Golf Asia - 2012 July

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W W W. GOLFASIA .SG

GLORIOUS GLOIRE

CONTENTS

94 14 Foreword 20 Teebox

•

Simpson Stuns Stars To Win US Open

24 Scene

• • • • • • •

Kids Horizon Appeal Charity Golf 2012 SICC May Day Charity Direct From Singapore To Bintan Resorts A Brand New Beauty A Golf Carnival To Remember Golf’s 18 Worst Decisions Ever When Golfers Go Wrong

20

47 Gearguide

• • • •

The Big Test: Irons The Numbers Game Iron Questions Answered Glorie For Asians

36 4 Golf Asia

CONTENTS

108 74 Instruction

•

Shake Off The Shanks

82 Profile

•

A Small Man With A Big Heart

85 Escape

• •

Trump International: The First Verdict Golf In The Land Below The Wind

99 Directory

120

103 Luxe Lifestyle

• • • • • • • • • • • •

6 Golf Asia

Timepieces Fair Deal Heart Core Born Ready Tough Love Style: Summer Cool Grooming: Rejuvenate the Senses Gadgets Autos Autos: Special Feature Tock Of The Table Inspiration

115

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MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES HONG KONG / MACAU: MARIAM WONG mariam.wang@publicitas.com INDONESIA: IRENE JOHARI irene@golfasiamagazine.com JAPAN: TSUYUKI tsuyuki@mcijapan.com THAILAND: HEMANT N. SONNEY hemant@sonneymedia.com DISTRIBUTORS SINGAPORE: MediaCorp Pte Ltd / MALAYSIA: MPH Distributors Sdn Bhd HONG KONG: Times Publishing (HK) Ltd / INDONESIA: PT Javabooks Indonesia PHILIPPINES: Asia/Pacific Circulation Exponents, Inc. / THAILAND: Asia Books Co., Ltd GOLF ASIA MAGAZINE, MICA (P) No.066/02/2012, ISSN 0219-0605, PPS 1317/04/2013 (022948), is published monthly by Regent Media Pte Ltd. No part of articles published here may be reproduced in any other publication, printed or published, without the prior permission of the publisher. The Publisher, however, accepts no responsibility whatsoever for unsolicited manuscripts and materials.

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FORGED TITANIUM MADE IN JAPAN

SPECIFICATIONS FOR MENS

FOR LADIES

Loft (deg)

9

10

11

Lie (deg)

57

58

59

Face (deg)

H 1.0

H 2.0

H 3.0

FOR MENS

FOR LADIES

Length (inch)

46

44

Color

Gold

Weight (gram)

294

282

274

Flex

SR

L1

L

Swing Weight

D3

C2

C1

Weight (gram)

50

49

46

Shaft Flex

SR, R1

L1

L

Torque

4.9

5.2

6.0

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• 545 ORCHARD ROAD #02-18/19/2, FAR EAST Tel: (65) 6884 9575 SHOPPING CENTRE SINGAPORE 238883 Fax: (65) 6884 9576 • ISETAN SCOTTS GOLF DEPT.(3RD LEVEL) facebook.com/golfleisure www.golfleisure.com.sg

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CONTRIBUTORS C O NTR I B UTO R S

KEN LYE is a keen golfer and currently plays off a 2 handicap.

He loves golf and pretty much all things related to golf. He is a ‘quasi’ equipment junkie and especially loves travelling for golf! With a penchant for the rules of golf, Ken is also a qualified SGA Rules Official.

Since passing the R & A Rules Exam in 2005, Ken has refereed at professional golf events as well as certain major regional amateur events. Aside from his love of golf, Ken is a former investment banker who now runs his own business in finance and consulting.

NATASHA WONG started playing golf some 10 years ago and has developed a self-confessed love-hate relationship with the game. These days, she plays off a 9-handicap and encounters a daily battle to curb her over-swing. Aside from being an ardent supporter of women’s golf, Natasha is also passionate about golf travel and photography.

Armed with her camera, this amateur photographer is constantly seeking the elusive perfect golf shot… no pun intended!

JUSTINE MOSS is the principal consultant of Jay Jay Communications, an Asia Pacific communications and language consulting, training and coaching business based in Singapore. Justine has over 17 years’ experience in communications and media industries, having lived and worked in Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Justine regularly writes for print, audio and internet including voiceover, hosting and narration scripts, media releases, feature articles and website features.

10 GOLF ASIA

JIM BANTING Founder of an online golfing travel service offering golfing experiences of a lifetime, “golfinbritain. com” as well as “e-Digital” a company specialising in strategic consultancy, creative services and designs for web applications, computer graphics, packaging and book publishing. Golf has been in Jim’s blood from a very early age and he has played many great courses in Europe, America and Australia. A singlefigure golfer for over 30 years, Jim remains one of the few people in the world who has played all 100 of the top courses in Great Britain and a total of over 900 different courses worldwide.

JAMES SHARPE has been a contributor for Golf Asia since 2005. When he’s not scouring Singapore for the latest restaurants and snazziest gadgets, he lectures writing at Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s School of Film & Media Studies.

When not working, James enjoys family life with his sons, the odd bit of Sailing and scooting about on his beloved Vespa.

VELOCITY IS DISTANCE VELOCITY IS DISTANCE VELOCITY IS DISTANCE

NEW

TM

SUPERMAN HR 4-PIECE

FORGED TITANIUM MADE IN JAPAN

SPECIFICATIONS FOR MENS

FOR LADIES

Loft (deg)

9

10

11

Lie (deg)

57

58

59

Face (deg)

H 1.0

H 2.0

H 3.0

Length (inch)

46

44

Color

Gold

Weight (gram)

294

282

274

Flex

SR

L1

L

Swing Weight

D3

C2

C1

Weight (gram)

50

49

46

Shaft Flex

SR, R1

L1

L

Torque

4.9

5.2

6.0

FOR MENS

Superman: TM & © DC Comics (s11)

• 545 ORCHARD ROAD #02-18/19/2, FAR EAST Tel: (65) 6884 9575 SHOPPING CENTRE SINGAPORE 238883 Fax: (65) 6884 9576 • ISETAN SCOTTS GOLF DEPT.(3RD LEVEL) facebook.com/golfleisure www.golfleisure.com.sg

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GOLFING FOR EWOR D

SCENE

do underdogs rule the majors?

U

nlike Majors of the past where the winners seemed, more often than not, members of a celebrated and exclusive club winning on rotation, the current crop of Major champs seem to be from another club, the club of underdogs.

Largely unknown and out of the regular media spotlight, the last nine Major winners were first time winners of golf’s Majors or the game’s version of Grand Slam titles. Take the latest winner Webb Simpson, champion of the 112th edition US Open Championship; beyond American shores he was an unknown. But now his name is the 15th different one to be etched forever on a Major trophy in the last 15 major championships, and this is just his fifth major and only his second US Open.

Does this bode well for the game in general? Personally I think it makes the Majors great entertainment for all!

For those of you who are fans of the Formula One Grand Prix circuit, I’m sure you will remember the days when a certain German wrecked havoc on rivals and whose dominance seemed unstoppable. Michael Schumacher has won 7 World Championships and holds numerous records in F1; his supremacy was actually detrimental to the sport because whenever he appears on the starting grid, he was the shoe-in winner. It made F1 monotonous and severely lacking in excitement.

In golf, in the Majors at least, current records show that despite the presence of stars such as Phil Mickelson, Luke Donald, Rory McIIroy, Lee Westwood, and the ever-present Tiger Woods, making it past or even to the weekend seemed a challenge for them. This constant guessing keeps me and I’m sure, many others glued to the screen.

BEN POON ben@regentmedia.sg

14 GOLF ASIA

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GOLFING

T E E B OX • S C E N E • G E A RG U I D E • I N S T RU C T I O N

GOLFING TEE BOX

Simpson Latest To Ride Golf’s New Wave

BY REBECCA BRYAN

By winning the 112th US Open, Simpson became the ninth successive first-time winner of a major

IMAGES©AFP

FACT FILE ON WEBB SIMPSON Born - August 8, 1985 Age - 26 Place of Birth - Raleigh, North Carolina, USA Height - 6’2” (1.88m) Weight - 175 lbs (79kg) Home - Charlotte, North Carolina College - Wake Forest Turned pro - 2008 Joined US PGA Tour - 2009 US PGA Tour wins - 3 Major wins - 1 (2012 US Open)

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W

ebb Simpson became golf’s latest star after his triumph in the US Open at The Olympic Club, making his the 15th different name to grace a trophy in the last 15 major championships.

The unassuming 26-year-old didn’t exactly come from nowhere. He won twice on the US tour last year and challenged for the US money title before finishing second on the list behind Luke Donald.

But in just his fifth major, and his second US Open, Simpson was no one’s pick to lift the title as the season’s second major got underway.

But there he was, hoisting the trophy at Olympic’s mist-shrouded Lake Course, where luminaries like world No.1 Donald, No.2 and defending champion Rory McIlroy failed to make the cut, and others including world No.3 Lee Westwood, 14time major champion Tiger Woods, threetime major winner Padraig Harrington and perennial US hope Phil Mickelson fell by the wayside in the weekend battle of attrition. Simpson became the ninth successive first-time winner of one of golf’s Grand Slam titles.

It’s a stark contrast to, say, men’s tennis, in which 31 of the last 34 Grand Slam titles have been shared between the world’s top three players, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

Pundits can argue on whether that’s good or bad for golf, but Simpson said it’s a phenomenon that isn’t about to change, and it all started with the man who has piled up 14 major titles to date, Woods.

“I think the game’s changing,” Simpson said, noting that the field for the US Open, designed by the US Golf Association to be the “most rigorous test” of the game, included 14-year-old amateur Andy Zhang of China and a 17-year-old amateur Beau Hossler who briefly led the tournament on Saturday.

“I couldn’t imagine playing in even a qualifier for this tournament when I was in high school,” he said. “But I think the Tiger effect of inspiring people to play at a younger age, and the access to golf has gotten so much bigger that the game is

changing. Even in college, I would have been scared to death to play in a US Open. And these guys are playing like they’re trying to win the tournament.”

Simpson himself was inspired last year by 20-something compatriot Keegan Bradley’s play-off victory in the US PGA Championship last August, when Bradley became just the third man to win in his major debut.

“I think the prime of golf, the prime age 10, 15 years ago was mid-30s,” Simpson said. “Now it’s moving closer to the mid20s or late 20s. There are so many young guys. If I see Keegan Bradley win a Major, I respect his game a ton, but I feel like, Keegan Bradley won one, I want to go win one. All these guys that won before me, I played with these guys all my life.

They’re great players, but I want to do what they’re doing... we just kind of feed off of each other.”

Perhaps that’s what 2003 US Open champion Jim Furyk recognized when he said this week that at 42, he felt that his window of opportunity for capturing a second major was closing. Furyk missed a chance on Sunday, making his overnight lead hold up for most of the day until he duck-hooked his tee shot at the par-five 16th and ended up with a share of fourth place.

Graeme McDowell, the 2010 US Open champion down the road at Pebble Beach, missed a tough putt at 18 that would have forced a play-off. While Simpson said he hadn’t really expected to win a major on his fifth attempt, he thought the trend of parity on golf’s biggest stages would continue. In his opinion, that’s a good thing.

“I think the game will continue to evolve like that,” he said. “I’m lucky because I feel like we’re playing at a time where golf is at its best.”

Furyk Fuming After Missed Opportunity

By Rebecca Bryan

J

im Furyk’s patience finally ran out, right along with his chance to win the US Open. Furyk, a 42-year-old veteran seeking to add a second US Open title to his resume nine years after his triumph at Olympia Fields in Chicago, was in control through much of Sunday’s final round at The Olympic Club.

He couldn’t find a birdie, but he kept his poise and a share of the lead through bogeys at the 6th and 13th holes. After all, the course’s two par-fives were still coming up. But when he hooked his tee shot at the 16th, where the US Golf Association had moved up the tee 100 yards to play at 569 yards, Furyk was furious.

“There’s no way when we play our practice rounds you’re going to hit a shot from a tee 100 yards up unless someone tells you,” Furyk said of the tee shot he hadn’t foreseen. “But the rest of the field had that same shot to hit today, and I’m pretty sure no one hit as (bad) a shot as I did. I have no one to blame but myself.” The bogey dropped him out of the lead for the first time all day, and he couldn’t get the shot back.

With Webb Simpson in the clubhouse on one-over 281, Furyk bogeyed the 18th to fall out of a tie for second and into a tie for fourth with a four-over 74 for 283.

“I was tied for the lead, sitting on the 16th tee,” he said. “I’ve got wedges in my hand, or reachable par fives, on the way in and one birdie wins the golf tournament. I’m definitely frustrated.”

“I had a lot of confidence and a lot of belief in myself and you feel like you’re going to win the golf tournament,” Furyk said. “So when you don’t it’s that much more disappointing.”

Simpson’s victory, from a four-stroke deficit going into the round, kept intact Olympic’s reputation as the “graveyard of legends” - a course where in five US Opens now, an underdog has come through to beat a star.

GOLF ASIA 21

GOLFING TEE BOX Tiger Tries To Look On Bright Side

By Rebecca Bryan

T

iger Woods tried to look on the bright side despite a final-round 73 that left him well out of the running at the US Open and without a major championship victory since 2008.

“There’s a lot of positives this week,” insisted Woods, who started the day five shots off the lead and saw any hopes of making a charge unravel when he was six-over through the first six holes at The Olympic Club. At least his tie for 21st, on seven-over 287 and six shots behind winner Webb Simpson, was better than his equal 40th finish at the Masters in April.

“Overall, the way I struck the golf ball, the way I controlled it all week is something that’s very positive going forward. If I just would have just hung in there little bit better and missed it

Despite an impressive start, Tiger faded heading into the weekend.

22 GOLF ASIA

on the correct side a couple times then I would have been in a better position going in.”

Woods looked confident and in control on Thursday and Friday as he seized a share of the 36-hole lead and raised expectations that he could rekindle his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus’s all-time record of 18 major championships. He played the two weekend rounds at eight over par, saying it wasn’t so much the big misses but the fickleness of Olympic’s slanting fairways and greens that cost him.

“I was just a fraction off just a couple yards here and there and that’s all it takes,” said Woods, who also said he had trouble gauging the speed of the greens. “I had so many balls that landed in the fairway that went into the rough.”

Woods opened with a bogey at the par-four first, bogeyed the second then missed the green en route to a double-bogey at the parthree third. A par at the fourth was but a brief

respite before bogeys at the fifth and sixth. By the time he rolled in the first of his three birdies of the day, at the par-three eighth, Woods could only wave his hand dismissively, his demeanour as gray as the thin fog drifting across the course from the Pacific Ocean.

Woods’s 2008 triumph over Rocco Mediate in a US Open playoff at Torrey Pines was the last of his 14 major titles. Since then, injury, scandal and the re-modelling of his swing have slowed him.

Two US PGA Tour victories this season, at Bay Hill and Memorial, had bolstered expectations, and Woods said that despite his difficulties the swing changes he has implemented with coach Sean Foley stood up well to the pressure of the US Open.

“I’m excited about the consistency of it,” Woods said. “How well I hit the ball all week, really. I didn’t really miss it that badly this week.”

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GOLFING SCENE

Kids Horizon Appeal Charity Golf 2012 K

idz Horizon Appeal was initiated by a group of eight friends who saw their personal success in business or professions as opportunities to do even more for the less fortunate and since then, this group of volunteers have raised more than S$3.6 million, devoting much of their resources to help children with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or cancer. This year, through the Kidz Horizon Appeal Golf Charity Tournament, they’ve managed to raise more than $209,471 for the children.

The funds raised through the annual Kidz Horizon Charity Ball and golf tournaments have helped to foot the medical bills of about 100 children every year. When the Kidz Horizon Appeal first

Mr Michael Palmer (center), Speaker of the Singapore Parliament was the guest of honour for the event.

24 GOLF ASIA

started, it raised funds for the KK Hospital Endowment Fund for needy children with HIV and cancer. In 2007, help was extended to include all children with chronic illnesses not supported by any other organisation, so that no child would be denied of needed medical treatment.

Besides helping children with HIV, cancer and other chronic illnesses, the Kidz Horizon Appeal also supports the Play Therapy Programme at the KK Women’s & Children’s Hospital (KKH). The programme provides play opportunities to the paediatric patients during their hospital stay to stimulate their senses, and distract them from their illnesses and the discomfort of their treatment.

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GOLFING SCENE

SICC May Day Charity An annual tradition of The Singapore Island Country Club, the SICC May Day Charity has since raised over S$16 million for over 80 charities

N

ow into its 41st year, the Singapore Island Country Club (SICC) kicked off its annual May Day Charity event on 1 May 2012 with a golf tournament that drew over 600 participants, followed by a gala dinner graced by Singapore’s President, His

HE Dr Tony Tan receives a momento from SICC Chairman Mr James Koh.

(L to R) Mr Tay Joo Soon, SICC President; Mr Khoo Boon Hui, SICC Deputy Chairman; Mr James Koh, SICC Chairman; HE Dr Tony Tan, President of the Republic of Singapore & Mr Andrew Lim, SICC Captain.

26 GOLF ASIA

Excellency Dr. Tony Tan Keng Yam. More than 600 golfers participated in the signature Charity Golf Tournament, on all four 18-hole courses at both Bukit and Island locations, to contribute to this worthy cause and to make a difference in the lives of the underprivileged. In

continuing the Club’s tradition, the Lifestyle, Swimming, Tennis & Squash fraternities, as well as the Junior Golf Working Group will be conducting various fundraising activities to help raise more funds for charity.

At the Charity Gala Dinner held at the Club’s Grand Ballroom, over 250 guests were serenaded by excellent performances from a multitude of musical talents – Singapore Lyric Opera Children’s Choir, and Opera Singers William Lim and Anna Koor.

Guests were treated to a six-course menu, showcasing a heavenly oasis of culinary delights.

As of 7 May 2012, a total of over S$980,000 was raised, and the final amount will be donated to more than 30 local charity organisations, earning the Club its most prized accolade: “The Club with a Heart”.

GOLFING SCENE

Direct From Singapore To Bintan Lagoon Resort Bintan Lagoon Resort launches direct ferry service from Singapore’s Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to its doorstep

G

olfers and holidaymakers now have an alternative ferry service to Bintan Island, what’s more, this new ferry will operate between Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal in Singapore and the newly constructed Bintan Lagoon Terminal, located directly at Bintan Lagoon Resort’s doorstep. The new terminal will encompass immigration services and will be serviced by two high-speed ferries.

“This is a historic moment,” says Robert Ramey, Managing Director of Mozaic Hotels & Resorts, the management company of Bintan Lagoon Resort.

“Bintan Lagoon Resort is now the closest five star resort destination outside of Singapore. The opening of our beautiful immigration terminal and ferry service

28 GOLF ASIA

cements Bintan Lagoon Resort’s position as the leading resort on Bintan Island.

In fact, you can say it makes the resort a destination in itself.”

“The private ferry to Bintan Lagoon Resort is truly a special experience, one that doesn’t exist anywhere else,” explains Mr. Henry Ng, Mozaic Hotels & Resorts Director of Sales. “Our guests will disembark directly at the resort. The trip itself has now become a memorable part of the experience!”

The direct ferry service will shorten the round-trip commute by nearly 2 hours.

Guests will be able to avoid the long queues at the public Bintan terminal and spend more time at the resort. Ferry tickets are currently available for purchase

through Journeyful’s online booking platform at www.journeyful.com

Bintan Lagoon Resort is a 473-room deluxe beach resort located on Bintan Island, Indonesia. The resort has 2 championship 18-hole golf courses, 1.5 kilometres of pristine beachfront, 11 restaurants and over 50 land and sea activities. The resort is the only green resort in Southeast Asia, having been awarded Silver certification by the United States Green Building Council and is the only Bintan hotel with direct ferry access. For more information, visit www.bintanlagoon.com or email info@ mozaichotels.com

Ian Baker-Finch Woodlands Course

Jack Nicklaus Seaview Course

Package includes:

• Two-way direct ferry transfer arriving at Bintan Lagoon Ferry Terminal via 1840hrs (Singapore Time) • One (1) night stay in a Deluxe Room • One (1) 18-hole golf game with twin-share buggy & caddie

Terms & Conditions Booking Period: Now till 30th September 2012 • Travel period: 01st July till 30th September 2012 • Blackout dates apply • Valid for weekdays (Mondays – Thursdays); last check-out on Fridays • Booking made is transferrable but not extendable • No cancellation and amendment is allowed once booking is confirmed • Ferry arrangement is inclusive in the above mentioned package, please visit https://www.journeyful.com/#/Find/Ferry for ferry schedule • Package price is inclusive of 10% service charge and 11% prevailing government taxes • Full Payment upon confirmation • Please quote “Stay & Golf” when making booking.

