comfortably, but narrowly miss out on a Ryder Cup berth, I’m going to be raging – I’m not going to be happy about qualifying for Dubai. Similarly, if my goal is to win a tournament and I do that, but then three-putt on a 72nd green to lose another one, I’m not going to say “Oh well, I won another event so it’s fine.” This game is already hard and you don’t need to make it harder on yourself. I just try and take each shot as it comes and each tournament as it comes. What it really boils down to is control what you can control, work hard and apply yourself in the right way. You can’t ask for much more than that.

Illustration: Peter Strain

“The goalposts move so quickly that it’s difficult to know what a realistic target is”

I think it’s common knowledge that my short game has been holding me back recently, but in the desert I hit certain shots around the greens that I’ve not really had in my armoury over the last year or so. It’s strange – you have to hit good shots to get confidence, but you have to have confidence in order to hit good shots. It’s a bit of a chicken and egg situation. Technique is so important with chipping and that’s what I’ve been working on. There were times last season where I hit a chip to tap-in distance, but I knew it hadn’t come out of the middle of the clubface and I knew my technique wouldn’t hold up under pressure. I’d rather hit a chip to six feet but have it come out of the middle, as you can then improve from there if you carry on working at it. You need a sound technique to get to a position where you can chip more naturally, and I definitely feel I’ve made progress in the last few weeks. I’m driving it as well as ever, hitting more

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JON RAHM

"I'm the furthest thing from technical there possibly is" Wo rd s J ere my E llwo o d • P hotog rap hy G ett y I m ages

Jon Rahm reveals how feel, natural instinct and a competitive nature have contributed to his significant early success on tour

t would be fair to say that 2019 was a very good year for Jon Rahm Rodriguez. Apart from a maiden Major, there was little else he didn’t achieve as his meteoric rise towards the very pinnacle of the game continued apace. The 25-year-old Spaniard won once on the PGA Tour and three times in Europe (two Rolex Series events and a successful defence of his national Open), claimed the Race to Dubai title in style and capped it off with a December wedding to long-time girlfriend

Kelley Cahill in Bilbao. Could things possibly get any better for Rahm? I suspect the answer, almost certainly, is yes. Golf is forever throwing up ‘next big things’ who seem destined for eternal greatness, yet things don’t always pan out. For example, I still clearly remember an interview with Tony Jacklin 30-plus years ago in which he told readers that Englishman Paul Way was assured of future Major honours after his early PGA Championship and Ryder Cup heroics, but it wasn’t to be as Way stumbled and ultimately faded after those early highs.

I would be flabbergasted, though, if Rahm were to depart the golfing scene Majorless. We don’t need to go into every detail of Rahm’s resume here, but a couple of things jumped out at me as I rechecked his impressive amateur record. The first is that he topped the World Amateur Golf Rankings for a total of 60 weeks in two separate stints during 2015 and 2016, more than any other amateur has achieved since the rankings were founded. The second is that he elected to forfeit the 2016 Open spot that topping the amateur rankings had afforded him by turning pro 31

after the 2016 US Open at Oakmont, where he finished 23rd. The records show, though, that Rahm did play at Royal Troon that July. How so? He teed it up as a pro for the first time in the Quicken Loans National the week after Oakmont and led or co-led for two rounds before going on to finish 3rd, thus securing one of the Open spots on offer to instantly reclaim the place he’d apparently spurned. If there is one thing Rahm does not lack, it is confidence. I had the chance to chat to him recently, choosing to kick things off by asking how big a part confidence plays in good golf...

En route to victory at the 2019 Irish Open

SELF BELIEF “I think it’s key,” he replies without hesitation. “Anything in life as a competitor, you need that confidence and to believe in yourself. I always have confidence,” he continues when I ask how easy it is to either find it when you’ve lost it or lose it when you’ve got it. “I don’t think I’ve ever been on the ‘not having confidence’ side. I’ve never lost confidence. If we’re talking about confidence and belief being

the same thing, then yes, sometimes you’re not hitting the ball well, but I’m always confident that I’m going to hit the best stroke possible.” Rahm is, however, refreshingly and brutally honest when I ask if the game has always come easy to him. “No, no, no. I mean, surprisingly for a lot of people now, I was a terrible ball-striker up until I got to college,” he tells me. “What came easy to me was the short game because that was what I practised the most. But I

was a horrible ball-striker. It took me going to college and meeting some people in the US to make me understand my swing and how to hit it better. Once I understood that, I became one of the best ball-strikers at college and then on tour. But it was a big 360 in my game – I was not a good ball-striker whatsoever.” Over the years, Spanish players have been renowned for their creativity, imagination and shortgame wizardry, and my next

A very special talent Adrian Rietveld, senior tour manager at TaylorMade, sheds a little light on just what makes Jon Rahm such a stand-out player

We do a lot of studies and analytics on the potential of players – this guy can get on tour, this guy can win a Major, this guy can get to top ten in the world. With a really good player we would get a factor of 20-25% – say a 20-25% chance of being in the top 100 in the world. Jon’s metric was the highest we had ever seen at the time. If you’re putting your money on a horse, this is the one you want to put your money on! What are the chances of a player getting to World No.5 in his first year? That’s unheard of. Did we expect that? I don’t think so, but he’s a very, very special golfer. Keith Sbarbaro, TaylorMade’s VP of tour operations, still thinks he’s miles away from fulfilling his

potential. We’re talking multiple Majors. He plays golf courses shorter than anybody else. What I mean by that is if you measure a golf hole from the teeing ground to the hole as the crow flies, he’s the

shortest on tour tee-to-hole. When you combine 180mph driver ball speed with someone who plays the golf course very short, you’ve got yourself someone who is very hard to beat week in, week out. Our analytics team sent Jon a snapshot recently of how he’s been playing, what he’s very good at and what his strengths and weaknesses are, and it was probably one of the first times he’s ever looked at it! I used Trackman with him at The Masters once, just because I needed to see something. He laughs at alignment sticks – he thinks they’re to rest your glove on! Jon is an ultimate feel player. You’re looking at someone whose ceiling is World No.1.

JON RAHM Rahm defeated Tiger Woods in the singles at the 2018 Ryder Cup

“I think a lot of people now forget to be competitors. At a young age, I learned how to compete” question, asking whether he sees himself as a feel player or a technical player, prompts a laugh of disbelief from Rahm. “You really need to ask me that question! I’m the furthest thing from technical there possibly is. I’m completely feel. I hate being technical. I haven’t changed anything in my swing for a very long time for a reason.” ALWAYS COMPETING Rather than getting too bound up in the golf swing as a youngster, Rahm chose to focus on other things, primarily to replenish and upgrade his ball stocks, it transpires. “I think a lot of people now are too focused on working on the game and having a good swing – you need to do this and that and that,” he explains. “But they forget

to be competitors. At a young age, I learned how to compete. “The way I practised was chipping games, putting games, whatever games – ‘I bet you I can do this; I bet you can’t do that’. It was as simple as that. I would always bet and always play for Pro V1s. Once I learned that Pro V1s were the best, I would go to hole 15 on my course, where there was a lake, and fish Pro V1s out. I would bet them on the putting green and in chipping games as people would have newer ones than I had. That was my way to get golf balls – everything was a competition. Until my 11th grade when I went to a golf academy in Spain, I would never just stand there and hit balls for practice. I hardly ever did that.”

As a young Spaniard, he is, of course, following in some pretty daunting footsteps, so I ask which of his compatriots has been the greatest source of inspiration to him. “When I started playing golf, the big name was Sergio,” he says. “I grew up watching Sergio, but the more I got in to the game, the more I learned about Seve – how he inspired people not only by how he 33

JON RAHM

The Spaniard has won six times on the European Tour

played golf, but in how he brought them together, how he had people wanting to play golf and how golf changed in Europe and Spain thanks to him.” I wonder if he has tried to emulate any of his Spanish predecessors or their golf games in any way? “No, because I would need their physical body to be able to do it,” he rationalises. “I’ll never be able to do what Seve did in any possible way, never be able to do what Ollie’s been able to do and never be able to do what Sergio has done because I just don’t move the same way. I try to copy a little bit, I try to be as charismatic as Seve – I’d love to, but it’s hard to. I learned from what they did and watched a lot of videos, but it’s hard to copy those guys – we’re talking about some of the best short-game players in history.”

HEART ON HIS SLEEVE Passion and a real fire in the belly are characteristics that most Spanish golfing heroes have been blessed with over the years, and it almost goes without saying that Rahm wants for nothing in those departments. In fact, here is a man who wears his heart so close to his sleeve that you can at times see it pumping through the bulging biceps underneath his Adidas shirt. I ask if laying his emotions so bare so often is always helpful or has it sometimes counted against him. “I don’t think it’s a good or a bad thing,” he replies honestly. “It’s just who I am. It’s as simple as that. Some people are the opposite of that. It’s as simple as saying that’s who I am in everything I do. Trust me when I say I behave the same way when I’m playing cards Rahm is yet to record a top-ten at The Open

“For so many years, having competitiveness and passion has helped me”

Rahm won his second Rolex Series event of 2019 in Dubai

at home or on the golf course. It’s simply who I am. There have been moments where my emotions have got the better of me. You’re going to get a reaction out of me whether it’s a good shot or a bad shot, but there have been times where maybe a situation has escalated quickly and I’ve been a little more frustrated than I should have been. “But it’s not a bad thing. For so many years, having that competitiveness and passion has helped me after making a bogey to make birdie afterwards. It’s one of the reasons why I have one of the best bounce-back stats on tour.” I ask if he’s ever sought to control it in any way. “There have been times when I’ve said, ‘Right, I’m going to play 18 holes smiling and being happy without getting mad’, and I can’t play golf,” he replies. “There’s not a chance I’ll shoot under par – I’ve tried it before and

The Majors so far… Since making his Major debut in the 2016 US Open as an amateur, Rahm has contested 13 more of golf’s big four and notched four top-tens to date…

THE MASTERS In 2018, Rahm opened with a disappointing 75 before outscoring all the main contenders from Friday to Sunday to end up in 4th place. He also finished T9 last year after four steady days.

THE USPGA it’s bad. It’s simply going against who I am.” STICKING TO HIS GUNS I then make the mistake of using the M word by uttering the name ‘McEnroe’ for comparison. Older readers may remember the scene in An American Werewolf in London where Jack and David enter the Slaughtered Lamb to be greeted by a deathly hush as all eyes turn to stare. That’s a little how I feel for a second or two in the small meeting room at the back of the TaylorMade tour truck as the word ‘McEnroe’ slips from my lips! “No, not even close!” Rahm responds, breaking the silence with a slightly pained tone. “I’m not yelling at the referee. But there’s passion. Tiger was passionate in the same way, Seve was up there. Nowadays with social media, people capture everything, but I’m not McEnroe.”

McEnroe was, of course, a multiple Major Champion, and in closing I return to my belief that if ever there were a golfer destined beyond all doubt to win Majors, then surely it is Rahm. I ask what he feels he needs to do to take that next step, and the answer is surprising compared to how other good players have responded to the same question in the past. “The same exact thing,” he says. “I’m not going to change what has got me to this point – simple as that. I’ve seen a lot of people try to change things once they’ve got on tour, even after winning Majors, because they thought they had to change, and their careers have gone down. I haven’t changed my golf game in a long time. I don’t think I have to – I just need to slowly be getting better with what I know I can do. I know my time will come. When it comes to my golf game, I don’t believe anything needs to change.”

A mixed bag so far, but he did finish 4th at Bellerive in 2018 for his second Major top-four that year.

THE US OPEN His best Major finish to date came at Pebble Beach last year, where he ended up T3 after a closing 68. Several front-nine birdies hinted at a possible charge, but he was unable to make further gains coming home and finished six behind Gary Woodland.

THE OPEN Despite his Irish Open successes on the links at Portstewart and Lahinch, The Open is the only Major where Rahm is yet to record a top ten. Last year’s T11 at Portrush is his best effort to date. Surely it’s only a matter of time though?

A S te p B a ck I n Ti m e Photo gra phy St A n d rews L i n ks Trust , G ett y I mages â&#x20AC;˘ Hole G raphic s C lere G olf

Fergus Bisset travelled to St Andrews to play the Old Course in reverse, the way it was regularly set up in the 19th century

’ve been fortunate to play St Andrews’ iconic Old Course a number of times; well over 100 now. As students in the town, friends and I would enter the ballot a few times a week and I became expert at hiding my clubs behind curtains or in broom cupboards before sneaking out of lecture halls to make tee times. I’m a member of St Andrews’ New Golf Club and, as I live only 90 minutes away, I visit frequently. One of the most important contests held annually over the Old is the

Bisset family ‘Christmas Quaich’. Played in the holidays, it features a (very) select ﬁeld: my father, my brother and me. It showcases some of the most hostile ‘friendly’ competition witnessed anywhere on planet golf.

OLD COURSE IN REVERSE

I’ve always ranked the Old Course above all others in terms of golfing experience. Nowhere does golf’s history and lore exude so strongly from the terrain and turf. It’s the best-known track in this country for golf fans, with features like Hell bunker, the Road Hole and the Swilcan Bridge evoking memories of the greats of the game. I love the layout. At first glance, the basic out-and-back, anticlockwise routing might seem standard, but throw in double greens, crossovers, incredibly placed bunkers, huge slopes and undulations and you quickly realise it’s unique.

The change of routing threw up different challenges

“Many humps and hollows, bunkers and run-offs visible today are remnants of the clockwise routing” Although superb fun to play, there are features on the Old that have always caught my attention as particularly unusual, dare I say even unnecessary: humps that don’t seem to protect anything, bunkers that appear a touch obsolete and so on. I had just put these down as quirks of the ‘Grand Old Lady’ until I became more interested in the course’s history. Until the late 1800s, the Old Course was played in a clockwise direction and it wasn’t until Old

Tom Morris separated the 1st and 17th greens in around 1870 that it begun to be played in an anticlockwise direction on alternate weeks. Many humps and hollows, bunkers and run-offs visible today are remnants of the traditional clockwise routing. Steadily, the anti-clockwise layout became the preferred one but, as recently as the 1970s, the Old was played in a clockwise direction for a month during the winter. The practice fizzled out though and few

PAR 4 SI 1

374 yards (1st Tee to 17th Green)

25 17

Hole 1

To leave a shot straight up the green, the line from the tee is the Swilcan Bridge. An approach short or right is a safe option. If the pin is at the back the Road bunker comes into play.

