VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 11
MARCH 2018 `150
THINK YOUNG | PLAY HARD
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l l
Contents 3/18
ArgentinA l AustrAliA l Chile l ChinA l CzeCh republiC l FinlAnd l FrAnCe l hong Kong l IndIa l indonesiA l irelAnd KoreA l MAlAysiA l MexiCo l Middle eAst l portugAl l russiA l south AFriCA l spAin l sweden l tAiwAn l thAilAnd l usA
96
Hot List 19
121 Game-Changing Products It’s our 15th year showing you all the clubs that matter—your search for improvement starts here.
31 35 38 42
by mike StachURa
20 24 27
Inside the Hot List: Drivers Fairway Woods Hybrids
India Digest
46 50 54 58 84
World Corporate Golf Challenge
86
2018 Auto Expo
Furyk names Tiger as Ryder Cup vice-captain
92
Nassau: The Tropical Golf Haven
62
Hero Indian Open Preview
66
Photo Feature: Women Pros Have Fun Down Under
69
Grow The Game
70
Club Round-Up Updates from courses across India
72
Junior Golf
Business Of Golf Industry updates Corporate Digest
80
and his famous greatgrandfather.
by Rohit bhaRdwaj
with max adleR 104 New Era Beckons For
Irish Open
106 Fitness
125 18 Holes with
114 Swing Sequence:
Marc Leishman A freewheeling swing helped the big Aussie bloom in 2017. by Ron kaSpRiSke
R. Chandrasekaran
116 Get Off to a Great Start 96
Know Your Future Stars Meet the 5 Indians headed to the Faldo Series Asia Final in Vietnam 78
66
Lifestyle
Newsmakers 60
Game-Improvement Irons Super GameImprovement Irons Players Irons Players-Distance Irons A new category this year! Wedges Blade Putters Mallet Putters India Buyer’s Guide
Cover Story Sensational Shubhankar A Masters Invite And Breaking Into Top-50, Prime Targets For TwoTime European Tour Winner Shubhankar by Rohit bhaRdwaj
100 Busy Start to the
MercedesTrophy
12 golf digest india | march 2018
New Season!
by joSh bURack
112 Presidents Cup records
$10.7M in charities
112 Fitzgerald catches win at
Pebble Beach Pro-Am
Features 59
How I Made It Young star Julian Suri, 26, discusses his successful 2017, mini-tours
Try this move to shore up your takeaway. by david leadbetteR
117 3 Musts at Impact
Hit crisp irons like a pro.
by bUtch haRmon 118 Tour Technique
Good golf starts with a good warm-up. by lpga toUR pRo gaby lopez
Cover photograph: Asian Tour
Simply
e Best!
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Editor’s Letter Dear Readers,
J
GOLF DIGEST USA EDITORIAL
anuary and February have been busy for golf courses around India with local tournaments taking place almost every weekend — a healthy sign for the game. So we at Golf Digest try to bring you news from a variety of clubs in every corner of the country in our Club Round-Up and Newsmakers sections.
ChAirMAn & eDitor-in-ChieF Jerry Tarde exeCutive eDitor Mike O’Malley CreAtive DireCtor Ken DeLago MAnAGinG eDitor Alan P. Pittman Deputy eDitor Max Adler
March, as usual, sees the annual flagship US$ 1.75 million Hero Indian Open return to the spectacular DLF Golf & Country Club, Gurgaon. A landmark event for the Indian Golf Union, who have taken on the marketing of the event for the first time since 1998. For the past 20 editions, the Write to me at rishi@teamgolfdigest.com or tournament has been marketed and promoted by on Twitter @RishiNarain_ various professional sports marketing firms. This is going to be a litmus test for the IGU and we hope this edition will be every bit as grand as previous editions. We bring you a preview of the favourites expected to be seen in action. While we celebrate the Hero Indian Open’s 54th glorious edition, what Indian golf really needs today is a larger variety of sponsors for professional golf. Our pro game is far too dependent on just a handful of traditional sponsors in India and in light of changes in the way media and entertainment is consumed, we face challenges in upgrading our tournament product to appeal to a broader audience. For this reason, the European Tour is already staging new formats like the Super 6 in Perth, match-play events and producing special shorter format events like the “Hero Challenge” (a hyped up version of Closest to Pin contest) and Speed Golf etc. However in India, the fundamental principle is to get more people to understand and appreciate the skill involved in the pro game. We look forward to suggestions from our readers on how to popularise the game and look forward to seeing a big crowd turnout from March 8 to 11th in Gurgaon to cheer on Indian favourites SSP Chawrasia, Anirban Lahiri , Shubhankar Sharma and others. Happy Golfing!
Rishi Narain
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14 golf digest india | march 2018
GOLF DIGEST INTERNATIONAL EDITIONS AND EDITORS-IN-CHIEF GD ArGentinA Hernán SimÓ, Jorge R. Arias AustrAliAn GD Brad Clifton GD Chile Rodrigo Soto GD ChinA Echo Ma GD CzeCh republiC Robin Drahonovsky GD FinlAnD Sami Markkanen GD FrAnCe Henry Trouillet GD honG KonG Echo Ma GD inDonesiA Irwan Hermawan GD inDiA Rishi Narain GD irelAnD Linton Walsh GD KoreA Eun Jeong “EJ” Sohn GD MAlAysiA Patrick Ho GD MexiCo Rafa Quiroz GD MiDDle eAst Robbie Greenfield GD portuGAl João Morais Leitão GD russiA Fedor Gogolev GD south AFriCA Stuart McLean GD spAin Óscar Maqueda GD sweDen Oskar Åsgård GD tAiwAn Jennifer Wei GD thAilAnD Chumphol Na Takuathung GD usA Jerry Tarde
ARTICLES eDitoriAl DevelopMent DireCtor Craig Bestrom senior eDitor Ron Kaspriske senior writers Bureau Jaime Diaz, Dave Kindred, Tim Rosaforte, Ron Sirak, Guy Yocom AssoCiAte eDitor Stephen Hennessey AssistAnt eDitor Brittany Romano eDitor-At-lArGe Nick Seitz writer-At-lArGe Dan Jenkins ContributinG eDitors Dave Anderson, Peter Andrews, Tom Callahan, Bob Carney, Marcia Chambers, David Fay, John Feinstein, Peter Finch, Thomas L. Friedman, Lisa Furlong, Matthew M. Ginella, John Huggan, Dean Knuth, David Owen, Steve Rushin, Dave Shedloski, Roger Schiffman, Geoff Shackelford INSTRUCTION senior eDitor Peter Morrice senior writer Matthew Rudy plAyinG eDitors / pGA tour Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Rickie Fowler, Justin Leonard, Phil Mickelson, Nick Price, Jordan Spieth, David Toms plAyinG eDitors / lpGA tour Paula Creamer teAChinG proFessionAls Rob Akins, Todd Anderson, Chuck Cook, Sean Foley, Hank Haney, Butch Harmon, Hank Johnson, David Leadbetter, Jack Lumpkin, Jim McLean, Tom Ness, Renee Powell, Dean Reinmuth, Randy Smith, Rick Smith, Dave Stockton, Josh Zander proFessionAl ADvisors Amy Alcott, Dr. Bill Mallon, Gary McCord, Randy Myers, Judy Rankin, Lucius Riccio, Ph.D., Dr. Bob Rotella, Ben Shear, Ralph Simpson, Frank Thomas, Stan Utley EQUIPMENT senior eDitor Mike Stachura equipMent eDitor E. Michael Johnson AssistAnt eDitor Keely Levins teChniCAl pAnel John Axe, Ph.D.; Martin Brouillette, Ph.D.; Thomas E. Lacy Jr., Ph.D.; David Lee, Ph.D.; John McPhee, Ph.D.; Dick Rugge; George Springer, Ph.D. GOLF COURSES senior eDitor / ArChiteCture Ron Whitten ContributinG eDitor Topsy Siderowf GOLF DIGEST INTERNATIONAL GROUP senior DireCtor, internAtionAl Develop Ment & strAteGy Angela Byun ContributinG eDitor, internAtionAl Ju Kuang Tan
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hot list ▶ i t ’ s o u r 1 5 t h y e a r s h o w i n g y o u a l l t h e c l u b s t h at
gutter credit tk
m at t e r —y o u r s e a r c h f o r i m p r o v e m e n t s ta r t s h e r e in 2004, back when—believe it or not—drivers with adjustable hosels weren’t even legal, Golf Digest’s decision to rate equipment for the first time in its 54-year history wasn’t entered into lightly. Now that the Hot List is in its 15th year, and the idea of a driver without adjustability is considered almost radical, our sense of responsibility burns deeper. Why? With fewer retail stores and more dollars being spent online, getting smart advice about what to buy has gotten harder for average golfers, who are desperate for trusted information. We believe the Hot List continues to be the most valuable source amid all the confusion. Hopefully, too, it’s a call to action to rethink the old clubs you’ve been carrying in your bag, perhaps since 2004. ▶ We bring that guidance to you by being diligent and broad in our methodology—unbiased, uncensored and, well, honest. Our extensive process is intense, and its greatest focus occurs during a two-week annual Hot List Summit—the latest was at Pinehurst Resort. That fitting location served as the workplace where our team of editors, expert
contributors and golfers set about determining the products that matter in 2018. We’ve learned that the most significant clubs aren’t just those that intrigue industry experts and a roomful of Ph.D.s, but are those that resonate with players just like you. ▶ The 121 clubs on the 2018 Hot List are a record number, a reflection not on the difficulty of being unique in an industry awash in sameness and parity, but instead a celebration that clubs from all kinds of manufacturers large and small are finding ways to help golfers improve. It’s not merely that today’s designs are better than yesterday’s. (They are. We ran the tests, and you can read the results starting on page 82.) It’s that so many of the new clubs are better in ways that hadn’t been contemplated in 2004. We’re talking about razor-thin metalwood construction, a new category of irons (Players Distance, starting on page 104) and grooves so sharp you’ll forget there ever was a groove rule. ▶ It has been quite a journey since 2004, but the destination remains the same: better-informed, better-equipped and better-playing golfers.
Photographs by Dom Furore
drivers ▶ d o yo u wa nt m a x im u m a d j u s ta b ilit y ?
o r a re yo u l o o k in g t o s implif y ? e ithe r way, yo u r mi s s e s h av e ne v e r b e e n h o t te r c a l l away
gbb epic/sub zero/star
performance
★★★★★
i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★
look / sound / feel
★★★★★ demand
★★★★
verdict The Epic family of drivers, Callaway’s most successful launch since the 1990s, set out to change how drivers flex. Two titanium bars behind the face connect the crown to the sole, keeping the flexing at impact confined to the face. The result is maximum ball speed across a wider area of the face. Lightweight composite pieces in the crown and sole freed up mass for a rear sliding weight on the sole in the standard model, and front and back weights in the lower-spinning Sub Zero. The newest addition is the Star, which uses a shaft that’s about a third lighter than typical shafts to help provide extra swing speed. comments (L) I could set the slider and just carve the same shot time after time. You can feel the speed. (M) It has a balanced feel, so you know where the head is at all times. (H) The shape masks how big it plays. Sounds like a loud whip made of velvet.
c a l l away
rogue/sub zero/draw
performance
★★★★★
i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½
look / sound / feel
★★★★★ demand
★★★★★
20 golf digest india | march 2018
` 34,990
` 34,990
verdict If last year’s Epic was Callaway’s sports sedan, then the Rogue is its monster truck. The jumbo look, featuring Callaway’s largest triaxial carbon crown ever, shouts forgiveness. The internal “jailbreak” structure, which is now 25 percent lighter, provides power: Two titanium bars run from the crown to the sole behind the face to stabilize the head so mis-hits fly like center shots. Saved weight is used in other ways to add forgiveness to each of the three versions, including the spin-controlling Sub Zero model with adjustable sole weights and a heelweighted Draw version. comments (L) So stable, no energy lost at impact. If you can’t get your spin down, buy this. It’ll fix your golf swing. The ball speed is noticeable. (M) If confidence had a sound, this would be it. Explosive, piercing drives. (H) Beautiful crown with the exposed carbon composite. Powerful but muted sound.
Indian Price | Handicapper (L) Low (M) Middle (H) High
drivers : hot list
cobra
king f8/f8+
performance
★★★★½
i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½
look / sound / feel
★★★★½
demand
★★★
verdict Anybody with a whiteboard can design a driver. But manufacturing one—or tens of thousands—to precise weight-saving tolerances that lead to better performance? Well, that’s a new kind of science. Cobra uses automated computer milling to form its titanium face inserts. This saves weight and allows the face to feature subtle curvature for more speed and higher launch on mis-hits. The high-launching F8 and lowspin F8+ have lightweight carbon-composite crowns and movable sole weights (slice-fighting on F8, spincontrolling on F8+). A 3-degree range of adjustability on the hosel means one head fits all. comments (L) I like the muted sound. The misses were really consistent. (M) Soft and responsive: I hit a lot of medium to medium-high straight balls, not the easiest thing to pull off. (H) The face milling definitely will make the average golfer want to try it.
ping
g400/lst/sft/max
performance
★★★★★
i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½
look / sound / feel
★★★★★ demand
★★★★★
m3/440
★★★★★
i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★
look / sound / feel
★★★★★ demand
★★★★½
$400
verdict The company famous for forgiveness keeps pushing the limits of how to make our worst misses more playable. The G400’s four models include the standard, low-spin LST, the slice-fighting SFT and the new oversize Max that sets a new standard for stability. The large front-to-back shape and thin crown work with a tungsten weight deep in the sole to make these Ping’s most forgiving heads ever, even though all but the G400 Max are a tiny bit smaller than any G-series driver in history. And each driver features those familiar drag-reducing ridges on the crown to make the large head glide through the air like a driver a third smaller. comments (L) I toed one severely and still hit the fairway. Easy to hit straight and long. (M) The shape frames the ball in a way that says attack. (H) The crown looks aggressive, like an angry dog. Impact had a throaty thwack. Flight with SFT was high and forgiving.
tay l o r m a d e
performance
$400
` 38,900
verdict Forget for a minute that the M3 has nearly 13,000 adjustable settings and can reach the kind of offcenter-hit stability reserved for mailbox-size drivers. Forget the carbon-composite panels in the crown and sole that are 25 percent thinner and lighter than they were two years ago. What’s truly different is the twisted face design. Inspired by studying more than half-amillion shots, TaylorMade believes traditional face designs fail typical golfers, so it reshaped the face into subtle contrasting curves from high-toe (more open) to low-heel (more closed) to help shots fly straighter. comments (L) I could move so many things to get the exact flight I wanted. It has a firm, powerful sound. (M) I’m a low-ball hitter. Moving the weights back made an immediate improvement. (H) I love how they used silver instead of white. It has a quiet, satisfying sound, like you’re getting a lot of clubhead on the ball.
Listed alphabetically
hot list : drivers
tay l o r m a d e m4/d-type
performance
★★★★½
i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½
look / sound / feel
★★★★½
demand
★★★★★
verdict This might be the least-complex driver in TaylorMade’s lineup, but it might give more golfers what they really need. Its priorities are forgiveness and ball speed. Carbon composite in the crown combines with a light, thin face to save weight. But rather than use those grams for movable screws, the M4 pushes that mass lower and farther back for a higher launch and stability on off-center hits. And because of a pair of struts, the slot in the sole is more than 20 percent longer, adding more zip across the face. Like the M3, the face’s contrasting curves help mis-hits go straighter. The D-Type version could be your anti-slice solution. comments (L) Great shape, a nice blend of being compact while having that triangular back. Good feel. (M) Forgiving, easy to draw. It sets up powerfully at address. (H) The silver paired with the carbon-fiber crown is such a better look. It really helps alignment.
t it l e i s t 917d2/d3
performance
★★★★★
i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½
look / sound / feel
★★★★★ demand
★★★½
launcher hb
★★★★
i n n o vat i o n
★★★★
look / sound / feel
★★★★
demand
★★½
22 golf digest india | march 2018
` 39,900
verdict It’s not surprising our player-testers used the word classic 10 times to describe the 917 series, but the drivers have present-day tech, too. The hosel’s 16 independent loft-and-lie settings provide 112 ball-flight options across the line’s two heads and seven lofts. There’s also a weight in the sole that can be adjusted to promote a draw or fade, and the angled shape means there’s less chance of increasing spin or forfeiting stability on off-center hits. Finally, the new sole channel works better than in the 915 model, primarily because of selective thinning in the heel-and-toe portions. comments (L) The old standby that won’t let you down. Some surprising forgiveness, as well. (M) It’s a classic from the looks to the sound. It has a fighting trajectory that muscles through the air. That familiar feel puts you in a comfort mind-set. (H) Old-school cool. There’s nothing wasted about the design.
clevel and
performance
` 34,900
$300
verdict Cleveland is having none of golf’s complex moving parts. The throwback design—no adjustable hosel, no movable weights—might seem basic, but look again: The simplicity serves a purpose. Most golfers, Cleveland engineers say, need forgiveness on mis-hits and a higher launch, so any feature that doesn’t work toward those objectives is a waste of material and unnecessarily confusing. Here, all the weight saved from not having adjustable features is pushed low and deep for higher launch and added forgiveness for off-center hits. A stepped crown and sole are designed to enhance the flexing of the face for better distance. comments (L) It was very forgiving on my bad swings. (M) Feels fast when you hit it great—in the sound and the feedback in my hands. (H) The channel gives the appearance of a smaller clubhead. All hits seem to fly to a really nice height at their apex.
Indian Price | Handicapper (L) Low (M) Middle (H) High
drivers : hot list
mizuno gt180
performance
★★★★
i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½
look / sound / feel
★★★★
demand
★★
verdict With two movable weights, three weight tracks, a sliding chip on the sole to tweak its appearance at address and 4 degrees of loft adjustment on the hosel, the GT180 is the most changeable driver in Mizuno history. But that’s not even the coolest feature. The secret that makes all this movement more powerful is a specially treated, high-strength titanium alloy in the face. SP700 is 10 percent stronger than the titanium typically used in drivers, allowing for more varied thicknesses in the face, which leads to more consistent distances on off-center strikes. comments (L) Easy to control. I didn’t get a lot of curve on my off-center hits. (M) Don’t be fooled by the color. I nuked it, and the sound was pleasant. It has a low flight and exceptional distance. (H) With all the adjustability, it can feel like a totally different club.
mizuno st180
performance
★★★★½
i n n o vat i o n
★★★★
look / sound / feel
★★★★
demand
★★
0811x/lx
★★★★
i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½
look / sound / feel
★★★★
demand
★★½
` 29,990
verdict The size clearly reveals the ST180 to be the more forgiving of Mizuno’s two new drivers. But there’s a problem with some large drivers: Their higher-thanideal center of gravity can create too much distancesapping ball spin. So how does Mizuno get low spin and forgiveness? The internal weighting is concentrated low because of a deep weight pad in the back, a thin crown that features an internal waffle pattern and a wave sole that puts more material down low. The distance that comes with all of this forgiveness is a superplastic titanium alloy (strong and resiliently flexible) that can be made selectively thinner. comments (L) The shape is just right. Good distance and easy to control the spin. (M) It’s easy to position at address. I really like the proportions. Smooth through impact. (H) This blue is soothing, calm. The soleplate looks like it helps you get more ball speed.
pxg
performance
` 34,990
$850
verdict PXG uses thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) in its hollow-iron designs to allow for thinner faces. But thin faces aren’t a problem in driver designs, so why use that material here? Simple: It weighs less than metal and performs an efficient function. Instead of using internal rib structures of metal that would position weight too high, engineers layered the TPE right above the sole to control sound and save weight. A carbon-composite crown saves more weight, so these are lower-spinning drivers than PXG’s original 0811. Ten adjustable sole weights let you tweak direction and spin. comments (L) I got that boring ball flight I love. I never felt like I was going to lose one high and spinny to the right. (M) The sound is consistent, muted, and the matte finish isn’t distracting. Feels light but provides more power than you expect. (H) Sounds like a gunshot with a silencer. You’re confident it’s going to go.
Listed alphabetically
woods fa irway
▶ with e xpanding op tions , siz es and lof t s —
p l u s d r i v e r - l i k e p u n c h — golf’s most versatile metalwo ods are bet ter than e ver c a l l away
gbb epic/sub zero/star
performance
★★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★★ demand
★★★★
verdict These fairway woods adopt the strong yet lightweight carbon-composite structure from the successful Epic drivers. The saved weight is pushed low on the standard and Star versions to help launch the ball high, and reallocated as front and back adjustable weights on the Sub Zero model. Power comes from Callaway’s cupface design, a thin rim extending the face around the crown and sole to create more consistent flexing across the face. comments (L) It’s a party coming off the face. I had total control over the trajectory. (M) Powerful is the only way I can describe this club. It launched the ball out there without a lot of effort. (H) The ball springs off the face. Even my worst swings had decent distance.
c a l l away
rogue/sub zero
performance
★★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★★ demand
★★★★★
king f8/f8+
★★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★★½
24 golf digest india | march 2018
` 19,990
verdict This is the first fairway wood to have the “jailbreak” technology that made the company’s Epic drivers so popular. Two bars behind the face brace the crown and sole, stiffening the body so the face takes on more of the load. This concentrates the flexing in the face to help mis-hits fly like the center-face hits. The bars also work with the company’s cupface technology, where the face wraps around the body, to boost distance. Meanwhile, tungsten-infused weighting is used to control spin. comments (H) I love how this sits. I’m as confident off the fairway as on a tee. (M) There’s some secret sauce with this one. (H) Firm off the face, but in a powerful way. There’s no ballooning.
cobra
performance
` 19,990
$250
verdict To get the picture here, you’ve got to turn these fairway woods over to see the parallel sole rails. You’ve seen this from Cobra fairway woods before to improve turf interaction, but the rails are now closer together and centered to improve stability. They get progressively taller the higher the loft, to better align with how your angle of attack gets steeper with higher-lofted woods. The F8 and F8+ have high-strength steel face inserts and sole weights (back in the F8 for higher flight; forward in the F8+ for a flatter trajectory). comments (L) Flight off the tee is high without flaring. (M) I don’t like crown graphics, but this has a cool edge to it. (H) You feel the rails working. It cuts through the turf and leaves you with clean impact.
Indian Price | Handicapper (L) Low (M) Middle (H) High
fa i r w ay w o o d s : h o t l i s t
ping
g400/sft/stretch 3
performance
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★★★★
verdict Ping realizes that off-center hits are a part of your game, so the G400 addresses this through new materials and shapes, including an ultra-thin crown. The face insert is made of C300 maraging steel, the same type of steel used in landing gear for light aircraft. That makes for a thinner, more flexible face, which provides more ball speed and helps launch the ball higher. comments (L) I love how square it sets up. It gives me confidence. Also, it’s really loud, in a good way. (M) This was easy to hit off the fairway, and you can pound it off the tee. Great pop off that face. (H) I didn’t launch this the highest, but the distance was great. I like how the turbulators become a subtle alignment aid.
pxg
0341x
performance
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★★½
m3
performance i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★★★
m4
performance i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★★★★
` 23,900
verdict We’ve seen sliding sole weights on TaylorMade fairway woods that can be set to promote a draw or fade. But now a sleeker design of the weight track, with lighter carbon-composite panels in the crown and sole, moves the center of gravity forward and low to help reduce spin. No less important, that curved slot in the sole is longer than in last year’s M1 to make those low-face impacts hotter. comments (L) This is the perfect shape and size, small without being intimidating. It felt easy, and I was able to work it how I wanted to. (M) The way the club sounds and feels at impact is perfect. It felt easy to hit, but still powerful. (H) I like the simplicity of the adjustability. The trajectory was good and aggressive. It gets up and goes.
tay l o r m a d e
★★★★½
$650
verdict Built to be lower-spinning than the 0341, it uses a carbonfiber crown to lower the center of gravity. A thermoplastic-elastomer insert inside the club is designed to control sound and save weight. The sole features nine adjustable weight screws. The silver ones are made of tungsten, and the black ones are titanium. You can move them around to get the fade or draw ball flight you desire. The adjustable hosel lets you change loft by plus or minus 1.5 degrees. comments (L) You can work the ball and maintain good distance. (M) It doesn’t have the highest forgiveness, but if you put a good swing on it, you won’t be disappointed. (H) I love the dark finish and the contrasting white scoring lines.
tay l o r m a d e
★★★★½
$270
` 21,900
verdict The more forgiving of TaylorMade’s fairway woods might be larger, but its real improvements are hidden. Last year’s M2 used a single internal weight low and toward the rear that ran almost the entire length of the face. But in the new M4, it’s larger and split. That creates higher stability on off-center hits. The channel on the sole is also longer than on the M2 to improve how much of the face flexes. comments (L) It’s a tad bigger, but the sound is pleasing. It’s easy to hit, and the distance is good. The trajectory stays where you want it. (M) It goes as straight as you want, but you can still hit the draw. It gives a powerful crack like a major-league home run. (H) It was easy to get in the air—even when I didn’t hit it flush.
Listed alphabetically
h o t l i s t : fa i r w ay w o o d s
t it l e i s t 917f2/f3
performance
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★★ demand
★★★★
verdict The speed on these fairway woods comes from an improved, flexing sole channel and a variable face insert. The face design increases ball speed in the sweet spot and adds forgiveness away from the center. The F2 is larger, making it more forgiving, and the F3 is smaller, so it’s more workable. The face is wider and deeper on the F3, which has strong lofts designed for better players. comments (L) I could do whatever I wanted with this one. Off the tee, off the ground—it didn’t matter. I like the depth of the face. (M) Beautiful head, very clean. It’s stable throughout impact: You can feel how your shot is going to turn out. (H) This handled like a dream, even off the deck. It launches consistently, and my dispersion was great.
mizuno st180
performance
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★½
` 19,990
verdict An internal waffle pattern thins out the crown. The weight saved goes into the wave structure on the sole. The purpose of the waves is to improve how the thin, high-strength steel face insert flexes. Notice the first large wave, the one closest to the face? It’s designed for better energy transfer while letting the smaller waves behind it absorb shock. The 4-degree adjustable hosel means these two fairway woods cover a loft range from 13 to 20 degrees. comments (L) The weighting and balance felt good. It was easy to get the ball in the air and was remarkably consistent. (M) Good on low strikes: I still got good distance. Dispersion was narrow. (H) It cuts through the turf to get you smooth contact.
tour edge exotics cbx
performance
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★½
g d t e s te d : + 1 1 y d s
$350
verdict The CB stands for “combo brazing,” the technique that made Exotics fairway woods a cult favorite in 2004. The technique fuses the face to the rest of the club without welding to save weight and allow the marriage of a flexible, lightweight titanium cupface and a stability-enhancing steel body. The carbon-composite panel near the back of the sole moves the center of gravity level with the center of the face and forward to lower spin. comments (H) This club will let you hit any kind of shot. (M) It supports your mis-hits nicely. No distractions in look, and feedback on mis-hits is helpful. (H) I like the cleaner sole. It provides a powerful hit. Loved it off tight lies.
old versus new: drivers
are the new clubs really that much better? ▶ How much better are the new drivers? In this year’s Hot List, we give you an answer. Through player testing with Foresight Sports’ GCQuad launch monitor and robot testing conducted by Golf Laboratories Inc., we matched the newest clubs against what research says is the average replacement cycle for drivers, irons and wedges. In our tests against four-year-old drivers—on off-center and oncenter hits—the new drivers won 78 percent of the time. The biggest gains were on toe and low impacts, which saw an average of nine- and 11-yard gains, respectively. But even with USGA rules limiting spring-like effect, center strikes were going farther, too—about six yards on average—thanks to today’s lower-spinning, better-launching models. Your results might vary, which is why you should always take your old driver with you when you’re trying something new. —MS
26 golf digest india | march 2018
Indian Price | Handicapper (L) Low (M) Middle (H) High
eddie guy
★★★★ demand
` 27,500
hybrids ▶ yo u k n ow h y b rid s h av e m a d e yo u r l o n g iro n s
ne a rly o b s o le te , ri ght ? w e ll , n ow the y ’ v e go t fac e s th at fle x lik e d ri v e rs . e nj oy c a l l away epic
performance
★★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★★ demand
★★★★
verdict If the crown looks similar to the Epic drivers and fairway woods, it’s because the same ultralight carbon composite is used. That lighter top makes room for an arcing tungsten weight low inside the head to help the ball launch higher with less spin. Like the fairway wood, it’s also powered by the company’s cupface design: The face wraps around the crown and sole with a thin rim that flexes so that off-center strikes fly like on-center hits. Available in four lofts with an eight-way adjustable hosel. comments (L) The ball jumps off the face, and it’s forgiving on mishits. (M) Sleek finish, and it cradles the ball at address. (H) You can launch it high, and it’ll land soft. That crack sound is perfect.
c a l l away
rogue/rogue x
performance
★★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★★★★★
f8/one length
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★★★
` 16,990
verdict These are the first hybrids to feature Callaway’s “jailbreak” technology. Two internal steel bars directly behind the face brace the crown and sole and stiffen the body. This concentrates the flexing across a wider area of the face for maximum ball speed and distance. The company’s trademark cupface technology provides even more flex on those not-dead-center hits. comments (L) The way it glides through the turf is pretty great. I couldn’t hit one bad enough to call it a miss. (M) It flew straight with almost any swing I put on it. (H) The width of the toe gives you confidence. Good distance on mis-hits. It was like a baseball pitching machine, shooting balls out straight one after another.
cobra
performance
` 19,990
$200
verdict Like the F8 fairway woods, the hybrids use sole rails to keep the head square and gliding through the turf. The rails also add weight low to help your shots launch higher. All that extra weight is possible because Cobra uses a high-strength, lightweight 455 steel face insert and a smaller hosel. As interesting as that technology is, Cobra’s also offering a single-length version (about the length of a standard 7-iron) in three lofts. It actually has more stability and a lower CG for higher launch than the standard versions. comments (L) The rails let you get down after the ball so you can hit solid, high-launching shots. (M) Easy to control and work the flight. (H) The feel is awesome—like I’m hitting a forged iron.
Listed alphabetically
hot list : hybrids
ping g400
performance
★★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★★★★★
$230
verdict One of the goals of this hybrid was to make it easier to launch. Ping did this by using a dense sole weight in the back and a strong and thin maraging-steel face insert to increase flexibility and ball speed. The result is the highest-launching and softestlanding hybrid in Ping’s history. Five lofts are available—from 17 degrees for better players with fast swing speeds to 30 degrees for slower-swinging golfers looking to replace their 6-irons. comments (L) Just put this in your bag. There’s no need to figure anything out. (M) It has a powerful sound that will make people stop and take notice. (H) I could hardly hit a bad shot with this club, and the ball really flew out of bad lies.
pxg
0317x
performance
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★★★½
$550
verdict By using carbon fiber for its crown instead of steel, PXG saved weight on top and reallocated it low and farther forward. The lower center of gravity means your shots won’t spin as much, and they’ll launch higher, a good recipe for distance. Inside the sole is a honeycomb pad of thermoplastic elastomer. It absorbs unwanted vibrations. The seven ports on the sole let you move the weight to tame your hook or slice. comments (L) The face is very responsive, but you only get that “wow” factor when you hit it dead center. (M) It frames the ball perfectly. Really easy to line up to your target. Surprisingly forgiving for a smaller head. (H) When I hit it well, it went.
tay l o r m a d e m3
performance
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★★★
verdict Tiny changes equal big benefits—like the screw on the adjustable hosel that weighs a third less than it did on last year’s M1. This provides more room to position the center of gravity forward, and it frees up room to make the slot in the sole wider for better performance on strikes that occur low on the clubface. The 30-gram sliding weight also makes it simple to dial in a draw or fade. comments (L) It had a firm sound to it. There’s no vibration; it just rockets. Workability was good. (M) This club will hide a multitude of sins in your golf swing. Smooth, powerful, great distance and easy to turn over. (H) The adjustability was great for dialing this in for me. I got a lot of power from it and plenty of distance.
tay l o r m a d e m4
performance
★★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★★★★★
28 golf digest india | march 2018
` 20,900
` 18,900
verdict Unlike the M3, the M4 doesn’t have a weight track. But something you can’t see is a weight pad inside the bottom of the club. Last year, it was one long piece, but by splitting it into two, the club is more stable at impact. This deep position helps shots launch high like the company’s hybrids are known and loved for. External ribs stiffen the sole to control sound. comments (L) This has a sleek, futuristic look that I like. I’m able to hit shots with less ball spin, which is good. You can still get distance on mis-hits. (M) High, straight ball flight—now those are fun shots to hit. (H) It gives you consistent, predictable results. No ballooning, no nonsense, it just works. Its best quality is the distance.
