April - May 2018 - Issue 03
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WHICH CAR WORKS FOR GOLF AND THE FAMILY? Working with Sytner Cars - Inside Golf will be test driving a car each edition p.26
SOUTHPORT TO AMSTERDAM p.23
UNDERCOVER
AT THE OLD COURSE p.8
THE HORAN & ROSE EVENT IS BACK!
In 2016 they raised over an incredible £800,000, for Cancer Research UK. p.6
INSIDE THIS MONTHS ISSUE... • Ladies Golf • Fitness • Reviews • Junior spotlight + more...
2 | SECTION TITLE ???
The PGA Professional | April 2018 Inside Golf Magazine | April - May 2018
55 insidegolfmag.com
CONTENTS | 3
golf inside
magazine
CONTENTS April - May 2018 - issue 03
Course Reviews – Inside Golf goes undercover 7 & suggests some places to play
11
La Manga Review
14 Which Golf Ball for you – we hit golf ball after
26
golf ball with some interesting facts!
20 Home and Away – From Southport to Amsterdam
26 Which car for the family and the golf course?
Which car?
Miles – the Corporate Sales Manager at BMW Sytner, Tamworth, gave me the full tour of the car.
23
96 Hours in Amsterdam Let’s go…
28 The New Bushnell – life just got a little easier! 30 Feel like Adam Scott not Adam Sandler with your 5 a day!
34 Juniors cant get enough Tours coming up and story of Beth Anderson
36 La Cala with the lads! 38
Ladies - How do we get more women into golf?
34
Junior Spotlight Beth Anderson
Inside Golf Magazine | April - May 2018
4 | INTRODUCTION
golf inside
WELCOME TO INSIDE GOLF – STEVE BEDLOW After a successful first 2 editions we had a hard look at ourselves and what we were trying to achieve with the magazine. Following your feedback, we quickly decided that we were not giving the readers the content they wanted so, instead of going to print with the 3rd edition and ruining a growing reputation, we took the tough decision to halt the magazine. Never an easy decision, but wanting to stay true to our objectives of giving golfers true and interesting content, it was in hindsight a good decision. We are now following a similar line but with more information on golf courses, ones we have reviewed, courses we believe you should play and options on travel features including the UK’s favourite
destination – Spain but also something a bit different with a review of Amsterdam for golf. Not just the town and hotels but the excellent choice of golf courses less than an hour away from most of the UK airports. We are working with Leading Courses on doing more course reviews both here and overseas, and the review section will be available on the Inside Golf Magazine website very soon, together with new features on places to play and resort reviews. We are increasing our course reviewers as we increase the reach of courses to review – not everyone makes the magazine, but you can still go live on the website with your review.
Is it Rory’s year? Arnold Palmer invitational – The Masters, The Open? What is next for Rory?
magazine
Editor Steve Bedlow 01543 732 731 Design & Production Dedred Coms www.dedredcoms.co.uk gavin@dedredcoms.co.uk 01543 572 403 Editorial Contributors: Kelly Saddleton @motherofgolfers Francesca Seden Ruben van der Zaag of Leading Courses Thanks to the following golf courses Hillside • Southport and Ainsdale The Earth Course Dubai • La Cala Resort La Manga Resort • Formby • Lindrick St Andrews Old • Panmure Pro Instructors Rob Rock • Liam James • (Rob Rock Academy) Corporate Thanks Executive Golf Tours Printers Dedred Coms Ltd Pendragon House, Ridings Park, Eastern Way, Cannock, WS11 7FD www.dedredcoms.co.uk gavin@dedredcoms.co.uk 01543 572 403 Advertising/Marketing Authorised advertising sales representatives Hill View Media Ltd. OFFICE: +44 (0)1366 728488 Keith Foster – keith@hillviewmedia.com Mobile: +44 (0)7970 883870 Ben Foster – ben@hillviewmedia.com Mobile: +44 (0)7976 256205
Hill View Media Ltd. Hill View, Thetford Road, Northwold, Thetford, Norfolk, IP26 5LQ WEBSITE: www.hillviewmedia.com
ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES Brand and Lifestyle – want your brand in front of our print and digital readership? Opportunities for magazine and/or website advertising. Golf Courses – our database is golfers, your customers, can you be part of our regular newsletters and offers to golfers. Whether it’s a 4-ball looking for a day out, a Captains Day or a Corporate Group we are emailing them all on a regular basis. Advertising opportunities for all budgets but more importantly aimed at the right market !
email: keith@hillviewmedia.com tel: +44 (0)7970 883870
Inside Golf Magazine | April - May 2018
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6 | HORAN & ROSE
THE HORAN & ROSE EVENT IS BACK! After a successful event in 2016 where the Horan & Rose Events, organised by Solo artist and former one direction member Niall Horan and Golf Professional Justin Rose, raised over an incredible £800,000, for Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens with some of the proceeds also being split between Irish Autism Action and the Kate & Justin Rose foundation. 2016 was a fabulous event at The Grove in Hertfordshire and 2018’s event looks like it will be even more of a success. Olly Murs performed on stage with Niall and Justin both joining him for a song. There was a Q&A with Paul McGinley and a host of special guests in the room including John Terry, Kevin Pieterson & Jessica Taylor, James Nesbitt, Denise Van Outen, Vernon Kay, Shane Warne and Matt Dawson. The event comes in 2 parts – the Gala Dinner an exciting pro-am golf event the day after which includes breakfast, lunch and a prize giving. Justin said “delighted to announce Niall Horan and myself will return this summer to host the second Horan & Rose event in aid of Cancer Research UK. Going to be a great weekend, can’t wait” Niall also looking forward to the weekend “after a hugely successful 2016 the Horan and Rose is back” Looks like Justin has been practising his singing after being called out by Modest Golf Management “getting up again!” Going to be a wonderful weekend and we wish “H&R” a successful event in raising money for some wonderful causes.
Inside Golf Magazine | April - May 2018
insidegolfmag.com
COURSE REVIEWS | 7
Inside Golf - Uncovered
COURSE REVIEWS INSIDE GOLF UNCOVERED COURSE REVIEWS – THESE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT! It’s how we have found the course on a particular day, it’s only fair that golfers who are paying green fees have an opportunity to know in advance what to expect.
W
e are here to help the courses as well as the golfers who play if you are not happy with the review we are more than happy to discuss and to come back and do another review. We all have not so good days! Reviews are important for golfers when planning a golfing trip – finding out what other golfers think of a course, clubhouse etc. Our reviews will evolve as we get feedback on what golfers are wanting.
The Boss
Plays off 10 member of Beau Desert, loves to golf but can’t chip!
Mr. Retired
Plays on the UKSGA Tour off a handicap of 5 and sometimes 6
Mr. Photographer Always with a camera in hand playing off 4.
Mr. Ex-Captain
Plays golf courses for fun and reviews handicap of 13.
The Salesman
Always on the road with clubs in the boot. Handicap 11
Lady Golfer
whose golf is hilariously inconsistent with moments of absolute magic
The British weather has got the best of many of our reviews this last few weeks so limited to a few in the UK and a couple overseas – which we are going to expand on each edition. Playing AWAY? If you are travelling let us know as we want to include more and more overseas course reviews.
More reviewers are required – especially a few Ladies! If you are interested please email: reviews@insidegolfmag. com letting us know what part of the country you are from and how often you travel to other golf courses.
Wanted
- a course reviewer for Wales - please email steve@insidegolfmag.com if you are interested or even heading to Wales to play golf in next few months.
