GOLF NEWS OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP ISSUE 2024

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WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT RORY

comes to solving the riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma that is Rory McIlroy when it comes to discussing his performance in the major championships over the last 10 years.

Of course, with 31 top-10s in his 51 majors to date, and three runner-up nishes in his last 39 attempts to bag a fth major, it’s not so much his performances which are in question, but more his ability to get his nose in front and keep it there when it matters most.

Long before his meltdown/collapse/choke/ brainfreeze at last month’s US Open at Pinehurst, where he threw away the best chance he has had to end his decade-long barren spell in the big four, there have been question marks over Rory’s ability to put the hammer down when the pressure is really on in the majors.

He almost seems to get in the way of himself in these moments, with the weight of the pressure of all those years of hurt coming to bear on his very soul as he steps up to putts that he would normally sink in his sleep.

Although, of course, there have been times when things have been out of his control and someone else simply plays better, but when you drop three shots over the closing four holes of a tournament, Bryson DeChambeau didn’t need do to very much – apart from play the best 50-yard bunker shot in major championship history – to wrestle the title o him.

Winning a major is as much a mental battle as it is a physical one, and time and time again Rory has been found wanting in the mental stakes. Could he do with a stronger word in his ear from his caddie, rather than the calming words of a childhood friend? Possibly. But you rarely see Rory question one of Harry Diamond’s reads or see him blaming him for giving his wrong yardages, so the fault cannot solely lie in his choice of bagman.

While McIlroy’s long game is one of the best on tour, his short game and putting has been inconsistent to put it mildly. Major championships are often won or lost on the greens, and despite holing a

monster amount of yardage during his nal round at Pinehurst, a three-putt bogey on the 5th from 20 feet, and, of course, those pressure putt misses on 16 and 18, proved so, so costly.

Of course, let’s not forget that away from the fairways Rory’s personal life has been in something resembling turmoil of late, having announced that he was ling for divorce from his wife just days before the PGA Championship, then wrong-footing everyone on the eve of the US Open by saying it was all back on and they were reconciling their di erences. None of that is going to help anyone focus on their day job, but given how he was able to perform over the rst three days, I don’t think we can say that the errors we witness on the Sunday of the US Open had much to do with his o -course a airs. Either way, Rory’s chances of winning a fth major title seem to be strangely as close as they are distant. With each passing year, the more he keeps putting himself into winning positions the more it seems that the weight of his own expectations – never mind the millions of fans that are willing him on – stand in his way. The past failures have piled on top of each other to create a seemingly unsurmountable hurdle.

Throughout this decade-long drought there has never been any doubt that Rory has the talent and the determination to win another major. At 35, he is still young enough, and certainly t enough, to win another three or four of the damn things, but golf, as we all know, is no respecter of either of those qualities, and it is going to take some monumental change of fortune for him to cross the major nishing line.

Hopefully the stars will all align for Rory at Royal Troon for the 152nd Open Championship, and all of the above will instantly be consigned to the dustbin, and everyone who dared doubt his powers will be made to eat their words. I, for one, would be delighted do so. Pass me the ketchup.

Nick Bayly

Cha Hills unveils new par-3 course and pu ing green

Chart Hills Golf Club in Kent has unveiled the latest phase of its on-going investment plans with the opening of a new six-hole par-3 course and a new practice putting green, both of which were designed by Sir Nick Faldo.

With holes ranging from 50 to 100 yards, ‘The Loop’ is a six-hole course situated opposite the driving range, providing golfers with a unique and challenging experience, perfect for honing their short game skills and enjoyable before or after a round of golf.

In addition, the new 668 square metre practice putting green is also now open for use for members and guests.

Adjacent to the rst tee, this putting surface draws inspiration from the sites of Sir Nick Faldo’s favourite greens, including its very own ‘Valley of Sin’, as well as taking inspiration from Muir eld and Augusta.

Elsewhere, as part of the next phase of the enhancements to the Faldo-designed championship course, all 18 holes have recently bene tted from an extensive refurbishment of the tee boxes.

The renovation involved stripping the tee boxes down to the soil, levelling them out, installing additional drainage where required and then retur ng the tees. The result is 72 immaculate tee boxes that can withstand foot tra c and weather year-round.

The refurbishment has also included replacing all of the tee markers, which are now named based on their yardage, with the ’71’ tees representing the 7,100-yard course, followed by the 66 tees, 61 and 55 tees, which should be selected based on playing ability and the distance each golfer is capable of hitting the ball.

All the tees on the Championship course have been levelled o and relaid with new turf and new drainage, while the tees are now numbered according to the overall yardage of the course, with ’66’, being the 6,600-yard course from the purple tees, while 71 denotes the back tees, which take the course up to 7,100 yards.

The club has also announced further investments, which will include its rst on-site accommodation, set to provide premium suites for stay-and-play packages and wedding parties.

The Barn at Chart Hills, just a short walk from the main clubhouse, will provide ve bedrooms of luxury, boutiquestyle accommodation for up to 10 guests and is set to open later this year.

“We’re proud to have unveiled the new amenities, including The Loop. It’s the result of a period of intense work from the team. The fact that it’s already been so well received is gratifying,” said General Manager, Anthony Tarchetti.

“We’re equally excited to be unveiling the latest development plans here at Chart Hills, with further investments still to come as we strive to create the very best facilities for members, guests and visitors.

Since 2019, Chart Hills has undergone a complete transformation, and under our ownership that will only continue in the future.”

“The project enhances the ne details of the course that golfers love and appreciate, as well as encouraging golfers to play from the tees that best ts their ability, improving the playing experience for everyone” Tarchetti added.

■ THE NEW PAR-3 COURSE CAN BE PLAYED IN 30-40 MINUTES AND IS AN IDEAL PLACE TO WORK ON YOUR SHORT GAME

Cabrera returns to winning ways at Hanbury Manor

Angel Cabrera won his rst tournament in over a decade when winning the Legends Tour’s Paul Lawrie Match Play held at Hanbury Manor from June 14-16.

The 54-year-old Argentinian beat three-time Legends Tour winner and the 2022 MCB Road to Mauritius champion James Kingston in a close nal at the Hertfordshire venue.

The eld had been whittled down from 64 players on Thursday to the last two men standing on Sunday afternoon. First blood went the way of the Argentinian, who won the second hole, but in a scrappy front nine where seven holes were halved – it was Kingston winning the 8th which would see them head into the turn with the match tied.

Cabrera won the 12th to take the advantage early on in the back nine, only for Kingston to level things again when he won the 14th.

But the 2007 US Open and 2009 Masters champion won back-to-back holes on 15 and 16 to be two up with two to play.

O the tee at 17, Cabrera missed left and was in the light rough among a small group of young trees. Kingston hit the fairway, but his approach shot ended up in the greenside bunker, while Cabrera hit a sublime 8-iron from 177 yards to less than 10 feet. When Kingston hit his bunker shot thin and racing past the pin, the South African conceded the match.

“‘I’ve worked very hard over the last three months for this moment, so I am very happy,” said the 54-year-old Argentinian, who hadn’t won a professional tournament since 2013 and who spent two years in prison from 2021-23 after being convicted of assault. “We don’t play a lot of match play on tour, but I like the format. I had to play hole by hole. I can say I feel very emotional now.”

■ ANGEL CABRERA RECEIVES THE TROPHY FROM TOURNAMENT HOST PAUL LAWRIE

■ THE NEW PAR-3 COURSE FEATURES HOLES MEASURING 50-100 YARDS

E ingham opens new sho game facility

Effingham Golf Club in Surrey officially opened its new short game facility earlier this month, with DP World Tour and 2008 Ryder Cup player Oliver Wilson giving a chipping and wedge play clinic to members and invited guests as part of the unveiling ceremony at the Surrey venue.

Situated between the club’s Georgian clubhouse and first tee, the practice area, which was designed by golf course architect James Edwards, is divided into 12 zones for golfers to sharpen every aspect of their close-range play – including a 450m2 putting green and two bunkers.

Since construction was completed, the area – which features an array of elevation changes to prepare players for the undulating landscape of the club’s Harry Colt course – has undergone a growing-in period of more than a year.

The area, which boasts full irrigation, includes two new practice net bays and integrated shoe and trolley cleaning station. Its prime location opposite the main entrance gate means that it will be the first thing guests see on arrival at the club.

Jonathan Kaltner, General Manager of Effingham, said: “We’re delighted to open what we feel is one of the best facilities of its kind in the country. We envision this being not only an area where players can sharpen up before using the course, but also something that our members can come and enjoy for hours on end even if they aren’t playing a round.

RSG to host 2025 Amateur Championship

Renowned venues in Great Britain and Ireland and beyond will host The R&A’s amateur championships and international matches in 2025.

The 130th Amateur Championship will be played at famed south-east English venues Royal St George’s – host to The Open on 15 occasions – and Royal Cinque Ports from 16–21 June, with a prequali er at the latter on 13 June.

Harry Ellis was victorious when The Amateur Championship was last held at Royal St George’s in 2017, while Royal Cinque Ports – which staged The Open in 1909 and 1920 – also hosted The Amateur most recently in 2013 when Garrick Porteous triumphed.

The world’s leading women players will head for the Highlands in Scotland as Nairn – the venue for The Amateur in 2021 – welcomes The 122nd Women’s Amateur Championship from 9–14 June. Broadcaster Maureen Madill took the title when Nairn last hosted the Championship in 1979.

The Walker Cup, the biennial encounter between leading male amateurs from GB&I and the USA, takes place at Cypress Point in California from 6–7 September 2025 with Dean Robertson captaining the visitors.

Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, Executive Director – Championships at The R&A, said, “It is important to reinforce The R&A’s amateur championships and international matches as pinnacle events in

global elite amateur golf. “We want to attract the best players from around the globe to compete and, as such, it is tting to have our championships and international matches hosted at some of the world’s nest venues in 2025.”

The R&A Girls’ and Boys’ Amateur championships will be held at Conwy and County Louth respectively in August, with the R&A Girls’ U16 Amateur Championship taking place at Gog Magog in April. The R&A Women’s and Men’s Senior Amateur championships will be played concurrently at Walton Heath in July.

A number of other international matches contested between GB&I and the Continent of Europe will also take place. The St Andrews Trophy will be staged at Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro in Spain in July, while Royal Hague Golf & Country Club in the Netherlands will welcome the Vagliano and Junior Vagliano trophies for women and girls a month earlier. The boys’ equivalent match for the Jacques Léglise Trophy will be played in August at the Royal Golf Club of Belgium.

The Walker Cup and St Andrews Trophy being played in the same year is part of a realignment, which will see the Walker Cup move to even years from 2026 and the St Andrews Trophy move to odd years from 2025.

Visit www.anda.org to view the full 2025 event calendar.

Clemons squeezes rivals with record-breaking winning margin at Sco ish Men’s Open

Cambridgeshire’s Dominic Clemons blew away the eld at the Scottish Men’s Open Championship as the 21-year-old carded a record-breaking score of 24 under par across four rounds at Muir eld Golf Club.

Rounds of 68, 65, 65 and 62 saw Clemons nish an enormous 17 shots ahead of his nearest competitor, becoming the 11th Englishman to win the event.

The Gog Magog golfer went from a one-shot lead after 36 holes to shoot 15-under-par for his nal two rounds to send Muir eld club historians digging out the record books. Speaking after his wide-margin win, Clemons said: “When it’s your day, it’s your day. I was just trying to keep my head down and make pars and birdies, but it felt good walking o the 18th and realising it was at Muir eld – it made it extra special.”

Having won the Scottish Boys’ U14 Open eight years earlier, Clemons, who was part of England Golf’s Regional Squads and represented England U16s and Hertfordshire Boys, revealed: “My record around this part of Scotland is weird. I’ve loved links golf since I was a kid. It was probably a two or three-club wind on Sunday and I was just playing a shot at a time. With the wind, you’ve got to hit di erent shots, low, high, left-to-right, right-to-left, and that’s probably my strength as I can move it both ways. I love shaping it – exhibition shots almost – and playing them in competition, I just felt comfortable.

He added: “I’ve always liked putting on links greens too, and it just seemed to be dropping for me. I didn’t hole too many long ones till Sunday afternoon and then it went my way with a chip-in and holing a few long ones.”

■ ROYAL ST GEORGE’S

“IN THOSE TOUGH MOMENTS, I REMIND MYSELF THAT I AM LITERALY LIVING MY DREAMS”

Having topped the Challenge Tour rankings in 2023, and earned promotion to the DP World Tour, 26-year-old tour professional MARCO PENGE has firmly established himself on the world stage, chalking up three top-20s in his maiden season, with the promise of much more to come. Here Marco shares his golfing journey to date, talks about how he is coping with the transition to Europe’s top tier tour and what he has learned about his game

What’s the main difference you’ve seen between the Challenge Tour and the DP World Tour?

The standard on both tours is incredible, and really very similar, with great talents on both tours, but there is certainly a greater strength in depth on the DP World Tour. I’ve also noticed that there are a lot more players in the gym – so fitness levels are just that bit higher.

With you currently averaging 330 yards off the tee, against a tour average of 305 yards, I wouldn’t be making a wild guess to suggest that driving is one of the main strengths of your game?

Absolutely – my length off the tee is a huge advantage, and to be fair I’m pretty accurate with it too. I’m not sure that is always reflected in the driving accuracy stats though, as I’m normally hitting into narrow pinch points and over corners that are out of range for many other players. I’ve been working hard in the gym for a long time now which helps with my strength and swing speed.

If length is your superpower, what are the relative weaknesses in your game?

I’d say my approach play is not as good as it needs to be. It’s really down to some technical work I need to do. If I lack any clarity in terms of what I am doing, or what I should feel, it ultimately undermines my belief and becomes a grind. There’s no quick fix to it, but I am working hard with my coach on improving this part of my game.

What performance stats do you pay most attention to?

‘Proximity to hole’ is a big one for me – how many times I hit it inside 15 feet with my approach shots

and how destructive my bad one is. My last round at the Volvo China Open – where I shot a bogey-free 66 – was about the easiest six under I‘ve ever had because I hit it inside 15 feet on almost every hole.

You’ve said that it can often take three or four holes for you to settle into a round. How are learning to deal with this and perhaps make better starts to your rounds?

This being my first year on the DP World Tour there have definitely been more things to deal with, as it’s all new and a bit of a learning curve. You can easily slip into the mindset of trying to avoid mistakes – trying to make a few pars to ease into the round – but it’s not a great mentality to have out here. The standard is so high that you really need to fly out the blocks with the aim of shooting as low as you can from the off. I’m an instinctive player too and so feeling good on the range really helps the start of the round as I know I can trust my feels.

On your way to winning the Challenge Tour

Grand Final last year, you hit your second shot out of bounds on the first hole in the final round. What went through your mind at that point?

The opening hole at Alcanada is a par-five and I took the second shot on, which I still feel was the right choice. I deal with these moments pretty well and try to keep my emotions in check. Looking back, I probably just said to myself ‘that was crap!’ and moved on. I’ve had so many experiences in the past where I’ve stayed patient, playing great and not making putts, but hung in there only to be rewarded at the end of the round. I’ve really learned from these moments, and they have helped me keep the faith and trust in my game.

■ MARCO PENGE WON THE CHALLENGE TOUR ORDER OF MERIT IN 2023

MARCO PENGE FACTFILE

AGE: 26

BORN: Horsham, West Sussex

LIVES: Clitheroe, Lancashire

ATTACHMENT: The Caversham, Berkshire

AMATEUR WINS: 2013 Macgregor Trophy, 2013 Fairhaven Trophy, 2015 Sco ish Amateur Strokeplay, Jaques Leglise Team Trophy (2013-15)

TURNED PRO: 2017

PRO WINS: Open De Po ugal 2023, Challenge Tour Grand Final 2023

DP WORLD TOUR APPEARANCES: 24

CUTS MADE: 8

If you look at my whole season last year it was a similar story, I nished fourth in the Czech Open and then followed that with seven missed cuts in a row and was well down the rankings. I could sense there was some anxiety within my team about the how the year would end, but I knew all along it would be ne and that I would have better weeks at some point. Fortunately, I nished the year strongly, won a couple of times, and topped the rankings. It was unbelievable, but it’s my mentality to be positive. You’ve got to be patient and stay in control of your emotions. Ultimately, I believe in my ability and will always back myself to turn things around.

It must be a real asset to be able to keep your cool when things aren’t going your way. I guess so. Even in those tough moments I remind myself that I am literally living my dream, and I am really grateful to be doing what I’m doing, so that helps keep me grounded and from going o the rails.

Do you think you have what it takes to win on the DP World Tour?

I’d like to think so. Certain courses will play into my strengths with my length o the tee, and I can

MY LENGTH OFF THE TEE IS A HUGE ADVANTAGE, AND I’M PRETTY STRAIGHT WITH IT TOO, ALTHOUGH I’M NOT SURE THAT IS ALWAYS REFLECTED IN MY DRIVING ACCURACY STATS

BEST FINISH: 12th (2024) South African Open, 17th (Volvo China Open)

CAREER PRIZE MONEY: €313,891

2024 PERFORMANCE STATS

DRIVING DISTANCE: 326 Yards (4th)

DRIVING ACCURACY: 50% (124th)

GREENS IN REGULATION: 67% (68th)

PUTTS PER GIR: 1.82 (128th)

PUTTS PER ROUND: 29.67 (114th)

SAND SAVES: 49% (107th)

STROKE AVERAGE: 71.32 (90th)

de nitely win around those kind of tracks. For example, I played in India this year on a really tight course and only hit one driver a round, so I was playing from the same places as the rest of the eld. A good week for me on a course like that might be a top 25, although I ended up 37th. But at the venue for this year’s South African Open, Blair Atholl in Johannesburg, which was over 7,800 yards, it was course where long driving was a de nite advantage and I nished 12th. It’s just a case of playing well in those weeks. I know that there will always be three or four weeks a year where I will be contention – that’s just the type of player I am. My game, when it’s good, is awesome, and I know it will show up at some point in the season. Couple this with getting my approach play where I want it to be more consistently, and I know that I put myself in contention to win.

■ BIG SHOT: MARCO IS AVERARGING OVER 325 YARDS OFF THE TEE THIS SEASON

WHAT’S IN MARCO’S BAG?

DRIVER: Mizuno ST-X 230 (8.5°)

FAIRWAY WOODS: Mizuno ST-X 230 3-wood (15°)

HYBRIDS: Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi (1, 2)

IRONS: Mizuno PRO 241 (4-PW)

WEDGES: Mizuno T24 (50°, 56°, 60°)

PUTTER: Odyssey Versa Jailbird

BALL: Titleist ProV1x

What’s been your favourite course/event on Tour this season?

My favourite course so far has been Leopard Creek in South Africa, while my favourite tournament was the Dubai Desert Classic.