Indian Price | Handicapper (L) Low (M) Middle (H) High
hybrids : hot list
t it l e i s t 818h1/h2
performance
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★★ demand
★★★★½
verdict Titleist has used sole channels in past models, but this one is better in two ways. There’s a cut-through opening for optimal flexibility, and an elastomer to cover it. That means the face can flex while gliding through the turf. A weight cartridge in the sole lets you achieve the ball flight that you want. The new models are slightly smaller than the 816 versions but more stable with a higher launch. comments (L) It’s easy to feel confident with this in your hands—the perfect mix of looks, performance and distance. (M) I love the timeless shape. A fusion of old-school style with new technology. You get tour performance in a shape that’s not intimidating. (H) It has the sound of a good, solid iron. It glides through the turf beautifully.
c a l l away
big bertha os
performance
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★★
king oversize
performance i n n o vat i o n
★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★★
h370
performance i n n o vat i o n
★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★½ demand
★
$250
verdict Cobra enlarged the clubhead to increase stability and forgiveness on off-center hits. Making the face even more effective on low-face strikes is its L-shape—where the face wraps into the sole. However, a larger clubhead generally equals a higher center of gravity, which leads to more ball spin and a lower launch. Not good. So Cobra addressed this problem by making the crown out of a thin, strong carbon composite and adding an internal tungsten weight low and deep in the head to control launch and spin. comments (L) The balance felt right. (M) This will help a lot of players. You don’t have to swing hard to get the ball flying. (H) The way it sits is beautiful. I’ve got a lot of confidence with the size.
kzg
★★★★
` 17,990
verdict This is another Callaway club with cupface technology in which the face wraps around the crown and sole to help improve distance on off-center strikes. The large face and generous size create a forgiving shape, and that’s enhanced by stabilizing sole rails and a weight screw deep in the sole. Making the club even more forgiving are five available lofts and an eight-way adjustable hosel. Combined, that’s 40 possible setups from 18 to 33 degrees. comments (L) At this size you’re not carving shots with it, but so what? It gets the ball up easily and has great carry. (M) Had a soft feel and a mid-high penetrating flight that went straight. (H) It’s forgiving with a nice pop off the face. I really like the alignment aids, too.
cobra
★★★★
` 25,500
$180
verdict These hybrids were built to be forgiving and to get the ball in the air. Both are achieved in part by positioning the center of gravity low and deep in the slightly offset head. The maragingsteel face insert has good flex at impact to improve ball speed. But what sets these hybrids apart is a loft range that runs from 18 to 42 degrees—or 3-iron through 9-iron. comments (L) The head size is a little big for me, but it out-performs its look. Hit it in the center, and it’s just what you want. (M) The forgiveness was good—probably because of the offset. (H) It has a nice crack when you get hold of one. I liked the ball flight. It was more penetrating than high. But I could still stop it.
Listed alphabetically
hot list : hybrids
mizuno clk
performance
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★½
` 17,990
verdict It’s probably not something you’ve thought about before, but the stronger the steel, the thinner you can make it. Mizuno used a high-strength maraging 1770 steel for the face to make it as thin as possible. This means more flex for distance and saved weight for higher flight. The wave feature on the sole places more mass low, leading to a higher launch with less spin. Four lofts with eight-way adjustable hosels make it easy to fill your distance gaps. comments (L) This shape is exactly what a hybrid should look like. The ball flight is perfect. (M) I was impressed with the distance when I hit it low on the face. (H) It has the look of a club for better players, but I still liked how it set up and performed.
s r i xo n h65
performance
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★½
$230
verdict Though its lofts are limited, these hybrids are designed to dial in the right ball flight. That notch in the crown that runs parallel to the face deepens in depth as the lofts increase to help you launch the ball with more speed. An internal weight pad is farther back in the lowest loft to also help with launch. The weight pad then shifts forward in the higher lofts to control spin. The higher lofts also feature a more rounded sole to increase workability. comments (L) It has a nice, clean look. The whole face feels sturdy, like you can hit it anywhere without consequences. (M) An average swing with this club produces an above-average result. (H) It gets up in the air with plenty of zip. Even my mis-hits had good distance.
wilson c300
performance
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★½ demand
★★
$210
verdict You’re probably wondering what those dark lines are on the crown. Flip the club over, and you’ll see them on the sole, too. They’re actually holes in the head that are filled with thermoplastic urethane. That compound isn’t rigid, so the holes give the metal around them—including the high-strength steel face insert—the tendency to flex more at impact for more distance. Sole weights and an adjustable hosel let you achieve your preferred ball flight. comments (L) I love the shape and was surprised how good it performed on mis-hits. (M) I want to replace my long irons with this. They’re so much more playable. (H) Turf interaction is really good. I felt like I could make this do everything I wanted it to.
yo u r s e c u r it y b l a n k e t
▶ At last summer’s Open Championship, Jordan Spieth used Titleist’s 718 T-MB 3-iron—a utility-iron-style club—for the now-famous shot from the range alongside the 13th hole at Royal Birkdale. The shot displayed the desirable characteristics of such a club and why it’s a suitable substitute for conventional middle or long irons that produce a lower ball flight. Although the methods vary, the technological goal of all utility irons is essentially the same: ample mass combined with lower and deeper centers of gravity to help get the ball airborne, fast-flexing faces, and the versatility of irons. Manufacturers have responded by providing a number of options, like Ping’s G400 Crossover and Mizuno’s MP-18 Fli-Hi. Other companies have followed with similar iron-replacement versions. You might not hit a shot like Spieth, but your palms are likely to sweat less over a long-iron shot—and that’s a start. —emj
30 golf digest india | march 2018
Indian Price | Handicapper (L) Low (M) Middle (H) High
Ross KinnaiRd/R&a/Getty imaGes
utility clubs are long irons you can hit
irons g a me- improv e me nt
▶ You’re breaking 90 but still lack confidence with any club longer than a 6-iron. And you’ll always choose more yards over control—as long as it’s presented in a conventional package.
▶ highe r , fa r the r , s tr a i ghte r: the s e iro n s
fo r the e v e ry m a n c o ntin u e t o prov id e ne w le v e l s o f v e rsatilit y a nd pe rfo rm a n c e c a l l away epic
performance
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★★ demand
★★★
verdict Distance in an iron is great, but the extra yards won’t help if your shots can’t hold the green. Callaway sought to create the lightest, stiffest body possible and matched it to a flexible cupface for maximum distance. Then it used a metal-injection-molding process to create an internal weight out of tungsten and steel. The purpose of the slug is to optimize the center of gravity for each iron throughout the set and ensure the best possible launch. comments (L) The balance and weighting felt good through impact. It’s nice to have an iron that feels strong like that. (M) The face has some spring to it. The ball comes off fast, even on mis-hits. If forgiveness had a feel, this club would be it.
c a l l away rogue
performance
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★★★★★
rogue x
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★★★½
set of eight / graphite : ` 74,990
verdict Sometimes multiple materials are used to mask a deficiency in one area. Here they’re used to produce a progressiveoffset iron with plenty of size and a desirable combination of distance and playability. A variable-thickness cupface enlarges the area of the face that delivers high ball speed. Tungsten weighting is used to dial in the trajectory of each long iron. A cool feature: the pockets of air within the urethane injected inside the head. The purpose is to help the face flex while damping vibration. comments (M) The long irons are forgiving. I might not need a hybrid. They also have that jumpy feel off the face. (H) I hit a couple a little fat and still got good distance.
c a l l away
performance
set of eight / graphite : ` 1,34,990
set of eight / graphite : ` 74,990
verdict Players seeking pure distance might be drawn to this iron. It uses the same core technologies as the Rogue (cupface, urethane injections with air pockets and variable-face thickness), but there are differences. Among them is a lighter overall weight despite being longer and having stronger lofts (a 42-degree pitching wedge borders on loft indecency). Still, a wide sole and tungsten weighting keep the weight low and back to get the ball in the air and make sure you’re not screaming “Full flaps!” as your shots come into the green. comments (L) The sole feels as if it floats through the turf. (H) You can attack the ball with this iron. The built-in forgiveness lets you get away with a lot and frees all the negative thoughts.
Listed alphabetically
hot list : game-improvement irons
clevel and launcher cbx
performance
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★★
verdict In its return to irons, Cleveland has chosen to follow a simple but effective design path: Make the long irons easier to hit and the scoring clubs easier to control. That’s the overriding thought behind the Launcher CBX—an iron set mixing face-flexing cupface technology in the low-profile long and middle irons with spin control in the short irons. And when you’re a leading wedge company, using the same “tour zip” grooves and laser milling on the face between the scorelines is something few others can match. comments (L) If you closed your eyes, you’d swear you’re hitting a forged blade. The feel is that good. (M) Very attractive, inviting look at address. The edges just seem to flow into each other.
cobra
king f8/one length
performance
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★★★½
jpx 900 hot metal
★★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★★ demand
★★★★
g400
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★★★★★
32 golf digest india | march 2018
set of eight : ` 58,990
verdict How do you get the kind of ball speed typically reserved for an iron with a cupface or thin-face insert without having either? Mizuno uses a special kind of steel called Chromoly 4140M—a material used in high-tech bicycle frames and the body of solar cars. Its high strength-to-weight ratio allows for Mizuno’s thinnest iron face yet—two millimeters. The thin face combined with a deep undercut promotes rebound off the face. A rib structure inside the topline stabilizes the frame for optimal feel despite the thin face. comments (L) So consistent from shot to shot. Turf interaction was superior. (M) A polished finish. Not too overpowering a topline. The long irons have a clean, crisp punch.
ping
performance
set of seven : $800
verdict Long, middle and short irons do different things, so why design them similarly? Cobra doesn’t. The 4- through 7-irons are hollow construction with a thin face insert that wraps into the sole to help shots hit low. A shorter hosel on the long irons lowers the center of gravity to launch the ball higher. The short irons (8-iron through pitching wedge) have carbon fiber in the cavity to elevate feel. A one-length version is available, and both sets have sensors in the grips that work with the Arccos app to provide shot data. comments (L) The compact size of the head lets you play the kind of shot you want. (H) It’s like playing a round at elevation. Big hang time. Shockingly good distance.
mizuno
performance
set of seven : $700
set of eight : $900
verdict In the nine iterations of Ping’s G series irons, the head shapes have swung between game improvement and nearly super game improvement. The G400 is the former, and it’s a move we applaud. Referred to as the company’s “game enjoyment” iron, it delivers the off-center-hit performance this player category needs. The keys are a thinned-out undercut on the iron’s top rail and an improved variable face thickness that expand the area of the face that flexes. The saved weight is used for perimeter weighting. comments (M) Love the look at address. It’s almost like it’s cupping the ball, lending a helping hand. (H) If high, consistent, easy-to-hit irons appeal to you, then you need to land here.
Indian Price | Handicapper (L) Low (M) Middle (H) High
game-improvement irons : hot list
pxg
0311xf
performance
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★★½
verdict This is a nice change from some of the gargantuan cavitybacks in this category. The company pursued a cavity-back but scrapped the idea when it couldn’t match the feel of its 0311 and 0311T irons. Going back to its hollow-construction roots, the result is a better-players iron in look, but with the benefit of an ultrathin, fast-flexing face supported by an injection of feel-enhancing thermoplastic elastomer in the cavity. A thin maraging-steel face insert and 1-degree stronger lofts than the 0311 provide pop. comments (M) I like the way the design on the head hides how wide the sole is, but the sole provides lots of help. (H) A nice, mediumhigh trajectory with no fade or draw bias.
tay l o r m a d e m4
performance
★★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★★★★★
718 ap1
performance i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★★ demand
★★★★½
g700
performance i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★ demand
★★★½
set of eight / graphite : ` 93,900; steel : ` 78,900
verdict Titleist continues to take its classic designs and make them more versatile. In the case of the AP1, that means moving to hollow construction in the 4- and 5-irons (based in part on what it learned from its C16 concept irons) to boost speed in those clubs and maintain the company’s standard for feel. The rest of the set features irons with thin faces and 360-degree undercut cavities. Throughout the long and middle irons, high-density tungsten weights are used in the toe sections to provide the highest forgiveness of any 718 iron. comments (L) They’ve refined a proven success. You can feel the position of the head throughout the swing. (M) Great forgiveness, tremendous trajectory with a crisp feel through impact.
ping
★★★★
set of eight / graphite : ` 69,900; steel : ` 64,900
verdict The company has always found useful ways to seamlessly blend technologies into a single iron set. This iron continues that heritage in a refined shape that pleases at address. The face and sole slots are most visible, but just as important are internal beams that stiffen the body of the club to assist sound and maximize face flex. The topline undercut—where wasted mass is often trapped—has been thinned to 1.2 millimeters, allowing saved weight to be used to lower the center of gravity for ease in getting shots airborne. comments (L) It has a nice click to it off the face, and the result matches that pleasant sound. (M) Just goes miles and miles. If distance is the objective, mission accomplished.
t it l e i s t
★★★★★
set of eight : $2,800
set of eight : $1,200
verdict Ping is known for producing easy-to-hit irons. This is another example, but the company went outside its normal design box with a hollow-construction iron. To achieve meaningful perimeter weighting and maximum performance on off-center strikes, weights have been placed toward the toe and shaft. This helps deliver a balanced center of gravity that yields ample forgiveness. A body made from 17-4 stainless steel and a maragingsteel face insert yield distance. comments (L) The longish heel-to-toe blade makes it look extra forgiving but still a club you’d want to play. (M) High, straight and longer than average. That works for me.
Listed alphabetically
hot list : game-improvement irons
wilson c300
performance
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★½ demand
★★½
▶ c r iteria
set of eight : $800
verdict Wilson has been enthralled with face flex in irons dating to the original Reflex irons of the 1970s. The most recent idea includes two rows of “power holes” that result in 11 urethane-filled mini-slots surrounding the sole, topline and toe perimeter of the club. The less material that supports the face, Wilson says, the more the face will deflect at impact for more rebound. Worried about feel? The irons feature a larger, softer Lamkin Crossline 2 grip that provides a more comfortable sensation. comments (L) So straight that you could call your shots and hit them through a window. (M) You could feel the power boost on all well-struck shots and some mis-hits, too.
▶ h ot li st jud g es
Our judges, listed at right, cast the only votes in the Hot List, but they gather insight from three independent panels. The Scientists advise us on Innovation. Retailers assess Demand. Players evaluate Performance and Look/Sound/Feel. A product’s score is based on its weighted average in these four criteria, with Performance, Innovation and Look/ Sound/Feel largely determining the total score. performance
45% The utility of a product, or what happens to the ball when it’s struck by the club.
▶ r etai l ers
MIKE STACHURA
LEIGH BADER
Golf Digest
Executive Vice President, Global Value
Senior Editor of Equipment
Commerce, Raleigh, N.C.
E. MICHAEL JOHNSON
BUDDY CHRISTENSEN
Golf Digest
Owner, Golfdom,
Equipment Editor
McLean, Va.
KEELY LEVINS
JASON FRYIA
Golf Digest
Owner, Golf Exchange,
Associate Editor/Hot List Coordinator
Cincinnati
JOEL BEALL
SVEN KESSLER
Golf Digest
Director of Merchandising, PGA Tour,
Assistant Editor
Ponte Vedra Beach
i n n o vat i o n
30% How a club’s technology, including custom-fitting, advances the category.
▶ s c i e n ti sts
CHRIS MARCHINI General Manager, Golf Galaxy, Pittsburgh
MARTIN BROUILLET TE, PH.D.
20% What the golfer experiences before, during and after impact.
Professor of Mechanical Engineering,
SUSAN ROLL
University of Sherbrooke
Co-owner, Carlsbad Golf Center, Carlsbad, Calif.
DAVID LEE, PH.D. Chair, Department of Physics,
demand
Gordon College
5% The relative interest in a product and its reputation.
TOM MASE, PH.D. Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
▶ All judging is based on a 100-point scale. gold
JOHN MCPHEE, PH.D. Canada Research Chair in System Dynamics, University of Waterloo
Products earned a score of 93 to 100.
DICK RUGGE Former Senior Technical Director,
s i lv e r
United States Golf Association
Products earned a score of 88 to 92.99.
GEORGE SPRINGER, PH.D. Paul Pigott Professor of Aeronautics (Emeritus), Stanford University
97-100 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 70-87 ★ ★ ★
88-96 ★ ★ ★ ★
51-69 ★ ★
≤50 ★
34 golf digest india | march 2018
“in a s s e s s in g
the s c o re s u nd e r inn ovati o n , o u r e d it o rs a nd s c ie nti s t s re v ie w e d m o re th a n 1 , 8 0 0 page s o f tec hni ca l d o c u me nt s s u b mit te d by m a n u fac t u re rs .
Indian Price | Handicapper (L) Low (M) Middle (H) High
J.D. Cuban
look / sound / feel
irons s u pe r g a me- improv e me nt
▶ You don’t get hung up on topline thicknesses or hitting the soft fade. You want maximum height, a sole that smooths chunky swings and a lighter shaft to restore some lost speed.
▶ i f a n y c l u b s h o u ld b e o u tl aw e d,
it’s the s e u ltr a- fo rgi v in g iro n s . the y m a k e the g ame e asier for those needing it most c a l l away
big bertha os
performance
★★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★★ demand
★★★★★
verdict Callaway’s belief that higher-handicappers need the most help with the low and middle irons is evident here. The Big Bertha OS features tungsten in the sole to lower the center of gravity (CG), which promotes getting the ball airborne. The short irons don’t need the help launching the ball, which is why the CG gets progressively higher in those irons for increased control. The revamped cupface (in which the face wraps around the topline and sole to help it flex more) functions more efficiently in the low and middle irons. comments (M) These irons seem to have a little extra distance compared to others. (H) Probably the best-feeling irons of the bunch. Almost a players-iron feel at impact.
clevel and launcher hb
performance
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★★★½
f-max/one length
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★★★★½
set of seven / graphite : $800
verdict With a hybrid-like design from the long irons through the wedges, this easy-to-hit set is made for golfers needing help getting the ball in the air. The hollow design incorporates a wide sole, a sloping-recessed crown and backside and a high-strength steel face insert—all of which encourage higher flight and faster ball speed. The head shape is sleeker than previous hollow-body irons, so the look at address is more palatable. Even the short irons don’t look offensive, which is no small feat in a full hollow-body set. comments (M) A generous club with a lot of forgiveness. (H) A behemoth. Launcher is what it did. Just the gravity of the downswing launches the ball.
cobra
performance
set of eight / graphite : ` 79,990
set of seven / steel : $600
verdict The ability to launch the ball is imperative for slower swingers. But to launch the ball with any height and carry, you need speed. That’s why these irons use speed-enhancing ideas like lighter shafts and swingweights. The irons feature larger grips, have a lowprofile design and adopt different constructions based on loft. The 4-iron through 7-iron use a thin-face construction made from 17-4 stainless steel. The short irons use a softer 431 stainless steel for feel and control. Also available is the F-Max One Length set in which all irons are the weight and length of a 7-iron. comments (M) Incredibly forgiving. You can feel all the weight underneath helping the ball. (H) These pack a lot of power.
Listed alphabetically
hot list : super game-improvement irons
honma
beres is-06
performance
★★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★½
verdict Honma has a reputation for being a premium brand. Sometimes lost in that is its expertise in helping slower swingers. A new head design has a forged body with a zippy maraging-steel face that wraps around the sole to foster ball speed. In the 4- through 8-irons, three slits near the sole and face enhance spring on mishits. In the 9-iron through sand wedge, better control is achieved by using maraging steel that doesn’t wrap into the sole. A new 50-gram lightweight shaft is something the speed-challenged will appreciate. comments (M) The slots in the sole area make you feel like there’s something going on down there. (H) Huge distance and pop. Nearly hit the net at the back end of the range with a 7-iron.
tay l o r m a d e m cgb
performance
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★★★★★
d300
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★★★½
xxio x
★★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★★ demand
★★½
36 golfdigest.com | march 2018
set of eight / graphite : $900
verdict Continuing an idea first seen on its C200 irons, the oversize D300 uses a series of “power holes” around the perimeter of the topline, toe and sole to create a more flexible face. The holes reduce the contact area between the body and the face to just 26 percent. In other words, nearly three-fourths of that area is occupied by the holes. The result is a face that deflects more (about 16 percent more than the D200). Another benefit of the holes: They remove a significant amount of weight. The saved mass was moved to the heel and toe areas to enhance stability. comments (M) Easy to launch with a big, juicy sweet spot. (M) Very powerful at impact with a traditional feel.
x xio
performance
set of eight / graphite : $1,400
verdict TaylorMade has typically catered to skilled golfers, but the company looks to expand its audience with this iron. Ultra-thin faces throughout the set produce plenty of spring, and face slots widen the flexible area. Hit it low on the face? A sole slot assists shots struck there, too. Four tungsten weights in the rear heel and toe area lower the center of gravity for higher launch and improved stability on off-center strikes. Finally, no golfer wants a set of irons in the bag that scream “beginner.” The forgiveness features here aren’t so obvious, so there’s no need to hide these on the first tee. comments (M) Terrific sound. Every shot felt like you flushed it. (H) Short irons are terrific—clean and crisp turf interaction.
wilson
performance
` 36,040 per club
set of seven / graphite : $1,400
verdict The XXIO club brand isn’t well known in the United States, but perhaps it should be. The X iron (the company’s 10th-generation iron) generates swing and ball speed through two primary sources: a lightweight, high-balance-point graphite shaft and a face made out of titanium. The weight savings from the titanium face allowed the club’s designers to use 21 grams in the form of tungsten-nickel weights to get more mass down low and back to help you get the ball airborne. It’s not quite a club with training wheels, but it’s close. comments (M) If you’re in the market for a club that launches it high, this is the one for you. (H) Appealing at first glance. A confidence-building club.
Indian Price | Handicapper (L) Low (M) Middle (H) High
super game-improvement irons : hot list
tour edge
hot launch 3 triple combo
performance
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★½ demand
★★
verdict Tour Edge applies common-sense thinking in addressing golfers’ issues. By breaking the iron set into a combination of two hybrids, two hollow-body irons and three cavity-back irons, help is provided where it’s needed most—in the longer clubs—and control is available in the scoring clubs. The hybrids have a maraging-steel face to generate distance, and the hollow-body middle irons have substantial weight low to assist getting those shots airborne. The 8-iron through pitching wedge are traditional cavity-backs. Plus, the price is the epitome of the word bargain. comments (M) No trouble finding the middle of the face. Lots of help here. (H) The bubble-back look offers plenty of power.
wilson
d350 hybrid irons
performance
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★
ezone gt
performance i n n o vat i o n
★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★
mark hooper
gd tested : + 5 yds
set of eight / graphite : $700
verdict We applaud companies that offer hybrids as standard. But what if you could have as many as four or as few as none? The D350 offers this flexibility. The standard eight-club set starts at the 4-iron, but substitutions can be made. Options include a 3 -, 4-, 5and 6-hybrid from 19 to 28 degrees—at a cost of $100 for every two additional hybrids added. The set has a newer version of the facesole technology found in the company’s D200 irons. The lower part of the face, leading edge and front of the sole are thinned to similar thicknesses to create more ball speed. comments (M) They hide the help well: It has a game-improvementiron look at address. (H) Fat shots got plenty of air time.
yo n e x
★★★★
set of seven / graphite : $600
set of seven / graphite : $1,400
verdict Normally the shaft wouldn’t be the talking point for an iron, but when you have golf’s first use of a material, it’s worth touting. This iron has a shaft that is reinforced by Namd—a material that dramatically improves the adhesion of the graphite fibers and resin, resulting in a high-strength and lightweight shaft. The explanation of how it does that should be reserved for an advanced chemistry class, but all you need to know is that the result is increased shaft flex for potentially higher ball speed. comments (M) Seemed to have more spin than some others. The ball stuck when it landed. (H) A good example of how you don’t need a bulky look to work in this category.
old versus new: irons
longer, higher-flying and softer-landing ▶ We compared the latest 7-irons against five-to-six-year-old 7-irons provided by Global Golf, the leading used-club retailer in the world. The new 7-irons showed consistent improvements, and some of them were considerably longer on mis-hits than their previous generations. In some isolated cases, we saw 20-yard improvements in carry distance for off-center strikes. However, for the most part, the gains were more measured: about three yards for an on-center hit on average, and high, low and heel hits improved by as much as five yards each. If you think the difference is just driven by stronger lofts that fly lower and won’t hold greens, guess again. Even with stronger lofts, shots flew an average of two yards higher with about a degree steeper landing angle (meaning they would roll less after landing). Just what you would want a better iron to do. —MS Listed alphabetically
irons pl ay e rs
▶ You take aim at a back-right pin from 186 yards—exactly 186 yards. These clubs, with their thin soles and soft-feeling clubheads, offer the workability and feel you crave.
▶ c re ati v e u s e o f tec hn o l o gy a nd m ate ri a l s
has modernized this category without giving up the c l a s s i c s h a pe b e t te r pl ay e rs pre fe r c a l l away x forged
performance
★★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★★ demand
★★★★½
verdict The adage that there are few new ideas, only new execution, rings true here. Calling it a “reincarnation” of its X Forged from 2013, Callaway brings its newest ideas to the proven form of a five-yearold, single-piece forging. Trajectory (higher in the long irons, more controlled in the short irons) is managed by a weight pad in the back cavity, and a new groove design is intended to reduce fliers and improve spin control on shots out of the rough. The company’s Apex Pro iron was a players iron for wannabes. This one is the real deal. comments (L) The feel is much softer than in past years. You get a consistent ball flight that is mid to high. (M) Workable with a balanced feel. It’s super easy to curve the ball.
mizuno
mp-18 mmc
performance
★★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★★★★
mp-18 sc
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★★ demand
★★★½
38 golf digest india | march 2018
set of eight : ` 66,990
verdict A three-year project among Mizuno’s R&D team, its exclusive forging house and veteran artisans has resulted in the most technologically sophisticated member of the MP-18 family. Mizuno had titanium forged into the carbon-steel head so weight could be placed where it can better assist forgiveness. Tungsten plugs fit into an internal cavity near the toe, allowing mass to rest deeper as lofts get lower (and soles get wider) to maximize forgiveness. comments (L) More workable than a lot of clubs, but you don’t have to worry about overcooking it. (M) There’s a balance to the product in which everything feels like it works together. No suffering in the feel department. The ball seems to melt into the face.
mizuno
performance
set of eight : $1,300
set of eight : ` 66,990
verdict This is the epitome of a modern iron for better players. A new forging process tightens the grains of the carbon steel lower on the face to enhance feel. The result is a low-muscle-back design with an upper cavity throughout the set that performs and feels like a full muscle-back blade. The sole is slightly wider than a typical muscleback iron, but the trailing and leading edges are shaped for bladelike performance through the turf. Plus, kudos to Mizuno for staying true to traditional lofts. comments (L) The perfect head shape with a clean appearance in the back. Just enough forgiveness, too. (M) The à la carte option on the irons where the different models seamlessly blend together is genius.
Indian Price | Handicapper (L) Low (M) Middle (H) High
p l ay e r s i r o n s : h o t l i s t
ping
iblade
performance
★★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★★★
set of eight : $1,200
verdict The super-thin hot face gets your attention, but behind it is something equally as important. As faces get thinner, sound and feel can become compromised, so Ping’s engineers developed a way to support a large area of the face from heel to toe with an elastomer insert. The material allows the face to flex at impact and filter vibrations for a soft feel. Stability also gets a boost from a highdensity tungsten block in the low toe. comments (L) Gorgeous clubs. The finish makes the topline look more stylish than intimidating. (M) They feel powerful and easy to hit straight. It produces a boring trajectory that doesn’t balloon. It also offers a little bit of help, which inspires confidence.
pxg
0311t
performance
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★★½
set of eight : $2,800
verdict The weights in the back look cool and serve a purpose, but the technology in these irons works as much from the inside as out. The hollow, elastomer-filled construction allowed PXG designers to create a thin, high-strength steel face that provides plenty of pop. The back of the forged body features tungsten screws to maximize off-center-hit stability. You can get the iron in the Xtreme Dark finish for an extra $100 an iron. comments (L) I had no issues getting the ball in the air. The swingweight feels right, and I like the look from head to heel. It really performed. (M) I was impressed by the height of the long irons, and the heads carve through the turf.
tay l o r m a d e p770
performance
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★★½
verdict You don’t have to play for pay to enjoy the benefits of the P770. The carbon-steel forged clubhead features a hefty 70gram tungsten weight in the back cavity and sole on the two-piece 3- through 7-irons to help get the ball in the air and enhance forgiveness. The 8-iron through pitching wedge are one-piece forged cavity-backs. The face thickness is tapered—thinner in the upper part for a lower center of gravity and thicker in the bottom for a soft feel and solid sound at impact. comments (L) A great iron for the better ball-striker. Fantastic turf interaction. (M) A good introduction for the aspiring player in this category. It had that clean, clicking sound through impact as well.
t it l e i s t 718 ap2
performance
★★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★★★★★
set of eight : $1,200
set of eight / graphite : ` 1,18,900; steel : ` 1,03,900
verdict When you have a proven performer, there’s no need to change much, but boosting distance and forgiveness doesn’t hurt. A steel body is forged to a face insert made from the same steel. This allows for a thin face that improves long- and middle-iron distance. The set then switches to a 1025 carbon-steel body and face insert for the 7-iron. The 8-iron through pitching wedge use a forged 1025 carbon-steel face and body. Two densities of tungsten in the heel and toe provide stability on the 3- through 7-irons. comments (L) Sharp-looking and modern, it offers forgiveness and a flush feel when you hit it square. (M) The ball comes off the face hissing like a cat, and short irons stay at a manageable trajectory.
Listed alphabetically
h o t l i s t : p l ay e r s i r o n s
t it l e i s t 718 cb
performance
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★★★½
set of eight / graphite : ` 1,18,900; steel : ` 1,03,900
verdict The CB is an example of Titleist taking its classic designs and making them more versatile. The center of gravity is now closer to the center of the face for more consistent ball speed. Tungsten weighting is used to improve stability on off-center hits. The forged cavity-back uses a 17-4 stainless-steel face insert and a forged 1025 carbon-steel body through the 7-iron. The weight savings allow tungsten to be distributed to the heel and toe for forgiveness in the long and middle irons. The short irons are one-piece forgings. comments (L) Great iron for the better ball-striker. Fantastic turf interaction. (M) Enough size to inspire confidence and small enough to feel like you’ve got playability.
bridgestone tour b x-cb
performance
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★
verdict The Tour B X-CB is an effective mix of classic looks and contemporary technology. The irons, forged from 1020 carbon steel, use a weight pad behind the face to enhance feel. They also offer more aggressive lofts for the category (the 6-iron is 28 degrees, about 2 degrees stronger than traditional) and a wider sole for forgiveness through the turf. The 10 no-upcharge shaft upgrades are a terrific bonus to a player group that pays attention to such things. comments (L) These babies just jumped. I realized I could hit one less iron into a green. (M) The beveling on the sole helps you. It’s like a rail on the sole. I could get down on them more and still hit it high. They did a great job blending the shape through the set.
epon af-303
performance
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★
set of eight : $2,600
verdict Low-handicap contrarians who revel in having others peek into their bag and wonder what they’re playing should consider these. Though the sole is wider than most players irons, the topline is consistent with clubs in this category. The quality of the forging also is unquestioned. Founded in 1977, Epon is a subsidiary of Endo, one of the world’s premier forging houses, meaning this is a cavityback with plenty of playability combined with just enough weight low to get significant lift for those who need it. comments (L) Feels like they have a V8—the engine, not the drink. Lots of power, easy to control and elevate. (M) My mis-hits seemed to go a little straighter. The head was stable through the ball.
mizuno
jpx 900 tour
performance
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★★½
40 golf digest india | march 2018
set of seven : $1,200
set of eight : ` 67,990
verdict The gray-matte finish is un-Mizuno-like, but everything else is familiar. The company remains true to its better-player heritage by using the narrow sole design preferred by Mizuno staff players Luke Donald and Chris Wood. The clean, compact appearance at address strikes the right balance, and the one-piece, carbon-steel forging provides a syrupy feel. Forgiveness is not overlooked. Weight is pushed to the perimeter for added stability. comments (L) The look of the club at address is comforting. The topline has the right thickness. Not terrifying like some others in this category. (M) Turf interaction is effortless. Better than the rest. Just sliced through the grass.