Our Scoring System
Welcome Received
Location Yes, most cars/phones have Sat Nav but there is nothing better for a visitor to the course to see a sign giving them either directional or mileage. Also, a few signs to say the course is coming up 150 yards on the left or right – appreciate it’s not easy and permissions are needed but think about the visitor. Welcome Received Incredible how many welcomes you get that are like a script “Good morning – please sign in the visitor book, code for the changing room door is…” Let’s make an effort - these are customers coming into your club, a smile costs nothing. Be sociable they may even buy something! Practice Facilities Appreciate space can be limiting for many but let’s make sure putting green pace is similar to course, nets are maintained but visitors need to know before they arrive what to expect. The local driving range may be worth a stop on the way!
Course Yes, the most important part of any golf day and it is what it is sometimes, the good, the bad and the ugly – but a review is a review. Personally, I like Links courses that are not overly manicured and look the part of the land, others like fairway definition we all have our preferences and we can only say what we see. But no excuses for a course that wants a green fee but then can’t mow the tees, water new laid grass or give the course some TLC! Club House How does it feel as a visitor, are you treated as a member, is there a good menu selection, do the members talk to you. We have all been to courses and left saying the course was lovely but the food was overpriced and no one spoke to us. As part of our reviews we will say it how it is – don’t take offense.
Inside Golf Magazine | April - May 2018
8 | COURSE REVIEWS DUBAI
SCOTLAND
THE EARTH COURSE DUBAI
THE OLD COURSE
92%
92%
Jumeirah Golf Estates Clubhouse, P.O. Box 644877, Dubai, UAE
St Andrews, Scotland T: +44 (0)1334 466 666 www.standrews.com
E: info@Jumeirahgolfestates.com |T: +971 4 818 2000
Location: 4/5 Travelling from the Palm it took just over 40 minutes as it’s a good way out of the City. Best to take a taxi as not that easy to find. Welcome Received
Welcome Received
Location and first impression: 5/5 Any golfer worth his salt knows the way to St Andrews, no Sat Nav needed just keep following the signs. When you drive down the back for the 1st and 18th for the first time you cannot get enough of the place.
Welcome Received: 4.5/5 The Pro was super friendly with a welcoming smile and gave us clear instructions on where to go – changing rooms and practice area, the bag drop and locker room attendant couldn’t have been more friendly.
Welcome Received: 4.5/5 The main Clubhouse to St Andrews is a little way down from the first tee which is why I can only give it a 4.5. The welcome was lovely big smiles and great chat, everything about this place is special, even the changing rooms.
Practice Facilities: 4.5/5 Titleist Range balls which was a bonus and plenty of room to let rip with the Big dog. No distance markers so struggled to see how far (or not) I was hitting the balls! The Short game area was as you would expect – superb for such a course.
Practice Facilities: 4/5 You need to go BEFORE you go to the course as they are so far away back of the St Andrews Hotel adjacent to the 16th Hole. Great for getting warmed up – but off the mats not quite getting you ready for the course ahead! Didn’t see any short game area. Wonderful putting green to side of 1st tee.
Club House: 5/5 Great atmosphere before and after the round, food of a good quality and value. Drinks cart popped up on every other hole and you could literally order anything to be delivered to you while playing golf. Normal dress code for a golf course which was good to see but not stuffy. Never seen so many lockers in a dressing room and impeccably clean.
Club House: 4.5/5 Not the cheapest place to eat but remember where you are – The HOME OF GOLF – happy to be here. Great to sit outside and watch the world go by, everywhere you look there are golfers. You just have to do it.
Courses: 5/5 You know you have arrived but with this being the course for the final of the Race to Dubai it would be nice to see something by the first tee but you know you are on a quality golf course when you stand on the first and it didn’t disappoint. Fairways are wide and inviting but with lots of well-placed bunkers. Greens OMG lightening quick and very true. It’s not cheap to play but is a must for anyone in the area.
Course: 5/5 It’s the home of golf and standing on the 1st tee yes I was nervous, don’t go right out of bounds, go left don’t pull it – OOB. Just hit it! WOW I am teeing it up on the Old Course. Fairways were hard some strange bounces and had to clip the ball off the fairway. Greens were slower than I expected but they have to be protected from the wind. Some great holes and some greater holes
Stuffiness Not at all. Clubhouse had a great atmosphere to it and a lot of ex-pats to chat to. You could spend all day just watching the world go by.
Stuffiness It can be whatever it wants it’s the HOME OF GOLF
Would you play again YES, It was a special course, and I have some great memories from my round. I would have no hesitation of going back again, and given the chance I definitely will do.
Would you play again? YES, I am still smiling what else can I say
Thoughts A lot of work going on around the course so in places it did get a bit noisy but didn’t let this distract from the course. It’s a great golf course and you can see why the pro’s love playing this place. Lots of risk and reward with tee shots and bunkers but buggies gave great distances so that certainly helped. Dubai is an interesting place but with the snow and rain at home – not a problem.
Inside Golf Magazine | April - May 2018
Thoughts Every golfer needs to play the Old Course at least once, the history, the course its very very special. You will play better golf course but this is the OLD COURSE THE HOME OF GOLF. Bucket list ticked this is a must do!
insidegolfmag.com
COURSE REVIEWS | 9 SCOTLAND
EAST MIDLANDS
PANMURE GOLF CLUB
82%
Barry, by Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland DD7 7RT T: +44 (0) 1241 855120 | E: secretary@panmuregolfclub.co.uk www.panmuregolfclub.co.uk
LINDRICK GOLF CLUB
92%
Deep Carrs Lane, Lindrick, Worksop, South Yorkshire S81 8BH T: 01909 475282. | E: info@lindrickgolfclub.co.uK www.lindrickgolfclub.co.uk
Location & First Impression 3.5/5 You need a Sat Nav to find the club, bit of work going on around the clubhouse made it look untidy but guess it was the wrong day. Welcome Received
Welcome Received
Location: 4/5 Sat Nav takes you to the wrong entrance (noticed this in previous review) so carried on driving and found the car park. Great first impression when walking to the Pro Shop overlooking the course. A few Ryder Cup signs around.
Welcome Received 4/5 Pro was very chatty pointing me in the right direction didn’t see many other staff but any we saw were friendly, as it should be.
Welcome Received: 4/5 Wonderful welcome in the Pro shop that is well stocked. John King the pro has been here a while and certainly gives the visitor a great welcome. Can not say the same of a few of the members who seemed intent on one of us doing or saying something wrong! Other staff we met were wonderful.
Practice facilities 4/5 Area behind the Clubhouse with decent balls and a lot of space. The “turf was excellent” and great area to practice. Putting green was superb and large. No practice nets that I saw.
Practice Facilities: 5/5 Superb facilities for every part of your game. Was a pull to get away to the first tee. Nice to be able to practice off grass and not mats – other clubs take note, we play off grass. Short game area offered it all. Putting green played and represented the course superbly.
The Course – 5/5 Everything from the first impression off the tee to the immaculate fairways to the fast and true greens. Cant comment on the bunkers as didn’t go in one but they looked well kept. Layout was immense and some cracking golf holes. Great value for money as playing as part of a winter deal.
Club House: 5/5 A bit stuffy for me but golf attire in certain areas of the club just be aware and as already mentioned the member don’t seem as friendly as the Pro Shop! Food was excellent as were the beers. Good changing rooms – the whole place is very traditional and maybe just gone to far!
Clubhouse 4/5 Limited choice of beers with no real Ale – we all have our vices. Food selection looked good but didn’t have time to eat which was a shame. Dress code – golf attire as it should be in a clubhouse. Changing rooms old and had the feel of them belonging to a traditional golf club – “I like that”.
Course: 5/5 There are some great golf holes here and a course you want to go back and play again which to me is always a good sign. Couldn’t fault the condition of the course, bunkers were in great condition and greens were true. I want to play this course again.
Stuffiness A little but made to feel very welcome the “council” have their traditions and nothing wrong with that.
Stuffiness Yes, and they seem happy with the way it is, visitors just have to respect it.
