Golf Asia 2015 September by Regent Media Pte Ltd

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MCI (P) 041/02/2015

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CONTENTS

82 16

FOREWORD

20 TEEBOX

!N 5NPRECEDENTED UNDER (ISTORIC 0'! 7IN

26 FOOTJOY FASHION SPREAD 32 BUZZ 36 SCENE

4 GOLF ASIA

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103 LUXE LIFESTYLE

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EDITORIAL & ART MANAGING EDITOR WRITER

BEN POON JOSMIN LOW

SENIOR CREATIVE DIRECTOR

TOMMY HONG

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

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SALES & MARKETING- SINGAPORE BUSINESS DIRECTORS BUSINESS MANAGER SENIOR MARKETING MANAGER MARKETING EXECUTIVE

THOMAS LEOW / EUNICE SEAH / MARIE YEO ALICE NG TASMIN CHUA KARLYN HO

SALES & MARKETING- MALAYSIA SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR BUSINESS DIRECTOR CUSTOMER SERVICE EXECUTIVE

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PRODUCTION & CIRCULATION PRODUCTION / TRAFFIC MANAGER CIRCULATION EXECUTIVE REGIONAL CIRCULATION MANAGERS

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MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES HONG KONG / INDONESIA / MACAU / THAILAND: ALICE NG alice@regentmedia.sg ABU DHABI / CHINA / DUBAI / TURKEY: MARIE YEO marie@regentmedia.sg AUSTRALIA / JAPAN / SOUTH KOREA / TAIWAN: MARIE YEO marie@regentmedia.sg DISTRIBUTORS SINGAPORE: Pansing Distribution 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, MCI (P) 019/02/2014, 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. FOR ENQUIRIES REGENT MEDIA PTE LTD

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C O NTR I B UTO R S

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.

SHONA MCRAE is the Assistant Director of Rules for The R&A, which governs the game worldwide and jointly administers the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status, Equipment Standards and World Amateur Golf Rankings with the United States Golf Association. Based in St Andrews, Scotland, Shona plays off a handicap of 6 and is a member of Ladybank Golf Club and St Regulus Ladies Golf Club.

PAUL MYERS Paul has spent almost his entire career in the media and communications industry in Australia, North America and Asia. Now based in Bangkok, he manages and part owns Asian Travel Media, the only dedicated golf tourism PR/ media company in Asia/Paciﬁc. ATM’s clients are located throughout the region and the company is recognised as a leader in effective consumeroriented media communications.

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KEN LYE is a keen golfer and currently plays off a 4 handicap. Ken loves golf and pretty much all things related to golf. He especially loves checking out new golf equipment and enjoys travelling to explore new golf courses in the region and beyond. Ken also has a keen interest in the Rules of Golf and has refereed at professional, certain major regional and local amateur events since passing the R&A Rules School in 2005.

NATASHA WONG started playing golf some 10 years ago and has developed a selfconfessed 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!

m o b i l e

a p p

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FOR EWOR D

GOLFING

beauty is indeed in the eye of the putt holder Its importance to all golfers can be summed up by the number of pages we have dedicated to it this issue, a massive 18 whole pages to be exact! Each club in a golfer’s arsenal has a definitive role to play throughout a round, but none is used more often and called upon almost each and every green or can make or break a score like the humble putter. It is a simple tool that has evolved beyond its basic flat face design with a plethora of shapes and designs, the addition of alignment aids such as shapes & sight lines or inserts to improve feel at impact. There are even different types of metals used and even down to how they are milled at the face for a flatter putting surface, with some even featuring weight ports to ensure a more balanced and consistent strike. And these are all done to make putting easier, more accurate and more consistent. Why the many varieties then, because quite simply, we are all different. Whether it is a science that we have yet to fully comprehend or a psychological state one has to be in to do it well, finding that magic putter is definitely the Holy Grail for the majority of golfers.

BEN POON ben@regentmedia.sg

16 GOLF ASIA

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GOLFING TEE BOX

An Unprecedented 20-under Historic PGA Win Brand new day as Aussie breaks through at PGA

BY REBECCA BRYAN

ustralia’s Jason Day won the PGA Championship in historic style, capturing his first grand slam title with a 20-under par total unprecedented in major championship history. Day carded a five-under par 67 in the final round at Whistling Straits for a 20-under total of 268, breaking Tiger Woods’s majorrecord low winning total of 19-under set at the British Open in 2000. Day, who has endured a string of near misses on golf’s biggest stages, was never going to let this one slip away. “I wasn’t going to stop fighting until it was over,” said the 27-year-old, who takes home a US$1.8 million prize almost as hefty as the Wanamaker Trophy itself. From his birdie from a 20 GOLF ASIA

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bunker at the second hole, Day was off and running, leaving Masters and US Open champion Jordan Spieth and the rest of the field in the shade. Spieth carded a four-under par 68 for 17-under 271, holding off England’s Justin Rose and South African Branden Grace to finish second and seize the world number one ranking from Rory McIlroy. Day reached 20-under for good with a two-putt birdie from the fringe at the par-five 16th. At the 18th, Day rolled his first putt from 45 feet to within a foot, and was already weeping as he tapped in for par and the win. 22 GOLF ASIA