Stay & Golf From S$185nett

per person (Twin-sharing) All bookings to be made by email to reservations@mozaichotels.com or contact our Hotline: +65 6750 2280

GOLFING SCENE

A Brand New Beauty Despite delays caused by the weather, grass & sand delivery, and manpower, JCC's new back nine opens in early July Hole 17

BY JUSTINE MOSS

M

embers and their guests of Jurong Country Club (JCC) are in for a real treat when the new back nine opens in early July 2012.

Not only will it have more bunkers, water hazards and length to provide an exciting challenge for golfers of all playing abilities, its layout is truly aesthetic.

Work started on the nine holes in May last year, around the time that the front nine’s tweaks had been completed. It hasn’t been quite all smooth sailing over the 12 months according to Kok Cheong Ming, JCC’s Golf Course Manager and Upgrading Project Manager, due to the battle with weather elements, sand delivery, manpower and, due to the floods in Thailand, a delay in grass delivery. Yet, the wait will have been worth it when members are finally able to tee up and enjoy these superb nine holes.

“The back nine have more water than the front nine and while more ‘open’, the fairways and greens are no longer flat, but rather more undulating”, explains Mr. Kok who drove me around all nine for a first hand view. “However, we also didn’t want to make it too difficult as there are a lot of high handicappers playing and we also want to take care of them”, he adds.

The changes to the par-4 10th (361 30 GOLF ASIA

Hole 18

metres from the blue tees) are quite obvious, with the few small ponds which were on the right hand side having been combined to become one elongated water hazard all the way down the 10th fairway.

The perfect tee shot is the one which is directed to the left of centre of the fairway but be careful of another pond lurking on the left to catch any hooked shots. The entrance to the green is narrower than before due to the extension of the water on the right and there is a steep grass slope from the right edge of the green to the water’s edge. “You have to be very accurate on the 10th hole”, says Mr. Kok. “Depending on mowing heights we will cut it short if we want to make it difficult. If we leave the rough higher then it will be easier otherwise the ball will roll into the water.”

The par-5 11th (474 metres from the blue) requires a long hit to carry the ball over the water. However, for those unable to cross, “This is one of the a lay-up area has been more challenging created. According to greens as the green Mr. Kok, a long hitter can the green in two surface is sloping to reach on this ‘risk and reward’ hole. “The approach to a hollow guarded this undulating green is by bunkers.” also very narrow”, he says, adding, “This is one of the more challenging greens as the green surface is sloping to a hollow guarded by bunkers. On the old layout most greens were very flat. Now they are more undulating and interesting and make putting more challenging.”

The par-4 13th, which measures 376 metres from the back tees, is another tricky hole. A perfect drive would be to fade it from the left bunkers, but behind the bunkers is a pond and, to the right, a deep and difficult bunker. The green slopes steeply to hollows at the front and right creating difficult recovery shots from around the green. A small bunker to the left and a tier create a tough back left pin position – shorter hitters would be wise to lay up short and to the right.

The signature par-3 14th is quite spectacular with the green having been

pushed back all the way to the edge of the pond, and there is a large beach bunker in front. At 199 metres from the blue tees, a driver (for some) is probably needed to put it on the green. From the white and red tee boxes the hole looks much less intimidating and there is an ideal landing area between the beach bunker and the bunker.

A long accurate drive is needed for the par-4 15th (379 metres), and try and make it close to the right of the fairway bunkers. The pond beyond the bunker will come into play for the shorter hitter’s second shot or the player recovering from a poor drive. The majority of the green is protected by a huge bunker to the front and right. The green is huge and undulating and will see lots of three-putts if there is a poor approach shot.

The par-5 16th (548 metres) is the longest in this back nine. The distance from the blue tee to the edge of the pond is around 200 metres, so quite reachable, but accuracy is key here and drive just to the right of the mounts bordering the buggypath to the left. Very few golfers have the length to reach this hole in two, yet lay ups must be planned due to water hazards and bunkers. Players ‘bailing out’ over the green will face difficult recovery shots from the hollows back to the undulating green.

Extensive bunkering to both sides of the green on the par-3 17th (163 metres) will demand accuracy. Club selection is key as the green is long and narrow and you don’t want to be left with a long difficult putt on this undulating green.

The finishing hole is quite lovely. At 442 metres, this par-5 could be generous with multiple eagles, birdies and bogeys, depending of course on your drive. An accurate drive left of centre could set one up to reach the green (one of the biggest on the back nine) in two, but it is well-protected with surrounding bunkers, waterfall and stream at the rear.

JCC’s Transferable Golfing Memberships are now open with threeyear interest-free instalment plan - only limited slots available. Please call 6568 5117 for enquiries.

GOLF ASIA 31

GOLFING SCENE

A Golf Carnival To Remember

Only here will you find a broom stick, an umbrella and a billiard cue compulsory gear for competition

W

hen was the last time you holed a putt with a broom, or even attempted to do so with a cue stick? How about using a 7 iron to try and reach the green on a par 4 in as few strokes as possible? A bizarre golf tournament you say, yes it was the second instalment of the Revo Golf / Coca Cola Golf Carnival held at the Ria Bintan Golf Club.

Departing once again from the ordinary stuffy competition format, the organisers decided to immerse golfers in a carnivallike atmosphere the night before the actual tournament proper.

The idea here was to have as much fun as one could have and to get as much “money” as possible to participate in an auction for items ranging from an iPad to a carton of drinks, the twist however was no

32 GOLF ASIA

one knew which items they were actually bidding for.

From putting challenges on specially drawn out holes on the practise green, playing darts, manoeuvring golf balls around Coke cans as fast as possible using a putter to trying to stack Coke cans as high as one can, there was practically a laugh a minute as participants tried their very best at each of these game stations.

The next day’s golfing was superb due largely to the well-manicured and well-maintained greens and fairways of Ria Bintan Golf Club’s Ocean course.

A challenging and beautiful layout, the Ocean course boasts one of the most spectacular views one could hope for in a golf course, a par 3 right by the ocean and holes that cradle the beach.

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golfing scene SCENE

Golf’s 18 Worst Decisions Ever

From equipment issues and Major malfunctions to injury shockers and course disasters, these are the most dubious choices in golf’s history

BY KIT ALEXANDER Woods’ Dubai course It was inevitable that perhaps arguably the greatest golfer the world has ever seen would enter the golf course design business. However, his choice of Dubai for his first creation has proved to be a mistake. And a costly one for the developers, who were rumoured to have paid Woods in part up front. The US$1.1billion plan that he unveiled in 2007 included a championship golf course, hundreds of multi-million dollar residences, a boutique hotel, spa and Michelinstarred restaurant. There was even talk of having tigers in the clubhouse!

Three years later, after the bottom fell out of the economy and Woods’ reputation had been ripped to tatters by his off-course shenanigans, it was announced that construction had ceased. Since 2010, the area has slowly been reclaimed by the desert.

Wie’s PGA Tour adventure Michelle Wie was a child prodigy.

She became the youngest player to qualify for a USGA amateur championship at just 10, the youngest winner of the US Women’s Amateur Public Links and the youngest to qualify for an LPGA Tour event. She turned pro just after her 16th birthday.

But she tried to run before she could walk and opted to try her hand against the men before proving her stripes in the women’s pro game.

Wie used sponsor invites to tee it up in 13 men’s events from 20032008, making the weekend in only one and missing the cut by 14 shots in the 2007 Sony Open. Her reputation and progress damaged, she took to Stanford to undertake a degree and is now in the top 20 of the world rankings. Better, but hardly what we expected eight years ago.

Collingtree Park’s greens The Northamptonshire venue was hosting its second consecutive British Masters in 1996, but the attempts of the club and greenkeepers to speed up the quality of the greens leading up to the tournament ended in disaster.

“It happened because a very experienced greenkeeper tried to create fast, firm greens,” Ken Schofield, then European Tour executive director, said at the time. “He cut them too low and in the ensuing weather they disintegrated.”

There was widespread criticism from the players and the winning score was only -4, compared to -18 the previous year. Ian Woosnam said “they were the worst I’ve ever seen” and Paul Broadhurst stated they were not fit to park his car on. The greens have recovered and play very well today, but the Tour has never been back.

This was supposed to be Tiger's first course design...

36 Golf Asia

LEVET’S LEG BREAKER Popular Frenchman Thomas Levet has had a successful career but he’d endured a poor couple of years prior to last year’s French Open, so it was a pleasant surprise for him when he claimed a one-shot victory.

Such was his delight at winning a tournament that is “like a Major” for him, he celebrated by jumping into the lake by the 18th green.

Unfortunately, he suffered a minor break in his leg in doing so and didn’t play competitively for another 10 weeks – including missing the Open Championship.

Colin Montgomerie was asked about the practice of winners jumping into lakes to celebrate after Levet’s unfortunate injury: “I think it’s the silliest thing that players have done over the years. Let’s hope that’s the last time that ever happens.”

CHANGING WENTWORTH Altering an iconic course like Wentworth was always going to raise a few eyebrows, but the wholesale changes that owner Richard Caring and new course designer Ernie Els made to The West in 2009 have prompted a lot of criticism.

Critics say the changes have turned a traditional English heathland-parkland course into American-style target golf with raised greens and overly punishing bunkers, as well as robbing The West of its famously dramatic closing stretch.

Ian Poulter was particularly scathing in 2009: “I don’t like this golf course. Period.

End of story. It’s a very difficult golf course, especially now it’s been redesigned.

“Some of the fun of the last few holes has been taken away,” he added. “We can’t get a sniff of 17. You can’t finish eagle-eagle anymore.”

Thomas Levet's ill-advised splash.

Wentworth's new West has been criticised.

MONTY’S CLUB SWITCH Colin Montgomerie was in prime position to make his long-awaited Major breakthrough in the US Open at Winged Foot in 2006. He stood in the fairway of the final hole tied for the lead with Phil Mickelson on +4, 172 yards from at the GOLF ASIA 37

golfing scene very least forcing a play-off.

Monty initially pulled a 6-iron from his bag, a club he would usually hit 170 yards, but after assessing the situation and taking adrenaline into account he decided this was too much club and switched to a 7-iron. He caught it a touch fat and the ball came up short, finding the deep rough. From there he could only make double bogey and allow Geoff Ogilvy victory.

“I caught it heavy,” he said. “I messed up. You are entitled to a couple of mess-ups along the way.”

Tiger’s torrid two years This is more of a series of bad choices rather than just one. His demise from the pinnacle of the game was caused by two things; his off-course controversy and leg injuries. Both, at least in part, resulted from poor judgement by Tiger.

His ‘indiscretions’ have eroded his air of invincibility. And many have questioned his very public apology and confession on live TV and his subsequent comeback just a couple of months afterwards.

The second is more ambiguous.

Injuries are to an extent bad luck, but if Hank Haney’s recent revelations are to be believed, Tiger certainly didn’t do his knee any favours by undertaking arduous Navy SEAL training

Long putter legality Belly and broomhandle putters are, with many, unpopular.

Critics argue the sport’s governing bodies made a mistake in not limiting or banning their use before it was too late. They say that while the yips aren’t pleasant, being able to hold your nerve and putt under pressure is part of golf's skill and this has been reduced by long putters. With Keegan Bradley getting a first Major for the long putter last year, it’s very difficult for The R&A and USGA to now make a stand at this stage.

Tiger faces up to his series of bad choices.

38 Golf Asia

Dustin makes a Major error at Whistling Straits.

and running in heavy and cumbersome army boots.

Woods may have thought he was untouchable, but even his bad decisions took their toll.

Dustin gets grounded When is a bunker not a bunker?

When over 100,000 spectators have spent a week trampling over it to the point it’s now just hard dirt.

Or so Dustin Johnson thought.

Unfortunately, he was wrong.

The big-hitting American was robbed of his place in the 2010 US PGA play-off when he incurred a two-shot penalty for grounding his club in a bunker when he was about to play his approach to the 72nd hole.

“I just thought I was on a piece of dirt the crowd had trampled down,” a despondent Johnson said afterwards. “I never thought I was in a sand trap. It never once crossed my mind that I was in a bunker.”

Some might say Johnson’s decision to ground his club was the error but it could be argued that the USGA were at fault. Its decision to treat all of Whistling Straits’ 1,000 bunkers as hazards for the tournament has been questioned, especially knowing that many of them would be used as walkways by spectators.

In fact, there could be two bad decisions here.

K Club’s €300 green fee You would expect to pay a premium to play a course that has hosted a highprofile event, but just after the K Club hosted the 2006 Ryder Cup it was charging around a whopping €300 for a single green fee in peak season.

Even as the recession kicked in and the Ryder Cup attention abated, they were still charging over €200, making it comfortably the most expensive golf course in Ireland.

The expected flood of post-Ryder

Van de Velde's 1999 Open meltdown is one of the most famous in golf.

Cup golfers failed to materialise – hardly surprising at those prices – and the club ran into difficulties.

Joint owner Michael Smurfit is now understood to be in talks to win complete control of the K Club from business partner Gerry Gannon for a knock-down €10m.

SQUARE DRIVERS They were the next big thing a few years ago.

Tech wizards told us the square head moved more weight to the perimeter of the clubhead so it twisted less at impact and enabled them to move the centre of gravity back and lower, helping get the ball airborne.

Callaway and Nike were quick to reveal their square offerings, but the hype soon calmed down.

would have been to lay up short of the Barry Burn and settle for the bogey that would have comfortably secured the Claret Jug. Van de Velde, however, went for the green, and his ball hit the grandstand and nosedived into thick rough short of the Burn. His attempted pitch onto the green from a horrid lie plopped into the water in front of him and we’re all familiar with the forlorn image he cut as he paddled in after his ball. If you can't quite recall it, we've printed it below... A drop then a brilliant up and down from sand earned him a triple bogey and a play-off place.

Mentally gone, he lost it and Van de Velde’s decision to go for the green in two had cost him The Open.

VAN DE VELDE’S PADDLE It’s arguably the most famous brain freeze in golf history. Jean Van de Velde stood on the 18th tee at Carnoustie in the 1999 Open Championship with a threeshot lead.

After finding the rough with his drive, the smart thing to do

The K Club; good, but not worth 300 euros.

WOOSNAM’S 15TH CLUB After birdieing the 1st hole of the final round to join a tie for the lead of the Open Championship the last thing you want to hear from your caddie is that you’re carrying 15 clubs. But that’s exactly what happened to Ian Woosnam at Royal Lytham and St Annes in 2001.

His caddie’s failure to check the number of clubs before they teed off did not go down well with the Welshman. “I give you one ****ing job and you can’t even do that,” he hissed at bagman Miles Byrne.

If it weren’t for the resulting two-shot penalty, Woosnam would have finished second, won £360,000 and got back into the Ryder Cup team. As it was, it cost him £218,334 and he never played another Ryder Cup. And who knows how much the mental anguish of the two-shot penalty cost him that day...

JAMES’ RYDER CUP TACTICS When Mark James overlooked Ryder Cup stalwarts Nick Faldo and Bernhard Langer to pick Andrew Coltart for the 1999 event at Brookline, it raised a few eyebrows.

But even more puzzling than this initial decision was the fact that rookie Coltart – and other debutants Jarmo Sandelin and Jean Van de Velde – didn’t play a single match during the opening two days. Coltart’s first – and only – competitive Ryder Cup action came in the single against Tiger Woods. Somewhat inevitably, he lost 3&2.

America dominated the singles and won the ‘Battle of Brookline’ by a single point. Coltart’s inclusion and the lack of action for three of the rookies prior to Sunday made many question James’ tactics.

PADRAIG’S SWING CHANGES You’ve just won three Majors in 15 months, so what do you do?

Change your swing of course.

This may seem like madness to the majority of us, but Padraig Harrington has always been known as a tinkerer and a headstrong character; a few high-profile Major wins weren’t about to change that. He also thought moving from GOLF ASIA 39

GOLFING SCENE Miles Byrne looks suitably sheepish.

long-time coach Bob Torrance to the increasingly-popular Pete Cowen was the right thing for him, so that’s what he did.

Since 2008, the Irishman has dropped from a fixture in the world’s top 10 into the lowly 90s and he has only one win on the Asian Tour in that time.

While his form has shown signs of life lately, it would be very difficult to argue this has been a good move at the moment. Although it would only take a Major win to prove us wrong.

DE VICENZO’S WRONG SCORECARD The signing of scorecards after the round is normally a formality, but a simple mistake cost Roberto De Vicenzo a place in a play-off at the 1968 Masters.

The Argentinian started the final day in contention and his front nine score of 31 had thrust him into the fight for the Green Jacket.

He birdied 17 and bogeyed 18 to shoot 65 and tie with Bob Goalby, securing his place in an 18-hole play-off on Monday – or so he thought.

Unfortunately, his playing partner Tommy Aaron made a mistake on his scorecard, giving him a four rather than the birdie on 17.

When De Vicenzo signed for the incorrect score without thoroughly checking, it stood, and he missed out on the play-off by a shot.

Possibly the most heartbreaking of our 18 disastrous decisions.

40 GOLF ASIA

WET AMERICANS The decision to play the Ryder Cup in Wales in October was questioned by many, but for the American team to bring waterproofs that didn't work created all sorts of problems. As the rain fell on day one, the players quickly discovered their official Sun Mountain wet weather gear wasn’t keeping them dry. US team officials had to endure an embarrassing trip to one of the merchandise tents to buy more than £4,000-worth of waterproof jackets and trousers for their players and caddies... made by Europe's supplier ProQuip.

Harrington and Cowen working on new moves.

De Vicenzo didn't have much to smile about.

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Q: The Fairway Club is an oasis of recreation, golf and fun for both leisure-seeking individuals and families.

A:

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GOLF ASIA 41

GOLFING SCENE

42 GOLF ASIA

Tommy Bolt Crime: Club abuse

T

When Golfers

ommy Bolt was the original bad boy golfer.

He had a very successful playing career – winning the 1958 US Open and 14 other PGA Tour events – but was best known for his fiery disposition, which earned him his ‘Terrible Tommy’ and ‘Thunder Bolt’ nicknames.

He was known for expressing his on-course frustrations by throwing and breaking his clubs and using colourful language. He even opened a bank account to pay his regular fines to the PGA. In 1957, the PGA adopted the “Tommy Bolt rule” prohibiting the throwing of clubs. The day after it was passed, Bolt tossed a putter because he wanted to be the first one fined for breaking “his” rule.

The short stick was regularly the subject of his abuse and he often had to finish tournaments putting out with other clubs.

He was even fined US$250 for breaking wind as his opponent addressed a putt in the 1959 Memphis Open.

The picture opposite was taken at the 1960 US Open at Cherry Hills GC, Colorado. Bolt had just smashed two golf balls into the lake before committing his driver to the same watery grave. “I was trying to knock out a carp,” he claimed.

This was typical of the man who always looked back on his outbursts in good humour. When asked for a tip, he once replied, “Always throw your clubs ahead of you. That way, you won’t waste energy going back to pick them up.”

The Hall of Famer (he was inducted in 2002) was allowed to get away with his frequent indiscretions with nothing more than a few fines because he was such a fantastic player and ball-striker.

His talent was such that the legendary Ben Hogan, his mentor, is quoted as saying: “If we could’ve screwed another head on his shoulders, Tommy Bolt could have been the greatest who ever played.”

In his later years, Bolt himself admitted that a lot of his angry antics were merely showmanship and that he felt they had detracted from his playing.

Go Wrong Footballers have a reputation for wayward behaviour but don't be fooled into thinking golfers are all whiter than white

BY KIT ALEXANDER • PICTURES GETTY IMAGES

GOLF ASIA 43

GOLFING SCENE

Robert Garrigus Crime: Drug abuse

R

obert Garrigus is now a firm fixture on the PGA Tour having won the Children’s Miracle Network Classic in 2010 and finishing as the top American at the 2011 US Open. But this success is a far cry from the lifetsyle the American adopted in the early 2000s.

Not only did he smoke a lot of marijuana, but also admitted to doing it during rounds on the second-tier Nationwide Tour in 2002 – and says he wasn’t alone!

“Oh yeah, there were plenty of guys on the Nationwide Tour who smoked in the middle of the round,” Garrigus said. “You could go in the Porta John and take your drags.”

He first smoked marijuana while at Scottsdale Community College and it soon became a substantial part of his life.

“I constantly needed to be high and I took it to the max every single day,” he admits.

In late 2002, Garrigus went into rehab, emerging clean after 45 days only to face an immediate test of character. His house-mate had spent the money he’d left for upkeep on drugs and fled town before Garrigus returned, leaving only marijuana and rotten chicken in a house without electricity.

“I grabbed the weed and threw it in the

garbage. Then I went to the refrigerator and threw out the chicken. I called the electric company to get the power back on.”

He was due to play in a US Open qualifier the next day. “I didn’t realise until I got to the course that my room-mate had been using my putter.

So I raced back to the house and just got back for my tee time. I had no warm-up, no caddie, and my clubs were on a pull cart. I shot 70 and missed by two shots. I knew then I was going to be OK.” Looking back, the 34-year-old has a balanced view. “I don’t regret any of it because it put me on the path I’m on now.”

He adds: “If I can help just one person by sharing what I’ve gone through, then it’s worth it.”