Bridge

256

A flat-capped Fergus taking on the Old backwards

people now have the chance to play the Old ‘backwards’. I was, therefore, very lucky to have the opportunity to step back in time last November when The Links Trust set up ‘The Old Course in Reverse’ for two days. From the outset, the layout made sense to me. OLD COURSE IN REVERSE Hole-by-hole guide

st (374-yard par 4 from 1st tee to 17th green) The 1st delivers an approach to the famous Road Hole that’s clearly a natural one. The front of the green coming in from the 1st/18th fairway, over the Swilcan Burn, is open and allows for a shot to be run in. With the bunker to the right and the road to the left, it must be accurate.

nd (422-yard par 4 from 17th fairway to 16th green) Playing the Old in the regular direction, a key tactic is to stay left – the vast majority of the most penalising trouble is on the right side. Unsurprisingly, playing the course in the opposite direction, the opposite is the case. I proved this on the 2nd hole. Teeing up on the normal 17th fairway, just in front of the Road Hole green, the tee shot should be directed towards Cheape’s bunker. I hit an enormous block slice that deserved to be lost without trace,

Teeing off the 8th

The Old Course’s famous crossovers were still a feature

but ended in quite a good position to the right of the normal 2nd, leaving a good angle in. rd (324-yard par 4 from by 2nd green to 15th green) Driving straight over the Principal’s Nose, out of bounds threatens left and, with the wind behind, the treacherous Cartgate bunker could be in play. The green is more receptive in this direction.

With a backstop behind the ﬂag, the approach is more natural. th (378-yard par 4 from 16th tee to 14th green) A strategic tee shot is required to stay on the fairway short of Cottage bunker, avoiding the wee ‘pot’ Sutherland (much more in play in this direction). Again, the approach is kinder than to the 14th in regular play. A pot bunker protects the front of the green, but it will accept a wellstruck approach.

th (455-yard par 5 from 15th tee to 13th green) A great hole playing back over Hell to the Elysian Fields. You drive short of the Beardies and then over bunkers and gorse guarding the front left of the green. For me, it’s a third straight hole where approaching the green in this direction makes more sense than as it would be played on the back nine.

149

Shell

Strath

Hill

187 187

th (339-yard par 4 from 14th tee to 12th green) Another strategic drive that must avoid the Coffins and then Nick’s bunker (another that suddenly makes sense). The

6 3 3

approach must ﬂy all the way over gorse and rough to the plateaued 12th green. th (330-yard par 4 from beside 12th green to 11th green) It’s clearer in this direction what the tee shot expects and the approach, over Strath bunker, is a difficult one. Admiral’s – a bunker I almost always nearly fall in when walking off the 12th tee – is no longer simply a health and safety risk, but rather a very well placed hazard.

th (187-yard par 3 from 12th tee to 10th green – pictured opposite) Played over the 11th green to the normal 10th, this is a cracking short hole. You can see all in front of you, and the views beyond the green back towards St Andrews are incredible.

th (279-yard par 4 from 11th tee to 9th green) For me, another hole

This hole presents a very similar challenge to the regular 13th, just from a different angle. You play to the bottle neck and then to the left side of the sprawling double green.

It was a memorable day for all who played

th (519-yard par 5 from 6th tee to 4th green – pictured on opposite page) I really like this hole. It’s more of a classic, straightforward par 5 than the regular 14th, all played down the low side of the ridge. Bunkers are in play on the left from the tee and a clear strategy is needed if you’re laying up over Hell.

improved in reverse. The angle is preferable and the fairway bunkers (Boase’s and End Hole) are a more obvious and attractive, if perturbing, prospect.

th (309-yard par 4 from 10th tee to 8th green) This one plays pretty much the same as the regular 10th – you just have to ﬁre your approach to the right side of the double green rather than the left.

th (172-yard par 3 from 9th tee to 7th green) It’s interesting to note that the pars of the holes on the Old in reverse are the same as the regular

route. The Old Course is palindromic! This short hole is all carry to a fairly narrow strip of the double green.

th (369-yard par 4 from beside 7th green – the estuary side – to 6th green) This one is probably the hole that makes least sense in reverse, as there isn’t really a proper landing area. But, if the rough beyond the large mound were turned into fairway, it would work.

th (385-yard par 4 from 7th tee to 5th green)

th (382-yard par 4 from 5th tee to 3rd green) There are options off the tee, either to play well short of the rough-covered mounding or to ﬁnd the narrow fairways left or right. Head left and you’ll have a clear approach to the hollowed green.

th (307-yard par 4 from 4th tee to 2nd green) This hole would need a little work if the Old in reverse were to become a ﬁxture. There isn’t really anywhere to drive to other than the regular 16th fairway. But, again, if some rough were turned to fairway, it would work well. There’s

St Andrews links is surrounded by the magnificent West Sands

OLD COURSE IN REVERSE 47 Ginger Beer

58 88

112 101

183

272 162

164

162 268

Seven Sisters

110 134

131 241

166

The 1st played to the famous Road Hole green

176 252

192

238

211 224

196 238

208 221 236 192 250 180 267 281

149

312

119

342

162

The Spectacles

519 409

5 5

a bunker in the middle of the rough on the way to the green that you suddenly see the purpose of. th (376-yard par 4 from 3rd tee to 1st green) A tricky drive down the narrow chute to the left side leaves a daunting approach to the 1st green, with the Swilcan Burn lurking menacingly behind. This would be a very tough and thought-provoking shot with the wind behind.

pretty much as playable as the conventional routing and my score was similar. I reckon most, including the top professionals (off back tees), would find their scores comparable. It’s testament to the incredible golfing terrain at St Andrews that, with relatively little effort, this is the case. In fact, with very few alterations – some rough being turned to fairway in places, for example – the Old Course in reverse would be just as fun and exciting to play as the way we know it.

“Generally speaking, I found it pretty much as playable as the conventional routing and my score was similar”

I would be in favour of The Links Trust looking towards the Old Course in reverse being used on a more regular basis. The positive feedback from the November event may encourage them to consider it as an option. Not only would it allow golfing enthusiasts to play the course as Old Tom would have done, but it would also be of benefit in terms of wear and tear, allowing landing spots to recover and taking the pressure off the highest traffic areas. The Old in reverse could be the way forward! With special thanks to...

th (362-yard par 4 from 2nd tee to 18th green) The iconic home hole is a little longer from this angle but, effectively, it asks the same question – find the widest fairway in golf and don’t be intimidated by all the golfing history surrounding a green that’s seen so much drama over the years. That’s easier said than done!

The Old Course in reverse was something of a revelation for me and from now on I’ll view sections of the layout with different eyes. Generally speaking, I found it

The 18th green remains the climax to the round

Interv

iles ie w : N e il Ta p p in • P o r t r a it s : To m M

Charley Hull discusses her passage to the professional ranks, her success at such a young age, her golfing philosophy and more

hen Charley Hull turned professional in 2013, aged just 16, she had both the golfing world at her feet and a huge weight of expectation on her shoulders. As a teenager, Hull took the game by storm. Victories at the Welsh and English Stroke Play Championships propelled her to a high of number three on the World Amateur Golf Rankings and earned her a place at the 2012 Curtis Cup. What’s more, she was tied for third after the opening round of the 2012 Women’s British Open. Hull turned professional at the start of 2013, finished second in her first five Ladies European Tour events and earned a place on the 2013 European Solheim Cup team. She became the youngest player ever to appear in the event. 42

Fast-forward to the present and ull has gone from young prodigy established star. With three rofessional wins, four Solheim up appearances and over $3.5m in areer earnings on the LPGA Tour under her belt, there is no doubt Hull is a Major winner in waiting. That she has achieved all of this by the age of 23 is remarkable. Golf Monthly sat down with Hull at her home club, Woburn, at the end of 2019. In this interview, she reveals how she developed her game during the early days and what she expects to achieve in the years ahead.

Hull played in the Ricoh Women’s British Open ProAm in 2010

GM: You are renowned as one of the most natural golfers out there. Is that fair? CH: Yeah, I’d agree I’m more of a natural player. When someone tries to change that, it gets me more robotic and it doesn’t work, so I would say that natural is better. GM: That begs the question, how did you learn to play? CH: I didn’t learn the technique until about ﬁve years ago, so I kind of just went out there and played all the time. My ﬁrst coach, Kevin, [Theobald, at Kettering Golf Club] told me to hit it as hard as I can. That was the only thing I used to know – hit it as hard as I can and get through the ball. I played lots of chipping competitions with the lads down at the golf

club, having fun games. That was pretty much what I did all the time and it was so much fun.

boys and I much preferred playing with them. The standard was a lot better and I really enjoyed it.

GM: Can you give us an idea of what level you got to at certain points as a junior? CH: I think I got down to scratch when I was 11.

GM: You dropped out of school at an early age. Can you tell us about that decision? CH: Yeah, I quit school when I was 12, to be home schooled. I sometimes wish I’d carried on GM: So the game must have because I miss my friends, but it come easy to you? was a good thing for my golf. To CH: I was always brought up with be fair, I didn’t do any school work when I left school, I just played golf! Usually people would be at school from 9am to 3pm; I was playing golf from 9am to 3pm every day. I was playing with the lads down at the golf club because they sometimes skived off school to play with Hull played in the 2013 me and we just had a Solheim Cup at the age of 17... few games. A few of

MEET THE MANAGER Vicky Cuming of IMG has managed Charley Hull since she turned professional. Here, she talks about her star golfer and the health of the women’s game in general GM: What’s Charley like to manage? VC: She is very down to earth and I would say pretty easy to manage because she’s so straightforward. You ask her a question or ask for a decision and she will make it quickly. She is also a very interested person and she asks a lot of questions. There is never a dull moment with Charley! GM: How good is she? VC: Scarily good. Like she says, she is the only person who’s getting in the way of herself. She has got incredible natural talent and I think it is about trusting that talent. GM: What’s the challenge in managing someone who is so good from such an early age? VC: I think it is really tough for them because there is so much hype. Her family have kept her down to earth, because they are really lovely people. Yes, she left school at a really young age

which was the right thing to do for her golf but I think sometimes this can present some social challenges, which Charley did amazingly well to overcome. Everyone is going to have ups and downs in their careers, and sometimes you have to help a player understand that they may not be in the Top ten every week – golf really is a long process and players often don’t peak until their late 20s, so introducing some patience can be a challenge! GM: From your perspective, how is the health of the women’s game in general? VC: If you look at the LPGA and global women’s golf, you’ve got to say it is getting stronger because the prize money is going up. There are no shortage of events, but it is a constant

challenge. Women’s sport is on a real spurt, but I wouldn’t necessarily say it is getting easier to attract sponsorship to women’s sport. I think for golf, the challenge is keeping up with the great success we’ve had in the UK in women’s football, rugby and cricket. They have done brilliantly and I feel our challenge is to now keep up with that. GM: How important is TV coverage? VC: It’s huge. Sky has been amazing – they are pledging to show a lot of women’s golf. Sometimes it would be nice if they showed it at slightly more sociable times, but beggars can’t be choosers. They have used Charley as an ambassador for women’s golf, which has been just brilliant.

CHARLEY HULL better iron player, but I have always been a good iron player. I would say my whole game has got better. I’ve got more shots. Back then, if there was a back-right pin I would hit a draw; now I would hit a fade. Just stuff like that. My coach, Matt Belsham, has got that into me.

...to become the youngest competitor in the event’s history

them were a lot older than me. I had a best friend called James and we played golf together every single day. GM: At what point did you want to be a professional golfer? CH: From pretty much the age that I first picked up a golf club, that’s when I knew I wanted to be a professional golfer. GM: What about other sports? CH: Golf was the main one. I played a bit of football and a bit of tennis in my back garden, just hitting the ball around and breaking loads of windows! GM: What were the key moments and milestones during your amateur career? CH: I’ll tell you what was important, winning the English Girls Under-13 Championship and then going and winning in America a couple of times. That was against Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn, and Jaye Marie Green. Some of the biggest names in the professional world today were playing in those events back then. Then I won the Welsh Amateur and English Amateur in the same year and the year after that I turned professional. GM: Given that you were only 16 when you turned pro, were

you shorter than everyone else in terms of how far you hit the golf ball? CH: No, not really. I would say I was probably longer back then than I am now with my irons, because I used to have a very upright swing and I used to de-loft the club a lot. I remember at one point, I was a 15-year-old hitting my 7-iron 175 yards, but it was not as controlled. GM: With the Charley Hull we see today, what’s the same as back then? CH: I’m pretty much the same. I am a straighter hitter now and a

GM: Tell us about that run of second-place finishes you had on the Ladies European Tour when you first turned pro… CH: I didn’t even think about it, to be fair. I just went out there, I was playing well and I thought, ‘Wow, this is pretty easy’, and I got picked for the Solheim Cup. I was actually disappointed about that because I had a birthday party I was meant to be going to that weekend. It’s not like I was ecstatic to be in the Solheim Cup team – I just remember thinking, ‘Oh, I am going to miss my friend’s birthday party’ so I was kind of gutted in a way. But then I went out there and played pretty well. That’s a 17-year-old mind for you! GM: It also shows that you’re not so focused on golf… CH: Exactly, that’s 100 per cent right. Last year I was a bit too down on myself because I’d been trying to feel like golf was

“I got picked for the Solheim Cup, but I was disappointed as I had a birthday party I was meant to be going to” everything, and it can get you down. Then I realised I needed to just play for fun, which has been a lot better. I prefer playing golf like that. GM: How do you feel about your game currently? CH: I am not lying when I say 2019 was probably the best I hit it tee to green, it’s crazy. My short game has let me down a bit recently, but then the last three weeks I have been practising it loads and I can say my chipping has been really good. It’s not really my technique, it’s my 45

CHARLEYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S 2019 STATS AV. DRIVING DISTANCE (YARDS)

DRIVING ACCURACY (%)

GREENS IN REGULATION (%)

PUTTS PER GIR

SCORING AVERAGE

BIRDIES

CHARLEY HULL head. I think I get in the way of myself. My husband is a very positive person and he’s done psychology as well, so I feel better once I talk to him. GM: Tell us about the challenge of the LPGA Tour… CH: I don’t know, it is all I am used to pretty much, the LPGA! I played in Europe for a year when I was 17. There are a lot of great players out there. They are super focused. My favourite players out on the tour to watch are Lexi Thompson and Carlota Ciganda because they’ve got a lot of flair. They do hit bad shots, but the recovery shots are really fun. I am kind of one of those players – put me in a tricky position and I’ll hit a great shot, and that’s what I like watching. I think a lot more people like watching that kind of golf rather than boring golf. GM: Do you want to be known as a flair player? CH: This is weird, but I’d rather people say, ‘She may not hit every shot perfectly, but she recovers and she’s so interesting to watch,’ rather than, ‘She just hits it straight and boring’. I would rather just have a bit more flair.

GM: What is your verdict on 2019? CH: It was a bit annoying because I got very poorly in the middle of the year, and it took about four months to start feeling good again. It was a bit annoying because I was playing good golf up until then. Since I have been feeling better, my results have been pretty good again. [Charley played one final event in 2019 after this interview. She finished second by one stroke at the CME Group Tour Championship, earning just under half a million dollars at the LPGA Tour’s season-ending event.] GM: What is your mindset heading into 2020? CH: This is probably the best I have hit the ball in all the years since turning pro, it is just in my head. I feel like I am really confident at the moment and I have gone back to my old caddie, Adam Woodward. He was like my best friend and I split with him for about a year, but now we’ve got back together so we’ll have a lot of laughs, I’m sure.