“I didn’t expect I was going to cry,” Day said. “A lot of emotion has come out because I’ve been so close so many times and fallen short, “just to be able to ﬁnish the way I did was amazing.” Day didn’t realize his 20-under total was a record low for a major winner. “The amount of history that’s been through our game, in our sport, to be able to hold that record currently is really amazing,” he said. “I just can’t think of it. It really is just something that I haven’t been able to sit down and just kind of absorb and really kind of cherish.” Day, who will rise from ﬁfth to third in

the world rankings, took a two-stroke lead into the final round, his biggest 54-hole lead at a major after holding at least a share of the top spot through three rounds in both the US and British Opens this year. He finished with seven birdies on the day and two bogeys, twice reaching 20-under as his pursuers scrambled in his wake. Grace applied the most pressure, closing in with three straight birdies from the 5th through 7th. But Day pulled away with a birdie burst starting at the 5th, capped by a 50-footer at the par-three 7th. His lead from there on was never less than two strokes and at times as high as four. Grace finished third after a 69 for 273 and while he regretted a few “silly mistakes” of his own he could only admire Day’s “marvellous golf.” “I don’t think anybody would have caught him this week,” said the South African, who was even with Rose until the Englishman bogeyed 18 to fall to fourth with a 70 for 274. Rose had briefly moved within two strokes of Day’s lead before a double-bogey at 13. “Sometimes there’s not much you can do,” said Spieth, whose 2015 record in majors remains impressive at two wins, a second place and a tie for fourth. Although he couldn’t join Ben Hogan and Woods as the only men to win three majors in one year, the 22-year-old

GOLFING Spieth became the second-youngest man behind Woods in 1997 to claim the world number one ranking. With Spieth in solo second place, McIlroy playing for the ﬁrst time since rupturing an ankle tendon in July would have needed a topsix ﬁnish to hang on to the top spot. His closing 69 put him in 17th place on 279. “To be number one in the world... is fantastic,” Spieth said. “Certainly it was a lifelong goal of mine, and that was accomplished today.” As for beating Day, Spieth said, that just never seemed to be in the cards. “It was a stripe show. It was really a clinic to watch,” he said of Day’s driving. “He was sitting there swinging as hard as he could off the tee, and every single drive was right down the middle of the fairway.”

TEE BOX

Day triumph, Spieth’s rise seal golf’s changing of guard BY REBECCA BRYAN

FACTFILE ON JASON DAY: Born - November 12, 1987 Age - 27 Birthplace - Beaudesert, Queensland, Australia Home: Forest Lake, Queensland and Dublin, Ohio Height - 6 feet (1.82m) Turned pro - 2006 Joined PGA Tour - 2008 PGA Tour victories - 5 WGC Wins - 1 (2014 Accenture Match Play Championship) Major championship wins - 1 (2015 PGA Championship) Presidents Cup: 2011- L, 2013- L

24 GOLF ASIA

ith the 20-something trio of Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and newly crowned PGA Champion Jason Day atop the world rankings, golf’s changing of the guard is complete. The triumvirate have now won five of the past six majors and they’re just part of a talented crop of young players that also includes Players Championship winner Rickie Fowler and 23-year-old Japanese Hideki Matsuyama -- winner of the Memorial this year. “Our generation is strong. It has taken over now,” said Day, and there was no cause to argue the point after 39-year-old Tiger Woods floundering all season missed the cut at his third major in a row. Nor was five-time major champion Phil Mickelson a factor. The 45-yearold can still wow a crowd with his scrambling birdies, but he hasn’t won a US PGA Tour title since 2013. Today’s young stars are measuring themselves not against the game’s ageing names but against each other. “Golf is very healthy,” Day said. “Rory came out and was really dominating as number one and now young guys like myself, Jordan, Rickie Fowler and Hideki Matsuyama are starting to challenge. I’m looking forward to the sheer competition of being able to fight against these guys each week because it’s going to be a lot of fun over the next five or 10 years,” said 27-year-old Day, who triumphed at Whistling Straits in epic fashion. Spieth, 22, admitted there was simply nothing he could do to stop Day. But with a runnerup finish three strokes adrift he ended McIlroy’s 55-week reign atop the world rankings. McIlroy, who won the British Open and PGA Championship last year and at 26 has occupied the number one spot for a total of 93 weeks -- left Whistling Straits with plenty of positives, his 17th-place finish offering reassurance that a ruptured ankle tendon won’t have a lingering effect on his career now that he’s returned to action. “It’s exciting for golf right now,” said former US Open champion Justin Rose of England. “I think golf is in a great spot. Rory, Jordan obviously have been leading the way. Jason has been knocking on that Majors door for a long time...It’s just good for golf.” Spieth has been the real revelation of 2015. He is the second-youngest player to reach number one after Woods at 21 in 1997. His performance in major championships was historic, his combined 54-under par over the four tournaments is a record. Spieth’s march to victory at Augusta National earned the Masters its highest television ratings since 2011 -- a sign that the self-effacing yet fiercely competitive Texan can be the kind of draw golf needs as Woods’s star wanes. “The game’s in good hands,” Mickelson said at Whistling Straits. “We’ve got a good quality group of guys that are great players but also great people.”