Who do like to hang out with on tour?

I play most of my practice rounds with Andy Sullivan, Matt Baldwin and Paul Waring. They have really taken me under their wing and are a great support to me – especially given that it is my rst year on the DP World Tour.

Who was your gol ng idol when you were growing up and who do you admire of the current generation of tour players?

It was de nitely Tiger Woods when I was growing up, but of the current generation I admire Brooks Koepka for his strong mentality and un appable demeanour.

Who have you played with this year that has really impressed you?

A South African guy called Louis De Jager has really stood out to me so far. He’s been around for a while, but I was really impressed with the way he managed his game.

Finally, what advice would you o er to club golfers out there?

Enjoy your golf, stay patient and have fun –simple as that! Ultimately, golf is just a small piece of your life. We all need to remember to enjoy our golf, whatever level you play at. My wife actually messaged me before my last round in China and said, ‘Go have fun – remember you’re living your dreams!’ It’s such an important message. My time at on the DP World Tour might last a year or 10 years, who knows, but I always remember the journey I’ve had to get here and remind myself to enjoy every moment.

Inspiration Club opens to critical acclaim

The Inspiration Club, London’s newest golf course, opened to critical acclaim earlier this month as the rst golfers took to the fairways ahead of its o cial opening to the public on June 1.

Inspired by some of the greatest links courses and codesigned by world renowned links specialists Mackenzie & Ebert, the Inspiration Club was bathed in true links weather for its opening weekend. From wind, rain and biblical cloud formations, through bright sunshine and blue skies across the weekend, The Inspiration Club showed its rst visitors every side of this unique new experience.

“We’ve been very careful not to call this a links course, but the shape of the fairways, the green complexes and the bunkering, certainly take inspiration from links.” said owner Tony Menai-Davis after an eventful opening weekend. “We’ve had every type of weather over the past few says, but the feedback has been consistently positive, particularly for the greens. Rick Shiels was the rst person to play a round and he said in his podcast that they were some of the best greens he’s ever played on. I’ll take that from someone who has played Augusta!”

Located in Northolt, north west London, the Inspiration Club is a ten-year project taken on by the Menai-Davis

family, who also own of The Shire and the West London Golf Centre. Following their successful partnership when creating The Shire, Seve Ballesteros agreed to take on the design of the Inspiration, before his untimely death in 2011. Tony then took on the project, shaping the land and laying out the course, before bringing in links specialist architect Tom Mackenzie.

“It’s been a long project with many hurdles along the way, but what we’ve achieved here is something very special,” said Menai-Davis. “This was sloping farmland when we took it on. Every hump, hollow and run o has been created by the team. Through blood, sweat and some tears we’ve created an incredible golf course, and I’m delighted that our Inspiration is going to inspire golfers to play a style of golf that they won’t nd anywhere without driving to the coast.”

Memberships for the Inspiration Club sold out two months before the opening, but the Inspiration welcomes visitors seven days a week. Green fees range from £70-£90, with a special opening o er of a 4-ball for £250.

For more information and to book a tee time, visit www.theinspirationclub.co.uk

Heavy fines handed out for illegal waste dumping at Sussex golf club

A pair of West Sussex rms have been convicted of dumping waste at the now permanently closed Rusper Golf Club over a six-month period in 2018, along with the owners of the course who let it happen.

An anonymous tip-o led the Environment Agency to the discovery of almost 700 lorry-loads of waste dumped illegally at the Surrey-based club between June and November in 2018.

Rusper Golf Club, which is located between Horsham and Crawley, rst opened in 1992, but closed in September 2020 due to nancial di culties.

Worthing-based Rusper Leisure Ltd allowed Crawley haulier Cook and Son Ltd and Bell and Sons Construction Ltd to o oad the waste, none of which had approval from the Environment Agency.

Rusper Leisure had planning permission to raise part of an embankment on the driving range by two metres to catch errant golf balls, but the agreement with Mole Valley District Council was to only use clean soil.

Investigators from the Environment Agency found the surface of the banks contained glass, wood, plastic, tarmac, brick, concrete and other material. Similar loads were also dropped around the course and nearby.

Cook and Bell paid Rusper Leisure £100 a load for the tonnes of waste left on and around the greens in the second half of 2018.

Jamie Hamilton, the senior environmental crime o cer who led the investigation for the Environment Agency, said: “Companies must ensure the Environment Agency authorises any tipping of waste in advance. Cook and Son and Bell and Sons, both established operators, discarded the waste over ve months without making any meaningful checks the golf course could accept it.”

Almond goes nuts a er cracking world record!

An amateur golfer from Kent has been o cially recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records after becoming the youngest player to beat their age.

Chris Almond shot a gross 65 in his very rst competition as a member of Canterbury Golf Club’s in June 2022, when he was aged 66, and has been seeking rati cation of the record over the last two years.

Almond played the round of his life, with seven birdies, 10 pars and one bogey in a men’s Midweek Medal, having joined a week earlier from Royal MidSurrey Golf Club and having played Canterbury’s par-71 course only once before.

He nally received a con rmation email from o cials at the Guinness Book of World Records earlier this month and is set to receive a certi cate ratifying his record, that will sit along the framed scorecard that already hangs in Canterbury’s clubhouse.

The emailed read: “We are thrilled to inform you that your application for ‘Youngest golfer to score their age’ has been successful and you are now the Guinness World Records Title Holder! Congratulations, you are O cially Amazing!”

After hearing the news, Almond, a man who clearly likes to let his clubs do the talking, said: “I’m very, very excited!”

District judge Tessa Szagun called the behaviour “reckless,” handing down nes totalling £38,000. Rusper Leisure Ltd was ned £2,000 for running a waste operation at the club with no environmental permit, while Cook & Son Ltd and Bell & Sons Construction Ltd were ned £24,000 and £12,000 respectively for dumping the waste.

West Malling hits 50 not out!

West Malling Golf Club celebrated its 50th anniversary with a series of special events held at the popular Kent venue during the rst week of June.

A Mixed Invitational, along with competitions for Ladies and Seniors, were held between June 3-7, all of which attracted big elds to mark ve decades of golf at the family-owned venue.

Founded in June 1974, the popular members’ club boasts two courses which are named in honour of the iconic ghter planes that ew out of the nearby air eld during the World War II. The Hurricane was designed by former Open Champion and vetime Ryder Cup player Max Faulkner and measures more than 7,000 yards o the back tees, while the par-67 Spit re was built shortly after the club was taken over by Mike Ellis and Ernie Thompson in 1983.

Ernie retired in 1995, leaving Mike to carry the club forward along with the help of his family before retiring himself in 2011. Since then, Mike’s daughters, Katie and Lara, and his grandson Greg, have continued running the golf club and tried to keep a family ethos about the place.

West Malling’s 2,000-sq ft pro shop remains another reason for the club being on the

Cox mounts successful defence of He s

County title

Harry Cox became the rst player to successfully defend the Hertfordshire Golf’s Men’s County Championship in 20 years when winning the title at Welwyn Garden City Golf Club.

Although Welwyn’s famous former member Sir Nick Faldo won the Men’s County Championship back in 1975, this year was the rst time that the club had ever hosted the county’s agship events.

Cox, who is also a member at Welwyn, enjoyed serene progress through the stroke play rounds, with the 16-year-old pulling four shots clear of the 66-strong eld after shooting a three-under par aggregate of 137. Tom Ryan (Knebworth) and Niall Johnston (Letchworth) were the next best scorers on 141.

The champion of 2023 then powered through the match play rounds, winning his last 16 match against Oscar Freeman (West Herts) 5&4, overcoming Daniel Stannard 4&3 in the quarters, taking down good friend and fellow Welwyn member Louie Bloxham 3&2 in his semi- nal, and then beating Harpenden Common’s Tony Wilkins 4&2 in the nal to become the rst player to retain the title since Porters Park’s Ben Connelly some 20 years ago.

The women’s county championship – also held at Welwyn Garden City –was won by Sandy Lodge’s Anna Molloy, who gained revenge of her defeat in last year’s nal at Moor Park with a 4&3 victory over former champion Emmanuelle Hewson. The team competition was won by Essendon, represented by Riya Chandaria, Janine Cicchirillo and Sarah Marley.

gol ng map, with long-serving PGA club professional Duncan Lambert stocking one of the biggest selections of equipment, clothing and accessories in the country, with the women’s apparel section being one of the largest to be found on or o a golf course. The shop is also home to the largest custom tting centre in Kent, and Duncan and his team are always on hand to dispense advice on purchases, as well as give lessons.

Ticket ballot opens for next year’s Open

With just a few weeks to go before the 152nd Open Championship gets under way at Royal Troon, The R&A has announced that the ticket ballot for the 153rd Open, which is being held at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland next year, will open from July 1-31 for fans to submit ticket applications.

The ballot ensures that all fans will have a fair opportunity to attend the Championship, which is taking place from July 13-20, 2025. The results of the ballot will be announced in stages between August and September.

The ticket ballot is available exclusively to members of One Club, the free-to-join digital membership programme. Fans can sign up to One Club at any time and be among the rst to be noti ed when the ticket ballot is open. They can also upgrade to One Club Advantage for an enhanced chance of success in the ticket ballot.

Ticket prices for The 153rd Open start from £100 for an adult on championship days and from £25 on practice days. Free tickets will be available to children through the ‘Kids go Free’ programme, while half-price youth tickets available for those aged between 16 and 24. These tickets must also be applied for using the ticket ballot.

For more details, and to register your interest in the ballot, visit www.TheOpen.com.

■ WEST MALLING BOASTS TWO 18-HOLE COURSES ■ HERTS

GOLF IN SURREY

WHERE TO PLAY IN ENGLAND'S BEST-SERVED GOLFING COUNTY

STARS OF SAND AND HEATHER

Blessed with over 140 golf courses, many of which are located in stunning heathland settings, it’s no wonder that Surrey has long proved a mecca for golfing purists who come to challenge themselves on historic world class layouts designed by some of the game’s legendary architects

With more golf courses in the top 100 of all the main UK ranking lists than any other county in England, it’s fair to say that Surrey is an undisputed heavyweight of the gol ng rmament however you chose to look it.

And if you’re looking to cut down on the regular commute to your nearest course then you’d be strongly advised to move to the county which tops the table of UK counties with the highest percentage of land used for gol ng activities.

Although by no means the largest county in the country, Surrey, which boasts a population of just over one million, is home to 142 golf courses within its borders, which measures 642 square miles. The borough of Woking came out on top across the entire country, with 10.74% of land being golf course. While within Surrey, Runnymede came second with 6.83%, while Epsom and Ewell took third place at 6.30%. Fourth went to Surrey Heath with 4.99%, with Elmbridge in fth at 4.48%. Reigate and Banstead came next with 3.37%, before a drop to Tandridge with 2.65% and Guildford at 2.28%.

London’s wealthiest home county is also fortunate from a gol ng perspective to have a swathe of sand running through its con nes, which was rst exploited by Woking Golf Club. in 1893. This sandy heathland provided free-draining

■ SUNNINGDALE

ground for those London golfers who didn’t fancy travelling to the coast or the South Downs to play golf.

Along with Woking, these early ‘stars of sand and heather’, as described by Bernard Darwin, also New Zealand GC (1895) and Hankley Common (1896), but golf was played in Surrey much earlier than this, with rounds, in the loosest term, having been played on Wimbledon Common in the early 19th century. Records go back to 1864, suggesting that some of the London Scottish Ri e Volunteer Corps, who were posted nearby, met on the common to form the London Scottish Golf Club. Golf then spread to the chalky North Downs of Guildford in 1886 and then to Epsom and then Banstead, when heathland golf was still a twinkle in the eye.

Despite boasting a Berkshire postcode, Surrey lays claim to Sunningdale Golf Club’s two championship courses on the basis that it is a liated to Surrey Golf. Either way, it is the club’s historic Old Course that remains one of the toprated gol ng layouts in the country. Another Wille Park Junior heathland masterpiece, subsequently modi ed by Harry Colt, the Old combines with the New course at Sunningdale to form what many regard as one of the very best 36-hole venues in the British Isles.

While Sunningdale o ers heathland golf on a giant scale, those looking to get in 18 holes in under three hours should make a bee line for Sunningdale Heath, which was founded as Sunningdale Ladies Golf Club in 1902. Starting out life as a 9-holer, Harry Colt later extended this layout to 18 on ground next to the front nine of the Old Course at Sunningdale. The club became Sunningdale Heath in 2019 and the new owners have invested signi cant sums in elevating the condition of its wonderful 3,705-yard short course, which boasts 14 par threes and four par fours.

For Surrey heathland golf at its nest, there are few better clubs to visit than Walton Heath,

which rivals Sunningdale in terms of o ering not one, but two courses worthy of true championship status. With the Old and the New both designed by Herbert Fowler, Walton Heath is where links golf meets inland golf. There is no salty whi of sea air, but the course plays and feels like a seaside links. A profusion of heather stripes the edge of the fairways. In the summer, when the heather is in ower, it is an absolute delight to look at, but a real challenge to play out of. The greens are true and fast, and the undulations make it tough to read the lines and the pace of putts. With some long carries over heather o the tee, both courses will not favour weak hitters, while anything hit o ine will also require a lengthy search in the heather and, more often than not, a reload.

Located just a few decent blows up the A24 from Walton Heath, you’ll come across Kingswood Golf & Country Club, which enjoys a splendid setting overlooking the Chipstead Valley. Founded in 1928 and Kingswood was once described as James Braid’s nest parkland course in England, with its gently undulating fairways anked by a wide variety of stately trees combining with ideal topography to create an attractive landscape for golf.

Host venue to multiple important championships down the years, including three Ladies European Opens, Kingswood has always been a good test, but it presented an even better one following a major renovation programme completed in 2010 that increased the yardage to 6,954 yards to make it a true championship challenge.

Returning to the 36-hole theme, another Surrey venue that has the luxury of o ering its members and visitors two championship courses is Foxhills Club & Resort, one of the county’s most popular golf and leisure destinations. The Ottershaw-based club’s excellent Longcross and Bernhard Hunt courses, both of which opened in

Open to all golfing abilities, visitors are welcome seven days a week on the course, range and in the clubhouse.

Find out why we are the Club of Choice in the area.

and

located near

Whether it’s a catch-up with friends, a corporate event, or a charity fundraiser, Burhill is sure to help you create a memorable day. Get in touch with our team today.

■ FOXHILLS’ LONGCROSS COURSE ■ KINGSWOOD

1975, rank highly in all the course review websites, and the latter has hosted numerous top- ight tournaments over the years, including two recent stagings of the PGA Cup – the club pros version of the Ryder Cup – and later this summer will break new ground in hosting an Asian Tour event. The

Longcross has recently bene tted from a major renovation, which including new bunkering.

Two superb layouts are also on o er at Burhill Golf Club, with The Old Course o ering a more of a traditional Surrey heathland course, while the New is a more modern design which hosts regional Open qualifying every year. With a stunning clubhouse to support its great golf courses, Burhill always make for a great day out for society or corporate event.

Any discussion around great golf in Surrey will rarely fail to mention ‘the three W’s’ –the triumvirate of Woking, Worplesdon and West Hill. You’d think by now that they would have set up some kind of ticket to play all three in the space of a day or two, but instead they stand resolutely isolated, yet forever linked by their common starting letter and their geographical proximity.

Woking is one of Surrey’s earliest heathland tracks, having been laid out by Tom Dunn back in 1893, but it cannot lay claim to be a true championship course with the back tees

measuring just 6,602 yards. But length has never been Woking’s defence, as this most strategic of layouts requires well-positioned tee shots that must, at all costs, remain out of the heather, if you are to even nish a hole, let alone post a score.

Worplesdon is also not a long course by modern standards, at just less than 6,500 yards, but it’s su ciently challenging for most and driving accuracy is far more important than length. The front nine plays across near-perfect undulating terrain, so expect some awkward stances. The back nine, however, is sited on relatively even ground, but take care at the greens as they are often fast with subtle borrows and interesting undulations.

Completing the 3 Ws is West Hill, the youngest of the trio, having been built in 1910, and arguably the prettiest. The ccourse is routed in an out-and-back fashion across undulating sandy ground. The fairways are lined with pine, birch and, of course, tangly heather. Measuring slightly more than 6,350 yards, West Hill is not long, but with only two par ves and a lowly par of 69, it still represents a testing challenge. The key to scoring well is the successful negotiation of the ve short holes and the best of these is undoubtedly the 15th, which measures 212 yards from the back tees. Henry Cotton, who held the course record for a time, felt that that it was one of the par threes in Britain, and who are we to argue?

While the hallowed gates of Wentworth, Queenwood and Beaverbrook are closed to all but the gol ng elite, you can be sure of a much warmer welcome at Hoebridge Golf Centre, the largest public facility in the southeast, which o ers 45 holes of golf, plus an 18-hole piratethemed adventure course. Golfers can take their pick from a relaxing 18 holes around the impressive John- Jacobs-designed Hoebridge Course, a quick dose of the 9-hole Shey Copse course, or a rapid injection of short game fun around the par-3, 18-hole Maybury course. If practicing is also part of your game plan, then

Nestled in scenic Surrey parkland, Hoebridge boasts memorable experiences at every turn, whether it be playing on one of our three golf courses or improving on our state-of-the-art Trackman driving range. Become a part of

community, host a golf day or play a casual round, we have something for everyone.

■ WOKING’S STUNNING 16TH HOLE

■ BURHILL

the centre’s 36-bay driving range, short game area, and teaching academy will also tick a few boxes, while the large pro shop, bar, restaurant, and conference facilities all add up to a complete entertainment package.

The same welcoming access is o ered at nearby Silvermere, arguably golf’s busiest public golf facility in Surrey, if not the southeast. Conveniently located just o the thrumming A3, and a few miles from the M25, this gol ng stalwart has been providing a decent parkland golf test for over 50 years, but has more recently moved into the limelight on account of its impressive practice and coaching facilities – which include a two-tier, oodlit driving range – and its huge pro shop, which o ers the widest choice of hardwear, apparel and accessories to be found anywhere in the UK.

Heading deeper into Surrey, Guildford Golf Club is the county’s oldest clubs, having been founded in 1886, and is one that deserves much higher billing. Renovated by Fred Hawtree and JH Taylor in the 1920s, the 6,160-yard course occupies a beautiful spot, with its tree-lined fairways set out across a rolling North Downs landscape, a ording golfers a panoramic view of four counties from the highest point of the course on a clear day. With

ADDINGTON PALACE GOLF CLUB

Established in 1930 and located within easy reach of Central London, our 18-hole 6,405 yard mature parkland golf course is playable all year round and presents a strong challenge for all levels of golfer. The clubhouse has two bars for pre and post round refreshment within a secluded courtyard. Tel: 0208 654 3061 Web: addingtonpalacegolf.co.uk

CHIDDINGFOLD

GOLF 2024 Marks the launch of an exciting new prospect at Chiddingfold. Under new ownership, the course is now a 12 Holes with a brand new 5 hole academy & practice range. The new layout has already become a rm favorite with golfers for all levels and the relaxed environment is a big attraction for beginners. Tel: 01428 685888 Web: chiddingfoldgolf.co.uk

ve par threes and only two par ves, it’s also a fun course to play, although par is by no means a pushover, with plenty of elevation changes and well protected greens to negotiate.