Indian Price | Handicapper (L) Low (M) Middle (H) High
p l ay e r s i r o n s : h o t l i s t
s r i xo n z765
performance
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★½ demand
★★★
verdict Trying to improve on the hard-to-quantify characteristic of feel could have been futile. But by combining a soft 1020 carbonsteel cavity-back head with a new heat treatment, the Z765 irons achieve the type of feel better players seek. For performance, Srixon focused on meaningful—if mostly visually undetectable— improvements like grooves that are larger than the club’s previous model. Also, the laser milling improves spin control. The V-shape sole has received an upgrade to reduce turf resistance at impact. comments (L) Because of the way the sole is beveled, there’s no sticking the club in the turf. (L) Love the look. Simple and classy. There’s an excellent balance between the head and the shaft.
wilson
fg tour v6
performance
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★½
set of eight : $1,100
set of eight : $1,000
verdict Today’s irons for better players focus on enhancing the seemingly incompatible traits of distance and precision. The FG Tour V6 balances these well, using multiple materials and loftspecific center-of-gravity movement. The 3-, 4- and 5-irons fuse tungsten into the low toe (12 grams) and low heel (eight grams) to improve off-center-hit stability. On the 6- and 7-iron, all 20 grams of the tungsten is centered low in the sole, helping to increase launch. The 8-iron through gap wedge don’t use tungsten. comments (L) They’re exactly what I look for in terms of ball flight, workability and consistency. (M) It has that old-school look that is short from heel to toe and frames the ball well.
p l ay e r s d i s ta n c e i r o n s ?
courtesy of call away
our new category explained
▶ It’s something we’ve asked ourselves for a few years: Would it help our readers to differentiate between the traditional players iron— which emphasizes feel and control—with a more modern version of the players iron that features distance technology? As the latter gained momentum—it now represents 15 percent of the iron market, according to industry tracking firm Golf Datatech, thanks in part to the success of the Callaway Apex, one of the best early examples of such an iron—we decided it deserved its own category, one we call Players Distance irons. An iron in this category must satisfy a pair of simple, but strict criteria: It must be a players iron in shape and possess some distance-producing element. Examples include a face design that wraps around the sole, topline or both; the use of a hollow construction; multiple materials; a special steel (or heat treatment) for the face; or an internal structure that promotes a flexible face. For golfers who might have lost a few yards over time playing traditional blades, these irons will get you that half club back—maybe more—all without making you recoil when you put them down at address. Worthy of its own category? You bet. —EMJ Listed alphabetically
irons pl ay e rs - d i s ta n c e
▶ You’re a single-digit handicapper. Or aspiring to be. The zippy faces and reasonably compact shapes of these irons provide power and precision with tour-pro looks.
▶ a c o mb in ati o n in s tru me nt o f prec i s i o n
a nd d i sta n c e , the s e c lu b s a ll ow yo u t o hit o ne le s s c lu b —at le a s t— int o the gre e n c a l l away epic pro
performance
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★★½
verdict Driver technology has trickled down to irons for several years now. Problem is, irons are smaller than drivers, making it a more intricate task. For this iron, that meant creating a flexible face with a thin lip that wraps around the sole and topline, creating flex at impact to foster ball speed for on-center hits and minimize lost speed on off-center strikes. Flexibility, however, requires support. That comes from a cage-like structure with support beams. comments (L) It feels like a players club at impact, but the forgiveness for slight mis-hits was there when you needed it. (M) These were like a good pair of running shoes—firm and responsive with just enough cushion.
c a l l away rogue pro
performance
★★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★★ demand
★★★★★
set of eight / graphite : ` 1,34,990
set of eight / graphite : ` 74,990
verdict When designing a club with power for better players, the challenge is how to boost ball speed and maintain an acceptable feel. The speed in this iron comes from Callaway’s cupface technology. The feel comes from a concept that had its beginning in golf balls: Microscopic bubbles of air within a urethane material allow for a tour-like sound—even when you’re not hitting it like a tour player— without compromising the ball-speed gains of a thinner face. comments (L) Looks tight at address. Frames the ball nicely, and the head moves smoothly through the turf. (M) It’s shocking how far these go with just a smooth swing. You’ll find yourself screaming “Get down! Get down!” The power is the real thing.
cobra
forged tec black/one length
performance
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★★★
42 golf digest india | march 2018
set of seven : $1,200
verdict A players-iron shape with a thin, high-strength steel face insert for distance. Strategically placed tungsten inserts are forged into the heel and toe to increase forgiveness on off-center strikes and to position the center of gravity behind the impact zone. A carbonfiber insert behind the hitting area provides vibration damping for a soft, yet solid feel. These irons also include a full set of Cobra Connect sensors to track your shot stats. comments (L) This is the turf interaction I’m looking for. There is no hesitation when it gets to the grass. (M) Extremely easy to hit. Surprisingly so. These could be used by anybody from a better player to almost a beginner.
Indian Price | Handicapper (L) Low (M) Middle (H) High
p l ay e r s - d i s ta n c e i r o n s : h o t l i s t
ping i200
performance
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★★★★
set of seven : $875
verdict The shape says better player, but its forgiveness can be appreciated by average golfers. The i200 has a thin face that isn’t only about extra distance; it’s about forgiveness and feel, too. Offcenter-hit performance starts with weight saved by the thinner face and a machined back cavity. That mass is repositioned in the hosel and toe for more stability. The forgiving sole cuts through the turf because of a contoured leading edge and an extra degree of bounce. comments (L) The silent assassin—no noise at all. It’s just the club and ball making contact. It has a rubbery feel in a good way. (M) This iron is consistent, predictable and powerful—all the good adjectives you can think of.
tay l o r m a d e m3
performance
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★★★
verdict The thin topline and small blade length appeal to the lower-handicapper, and an increased sole radius and improvements to the face help mis-hits. Key to the construction are beams inside the structure that stiffen the body, providing enhanced energy transfer to the ball. TaylorMade continues to use slots in the face and sole to maximize face flex. Tungsten weights are used in each iron to precisely place the center-of-gravity location for optimal launch conditions at impact. Also, flattening the curvature of the leading edge effectively increases the bounce, reducing digging. comments (L) The ball not only goes long, but high. You get the distance benefit with a soft landing. (M) These deliver on the distance without having an unwieldy large head. That’s nice.
tay l o r m a d e p790
performance
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★★★★★
718 ap3
performance i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★★ demand
★★★★★
set of eight / graphite : ` 93,900; steel : ` 89,900
verdict Typically, hollow-construction irons address speed, forgiveness or feel. In the P790, TaylorMade got greedy and addressed all three in a shape that appeals to better players. The result is an ultra-thin face with a polyurethane-foam filling. To enhance distance, the face insert wraps around the sole, leading into a cut-through slot similar to those on the company’s fairway woods. The key, though, is the foam filling, a lightweight material that allows the thin face to flex without adding significant weight. The material helps maintain an acceptable sound, too. comments (L) A muscle-back look, but the topline is enough to warrant confidence at address. (M) The sound is crisp, and the ball feels like it stays on the clubface an extra second before flying off.
t it l e i s t
★★★★★
set of eight / graphite : ` 82,900; steel : ` 77,900
set of eight / graphite : ` 1,18,900; steel : ` 1,03,900
verdict For years some golfers have had difficulty deciding between the AP1 or AP2. Titleist addresses this with its AP3—a tweener appealing to better players in looks and others in performance. The iron has three constructions within the same set: A hollow, tungstenbolstered construction is used in the 3- through 7-iron with a highstrength steel L-shape face insert that wraps into the sole of the club to provide flex lower on the face; the 8- and 9-iron have a 17-4 steel face insert; and the wedges are cast from 17-4 stainless steel. comments (L) Nothing but good vibrations coming through your arms. It’s like you have Bose harsh-canceling gloves on. (M) An awesomely crushing sound and feel. Strong off the face.
Listed alphabetically
h o t l i s t : p l ay e r s - d i s ta n c e i r o n s
t it l e i s t 718 t-mb
performance
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★★★½
set of seven / graphite : ` 1,74,900; steel : ` 1,59,900
verdict The previous version of the T-MB was available only as a full set through custom order, but the new 718 T-MB is designed as a full set. Titleist focused on the lower part of the face, using a highstrength steel in an L-face construction where it wraps around the lower part of the club in the long and middle irons. In the long irons, an average of 91 grams of tungsten are used in the heel and toe to maximize stability and help get shots airborne. The short irons have a 17-4 steel face insert and use tungsten only in the 8- and 9-iron. comments (L) Feels like you’re hitting 20-year-old blades using today’s technology. The gateway drug to players irons. (M) It looks clean at address and has a style that gives you confidence.
mizuno
jpx 900 forged
performance
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★★★
verdict This is the company’s next installment of a one-piece forged cavity-back using boron-infused carbon steel. The use of boron creates a stronger metal that can be forged thinner. The thinner construction yields a higher overall spring-like effect through a multiple-thickness face. The saved weight is moved to the perimeter, providing forgiveness and playability. The 8-iron through gap wedge are slimmed down compared to its previous JPX 850 Forged model. comments (L) You feel like you can manipulate the ball. Compact at address with plenty of power. It has exceptional balance. (M) I was able to maintain a consistent trajectory on all shots.
pxg 0311
performance
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★★½
z565
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★★
44 golf digest india | march 2018
set of eight : $2,800
verdict It’s not inexpensive, but considering what goes into the company’s original flagship iron, the price becomes more understandable. To get the feel of a forged iron with the distance of a game-improvement club, PXG built a hollow-construction iron with a thermoplastic-elastomer filling to maintain appropriate sound and feel without allowing the high-strength, maraging-steel face insert to feel tinny and harsh. On the back, tungsten weights are positioned around the perimeter to foster forgiveness. comments (L) It cuts through the ground easily and drives the ball forward. Its strength is in hitting it straight. (M) It has a really nice pop at impact—like something good is happening.
s r i xo n
performance
set of eight : ` 71,990
set of eight : $1,100
verdict The Z565 uses a high-strength steel face surrounded by a forged, carbon-steel body and hosel. The result is a flexible face with just the right amount of feel. Designers for Srixon also removed material from the trailing edge and rounded off the heel and toe section to reduce turf resistance. A tungsten chip in the toe improves stability on off-center strikes. Finally, larger grooves are intended to improve control. comments (L) The ball holds its line very well, and I was able to work the ball in both directions. (M) I hit a variety of shots, and they all had the same cushy feel through the hands, with no harshness or vibration on off-center hits.
Indian Price | Handicapper (L) Low (M) Middle (H) High
p l ay e r s - d i s ta n c e i r o n s : h o t l i s t
wilson
c300 forged
performance
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★½
verdict Two years ago, Wilson introduced the concept of “power holes” (essentially mini slots). This year, Wilson expanded on the idea with two rows of cut-outs in the sole. The less material that contacts and supports the face, the more the face can flex at impact. The holes are filled with urethane so the metal can give while enhancing feel. To help make the club more palatable to better players, there are no holes in the topline of any club, and none at all in the 9-iron through gap wedge. comments (L) You get the advantage of the slots without seeing them at address. (M) Easy to frame with a nice power boost. The shape of the head makes it easy to manipulate from all lies.
▶ pl ayers
▶ f i t t er
GARY ABBOT T
JOEL MARTIN
SHANON HOY T
Dundas, Ontario
Southern Lakes, N.C.
PGA Professional, Golf Galaxy
Age: 30, Hdcp.: 12
Age: 63, Hdcp.: 17
Roseville, Calif.
THOMAS B. ALLEN
LARRY MCCOY
Middletown, Ohio
Greenwich, Conn.
Age: 53, Hdcp.: 7
Age: 53, Hdcp.: 5
SCOT T DICKINSON
ANAND MUDALIAR
Palm Harbor, Fla.
Philadelphia
Age: 29, Hdcp.: 14
Age: 35, Hdcp.: 12
SEAN HARPER
JASON MUSSER
Delaware, Ohio
Fresno, Calif.
Age: 46, Hdcp.: 9
Age: 43, Hdcp.: 2
LEE HILLGROVE
RICK PAGE
Pinehurst, N.C.
Pinehurst, N.C.
Age: 70, Hdcp.: 14
Age: 65, Hdcp.: 16
PAUL IANNIELLO
JASON SHIPLEY
Whitefish, Mont.
Parkville, Md.
Age: 56, Hdcp.: 5
Age: 59, Hdcp.: 5
SHREVE JOHNESSEE
BK SUHR
Pinehurst, N.C.
Orlando
Age: 73, Hdcp.: 15
Age: 34, Hdcp.: 1
STEVE LACHMAN
JACK ZIMMERMAN
Prescott Valley, Ariz.
Pinehurst, N.C.
Age: 60, Hdcp.: 8
Age: 69, Hdcp.: 22
PETER LEE Danville, Calif.
▶ te ac h ers
Age: 50, Hdcp.: 9
J.D. Cuban
set of eight : $900
DONNIE LUPER
KRISTA DUNTON
New Bern, N.C.
Director of Instruction, Berkeley Hall Club
Age: 61, Hdcp.: 2
Bluffton, S.C.
WEI MAO
JASON GUSS
Sacramento
Director, Jason Guss Golf Academy @
Age: 47, Hdcp.: 12
Hawk Hollow, Bath Township, Mich.
trust the process
the grind of a hot list tester ▶ The 21 men and women who made up our player panel for the 2018 Hot List evaluations included teaching pros, a lawyer, a cop, a product manager and a dentist, retirees and millennials, and handicaps ranging from scratch to the 20s. In short, they represented you. Their task was simple: Be open and be honest. They met it full on. Each tandem of two players was paired with a single editor as they made their way through each club category. Our editors compiled each player’s individual ratings and a top-five list for each category. With each club, the editor conducted a brief interview for further details. Players used GCQuad launch monitors at each station of the range to assess performance differences. Our goal with their input was simple: Find the clubs that most panelists wanted to play right now. Want to join our process? Watch golfdigest.com and our next call for applications. —mike stachura Listed alphabetically
wedges ▶ n o c lu b i s m a d e t o m o re e x ac tin g
s pec ifi cati o n s . time t o gi v e yo u r s h o r t g a me the re s pec t it d e s e rv e s c a l l away
mack daddy 4
performance
★★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★★★★
Spin technology and fitting options define wedge performance. Few are milling this area (literally) like Callaway. There are two types of milled grooves depending on the loft, plus a new process for creating surface friction between those grooves. Instead of cutting into the flat surface between grooves, the MD4 mills ridges that rise from the surface to create more contact points for spin on the shortest shots. As for fitting, the MD4 has more options than ever (21) across nine lofts with four sole grinds. comments (L) You can hit those bounce-bounce-check shots easily. (M) I like how the bounce lets this club set up flat behind the ball. (H) It has a sandpaper-like face that puts great action on the ball.
clevel and cbx
performance
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★★★
rtx-3
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★★★★
46 golf digest india | march 2018
$130
verdict Cleveland’s response to the traditionally complex wedge market is to make a club that complements the irons most average golfers buy. The progressive head shapes—iron-like in the low lofts and wedge-like in the higher lofts—help these wedges fit in with the rest of your irons. That’s in addition to the lighter shaft, the perimeter weighting to help forgiveness and a wide, playable sole. For good measure, the CBX adds its top-shelf groove technology and micro-milled surface-roughness design. comments (L) Maybe the looks aren’t for you, but there’s nothing you can’t do well with it around the green. (M) The big sole can escape any sand situation. (H) You can chunk this and still get it on the green.
clevel and
performance
` 11,490
$130
verdict Feel is one of the must-haves in wedge design. But for Cleveland, “feel” isn’t some vague emotional paradigm. It’s science. Specifically, the center of gravity aligns with the center of the face, thanks to a weight-saving hosel design. This centers the head’s mass for more consistent feel. It also improves distance control, accuracy and spin. Much of that extra spin comes from a new groove design (narrower and deeper for better action from the rough) and surfaceroughness treatments optimized by loft. comments (L) The shot I see in my mind is the shot I hit. Versatile, too. (M) The ball just comes off the face softly, with control. (H) The finish reduces glare. Head responds to all my little adjustments.
Indian Price | Handicapper (L) Low (M) Middle (H) High
wedges : hot list
cobra
king black
performance
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★★
verdict Designing thin faces has been a focus of most golf clubs, but Cobra actually thickened the face on its wedges because it believes more material in the hitting area leads to better feel. The thickest area of the face is slightly higher than on previous Cobra wedges to improve beneficial vibration at impact. The thicker topline has a subtle chamfer to make it easy on the eyes. Wider, shallower grooves on the higher lofts provide more volume, and a variable milling pattern offers extra short-shot spin. comments (L) It didn’t cut through the sand as much as it “cushioned” through it. (M) Just big enough without being clunky. (H) Love the action. There’s a quieter sound but positive feedback.
mizuno s18
performance
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★★★
t7
performance i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★★
glide 2.0
performance i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★★★½
` 9,990
verdict Mizuno’s ground-breaking use of boron-infused carbon steel in these forged wedges is something of a departure from how it has been used in the company’s irons. There, its strength was seen as a way to design thinner faces for increased distance. Here, its strength allows grooves, which vary based on loft, to be designed more precisely at the edges and with increased durability. The heads also change shape through the lofts: a straighter leading edge on the low lofts to work better with full shots, and a rounded shape on the higher lofts to help on open-face shots. comments (L) Great control and feel on full or touch shots. (M) More of a tour wedge. Narrow toe has a ton of workability. (H) Dense sound. The ball ends up exactly where you expect it to be.
ping
★★★★½
` 10,990
verdict Altering the head shape by loft isn’t an aesthetic exercise here. Rather, it was done to calibrate how each loft presents different performance requirements. As loft increases, more mass is placed toward the top of the blade. That raises the center of gravity, which yields two things most players prefer in their higher-lofted wedges: flight control and increased spin. Other popular Mizuno features are here, too. That includes grooves and sole grinds that change with loft, and a forged carbon-steel design that uses boron for durability. comments (L) Nice, compact look. Terrific around the green. Easy out of the bunker. (M) Amazed how it consistently gets through the worst lies. (H) Nice contrast between the hitting area and grooves.
mizuno
★★★★½
$120
$140
verdict The idea that the USGA’s rollback on groove performance was a deterrent apparently never reached the engineers at Ping. They say the milled Glide 2.0 has “sharper groove edges than any previous Ping wedge.” The grooves (tailored to each loft) generate more spin than the original Glide wedges because of precisely milled edges that grab more of the ball. The four sole grinds range from narrow (preferred by short-game specialists) to wide (for deep divottakers who require more forgiveness). comments (L) It’s a damage-control club: It can save a mediocre short game. (M) I could close it down or open it up, even with the wide sole. (H) Picks out the perfect amount of sand like the name suggests.
Listed alphabetically
hot list : wedges
ping
glide 2.0 stealth
performance
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★★★★
verdict The latest upgrade to Ping’s Glide line is more than its darker finish—though it does provide increased durability for its grooves and four sole grinds. What catches your eye—and helps grab the ball on those short pitches and chips—is the half-groove cut tight to the leading edge in the higher lofts. The extra groove edges and volume yield better ball contact. Also important is the use of 8620 carbon steel for a softer feel, and a finish that repels moisture for more check on those dewy mornings. comments (L) Perfect turf interaction. There wasn’t any way it could get stuck. (M) It has a cushy feel on full shots. (H) I like the more square leading edge. Chipping was comfortable even on tight lies.
tay l o r m a d e milled grind
performance
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★★★
vokey design sm7
★★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★★ demand
★★★★★
tour b xw-1
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★
48 golf digest india | march 2018
graphite : ` 15,995; steel : ` 13,995
verdict The 23 stock options—the most for any model in golf— are meant to make every unique swing deliver the club more consistently through the turf. The result is more reliable distances and spin. Those options include the tour-proven D-Grind, now one of six sole grinds across a 16-degree loft range. The right grind makes it easier to reap other new features. Those include sharper cut grooves matched to specific lofts and new center-of-gravity locations from low lofts to high for consistent distance and trajectory control. comments (L) The beefed-up top helps on those high-face shots from the rough. (M) Consistent flight, spin and turf interaction. (H) The right grind moved through the turf and spun better, too.
bridgestone
performance
` 11,900
verdict Grooves might be cool, but the business end of a wedge actually is the sole design and the leading edge. Those precise curves and angles greatly determine the subtle interaction of the club and your swing with the ground. Get it right and you make clean contact more likely, which leads to better spin. That’s why these wedges eschew handwork in favor of computer-guided milling to produce the final contours on its three sole shapes across 17 lofts, as well as the new high-toe version with two extra grooves. comments (L) Never played a wedge where off-center-hits felt so good. (M) Anywhere you hit it, it gave you the same feel. (H) With all those scoring lines, there’s no place where you’re not getting spin.
t it l e i s t
performance
$140
$140
verdict Despite offering just six lofts and one sole grind, this wedge family checks the important boxes of feel and spin. The forged carbon-steel construction and centered weight pad make center strikes feel sweeter. As for spin, sure, the grooves have been optimized to USGA limits, but what’s improved from past Bridgestone designs are the flat areas between the grooves. Rather than milled with randomized swirls or etched-in lines, a distinct pattern of four mini-grooves adds extra friction. comments (L) The teardrop shape lets me hit every shot I wanted. (M) Easy to open it up for high shots, or close it for a runner. (H) The way the heel meets the head makes it smooth through the sand.
Indian Price | Handicapper (L) Low (M) Middle (H) High
wedges : hot list
epon
tour wedge
performance
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★
verdict Epon might not be on your radar, but its parent company, Japan-based Endo, is well known within the golf industry for making many of the top brands’ forged clubheads. These compact wedges illustrate that expertise quietly (blink and you’ll miss its logo on the back). With the hosel and clubhead forged from a single piece of soft carbon steel to enhance feel, this design incorporates three sole grinds based on loft. Oh, and those distinctive grooves? An extra layer of milling improves spin in wet conditions. comments (M) The shorter shaft and head weight made it easy to get the clubhead to the ball. (L) Not as forgiving but still versatile. Good bite. (H) A good player’s wedge. The feel is linebacker solid.
wilson pmp raw
performance
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★
g d te s te d : + 6 4 %
$375
$120
verdict When Wilson changed its groove design, the differences were in the ten-thousandths of an inch. In practical terms the groove is now more square-like. It’s legal, and like many in the wedge game, its sharper edges and steeper sides push spin rates closer to what they once were. The edges mean better grab, and the steeper sides channel debris for cleaner contact from the rough. The 11 laseretched lines between each groove give partial shots more spin, and the raw finish of the 8620 carbon-steel head yields a softer feel. comments (H) The feel of the ball on the face feels like a forged club. (M) Nice heft so you feel the club throughout your swing. (L) With the raw finish, there’s no glare, and it felt softer.
old versus new: wedges
dan winters
fresh grooves equal more spin
▶ It’s easy to become comfortable with a club and not replace it. But that kind of thinking can be detrimental to your game, especially with wedges. “It’s not like your grooves go from being perfect, perfect, perfect and all of a sudden, they’re terrible. It’s gradual, and you might not notice it,” says Bob Vokey of Titleist. A study by Golf Datatech indicates golfers buy new wedges every four years. To find out what you’re giving up, we conducted our own test: We had a scratch player hit shots from multiple distances and turf conditions with a new wedge and a four-year-old wedge that had endured normal use, and we measured the results using a Foresight Sports’ GCQuad launch monitor. The new wedge produced 27.3 percent more spin than the old wedge on a 40-yard shot from the fairway. On an 18yard shot from fairway, the improvement was 26.6 percent. The spin gain on a 40-yard shot from light rough was an impressive 64 percent. Anecdotally, the new wedge showed noticeably more grab, too. Investing in your short game is a wise play, and seeing the amount of improvement with fresh grooves should send those with older wedges to their nearest golf shop seeking replacements. —EMJ Listed alphabetically
putters blade
▶ the o nly thin g m o re a e s the ti ca lly ple a s in g
th a n the s e c l a s s i c d e s i gn s ? a ll the pu t t s yo u ’re go in g t o m a k e w ith the m bettinardi
bb series (2018)
performance
★★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★★ demand
★★★
verdict The BB Series is made from soft carbon steel and features face milling that is softer than past BB models. The blades are heeltoe weighted with less toe hang (BB1) and crowned toplines (BB29). A light-colored sightline against the matte-black finish is easy on the eyes, and an electric-yellow scheme on the sole offers a distinct look. comments (L) I appreciate the craftsmanship, the materials and how the feel transfers to your hands. (M) The neutral color is quietly pleasing. The sound off the face is metallic-like but muffled. It plays like it’s heavier, with the ball coming off the face faster than I expected. (H) It has a comforting, balanced feel and got the ball rolling nicely. It was delicate in a good way.
o dys s e y
o-works red/black
performance
★★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★★ demand
★★★★★
toulon design
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★★ demand
★★★
50 golf digest india | march 2018
$200
verdict An intricate multilayer face is the big story here. A thin, stainless-steel face plate with dozens of angled “hinges” covers a soft-elastomer insert. Together they provide a consistent, muted feel. At contact, the hinges flex, producing topspin and roll instead of skidding. The result is a better, more reliable performance regardless of your stroke. The O-Works line offers plenty of options, including traditional blades, heavier heads and wider models with extra off-center-hit forgiveness. comments (L) Has a natural alignment at address. (M) I like the soft feel. The topspin comes off the face cleanly on short and long putts. (H) It has a lively face. The ball jumps off.
o dys s e y
performance
$300
$400
verdict The five models in this line all have a diamond mill pattern on the face to minimize vibration. A close look reveals another groove line milled in the middle of each diamond to help promote forward roll. The blades are milled from 303 stainless steel and offer options with weighted soleplates and various hosel designs. comments (L) This is your traditional blade with a perfect finish. The alignment line is spot on, and the putter generates ideal sound and feel. (M) I love that it’s heavily weighted in the head. The roll is straight and consistent. (H) It has an easy feel that translates into great touch and accuracy. Very balanced through the stroke—a true roll no matter where I hit it.
Handicapper (L) Low (M) Middle (H) High
blade putters : hot list
ping
sigma g
performance
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★★★½
verdict The Sigma G’s shapes are a confluence of past and present with a dose of modern technology. An insert with athletic-shoegrade Pebax elastomer behind the face provides a soft feel without compromising ball speed at impact. The face’s overlapping groove pattern, with precise variances in depth, gives your off-center-hits a more center-like roll. comments (L) The balanced weighting gives me confidence on short and long putts. The insert has a smidge of give. (M) Putts really hold their line—I felt like I couldn’t miss. (H) I found it easy to align with impeccable distance control, plus terrific touch and feel. This putter can compete with the best.
ping
vault 2.0
performance
★★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★★★½
tp collection
performance i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★★★½
scotty cameron select (2018)
performance i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★★ demand
★★★★★
$200
verdict An insert combines soft polymer with 45-degree-angled grooves, increasing topspin to produce a quick-starting roll. A calibrated milling process hones the shape of the cast 303 stainless-steel body. Both of the heel-toe-weighted models include some form of sightline to aid alignment. comments (L) Looks clean and tight. Easy to line up. The insert is on the firmer side and gets the ball rolling. If you tend to leave your putts short, then you should look at this. (M) A purist would love this: a great putter without the gadgets. . . . You don’t have to take it back far even though the head is a little smaller than others in this category. It just works. (H) The shape and finish are very classy, and the weighting in the head makes it easy to get the ball rolling.
t it l e i s t
★★★★★
$300
verdict A milled pattern on the face fluctuates in depth and pitch to increase ball speed on off-center hits. The models vary in weight: Shorter-length putters feature heads with tungsten weights in the heel and toe that are heavier than standard, and longer models use weights that are about 15 grams lighter than typical. There are five blade models with matte-black, copper and platinum finishes. comments (L) I like the finish and contrasting sightline. The putter was on the heavy side but in a good way—very stable. (M) I love the copper color. The head promotes a good roll. (H) The higher-pitch sound is satisfying, like the putter is talking to you. Love the face and speed control. It puts a good forward roll on the ball.
tay l o r m a d e
★★★★½
$180
$400
verdict Cameron putters have always evoked the artisan principles of its designer, but the 2018 line takes a more technological approach. There’s 30 percent more vibration-dampening material behind the 303 stainless-steel face inlays to aid distance control and promote a softer feel and sound. Still, the craftsmanship is apparent. The precision milling on the toe, heel, front and back ensures its multiple-neck configurations rest square at address. comments (L) It’s the gold standard for a reason. It balances softness with responsiveness and feedback perfectly. (M) Perfect balance; sets up square. (H) So classic, like a vintage sports car or a great bottle of wine. The larger grip gives it more balance.
Listed alphabetically
hot list : blade putters
argolf
collection broceliande
performance
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★
verdict This year’s line of five blades uses extensive milling and heel-toe weighting to achieve higher stability on off-center hits than most traditional blades. The putters—whose naming conventions derive from Arthurian legend—are milled from 304 German stainless steel for feel and performance and finished in a “chocolate ganache” PVD or aluminum oxide. comments (L) I like the modern take on a Bulls Eye [Merlin model]. Simple to align, the weight feels right, and it looks regal. (M) You don’t have to hit it in the sweet spot to get a good roll. Accurate on the short putts. (H) I love the elegant finish—like old-school door handles. Rolls true with good feedback on long putts.
clevel and
huntington beach
performance
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★★★
tfi 2135 satin
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★½
torque balanced
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★
52 golf digest india | march 2018
$150
verdict The black-on-white raised sightline helps with alignment, regardless of where your eyes are at address. How? Its height matches the height of the midpoint of the ball. Off-center-roll forgiveness is a core selling point. Each model’s natural stability is complemented by specific milling on the face for maximum consistency. Behind the milled face is a thermoplastic urethane insert, minimizing vibration for a soft feel at impact. comments (L) The face milling does a nice job of imparting topspin and eliminating skidding. (M) It’s big for a blade. It performs well on off-center hits; face stays square. (H) The more I look at it, the more I like it. The alignment is the best part.
edel
performance
$110
verdict Made from 304 stainless steel, the Huntington Beach delivers soft and enhanced feel at contact. The bristly diamondshape milling pattern increases friction for an improved and more consistent roll than past putters from this collection. Thanks to the construction, it can be customized to your stroke with a 5-degree range of lie angle and a 4-degree range of loft-angle bending. comments (L) I love the deep milling on the face. It softens impact, but the ball still gets to the hole. Like a down comforter, the putter is comforting and reassuring. (M) I really like the wider sole. It just feels more balanced and gets the ball rolling pure. (H) The putter has a premium, refined look to it. The clubhead is a little heavier than others. It feels solid, but I didn’t feel control was an issue.
clevel and
performance
$400
$330
verdict Some companies add weight to improve face balance and control, but designer David Edel removed mass from inside the toe. The idea is to make the putter less vulnerable to the twitchy forces of torque during the stroke. This weight removal is hidden within the sole to preserve a conventional blade look at address. comments (L) The insert is amazing. I love the electric feel off the face and the roll it imparts on the ball. The round grip is different but interesting. (M) The brass finish and holes on the back are pretty cool. A little futuristic and very stable on performance. (H) It has a clean look at address. My distance control was good, and it has a natural-sounding click at impact.