Would you go back Yes, Panmure is rated by many as better than Carnoustie and not just by the locals no other than Ben Hogan (who they have also named the bar after) and I am not going to argue with his opinion.
Would you play again? Yes, but maybe not use the club house…
Thoughts Harry Colt designed and Mathew Fitzpatrick’s home course, the course was a delight to play, tough opening 4-holes. There are birdies to be had but you need to be on your game with yardages and playing to your ability.
Thoughts loved the course, practice area and the welcome from John the Pro and some of the staff, just a shame the attitude of some members who may not know who or where the visitors are from and maybe make them a bit more welcome.
Inside Golf Magazine | April - May 2018
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HOME OR AWAY | 11
LA MANGA WELCOMES STUART! Its not just about the Golf – you have tennis, cycling and some great places to eat and drink!
S
tuart is a regular contributor to the magazine and plays golf at a good standard, he has also extensively travelled playing a lot of golf overseas so is in a great position to give an honest opinion about the resort. I have been going to La Manga Club for about 20 years, at all times of year from Summer holidays with the family, to golf trips in February, April and October so feel I have a good overview of what the resort has to offer, what works and what doesn’t and where to look for the best bargains and hidden gems.
What keeps drawing me back? Well, partly the more you go somewhere, the more you get to know it, I always seem to find something new which is good, but at the same time, the familiarity and easy access from either San Javier or Alicante airports mean it’s a great option for an easy to organise break. This time I went out with my youngest son (18) during his half–term break, a whistle stop 3-day trip, we stayed in the Las Lomas apartments which are part of the Principe Philipe Hotel. These are great value apartments (we paid Euros 57/night!)
and whilst a room upgrade program is underway they are comfortable, can be used for short breaks and have some good facilities (fully equipped kitchen, etc). You also get discounted golf rates and can use the Spa facilities, which are a 5-minute walk away. There are also a couple of restaurants within walking distance, although, as these are owned by the hotel they can be expensive and of average quality. ➥
Inside Golf Magazine | April - May 2018
12 | HOME OR AWAY
What about the resort? One of the things that first–time visitors often struggle with at La Manga Club is the structure and layout of the resort itself, so I will try and simplify! The resort is really centred around the golf courses of which there are 3 (North and South are based out of the main clubhouse and the West is a 5–minute drive away with a separate clubhouse). The excellent tennis centre is right in the middle of the resort. At the tennis centre is also the Splash pool which opens in the summer and is a large public pool complex. The accommodation options are split into the Hotel facilities (main hotel and Las Lomas) which are about 5–minutes apart with an on-demand shuttle between the two locations. The hotel is on the same site as the North/South golf clubhouse and a 10–minute walk to the tennis centre. There is also a large amount of private rental accommodation available from reasonable apartments to large properties. My tip: If you are looking for a private apartment rental, location is key, do your research and potentially talk to an on-site letting agent. We have stayed in various locations across the resort from a couple of days to 3 weeks, depending on size of party, ages etc. All locations have had pro’s and con’s to consider.
The Golf Courses South Course The South course is my personal favourite, measuring just over 7,000 yards (6,500m) off the white tees. It is a true championship track and one of the best courses in Spain overall. At Par `73, with 4 par 5s, that will all ask you the “risk/reward” question, including the brilliant 18th where a brave drive will leave you a relatively short but testing 2nd to carry the Spanish 'barrancos' (natural storm gully) onto the green in front of the hotel and watching guests for an Eagle chance! The 3 par 3’s are equally challenging, with the 12th, in particular, being short enough to tempt you to go at the flag but the narrow green and water still make it a challenging hole The greens on the South Course have many subtle slopes and run at a pretty fast pace all year making them the main protection from good scores – my tip, avoid 3 putts and you can score well from all handicaps.
Inside Golf Magazine | April - May 2018
North Course The baby brother of the South course, the north runs adjacent to its big brother on a number of holes, and whilst a little less challenging due to its shorter length (circa 6,300-6,500 yards) it can still provide a good test but overall is just a great resort course. The greens are usually in good condition and most provide a decent target with a short club after a good drive on the fairway. It’s not unusual though for the greenkeepers to find some tricky pin positions to test even the best wedge players so the centre of the green and some good putting is often the way forward. For lower handicappers, look for birdies on the short Par 4s, (the 1St, 10th and 13th) as well as a couple of the Par 5’s, (the 3rd and 12th) where you can reach in 2 with a fair wind The 18th on the North is great finishing hole with the fairway alongside the large windows of the clubhouse and the green sitting under the large swimming pool and restaurant/bar of the hotel. A good drive or
insidegolfmag.com
HOME OR AWAY | 13
3 wood down 18 will leave you with a midiron into a sloping green, where in summer you may draw a crowd to see if you close out your round with less than 3 putts!
West Course The West is the newest of the 3 courses and offers the hardest scoring test, but the best views by far. It is set a short distance (5 min drive) from the North and South courses and has its own clubhouse and bar. You will probably find more of the locals and residents here than on the other 2 courses as it tends to be quieter. They will also tell you that they avoid playing strokeplay competitions on the West due to the level of difficulty (or fun ?) of some of the holes but love playing match play and Stableford (particularly against unsuspecting visitors) due to the risk/reward potential. The West is tricky and deceptively long at 6,500+yards from the competition tees with the position of the key being critical on most holes. The greens are smaller than those on the North and South but in equally good condition and with good pace. For lower handicappers, it’s not a bad idea to leave the driver behind although I tend to make sure it’s in the bag if only for the fantastically elevated tee at 18 where you get the best views of the Mar Menor and the La Manga strip itself. (even if you don’t play the West take a walk up to the 18th tee for the view). If you still have a score going at 18 on the West you have definitely had a good day! My summary would be on a trip to La Manga club – play all 3 courses at least once, for low/single figure handicappers the South will provide the best test and the North the most fun. For higher handicappers,
the North will definitely be a course you can play and enjoy. But for everyone try and get onto the West course at least once and see if you can navigate it successfully, something that has eluded me to date.
Sports facilities. When people ask me about La Manga I always start by saying, the golf is great but the tennis is better, I also think the cycling is 5 star although my cycling is 5* abilitywise (la manga bike rental will organise for you) and the football and cricket facilities are also great. My tip: If you are a golfer one of the great options is to play in the weekly competitions run by the resort, these run on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and cost 5 Euros to enter (the resort state you must have a club handicap, although they seem flexible on this). This time we played in the Monday 4 ball better ball competition on the South course. The great thing about these competitions is you play with similar handicap levels and get to meet some of the locals and get some local info and tips. Of the 3 courses, the South is my favourite, a true championship course with length, accuracy and good putting required. The North course is a great resort course, shorter but still a great test with lots of Spanish baranca (small ravine) to carry onto good size greens. The West has always been my least favourite with tight drives and tricky approaches, although it is finally growing on me after 20 years. I guess I need a decent score to truly accept it. The West also has the best views, particularly from the spectacular 18th tee.
The hotel owns and operate a number of restaurants across the resort, these are the ones if you are staying in either the Hotel or Las Lomas you can charge the bill directly to your room, but tend to be 5* hotel prices! There are also a number of independent restaurants and bars on site that are cheaper and worth a try (the Last Drop and Si! bar spring to mind). However my tip would be to get off the resort, either by a short taxi ride (15–minute taxi) or with a hire car and go to Cabo de Palos harbour where there are lots of local bars and restaurants, my personal favourites being “El Rancho” an Argentinian Steakhouse and the “Miramar” fish restaurant on the corner of the harbour. Other great options would be the Via Romana in Los Belones (5-minute taxi) or in season only, Antonios (15–minute taxi) in Los Nietos, sitting directly on the Mar Menor.