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Step Out Onto The Greens In Nautical Hues PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHER HIM / MATIN LATIF STYLING BY MARINA CHONG LOCATION: LAGUNA NATIONAL GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, WORLD CLASSIC COURSE

26 GOLF ASIA

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Caps in classic navy bring chic to your outﬁt Keep your cool with a visor

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GOLFING BUZZ

SIZZLING CHUN WINS 70TH US WOMEN’S OPEN

NEW LOOK SIME DARBY LPGA MALAYSIA 2015 With a host of new activities planned both on and off the golf course, the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia 2015 offers four days of fun-filled entertainment complete with world class sporting action on the fairways, live DJs, a Kids Zone as well as the very first KL Food Truck Festival. Open to the public from 7.30am to 6pm, 8th to 11th October 2015, visitors will be able to see the world’s best golfers in action in the stunning surroundings of Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, chill out to the tunes in the Courtyard and enjoy a range of authentic local and international cuisine produced by some of KL’s best-loved chefs. Tickets cost just RM30 per day (Thu – Sun) with a weekend pass (Sat & Sun) costing RM50. Additionally, the first 750 ticket holders to arrive at the event daily will receive a complimentary tournament umbrella PLUS a free food voucher worth RM10. All tickets purchased before 30th September will be entered into a lucky draw offering one winner an exclusive ‘inside the ropes’ experience with a friend, allowing them to follow a top-ten ranked player around the golf course for one round during the tournament proper. The prize also includes a photo and signed cap, 6 weekend passes and RM100 worth of food vouchers, visit www.simedarbylpgamalaysia.com for further details.

Chun In-Gee, a 20-year-old South Korean in only her eighth LPGA event, birdied three of the last four holes to win by one stroke. World number 20 Chun, the leading money winner on the South Korean tour, fired a final round four-under par 66 to win a back-nine shootout at Lancaster Country Club for her first major title after 15th-ranked compatriot Amy Yang took a bogey on the final hole. “It was my first time playing the US Women’s Open so I tried to enjoy the game in every moment,” Chun said. “That led to me winning the championship.” Chun finished on eight-under 272 while Yang was second after a closing 71. World number one Park In-Bee of South Korea and American Stacy Lewis shared third on 275. Chun became the third-youngest winner in US Women’s Open history after Park, who won in 2008 at age 19, and Pak Se-Ri, who was 20 when she won the 1998 crown. She was the first player to win the event in her debut since compatriot Birdie Kim a decade ago. “It was great. I tried to have fun. Every moment was new,” Chun said through a translator. “I feel the support from all Korean people right now.”

GAVIN GREEN JOINS TAYLORMADE-ADIDAS GOLF TOUR STAFF The 21-year-old Malaysia native made his professional debut on the Asian Development Tour at the PGM Ragman Putra Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Green was a former world No. 5 Amateur and an NCAA First-Team All-American player. As a TaylorMade-adidas Golf staff member, Green will play TaylorMade golf clubs and balls, wear TaylorMade gloves and headwear, sport a TaylorMade Staff bag and will be decked in adidas footwear and apparel. “I am very excited to begin my professional career and I am very grateful to TaylorMade and adidas for their conﬁdence in me,” said Green. “I’ve put in a lot of hard work to get to this point in my career and I’m excited to begin this next chapter in my life as a professional.” Considered one of Asia’s top young talents, Green experienced a highly successful collegiate career as a three-time All American at The University of New Mexico in the United States, where he set the school’s record with eight career victories. Green became the ﬁrst player to win as an amateur on the Asian Development Tour in June of 2014 with an 11-stroke margin of victory at the PGM Vascory Tempmler Park Championship. He ended his amateur career as the 12th ranked amateur golfer in the world and Asia’s second-highest ranked amateur.