Handicapper (L) Low (M) Middle (H) High
blade putters : hot list
pxg
milled putters
performance
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★½
$500
verdict The three models come in chrome or black PVD finishes and have the same thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) found in the company’s 0311 irons. Here, a piece of the TPE is behind the billetmilled 304 stainless-steel face insert. This produces a soft-sounding yet firm feeling at impact. Bodies are milled from stainless steel with heel and toe weights made from titanium and tungsten for improved alignment and higher moment of inertia. comments (L) It’s attractive and well-balanced. It reacted the same even off the center. (M) On shorter and medium putts, I was able to get the ball started on the correct line effortlessly. (H) It nicely balances tradition and technology. It gives me confidence at address.
seemore
nashville studio series
performance
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★
$400
verdict The company’s famed RifleScope Technology alignment— lining the black portion of the shaft between two white sightlines to hide a red dot—continues to be the primary selling point of its putters. These putters are milled from a select grade of 303 stainless steel for optimal feel. The series includes models that are centershafted or balanced to your swing plane. comments (L) The red-dot alignment system is synonymous with SeeMore, and it makes perfect sense. (M) The heel-toe weighting functions well, and the black color accentuates the eye line. Soft contact breeds a stroke instead of a hit. (H) The alignment aid takes getting used to, but you’ll know if your stroke is off immediately.
bl ade-like mallets?
Matt RobeRts/Getty IMaGes
better players going bigger ▶ Traditionally, blade putters were thought to be the domain of good golfers with smooth strokes, and only chops used mallets. Then came Jason Day’s rise to No. 1 with a custom version of TaylorMade’s Spider, a high-stability mallet that Day fashioned with a shorter, slantneck hosel. By May of 2017, mallets were in the hands of nine of the top 10 players in the world. One possible reason: The idea of “toe hang.” Many new mallets feature weighting where the face of the putter is angled slightly down when the shaft is balanced on your finger, rather than the face staying open (toward the sky) like in a traditional face-balanced mallet. That feel is designed to work better when the clubface rotates open and then closes during the stroke. It also happens to be the way most golfers tend to putt. The beauty of some of these new mallets (see the next page) is that you get all the benefits of aim, alignment and off-center-hit forgiveness found in a traditional stable-mallet design, with the same feeling of swinging the club you got from a typical blade. Does that mean blades are on their way out? Hardly. You still have to like what you’re looking at, and for some, that’s a battle mallets will never win. —MS Listed alphabetically
putters m a lle t
▶ b u lk y, m ay b e , b u t the y ca n improv e yo u r a im ,
m a k e yo u r mi s s e s ro ll tru e , e v e n ste a dy yo u r stro k e . time t o s e e w h at yo u ’re mi s s in g bettinardi bb series
performance
★★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★★★
verdict Bettinardi putters are known for classic shapes and oldschool feel, but these mallets also emphasize forgiveness and alignment. Those hallmark mallet features include the BB39’s oversize shape for maximum stability and the distinct alignment bar atop the BB56, which puts more weight higher in the head to promote a quicker end-over-end roll. comments (L) I like the matte finish and clean alignment lines. It has a nice, quiet roll off the face. (M) It delivers a true roll that’s consistent from long range. Refreshing not to look down and see a bunch of screws or wings. (H) The feel is the best part about this putter. It’s consistent and inspires confidence.
o dys s e y
o-works red/black
performance
★★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★★ demand
★★★★★
exo
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★½ demand
★★★★
54 golfdigest.com | march 2018
$200
verdict This line comes in solid colors (red or black), a departure from the white-black alignment pattern of the past. Heel-toe weights are featured on the sole for optimal balance. All models have Odyssey’s “microhinge” face technology, which combines a soft elastomer insert with a stainless-steel layer featuring protrusions that flex at impact to produce topspin. comments (L) Just fun to putt with. Even on mis-hits, the distance control is there. (M) It’s silent but deadly. It has perfect weighting. You draw the putter back, and it goes into auto pilot. (H) I love the head shape and the slant neck. I know the new solid colors aren’t for everyone, but I like ’em. It’s well-balanced and rolls it great.
o dys s e y
performance
$300
$300
verdict There’s more of an outward-facing polymer insert on this Odyssey model to go with the hinge technology seen on the original O-Works models. The idea is to provide the feel of Odyssey’s popular White Hot insert and incorporate the benefits of the new face technology (improved initial roll). There’s also a weight-saving wireframe look that creates stability with multiple materials. comments (L) It felt light at impact, and the alignment setup is incredibly helpful. It’s very easy for me to set it up and let it rip. (M) The colors help me line it up. The feel off the face is perfect— solid but not too hard. Great sound, too. (H) It’s easy to aim. The insert lets you know when you make center contact.
Indian Price | Handicapper (L) Low (M) Middle (H) High
mallet putters : hot list
o dys s e y
toulon design
performance
★★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★★ demand
★★★
verdict The line features classic shapes—toe-hang mallets like the Portland (left) and the high-stability, carbon-fiber-crowned Indianapolis. Models feature multiple materials, including milled 303 stainless steel and lightweight aluminum. The custom-milled faces have a diamond pattern to maximize sound and feel. comments (L) The Indianapolis was a surprise. Stick with it, and you’ll find your stroke more smooth and balanced. (M) The look of the Memphis is understated, but there’s technology behind its plain looks. (H) The Indianapolis looks mod but rolls like a classic. The impact offers a nice click as opposed to a dead thud. It rolled true, and the weighting made it easy to make a pendulum stroke.
ping
sigma g
performance
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★★★½
vault 2.0
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★★½
spider
★★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★★ demand
★★★★★
$300
verdict Ping’s history of fitting has always included an array of putter options for length and weight. That’s the case here. Shorter lengths have heavier tungsten sole weights, and longer models feature lighter aluminum weights. Individually milled face patterns vary in depth and pitch to enhance off-center impacts. comments (L) I love the feel. The contact is so natural, and the alignment aid really works. I felt incredibly confident standing over the ball. (M) Firm at impact, but it rolls end over end nicely. The lower profile frames the ball well. (H) Amazingly stable. Alignment exceptional. Kind of a point-and-shoot putter, with no manipulation required. I couldn’t miss on short putts.
tay l o r m a d e
performance
$200
verdict Available in six models, each head is oversize to achieve maximum perimeter weighting. The insert—milled aluminum backed by a resilient elastomer—radiates a gentle feel at impact. The depth variances in the milled face pattern help control pace. Each putter can be tailored for a straight or slight-arc stroke. comments (L) Outstanding distance control. Deadly accurate on short putts. The face had the right amount of feedback. Overall, a very good putter. (M) The alignment aid makes it easy to square up the putter, and the finish really stands out. (H) It even looks soft with the brushed finish, and with the inset, I felt like I didn’t have to alter my stroke to account for it. It was natural.
ping
performance
$400
` 19,900
Stability is the priority here, with 13 pieces organized to push weight to the perimeter for the ultimate in off-center-hit forgiveness. A 12-groove Surlyn insert reduces backspin and increases the ball’s initial roll. The Spider family expands this year to include the Arc, which features an aluminum body and steel ring, with three sightlines and a white circle for alignment. comments (L) It’s so easy to line up with the look of a modern mallet. (M) There was no skid. The ball came off the face very nice. It looks like a rocket ship but sets square. (H) It’s a work of art: It sounds and feels so good. Everything was going in. I’d be a much better putter than I am if I had this in my bag. Listed alphabetically
hot list : mallet putters
tay l o r m a d e
tp red collection — ardmore 2
performance
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★★★½
verdict The designs here seem well in line with traditional mallet shapes where wings and cutouts provide stability, but the face story is as modern as it gets. An insert combines soft polymer with 45-degree angled grooves, increasing topspin to produce a faster, more powerful roll. The cast 303 stainless-steel body includes heel and toe weights for extra forgiveness. comments (L) Easy to lay down and set up. The white and red contrast is nice. Good click, nothing hollow about it. Got the ball rolling fast. (M) The three lines and ball-shaped hole on the back of the Chaska make everything line up square. (H) The best feature is the roll off the face. It has a velvety feel, which I really love.
t it l e i s t
scotty cameron futura 5.5m
performance
★★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★★ demand
★★★★½
scotty cameron select fastback (2018)
★★★★½ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★ look / sound / feel
★★★★½ demand
★★★★
rg-1
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★½ demand
★½
56 golfdigest.com | march 2018
` 35,900
verdict Size is essential in a mallet, but this model uses vibrationsoftening material between the face inlay and head so feel isn’t sacrificed. The traditional mid-mallet look of the Fastback includes a 6061 aluminum face-sole inlay to permit weight to be distributed to the perimeter for better forgiveness. comments (L) The design, finish and lines exude refinement. On short or long putts, the feeling off the face is very comfortable. (M) Not a lot stands out other than the fact you’re going to jar a lot of putts with it. The ball rolls out smooth and effortlessly. (H) This putter doesn’t mess around. You set up, and it feels so good. You have confidence your putt is going to go where you aimed.
bloodline
performance
` 34,900
verdict Cameron wanted to create a putter that looks like a mallet at address but swings like a blade. To do that, the 5.5M uses a neatly hidden neck slanted toward the face. This gives the putter a natural balance, typical of a blade. A lighter 6061 aluminum for the face-sole piece provides a soft feel, and a heavier 303 stainless steel for the shell and back bumper increases forgiveness. comments (L) The sound, feel and weight are in sync. (M) I like that it has an industrial look. The finish is exemplary compared to similar products. It rolls the ball true, and distance control was effortless. (H) Good distance control. A different sound than Cameron’s blades, but excellent feel, weighting and performance.
t it l e i s t
performance
` 17,900
$500
verdict Alignment aids are practically universal in today’s putters, but Bloodline takes it to the extreme with a club that can (literally) stand on its own: You set the club behind the ball and walk behind it to ensure you’re on target. It does all this without sacrificing feel. The machined aluminum face, body and hosel are bonded to a stainless-steel soleplate for a sharp, crisp touch at impact. comments (L) When I first picked it up, I thought the shaft was crazy. But after trying it, I got it. The shaft transfers no vibrations when I hit the ball. (M) Constantly good on short and long putts alike. (H) Sets really square. It takes the variable of aligning the putter out of it. It almost hits it for you.
Indian Price | Handicapper (L) Low (M) Middle (H) High
mallet putters : hot list
clevel and tfi 2135 satin
performance
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★½ demand
★★½
$150
verdict A raised sightline helps with alignment regardless of where you set up over the ball. This year’s line has four mallets and features a new high-contrast color scheme to improve focus during alignment and stroke. Off-center hits roll better because of the stable head and a face-milling pattern tailored to each model. There’s a thermoplastic-urethane insert behind the face to soften the feel. comments (L) I love the blue accent. Soft and buttery off the face, but still responsive. (M) The alignment aid naturally draws your eye and is pretty foolproof to set up square. The head has a little weight to it, which I like. I can let the putter do the work. (H) It sits perfectly and has good feel for distance putts.
wilson infinite
performance
★★★★ i n n o vat i o n
★★★½ look / sound / feel
★★★★ demand
★★
$100
verdict Named for Chicago landmarks and neighborhoods, these putters are designed to bring consistency to your stroke and better distance control. The 104-gram counterbalanced grip and oversize heads offer stability with limited rotation during the stroke. The black-and-white contrast and red accents help you focus at address, and the dark finish reduces glare. comments (L) Great roll off the face, and easy to align. The more putts I hit with it, the more I liked it. (M) I wouldn’t overlook this putter. It has all the elements of the more well-known putter designers. (H) Jumps off the face and rolls true. Substantial heft to it, and the alignment is efficient.
th r o w i n g o u t th e tr a s h
our panelists’ honest assessment ▶ We refer to our Hot List player testers as “robots with an opinion.” And when you hit a couple thousand balls with some 200 golf clubs, there are bound to be a few that don’t strike your fancy. We sifted through 113,900 words of comments to find this selection of quips about clubs that produced some snarky remarks during three days at Pinehurst. —EMJ
drivers
fairway woods
wedges
“If you hit enough balls, it might cause damage to your ears. Permanently.”
“Looks like it has a broken ankle at address.
“Don’t be afraid of sticking it in the ground. You’re going to do it regardless.”
players irons
“So closed I was convinced I was going to hook it off my knee.”
“These aren’t very forgiving, and they feel even worse.”
hybrids
gi irons
“It happens every year. I pick one up and hate the look. This is that one.”
“Sounds like I’m hitting a rock. Time after time.”
mark hooper
sgi irons ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Golf Digest India would like to thank the following individuals for sharing INR pricing information: Deepali Shah Gandhi (Zaverchand Sports), Ateet Gaur (Trinity Golf), Yash Dhamija (Bhaseen Sports), Sorabh Bhatia (Callaway India), Rustam Yadu (Honma India)
“It looks like a reptile. I’d buy this for a person I was playing against.”
“Just awful. Too much of everything.”
“If you’re trying to lay the sod over it, you’ve found your club.” blade putters
“This is the epitome of hell. If you hit it on the heel, toe or in the center, it’s not good.” mallet putters
“The sound is like breaking plates.” Listed alphabetically
Hot List
INDIA BUYER’S GUIDE While almost all golf clubs and driving ranges are well equipped with pro shops selling variety of equipment to meet all your golf needs, having more options is always welcome. There are a number of stand-alone shops that you can visit across India and get your hands on the latest gear from all your favourite brands. So the next time you decide to go golf shopping, here’s another set of stores you can check out ZONE BENGALURU
CHANDIGARH CHENNAI GURGAON
HYDERABAD JAIPUR KOLKATA
LUCKNOW NEW DELHI
NOIDA PUNE
RETAILERS NAME
NAME
CONTACT NO.
ADDRESS
ELITE GOLF
MANPREET SACHDEVA
98861 22117
eliteindia@yahoo.com
16, 3rd Cross, HAL II stage, Indiranagar, Bengaluru
EVERGREEN GOLF SHOP
SARVANA KUMAR
93412 41098
egreengolf@yahoo.com
No. 617, K.G.A Road, Kodihalli, Bengaluru
GOLF STUDIO
VIJAY KAPOOR
93412 19493
iigtbangalore@gmail.com
G-12, Gem Plaza, 66, Infantry Road, Bengaluru
GOLFER'S PARADISE
JAGDEEP SINGH
98159 12006
golfersparadise@rediffmail.com
SCO 493-94, Sector 35C, Chandigarh
GOLF PLANET
SRIDHAR
99406 15903 98410 39636
golfplanetshowroom@niljagroup.com
Ground Floor, 469 Anna Salai, Nandanam, Chennai
GOLF DESTINATION
PAWAN KAPOOR
95602 75590
golfdestination@gmail.com
Shop No. 250-A, DLF Mega Mall, DLF Phase-I, Gurgaon
GOLF STUDIO
AJAY KAPOOR
96505 95960
golfstudio133@gmail.com
Shop No. 133, DLF Mega Mall, DLF Phase - I, Gurgaon
GOLF DESTINATION
PAWAN KAPOOR
95602 75590 79762 77785
golfdestination@gmail.com
Shop No. 101, Apurupa Complex, Raidurgam HS Durga Circle, Gachibowli, Hyderabad
GOLFDAYS
PRAHLAD JADEJA
94140 47221
golfdays_psj@yahoo.com
D-12, Ranvir Vila, Tilak Marg, C-Scheme, Jaipur
ASIAN SPORTS
VIKAS JHULKA
98311 23752
vikas@asiansports.in
4A, Gobinda Bose Lane, Bhawanipur, Kolkata
DIFFERENT STROKES
RAJESH ROY
93310 03577
golfds@gmail.com
194, S.P. Mukherjee Road, Kolkata
SIDDHI VINAYAK
RAJAT BATRA
98391 21262 95060 09700
rajat1batra@gmail.com
Adidas Showroom, Opposite Hanuman Mandir, Hazratganj, Lucknow
DELHI GOLF HOUSE
ANIL KASHYAP
98104 48857
anilkashyap19@gmail.com
92-B, Amritpuri, East of Kailash, New Delhi
TRISHA SPORTS
MADAN JHA
98105 69745
madan_golf@yahoo.com
124-A/6, Katwaria Sarai, New Delhi
R3 INTERNATIONAL GOLF PVT. LTD.
RAJESH KUMAR
98110 60610
r3internationalgolf@gmail.com rajeshgolfpro@gmail.com
698F, Lado Sarai, Behind Qutab Golf Course, New Delhi
RAMA PRO SHOP
JAI DHIMAN
85277 78479
jaidhiman@hotmail.com
1st Floor, Shop No. 1, Baliawas, GurgaonFaridabad Road, Opposite TERI Golf Course
SPORTS HUB
PIYUSH KAPOOR
96548 39062
sportshub8@gmail.com
843/1, Shop No. 3, MG Road, Ghitorni, New Delhi
MY SPORTS WALL
RAJESH JAIRATH
97178 99027
jairath.rajesh@rediffmail.com
Shop No.30, Block-4, Ganga Shopping Complex, Sector 29, Noida
WORLD OF GOLF & SPORTS
NARESH BHAGWANANI
93733 11129
wgspune@gmail.com
18, Kumar Pavilion, East Street, Camp, Pune
Disclaimer: This list has been compiled with inputs from major equipment distributors operating in the country. Do write to us if you feel there is a store that deserves to be on the list
58 golf digest india | march 2018
How I Made It
The Golf Life
julian suri age 26 lives Jacksonville from
New Rochelle, N.Y.
streak
Climbed 1,079 spots in the World Golf Ranking in less than nine months to close 2017 at 63rd. The first golfer to win on the Challenge Tour and the European Tour in the same season.
Yes, Suri! A rising star eyes his first Masters invitation hen Julian Suri missed a 2017 European Tour card by one stroke at qualifying school, he faced a decision: stay and use his guaranteed starts on the Challenge Tour, or return to the United States and try playing his way into Web.com Tour events, which carry slightly more World Golf Ranking points? He chose to stay, and it was the right call. Thanks to two overseas wins, he’s now within reach of a top-50 World Ranking, which could lock in a trip to the Masters. He just bought furniture for a new pad in Jacksonville, and after a stretch in the Middle East, hopes to break it in while “prepping for the year’s first major.” He answers questions from Golf Digest’s Max Adler.
W
you had a year to inspire dreamers. what clicked? I finally got instruction on the fundamentals. I’ve always had good speed and coordination—the videos of my swing at Duke are a mess of hands and flipping—but I was too stubborn to trust another person’s eyes. After some low years trying to make it as a pro, last spring I broke down and took lessons from Dan Carraher, who coaches my younger brother, Devin.
Arep Kul Al/Getty ImAGes
●
what did he teach you? Dan saw a lot that needed fixing but didn’t dump it all on me at once. It was a process. Pound thousands of range balls, then drive to Orlando every week to play 18- or 36-hole mini-tour events to see what held up. Wasn’t glamorous. A $100 entry
fee might earn $500 if you beat all 40 guys—so not exactly the Race to Dubai. But seeing how a change performs in the heat is the only way. ●
your great-grandfather buchi babu is called “the father of cricket” in south india. what’s that like? At family gatherings it was cool hearing the stories. In India there are tournaments and fields named in his honor. Growing up in the U.S., it was tough to comprehend his impact. He played a big role in getting the British to play with Indians. He might be compared with others who broke racial barriers in sport.
at duke, you majored in u.s. history, correct? Yes. And I think it’s interesting how the totality of what’s going on in society can be reflected in sport. The 1960s in America had everything—civil rights, war, assassinations, beatniks, the rise of color TV. A paper I wrote on Arnold Palmer incorporated a good deal of it. ●
how’d you celebrate your first euro tour win in denmark? I was supposed to catch a train to Copenhagen to catch a flight to Prague, but I was in the last group, so that wasn’t going to work. My manager arranged for me to share a jet with John Daly and his fiancee to the next event. I got McDonald’s on the way to the airfield, then had a few glasses of champagne with a legend.
any less-glorious travel stories? I’ve had my share of stomach-related incidents and once had lost luggage four weeks in a row, including my clubs before the Open Championship. [Suri’s bag surfaced on the eve of his first major championship, just in time to shoot 74-72.] But I know I’m fortunate to be seeing the world. ●
have any strong opinions about pro golf? Players always talk about whether a course is good or bad. I believe our job isn’t to assess, but to compete. Above all, I respect athletes who show total commitment. You can say [NBA AllStar] Russell Westbrook takes too many shots, but there’s no doubt he gives his all. I try to bring that same intensity to golf. Though that doesn’t mean I’m going to slap the fairway after a good shot. ●
biggest lesson learned? Even the best have weaknesses, but their preparedness is on another level. Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose—they treat every event like they plan to win. My job is to now see these guys as colleagues, not stars.
march 2018 | golf digest india
59
Newsmakers
PLAYERS IN THE NEWS Furyk names Tiger as Ryder Cup vice-captain
U
nited States captain Jim Furyk has named Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker as his vice-captains for the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in Paris. America, who beat Europe in 2016 at Hazeltine, will attempt to retain the trophy from September 28 to 30. Furyk had already named former captain Davis Love III as his first assistant. “To win in Paris will be a great challenge. To have Steve and Tiger share the journey is important for me and for American golf,” Furyk said. “Their knowledge and experience will be an invaluable resource in our effort to retain the Ryder Cup.” In last week’s Genesis Open, Woods
- who has not played in the Ryder Cup since the 2012 matches at Medinah - said he would be open to the role of a “playing vice-captain” despite missing the cut. This will mark Woods’ second appearance as a vice-captain, having been an assistant to Love in the 2016 victory alongside Furyk, Stricker and Tom Lehman. “I’d like to do what’s best for Tiger,” Furyk added. “If he could be valuable as a player, I’m sure we would want him playing on this team but I’m anxious to see how he plays this year.” The US have not won in Europe since 1993 at The Belfry and face a European team led by Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn, who was appointed as captain in December.
“I’D LIKE TO DO WHAT’S BEST FOR TIGER. IF HE COULD BE VALUABLE AS A PLAYER, I’M SURE WE WOULD WANT HIM PLAYING ON THIS TEAM BUT I’M ANXIOUS TO SEE HOW HE PLAYS THIS YEAR.” — JIM FURYK, USA CAPTAIN 60 golf digest india | march 2018
EX-SPINNER MURALI KARTIK SINKS HOLE-IN-ONE Avid golfer and former India spinner Murali Kartik sank a rare hole-in-one on the 12th hole of Delhi Golf Club during the US$ 400,000 Panasonic Open India
Newsmakers Professional Golf Tour of India Bangladesh golfer Siddikur Rahman
TOP-10 ON PGTI ORDER OF MERIT AFTER COCHIN MASTERS POS
Golfer
Play
Win
Cut
Top-10
Total Prize (`)
1.
Syed Saqib Ahmed
2
1
1
1
6,00,000
2.
Honey Baisoya
2
0
2
2
5,00,500
3.
Shankar Das
2
0
2
1
3,33,640
4.
M Dharma
2
0
2
2
3,20,420
5.
Shamim Khan
2
0
2
1
2,24,780
6.
Abhijit Chadha
1
0
1
1
2,19,920
7.
Kapil Kumar
2
0
2
1
1,87,760
8.
Arjun Prasad
2
0
2
2
1,85,000
9.
Ankur Chadha
2
0
2
1
1,84,560
10.
Veer Ahlawat
2
0
2
1
1,76,600
Saqib breaks into the winner’s circle
SIDDIKUR RAHMAN REIGNS SUPREME ON HOME TURF
Bangladeshi hero Siddikur Rahman returned to winning ways when he cruised to a four-shot victory at the inaugural US$60,000 City Bank American Express Dhaka Open on January 27. The 33-year-old took advantage of his home course knowledge as he shot a two-under-par 70 to win his second Asian Development Tour (ADT) title at the Kurmitola Golf Club. He also won his first ADT event here in 2011. Sweden’s Malcolm Kokocinski posted a 67 to finish in second place while Shankar Das of India, who trailed overnight leader Siddikur by two shots, settled for third after returning with a disappointing 73. Siddikur ended a 5-year title drought following his second Asian Tour win at the 2013 Hero Indian Open. Since then, he has struggled with a serious back injury but believes this victory will provide an extra spring in his step ahead of a busy 2018 Asian Tour Schedule. “I’m very excited with this win because it was a great week and my short game was really good,” said Siddikur, who totalled 14-underpar 274. “This win will definitely help me in 2018 and I look forward to a busy season on the Asian Tour.”
Youngster wins by 3 shots after surviving a few anxious moments towards the end Bengaluru’s Syed Saqib Ahmed, the overnight leader, wasn’t expected to have an easy ride to victory in Kochi last month as it was still uncharted territory for him. And it turned out, the 23-year-old did survive a few anxious moments towards the end of round 4 of the PGTI Cochin Masters before signing off with a gritty even-par-72 that helped him break into the winner’s circle on the PGTI. Saqib triumphed by three shots as his total score read 10-under-278 at the Rs. 40 lakh event. The hard-fought win, his first as a professional, earned him a prize cheque of Rs. 6 lakh and took him to the top of the 2018 PGTI Order of Merit. Delhi’s Honey Baisoya carded the day’s joint-best score of 67 to finish runner-up at 7-under-281. “The bogeys on 15 and 16 put me in a tricky position, just one ahead of Honey. … I told myself just to play one shot at a time. The birdies on the last two holes came just at the right time. I couldn’t have asked for anything more at that point,” a relieved Saqib said.
WASIM KHAN WINS 2018 Q-SCHOOL 38 players earn full cards for 2018 season Delhi’s Wasim Khan (74-7171-73) won the PGTI’s Final Qualifying Stage for the 2018 season being held at Kensville Golf & Country Club near Ahmedabad. Wasim’s final round of 1-over 73 saw him end up with a tournament tally of 1-over 289 which helped him post a oneshot victory over Australia’s Kunal Bhasin (75-67-75-73). The 26-ye ar- old said, “The key to my success this week was the fact that I just enjoyed myself out there. Today, I didn’t
Syed Saqib Ahmed
Bengaluru’s M Dharma, like Baisoya, fired the day’s joint-best score of 67, to finish tied-third (5-under-283) along with Chandigarh’s Abhijit Singh Chadha (73). Gurgaon-based Ankur Chadha closed the week in fifth place at 4-under-284. Wasim Khan
really go for the pins but played regulation golf. It was a plan that had worked for me over the first 3 days as well. “My driving and putting were solid. The exceptional up and down for bogey from 40 yards out on the 17th really helped my cause towards the end as the victory margin was just one shot. “I’ll take a lot of confidence from this week into the 2018 season.” At the end of Round 4, the top 38 players earned their cards for the 2018 PGTI season as the cut in the final round went at 13-over 301. The list
included 6 amateurs. There were also 8 foreigners among the 38 players who earned their full cards. The foreigners included 3 Bangladeshis, 2 South Africans, 1 Australian, 1 American and 1 Nepali.
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Newsmakers Hero Indian Open Preview
Bjørn, ‘Beef’ to debut at Hero Indian Open
Hero Indian Open
Prize fund: US$ 1.75 million Winner’s cheque: US$ 291,660 Venue: DLF Golf & Country Club, Gurgaon Date: March 8 to 11
R
yder Cup captain Thomas Bjørn and English sensation Andrew ‘Beef ’ Johnston will make their debuts at the US$ 1.75 million Hero Indian Open to be held from March 8 to 11 this month. The only European Tour event in the country is likely to have the strongest-ever field with PGA Tour winner and Presidents Cup player Emiliano Grillo from Argentina confirming his participation. The 54th edition of the tournament is also likely to see a solid Indian line-up including the likes of home favourite Shubhankar Sharma, PGA Tour regular Anirban Lahiri, defending champion SSP Chawrasia and stalwarts Jeev Milkha Singh, Jyoti Randhawa and Arjun Atwal among others. The Asian Tour co-sanctioned event will make a return to the challenging Gary Player layout of the DLF Golf & Country Club in Gurgaon for second year in a row. Bjørn, who has 21 wins worldwide includ-
62 golf digest india | march 2018
The Hero Indian Open has become a very important stop on the European and Asian Tours. Besides attracting global stars, it has been a platform for upcoming younger professionals not only from all over Asia and Europe but also India to make a mark for themselves.”
— Satish Aparajit, President, Indian Golf Union
Hero Indian Open Preview Newsmakers
Above: SSP Chawrasia will be hoping to complete a hat-trick of Hero Indian Open titles this month Left: A panoramic view of the 17th hole at the DLF Golf & Country Club in Gurgaon
English golfer Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston (left) and European Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjørn (top) are set to compete in the Hero India Open
The support of Hero MotoCorp has helped this tournament to go from strength to strength. Our thanks go to Mr. Pawan Munjal and his team for their continued support of Indian Golf and in particular this event, which has proved to be of real benefit to emerging local golfers who have had the opportunity to grow their careers on the European Tour.”
Keith Waters, European Tour COO
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Newsmakers
L-R: Hero MotoCorp Advisor (Sports) J. Narain, Indian Golf Union President Wg Cdr Satish Aparajit, EurAsia Cup Senior Director Charlie Tingey and DLF Golf & Country Club VP-Operations Vishal Bharti at the curtain raiser press conference for the 2018 Hero Indian Open
ing 15 on European Tour, led a strong European team last month to a fine win over Asia in the EurAsia Cup in Malaysia. The highest-ranked Indian player in the tournament is Shubhankar Sharma, who with two European Tour wins in less than two months, has broken into the top-100. Being a DLF Golf & Country Club member, fans will have high expectations from the Panchkula-based pro. “I am very happy that the Hero Indian Open is happening at my home club DLF Golf & Country Club. DLF have been supporting me for the last 5 years. We had a great winner in SSP Chawrasia last year and I really hope we can have another Indian winner this time too. Best of luck to all participants,” Sharma said. Two-time Asian Tour No. 1, Jeev, felt good distance control will be the key at the demanding 7,657-yard layout. “I am very excited to be playing my national open, the Hero Indian Open, at the DLF Golf & Country Club. It is a demanding golf course. You need to have good distance control and mental strength to win a tournament there. I would like to thank Mr. Pawan Munjal for sponsoring the event and making the game grow in the country. I will like to wish all my fellow competitors the best, enjoy the week,” Jeev said in a video interview. Kapur, who has been in the form of his life pocketing 3 international crowns in 2017, expects another Indian victory at the European Tour event. “It’s great to have a strong Indian participation in the event with most golfers in form. 2017 was a great season having so many Indians win. Coming to the Indian Open, expecting an Indian winner again. We are at a golden period for Indian golf, where Indians are either the favourites or under-
64 golf digest india | march 2018
Delhi golfers Rashid Khan (left) and Shiv Kapur
We are pleased to extend our association with the Hero Indian Open, which we have been associated with for the past 12 years. Our long-term commitment to support golf has been vindicated by the rising popularity of the game in India and the number of young Indian players making their mark on the global golfing circuit. Over the years, the Hero Indian Open has grown immensely in stature and attracted some of the best talent from around the world. With one of the strongest-ever field this year, I am sure this edition will be as exciting as the previous ones.”
— Pawan Munjal, Chairman, MD & CEO, Hero MotoCorp
dogs, that is a fantastic feeling,” Kapur said. World No. 78 Lahiri will try to reclaim the Hero Indian Open trophy that he won in 2015. The tournament will also see seasoned pros Mukesh Kumar, Chiragh Kumar, Gaganjeet Bhullar trying their best to take advantage of home conditions. Chawrasia will be attempting the firstever hat-trick of wins in the 54-year long history of the tournament. Chawrasia had finished runner-up at the Hero Indian Open on 4 occasions - in 1999, 2006, 2013 and 2015 - before pipping countryman Anirban Lahiri and Korea’s Jeunghun Wang to take the coveted title for the first time in 2016. He successfully retained his title last year to register his fourth European Tour win. Past champion Thongchai Jaidee and Ryder Cupper Chris Wood, who won the 2016 BMW PGA Championships, are also in the field. A final list of confirmations will be available closer to the event.