Located just outside the M25, The Drift Golf Club, near E ngham Common, has been a popular private members’ club since it opened its doors in the mid-1970s. Henry Cotton had a hand in the design of the 6,447-yard parkland course, whose holes are tightly carved from the dense forest at Drift Woods. Playing to an unusual par of 73, with fairways routed as two returning nines, highlight holes include short par fours on the 4th and 6th, along with the shortest of the par threes at the 140-yard 16th.

Nearby E ngham Golf Club is also well worth a visit following some major renovations, which have seen many of the holes remodelled, new bunkers added, and some taken away. It’s also just opened a new short game area, providing an excellent place to sharpen your chipping game before you head on to the main event.

If you’re looking for somewhere play and stay in and around Croydon’s leafy suburbs, then Addington Palace Golf Club should be high on your checklist. The former residence for six Archbishops of Canterbury, the grand old manor house forms part of a hotel which also serves as a wedding venue, corporate function centre and health club. The venue’s 18-hole golf course was laid out in the grounds of the Palace’s large estate in 1931, with JH Taylor and Fred Hawtree doing some of their best work in creating a superb 6,400-yard parkland course whose challenge is enhanced by numerous tiered greens, which make for some testing pin positions.

Established in 1886, the oldest club in Surrey, and sited on Merrow Downs in Guildford – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The views are exceptional, from Guildford Cathedral to the Wembley Arch and Canary Wharf. A true Downland course with a Hawtree & J H Taylor redesign in 1925. Tel: 01483 548923 Web: www.guildfordgolfclub.co.uk

GUILDFORD GOLF CLUB

■ THE DRIFT

■ WEST HILL

■ HOEBRIDGE GOLF CENTRE OFFERS 45 HOLES

CRUSHING IT MEET DECHAMBEAU 2.0

US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau relives his Pinehurst experience and explains how he battled back from hand surgery in 2022 to become one of the game’s best players and a true fan favourite

After the disappointment of finishing second at the PGA, how does it feel to go one better at the very next major and capture your second US Open title?

Oh man, I did not want to finish second again. The PGA loss really stung. Xander [Schauffele] played magnificently, but I wanted to get this one done, especially at such a special place as Pinehurst, that means so much to me, and my dad, and what Payne Stewart meant to him, and it being the 1,000th USGA championship.

The bunker shot on 18 was the shot of my life. I’ll forever be thankful that I’ve got longer wedges so I can hit it farther and was able to get it up there next to the hole. I’m not sure if I would have been able to do with a standard set up.

I was a little lucky. Rory [McIlroy] missed a couple of short putts that he could have made coming in, and I had an amazing up-and-down on the last. I don’t know what else to say. It’s a dream come true.

Can you describe your emotions over the last four holes?

All I was focused on was myself. Every once in a while, I could hear “Rory, Rory” chants, for what he was doing, so I knew what he did based on the roars. That was actually kind of fun because it gave me the knowledge of what I had to do. Every

time I got over the ball, I said to myself ‘Just focus. You’ve done this before. You can do it again’. In the back of my mind, my dad was pushing me. Payne was in the back of my mind, as well. I wanted to do it for them.

You’ve interacted with the fans over the last four days more than anyone else we’ve seen in a major championship before. Do you think we need more players like you in professional golf?

I hope so. I mean, my mission is to continue to grow the game globally and domestically. YouTube has really helped me accomplish some of that, but you also have to interact and engage with fans in person, and I’m just able to play off of that. Those fans out there really helped push me out there. Even when stuff wasn’t going well, they inspired me to keep going and to get the job done and I’m thankful to them.

Earlier this week you mentioned that since your dad died in 2022, you feel like you’ve grown a lot as a person. How specifically do you feel like you’ve grown?

I would say first and foremost I respect and understand people’s opinions. I mean, I was knocked pretty hard in 2022 for numerous reasons. I had some great friends and great people around me tell me to keep pushing, so I dug myself out of a deep hole. My golf swing wasn’t going well, my ball striking was terrible, and my putting wasn’t great. I had my Crushers teammates – Paul Casey, Anirban Lahiri and Charles Howell – continuing to push me in the right direction. That was actually a massive help to

EVERY TIME I STOOD OVER THE BALL, I SAID TO MYSELF ‘JUST FOCUS. YOU’VE DONE THIS BEFORE. YOU CAN DO IT AGAIN’

help get me in the right mind frame from such a low point in my life.

People said continuously, ‘Dude, you’re good. Don’t worry about it. You’ve got a lot of great life to live. There’s a lot more to life than golf.’

So I’ve realized that there’s a lot more to life than just golf. Treating others, yourself rst and foremost, respecting yourself, is super important to being able to treat others with respect, as well.

I know I’m not perfect. I’m human. Everyone’s human. Certainly, those low moments have helped establish a new mindset of who I am, what’s expected, what I can do and what I want to do in my life.

How would you respond to people who would say that your demonstrative responses and celebrations out there are an act?

From my perspective, I’m just passionate. I really care about doing well out here and showing the fans a side of me that was locked up for so long. I mean, Tiger was and is an idol of mine, the way he reacted on the golf course. Payne, the way he did. Numerous others that have inspired generations that are now here have allowed that to be unique and cool.

Given that it came a two-horse race at the end, how aware were you of what was Rory doing ahead of you?

Yeah, I had to know what I had to get done, especially when I hit that iron shot on 17. I was trying to birdie that hole. I was going to try and birdie 18, obviously, if I hit a good drive, but I pulled it. But I knew where Rory was.

After my tee shot, I was up there going, Man, if he makes par, I don’t know how I’m going to beat him. I just really didn’t know. Then I heard the moans. Like a shot of adrenaline got in me. I said, ‘Okay, you can do this’.

I was listening the entire time. Even on 13, when they were chanting “Rory” after he made birdie, I knew I had to drive the green. I knew I had to make birdie on that hole.

My driving wasn’t fantastic today. I’ve got to go x that, but I played some good golf even with the chanting. There was a lot of, “Go USA,” “Go Europe.” It was quite a fun battle between us today.

I know you didn’t see his round, but can you empathize with what Rory is feeling right now? Yeah, Rory is one of the best to ever play this game. Being able to ght against a great like that is pretty special. For him to miss that putt, I’d never wish it on anybody. It just happened to play out that way.

He’ll win multiple more major championships. There’s no doubt. I think that re in him is going to continue to grow. I have nothing but respect for how he plays the game of golf because, to be honest, when he was climbing up the leaderboard, he was two ahead, I was like, Uh-oh, uh-oh. But luckily things went my way today.

Pinehurst proved something of an unsolvable puzzle to many of the eld this week. How did you gure it out?

When I was a kid, I used to throw golf balls in the worst lies outside of the fairway and just learned to hit out of the worst situations to see what I could do. That sparked a lot of my creativity. But then I’d go back and work on the mechanics really hard.

I had this unique childhood experience in golf of working on really quirky, weird things, then

■ DECHAMBEAU’S POWERS OF RECOVERY WERE REPEATEDLY TESTED DURING THE FINAL ROUND OF THE US OPEN, NO MORE SO THAN WITH HIS 50-YARD BUNKER SHOT AT THE LAST WHICH HE HIT TO FOUR FEET

■ DECHAMBEAU WONDERED WHETHER HIS GAME WOULD EVER COME BACK AFTER UNDERGOING HAND SURGERY IN 2022

also working super hard on the mechanics, trying to be as machinelike as possible. I feel like that really helped with deal with certain situations out there where I have no control over what’s going to happen. You just have to gure it out and get it done. That creativity gets sparked. When the greens are not perfectly at, they’re not glass, there’s some little bumps and whatnot, being imaginative, seeing how the ball is going to curve over the edge, really getting into it in your mind is what I focus on. So there a bit of creativity in me, even though I try to be mechanical.

It doesn’t feel like too much hyperbole to say that this has been one of the great US Opens. Does it feel that way to you?

Wow. That’s not for me to say, but I’m thankful that I was a part of it. Thankful that I accomplished something I’ve always wanted to accomplish as a kid. Gratitude and thanks.

Were there any things that you did, whether it be from an equipment side or strategy side, to prepare for Pinehurst?

Funnily enough, nothing! I pretty much had the same equipment that I’ve been using for ages, although I did put in an old Crank 3-wood that works fantastic for me. It helped me hit it on the green in 13 and a couple other places. I didn’t change much, to be honest. I’ve got a high ball ight, and I use it to my advantage when I can.

Can you explain what happened with your driver on the practice range, and what a ect having to t a new head had on your driving today?

I probably shouldn’t have changed the heads. I was trying to get a fresh head in there. It had a good curvature on the face, but it was a little bit lower loft. For whatever reason, those lower lofted heads have been missing right. Consequently, I missed it right all day. A bit frustrating, but the face that I was using for the past three days was just starting to get at. It was a nine-and-a-halfinch curvature. I won’t go over that. Essentially the face was starting to get a little at. I wanted to get a fresh head in. I was driving it well on the range. On the golf course nerves got to me a little bit. I wasn’t as comfortable with it. Probably needed to work it in more, more than just hitting ve balls with it.

Given the current divide in the game, do you think this win is going to be a transformative for you, your popularity, maybe the way golf will move forward now?

If I’m to be frank, I hope we can gure things out quickly. I hope this can bridge the gap between a divided game. All I want to do is entertain and do my best for the game of golf and provide some awesome entertainment for the fans. From at least what I can tell, that’s what the fans want, and they deserve that.

You can say what’s happened in the past, you know, you were part of the reason. Let bygones be bygones and go gure it out. Let’s gure out this amazing game that creates so much positivity back to where it belongs.

After winning the US Open in 2020, your game took a dip, you struggled for that time early on LIV. What was the low point and what was the turning point?

The low point was after the 2022 Masters. I broke my hand and had to have surgery on it. I thought there was a chance I would be able competitive golf again, but I didn’t know how it would a ect my speed, my grip and things like that. So going into surgery was probably the lowest point, then waiting eight weeks, not knowing if I was going to be able to grip a club with the same e ort and feel the same and all that, and then struggling with my game. That whole ve-month period was rough. There were some de nite low moments and it made me rethink a lot of things in my life. Where it turned the corner was a week before Greenbrier last year. I put a driver in play and a shaft combination with LA Golf – Crank head, iron shafts I’ve used for a long time. That whole combination setup just ipped the switch in me. I went and shot 61 and 58 on the weekend. I’m like, Okay, Bryson’s back again. How do I turn this into major championship golf now? So right around that time frame is when things switched. Since then I’ve focused a lot of my energy on how to get another major title.

A lot of players have won one major and are never sighted again, so what does it mean to you to be a multiple major champion? What it means? I haven’t been able to let it sink in yet. Ask me in a few weeks, and I’ll let you know, but right now it feels pretty darn good.

London Airlinks celebrates first bi hday!

Nine years in the making, London Airlinks Golf Course opened in 2023 and promised to bring the drama of authentic links golf to the capital.

Taking inspiration from Scotland’s famous coastal courses, the new 18-hole layout features dramatic dunes and water features, along with impressive views of London’s famous landmarks, reminding golfers that they’re within easy reach of the city.

It’s clearly been a hit, as 12 months on London Airlinks has become one of the most visited courses in the Glendale Golf group, which also includes Richmond Park Golf Course and Tilgate Forest Golf Centre.

It’s easy to see why, with the multi-million-pound facility featuring a superb 18-hole course and vibrant, familyfriendly clubhouse. Located next to Heathrow Airport, it’s also easy to get to by car or public transport.

In addition to the golf course, one of the venue’s biggest attractions is the 24-bay Toptracer range. Loaded with the latest ball-tracking technology, golfers of all levels can play in global virtual competitions or enjoy a fun night out with friends. High-power LED ood lighting means golfers can get their x late into the night, and can they also order food and drink straight to the individual bays via a smartphone app.

Jon Dummett, Head of Golf for Glendale Golf, has been delighted with the public’s response to the new facilities. He said: “Within just a year of opening, London Airlinks has become a must-visit golf destination. The course is

maturing well, and feedback has been really positive. We’ve achieved our goal of creating a modern, sustainable golf course that’s designed to accommodate all abilities.”

He added: “Golf has a unique relationship with nature, and it was important that we created a facility that has minimal impact on the environment, so it can be enjoyed by future generations. Examples of our green initiatives include the use of autonomous electric mowers and range ball collectors, replacing diesel powered machinery.”

Further developments for this year at London Airlinks include a new range of membership plans that include an o cial WHS handicap and competition entry. Glendale Golf’s popular Loyaltee 1- Month plan is also available at London Airlinks, which o ers unlimited golf on a rolling monthly contract – perfect for yfair-weather golfers who only want to play in the summer.

To celebrate London Airlinks’ rst anniversary, Glendale Golf is o ering 2-for-1 green fees for any midweek tee time. To book, visit glendalegolf.co.uk and follow the links.

THE 152ND OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

BATTLE ROYAL OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

MAJOR TEST

HOLE-BY-HOLE GUIDE TO ROYAL TROON’S CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE

LIFE OF BRIAN AN INTERVIEW WITH 2023 CHAMPION GOLFER BRIAN HARMAN

GREAT OPEN MOMENTS ROYAL TROON’S OPEN HIGHLIGHTS

TROON BY NUMBERS STATS, FACTS & FIGURES

THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP IN ASSOCIATION WITH

152 ND OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

BATTLE ROYAL

Royal Troon staged one of the most titanic tussles in Open history when it hosted the championship in 2016, but who will come out on top in 2024? Golf News editor Nick Bayly previews the season’s final major and assesses the chances of the current generation of pretenders to the crown of ‘Champion Golfer’

Since 1860, The Open Championship has been played over some of the world’s most cherished links courses and has produced some remarkable champions. From the Old Course at St Andrews to Royal St George’s in Kent, golf’s oldest major creates champions whose names will be forever remembered.

This year sees the championship return to the Old Course at Royal Troon for the tenth time since 1923. The famous Ayrshire venue, which hosts the nal major of the year from July 16-19, has a habit of producing American winners – six of the last seven have all hailed from across the Atlantic – with the most recent, Henrik Stenson, being the exception, with the Swede adding his name to an elite roll call of players able to call themselves ‘Champion Golfer’ when he prevailed in 2016 after a titanic Sunday afternoon tussle with Phil Mickelson.

First opened in 1878, Royal Troon, like many classic links layouts, is designed in a traditional out-and-back style, where the coastal wind can be your friend and as much as your enemy – although more often the latter. The club’s motto is ‘Tam Arte Quam Marte’ a Latin phrase that translates ‘as much by skill as by strength’, which is a tting description of how the course needs to be played.

Brian Harman was an unconsidered 150-1 shot when he popped up from virtually nowhere to stroll to victory in the rain at Hoylake last year, reminding us that the Open is no respecter of pedigree, form or world ranking, rewarding only those who can maintain complete control of their

golf ball over four rounds in all weather conditions around links courses that have the habit of throwing up the odd bad bounce.

While mental toughness, knowing when to attack and when to defend, and a deft touch on the greens are all essential weapons in any wannabe Open champion’s armoury, you also often need the luck of the draw – quite literally –in being out on the course when conditions are most conducive to good scoring. Countless fancied contenders’ hopes of victory over the years have been lost in a summer squall or a heavy downpour that sends scores ying north and chances of winning very much south.

Royal Troon, located hard on Scotland’s west coast, needless to say, is greatly a ected by the direction and strength of the wind which, when blowing in its usual north westerly direction, makes scoring on the back nine particularly di cult. If the prevailing wind is in play, expect players to do the damage on the front nine, before turning for home and hanging for dear life in attempt to consolidate any shots they may have picked up in the rst half of their round.

■ RORY MCILROY WILL BE DESPERATELY HOPING TO END HIS 10-YEAR WINLESS DROUGHT IN THE MAJORS WHEN HE TEES IT UP AT TROON

A TACTICAL TEST

Besides the challenges presented by the weather, players will have to be most wary of the countless pot bunkers that are scattered all over Troon’s 7,200-yard course, many of which aren’t visible from the tee. Finding one of these is almost a guaranteed dropped shot and with plenty of deep rough and a spattering of gorse and broom also on the course, accuracy and course management will be paramount.

Although by no means long in comparison with many championship courses, Troon doesn’t tend to favour the ‘grip it and rip it’ style anyway – as Todd Hamilton proved back in 2004 – with players requiring good course management and plenty of guile around the greens, not to mention bags patience, in order to triumph.

CLASH OF TOURS

While the Open is always keenly anticipated, this year’s, as with the previous two, has a little more spice with the now regular question marks hanging over those players who moved over to the LIV Golf circuit whether they still have what it takes to compete over four rounds at the highest level. And while Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka, winners of the two most recent US Opens, have surely shown that they do, the doubters will always look to nd reasons why those that have deserted the PGA Tour for even richer lands should nd their skills blunted by their schedule of no-cut, 54-hole tournaments, where the only baubles to be won arrive via bank transfer the following week.

the equation despite recording just one top-10 nish in the Open in his six attempts, which also includes two missed cuts.

CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDERS

As with all majors these days over the last decade or so, Rory McIlroy nds himself high up in the betting lists for the nal major of the season at 9-1, despite his decade-long drought in professional golf’s biggest events. Rory’s fans have had their patience stretched to the very limit of late, with the 35-year-old having notched up no fewer than 19 top-10 nishes in the last 35 majors that he has competed in since 2014, including top-six nishes in the ve of the last seven Opens.

After last month’s frankly horrifying collapse over the nal four holes at the US Open at Pinehurst, quite what he has to do to drag himself over the line only he knows. Attempts to treat majors as just ‘regular’ events has clearly failed, and I fear for his sanity should he snatch defeat from the jaws of victory this time around.

McIlroy’s conqueror at Pinehurst, Bryson DeChambeau, is proving himself to be quite the big game performer judged on his major appearances this season, with a 9th at the Masters and runner-up nish at the PGA preceding his gutsy victory at the US Open, which, as a two-time winner, rightfully moves him up into the pantheon of golf’s elite.