Hull has won three times as a professional

GM: You’ve been out here for a while now. What have you learned about how to compete on tour? CH: I would say the big lesson is that you’re not going to have a good week every week – you’ve just got to go out there and enjoy it. You’ve only got one life – I’m not going to take it too seriously. GM: I am sure that you’re eyeing up Major wins, but what do you need to do over the next ﬁve years to achieve that? CH: Just stay patient. My game is where it needs to be, I am the only one who’s in the way of myself, if that makes any sense. Once I believe in myself, I know I have got a few wins in me. My win at the 2016 CME Tour Championship was a big win. I think at the time that was the second biggest paycheck in women’s golf.

Photography: Getty Images

“You’ve just got to go out there and enjoy it. You’ve only got one life – I’m not going to take it too seriously”

Celebrating victory at the 2019 Solheim Cup

GM: Tell us about how you felt going down the stretch in that scenario with so much on the line? CH: I’ll tell you one thing I remember: I was playing down the last at about 4 o’clock in the afternoon and I just remember thinking, ‘I hope I catch my ﬂight at 9 o’clock’. I had a three-hour drive down to Miami and I think that took the pressure off the last hole. I hit it on the green in two, two-putted and won by two. I think it was the record winning score there so it was good. 47

6 Bad Swing Thoughts Wo rd s Ne i l Ta p p i n • Il lu stratio n Dav id Ly tt leto n

The pre-shot voices inside your head have a huge impact on what follows. Sometimes they provide focus, but often they wreak havoc...

HIT A DRAW You hit a fairly consistent fade, you’re not the longest but you know roughly where the ball is going. Deciding to change your reliable fade into a draw is a sure-fire way of sending your ball on its final voyage. Don’t let your pride stand in the way of a good score!

CREATE MORE LAG Lag is the secret ingredient behind easy power (top right). However, it is also one of the most dangerous swing thoughts you can have. Deciding to add a little extra lag as you compete is like a brain surgeon experimenting with a new grip on the scalpel mid-operation. It’s a risky move!

KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN This is the single most common tip that gets handed on from one amateur to another. The truth is that most human beings understand that looking at the ball is a fairly important precursor to hitting it, and of the myriad swing faults that could be plaguing your game, lifting your head probably isn’t the issue.

HIT IT HARDER “You’re swinging too smoothly,” said nobody, ever. Golf is largely a game of rhythm and nothing kills that faster than trying to whack the cover off the ball. To put it in musical terms, you should be thinking of pan-pipe moods, not death metal.

LEAN BACK THROUGH IMPACT Ninety-five per cent of all air shots, tops, slices, thins, pulls and fats come from leaning back in the downswing*. *This is a completely made up statistic, but you get the point.

HIT DOWN ON THE BALL “If I could just increase my negative angle of attack from -1˚ to -3˚ that would really help the quality of my mid-iron ballstriking.” The next thing you know, you are tunnelling your way to Australia.

LUKE DONALD

Wo rd s M i ch ael Westo n • P h oto g rap hy Dan iel G o uld , G ett y Im ages

After a long injury lay-off, Luke Donald is back playing again. Here, he reflects on his glory years and explains what he’s doing to try and get back to his best

hat Luke Donald achieved nine years ago was extraordinary. To win the money lists on both sides of the Atlantic was incredible. Rory McIlroy may have emulated this achievement since, but Donald ﬂirted with perfection during his 56-week reign as World No.1. It can be easy to forget this, especially when records get surpassed and new players come to the fore. Twenty-ten to 2012 were the glory years for the Hemel Hempstead man. Nine of his 13 tour victories came during this time. If he wasn’t winning – and there are those who argue he could and should have won more – he was normally always there or thereabouts. In 2011, the year he became World No.1, he amassed an incredible 18 toptens from 22 tournaments.

LUKE DONALD It’s no wonder he remembers that time with such fondness. “I found my own way, my own little niche to get there and I was proud of that,” says Donald, who now spends most of his time in Florida. “It was a power game when I was No.1 and still is. It’s made me more proud of being able to do what I did, defying the odds really because not many people since have been World No.1 and play the game like I do.” Peak performance Let’s remind ourselves of Donald’s way of playing. In his pomp, no one was more deadly accurate with a wedge in hand, or as skilled around the greens. He also possessed a putting stroke that never looked like it could falter; it didn’t, save for that one time he missed from eight feet in 2011 at the Dunhill Links Championship, which meant his streak without a three-putt ended on 449 holes. That same year, on the PGA Tour, he was a perfect 529 from 529 for putts inside three feet. The one missing component for Donald was length. In 2011, he averaged 284 yards off the tee – 147th on the PGA Tour and over 30 yards down on leader JB Holmes. He knows about these numbers, of course, because it was an area of his game he once tried to strengthen. “You need a certain amount of length to compete, but I was below

average when it came to distance,” he says. “When I first came out on tour, I was very straight and a good driver of the ball, but even shorter. As time went on I tried to hit the ball a little further and He won at Disney in 2011 to my driving got worse. top the PGA Tour’s money list “After I was World No.1, my focus went to being more of a consistent driver. I “Surgery was never really on the wasn’t really chasing length, but I table for me. You try and avoid that wanted to be a little bit more at all costs. I never had pain going consistent to give myself more down my leg, which is probably a opportunity with my irons and my sign that you need some kind of short game, so I wasn’t just playing surgery to fix it. defence on the golf course through “There were times when I poor driving. That’s really been the questioned whether I’d come back, focus the last few years.” was it ever going to get better, all that kind of stuff. Injuries always Hampered by injury play havoc with your mind, but Finding any level of consistency is what always helped me was taking tough going at the moment. In the it day to day and trying to see that last three seasons, the Englishman gradual improvement. That’s kind has missed more cuts than he’s of how I’ve always approached my made. In 2017, he missed eight golf as well, like everything in life successive cuts in America. Into really; what can I do today to make 2018 and things were getting it a little bit better? painful, quite literally. Herniated “I don’t like to sit and do nothing, L4 and L5 disks forced him to it’s tough. I get fidgety. I always try spend almost an entire year on the and figure out how I can do sidelines, during which time he something. I was always asking the underwent stem-cell therapy. professionals who were helping me, These were testing times. ‘Can I get in the gym or can I do this, “Some people have had very or do some swings without a club?’ similar injuries and it has been the When you understand the knockend of their career,” says Donald. on effects of such an injury, you realise why the road to recovery can be so long. Donald won the BMW PGA Championship in 2011 and 2012 “I’ve been looking at 3D patterns of my swing, the way I practise, how I practise, the posture I get into,” explains Donald. “I’ve got a stronger base now. I’ve done a lot of things with my swing to take pressure off that area and they take time to stick, but I’m getting more comfortable as time goes by.” The other side In May 2018, Donald found himself in the commentary booth for the BMW PGA

Championship. It’s not really where he wanted to be. Seven years earlier he had beaten Lee Westwood in a dramatic play-off at Wentworth to become World No.1 – and he defended the title a year later. These are fond memories and, understandably, he wanted to be out there competing. Every cloud has a silver lining, though. For Donald, he got to travel without the clubs and spend time with the family in Greece and Cornwall. And, when Nick Dougherty did pass him the mic, he learned a thing or two. “It gave me insight into what goes on behind the scenes. It’s no easy work and it’s long days, but I enjoyed it,” he says. “I spent hours preparing and looking up stuff that I wouldn’t usually think about when I’m preparing for a tournament. As a golfer, you’re immersed in the tournament and not watching what the other golfers are doing. In commentary, you see what’s

“I feel like I’m progressing,” he says. “I’m getting stronger every week. I’m not experiencing much discomfort. I can get in a good amount of practice now and I’m building it even more as time goes by. I’m excited about getting reps in and seeing progress. There are definitely lots of good signs. I still have to manage it [my back]. I’m not out there eight hours a day beating balls, but I don’t think where I am in my career I need to do that either.” At the end of 2018, Donald found himself at 609 in the world rankings. He’s more optimistic about the future now, although he resists making any bold predictions. “There are a lot of really young, hungry players now,” he says. “The fields are so deep. It’s amazing how good the standard is overall. A couple of missed putts and you’re struggling to make the cut. You have one bad hole and the tournament’s almost over.

“There were times when I questioned whether I’d come back. Injuries play havoc with your mind” happening; you see how the leaders become leaders and you see how they close tournaments. “It’s nothing jaw-dropping. It’s just they’re doing everything that little bit better throughout the week. Watching that was helpful.” Looking to the future Donald is back playing now, of course, and happy to put the punditry to one side. The green shoots of recovery were evident at the Valspar Championship in March, where he finished in a tie for ninth. And, in September, he finished tied tenth at the Dunhill Links for his best result on the European Tour in two years. In action at the 2019 Dunhill Links

“It’s that tough at the top level and that’s been the biggest shift. I don’t know whether it’s a generation after Tiger or whoever it might be who inspired these young kids, but that seems to be the biggest change.” There may be a few grey flicks beneath that trademark Mizuno visor, but the 42-year-old is putting the foundations in place to play for the next 20 years. “It’s building that belief again, but it’s a lot easier when you’ve done it before. You can really come back to stuff you’ve done in the past and what’s worked. “When I was at my best, I was super focused on the day-to-day stuff, trying to get a little bit better and not really worrying too much about the results. I was really engulfed in the process of what can I do today even if I didn’t hit it well; sticking with what I was trying to do and having belief. That’s always served me best and I’m trying to get back to that.”

England’s World No.1s

SIR NICK FALDO Two Major victories in 1990 propelled Faldo to the top of the rankings. After defending his Masters title, Faldo saw off his old rival Greg Norman to win The Open at St Andrews. He spent a total of 97 weeks as World No.1 over four different periods, the longest being 81 weeks.

LEE WESTWOOD It was 16 years before England had a new World No.1, as a certain Tiger Woods made himself comfortable at the top. Westwood dislodged the great American, who had spent a record 281 weeks at the summit, and although he was unable to land a Major during his reign (22 weeks combined) in 2010 and ’11, no one was better from tee to green.

LUKE DONALD A 33-year-old Donald took over as World No.1 when he beat Westwood in a play-off to win the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in May 2011. They are the only two players to top the rankings without owning a Major Championship title.

JUSTIN ROSE It took him a while to get there, but in September 2018, Rose finally reached the summit. He’d been tipped for great things the moment he burst on to the scene as an amateur at Royal Birkdale 20 years earlier. By the time those “boyhood dreams” were realised, Rose had become the complete player. He’s spent 13 weeks as World No.1 to date, but don’t rule out another spell at the top.

WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND A TOURNAMENT IN 2020 Travel with Golfbreaks to one of golf’s great events and witness the sport at the highest level

The Ryder Cup is in a league of its own

Michigan, a spectacular course that t is as true in golf as it is in football, must be seen to be believed. Make sure cricket and rugby – you will never to stay in downtown Milwaukee, brewing quite understand the atmosphere capital of the USA, and head to one of or excitement of the sport at its Golfbreaks’ hosted Fan Rallies for the highest level until you experience it live. ultimate Ryder Cup experience! There are plenty of reasons for this, Attending the Ryder Cup is on most ranging from being a part of the crowd golfers’ bucket lists and would be a to seeing how golf’s superstars play the dream come true for most. As one of the game at an entirely different level. And tournament’s official partners, although television coverage of golf’s Golfbreaks can make this happen. great championships is comprehensive, it can never match the thrill and atmosphere of You could be at the actually being there. Home of Golf in 2021 This is Ryder Cup year, one of the most eagerly anticipated events in golf and one that generates more electricity in the galleries than any other. This September it is at Whistling Straits on Lake 54

A golfing mecca It’s always exciting to see famous names in the flesh, and while you can spend a few enjoyable hours following them round the course, you may well bump into one or two off the course or in the vicinity where they are based. This is especially true at The Open, where the host town becomes a golfing mecca for the week. In July it is the turn of Royal St George’s in Kent, and with tickets in short supply, Golfbreaks can still help. Next year, it is the 150th Open Championship and to celebrate it is returning to St Andrews, the delightful town in Fife that is a dream destination for its vast array of top-quality golf. Packages for this are already available, with or

GM PROMOTION

Fancy playing the Earth course immediately after the DP World Tour Championship?

Follow in their footsteps In general, amateur footballers don’t get to play at Wembley, club cricketers at Lord’s or casual tennis players at Wimbledon. One of golf’s great privileges is that pretty much anyone can tee it up in the same arena as the best in the world. What better, then, than to attend the climax of the Race to Dubai, the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates, and then play the Earth course immediately after the event?

Whistling Straits hosts this year’s Ryder Cup

without additional golf, and are likely to go very quickly for this momentous return to the Home of Golf. Whether you are a scratch golfer or complete beginner, there is something magical about standing close to a Rory, a Justin or a Charley as they play a shot. The sound of the ball off the clubface, the penetration of its flight, the shape of the shot; they are all so impressive and so very different from how we play the game. All of the great championships, and especially some of the less well-known tournaments, allow you to get extremely close to the action. Simply watching these great players can be a lesson in itself, and regardless of whether we actually learn something from their technique, we will all be inspired to play more.

golfing holiday of a lifetime. In addition, blessed with unbelievable weather, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are packed with exceptional golf courses that are a treat to visit at any time of the year. To rub shoulders with golfing greats, to witness the sport at the highest level as it is played on our greatest courses and to enjoy the thrill of a closely fought contest, there can be no better experience than to attend one of the many great events that fill the golfing calendar in Europe and beyond. Just two events coming up this summer are the Scottish Open at the Renaissance Club in July and the British Masters at Close House the following month. Further ahead, there is the ultimate trip to Augusta for The Masters, as well as the 2021 Solheim Cup in Ohio. With years of experience and expertise, as well as strong relationships with the sport’s governing bodies and on-site support at golf’s biggest events, the team at Golfbreaks is ideally placed to make your dreams a reality.

Watching one of golf’s flagship events and then having the chance to walk and play in the steps of giants is an incredible experience that simply doesn’t happen in other sports. Various packages are available to watch the climax to the European Tour’s season and then play the very same course, as well as others, on the

For more information on all of the great tournaments and destinations featured here, and others, contact Golfbreaks, the golf travel experts. Visit golfbreaks.com or call 01753 720321

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TRANSFORM YOUR GAME

Instructi n Complete Guide To Better Driving Hit the ball further and straighter in 2020 with help from Andrew Reynolds

Photography: Tom Miles

ball well is one of the great pleasures golf has to offer. What’s more, if you are able to make a full, athletic swing and watch the ball sail off towards the target, your whole game will get a vital injection of conﬁdence. On the ﬂip side, nothing will undermine your game like consistently missing fairways. In this feature, Golf Monthly has teamed up with one of the most highly respected coaches in the country. Andrew Reynolds is the head professional at Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club, and his tips and drills will help you set the platform you need to hit the ball further and straighter in 2020.

Five set-up keys Let’s start with the boring part – the set-up. You might think your address position is good, but in my experience most of the issues amateurs have with their driving stem from simple set-up errors. Whatever you are trying to work on in your driving, devote some time to grooving a technically sound address – I promise it will pay off! Here’s how to build the perfect pre-shot position...