Notah Begay III

Crime: Driving under the influence

N

otah Begay III came up through the youth golf ranks in America with Tiger Woods, and they still remain close friends today, but their golf careers have taken very different trajectories.

While Tiger set about accumulating Majors, Begay was arrested for driving under the influence in January 2000 after he drove his vehicle into a parked car while leaving a bar in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

He admitted in court that this

44 GOLF ASIA

was actually his second DUI incident and was sentenced to 364 days in jail, seven of which he served, with the remainder suspended.

“I broke the law and I’m paying the price,” he said when he reported to jail. During the sentence, Begay was allowed to leave the jail on work release to visit a local driving range for eight to 10 hours a day.

In 1999, Begay’s rookie PGA Tour season, the first fully native-American on Tour had won two tournaments and over US$1 million. He won another two events after his release from jail in 2000 but has struggled since. He hasn’t finished inside the top 100 on the PGA Tour money list since then and currently plies his trade on lower tours.

Behind Bars

From celebrating birdies to doing bird ■ PGA Tour caddie Eric Larson served 11 years in prison for cocaine distribution from 1995-2006. He earned a college degree during his sentence and resumed working for Mark Calcavecchia on his release. He was hired by Anthony Kim in 2008 but was then deported from Australia for not reporting his criminal record in early 2009 and fired later that year. He currently caddies for Jeff Overton.

Eric Larson

■ Dragan Vasiljkovi was working as a golf instructor in Australia when his past as a Serbian war criminal caught up with him. He is currently imprisoned in his adopted country, accused of war crimes

by Croatia and wanted by Interpol.

■ American fugitive Jerome Wedge evaded arrest for 28 years by living as semi-professional golfer Joe Davies.

In 1978, Wedge was a fishing boat captain who was arrested for attempting to smuggle more than 40,000 pounds of marijuana into Massachusetts. He disappeared during the trial but the law eventually caught up with him and he was arrested shortly after returning home from a tournament on September 22, 2006.

■ A group of South Carolina golfers were arrested in 1927 for playing on a Sunday and violating the Sabbath. There are several records of similar such arrests in particularly religious areas of America in the early 1900s.

Tripp Isenhour

Crime: Killing a migratory bird

T

ripp Isenhour was fined US$500, had to donate US$1,500 to a wildlife sanctuary, undergo 40 hours of community service, serve one year of probation and attend a four-hour anger-management class for hitting and killing a red-shouldered hawk with a golf ball on December 12, 2007.

Jim Thorpe

Crime: Tax evasion

The Journeyman PGA and Nationwide Tour pro was filming an instructional video at Grand Cypress GC, Florida, when squawks from the bird, which was perched in a tree around 300 yards away, spoilt a take.

Isenhour drove closer to the bird in his golf cart and hit balls at it before driving away.

According to a report by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Isenhour resumed hitting balls at the bird, which is protected as a migratory species, when it moved within 75 yards. Witnesses reported that he hit the hawk and it fell to the ground.

“There was neither any malice nor deliberate intent to hit or harm the hawk. I was trying to simply scare it into flying away,” Isenhour said in a statement.

J

im Thorpe won five Champions Tour events and earned more than US$4.7m between 2002 and 2004. But he didn’t pay tax on his earnings and served 10 months in prison in 2010.

“I wasn’t trying to beat anybody,” he said. “Let me just say I should have paid closer attention, and I didn’t do it.”

Thorpe is known for his generosity and gave a US$247,500 winners’ cheque to Crossings Community Church in Lake Mary, Florida.

Thorpe served his time at Federal Prison Camp, next to two golf courses, but he wasn’t allowed to play them. “You never know how much you miss it until it’s gone,” he said.

The 63-year-old was released on January 17, 2011 and resumed his Champions Tour career 12 weeks later. He played 16 events and finished 80th on the money list in 2011 and was 32nd for 2012 by mid-April.

The Goodies

Meet this trio of impeccablybehaved golfing role models BUBBA WATSON The Masters champion has caught the world’s attention with his entirely bright pink driver all year, but he’s actually using it to raise awareness of his charity work. In January, Watson set himself the target of raising US$1m for charities this year. Ping, the makers of his pink G20 driver, made a US$10,000 donation and will give another US$300 for every drive Watson hits over 300 yards. His four identical white outfits from The Masters are being sold to raise money for Fresh Start, a California-based organisation that offers cosmetic reconstructive surgery for children with physical defects. Bubba and his wife Angie also adopted a one-month-old baby boy called Caleb just two weeks before his Augusta triumph.

RYO ISHIKAWA Japanese wonderkid Ishikawa pledged to donate his entire tournament earnings from 2011, plus a £750 bonus for every birdie he made, to help the Tsunami relief fund in his home country. He earned £764,056 and made 314 birdies or better, which equates to £235,500. “I don’t view this as pressure to perform, but it will instead be extra motivation for me,” Ishikawa said in early 2011. “I always believe in myself, but because I am playing for the people of Japan, I feel like I will be playing with a greater purpose this year.”

Jose Maria Olazabal Crime: Speeding

The European Ryder Cup Captain was arrested for speeding the day after this year’s Masters and fined $621. The Spaniard was clocked doing 97mph on Georgia’s 65mph route 21.

Effingham County Sheriff’s Office spokesman David Ehsanipoor said Olazabal was stopped, apologised, co-operated and went on his way after completing paperwork.

GOLF ASIA 45

GOLFING GEARGUIDE

THE BIG TEST

IRONS

Our biggest ever irons test saw eight golfers put 63 sets through their paces with the best 45 sets making the cut

BY JON GREATHEAD, DAVID CONNOR • PICTURES TOM CRITCHELL, HOWARD BOYLAN

GOLF ASIA 47

GOLFING GEARGUIDE

48 GOLF ASIA

TESTERS

WELCOME

TO THE TEST

The definitive guide to the best irons on the market IN OUR SECOND TEST of the season, our attention has turned to irons – and if you’re willing to shell out a vast sum of money on new ones, we think you’ll benefit from reading the following 21 pages.

Getting the right set for your game (and where you want your game to be) is fraught with danger – the financial commitment equates to a monthly mortgage or rent payment in most cases, so you don’t want to get the wrong clubs.

To help you, we’ve split the Test into three categories – Better Player (0-10 HCP), Game Improver (11-16) and Super Game Improver (16plus). The handicaps in brackets are a very rough guide to what we think certain players should be using. Obviously there is crossover with some clubs – for instance, Ping’s i20 irons have been placed in the Better Player category (they are widely used on Tour) but the forgiveness on offer means they would also suit a solid ball-striking 12-handicapper.

The Better Player irons (BP) feature a thin

topline and a very traditional shape, while the Game Improver (GI) and Super Game Improver (SGI) clubs are bigger and more confidence-inspiring at address.

We asked five readers of differing abilities to join our two-man equipment team and independent PGA Pro at The Belfry to test the clubs.

Of our eight testers, four were suited to testing the Better Player irons and five to the Super Game Improver category (one player suited both), with the Game Improver irons put through their paces by all eight golfers.

This reflected the fact that most readers will fall into this middle category, without neglecting the other two categories.

When all the results were in, the top-15 sets of irons in each category were put into the magazine to create the definitive list of the market's best 45 sets of irons.

Please note, some irons featured may only be available in certain markets.

JAMES RIDYARD Age 34 HCP Pro Put himself in the shoes of higher handicap players to test SGI and GI irons as well as the BP options.

JON GREATHEAD Age 29 HCP 8 Likes to know there is a bit of forgiveness in his irons but doesn't like them too big. Tested the BP and GI categories.

DAVID CONNOR Age 31 HCP 10 Thinks an iron should be as compact as possible while still retaining playability.

Tested BP and GI irons.

RIK TAYLOR Age 45 HCP 20 Our tests are real-world and Rik represents inconsistent players everywhere and tested the GI and SGI irons.

PAUL BRYANT Age 45 HCP 17 Knows his strengths, plays a consistent fade and wants an iron to look good and play well. Tested GI and SGI irons.

PAUL BROWN Age 54 HCP 15 Was keen to see how modern technology could maximise his iron play.

Tested our GI and SGI categories.

NEAL GLADWIN Age 33 HCP 13 Is keen to improve both his equipment and his swing to lower his handicap. Hit the GI and SGI irons on test.

No stat left unturned David Connor checks over the Trackman statistics (above) as tester Paul Bryant plays shots from one of the of The Belfry's practice suites (left).

TOM BREWER Age 23 HCP 4 One of the most consistent ball-strikers we've had on test, Tom was an ideal BP tester and also hit the GI irons.

GOLF ASIA 49

GOLFING GEARGUIDE

METHODOLOGY To help us come up with the final ranking, we asked five readers to come along and join our equipment team at The Belfry and help test over a three-day period in late-April.

Aside from our Pro, the lowest handicap we had on Test was off an impressive four – this went all the way up to 20, so the Test does represent a wide variety of abilities and is therefore an excellent reflection of real-world golfers.

In total, five golfers hit the Super Game Improver irons, and four hit the Better Player irons.

All eight testers used the Game Improver clubs.

Each tester was given as much time (and as many balls as they wished) to warm up before we recorded any statistics – we then asked them to hit a series of shots to a target down the

50 GOLF ASIA

range and the carry distance and dispersion (with a 7-iron) were recorded on the industryleading Trackman ball-flight monitor before the data was compared and a rating out of five awarded.

As well as statistical analysis we also asked our team to rate the clubs based on a number of subjective categories: looks, feel, forgiveness and versatility. This is done because buying golf clubs is very much a personal choice as much as it is about the actual performance.

In the Super Game Improver category, we tested 17 sets of irons in total, with 15 making the cut. In the Game Improver category, 22 sets started out with 15 making the cut. Finally, we had 24 sets of Better Player irons to test, with 15 making the final cut and appearing here.

PRO’S VERDICT Our Pro James Ridyard has been specially selected to help us with this year’s tests. His all-round knowledge of golf equipment and the game as a whole has been key to giving our readers the best possible golf club buying advice.

But we realised that the Super Game Improver and Game Improver irons were going to generally do a few things consistently – go high and long for James. The clubs were designed with a high moment of inertia and with lots of perimeter weighting. These are not things high on the list of priorities for an accomplished player and these wouldn't be irons he would consider using personally.

Therefore we asked James to base his thoughts

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT David Connor squeezes the irons into his car; the intense testing process means lunch on the go; tester Rik Taylor takes a closer look at the clubs.

‘THE TESTERS WERE FITTED INTO THE BEST CLUBS FOR THEIR SWINGS’ and comments on what the clubs could do for the type of golfers they are aimed at.

As you will see throughout the Test, James will make comments based on what he feels the certain club can deliver for higher handicappers, slower swing speeds and for golfers who suffer with a slice or a hook.

In the higher echelons of the test, James has made more considered comments about the three winners in each category, which should yet again further your knowledge of the product when it comes to the possibility of buying the clubs.

The Ratings

★★★★★ Must Buy ★★★★★ Very Good ★★★★★ Good ★★★★★ Average ★★★★★ Avoid

WHO DID WE ASK? We invited all the major club manufacturers to supply us with a range of irons for our test team to hit. We also asked each manufacturer to recommend a category for their irons, based on who they are designed for.

As you will know by now, we always recommend using product suited to your swing so we also invited manufacturers to send a range of shaft options for our eight testers to use.

When the testers arrived to hit the clubs, they were fitted into the best clubs for their game based on their individual swing characteristics, what they currently use in their everyday golfing life and what maximised performance. This will give a good indication, but we would always recommend you get customfitted when buying a set of irons.

GOLF ASIA 51

golfing gearguide

Lynx Predator VCS

PGA Collection EZ3

Cobra S3 Max

Lynx held off another two sets of irons to make our top 15, and Paul Brown thought that for a beginners’ club, this was pretty decent, but Pro James found them very unforgiving. n lynxgolf.co.uk

Another sterling effort to make the top 15. Paul Bryant found the performance better than the looks and ultimately, for its low price, these are a sound option for newcomers. n pgacollection.co.uk

Neal loved the muscular look at address, and he produced some sound dispersion numbers.

Rik also produced some decent numbers, but it didn’t do as well when it came to forgiveness. n cobragolf.com

Looks: 3.2 Feel: 3.5 Forgiveness: 3.1 Versatility: 3.3 Distance: 4.0 Dispersion: 4.5 Rating: HHHHH

Looks: 3.1 Feel: 3.7 Forgiveness: 3.7 Versatility: 3.5 Distance: 3.5 Dispersion: 4.5 Rating: HHHHH

Looks: 3.6 Feel: 3.5 Forgiveness: 3.2 Versatility: 3.5 Distance: 4.0 Dispersion: 4.5 Rating: HHHHH

John Letters T8

Wilson Di11

Benross QUAD Combo

Like the vast majority in this category, the T8 was a big old unit but Paul Bryant was hugely impressed by the performance. Impressive dispersion stats helped propel it up the order. n johnletters.com

We were slightly surprised the Di11 didn’t finish higher, but feel and forgiveness cost it dear. On a positive note, James suggested the irons’ big sole would make it exceptional from tough lies. n wilsonstaff.com

James noted an even higher-than-normal ball flight with the Quad irons – great for those who struggle to get airborne. But the overall distance stat was a little down compared to others. n benrossgolf.com

Looks: 3.4 Feel: 3.6 Forgiveness: 3.7 Versatility: 3.3 Distance: 4.0 Dispersion: 4.5 Rating: HHHHH

Looks: 3.6 Feel: 3.4 Forgiveness: 3.5 Versatility: 3.5 Distance: 4.5 Dispersion: 4.5 Rating: HHHHH

Looks: 3.7 Feel: 4.0 Forgiveness: 3.7 Versatility: 3.6 Distance: 3.5 Dispersion: 5.0 Rating: HHHHH

Snake Eyes Python XLD

Callaway RAZR X HL

Adams Idea A12 OS

An impressive performance. Neal liked the look and said they gave him confidence at address, while Paul Brown said it felt like a quality club.

Paul Bryant was put off by the very big head. n golfsmitheurope.co.uk

Rik waxed lyrical about the HL irons and loved the towering ball flight. James said the considerable amount of offset would really help those who lack confidence. n callawaygolf.com

This performed very well but was let down a little by its looks. Paul Bryant loved the easy-tohit nature, while Neal thought the irons felt more like a hybrid – which made them easier to hit. n adamsgolf.com

Looks: 4.0 Feel: 3.9 Forgiveness: 3.7 Versatility: 3.7 Distance: 5.0 Dispersion: 3.5 Rating: HHHHH

Looks: 3.5 Feel: 4.4 Forgiveness: 4.1 Versatility: 3.8 Distance: 4.5 Dispersion: 4.5 Rating: HHHHH

Looks: 3.4 Feel: 4.0 Forgiveness: 4.0 Versatility: 4.0 Distance: 4.5 Dispersion: 5.0 Rating: HHHHH

52 Golf Asia

SUPERGAME IMPROVER

‘all abilities were covered with our testers GOING from a pro to a 20 hANDIcAp’

Yonex Ezone SD

Tour Edge Exotics XCG5

Callaway Razr XF

Paul Brown rated this set highly, and loved how well they sat at address which was reflected in his strikes. James identified the thin top edge, and praised how well the ball came off the face. n yonex.com/golf

James pointed out the white bottom groove on the face as it would help golfers' alignment.

Paul Brown thought it looked good and found it easy to get the ball in the air. n touredge.com

Despite lukewarm initial reactions, the overall performance was deemed good for the average golfer or beginner. James didn't like the looks but was impressed by the performance. n callawaygolf.com

Looks: 3.9 Feel: 4.3 Forgiveness: 4.0 Versatility: 4.2 Distance: 4.5 Dispersion: 4.0 Rating: HHHHH

Looks: 4.1 Feel: 4.2 Forgiveness: 4.0 Versatility: 3.8 Distance: 4.5 Dispersion: 4.5 Rating: HHHHH

Looks: 3.6 Feel: 4.3 Forgiveness: 4.3 Versatility: 3.9 Distance: 5.0 Dispersion: 4.5 Rating: HHHHH

Golf Asia 53

golfing

MD Supergearguide strong ST2 I

Mizuno JPX-800 HD

Thick topline, forgiving nature and superb price make these a top option

This well-balanced, good-looking model scored top marks in dispersion stats

This is MD Golf’s finest performance in a test for some time and the ever-growing Northern Irish brand is continuing to turn heads. We think this is the best Super Game Improver iron the company has produced, and Rik was massively impressed. Our man hit the irons well, and also cited a high level of forgiveness when the ball was not struck from the middle of the face, a fairly common occurrence for the 20-handicapper.

Paul Brown also found the irons very, very easy to hit and produced a towering ball flight. He also thought they felt very well-balanced.

Neal felt the irons were a little toed-in but the thick topline helped to inspire confidence at address – his dispersion statistic of just 3.6 yards suggested he enjoyed the performance too.

These are as good as you can get – a perfect set for those on a tight budget who want a good level of quality.

Pro Verdict: “I was hugely-impressed by MD’s ST2 iron. It ticked lots of boxes for me and I would certainly recom mend them to the golfer who is looking to improve. The irons featured slightly less offset than some others on Test, and the shape made the club look appealing at address.

All in all, a very good set that offers high levels of forgiveness.” n mdgolf.co.uk

Mizuno’s Better Player irons are what many of us aspire to play with, but for those of us hobbling around the high teens on the handicap scale, help is at hand from the world-famous Japanese brand. The JPX-800 HD was widely enjoyed by the five testers, but especially by Paul Bryant who suggested the irons would be perfect for golfers with a similar handicap to him (17). Neal also reported lots of positives, including the stunning aesthetics, but did find it a little lacking in the forgiveness department.

Higher handicapper Rik disagreed with Neal’s view on forgiveness, and felt it performed well – he also gave a top mark in the Feel department.

The performance of the team when it came to dispersion was particularly worthy of note – the club performed so well it merited a 5/5 from the Trackman stats.

Pro Verdict: “Although not the most forgiving iron in this portion of the Test, I felt the JPX-800 HD would deliver the goods in pretty much every other area, and as golfers of this standard improve a little bit, the forgiveness would not be such an issue. It looked really nice at address, and very inviting to hit – I liked the fact it wasn’t that big, and it felt like a tremendously well-balanced and well-thought out club. n mizunousa.com/golf

Looks: 4.2 Feel: 4.4 Forgiveness: 4.2 Versatility: 3.9 Distance: 4.5 Dispersion: 4.5 Rating: HHHHH

Looks: 4.7 Feel: 4.2 Forgiveness: 3.8 Versatility: 4.1 Distance: 4.0 Dispersion: 5.0 Rating: HHHHH

Forgive me Made from 403 stainless steel, the ST2 features a large undercut cavity in the back of the clubhead which allows a thicker sole and topline for more confidence and enhanced forgiveness.

Pocket rocket The 4-7 irons in the JPX-800 HD line feature a deep pocket cavity which allows a thinner sole and encourages the face to flex more while from 8-PW the design is more solid for increased control.

54 Golf Asia

Nike VR _ S Confidence-boosting irons impress across the board to claim gold

Feel the power Nike's VR_S irons feature the company's Powerbow technology, which pulls weight away from the face for higher launch conditions.

SUPErGAME IMPROVER

It doesn’t seem that long ago that Nike Golf seemed happy to simply service the need of the better player, and pay less attention to the weekend hacker. But in recent years the balance has happily been redressed an d the magnificent VR_S irons are proof of that.

The clubs have been designed with the manufacturer's innovative NexCor face technology which gives golfers more distance on a wider area of the face.

And the Test Team really did reap the benefits. Rik produced some excellent numbers when it came to carry distance, while Paul Bryant also obtained healthy yardage compared to the others on test.

He liked the irons as soon as he put them behind the ball at address and felt confident over every shot.

Paul Brown also had nothing but positives to report back. He enjoyed how easy they were to swing and stated that the technology in the clubhead seemed to do the work for you.

The irons are on the large side, which helped to inspire confidence in our testers and the sound off the face was powerful – another point of inspiration for a higher-handicap player.

Aside from the fantastic performance, the price of these clubs is another massive plus-point for golfers seeking to improve.

Nike Golf are continuing to make headway in the equipment market, and with irons like this it’s no wonder more golfers are just doing it!

THE PRO VERDICT

Lighten the load As well as a pleasing topline in the SGI category the irons also come with a lightweight 90g steel shaft for more swing speed and more distance. Graphite shafts are also available.

Cor-blimey The VR_S irons also comprise a NexCor face design which sees a specially-designed, thinner face added to the body for higher ball speeds and more forgiveness.