With a much-improved chipping and putting game to match is length o the tee, this new version of DeChambeau is a force to be reckoned with on any golf course and can’t be ruled out of

And you can’t ignore the chances of the winning machine that is Scottie Sche er. The 26-year-old American has gone from zero to ten PGA Tour wins in the space of 27 months, won his second major championship title at this year’s Masters, and is the bookies’ favourite at every event he shows up to. The world no.1’s game can travel almost anywhere and that includes links golf, as he showed when he nished 8th at Royal St George’s in rst attempt at The Open in 2021 and has enjoyed top-25 nishes in his next two. Could he knock on the door of another major in 2024? You bet he can – although the exceptionally skinny odds of 6-1 re ect his strong chance.

Jon Rahm has cut a slightly frustrated gure since his shock departure to LIV Golf over the winter, and the hugely-minted Spaniard has so far failed to win on the breakaway league, while he has also been o the pace in the majors this season, mounting a lacklustre defense of his Masters title with a tied 45th at Augusta, missing the cut by two shots at the PGA Championship, and then pulling out of the US Open at Pinehurst at the 11th hour citing an foot injury.

Rahm has recorded eight top-10s in his last 18 majors, and although a distant joint second behind Brian Harman at Hoylake last year, he loves links golf and boasts three top-four nishes from his last ve Open appearances, and providing he has recovered from his injury, the 29-year-old Spaniard cannot be ruled out from proceedings on a course that will suit his game and represents excellent each-way value at his widely available price of 18-1.

My other big fancy is Viktor Hovland, Norway’s second-best sporting export behind goal machine Erling Haaland. After winning twice on the PGA Tour in 2023, the world no.5 has been somewhat o the boil this season, including missing the cut at the Masters, but a third-place nish at the PGA Championship points to a man who is gradually

nding his form. He got unlucky at the PGA last year, with a bad lie in a bunker derailing his chances late on in his battle against Brooks Koepka, but he’s got the game to win on any course and a relaxed temperament that borders on Zen. With an Open record that reads 12, 4, 13 – he clearly likes links golf, and with another year on his young shoulders should have him primed to go well here at odds of 16-1.

Cam Smith, the Open champion of 2022, is being o ered at generous odds on the back of plying his trade on the LIV Golf circuit. Following a 6th place at the Masters and 33rd at the PGA, Smith, like many, was unable to land a blow at the US Open, but still seems like an each-way steal at 22-1 back on his favoured surface. A win at a LIV event last September shows that he still has the competitive re in his belly, and the mullet-wearing Aussie will be going all out to try and join the list of just 26 players who have won the Claret Jug more than once.

Xander Schau ele (18-1), fresh o his breakthrough major win at the PGA in May, will be playing with the handbrake o at Troon, and the quietly brilliant Californian wouldn’t be winning an Open out of turn, having nished second to Francesco Molinari at Carnoustie in 2018 and bagging three other top-20 nishes since his Open debut in 2017. Ultra-consistent, and with no obvious aws in his game, Schau ele has a more than decent chance of becoming the rst player to win two majors in a season since Brooks Koepka all the way back in…. 2018.

SELL-OUT CROWD

With spectator tickets having been long-since been snapped up for all for championship days, their promises to be a new record crowd number set for an Open at Troon this year. So whether you’re one of lucky ones to have bagged a ringside seat, or whether you’re going to watch it on the small screen at home, everyone will be hoping that the 152nd Open Championship produces a suitably memorable conclusion to the year’s Major season.

■ WORLD NO.1 SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER IS SHORT ODDS TO ADD TO HIS MAJOR TALLY

COURSE GUIDE

Royal Troon’s championship course features numerous holes with round-wrecking potential, but the out-and-back design also offers the opportunity for birdies and eagles if the wind is in your favour

1

366 YARDS, PAR 4

Providing nerves don’t get the better of you, the rst presents a straightforward hole. Often playing straight downwind, there are bunkers on the left side of the fairway to gobble up wayward aggressive tee shots, while poorly positioned shots down the left or right will lead to a tough approach shot, given the greenside bunkers on the front left and right of the green.

2

5 220 YARDS, PAR 3

Lengthened by 10 yards since 2016, big grandstands shelter the tee at the rst of the short holes, but the green is one of the most exposed parts of the course and is vulnerable to hard crosswinds. Requiring anything from a hybrid to a 5-iron, four big bunkers guard the green, while a steep bank will throw o anything hit too far right.

7

403 YARDS, PAR 4

The seventh is visually stunning from a slightly raised tee, and the rst hole at Troon to be played directly away from the sea. It is not overly long, and most players will be able to take a long iron or fairway wood from the tee, but the challenge is avoiding an array of fairway bunkers, while the green is among the longest and narrowest on the course.

389 YARDS, PAR 4

A group of well-positioned bunkers make this tee shot slightly tougher than the rst, with a visit to the sand ending any hopes of reaching the green in regulation due to their steep faces, but an accurate hybrid or fairway wood o the tee that nds the fairway will o er up the chance to attack the pin from all angles.

3 376 YARDS, PAR 4

A good chance to get an early birdie on the card, with most players hitting an iron o the tee to leave themselves short of the burn at 285 yards, and then hitting a chip to the green that slopes front to back. Although not heavily guarded with bunkers, the green complex features run-o areas to funnel away errant approaches.

4 599 YARDS, PAR 5

The rst par-5 on the card, the fourth hole provides another solid chance to post red gures. Longer hitters will be able to carry the gaping bunker on the right of the fairway and will be left with a mid-iron approach into a fairly generous green. A few bunkers are dotted around the putting surface, but players would be unlucky to nd their shots unplayable. A par on this hole will feel like a dropped shot.

6

623 YARDS, PAR 5

What was already the longest hole on the Open rota will be play even longer this year, having been extended by 22 yards since 2016. It plays down breeze and nearly everyone will hit a driver to give themselves a chance of reaching the front in two. Find any of the deep bunkers o the tee and you’re immediately looking at a bogey or worse. The green is narrow, with out-of-bounds at the back, while the bunker to the left of the putting surface is one of the deepest on the course.

8

123 YARDS, PAR 3

The infamous Postage Stamp may be the shortest hole on the Open rota, but its an incredibly di cult hole that is fraught with dangers. Ten yards wide at the back and 13 at the front, with big, deep bunkers all around the green, it looks a very small target o the tee, especially if there’s a sti crosswind. If you nd the green, you’re always close enough to the ag for a birdie chance, but miss it in one of the bunkers and a cricket score may ensue.

9

440 YARDS, PAR 4

‘The Monk’ typically signals the end of the downwind holes. Although fairly generous o the tee, the ninth is not short in length and the green is tricky, with run-o areas on both sides. Players who manage to avoid the perfectly placed pair of bunkers to the left of the fairway from the tee will usually have a blind second shot into the green, which is sometimes di cult to hold downwind.

10 450 YARDS, PAR 4

Off the back tees players will be faced with a daunting carry over large sandhills, with trouble awaiting any poorly struck shot. The second shot is played uphill to a narrow raised green that will swat away any shot that is even a yard off target on the right side.

11 498 YARDS, PAR 4

Without doubt the most frightening tee shot on the course, with out-ofbounds – and a railway line – all down the right, you can’t see the narrow fairway off the tee and there are gorse bushes in front and all down the left. One bunker lurks tight to the front left of the green, requiring a very accurate second shot to avoid its sandy clutches. Will almost certainly average nearer five then its par four.

12 451 YARDS, PAR 4

With intimidating gorse bushes in play off the tee on a hole usually played into a crosswind, the tight dog-leg fairway can at times seem almost impossible to hit. The approach is more fiddly than brutish, although the green itself provides the main challenge, with two gaping bunkers either side of it.

13

473 YARDS, PAR 4

Find the tight fairway off the tee on this long par four and the hole becomes much simpler, partially due to its lack of bunkering. Finding the green is still no easy feat, as the target is small and raised.

14 200 YARDS, PAR 3

A difficult par-3 following a number of brutal par-4s, the 14th usually plays back into the headwind, slightly out of the left, and, although not a long hole, can wreak havoc on scorecards. Club selection is especially important, with bunkers lurking short and the green widening out long.

15 502 YARDS, PAR 4

A virtually dead straight par four, but one that cost Nick Price the Open in 1982. The large bank in front of the green stopped his ball and took the momentum out of his round. The fairway is guarded by two bunkers up the left and one on the right that are very much in play if the wind is up. Miss the fairway off the tee and you have virtually no chance of hitting the green in two.

16 572 YARDS, PAR 5

If there’s any breeze, only the bravest will try to carry the canal, which runs across the fairway at about 280 yards. Tiger Woods, in his round of 64 in 1997, hit a threeiron and then a driver and holed the putt, but the longer the drive, the narrower the fairway. Most players will take two irons and then pitch to the narrow green which is heavily bunkered. Because it is a par five, it’s one of the easier holes to birdie on the back nine.

17 242 YARDS, PAR 3

The hardest par three on the course can make or break a champion. If the wind is up, you might see the odd player hitting a wood, but it generally plays a hybrid or long iron. The green is perched up and offers the chance of either hitting a low chaser or flying the ball all the way. Missing the green anywhere means an awkward up and down, and most players will be delighted to walk off with a three.

18

458 YARDS, PAR 4

A demanding finishing hole, with over 230 yards of rough to fly just to find the fairway. The second shot is played into a very deep green – 40 yards –but there are deceptive bunkers 20 yards short of the green which makes it feel shorter than it actually is. Out-of-bounds lurks immediately in front of the clubhouse, so any shot coming out of the rough runs the risk of getting a flyer and racing through. The flag is often tucked behind the front right bunker on the final day, making it even harder to make a good score.

■ THE VIEW FROM BEHIND THE GREEN ON THE TESTING 502-YARD, PAR-4 15TH HOLE

■ THE 11TH IS BRUTE OF A PAR-4, WITH OOB TO THE RIGHT AND A BLIND FAIRWAY OFF THE TEE

■ BRIAN HARMAN BELIED STARTING ODDS OF 125-1 TO WIN THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP AT HOYLAKE LAST YEAR WITH A MASTERFUL DISPLAY OF STRAIGHT DRIVING AND LONG-RANGE PUTTING

LIFE OF BRIAN

Almost a year after he produced something of a major shock when waltzing to victory at the 151st Open Championship at Hoylake, Brian Harman reflects on his year as ‘Champion Golfer’ and his hopes of repeating the dose at Royal Troon

It’s been just over 10 months now since you held the trophy aloft at Royal Liverpool. How do you re ect back on that week, and what has winning The Open meant to you?

It’s been an incredible experience thus far. Being announced as ‘the Champion Golfer of the Year’ whenever I tee it up on tour is something that I will never forget. I’m absolutely honoured to be The Open champion, and I’m really looking forward to getting to Troon. I’ve never seen the golf course before, so it’s defeintely going to be a learning experience.

There’s going to be a record attendance for Troon of 250,000-plus fans. How much are you looking forward to coming to Royal Troon and defending your title?

I absolutely adore playing links golf in Scotland. It just seems like the purest form of the game. I’m so elated that it’s receiving so much support – as well it should – and I’ll be very excited to get over there and defending my title.

Does the enormity of winning The Open Championship only really sink in more with each passing day from when you lifted the Claret Jug last July?

There’s certainly di erent levels of it. It didn’t really sink in in the immediate aftermath of the championship, as I spent a week on vacation with my family right after Hoylake, so it didn’t really

sink in until I got home, and realised the extent of the support that I back home as I did, and the amount of reverence that people quite rightly accord to The Open Championship around the world.

It would take a lot to top winning an Open Championship anywhere, but to win one in Scotland, the country where the game was born, would that a take it up a notch? It certainly would. Yeah, there’s so much history, and it’s just a di erent feel about being in Scotland. I’m very excited to come back.

You said you have never seen or played Royal Troon before. Are there other players who have played it perviously whom you might turn to for guidance or tips, or do you just prefer to do your own thing and come over and see it yourself when the time is right?

THE MORE CONTROL YOU HAVE OVER YOUR GOLF BALL, THE BETTER OFF YOU ARE, AND THAT’S SOMETHING I’VE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO DO PRETTY WELL

I kind of like getting just my set of eyes on it rst and kind of making my own thoughts – I don’t want to have any expectations going to the week. Unfortunately, it usually takes me a couple of laps to kind of get ready and gure a place out and understand what it’s asking of you. I’m going to try to get as much golf in there as I can. I’m planning on playing the Scottish Open the week before, but I’ll probably have to up my preparation for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday to get a few rounds in. I’ve heard that staying out of the bunkers is a must though.

Can you tell us about the journey the Claret Jug has been on since you took possession of it? I keep it in my den in our house, so it’s not really on show. I took it to Augusta National for a prep trip in October, and they told me it was the rst time it had been there. It went to an Atlanta Braves baseball game. I got to throw the rst pitch with the jug, which was really neat. Then it was on the eld for half-time at a University of Georgia football game, which is probably the closest thing that we have in the US to Premier League football as far as fan engagement and support.

It has certainly made the rounds, and I have enjoyed my time with it I’m sure as much as anyone has in the past.

What sort of response did you have from baseball fans when you’re turning up with the Claret Jug?

The amount of reverence and just the excitement that people have around the Claret Jug, for me it’s been jarring. Honestly, I think it’s in the top-three iconic trophies in sports. People are really, really very enthusiastic to get to be around it, to take a picture, to hold it for a second. It’s been a really cool experience.

It’s good to hear you’re coming back to the Scottish Open again at the Renaissance Club. How much do you put your success last year down to becoming acclimatized to what can happen on a links course?

The weather -- getting used to the weather, the time change - I feel like it takes me two or three days to get used to the time change. You feel fine the first couple of days, and that third and fourth day you’re just dragging.

Getting all that out of your system, getting used to a good routine and just getting accustomed to the weather, and the turf is so much firmer than what we’re accustomed to over in the US when we play normally. So, getting used to that, getting used to the strike, the way the ball wants to run out around the greens. There’s a lot of stuff to consider. There’s a lot of nuances to links golf and it takes a lot of preparation.

In one of your previous interviews you said when you looked inside the Claret Jug you felt it needed a good scrub because you put some things in it. We know you were on the Guinness the first night. What else have you put in the jug?

THE

CHAMPIONSHIP IN ASSOCIATION WITH

that gauntlet and then execute a golf shot, it’s like well all I have to do is go through my routine and execute this. You know, nothing else matters. So that was almost like a calming sensation there. I want to get in contention in big golf tournaments. So my goal is to try and get to those uncomfortable places as many times as I can.

You made a lot of headlines with all the stuff about hunting, and the media had a lot of fun with it, ‘The butcher of Hoylake’ and all that. How much did you enjoy that, and do you expect to be ‘butchering’ the field again? No, I don’t expect to be butchering the field again. Winning a golf tournament is really, really hard. It’ll be an uphill battle for sure. There’s incredible players over there.

Well, it was made as a decanter, so it holds a bottle of wine to perfection. Lots of wine, lots of Guinness, maybe even a little bit of Kentucky’s finest bourbon in there.

And are you expecting anywhere near the level hostility from the crowds at Troon that you encountered at Royal Liverpool? And how did it compare say, to the Ryder Cup?

Do I expect hostility? I have no idea. I’ll be ready for whatever comes my way. I’ve always really enjoyed playing golf in front of the fans in the UK, and Scotland specifically, because they’re so knowledgeable about the game. They understand what a good shot is. They understand what a bad shot is. They’re a joy to play in front of.

At the Ryder Cup, at least the coments were directed at 11 other guys and not just me! Don’t get me wrong, I love the passion of the fans. People that are that passionate about something, I would never fault them for any of that. I think it’s fantastic. It’s good for our game. It’s not often that we get a chance to play a true ‘away’ game. Being able to experience that and figuring out kind of how you handle that, you don’t get to do that many times.

What were the hardest parts of your experience at Hoylake? Are there any specific moments that you can recall?

Well, there was several. The hardest parts for me were the walks in between the greens and the tee boxes. That’s when everyone’s right there on top of you, and that’s when all the noise is happening. Especially after a bogey or something, that’s when it was really, really tough.

For example, I bogeyed 13, and walking to the 14th my lead’s down to four, you got tough holes coming up. So I’m walking to the 14th tee, and I’m hearing it, hearing it, hearing it. And then I got on 14 and just like flush rocket right down the middle of the fairway. You get enough of those kind of ‘take that’ moments, where it helps you build confidence. Because if you can go through

■ HARMAN WILL BE HOPING HE RECEIVES A WARMER RECEPTION FROM THE GALLERIES AT TROON THAN HE DID AT HOYLAKE LAST YEAR

When we threw a party at home, it was a ‘Brian the Butcher’ theme party. We had t-shirts and bottle coolers and everything made up, so everyone around here got a good kick out of it. As far as the hunting goes, I don’t mind answering questions about it. It’s a part of who I am, and I’m not changing that anytime soon. I’ve been very forthcoming. When we hunt animals, we kill them, we eat them, and that’s just a part of what we do around here. We probably feed on wild game of some sort at my house I would imagine three or four nights a week, between the fish and the animals that we hunt.

You talk passionately about playing links golf. Can you recall the first time that ever happened, and did you instantly like it? Some people take time to grow into it.

The first time I played links golf, I qualified for the Palmer Cup and it was at Prestwick, and I hated links golf. It ate me to pieces. I kept trying to hit lob wedge around the greens, and the weather

was bad, and I got whipped over there. I got killed. Lost all my matches.

Then the next time I played links golf was at Hoylake in 2014. I won the John Deere Classic, qualified for The Open, got to play and just absolutely fell in love with it.

Then I had a stretch there where I missed three or four cuts in a row at The Open and just couldn’t quite get it figured out, but I knew that I really enjoyed the golf. I always enjoyed the golf even when I wasn’t playing it great. Like I said, I love the variety of the type of shots and the type of -there’s lots of different ways to be successful over there, and I think that’s something that’s lacking in our game week to week that I wish we had a little bit more of.

When you spoke at the Masters, it almost seemed as if you think it’s going to be really difficult for you to win at Augusta. Do you feel links golf, as you showed last year, is more suited to you?

I love playing the Masters. It’s incredible. Yeah, being able to hit it a little bit further at Augusta would certainly help my chances over there, and I’m doing everything I can to be a little bit more competitive. I just haven’t quite figured that place out. It just eats me alive every time I go. I just can’t quite get a handle on it.

As far as links golf, I don’t think links golf really suits anyone’s game. It’s just very difficult. You can catch a bad wave of the weather and there’s nothing you can do about that, or you can hit some really good shots that end up against – you have to get lucky in those bunkers if you hit it in them. It just seems like the more control you have over your golf ball, the better off you are, and that’s something I’ve always been able to do pretty well.

When you said you got beat up at Prestwick. You obviously know how close Prestwick is to Troon. Do you think you’ll take a walk down there and go and have a look and just say, guess what, I’ve figured it out?