3. Body alignment It’s now time to build your stance. The key here is to ensure that not only your feet but your knees, hips and shoulders are all parallel to your ball-to-target line. It should look like you are stood on a train track.

2. The grip Now grip the club, ensuring your palms are facing each other. A handy checkpoint is the logo of your glove – it should be pointing towards the target, not towards you or the ground.

4. Posture Now set the perfect posture – this is an essential aspect to good ball-striking. Stand upright and keep your spine straight, then bend at the hips and flex your knees until your upper body is nicely set over the ball.

5. Ball position The final piece of the jigsaw is to ensure the ball is set just inside your left heel. This will help you find the ideal upward angle of attack through impact.

1. Aim the face Before doing anything else, aim the face of the club directly at your target. The face angle has the biggest effect on direction, so take care to aim it correctly.

COMPLETE GUIDE TO BETTER DRIVING

Tee-height tip With your driver, you should be looking to strike the ball slightly higher on the face than you would with your other clubs. This creates a high launch and low spin â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ideal for more distance. To help, tee the ball up so the equator is in line with the top of the driver, as shown here.

Alignment trick You will often hear professional golfers explain the importance of being as specific as possible with your aim. The idea here is that if you aim small, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll miss small as well. When teeing the ball up, pick something just in front of it that sits on your target line to aim at. In this situation, there is a broken tee peg on my line. I can use this as a handy reference point from which to build my stance and narrow my aim.

Aim at something just in front of your ball

Slice fix For the majority of golfers who suffer with a slice, the issue stems from leaning back through impact. By doing this, the face will stay open and you will lose the ball to the right. Instead of keeping your weight on your back foot through impact, try to ‘cover’ the ball with your chest. Notice how my sternum is over the ball in the right-hand image. Finding this position through impact should help kill your slice. As you work on this in practice, close your stance slightly at address – this will also encourage a better in-to-out swing path.

In practice, close your stance slightly

COMPLETE GUIDE TO BETTER DRIVING

Ball accuracy drill Often, the difference between a good swing and a bad one is nothing more technical than your rhythm. Finding the right tempo will help the sequencing of your swing as a whole, and this drill will give you a great feel for what the right speed is for you. Take nine balls and split them into three piles. For the first three shots, hit the balls as hard as you can and keep a rough note of where they go. For the next three shots, swing the club as smoothly as you can. Finally, hit the last three balls taking ten per cent off your smooth swing. You will notice some trends in terms of the ball flight. It might be that your flat-out swing hits the ball a bit to the right (you might well be able to use that knowledge to your advantage on the course). Of course, what you will also notice is which swing speed delivers the straightest flight, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the one you need to stick to on the course.

Warning: Whenever you use a practice drill that involves hitting shot after shot, take a moment between them and build a good stance before each one. Simple mistakes here can skew the results. 61

Use the tee Where you choose to tee the ball up can have a huge effect on the success of the shot. The simple advice here is to choose the position that will promote the shot shape you are looking to create. As a right-hander looking to hit a fade, tee up on the right-hand side and aim towards the left edge of the fairway. Alternatively, if you hit a draw, tee up on the left side and aim more to the right. This process will open up the fairway and build a positive pre-shot mindset.

COMPLETE GUIDE TO BETTER DRIVING The face should point slightly left of target

7 Warning: Don’t use your driver in this scenario. There isn’t enough loft for you to close the face and get the ball airborne. A 3-wood of around 15˚ should have enough loft to create a straight ball flight.

Driving in the wind One of the big challenges you face from the tee is controlling your ball ﬂight in the wind. Without question the direction to master is a crosswind that encourages a slice. This is a nightmare for most golfers, but the solution is surprisingly simple. Put your driver away and use your 3-wood instead. Before you set your hands, simply turn the top of the grip so the face points slightly left of your target. Now take your normal grip and stance. This basic adjustment will create a small amount of hook spin that will hold the ball straight in the wind. 63

FAULT FIXER

Learn from your strike pattern By Top 25 Coach John Jacobs

Poor set-up and posture can affect your swing plane and distance from the ball. Find out where youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re making contact by putting a dot or line on the back of the ball just before you hit it. The more upright your swing, the more likely you are to hit it off the toe; the flatter your swing, the more likely you are to hit it out of the neck. But there are many potential causes for toe or heel strikes, so the best course of action is to see your pro.

Shot on location at La Cala Resort

Striking the ball low on the face is often caused by standing up through the ball in an attempt to create power by changing the spine angle. This pulls the chest away from the ball via an early extension of the hips and the club follows, moving it higher from the ground. To work on this, place an alignment stick behind you and concentrate on keeping your backside against it as you swing, rather than allowing a gap to emerge as the hips move forward.

Skied drives generally come from too steep an approach and too descending a blow. The ball is likely to be too far back in the stance too. Set four balls up on tees at different heights and then try hitting them so you can work out how to adjust. Check ball position too. The swing’s low point with a driver is normally in the middle of the stance, which is why the ball needs to go towards your front heel.

Caution: If you’re skying it, the temptation is to tee the ball lower to resolve the issue. It won’t – it will actually exacerbate the problem by encouraging you to get steeper on it.

STRATEGY

How to play the By Top 25 Coach Paul Foston

Sometimes the flop shot is your only option to get the ball close, especially if you’ve short-sided yourself. I take a ‘stance of intent’ and flare my left foot, which will help me get the centre of mass into the left side. My knees are 25 per cent more flexed to really help anchor the lower body. The ball position is just inside the left heel to encourage you to deliver maximum loft at impact.

Set your wrists immediately in the backswing and get the butt of the grip pointing at the ground. I’m not swaying back in order to help get the ball in the air. When you do that, and the weight goes back, it can lead to thin shots. Remember, you need to stay committed to the shot.

Caution: This is not a shot to play off a bare lie when there’s no room to slide the club under the ball. You’ll just have to take your medicine. 66

Shot on location at La Cala Resort, Spain

ﬂop shot

4 3

Notice how the clubhead overtakes the ball. My upper body is going to turn hard through the shot. It’s important to keep the speed up through the impact area as this is going to send the ball up. It’s height you need in order to carry what’s in front of you and to land the ball softly – like a butterfly with sore feet.

The right hand is dominant and it helps create the ‘U-shaped’ swing. The whole shot is almost like a throwing action. There’s a lot of rotation and I follow through facing the target with the grip pointing down at the ground.

SAVE PAR

Get your chipping on the money By Top 25 Coach Ged Walters

You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be ultra precise with the clubface to be effective with your chipping. If you use the club correctly and let the sole of the club brush the ground, the clubface can collect the ball at any point during this time â&#x20AC;&#x201C; as this drill demonstrates. At impact, my shaft position is fairly vertical, not leaning forward.

Photography: Tom Miles. Shot on location at Formby Golf Club

Caution: Pushing your hands forward at address encourages a digging action. A shallower attack angle gets the bounce working more effectively.

Place a £10 note on the ground and set up with your feet about the width of the note apart. Practise getting the sole of your wedge to brush the ground. You can see I have bruised the grass, nothing more.

The club first makes contact with the ground at the back of the note and it leaves the ground close to the front of it. This drill will help the ‘scoopers’ who try to lift the ball and the ‘diggers’ who often scuff the ball with a steep attack angle. 69

Wade Ormsby Analysis by Top 25 Coach Barney Puttick

Ormsby has a good, settled address position with the driver. Note how the Australian’s chin is turned behind the ball, which allows for improved shoulder rotation in the backswing. It’s a solid position from which to start the swing.

There’s plenty of width created at the start of Ormsby’s golf swing, coupled with an unhurried rhythm. These are key components in allowing the club space and time on its return journey to the ball.

A compact, no-frills backswing where the club is well short of horizontal has become more and more popular on tour for the accuracy it can provide. Here, the clubface is square and the shaft is nicely on plane.

SWING SEQUENCE

T H E S TAT S

282.4

He has an excellent transition and it is useful to see how stable the back leg is – there’s no risk of jumping at the ball and losing control, which is a classic error by club golfers at this point in their swing when they’re using driver.

Driving distance (yards)

70.6

Stroke average

I really like the way the club is travelling down the mower lines on the tee through the impact area. This is a sign of a straight shooter, something that’s backed up by his driving accuracy stats on the European Tour.

65.6% Driving accuracy

65.7%

Scrambling

Although this is a shorter swing than many, the momentum he has accrued during this efficient action takes him through to a positive, full finish. The higher hands suggest he favours a slight draw.

Enhance your knowledge

Rules

Words by Daniel Sommerville

Eddie Pepperell at the Turkish Airlines Open

Failure To Hole Out aniel Sommerville, R&A Rules manager, looks back on Eddie Pepperell’s disqualification in last year’s Turkish Airlines Open for failure to hole out (Rule 3.3c) during his third round. While playing the 4th hole, Pepperell found the water several times and ran out of golf balls. Rather than borrowing any from another player he elected to walk in. It is permissible to borrow balls from anyone, including other players on the course – something to keep in mind for your monthly medals. However, as is the case at all European Tour events, the One Ball Rule (Model Local Rule G-4) was in place at the Turkish Airlines Open. This Local Rule meant that if Pepperell had borrowed balls from another player to use during his round, they would have to have been the exact same make and model that he had started his round with. Only a week later in the PGA Tour’s Mayakoba Golf Classic, Russell Henley

Photography: Getty Images, Kenny Smith, Tom Miles

some highly skilled players may choose inadvertently found himself breaching to play a ball with a high spin rate at par 3s the One Ball Rule. He realised while and a firmer ball at long par 5s. The Local signing golf balls after the round that he Rule is, therefore, recommended for use had used a different ball on holes 9 to 12, in competitions for highly skilled players, resulting in the general penalty on each i.e. tour professionals or hole (two strokes in stroke play) elite amateurs. and a total of eight penalty If a player breaches this strokes… and a missed cut! Local Rule, he or she gets Golf balls that are different the general penalty. In stroke colours are considered to be play this is two strokes for different balls, even if they are One Ball Rule each hole where a breach the same make and model with essentials occurs. If the player identical markings, so players n The One Ball Rule becomes aware of such a who use a colour other than (MLR G-4) is breach, they must stop using white may find it even more intended for professional or elite that ball before playing from difficult to find an exact match amateur events the next teeing area – they without delaying play when n Its intended may use it for the rest of the faced with this situation. purpose is to stop hole on which the breach is The purpose of this Local players using balls discovered. They must then Rule is to prevent a player from with different playing complete the round with a using balls with different playing characteristics ball of the same make and characteristics, which could be n With no such Local model as used at the start of an advantage depending on Rule in place you can the round. Otherwise, the the nature of the hole or shot borrow balls from player is disqualified. being played. For example, anyone on the course

RULES

Your Queries Answered We get free relief from interference by sprinkler heads in the fairway and I think they are classed as ‘abnormal ground conditions’? My playing partner’s ball was three inches in front of a sprinkler head. In all likelihood, he could have hit the ball without hitting the sprinkler head, but it would have deﬁnitely been a major distraction when taking his swing. Should he have had free relief or not? IanG, GM website forum

No free relief is available here

A player is only entitled to relief from an obstruction such as a sprinkler head if there is physical interference to stance or area of intended swing or the ball touches, or is in or on, the obstruction. Therefore, there would be no relief in this scenario. The fact that the sprinkler head was a distraction does not entitle the player to free relief (Rule 16.1a). Daniel Sommerville, R&A Rules manager

R&A winners Each month, the readers whose queries are featured will receive an Open Championship putter cover plus a sleeve of three R&A logo Titleist Pro V1 golf balls

Playing a shot with the headcover on will result in a penalty

Playing a par 3 recently, I hit a horrendous tee shot which ended up 40 yards right of the pin. I then hit a gorgeous chip shot which ended up two inches behind the hole. The nine-hole competition had ﬁnished and no one I was playing with said “pick it up” – I think they were gobsmacked it never dropped. Anyway, I walked up and just knocked it in

with the putter headcover on. While waiting for the others to putt out I wondered if there was any infringement there. Would this have been allowed in a competition? Tashyboy, GM website forum

This is a breach of Rule 10.1a. This Rule requires the player to fairly strike the ball with the head

of the club so there is a momentary contact between the ball and the club, which is not possible when the club has a headcover on it. The stroke counts and the player gets the general penalty – two strokes in stroke play or loss of hole in match play. Daniel Sommerville, R&A Rules manager 73

Rules Refresher – Provisional Ball ule 18.3 – Provisional Ball – is one of golf’s most useful Rules when it comes to keeping play moving. It allows you to play another ball provisionally from where you last played under penalty of stroke and distance in case you don’t find your original ball or you think it might be out of bounds. Most golfers are aware of this Rule, but there are one or two little things to remember when it comes to implementing it correctly. Firstly, you may not play a provisional ball if the only possible place your original ball could be is in a penalty area. In such circumstances you must proceed under one of the options available to you for a ball in a penalty area. The second important thing to note is that you must announce you are playing a provisional ball before playing it, either using the word “provisional” or indicating that you are playing a ball provisionally under Rule 18.3. Interestingly, in the latest Interpretations on the Rules of Golf, phrases that clearly imply you are playing another because there is some

doubt that you will find the original ball are acceptable, with one of the examples given, “I’m going to play another just in case”. Phrases where no doubt is implied are not acceptable though, so “I’m going to reload” or “I’m going to hit another one” are not sufficient.

to search for your original ball, the provisional ball may be played provisionally from point A but not point B. The provisional ball will become the ball in play under penalty of stroke and distance if your original ball proves to be either out of bounds or lost, or when you

“You may not play a provisional ball if the only possible place your original ball could be is in a penalty area” If you don’t announce your intention clearly, the second ball will automatically become the ball in play, and you won’t be able to play the original ball even if you find it in the middle of the fairway. The third point, which is where this diagram comes in, concerns how long you may keep playing the provisional ball for. This is dictated by where you estimate the search area for the original ball to be. You may play further strokes with a provisional ball until you pass the spot where you estimate the original ball to be. In this diagram, if you are intending

play it from a spot closer to the hole than where you estimated the original ball to be. It is worth highlighting that the phrase “estimated to be” is important here. You will not be penalised if your estimation of where the original ball might be is wrong and you end up playing the provisional ball from closer to the hole than where the original ball is subsequently found. If the original ball is found on the course outside a penalty area within three minutes, you must abandon the provisional ball – you do not get a choice over which ball to proceed with.

RULES

Test Your Knowledge 1

In stroke play, Fergus’ ball is embedded in the penalty area. What is the ruling?

A. Fergus can play the ball as it lies or take embedded ball relief. B. He can play the ball as it lies or declare the ball unplayable. C. He can play the ball as it lies or take penalty area relief.

Photography: Kenny Smith – shot on location at The Gleneagles Hotel, Perth & Kinross

In stroke play, Fergus takes his stance close to his ball in the bunker and the ball immediately moves. What is the ruling?

A. Fergus gets one penalty stroke and the ball must be replaced. B. He gets one penalty stroke and the ball is played as it lies. C. There is no penalty and the ball is played as it lies.

In stroke play, Fergus lifts his ball as it is leaning against the flagstick, and part of the ball is below the surface of the hole. What is the ruling?