“The first thing I noticed about these irons was that the big and chunky nature didn’t put me off – and this is down to the curvaceous styling which softens what could have been a very angular look at address. The friendly shape will appeal to a wide range of player, and the performance was excellent. The best way to get the most from your irons is to get custom-fitted, and Nike is no different.” n nike.com/nikegolf Looks: 4.4 Feel: 4.5 Forgiveness: 4.4 Versatility: 4.3 Distance: 4.5 Dispersion: 4.0 Rating: HHHHH

Golf Asia 55

golfing gearguide

Cleveland CG Black

John Letters T9+

Callaway RAZR X

These saw off some stiff competition to make our top 15, but divided opinion in the aesthetics department. A sound performer in distance and dispersion, but let down in the versatility stakes. n clevelandgolf.com

Rik, our highest handicap tester, loved the light nature and how easy they were to hit. James liked the look and felt they would help a midhigh handicapper, but the grip was too big and slippy. n johnletters.com

The RAZR X's dispersion mark was impressive, but this is a sizeable iron. Dave also felt the offset in the long irons might put off lower handicappers. Great for ball-striking strugglers. n callawaygolf.com

Looks: 3.6 Feel: 4.0 Forgiveness: 4.0 Versatility: 3.1 Distance: 4.5 Dispersion: 4.5 Rating: HHHHH

Looks: 4.1 Feel: 3.7 Forgiveness: 4.0 Versatility: 3.9 Distance: 3.5 Dispersion: 4.5 Rating: HHHHH

Looks: 3.9 Feel: 3.9 Forgiveness: 3.9 Versatility: 3.6 Distance: 4.0 Dispersion: 4.5 Rating: HHHHH

Yonex Ezone Composite

PING G20

Benross QUAD Speed RIP

These were exceptionally long and Neal found the head hugely confidence-inspiring with its thick topline. Better player Tom noted lots of offset, but didn't find the feel particularly soft. n yonex.com/golf

The G20s are forgiving and long, but there is no getting away from the massive head. Jon and James thought this would inspire an 18-handicapper, but versatility was limited. n ping.com

A hugely-impressive performance from a lowerpriced brand. They gave good carry distance and Rik's dispersion of just 1.6 yards proved they would be good for higher-handicappers. n benrossgolf.com

Looks: 3.8 Feel: 3.7 Forgiveness: 4.3 Versatility: 3.1 Distance: 5.0 Dispersion: 4.0 Rating: HHHHH

Looks: 3.8 Feel: 4.3 Forgiveness: 4.5 Versatility: 3.4 Distance: 4.0 Dispersion: 4.0 Rating: HHHHH

Looks: 3.5 Feel: 4.1 Forgiveness: 4.1 Versatility: 3.4 Distance: 4.5 Dispersion: 4.5 Rating: HHHHH

Mizuno JPX 800 Pro

Cobra AMP

Wilson Staff Ci11

The head is relatively small compared to others on test and this might dent confidence. Dave called it a “progressive” option as they offer forgiveness but will work for high single figures. n mizunousa.com/golf

James was a big fan and suggested the healthy offset would benefit the vast majority of gameimprovers. This was certainly one of the bestlooking irons and it generated good distance too. n cobragolf.com

Jon was a massive fan of these irons and suggested they might suit anyone from a six or seven HCP right up to 18. Paul Brown suggested the ball felt a touch hard coming off the face. n wilsonstaff.com

Looks: 4.5 Feel: 4.2 Forgiveness: 3.7 Versatility: 4.3 Distance: 4.0 Dispersion: 3.5 Rating: HHHHH

Looks: 4.1 Feel: 4.1 Forgiveness: 3.8 Versatility: 3.9 Distance: 4.5 Dispersion: 4.0 Rating: HHHHH

Looks: 4.3 Feel: 3.8 Forgiveness: 3.9 Versatility: 3.7 Distance: 4.5 Dispersion: 4.5 Rating: HHHHH

56 Golf Asia

GAME IMPROVER

Yonex VMS

Callaway RAZR X Black

Mizuno JPX 800

Neal felt the irons were nicely balanced and he produced the goods in terms of dispersion. The only slight negative was the looks, but James actually felt the head was nicely-proportioned. n yonex.com/golf

Although designed for mid-handicappers, Tom felt the head was more compact than some of the others. But Dave questioned why there was so much offset for a smaller head. n callawaygolf.com

Mizuno don’t make bad irons. Dave felt it offered a very powerful feel while Paul Bryant loved the appearance at address. But Paul did say he felt there might be more forgiving clubs on Test. n mizunousa.com/golf

Looks: 3.8 Feel: 4.3 Forgiveness: 4.3 Versatility: 4.1 Distance: 4.5 Dispersion: 4.0 Rating: HHHHH

Looks: 3.8 Feel: 4.3 Forgiveness: 4.1 Versatility: 3.9 Distance: 4.5 Dispersion: 4.5 Rating: HHHHH

Looks: 4.4 Feel: 4.4 Forgiveness: 4.0 Versatility: 3.9 Distance: 4.0 Dispersion: 4.5 Rating: HHHHH

Golf Asia 57

golfing

Nike VR _ S gearguide Forged

TaylorMade RBZ

Forgiving forged option that looks terrific and provides bags of power

Long and easy-to-hit RocketBallz irons continue franchise's success

Nike’s latest range of irons might just be their best yet. While some clubs on test were criticised for being too chunky, Nike have been able to manufacture these forged irons with plenty of forgiveness without compromising on the look or the size of the head.

Thirteen-handicapper Neal picked up on this, but pointed out that the topline was still plenty thick enough to help inspire confidence at address. Dave loved the feel these clubs offered and suggested it was one of the more powerful performers on test.

Jon said he would have no hesitation putting them in the bag either, and fired in a tight dispersion statistic – just 3.4 yards.

In fact dispersion was the only thing that let the clubs down – a custom-fit session with a Nike Golf expert should sort that though.These are excellent irons that will help your handicap tumble.

Pro Verdict: “I have to say I was slightly surprised by the outstanding performance. They felt powerful and they produced a very consistent, strong ball flight. They looked nice too, and offered plenty of forgiveness.” n nike.com/nikegolf

There was a huge amount of buzz around TaylorMade’s RocketBallz range when it launched at the start of the year and it's fair to say the RBZ irons (which effectively replaced the Burner irons) stand up to the impressive woods very well. The first thing to note is the insane distance generated by them – they really are long and spectacularly easy to hit.

Twenty-handicapper Rik loved them, and felt they were very forgiving too. Paul Brown, playing off 15, also commented on how well the ball flew off the face even on off-centre hits, while better player Tom felt like there was a lot of power generated by the substantial weight behind the face. He also felt the stronger lofts would be ideal for those who struggle to get the ball airborne and lose distance because of this.

It’s also worth noting that the long irons have actually been designed to be more like woods – this means they’re easier to hit than some of the other long irons and the overall look is more of an old-school driving iron.

Pro Verdict: “I was very impressed with the RocketBallz irons. The head size was certainly more standard than others on test and I felt the overall shape was quite rounded. Not only will they appeal to lots of golfers, the irons will also do a good job from even the stickiest of rough lies.” n taylormadegolf.com

Looks: 4.2 Feel: 4.3 Forgiveness: 4.2 Versatility: 4.2 Distance: 5.0 Dispersion: 3.5 Rating: HHHHH

Looks: 4.3 Feel: 4.3 Forgiveness: 4.3 Versatility: 3.9 Distance: 5.0 Dispersion: 4.0 Rating: HHHHH

GAME IMPROVER

Forged finesse Nike brings a quality forging into the Game Improver category by combining technologies from Nike's other irons.

They also have the Powerbow technology for higher launch and X3X grooves for greater control.

58 Golf Asia

Prog-rock The RBZ irons are designed as a progressive set so the shorter irons play more like traditional blades while the longer irons are more like easierto-hit hybrids for the ultimate combination of control, power and forgiveness.

KNOW THE CLUBS M

OST GOLFERS know that certain irons tend to suit different abilities. But how many know the precise characteristics of the different types of irons?

Most Super Game Improver clubs aren't easy on the eye.

They are chunky and normally feature a massive topline - but what they lack in looks, they make up for in performance.

They deliver high levels of forgiveness, because they have vast amounts of perimeter weighting which helps to keep the club square at impact. Also expect a very high ball flight.

Game Improver irons also offer a towering trajectory and

lots of forgiveness, but there are some in this category that do look a little sleeker. They also tend to offer more feel than their SGI equivalent.

Finally, Better Player irons are the most diverse – the traditional blade still exists, but there are some cavity-back irons that fit into this category.

Ping’s i20 irons are used on Tour, and will also suit a good ball-striking 12 handicapper.

Today’s Better Player irons are more forgiving than ever, so if you’re on the cusp of the Better Player category, looking to get down to single figures, getting a forgiving set of Better Player irons is the way to go.

‘TODAY'S BETTER PLAYER IRONS ARE MORE FORGIVING THAN EVER BEFORE’ GOLF ASIA 59

GOLFING GEARGUIDE

TAYLORMADE R11 Stunning irons impress testers in all areas as manufacturer seals Game Improver one-two It’s a one-two for TaylorMade in the Game Improver category, with the stunning R11 irons taking a deserved top ranking.

Often a club will perform highly in one, two or three categories and be let down by their performance in a couple of others – but the R11 ticks the boxes across the board.

In terms of looks, it is absolutely stunning – clean and neat behind the ball, but if you think this may affect forgiveness, you couldn’t be more wrong. The famous Inverted Cone Technology still remains, and this helps to promote faster ball speeds on mishits.

Paul Bryant (handicap 17) said he could play with these irons all day long and the performance actually gave him goose bumps – they were that impressive. Neal adored the more traditional bladed style on offer, and felt the distance was sensational. Even our highest handicapper, Rik, found very little to dislike about the irons, and duly awarded it full marks in all of the subjective categories.

60 GOLF ASIA

We would say this, however – when you put the club down at address, it is considerably smaller and “less friendly” than others on Test – but as soon you hit the ball, you realise it’s loaded full of forgiveness and playability.

These are yet another brilliant performer from TaylorMade.

THE PRO VERDICT “These were simply fantastic when it came to the aesthetics, especially given that it’s been designed to help the game improver.

If you’re a traditionalist, you will like the way TaylorMade have retained the classic shape – but just made it bigger. The progressive topline through the set is an excellent idea for helping to build confidence too. This can perform well for lots of golfers, especially when you throw in a good custom-fit.”

■ taylormadegolf.com

Looks: 4.5 Feel: 4.3 Forgiveness: 4.3 Versatility: 4.3 Distance: 4.5 Dispersion: 5.0 RATING: ★★★★★

GAME IMPROVER

First port of call The precision weight port in the back of the head means the centre of gravity can be precisely located throughout the set while an ultra-thin face and Inverted Cone Technology means faster ball speeds off the face.

Golf Asia 61

golfing gearguide

YONEX EZONE MB

JOHN LETTERS MASTERS BLADE

NIKE VR PRO

A beautiful muscle back for pure ball-strikers.

They do lack forgiveness but they have a unique shape. James and Tom mentioned a slightly square toe but that wouldn’t put them off longterm. n yonex.com/golf

The leading edge is very sharp and sits close to the ground so a pure strike is required. Our team liked the traditional shape of the head and the workability but you won't find much forgiveness. n johnletters.com

Even James said these looked intimidating at address because they are so thin. For a better player these are excellent and you could always combine with cavity-backed long irons. n nikegolf.com

Looks: 3.9 Feel: 4.0 Forgiveness: 2.8 Versatility: 4.5 Distance: 4.0 Dispersion: 4.0 Rating: HHHHH

Looks: 4.1 Feel: 3.8 Forgiveness: 3.3 Versatility: 4.3 Distance: 4.0 Dispersion: 4.5 Rating: HHHHH

Looks: 4.0 Feel: 4.3 Forgiveness: 2.9 Versatility: 4.4 Distance: 4.0 Dispersion: 4.5 Rating: HHHHH

CLEVELAND 588 FORGED CB

TAYLORMADE TPMB

BRIDGESTONE J40 CAVITY

A touch of forgiveness from a compact head, although Tom said it was a little bigger than some. James found it powerful and Dave thought they’d be excellent as a combo set with shorter MB irons. n clevelandgolf.com

TaylorMade's best forged iron in years and our team loved the compact head and short blade.

James and Dave said it was great out of the middle but all testers felt it was harsh off-centre. n taylormadegolf.com

Won praise for its looks. The blade was slightly longer than some others. Not one of the biggest hitters on test but distance is not a key factor in this category. Worth a look. n bridgestonegolf.com

Looks: 4.0 Feel: 4.0 Forgiveness: 4.0 Versatility: 3.8 Distance: 4.0 Dispersion: 4.5 Rating: HHHHH

Looks: 4.5 Feel: 3.9 Forgiveness: 3.0 Versatility: 4.4 Distance: 4.0 Dispersion: 4.5 Rating: HHHHH

Looks: 4.4 Feel: 3.9 Forgiveness: 3.6 Versatility: 4.1 Distance: 4.0 Dispersion: 4.5 Rating: HHHHH

PING i20

WILSON STAFF FG TOUR V2

HONMA BERES PRO

The performance and forgiveness ratings tell the story. Jon said this was everything he wanted in an iron while Dave was impressed with the forgiveness packed into a compact head. n ping.com

Liked across the board with forgiveness, sleek looks and workability combined. Dave found a little too much offset in the longer irons. James agreed and said the leading edge was too curved. n wilsonstaff.com

The best looking on test and it delivered, full stop. James found it hard to curve because he felt the standard lie angle was very flat but with the right custom-fit this would be money well spent. n honmagolf.com

Looks: 3.8 Feel: 3.8 Forgiveness: 4.4 Versatility: 3.6 Distance: 4.5 Dispersion: 4.5 Rating: HHHHH

Looks: 3.8 Feel: 3.9 Forgiveness: 4.5 Versatility: 4.0 Distance: 4.0 Dispersion: 4.5 Rating: HHHHH

Looks: 4.6 Feel: 4.1 Forgiveness: 4.0 Versatility: 4.1 Distance: 4.0 Dispersion: 4.5 Rating: HHHHH

62 Golf Asia

BETTER P L AY E R

‘the blade still exists, but there are cavity backs in this category’

MIZUNO MP-69

COBRA AMP FORGED

ADAMS IDEA MB2

Despite the slim design our team didn’t find this intimidating at address because of the slightly longer blade. It also scored top dispersion marks and highly across the board, barring forgiveness. n mizunousa.com/golf

A great example of how a Better Player iron can be forgiving and retain aesthetics. The head size is a touch larger than others but there isn’t a great deal of offset – appealing to good players. n cobragolf.com

Liked by all and not as intimidating or unforgiving as the looks suggest. The black finish won lots of praise although Dave said the face was starting to mark. A must-try for better players. n adamsgolf.com

Looks: 4.6 Feel: 4.5 Forgiveness: 2.8 Versatility: 4.5 Distance: 4.0 Dispersion: 5.0 Rating: HHHHH

Looks: 4.0 Feel: 4.4 Forgiveness: 4.6 Versatility: 3.6 Distance: 5.0 Dispersion: 4.0 Rating: HHHHH

Looks: 4.4 Feel: 4.0 Forgiveness: 3.9 Versatility: 4.5 Distance: 4.5 Dispersion: 4.5 Rating: HHHHH

Golf Asia 63

golfing

PING S56 gearguide

MIZUNO MP59

Perfect head size, easy to work and the choice of Major-winner Oosthuizen

Compact head, forgiving and versatile... no wonder Luke Donald uses them

The S56 won an Open Championship before its official launch in the hands of Louis Oosthuizen in 2010.

But as well as impressing in the hands of the Masters runner-up, it was also well-liked by the Today's Golfer test team. Tom liked the small, compact head with very little offset because it still retained a little thickness to the topline, which he felt added to forgiveness and confidence at address wihtout going over the top.

Dave also commented on the “perfect” head size and shape as well as the surprising levels of forgiveness offered. His one small gripe was that the feel wasn’t quite as responsive as some of the others in this category and Tom agreed, although both only marked it down slightly.

Jon said he loved the softer feel though and agreed with the comments on forgiveness. He added that the S56 was likely to appeal more to a better player than the i20 would.

Pro says: “This has quite a small, square head that sits nicely and frames the ball really well. It is easy to see why this appeals to so many better players because it is easy to work and alter the ball flight and is very forgiving for an iron in this category.” n ping.com

The choice of iron for Luke Donald – a man regarded as one of the finest iron players on the planet. He recently said that he loves the way they move through the turf thanks to the slightly curved sole and blunted leading edge. But if that’s not endorsement enough, our testers also loved them!

Dave said he felt the sole would be extremely versatile in a variety of course and turf conditions while Tom also said he was more comfortable with the rounded, softer shape of the MP59.

Tom also said he could feel the head throughout the swing which gave him more power and control. Jon was a fan of how forgiving the iron was, despite still looking like a blade at address and he also commented on the option to buy individual clubs meaning you only pay for the irons you want – even though they are quite expensive.

Dave added that despite the good levels of forgiveness in this category he would still recommend the MP59 for good ball-strikers only.

Pro says: The slightly taller clubface makes the MP59 look like a shorter blade length than it actually is, which is good for both aesthetics and forgiveness. It has a slightly thicker topline than a traditional blade but is still a very compact head that will appeal to the better player.” n mizunousa.com/golf

Looks: 4.3 Feel: 4.0 Forgiveness: 4.1 Versatility: 4.4 Distance: 4.0 Dispersion: 5.0 Rating: HHHHH

Tung-tied The secret inside the S56 is the tungsten toe weight which helps position the centre of gravity for lowerlaunching short irons and higher- launching long irons for maximum playability throughout the set.

64 Golf Asia

Looks: 4.5 Feel: 4.4 Forgiveness: 4.1 Versatility: 4.5 Distance: 4.5 Dispersion: 4.0 Rating: HHHHH

Muscle man The MP59 features a unique titanium muscle which has been forged into the clubhead directly behind the hitting area. Titanium is lighter so it means weight can be moved elsewhere for added forgiveness.

CALLAWAY RAZR X FORGED Our testers' top choice matched sensational looks with performance

X-Men RAZR X-Forged irons are forged from extremely soft 1020 carbon steel and Callaway’s Triple Net Forging process ensures tight tolerances for consistency of shape and feel.

BE T T E R PL AY E R

Hip to be square Callaway took feedback from their Tour players to combine a thin topline, narrow sole and short blade length with a higher, squaredoff toe and sharper leading edge.

In the groove Callaway’s proprietary Tour CC groove design allows 40 per cent more grooves on the face of the club for increased spin and aggressive shot-making for better players.

The Better Player category, more than any other, will come down to personal preference of the testers but there was one iron on test that seemed to combine everything our team was looking for in an iron designed for competent golfers.

The RAZR X Forged won high praise in all categories from every tester and that meant it was a worthy winner of top spot in this hotly contested category. The iron was designed with feedback from Callaway's Tour stars, leading to the confidence inspiring topline, narrow sole and short blade length along with a higher, squaredoff toe and the sharper leading edge.

Jon liked the look but expected it to be harder to hit than it actually was because of the short blade length preferred by good players. However, the slightly thicker topline and the cavity in the rear of the head meant Jon found this had all the benefits of a Better Player iron but with quite a lot of forgiveness. Tom agreed, insisting the thicker topline gave him more confidence but the lack of offset meant it performed like a very traditional blade.

David insisted this had the perfect blend of performance because the long irons didn’t look too intimidating while the short irons offered plenty of feel and control – the perfect fit for better players.

These irons also come at a competitive price, considering the quality on offer.

THE PRO VERDICT “There are a lot of grooves on the face and I know why they have done it but I think some people might find it a little offputting because it looks very different to other irons. The toe is quite squared-off and angular, which is no bad thing but again could be quite a personal thing.