I would just like to go hit that first tee shot and not have to hit it right-handed off that wall. Felt like I did that four straight days over there. The train tracks and that wall right there ate my lunch off that first tee.

OPEN

ROYAL TROON’S GREAT OPEN MOMENTS

As Royal Troon Golf Club prepares to host its tenth Open Championship, we look back on the highlights from the previous nine, from Bobby Locke to Henrik Stenson

1950

LOCKE DEFENDS OPEN TITLE

South African Bobby Locke became was the rst player to successfully defend the Open since Walter Hagen in 1929, with rounds of 69, 72, 70 and 68. His 72-hole total of 279 was a new record for the championship.

1958

HAVERS BIRDIES LAST TO BEAT HAGEN

Little-known English professional Arthur Havers caused a huge upset when he beat American legend Walter Hagen, who was the defending champion, by a single stroke after holing a bunker shot on the nal hole for a winning birdie.

1862

PALMER RETAINS CLARET JUG

Following his victory at Royal Birkdale the previous year, Arnold Palmer successfully defended his Open title at Troon with a record-breaking score of 276. He became only the second player since Ben Hogan in 1953 to win the Masters and The Open in the same year.

1973

WEISKOPF LEADS FROM THE FRONT

America’s Tom Weiskopf led for all four days after opening up with a 68, and matched Palmer’s 276 total with a peerless display. However, he never won another Major.

1982

WATSON WINS

FOURTH OPEN

Tom Watson became only the third golfer since WWII to win the US Open and Open Championship in the same year when beating Nick Price by a single stroke.

1989

CALC CRUSHES

NORMAN’S DREAM

Mark Calcavecchia became the rst player since 1975 to win the Open in a play-o , after he beat Wayne Grady and Greg Norman over four extra holes. Norman shot a brilliant nal round 64, but it was not enough.

ROYAL TROON BY NUMBERS

Playing in his last Open in 1973, 71-year-old Gene Sarazen, who won the Open at Prince’s in 1932, made a hole-in-one at the Postage Stamp 8th. He also birdied it in his second round.

The par-5, 623-yard sixth is the longest hole of all the Open venues. The 123yard 8th is the shortest. 601

66

365

TODD HAMILTON BECAME THE SIXTH CONSECUTIVE AMERICAN TO CLAIM THE CLARET JUG

1997

LEONARD PUTTS TO CLARET JUG GLORY

Texan Justin Leonard came from a recordequalling ve shots behind at the start of the nal round to take the title with a closing 65. He nished three shots ahead of Jesper Parvenik and Darren Clarke.

The year that Troon Golf Club was conferred ‘Royal’ status by the late Queen Elizabeth II to commemorate its centenary – thus allowing itself to be called Royal Troon.

64

1978 71

American Frank Stranahan set a new record score for an amateur in the Open with an eight-under-par 66 in the nal round in 1958, a mark that stood until 2011. He nished ninth and was also a runner-up twice, in 1947 and 1953.

Playing in his rst Open in 1997, 21-year-old Tiger Woods shot an eight-under par 64 in the third round. Unfortunately, he also shot a pair of 74s either side to nish tied 24th.

2004

HAMILTON UPSETS THE ODDS

Little-known Todd Hamilton became the sixth consecutive American to claim the Claret Jug after he beat Ernie Els in a fourhole play-o . Hamilton never won another tournament, while Els won The Open in 2012.

2016

THE DUEL IN THE SUN (PART 2)

Henrik Stenson shot a nal round 63 to become the rst player from Scandinavia to win the Open Championship. The 40-year-old Swede came out on top in a titanic struggle with Phil Mickelson over the weekend, ring 10 birdies on Sunday to beat the American – who closed with a 65 –by three shots and nish on a record 20under par. Third-placed JB Holmes nished 11 shots behind the runner-up, and 14

15

German amateur champion

Herman Tissies missed the green at the Postage Stamp 8th hole during the 1950 Open and went back and forth from the left-hand bunker to the right-hand bunker en route to a 12-over par 15 – which, staggeringly, featured just one putt.

The cost of a visitor’s green fee on the Championship course during peak summer months. The fee in 2016, when The Open was last held at Troon, was £220.

■ 2016 – HENRIK STENSON

■ 2004 – TODD HAMILTON

WIN A FOUR-BALL AT BROCKET HALL WORTH OVER £600!

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Our competition winner can bring up to three partners to take on the superb 6,616-yard, par-72 layout, which has hosted some of the greats of the game since it rst opened in 1992 and is always presented in championship condition.

2024 ROSE LADIES OPEN

This autumn sees Brocket Hall host some of the up-and-coming stars of the women’s professional game circuit when the club hosts the LET Access Series’ Rose Ladies Open for the third consecutive year. Boasting one of the largest prize funds on the tour at €70,000, the Rose Ladies Open has been a signi cant stop on the LET Access Series schedule since it was set up by former world no.1 and major

& PLAY

Enjoy a round per person on the spectacular links-style Kittocks or challenging Torrance along with an overnight stay for two. Includes a round pp, overnight stay, buffet breakfast and full use of our spa and leisure facilities.

QUESTION

champion Justin Rose and his wife Kate in 2022, following their successful one-day Rose Ladies Series events which continue to support and grow the women’s game.

This year’s Rose Ladies Open has attracted a full eld of 108 players from all over the UK and Europe who will take on the Melbourne Course over three days from September 6-8. Justin and Kate will be there to show their support for the event and will present the trophy to the tournament winner on Sunday afternoon after the conclusion of play.

For more information on the Rose Ladies Open and to register to book free tickets to attend any or all of the tournament rounds, please visit roseladiesopen.co.uk

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STORY BEHIND THE PIC

TONY JACKLIN • 1969 OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP, ROYAL LYTHAM

Twenty- ve years ago most people watched television on black and white, but those lucky few who could a ord to upgrade were able to watch the Open Championship in full and glorious Technicolor for the rst time that year. I bet some people wished they hadn’t when they caught sight of Tony Jacklin’s out t for the nal round of the championship at Royal Lytham.

Purple isn’t a very popular choice of colour among today’s generation of tour players, but 35 years ago, during the era of Jim Hendrix’s Purple Haze and the launch of prog rock band Deep Purple, it was all the rage. Despite his dodgy threads, Jacklin was playing like a god and knocked it round Lytham in four-under-par to become the rst British player to win the Claret Jug since Max Faulkner in 1951.

Just minutes before this photograph was taken Jacklin stood on the 18th tee with a two-shot lead over Bob Charles, with one of the trickiest nishing holes in world golf awaiting him. Pulling out the driver, he took one practice swing before launching an arrow-straight e ort that dissected the bunkers perfectly and bounded down the fairway, causing TV commentator Henry Longhurst to utter the unforgettable line: “Oh! What a corker!” A seven-iron to 20 feet, and two putts sealed a momentous victory for the 25-yearold from Scunthorpe. The ensuring melée saw Jacklin lose a shoe as he was mobbed by adoring fans, and a police escort was required to get him

to the safety of the scorer’s hut.

Victory at Lytham, for which he won £4,250, turned Jacklin into a national hero overnight, and he became one of the rst British golfers to transfer his celebrity status to the world stage. It also marked the start of a momentous run of form.

VICTORY AT LYTHAM TURNED

JACKLIN INTO A MAJOR CELEBRITY

Later that year he was the last man out for GB & Ireland in the Ryder Cup, which ended in a dingdong singles match with Jack Nicklaus that saw the Golden Bear concede Jacklin’s two-foot putt for a half on the 18th hole at Birkdale to tie the match 16-16. And just eight months later, Jacklin landed the US Open at Hazeltine, a hugely impressive achievement at a time when few European players travelled to play in America. And although he won every year on tour before he retired in 1982, Jacklin never regained the heights of that 1969-70 period, and after agonisingly losing out to Lee Trevino in the 1972 Open at Muir eld, he never contended in a major again. His nal European Tour victory came at the PGA Championship Hillside in 1982, just a few miles down the road from Lytham, where Jacklin defeated a young upstart called Bernhard Langer. Whatever happened to him?

TRIED & TESTED

MIZUNO'S LATEST DRIVER & NEW IRONS FROM BEN HOGAN

PRO

SPIN MACHINES PREMIUM WEDGE SHOWCASE

THE GEAR EFFECT

INSIDE THE BAGS OF RECENT WINNERS ON TOUR

DAVIS RILEY

Charles Schwab Challenge

Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9°)

Fairway: Titleist TSR3 (15°)

Hybrid: Titleist TSR2 (18°)

Irons: Titleist T200 (3), Titleist T100 (4),

Titleist 620 CB (5,6), Titleist 620 MB (7-9)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (46°, 50°, 56°), Titleist Vokey Design WedgeWorks Proto (60°)

Pu er: Sco y Cameron T7.2

Ball: Titleist Pro V1

BOB MCINTYRE

RBC Canadian Open

Driver: Titleist TSR2 (9°)

Fairway Wood: Cobra Aerojet LS (14.5°)

Hybrid: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Rescue (19°)

Irons: Titleist 620 CB (4-9)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46°), SM9 (50°, 56°), Vokey WedgeWorks (60°)

Pu er: TaylorMade Spider Tour

Ball: Titleist Pro V1

SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER

Memorial Tournament, Travelers

Championship

Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Issue (8°)

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15°)

Utility Irons: Srixon ZU85 (3,4)

Irons: TaylorMade P7TW (5-PW)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM8 (50°, 56°), Titleist Vokey Design WedgeWorks Proto (60.5°)

Pu er: TaylorMade Spider Tour X Ball: Titleist Pro V1

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU

US Open

Driver: Krank Formula Fire (6°)

Fairway woods: Krank Formula Fire 3+ (12°), Krank Formula Fire 5 (13°)

Irons: Avoda Prototype (5-PW)

Wedges: Ping Glide 4.0 (45°, 50°, 56°, 60°)

Pu er: SIK Pro C-Series Armlock

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

YUKA SASO

Women’s US Open

Driver: Callaway Ai-Smoke TD (9°)

Fairway Wood: Callaway Ai-Smoke Max Tour

HL (15.5°)

Utility: Callaway Apex UW 19°

Irons: Callaway Apex CB (4i-5i), Callaway Apex MB 21’ (6i-9i)

Wedges: Callaway Jaws Forged (45°, 50°), Callaway Jaws Raw (55°, 60°)

Pu er: Odyssey Ai-One Milled Three T DBL Ball: Callaway Chrome Tour X

LAURIE CANTER

Porsche European Open

Driver: Ping G430 LST (9°)

Fairway Wood: Ping G430 LST (15°)

Utility: Ping iCrossover (3)

Irons: Ping Blueprint Forged S (4-PW)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM10 (50°, 56°), Titleist, Vokey SM10 WW Proto (60°)

Pu er: Titleist SC Tour Only T-5S 2024 Ball: Titleist Pro V1

LINN GRANT

Scandinavian Mixed

Driver: Ping G430 LST (9°)

Fairway Wood: Ping G425 Max (14.5°)

Hybrids: Ping G400 (19°, 22°)

Irons: Ping i210 (5-PW)

Wedges: Ping Glide Forged Pro (50°, 54°, 58°)

Pu er: Ping PLD Prime Tyne Prototype Ball: Titleist Pro V1

LINNEA STROM

Shoprite LPGA Classic

Driver: PXG 0311 Black Ops Tour-1 (9°)

Fairway Woods: PXG 0311 GEN5 (3, 5)

Irons: PXG 0317 Filled Cavity Irons (4,5), PXG 0317 Cavity Back Irons (6-9)

Wedges: PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II Milled (46°, 50°, 54°, 58°)

Pu er: PXG Ba le Ready II Closer

Ball: Titleist ProV1

CARLOS ORTIZ

LIV Houston

Driver: Ping G430 LST 9°,

3 Wood: Ping G425 Max 14.5° & 17.5°

Hybrids: Ping G430 26°, Irons: Ping iBlade (5-7), Ping S55 (8-PW)

EQUIPMENT NEWS

TRIED & TESTED

MIZUNO ST MAX 230 DRIVER

Golf News Equipment Editor Dan Owen puts Mizuno’s latest big stick to the test and comes away mightily impressed

The great driver war of 2024 has been fought over the battlefields of forgiveness. And that forgiveness has been measured by a number: 10,000 MOI, or 10K, as the marketers have chosen to call it. Mizuno’s ST Max is as close to this magical number as you can get without quite reaching it.

Rather than chase down a mythical number, Mizuno decided to create a balanced, forgiving, and long driver without compromising the looks, feel, and sound.

Without going too deep into technical detail, Mizuno has saved huge amounts

of weight with the use of a carbon crown and sole, allowing the engineers to use a 54g weight in the back of the head to maximize MOI, forgiveness, and launch without excessively spinning the ball. A new lighter, faster face material has allowed Mizuno to create a faster, more forgiving face as well.

10K 1.5 degrees, it still looks square at best. The Mizuno ST Max 230 sits open, without any nagling behind the ball. Plus, its smooth crown and more traditional shape look so much cleaner behind the ball.

But the real reason I’m excited is the way it looks. I’ve been playing the Ping 10K Max all season. It does everything I want. It feels good. It’s long. I like the way it looks, with one caveat: I like to see an open clubface at address, and even though you can open the clubface of the PING G430

Testing the driver at Mizuno’s National Fitting Centre at Bearwood Lakes, it’s safe to say it is practically as forgiving as anything else on the market, without much drop-o in ball speed from the heel or toe.

The driver feels soft and solid, and I’d argue it has the best feel among the high MOI models. Ball speed was similar to the Ping G430 Max 10K, but spin was a little higher. I didn’t hit it as consistently as my driver, but while Mizuno has a good selection of custom shafts, I use a £325 aftermarket option. To expect the same performance would be unlikely, but at £100 less than the Ping for similar stock performance in a better-looking package, the Mizuno ST MAX 230 is a strong contender.

£499, mizunogolf.com

BEN HOGAN PTX TOUR IRONS

Equipment Editor Dan Owen rolls back the years to

Ben Hogan has made some of the greatest golf clubs of all time. Red Lines, Apex, and Edge are just some of the many iconic clubs originally designed and made in Texas. And while their star has waned, with new ownership, Hogan is trying to get back where they belong. The PTx Tour is their comeback iron, and it is arguably the best set I’ve tested this year.

Billed as the ultimate combo set, the PTx Tour utilises four different clubhead designs. The long irons feature a fourpiece construction. A 1025 carbon steel face and body provide a soft feel at impact. Tungsten weighting drops the centre of gravity for more forgiveness, while a foam fill keeps them feeling soft. The 6 iron features a similar construction without the tungsten as

it’s not needed at that loft. The 7-8 irons feature a three-piece construction with a co-forged titanium insert to improve forgiveness and flight with its raised centre of gravity, while the 9 and PW feature a traditional muscle-back design for control.

Having played a couple of rounds with these irons, they aren’t the fastest I’ve hit this year, but, then again, they aren’t designed to be. They aren’t slow, however. I’d argue these irons have the most technology in them for an iron their size. At address, these are players’ irons. Because they use a carbon steel face as well, they feel great. Unlike most of their competition, they are designed for feel and forgiveness, not pure ball speed. Although in testing, they aren’t slouches on that front.

STITCH GOLF ROLLS

INTO UK

WITH STYLISH APPAREL & ACCESSORIES COLLECTION

Stitch Golf, a leading player in the premium golf bags, apparel and accessories market, has launched in into the UK for the first time, with its eyecatching collection of golfing essentials available for golfers to snap up follow after years of success in the US.

Founded in 2011 as a headcover company, Stitch is best known for designing and creating products with precise attention to detail, all the way down to the last ‘stitch’.Based in Cary, North Carolina, Stitch has already gained signi cant momentum in the US market, where its products can be found in over 700 of the top golf clubs and resorts and is already building up a strong trade client base among UK clubs.

Stitch has grown from an idea sparked one day when the company’s founder, Charlie Burgwyn, who had a passion for vintage cars along with golf, saw a 1958 Porsche Racer in the street. He loved the stripe down the side and began brainstorming a way to incorporate racing stripes into leather clubhead headcovers.

Thus, the original Stitch Leather Racer Headcover came to life, and it is still the company’s best-selling headcover to this day.

Now, you will see STITCH in many

golf clubs and possibly in your favourite player’s bag, including dual US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau and his LIV Golf team, Crushers GC.

Speaking of the partnership with Stitch, DeChambeau said: “Stitch Golf was a loyal supporter of Crushers during the 2023 LIV Golf season, and I am very excited to further develop that relationship into a formal partnership. The clothing and apparel that Stitch provides to our team allows Charles [Howell], Paul [Casey], Anirban [Lahiri] and myself to perform at the highest level.

“The custom polos we’ve co-

commented: “Stitch has enjoyed incredible growth in the US market as a result of its focus on delivering unique and premium golf products across four key categories: golf bags, golf apparel, golf accessories and travel gear.

I am now delighted that through the launch of our website and our partnership with our UK distributor, YUMAX Golf, we can o er a wide selection of our products to UK golfers who can now also ‘Dress Their Game and Arrive in Style.”

To check out Stitch’s award-winning range golf bags, travel luggage, apparel and accessories, visit stitchgolf.co.uk.

PXG TURNS TO THE DARK SIDE WITH NEW BATTLE BACK PUTTER RANGE

PXG has rolled out an eyecatching new look in five of its Battle Ready II Putters. The new PXG Battle Ready II Darkness Putters (£359) feature a jetblack finish.

Available in the Bat Attack, Blackjack, Brandon, Closer, and Hercules putter designs, the strength of PXG’s designs lies in the highly customizable neck options combined with forgiving technology to really ne-tune the t of the putter.

“You spoke. We listened,” said PXG founder & CEO Bob Parsons.

“At the request of our PXG Troops, we are thrilled to introduce a new, smoking-hot nish to our PXG Battle Ready II Collection.”

With the introduction of a thin-walled hollow body, PXG Battle Ready II Darkness Putters reposition mass to the putter’s extreme perimeter, yielding a high MOI relative to the clubhead size.

Proprietary S COR Technology, an extremely lightweight polymer, is injection molded into the hollow cavity – the material bonds to the face to dampen sound and any harsh vibrations through impact. The structural support provided by the S COR material enables PXG to deliver golf’s thinnest putter face at 0.055-inches. This is advantageous to golfers because it dramatically enhances the forgiveness of the clubhead.

But launch monitors can only ever tell part of the story when it comes to a set of irons. I took them to The Inspiration, a new inland links found inside the M25, to find out how they worked on course. Having been playing PXG 0311 Gen 6 irons, I’ve got used to a larger head that is more forgiving. And I hit them well. But I’d forgotten how much easier it was to get a narrower iron through the ground.

The PTx Tour irons feature a V-Sole design with high bounce on the leading edge and lower bounce on the trailing edge. It helps get the ball out of the worst lies and offers some protection against a heavy strike.