The DLF Golf & Country Club is delighted to welcome the Hero Indian Open back for the second successive year. The Gary Player course has proved to be a good test of golf and the maintenance team is working hard to present the course in pristine conditions. We look forward to welcoming all players, officials and spectators to the tournament.”
— Aakash Ohri, Sr. Executive Director, DLF Home Developers Ltd.
Newsmakers
Julian Suri
RISING STAR JULIAN SURI CONFIRMS PARTICIPATION
PGA Tour regular Anirban Lahiri will be a big attraction at the US$ 1.75 million event
indians at the hero indian open (2013-17) year
prize money
in top 10
made cut
2017
$1.75 million
2
15
2016
$1.66 million
5
21
2015
$1.5 million
2
15
2014 2013
no event $1.25 million
— 4
— 22
highest rank ssp chawrasia (1st; earning $291,660) ssp chawrasia (1st; earning - $276,660) anirban lahiri (1st; earning - $250,000) — anirban lahiri (2nd; earning - $106,429)
Julian Suri, an American golfer of Indian origin, currently ranked 70th in the world has confirmed that he will be teeing off at the Hero Indian Open this month. It will be his second appearance at the Hero Indian Open. He first played it in 2013, when he had just turned pro and he missed the cut. In the time since, he has matured into a fine golfer who commands a lot of attention. “I loved playing the Hero Indian Open and want to do it again.” The 26-year-old Floridian caught the attention of golf fans around the world with his incredible rise in 2017. He was one of the biggest movers on the Official World Golf Rankings. Suri rose from 1,137 at the end of 2016 to 63rd at the end of 2017. A year before that, he was 1,711 in world rankings at the end of 2016. This rise of over 1,500 places in 2 years and over 1,000 places in 2017 alone made him the golfer to watch. During this period he also won a title each on the European Challenge Tour (2017 D+D Real Czech Challenge) and on the European Tour (2017 Made in Denmark). That has now given him an exempt status on the European Tour. The 6’1” golfer has had some excellent results of late. In late 2017 after his breakthrough win in Denmark, he was T-8 in three events - Valderrama Masters, Turkish Airlines Open and the seasonending DP World Tour Championships. His rise in world rankings has also opened the doors to the US PGA Tour, where he earned himself 3 starts at the start of 2018 and made the cut in 2 of them as he began to find his feet there. Suri, whose ancestors hail from erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, has a very interesting Indian connection. His father Jagan Suryanarayan played cricket but it was tennis that he excelled in and played at a time when the likes of Vijay Amritraj and Ramesh Krishnan were the big names in Indian tennis. Later Jagan also worked in the business of developing golf courses when he went to the US. His grandfather also played cricket. Suri’s mother, Lorena, is a graphic designer and hails from Mexico. march 2018 | golf digest india
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Newsmakers
Ladies European Tour (LET) players, when not grinding on the faiways, choose a variety of avenues to unwind. Here they are seen indulging in multifarious activities prior to the Australian Ladies Classic in Bonville, New South Wales
American pro Cheyenne Woods with a wallaby during a trip to the National Zoo and Aquarium in Canberra
Olafia Kristinsdottir of Iceland tries her hand at paddle boarding
WOMEN PROS HAVE FUN DOWN UNDER
Hannah Green of Australia makes her surfing debut at Coffs Harbour
Morocco’s Maha Haddioui and Sharmila Nicollet of India have fun with a sea lion at Dolphin Magic Marine
66 golf digest india | march 2018
L-R: Players Camille Chevalier, Chloe Leurquin, Christine Wolf and Casey Danielson try out the slide at the Big Banana
Newsmakers
Players visit the Forest Sky Pier at Sealy Look Out
Scotland’s Carly Booth is engrossed in a paddle boarding session
Australian Rebecca Artis enjoys surfing at Coffs Harbour
Images: Tristan Jones/Ladies European Tour
march 2018 | golf digest india
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Newsmakers
TOP-10 ON WGAI ORDER OF MERIT AFTER LEG 4
Women’s Golf
FLAWLESS TVESA WINS OXFORD EVENT
Gurgaon’s 21-year-old Tvesa Malik turned in the best card of the week to run away a comfortable winner in the fourth leg of the Hero’s Women’s Pro Golf Tour on February 16. Tvesa, who turned pro last year and won twice in 8 starts, shot 2-under 70 to finish at 6-over 222 and win by four shots over Suchitra Ramesh (74) at Oxford Golf Resort, Pune. Overnight co-leaders Saaniya Sharma (76) and Neha Tripathi (77) faded away on the final day and ended third and fourth, respectively, at 227 and 228. Tvesa hit the spotlight Tvesa Malik midway through the last season, which was her rookie year. She won twice in the seventh leg at Bengaluru and then in the 12th at Delhi Golf Club. In each of the first three legs this year, she finished inside Top-3. She was T-3rd at Kalhaar Blues & Greens Ahmedabad, T-2nd at BPGC Mumbai and third at Poona Golf Club. With the win in Oxford, Tvesa also zoomed to the top of the Hero Order of Merit with Rs. 3,72,000 from four starts, displacing the erstwhile leader Gursimar Badwal (Rs. 3,29,300). Neha Tripathi sits third with Rs. 3,16,400.
VANI STARTS SEASON WITH TWO-SHOT WIN
POS
Golfer
Play
Win
Total Prize (`)
1.
Tvesa Malik
4
1
3,72,000
2.
Gursimar Badwal
4
1
3,29,300
3.
Neha Tripathi
4
0
3,16,400
4.
Saaniya Sharma
4
0
2,37,200
5.
Smriti Mehra
4
0
2,08,700
6.
Suchitra Ramesh
3
0
1,47,400
7.
Sharmila Nicollet
1
1
1,44,000
8.
Afshan Fatima
4
0
1,35,400
9.
Vani Kapoor
1
1
1,26,000
10.
Siddhi Kapoor
3
0
1,19,300
Sharmila Nicollet with the winner’s cheque at BPGC
Vani Kapoor
Vani Kapoor played a flawless back nine to carve out a win in the first leg of the 2018 Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour on January 18. Vani, who won four titles in six starts in 2017, carded an even par 72 to finish 5-over 221 and edge out Saaniya Sharma by two shots. Saaniya shot 1-over 73 which included a costly double bogey on par-5 14th hole. She also had a bogey earlier on 11th hole. Gursimar Badwal finished third in a tie with Tvesa Malik as both shot 73 each and also finished on the same total of 226. Vani picked up a winner’s cheque worth Rs. 1,26,000 while Saaniya earned Rs. 1,02,000.
SHARMILA ENDS 18-MONTH TITLE DROUGHT Sharmila Nicollet took a tough route to end her 18-month title drought as she beat Neha Tripathi in the play-off in the second leg of the 2018 Hero WPGT on January 25. Sharmila, whose last win came in August 2016 in Hyderabad, shot 2-under 68 despite a hiccup at the very end with bogeys on 17th and 18th. Neha Tripathi, who was two shots behind overnight leader Gursimar Badwal and two shots ahead of Sharmila, carded even par 70 to end in a tie at 4-over 214. The 26-year-old Bengalurean then pulled through in the play-off on the 18th, courtesy an eagle, for a well-deserved win. “I allowed things to get to me at the end
Gursimar Badwal
STEADY GURSIMAR WINS THIRD LEG
and I was disappointed to drop those bogeys (on 17th and 18th). However I just kept those thoughts aside in the play-off.” She added, “It is a big weight off my head, as I was winless for long and 2017 was a barren year. But now that period is over and I am happy with the progress in my game. I have worked very hard over last few months and I am confident of playing on Ladies Asian and Ladies European Tours also. I have a few events lined up including two in Australia and others.” Tvesa Malik (69) and Gursimar Badwal (74) were Tied-third at 216, while Gaurika Bishnoi finally found form and rhythm to card 2-under 68 and she was fifth at 218.
Gursimar Badwal played a steady final round even as others faltered on the last day of the third leg of Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour at the Poona Golf Club on February 9. Gursimar, who won 2 titles and finished fourth on the Hero WPGT Order of Merit last season, shot 1-over 72 to get to a total of 5-over 218 and emerged winner by three strokes over Neha Tripathi (75). Gursimar and Neha had shared the lead after the second day but the former ensured fewer mistakes and a far steadier round than all others in the field. Gursimar’s round of 72 was by far the best of the day. The next best card came from Neha, who shot 75 and ended at 8-over 221. Tvesa Malik, Ayesha Kapur and Saaniya Sharma finished third to fifth.
68 golf digest india | march 2018
G AM TIVE • GRO W T NITA HE
Pune and New Delhi showed up to play on the course which has been developed along the banks of river Kadwa. The facility has been constructed by retired Air Force serviceman Pradeep Bagmar. The idea to build a golf course – available to everyone, and especially children – first occurred to Bagmar post his retirement from the Air Force in 2001, when he was helping market products for golf course irrigation. He covered over 25 courses in the country over 7 years, including private and public properties, and this inspired him to make use of 100 acres of his own land in Niphad, 40km away from Nashik.
FD E • G O L I G E ST I ND
Riverside Golf Course inaugurated its revamped 9-hole golf course on February 18. LT Gen RS Salaria (Commandant, School of Artillery Deolali) was the chief guest, while former Director General of Indian Golf Union (IGU) AK Singh was special invitee. Air Cmde RP Gaindhar and Air Cmde S Borade were present as guests of honour. Fully equipped now with driving range, golf sets, trained caddies and an IGU-trained coach, Riverside Golf Course also has a pro shop that meets the requirements of players. Further, a training program for children between the age of 8 and 20 has been designed. More than 40 golfers from Deolali, Nashik,
GAM
Golfing In India’s Wine Capital
• ITATIVE GROW THE N I IA
IA I
Nashik
E • GO L F DI GE S T I ND
Promoting Golf
Kolkata
GOLFERS MAKE MERRY AT SKILL COMPETITION The 9-hole Riverside Golf Course was inaugurated on February 18
KOREANS ENJOY A GOLF DAY OUT Korean Association Pune celebrated ‘Seollal’ (first day of the Korean lunar calendar, marking the Korean New Year) at Oxford Golf Resort with their annual Korean Association Golf Tournament 2018 on February 11. 100 par ticipants played the tournament while a total of 500 invitees joined the celebration with traditional Korean games, painting and writing competition and an enjoyable cultural program. Song Sung Ju won the men’s event, finishing two over the course, while Jung Su took the home the women’s trophy playing 16 over the course. Dignitaries at the event were Soungeun Kim - Consul General of the Republic of Korea; Sangman Shim - Chairman, The United Korean Association in India; Baekkyu Kim India Chapter Chairman, NUAC South West Asia Chapter; Dongwon Lee Head of Kotra, Mumbai; and Jeonghee Park - India Chapter member, NUAC South West Asia Chapter.
To share news about initiatives to promote golf across the country, please email karthik@rnsportsmarketing.com
100 Koreans played golf at Oxford Golf Resort, in what was a novel way to attract new individuals to the sport
Eco Park Golf Arena, Kolkata, saw a commendable turnout for the 987th Golftrade-Protouch Skill Competition on February 10 -1 1. The driven crowd, which comprised corporate professionals, was all set to try their swing at the two-day event that tested their chipping and putting skills. Neil Law, CEO, Himalayan Footprints, who is the Head Coach at the Eco Park Golf Club, personally looked over the event’s success. Organised by Golftrade.net, the competition was intended to generate enthusiasm towards golf and it turned out to be a huge success. Golftrade primarily works as a platform for those who are just starting out and need practice equipment, or for those who cannot afford to spend too much on a golf set.
march 2018 | golf digest india
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Across The Country
CLUB ROUND-UP
To share news on your club or updates from across the country, please email karthik@rnsportsmarketing.com
Pune
BPGC Emerge Grover Vineyards Inter-Club Champs
Bombay Presidency Golf Club members celebrate their Grover Vineyards Inter-Club victory at Poona Golf Club
Bombay Presidency Golf Club (BP G C) g olfer s pro duce d another good collective performance and emerged champions in the 22nd edition of the Grover Zampa Vineyard Inter-Club Golf Championship at Poona Golf Club on February 18. BPGC, who last won the event in 2014, trailed threetime winners and defending champions United Services Club (USC) by one point (20-21) at the end of day one, but scored 20 points on the following day to clinch the two-day event with
a total 40. Aiming to win their fourth successive title, USC started day two with a slender advantage but could score only 14.5 points, for an overall score of 35.5, and had to settle for second place. Hosts Poona Golf Club (PGC), who had lost just once in their own backyard, cam third with 19.5 points despite being at the bottom of the leaderboard on day one. And with 19 points, Willingdon SC (WSC) finished last in this four-team contest. The race for the title was between USC and BPGC as the
clubs ran each other close over the course of the foursomes. BP GC earned a crucial half point lead when the pair of Rahul Nigam and Bunny Gandoak defeated the WSC duo of Shabbir Rawjee and Krishna Kilachand. Amit Nigam and Rishi Khera won their encounter against USC’s Keshav Mishra and Dharmesh Karani, while Divesh Wadhawan and Viren Ahuja saw Bombay home by winning their tie against the PGC’s Manish Jaitha and Faizal Khimjibhai.
SCORES (DAY 1 + DAY 2) BPGC: 20 + 20 (Singles 4.5; Foursomes: 5.5; Fourballs: 10.00) USC: 21 + 14.5 (Singles 4.00; Foursomes: 4.0; Fourballs: 6.5) PGC: 8 + 11.5 (Singles 5.5; Foursomes: 3.0; Fourballs: 3.00) WSC: 11 + 8 (Singles 0.00; Foursomes: 1.0; Fourballs: 7.00)
Pune
Oxford Golf Resort appoints Degenhart as coach
Oxford Golf Resort, Pune, welcomed PGA of America Life Member Larry Degenhart on board as Performance Director of the Leadbetter Golf Academy. A Master Clubfitter, Degenhart is a former US PGA Tour professional and brings with him over four decades of coaching experience. The Dallas native’s expertise and wealth of knowledge certainly make him indispensable, not just to the academy, but to aspiring golfers around the country as well. Degenhart joins the team in India, headed by Academy Director Laurence Brotheridge. Larry Degenhart
70 golf digest india | march 2018
Across The Country
Kolkata
Century-old club stages 6th Calcutta Ladies Open The Calcutta Ladies Golf Club (CLGC) organized the 6th edition of Calcutta Ladies Open at Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC) on February 6-8. The event saw over 65 participants, including those from other cities. Finishing with a gross score of 240, Geetika Ahuja won the 54-hole championship and hoisted the RCGC Cup (silver division). Manavi Mehta finished in second place (gross score of 250). Rasna Bhandari was the gross winner in the bronze division with a gross score of 299.
The tournament concluded with a grand prize distribution ceremony followed by cocktail and dinner. Instituted in 1891, CLGC was affiliated to the Ladies Golf Union and came in to real importance in 1906 when they organized the All India Ladies Amateur Golf Championship. The club is one of the oldest ladies golf clubs in the world and the first of its kind to be established, controlled and managed independently by lady golfers on their own separate premises.
L-R: Bronze division winner Rasna Bhandari, Calcutta Ladies Golf Club Captain Divya Lal and silver division winner Geetika Ahuja after completion of the 6th Calcutta Ladies Open Amateur Golf Championship at RCGC
Kolkata
Tollygunge conducts NGAI Refresher Course
Renowned US pro Fred Funk at the RCGC in Kolkata
Kolkata
The Tollygunge Club conducted a NGAI Refresher Course on January 22-24. The programme, which saw 32 coaches attend, was held at Tolly Airtel Golf Centre. Among key speakers were Mrs Malini Sarkar. who led the session on Sports Psychology, and fitness expert Anwar Wahab who conducted a session on Sports Fitness. Satbinder Singh of Indian Golf Union (IGU) was also present. Located in Chandigarh, National Golf Academy of India (NGAI) is the first accredited programme for teaching professionals in the country. The programme is supported by Indian Golf Union (IGU), The R&A and the PGA of Europe.
Malini Sarkar presided over the sports psychology session
Fitness expert Anwar Wahab shares tips with golfers
US legend Fred Funk enjoys golf at RCGC Fred Funk, the famous US Pro, played at Royal Calcutta Golf Club last month along with a group of American billionaires. An 8-time winner on the PGA Tour, Funk’s biggest win came in 2005 when he captured The Players Championship. In the process, he became (and remains) the oldest winner of the tournament. Funk is generally regarded as one of the shortest drivers on Tour but was always at or near the top of the driving accuracy statistics. Many of his competitors consider him as perhaps the straightest driver to ever play golf.
Golfers pose with coach Indrajit Bhalotia (extreme left) before the NGAI Refresher course at Tollygunge Club
march 2018 | golf digest india
71
Junior Golf
know your future stars Meet the 5 Indians headed to the Faldo Series Asia Final in Vietnam
meet pranavi
“Fitness is very important for me and I spend 1 hour on fitness each day”
Name: Pranavi S. Urs Date of Birth: April 15, 2003 Residence: Mysore Home Club: JWGC Mysore Handicap: 2 IGU Ranking: 3rd Notable Achievements: 832 World Amateur Golf Ranking Ranked 3rd in the Order of Merit 2017/18 Favourite food: Butter Chicken, pasta, famous Mysore Sports Club biryani Favourite music: Soft music which is relaxing Favourite Movie: Humble Politician Nograj Favourite courses/ golf destination: Karnataka Golf Association (Bengaluru) and Liverpool Golf Club (Liverpool, UK) Lucky colour: Blue Favourite golf game/s: SSGC Favourite golf apps: Edufii Favourite golf souvenir: Golf caps and pitch markers
GDI: When did you start playing golf? What/who inspired you to take up the sport? I took to golf at the age of 6. I was inspired by my brother and my father GDI: Do any of your family members play golf? Yes. My cousins do GDI: What is your ultimate goal in the sport? My ultimate goal is to play on the LPGA. I would also like to win medals at the Olympics GDI: At what age do you see yourself turning pro? I hope to turn pro at 18
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GDI: What do you love most about golf? I love everything about Golf!! GDI: Your coach/ instructor? How many hours do you practice? My coach is Steven Guiliano. He is from Australia. I practice 6 hours every day. GDI: How important is fitness for you and how many hours do you dedicate for it? Fitness is very important for me and I spend 1 hour on fitness each day
what’s in my bag Driver - Titleist and TaylorMade M4 Woods - Titleist Irons - Srixon Z series Wedges - Titleist Putter - Ping Accessories - Titleist bag, regular tan creams
Junior Golf
“I started playing in 2012. My grandfather (Mr. Vijay Mehta) is my inspiration.” meet raghav Name: Raghav Chugh Date of Birth: Dec. 25, 2002 Residence: New Delhi Home club: Delhi Golf Club Handicap: 0 IGU Ranking: 1st Notable Achievements: Qualified for Faldo Series Asia Grand Final 1st position – 9th Albatross International Junior Golf Championship (2017) 1st position – IGU Yes Bank All India Junior Boys & Girls Championship 2017 Youngest Indian to have WAGR (World Amateur Golf Ranking) in 2016 Favourite food: Butter Chicken Favourite music: EDM Favourite movie: Bhaag Milkha Bhaag Favourite courses/golf destination: Delhi Golf Club, ITC Classic Golf Resort and St. Andrews, Scotland Lucky colour: Blue Favourite golf apps: Up Game Favourite golf souvenir: A Turnberry cap
what’s in my bag Driver - Taylormade M1 Woods - Taylormade M2 Irons - Big Fish Wedges - Big Fish Putter - Ping answer2 Accessories - Gloves, foot Joy, Ball titleist prov1X
GDI: When did you start playing golf? What/ who inspired you to take up the sport? I started playing in 2012. My grandfather (Mr. Vijay Mehta) is my inspiration GDI: Do any of your family members play golf? Yes, my grandfather – Mr. Vijay Mehta GDI: What is your ultimate goal in the sport? I aspire to Represent India in international tournaments GDI: At what age do you see yourself turning pro? I haven’t given it any thought just yet
GDI: What do you love most about golf? The short Game GDI: Your coach/instructor? How many hours do you practice? My coaches are Romit Bose and Vikram Sethi. I practice for about 10 hours a week GDI: How important is fitness for you and how many hours do you dedicate for it? Fitness is very important. I devote about 45 minutes every day
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Junior Golf
“When I play golf, I’m at peace and the joy that I get is priceless.” meet rahul Name: Rahul Ajay Date of Birth: October 9, 2000 Residence: Hyderabad Home Club: Hyderabad Golf Association Handicap: 0 IGU Ranking:15 Notable Achievements: 1st Position – U.S. Kids Golf World Championship 5th Position – World Stars of Junior Golf 2nd Position – Thailand Masters Favourite food: Pizza Favourite music: Hip Hop/EDM Favourite movie: The Greatest Game Ever Played Favourite courses/golf destination: Torrey Pines South Lucky colour: Orange/white Favourite golf game/s: The only golf game I ever play is on the course Favourite golf apps: Blast Motion Golf Favourite golf souvenir: Old golf clubs
GDI: When did you start playing golf? What/who inspired you to take up the sport? I started playing golf at the age of 11. My dad inspired me to take up the sport, although I didn’t like it much when I started off. GDI: Do any of your family members play golf? Yes, my father and my brother GDI: What is your ultimate goal in the sport? To win majors GDI: What do you love most about golf? I get to compete against myself. I feel that’s the best part of golf. When I play golf, I’m at peace and the joy that I get is priceless
GDI: At what age do you see yourself turning pro? Hopefully, by the age of 20 GDI: Your coach/instructor? How many hours do you practice? Indrajit Bhalotia is my coach, and he’s been my biggest inspiration. He’s a wonderful person too. I don’t think I would be where I am right now without him. We practice 22 hours a week. GDI: How important is fitness for you and how many hours do you dedicate for it? Fitness is key. Without it, there’s no golf. It keeps me in form and in shape. I work-out for an hour a day, seven days a week
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what’s in my bag Drivers - Titleist 917 D2 Woods - Titleist 917 F2 Irons - Titleist CB 5-9, Titleist T-MB (4-iron) Wedges - Titleist 46°, 50°, 54°, 60° Putter - Scotty Cameron Newport 2 Accessories - Titleist caps, gloves, balls and bag
Junior Golf
“My coach is Jesse Grewal. I practice for about 30 hours a week” meet sifat Name: Sifat Alag Date of Birth: December 2, 1997 Residence: New Delhi Home Club: Jaypee Greens Handicap: 4 IGU Ranking: 6th Notable Achievements: 1st Position – 2016 Nepal Faldo qualifier 4th Position – 2016 World Masters of Amateur Golf (USA) Semifinalist – 2017 All India Ladies Amateur Favourite food: Pizza tops the list Favourite music: Coldplay Favourite courses: Kalhaar Blues & Greens (Ahmedabad) and Torrey Pines (USA) Lucky colour: Don’t have a lucky colour, but grey is my favourite
GDI: When did you start playing golf? What/who inspired you to take up the sport? At the age of 8; Started going with my father to Siri Fort range before school
what’s in my bag Drivers - Callaway XR 16 Rescue - Ping G20 Irons - Callaway Apex Wedges - Titleist SM5 Putter - Nike Method Accessories - Scooby Doo head cover, rain jacket
GDI: Do any of your family members play golf? My father, my maternal grandfather and my sister GDI: What is your ultimate goal in the sport? To play good golf and represent the country at the highest level GDI: At what age do you see yourself turning pro? 22, may be
GDI: What do you love most about golf? The way it has made me the person that I am today. GDI: Your coach/instructor? How many hours do you practice? My coach is Jesse Grewal. I dedicate about 30 hours a week GDI: How important is fitness for you? Fo r m e, i t ’s e x t r e m e l y important to stay fit and I dedicate good amount of time for it, keeping in mind my studies and golf schedule
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Junior Golf
“I started playing golf at the age of 10. My father inspired me to take up the sport.” meet surya kumar Name: K. Surya Kumar Date of Birth: April 7, 1998 Residence: Coimbatore Home club: Coimbatore Golf Club Handicap: -1 IGU Ranking: 23rd Notable Achievements: 4th-ranked Jharkhand amateur Quarterfinalist in All India Amateur Championship 2017 Favourite food: Pasta Favourite music: EDM/ Hip Hop Favourite movie: Avengers series Favourite courses/golf destination: Pebble Beach and St. Andrews Lucky colour: Black Favourite golf games: Triangle Drill and Two-Ball Worst Ball Favourite golf apps: PGA Tour app Favourite golf souvenir: Head covers
GDI: When did you start playing golf? What/who inspired you to take up the sport? I started playing golf at the age of 10. My father inspired me to take up the sport GDI: Do any of your family members play golf? Yes, my father does GDI: What is your ultimate goal in the sport? To become a PGA Tour player GDI: At what age do you see yourself turning pro? At the age of 22
GDI: What do you love most about golf? The unpredictability of each day GDI: Your coach/instructor? How many hours do you practice? Steven Guliano is my coach and I put in 5 to 6 hours daily GDI: How important is fitness for you and how many hours do you dedicate for it? It is very important, and I spend an hour every day on fitness
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what’s in my bag Drivers - Callaway XR pro Woods - Callaway Epic (3-Wood) Irons - Titleist CB series Wedges - Titleist SM6 Putter- Odyssey Accessories - Ping bag, Nike shoes, Titleist cap, Titleist golf balls
Junior Golf
9-Year-Old Prarthana Swinging It Right
A
t the age of 6, Prarthana Khanna’s parents wondered which sport she would pur sue. Initial attemp t s at swimming and tennis proved futile. It was the opening of Hamoni’s stand-alone golf facility in 2014 that drew the youngster to golf. “During her first ever practice session, she enjoyed getting the ball up in the air,” says father and caddy Puneet, a New Delhi based High Court lawyer who has been credited with supporting Prarthana at every step thus far. In 2016, the Gurgaon junior made her way into competitive golf and won 3 times on the Albatross Tour. The following year, she notched up another three wins. In recognition of her efforts, and finishes atop the order of merit, Prarthana was awarded the Albatross Junior Tour Player of the Year for both 2016 and 2017. Winning the OOM made the soft-spoken Prarthana eligible for the True Visions International Golf Tournament held at Suvarnabhumi Golf Club, Bangkok, in April 2017 where, in her age bracket, she finished fifth - the top four spots all went to Thai girls familiar with the layout. In the last two years, she has played and won over 50 tournaments on the Junior Master Series, Little Masters Junior Golf Tour and Champions Junior Golf Tour. While not on the golf course, Prarthana enjoys air-pistol shooting, having finished runner-up in the Under-15 category of the 1st South Delhi District Rifle Association late in October 2017. She will represent her state again in 2018.
The 9-year-old from Shri Ram School currently carries a 9-handicap and represents Manesar Golf Club. Coached by Abhishek Ahlawat at the Hamoni Golf Camp, she plays a full set of Callaway Xj Junior clubs customized for size. The young golfer is also focused on her fitness, beginning her day with yoga and stretching exercises. She follows this with skipping and, post her sessions on the course, concentrates on strengthening her core. Her ultimate aim is to turn professional and contribute to women’s golf in India. Career Highlights : Junior Master Series - Leg 2 (November 2017): Stood 1st 9th Albatross International Tournament (November 2017): Finished 2nd Junior Master Series - Leg 1: (October 2017): Stood 1st and won Gold Medal 87th Albatross Junior Golf Championship (October 2017): Stood 1st
Prarthana with her father Puneet Khanna
Diksha tops Queen Sirikit Cup trials
Talented teenager Diksha Dagar put up a commanding performance to top the trials for Queen Sirikit Cup. Diksha carded 1-over 289 in the best of four rounds to emerge the winner by a 5-stroke margin among 9 other girls. Pranavi Urs (294) was adjudged runners-up after beating Anika Verma (294) on the first playoff hole at the Jaypee Greens Golf & Spa Resort in Greater Noida. The trials consisted of five rounds, with the first two being staged at the Noida Golf Course. The Indian Golf Union (IGU) will soon announce a three-member team for the 40th edition of the multi-nation tournament to be staged from May 9 to 11 at the Thana City Golf & Sport Club in Thailand. Inaugurated in 1979, Queen Sirikit Cup is also known as Amateur Ladies Asia-Pacific Invitational Golf Team Championship. India’s best-ever individual finish came in 2011, when Delhi’s Gauri Monga came third. Last year the Indian team had finished 7th.
The 9 participants for Queen Sirikit Cup trials
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Business of Golf
R&A Seminar At 7th India Golf Expo
L-R: GCSMAI Secretary General Col. Pravin Uberoi (Retd.), Hony. Secy. Bangalore Golf Club Sreenivas Murthy, GIA President Devang Shah, Karnataka Golf Association President Sandeep Madhavan R. and RNSM MD Rishi Narain at the curtain raiser press conference at KGA, Bengaluru
T
he R&A will host a free-toattend seminar in India that will provide the most comprehensive sustainable education event in Asia across golf development, renovation and course management – exploring a range of topics which address the opportunities within the sport and how they set a new platform for sustainable golf in Asia. The R&A Seminar on Sustainable Golf Course Design, Renovation and Maintenance in Asia will be held at the Hotel Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru, on April 19 concurrently with Day One of the 7th annual India Golf Expo. This R&A event, delivered for course developers, owners, architects, general managers and superintendents, will feature leading international and local speakers, including Dominic Wall, Director – Asia Pacific at The R&A; Steve Isaac, Director – Sustainability at The R&A; Dr. Micah Woods, Chief Scientist at Asian Turfgrass Center; Paul Jansen, Owner of Jansen Golf Course Design & Construction; Jonathan Smith, Chief Executive at GEO Foundation; and Mohan Subramanian, Marketing Manager of the Golf Division at RainBird. The two-day India Golf Expo will be held on April 19-20 and will bring together experts from different domains, drawn from across the globe to share knowledge and best practices for the development and sustenance of the sport in the country. Sp eaking at the pre ss conference, Devang Shah, Promoter- Navratna Group and President- GIA said, “We
Steve Isaac, Director (Sustainability) at The R&A, joins via satellite link from St. Andrews
India Golf Expo April 19-20, 2018 The Lalit, Bengaluru
Pros Khalin Joshi (L) and Syed Saqib Ahmed (R) were felicitated by GIA President Devang Shah for their solid performances in 2017
“We are pleased to announce that a complete delegation from the R&A will be attending the expo to present sessions on sustainability, course design and maintenance.” — Devang Shah, GIA President are pleased to announce that a complete delegation from the R&A (the global ruling authority of golf) will be attending the expo to present conference sessions on Sustainability, Course Design and Maintenance, Strategic
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Planning and generating better revenues in the business of golf.” Steve Isaac, Director of Golf Course Management, The R&A, commented “Sustainability will be increasingly important for the sport of golf over the next 15 to 20
years and therefore it will be our subject of focus. Sustainability is relevant not only from the stand point of environmental impact but also cost implications. We will also touch upon other aspects around building the golf ecosystem in the country.” Also commenting on the exposition, Wg Cdr Satish Aparajit President, Indian Golf Union, added: “The India Golf Expo has become an important networking platform for various golf bodies and golf clubs to meet to chalk out the games’ future. We at IGU are delighted to support this Golf Industry Association initiative. IGU works closely with R&A and we are happy to note their participation.”
Business of Golf
150th British Open Set for St. Andrews Return History will be made once again at the home of golf in 2021 when The 150th Open is played at St. Andrews from July 15-18. Marking a true celebration of golf’s original championship and its historic ties to St. Andrews, the occasion will be the 30th time that The Open has been played over the worldrenowned Old Course. Golf ’s most international Major championship was last played in St. Andrews in 2015 when Zach Johnson defied difficult weather conditions to defeat Marc Leishman and 2010 Champion Golfer of the Year, Louis Oosthuizen, in a four-hole play-off and land his second Major title. Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said: “The Open holds a very special place in the hearts of golf and sports fans around the world. The Championship enjoys a historic and celebrated relationship with the Old Course in St Andrews and we are excited
to be marking the occasion of the 150th Championship at the home of golf in 2021.” Euan Loudon, Chief Executive of St Andrews Links Trust, said: “There can be no more fitting celebration of the rich heritage of the home of golf and its relationship with the world’s oldest Major championship than as host of The 150th Open.” The Old Course first hosted The Open in 1873 when the 13th Championship was played over an 18-hole course for the first time and was won by Tom Kidd.