However, the blade length is excellent and combined with a slightly thicker top edge this will appeal to a lot of good golfers.” n callawaygolf.com

Looks: 4.1 Feel: 4.5 Forgiveness: 4.1 Versatility: 4.5 Distance: 4.5 Dispersion: 4.5 Rating: HHHHH

Golf Asia 65

the NUMBERS GAME: detailed STATISTICS

Three categories, eight testers, 45 irons, thousands of shots. This at-a-glance distance and dispersion ● Distance (YDS) ● dispersion (YDS)

B E T T ER P LAY ER

GA M E I M P ROV ER

66 Golf Asia

mizuno mp69

COBRA AMP FORGED

ADAMS IDEA MB2

PING S56

MIZUNO MP59

CALLAWAY RAZR X FORGED

CLEVELAND CG BLACK

JOHN LETTERS T9+

CALLAWAY RAZR X

YONEX EZONE COMPOSITE

PING G20

BENROSS QUAD SPEED RIP

MIZUNO JPX 800 PRO

COBRA AMP

RIK TAYLOR HCP 20 Age 45

honma beres pro

PAUL BRYANT HCP 15 Age 45

WILSON STAFF F G Tour v2

NEAL GLADWIN HCP 13 Age 33

PING I20

PAUL BROWN HCP 15 Age 54

BRIDGESTONE J40 CAVITY

TOM BREWER HCP 4 Age 23

TAYLORMADE TPMB

DAVID CONNOR HCP 10 Age 31

CLEVELAND 588 FORGED

JON GREATHEAD HCP 8 Age 29

NIKE VR PRO

JAMES RIDYARD HCP Pro Age 34

JL Masters blade

TESTERS

YONEX EZONE MB

DNT = DID NOT TEST

● 163

● 160

● 165

● 171

● 172

● 155

● 173

● 170

● 163

● 171

● 169

● 160

● 167

● 173

● 171

● 158

● 155

● 164

● 163

● 163

● 161

● 168

● 170

● 27.7

● 12.6

● 14.6

● 18.7

● 5.7

● 6.9

● 8.2

● 14.1

● 17.0

● 2.1

● 25.1

● 17.9

● 7.8

● 14.5

● 14.5

● 9.3

● 10.7

● 17.8

● 1.2

● 4.6

● 6.0

● 2.7

● 15.4

● 150

● 161

● 156

● 143

● 144

● 161

● 161

● 151

● 148

● 143

● 165

● 155

● 147

● 157

● 148

● 159

● 140

● 158

● 162

● 155

● 166

● 161

● 174

● 3.3

● 9.0

● 11.9

● 14.3

● ● ● 19.0 23.4 15.3

● 11.0

● 1.2

● 6.6

● 19.3

● 2.6

● 6.4

● 15.7

● 17.9

● 5.0

● 3.3

● 7.4

● 12.5

● ● ● 13.3 16.8 18.5

● 11.6

● 169

● 165

● 166

● 176

● 173

● 168

● 173

● 170

● 175

● 173

● 176

● 178

● 167

● 168

● 174

● 174

● 159

● 162

● 183

● 162

● 162

● 172

● 174

● 16.6

● 11.7

● 16.2

● 3.8

● 12

● 4.2

● 12.3

● 18.7

● 11.4

● 17.6

● 17.8

● 4.1

● 9.8

● 17.6

● 18.0

● 21.7

● 17.8

● ● 16.9 22.0

● 27.5

● 16.0

● 32.1

● 17.4

● 156

● 164

● 158

● 164

● 167

● 160

● 169

● 162

● 164

● 168

● 171

● 167

● 162

● 162

● 170

● 161

● 144

● 160

● 159

● 160

● 160

● 172

● 17.1

● 10.4

● 8.4

● 13.9

● 5.3

● 9.0

● 8.7

● 12.1

● 10.4

● 12.9

● 8.0

● 20.0

● 0.6

● 16.9

● 4.6

● 5.4

● ● ● ● 16.8 15.3 22.0 13.8

● 8.4

● 15.3

● 6.5

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT

● 140

● 151

● 132

● 151

● 138

● 135

● 143

● 140

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT

● 6.1

● 9.8

● 16.7

● ● 10.3 19.8

● 17.3

● 19.1

● 20.8

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT

● 153

● 150

● 163

● 158

● 166

● 161

● 150

● 149

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT

● 6.9

● 11.2

● ● ● 10.0 16.3 16.5

● 27.9

● ● 18.2 13.0

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT

● 151

● 125

● 121

● 132

● 129

● 132

● 132

● 125

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT

● 24.6

● 7.6

● 17.0

● 37.3

● ● 20.6 22.5

● 19.1

● 15.9

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT

● 119

● 134

● 125

● 115

● 120

● 119

● 106

● 118

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT

● 24.8

● ● ● 13.0 10.9 20.4

● 37.1

● 1.6

● ● 46.0 39.2

● 165

DOCUMENT OUR BIGGEST EVER IRONS TEST chart reveals how each 7-iron performed for each player. Which were the longest... and straightest?

CONCLUSION

WILSON STAFF CI11

YONEX VMS

CALLAWAY RAZR X BLACK

MIZUNO JPX 800

NIKE VR_S FORGED

TAYLORMADE RBZ

TAYLORMADE R11

LYNX PREDATOR VCS

PGA COLLECTION EZ3

COBRA S3 MAX

JOHN LETTERS T8

WILSON STAFF DI11

BENROSS QUAD COMBO

SNAKE EYES PYTHON XLD

CALLAWAY RAZR X HL

ADAMS IDEA A12 OS

YONEX EZONE SD

TOUR EDGE XCG5

CALLAWAY RAZR X F

MD SUPERSTRONG ST2

MIZUNO JPX 800 HD

NIKE VR_S

S U P E R G A M E I M P R OV E R

● 167

● 163

● 165

● 170

● 173

● 171

● 163

● 158

● 153

● 167

● 153

● 168

● 154

● 182

● 164

● 173

● 173

● 162

● 169

● 163

● 168

● 166

● 1.7

● 14.3

● 0.6

● 4.6

● 16.3

● 7.4

● 15.2

● 2.2

● 14.2

● ● 13.8 15.5

● 9.7

● 8.9

● ● 13.0 15.3

● 5.9

● 17.7

● 4.0

● 19.7

● 12.3

● 4.3

● 5.0

● 151

● 151

● 160

● 152

● 160

● 163

● 149

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT

● 4.0

● 9.2

● 18.7

● ● ● 16.9 16.9 24.6

● 9.1

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT

● 178

● 160

● 175

● 165

● 173

● 186

● 161

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT

● 8.3

● ● ● 22.0 19.3 10.3

● 13.7

● 18.1

● 5.2

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT

● 159

● 164

● 162

● 149

● 166

● 173

● 170

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT

● 10.5

● 15.0

● 12.0

● 9.8

● 16.0

● 14.2

● 5.9

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT DNT

● 144

● 145

● 144

● 135

● 142

● 143

● 145

● 135

● 130

● 136

● 136

● 141

● 134

● 146

● 134

● 140

● 136

● 140

● 137

● 138

● 137

● 140

● 15.6

● 15.4

● 12.0

● 16.3

● 24.7

● 22.4

● 11.0

● 13.2

● 5.8

● 13.5

● 7.5

● 17.5

● 4.0

● 15.9

● 19.5

● 3.1

● 7.1

● 11.9

● 4.1

● 10.4

● 11.3

● 10.8

● 149

● 163

● 163

● 155

● 165

● 169

● 164

● 143

● 132

● 149

● 141

● 154

● 136

● 154

● 149

● 159

● 156

● 150

● 155

● 148

● 139

● 151

● 14.0

● 9.8

● 4.9

● 17.0

● ● 30.2 16.5

● 2.1

● 16.9

● 10.3

● 8.6

● 5.9

● 8.1

● 14.7

● 21.4

● 6.2

● 4.5

● 24.6

● 16.7

● 11.5

● 3.4

● 10.7

● 21.3

● 127

● 135

● 125

● 133

● 134

● 127

● 123

● 121

● 125

● 130

● 127

● 144

● 124

● 132

● 132

● 125

● 131

● 131

● 138

● 128

● 117

● 144

● 18.3

● 26.1

● 6.3

● ● 24.4 30.8

● 11.6

● 15.7

● 21.9

● 9.5

● 5.6

● 2.5

● 9.2

● 8.2

● 36.5

● 6.9

● ● 19.6 20.9

● 4.2

● 17.4

● 21.5

● 5.5

● 23.6

● 125

● 128

● 111

● 121

● 126

● 130

● 125

● 126

● 116

● 109

● 121

● 117

● 120

● 127

● 129

● 121

● 121

● 128

● 130

● 124

● 121

● 121

● ● ● ● 34.4 14.3 33.7 18.9

● 15.6

● 24.3

● 2.0

● 10.8

● 22.8

● 20.1

● 23.1

● 17.7

● 6.6

● ● 35.2 26.1

● 8.3

● ● ● 29.2 23.2 10.6

● 19.4

● 13.3

● 22.3

Out of a massive 63 sets of irons supplied to us for testing, only 45 models made the final cut into the test itself.

Even at this stage, the competition was tough; the 18 that missed out can think themselves unlucky. The fact is that as technology and manufacturing quality evolve, clubs are getting ever better. It is actually quite hard to find a properly poor set of irons these days.

Competition within each category was equally tight, with clubs dealing ever better with the forgiveness/ performance compromise. As we mention in the buying guide, the Better Player category featured irons that are more forgiving than ever.

Another thing we learned from the test is that, in the eyes of our testers, the look and aesthetics of the club, especially at address, is crucial in buying decisions – even for the Game Improver and Super Game Improver categories. For example, Ping’s G20 performed well, but the testers just found it a little too big.

We also discovered that lower-priced clubs don’t always mean a reduction in quality.

MD Golf’s ST2 irons finished third in a very competitive category – they offer exceptional value for money. As do the PGA Collection irons, especially for those new to the game.

Whatever irons you choose, the class of 2012 will help your game dramatically.

GOLF ASIA 67

golfing gearguide

IRON QUESTIONS ANSWERED Tech talk, fitting advice and everything else you need to know about irons

BY David Connor

68 Golf Asia

Q Drivers have got longer in the last few decades. Has the same happened with irons?

A Yes and no. It depends on the set.

Technology in game improvement irons – for the mid-to-high-handicapper – has evolved exponentially in recent years. Advancements in the design and manufacturing process mean cavities can be bigger and faces thinner than ever before. This allows faces to flex more, for faster ball speeds off the face, and weight to be positioned even lower in the head for a higher launch. The main effect of both of those is to create more distance.

But it doesn’t end there because this higher launch has allowed manufacturers to strengthen the iron lofts throughout the set. For example, the industry average 7-iron sat at 40° loft in the 1970s; by 2000 this had decreased to 34.5°. Today, the current TaylorMade RocketBallz 7-iron loft is 30.5°; the club goes further without losing any height.

However, for better players increased distance isn’t one of the most important factors in iron play so blades and musclebacks, while still stronger than 50 years ago, tend to have slightly more traditional lofts for better control. The current 7-iron in the TaylorMade TPMB set, for example, has a loft of 35°.

It is important to take this loft and distance disparity into consideration when adding hybrids and wedges to your bag to make sure there are adequate and even gaps between clubs.

Q What are the main differences between a better player iron and one for higher handicappers?

A There are a number of key differences but the most noticeable is size. A better player iron has a shorter blade length from heel to toe and a much narrower sole for more workability and to keep the centre of gravity closer to the face – which also helps the better player shape the ball.

A game-improver iron has a much larger overall head size, wider sole, thicker topline and usually a deep undercut cavity to keep the centre of gravity low and away from the face. This gives the clubhead more stability

EXTRA HELP The Ping G20 is a great example of game improver technology : a thicker sole, offset, weight low and away from the face.

and promotes a higher launch. They often have a large amount of offset (where the face sits further back from the shaft) to aid high launch and to combat a slice.

Q What is the difference between forged and cast heads?

A These are the two main iron manufacturing processes used by major manufacturers. Some golfers believe there is a big difference in how the finished product feels at impact.

Casting is generally seen as a less expensive process. It involves pouring liquid metal into a mould before allowing

it to cool and harden. Forging involves heating a single steel rod before stretching and pressing it into shape under extreme pressure.

Mizuno forge the vast majority of their irons and say the process eliminates inconsistencies in the head caused by tiny air bubbles created during the casting process. They insist this is one of the key reasons for a softer feel and more consistent performance.

However Ping have been advocates of the casting process ever since founder Karsten Solheim set about creating the first cavity-back in 1969, when he found

Golf Asia 69

golfing gearguide Cast clubs are created by pouring liquid metal into a mould.

Forged irons are trimmed from a steel billet before being hand ground into shape.

he couldn’t create the intricate level of detail involved in a cavity head using the forging process.

Since then it has generally been accepted that better-player irons have been forged and game-improver irons have been cast.

However, recent advancements in milling techniques are again turning this theory on its head because manufacturers are now able to add more intricate cavity detail into a forged head. This technology is seen in the Nike VR_S Forged and Callaway Razr XF irons – both of which are aimed at higher handicappers.

Ping’s casting begins with the creation of wax head moulds.

Q What does it mean when manufacturers tell us their irons are made from 1020 carbon steel and other such jargon?

A It can get a little complicated but essentially carbon steel is a steel alloy with a certain percentage of carbon in it. It is the choice of most premium iron brands because it is soft and malleable. The numbers detail the amount of carbon in the alloy so 1020 means there is 0.20 per cent carbon. The more carbon there is the harder the steel will be so 1025 carbon steel will be slightly harder than 1020.

Q What different materials are used in an iron head?

A Iron heads are generally made from

70 Golf Asia

Hot faces: Clubheads get baked in an oven to make them go hard.

Luke Donald’s irons use a titanium insert to add forgiveness.

carbon steel (typically forged), stainless steel (typically cast) or some other steel alloy.

However, there have been a number of other materials used in the heads to offer various performance benefits. Mizuno have used a titanium insert in the MP59 irons, as used by Luke Donald, behind the hitting area because it is lighter than the steel that surrounds it so effectively allows more weight to be placed in the extremities. Both Ping and Titleist have utilised heavy tungsten weights in the S56 and AP2 irons respectively to place more weight in specific areas of the head. Other than metal, manufacturers are increasingly using elastomer in the heads of irons, such as in the Ping G20’s custom tuning port, to dampen vibrations on mishits and to improve feel.

Q What exactly is a hot iron face?

A Ever since metal woods became commonplace in the 1990s Co-efficient of Restitution (COR) has been a bit of a buzz phrase. It effectively describes the trampoline effect of the face as it makes contact with the ball or in short,

how “hot” it is. In recent years this has become an important factor in gameimprover irons as well as manufacturers strive for more distance. Thinner faces and advanced face designs mean COR is higher and some models, such as Ping’s K15, even feature titanium faces attached to steel bodies to make them even hotter.

Q How important is the right shaft in an iron and how has shaft technology changed?

A Jason MacNiven, who runs independent fitting centre Golf Principles in Basingstoke, explains: “The shafts in irons have changed dramatically over the years not just with the introduction of super-lightweight graphite shafts but with the fact that steel shafts have also got much lighter thanks to advances in technology. They have now moved from about 125g to under 100g – some are even 85g which would previously only have been possible in graphite.

“Most people will be aware that flex has an impact on ball flight but shaft weight makes more of a difference than you may

think. An interesting way to test is to hit three weights, one light, one medium and one heavy. You will find you get noticeably different performance. Eliminate the worst and continue from there until you get a feel and a consistency you are looking for.

“Another factor to consider is the balance of the shafts because this differs from model to model. Counter-balanced shafts, where more weight is in the grip end, tend to have a ratio of 60:40 while non counter-balanced shafts are evenly balanced at 50:50.

“When being fitted in general the numbers you should be looking for is a smash factor (ball speed divided by clubhead speed) with a 6-iron of about 1.36-1.38 (compared to 1.50 with a driver) and a spin rate in the region of 1,000 times the number on the sole of the iron minus 10 per cent – so a 6-iron would be around 5,400rpm. Any higher than that and you could find the ball ballooning into the wind.

Different shafts will adjust the amount of spin on shots.

“Because of the complexity involved and the damaging effects of getting it wrong I would always suggest consulting an experienced custom-fitter to find the best shafts for your game. It can make a big difference.”

Q Does lie angle really make that much of a difference?

A Most people will know that shaft length and weight will make a real difference in custom-fitting for irons but perhaps less known is lie angle. This is the angle at which the shaft comes out of the head towards the body and getting it wrong affects the way the club sits on the ground.

This can mean either the toe or the heel can dig into the turf but it also means the face points in the wrong direction.

If you find this hard to believe use some blu-tack to stick a pencil to the centre of the face. Then either lift the handle away from your body or pull it towards you at address and see where the pencil points. This can severely affect accuracy but is easily sorted with the help of a custom-fitting pro, a lie board and some lie-angle tape on the bottom of the club.

GOLF ASIA 71

GOLFING GEARGUIDE

GLOIRE

FOR ASIANS Superior performance through Advanced Distance Technology

T

aylorMade Golf has just launched a new premium line of clubs for discerning golfers in Asia aptly named Glorie. Not unlike its previous offerings of the premium XR series, the new line under the Glorie designation features the full range of equipment that includes drivers, irons, fairway woods as well as a premium 5-piece golf ball.

The Gloire line is also designed for slower swing speeds where distance and ease-of-play are the most important performance elements. The whole line of golf clubs has been designed based on a proprietary concept called Advanced Distance Technology (ADT) and combined with several design features, they provide optimum adjustability and performance in a lightweight, easy-to-play product.

72 GOLF ASIA

GLORIE DRIVER & WOODS Ultra Thin Dimple Crown Technology Through an Ultra-Thin Wall casting process and Thick-Thin Crown construction, portions of the crown are as thin as 0.5mm allowing engineers to lower the CG and pull it forward. The Tour proven ultra-low CG placement promotes a higher launch angle and lower spin-rate – launch conditions that promote greater distance. Utilizing this technology with the tuned CG weighting system (slightly heel-biased) promotes a high draw ballflight for even more total distance.

New Aero Shape Head Design The Gloire driver’s new aero shape head design features improved aerodynamics that effectively reduces air resistance over the

crown. The end result is a higher clubhead speed, which results in higher ball speed.

New Inverted Cone Technology (ICT2) Gloire’s high-MOI titanium head also features TaylorMade’s New Inverted Cone Technology (ICT2) formed directly into the back of a clubface that dramatically enlarges the portion of the face that delivers high COR and fast ball speed, significantly improving ball speeds performance on off-centre hits.

Special Shaft Design for Gloire A unique ultra-light weight shaft solely designed for Gloire incorporates a complex 7-layer design with new Japanese materials producing a lightweight-high trajectory shaft to promote increased swing speed, increased stability and unsurpassed feel at impact.

Advanced Sound Management Internal sound ribs are reinforced inside the head to produce an extended sound duration for optimum player feedback at impact.

White Crown Inspires Confidence and Eliminates Hot Spots The Gloire driver and fairway woods feature a new premium white crown finish and black PVD face for optimum contrast to make it easy to align the face accurately at address.

The white crown colour also eliminates the glare and “hot spots” that are a common issue with gloss-finish metalwoods.

Flight Control Technology (FCT)

Key to the superior performance of Gloire driver and fairway woods is the incorporation of TaylorMade’s patented Flight Control Technology. With FCT, the golfer can easily adjust the performance angles (face angle, loft and lie) of Gloire driver and fairway woods to one of 8 settings. These settings allow a 3° range of lofts that promote a wide range of launch conditions.

Titanium Clubhead Gloire fairway woods are high-performance Beta Titanium clubheads designed entirely without compromises. A new face design concept in the fairway woods allows for an ultra-thin 2.2mm face delivering on the limit COR performance.

Powered Tungsten Weights Two 18-gram tungsten weights strategically positions 36 grams of additional mass low and forward in the clubhead for optimum CG location. This ultra-low forward CG design produces very high launch for incredible carry distance.

Gloire Irons Every iron is designed like a metalwood.

Hollow construction with dual tungsten sole weights gives improved performance, more forgiveness (increased MOI) and higher launch (low CG location). Utility Irons (#4 and #5) are iron shapes with metalwood construction promoting distance and playability of a metalwood, confidence of an iron. Dual cavity head design in the #6-AW is constructed with both a traditional and a hollow cavity. In addition, all irons utilize multi-material pull-face technology with a 1.8mm maraging steel face built for speed in mind. The unique construction of the Gloire irons produces thin, large unsupported faces with Inverted Cone Technology, providing the largest sweet spot and optimum performance unmatched in any other TaylorMade irons. (Only Graphite shafts for Singapore market) Shaft and Club Specs The Gloire series will be offered in Asian specifications only (Men’s only). The Gloire driver is available in two lofts – 9.5° and

10.5°, and the fairway woods come in #3-15°, #5-18°, and #7-21°. All metalwoods are equipped with a Gloire GL450 shaft, 45-gram (S, SR, R, R2). The Gloire irons are available in #4-P, A, S. All irons are equipped with a Gloire 550i shaft, 55-gram (S, SR, R). All Gloire equipment comes only in Asian specs.

Gloire Golf Ball A five-piece golf ball that gives all golfers performance that previously was only available to better players, high launch off the driver, soft feel off the irons and spin on all shots around the green. Key technologies of Gloire golf ball are progressive COR design, super soft ionomer cover, and high-lift 342 dimple design. This 5-layer construction is optimized for slower swing speeds to provide highball flight and more spin around the green.

New Look, New location Ashworth Golf now features prominently in the TaylorMade-adidas Golf concept shop at The Cathay, Singapore. The new line of Ashworth apparel and footwear offers a modern style while still retaining its strong pedigree from the 1980’s when its introduction to the market not only changed how golfers dressed but how they thought about what they wore.

“The new Ashworth golf apparel truly caters to the authentic golfer who is looking for a modern style. It has already proved to be a success with Ashworth’s ardent supporters around the globe and we look forward to offering the exciting new products in Singapore,” said Dennis Chong, Senior Marketing Manager, TaylorMade-adidas Golf Singapore.

The Ashworth Golf line will also be available at major department stores in the coming months.

GOLF ASIA 73

GOLFING INSTRUCTION

SHAKE OFF THE SHANKS

Find out what causes this horror shot and how to fix it with these simple drills from Rob Watts…

CAUSE ONE

SET-UP

ALLOW YOUR ARMS TO HANG You'll notice in both of the faulty address positions opposite that standing either too close or far away from the ball places the weight in the heels or toes respectively and gets the hands the incorrect distance from the body. This means your weight will move, either forward (toes) or back (heels), during the swing. A great way to check you’re standing the correct distance from the ball is to assume your golf posture (tipped over from the pelvis, knees soft) holding a club in both hands, and allow the arms to hang naturally from the shoulders. Then take hold of the club maintaining that hand position and the weight in the arches of the feet correctly.