The Inspiration was in fantastic condition, and I was glad to stay out of the majority of the pot bunkers. But I could only do that because of hitting the ball solidly. I really enjoyed looking at a smaller, more compact head at address, but crucially, forgiveness was there when needed. Because Ben Hogan hasn’t tried to add ball speed with different face materials, these 1025 carbon steel irons feel as solid as anything I’ve hit in recent years.

Shout-out too for the variety of no upcharge shafts from True

Temper, KBS, and UST Mamiya. And I haven’t even mentioned the price yet. At £699.99 for a 6-club set, they massively undercut the price of equivalent irons. A similar set of irons from the mainstream manufacturers could easily set you back £1,300. If you are looking for a new set of irons and you aren’t afraid to buy online, the Ben Hogans are one of the best sets we’ve seen in a long time.

benhogangolf.co.uk

PXG Battle Ready II Putters also feature Pyramid Face Pattern Technology. The aggressively milled pattern creates the soft sounds of an insert putter while maintaining the responsive feel of a solid, milled putter. The pyramid density supports consistent interaction with golf ball dimples, while the pyramid geometry delivers a satisfying sound.

Battle Ready II Darkness Putters support four hosel con gurations to suit any stroke – plumber’s neck, double bend, heel-shafted, and armlock. Select models also o er a centre-shafted option.

Europe,

TITLEIST’S

NEW GT DRIVERS PROVE

BIG HIT ON TOUR

The next generation of the PGA TOUR’s most played driver – Titleist GT – has been unveiled by the Titleist Metalwoods R&D team.

For ve seasons and counting, Titleist drivers have been the top choice among the world’s best players competing on the PGA TOUR.

The introduction of the new Titleist GT2, GT3 and GT4 drivers this week at The Memorial signalled the start of the tour seeding and validation process that will continue over the coming weeks and months across the worldwide professional tours.

“The whole Titleist R&D team from top to bottom is just obsessed with making things as good as they can and they have such a deep understanding of us on the PGA TOUR and golfers in general,” said PGA Tour player Cameron Young, who became the seventh payer to shoot 59 at last month’s Travelers Championship. “They’ve seen everything, and there’s no little thing that you can bring to them that isn’t xable or something they can’t experiment with. They all have such a deep knowledge of the equipment, there’s always a solution to what you’re looking for.”

Titleist’s tour representatives worked with players at The Memorial tournament to help dial their players into the new GT models and gather performance data. There have currently been no details released as to when they will go on sale in the UK.

TOULON ROLLS OUT STUNNING NEW PUTTER RANGE

Connoisseurs of fine milled putters, pay attention. Toulon Golf has arrived in the UK and across Europe. Sean Toulon is a legend in the industry, having played important roles in product creation at both TaylorMade and Callaway, most recently as general manager of Odyssey. While Toulon Design was formerly part of Odyssey, Sean has set up Toulon Golf with two of his sons, Preston and Tony.

The 2024 First Run putter line-up (£600) is CNC-milled from 303 stainless steel and features an aluminium sole plate to ne-tune head weights. The putters all feature a chocolate-coloured PVD nish that looks superb behind the ball. There are eight head designs in total, but many are o ered in multiple neck options. Standouts are the Las Vegas, which Xander Schau ele was using a previous version of at the PGA Championship, and the Alcatraz, which looks like a re ned Jailbird.

For the real putter a cionados, Toulon o ers ‘small batch’ models – i.e. only o ered in limited numbers – which are milled from 904L stainless steel, the same material used in the construction of Rolex watches, so these are not for the light of wallet. For something really di erent, the Carbonetti Meadow Club putter, with a wooden inlay built by Carbonetti Guitars, is absolutely stunning.

To check out the entire range, visit toulongolfeurope.com

G/FORE CUTS THROUGH THE ROUGH WITH EYE-CATCHING G/18 SHOE

G/FORE has added the sneaker-inspired G/18 to its ever-growing footwear line-up. Cutting-edge in style and function, the distinctive golf shoe launches in two initial colourways with three more dropping over the summer.

Designed for sustained comfort, the extremely lightweight shoe looks like nothing else on the market. Boasting breakthrough performance technology, the G/18 retails at £225 and makes navigating the course easy.

The unique sole design provides three levels of exceptional grip with rounded edges and a crash pad heel to tackle any terrain. It also features a traction-covered toe wrap for extra stability during the swing phase.

Designed with a wide build, the shoe supports natural footing with an engineered heel-to-toe rocker and raised sidewalls for even more balance.

Add the cushioned foam interior and G/FORE’s signature washable 3D-molded insoles and the G/18 provides a massage to the feet that is guaranteed to last the full 18 and beyond.

OGIO’S POURS ON THE STYLE WITH TEQUILAINSPIRED BAG RANGE

OGIO has unveiled its limited-edition signature design for 2024 – the eyecatching tequila-themed Agave Ahora golf bag range.

Inspired by the agave plant, the collection serves up a chilled print of agave owers and tequila glasses, accompanied by a slice of lime and a cube of ice. It is available on three of the brand’s popular golf bag designs.

The Fuse Stand Bag (£229) is a lightweight, functional carry bag that comes with a four-way full-length divider top and six front-facing pockets, including a rapid snap access pocket.

Two other bags are o ered in the Agave Ahora print. The All Elements Silencer Cart Bag (£319) features OGIO’s unique silencer technology, a 15-way molded top that locks each club into place to prevent noisy rattling and damage. The All Elements Woodē Hybrid Bag (£289), a fully waterproof bag featuring an eight-way top, rounds out the collection.

For more details, visit eu.ogio.com

BUNKER WOMAN APPAREL HITS THE MARK

Golf fashion brand Bunker Mentality has launched a new collection of limited-edition golf lifestyle clothing specifically designed for female golfers.

Maintaining the same spirit as Bunker Mentality’s existing menswear o er, Bunker Woman’ collection aims to bring women together with a shared vision of enjoyment and fun. The impactive graphics and colour twists throughout the range o ers a youthful but ageless collection, perfect for both on course or just to wear in everyday life.

CASTORE HAS YOUR SUMMER GOLFING WARDROBE COVERED

Sportswear brand Castore’s latest golf apparel collected is entitled ‘The Art of Engineering’, and is designed for the modern golfer, with forward technical design and dynamic play through expertly engineered fabrications featuring vibrant green colour ways, cool blue tones, and abstract prints.

Available to buy both online and in-store now, the spring/summer collection showcases a number of key technologies, including:

• AerTek moisture-wicking properties and OTek anti odour fabrications to ensure all-daylong breathability, freshness, and comfort.

• Lightweight, ProTek water-resistant technologies ensure enhanced weather protection for the wearer in all climates.

• High-stretch fabrications promote optimum freedom of movement on the course, so you can swing with ease.

The rst drop of hoodies, sweats, polos, t-shirts and bags feature the newly launched Bunker Woman heart logo, crafted in a rich red ock nish creating impactive brand message to encapsulate their powerful mission of encouraging women to join their Golf Girl Gang.

Talking about the new range, which includes a wide selection of polos, ¼-zip tops, jackets, trousers and water-resistant shorts, Castore cofounder Tom Beahon commented: “At Castore, the relentless pursuit of innovation lies in our DNA. Through technological advancements, we provide performance athletic wear that uplifts athletes with the edge they need to reach their highest potential.

“We believe that the SS24 Golf Collection does just that – through considered design details we equip beginner and pro golfers with apparelsthat help them win in both performance and style this season.”

Castore has 12 stores across the UK and Ireland, including one in Chelsea, and another at Bluewater in Kent, with a concept store opening in Dublin earlier this year.

To nd your nearest store or buy online, visit castore.com.

The colour palette is using soft hues across blues, greens, o white and pink, feminine and positive colours created speci cally for women, by women. All product is created with luxurious blends of organic cotton and recycled polyester to product soft but hard-wearing pieces that will just get better with age.

Each drop will have limited quantities with new product and graphics all through the season. Already Drop 2 has just landed with a very di erent vibe in blue and white with pops of rich red.

The Bunker Woman collection is available to purchase from bunkermentality.com

MINIMINAL CASTS ITS NET WITH NEW BAG RANGE

Californian-based golf bag brand Minimal Golf has begun selling its range of sustainably manufactured trolley and stand bags in the UK for the first time.

The range currently includes a stand bag and a cart/trolley bag, both of which are made from discarded nylon shing nets recovered from the world’s oceans and beaches. These are processed into pellets and made into a durable rip-stop nylon yarn which features a water-resistant surface coating. They also both feature magnetic pocket closures, doing away with zips that are often the rst element to fail on a golf bag.

The Terra (£399) is an 8.5-inch stand bag with a 5-way top, with fulllength dividers with durable velour lining. It features include fully magnetic pocket closures for easy access; 7 exterior and 2 interior pockets, including insulated cooler compartment; range nder compartment with added magnetic anchor anda lined valuables pocket; It is o ered in white, grey and black colour options with a subtle ‘M’ logo on the lower side pocket.

The Gaia (£449) is a 9.5-inch trolley bag featuring a 14-way top with fulllength dividers. It boasts all of the same features as the stand bag, with the addition of two extra pockets, totalling eight exterior and three interior. It is o ered in grey or black.

For more details, visit minimalgolf.uk.

IRONS INSPIRE TO

If you play with PING irons, the first word that will probably spring to mind is ‘forgiving’, but for this year’s award-winning line-up you can also add the words ‘accurate’, ‘powerful’ and ‘stunning’

often, so when they do, there’s typically a big reason behind the change. In the case of the Blueprint S & T irons, Ping designers felt that they had enough feedback from their stable of

Tour players to create a new family of Blueprint irons. The goal, they said, was simple: to deliver a performance and control advantage over the previous generation.

The inspiration behind the Blueprint S irons harks all the way to Ping’s original S59, which was the company’s rst foray into true blade-style clubs. From there, the S-series irons were a massive success — so successful, in fact, that many tour players we still using Ping’s S55 up until last year. But since the initial release of the Blueprint S on tour, many former S55 players have made the switch.

Though they might seem similar from a distance, the Blueprint T and S have a more square toe compared to the previous iBlade, which was built into the design thanks to direct feedback from Ping’s tour players.

Both the Blueprint T & S irons are one-piece forging, but what separates the pure blade design of the T from the S is what Ping designers call

‘precision pocket’ forging – a patented technique that allows a ‘pocket’ to be forged into the cavity of the longer irons (3-5) to save 10g of weight that can be repositioned around the head for increased stability on mishits. This pocket is hidden under an elastomer insert in the cavity of the long irons to promote a truly soft feel at impact that golfers expect from this type of iron.

shorter than S to promote

Both irons share the same standard lofts as each other and Ping’s i230 irons, which allows them to blend seamlessly when building a combination set. The standard length of the T irons is a quarter-inch shorter than S to promote a lower ball ight.

So, whether you’re looking for pure blades, a forged cavity back, or a combo set with some extra forgiveness in the longer irons, Ping has those bases covered with the Blueprint T and S irons.

RRP: £200/£210 per club (st/gr, 3-PW)

G430

A few more yards is a reasonable expectation when a new game-improvement iron is released, but Ping claims the number is actually 7-10 yards with better accuracy with its G430 irons, which translates to having to hit one less club into the greens for most golfers.

Touted as Ping’s ‘longest iron ever’, the multimaterial club o ers a lower centre of gravity with stronger, custom-engineered lofts and a thinner

for a solid feel and sound at impact, regardless of where the ball is struck on the face.

High-density tungsten toe and shaft tip weights can also be found in each iron, and contribute to the high MOI and tighter dispersion pattern golfers should see from G430.

Stronger lofts result in a pitching wedge that’s 41° to ensure correct gapping throughout the set, including the traditional scoring wedges that are o ered at 45.5°, 50°, 54° and 58°.

While the G430 falls into the game improvement category, smart re nements were made to the overall pro le to keep it from looking clunky at address. The hosel was shortened to make the head look more visually compact and clean and also lowers the club’s centre of gravity for ball speed and contact purposes. To ensure control in wet or dry conditions, a HydroPearl Chrome 2.0 nish was added, while 1° of additional bounce was introduced throughout the set to help the sole cut through the turf without any unwanted digging.

The G430 is also available in a High Launch version, which feature lighter weights, and ultra-light shafts and grips so golfers can swing faster and generate more ball speed for higher launching, longer carrying shots.

RRP: £150/£160 per club (st/gr, 5-PW)

G730

G-Series irons have always been about distance and forgiveness, but the G730s go a step further by also creating more height for more stopping power into greens – because a mid-iron isn’t useful if you can’t hold a green from 150 yards.

The G730s boasts a hyper 17-4 stainless steel that is heat-treated after the casting process to allow engineers to push the boundaries of face thickness, resulting in higher shots that come o the club face up to 2mph faster. That extra 2mph helps the irons average roughly ve extra yards of distance through the set.

Another element of the design is extra offset to help golfers square the face and a wider sole to lower the centre of gravity. Like all Ping irons, the design also features tungsten hosel and toe weights to push mass away from the centre of the clubhead, increasing MOI.

Behind the face sits the PurFlex cavity badge to allow the face to flex while also not hampering the speed and improving acoustics, making for a powerful impact sound.

Finally, with the help of their research database, the lofts have been custom engineered to increase distance while still maintaining optimal gapping between clubs. And, to offer even more control into the wedges, the grooves are precision machined to enhance spin and control.

RRP: £180/£190 per club (gr/st, 5-PW, GW, UW, LW) i230

Ping spent more than four years researching and gathering feedback on what golfers wanted to see from the next iteration of its i range of irons and came up with the i230s, which replace the hugely popular i210.

Through feedback from pros and regular amateur golfers, Ping focused on improving several areas with i230, beginning with the overall look. While the compact mid and short irons are a carryover from the i210 design, special emphasis was placed on reducing the overall footprint of the long irons (3-5) by shortening the blade length for a more compact look at address. A more rounded leading edge and additional bounce were also added to each sole to promote consistent turf interaction through impact.

Ping achieved increases of 1mph ball speed over the i210 which can be attributed to a newly activated elastomer housed inside the sole of the stainless steel body. The elastomer allows the face to ex more than Blueprint irons, but not as much as the distance-driven i525.

To enhance the overall feel of each iron, a fourpiece multi-material back badge was added to the cavity, just above the elastomer which improves sound and feel at impact.

Micromax grooves are more compact than a traditional Ping groove, resulting in an average of four additional grooves to help combat iers in the short irons, while maintaining spin consistency in the long irons.

RRP: £180/£190 per club

(st/gr, 3-PW,UW)

i530

The players’ distance iron category is one of the most popular iron types on the market today, and for good reason. Most irons in this sector o er similar technology to distance irons, but with all of that technology hidden in a golf club design that mimics the looks of a classic muscle-back blade. It’s like putting an F1 engine in a family SUV — it looks simple from the outside but inside it’s packing extra power.

The clean looks and thin top line are made possible thanks to a newly developed machining technique that allows for the manufacturing of extremely thin back walls of the hollow head. Since the rear of the club doesn’t have to make contact with the ball, this thin wall design helps to keep mass lower in the head to boost MOI and reduce dispersion.

As for the face, it is forged from C300 maraging steel — the same type of material used on the faces of the G430 fairway woods — which helps to create more ex for more distance around the entire face. The back of the face is then coasted using a polymer to ne-tune the acoustics and feel without reducing the ability for the face to ex and bend at impact, resulting in distance loss.

All of the saved mass from the thin back walls and face are placed in an internal weight pad on the sole of the iron to increase launch and maintain proper spin windows. The i530 utilizes Ping’s Micromax grooves and hydropearl chrome 2.0 nish to further bring consistency to ball ight and distance control.

RRP: £190/£200 per club (st/gr, 4-9, PW, UW)

While Ping has reduced the pro le sizes of its new G425 irons compared to previous models, the company has actually boosted forgiveness. To increase ball speed and height, Ping utilized a face design from its metalwoods. Unlike its predecessors, the G425s now use variable face thickness to increase speed on shots hit o -centre. This helps minimize the negative e ects for golfers who commonly miss the centre of the face. For Ping engineers, the weight savings from the new face design allowed them to increase weight in the toe and hosel sections to enhance forgiveness. Finally, the cavity design features a cascading sole, and a top rail undercut that work like a hinge, launching the ball faster and higher, while still holding the green.

Additionally, the G425s have a water-repelling hydropearl nish and are built with a multi-material badge in their cavities to dampen sound and feel.

RRP: £120 per club (5-SW)

G425 CROSSOVER

and that where Ping’s G425 irons, which

While Ping has a variety of di erent iron options for strong ball strikers, such as the Blueprint, iBlade and i210, some golfers need a bit more forgiveness and distance, replace the previous G410, come into their own.

The G425 Crossover looks like a long iron and acts more like a hybrid. But really, it’s neither. That’s why Ping calls it a Crossover. As with previous iterations of this club, the new G425 Crossover, which is o ered in 18°, 20° and 20° loft options, is designed as a longiron replacement that provides faster ball speeds and more height than a traditional long iron. Tungsten weights in the toe and hosel increase the MOI by 6.5% from previous Crossover models, while the thin maraging steel face helps bring the heat to increase ball speeds. The result is a club that’s built for forgiving performance from an iron shape, with a stealth hydropearl nish that repels moisture.

RRP: £275 per club

For more details and to nd your nearest PING stockist and tting centre, visit ping.com

■ THE I530 COMBINES THE CLASSY LOOKS OF A MUSCLE-BACK BLADE WITH THE FORGIVING PERFORMANCE OF A CAVITY IRON

FUJIKURA VENTUS RED & BLACK SHAFTS

£325, FUJIKURAGOLF.COM

Fujikura’s Ventus shafts seem to be everywhere on Tour. Practically every week, someone wins playing a Ventus in their driver, woods, or hybrids. And its normally Scottie Scheffler getting the job done. But despite their success, Fujikura believes they have improved on the design. Adding to the Ventus Blue, which was released earlier this season, the new Red and Black feature Velocore+ technology. Featuring a re-engineered multi-material bias core, VELOCORE+ enhances feel and performance with an additional premium bias core material, promoting even tighter dispersion and increased ball speeds. The Red is a mid-launch, mid-spin shaft, while Black is the lowest launch and spin in the Ventus line-up.

GOLFSTREAM VISION BRAKE TROLLEY

£599, GOLFSTREAM.CO.UK

Golfstream’s Vision range features the easiest-to-fold trolleys in golf. Its onetouch clip is so simple to use, and if that is your priority, then it’s hard to look beyond this innovative design. As the name suggests, this latest Golfstream Vision power trolley features an electronic braking system, ensuring that it won’t run away from you when going down steep slopes.