A. Fergus gets one penalty stroke and must replace the ball. B. There is no penalty and Fergus’ ball is considered holed. C. He gets one penalty stroke, but the ball is considered holed.

In stroke play, Fergus makes a stroke with his driver which has a sticker on the face to see where the impact of the ball is. What is the ruling?

A. There is no penalty. B. Fergus gets the general penalty. C. Fergus is disqualified.

Quiz Answers 1. C – Fergus can play the ball as it lies or take penalty area relief. There is no free relief for an embedded ball in a penalty area. If Fergus chooses to take relief it must be under Rule 17.1d for a penalty of one stroke. 2. B – Fergus’ ball is considered holed. When a ball comes to rest leaning against the flagstick left in the hole and any part of the ball is below the surface of the putting green, the ball is treated as holed (Rule 13.2c). 3. A – Fergus gets one penalty stroke and the ball must be replaced. It is known or virtually certain that Fergus caused the ball to move and he is penalised under Rule 9.4b. 4. C – Fergus is disqualified. By making a stroke with a driver that has a sticker attached to the face, Fergus has used a non-conforming club as the sticker is an external attachment (Rule 4.1).

In association with the

NEW GEAR g gg equipment releases of 2020, from drivers to putters and everything in between new decade could and possibly should signal a fresh start for your gear. It’s time to realise it could be better, or simply that you need to be kinder to yourself in 2020 and invest in some new toys to help you enjoy the game much more. Well, you’ve never been as spoiled for choice as you are now, as this gear special demonstrates. Whether it’s a new driver, irons, wedges or putter, there are some enticing new options to consider across the board. Technology is accelerating forward faster than you

may realise, so don’t get left behind. Imagine what a few more yards off the tee or a couple more greens found per round could do for your scores. Perhaps a switch in ball will be the key that unlocks the door to a recordbreaking year; maybe a new pair of shoes will cap off the perfect outfit and inspire you to play your best golf. We’re confident the equipment showcased over the next nine pages will inspire your next purchase, so think about what would benefit you the most and schedule a fitting with your pro – it might be the best decision you make.

EQUIPMENT

SPECIAL 77

NE SP W G EC EA IAL R TAY L ORM AD E S I M SIM stands for shape in motion, and the asymmetric sole design on the SIM drivers, with a rotated Inertia Generator, is said to reduce aerodynamic drag in the crucial last three feet of the downswing. This maximises clubhead speed at the point of impact. The sole also houses a steel weight that moves the CG lower and deeper, optimising launch and increasing forgiveness. There are three models – SIM, SIM Max and SIM Max D. The SIM driver features a 10g sliding weight that can create up to 20 yards of draw or fade The crown boasts bias. The SIM Max driver is more a new chalk white forgiving, thanks to an eight per cent topline

larger face and heavier Inertia Generator in the rear of the clubhead. The SIM Max is also available in an even more draw-biased D version, which has an 18 per cent larger face than SIM and divergent topline masking, which makes the driver look more open at address. The Speed Injected Twist Face from the M5 and M6 returns on the SIM drivers, but it is now progressive by loft for even more precise performance. The iconic V Steel design has been reinvented on the new 180cc SIM fairway, with an 80g sole weight creating an extremely low CG that allows for increased ball speed, higher launch and improved forgiveness on low-faced hits. It also features a new zatech titanium face, a rare and ultra-strong material that improves the strength of the face while maintaining a high level of ductility. A more rounded 78

leading edge improves turf interaction and versatility from different lies. The fairway woods also feature Twist Face and a Speed Pocket to improve performance on off-centre hits. There’s also a larger SIM Max and draw-biased SIM Max D versions. KEY INFO Adjustability: loft +/- 2° On sale: February 7 RRPs: SIM driver: £479, SIM Max and SIM Max D: £449; SIM fairway: £369, SIM Max and SIM Max D: £269

METALWOODS

C A LL AWAY with a flatter crown, esign that sweeps matically in the rear to kedly higher trailing aid to reduce drag by nt compared with dded club speed. 50cc) Mavrik Sub s lower spin and d 2g front and back ally, the Mavrik Max players who require slice correction – it MOI and most draw

Replacing the Rogue family is Mavrik, whic the next generation o Flash Face SS20, de even more powerful s It means that the stan and Max Mavrik drive woods have a face sp model for improved p a wider area. The complexity of e design dema titanium for t intelligence the acoustic internal titan sound and fe T2C Triaxial continue to f promote fas speeds and forgiveness The Mavr r features a ne Cyclone Aer which is shallower fr

ways also feature sh Faces, promoting nd spin, as well as g Jailbreak. Models the standard, Sub Zero and Max.

o +2° loft, plus ptions 23 469; fairways: £269

MI ZUN O ST 20 0

YON E X E Z O N E G S Graphite specialist Yonex has created the Ezone GS driver and fairway, with optimal shaft weight, kick point and torque in every flex to maximise feel and performance. A high-tensile, Honeycomb Structure graphite crown allows more ﬂex at the top of the driver face, while a new Power Groove sole allows for maximum repulsion on low hits. This combination creates a larger sweetspot and optimum ball speeds across all areas of the face. Vertical Polish on the face is said to allow the ball to slide upwards at impact, reducing side spin. KEY INFO Adjustability: +/- 1.5° loft and face On sale: February 3 RRPs: driver: £379; fairway: £249

The ST200 range has three driver and fairway designs, each with different ball flights, spin characteristics and adjustability. Delivering low spin and forgiveness, the ST200 is a high-stability driver built around a forged, multi-thickness titanium face that maintains its characteristics over time. Weight savings from a compacted Wave sole and a variable-thickness graphite crown are used low and deep in the head to deliver low spin and increased stability from off-centre strikes. An additional 11.6g back weight further enhances low-spin efficiency and forgiveness. The ST200G features twin 7g weights on longer external tracks for even more effective weight movement. The lightweight ST200X delivers a high launch with a draw bias. It has been designed to work best with Mizuno’s own MFusion 39g shaft to help players with mid-to-low swing speeds. Fairway wood options are the ST200 (fixed hosel), the ST200 TS (adjustable loft) and the lightweight, draw-biased ST200X.

KEY INFO Adjustability: loft +/- 2°, with additional lie-angle settings. On sale: February RRPs: ST200G driver: £399, ST200 and ST200X drivers: £349; ST200 TS fairway: £279, ST200 and ST200X fairways: £239

NE SP W G EC EA IAL R How the T400 iron looks at address

T I TLE IS T T 1 00 S & T 4 0 0 The T400 becomes the longest and most forgiving iron in Titleist’s T-Series, thanks to an advanced split sole, super-thin face and hollow head fortified by extreme amounts of high-density tungsten weighting. A wide body shape, along with the new sole design, provides optimal turf interaction for cleaner strikes, while up to 100g of tungsten in each head creates a low CG. This works with a super-thin forged SUP-10 L-Face insert (5- to 7-irons) to produce explosive launch. The set is also progressive, with blade lengths, sole widths and hosel lengths changing to deliver optimal CG positioning and preferred shaping. Lightweight shafts and grips promote increased swing speeds for longer distances.

The T100S iron is a two-degreestronger-lofted version of the T100 for golfers who like the look and feel of a forged players’ iron but want more distance. It features the same dual-cavity head with co-forged tungsten weights as the T100. But rather than bending the current T100 iron and sacrificing the feel and turf interaction, Titleist has redesigned each iron for added distance while preserving the performance of the shape and sole. KEY INFO On sale: March 27 Stock shafts: T400: True Temper AMT Red; T100S: True Temper Project X LZ RRPs: T400: £1,120; T100S: £1,120 (six-piece set)

WI LSO N S TA FF D7 F O RG ED The D7 Forged iron is aimed more towards the better player, combining good distance with a more compact look and a softer feel. Forged from soft 8620 carbon steel and featuring a new clubhead design, the D7 Forged iron also has a thinner topline and minimal offset. A urethane-ﬁlled Power Chamber inside the head, alongside the Power Holes, allows the face to ﬂex while reducing vibration for a more solid 80

and consistent feel. The iron also features a wider and thicker sole to create a lower CG to drive high ball speeds with a higher launch. KEY INFO On sale: now Stock shafts: KBS S-Taper (steel), True Temper Catalyst Black 80 (graphite) RRPs: £699 in steel (4-PW) and graphite (5-PW)

IRONS

TAY L O RM A D E S I M M AX The SIM Max and SIM Max OS feature the same Speed Bridge design from the outgoing M5 and M6 irons, which connects the back bar to the topline to prevent unwanted vibrations. Thanks to the added face stability Speed Bridge provides, TaylorMade has incorporated a Thru-Slot Speed Pocket that disconnects the leading edge from the sole, creating a free-floating face that allows for more flexibility, ball speed and forgiveness.

Additionally, a uniquely shaped Echo Damping System stretches across the face from heel to toe, using multiple contact points to dampen vibration and improve sound and feel. Designed for the golfer seeking all-around performance in a distance iron, SIM Max is built to deliver fast ball speeds, high launch and forgiveness. The SIM Max OS iron is larger, features a taller face to increase stability and a wider sole for forgiving turf interaction.

The chamfered sole design promotes easier launch and signiﬁcant ball speed, while approximately 1.5° stronger lofts versus SIM Max produce a penetrating ball ﬂight that makes it the longest iron in the current TaylorMade range. KEY INFO On sale: February 7 Stock shafts: KBS Max 85 (steel) or Fujikura Ventus Blue (graphite) RRPs: £899 steel, £1,049 graphite

C AL LAWAY M AV RI K Every Mavrik iron has a specific Flash Face Cup designed by a super computer using artificial intelligence to maximise performance. In the longirons, the faces are designed for launch and speed, while the mid-irons are engineered for speed and spin consistency and the short-irons for spin and shot-making. A tungsten Energy Core ensures weight is precisely positioned in each iron to optimise launch and trajectory. It is enveloped in more than one million urethane microspheres to improve feel and sound without affecting speed. The standard Mavrik iron should appeal to a wide range of players, while the Mavrik Pro features a more compact head shape, flatter lie angle and thinner topline for better players. The Mavrik Max iron is built for distance with a larger body. KEY INFO On sale: now Stock shaft: options from True Temper, Project X and KBS RRPs: £849 in steel, £1,049 in graphite

PIN G G 71 0 Ping’s longest, most forgiving iron features a maraging steel face that combines with a stainless steel body to create metalwood-like flexing, faster ball speeds, added distance and higher shots with stopping power. High-density tungsten toe and shaft weights increase the MOI by five per cent over the G700. A Hydropearl chrome finish with black PVD coating helps repel water and improve performance through the turf and in wet conditions. The application of an epoxy behind the face results in a pleasing sound and feel. Standard on every G710 iron is the Arccos Smart Grip, which automatically records shots when connected to the app.

There are three Mavrik irons for 2020

KEY INFO On sale: February Stock shafts: numerous available RRPs: £169 steel, £179 graphite per club 81

NE SP W G EC EA IAL R T I TLE IS T V O K E Y S M 8 Titleist says the SM8 is the most accurate and forgiving Vokey wedge to date. This is thanks to a forward shift of the CG to a position that actually hovers in front of the wedge face. This boosts MOI (up to a seven per cent increase in the higher lofts), producing a more solid feel, improved ball ﬂight and a clubface that wants to square up at impact for more consistent results. This has been achieved by using longer hosels and tungsten low in the toe. The progressive CG system aligned with the impact position we saw in SM7 continues – lower in the low lofts, higher in the high lofts – for better trajectory and distance control. SM8’s patented Spin Milled grooves are cut to the edge to maximise spin. Microgrooves are individually cut between grooves, which maximises spin on partial shots, while a proprietary heat treatment increases durability. Golfers can choose from six sole grinds – F, S, M, K, L and D – to precisely suit their swing type, shot-making style and course conditions. There are also four finishes – Tour Chrome, Brushed Steel and Jet Black, plus the tour-preferred Raw finish (by custom order only).

There are six sole grinds and four finishes available

KEY INFO On sale: March 6 RRP: £160

WI LSO N S TA F F M O DEL WED G E S Both the Staff Model and the Staff Model Hi Toe wedges have been designed in collaboration with Wilson’s tour players and seek to improve a golfer’s feel around the greens. They are constructed with soft-forged 8620 steel and machine-engraved scorelines to create tour-calibre spin and control. 82

The Hi Toe option, which comes in 56° and 60°, combines a high toe and wide sole with scorelines that stretch right across the face to ensure consistent contact at impact. KEY INFO On sale: Now RRP: £109

WEDGES/PUTTERS

Putters

You now have no excuse for aiming incorrectly!

OD Y SSE Y T R I P L E T RA CK ST RO K E LA B P UTT ER S face, the Microhinge Star insert creates a ﬁrmer feel and pleasing sound, as well as improved roll. There are ﬁve shapes, including the ever-popular 2-Ball, Marxman and Ten.

This new putter range was inspired by the Triple Track technology first seen on Callaway’s golf balls. The three lines at the centre of each head utilise Vernier Hyper Acuity, the same technology used to land planes on aircraft carriers, to improve alignment. The putters also feature the impressive Stroke Lab shaft, engineered to help improve the tempo and consistency of your stroke. On the

KEY INFO On sale: January 30 RRPs: £239 (Marxman and Double Wide), £269 (2-Ball, 2-Ball Blade and Ten)

B ETT IN A R DI B B S E R I ES

PIN G H EPP L ER

The next generation BB Series features four models, ranging from a traditional blade in the BB1 to the new BB45 mallet. Each is crafted from soft carbon steel, precision-milled to 350 grams and given an optimised Super-Fly Face Milling for a responsive feel. As well as the new, durable Glacier Black finish, they will all be paired with premium components, including the Lamkin Sink Fit grip.

The Heppler putters boast a firmer feel and sound, as well as extreme forgiveness and optimal CG for accuracy and consistency. A contrasting copper and black finish provides a fresh look and alignment cues. There are nine shapes, all adjustable for length, including the new Tomcat 14, which features a 14-dot alignment aid inspired by airport runway lights.