32 GOLF ASIA

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GOLFING BUZZ

THE SPARK OF BRILLIANCE Today’s volatile and unbelievably expensive COE (Certificate Of Entitlement) environment has taken its toll on many present vehicle owners. With many of these vehicles exceeding half of their COE lifespan, it becomes crucial for these owners to find a trustable, reliable workshop for all their servicing needs, to ensure a smooth driving journey for the long run. Fully owned by ComfortDelGro Group, SPARK Car Care is the new brand in superior automotive maintenance and car care that was started in 2010 with the intention of differentiating their association with their taxi and bus business. SPARK Car Care’s core business includes private car servicing and maintenance, accident repairs and insurance claims, commercial fleet management, sale of tyres and grooming service. Positioning themselves between agents and individual car workshops, SPARK Car Care caters to customers who are out of warranty service looking for a reliable and credible workshop. Their motto, “We are committed to delivering Quality & Value-Added Automotive Solutions” is an endeavouring statement to become the preferred choice for automotive maintenance & engineering solutions. Some notable services worthy of mention at every SPARK Car Care outlet are their committed purpose to servicing and maintaining private cars, as well as providing accident repairs and insurance claims, commercial fleet management, sale of tyres and grooming service. These comprehensive services are the reasons why SPARK Car Care is the appointed servicing agent for 18 insurance companies, representing over 90% of Singapore’s insured car population. Driven by excellence and the need to differentiate from the competition, SPARK Car Care drives hard on customer service. Every customer service personnel goes through a customised training programme to deliver the desired service that customers expect, while other value-added services include real-time servicing booking and online vehicle history maintenance record. There are also two unique programs, SPARK Kakis and SPARK Web. SPARK Kakis is the only loyalty program that rewards 34 GOLF ASIA

customers with cash rebate in the automotive industry, as well as a string of other beneﬁts, such as free 24-hr recovery service, SPARK cash-convertible rewards, free parking, free pre-LTA inspection check and special prices for tyres and grooming. SPARK Web is a customer referral program that offers $25 off on servicing for both parties. SPARK Car Care is not only equipped with the latest automotive equipment to provide the best servicing needs in the market; their technicians are the most valued asset to both

customer and company. The technicians are equipped with NITEC qualiﬁcations in related engineering ﬁelds to provide the best possible servicing and troubleshooting solutions. With six key locations around the island, serviced by dedicated and knowledgeable personnel that are familiar with major makes and offering competitive pricing with many perks to boot, SPARK Car Care backs its tempting car care offerings with its proven automotive maintenance record for over three decades.

GOLFING SCENE

Citi Golf Day 2015 An SG50 golf and gourmet experience

iti Golf Day is Citi Singapore’s biggest franchise-wide client hospitality golf event. Held on 14th July, more than 220 Corporate Clients and Citibankers from across the different business groups within the bank were invited to the annual “golf gastronomy”, where they mixed the pleasure of golﬁng with an amazing spread of epicurean delights and beverages from well-known restaurants in the city. This year, guests were treated to a variety of golf items such as a box of Citi-branded Titleist Pro V1 golf balls, FootJoy Utility Pouch and Titleist Caps. Additionally, guests were also given a choice to select from a range of goodies including a personalised Titleist Ultra Lightweight Standbag, FootJoy Hyperﬂex Golf Shoe, a TaylorMade Aeroburner Rescue club and a FitBit HR wristband. In celebration of SG50, golfers were treated to a unique Singaporean experience such as traditional ice cream 36 GOLF ASIA

scooped from an old school cart on top of international favourites including handmade mini burgers, Australian fresh oysters, mojitos, lychee martinis and sake. In addition, the tournament also saw some friendly competition from four National Golfers at the greens, as players pitted their skills against them at the Novelty holes. Players also had the

unique opportunity to gain some valuable tips on how to improve their golﬁng prowess. Following tradition, the event ended with a sumptuous buffet dinner and a prize-giving ceremony for winners of the golf tournament. The Overall Champion Team with a total of 81 points went to James Lye, Cheng Jiin-Suey, Marcus Mak and Paulus Liauw.

WHERE BELLHOPS GREET AND TEE-OFFS MEET.

PLAZA LAGOI. YOUR ULTIMATE BEACHFRONT-SHOPPING ESCAPADE.

GOLFING SCENE

DBS Corporate Golf Challenge 2015 Celebrating & cultivating relationships over a game of golf

lose to 280 esteemed corporate and SME clients bonded with DBS senior management that included Chairman Peter Seah, Head of Institutional Banking Group Jeanette Wong and Singapore Country Head Sim S. Lim over two days of golf & dinner set against the picturesque South China Sea, at the Tanjong course at Sentosa Golf Club. They were treated to a spectacular golﬁng experience on 4 & 5 August 2015, themed in honour of Singapore’s Golden Jubilee. The event also showcased the Bank’s journey and milestones through the decades. The annual DBS Corporate Golf Challenge is hugely popular and is one of the ways DBS express appreciation for the continuous support from their corporate and SME clients. It was an excellent opportunity to unwind, have conversations outside of ofﬁce boardrooms and more importantly nurture relationships and forge new friendships.

38 GOLF ASIA

Enjoy a potpourri of unique cultural and historical experiences in the country that offers a fascinating blend of traditional and contemporary flavours. Cultural tours, historical sites, medical and aesthetics tours, 24-hour shopping, amazing food, the K-pop phenomenon, and so many more await you! Korea Tourism Organization and Korea MICE Bureau take pride in establishing Korea as the premier destination for MICE visitor. For more information and assistance in holding your events in Korea, please contact KTO (Singapore office) at +65-6533 0441 or email: koreamice.singapore@gmail.com

GOLFING SCENE

WGCC Shows Its Appreciation An event that may well turn out to be an annual attraction

ponsors, business partners and friends from the media were invited to an Appreciation Golf Game & Dinner organised by Warren Golf & Country Club (WGCC) recently. With its inception just a year ago, the Club has made this event an annual affair on its event calendar. This is a day for the Club to personally thank its sponsors and business partners for their support, and its media friends for having played an important role in raising the proďŹ le of the Club. Despite the warm weather, everyone had a whale of a time in the game and one golfer even made the ultimate dream shot of every amateur by sinking a hole-in-one! The day ended with good food at Yan Palace (the Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chinese restaurant) and live band entertainment, with some lucky winners walking away with attractive lucky draw prizes. Of course, what completed the great day for most, if not all, has no doubt the fun, laughter and lovely company.