74 GOLF ASIA

STANDING TOO FAR AWAY Reaching for the ball at set-up also promotes a shank because you’re then forced to throw your weight forwards in the downswing to get the club back to the ball.

STANDING TOO CLOSE Addressing the ball with your feet too near the ball naturally promotes the hosel making contact with the ball because there’s no room for the hands to swing through.

GOLF ASIA 75

GOLFING INSTRUCTION CAUSE TWO

AN INSIDE, ROLLING TAKEAWAY OVER-ACTIVE FOREARMS A second cause of the shank comes from working the club too much on the inside in the takeaway at the start of the swing. This comes from an over-rotation from the forearms to begin the motion. This move not only opens the clubface excessively very early in the swing, but the club will also work on a flatter plane early.

Both of these force the hosel to be working more towards the ball in the downswing. It’s difficult to recover the club from here. I’ve positioned a cane in my grip to highlight this point. When the club is on-plane, the cane would point down the target when the clubhead reaches hip height.

76 GOLF ASIA

PLANE CHECK DRILL To fix the shank, it’s important you set the club on-plane in the takeaway as this sets a trend for the rest of the swing so no compensations need to be made. The position we’re after in the takeaway is the club being swung on the line of the toes, with the right shoulder turning to start the backswing. Place a cane in the ground away from your target on the same angle as your shaft at address, far enough away from the ball so you don’t strike it when you swing. Ideally, you’d use a mirror to check this position. This cane will now provide a reference for you to follow during the rest of the swing.

CLUB MOVES IN FRONT Golfers who shank the ball from a suspect takeaway will take the clubhead away on the inside of the cane, usually with the hands outside it. Instead, your goal is to work the club away with its head outside the cane when the shaft reaches parallel to the ground. This feeling of the club working more out in front of you, on-plane, in the backswing will help you replicate this in the downswing, reducing the likelihood of a shank.

While you have the cane set up, you can use it to check your clubface is square. In this stage of the swing having the face match the angle of the left arm indicates square.

GOLF ASIA 77

GOLFING INSTRUCTION 1

2

3

CAUSE THREE

SWINGING DOWN UNDER PLANE 1. EXCESSIVE INSIDE APPROACH Shanks can also occur when the clubhead approaches the ball too far from the inside and the hands get too far away from the body at impact, presenting the hosel to the ball rather than the sweetspot. There are many causes of this and the swing doesn’t need to be very far under plane for the shank to occur, which is why good players may shank the ball in this manner.

From a down-the-line view, the clubhead should be in front of the body in the downswing when the shaft is level with the ground. Here, you can clearly see the clubhead is way inside this, which creates an excessively in-to-out path.

78 GOLF ASIA

2. SHOULDERS TOO STEEP One of the main causes of the club moving into the ball too much from the inside is the hips thrusting toward the ball in the downswing, which makes the shoulders tilt upwards. You can see with the cane across the shoulders how much higher the left shoulder is than the right. Another cause of this is the upper body hanging back during the downswing - see also how far the sternum is behind the ball. This will contribute to the angle of attack being far too shallow with an iron and a flicking motion of the hands through impact with the hosel moving toward the ball excessively.

3. SWING MORE LEVEL The feeling golfers who shank the ball in this manner need to work on, is that the shoulders are more level in the downswing. This will naturally get the club more out in front of the body in the downswing, getting the shaft more on-plane and the angle of attack steeper into the ball. Notice how the cane across my shoulders is far more level with the torso covering the ball much more efficiently, which provides the needed compression for an iron shot. This feeling also allows the club to be squarer to the target for longer through the hitting area, which should serve to reduce your dispersion.

1

2

CAUSE FOUR

AN OUTSIDE APPROACH 1. THROWN FROM THE TOP An extremely common downswing move for amateurs is something known as ‘casting’, where the club is thrown from the top of the swing with the upper body with the weight falling back onto the right foot. This is the main cause of a slice but can also cause a shank. Notice how in this image the hosel is closer to the ball than the sweetspot – naturally promoting a shank.

2. PULL YOUR POCKET A great drill or feeling to fix this ‘over-the-top’ fault is to grab hold of your left pocket and get the feeling of pulling it up and behind you on the way down.

This moves the hips towards the target, shallowing the plane and creating room for the club to swing down on the correct line. Make some rehearsals to build the feeling, then try and move the hips in the same manner when you hit the ball.

GOLF ASIA 79

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GOLF ASIA 81

GOLFING PROFILE

82 GOLF ASIA

A Small Man With A Big Heart The Asian Tour’s Order of Merit crown has never been won by a South African, but victory at the season-opening Avantha Masters has put Jbe Kruger in the driver’s seat. The slightly built Kruger may seem like a kid competing in a junior golf competition due to his small frame and physique but don’t be mistaken for his big heart and big-hitting game.

A

t a mere 1.66 metres in height, pint-sized Jbe Kruger is enjoying the view from the top of the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit rankings. The South African lightweight currently leads the race to become the region’s new number one, thanks to a career-breakthrough triumph at the Avantha Masters in India in February.

It was a welcome relief for the 26-yearold golfer from Bloemfontein as he was starting to let the unwanted moniker of being Asia’s perennial bridesmaid stick to his name following 12 top-10s, including three runner-up finishes in the previous three seasons on the Asian Tour.

“The Avantha win gave me confidence.

All of you guys know I had finished second all the time. It’s made me more confident and made me a better golfer mentally. To try to win and reach something and not getting there drains you. But to finally get it, it makes everything worthwhile and makes you believe that everything works out for the best,” said Kruger.

Kruger is a standout amongst the

international players on the growing Asian Tour, the region’s elite Tour and the only official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia. He is often beaming from ear to ear, greeting fellow competitors and fans in between golf shots and holes. But when he is inside the ropes, Kruger is 100 per cent committed and focused at the task at hand.

While he is small in nature, the South African, who weighs only 60kg, can certainly pack a big wallop with the big stick where he averages over 300 yards from off the tees. At first glance, many could mistake him more like a welterweight wrestler than a professional golfer. Kruger said his father, who is a keen marathon runner, is his biggest inspiration.

Similarly built, Kruger learned that he needed to push his body to the limit to make up for his lack of physique.

“My father is a keen sportsman. He plays every sport and he’s good in everything.

Being a kid, seeing him so competitive definitely gave me the edge and I wanted to be competitive in the things that I do. From

an early age, I saw the only thing that made him competitive was through hard work.

He was the hardest worker I’ve seen in my whole life. That was why I work the way I do,” said Kruger.

He said the power in his golf comes from strong legs and arms plus quick hips.

As a youngster, Kruger would run up small hills with a tractor wheel in tow to build up his strength and stamina.

“I’m small but I think I’m strong,” said Kruger with a smile.

“It definitely comes from my hips. It’s a part that’s strong and I’ve got strong hands. It helps. I work out a lot. Growing up with a father than runs every day of his life, I also ran competitively until I was 16 or 17.

“If you do that, you also have to do uphill runs. I saw him doing that. It’s not just running long distances. Running uphill and dragging something at the back definitely makes you stronger.

That’s what I did.

“I used to drag along a tractor wheel up a gravel road. It was like some 500 yards uphill but we would go up and down, up and down, up and down. It’s never easy.

I don’t do it at the moment but I should start doing it again! That made me a lot stronger than what I would have been,” said Kruger.

While there is half the season to go yet in the 2012 campaign, Kruger knows the Merit fight is just beginning. “I can’t really say I’m on top of the world right now.

Leading the Order of Merit is an honour.

To be able to sit on the same table with great names like Jeev (Singh) it’s an honour,” said the softly spoken Kruger.

He joined the Asian Tour in 2009 and GOLF ASIA 83

GOLFING PROFILE made an impact. But fate dealt him several low blows. He finished second on three occasions in 2010 and was in the top-10 six times in 2011 to finish fourth on the Order of Merit.

The win in India came as a relief and vindication for the man who is a devout Christian.

“God has got a bigger plan. But all the seconds definitely prepared me to win and to appreciate the win better. I think it definitely made me a better golfer. You desperately want it but I can’t really say it. If it came early in my career, it may not have been as satisfying as after finishing second so many times.”

His triumph in India gave him an exemption into the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship in the United States, a gathering of the best players in the world in March. With countrymen Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel, who are a few years older than him, having won Majors in recent years, Kruger believes he can also attain the Holy Grail in golf.

“Doral was an eye opener. It was a phenomenal experience, to play with the best in the world. To compete with them, standing on the same putting greens definitely makes you feel worthy which is a main thing as a golfer,” he said.

“I’m a few years younger than Charl and Louis. It makes you believe that you can also do it. They came from the same country, same juniors, and same amateur circuit. Seeing what they did definitely makes you believe you can do it. Being friends with them, you know their swings and capabilities and definitely makes me believe that I can also do it.

“I want to play in America in the next four or five years. Next couple of years, I see myself playing in Europe and will try to finish as high as I can on the Order of Merit. I also want to win the Order of Merit on the Asian Tour,” he said.

He was a keen observer during the Cadillac Championship, watching players go through the motion. And he reckons he now knows the secret to their success.

“Short game is the big difference. Those guys are extremely good. They swing the 84 GOLF ASIA

club well. I don’t think many people in the world can hit the ball better than me. But their short game is tremendous. If they miss a green, they’ll make par nine out of 10 times. That’s the difference. They don’t make simple or stupid mistakes, which cost me a lot of money every year. I think that’s the big thing,” he said.

Kruger said his journey on the Asian Tour has certainly shaped his career.

“It gave me experience especially the first couple of years. I was alone and it shaped me into a stronger person.

Everybody desperately needs experience and that’s why I’m a better golfer now.

Different weather, different grasses, different greens make you a more complete player. You can’t have the skill set like this if you go straight to Europe

or America. You need to learn everything there needs to learn in Asia and that’s what makes it so special,” said Kruger. (An exclusive from The Asian Tour)

JBE KRUGER FACT FILE COUNTRY: South Africa DATE OF BIRTH: June 23, 1986 RESIDENCE: Bloemfontein FAMILY: Single TURNED PRO: 2007 ASIAN TOUR VICTORY: (1) 2012 Avantha Masters, India PRO WINS: (2) 2010 Zimbabwe Open, 2009 Zambia Open AMATEUR WINS: 6 wins in South Africa

ESCAPE

R E G I O N A L • I N T E R N AT I O N A L • L I S T I N G S

ESCAPE SCOTLAND

86 GOLF ASIA

TRUMP INTERNATIONAL

The First Verdict Donald Trump’s Scottish links has been created to a backdrop of drama and intrigue – and here are the first golfers in the world to play it

BY CHRIS BERTRAM • PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOWARD BOYLAN

GOLF ASIA 87

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T

he first divot. The first chip and run. The first thinned bunker shot and the first putt. At Trump International Links, we were responsible for them all. Partly due to “The Donald’s” ability to create headlines, partly down to the special piece of land on which the course is built, the level of expectation has been enormous. And whether it is a film, a footballer or a golf course, with that huge expectation comes a very real possibility of disappointment. But as we walked off the course, disappointment was not our primary emotion. This is a special new links, the like of which we may not witness again for half a century 88 GOLF ASIA

– possibly ever – in Britain.

Not many developers have this kind of capital to pump into a project. Fewer still are inclined to sink it into 18 holes. And perhaps rarest of all is the land on which Trump International is built; he examined over 100 sites – including an Irish property he was close to buying – before he set his heart on the Balmedie dunes.

And all that has contributed to the course being the highest entry in Golf World’s new Top 100 ranking.

Designed by the R&A’s preferred architect, Martin Hawtree, it is spectacular without being overtly showy, unremittingly exacting without being grossly unfair. It is stunning in both

bright sunshine and driving rain (we experienced both). It is breathtaking and intimidating, classy and sensational.

We are confident such descriptions are closer to caution than hyperbole.

Only the biggest dunes were used; it’s not a course which knowingly undersells itself. Its brilliance is immediately obvious, and then relentlessly hole after hole. Most follow the valley floor between huge sand hills unique in Scotland. In my experience only sections of Ballybunion and Carne are comparative. But here you get the sheer size of dune more consistently.

Some designers may have been tempted to route some holes on the less dynamic, flatter land to add variety – not

The par-5 4th is the southernmost point on the course and is defended by a battery of bunkers.

Be prepared for pitches over humps and hazards.

‘It’s clear it is going to be a great venue so I can’t see why it would not hold a great tournament’ SANDY JONES, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE PGA

least in terms of direction, because only the 13th is west to east rather than heading north or south within the site’s fairly narrow strip of linksland.

But when the owner announces he is “building the greatest golf course in the world”, one imagines it is difficult to resist using anything other than the most dramatic topography.

There are no obviously weak holes.

The 11th may be the weakest, but this is merely relative. Links Superintendent John Bambury could see it becoming one of the best. The Dubliner guided us round like a proud parent showing us his children’s paintings. He admits he has to get it right here; he has the product, now

he must add the gloss. Asked if northeast Scotland’s climate makes it harder to condition a course as exquisitely as, say, a southern England heathland, he instantly rejects the suggestion. It is difficult to imagine this will not always be a magnificently manicured layout.

Certainly, the bent-fescue greens which extend out to the fringes are already a delight to putt on.

It is proper links fare which purists will salivate over. There are also none of the wicked slopes which can so enrage people; Hawtree has employed gentle ripples rather than steep contours. While the dunes and greens are gloriously linksy, there are fewer views of the sea

The view from the back tees; not for the faint-hearted.

than one expected. It peeps at you regularly – notably on the 3rd green – but the height and density of the dunes mean this is not a Turnberry-like experience, the water lapping the shore as you tee off.

Laid out in two sections, the front nine to the south of the clubhouse and the back nine to the north, it was the protected latter section – a wetland housing many species of birds – which required patience to allow work to begin. It was easy to see why Trump and Hawtree were so keen to use it.

The course begins with a fairly gentle par 5 along the coastal dune ridge. It initially daunts, but on closer inspection you content yourself, quite correctly, it is more forgiving. On the 2nd, the North Sea GOLF ASIA 89

ESCAPE scotland ‘I knew the site was exceptional but it’s very sympathetically done. a true classic links’ George O’Grady, European Tour chief executive

The green on the 3rd offers the first view of the North Sea.

is glimpsed for the first time while the first short hole, the 3rd, is a classic. Five different tees give it so much variety.

The 4th (above) will be a much admired and much photographed par 5 whose fairway ripples away from you with dunes on the left, the burn on the right and bunkers decorating the greenfront. A raised green rejects anything but fine approaches. This is the most southerly point and will be a brute played into the prevailing wind, which is not off the North Sea, as we experienced, but rather from the south west.

You now turn and play a short-ish par 4.

Even off the backs it is just 386 yards and off the ‘Medal’ tees it is 350. With the prevailing wind at their tail, long hitters will fancy blasting over the sea of heather off the elevated tee to leave themselves little more than a chip and run. But cute short par 4s always have plenty of evil defences – here heather, rough and pot bunkers set punishing traps. It is followed by 90 Golf Asia

Hawtree’s favourite, the par-3 6th among a sea of dunes, then an even shorter two shotter – the 281-yard 7th. These shorter par 4s, and the vast teeing options, give variety to the otherwise relentlessly robust links.

The 13 to 15 stretch is the back nine’s highlight. It begins with a par 3 of 229 yards which plays across the property towards the sea. From an elevated tee you hit into a sloping green guarded by four pots. Here in particular required hand planting of thousands of marram grasses. These stabilise the mobile dune structures and this process came at astonishing cost. You march off the back of the green and between two dunes to one of Britain’s most spectacular holes.

That tiny corridor between the sand hills is the door to the Secret Garden; rolled out in front of you from your elevated position is a fairway lined by gargantuan sand hills. It is the best of Waterville and Ballybunion in one hole.

Then comes another fine, shortish two shotter – 323 yards off the Medal – which takes you to the links’ furthest point north. A par 3 into the prevailing wind is followed at 17 by a par 4 which was apparently the subject of most debate between Trump and Hawtree.

The latter won and the former is now said to rate the hole among his favourites.

From there you board one of six tees on the last, where your focus will be on the 18 bunkers – nearly a quarter of the course’s total of 85. At 651 yards off the back tees, this is a brutish par 5 with the wind into.

It is the links’ exacting nature where caution must be struck. Choose the wrong tees and severe punishment will follow; the fairways are relatively tight and lined with dense rough. With winds often strong, it could be a miserable experience for higher handicappers who select wrongly.

Visitors are welcome – and the fee of £150, in comparison with other big-name courses, is modest – but the course has been built to test the elite. The Ryder Cup has been mooted as early as 2022. The Open has been whispered. Certainly, both events go to lesser venues. His course will be prepared; even if a hotel doesn’t happen (due to wind farms), a swish clubhouse and discreet infrastructure are

in place (though not buggy paths because it will, happily, be a walking-only links). So, too, are miles of underground pipes, waiting for TV cables to be fed through.

Trump International awaits the world. We suspect the world will be impressed. a

NUMBERS game From pipes to turf, how the course was created.

2.9 The length of the course

64,000 The length in

longside the shoreline in miles.

metres of irrigation pipe.

10.6 million The number

10 The number of acres of

of individual hand-sown marram grass sprigs which have been planted to stabilise the dunes.

greens turf which has been laid (an average course has 2.5).

7.5 The number of acres of 100 The number of years course design firm Hawtree Ltd have been in existence.

tees turf has been laid (an average course has 2.5).

20 The amount in acres of 3,000 The area in m2 of the practice putting green (average green is 500).

native heather down the side of the 5th fairway.

10 The number of acres of 107 The number of tees serving the 18 holes.

grass pathways laid between all greens and tees.

Golf Asia 91

ESCAPE SCOTLAND

‘I CONSIDER IT A PIECE OF ART’ On his last site visit before opening, Donald Trump spoke exclusively to us

‘It’s been received so well, which is really nice’

92 GOLF ASIA

C

an you place your level of excitement as the course is poised to open in comparison with the excitement you get from your other interests?

I have had great success with my businesses and golf is only a very small part of my business, but that’s why I can afford what we have in Scotland without a mortgage – I don’t have any finance on it and no debt on it. For example, the road in to the property is costing £2m – someone else would spend £2m building the actual course. Or two courses.

The road is a mile-and-a-half long and it will be incredible when you see it – you get amazing sea views as you come down it. I am able to do that because of my success in my other businesses but I would say that I am excited with this course and when people come and say this could be the greatest course in the world, I’d say that is an even greater form of excitement.

As a keen golfer yourself, it must be nice to be able to combine business with one of your pleasures?

Yes it is. I enjoy golf and have been a good golfer and have won club championships and so on. It helps build a course like this; I’ve given Martin Hawtree plenty of suggestions! I’ve been really happy with Martin, I can’t think of anybody who could have done the job he’s done – he’s done it in a very sensitive way, we didn’t rip up the dunes and move them over, we worked round them. They are too big to do that with anyway – it’d take two years to do one dune!

Has the course surpassed even your expectations?

Yes it has. You can only do a course on great land and when I was able to get this land I was delighted. Bandon Dunes is a great place, but their largest dune is smaller than our smallest dune. And it’s like a toy in comparison. That’s why I wanted to do it right and so I went to the R&A and asked who they would recommend and Peter Dawson suggested Martin. It was a great choice. I’m very pleased with it.

Have the obstacles you have faced – and continue to face with the wind farm proposals – during the process made the imminent unveiling of such a stunning course even more satisfying?

Yes it has. But my whole life is obstacles, everybody’s life is obstacles. And it has made it more satisfying. When I bought it people said it would be impossible to build a course there because of all the environmental issues which I understand, but we managed to get the permits. Then they said you’ll never build it because it’s a huge construction job – but we built it. We are opening six months ahead of schedule, which is always good. And we’re pleased with how it’s been done.

Your other courses are American parklands.

Now you have a links, which type of golf do you prefer?

Both. I love the Augusta feel also, but I love the links. It depends on your mood. Up by MacLeod House, which is the old castle, I have a lovely woodland area where you could build an amazing course. But people tell me no matter how good it was people wouldn’t play it – they’d all want to come down to the links.

Has your experience to date of building a course in Aberdeen increased your enthusiasm for getting involved in another golf project – new or existing – in Britain and Ireland?

I’m not looking to have 20 courses. If I did other courses I would do them right here on this site in Aberdeen – I have 2,000 acres on this site, but have used just 500 for the course.

I could have used less, but I didn’t want it crowded. Although if I did, I know I couldn’t top this one, because I have used all the best land, the biggest dunes and so on. The second one could never top this. But I have land which by any other standard would be magnificent. Looking further afield, if I couldn’t do something that’s better than what we have here, I wouldn’t do it.

What would give you greater pleasure: luring the Ryder Cup or an Open to Trump International or it being an enormous commercial success?