KEY INFO On sale: Now RRP: £299

KEY INFO On sale: March 5 RRPs: £250-£275

SC OT TY C A M E RO N S P EC I AL S ELECT The new Special Select putters are inspired by the classic, solid-milled designs that Scotty Cameron has crafted for tour players around the world for decades. They feature thinner and flatter toplines, refined neck configurations, soft tri-soles and performance-balanced weighting. There are eight shapes, including Newport blade styles, a refined Del Mar and new Flowback mid-mallet models. Visually, you’ll notice the hand-painted cherry rings and a glare-resistant finish. KEY INFO On sale: March 27 RRP: £380

NE SP W G EC EA IAL R

TI TL E IS T TOU R S O FT The new Tour Soft features the largest core ever produced by Titleist to deliver longer distance than the previous generation. The larger core also required a thinner 4CE grafted cover, producing increased short-game spin around the greens. An updated spherically tiled 342 cuboctahedron dimple design provides a more penetrating flight. The new Tour Soft ‘T’ sidestamp should help with alignment on the greens. Available in white and high-optic yellow. KEY INFO On sale: February 7 RRP: TBC

T I TLE IS T V E L OC I T Y The new Velocity benefits from a larger, higher-speed LSX core that generates faster ball speed with low spin on all full shots, generating more distance. The spherically tiled 350 octahedral dimple design produces a more consistent, high-flying trajectory for greater stopping power on iron shots. An updated cover formulation is designed for speed and playable

TITL E IS T AV X greenside feel. It comes in three new matte colour options – pink, green and orange – in various play numbers. KEY INFO On sale: February 7 RRP: TBC

The AVX sits alongside Pro V1 and Pro V1x, offering the lowest flight, lowest spin and softest feel of the three premium models. Every layer has been redesigned, including a larger, reformulated low-compression core. It provides a softer feel and works with a redesigned high-flex casing layer for greater ball speed and distance. KEY INFO On sale: February 7 RRP: TBC

BALLS

TAY LO RM A D E T P 5 P I X Co-designed by Rickie Fowler, the Pix 2.0 design on the TP5 and TP5x balls features ClearPath Alignment, which comprises strategically placed, multi-coloured graphics that provide immediate feedback once the ball is rolling. They frame the sidestamp to further assist with aim on the greens and are said to be visible in different light conditions. The Pix 2.0 versions share the same technology and performance as the latest TP5 and TP5x premium ball offerings. KEY INFO On sale: February 28 RRP: £49.99 a dozen

C AL LAWAY C H RO M E S OF T A 34 per cent larger core on the new Chrome Soft ball creates higher launch and lower spin, while the thinner, firmer outer core is reinforced with graphene for better durability and more wedge spin. The ten per cent thinner, more resilient cover promotes increased ball speed and generates lower spin on full shots, but high spin and a soft feel around the greens.

The Chrome Soft X also benefits from a larger core but has two mantle layers, offering a firmer feel and lower driver spin. It is said to be up to seven yards longer than the previous version. Both are available with and without the Triple Track in white and yellow. KEY INFO On sale: April 2 RRP: £39.99 a dozen

SRIXON Q-STAR TOUR Promising tour-like performance with a softer feel, the Q-Star Tour has a new FastLayer core that goes from a soft inner core to a firm outer edge for increased distance and a soft feel. The Spin Skin with Slide-Ring Material urethane coating increases spin, while a new sidestamp aids alignment.

W I L SO N S TA F F D U O The Duo Soft+ replaces the DX2 Soft ball and is said to be the softest and longest 35-compression, two-piece golf ball on the market. Wilson is also adding brighter red, yellow and green colours to its Duo Optix range. Each ball is built with a smaller core and has a semi-translucent, highly visible matte cover that minimises sun glare and makes it easier to track in flight or find

KEY INFO On sale: February RRP: £34.99 a dozen on all types of ground. The three-piece, urethane-covered Duo Professional, available in white and four matte colours, remains in the range for 2020. KEY INFO On sale: Now RRPs: Duo Soft+ and Duo Optix: £19.99; Duo Professional: £29.99 (per dozen) 85

NE SP W G EC EA IAL R

F O OT JO Y PR O/ SL For 2020, FootJoy has reinvented the immensely popular Pro/SL shoe and also added an even more stable Pro/SL Carbon version. The Pro/SL features an Inﬁnity outsole that is 11 per cent wider than the previous version and has 30 per cent more traction points for increased grip. There’s also a redesigned Power Harness for support and the upper is now made of a soft Chromoskin leather, which is waterproof and more breathable.

The Pro/SL Carbon has a carbon fibre inlay integrated into the entire length of the midsole to increase stability and ground-force optimisation. It also boasts a soft 3D molded collar, an Ortholite Impressions Fitbed and two-tone laces. KEY INFO On sale: February 2 RRPs: Pro/SL: £149.99, Pro/SL Carbon: £179.99

A D I D AS C O D E C H AO S Adidas created the Codechaos shoe to redeﬁne golf dress codes. The Twistgrip spikeless outsole was developed by evaluating how golfers shift weight during the swing to determine where grip was needed most and what lug shapes would work best. The waterproof upper is made of a multilayer mesh to enhance durability and breathability, while Boost cushioning aids comfort and energy return. It also comes in Boa and a lighter Sport version. KEY INFO On sale: February 1 RRPs: Codechaos: £129.95, Boa: £149.95, Sport: £109.95

SK ECH ER S GO G O LF EL ITE 4 Spearheading the new Skechers shoe line-up for 2020 is the Elite 4. This spikeless, waterproof model boasts a sporty, low-profile design with leather uppers and features Skechers’ Gripflex TPU outsole for superior balance and traction. Comfort is enhanced through Ultra Go and Goga Max cushioning. The Elite 4 is offered in five block colours with contrasting trims.

Joining it is the Elite 4 Prestige, which boasts the same technology as the Elite 4 but with leather and knitted mesh combination uppers. The Relaxed Fit design features a roomier forefoot section and it comes in three colours. KEY INFO On sale: March RRP: £99

TOUR GEAR

What’s In The Bag? Louis Oosthuizen The South African is ranked 20th in the world and only missed two cuts in 2019

Driver Ping G410 Plus, 9.75°, Fujikura .

Fairway wood Ping G, 15°, Fujikura Speeder Tour Spec 7.2-X shaft.

Changes afoot Justin Rose used a new prototype Honma TR20 driver at the Hero World Challenge. Irons Ping Blueprint, 3-PW, Dynamic Gold TI X100 shafts. Hybrid Ping G410, 19°, Diamana Tensei HB 80 TX shaft.

Photography: Getty Images

Putter Ping Vault 2.0 Voss with a Ping PP58 midsize full cord grip and black shaft.

Wedges Ping Glide Forged, 50°, 56° and 60°, Dynamic Gold TI S400 shafts. Ball Titleist Pro V1x.

Gear News Round-Up

Chez Reavie and Jason Kokrak have signed with PXG. The pair will likely have 14 PXG clubs in the bag for the 2020 season.

Dustin Johnson replaced his 3-iron with a TaylorMade SIM hybrid at the Sentry Tournament of Champions.

Signature set Patrick Reed looks to be using a custom set of self-named irons, which were supposedly designed and made by Grindworks Co. in Japan, for 2020. Wise cracks American Aaron Wise was seen testing this Callaway Apex MB prototype iron on tour recently.

Kevin Tway has agreed a deal to play Wilson Staff clubs in 2020, including irons and the new Staff Model wedges.

Marc Leishman and Xander Schauffele both put the new Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero driver in play in Hawaii.

Branden Grace won the SA Open with a Callaway GBB Epic driver, Epic Flash fairway, prototype irons and a PXG hybrid.

Tested by real golfers

Edited by Joel Tadman

Cobra King Speedzone Drivers £349 G M Verd i ct The King F9 was a big success story for Cobra, so we were keen to discover how its replacement, the King Speedzone (SZ), stacked up. We had an exhaustive testing session indoors on the Foresight Sports GCQuad and a quick glance at the numbers suggested the performance was virtually identical between the old and new drivers. Delve a little deeper into the data, though, and there were some more interesting ﬁndings to be had. In the exact same shaft and loft with the weights in the low-spin positions, we actually swung the King SZ driver more than 1mph slower than the King F9. The strikes were much more centred with the King F9, yet the launch monitor told us the King SZ was actually more efficient at translating club speed into ball speed.

The King Speedzone in action

It is impossible to tell why we swung the King SZ slower, but if it was down to us, not the aerodynamics of the head, then there’s a case to be made that over a longer period of time, golfers should be able to get marginally more performance out of the new King SZ model. Alternatively, the lack of Aero Trips is slowing the head down slightly. For us, the sound has taken a step back with the new model. It is now louder, higher pitched and overpowering, which is surprising given the addition of carbon ﬁbre. We much preferred the duller, muted sound and feel of the King F9.

In the same setting, the King SZ Xtreme driver didn’t quite deliver the distance of the King SZ, owing to the extra 400rpm of spin, but it did ﬂight the ball much higher – ideal for golfers with slower swing speeds. In summary, those who bought the King F9 have no real need to upgrade, but golfers who put off buying it will be pleased with what the King SZ offers. It’s a driver that competes with the very best but comes without the top-end price tag.

TESTED BY GOLF MONTHLY

Up Against

Looks The King SZ is a better-looking driver. It’s cleaner, arguably easier to align with the inﬁnity face and has a slick new alignment logo and graphics around the edges.

Mizuno ST200G £399 Twin 7g weights on longer external tracks provide more effective weight movement to adjust launch and spin.

Ping G410 Plus £450 A 16g tungsten weight can be relocated to add 10 yards of draw or fade bias while maintaining forgiveness.

Ball flight In a like-for-like setting, the King SZ produces a similar flight and distance to King F9. The Xtreme model flights the ball higher, with more spin to help slower swingers.

Ke y Tec h n ol ogy Power comes from the new CNC Infinity Milled face, which optimises thickness and bulge and roll for a more consistent flight and distance. A new streamlined Titanium T-Bar Speed Chassis allows for a 360 Carbon Wrap crown that saves 25g of weight repositioned low and back. The King SZ has adjustable 2g and 14g sole weights, while the new King SZ Xtreme provides added forgiveness via an additional 17g weight.

Callaway Mavrik £469 A new Cyclone Aero head shape reduces aerodynamic drag by 61 per cent versus Epic Flash for added club speed and distance.

“Not a big improvement, but the King F9 was always going to be hard to beat” Joel Tadman, GM technical editor

REVIEWS

Callaway Mavrik Drivers £469 GM Ve rd i ct Rogue’s replacement has the updated Flash Face designed by a super computer, so it promises a great deal and delivers to a degree. We tested the standard and Sub Zero models indoors on the Foresight Sports GCQuad launch monitor. The Mavrik driver feels incredibly solid – like almost no energy is lost between the collision of club and ball – with a powerful thud sound we really enjoyed. We were expecting the Cyclone shape of the standard model to give us more clubhead speed compared with the Sub Zero, but that wasn’t the case. In fact, we swung the Mavrik Sub Zero driver nearly 2mph faster, perhaps due to the smaller size. The Sub Zero, in its more forgiving weight setting with

the heavier 14g weight at the rear, performed the best for us. While it didn’t quite give us the ball speed of the standard model, the lower spin helped us achieve carries four yards longer on average. The standard model is unquestionably more forgiving and easier to hit straighter. It is faster and more efficient off the face, and will benefit slower swing speeds or golfers who need more spin to maximise distance – it gave us around 300rpm more on average. I don’t think Mavrik represents a big leap forward from Rogue, nor does it noticeably outperform Epic Flash, but these drivers certainly made finding fairways a little easier without having to sacrifice distance.

Key Te ch n o l o g y Each Flash Face SS20 is designed specifically for the standard, Sub Zero and Max models by a super computer and made from an exotic FS2S titanium that is remarkably strong and light. New internal titanium ribs improve sound and feel. Jailbreak and a T2C Triaxial Carbon crown continue to feature to raise ball speeds and forgiveness. The Mavrik driver features a new Cyclone Aero shape, which is shallower from front to back with a flatter crown. It is said to reduce drag by up to 61 per cent compared with Epic Flash for added clubhead speed.

Mavrik’s accuracy impressed us

Looks The orange colour pops certainly catch your eye. At address it looks modern with the carbon fibre weave pattern visible. There aren’t too many elements to distract you.

TaylorMade SIM Max Iron £899

Looks The SIM Max sits between the outgoing M5 and M6 in terms of size. There’s a generous sole width and hitting area with noticeable offset and a thick topline, inspiring confidence over the ball.

G M Ve r d ict The SIM Max is the smaller of the company’s two new game-improvement irons for 2020. With the outgoing M5 there was some unwanted crossover with the P790 and there is now some distance, literally, between them, with the SIM Max noticeably larger and faster than the M5. In fact, it is much closer to the outgoing M6. They share the same 7-iron loft of 28.5° and our testing showed they hit the ball a very similar distance. We achieved an average carry of 182 yards with SIM Max and 181 yards with M6 from similar club and ball speeds, although the SIM Max does have a stock shaft that is a quarter of an inch shorter. The SIM Max does spin around 300rpm less than M6 and we’d have liked to have seen that paired with a higher launch, but SIM Max actually launched a fraction lower. The sleek new SIM Max iron in action

On the face of it, there isn’t much between SIM Max and M6, but where SIM Max moves things on a level is sound and forgiveness. Where the M6 offered a loud, explosive and firm sound off the face, the SIM Max provides the same power in a more subtle way, feeling closer to the P790 than a game-improvement club. We also found it very easy to control direction with the SIM Max. It doesn’t represent a giant leap forward over M5 or M6, but it certainly makes the game an awful lot easier for golfers who don’t find the middle of the face as much as they would like.

Ke y Te c h n o l o g y

SIM Max has a 17 per cent thinner face than M6

A Speed Bridge strategically supports the topline to unlock explosive distance and forgiveness with improved sound and feel. An Echo Damping system is designed with energy channelling geometry to eliminate harsh vibrations at impact for better feel. Updated Inverted Cone Technology (ICT) increases the sweetspot size and minimises sidespin on mishits. 91

REVIEWS

FootJoy Tour X Shoe £179.99 The upper is made from a soft, breathable and waterproof ChromoSkin leather by Pittards

G M Ve rd i ct The Tour S was an impressive shoe, but golfers were reluctant to pay more than £200 to experience the stability it offered. Tour X not only deals with that pricing issue, but also adds extra comfort and more modern looks. It is arguably FootJoy’s most complete cleated performance golf shoe, offering the lateral stability golfers need to The Tour X deserves five stars

create a solid base and a strong connection with the ground. It allowed us to swing with power and control and no fear of unwanted movement or slipping, regardless of the conditions. Yet underfoot, it has the same soft, bouncy feel as Fury, which you certainly notice when walking between shots. The tongue is also softer, thicker and fits much better on the top of your foot, helped by the elasticated strap which adds flexibility. FootJoy has really nailed the look, too, striking that perfect balance between having lots of technology on show – notably the PowerStrap that provides great midfoot support – and colour pops to catch your eye without overdoing it. The clean, white toe section is pleasing to look down on and the see-through Launch Pods are certainly less noticeable. With super-soft comfort and exceptional performance, Tour X genuinely offers everything you need from a golf shoe. It will be the pair of shoes you call upon for the club championships and it won’t let you down when it matters most.

Styling Tour X looks more premium and cutting edge than Tour S. The colour choices are somewhat limited, but the neutral main colours help to match multiple outfits.

K ey Te ch n ol o g y Even more stability than Tour S comes from the TPU PowerPlate outsole, which houses nine Launch Pods positioned wider with cleats at the edges for perimeter balance. Additional support comes from the PowerStrap across the midfoot. This is assisted by reinforced lacing eyelets, allowing you to pull the laces tighter for a more snug and secure fit. An Ortholite Impressions FitBed features two layers to provide energy return and gradually mould to the shape of your foot over time.