40 GOLF ASIA

GOLFING SCENE

Pathway To The International Stage The Sime Darby LPGA Development Program has elevated the levels of women’s golf in Malaysia since 2010

ver six years, the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia Development Programme has been one of the mainstays of the Sime Darby Foundation’s investment in sport in Malaysia, during which time it has seen some 45 talented youngsters beneﬁt from the programme’s holistic approach that covers technique, mental preparation, physical ﬁtness and personal development. The annual program starts in July and culminates with an opportunity for each year’s in-take of 16 participants to qualify for one of Asia’s leading professional women’s golf tournaments, the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia. The investment is an essential element 42 GOLF ASIA

of Sime Darby’s commitment, as Tun Musa Hitam, Chairman of the Sime Darby Foundation explained, “The Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia Development Programme is a key component of the Sime Darby Foundation’s investment for sports in this country and it is producing encouraging results. Having started with just one active player on a professional golf tour, Malaysia now has seven professional golfers playing on tours around the world; eight amateur participants have been absorbed into the National Elite team; 18 programme graduates have secured local and international college golf scholarships; and two players, Kelly Tan and Michelle Koh, are

steadily making their way up the Olympic rankings ahead of next year’s Olympics.” “In 2010, the programme was struggling to ﬁll its 12 places with eligible players. In 2015, due to the programme’s growing reputation as a ‘must attend camp’ for aspiring golfers, it has attracted 70 potentials and was further shortlisted to 30 who made the necessary criteria. After a further shortlist, 16 players were selected as the best talents across the country. The women’s game in Malaysia is in a stronger position now as a direct result of this programme, and I hope very much that this year’s participants will take full advantage of the opportunity provided by the programme to improve their game and move up the rankings in the process.” Established in 2010 by the Sime Darby Foundation in conjunction with the MST Golf Academy to support the development of elite Malaysian golﬁng talent, the Sime Darby LPGA Development Programme utilises a combination of both on and off

course training with some of the world’s most respected coaches. The programme is aimed at providing participants with the psychological, physiological and technical expertise required to compete at the highest level. Classroom sessions cover topics such as movement preparation, ball flight laws, diet and nutrition, fitness, mental game skills, club fitting and gap analysis, while the intensive golf practice sessions focus on improving students’ short game, putting, difficult lies and advanced shot-making. The 2015 edition of the programme welcomes eight new players under the age of 15, while returning beneficiaries include Aretha Pan Herng (21), Michelle Low (26) and the latest Malaysian to turn professional, Dianne Luke (24). A regular figure on the programme’s schedule is the internationally renowned Australian coach Ian Triggs. Triggs has recently added three Malaysians in Kelly Tan, Michelle Koh and Dianne Luke to a

stable of mentored players that includes 2014 Ricoh Women’s British Open, Mo Martin, former World Number One, Karrie Webb, US Open Winners, Eun Hee Ji (2009) and So Yeon Ryu (2011). Speaking about the development within the women’s game in Malaysia, Triggs said: “There is no question that there is now genuine progress within the women’s game in Malaysia. That progress is evident in the achievement of some of the top players’ performances on tour; graduates of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia Development Programme making the transition to professional status; and the increased depth of talent that we are starting to see among some of the younger players joining the programme.” “Successful development programmes such as this require a long term vision, combined with the investment and resources to carry it through and it is, once again, credit to Sime Darby that after six years, this programme is showing some tangible results,” continued Triggs. 2015 also sees the integration of Sime Darby and KLGCC’s new Rising Star Juniors talent search into the programme. The community-sports programme, beneﬁting boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 17 from underprivileged backgrounds, was launched earlier this year and has 18 students under tuition, who will beneﬁt from the coaching and life-skills assistance provided by the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia Development Programme. Also new to the 2015 programme is the addition of a segment providing a behind the scenes look at Golf Club and Hospitality Operations. In the knowledge that not all players will make it onto professional golf tours, the objective is to ensure that participants have an understanding of, and future career path within, the broader golf industry after completing their studies. For all the latest updates, visit www. facebook.com/SimeDarbyLPGAMalaysia. Tournament activities can also be followed on Twitter and Instagram @ SimeDarbyLPGA, #SimeDarbyLPGA, #WomenWithDrive. GOLF ASIA 43