Around the area Make sure and try and get into Cartegena city for a walk around, it’s a 20–minute drive. If you want a beach, head down to the Mar Menor at Mar de Cristal, a 5-minute drive from the resort. In peak season, do this late in the day when the locals head down and the beach gets busier. Having visited La Manga for over 20 years, my summary would be that you can make the area and the resort work for a great break at any time of year. The Golf is great but there is so much more to do, take the time to explore. Don’t just golf and eat in the hotel, play tennis, cycle and visit at the local restaurants, these are the things that will bring you back time and time again.
Restaurants Inside Golf Magazine | April - May 2018
14 | EQUIPMENT
WHICH GOLF BALL I
3 testers, 3 different opinions, likes, dislikes – h
2-piece, 3-piece, 4-piece, different covers, different compressions – confused? Don’t worry you are not alone. Even after hitting golf ball after golf ball I am still confused by which golf ball is the right one to take to the course. I am just your average golfer who has hit a selection of golf balls to try and understand what makes an appropriate choice to even take to the course and consider swapping from what I normally play.
The test conditions – True Golf Swing Track Simulator: Robert Rock Academy was the home to the testing, with Liam James teaching professional (scratch and age 24), Mark Brittan (6 handicapper and age 35) and yours truly (11 handicap and just able to play on the senior’s tour!) Using the indoor golf simulator, we all hit 3 shots with our 6 irons to give us some averages of Ball Speed, carry, total distance and back Spin. We then took our favourite balls and hit “the BIG DOG” how else do we all judge ourselves really.
Thank you to: ●● Taylor Made – TP5/TP5X
So, what do you look for in your golf ball?
●● Srixon – AD333 & Tour/Ulti Soft/Z Star & XV
●● Cost?
●● Mizuno – JPX S/MP S & X ●● Bridgestone – E6 Speed & Soft/Tour BX, BXS & BRXS ●● Callaway – Chrome Soft & Chrome Soft X ●● Wilson – DX3 We did request the one other brand missing from this list but because they have a very specific way of testing the ball we did not receive any samples but don’t worry we went and bought some and tested them against the other major brands in the market. We have to look at the major ball brands on the market to give an Inside Golf View on golf balls!
Inside Golf Magazine | April - May 2018
●● Distance, Control or combination of both?
For me as an 11 handicapper, I want a combination of Distance and Control so I was very surprised with my results, my ball speed averaged 108 over all the balls tested (I need to get back into some lessons). Carry distance varied from 149 yards – 157 yards carry and then a few total “out of the screws” hits when carry went to 162 and 164 with a Callaway Chrome Soft X/ Srixon Z Star respectively. Backspin - so you need this to help control the ball, but you don’t want it so high that it just goes up without going forward, mine averaged between 5200 and 5900 for all the balls tested – so overall I need distance and control, what ball for me? Callaway Chrome Soft X averaging just over 5200 back spin and 162 carry certainly gave me some great results and felt great off the club face. I am also wanting to take the TaylorMade TP5 to the course – didn’t get the best figures but it did feel superb off the club face. Normally play Titleist.
insidegolfmag.com
EQUIPMENT | 15
IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
how does the average golfer make a decision?
Steve - 11 handicapper ●●Ball Speed averaged: 108 ●● Carry Distance averaged: 149-157 yards (nearly a club difference) ●●Spin 5200 – 5900
Mark - 6 handicapper ●●Ball Speed averaged: 114 mph ●● Carry Distance averaged: 158-169 yards (nearly a club difference) ●●Spin 5700 – 6200 Ball for Mark – Bridgestone Tour BRXS – more distance and less spin, or the Titleist ProV1 slightly more distance but with more spin. Normally plays Titleist.
Liam being in his position of playing professionally locally in Staffordshire and teaching knows his figures so knew exactly what he was looking for, the figures will only say so much you must go to the course. This is his day job – not ours. But Liam is taking a new ball onto the course - Taylormade TP5X literally he could not stop hitting this ball, figures were all good and consistent, as for the feel he loved it. Taking the Balls to the course and using the Big Dog - we got beat by the weather and deadlines of the magazine – we will do a page follow up and put more information on the website. It was just too cold to get a fair test – watch this space…
wrong and very quickly the figures just didn’t work – it’s all between the ears and for some the name on the ball! In addition to the balls I am taking to the course I do want to try some of the “internet” balls available as hearing some great stories. We are going to continue to test some other balls generally only available on the internet, these results will be available on the website real soon: Vice • Snell • Volvik • Vision • Jet
Conclusion
Liam – PGA Teacher to golfers of all handicaps and tour players ●●Ball Speed averaged: 120 mph ●● Carry Distance averaged: 174 - 179 yards and then a few big hits of 182 and 183 with a Mizuno JPX S and a Srixon Z Star XV ●●Spin 5700 – 6200
There is a lot out there about this ball and that ball, more distance, less spin and more control but really do we all know enough about other balls to make an informed decision on swapping what we already use? Get away from the marketing you see on TV and try something different you just never know. Honest answer find a ball that you feel comfortable with and like the “sound” of – we hit a couple of balls that just sounded
Inside Golf Magazine | April - May 2018
16 | REMEMBERING SEVE
WE REMEMBER SEVE Born April 9th, 1957, 2 days after Doug Ford won his only Masters and a place where Seve truly became a world star.
O
nly Winning the coveted Green Jacket on 2 occasions 1980 & 1983 he was already a legend for many with his style of golf and never beaten attitude. Tiger Woods described Ballesteros as “one of the most talented and exciting golfers to ever play the game”. Lee Westwood said of Ballesteros, “Seve made European golf what it is today” On 6 May 2011, Ballesteros’ family released a statement announcing that his neurological condition had “suffered a severe deterioration”. He died within hours of the announcement in the early hours of 7 May 2011; his older brother Baldomero confirmed the precise time of death at 2:10 am. The same week of the Spanish Open in Barcelona the event that was to become the last of Seve’s 50 European tour wins in 1995. Seve RIP 1957 – 2011, Aged 54
Inside Golf Magazine | April - May 2018
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18 | EQUIPMENT
INSIDE...
CLUBS TO HIRE/HI
Inside Golf magazine profiles le Hire, and brings you the latest n
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Inside Golf Magazine | April - May 2018
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EQUIPMENT | 19
IRE AND HIGHER
eading golfing hire brand, Clubs to news from the company…
H
ailed as ‘a real disruptor in the golf travel market’, and the first of its kind at launch, Clubs to Hire was founded in Faro, Portugal in 2010 by Tony Judge and Gerry McKernan. Since then, the business has gone from strength to strength, opening a shop outside Malaga Airport in May 2011, and a further six serviced locations within two years of starting. In 2012 the business opened its second Airport shop at Malaga Airport, then in 2014 it opened a kiosk shop in Lisbon Airport. The following year Clubs to Hire entered the US market and opened several locations at Orlando and Arizona. During this time the business built its reach to more than 20 locations around the world. At the back end of 2016 former Ryder Cup player and European Tour star David Howell came on board as the company’s global Brand Ambassador. “Having David involved is important for the business as he gives us great creditability and our target market relate with
him as he has been on tour for over 20 years”, chief executive Tony Judge comments. “David is chairman of the European Tours players committee and a regular contributor on Sky Sports, and he’s involved in a lot of our marketing. He is very much the face of the business, and he contributes excellent golf tips for our clients which we share across our social media platforms.” In 2017 the firm opened full retail stores in Alicante and Palma Airports bringing its store count to five. That year it rented 80,000 sets to travelling golfers, becoming the clear leader in the market. Then, in early 2018 the business opened 3 serviced locations in Australia - Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. So Clubs to Hire can now be found in 26 serviced locations across Europe, Australia, US, Africa and Asia. Clubs to Hire aims to bring the latest sets to market every year and this year the business has invested over €500,000 in new stock. This includes the introduction of more than 300 sets of the new TaylorMade M4 golf clubs. “These are giving our clients the option
to trial out the latest and most exciting sets to market,” Judge explains. The M4 drivers feature special Twist Face technology, which is TaylorMade’s solution to counteract golfers’ most-common misses. As we move through Spring and into Summer, Clubs to Hire is looking forward to a busy golfing season and a fruitful partnership with Inside Golf and leading golf review website www. leadingcourses.com. The site allows members to review top courses around Europe and get reviews in real time from golfers who have recently played. With 350,000 reviews, the company said its members can be well guided by the site. Reviews for UK golfers can be found on www.insidegolfmag. com Finally, Clubs to Hire has launched its annual Race to Quinta do Lago competition offering some lucky golfers, who can reduce their handicaps by 10%, the chance to go to the grand final in Quinta do Lago in the Algarve next November.