Power Holes on the sole increase the flexibility of the face Looks Players of different abilities will like the traditional, mid-size profile and shiny chrome finish. The slightly rounded leading edge makes it look like there’s more offset than there actually is.

Wilson Staff D7 Forged Iron £699 G M Ver d ic t The original D7 iron really impressed us with its super-fast ball speeds and monumental carry distances. The new D7 Forged offers more manageable distances and a sleeker look for the lower handicapper. The 7-iron loft is 30.5°, so still fairly strong, but the performance we experienced should suit a wider spectrum of players. It achieves good distance, yes – an average carry of 173 yards – but on a very different ball flight to the D7. With a narrower sole, it flights the ball considerably lower but with more spin – hovering just over the 6,000rpm mark – to keep it airborne and enhance the stopping power as well as control of the flight. It naturally doesn’t feel as explosive as the D7, but the softer feel, along with the slimmer look, will appeal to the slightly better player seeking consistency. In fact, carry distances

ranged from 171-177 yards on the Foresight GCQuad with good accuracy – tight dispersion in both directions should help you find more greens.

If you’re a golfer who wants to play a compact, soft-feeling iron without losing out on distance, the D7 Forged is an iron you should certainly consider in 2020.

A distance iron for the better player

Ke y Te c h n o l o g y Two rows of Power Holes incorporate a urethane-filled Power Chamber inside the head that flexes at impact while reducing vibration for a softer, more solid feel. A more compact head, less offset, higher toe and thinner topline will suit the eye of the better player. More aggressive Power Holes lower the CG to increase ball speed and launch. 93

TEST CENTRE

JOEL TADMAN ON...

ASK OUR EXPERT How should a perfectly fitted pair of golf shoes feel? AdamW, GM Forum Your golf shoes should feel relatively snug – excessive movement inside the shoe could lead to blisters, a loss of power potential due to reduced traction and the inside of your shoes wearing out quicker than they should. Listen for a ‘whoosh’ sound as you slide your foot in – this is the sound of the air leaving the

New year’s resolutions for your golf bag 5-iron for years. Seize the day and swap out said redundant lump of metal for a shiny new hybrid that will not only better fill the gap to your 3-wood, but also be easier to hit. It’s a win win.

new decade is upon us and now is the time to replace those dodgy clubs in your bag. Here are five new year’s resolutions for you to consider in 2020. 1. Get your driver retuned It’s only natural for your swing to change over time and bad habits to creep back in. Sometimes, a tweak of the loft, lie angle or shaft spec under the eye of a PGA pro can make all the difference.

inside of the shoe and a correct fit. FootJoy offers shoe fittings to help you get the right-sized shoe. I’m looking for a new waterproof jacket but don’t have a big budget. Any recommendations? Jamie23, GM Forum Be careful, as with waterproofs you generally get what you pay for – mostly in terms of durability. That said, FootJoy’s new Hydroknit has really impressed us and it comes in at a mere £180. The Adidas Climaproof jacket is a bargain at £129.95 and the Mizuno Nexlite (£135) comes with a pack-away pouch. There are also some good options from ProQuip and Sunderland. If you want Gore-Tex, try the Under Armour Storm Gore-Tex Paclite jacket.

2. Say goodbye to your long-iron You’ve been ignoring the fact that your 4-iron goes the same distance as your Try to tick these goals off in 2020

3. Upgrade your wedges Grooves don’t last forever. Fresh wedges provide more spin and control, helping you get up and down from tricky positions and giving you consistency, something we could all do with more of. 4. Replace your ‘trusty’ putter You’re still clinging on to the memory of that 40-foot birdie putt you holed 18 months ago, but since then you’ve been losing shots on the greens. Perhaps it’s time to embrace modern technology and upgrade your putter. 5. Do a ball fitting Is it time to try a new ball more aligned with what you really want? A ball fitting is a great environment where your needs can be discussed and then met with an appropriate match.

MY ON-COURSE REVIEWS

Two relatively unknown brands making some big performance claims

J O E LÕ S T E S T R E P O R T

Are these budget balls worth the money? Low-cost golf balls from wholesalers and sports retailers have been grabbing headlines recently. So, we tested the Kirkland Signature (£26 for two dozen from Costco) and the Inesis Tour 900 (£19.99 from Decathlon), both urethanecovered balls, on the Foresight Sports GCQuad launch monitor to see how they compared with a reputable, premium tour ball from a major brand. ● Off the tee The Kirkland Signature suffered here. While ball speed was okay at 154mph, high spin averaging 2,600rpm led to

carry distances averaging 257 yards, a good 15 yards short of the premium ball. The Inesis Tour 900 spun less at 2,300rpm and averaged 264 yards, but was still well short of the tour ball.

Wilson Staff Launch Pa iron It looks like a cross between an iron and a hybrid, which won’t suit everyone, but it feels very light and seemed easy to hit a long way. Price £549

● Iron shots The Kirkland again offered good speed, but a lower launch and high spin – 300rpm more than the tour ball – resulted in four-yard-shorter carries at 160 yards. The Inesis combined a higher launch with lower spin for more comparable distances at 164 yards. ● Short game Both the Kirkland and the Inesis provided excellent spin comparable to, and sometimes exceeding, the tour ball on a 50-yard pitch shot. Both also felt very soft off the face. ● Verdict Both came up short off the tee, but of the two, the Inesis Tour 900 seemed to provide better all-round performance closer to that of the premium tour ball.

Honma XP-1 driver It’s a lot of money, but it gets the ball in the air easily and offers impressive forgiveness for golfers who struggle to find the centre of the face often. Price £559

THIS CAUGHT MY EYE... Golfin What is it? A new online coaching platform that combines convenience with a bespoke, one-to-one service with a PGA Pro. GM verdict It’s nice that the app has a free library of useful drills, but the tailored coaching programme is a faster way to improve. It’s still in its infancy, but is easy to use and could represent the future of amateur coaching. Price Programmes from £50

Golfin provides a remote swing analysis service

Golf Pride Pro Only putter grip It’s traditional in shape and there are three subtly different sizes and weights to choose from. The soft, tacky material enhances the feel. Price varies 95

HEAD TO HEAD

Callaway Jaws Mack Daddy 5

Mizuno T20

Price: £149 Loft: 56° Bounce: 10° Grind: S Shaft: Dynamic Gold 115 S200 Tour issue

Price: £140 Loft: 56° Bounce: 14° Grind: M Shaft: Dynamic Gold S400 Tour issue

It appears a touch slimmer than the T20, with a lighter platinum chrome ﬁnish. Some will prefer a squarer leading edge, but the micro-ridges between the grooves arguably assist with alignment.

L O OK S

9 8 9 9 9 44

In no way ﬁrm or clicky, the MD5 creates a buttery soft sensation through your hands, assisted by the soft and tacky Lamkin UTX grip. The clubhead feels stable on full shots and the ﬂights were consistent.

The 56° MD5 produced consistently higher spin on full shots. It also launched and ﬂew lower, another indicator that the face is more effective at gripping the ball’s cover. Partial shots also checked up nicely.

The S grind is more suited to full shots, while the C and W grinds allow for greater shot-making and forgiveness respectively. Having multiple grinds in the same loft should cater for more player types.

One of the most comprehensive wedge ranges, delivering total performance and excelling when it comes to spin, feel and versatility. A ﬁtting will ensure you create the best set for your short-game needs.

F E E L /S O U ND

S P IN C ONT R OL

You could certainly make a case for the Mizuno feeling a touch softer. It has a ore muted sound to it that is just nt on full shots as it is on pitches and chips.

It wasn’t quite as spinny on full shots, but it did produce more spin from 50 yards and in, perhaps due to the rusting creating extra friction. Spin levels were a little more consistent from different lies.

9 8 9 43

V E R S ATILITY

O VE R A LL A PPE A L

TOTAL S

It has a slightly more rounded profile, a duller finish and a noticeably thicker topline at address. The spots of rust from the raw finish we tested were also coming through, which not everyone will like.

The M grind in the mid-to-high lofts provides ample heel relief to pull off most shots. But as an example, the 56° is only available in one grind and in low (7°) or high (14°) bounce, so options are more limited.

Many will ﬁnd the extra spin on shorter shots more useful, and that the limited grind options per loft won’t hinder their short games. Three ﬁnishes on offer further enhances the appeal.

WEDGES

Jaws grooves have steeper 37Â° wall angles, making them sharper for maximum grip and spin from all types of lies. Raised micro ridges between the grooves increase friction

Each T20 wedge is spinweighted, with weight placed high up for increased spin and vertical stability. Hydroflow Micro Grooves maintain spin in damp conditions

Performance averages (56Â° full shot) Callaway Jaws MD5 Mizuno T20

Ball speed (mph)

Launch (degrees)

Spin (rpm)

Peak height (yards)

Carry (yards)

11,310

80.7

30.2

10,401

We gave both of the wedges a thorough test

Two of the bestlooking wedges on the market The GCQuad assessed shots from grass

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improving tee-to-green performance as well as durability. While both models deliver significant distance off the tee, the TP5 has a softer feel, launches lower on iron shots and produces more spin around the greens, while the TP5x has a firmer feel and will

the ONLY tour golf ball with five-layer technology, TP5/TP5x is designed to improve the performance of every golfer, from touring professionals to club players in your weekend four-ball. So subscribe today and choose the ball that’s perfect for your game. 99

Courses Edited by Jeremy Ellwood and Rob Smith

Tandridge

andridge is a traditional yet very friendly members’ club with a parkland course offering spectacular views of the Surrey North Downs and the High Weald. It’s often described as a round of two halves, with the front nine running along relatively flat terrain

100

before the back nine takes you on a more dramatic and undulating journey. The course was created by Harry Colt and back in 2014 the club completed an ambitious four-year scheme to restore the principles of the great man, with the help of Colt expert Frank Pont. This upgrade led to Tandridge sneaking into

the GM Top 100 UK & Ireland Courses listing for the ﬁrst time in 2017 at 99, a position it maintained in the most recent rankings. As well as the testing course and excellent greens, the club is famed for its mouth-watering carvery and no visit is complete without sampling the legendary Tandridge Pudding.

ESSENTIALS

Words: David Taylor

Tandridge Golf Club, Godstone Road, Oxted, Surrey, RH8 9NQ Stats: par 71, 6,509 yards GF: from ÂŁ30 per round until end of February. Visitors welcome on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays or twilight any day. Check website for summer rates. History Colt was commissioned to design the course in the early 1920s and it opened for general play on October 1, 1924. The initial layout included more than 300 bunkers, which was unusual for a Colt design, but this number has dropped significantly over the years. The original clubhouse was completely destroyed by fire in 1927, leading to a replacement being hastily built and opening the following year. This fine structure is still in place today

and adds a real sense of history and tradition for visitors. Coltâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s use of the natural terrain and famous raised plateau greens are still major features of the course, and the club has recently taken on the services of Lobb & Partners to carry on the sympathetic restoration. Signature holes Coltâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s original signature hole was the par-4 14th and this 477-yard monster continues to steal the limelight. The

tees are set high above a fairway which cascades down to a menacing ditch lying in wait to ensnare any errant second shots. The elevated green is surrounded by bunkers and a four here is a real achievement. Other notable mentions go to the extremely tough 223-yard par-3 13th and the 18th, with its relocated tee complex now making the hole a fitting finale to a memorable round. 101

JEREMY ELLWOOD ON...

ASK OUR EXPERTS What is the most unusual mode of transport you have taken on a journey to or from a course?

Course closures: sad but inevitable

Peter Hurst, Liverpool

Two journeys to Yas Links in Abu Dhabi stand out – first on a press trip just after it opened via a RIB boat speeding through the lagoons, and last year on a bike as we were borrowing clubs. GM photographer Kevin Murray fell off trying to film the experience and somewhere there is video evidence of the tumble! What’s your view on trees planted in fairways as a hazard? John Slater, Wimbledon

These were quite a feature on the now defunct Moatlands GC I refer to elsewhere on this page, and I’ve encountered them at Wychwood Park, St Mellion, Studley Wood and others. For me, it depends whether there is sensible room to negotiate them with a good shot. If even a pretty decent shot leaves you stymied or having to clear an 80-foot tree, I have to say I’m not so keen on the idea. Should all courses have a drivable par 4? Russ Groombridge, London

It’s a resounding yes from me. We all love even the faintest prospect of a potential two-putt birdie and it certainly adds to the post-round conversation. Courses with only mid to long par 4s are missing a trick in my view – a bit of give and take is much preferred. ■ If you have a courserelated question for Rob & Jeremy, please email golfmonthly@ti-media.com

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ver winter, I took it upon myself to sort through the hundreds of scorecards buried deep in a corner of my loft that I’ve accumulated over 35 years of playing the game. This exercise brought out a mixture of emotions including sadness, for half a dozen were for clubs that have now closed, among them Moatlands in Kent, Willingcott Valley in Devon and Brunston Castle in Ayrshire. Of the 860 courses I’ve played, ten are no longer with us, including a few for which I don’t have a scorecard. I can still recall myself, vividly in some cases, striding along their

fairways, never contemplating that a return visit might not prove possible. I played two more nine-holers last year that I fear will not be with us much longer too, one where plans have already been submitted for 400 homes and a relief road. Anyone on social media will be aware that course closure announcements are on the rise, and, in the current climate, I fear it is inevitable that we are some way from the end of it as golf, collectively, resets. It’s easy to think such events are unprecedented, but they are not. A quick glance at the fascinating ‘Golf’s Missing Links’ website is a real eye-opener on that front. But sad though each closure is, golf is not exempt from the laws of supply and demand and I like to think that the majority that remain will be all the stronger as a result. These things often go in cycles, and it’s quite possible that 50 years from now when I’ve long since returned to dust, another golf journalist will be writing about the game’s latest boom. I like to think so anyway.

Willingcott Valley closed in 2016

TRAVELLING GOLFERS

Q&A

The 16th at Hunstanton

ROB SMITHÕS DIARY

Repeat viewings

many factors can result in a skewed view first time round. Two: many, if not most, courses at all levels are continuing to evolve, grow and improve. Three: our personal views and tastes change over time as well. The result is that some courses I was not so sure about have risen greatly in my estimation, while a few that I remembered with a rose-tinted rangefinder leave me wondering what the fuss was about. Happily, the vast majority fall into the former camp.