GOLFING SCENE

Let’s Give A Big Hand To Our Stars Asian Tour players put in commendable performances at The Open and Omega European Masters "9 +9) (,! (!. s )-!'%3 ¥ 4(% !3)!. 4/52

he man who continues to steal the limelight is none other than Anirban Lahiri, who finished tied 30th in the year’s third Major at St Andrews and then capped a solid fifth place finish at the Omega European Masters to solidify his lead atop the Order of Merit. Anirban certainly produced some eye-catching performances at the Home

!NIRBAN AT 4HE /PEN

44 GOLF ASIA

of Golf but was disappointed he could not return better scores after struggling on homeward nine during the weekend rounds. During the third round, the Indian inched his way up the leaderboard only to fall off the pace with some dropped shots at the crucial stages of his round. Overall, Anirban still did very well to fly the Asian Tour flag as he finished in red numbers and the experience that he has

gained competing at the highest level will come in good stead in his quest to become a world-beater. A big pat on the back as well for David Lipsky of the United States, who qualiﬁed for The Open after being crowned as the Asian Tour’s number one player last season. He was bogey free in round two and three but had to settle for tied 58th after shooting a ﬁnal round 73 in his

debut appearance in a Major. It is exciting to see a new generation of Asian Tour stars breaking through the ranks. David and Anirban have paved the way for other upcoming stars to follow their footsteps and I am sure there will be many others very soon. Anirban may have been a prominent name on the leaderboard at the Omega European Masters but throughout the week, we also witnessed the rise of Seukhyun Baek of Korea and Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand. Both players are aged 25 and 19 respectively, with the world very much ready to be conquered by these young players. Despite their youth, Baek and Jazz showed their immense talents at the Omega European Masters, staged in Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club set amidst the Swiss Alps. Baek contended for three days before ﬁnishing tied 31st while Jazz ended his campaign in tied 37th place after featuring on the leaderboard on day one. They have yet to win on the Asian Tour but the Thai-based Baek has a solid

track record where he has two runner-up results and 14 top-10s since joining the Tour in 2009. Jazz is also one of the most exciting players to emerge from Thailand. He ﬁrst played his way into the history books in 2010 when he became the youngest ever player to make the halfway cut at the 2010 Asian Tour International in Bangkok at the age of 14 years and 71 days. Baek and Jazz have kept their Asian Tour card for six and three seasons respectively and we expect big things from them. It is no surprise to see Anirban stretching his lead on the Order of Merit with the way he ﬁnished at The Open and Omega European Masters. He currently sits comfortably atop the rankings with earnings of US$925,484, ahead of closest challenger Andrew Dodt of Australia by more than US$500,000! Will we see a surprise package challenge Lahiri for the Order of Merit crown? Guess we will only know come December, so stay tuned!

Jazz

GOLF ASIA 45

GOLFING SCENE

Rory & Sergio Visit The Omega Exhibition Top-ranked golfers and Omega Ambassadors Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia visited with OMEGA at the 2015 PGA Championship

cIlroy and Garcia participated in a special ribbon-cutting ceremony with Raynald Aeschlimann, Omega Vice President and International Sales Director, and Member of Swatch Group’s extended group management board, to officially open the Omega Exhibition at Whistling Straits. After the ribbon cutting, McIlroy and Garcia toured the space, which is designed to give visitors the opportunity to learn more about the Omega brand and this year highlights Omega’s role as Official Timekeeper of the PGA of America and the Olympic Games. They viewed Omega’s Great Olympic Moments in Time exhibit, which features historical timekeeping equipment including the original chronograph used to time the brand’s first Olympic Games in 1932, and helped celebrate the countdown to Rio, 46 GOLF ASIA

where golf will return as an Olympic sport for the ﬁrst time in over a century and where Omega will serve as Ofﬁcial Timekeeper of the Olympic Games for the 27th time. McIlroy and Garcia then left their “mark” on the Omega Exhibition, each autographing their photo wall inside the space, and met with the media. McIlroy, an Omega Ambassador since 2013, won the 2012 PGA Championship in Kiawah Island, S.C. in 2012 and the 2014 PGA

Championship at Valhalla in Louisville, K.Y. last year. Garcia, an Omega Ambassador since 2003, finished second at the 1999 PGA Championship and has recorded more than 25 professional wins. The 2015 PGA Championship held August 10th to the 16th, marks the 97th edition of one of the most anticipated golf events on the calendar and the season’s final major. The greatest golfers in the world, including McIlroy, Garcia as well as Harris English, competed for the Wanamaker Trophy and the title of PGA Champion, which was ultimately won by Australian Jason Day. Omega, an Official Patron of The PGA of America, is serving as Official Timekeeper of the PGA Championship for the fifth straight year and recently extended its historic partnership with the PGA through 2022.