I think they might go hand in hand. I’ve taken the best piece of canvas and created the

greatest painting of them all. The rest is down to the officials. Certainly The Open does not move quickly, whereas the Ryder Cup can move quickly and Sandy Jones of the PGA was very impressed when he saw it. All I can do is create the canvas, but it would be an honour to have them there for sure. It’s already commercially successful – we’ve sold thousands and thousands of tee times already.

Few people could fund such an ambitious project; has it been worth the cost and has your desire for something really special blown all predicted budgets?

Dollar wise, I can’t imagine it’s ever going to be a great investment because it is very expensive to create in the first place. But from

my own standpoint I consider it a piece of art. How can you ever justify a piece of art?

You justify it by the magnificence of it. So I am very satisfied with it. It’s lucky I don’t have a £75m or £100m mortgage on it because if you did it would be very hard to justify it. Most of my courses are rated top level – the No.1 in California, the No.1 in Florida and so on – but this one is beyond special. We’ve had golf people come and have a look at it and they’ve been sceptical, but they’ve left saying it’s the greatest course they’ve seen. It’s been received so well, which is really nice.

Is the fact you have no debt on this project the reason you can see the green fees at, for a course of this quality, a relatively reasonable rate?

Exactly right. I didn’t want to screw people for a huge amount of money, I want to keep it in the realm of reality. I didn’t want to make it so expensive that they couldn’t play it or didn’t want to play it.

GOLF ASIA 93

ESCAPE SABAH

Aerial view of the Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort.

Golf In The Land Below The Wind

BY PAUL MYERS

One good reason to visit Sabah is its location. Once known as “The land below the wind”, a reference to Sabah’s location below the typhoon belt that often brings devastating storms to the coastlines of the Philippines, Vietnam and South China, it enjoys a moderate climate that enables golf to be played all year

94 GOLF ASIA

I

t’s just a stone’s throw across the South China Sea, only as far from Singapore as Bangkok, closer than Bali and easily accessible from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and other parts of South-East Asia.

But too often Malaysia’s most eastern state of Sabah on the island of Borneo is off the golf and tourism radar.

It shouldn’t be. Sabah has more than its share of attractions, of which golf is just one. A pristine environment, broad mix of cultures and religions, stunning landscapes and seascapes, intriguing wildlife, a rrich colonial history and relaxed way of life make Sabah one of the most appealing destinations in South-East Asia.

And the golf? It’s comparable to anything else in Malaysia and better than most high-profile RESORT DESTINATIONS IN ASIA. One good reason to visit Sabah is its location. Once known as “The land below

the wind”, a reference to Sabah’s location below the typhoon belt that often brings devastating storms to the coastlines of the Philippines, Vietnam and south China, it enjoys a moderate climate that enables golf to be played all year.

The capital, Kota Kinabalu, known as KK, has less than half a million residents, is only 10 minutes from the airport, sits handsomely beside the turquoise waters of the South China Sea and has a championship golf course on its doorstep.

Recognising their potential to substantially increase international golf tourism, Sabah’s two leading golf resorts have put aside any competitive differences to form a destination-marketing program called Sabah Golf (www.sabah-golf.com).

Sabah Golf, comprising Sutera Harbour Resort and the Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort, the latter being home to Dalit Bay Golf Club, showcases some of the most friendly, accessible and enjoyable golf in South-East Asia. It means Sabah

“Sabah isn’t as well known as some other golf destinations, but when people learn about its wonderful flora, fauna and natural attractions – as well as the golf – I am sure they will want to come.” won’t be flying under the golf tourism radar any longer.

The two courses hosted the World Amateur Inter-Team Golf Championship in April, at the same time as a group of 33 tour operators from Europe, Australia and other markets were visiting the properties before the International Association of Golf Tourism Operators inaugural convention in South East Asia, held in Kuala Lumpur.

Their verdict? A big thumbs-up for

Night golf is available only at Sutera Harbour

GOLF ASIA 95

ESCAPE SABAH

Sabah as an enticing golf tourism destination. As any tour operator will attest, most golf tourists are looking for something different and Sabah certainly fits this bill.

“The golf is great, but what is also appealing about Sabah is the nature,” said German tour operator, Manfred Rauno.

“Sabah isn’t as well known as some other golf destinations, but when people learn about its wonderful flora, fauna and natural attractions – as well as the golf – I am sure they will want to come.”

Manfred Rauno believes Sabah is an ideal add-on destination for golf tourists visiting Singapore, the Malay peninsular and other South East Asian markets.

“Combined with a visit to major cities like Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, it’s a great fit,” Manfred Rauno said.

The two major golf resorts certainly meet the criteria standards of international golf travellers.

Sutera Harbour, a large complex that, as its name implies, nestles on its own mini harbour on the edge of Kota Kinabalu, 96 GOLF ASIA

boasts 27 holes of championship golf designed by former Australian tour pro, Graham Marsh.

Host of two stages of the One Asia qualifying school in 2012 and 2013, Sutera Harbour’s golf credentials are considerable. Split into three nines – Garden, Lakes and Heritage – every hole plays within sight of the sea, the city or the resort hotels. Despite a relatively flat layout, Marsh’s clever use of mounds and bunkering – combined with manmade water – makes it an interesting and enjoyable test of golf. Coconut palms present a visual differentiation between holes and frequent views across the South China Sea to the Manukan Islands, as well as to Kota Kinabalu itself, inject a scenic element to the complex.

Sutera Harbour also has the only night golf in East Malaysia, providing a pleasant outlet during the mild evenings that characterise this part of the tropics and, if you’re willing, enabling 17 hours of golf to be played each day!

Among the best holes are the short

par-4, 24th hole on the Garden layout that plays right beside the water and has a precariously placed green. Miss it to the left and you’re ball is dead; play right and you’ll have an awkward chip to the pin.

There are also many beautiful holes on the Lakes and Heritage layouts, perhaps none better than the par-3 sixth hole on the Heritage course that requires an accurate tee shot to avoid water in front and heavy bunkering on either side of the green.

British PGA professional Neil Douglas runs the Golf Academy Borneo at Sutera Harbour, conducts lessons for guests of the resort. There are also two three and five-day golf school programs to sharpen up any golfer’s game, whatever their level. Sutera Harbour’s green fees for 18 holes are MYR250 on weekdays (approx.

SGD100 for hotel guests and MYR330 (approx. SGD134) at weekends.

Just 45 minutes along the coast from Kota Kinabalu, Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort is home to Dalit Bay Golf Club, situated at the entrance to the property. This beautiful water and woodlands course rests in the

shadow of the 4095 metre-Mt Kinabalu, the highest mountain in South East Asia.

Set within the 400-acre resort that nudges the South China Sea at Pantai Dalit beach, the golf course was designed by another Australian, Ted Parslow. Bordered by the Tambalang and Mangkabong rivers with stunning vistas to Mt Kinabalu in the distance, it offers a classic wetland golf experience with water on every hole.

The course can be easily walked, or golfers may take carts if they wish. The mountain scenery provides a perfect backdrop for an enjoyable round at any time of year.

The signature hole, the par-3 11th, plays across the mouth of the Tambalang River, right beside the South China Sea. Like every hole on the course, a precise shot is needed to avoid a wet result.

An Australian PGA member, Aaron Johnston, is Dalit Bay’s professional and an accredited AAA instructor.

He nominates the tricky par-4, 13th hole,

measuring 361 metres from the back tees, as his favourite. The dogleg left hole is set among natural mangrove wetlands of the Tambalang river, which runs along its full length. A daunting tee shot over natural wetlands to a narrowing fairway guarded by a bunker on the right-hand side is a real challenge. Magnificent views of Mt Kinabalu await as you hit into the green.

The green fee for 18 holes at Dalit Bay is MYR320 per person (approx. SGD128 including buggy and insurance) and MYR260 (approx. SGD105) for nine holes.

A special highlight of the Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort is its nature reserve, established in 1996 in collaboration with the State Wildlife Department of Sabah.

The reserve protects endangered species of fauna in Sabah and species that that are endemic to the region.

Here visitors can see at first hand how orang-utans and other species are being protected from human intervention.

Typically, young orang-utans are brought

into the reserve where they are fed and nurtured until able to fend for themselves, when they are released back into their natural habitat.

ABOUT SABAH Located closer to the Philippines than the Malay peninsular, Sabah is a potpourri of cultures and religions. Its three million inhabitants comprise 32 ethnic groups that live in peaceful harmony. Almost a third of the population is Filipino or Indonesian and 10 percent are of Chinese origin.

Formerly known as British North Borneo, Sabah and much larger neighbouring Sarawak are Malaysia’s two most eastern states on the island of Borneo. They joined the Malay federation after North Borneo achieved independence from Britain in 1963.

STAY & PLAY PACKAGES ■ Sutera Harbour Resort: from MYR 680/ room/night (approx. SGD 274) for two

Beautiful backdrop at the Sutera Harbour Resort.

GOLF ASIA 97

ESCAPE SABAH people, based on minimum three-night stay with buffet breakfasts, two rounds of golf each and spa treatment.

■ Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort: from MYR 1195/room/night (approx. SGD 480) for two people, based on minimum threenight stay, two rounds of golf each and return airport transfers.

GETTING THERE/WHAT TO DO Air Asia and Silkair fly direct to Kota Kinabalu from Singapore. As well as golf, among Sabah’s other highlights are Kinabalu Park, which in 2000 became Sabah’s first World Heritage site, and to Mt Kinabalu itself; a steam train trip on the 36-mile North Borneo Railway, which first operated in 1914; and a short boat trip from Sutera Harbour Resort to Manukan Island, the second largest island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine National Park.

For more information, visit www.sabahgolf.com

The visitors can see at first hand how orangutans and other species are being protected from human intervention.

98 GOLF ASIA

ESCAPE LISTINGS singapore

maLaysia

Laguna nationaL goLf & Country CLub

KuaLa Lumpur goLf & Country CLub

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sentosa goLf CLub

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ESCAPE REGIONAL LISTINGS

paLm resort goLf & Country CLub

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Laguna bintan goLf CLub

jLn perSiaran goLf, off jLn jumbo, 81250,

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indonesia

goLf LinK resorts

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pT inTra goLfLink reSorTS, jL. kebon Sirih

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China

damai indah goLf

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CengKareng goLf CLub

bintan Lagoon resort

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100 GOLF ASIA

BRUNEI

Spring City Golf & Lake Resort

Royal Brunei GCC

pantai mentiri golf club

Tang Chi, Yi Liang, Kunming,

Jerudong, BG 3122, Negara Brunei

KM 15 ½ Jalan Kota Baru, BSB 8673,

Yunnan, China.

Darussalam

Negara Brunei Darussalam

Tel: (86) 871 767 1188, Fax: (86) 871 767 1185

Tel : +673 2611582 Fax : +673 2610201

tel: +673 279 1021 fax: +673 279 0773

Website: www.springcityresort.com

Email : golf.mgr@jpcc.com.bn

website: www.pantaimentirigolfclub.com

Website: www.jerudongparkcountryclub.

email: infodesk@ pantaimentirigolfclub.com

Email: frontoffice@springcityresort.com

com/golf/index.html

Dragon Lake

The Empire HOTEL & Country Club

royal brunei airlines golf club

International Golf Club

Jerudong BG 3122 Negara Brunei

Brunei International Airport Road,

Guan Yin Yan Reservoir, Wangcheng District

Darussalam

Berakas BB3577,

Changsha, Hunan Province, 410217 CHINA.

Tel: +673 241 8888, Fax: +673 241 7815

Negara Brunei Darussalam

Tel: (86) 731 838 8270, Fax: (86) 731 838 8277

Email: nigel.taylor@theempirehotel.com

tel: +673 234 3724 Fax: +673 234 3726

Website: www.dragonlakegolf.com

Website: www.theempirehotel.com

email: rbagc.gm@gmail.com

Golf Asia 101

LUXE T I M E P I E C E S • S T Y L E • G RO O M I N G • G A D G E T S • AU TO S

LUXE timepieces Patek Philippe Perfect for globetrotters, Patek Philippe Ref.5130/1R-001 World Time allows one to easily refer to 24 different time zones around the world. Using the calibre 240HU with mechanical self-winding movement, it also features a single pusher that corrects all indications of the time zones when on the move. Heightening its aesthetics is the metal bracelet in rose gold with gold dial and guilloched sunburst brown centre, providing a dash of class.

A.Lange & Sohne A classic and simple look with a touch of sophistication is what Saxonia Thin is all about. Being the slimmest watch ever crafted by the Saxon manufactory and previously only available in pink gold, it now comes in a noble white-gold version. The 12 delicate baton hour markers on the argenté-coloured solid-silver dial are as minimalistic as it is easily recognised as an A.Lange & Sohne masterpiece.

The manually wound calibre L093.1 movement explicitly achieve a slender silhouette, and when fully wound, it is able to run for 72 hours.

Audemars Piguet As its name suggests, the Extra-Thin Royal Oak Tourbillon is a super cool, ultra-thin beauty with the new hand-wound calibre 2924, which features a three-quarter bridge on the underside and is one of the thinnest of its kind at just 4.46mm. The 216-part calibre beats at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour and has a 70-hour power reserve. Topping it off is the collection’s signature octagonal bezel, exquisite while exuding sturdiness. What’s interesting is its power-reserve indicator – divided into five segments – is placed on the back so as not to disturb the pure and understated beauty of its dial.

IWC Schaffhausen Boasting 24 time zones, including the UTC on the watch dial, Pilot’s Watch Worldtimer focuses on displaying the time differences around the world, and enables one to identify the time zones at a glance. A peripheral 24-hour ring is divided into black and white sections, giving a clear distinction between day and night. It is also adorned with a black alligator strap and a folding clasp, exuding an easy sartorial feel. From London to Beijing to Mexico, this selfwinding watch is perfect for jetsetters.

104 Golf Asia

Roger Dubuis La Monegasque Flying Tourbillon is the result of contemporary fine watchmaking. Its outlook is breathtaking – a uniquely designed dial with a pink gold flying tourbillon and power-reserve indicator. Using a RD540 calibre, this watch has 293 parts and is water-resistant up to 50 metres, and runs at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour with a power reserve of 60 hours.

Breguet The 7067 is the epitome of transparency – its distinctive architecture features the opening of the main components of the movement, which can be admired from every angle. The button on the caseband at 10 o’ clock sets the time zone, while a second engine at 8 o’clock shows the reference time with its day/night indicator, alternating between silver and black. Fitted into a 40mm diameter case in rose or white gold and fixed to an elegant leather strap, this is the talking piece.

Piaget By using grade five titanium as its case material, Piaget Polo FortyFive is both sturdy and lightweight. The 880P calibre with mechanical self-winding chronograph movement displays the hour and minute functions, along with small seconds at 6 o’clock, the date at 12 o’clock and a second 24hour time zone at 9 o’clock.

Its bezel is decorated with steel gadroons at regular intervals, while the applied hour markers, hour and minute hands are brightened with luminescent material.

Cvstos The most striking part of this watch is its black and red Super-Luminova index that has been brilliantly treated with Cvstos technology. Boasting a Cvstos 577 calibre, this sportychic timepiece has a power reserve of 48 hours with 28,800 vibrations per hour. Part of the ‘Grand Prix’ serigraphy, its strap is made of black alligator skin with red stitching, lining leather in red Alcantara with antiperspirant effect.

Golf Asia 105

LUXE timepieces U-Boat Another signature piece from U-Boat, U-42 GMT has a brass dial and hands, 24-hour hand with time-zones mechanism and a display of the dates in window. It is water and press-resistance measuring up to 300 metres, and has a power reserve of 48 hours. The brown leather strap is handcrafted and fitted with a titanium tongue buckle.

Omega What caught our attention on the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Ceragold watch are the 18 Ct red gold incrustations into a ZrO2 ceramic base, forming a beautiful hue that encapsulates the whole of its case. This watch works on calibre 9301, which has a self-winding movement in both directions, and features a unidirectional rotating diving bezel, polished black ceramic bezel ring with Ceragold diving scale.

Tudor Tudor Pelagos is made entirely out of titanium and completely satin-finished, and is waterproof to a depth of 500 metres, which is ideal for diving and other water activities. Besides having a helium valve installed on the side of the straightedge case, it also has an enhanced unidirectional rotatable bezel, matt black dial and luminescent numerals, which enables readability of its hour markers and luminescent ‘snowflakes’ hands even under extreme conditions. Choose between a titanium bracelet that comes with a unique spring-loaded self-adjusting mechanism, or go with a rubber strap with an extension system that can be easily worn over a diving suit.

Bell & Ross The Aviation collection is inspired by the instrumentation of aircraft cockpits and focuses on four fundamental requirements – legibility, functionality, precision and water-resistance. The BR 01 Horizon is the manifestation of such qualities. An innovative display of time, its dial is divided into two parts – the sky in grey and the earth in black. A white horizon line marking the 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock separates these two parts, which is just like what a pilot would see from the cockpit. It is finished with an anti-reflective, matte black carbon for clear visibility.

106 Golf Asia

Tissot Available from the second half of this year, Le Locle Automatic Chronometer Edition is a magnificent timepiece that displays a beautifully guilloche dial and fine hands, coupled with stylish Arabic numerals in rose gold. What is more exquisite is its case back – a see-through surface with fine engravings that are decorated on the rose gold surface. This piece is available with a stainless steel bracelet or a leather strap.

Raymond Weil Drawing inspiration from music is the new maestro Quantième à Aiguille – a product of excellent workmanship and expertise, with an aesthetically designed outlook that only sets to impress. The two indicators at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock display the temporal passage of the date and the seconds respectively.

Its silver dial is embellished with a sunray guilloche decoration in the central zone and a concentric musical stave motif, punctuated only by black Roman numerals.

Jaquet Droz Expressing the love of sport with a touch of luxury, Jaquet Droz Tourbillon showcases a stunning tourbillon at the top of its dial. The extraordinary complexity of its mechanism can be seen on the tourbillon, which also serves as the seconds hand. Positioned opposite, the hours and minutes counter uses classical Roman numerals coated with white Super-LumiNova that sets a stark contrast to its black rubber treatment of the dial. Enhancing the beauty of the dial is the 45mm case that is highlighted by the shimmer of red gold and fine fluting on the bezel.

Louis Erard Limited to only 80 pieces worldwide, Louis Erard Excellence embodies the essence of neo-classical beauty, together with a delicate blend of horological tradition and modern design.

Boasting a movement of mechanical hand-wound, ETA Calibre 7001 RM 10 with in-house power reserve complication, which juxtaposes exquisite style with intricate technology. The case is made of 18k rose gold attached to a black or chestnut brown alligator leather with 18K rose gold pin buckle.

Golf Asia 107

LUXE TIMEPIECES

FAIR DEAL

BY ALVIN WONG

PICTURES © BASELWORLD & SIHH

• The BaselWorld Watch & Jewellery Fair, which is held in Basel in April, has its roots in the Schweizer Mustermesse Basel, a Swiss trade fair that started in 1917 • The Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH), which takes place in Geneva in February, started in 1992 and initially comprised five brands – Baume & Mercier, Cartier, Piaget, Gerald Genta and Franck Muller • The objective for the separate, byinvitation-only SIHH was to create a more exclusive environment suited to a luxury exhibition. BaselWorld, on the other hand, is open to the public 108 GOLF ASIA

A five-minute cheat sheet to the annual Basel and Geneva watch fairs

• This year, SIHH has grown to comprise 18 exhibitors – largely brands from the Richemont Group. Meantime, BaselWorld 2012 remains the world’s largest watch and jewellery fair with 1,815 exhibitors, anchored by brands such as Rolex and Patek Philippe, as well as brands from The Swatch Group and Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessey (LVMH) conglomerates.

designs; retro-style two-tone watches; practical complications such as perpetual calendars and multi-time zone watches; and timepieces performance-enhancing features such as longer power reserve and high-frequency mechanisms that allow for greater precision

• Key watch trends from this year’s SIHH include the revival of iconic timepieces; a return to classically inspired designs; and subtle, highly wearable jewellery timepieces for the ladies

• China’s increasing dominance in the luxury market has been keenly felt at both watch fairs. It has been said that the recent resurgence of classical and vintage watch designs are due to watch brands trying to appeal to the tastes of Chinese luxury consumers

• Over at BaselWorld 2012, trends point to vintage and military-inspired

• Besides perusing big-name brands, visitors to BaselWorld often head to the

Académie Horlogère Des Créateurs Indépendants (AHCI) area, where a tight-knit collective of independent watchmakers such as Vianney Halter and Stepan Sarparneva exhibit their latest creations. Eschewing mass production for uncompromising creativity and craftsmanship, these watchmakers are known to display some of the watch trade’s most astounding works • Next year will see significant changes for both SIHH and BaselWorld. GirardPerregaux and JeanRichard will leave SIHH to exhibit at BaselWorld, which in turn, will be premiering new layout plans and design for its exhibition halls.

GOLF ASIA 109

LUXE TIMEPIECES

HEART CORE

Just how tough is your Rolex? The answer lies deep underneath its hood

BY ALVIN WONG

PICTURES © ROLEX

G

iven the affinity that Rolex shares with the world of golf, we totally empathise when its fans feel inspired to march out onto the green welding their trusty Daytonas or Submariners. After all, if the swing falls short, at least one’s style sensibility remains intact.