Photography: Kevin Murray, Getty Images, Rob Smith

Recently, increasing my count of courses played has eased from an obsession to merely an unhealthy ■ Did you know? The RAC Club’s two interest. The benefit is that I am making courses are in Woodcote Park, Surrey, many more return visits to appreciate while the Harry Vardon design at designs that I had not played in way too Woodcote Park Golf Club is five miles long. I enjoyed two such days in away near Coulsdon. December, the first to Hunstanton, which is 62 in the GM Top 100 and which I remembered enjoying before. This time, with 30 years more experience, I loved it. I also very much enjoyed the Old course at the RAC Club, which has benefited from a substantial bunker upgrade and is vasty improved. These happy returns confirmed three things. One: almost without exception, golf The RAC Club courses warrant a revisit as so

£150k The cost of the innovative new Stirling 150 Academy which celebrates the club’s 150th anniversary

3705 Yardage of Sunningdale Heath, England’s shortest ‘not-only-par-3s’ 18-holer... unless you know otherwise?

Pat Ruddy – golf course architect and owner of The European Club What can golf course design do to attract more people into golf? Offer design elements so that folk of different temperaments and strengths can find a challenge in a pleasing environment. It is always a help if people love what they see in the golfscape. Get them eager! Should all clubs consider course changes? Everyone should at least review their golf course. It is good to remove unrealistic obstacles; for example, the cutting of grass in certain areas might add pleasure while not making scoring any easier. Not all clubs have courses that need to keep pace with modern championship golf, but all are in the pleasure business. In course design, what is more important: golfing strategy or visual appeal? These are inextricably linked. The land must seduce the player into different situations, and pain is best borne in a Garden of Eden setting! But beauty alone does not make golf and is not the essence of the sport, so the first thing is to have a validly planned course. If it is also beautiful, then lucky you!

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Voyage of Discovery Wo rd s Ro b S m it h â&#x20AC;˘ P h oto gra p hy Kev in Dis s

Rob Smith meets up with senior Golf Monthly course assessor Kevin Diss to discuss his amazing, action-packed journey around Ireland last autumn

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IRELAND

t Golf Monthly, we are lucky enough that within our readership we are able to call on the services of around two dozen dedicated golfers to assist with our biennial listings of the Top 100 and Next 100 courses in the UK & Ireland. One of the most experienced is Kevin Diss, a gifted golfer who took early retirement from his career in camera and closedcircuit technology three years ago. A member at both Gog Magog and John O’Gaunt, the two-handicapper has since very much enjoyed developing his photographic skills, which have spawned a second career in sports and event photography. His work can be

Kevin celebrates his albatross at Castlerock

seen at www.kevindiss.com, and last September he undertook an ambitious and energetic tour around Ireland. Wearing his GM assessor’s hat, he set off to play no fewer than 25 excellent courses in just 16 days! Travelling with lifelong friend Philip Davis, a former golf professional, Kevin managed to play 13 Top 100 courses, six from the Next 100 and a further six that aren’t that far away. Now, if you know what goes into ﬁxing up an overnight trip with three golﬁng friends to play a couple of courses, all you need to do is multiply that by roughly 1,000 and you will begin to understand the planning and logistics involved to

Old Head’s 18th: “Once in a lifetime”

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IRELAND co-ordinate such a feat. Just the mileage required – 2,224 now that you ask, with almost 57 hours in the car – would be enough to put most people off. The itinerary often included two clubs in one day where the tee needed to be free at just about the right time. There would also be a new hotel or B&B to check into on every night but two. Kevin started the planning early in the year and most things went according to plan. Hurricane Lorenzo attempted to cause a hiccup, which meant swapping one of the 18-hole days for a two-rounder. An example of its ferocity was that Kevin’s perfectly struck 2-iron from 156 yards came up short on the last at Royal County Down. Happily, however, a little tweaking meant that everything bar the round at Adare Manor was achieved. The route followed the Wild Atlantic Way wherever possible, and its stunning scenery was one of the real highlights. Another was Kevin’s albatross two on the par-5 17th at Castlerock. Accompanied by his trusty Nikon, Kevin recorded all of these images and they demonstrate what a sensational treasure chest of courses we have. Here, Kevin selects his eclectic 18 holes from his epic voyage…

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Dublin Port Mount Juliet Old Head Killarney Waterville Dooks Ballybunion Lahinch Doonbeg Connemara Carne County Sligo Donegal Enniscrone Cruit Island Rosapenna Portsalon Ardglass, Royal County Down 19 Portstewart, Castlerock, Royal Portrush 20 Portmarnock

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Hole 1 Portstewart: 417 yards, par 4 One of the best first-tee views anywhere, with the Strand Beach and Game of Thrones territory on the horizon. A great drive towards the 8th green nestling in the huge dunes. Hole 2 Portsalon: 396 yards, par 4 The best kind of hole design – just decide how much of the beach you can carry. It’s a rival for the opening tee shot at Machrihanish.

Kevin’s epic journey took in 25 courses in just 16 days

Hole 3 Waterville: 391 yards, par 4 After the subtle 2nd, this sets out everything in front of you. An unusual green calls for a brave approach, with anything left kicking further left and a drop over a wall into the sea to the right.

“The route followed the Wild Atlantic Way and its stunning scenery was one of the real highlights”

Portstewart’s 1st: “One of the best first-tee views anywhere”

Hole 4 Old Head: 415 yards, par 4 A simple risk-reward design with the tee shot tempting you to take on a bunker and the rock face. Play it safe and you can be left with a terrifying second to the green that can send your ball down the cliffs to the ocean. Hole 5 Royal Portrush (Dunluce): 379 yards, par 4 My favourite hole in Ireland, with options from the tee that will define the approach shot and the chances of finishing on the beach.

Cruit Island offers something unique

Hole 6 Cruit Island: 150 yards, par 3 Cruit Island is unique and this hole is its most extreme. Where else could you play a hole like this? 107

IRELAND

The Mountains of Mourne provide the backdrop at Royal County Down

Hole 7 County Sligo: 421 yards, par 4 Rosses Point has a great run of holes from the 6th to the 8th, with this the pick. A challenge from the tee and a great green complex. Hole 8 Royal County Down (Championship): 424 yards, par 4 This is a hole just waiting to trap and punish an off-line shot. Subtle, natural design at its best. Hole 9 Doonbeg: 138 yards, par 3 A spectacular beachside location that rewards the brave!

Classic risk-reward at Ballybunion

Hole 10 Killarney (Killeen): 149 yards, par 3 The spectacular backdrop makes this hole, but then you realise there is water everywhere and the green is a really tough target. Hole 11 Ballybunion (Old): 398 yards, par 4 This is a classic, with as good a view from the tee as you will find anywhere on the planet. It requires a brave line to make sure you get a good approach to the green. Classic risk-reward.

The 15th at Enniscrone

Hole 12 Lahinch: 514 yards, par 5 A simply delightful hole with choices to make on all shots. The proâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advice to aim your drive ten yards right of the castle says it all!

KEVINÕS TOP TRACKS ● Royal County Down (Championship) The Mountains of Mourne are a breathtaking setting and the front nine has to be one of the best in the world, providing a natural test of golf with a fantastic variety of holes. The course continues to improve in a subtle way and it has to be one of the fairest but toughest challenges on the planet. A real bonus is the work that Martin Ebert has carried out on the Annesley. The new holes around the huge dune behind the 4th tee on the Championship course make this a must play. It was one of the most enjoyable rounds of golf I’ve played in the last ten years and I would happily play it for the rest of my life!

Hole 13 Connemara: 206 yards, par 3 A testing signature short hole with great views across the course and a tricky green that is fast from the back. Hole 14 Carne (Kilmore): 471 yards, par 5 An excellent par 5 that is a huge dogleg requiring decisions all the way. The enormous dunes provide penal hazards for all shots. Hole 15 Enniscrone: 421 yards, par 4 A tough par 4 that requires an accurate tee shot to the right side of the fairway in order to have a good line to a green defended by natural dunes. The superb new 8th on the Dunluce at Royal Portrush

Hole 16 Royal Portrush (Dunluce): 202 yards, par 3 The name Calamity Corner says it all. This tough one-shotter has a huge drop waiting for anything coming up short or right. Hole 17 Carne (Hackett): 392 yards, par 4 A must-hit fairway that runs along the spine of a dune. Play too safe and it leaves a very challenging second shot. Hole 18 Old Head: 399 yards, par 4 The best view in golf from an 18th tee? The hole is spectacular, with a boundary to the right that builds fear and a very tough approach.

● Royal Portrush (Dunluce) The changes for The Open have greatly improved this course. There are two superb new holes down in the dunes at 7 and 8 and improvements everywhere else, including new tees and bunkers. ● Waterville This classic course through the dunes continues to improve. The modernisation of the clubhouse is an architectural masterpiece, making golfers feel they are a part of the landscape. ● Trump International Golf Links, Doonbeg Doonbeg continues to improve, despite the loss of the signature 14th hole to the Atlantic. The course has been given the Trump treatment, with larger paths and quality touches everywhere. One of the best opening holes in golf. ● Portmarnock One of the best and most subtle tests of golf, with a relatively flat terrain but fantastic run-off areas that challenge scoring. ● Old Head I feel there should be a ‘once in a lifetime’ category for Old Head. It is the most wow-factor course anybody could play. If you were buying a best friend a bucket-list green fee, this would have to be at the top of the list.

109

Courses with panoramic views This collection of inland beauties all offer up some sensational vistas that will keep you coming back for more

Concra Wood This thrilling parkland course is the result of forward thinking by the members of Castleblayney to relocate just down the shore of Lough Muckno. They commissioned not one but two Christy O’Connors to create something special: a championship test that has several holes that would be the signature design at most other courses. There are elevation changes, holes bordering the lough, ponds and eye-catching vistas in every direction. GF: round: €65-€85

Goodwood – Downs

Pitlochry

This James Braid design in West Sussex is one of the finest downland courses in the country. The round begins down in the valley but soon runs up into the hills, where it offers far-reaching views over to Chichester and out to sea, as well as plenty of entertaining golf. Benefiting from a Tom Mackenzie upgrade a few years ago, the course is full of character, undeniably memorable, and offers golf that is genuinely quite different. GF: day membership: £125

Arguably the longest 5,700 yards in British golf, the course at Pitlochry is a fine test which works its way up and down the foothills of the glorious Grampian Mountains. The opening few holes will really get the blood pumping, but the reward for your efforts is a non-stop rollercoaster round packed with idyllic views, near and far. There are no par 5s and just three short holes, but tricky greens and plenty of risk and reward all the way. GF: round/day: £55

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PANORAMIC VIEWS

Kington

Llanymynech

Golf is supposed to be fun, and this is exactly what golf at Kington is all about. Despite its hilltop setting, the walking is surprisingly easy at this totally natural design that is situated very happily in the middle of nowhere. There are far-reaching and very pastoral views of England and Wales in every direction, and the modest green fee represents remarkable value. Making the pilgrimage will reward anyone with an eye for natural beauty. GF: round: £30-£37

The truly international course at Llanymynech boasts 15 holes in Wales, while the 4th, 5th and 6th are in England. They are separated by the ancient earthwork that is Offa’s Dyke, and from the 12th tee there are wonderful 360⁰ views over the course, the surrounding countryside, the Welsh mountains in the distance and seemingly the rest of the world. The constant variations in elevation mean a workout for your golf, your legs and your camera. GF: round: £23-£40

STAY & PLAY l Mar Hall Par 70, 6,507 yards

There may be some challenging climbs at Pitlochry, but what goes up must come down and the internal undulations and external views serve up a constant visual treat.

The hotel is a grand, gothic affair looking out over the course. The building was restored to its former glory in 2004, with many original features retained in its conversion to a five-star hotel boasting 52 rooms and suites. Chandeliers and elegance abound in the highceilinged Cristal restaurant, where local Scottish produce is the order of the day. Perhaps best of all, Mar Hall lies just 10 minutes from Glasgow airport.

Words: Rob Smith Photography: Mark Alexander

This Dave Thomas parkland creation, set over gentle slopes by Erskine Bridge above the Clyde, is now ten years old. The Earl of Mar course, which belies its youth, offers fine views down to the river and across to the Kilpatrick Hills, with several holes flanking the banks, perhaps most memorably the par-5 15th as you play towards the bridge.

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BILL ELLIOT T Golf Monthly’s editor-at-large and Golf Ambassador for Prostate Cancer UK

n between opening yet another jar of cashew nuts over the hols – I know, but I can’t help it, I am addicted – I cast a critical eye on the golf at Kapalua while wondering idly about what exactly are the ‘cashew apples’ they now grow on Hawaii. To spice things up – the golf, not the cashews – I threw a few pounds on Justin Thomas to win. This is something I do quite a lot as I remain convinced that The Other Wee Man is the realest of real deals when it comes to whacking a ball and behaving intelligently on a golf course. A couple of days later, of course, he won. Okay, he stumbled over the line after playing his final hole rather like I would (on a good day) and having to endure a brief play-off before leaping off into the twilight with another suitcase full of dollars. Interesting chap young Thomas. He’s still only 26 (27 in April) and this Hawaii gig was his 12th PGA Tour victory, making him the fourth player to hit this total at this age. You may have heard of the others... Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Sam Snead. He’s not as good as any of this trio yet but, believe me, he almost certainly will be. In an age that tends to reward big hitters, Thomas is a stand-out shotmaker. He’s not short off the tee, where he ends up standing on the tips of his toes when he feels he really has to go after one. His balance, however, remains impressive. At just short of 5ft 10ins and not much over 11st in weight, he has the body of a National Hunt jockey but the global ambition of a giant who finds himself in Lilliput.

sign of his putting stroke turning wayward is to dig in his pocket and change his ball marker. I’m not kidding. Each year in February I meet with a few long-time journalist pals for what is usually a rather hectic, slightly befuddled and long lunch in Soho. Before we lurch off into the London streets, we throw some more cash into the middle and write down our four picks for the Majors. My one constant in this wager is Thomas, and though he has to date won ‘only’ the USPGA, his will again be the first name I scribble down next month. For me, he is the most complete player currently throwing the dice. Plus he appears to be a decent bloke. Talking about decent blokes as well as men who are quite brilliant at their job, I had to smile with relief when I read recently that Pep Guardiola would rather retire to the Maldives than ever manage Manchester United. Then he corrected himself and said that it wouldn’t be the Maldives because “they do not have any golf courses there”. Well, if next time he is there the great man pulls himself together and rises from his sunbed to look around, then he’ll find there are at least three courses available in the Maldives. It turns out Pep doesn’t actually know everything. I don’t know about you but that comes as a relief to me. Incidentally, the cashew apple is the big fleshy fruit that is attached to the blessed cashew nut on the stem. It is used for many different purposes – chutney for example – but in Tanzania they ferment it into a vicious alcoholic drink called gongo. I bet Pep doesn’t know that either. I wonder if gongo has hit Soho yet?

Illustration: Peter Strain

“Justin Thomas is the realest of real deals when it comes to whacking a golf ball”

114

On the course he is, mostly, calm, controlled and steely-eyed. Everything about him is ‘tidy’. His game is ‘tidy’, his clothes are ‘tidy’, his movement between shots is on the ‘tidy’ side of brisk. I suspect his sock drawer is colour coordinated. He looks and then acts like a man who knows where he wants to go and, more importantly, knows how to get there. It’s a compelling combination and one that has briefly taken him to World No.1. And, get this, he can’t remember ever being nervous over a shot. Not ever. Yes, he has hit poor shots, yes he has occasionally overthought strategy, but he insists none of these errors have been made because his sphincter muscle was troubling him. This, it appears, is not a boast, just a considered answer to the question when asked. Get this, too – he hasn’t a clue about what spec his clubs are. He leaves that to the boffins at Titleist, explaining that they know what they are doing and that he doesn’t need to as long as the clubs work. Plus his unique way to cure any

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