GOLFING GEARGUIDE

Speed Innovation Helping average golfers swing more like professionals

he new Cleveland CG Black irons incorporate a Low Swing MOI and utilize a thin, high-strength steel clubface that greatly increases COR to give golfers a higher launching shots and longer carry distances that will hopefully lead to lower scores. Just like the rest of this lightweight family, the CG Black irons are not any different. These are the lightest irons Cleveland Golf has ever created, making it easier to swing them faster without increasing swing effort, this the company believes leads to increased distance without sacriﬁcing g accuracy. y The CG Black irons have an increased

head and ball speed, which results in more distance achieved through utilizing the lower swing MOI and Speed Innovation technology. Utilizing a progressive set of irons starting with a hollow hybrid chassis in the 4 and 5 irons, the COG was moved lower and towards the back of the club making it easier to launch the ball higher. In the 6 and 7 irons, CG was lowered by making the face thinner to achieve a ball higher launch. Keeping an orthodox chassis makes these irons easy to address and also improves workability. p these factors means more Combining thes

distance with a slight draw bias. Making the CG Black irons longer wouldn’t mean much if they weren’t more accurate and consistent too. The thin, high-strength steel face creates a larger area of maximum ball speed, plus it allows for more perimeter weighting for more accuracy and consistency. High strength steel (HT 1770) is used as face material and can achieve a thinner face compared to that of the 588 MT. The 20% larger High COR Area allows for more consistency throughout the clubface, which helps make this, not only longer but also more accurate than other clubs tested.

GOLF ASIA 47

GOLFING GEARGUIDE

Cleveland’s Smart Square Flatstick Engineered to be the most accurate and best feeling putter

leveland Golf’s new True Feel Innovation or TFI Smart Square putter is the most advanced putter that the company has ever created. The tour-inspired design features a milled, copper-infused face cap over a copolymer insert for the ultimate in feel and consistency. The precise combination of materials, allows for immediate feedback from sound and feel when striking the ball, while the putter’s copolymer insert creates soft feel and consistent speed across the clubface. The TFI Smart Square putter, which features Smart Square alignment technology, couples a High Density Stabilizing Wing with a Low Density Aluminium Body resulting in increased head MOI for greater stability and minimal distance loss on off-centre hits. Following intensive research into the most 48 GOLF ASIA

successful putters of all time and what golfers focus on when they align a putt, the new TFI Smart Square putter, along with its highly successful predecessors the Smart Square Blade and Mallet putters, incorporates alignment technology that has proven to be the most advanced – and simplest – that Cleveland Golf has ever created. The key to the Smart Square technology is Dual Axis Alignment. Two squares create parallel lines that frame the ball at address and provide a clear visual path to the hole. They also generate two perpendicular lines that easily highlight when the putter is misaligned – even by a fraction of a degree. Cleveland Golf’s testing shows players aligned Smart Square putters more accurately than other popular putters. GOLF ASIA 4 49

GOLFING GEARGUIDE

Fusion Of Artistry & Science Mizuno’s new MP-25 and MP-5 irons

he MP-25 brings Mizuno’s new Boron strengthened steel to its MP forgings for the first time. Mizuno’s MP-25 is the manufacturer’s first high ball speed iron designed specifically for better players, only now possible through the use of its new Boron material. The MP-5 represents a new approach to blade design for Mizuno, featuring a channelback to deliver the stability of a small players cavity in a more precise package. The MP-5 sits neatly between its more traditional MP-4 muscle back and the new MP-25 in terms of playability and workability. Mizuno expects the majority of its tour players to switch to one of, or a blended set of the two new MP models, both of which are produced at its prestigious Chuo Forging plant in Hiroshima Japan. AN IRON LIKE NO OTHER The MP-5 sits neatly between Mizuno’s classic blades and smaller cavity 50 GOLF ASIA

irons. The Channel Back concept was reﬁned through a harmonization of CAD design and traditional Japanese craftsmanship. “Marrying the skill sets of our CAD based engineers with the more traditional craftsmen in Yoro Japan, we’re able to produce beautiful irons that play a lot more forgiving than one would imagine by looking at them. I think Mizuno is pretty unique in having craftsmen that worked in the era before CAD design, which means our irons have a kind of emotion and history built into them,” said David Llewellyn, Head of Design. - Blade like precision with cavity level forgiveness

The Channel Back design keeps thickness behind impact for blade like feel, but moves enough mass to create stability from off centre strikes. - Ultimate feel, Forged in Hiroshima Japan Mizuno’s exclusive plant and manufacturer of Grain Forged heads for Mizuno for over 30 years. The irons are all Grain Flow Forged from a single billet of 1025E Pure Select Mild Carbon steel. - Precise distance control Grain Flow Forging compresses and maintains a consistent grain through neck and hosel – ensuring consistency through every club head for predictable distances. - Craftsman input