YOUR GUIDE TO THE LATEST GEAR

CANON POWERSHOT RANGEFINDER

£329.99, CANON.CO.UK

Leading camera brand Canon has launched into the golf rangefinder market with a compact model that also features a camera. The PowerShot gives fast and accurate distance reading to anywhere on the course while allowing golfers to document their round with its easy-to-use camera. Offering 12x digital magnification capabilities, and image stabilizer technology, the unit also offers elevation-adjusted distances when using the optional Slope Mode, calculating ‘plays like’ distances which can be turned off for competition use.

PRO SHOP

Equipment editor Dan Owen casts his expert eye over the last equipment launches

£719 (5-PW), EU.DUNLOPSPORTS.COM

The built-in camera enables golfers to capture pictures and videos of specific holes with superimposed distance information on the golf course. This feature allows users to create a personal course diary, complete with voice memos to record a breakdown of every shot. sive

If you are looking for a forgiving, attractive set of irons that won’t cost the earth, the ZipCore XL could be your perfect set.

Borrowing technologies from the more expensive Srixon models, the 4i-7i feature MainFrame using a variable network of grooves, channels, and cavities milled into the back of the clubface to boost COR, along with weight pads to boost MOI.

Used for the first time ever in an iron, ZipCore XL’s short-irons (8SW) feature Cleveland’s unique low-density core, setting the centre of gravity right where the ball is struck, to promote more consistency when it comes to launch, spin, and distance.

TEARDROP TD PUTTERS

£239.99, TEARDROPGOLF.COM

Teardrop putters were hugely popular back in the 1990s when its innovative patented Roll-Face design transformed the way golfers thought about putting. The radial face design curves from bottom to top to ensure a consistent loft at impact, while the friction grooves are designed to improve roll. Crucially, for a company trying to re-establish itself, the head designs are great, with the two mallets being unique designs that focus on ease of alignment without being outlandish.

SEED SD-02 BALLS

£30, SEEDGOLF.CO.UK

Irish brand Seed Golf is looking to save the golfer some cash while still providing tour-level performance with its direct-toconsumer retail strategy. The SD02 is its latest model, a four-piece design offering lower launch and lower spin. It features a larger mantle and the company’s thinnest urethane cover to create a long ball which also provides ample spin for greenside shots. With a trial price starting at just £20 for 12, these provide an incredible cost/performance ratio compared to some of the mainstream ball brands.

PARADYM AI SMOKE TI 340 MINI DRIVER

£449, CALLAWAYGOLF.COM

The new crop of mini drivers are designed for golfers who hit the ball so hard that they don’t need a 3-wood from the fairway, but need a second safe option from the tee. I think they also work for golfers who aren’t strong enough to hit a 3-wood from the deck to give a second safe driving option.

The Paradym Ai Smoke Ti 340 Mini Driver takes all the technology from the bigger headed driver – Ai Smart Titanium Face, carbon construction, and adjustable weighting – and puts it into a 340cc package designed to launch high and land soft for added control. It’s a slighly bigger head than some rival mini drivers out there - making it ideal for those who want something a little more confidence inspiring.

OGIO ALPHA TERMINAL

£209, EU.OGIO.COM

GX GOLF GLOVES

£28.99 FOR 3, GXGOLFGLOVES.COM

I go through gloves like anything. With my dodgy grip, they always seem to wear through in the palm area. I think my record is three holes before one started to show wear, making it a costly business for me.

Which is where GX Gloves’s retail model - by-passing the retailer and selling direct to consumer – allows them to keep their prices down while still offering a beautiful cabretta leather glove. At £28.99 for three, they massively undercut the big-name gloves while still offering premium performance.

WILSON STAFF MODEL RB UTILITY IRON

£220, WILSON.COM

Introducing the Alpha Terminal, your ultimate long-haul travel companion. Crafted from durable materials, it features a dual-stage extendable trolley handle and abrasionresistant corner protectors, making it the perfect choice for your next golf holiday. The interior is thoughtfully designed with two organisation compartments: one large side with compression straps, and the other side divided by a mesh zip pocket and a removable divider. I really like the add-a-bag strap, allowing you to easily tow its smaller counterpart, the Alpha Layover.

While utility irons aren’t for everyone, for those that can get on with them they are a game changer. I recently played with a pro who was using a prior generation Wilson Utility and was regularly popping it onto greens from 240 yards with a high draw. An absolute joy to behold. These new RB Utilities feature a fast C300 face and a ribbed internal structure to provide more stability on mishits as well as an improved sound. By moving weight low and to the toe, it launches the ball higher than previous versions and makes it harder to hit the ball left.

£175, PING.COM

Moving to a more traditional bladed look, the S159 still features a signature elastomer in the head for improved feel and forgiveness. A very tour-driven shape at address, and made from soft 8620 carbon steel, these have gone in the bags of the majority of Ping’s tour staff. With six grind options, the wedges offer something for everyone, from the idiosyncratic E based on the Eye2 design to the Viktor Hovland inspired H grind.

VICE VGW01

£139.99, VICEGOLF.CO.UK

Famous for its golf ball range, Vice has recently moved into the club market. Its new wedges are designed in conjunction with Germany’s leading custom fitter HIO and have been created with all the knowledge they have learnt from fitting their thousands of clients. The wedges feature a forged CNC-milled clubhead, full-face milled grooves, and a tapered heel and toe sole design for greater playability from all lies.

CALLAWAY CB

£149, EU.CALLAWAYGOLF.COM

While most wedges are designed for the world’s best and then trickle down to the average golfer, the Callaway CB has been designed for the rest of us from the start. The larger head design and cavity back offer lots of confidence at address and forgiveness. Urethane microspheres have been used to improve feel, while a pre-worn leading edge and higher bounce act like a skid plate to help fend off unwanted duffs.

MIZUNO T24

£185, MIZUNOGOLF.COM

If you want the softest feel from your wedges, then a forged set of Mizunos are hard to look past. Featuring a one-piece Grain Flow Forged HD Boron head, the Boron is added to improve durability. Quadcut+ grooves have enabled Mizuno to move the grooves closer together to increase spin. While there are plenty of loft and grind options, it’s the copper denim finish that we love the most about these. They just look brilliant down behind the ball.

VEGA ALCOR GOLD

£249, VEGA-GOLF.COM

The only wedges we’ve ever seen made from forged aluminium brass, the Alcor Gold wedges may be the softest we’ve ever hit. The distinctive milling to the head moves the centre of gravity higher in the face for a lower flight, as well as ensuring the sweet spot is in the middle of the face. The unique sole grind reduces drag through the rough and sand, although they do require a precise stroke as the sole is on the narrow side.

WEDGE ME UP

Equipment Editor Dan Owen assesses the merits of the latest spin machines

CLEVELAND CBX

£145, EU.DUNLOPSPORTS.COM

The CBX4 is designed to make the short game easier for the average golfer. At address, these look similar to the RTX6 wedges, but as soon as you examine the sole and cavity, it tells a different story. ZipCore technology helps reposition mass across the toe and high/low on the face for super high MOI in a wedge. The Gelback TPU insert absorbs impact vibrations for a soft feel. To enhance spin, HydraZip increases face friction while UltiZip grooves cut through any debris in the way.

TITLEIST VOKEY DESIGN SM10

£169, TITLEIST.CO.UK

Changes from Vokey model to model aren’t huge, but they don’t need to be. Titleist’s tour staff did find the SM10 to be slightly draw-biased, which has been changed with the SM10, while another subtle tweak is that all wedges of the same loft look the same at address, whereas in previous versions the look altered depending on sole grind. Vokey offers a huge number of bounce and grind options and, from a fitting point of view, are the easiest to fine-tune.

Model ZM wedges feature compact heads and satin finish. Tech-wise, they feature new ZM grooves to maximise spin, while the elevated centre of gravity is progressive, with more weight higher in the face the lower the loft gets. Forged from 8620 carbon steel, these are a soft-feeling wedge making them ideal for delicate shots around the green.

TAKING T HE ROUGH WITH THE SMOOTH

Golf has seen some huge changes since the rst ‘gawf’ balls were swotted by tweed-wearing gentleman across the gnarled turf of St Andrews over 400 years ago, with new technology, new players and new audiences helping to take the sport to previously uncharted heights. However, throughout all of that, there has been one constant: the popularity of golf in its most pure and natural form – links golf.

The word ‘links’ is thought to be derived from the Old English world ‘hlinc’, which means ‘rising ground’ or ‘ridge’ and which was commonly used to describe an area of coastal sand dunes, but in gol ng terms it has come to refer to pretty much any course located at sea level and within view of the briny waters.

By its very nature, such land has a very limited use. It is unsuitable for housing, whilst its high salt content makes it equally incompatible with farming. For golf course architects, however, it is the perfect canvas.

The natural undulations and sandy, springy turf combine to create the perfect natural topography, which is enhanced by a variety of other key

ABERDOVEY GOLF CLUB

is located in Snowdonia National Park and anked by the Cambrian Mountains and coastline. A premier links course established in 1892, the course extends over 6777 yards. Aberdovey continues to host events such as the Welsh Seniors’ Championship. The Clubhouse boasts a Bar, Restaurant and ten ensuite bedrooms.

Tel: 01654 767493

Web: aberdoveygolf.co.uk

ingredients: fescue grass, hollows, blu s, rises, swales, run-o s and so on. Factor in some sti sea breezes and you’ve got all the makings of a formidable but fantastic test of golf.

The UK is spoilt for choice when it comes to links challenges, with over 150 to be played, from the dozen or so venues that have hosted the Open Championship in Scotland and England and Northern Ireland, to the less heralded courses that are to be found hugging the shorelines of counties from Kent to Cornwall and from Norfolk to Lancashire.

While there is undoubtably a spectrum of courses in the links family, from ‘classic’ to ‘modern’, from ‘part’ to ‘style’, all should share a common bond of being courses where the ball can be played just as much along the ground as in the air.

THE ULTIMATE TEST

Many traditionalists consider links to be the ultimate test of a golfer’s skill and one that demands imagination and creativity more than raw power. It is about as di erent from ‘modern golf’ as it is possible to get – and that’s a huge part of its appeal.

Just ask Tom Watson. The American is widely considered to be one of the nest links golfers of all time, having won the Open Championship on such courses ve times, as well as the Senior British Open Championship a further three times. However, he admits that the di culty of this form of the game took him by surprise on his rst visit to Scotland in 1975.

Golf News editor Nick Bayly extols the virtues of links golf, which places as many demands on your imagination and resilience as it does on technical mastery

rolling. You occasionally hit the shot that really makes you proud but it’s always a struggle.”

It is for those reasons that patience is a prerequisite for all links players. Good shots can turn into bad shots in the space of one bounce – and there’s really nothing you can do about it. How you react to those ‘unfair’ incidents will determine how well you are able to recover from them, which, in turn, will be re ected in the score you shoot.

■ NEFYN GOLF

“It’s an uncertain game,” he once said. “You don’t know what’s going to happen. You don’t know where the ball is going to end up until it stops

FRASERBURGH GOLF CLUB

is the 7th Oldest in the World, founded in 1777, James Braid re-designed the original layout in 1922 and it’s said to be one of the most natural links courses you will ever nd and o ers a beautiful 18 hole Links Golf challenge. Full bar and lounge area, visitor locker area with showers, buggies and trollies.

Tel: 01346 516616

Web: fraserburghgolfclub.org

REAY GOLF CLUB is positioned on the edge of Sandside Bay in the far north of Scotland, Reay is a James Braid links which o ers breathtaking views of the north Atlantic Ocean from every hole. The challenging layout is a haven for golf enthusiasts seeking an authentic challenge, with a warm welcome in the clubhouse guaranteed.

Tel: 01847 811288

Web: reaygolfclub.com

FOLLOW IN THE FOOSTEPS OF CHAMPIONS

Another great reason for playing links golf is the ability to follow in the footsteps of your gol ng heroes, with all of the courses on The Open rota laid out across links-land. If you’re fortunate enough to have played a few Open venues, notice how the questions asked by these links courses remain consistent throughout the British Isles; with an emphasis on staying out of fairway bunkers, and ensuring your lag-putting is up to scratch on the extremely large putting surfaces.

So whether your tackling the dunes of Royal St George’s, the rumpled fairways of the Old Course at St Andrews, or the fast-running fairways of Hoylake, the challenge will remain remarkably consistent.

SPRINGY TURF

An additional commonality of links courses is the feeling you get following a well-struck iron from

THE IRVINE GOLF CLUB is set in a seaside location, the neighbouring Gulf Stream ensures year round links golf, whilst the romantic peaks of Arran present a stunning backdrop to the landscape. It was over the links land of Scotland that the game of golf was born and still today the true links experience is unparalleled the world over.

Tel: 01294 275979

Web: theirvinegolfclub.co.uk

■ ROYAL CINQUE PORTS

■ ABERDOVEY ■ MACHRIHANISH DUNES

CLUB IN NORTH WALES

the fairway. The turf is unique to these layouts and provides an unparalleled sensation, which often translates as a ‘thud’. This is particularly true in the spring and autumn, when the ground is still firm, but not as baked as it can be in the summer months, when links can feel like roads, especially during periods of drought. It’s hard to put in words the different feeling between a shot played off parkland turf compare to links turf, but once you’ve played from links fairways, you’ll know instantly know what we mean.

FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT

Owing to the harshness of their costal locations, there are generally few trees to be found on links courses. As a result, they are much more open – particularly from the tee. This is great news from those who like to move the ball more one way or another. The option to stand on a tee and play a 50-yard slice or a power fade without worrying about clattering a group of trees that line the hole is eminently freeing –and something else to love about playing links courses.

PUTTING HEAVEN

Links golf also allow you to be hugely creative with your shot-making, particularly when approaching the green. The tightly cut fairways can be tough to chip off, even for the best players in the world, and the firmness of the greens can make it hard to keep the ball close to the flag. When there are no other obstacles in the way, links encourages you to keep the ball on the floor - allowing you to ‘bump and run’ or even putt from as far back as you like. However, if the 100-yard putt isn’t for you, why not try the same technique with a hybrid or a fairway wood? It certainly worked for Todd Hamilton at Troon in 2004, and served to spark the development of the hybrids that we know and love today.

YEAR-ROUND PLAYABILITY

Staying drier than most other venues throughout the winter, links courses often become brown throughout the summer months, with

the tightly mown fairways allowing the ball to carry on running. That means that whenever you head on your own links trip, you’ll likely find a course in fantastic condition, and may even see your drives getting some run, even in the depths of winter, when many inland courses will be sodden.

In summary, links golf is not easy, it’s often unfair – but it is brilliant fun and something that every golfer should experience more than once in their life. What’s more, you are usually rewarded with some stunning coastal views, and a warm welcome in the clubhouse after your round, which only serves to enhance the whole, unforgettable experience.

■ ROYAL PORTHCAWL

ATLANTIC CITY

WHERE GREAT GOLF & FUN TIMES ARE GUARANTEED

Famed for its bustling boardwalk, luxury hotels, breathtaking beaches and glitzy casinos, ATLANTIC CITY is also a great destination for a golf holiday, with its sun-drenched shores within easy reach of dozens of world-class courses offering links-style challenges, woodland gems and everything in between Imagery: New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority

Atlantic City isn’t the kind of golf destination where you just play a couple of rounds of golf, have a few nice dinners out and then go to bed. It’s more of a 24-7-365 kind of place, where you wake up, play 18 holes, have lunch, play another 18 holes, eat dinner in a fabulous beachside restaurant as the sun goes down, then head into town catch a show, have a spin or three on the roulette wheels, punch on to a nightclub, and then finally, when your eyes and ears can’t take any more, you retire to your well-appointed hotel room for a restorative night’s kip.

The following morning, you wake up, and you do it all over again until you’ve exhausted all of the championship golf that the Jersey Shore has to offer. That’s how they roll in The Big AC.

While other famous and somewhat more sedate American golf resorts such as Pinehurst and Pebble Beach offer golf, golf and yet more golf, Atlantic City has so much more to offer the travelling visitor, although there is no shortage of great places to swing a club, with over 20 courses located within 40 minutes of the downtown area, all of which are guaranteed to offer visiting golfers a warm New Jersey welcome.

YOUR GOLFING GUIDE TO AC

Here’s our guide to the best places to tee it up in and around ‘America’s Playground’

Atlantic City Country Club - The grandfather – or godfather - of golf in the AC area, Atlantic City Country Club was founded by a group of local

hotel owners in 1897. Remodelled by none other than Willie Park Jr in 1913, the turf is softer than that found on a traditional links, but still has plenty of sand, while the ever-present wind can make club selection tricky. According to the New York Times, the term ‘birdie’ was first coined here in 1903 when George Crump, the founder of Pine Valley, hit a bird in flight with his ball while playing a par four, but they – birdies – are hard to come by if you miss the fairway on this easy-walking course which is boarded by marshlands.

Ballamor Golf Club - Carefully carved out of gently rolling land and dense woods, Ballamor offers peaceful and secluded surroundings and a course that features generous, manicured fairways and large greens for comfortable approach shots. Once a private club, Ballamor retains much of that feel today to the delight of daily green fee players looking to experience AC golf at its finest. ballamor.com

Scotland Run Golf Club - Located 45 minutes from Atlantic City, Scotland Run is built in and around an old sand quarry and as such offers a distinctive blend of holes. The most unique characteristics include expansive waste areas and an imposing display of cliffs. scotlandrun.com

The Links at Brigantine Beach - True to its historic Scottish roots, the seaside layout includes breathtaking bay views, native marshes, and gently rolling nearly treeless terrain. The mounds surrounding many of the greens favour bump-andrun approaches. BrigatineGolf.com

Eagle Ridge Golf Club - Nestled within the lush natural pines of Northern Ocean County, just

minutes from the Jersey Shore, Eagle Ridge boasts a stunning 27-hole championship course, with the name of the three nine-hole loops – Links, Pine and Ridge – giving you a fair idea of the challenge on offer. The rugged landscape is deftly blended with generous fairways, dramatic elevation changes and beautiful bent grass greens. Post-round celebrations can be held at the club’s very own pub, The Hut. EagleridgeGolf.com

The Seaview Resort - As their names suggest, The Seaview Resort boasts two contrasting layouts, the 6,300-yard Bay Course, and the 6,800-yard Pines Course. The former, which opened in 1914, was designed by Donald Ross, and is less a test of length, and more a test of imagination, accuracy and short game mastery. Offering a Scottish-links feel, it boasts dramatic seaside views, deep pot bunkers and small, undulating greens.