“The Open holds a very special place in the hearts of golf and sports fans around the world. The Championship enjoys a historic and celebrated relationship with the Old Course in St. Andrews and we are excited to be marking the occasion of the 150th Championship at the home of golf in 2021.” — Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive, The R&A
Davis Elected 2018 President of GCSAA D a r r e n J. D av i s , G o l f C o u r s e Superintendent at Old Florida Golf Club, has been elected to a one-year term as President of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). The GCSAA have close to 20,000 members across 72 countries. Davis, a Certified Golf Course Superintendent (CGCS), served as VicePresident of the association in 2017 and has been a member of the association’s Board of Directors since 2012. He is currently a Director with the Musser International Turfgrass Foundation. “Becoming President is a privilege that I don’t take lightly,” said Davis. “I hope I am able to give the association back even a fraction of what it’s given to me.” GCSAA’s Indian equivalent — the Golf Course Superintendents & Managers Association of India (GCSMAI) — endeavours to improve the technical knowledge and knowhow of greenkeepers and managers by conducting timely meetings and seminars.
Govt. Increases Tax On Golf Equipment
The government announced a hike in customs duty from 10% to 20% on nearly all sports goods in the 2018 Union Budget tabled in Parliament on February 1. For golfers, this means the prices of golf clubs (including drivers, wedges, putters, irons), golf balls and golf accessories (gloves, caps, t-shirts, shoes etc.) are expected to rise by 5-8%. The move came as a big surprise to the industry as just a day prior, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated Khelo India Games to encourage Indians to play sports.
ASIAN TOUR JOINS FORCES WITH ASIAN GOLF INDUSTRY FEDERATION The Asian Tour, the official regional sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, has joined forces with the Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF). Providing a platform for the region’s best players to showcase their skills and push to the next level, a host of household names have learned their trade on the Asian Tour, led by Thongchai Jaidee, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Jeev Milkha Singh, Anirban Lahiri, David Lipsky and Noh Seung-yul. “The mission of the Asian Tour is to expand tournament golf so as to substantially enhance the careers of its members, thereby developing and growing golf in Asia while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game,” said Josh Burack, Chief Executive Officer of the Asian Tour, a member of the International Federation of PGA Tours. Cho Minn Thant, the Tour’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “The Asian Tour’s core activity is to generate playing opportunities and increase prize money for its members through the sanctioning and, in some cases, ownership of Asian Tour events… We felt that the time was right to join forces with the Asian Golf Industry Federation and grow the network and influence of the Asian Tour.” Eric Lynge, the AGIF’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Under Josh and Cho the Asian Tour has made significant forward strides in the past year. We welcome the Asian Tour as a Full Business Member of the AGIF and we look forward to working closely with them on several fronts.” march 2018 | golf digest india
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Corporate Digest
MercedesTrophy
MercedesTrophy 2018 Marches On CHENNAI
L-R: Shivashankar Kumaraswamy, RG Shrinivas, Venky Rajagopal & Muneer Sait
Ramesh Jeevarathinam (R) was the Laureus Lucky Draw winner
BY DANNON MARTIS
I
ndia’s largest corporate golf tournament the MercedesTrophy 2018 moved to Chennai after the completion of the Bengaluru, Pune, Ahmedabad and Mumbai legs. Prestige Golfshire played host to the three-day event in Bengaluru from January 17 to 19. With six national final spots on offer, the Bengaluru leg saw 336 golfers participating across three days. Day one saw Zubaer Ahmed win from Category A (0-18) and Prabhu Srirampura win from Category B (19-24). They carded a nett score of 70.4 and 72.4 respectively. An ecstatic Ahmed said “The course is really nice, and I really enjoyed playing on it. I am really glad that I could give a good performance on the day.” With nett scores of 70.4 and 72.4, day two saw David D’Souza (Category A) and Gaurav Sharma (Category B), respectively, emerge victorious. “It was a very well-organized tournament and I am looking forward to playing in the finals,” said Sharma. The final two spots on day three were sealed by Nagraj MS (69.2) and Ramesh Nagesh (71.4). Ac tion then moved to Hyderabad, where the event was conducted at the picturesque Hyderabad Golf Association (HGA). This year, the Hyderabad
Abhay Meganathan not only won the Chennai leg, he also scripted a hole-in-one at TNGF Cosmo
Thus far, MercedesTrophy 2018 has seen 25 golfers seal their spot for the National Final with action from Chandigarh, Delhi and Jaipur still to come.
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Chennai Winner: Abhay Meganathan
MercedesTrophy
Corporate Digest
KOLKATA
Players display their skills during the Kolkata leg at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club
Category A winner Akshay Bajoria
Category B winner Sunil Surana (left) along with Category A winner Nilesh Jatia Category A Winner Day 2 Nilesh Jatia’s fourball
Category B Winner Sanjay Ajmera Kokata Day 2
leg witnessed an extra day of golf and 200 hundred golfers teed off over the course of two days (January 24 to 25). Overcoming challenging course conditions and lightning greens at HGA, Akram Mehdi (Category A) and Kanumuri Ranga Raju (Category B) were victorious on day 1 with nett scores of 70.2 and 71 respectively. Joining them on Day 2 were Sankeerth Nidadacolu (Category A) and Ritesh Kumar Daga (Category B) who respectively carded 70.2 and 72. Coimbatore played host to the next qualification leg. Held on January 27, local lad D Shiva Kumar triumphed to claim the sole national final spot. MercedesTrophy’s next halt was Kolkata and the country’s oldest golf course, Royal Calcutta Golf Course, played host on January 31 and February 1. Four qualification spots were up for grabs and competition was intense. Nilesh Jatia (Category A) and Sunil Surana (Category B) were winners on day one, following nett scores of 71 and 73.8 respectively. Akshay Bajoria (Category A) and Sanjay Ajmera (Category B), having carded 70.2 and 73.8 respectively, won on day two.
Action during Day 1 of Kolkata leg
Kolkata Winners Cat. A (Handicap 0-18): Nilesh Jatia, Akshay Bajoria Winners Cat. B (Handicap 19-24): Sunil Surana, Sanjay Ajmera
COIMBATORE
Winners of various categories showcase their prized possessions after completion of the Coimbatore leg
Coimbatore Winner: D Shivakumar
Friendship and camaraderie go hand-in-hand at MercedesTrophy
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Corporate Digest
MercedesTrophy
HYDERABAD
Winners of various categories showcase their prized possessions after completion of the Hyderabad leg
Category A winner Sankeerth Nidadacolu displays his copybook swing
Former India cricketer Venkatapathy Raju (2L) took part in Hyderabad
The first hole-in-one of the tournament, achieved by Abhay Meganathan, was seen in the Chennai leg, at TNGF Cosmo. Meganathan capped off a memorable day by clinching the sole national final qualification spot on offer. Thus far, MercedesTrophy 2018 has seen 25 golfers seal their spot for the National Final with action from Chandigarh, Delhi and Jaipur still to come. In line with giving back to society, the initiative taken by Mercedes-B enz India along with Laureus Sport For Good Foundation has seen overwhelming response. INR 25,00,000 has been raised and the players’ donations will be matched by Mercedes-Benz India. The proceeds will then be used to fund development programmes by Laureus-supported Indiabased NGO, Magic Bus.
Laureus Lucky Draw winner Ram Chander Rao
Hyderabad Cat. A winners (Handicap 0-18): Akram Mehdi, Sankeerth Nidadacolu Cat. B winners (Handicap 19-24): Kanumuri Ranga Raju, Ritesh Kumar Daga 82 golf digest india | march 2018
L-R: HGA President Dayakar Reddy, KPCT MD C. Sasidhar, KPCT Director Srinivas Vallabhaneni and RNSM MD Rishi Narain
Category B winner Kanamuri Ranga Raju poses with his trophy after Day 1 of the Hyderabad leg
Akram Mehdi flaunts his Category A winner’s trophy after Day 1 of the Hyderabad leg
MercedesTrophy
Corporate Digest
BENGALURU
IGU South Zone council member Madhavi Manthani enjoyed the pristine conditions in Bengaluru
Bengaluru Cat. A winners (Handicap 0-18): Zubaer Ahmed, David D’Souza, Nagaraj M S
A golfer tees at Prestige Golshire in Bengaluru
Cat. B winners (Handicap 19-24): Prabhu Srirampura, Dr. Gaurav Sharma, Ramesh Nagesh
Category A winner Nagraj MS (left) and Category B winner Ramesh Nagesh
Golf enthusiasts enjoy a quick lesson at Prestige Golfshire
MercedesTrophy India 2018 Schedule
Category A winner David D’Souza (left) with Category B winner Gaurav Sharma
DATE 2018
CITY
VENUE
Jan 4 & 5
Pune
Oxford Golf Resort
Jan 6
Ahmedabad
Kalhaar Blues & Greens
Jan 10 - 12
Mumbai
Bombay Presidency Golf Club
Jan 17 - 19
Bengaluru
Prestige Golfshire
Jan 24 & 25
Hyderabad
Hyderabad Golf Association
Jan 27
Coimbatore
Coimbatore Golf Club
Jan 31, Feb 1
Kolkata
Royal Calcutta Golf Club
Feb 15
Chennai
TNGF Cosmo
Feb 21, 22 & 23
Chandigarh
Panchkula Golf Course
Feb 27 & 28, March 1
Delhi
ITC Classic Golf Resort
March 7-9
Delhi
Jaypee Greens Golf Resort
March 11
Jaipur
Rambagh Golf Club
Pune
Oxford Golf Resort
National Final Category B winner Prabhu Srirampura receives his prize after Day 1 of Bengaluru leg
April 4 - 6
Completed legs at the time of going to press
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Corporate Digest
World Corporate Golf Challenge
Corporates Battle It Out For Portugal Berth DELHI
B. Raghavendran, COO, Sales, Cisco (India and SAARC)
Delhi Cat. A (0-17) Winner: Sammerjit Raikhy Runner-Up: Rishi Wadhera
Comedian Papa CJ
I
ndia’s longest running corporate golf tournament kicked off its 19th edition at ITC Classic on January 20. The World Corporate Golf Challenge (WCGC) is the country’s most prestigious corporate golf tournament and leading corporates vie for a chance to make it to the World Final in Portugal. WCGC is the only event in the country where golfers play from the championship tees. This year, the 4 cities hosting the event are: New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Bengaluru. Winners and Runners-up in two handicap categories from each of the legs qualify for a place at the National Final which will be held in Bengaluru, and winners from the National Final will travel to Portugal to compete against the best corporate golfers from across 40 countries. In Delhi, Category A was won by Samarjeet Raikhy while Rishi Wadhera finished runner-up. Category B saw Mukesh Sharma triumph ahead of Sunny Iqbal. Both categories were keenly contested with the best 2 golfers tied on nett points. The golfer with a lower handicap was declared winner of the tie. Over in Kolkata, top corporates turned up in great numbers. In a city where golf is taken seriously, golfers shot low scores and both handicap categories witnessed intense competition. Jaideep Chitlangia won Category A while Mayukh Ray, who
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Parul Suraiya (Account Manager, Etihad) with Straightest Drive winner Ronald Das
Cat. B (18-24) Winner: Mukesh Sharma Runner-up: Sonny Iqbal
L-R: Delhi leg winners Rishi Wadhera, Sandeep Singh, Ronald Das, Mukesh Sharma, Inderjit Singh, Sammerjit Raikhy, Pushpinder Singh, Shin Nakajima
also shot the day’s lowest score, finished second. Category B, meanwhile, was won by Vivek Dalmia while Kamlesh Agarwal finished runner-up. Besides the white-collared golfing aficionados, the Mumbai leg also welcomed celebrities such as former India cricketer (and former WCGC world finalist) Ajit Agarkar and music sensation Raghav Sachar. Rahul Divan, Gautam Balakrishnan, R. Ramamurthy and Milind Patel were the four qualifiers from India’s financial capital. WCGC is the largest internationally run corporate golf event and involves more than 7,500 corporate participants from 40 countries. Indians made their debut in 1999 and won the event in 2008 and 2015 , whilst finishing runner-up in 2010, 2011 and 2014.
Arjun Nohwar, Head (APAC) - Uber For Business
World Corporate Golf Challenge
Corporate Digest
KOLKATA
Kolkata Cat. A (0-18) Winner: Jaydeep Chitlangia Runner-Up: Mayukh Ray Cat. B (19-24) Winner: Vivek Dalmia Runner-up: Kamlesh Agarwal
L-R: Kolkata leg winners Mayukh Ray, Dinesh Agarwal, Jaydeep Chitlangia, Shin Nakajima, Sandeep Singh, Vivek Dalmia, Gaurav Ghosh, Shiv Karnani Golfers pose with a Tata Hitachi excavator
MUMBAI
L-R: Winners of the Mumbai leg Suresh Nair- Head, Tata Hitachi, Rahul Divan, Milind Patel, R Ramamurthy, Jay Mehta, Gautam Balakrishnan, Pratik Patel
Sandeep Singh, MD Tata Hitachi shares a light moment with Deepak Chandnani, MD Worldline India Pvt. ltd
Mumbai Cat. A (0-18) Winner: Rahul Divan Runner-Up: Gautam Balakrishnan Cat. B (19-24) Winner: R Ramamurthy Runner-up: Milind Patel
Saugato Banerjee, VP Brand Alliance giving away the army swiss knife to Raghav Sachar
Naseem Sheikh
Ajit Agarkar Shalini D’Souza (Account Manager, Etihad) with Abhay Datar
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Hi-Life Lifestyle Auto Expo 2018
Luxury is synonymous with golf. For our esteemed readers, Golf Digest India showcases the biggest launches from this year’s Auto Expo, which was held from February 9 to 14 at India Expo Mart in Greater Noida...
Mercedes launches Maybach S 650 and E Class Mercedes-Benz kick-started its product offensive with the launch of Mercedes-Maybach S 650 ‘the pinnacle of luxury’ with key focus on customer centricity, under the ‘The Best Keeps Leading’ philosophy and showcased all new E Class All Terrain and futuristic Concept EQ. The price of the Mercedes-Maybach S 650 is INR 2.73 crore and the Mercedes-Maybach S 560 is priced at INR 1.94 crore (Ex-showroom All-India) From unpaved tracks to rock climbing or steep serpentine roads to a snow-bound ski lodge – the new Mercedes E Class All Terrain takes routes where conventional vehicles often have to give up. The E Class All Terrain is the lifestyle-oriented, resilient vehicle. It combines perfectly the prominent look of the SUV-style with the intelligent spacing concept of a sedan.
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To share updates on new launches, please email karthik@rnsportsmarketing.com
Auto Expo 2018 Lifestyle
The all-new Mercedes All-Terrain E Class
Toyota unveils Lexus LS500h Toyota unveiled the Lexus LS with the fifth generation of LS500h which takes the interpretation of Lexus unique L-finesse design language to an unprecedented level of elegance. The bold design of this vehicle means that the roominess of a traditional three-box design comes with all the appeal of a 4-door coupe, housing a six-light cabin. It is inspired by Formula One technology and powered by a 3.5L V6 petrol engine combined with a 310.8kV Lithium ion battery, delivering 15.38 km/litre in a BS6 compliant vehicle. The world’s first multi stage hybrid system offers exhilarating performance and greater efficiency with perfect amalgamation of the electric motor and a simulated 10-speed automatic transmission that enables precise shifts. The Lexus LS500h is available at Exshowroom at INR 1.77 crore for the Luxury Grade, INR 1.82 crore for the Ultra Luxury Grade and INR 1.94 crore for the Distinct Grade.
Kia plans India foray Kia Motors announced its foray in India, unveiled the striking new SP Concept, which made its public premier at Auto Expo 2018 along with 16 global models. Sitting atop Kia’s international line-up is their flagship - The Stinger. However, the South Korean automobile giant will not bring the product to Indian shores immediately given the high cost attached and will, instead, want to concentrate on mass-market cars. Though, reportedly Kia Motors plan to invest $1 billion in a car production plant in India with the first SUV to be launched in mid2019. Further, Kia Motors is targeting annual sales of 300,000 vehicles in India from 2021. Kia Stinger is available internationally in rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations and has a four-cylinder V6 petrol engine. The most talked about variant is the 365hp, 3.3-litre V6 petrolpowered GT version – which, it has been claimed, can go from 0-100kph in a mere 4.7 seconds. Images: K. Jairaj Chaudhri
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Lifestyle Auto Expo 2018
BMW 6 Series & M5 draw attention
BMW India unveiled the first-ever BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo (INR 58.9 lakh) and the sixth generation all-new BMW M5, which were launched by Sachin Tendulkar. The all-new MINI Countryman was unveiled and would be locally produced at the BMW Group plant in Chennai. The sixth generation of the high performance sedan, the allnew BMW M5 launched in a petrol variant at an ex-showroom price of INR 1.44 crore. It features the new M-specific all-wheel-drive system, M xDrive, for the first time. With the M xDrive, the BMW M5 can be piloted with the familiar blend of sportiness and unerring accuracy both on the race track and out on the open road, while also delighting drivers with its significantly enhanced directional stability and controllability right up to the limits of performance when driving in adverse conditions.
BMW 630i Gran Turismo is priced at INR 58.90 lakh (ex-showroom)
Jaguar’s all-new Velar JLR announced the launch of the muchawaited Range Rover Velar with prices starting from INR 78.83 lakh in India. Derived from the Latin word Velare meaning ‘to cover’ or ‘veil’, Velar is a direct reference to the code name used on the original, pre-production Range Rovers of the late 1960s. Available in three powertrains, a 2.0 l 4-cylinder 132 kW diesel, a 2.0 l 4-cylinder 184 kW petrol, and a 3.0 l V6 221 kW diesel, the New Range Rover Velar offers worldclass refinement, all-terrain capability with exceptional performance. Created with a visually reductive approach, it offers compelling design and unrivalled capability in all conditions. No wonder last January Gerry McGovern, Land Rover Chief Design Officer, was named Designer of the Year at the Festival Automobile International.
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The new BMW M5
Auto Expo 2018 Lifestyle
Eco-Friendly Tech The Talk Of Auto Expo 2018 The biennial Auto Expo witnessed over 600,000 visitors and 500-plus product displays from 119 exhibitors. The exposition, jointly organised by Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), saw 22 launches, 81 product unveilings and 18 concept showcase.
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his year’s expo laid immense e m p h a s i s o n e c o - f r i e n d ly technology, keeping in mind the rising pollution levels across the globe and the Indian government’s vision of 100 per cent Electric Vehicles (EVs) for public mobility and 40 per cent for personal mobility by 2030. In all 25 conceptual EVs were exhibited along with Hybrids having fossil fuel engines but their profile and design was predominantly towards SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicles) across all segments in terms of size and price, a trend which is sweeping the auto market in India. Yet, strangely, the significant
launches came from the premium segment, Mercedes, BMW and not from voluminous and popular manufacturers. Toyota and TATA’s JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) launched their flagship models in advance, as a curtain raiser to Auto Expo. JLR launched new SUV Velar at the iconic British High Commission residence in Lutyens Delhi. There were 14 new brand launches that included Kia Motors India, India Kawasaki Motors and Cleveland CycleWerks. The event also saw decent presence of Bollywood stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, John Abraham, Sonakshi Sinha and Taapsee Pannu among others.
600,000 VISITORS 500 PRODUCT DISPLAYS 119 EXHIBITORS 81 PRODUCT UNVEILINGS
Maruti
Maruti Suzuki India Ltd kick-started the auto show with the global premier of its #ConceptFutureS and also showcased “e-SURVIVOR Concept” – EV design concept and working model of next generation Suzuki Hybrid Systems (HEV).
Honda
Honda Cars India Ltd. unveiled the 2nd Generation Honda Amaze, scheduled to be launched in India in FY18-19.The company also unveiled the All New 5th Generation Honda CR-V and the much awaited 10th Generation Honda Civic, both in petrol and diesel variants. Also on display at the Auto Expo 2018 were the much awaited Honda Sports EV Concept, Honda NeuV, Clarity Fuel Cell (Honda’s most advanced zero emission vehicle).
Hyundai
Hyundai Motor India Limited, the country’s second largest manufacturer of passenger vehicle launched the new 2018 Elite i20 and unveiled its Global EV, IONIQ.
Mahindra & Mahindra TATA in the passenger vehicle segment as part of its two-architecture strategy, two attractive innovations made their global debut with ‘H5X Concept’ and the ‘45X Concept’.
Mahindra and Mahindra displayed its widest ever Electric Vehicle (EV) portfolio, showcasing the UDO Concept, Treo, e-Cosmo and first of its kind 380 Volt powertrain. march 2018 | golf digest india
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Lifestyle
In partnership with THE MAN magazine
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Lapis Bard Savile Row Laptop Sleeve - 13 Inch Price: `8,000; available exclusively at William Penn stores across India
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Lapis Bard Westminster collection (wedding box) Price range: `21,995; williampenn.net
Lifestyle TECHNOLOGY
NORMAN’S STRATEGIC TOUR PARTNERSHIP GN Media – an affiliate of Greg Norman Company (GN) – has announced that the PGA Tour will join an expanding list of companies partnering Shark Experience, where the Tour will distribute its live programming to enhance the on-course experience. The PGA Tour joins a robust list of industry leaders to deliver unprecedented connectivity, content and customisation to the course through a connected golf car experience. Golfers in Shark Experience cars will be able to watch PGA Tour events as soon as Shark Experience launches in the spring. “The PGA Tour is leading the way in growing the game, so partnering with their organisation on our innovative technology was a natural fit,” said Greg Norman, whose Golf Course Design Company is a Full Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.” Rick Anderson, Chief Media Officer at the PGA Tour, said: “The PGA Tour is continually looking for avenues to grow the game and share our content. Shark Experience is a perfect example of modernising to move the game forward.” The connected golf cars include a highdefinition touchscreen display and built-in
speakers with Bluetooth connectivity – all exclusive to golf cars from Club Car, an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation. Golfers will enjoy live PGA Tour coverage and curated content, including streaming music, live sports and highlights, news and entertainment, Greg Norman golf tips, dynamic yardage
information and more. The new technology, which also promises to evolve as more features become available, will roll out at select golf courses across the United States throughout 2018.
EQUIPMENT
TITLEIST LAUNCHES ALL-NEW TOUR SOFT GOLF BALLS AND VOKEY DESIGN SM7 WEDGES For golfers demanding improved feel, the invention of Titleist Tour Soft delivers an all-round better performance. Its innovative design combines the largest core ever engineered into a Titleist golf ball with ultra-thin cover technology to provide responsive feel, very fast speed for commanding distance and excellent short game performance. Michael Mahoney, Vice President, Titleist Golf Ball Marketing, said: “We knew based on breakthroughs being made in R&D that there was an opportunity to deliver a brand new highperformance golf ball that would lead the category in terms of soft compression feel. “Ultimately, because of our exhaustive and iterative prototyping process, we were able to deliver everything we wanted in Tour Soft – and more. It’s not only the softest ball in the category. It’s better and longer than Chrome Soft, TP5 and Tour B RXS.” More than 19,000 golfers participated in the white box testing and validation process for the new Titleist Tour Soft. Priced at £32 per dozen, the new Titleist Tour Soft golf balls will be available in golf shops throughout the UK & Ireland from February 1, 2018. Tour Soft models include white and high-optic yellow options with play numbers 1-4. Meanwhile, master craftsman Bob Vokey and his pioneering R&D team continue to shape the future of wedge design with the introduction of the new Titleist Vokey Design Spin Milled 7 wedges. Available in golf shops worldwide beginning March
9, new Vokey SM7 wedges provide all golfers the opportunity for a better, more confident short game through unmatched craftsmanship, technology and performance. Vokey’s prior generation SM6 models ushered in a new era of wedge innovation and performance with their groundbreaking Progressive Center of Gravity (CG) design. The advancements made with SM7 – already the most played wedge model on the PGA Tour, further widen the performance gap between a Vokey and all other wedges. Improving in all three areas of wedge performance, new SM7 models provide increased shot versatility, fitting options, improved distance and trajectory control. march 2018 | golf digest india
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Lifestyle Travel
WITH TWO TOP-END COURSES AND A PLETHORA OF 9-HOLE LAYOUTS, THIS RESORT CITY IN THE BAHAMAS OFFERS AN EXCITING GETAWAY FOR GOLF ENTHUSIASTS GLOBALLY
nassau
BY ROHIT BHARDWA J
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the tropical golf haven
Travel Lifestyle
Hole No. 2: The most picturesque hole at The Albany layout
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he Bahamas is a playground for the rich and famous. And no prizes for guessing what would be the standard pastime of this class. There are some 700 islands in The Bahamas chain. But only a few are large enough to support a golf course including Nassau (New Providence). From former World No. 1 Tiger Woods, popular American chat show host Oprah Winfrey, movie star Tom Cruise to two-time Major winner Greg Norman, everyone either has a villa or an estate to his/her name in Nassau. The weather here is more or less hovering between 20 and 32 degrees Celsius throughout the year, making it an ideal holiday destination. An Indian may equate this weather with cities like Mumbai. On my maiden trip to Nassau, one of the biggest resort cities in the Bahamas (for PGA Tour’s Hero World Challenge in December 2017), I realised it’s the perfect getaway for a golf traveller. Less than an hour’s flight from Miami, eight hours from London and 3 hours from New Jersey, this is the best destination to rejuvenate yourself. White sandy beaches, clear blue waters, balmy breezes and consistent sunshine add to the excitement with the local cuisine (mostly seafood) and refreshing cocktails heightening your experience. For gastronomes, the place offers endless selection of sea food from live lobsters to conch
Cable Beach is one of the most visited beaches in Nassau
fritters and even avenues for fish catching. However, that’s not to take away from the increasing vegan community, who might feel left out in other countries. Nassau boasts numerous restaurants and food joints which offer global food - enough to put all apprehensions to rest. A vibrant nightlife and a wide range of indigenous cocktails like Bahama Mama and Coconut Rum Pina Colada are enough to keep you in high spirits, literally! Now to the golf. Nassau has two championship courses which are a must play for an average golfer.
The Championship Course, Albany
The Championship Course at Albany, the venue for Hero World Challenge, is an 18-hole par-72 desert links course, designed by Ernie Els. It utilises the essential limestone rock soil to create a breathtaking layout. What the course lacks in elevation, it makes up with strategically placed bunkers. It becomes quite challenging once the incoming breeze picks up during day time. On the front nine, the par-4 350-yard 7th, a dog leg to the left, is the trickiest with large bunkers guarding the greens. One needs to curb the tendency to attack the flags as there are more chances of landing in the sand trap. The 548-yard par-5 15th is one of the most demanding holes. One needs to be dead straight to be safe as a gentle breeze can
Lifestyle Travel
The intersection of Holes 13 and 14 at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Royal Blue Baha Mar course
GREEN FEES — ROYAL BLUE Baha Mar Guest – US$ 275 (30 days advance booking allowed) Public Guest – US$ 375 (14 days advance) EQUIPMENT ON RENT Callaway/Titleist/TaylorMade – US$ 95 PXG/Itobori – US$ 125 FOR DETAILS CONTACT andy.deiro@bahamar.com +1 (242) 788-4653 OTHER COURSES • Cable Beach Golf Course • One & Only Ocean Club, Paradise Island • Blue Shark Golf Club 94 golf digest india | march 2018
EVERY DAY, THE VISITORS PLAY A DIFFERENT COURSE WITH TEES PUSHED BACKWARD OR FORWARD BY 100 YARDS easily carry the ball to the dunes on either side strewn with thick bushes. Tiger Woods’ ball had gone untraceable during the opening round of the Hero World Challenge and only someone with his skill could rescue himself from an unplayable lie on the dunes. Only owners or resident guests are allowed to play the course with a night’s stay priced at US$ 2,500 (approx. Rs. 1.6 lakh).
Royal Blue Baha Mar
The newly-opened Royal Blue Baha Mar offers some breathtaking views and testing elevation changes that will inspire even newcomers to the game. The 18-hole Jack Nicklaus signature course is built on hills made of limestone rocks lending it the beautiful gradient.
Its a Tale of Two Nines. The front nine — with dramatic views of undulating fairways, rolling white sand dunes, brackish ponds and glimpses of a turquoise Atlantic Ocean — is everything one could wish for. The back nine, however, provides a very different look. Aptly called limestone ‘moonscapes’, the layout seems a randomly downhill jungle giving way to a lagoon holding the island green on the 16th. Every day, the visitors can hope to play a different course with the tees being pushed backward or forward by 100 yards depending on weather. The most panoramic view of the course comes at the Hole 13-14 bi-junction with the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar hotel forming a picturesque backdrop.
Travel Lifestyle 1
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WHERE TO STAY IN NASSAU? • Grand Hyatt, Baha Mar • Atlantis Paradise Island Resort • Hotel Melia, Cable Beach
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WHERE TO EAT? • Lukka Kairi, Nassau Downtown • The Swimming Pig, Baha Mar • Cleo Mediterraneo, Baha Mar WHAT TO EXPLORE? • Graycliff Cigar & Chocolate Factory • John Watling’s Distillery • Premium Yacht Ride RECOMMENDED CONNECTION • United Airlines directly connects Delhi/Mumbai to New Jersey and onwards to Nassau Images: Rohit Bhardwaj
1. The casino at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar resort 2. Visitors get a chance to collect great souvenirs at the flea market in Nassau Downtown 3. World famous drink Bahama Mama 4. Seafood is quite popular in the Bahamas with live lobster a delicacy 5. A mural at Lukka Kairi restaurant in Nassau Downtown
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On the Asian Tour
SENSATIONAL A MASTERS INVITE AND BREAKING INTO TOP-50, PRIME TARGETS FOR TWO-TIME EUROPEAN TOUR WINNER SHUBHANKAR SHARMA
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BY ROHIT BHARDWAJ rohit@rnsportsmarketing.com
ong hailed as a ‘huge talent’ by leading Indian pros Jeev Milkha Singh and Shiv Kapur, Shubhankar Sharma’s rise has been meteoric in the last couple of months, to say the least. Sharma won the Asian Tour co-sanctioned US$ 3 million Maybank Championship with a stunning bogey free 10-under 62 in the final round for his second European Tour crown in 7 weeks’ time. The win propelled Sharma to top of the Race to Dubai and Habitat for Humanity standings. From ending the 2016 season at 517 to becoming the leading Indian golfer in the world at 72, four places ahead of PGA Tour regular Anirban Lahiri, the Jhansi-born golfer’s career is on the upward swing. Sharma also became just the third Indian after Jeev Milkha Singh (2006 – Volvo China Open and Volvo Masters) and Anirban Lahiri (2015 - Maybank Malaysia Open and Hero Indian Open) to win 2 European Tour events in the same season.