Inside Golf Magazine | April - May 2018
20 | HOME OR AWAY
SOUTHPORT - THE HOME TO SOME OF THE BEST LINKS IN THE COUNTRY. A FAVOURITE YEAR ON YEAR FOR MANY GOLF GROUPS AND AN AREA I LOVE TO GO AND PLAY GOLF WHEN TIME ALLOWS.
HOME OR AWAY
SOUTHPORT TO AMSTERDAM
| Hillside - 10th hole
Inside Golf Magazine | April - May 2018
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HOME OR AWAY | 21
Hillside Golf Club Links Course
Southport and Ainsdale – Links Course
Formby Golf Club – Links
Second only to Augusta and the best back 9 in Britain - according to Greg Norman. The course I love to play but never score on. This is one tough golf course especially when the wind blows from the opening tee shot with the train line running the complete length ready to capture anything left. The back 9 is as tough as they come, the Par 3 10th might only play 172 from the medal tees but it’s all uphill with a green that slopes towards you – you need the correct club to make par. The other 8 holes you will find with valleyed corridors through some of the highest and wildest dunes found anywhere. Each hole occupying its own unique site never shared with another. Do not be mistaken this is a proper golf course with tough golf holes you definitely need your ‘A’ game and a few golf balls. The changing rooms are traditional and you should take time to look at some of the competition results – even the members find this place tough. You may even recognise some of the names on the results page – Dalglish and Hansen who both have decent handicaps as well. Course Details ●● Gents par 72 ranging from 7029 yards to 6160 yards
Some serious History here in an area of wonderful Links golf A James Braid masterpiece you could say this about nearly all his courses and S&A (as it is widely and affectionately known) is no exception, was founded in 1906, part of the great golf boom around the turn of the 20th century. The club has hosted two Ryder Cup matches in 1933 and 1937 and a number of other prestigious Championships including The British Ladies’ Open and The British Amateur. This is a true Championship golf course. This remains a final qualifying course for The Open Championship and it has been voted by one golf magazine as among the top 50 courses in Great Britain. The course is a magnificent test of golf, especially when the sea breeze picks up and the change of tide, the course has a profusion of heather and gorse which when you put all the elements together means you’re in for some challenging golf. This is a course where you need a bit of everything – distance, course management, a good short game and be able to read the greens. The spectacular clubhouse creates a splendid setting for unwinding after a round. The main lounge and patio to the front of the clubhouse provide stunning views of the course, including the 18th green and 1st tee. Course Details ●● Gents par 72 ranging from 6903 yards to 6403 yards, Par 71 off the yellows
Links within the Pine Trees – good enough for Bubba and good enough for you and me. Bubba Watson played Formby before the Open at Birkdale in 2017 and loved the place “greens were superb and fast, tee shots suited my imagination for hitting lots of different golf shots”. The course is again an old Traditional course but It has increased its length to keep up with technology but in my opinion, the back tees make this course near impossible to play if the wind picks up – leave the ego behind and play off the yellow or whites – it’s still a great test. The par 3 10th can be anything from an 8 iron to 3 wood depending on the wind, the 11th only 384 yards but I once played it with a Driver, 4 wood and a 9 iron – can’t say I hit a bad shot but straight into the teeth of the wind, it was brutal. This is a links course so unlike many others, you can be very protected from the winds as you wind through the pines but the whole layout with its sand-based undulating fairways and greens make you fully aware you are playing a links course. They sell themselves as offering the “Formby Experience” and they get it right in so many ways. The food, the staff, and the dormy house, the staff set up is wonderful and you are always guaranteed a warm welcome. Course Details ●● Gents par 72 ranging from 7031 yards to 6489 yards,
●● Ladies par 75 5888 yards Hillside Golf Club, The Clubhouse, Hastings Road, Hillside, Southport, PR8 2LU www.hillside-golfclub.co.uk manager@hillside-golfclub.co.uk Tel: 01704 567169 Price Guide: Summer Green fees during the week £135.00
●● Ladies par 75 5665yards
●● Ladies par 72 6048 yards
Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club, Bradshaws Lane, Ainsdale, Southport, Merseyside, PR8 3LG www.sandagolfclub.co.uk admin@sandagolfclub.co.uk T 01704 578000
Formby Golf Club Golf Road, Freshfield,Liverpool L37 1LQ www.formbygolfclub.co.uk teetimes@formbygolfclub.co.uk T 01704 872 164
Price Guide: Summer Green fees (May – Sept) during the week £115.00, April and October £85.00.
Price Guide: Summer Green fees (May/June/July & Sept) during the week £140.00, April. August and October £105.00
Inside Golf Magazine | April - May 2018
22 | HOME OR AWAY
WHERE TO STAY, EAT AND DRINK IN SOUTHPORT? Depends on budget of course and I have stayed in everything from a B&B, (to a hotel I can’t name) it was so bad to The Vincent or the Ramada. The Vincent and Ramada are my favourites for different reasons. The Vincent in town close to everything – not so easy to park and the Ramada with great parking a wonderful Italian Restaurant opposite with a casino on the doorstep, what else do you need? Ramada Southport is a 4-star hotel set on the waterfront of Southport has great breakfast options as it offers a buffet so you can eat as much or as little as you want. They offer decent rates and the hotel has a nice atmosphere and you will generally find other golfers in the hotel. The Italian restaurant opposite the hotel is superb - Trattoria 51. Vincent hotel a 4-star hotel that is more lifestyle boutique with a great little bar and a wonderful restaurant on site. Rates vary depending on the time of year and personally I always find it to be slightly more expensive than others in town. The Shamraat an Indian in Stanley Street is a traditional Indian and the food always gets good reviews. The Churrasco Restaurant is great for Meat lovers with steaks as a speciality. Bars are numerous across Southport but our favourites are definitely Peaky Blinders and The Lakeside Inn which is the smallest pub in Britain but certainly has a great atmosphere!
THE VINCENT - Cafe & Sushi Bar
Southport pier
OVERALL Southport is one place I never get tired of – the golf is right up there with some of the best in the UK and as for a trip away it has superb hotels (as well as a couple of bad one’s) and some wonderful places to eat and drink in the evening.
Inside Golf Magazine | April - May 2018
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HOME OR AWAY | 23
96 HOURS IN AMSTERDAM
– IS IT ENOUGH? Not on many tour agendas for a golf tour – but why not? It is close to the UK, has some great golf and the evening entertainment is reputed to be very lively, we may need to go and visit! GUEST EDITOR: RUBEN VAN DER ZAAG OF LEADING COURSES About the author...
Ruben van der Zaag has been playing golf for the largest part of his life. He is a former editor of Golfers Magazine and Golf.nl in the Netherlands and has worked with the Dutch Golf Federation. Nowadays he’s in charge of Marketing and Communication at Leadingcourses.com, Europe’s largest golf course review platform. Ruben lives in Amsterdam and plays of a handicap of 14.