The Pines Course, which opened in 1929, winds its way through New Jersey woodlands, presenting elevation changes and doglegs. The course features large bunkers and expansive, sloping greens. The 16th hole was the site of Sam Snead’s miraculous 60-foot chip-in to win the 1942 PGA Championship – the first of his seven major titles. SeaviewGolf.com Harbor Pines Golf Club - Harbor Pines offers outstanding course conditions. Located just a few minutes from Atlantic City, the parkland course features 12 ponds and 17 acres of water, along with distinctive bunkers and large, undulating greens. It offers no fewer than seven sets of tee options to accommodate golfers of all skill levels. HarborPines.com

■ AC’S BOARDWALK STRETCHES FOR 5 MILES AND OFFERS ENTERTAINMENT FOR ALL THE FAMILY

■ THE SEAVIEW RESORT ENJOYS VIEWS OF THE ATLANTIC CITY SKYLINE

Blue Heron Pines Golf Club - Opened in 1993, Blue Heron was soon rated as one of the best courses on the Jersey Shore. Measuring 6,810 yards o the back tees, the largely at course takes full advantage of the natural beauty of the pinelands, with majestic treelines framing breathtaking vistas. BlueHeronPines.com

Twisted Dune Golf Club - True to its name, Twisted Dune o ers a links-style course with dramatic elevations and contoured fairways, delivering a challenging, yet playable design. Deep ravines, towering grass-covered hills, and well over 100 deep bunkers make Twisted Dune’s 7,200 yards a memorable gol ng experience for all. TwistedDune.com

Shore Gate Golf Club - Shore Gate’s 18 holes are carved out of woodlands, with its dense treeline allowing golfers to play in splendid isolation from the rst tee shot to the nal putt. Undulating fairways and no fewer than 88 bunkers call for precise approach play, while ve sets of tees make the course playable for all. ShoregateGolf.com

Cape May National Golf Club – Nicknamed ‘The Natural’, Cape May National is one of the most back-to-nature courses ever built. Surrounding a 50-acre private bird sanctuary the layout is among a new wave of venues that places environmental sensitivity at the core of its design, while also providing a classic turn-of-the-century gol ng challenge. CMNGC.com

Long Beach National Golf Club - Situated on over 155 acres of meticulously maintained grounds nestled within the woodlands of South Jersey, the newly named LBI National is being re-imagined and revived. The property’s 35,000-square-foot clubhouse features a restaurant, a pro shop, multiple private dining and event spaces, and an Atlantic City skyline view. LBINational.com

Renault Winery Resort & Golf - Vineyard National’s popularity among local and visiting golfers stems from the fusion of pristine greens, challenging play, and the novel experience of teeing o among the original vines the winery’s founder cultivated to create his famed ‘American Champagne’ over 150 years ago. RenaultWinery.com

McCulloughs Emerald Golf Links -Located just minutes from Atlantic City, McCullough’s o ers players a distinctly di erent links-style experience. With wide-open fairways, tricky winds, true undulating greens, and remarkable grass mounds and bunkers, players will be both challenged and fascinated.

The course’s signature par-4 7th hole, which features a three-acre waste area and an island fairway 160 yards wide, is a tribute to famed architect Alistair Mackenzie, who won an award for the design in 1914, but never had the opportunity to build it. McculloughsGolf.com

OFF-COURSE ACTIVITIES

Take time out from bagging birdies to experience fun- lled days in Atlantic City and the Jersey Shore. When you’re not on the golf course, Atlantic City and its environs is blessed with an embarrassment of riches when it comes to sightseeing and entertainment.

BOARDWALK EMPIRE

First and foremost, you have to walk the boardwalk. First built in 1870, it’s six miles of classic AC, lled with novelty shops, independent boutiques, lively bars, hotels, and great cafés and restaurants. And, if you want a bit of amusement on the side, there are old-fashioned carnival rides and traditional seaside games to enjoy as you make your way along the eastern seaboard’s most famous stretch of shoreline. The Boardwalk also hosts countless events throughout the year, from concerts and music festivals, parades, food events and competitions, so it’s always worth checking in advance to see what activities will be happening during your visit.

CLASSIC CASINOS & LUXURY HOTELS

After the sun goes down, many people head to the countless resort hotel casinos that helped put Atlantic City on the map, including Bally’s, Caesars, the Golden Nugget, Hard Rock, Harrah’s and the Tropicana. Here you can try you luck at all the casino classics, from roulette, poker and blackjack through to the penny slots and much more besides, and then, when the chips are down –or if you’ve lucky enough to win – you can simply head upstairs for a relaxing night’s sleep in your ve-star room.

For more late-night revelry there are plenty of gambling-free nightspots to suit your vibe. Bally’s Beach Bar at Caesar’s is a popular option and is open until midnight most nights of the week, while Boogie Nights at the Tropicana will be right up your street if you’re looking for a bit of a retro disco atmosphere, while there are number of big-name music acts hosting live concerts through the year.

FAMILY FUN & SHOPPING HEAVEN

If you’re traveling with family, there are plenty of places to take the kids when chilling between rounds. There are arcades and rides at Steel Pier, Storybook Land, and there’s also the Atlantic City Aquarium, which has recently reopened follow a major renovation, while shoppers can head for the Playground Pier or Tanger Outlets, which o ers over 110 stores to browse, including all-American classics such as Gap, Old Navy, J.Crew, Michael Kors, Tommy Hil ger, Polo Ralph Lauren, Nike and H&M.

If you’re not staying in a rooftop penthouse suite, but you’re looking for a view, and then a climb up to the top of the 170-foot Absecon Lighthouse – which was built in 1857 – is another box worth ticking on Atlantic City’s extensive must-do list, while the 227-feet tall Observation Wheel o ers stunning views of the city from the comfort of one of 40 air-conditioned gondolas. For real high rollers, helicopter rides are o ered from Steel Pier for the ultimate bird’s eye view.

WINING & DINING

For foodies, the choice of restaurants and eateries in AC is o the scale, with enough diners and dives to feed your appetite and your soul for a several months of Sundays. The late great chef Antony Bourdain was a New Jersey boy, and many of the favourite joints that he visited during his TV food & travel shows are very much open for business, including the Knife & Fort Inn, Dock’s Oyster House, Tony’s Baltimore Grill and James’ Salt Water Ta y.

Wine, beer and spirits bu s can also indulge their passions in a wide range of wineries, breweries and distilleries that are located in and around the city, from the Balic Winery in Mays Landing, the Renault Winery Resort in Habor City, to the Tun Tavern Brewery right in the heart of AC.

GETTING AROUND

While golfers will be better suited by hiring a car to get to-and-from golf clubs, once inside the city, the best option for getting around is using the natural-gas powered Jitney minibus service, which, for just $2.50 a trip, will take you anywhere along the main tourist routes 24 hours a day.

Electric trams also travel the length of the Boardwalk and are a great way to take in all the sights, as are Atlantic City’s famous Rolling Chairs, which rst saw service in the 1880s, and are as popular with visitors now as they were back then. Bikes, both pedal powered and electric, are also available to rent, o ering the freedom to hop o and on as you desire.

GETTING THERE

Atlantic City is just an hour’s drive east from Philadelphia International Airport, which is serviced by regular direct ights from the UK by American Airlines and British Airways, with a ying time of eight hours.

For an up-to-late list of the concerts, festivals and live events taking place in Atlantic City, visit www.atlanticcitynj.com.

Tee up a winter golf break with Solos Holidays

Golfers looking to play enjoy some winter sunshine on some of the world’s best courses are being invited to check out the itinerary for the 2024/25 winter season being o ered by Solos Holidays, a company which specialises in hosting trips for single travellers.

Despite its name, Solos Holidays is keen to challenge the assumption that solo travel is purely for singles, and its golf trips are attended by a wide range of people, many of whom are in relationships, but whose partners don’t want to go on a golf holiday.

From Cape Town to Turkey, Gran Canaria to Lanzarote, Solo Holidays’ new winter golf packages combine championship courses designed by award-winning architects with some big travel ticket items such as spotting the ‘big ve’ on safari in South Africa or simply stretching out on the golden beaches of Playa del Ingles in Gran Canaria.

With no single supplements, a readymade group of enthusiastic golfers, organised tee times, ights, transfers, accommodation and various dining

options included, all golfers need to do is brush up on their swing.

Among the upcoming itineraries includes seven nights in Lanzarote in either November 2024 or February 2025, taking in four rounds of golf and staying at the VIK Hotel San Antonio in Puerto del Carmen, for £1,989.

While if you fancy a bit of Turkey over the festive period there is a seven-night, ve-round trip to Belek, departing December 28. Priced at £1,895pp, it includes rounds at the Pines, Dunes and National golf courses and accommodation at the Sueno Resort.

For details on these holidays, plus others to Gran Canaria, Cape Town and Islantilla in Spain, call 020 8951 2900 or visit www.solosholidays.co.uk.

Ay Caramba, it’s game on at La Zambra!

With 12 excellent golf courses within a 15-minute drive, and two 18-hole courses on site, it is no surprise that La Zambra Resort, located near Mijas on Spain’s Costa del Sol, is proving a popular destination for UK golfers.

With an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, La Zambra – formerly known as the Byblos Hotel – is the perfect destination for golfers that are looking to enjoy world-class courses under the dazzling Costa del Sol sun.

The hotel, which boasts 197 bedrooms and a wide range of dining options, enjoys direct access to Mijas Golf Club’s Los Olivos and Los Lagos layouts, two world-class courses designed by renowned architect Robert Trent Jones. Jones believed that a hole should be ‘a di cult par, but an easy bogey’ and applied this philosophy to the design of these two courses, which o er little in the way of rough, but of plenty of water hazards.

Other courses within easy reach of the resort, include the 54 holes on o er at La Cala and the 18 holes at Finca Cortesin, venue for last year’s Solheim Cup, which o ers championship golf of the very highest level. Other excellent tracks are to be found nearby at Santa Clara, Torrequebrada, Guadalhorce and Rio Real, to name but a few.

Golf Planet Holidays has a range winter holiday deals at La Zambra, with seven nights’ sharing a King room and ve rounds of golf Santa Clara, Marbella Golf & Country Club, Rio Real, La Quinta and Los Naranjos, costing £1,325 per person for travel between January and April 2025. Four-night trips, taking in three rounds of golf, start from £750pp.

For more details, email team@golfplanetholidays.com or visit golfplanetholidays.com.

Sizzling hot golf deals on o er in Vietnam this summer

Vietnam is one of the fast-growing golf destinations in the world, with its eastern coastline dotted with championship layouts designed by legends of the game such as Colin Montgomerie (Montgomerie Links), Luke Donald (Ba Na Hills Golf Club), and Sir Nick Faldo (Laguna Golf Lang Co).

And the clubs putting the region on the global golf map are pulling out the stops during the summer months. Enticements range from twilight golf to stay-and-play packages that link world-class play with some of Vietnam’s most luxurious accommodations.

At Montgomerie Links, visitors can combine play on the acclaimed course – a subtle beauty where Montgomerie has fashioned old-world design elements into a challenging layout –with accommodation at its on-site hotel. Its summer ‘Stay & Play’ package comes in at a highly attractive rate of just £100 per person.

For those looking to extend their gol ng experience, a second round is priced at £30 for 9 holes and £45 for 18 holes. Other summer season highlights at the club include discounts on driving range membership, bulk-buy packages of 10 or 30 rounds and special rates for corporate clients.

Stay-and-play possibilities and twilight golf are among the highlights at Laguna Lang Co, where the Sir Nick Faldo Signature Design at Laguna Golf Lang Co is complemented by sumptuous accommodation at Banyan Tree Lang Co and Angsana Lang Co hotels.

under this o er is priced at £75 per person and includes one local beer.

At Ba Na Hills Golf Club, where Luke Donald’s masterpiece winds through undulating terrain, oodlights enable the possibility of night golf. As such, visitors can take advantage of a Twinight Golf promotion that applies for tee times from 1.48 pm onwards. The rate for 18-holes

A few long-iron shots from Ba Na Hills Golf Club is Sun World Ba Na Hills, home to the famous Golden Bridge: a 150m-long pedestrian bridge that is one of Asia’s most photographed landmarks. The Golf & Sunworld package (£120) includes one round of golf, a round-trip cable car ticket to Sun World Ba Na Hills.

For all the latest packages to Vietnam’s Golf Coast. visit www.golfcoastvietnam.com.

■ THE DUNES COURSE AT SUENO IN TURKEY

■ LA ZAMBRA RESORT

■ LOS LAGOS COURSE AT MIJAS

My rst holiday was to... Pontins Holiday Camp in Wick Ferry, Dorset. We went every year, renting the exact same chalet and loved every minute. They had a ballroom which in my head was incredibly glamorous. I entered a talent competition doing comedy for the rst time. I nished second, which had a prophetic feel to it now.

I rst picked up a golf club in... Too late is the honest answer – to be a good golfer, anyway. I used to caddie for my dad, who was a solid 24 handicapper. I hated it and always wondered why so many clubs were needed when none of them worked terribly well. Recently we were discussing where we might scatter my dad’s ashes and Ealing Golf Club was mooted. I suggested in the rough, which I thought was funny, but my mum disagreed.

Dominic Holland

The stand-up comedian and author has travelled the world with golf clubs in tow, but nds nothing beats a round with his boys at Coombe Wood

getting only one for my wife Nikki and Tom, with me walking. My plan being to complete the rst hole and then squeeze myself onto their buggy. But the pro saw through my plan and had other ideas. I explained that I wanted to walk the course, but apparently buggies were mandatory as the rst tee was too far away to walk to. I got another buggy and stu ed Tom 3up,

stayed elsewhere on this occasion as the tab was on use!

Whenever I’m on holiday I always... panic about not working and not getting paid to be on holiday, which is the life of a self-employed person in a gigging career.

My favourite course in the UK.. is Coombe Wood in Surrey, where I have been a member forever. It’s where I taught all my four boys to play the hardest game of all and, as it transpires, I am a better golf teacher than golfer. In terms of signature courses, I think St George’s Hill is a gem and I’d also give a happy nod to Woburn’s Duke Course. And let’s not forget Muir eld. I’ve only played the front nine, but it is where I set my golf-themed novel, Open Links, so I feel that I know it intimately. I loved writing the book, and so by association, I love Muir eld also.

My favourite holiday golf resort is... Boavista on the Algarve. It’s not fancy. Its ordinary in fact, but it’s where I played with my boys on holiday, so I have very fond memories of the place. My hope is to one day for us all to revisit. My boys are all good golfers now, and it will be fun to see them conquering holes that used to torment them.

My ideal holiday fourball would include... I should say my boys, but to avoid repetition I will plump for Rory, Jack and Tiger. Only single names needed for these luminaries of the game.

My most memorable holiday round... was at Tecina Golf Club in La Gomera – an island o the coast of Tenerife, where my eldest son, Tom [Holland], was making a movie [In the Heart of the Sea] back in 2014. The course clings to the edge of the island and has stunning views for all angles. Having paid the not inconsiderable green fees and hiring two sets of clubs, I was looking to make a saving on buggy hire,

■ COOMBE WOOD IN SURREY, DOMINIC’S HOME CLUB

which, come to think of it, was probably the last time I ever beat him.

My most memorable meal... My mum was an incredible home cook. She was a nurse but could have been a chef and so Christmas was even more memorable – but not the day itself. Boxing Day was when my mum wielded her culinary wand, making a pie with the Christmas Day leftovers – turkey, ham, giblets, vegetables, the lot. It was the most delicious meal of the year. I’ve been lucky to eat in numerous high-end restaurants and usually struggle to reconcile the portion size with the lumpy bill. I prefer a hearty plate of tucker to a work of art. But that said, the best restaurant I have ever eaten is Grace in Berlin.

On my golf holiday bucket list is... a six-week tour to take in the iconic courses of the UK and Ireland –Royal Dornoch, Kingsbarns, Old Head. This will have to wait until I have su cient cash reserves to not worry about not working. This tour appears to be some way o , but I live in hope...

I’ve played golf all over the world – including Dubai, Hawaii, South Africa, Kenya and Florida – but we have the best courses on our doostep, and all with amazing places to stay and incredible welcomes to boot.

My favourite city in the world is... a toss up between Edinburgh and London. Edinburgh has been very generous to me, and where I bagged most of my breaks in showbiz. But London is where I grew up and live. As I have travelled the world, I realise what an amazing place London is. The best place to live that I have encountered, despite the expense and the meddling of our hapless politicians.

My most recent trip was to.. Marrakech. A truly must-visit destination. It’s a city teeming with life and vibrancy. It literally throbs with people who are all up for it and working whatever angle they can to make ends meet. Everyone is either selling something, making something, or doing something. There are no free lunches in this so-called third world city and the place bounces as a result. I played golf at a local course – just 9 holes – and I parred a long-par 3 over water.

■ BOAVISTA RESORT ON PORTGUAL’S ALGARVE COAST

My worst experience on holiday was... was a golf tour to Turkey with a bunch of friends. Following a messy night out, with too much food and drink, I got caught short on the course. I found a suitable bush and took up my downhill ski tuck position, hoping my thigh muscles would hold out. They did. But someone thought it would be a hoot to loosen the strap holding my golf bag to the buggy. My bag hit the ground and it was funny when I recovered my bag but less so on the next tee when I discovered that the shafts of my driver, 3-wood and hybrid had all snapped. I lost my match, and no-one shook hands with me afterwards – which was fair enough I suppose.

The best hotel I’ve ever stayed in... is Gleneagles during the winter when they have the res roaring and even the stone oors are somehow warm. I was speaking at a big dinner in the ballroom, so the bill was thankfully not my concern. The place is sumptuous, and I slept even better because the audience had laughed raucously and in all the right places. My son, Sam, worked here when he was training to be a chef, so it was lovely to visit him there and eat in the Strathearn restaurant, but we

My top travel tip is... don’t bother bringing tea bags on holiday – it just creates false hope and disappointment because you can never recreate the cuppa you enjoy at home.

OPEN LINKS – BUY YOUR COPY HERE! Dominic Holland is the author of OPEN LINKS, a novel charting the travails of ctious tour pro Ricky Randal as he tackles the nal round of The Open Championship. The book, which was rst published in 2014, has been re-released this year to help raise funds for Anthony Nolan, a UK-based charity that works in the areas of leukaemia and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

To purchase a copy of OPEN LINKS visit amazon.co.uk.

Travel with

■ LE TECINA GOLF CLUB IN LA GOMERA

where I grew up and live. As I have travelled the

■ THE BUSTLING JEMAA EL FNA MARKET IN MARRAKECH

■ GLENEAGLES HOTEL, SCOTLAND

PRECISION-MILLED WHEEL CUT GROOVES FOR HIGH SPIN, MORE CONTROL

8620 CARBON STEEL HEAD FOR SOFT FEEL

HYDROPEARL CHROME AND MIDNIGHT FINISHES

TOUR-STYLE, EYE-PLEASING SHAPE WITH MORE SQUARE LEAD EDGE

SCAN TO GET FIT

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