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“I played pretty solid and it wasn’t easy because it was windy. I kept pushing the whole day. To be honest, I wasn’t thinking about the leaderboard. On the 13th I knew I was somewhere near the leaders but on 16 I knew I had a two-shot lead. I told myself ‘if I can make 2 more birdies, that would give me a good chance to win’. “The last 2 months have changed my life. I’ve always dreamt of winning and now I’m a 2-time winner on the Asian Tour and European Tour… I have been very lucky that I never had a long spell when I played really bad or was out of form. At best it was 1 or 2 months and then I bounced back. I am thankful to DLF, TAKE Solutions and Indorama for having faith in my abilities. I never had to face any financial troubles in my career till now,” Sharma said after his triumph at Saujana Golf & Country Club. It was just 4 years ago that Sharma had joined the Play-For-Pay ranks and his razorsharp precision and calm demeanour started to pay him dividends on the greens. Expert advice from long-time coach Jesse Grewal helped him mature with every season and tips from technical advisor and former pro Gurbaaz Mann, who sometimes doubles up as caddie, enhanced his understanding of equipment that suits his game. With fitness coach Sagar Dewan and nutritionist Ryan Fernando of Bengaluru on his side, the 21-year-old will be hoping to scorch the greens at Carnoustie Links course in Scotland in his maiden British Open appearance. His exploits have also earned him a place in the US$ 9.75 million World Golf Championship-Mexico Championship, a PGA Tour event, prompting renowned golf columnists to back him for getting a Masters invite. With the form Sharma is in, it’s highly unlikely he will require one though. In an exclusive chat with Golf Digest India from his hometown Panchkula, Sharma spoke about a plethora of topics right from his early years to what his expectations are from 2018. Sharma will be playing in the NBO Oman Open and the Qatar Masters before hitting his home club DLF Golf & Country Club in Gurgaon for the US$ 1.75 million Hero Indian Open. Excerpts from an interview:
On the Asian Tour
SHUBHANKAR Shubhankar Sharma after holing the winning putt in the final round of the Maybank Championship at Saujana Golf & Country Club in Kuala Lumpur
KNOW SHUBHANKAR Date of Birth: July 21, 1996 (21 years) Place of Birth: Jhansi, Madhya Pradesh Residence: Panchkula, Haryana Home Club: DLF Golf & Country Club, Gurgaon World Ranking: 71 (as of Feb. 12, 2018) Turned Pro: 2013 Wins (Amateur): IGU All-India Amateur in 2013 at RCGC International Wins: 2 (2017 Joburg Open, 2018 Maybank Championship) PGTI Wins: 6 (2014 Cochin Masters, 2016 Players Championship, 2016 Kolkata Classic, 2016 Tata Open and 2017 TAKE Open, 2017 McLeod Russel Tour Championship) Lucky colour: Blue (Wore a shade of blue during the final rounds of both Joburg Open and Maybank Championship) Favourite golf souvenir: Autographed business card from Ernie ‘Big Easy’ Els in 2007 march 2018 | golf digest india
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On the Asian Tour GDI: It’s been a stupendous performance cluding my mother (Neena Sharma) and father (Colonel Mohan Sharma). Nobody from by you in the last few weeks. Where do you my extended family ever commented on me draw your inspiration from? devoting so much time to the sport, especially SS: Tiger Woods was always my biggest inbecause my father is the eldest amongst his spiration. I would keep watching his videos, siblings. There wasn’t any pressure on me to stay awake till late in the night to watch him excel in studies only or score a certain perplay on the PGA Tour. He has been a big centage in the annual exams, say 90% etc. inspiration. Among Indians, Jeev Milkha My parents only expected me to do well Singh is an inspirational figure among kids in academics. I always stood among the topand even golfers younger and older than me. 3 in every class. I was able to manage my Also, what Anirban (Lahiri) has been doing studies despite travelling for tournaments as in the past few years has been very inspirthe schools I went to were very supportive. ing. He had that meteoric rise to the PGA They were very flexible in terms of exams, Tour and I saw all that happen in front of attendance and assignments. me. When I turned pro in 2013, Anirban was In fact, at 7, when I started playing golf, still playing on the Asian Tour. So many pros have been performing better every week and there have been so many Indian winners in Asia after that. A cheerful Shubhankar with the
as classes got higher and higher it became tough to play. But I was always a good student and nobody had to sit with me to complete my homework. I used to complete most of it at school so that it didn’t affect my golf. I started Open Schooling after Class 9. I was a smart student and used to prepare just a week prior to the exams. I’m currently studying Political Science (Honours) through Delhi University’s School of Correspondence. But I don’t think I will be studying any further after my graduation and even if I wanted to, it won’t be possible with the travelling schedules, etc. I will be really happy if I am able to complete my graduation this year with a score of tournaments on my plate.
GDI: Did you ever think of going to the US on a golf scholarship? SS: I never wanted to study in the US. I had already decided that. I wanted to turn professional early and becoming one at 16 would not have allowed me to go there for studies. I always wanted to take the same route as Anirban (Lahiri). I believed I would be wasting a lot of time if I took a scholarship etc., though a lot of players have taken that route.
Maybank Championship trophy
GDI: Many people don’t know about your amateur career. Please share some insights. SS: I didn’t have a long amateur career, I only had a junior career before I turned pro. I just played 7-8 events as an amateur, though I was a junior golfer then. I won the IGU All-India Amateur in 2013 and turned pro right after that. As a junior, I was No. 1 in all the age categories beginning Cat. ‘C’ (under-10) of the IGU Order of Merit. I also won a few times and finished inside top-3 a number of times. Basically, I kept progressing steadily. GDI: You are the highest-ranked Indian in the world at 71. By when do you see yourself breaking into the top-50 or higher? SS: There are no expectations to be honest. I am taking every event as it comes. Getting into the top50 is a very realistic target, it can happen in the next two events. I want to keep playing the way I am, if the form continues, you never know, I could have another win. Even a couple of top-5 finishes can get me closer to the top-50. I am playing the WGC and the British Open and hopefully I can get into more Majors this year. Anything is possible, I got to be playing the way I am currently.
“TOP-50 IS A VERY REALISTIC TARGET. IF THE FORM CONTINUES, YOU NEVER KNOW... EVEN A COUPLE OF TOP-5 FINISHES CAN GET ME CLOSER”
GDI: In a country obsessed with education, how much encouragement have you got from your family (extended), and your parents in particular, to make a name in sports? SS: I was good at studies as a kid and used to love playing sports like cricket and football. But once I got hooked to golf I used to spend a lot of time at the course after school, this was when I was 9-10 years old. Fortunately, everyone at home was pretty supportive in-
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my father was transferred to Bhopal where I got a lot of support from Bal Bhawan - the school where I studied in Classes 4, 5 & 6 - as the owner of the school, Omar Ali, was a very avid golfer. With the Army Golf Course nearby, he started a programme for kids to play golf. I used to visit the course every day after school. Golf sets were very expensive around that time but we got to use equipment and balls for free so that really helped. Those 3 years were really nice as I got to practice 3-5 or 6 pm each day. My first coach was Devinder Patel, he used to be a professional on the PGTI. Juggling studies and golf wasn’t easy,
GDI: Did your father’s Army background help in getting easy access to a course? SS: It would have been tough to become a pro had I not been an army man’s son. But having said that, my dad and I had no understanding of golf till the time we went to a course together. Both of us went to the Wellington course near Ooty, when I was 6 years old. That was my first encounter with golf. Nobody in my family knew about the sport before that, apart from casual reading in the newspapers. Golf is an expensive game and fortunately being part of the Army one gets easy access to a course and equipment.
GDI: You have got an invite to play in the WGC-Mexico Championship. What are your expectations from the event? SS: I am very happy as this was the goal. When I won the Joburg Open, I knew I would be in the top-10 of the European Tour Order of Merit. But I would require to maintain that position with good finishes at the Maybank Championship up till the NBO Oman Open, which was the cutoff. I have a fair understanding of the high altitude conditions at the Club de Golf Chapultepec in Mexico. I have watched live telecast of the event and I can relate it to the kind of conditions I encountered in Johannesburg. Winds will be a factor too
On the Asian Tour
DID YOU KNOW? l Sharma dropped only 3 shots the entire week at Maybank Championship, where he had one bogey in Round 1, 2 and 3. He was flawless in the final round l This is Sharma’s fourth start since winning at the Joburg Open in South Africa in December l His final round 62 is his joint-lowest score on the Asian Tour in relation to par. He shot a 61 (par 71) in the second round of the Joburg Shubhankar Sharma (C) with the Open and a 62 on the last day of the 2016 Faldo India Series title in 2012 Resorts World Manila Masters l Sharma’s winning total of 21-under is the lowest winning score at the Maybank Championship. His two-shot victory equals the largest winning margin in the event. Marcus Fraser also won by two shots in the inaugural edition in 2016 l The last time an Indian won in Malaysia was Anirban Lahiri in 2015. He went on to win the Order of Merit title in the same year l This is Sharma’s second Maybank Championship appearance. He finished tied ninth last year to seal his Asian Tour card. l The victory pushed Sharma to 72nd place on the Official World Golf Ranking, surpassing the highest-ranked Indian in the world till date, Anirban Lahiri. like Jo’burg with the ball rolling 20 yards extra due to the altitude. I think I have some experience of the ball flying longer and in Mexico the ball travels really fast. I will have to accordingly adapt. I saw that event last year and am happy I am getting a chance to play there.
GDI: The Hero Indian Open is returning to your home course – DLF Golf & Country Club – and you are most likely to be billed as the favourite with the form you are in. How would you like to repay your fans? SS: Very happy that it’s happening at my home course. Last year I couldn’t capitalise on the opportunity as I fell sick and didn’t play even a single practice round before tee-off. I was happy to make the cut. DLF is not an easy course and local knowledge will be an advantage for me. I have enough experience of playing there and I will be fully fit this time
Habitat for Humanity Standings After World Super 6 Perth
for the challenge. I am confident of putting four good rounds together and hope for a memorable outing this year.
GDI: Which events are you going to play on the European Tour and Asian Tour? SS: I will be mostly playing the full European Tour schedule barring a few weeks depending upon my status on the PGA Tour. I might play some events on the Asian Tour as well based on my chances of winning the Order of Merit. Right now the only thing decided is that I am playing the WGC-Mexico Championship and the Hero Indian Open.
POS
PLAYER
EARNINGS (US$)
1.
SHUBHANKAR SHARMA
500,000
2.
KIRADECH APHIBARNRAT (THA)
251,173
3.
PAUL PETERSON (USA)
182,900
4.
BERRY HENSON (USA)
118,112
5.
SHAUN NORRIS (RSA)
112,200
6.
HIDETO TANIHARA (JPN)
95,612
7.
KHALIN JOSHI (IND)
92,880
8.
PROM MEESAWAT (THA)
91,425
9.
JAZZ JANEWATTANANOND (THA)
75,358
10.
DANTHAI BOONMA (THA)
67,400
11.
GAGANJEET BHULLAR (IND)
48,390
12.
SHIV KAPUR (IND)
44,650
13.
POOM SAKSANSIN (THA)
43,479
14.
PANUPHOL PITTAYARAT (THA)
43,000
15.
SCOTT VINCENT (ZIM)
42,635
16.
ARJUN ATWAL (IND)
40,040
17.
DAISUKE KATAOKA (JPN)
39,596
18.
DAVID LIPSKY (USA)
38,857
19.
GAVIN GREEN (MAS)
37,712
20.
PHACHARA KHONGWATMAI (THA)
36,850
GDI: What do you specifically do to remain cool under pressure? SS: I don’t really do anything for that. I would have meditated only once or twice in a year.
Khalin virtually seals his 2019 card
Bengaluru lad Khalin Joshi took home US$ 92,880 at the Maybank Championship to move to tied-fifth on the Habitat for Humanity Standings, virtually sealing his Asian Tour card for the 2019 season. India's Chikkarangappa S. had kept his Asian Tour card after finishing tied 61st on the final Order of Merit with earnings of US$ 51,431. “I kept myself together all week. I didn’t go as low as I could have but there are so many positives from last week. Now I believe I can play better and I know that I can compete at this level. I showed that to everyone and I proved that to myself. It was a good week for me. I was struggling to keep my card just last year and last week, I have secured my card already. It changes a lot mentally, now I play to win and not just to play and secure my card. I am so happy for Shubhankar. We are good friends and I learn a lot from him and it motivates me to work harder and be up there with him,” said Joshi.
Khalin Joshi finished T-5th at the Maybank Championship
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On the Asian Tour
Busy Start to the New Season! BY JOSH BURACK Asian Tour CEO
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ate last season the Asian Tour returned to China after a long 9-year absence. This past week we shattered an even longer challenge of the Tour, which was securing a commercial partner for the Order of Merit. This position had been vacant for 11 seasons! We are delighted to have announced our partnership with Habitat for Humanity, the global non-profit housing organisation that works with families to build or improve a place they can call home. As everyone should be aware by now, we have renamed the Order of Merit to the “Habitat for Humanity Standings” effective from the Maybank Championship. In addition to becoming our featured partner, Habitat for Humanity will also be the “Sustainable Development Partner” of the Tour. This means they will be our official charity and we will work with them to activate the partnership with selected staff and players volunteering our time at some of the stops on Tour to work on-site at their projects. Hopefully, everyone is as excited as me that we can use our powerful media platform to promote Habitat for Humanity. I’m also equally excited to add a CSR component to our organisation. The partnership will highlight the noble work of Habitat for Humanity and in turn, create awareness for the charity to a key demographic to raise funds, attract volunteers and highlight the plight of those in need both in Asia and around the world. And through the activation we do, the Asian Tour will be helping to improve the lives of others who are less fortunate in the communities that we hold our tournaments. My thanks in advance to everyone for supporting our important new partner Habitat for Humanity. Ahead of the first event that our team and players volunteer, I encourage everyone to please visit Habitat.org. Inside the ropes, it has been a whirlwind start to the 2018 Asian Tour season! After the Asian Tour Qualifying School, we’ve had four big live TV events back to back. The third edition of the EurAsia Cup was very exciting with Team Asia leading Team Europe 6.5 to 5.5 points heading into the final day. Team Asia led by captain Arjun Atwal put up a brave battle, but in the end, Team Europe were too strong as they came back to win 14-10. The SMBC Singapore Open then teed off our regular season. Weather delays have become a mainstay feature at Singapore’s national open, but even bad weather could not stop Sergio Garcia. The 2017 Masters champion from Spain showed his class, as he romped to a five-shot victory in this Asian Tour – Japan Golf Tour co-sanctioned tournament. The Tour then stopped in
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Above: From left to right Thai pros Poom Saksansin and Kiradech Aphibarnrat along with India’s Rashid Khan Left: Mannabi, 45-year-old homeowner from Osmanabad, India with her daughter-in-law Sana and grandson Wajid in front of the home they built with the support of Habitat for Humanity and its partners. Her new home is a matter of pride for Mannabi. It has given her family stability and an opportunity to build a better future
Yangon for the LeoPalace 21 Myanmar Open. Following his many top finishes last year, American Paul Peterson finally broke through with a two-shot victory in our second Asian Tour – Japan Golf Tour event of the season. Then, we went to Kuala Lumpur for the first Asian Tour-European Tour co-sanctioned event of the season at the Maybank Championship. It was terrific to have another Asian Tour winner with India’s Shubhankar Sharma overcoming a strong field to win by two strokes. He overcame a four-shot deficit by firing 10 birdies for a spectacular 10-under-par 62. What a player! 2018 is well underway and promises to be very exciting for all of us. Thank you to everyone for your continued commitment to the Tour. #whereitsAT
Asian Tour, Habitat For Humanity Join Hands To Support Decent Housing
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abitat for Humanity, a global non-profit housing organisation that works with families to build or improve a place they can call home, will now be featured as the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit partner for the 2018 season, organisers announced last month. In line with the new partnership, the Asian Tour’s season-long ranking will be renamed as “Habitat for Humanity Standings.” Habitat for Humanity will also become a “Sustainable Development
On the Asian Tour
Partner” of the Tour. By aligning with the Asian Tour, Habitat will leverage the Asian Tour’s global presence to promote its vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. The partnership serves to highlight the work of Habitat for Humanity and in turn, create awareness among a key demographic group to raise funds, attract volunteers and highlight the plight of those in need of decent shelter in Asia and around the world. With the support of partners and volunteers, Habitat has helped more than 13.2 million people around the world obtain a safer place to sleep at night, along with the strength, stability and self-reliance to build better lives. In the Asia-Pacific region, Habitat operates in over 17 countries including the Philippines, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand which are all markets that host Asian Tour tournaments. Asia-Pacific Vice President for Habitat for Humanity, Rick Hathaway, said: “Habitat for Humanity has worked with the Asian Tour in recent years with great success, starting with the 2012 Indonesian Masters. We are grateful that a group of our benefactors in Asia is providing the support to expand this relationship for Habitat to be a sustainable development partner of the Asian Tour and be a part of the Tour’s season-long rankings. Through the enhanced visibility of the Habitat for Humanity Standings we hope to scale our efforts as we support AsiaPacific families in need of decent housing in a region where an estimated 500 million people live in slums.” Since 2004, the Asian Tour has developed the sport of golf by providing a path to success and is now the third largest Tour in the world. It has a diverse and committed membership rooted in Asia and a global voice with a potential reach of more than 770 million households thanks to its worldwide television reach, digital media platforms, and traditional press coverage. “The need for safe and affordable housing for families is particularly pressing in Asia, especially with immense population growth amidst limited city space. The Asian Tour trusts that through this media focused sponsorship, Habitat for Humanity will be able to expand their brand awareness and garner support from the golfing community to help more families increase their access to affordable housing. In addition, our staff and selected Asian Tour players will volunteer our time on-site in some of the communities we host tournaments to help Habitat activate the partnership first hand,” said Josh Burack, CEO of the Asian Tour. Reigning Asian Tour No. 1 Gavin Green of Malaysia showed his support for this new development and charity initiative. For details on how to donate or get involved in Habitat for Humanity projects please visit habitat.org
BIG-GAME HUNTER KIRADECH TAKES THE SPOTLIGHT
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iradech Aphibarnrat’s victory at the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth proves that the Thai is a man for the big occasion. At the age of 28, Kiradech kept fans on the edge of their seats after playing through a marathon 35 holes before clinching his third Asian Tour title and fourth European Tour victory at the Lake Karrinyup Country Club. He secured victories over Ben Eccles, Yusaku Miyazato, Sean Crocker, Lucas Herbert and disposed of James Nitties in the finals to return into the winner’s circle for the first time since 2015 when he won the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play on the European Tour. Kiradech’s victory in Perth was even more amazing considering he never played a practice round and had to play the 18th hole 15 times throughout the week. He was the 24th and last player to qualify for the knockout matchplay on Sunday after eliminating Anthony Quayle on the fourth play-off hole. “I feel really happy, really proud of myself. Everyone is saying that I’m the last guy to arrive this week, last guy to get into the top 24 and last guy to stand out here. It’s such a nice week and I’ve been so proud with the way I performed,” said Kiradech, who qualified for the tournament through a sponsor’s invite. The Thai, who loves fast cars and designer watches, had to forego a holiday with his wife to play at the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth, but his decision paid off handsomely as he broke into
Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat with World Super 6 Perth trophy
the top-50 in the world and rose to 37th place which equals his career-best. “I was in Malaysia (two weeks ago) and I called my wife saying maybe I have to work next week, and she said, ‘just give me one good reason why you are not resting’. Well, I got a lot of golf fans so I just can't let them down,” Kiradech explained. “Yeah, all I get this week is just the trophy because I think all the prize money, my wife is going to take it from me. That is the reason why she allowed me to come,” he joked.
Did You Know? • Kiradech Aphibarnrat did not get a chance to practice at the Lake Karrinyup Country Club as he flew into Perth the evening prior to the tournament • He was the last player to enter the competition, the last player to enter the matchplay knockout rounds and the last man standing • Kiradech has won a matchplay event in his professional career previously, at the 2015 Paul Lawrie Matchplay • He will be competing at the Brunei Championships, an event on the Asian Development Tour, from March 7 to 10 • The Knockout Hole was played from a new tee box located approximately 80 to 90 metres from the 18th green on the right-hand side of the 18th fairway march 2018 | golf digest india
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On the European Tour
TOUR SNIPPETS Li Haotong with the Dubai Desert Classic trophy
PAISLEY NAMED HILTON GOLFER OF THE MONTH BY FANS
LI OVERCOMES MCILROY IN DUBAI CLASSIC Li Haotong produced a late burst to hold off Rory McIlroy and win his second European Tour title after a thrilling final-day battle at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. The Chinese entered the final day a shot clear of McIlroy but trailed by two after 10 holes as the 4-time Major winner looked on track for a third victory at Emirates Golf Club. Li then birdied 4 of his last 6 holes to sign for a closing 69 and get to a record low event total of 23 under par, beating the Northern Irishman by a single stroke. His stunning finish under incredible pressure further cemented his reputation as one of the European Tour’s great clutch performers, following on from a closing 63 at last season’s Open Championship and a fourth-round 64 to win on home soil at the 2016 Volvo China Open. Li also became the first male player from China to break into the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking. “Especially the first few holes, I was quite nervous,” said Li. “The first hole I made bogey and got to come back really quick, which was good. “I think most of the time, only two or one behind, so I just want to keep pulling myself in a position and just don’t go too far away. “The last 4 holes were some of the best shots in my life so far. Happy to see I can hold a trophy here. I’m looking forward to my first Masters.”
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Chris Paisley has been named Hilton Golfer of the Month for January after an outstanding month which saw him claim his maiden European Tour title and go toe-to-toe with some of the world’s best players in the Middle East. In a new era for the Hilton Golfer of the Month award, the winner was selected in a poll among European Tour fans. The Englishman triumphed with an impressive 53% of the votes after following up victory at the BMW SA Open hosted by the City of Ekurhuleni with back-to-back fifth place finishes in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA and the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. His countryman and reigning Race to Dubai champion Tommy Fleetwood, who successfully defended his title in Abu Dhabi,
FLEETWOOD ROARS TO SUCCESSFUL ABU DHABI DEFENCE Tommy Fleetwood produced a brilliant back nine display to successfully defend his Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA title. The 27-year-old stormed home in just 30 strokes to complete a closing 65, with his 22-under-par total giving him a two-shot victory over fellow Englishman Ross Fisher. The returning Rory McIlroy finished in a share of third on 18 under after his challenge stalled somewhat on the back nine, alongside another of the English contingent in Matt Fitzpatrick. When Fisher stormed to the turn in 32, Race to Dubai champion Fleetwood found himself five shots adrift. However, Fleetwood began for home with a birdie from 12 feet on the tenth, and when Fisher drove into dessert scrub on the same hole and eventually did well to salvage a bogey it proved to be a crucial momentum swing.
finished second while China’s Li Haotong was third following his second European Tour title in Dubai. By casting their vote to decide who should be crowned the Hilton Golfer of the Month fans are automatically entered into a fantastic prize draw, with one lucky winner claiming win a two-night stay at any Hilton hotel, anywhere in the world. As the latest recipient of the award, Paisley will receive an automatic upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond Status, Hilton’s award-winning loyalty program. Hilton is the Official Sponsor of the Hilton Golfer of the Month award, which recognises and rewards the best performances of European Tour members each month.
Tommy Fleetwood retained his Abu Dhabi Championship title
On the European Tour
L-R: Former World No. 1 Rory McIlroy, Saoirse Lambe of Ireland, pop singer Niall Horan and US golf sensation Paige Spiranac during the Omega Dubai Desert Classic Pro-Am on the Majlis Cours at Emirates Golf Club
Irish teenager gets dream opportunity with McIlroy and Horan
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our-time Major winner Rory McIlroy and superstar Niall Horan of One Direction fame were joined by a lucky competition winner for the Omega Dubai Desert Classic Pro Am, after a global competition that saw 29,000 entrants play 260,000 holes of golf over four continents. Saoirse Lambe, a 19-year-old from Dublin, won the ultimate golfing package by downloading the VoxGolf app and playing nine holes of golf on a VoxGolf registered course.
As well as joining her golfing hero McIlroy and his fellow Irish star Horan for a round at Emirates Golf Club, Saoirse and her dad enjoyed a seven-night stay in Dubai including flights, plus tickets to each day of the 2018 Omega Dubai Desert Classic. She had a wealth of experience by her side as she tackled the Majlis Course, with American professional golfer Paige Spiranac - who is also the Official Starter at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic - taking on caddie duties. Saoirse also got an insight into McIlroy’s
life on tour, as she dropped in on his pretournament media conference, toured the clubhouse – where she was given a personalised locker – and spent time warming up on the driving range alongside some of the world’s top golfers. But the highlight was undoubtedly taking to the course with McIlroy, who won the event in 2009 and 2015, and Horan, who previously caddied for his good friend at the Par Three Contest at Augusta National in 2015.
Dream comes true as 13-year-old Murphy beats World No. 1 Johnson It was a day to remember for 13-year-old Oscar Murphy as he beat World Number One Dustin Johnson in the Beat the Pro challenge during the opening round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. The teenager’s big moment came at the 177 yard par three 15th, but rather than being overawed by teeing off in a marquee group containing Johnson, Race to Dubai champion Tommy Fleetwood and his idol Rory McIlroy, Murphy hit a sweetlystruck effort to the back of the green. By finishing around 25 feet from the pin, the six-handicapper was closer than both US Ryder
Oscar Murphy tees off during the Abu Dhabi Pro-Am
THE TEENAGER’S BIG MOMENT CAME AT THE 177 YARD PAR-3 15TH, WHEN MURPHY HIT A SWEETLY-STRUCK EFFORT TO THE BACK OF THE GREEN
Cup star Johnson and England’s Fleetwood, with only McIlroy finishing nearer the flag stick. “The pin was tucked on the right and he hit this three wood, just faded in to the pin,” said Fleetwood. “An unbelievable shot and me and Rory both said ‘we don’t have that in our locker’. I was playing middle of the green because I couldn’t get to it so very, very impressive. McIlroy added: “Oscar lives here. He’s from Northern Ireland so he’s been following me since the 2011 PGA Championship in Atlanta. Every round I play here I feel like he’s my little mascot.”
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On the European Tour
New Era Beckons For European Tour’s Irish Open
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new and exciting era for the Irish Open was unveiled today with news that the tournament, from 2019 onwards, will be hosted annually by some of the greats of the Irish game. Utilising the model that has seen the British Masters return successfully to the European Tour International Schedule in recent years, the new era will begin with Paul McGinley assuming the hosting role in 2019. Alongside the 2014 Ryder Cup Captain in the hosting ‘pool’ for future years are Ireland’s four Major Champions; Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy, whose Foundation has hosted the tournament since 2015. The Rory Foundation will continue as host for this year’s Irish Open at Ballyliffin Golf Club in County Donegal from July 5 to 8, where the tournament will once again feature as part of the Rolex Series on the European Tour. The precise future rotation of players and years will be revealed in due course, along with the venue for 2019. Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the European Tour, said: “Ireland has been blessed with
many legendary golfers over the years and to have five of them agree to host the country’s national Open over the next five years shows a terrific commitment both to their homeland and to the European Tour.” Rory McIlroy said: “I am thrilled by what we have achieved with the Irish Open over the past four years. I would like to thank the European Tour for sharing my vision for the event. Now feels like the right time to rotate the tournament hosting process, using the model that has been so successful for the British Masters. I look forward to collectively building on the current platform in the years ahead.” Paul McGinley said: “I am truly delighted to be part of this next exciting phase in the history of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. “As Ireland moves to the forefront of the world golf schedule in July 2019, I look forward to hosting that year’s Irish Open and will endeavour to make it a memorable event for all players and the huge Irish support the tournament always enjoys.” Darren Clarke said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have been asked to host the Irish
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“ONE OF MY MAIN GOALS OF HOSTING THE IRISH OPEN WILL BE TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE HAS AN — PADRAIG HARRINGTON UNFORGETTABLE WEEK.” Open and I’m looking forward to working with Colm McLoughlin [Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Dubai Duty Free] and his team to continue the great work that Rory and the European Tour have done for the event over the last four years. “Everyone has seen what a success the British Masters has become with Ian, Luke, Lee and Justin all hosting the event. I think it’s great that we have Rory, Graeme and myself from Northern Ireland and then Paul and Padraig from the South. “… One of my main goals of hosting the Irish Open will be to make sure everyone – from the players and their families to the fans, to the caddies, the volunteers, marshals and officials – has an unforgettable week.” Padraig Harrington said: “I look forward to taking my turn hosting the Irish Open to benefit the Padraig Harrington Charitable Foundation, which provides financial assistance to deserving beneficiaries through-
out Ireland and the rest of the world, and also to supporting Rory, Graeme, Darren and Paul when they take their turn at the helm.” Graeme McDowell said: “I think the first thing we need to mention is the tremendous job that Rory and his Foundation have done, in partnership with Dubai Duty Free and the European Tour, to really put the Irish Open back on the world stage. We all know what Rory McIlroy brings to a golf tournament, and the extra effort he has put into the Irish Open over the past four years has been phenomenal. “On a personal level, I am obviously delighted that I can help my own Foundation by hosting the Irish Open. The G-Mac Foundation’s main goal is to support children’s medical research across Ireland and the United States, and the Irish Open will help raise essential funds to help kids on both sides of the Atlantic.”
On the European Tour
Ireland: The Abode Of Golf Dublin’s links courses Portmarnock Golf Club and Royal Dublin Golf Club offer one of the finest golfing experiences
WHERE TO STAY Trinity City Hotel, Pearse St, Dublin. Tel: + 353 1648 1000 www.trinitycityhotel.com Price: Euro 158-300/night pp Hole No. 4 at the Portmarnock Golf Club
Portmarnock Golf Club
Portmarnock is easily Ireland’s best links course. The 27-hole 7,400 yard facility is set on a peninsula of sandy soil, interspersed with low sand dunes. The course overlooking Ireland’s Eye on one side and Dublin airport on the other offers a tough but fair challenge to golfers. Dimpled fairways and score-crunching bunkers add to the difficulty of power hitters. Founded in 1894 by M/s Pickeman & Ross with the owner and popular whiskey distiller John Jameson himself a golfer, the club has a rich history, having staged the Irish Open for a record 19 times in – 1927, 1929, 1934, 1938, 1946, 1948, 1976-1982, 1986-1990 and 2003. The illustrious winners of those Irish Opens include Bobby Locke, Seve Ballesteros, Ian Woosnam, Bernhard Langer, Sam Torrance, Ben Crenshaw and Michael Campbell among others. It also hosted the St. Andrews Trophy as recently as 2012. Portmarnock also has a separate links resort for people to play, stay and enjoy Irish delicacies. Green fee Weekday – Euro 200 Weekend – Euro 225 Caddy fee – Euro 50 Cart charges – Euro 50 Rental clubs – Euro 45
A panoramic view of the Royal Dublin clubhouse
Royal Dublin Golf Club
Founded in 1885 by a group of Scottish gentlemen led by John Lumsden, the club shifted from its initial location at Phoenix Park to its current venue at Bull Island in early 1889. There’s an interesting story behind how nature helped create such a beautiful links course. Captain William Bligh (of HMS Bounty fame) recommended the building of a sea wall to facilitate the safe approach of vessels into Dublin Port. The wall, known as Bull Wall, was constructed in early 1800s and a direct consequence was the formation of a sand bank which has grown ever since and became Bull Island. World-renowned architect Harry Colt was brought
in to design the course following its destruction in World War I. However keeping in mind the rapid increase in golfing interest in the region, Martin Hawtree was invited in 2001 to produce a preliminary report on the available options to make it equally competitive in comparision to other Irish courses. Subsequently, his suggestions were implemented at a cost of Euro 4.5 million over four years. Not only did he change the layout, but significantly added countouring of most of the greens making it challenging for top professionals. The course was also lengthened by 400 yards and is now in excess of 7,200 yards making it a quality championship venue.
The club’s legendary members include Christy O’Connor Senior and Michael ‘Dyke’ Moran. O’Connor represented Great Britain and Ireland on 10 consecutive occasions in the Ryder Cup and played for Ireland in a remarkable 15 World Cups, famously clinching the title in 1958. Moran was born at Curley’s Yard (near the 14th green) on Bull Island in 1886. He not only emerged victorious in 5 Irish Open Championships from 1909 to 1913 but also finished tied 3rd at the British Open with Harry Vardon in 1913. Green fee Weekday – Euro 150 Weekend – Euro 160 Cart charges – Euro 40 Rental clubs – Euro 45
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On the European Tour
FITNESS
ANTI-EXTENSION EXERCISES FOR GOLF – ‘DEAD BUGS’ What is an anti-extension exercise?
Extension is the name for a direction of movement of a joint or section of the body (other movements include; flexion, rotation and side flexion). An anti-extension exercise is designed to work the muscles that control extension & limit excessive range of movement in that direction.