But is it wise to subject a Rolex watch to rigours of golfing activities? Well, the short answer is: Not really.

However, if you really wanted to – though we’re not advocating it – there are plenty of positive testimonies on internet forums that might assuage your concerns.

The point we are trying to make is this – while watch buffs need to be smart about caring for their Rolexes, these pedigreed timepieces are no softies either.

Robustness is a virtue that the watch company holds dear to its heart. The toughness of its watches is one that Rolex has painstakingly cultivated from the inside out so that they tick with optimum precision

110 GOLF ASIA

regardless of magnetic interferences or mistimed shocks.

Rolex’s hardiness is readily apparent on aesthetic features such as its sturdy watch cases and ultra-secure metal bracelets.

But scratch beneath the surface, and one realises that inner strength is just as vital.

To understand the resilience of Rolex’s internal mechanism, one needs to know a little about how mechanical watches work.

Here’s a quick crash course: At the heart of a mechanical watch is a component called the balance, which makes the watch tick. A balance comprises a balance wheel and a hairspring. Together, they act as an oscillator that regulates a watch’s timing – sort of like what a pendulum does for a grandfather’s clock.

And here is where it gets interesting.

While all mechanical watches rely on hairsprings – super-thin, thread-like metal springs that, when fully coiled, are smaller than the nail on your pinkie – Rolex has its

own version called the Parachrom, which trumps the competition simply because it is much hardier and more sophisticated.

Compared to traditional hairsprings, the Parachrom is 10 times more accurate when subjected to shocks. It is also less susceptible to magnetic interferences and temperature changes.

Years of research preceded the Parachrom hairspring’s debut in 2000.

Typical of Rolex, much about it is shrouded in secrecy. But what we do know is this – it is made of an exclusive niobium and zirconium alloy, which is fused by extreme heat and intense electrical voltage, along with precise doses of oxygen. Later in 2005, a blue version was introduced, the hue a result of a process to further fortify the hairspring’s surface.

Flagged then as one of the company’s most important modern innovations, the Parachrom hairspring is now the watch industry’s standard-bearer for mechanical precision and ultra-resistance.

Today, it beats at the heart of Rolex’s most popular models, as well as all of its latest roll-outs, including this year’s highly rated Sky-Dweller two-time zone watch, and new versions of the Submariner and Yacht-Master.

So the next time you agonise about your watch of choice prior to a tee-off, don’t be so quick to pass judgment on your Rolex.

At least you now know that it has got your back – much better, in fact, than what’s available out there.

BORN READY Few watches arrive as fully formed as Patek Philippe’s 1970s maritimeinspired classic, the Nautilus BY alvin wong

Pictures © patek philippe sa

I

t has become a tradition for the Sterns, the family who owns Patek Philippe, to gift its young ones a Nautilus watch when they turn 18. Thierry Stern, current fourth-generation president of the illustrious watch brand, remembers his first Nautilus clearly.

“It was a big deal,” says the 42-yearold. “Those below that age in our family do not wear Pateks. Why? Because it would almost be like giving a Ferrari to an 18-year-old – the young wouldn’t be able to fully appreciate the value of such a gift.”

Whether Stern fully understood the significance of owning his first Patek Philippe watch when he was barely out of his teens, we’ll never know. What is more interesting to watch buffs, though, is his family’s choice of watch as a milestone marker.

It appears wonderfully apt that the Sterns have adopted the Nautilus, an icon of sports timekeeping virility from the 1970s, as their personal coming-of-age watch. After all, the Nautilus’ own launch in 1976 marked a bold detour from Patek Philippe’s celebrated stable of classically inclined watches. It was an assertion, if you like, of the brand’s rebirth and relevance to the fast-evolving luxury watch market of that time.

Designed by the late Gerald Genta, who was also behind a slew of the decade’s epochal luxury sports watches such as Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak and IWC’s Ingenieur, the Nautilus didn’t conjure up visions of tweed suits and walking canes that its brethrens are wont to evoke.

Instead, brandishing an odd portholeshaped case, with sides that protrude like a horological lionfish, the Nautilus flipped the bird at conventional notions of how luxury watches ought to look and perform.

Where almost all high-end watches of that time were slim and made of gold, the Nautilus was considerably larger and made of steel. And where aesthetic restrain was perceived to best reflect moneyed elegance, the Nautilus’ design was in your face.

It is not at all hyperbolic to suggest that together with the aforementioned

Royal Oak and Ingenuier, the Nautilus rewrote the watch design rulebook in the 1970s. In fact, every chunky, testosteronecharged luxury sports watch that one spots on an off-duty banker today owes a debt of gratitude to the aforementioned precursors of the 1970s.

The Nautilus’ design has proven so indelible, that at its 30th anniversary in 2006, a revamp of the collection was restricted to construction and component upgrades.

The watch cases were enlarged by 1mm to 43mm. Meantime, waterresistance was enhanced with improved case construction, and technical models such as moon phase and annual calendar variants were introduced. Most pertinently, the Nautilus of 2006 looked just like the Nautilus of 1976 – much to the delight of its fans.

As it were, the watch continues to remain largely unchanged, with Stern calling this year’s introduction of white dials that add to the traditional navy ones a “drastic change”.

“The Nautilus was quite radical in the 1970s but today it is a Patek Philippe classic – and it’s never easy to improve on a classic,” opines Stern. Indeed, the Nautilus’ longevity is proof that one needn’t try too hard either. a Golf Asia 111

LUXE timepieces

Tough Love From the regal to the rugged, here are 2012’s manliest timepieces

IWC Big Pilot Chronograph Top Gun Miramar Inspired by the elite pilots’ training programme of the same name, the Top Gun collection was first launched in 2007. This year’s chronograph version oozes military spirit by way of an olive nylon strap and an imposing grey ceramic case. Powering the watch is the equally tough calibre 89365, purportedly one of IWC’s most advanced and robust chronograph movements.

BY alvin wong

A. Lange & Sohne Datograph AUF/AB The original Datograph from 1999 was flagged as a chronograph for discerning collectors. The new Datograph AUF/AB ups the ante with tweaks both inside and out. The watch stores now up to 60 hours of power reserve (an increase from the 36 hours on the original), and has been upsized from 39mm to 41mm.

Patek Philippe Ref. 5204 Split-Seconds Chronograph with Perpetual Calendar A dream for technical watch buffs, the Ref 5204 melds two of Patek Philippe’s best-loved complications – the perpetual calendar, which it debuted in a wristwatch in 1925; and the split-seconds chronograph, which previously appeared in 1996’s Ref. 5004. While the watch’s mechanism boasts six new patents that ensure top-rate precision and stability, it packs as much punch design-wise with Patek’s trademark stateliness.

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Audemars Piguet Openworked Extra-Thin Royal Oak 40th Anniversary For those who are unfamiliar, the Royal Oak is hailed as the world’s first contemporary luxury sports watch when it premiered in 1972.

This 40th anniversary limited edition comes in a 39mm platinum case, which is similar in size to the 1972 original. A poignant tribute, the watch features a skeletonised dial, which invites the wearer to peer into its mechanism.

Montblanc TimeWalker TwinFly Chronograph GreyTech This 43mm chronograph with flyback capability (a feature that allows one to instantly reset and start the stopwatch function with just a push of the button) ensures plenty of substance to go with its melancholic style. Besides grey tones to accentuate its brooding machismo, the watch is powered by a proprietary mechanism that has been fully developed and produced in-house.

Piaget Gouverneur Tourbillon The Gouverneur Tourbillon, as its name suggests, is a decidedly noble timepiece for dapper gents. Distinguished by a unique demeanour that amalgamates round and oval shapes, the watch is also a technical connoisseur’s delight, thanks to its tourbillon mechanism, which helps nullify gravitational errors on mechanical components. To top things off, the watch’s manual-winding movement holds the record as the world’s thinnest tourbillon movement.

Breguet Marine GMT 5857 While better known for classically inclined designs, Breguet offers its fans a sportive – but no less elegant – option with the Marine collection. This year, the watches are endowed with continentcrossing capabilities via a threetime zone display. Meantime, the collection’s signature amalgamation of toughness and refinement are apparent throughout, especially on the fine finishing work on a sturdy 42mm 18k gold case.

Bulgari Octo Maserati Bulgari teams up with Maserati for an explosive show of power and preen-worthiness. Lavished with racecar-inspired accents, the watch features numerous Maserati hat-doffs including radiator grillestyle designs, leather strap in Maserati blue, and the Maserati Trident symbol on the case back.

Meantime, the time-telling display featuring a jumping hour indicator and retrograde chronograph counters is an iconic signature of the Octo collection.

Omega Speedmaster Spacemaster Collectors who are used to Omega’s iconic Speedmaster watches that bear 1960s lineage will find this watch potentially divisive. However, we applaud the watchmaking titan for having the guts to go off-kilter with this retro-licious, titanium-clad and multi-functional quartz chronograph that offers a host of indications spanning time-logging functions for professional pilots to perpetual calendar.

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LUXE style

Summer Cool

CANALI Spring/Summer 2012

Dress smart and look sharp, even in the most abominable weathers

ALFRED DUNHILL Namiki Tanabata fountain pen

CARAN d’ACHE Snakewood cufflinks

ROLEX Oyster Perpetual YachtMaster in Rolesium

TOMMY HILFIGER Square-shaped metal sunglasses

Brioni Full calf card holder

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BALLY Business backpack in black

LUXE grooming

Rejuvenate the Senses

Look good and feel the part too, beginning with these smart grooming picks Crowning Glory Kérastase Fusio-Dose Like fingerprints, there is no one same formula that will fit all when it comes to treating our hair – since anything from colouring and highlights, hair strength, density and dryness can change our scalp’s needs. Enter Kérastase Fusio-Dose: a customised seven-step in-salon treatment to properly pamper your tresses. Beginning with a personal diagnosis, a professional will then prepare an appropriate scalp bath. Next, a concentrated solution is chosen based on your hair’s primary need – colour shine, nourishment, repair and density; before reinforcing the treatment with up to four boosters. The session continues with a hair mask and a final treatment booster, ending with a heatprotective leave-in application before blow-dry to ensure hair is soft, nourished and shiny.

The Healing Touch La Mer The Spring Collection Set Reportedly fans of the brand’s legendary age-reversing Crème de la Mer, Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt must know the healing secrets of this luxurious moisturiser, still a popular top-seller even after 40 years. Powered by the Miracle Broth – a combination of sea kelp and bio-fermentation techniques, what had begun as aerospace physicist Dr. Max Huber’s hopes for a formula that would heal the scars he suffered in a lab accident has since worked transformational wonders on many, La Mer now offering a wide range of various skin-loving products.

If you’ve never tried the formula, then this nifty set is your perfect starter kit. It includes a regenerating serum (15ml) which diminishes lines and firms skin, the signature Crème (30ml) which instantly soothes dry complexions, and an eye concentrate (5ml) for brighter, radiant eyes.

Sporting Ambitions Polo Blue Eau de Toilette sprays While things get heated up in the sporting world over at the London 2012 Olympics, celebrate the spirit of competition and sportsmanship in you with the Polo Blue Sport. The fragrance is deliciously aromatic – with top notes of frosted mint, mandarin and apple for a citrus burst, followed by mellower wafts of ginger and water fern, and sexy base notes consisting musk, sandalwood and patchouli. Cased in a chic white bottle, boldly accentuated with diagonal navy-and-red stripes and sealed with the signature gold pony, this is one fragrance that smells as good as it looks.

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LUXE gadgets

Perfect Blend If you’re a fan of cameras and fashion, then Leica's M9-P Edition Hermes is for you. This collaboration sees the ‘veau swift’ calfskin leather in ‘ocre’ furnishing the silver-chromed camera body. The camera also experiences a stylish facelift, with its top deck, base plate, shutter speed dial multifunction wheel and shutter release tastefully restyled. Limited to only 300 sets worldwide, it comes with a silver-anodised Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH, and a leather shoulder strap.

Icing on the Cake If you’ve already owned an Olympus OM-D camera, it is now time to invest in a quality lens – the M.Zuiko Digital ED 75mm f/1.8 high-grade portrait lens, boasting a sharp, clear imaging performance with aperture fully open at f1.8, which is ideal for studio, stage, indoor sports and portrait photography.

It also has a fast, quiet auto focusing mechanism that facilitates comfortable, stress-free movie as well as still image photography.

N-Generation A winner of the prestigious reddot 2012 design award, ASUS N Series is as beautifully designed as it is engineered. It features SonicMaster Premium audiophile-worthy sound, wide-view screens with up to full HD 1080p, and exclusive ASUS Super Hybrid Engine II technology that offers twosecond instant resume from deep sleep. Operating on Windows 7 Home Premium and storage of 750GB HDD, this powerful notebook is a seamless device that brings you from home to business meetings.

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Smart Talk One of the behemoths in the digital media industry, Samsung presents its latest beauty – Samsung Galaxy S III. Inspired by nature, this is a smart phone that recognises your voice and understands your intentions. Its 4.8” HD super AMOLED screen displays a generous viewing surface and its eight-megapixel camera offers a variety of intelligent camera features and face recognition. Powered by Android's 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, Galaxy S III is packed with intuitive technology that enables one to share information, music and movie files at a rapid transfer speed.

Tangle-Free The hassle of entangled earphones can finally be eased, as Plantronics BackBeat Go allows users to talk on their mobile phone and listen to music tangle-free. The brand’s smallest and lightest wireless earbuds produce deep, rich stereo sound, and its noise reduction technology and built-in echo cancelling improve clarity. By using Bluetooth connectivity, the earphones are compatible with most smartphones, tablets and MP3 players.

TV Redefined Bring cinema to your home with Metz’s new Primus 3D LED television.

This luxury German brand boasts an elegant design of wood, glass and metal, and comes in 55” and 42” screens. The energy-efficient LED picture technology provides the highest of standards in picture quality in terms of vibrancy and rich contrast levels. The new model creates a genuine cinematic experience with Metz 3D technology, while its 3D glasses provides superior wear comfort without the need of battery change or compatibility problems. It also comes with an integrated 750GB digital recorder for you to record your favourite programmes.

Solar Power Does your mobile phone constantly face the issue of a short battery life span? Fret not, as Energizer has brilliantly designed the SP1001 mobile solar charger that enables users to charge their mobile smartphones outdoors and on the go.

It is weatherproof, dust-proof and heat resistant, and at the same time uses only four hours to get fully charged. Suitable for drivers, travellers and outdoor loving people, we recommend this for our golfers who enjoy an outdoor game and ready to take on a call anytime of the day.

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LUXE AUTOS AUDI TT RS PLUS Even more powerful, even faster, even more dynamic, Audi’s iconic TT in both Coupé and Roadster versions stands out in the performance department. Its power-boosted five-cylinder turbo delivers 265 kW (360 hp), sufficient for a top speed of 280 km/h (173.98 mph). The 2.5-liter TFSI in the Audi TT RS plus is a high-performance engine. Compared with the engine on which it is based, this turbocharged direct-injection unit delivers 15 kW (20 hp) more power. It produces 465 Nm (342.97 lb-ft) of torque, 15 Nm (11.06 lb-ft) more than before.

BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT SPEED The marquee’s new performance flagship will also be its fastest production model ever. The Bentley Continental GT Speed coupe tops out at 329 km/h and will have its place among the discerning who place a high value on outright performance, agile handling, distinctive design and sporting luxury. At the heart of the new Bentley Continental GT Speed is an up-rated version of an in-house 6-litre, 48-valve, fourcam, twin turbocharged W12 engine. For the new model, the legendary Bentley W12 develops 625 PS (616 bhp/460 kW) at 6000 rev/min and 800 Nm of torque to deliver thunderous, supercar performance with effortless overtaking capability.

INFINITI IPL G CONVERTIBLE The Infiniti IPL G Convertible is the second member of the Infiniti Performance Line of premium performance vehicles. The new Infiniti IPL G Convertible features special aerodynamic styling pieces, the dynamic performance of an IPL-tuned V6, exhaust and suspension, 19-inch IPL aluminium-alloy wheels, and unique leather-appointed interior - along with the G Convertible’s three-piece retractable hardtop. The IPL G Convertible features an advanced VQ37VHR 3.7-liter V6, with engine management system recalibrated through air-fuel mixture and ignition timing optimization, raising the maximum horsepower output point to 7,400 rpm.

VW SCIROCCO GTS Identifying features of the Volkswagen Scirocco GTS in terms of bodywork are specially designed sports car stripes on the bonnet, roof (including rear spoiler) and tailgate. Red brake callipers (2.0 TSI, 210 PS), custom-designed front and rear bumpers, exposed side sills, body-coloured side trim, wing mirrors colour coordinated with the stripes, burnished 18-inch ‘Thunder’ alloy wheels with black trim, a sporty diffuser and the rear tailgate spoiler from the Scirocco R, plus GTS badges on the front wings finish off the exterior design details to perfection.

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S PECIAL FEATU R E

ARRIVING IN GRANDEUR

PICTURES © TAN CHONG MOTORS

BY JACKSON TOH

B

ased on a brand-new platform, the 2012 Nissan Elgrand which is already into its third generation benefits from a 50mm extended wheelbase, making it bigger than its nearest rival, the Toyota Vellfire, which is only available through parallel imports.

Access to the rear is facilitated by two large electric sliding rear doors that open to reveal three rows of seats for up to an impressive eight occupants. A three-seater bench fills up the centre row, getting to the last row involves folding the centre section 60:40 first.

Unlike typical MPVs, where the last row is reserved for small children, household pets and groceries, the Elgrand’s rear bench is actually built for average adults. And provides them with ample head, leg and shoulder room as well. Even with the third row up, there is still sufficient space in the boot to store a couple of luggage bags.

Ambient wise, the Elgrand’s cabin is awashed in dark hues with posh black leathers providing a chic and sophisticated setting. The wood trimmings feature an elegant silvery finish

and the same can be said for the buttons on the steering wheel and centre console, it is a look and feel that falls in line with the rest of Nissan’s luxury line-up.

The Elgrand also gets dual electric sunroofs up-front and behind. A “bird’s eye view” style monitor utilising four cameras gives the driver a top down view of the vehicle, assisted by reversing and kerbside guidance lines, it is a must while negotiating tight parking spaces.

Astonishingly for a vehicle weighing nearly two-tonnes, the powertrain does not feel strained, in fact, it is a real pleasure to drive.

The CVT gears can be manually overridden by using the gear lever located on the centre console, whilst the steering provided more than adequate response. Nissan has gotten the formula just about right with this one, so if you’re in the market for a luxurious people carrier, the Elgrand is definitely your ticket!

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LUXE TIMEPIECES

TOCK OF THE TABLE Be it business lunches or luxurious dinners, there is always a watch for every occasion PHOTOGRAPHY CHING STYLING DARREN WONG, PEARL LIM

ROLEX OYSTER PERPETUAL COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA WITH CROCO STRAP 120 GOLF ASIA

Linen tablecloth, Atomi Spoon and plate set, iwannagohome!

ROLEX OYSTER PERPETUAL DAY-DATE II WITH PRESIDENT BRACELET

Linen tablecloth, Atomi Plate, saucer vertigo and Japanese chopstick Uni noir, Christofle

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LUXE TIMEPIECES

PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 5940/J GRAND COMPLICATIONS PERPETUAL CALENDAR WITH MATT CHOCOLATE BROWN ALLIGATOR STRAP Linen tablecloth, Atomi Glass boats, Proof Living

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PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 5960R ANNUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH WITH MATT BLACK ALLIGATOR STRAP Linen tablecloth, Atomi Dinner plate, tea saucer and black goblet, Proof Living

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LUXE TIMEPIECES

AUDEMARS PIGUET ROYAL OAK CHRONOGRAPH WITH PINK GOLD BRACELET Linen tablecloth and vase, Atomi

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ROGER DUBUIS EXCALIBUR 42 AUTOMATIC WITH BROWN ALLIGATOR HAND STITCHED STRAP Linen tablecloth, Atomi Black square dishes, iwannagohome!

White square wave dishes, Francfranc

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LUXE TIMEPIECES

OMEGA SEAMASTER AQUA TERRA CHRONOGRAPH IN RED GOLD AND STEEL STRAP Linen tablecloth, Atomi. Cups, stylist’s own

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IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN DA VINCI AUTOMATIC WITH LEATHER STRAP Linen tablecloth and plates set, Atomi

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LUXE INSPIRATION

PATEK PHILIPPE ANNUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH (5961P-001) What sets this watch apart, at first glance, is the dazzling bezel set with 36 baguette diamonds. These sparkling jewels might not be every man’s best friends, but it will definitely attract attention from the ladies, and furthermore, showcases his exquisite tastes. The matt blue opaline dial exudes sophistication, while its eight diamond hour markers are the icing on the cake. The calibre CH 28-520 IRM QA 24H, the brainchild of Patek Philippe, is as prestigious as it is refined.

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