This guy knows Amsterdam….
Where do you stay, what is there to see and most important, where do you play golf? The Netherlands is only a small country, so the possibilities are endless. Inside Golf gives you the top tips for a short break to “The Dam”, presented by Leadingcourses.com. ➥
Inside Golf Magazine | April - May 2018
24 | HOME OR AWAY
SO YOU FANCY A TRIP TO MY NECK OF THE WOODS? I’ve been living in Amsterdam for more than 20 years now. It can be a hectic city, but not in a London kind of way. Traditionally traffic is very different. In Amsterdam we do things by bike (well not to the Golf Club but it has been known) There are close to 1 million bikes in Amsterdam, which is four times as many bikes as cars! Amsterdam is also a beautiful city with great history. Everybody knows the canals from the pictures with canal boats in them, but did you know that they used to be the main source of income for the city as they were used for the transport
Hidden Gem - we all like these!
In The Netherlands Golf club De Hoge Kleij is quite well known nowadays, but internationally it’s still a bit of a hidden gem. This 18 hole course in the small town of Leusden was built in the 1980’s on part of an old estate called Den Treek. Although the course – which was designed by Frank Pennink and Donald Steel - is only 40 years old, it has the character of a much older course. The course has recently been completely renovated to make it more interesting for the modern golfer, and the strategic lay of bunkers and hazards give you the choice between an offensive or defensive playing strategy. There is little water but that doesn’t make this course any easier. Facts ●● Distance from Amsterdam: 26 miles ●● Green fee: £ 79 ●● Rating on Leadingcourses.com: 8.2
of merchant goods. They basically made Amsterdam one of the richest cities in the world back in the 16th century. Nowadays Amsterdam is notorious for its red light district and coffee shops, but also famous for its great number of museums, terrific hotels and fine dining options. Golf, on the other hand, is not what Amsterdam – or the Netherlands in that fact – is very well known for, but I often ask myself why not. It certainly deserves some more credit than it gets.
A tour players favourite – a links course!
The Kennemer Golf & Country Club has been the host of the KLM Open 23 times and it used to be one of the favourite courses of the year for all players. Some of the golfing World greats like Bobby Locke, Seve Ballesteros, José-María Olazábal and Joost Luiten (a home player) have all been a winner here. The Dune course on the west coast of the country is the oldest links course in the Netherlands (founded in 1910) and often named amongst the most beautiful courses in the world. In 1927 – when the course moved to its current location – Harry Colt was commissioned to design the course and boy, did he do a good job! With the addition of nine holes in 1985 – designed by Frank Pennink – the course now consists of 27 terrific undulated linksstyle holes. Facts ●● Distance from Amsterdam: 14 miles ●● Green fee: £ 88 ●● Rating on Leadingcourses.com: 8.4
Getting there
Getting to Amsterdam from the UK is easy. Depending on where you’re from you have the option to travel by plane, train, boat or even car! All of the UK’s major airports have (multiple) daily flights to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Train run direct from London to Amsterdam via Rotterdam. It takes less than four hours to get to Amsterdam Central and ticket prices start at £35 one-way.
Inside Golf Magazine | April - May 2018
Save the best for last
There has to be a favourite. In my case, that is The Royal Haagsche Golf & Country Club. This course in the political capital of The Netherlands is special. It is the oldest club in the Netherlands (1893), but the current course was designed in 1938. From a personal point of view, I love everything about the course. It all starts when you walk past the majestic old clubhouse, up the hill to the first tee not knowing what to expect. When you get to the top of the hill you have a panoramic view of what can only be described as golfing heaven. Don’t be fooled though, this is a devilish course. The only course I found more difficult to play in Europe was Royal County Down, so that says a lot. The layout of the course is nothing less than spectacular. There isn’t a single patch of grass that isn’t undulated, so make sure you bring the proper shoes. In fact, the elevation changes on this course are probably the biggest from any course in the country. It’s all natural though, so not gimmicky at all. This is the best the Netherlands has to offer. If you ever had any doubts about coming over, playing a round at The Haagsche should definitely drag you over the line. Facts ●● Distance from Amsterdam: 27 miles ●● Green fee: £ 131 ●● Rating on Leadingcourses.com: 8,9
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HOME OR AWAY | 25
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26 | WHICH CAR?
WHICH CAR WORKS FOR GOLF AND THE FAMILY? Working with Sytner Cars the largest Car motor dealership in the UK Inside Golf will be test driving a car each edition and not only seeing how they fit the family in but how do you get all your golf gear into the boot?
W
e made this real and with the weather being so kind over the weekend of 23rd – 26th March I managed to get 2 rounds of golf in – one with the carry bag and pull trolley and one with the electric trolley and the large cart bag. The feature – Inside Golf pick up a chosen car for the weekend and use it for the family and golf to give an honest review of how we got on with the car – every car park at any Golf Club all over the country has a selection of cars and The Sytner Group has many of them covered dealing with 20 + car manufacturers.
BMW X2 – just released in March 2018. We did not know too much about the car so went straight to the internet – nice looking car. See the tech details below, I just drive them and fill the boot…. With the snow melting the clocks going back Spring was in the air and a new car was ready to test.
BMW’s take on the car:
Inside Golfs view
Combining the form language of a BMW Coupé with the road presence of a classic BMW X model, the X2 is a progressive interpretation of BMW design. An expressive character and distinctive identity clearly differentiate the X2 as the urbanest model in the BMW X family. An extrovert exterior design combines new features with classic cues to achieve a powerful stance and strong presence on the road. Topping the range is the M Sport X Model, finished in NEW Galvanic Gold Metallic Paint which contrast the Frozen Grey inserts around the car. Boot volume, 470 litres with an automated tailgate. (we put this to the test!) The driver’s seating position is slightly lower than in other X models to give a sporty low centre of gravity with typical BMW ergonomics throughout the driveroriented central console. CAR: BMW X2 20d xDrive M Sport Performance: 190BHP 0-62 7.7 secs 57.6mpg Combined
Interesting colour – not one I would choose but as yet not buying a new car. Miles – the Corporate Sales Manager at BMW Sytner, Tamworth, gave me the full tour of the car and I have to say it certainly looked the part. I found my driving position fairly quickly even though it did feel a bit odd being so low, but I soon got used to it. The Bluetooth connection was immense and took literally a few seconds. So lets hit the road…. this car is nippy and does exactly what it says on the website, it also looks very sporty. I already had instructions to pick the kids up from school in it – they were more excited than me to test this car and their immediate response was that they loved it, Alfie even went on to say “ this is so much better than your car daddy” even though Lydia commented “I don’t like the colour!” You will never please everyone….
Inside Golf Magazine | April - May 2018
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WHICH CAR? | 27
CAR: BMW X2 20d xDrive M Sport Performance: 190BHP - 0-62 7.7 secs - 57.6mpg Combined
Saturday morning – football test
So now to the Golf:
Conclusion We loved the car for the weekend but it may be a bit small for my family of 4 and golf clubs but for the golfer with no kids and mates who carry their clubs, this car ticks a lot of boxes. BMW has come a long way over the recent years and this car has a lot of kit as standard BUT I also have to say the showroom experience was fab – great coffee and the staff were super attentive. Nice job BMW Tamworth!
Ticked all the boxes and I got all the kit in – good start to the day. This was going to be a better test today as driving a bit further away to a match, I have to say I had fallen out of love with BMW’s after previous experience, but this car and the X range have upped their game. This car drives nice and I could not fault the drive - even achieving over 50 mpg on the morning drive – an even better bonus!