Why are they important?
Muscles not only work while contracting and shortening, but also when they are lengthening (like a brake) to both prevent and control movement into certain ranges. The ability to work in this way helps the body to carry out smooth and efficient movement at joints, while also preventing them from moving beyond limits which could potentially be stressful. This week’s exercise helps to strengthen the trunk muscles at the front of the body (anterior trunk), including the abdominals and pectorals.
How will strengthening the anterior trunk improve my golf swing?
A strong anterior trunk can help to limit early extension of the spine in the back swing and down swing, keeping the body stable and the path of the swing more consistent. A professional’s swing looks efficient and effortless. This is in part due to maintaining a consistent and athletic body posture throughout the swing, while simply rotating the trunk back and through. The trunk is also the link between the lower body and upper body, transferring the forces produced on the ground to the upper limbs and ultimately the club head.
What exercises can I do to improve the strength of my anterior trunk?
This week looks at an exercise called the “Dead bug”, named after the starting position on the back with the arms and legs in the air. Text: Nigel Tilley, European Tour Performance Institute & Physio Unit @etpi_physiounit @etpi_physiounit
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HOW TO DO A DEAD BUG EXERCISE l Start by lying on your back, with hips and knees bent to 90 degrees. Holding a light object in your hands (which can be made heavier as you progress), extend your arms at shoulder height to form a right angle with the body (as shown in the first photo below)
l Repeat between 5 to 10 times and for 3 sets
l From the start position, extend one leg (as shown in the second photo below) and return to the start position. This should be done at a steady pace, controlling the spine so that it is not uncomfortable
l To progress further, try extending the arms over your head while you straighten each leg alternately, then return to the start position
l You can vary this exercise in many ways including the speed of movement, time of holding with the leg extended and alternate heel taps
On the European Tour
European Tour Store Visit the Official Online Store today for a large range of merchandise including clothing and accessories.
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your next online order, simply enter code
EUROTOUR10 at the checkout. shop.europeantour.com
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On the PGA Tour
True International Feel For World Golf Championships World No. 1 Dustin Johnson
Jon Rahm
Hideki Matsuyama
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r o m t h e i r d ive r s e worldwide locations — China, Mexico and the United States — and the leaderboards that resemble a roll call at the United Nations, the World Golf Championships have the type of global appeal organizers had in mind when they conceived the events nearly 20 years ago. The 4 Wo r l d Golf Championships events are among the most celebrated, competitive and desirable stops on the PGA Tour. This year’s events are the Mexico Championship, March 1 to 4 in Mexico City; the Dell Technologies Match Play in Austin, Texas, March 21 to 25; the Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio, August 2 to 5; and the HSBC Champions in Shanghai, China, October 26 to 29. The tournaments give golf fans around the globe a chance to watch the best players in the world compete at a high level
on some of the most compelling courses on the globe. WGC events offer a 3-year exemption on the PGA Tour. “The WGCs are some of the biggest tournaments that we play,” said 4-time Major champion Rory McIlroy, who has won 2 World Golf Championship events. “You get the best fields in golf from all over the world, and I think that’s a great thing. The more we get the top players playing against each other more often, the better.” The excitement starts with the players. Reigning PGA Tour Player of the Year Justin Thomas and World No. 1 Dustin Johnson of the United States, Jon Rahm of Spain, Hideki Matsuyama of Japan, Justin Rose of England, Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Jason Day of Australia all began the year ranked among the top 10 in the world and are among the stars eligible to compete.
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“THE WGCS ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST TOURNAMENTS THAT WE PLAY. YOU GET THE BEST FIELDS IN GOLF FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, — RORY MCILROY AND I THINK THAT’S A GREAT THING. ” And the popularity of the sport has created a deep pool of talent, meaning there’s always a lesser-known player waiting for a chance to step forward into the international spotlight. “The unknowns are very exciting right now,” said threetime Major champion Jordan Spieth. “With the amount of depth and talent at a younger
age, mixed with guys in their 30s that are playing No. 1 in the world… then obviously, the Major question, which is what’s it going to be like with Tiger (Woods) coming back. These unknowns are extremely exciting. It’s a pretty special time to be part of professional golf.” The Mexico Championship is hosting a World G olf
On the PGA Tour Jordan Spieth
Rory McIlroy Championship for the second year at the Club de Golf Chapultepec outside Mexico City. This WGC event was contested in Spain, Ireland, England and the United States before moving to Mexico in 2017. Dustin Johnson came from behind on the final day to win the tournament last year, beating Tommy Fleetwood of England by 1 stroke. The Dell Technologies Match Play is the only tournament on the schedule contested under match play. The site, Austin Country Club, is one of the oldest existing clubs in Texas and has hosted the event since 2016. In 2017, Johnson never trailed in any match during the week and won the final, 2 and 1, over Rahm, who was 5-down after eight holes before making a furious comeback. “Match play is very unpredictable,” said Johnson, who has won a record five World Golf Championships events. “Any day the guy you’re playing against can shoot a very low score. You can play very well and still get beat. That’s why it’s fun. It’s ex-
Justin Rose
citing for everyone to watch, and its fun for us to play, too.” Firestone Country Club, the site of three PGA Championships hosts the Bridgestone Invitational and has done so in all but one year since 1999. Matsuyama became the first player from Japan to win the Bridgestone Invitational when he rolled to a five-shot win over Zach Johnson in 2017
“THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT TITLE. WE GROW UP WANTING TO WIN MAJORS. THAT’S WHERE THE HISTORY AND LEGACY IS. BUT WGCS, WHENEVER YOU BEAT THE TOP PLAYERS IN THE WORLD, THAT GIVES A — JUSTIN ROSE TOURNAMENT VICTORY SO MUCH MORE MEANING.” and earned his second career World Golf Championships title overall. Matsuyama shot 9-under 61, the lowest final-round score recorded in a World Golf Championships event. Matsuyama is looking forward to a chance to defend his title this summer. “I don’t want to put a lot of pressure or expectations on myself, just let the tournament come to me,” he said. “All I can do is just try to play my best and hopefully that will work out well.” Hosted by Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai, the HSBC Champions was added to the WGC calendar in 2009. “The development of golf tournaments here is not only helping the TOUR itself, but also helping China to develop better and more professional golfers and to raise the interest of our citizens to
the sport of golf,” said Xiaoning Zhang, president of the China Golf Association. Rose won the 2017 event in dramatic fashion, coming from eight shots behind on the final day. The victory was the second in a World Golf Championship event for Rose, the gold medalist at the 2016 Summer Olympics and the 2013 U.S. Open champion. He considered the victory another milestone is his long and distinguished career. “This is a very important title. We grow up wanting to win Major championships. That’s where the history and legacy is. But WGCs, whenever you beat the top players in the world, that gives a tournament victory so much more meaning. With a leaderboard like we had with Dustin, Brooks and Stenson, I take a lot of pride in winning this tournament.”
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On the PGA Tour
TOUR SNIPPETS
To follow is a history of charitable contributions from the Presidents Cup:
PRESIDENTS CUP RECORDS $10.7M IN CHARITIES
1994 – $750,000
The PGA TOUR will distribute a record $10.7 million from the 2017 Presidents Cup to charitable causes around the world, as chosen by its 34 players, captains and captain’s assistants. Since its inception in 1994, the Presidents Cup has generated more than $49.1 million from event proceeds. “Staged in arguably the most global and diverse city in the world, the 2017 Presidents Cup will go down as one of the most impactful of all time,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “From having three past U.S. presidents on the first tee on Thursday to having the sitting U.S. president hand over the Presidents Cup to the winning team for the first time, the Presidents Cup as a celebration of golf reached new heights. With [this] announcement of $10.7 million to charities around the world, we are also able to celebrate the new heights achieved by the event’s commitment to charitable giving.” The Presidents Cup is a unique golf event where Players are not paid for their participation; instead, each player, captain and captain’s assistant allocate an equal portion of the funds generated to charities of his choice. This year, that portion was $150,000 per participant. Over the past 23 years, the Presidents Cup has impacted more than 450 charities in 16 countries worldwide.
2003 – $2.8 million
1996 – $800,000 1998 – $2.9 million 2000 – $2.8 million 2005 – $3.5 million 2007 – $4.2 million 2009 – $4.8 million 2011 – $4.75 million 2013 – $5.01 million 2015 – $6.12 million 2017 – $10.7 million Total – $49.1 million
American Dustin Johnson drives from the 15th tee during the Presidents Cup, in Jersey City, New Jersey
PGA TOUR to support Puerto Rico’s comeback with 2018 event Puerto Rico Open will return in 2019, extended through 2020 A special, unofficial PGA TOUR event will be held in Puerto Rico this month to support recovery efforts on the Island featuring PGA TOUR golfers, athletes and celebrities. In addition, with a renewed sponsorship commitment from the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC), the Puerto Rico Open, which celebrated 10 years of PGA TOUR golf in Puerto Rico in 2017, will return as a four-day, official PGA TOUR event in 2019 and 2020. “The Puerto Rico Open has been part of the PGA TOUR for the last 10 years and our commitment to golf on the Island has never been stronger,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “Our hope is that this special event in 2018 will benefit Puerto Rico’s recovery efforts to the fullest extent, while reminding the world that Puerto Rico is a premier golf and travel destination.” The event, which will be held at TPC Dorado Beach, will be reimagined to support recovery efforts from Hurricane Maria while celebrating golf and tourism on the Island. “We are very pleased to have formalized an agreement with the PGA TOUR for the 2019 and 2020 Puerto Rico Open,” said PRTC Executive Director José Izquierdo. “Better yet, being able to host a special charity event this [month] is just what we need to show the world that the
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Michael Thompson attempts his birdie putt on the ninth green during the second round of the Puerto Rico Open
Island is open for tourism, that we continue to be a premier destination for golf in the Caribbean, and that recovery efforts are moving forward, in alignment with Governor Ricardo Rosselló’s commitment to rebuild a better and stronger Puerto Rico.” Images: PGA Tour/Getty Images
On the PGA Tour
PGA TOUR Latinoamérica announces first half of 2018 schedule
The PGA TOUR Latinoamérica schedule gets underway this month with the first match-play tournament in its history, the Bupa Match Play Championship, at La Reunion Resort in Guatemala. The first half of this year’s schedule, the Tour’s seventh since its inception in 2012, will begin with 9 tournaments running from March to June in seven countries. “This will be a noteworthy season for many reasons as we continue providing opportunities for our players at tournaments held on great golf courses in interesting cities,” said Jack Warfield, President of PGA TOUR Latinoamérica. “This is a strong schedule, and we’re excited about the addition of the Bupa Match Play Championship. This is a format familiar to so many fans because of the World Golf Championships-Dell Match Play and the Presidents Cup, and we think this tournament will add a distinct dimension to our tournament slate.” Action begins March 15 to 18 at La
Reunion Resort before players travel to Tijuana, Mexico, the following week, for the 59 Abierto Mexicano de Golf, the first time a PGA Tour-sanctioned event has played in Tijuana since its 1959 Tijuana Open. After a two-week break, the Tour resumes with a two-tournament stint in Argentina, kicking off the Zurich Argentina Swing. The first stop is Cordoba on April 12 to 15, for the 87 Abierto OSDE del Centro presented by FiberCorp, followed by the Molino Cañuelas Championship in Buenos Aires. The Tour then makes its first foray of 2018 into the Caribbean, for the Jamaica Classic in Montego Bay on May 3 to 6. Costa Rica is the site of the Essential Costa Rica Classic in Guanacaste (May 10 to 13), and the stretch ends in the Dominican Republic for the Puerto Plata DR Open (May 17 to 20). The first half of the season ends with the Quito Open presented by Diners Club on May 31 to June 3, the Bupa Match Play Championship putting a cap on the first nine tournaments June 7 to 10.
PGA TOUR SERIES-CHINA SET TO RETURN IN 2018 From 2014 to 2016, the PGA Tour Series-China was an important part of the Asian golf landscape, giving up-and-coming players from all over the world but, in particular, the Asian and Australasian region, a high-level Tour where they could play. Government-sanctioning issues in 2017 caused the Series to postpone play for a year, but with the PGA Tour and China’s Ministry of Sport now aligned in purpose, the Series is back after a one-year hiatus. PGA Tour Series-China resumes in March with a 14-Tournament schedule that starts with the Chengdu Championship at Luxehills International Country Club (March 15 to 18) and the Chongqing Championship at Poly Golf Club (March 22 to 25). Every Tournament will offer RMB 1.5 million, a 25% increase over purse levels from 2016. The PGA Tour established PGA Tour Series-China in 2014 as its third international developmental Tour, following in the footsteps of PGA Tour Latinoamerica and the Mackenzie Tour. Since its inception, PGA Tour SeriesChina players have received Official World Golf Ranking points for top finishes at official Tournaments. Notable players who have played the PGA Tour SeriesChina and moved on to the world stage include Zecheng Dou and Xinjun Zhang, the first two players from China to hold PGA Tour membership, China’s Haotong Li, a two-time European Tour winner, and Jeunghun Wang, of South Korea, the 2016 recipient of the Sir Henry Cotton Award presented to the Rookie of the Year.
TONY ROMO TO PLAY PGA TOUR’S PUNTA CANA TOURNAMENT
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo will compete as an amateur in the PGA Tour’s Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship March 19 to 25 in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, as a sponsor exemption. The first-year PGA Tour event, which carries a purse of $3 million, will be Romo’s first official event competing against PGA Tour professionals. “As a professional athlete, the love and thrill of competition never entirely leaves you,” said Romo, now the lead analyst for the NFL ON CBS. “Outside of my family and football, golf is one of my greatest passions. So, playing and competing in a PGA Tour event is a dream come true. I am grateful to the Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship for giving me an incredible opportunity to test my skills against some of the best on Tour.” Romo, who carries a +0.3 handicap at Dallas National Golf Club, has attempted to qualify for the U.S. Open three times. In 2010, he advanced to the sectional stage of qualifying for the national championship, but withdrew due to his Cowboys practice schedule. In 2017, he was unable to advance to match play in the prestigious Western Amateur while finishing T16 in the 89-player celebrity field at the American Century Championship. Romo guided the Cowboys to four postseason appearances during his run as the team’s primary starter from 2006 to 2015. The 37-year-old was named to four Pro Bowls during his career and holds several team passing records. “Tony Romo rose to an elite level in professional football, and then quickly became a popular and well-regarded broadcaster for CBS when he retired,” said Grupo Puntacana Founder and Chairman Frank Rainieri. “He has a history of achieving success in the face of major challenges. And now he’s going to face a new one, the rare opportunity to compete as an amateur against the world’s best golfers. We are very excited to see how this plays out.” march 2018 | golf digest india
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On the PGA Tour
Fitzgerald catches win at Pebble Beach Pro-Am Cardinals wide receiver teams with friend Kevin Streelman to claim a seven-stroke victory Actor Josh Duhamel
Actor Kelly Rohrbach Renowned director Clint Eastwood (L)
Darius Rucker with actor Bill Murray Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald has made his decision. “If I get the invitation,” he said, “I’ll definitely be back.” To be clear, that’s a return to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, where he teamed with friend and fellow Whisper Rock Golf Club member Kevin Streelman to win by seven strokes, thanks in part to a 12-under final round. Any decision on returning to the football field in 2018 will have to wait another day. “It’s so hard just to be able to make the cut,” the veteran National Football League player said. “There are so many players, good players, everything kind of has to go your way to be able to win. Kevin really played well. To be able to finish top-five in an event and then I chipped in a little bit here and there. It was a great ham-and-egg and to be able to do it with my boy is fun.” Fitzgerald and Streelman, who finished
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the week with a 41-under, beat the tandem of Chez Reavie and Sweet Earth Foods president Brian Swette for top honors. Russell Knox and Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander finished a stroke behind them at 33-under, good for third. Other notable celebrities who made the cut in California included Russell Henley and Fox
“JUST BEING COMPLETELY OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE, NOT BEING A PROFESSIONAL, LIKE JUST KIND OF DEALING WITH WHAT COMES AND THAT’S WHAT I THINK MADE IT SPECIAL FOR ME, BECAUSE THIS GAME IS SO DIFFICULT.” — LARRY FITZGERALD
Ted Potter Jr. (L) and Larry Fitzgerald rejoice after winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am News chief political anchor Bret Baier (7th, 28-under); Jason Day and ABC TV host Chris Harrison (T10, 25-under); and Chris Stroud and country music singer Darius Rucker (T16, 24-under). Others dotting the roster included actors Bill Murray, Kelly Rohrbach and Josh Duhamel, singers Colt Ford and Adrian Young, hockey’s Wayne Gretzky and unofficial tournament host Clint Eastwood. But it was Fitzgerald and Streelman who stood tall on the final day. Perhaps Fitzgerald has a full-time career on the greens when he’s done with the gridiron? “Just being completely out of my comfort zone, not being a professional, like just kind of dealing with what comes and that’s what I think made it special for me, because this game is so difficult,” he said. “And I just even have more respect for the guys that are able to win and play consistently at a high level, because it the hardest game out there.”
FOLLOW THE RACE FOR THE FEDEXCUP ALL SEASON LONG
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© 2017 PGA TOUR, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Player appearance subject to change.
Play Your Best Swing Sequence n the 17 years Denis McDade has worked with PGA Tour pro Marc Leishman, there have been two constants—Leishman’s fearless attitude and his artistic swing. “The hallmarks of his swing are its relaxed, free-flowing nature and its simplicity, McDade says. “And don’t be fooled by his easy-going nature; he’s one of the most high-
I
Marc Leishman A freewheeling swing helped the big Aussie bloom in 2017
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ly competitive people I’ve ever met. He’ll always try to win a tournament rather than play for second. He won’t die wondering.” That combo of silky swing and go-forit attitude helped Leishman to two PGA Tour victories in 2017, the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by Mastercard and the BMW Championship. Those wins quietly moved him into the top 15
in the World Golf Ranking, a place where Leishman would prefer to stay. The key to that will be maintaining the balanced-and-athletic action Leishman has relied on for years, McDade says. Leishman agrees on its importance: “If my balance and tempo are good,” he says, “there’s not a lot that can go wrong.” —ron k a s p r i s k e
NO STRESS SETUP
TURNING IN TURN
SIGNATURE LOOK
“The epitome of relaxed,” says coach Denis McDade. “The arms are gently extended, not rigid. This helps Marc keep the upper body tension-free and allows for the powerful, unrestricted swing he’s known for.” Also, he maintains a wide swing arc as he turns off the ball, McDade says.
The different amounts of rotation from Marc’s spine, hips and arms are coordinated, McDade says: “The sequencing is beautiful.” And though he’s coiling for a powerful downswing, there’s still very little stress in his body. “There are muscles being stretched, but the forearms are still loose,” McDade says.
While he rotates his torso around his spine, Leishman swings his arms upward. That’s why his left arm is bent at the top of the swing. “That’s OK as long as it’s not excessive,” McDade says. “We keep an eye on that. Actually, he drives the ball best when he looks just like this.”
“Marc’s power is unleashed into the ball.” —Denis McDade
POISED TO STRIKE
GETTING THROUGH IT
FULLY EXTENDED
PRO-FILE
“Marc is using his powerful body to freely unwind and accelerate his arms and club back toward the ball,” McDade says. “Notice how relaxed his arms still look in the downswing. They have put the club in a position to be slung at high speed into the back of the ball. He’s about to pound it.”
His head and upper body are a little farther behind the ball than they were at address, “which suits the way Marc likes to deliver the club for the strike,” McDade says. “The left arm is fully extended for the first time. Impact is a moment in time you swing through, not a fixed position.”
The arms are long and have maintained roughly the same distance from the body throughout the swing, McDade says: “There was no widening or narrowing of the arc.” Because Leishman lacks a little flexibility in his left hip, he spins out his left foot. “This allows him to rotate into a full finish,” McDade says.
marc leishman 34 / 6-2 / 200 pounds Warrnambool, Australia driver Callaway Rogue ball Callaway Chrome Soft X
Photographs by J.D. Cuban
Play Your Best Art of Exaggeration by David Leadbetter
Get Off to a Great Start Put yourself in position to hit solid tee shots
any times the easiest way to get a player to learn a skill or correct a mistake is to have them overemphasize the movement needed to execute the task—or even do the opposite of what they’re doing, so they can find middle ground. I call this teaching philosophy the art of exaggeration. Here’s a great example of overemphasizing a move to get you to swing with proper width, so you can hit better tee shots. Many amateurs mistakenly bend the right arm almost as soon as they start the backswing. This pulls the club up and inside the target line way too soon, narrowing the swing arc and put-
M
116 golf digest india | march 2018
ting the club in poor position for the proper through-swing. Remember, your goal with a driver is to sweep the ball from the tee, not hit down on it like you would with an iron off the turf. As your club approaches the ball, it should be on a shallow path—as if it’s tracing the ground—and your arms should be as long as they were at address. That’s what I mean when I say proper width. If tee shots are one of the weakest parts of your game, you need to work on your takeaway. What you really want is a relatively straight right arm
during the initial part of the backswing, as this promotes width. The move to accentuate is keeping the right arm on top of the left as you take the club back for as long as you can, like I’m doing here. As your upper body rotates away from the target, your right arm will fold under the left naturally. But the key is to focus on the right staying on top of the left during the takeaway. It sets you up to really launch your drives better than ever. —with ron kaspriske david leadbetter, a Golf Digest Teaching Professional, runs 32 academies worldwide.
Photographed by J.D. Cuban at The Concession Golf Club
Ted Baker shirT, panTs • royal alBarTross shoes
Hitting it low and off the toe? Try this move to launch it.
Tee to Green by Butch Harmon Play Your Best
Think of a shortstop throwing hard to first base. Pure Your Iron Shots 3 musts at impact: forward, down and through ou hear it all the time: “Hit down on the ball and take a divot.” And it’s good advice, but you have to be in position to actually do it. In fact, a few positions. Let’s look. First, play the ball in line with the logo on your shirt, on the left side of your chest. It’s hard to hit down on the ball if it’s way up in your stance, but moving it way back is no good, either. With the ball back, you’re less likely to make a good shift to your front side on the downswing—and that forward shift is the most important move into impact. The second position is staying in your posture as you swing down and through. The instinct to straighten up is common, either to try to lift the ball or because it’s more difficult to turn while staying in posture. A good thought is to feel like you’re “on top of the ball” with your chest at impact, like your chest is looking at the ball. That’ll help keep you down and into the shot. The third piece is driving your right side—arm, shoulder, knee—at the target (top left). This prevents you from slowing down before impact and trying to flip or scoop the ball off the ground. Good iron players really fire that right side, extending the right arm and pushing through with the body. Think of a shortstop throwing hard to first base for a double play; nothing stays back. —with peter morrice
Y
my favorite drill to feel solid contact If you hit a lot of fat iron shots, chances are you’re not shifting to your front foot in the downswing. Even hitting thin shots usually means your weight is back—instead of crashing into the turf, the club misses the ground and catches the ball when it starts swinging upward. Work on my favorite drill to groove solid strikes. Grab a short iron, take your setup, then angle your back knee
inward so your back foot is up on its toes (left). That will push the majority of your weight to your front side. From this setup, hit some half and three-quarter shots. You’ll make ball-first contact with your weight forward at impact and feel a nice push off your back foot as you go through. Mix in some regular swings from your normal setup, feeling your weight firmly on your front side during the forward swing.
butch harmon is based at Rio Secco Golf Club, Henderson, Nev.
Photographs by Dom Furore
Play Your Best
Tour Technique
Prime Time Good golf starts with a good warm-up by gaby lopez
▶ If you usually get off to a slow start, hitting shots that aren’t even close to your best, it might be because your body isn’t properly warmed up. I see amateurs go to the range ahead of their tee times to hit a few shots, but that’s all they do. Before I make one swing at an LPGA tournament, I have a routine of stretches and exercises to get my body ready. You should create one, too. Start with one of my favorite pre-round moves (below): I extend my arms to my sides, bend at the waist, and turn my upper body so my right hand nearly touches my left foot. Then I turn so my left hand nearly touches my right. I turn 10 times in each direction. This warms up several muscles in the back, core and legs. Give it a try, as well as the others I’m demonstrating on the following page. — with Keely levins
Photographs by J.D. Cuban
Tour Technique Play Your Best Mexico native Gaby Lopez, 24, is in her third season on the LPGA Tour.
shoulder circles
leg sweeps
▶ Hold a choked-down iron and swing it in vertical circles with one arm fully extended. Do 10 swings with each arm forward and backward. The shoulders and shoulder blades are super important to swing a club correctly and accelerate and decelerate it safely.
▶ Using an iron for balance, stand on one foot and sweep the other side to side in front of your body. Do 10 swings, then switch legs. This is a great warm-up for the muscles of your thighs and hips to improve the role of the pelvis throughout the swing.
double-club swings
field-goal kicks
▶ Hold an iron in each hand with the handles about five inches apart. Make six slow golf swings maintaining that space between the handles. This takes some strength and will activate many of the muscles you use to control the club when you make a real swing.
▶ Balancing with an iron at your side, stand on one leg while swinging the other backward and forward as if you were kicking a ball. Keep both as straight as possible and do 10 kicks, each leg. This warms the key muscles in the legs, improving stability and power.
HOLE-INONE CLUB
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CONGRATULATIONS ACERS (Jan 1, 2018 onwards)
Amit Chaturvedi Qutab Golf Course, New Delhi February 17, 2018 M Sathendran Karnataka Golf Association, Bengaluru February 12, 2018 Harish Mariwala Bombay Presidency Golf Club, Mumbai January 31, 2018 Indranil Dasgupta Tollygunge Club, Kolkata January 21, 2018 Aravvir Bachal Karma Lakelands, Gurgaon January 21, 2018 Sandeep Khanna Jaypee Greens, Greater Noida January 9, 2018
The Golf Life The Digest
by sam weinman + alex myers
THINGS PEOPLE SAY ABOUT YOUR CLUBS and what they really mean
“WOW, SUCH A PURIST!”
dude, step into the new millennium.
“THESE ARE GOOD OPTIONS FOR YOU.” i would never be seen in public with these, but you need all the help you can get.
ditch the 3-iron already and get the hybrid.
5 signs you need a new driver 1 The tour player who endorsed it is no longer alive. 2 When you hit one on the screws, it hits actual screws. 3 Its head is smaller than everyone else’s 3-wood. 4 Somebody shows up with one on an episode of “Antiques Roadshow.” 5 It’s square.
“AMAZING HOW MANY BAG TAGS YOU CAN FIT.” but we’re all impressed you played baltusrol in 1996.
“YOUR PUTTER HAS A NICE FEEL!” this is the ugliest club i’ve ever seen.
“LOVE THOSE GRIPS!” what a waste of money.
featherlites, 1984 flaw Couldn’t feel the club, inaccurate under pressure all-composite drivers 1982-2002 flaw Quiet in an era that equated distance with loud vas 792 irons, 1995 flaw Hideously onset shaft design instilled shanxiety oversize balls, 1994 flaw Failed to deliver promise of straighter flight all-titanium irons, 1996 flaw Too large, too expensive, too grotesque
infamous clubs of history the king cobra driver Jean Van de Velde’s caddie should’ve snapped before the final hole of the 1999 Open Championship. the kasco super hyten driver left in Ian Woosnam’s bag, earning him a two-stroke penalty for carrying 15 clubs at the 2001 Open.
low-profile irons, 1976 flaw Quite playable, until you got in the rough
nonconforming drivers 1998-2003 flaw Despite benefits, no one likes a cheater
the wilson wedge T.C. Chen double-hit at the 1985 U.S. Open. the t.p. mills putter Scott Hoch used to miss a winning two-footer at the 1989 Masters. the callaway war bird deuce 2-wood John Daly used to hit six shots into a lake at the 1998 Bay Hill.
liquidmetal clubs, 1997-’01 flaw Brilliant in theory, less so as a business. square drivers, 2007-’10 flaw Sounded like an empty trash can —mike stachura and e. michael johnson
tiger’s winning drivers
▶ Tiger Woods is aiming for his 80th PGA Tour victory this season. If he reaches that goal, it will be with a new TaylorMade driver, making it the ninth different driver he has won with as a pro. Here are the other eight: 1 king cobra deep face Think it worked? Augusta changed its course. 2 titleist 975d Won the Tiger Slam in 2000-’01.
3 nike forged titanium Put Nike metalwoods on the map. 4 nike ignite First time with it in the bag, he won the 2003 WGC-Amex.
5 nike ignite 460 Reached his highest distance average (316.1 yards) with this driver in 2005. 6 nike sasquatch tour 460 Captured his last
major playing this at the 2008 U.S. Open. 7 nike sq dymo 380 prototype Racked up six wins in 2009. 8 nike vr tour His last five victories, in 2013, came with this club.
woosnam: Rebecca naden/Pa Images/getty Images • daly: chRIs condon/getty Images • woods: walteR Iooss JR.
“ALWAYS GAME FOR A CHALLENGE, AREN’T YOU?”
tech innovations that never took off
18 Holes with Ramakrishnan Chandrasekaran
‘Teeing off at Royal Troon after The Open was phenomenal’ He took to the game just a decade ago, but he hasn’t looked back since. Ramakrishnan Chandrasekaran, Executive Vice Chairman, Cognizant India, is as keen about his rounds of golf as he is about Carnatic music! ‘Chandra’, as he is known in professional circles, thoroughly enjoys his time on the fairways, and has played on Arnold Palmer-designed courses and cherishes his visits to Augusta National and St. Andrews. While work keeps him on the move, he does sneak in one golf lesson each month. The IT veteran is also a fitness enthusiast, cycling and working out often besides having participated in halfmarathons in the past. Here he is, in conversation with Karthik Swaminathan. GDI: What is your home club?
1 Madras Gymkhana Club
GDI: When did you start playing golf?
2 Exactly 10 years ago, when I was 50 GDI: What do you love about the
3 game?
Golf is a such stress buster! The sport and the pristine surroundings help me unwind. In fact, the only time I don’t ever look at my phone, leave alone just check messages, is when I am spending those four-odd hours at the course. GDI: Who have you played golf with
4 the most?
With my friends… I enjoy their company GDI: How about your dream fourball?
5 Decorated personalities across
disciplines! Playing alongside Roger Federer, Bill Gates and Carnatic exponent Sanjay Subrahmanyan will be quite something. But I would still settle for a fourball comprising greats like Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els. GDI: Favourite golf course, both in
6 India and abroad
Oxford Golf Resort in Pune. Overseas, Pebble Beach, California. In fact, nothing beats the Pebble Beach experience! GDI: How often do you get to play?
7 I play about 2 to 3 times a week
GDI: Your thoughts on doing business
8 on the golf course?
I play purely for pleasure. On the fairways, I am able to isolate myself from the hustle and bustle. So… I don’t usually discuss business on the course. GDI: Favourite male and female
9 golfers
Among men, it has to be the ageless and constantly inspiring Tiger Woods. He is an icon. Among the ladies, I like watching Aditi Ashok play. GDI: Describe your most memorable
10 golfing experience
I was among the first to tee off at Royal Troon, the venue for the 2016 British Open, the day after the oldest Major concluded. It is perhaps something people don’t even dream of. Total Number of pages (including cover pages) is 128 Monthly Magazine, RNI N0. HARENG/2016/66983
R. Chandrasekaran before teeing off at Royal Troon on Monday, 24 hours after the 2016 British Open
GDI: Do you use any golf apps on
11 your phone?
Freecaddie
GDI: Your current handicap?
12 18
GDI: Your lowest handicap?
13 17
GDI: On an average how long do you 14 drive the ball? About 200. The farthest I have driven is 250, with favourable winds
GDI: Your favourite holiday destination
15 Anywhere in Europe! But given my family
of history buffs, we love everything about Italy. Can never tire of the country. GDI: Favourite dish on your home
16 course
Diced salad, onion-and-lime-sprinkled nuts GDI: Mid-round power snack
17 Omelette sandwich
GDI: Favourite 19th hole drink
18 Beer
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