Carry bag and pull trolley had no issues whatsoever, I got everything in without even having to put a seat down. Even better I didn’t have to get the driver out of the bag, the clubs all fitted in without any problem. You could easily get 3 or 4 sets of carry bags in the boot, great for a bit of summer golf. Now the Electric Cart and a big bag!... Bag went in fine there is decent depth to this boot but where to put the trolley? Seats had to come down and all went in great, not the worse case scenario – but you just need to be aware that if there were more than 2 of you with all your equipment you will struggle.
Inside Golf Magazine | April - May 2018
28 | GADGETS & TECHNOLOGY
BUSHNELL GOES HYBRID!
B
ushnell Golf, the undisputed #1 laser rangefinder in professional golf for over a decade and used by over 99% of players on Tour*, is set to advance the market once again with an innovative new Hybrid rangefinder that combines the latest laser and GPS technologies in one device. *95.8% of caddies who use a rangefinder reported using a Bushnell at The 2017 Open Championship (138 Bushnell out of 144) The super-intelligent new Bushnell Hybrid utilises precise laser and GPS yardages together, allowing golfers to see distance measurements like never before. Precise distances to the pin, front and back of the green are provided through the Hybrid’s laser function, whilst a GPS display on the side of the product delivers front, middle and back yardages to help when golfers have blind shots or need quicker, more general information. “The Hybrid provides golfers with more information than ever before. The two technologies ‘talk’ so that the golfer sees the front and back distances of the green in relation to the pin that is targeted with unmatched accuracy by the laser,” said John DeCastro, Bushnell Golf Product Lane Director. “The introduction of the Hybrid demonstrates Bushnell Golf’s commitment to providing the best, most accurate information so those who golf with Bushnell can play their best.” To support the power required by the combination of GPS and laser technology in the Bushnell Hybrid, the brand has introduced a special Dual Power Technology. A CR2 battery powers the laser, whilst a USB rechargeable lithium ion battery powers the GPS capability. Dual Power Technology allows the golfer to use the laser technology, even if the GPS is not charged, and vice versa. As with Bushnell’s other market-leading laser products, the Hybrid boasts PinSeeker with JOLT Technology, providing short, vibrating bursts to isolate the target and lock onto the flag. The vibrating bursts provided by JOLT Technology ensure golfers have the exact distance to the flag and provide ultimate confidence when making their club selection.
Hybrid Key Performance Features ●●1st ever integrated Laser/GPS display ●●Dual Battery source (CR2 for Laser, USB for GPS)
Hybrid Laser Features ●● PinSeeker w/ JOLT Technology ●● Accurate to 1 yard ●● 5X Magnification ●● Ranges 400 yards to a Flag ●● Fast Focus System ●● Stable-Grip Technology ●● Tournament Legal
GPS Features ●●Exterior Front/Centre/Back measurements ●●Up to 4 hazard distances per hole ●●Bluetooth for auto course updates ●●Auto course recognition ●●Auto hole advance
The Hybrid will be available at Bushnell retailers nationwide from late April. The RRP for the Hybrid will be €449.99/£399.00. For more information on the Bushnell Golf family of rangefinders, visit the company’s website at www.bushnellgolf.eu.
Inside Golf Magazine | April - May 2018
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30 | HEALTH & FITNESS
DAILY 5 Here at Inside Golf we want to help you play the best golf possible We spend time working on improving our golf swing, getting fitted for and buying the best equipment, even practicing in the living room (OK that might be just me). But we also need to spend time improving how we move. Modern day pros now spend several hours in the gym a week, warming up before rounds, improving their mobility and getting much stronger than their predecessors. I'm a massive advocate of golfers getting in to the gym becoming
Bio Ray Jakeman MSc ASSC The Golf PT Instagram and Twitter @TheGolfPT www.golfpt.co.uk - website coming soon UKSCA - Accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach - TPI Certified More coming from Ray in the next edition – do you struggle with a movement and want help? Chat to Ray on Instagram
stronger, fitter and faster. However, you may not have time to spend a few hours a week in the gym, so at The Golf PT we’ve come up with a simple 15 to 20 minutes home based programme which will leave you feeling like your more Adam Scott than Adam Sandler. Aim to try this programme 3 to 4 times a week, using it before you next hit the course or the range. All you'll need is a 30cm foam roller which can be bought from your local sports shop for around £10.
1 - Foam roll upper back - 30/45 seconds
How to? Lying on the foam roller with it lined up down your spine, roll up and down your upper back from the top to the bottom of your shoulder blades.
2 - Foam roller snow angles - 20 reps
How to? Lying on the foam roller as above, support your head on a pillow, with the back of your hands slide on or as close to the floor from your hips up to your head and back.
Inside Golf Magazine | April - May 2018
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HEALTH & FITNESS | 31
3 - Side lying thoracic rotation - 2 x 8 reps each side
How to? Lying on your side with your top knee up towards your chest and your bottom leg straight, use the bottom arm hold your top knees down. With the top arm create a big wide circle trying to get your shoulder as close to the floor as possible.
4 - 1/2 kneeling hip stretch and rotation - 2 x 10 reps each side How to? Set up in a half kneeling position, with both knees at 90 degrees with your back knee directly below the hips. Lace your hands on your shoulders, then gently push the hips forwards, squeezing the glute on the side with the knee on the floor. Rotate towards the front knee, repeat 10 times each side.
5 - Tuck glute bridge and hold - 2 x 12 reps - 5s hold How to? Lying on your back, bring your feet hip width apart, pointing straight with your heels a hands length away from your bum. Tuck your hips, pulling your belt buckle towards your ribcage. Then slowly lift your hips off the floor squeezing your glutes as you lift. Hold at the top for 5s before controlling down. Repeat for 12 reps then rest for 60s and repeat.
Inside Golf Magazine | April - May 2018
32 | GADGETS & TECHNOLOGY
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Email masters@HiOneClub.com to receive details of the 2019 package
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Become a Member www.HiOneClub.com Inside Golf Magazine | April - May 2018
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GADGETS & TECHNOLOGY | 33
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Inside Golf Magazine | April - May 2018
34 | JUNIOR GOLF SPOTLIGHT
JUNIOR GOLF
SPOTLIGHT Beth Anderson Where do you live? .......................... Peebles How old are you? ............................. Age 5. Righty/Lefty - .................................... Righty Time playing golf ............................. Just about a year playing golf First course played .......................... Peebles Golf Club Coaches Name ................................ Steve Johnstone PGA Clubs ................................................. Golphin driver pink and a pink putter with smaller driver and pitching wedge from US kids Golf and a Pink bag! Favourite Pro Golfer ........................ Sergio Garcia and Lexi Thomson Strongest part of game ................... Bunker and putting Have you ever had a hole in one? .No Greatest achievement .................... Just having fun and hitting it into `the clouds’
Inside Golf want your junior success stories email: juniors@insidegolfmag.com Inside Golf Magazine | April - May 2018
B
eth started golfing last year when her Dad Sam returned to Golf from a 10year break. Sam used to do triathlons and having had to take a year off got back into golf which was great for Beth as she can now hang out with her Dad. Sam has gone a step further and helps coach the kids at Peebles Golf Club. Beth started out trying the golf range at the Braidhill range in Edinburgh with her Dad when she was just over 4 years old and seemed to be a natural with great hand–eye coordination. She also loved the bacon rolls they served after hitting a few balls!
Sam picks up the rest of the story:
“We then got a mat and net for practice in the garden and this encouraged Beth to have fun whenever she wanted. It was for me to practice but I never get a shot.” Beth loves going to the new range that Peebles Golf Club built in May and using the putting green and Bunker. She attends the Club Golf coaching session twice a month at Peebles and although she is youngest in the group is determined to win the weekly best golfer. This has now involved extra practice and chipping competitions with me in the garden for Minstrel chocolates! Over the summer holidays, one of the toys Beth wanted to take away with her was her driver as it fitted in the case and we then went to the range in Lanzarote to hit balls. Great fun! Beth has played a few holes with me and has enjoyed the experience, especially using the buggy to drive about. The swing change in a year from the video clips are great to see. We started the New Year with a trip to Peebles range on New Year’s Day with `Steve (Coach) and his son Lloyd. Both showed us how much fun Golf is with driving, chipping and Bunker fun followed by a snakes and ladders competition! Great to see… We started the New Year with a trip to Peebles range on New Year’s Day with `Steve (Coach) and his son Lloyd. Both showed us how much fun Golf is with driving, chipping and Bunker
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Do you have a junior competition you would like to promote? email: juniors@insidegolfmag.com
Competition fun followed by a snakes and ladders competition! Great to see… We also took the kids to the 9 hole course at North Berwick and played the course! It is a fantastic facility and Beth is keen to visit again as she loved it!” So plans for 2018 - This year Beth wants to win the weekly best golfer and play more rounds with Dad in the buggy, but most of all have fun and eventually hit the ball into the clouds like me. She has also mentioned taking her clubs again on this year’s holiday to Portugal. Steve Johnston is impressed with Beth’s development and how she listens to instructions and her willingness to try new tactics. He also loves how she dresses in pink all the time! We are giving parents and coaches an opportunity to sing the praises of their own kids or kids they teach – we cannot guarantee every story will get into the magazine but we will start adding space on the website for more success stories of kids getting into golf.
Celebrating Justin Rose’s and Niall Horan’s announcement that their hugely successful “H&R” Event is back in the summer we are giving one Junior an opportunity to dress the ADIDAS way.
“Win a Polo Shirt, Pair of Trousers and some New shoes” over £100 in value Free to enter Competition: Which year did Justin Rose win the US Open at The Merion Golf Course? Entries via email only with permission of parent/guardian to Adidas@insidegolfmag.com See website for competition rules and one entry will be randomly selected Closing date for entries 31st May 2018
Please get in touch…
UPDATE ON JAMIE OBEE (14YRS) STAFFORDSHIRE Since appearing in our first edition Jamie Obee (14 yrs) has gone from strength to strength. After returning to golf and this being his first full winter season Jamie finished an impressive 3rd place with an outstanding 42 points in the Junior 2017 Winter League with only a few points in it from the top spot, Along with hitting his first 'Hole in One' Jamie has now taken his place in the Staffordshire County
Golf Junior Golf Pathway Development program which will see him further his game and to reach his ultimate aim to play at national level. 2018 is set to be a busy year for Jamie with the season kicking off with the Penkridge Masters right through to playing on the 'Brabazon' at 'The Belfry' in October for The County Air Ambulance 'HELP Appeal' Annual Charity Day. Well done Jamie we look forward to catching up with you later in the year.
Inside Golf Magazine | April - May 2018
36 | GOLF DAYS
La Cala, 30-40 minutes from Malaga airport, is a terrific lo Three golf courses, a par 3 course, driving range, spa, poo
THE BOYS HEA
H
eading back to La Cala for the 2nd time in 4 years the lads from Druids Heath GC knew what they were getting but had some nice surprises on the way with recent upgrades of golf courses. “Three very good golf courses, there has been a lot of work done upgrading the Asia making all three courses a pleasure to play.� There is always one who gets over excited to be away from home and Bill Harris after weeks of anticipation of the first tee shot knocks it 60 yards in to a bunker on a different hole! After 3 more attempts it was a hamlet moment and the ball is in the pocket.
Inside Golf Magazine | April - May 2018
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GOLF DAYS | 37
ocation for a trip away – Boys and Girls. ol, restaurants and bars – perfect combination.
AD TO LA CALA! Welcome to golf tour.
The practice facilities on site make this a great place to sort your golf swing and you need every shot in the bag over the 3 courses. You do need to catch the shuttle bus to the range so make sure you give yourself plenty of time. The putting green is near the pro Shop. The shop is well managed and has good selection of brands – nothing is too much trouble and a nice welcome. “To be playing in shorts and tee-shirts in March was a major bonus as the courses were in Great condition even though it had been wet for the 3 weeks leading to our visit. It was great to be on the greens again after the temps at home and the greens were quick and true – no excuses here” However, it is not all about the golf and this is where La Cala especially for the price
ticks many boxes for those looking for a few days away. The Spa is a great place to relax before and after the golf with numerous options for treatments. The on-site bars and restaurants certainly hit the spot the La Terraza offers European Cuisine with a distinctly Spanish twist is a favourite for many and has a selection of wines to match the wonderful food. There is a great selection of food at
the clubhouse and you never feel you are getting ripped off like so many other resorts Away from the resorts you can visit La Cala de Mijas, which is a 15 minutes’ drive away, with many local bars and restaurants which again offer great value and a relaxed atmosphere. “All in all, this was a great trip and I am sure we will be back”
The crew from Druids….
Inside Golf Magazine | April - May 2018
38 | LADIES GOLF
“CHANGE” NOT A REVOLUTION HOW DO WE GET MORE WOMEN INTO GOLF? BY KELLY SADDLETON Lancashire Golf Conference March 2018
Over 200 people attended the Lancashire Golf Conference at Mytton Fold Golf Club. Speakers came from across the country to not only inspire the clubs with case studies and statistics but to provide them with the tools and methods they would need to implement change. I hold the approach Phil Harvey took key to the success of the day. “The feedback from yesterday was really positive and I think we achieved our initial objective of really highlighting to clubs what the challenges are and inspiring the volunteers and professionals who were there to go back and start planning for change. There is a lot of hard work now ahead in terms of turning that enthusiasm into a real difference in the environment for women’s golf in the county, but we are prepared for that and couldn't have had a better launch to the initiative.” Phil Harvey Secretary Lancashire Golf The speakers focused on the benefits of implementing change and how to implement new strategies for growth. They covered using free tools for marketing such as Canva (www.canva.com), asking club members to volunteer support for social media, inviting a member under 30 to join the committee and utilising the business strengths of their current members to drive the changes they wanted to see.
Jackie Davidson from The R&A said “It’s not easy to change. What you must not do is go away from here and start a revolution. We have to take people along with us.” What the speakers in most cases did not do was highlight the negative ‘barriers’ facing women, the game or the industry as a whole. It was refreshing. Emma Ballard, Marketing Manager at Medi8 points out “We hear so much talk about growing the women’s game but not always that much action”. Many industry experts I have spoken to are becoming increasingly frustrated with the constant tirade of negative coverage the game receives. Trust me, relentless abuse of everyone from tours to publications of the poor coverage, wages, treatment of women in the game is not going inspire anyone to take up the game, if anything promoting the negatives is only damaging the industry even more. Lauren Spray also touches on the damaged effect negative coverage has on the game. The conference provided the clubs with ideas, inspiration and ongoing support. ‘What’s more is that the drive to increase women’s participation doesn’t just stop at the conference, the Lancashire Golf Union has organised follow up seminars to make sure that everyone has the skills to implement change. I’m looking forward to going back in May to deliver the social
Inside Golf Magazine | April - May 2018
media & marketing workshops.” Said Emma Ballard. “There was a buzz around the venue all day, with some fascinating discussions going on between delegates. It’s clear that the golf industry is required to take some important steps to adapt its product in order to cater for the next generation, and thus promote help secure this great sports future”. Dr John Fry, University Centre Myerscough Thanks to Speakers for allowing reproduction of slides.
How are you as a club engaging with your lady’s membership, are you actively seeking new membership? Keen to hear your ideas and happy to discuss how Inside Golf can assist. Is the social media revolution of some “influencers” putting too much of a negative spin on ladies’ golf and actually making the situation worse? Send us your comments: info@insidegolfmag.com
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