Although larger than a traditional blade, Mizuno’s craftsmen’s sense of proportion and shape ensured that the MP-5 looks right at address. The thicker top line was popular amongst their panel of professionals in testing as it provides ‘a more powerful look’. - Polished durability With a little care the MP-5’s double nickel mirror chrome finish will maintain its beauty over time. - Custom built to your Mizuno Swing DNA Using Mizuno’s Swing DNA system, the fitter can identify which shaft and set make up will produce the best results from your swing. THE COMPACT BORON FORGED IRON A stunning tour inspired design with an injection of Boron for added ball speed and distance. The MP-25 is the first true high ball-speed iron, Grain Flow Forged for the feel and touch indispensable on tour. “We started off with a tour preferred chassis, and developed our technology

to get the most ball speed from that size. The craftsmen at YORO Japan kept the CAD engineers on a tight leash, so the final iron was something we could confidently show our tour players. The use of Boron infused steel made it possible for us to add ball speed, but keep all the traits and qualities that Mizuno players love,” explained Tetsu Kanayama, Japan R&D. - The first true distance iron for tour players The MP-25 is the first to start with a pre-determined tour dictated profile and then engineered for increased ball speed rather than cramming a distance technology into a smaller shell. - New Boron Infused Steel A Boron injected steel billet allows the engineering of a Micro-Slot pocket cavity (#3-6 iron) – for greater ball speeds. - Ultimate feel, Forged in Hiroshima Japan Mizuno’s exclusive plant has been the manufacturer of Grain Forged heads for them for over 30 years. Each iron is Grain

Flow Forged from a single billet of 1025 Boron steel. - Precise distance control Grain Flow Forging compresses and maintains a consistent grain through neck and hosel, ensuring consistency through every club head for predictable distances. - Craftsman input Mizuno’s YORO craftsmen’s inﬂuence ensures that the MP-25 passes the most critical and discerning eye for shape and proﬁle. - Custom built to your Mizuno Swing DNA Mizuno’s Swing DNA system can identify which shaft and set make up will produce the best results from your swing. GOLF ASIA 51

GOLFING GEARGUIDE

OnOff For The Ladies Golf equipment designed and fashioned specially for women

omen will no longer stand for watered down male versions of golf equipment that are simply repackaged for them. OnOff recognises the growing numbers of ladies taking up the game and has gone a step further by making the effort to understand the speciďŹ c needs and preferences of women. Equipment for men usually feature black, white or grey tones but contrast this with the multicoloured offerings from OnOffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collection for ladies, even the custom shaft and grip offerings come in as many as 35 different colourful combinations that can be matched to accessories such as golf bags, Boston bags, head covers, Sunday bags, ball cases, iron covers and more! Adding much-needed colours to the golf course.

52 GOLF ASIA

Consistency & Massive Distance New Action Mass technology delivers enhanced swing stability and maximum distance

rixon announces the release of its latest game improvers, the Z355 series of clubs featuring its new Action Mass technology. Equipped with a heavier head and ideally matched with Miyazaki Jinsoku ultra-high balance point carbon shafts, the clubs are designed to deliver enhanced swing stability and maximum distance for average golfers that possess a mid-tohigh swing speed.

Action Mass technology Action Mass is a key technology featured in all Z355 series clubs © j~{ ~{w { ~{wz z{ } z{ { } {w { } wx and increased ball speed on impact, to achieve maximum flight distance and improved directional stability. © j~{ c w w ` wC~ }~ xw w y{ yw x shaft with increased rigidity at the grip and tip delivers higher head speed to achieve maximum flight distance and improved directional stability. Miyazaki Jinsoku shaft © j~{ wC~ }~ xw w y{ yw x ~w| ~ y {w {z {z rigidity at the grip and tip plays an important role in Action n Mass technology. © j~{ ~w| z{ } {z ~ w | { z {y counteract the stiff upper point and tip, achieving a combination of flexibility and firmness that enhances z {y w wx w z w { £ }~ z w y{D j~{ zC zC low kick point design facilitates better ball grip. © j~{ ¬ ~{ ~w| = w { {w |w ¬D j~{ aw y~w wy { | ¬ y w {z ~{ z{ } w w w}{ | ~w { w z x { { ~{ } |{ = swing. © j~{ c w w ` ~w| { {z w pIKK series clubs.

GOLF ASIA 53

GOLFING GEARGUIDE

Z355 Driver Improved swing stability and maximized flight distance j~{ pIKK z { |{w { Wy cw technology, which was developed to combine a heavier, mass-designed head (211g) with a Miyazaki Jinsoku ultra-high balance, lightweight shaft to achieve improved swing stability and both higher ball speed and higher head speed. A variety of other design features, such as the largest head MOI in the SRIXON Z p series for a more stable impact and a cup ss face that helps prevent flight distance loss on off-centre shots, ensure stability and maximum flight distance for golfers. g Srixon is working to support the golfing pleasure and improvement of each golfer with features such as a customshaft-compatible, 12-position shaft angle wz { {y~w Q ~{ { | w rib to suppress variations in impact sound whether the ball is hit off the centre, toe, ~{{ | ~{ y xB w z i = } w Z Swing Analyzer fitting system, which suggests the most appropriate Srixon Z series club, shaft flex, loft angle, and club { } | {wy~ z z w = } w { D

54 GOLF ASIA

Z355 Fairway Woods & Hybrids In addition to Action Mass technology, all Z355 fairway woods and hybrid clubs feature the largest MOI design and crown own size in the series, making it easy for the golfer to get more ore loft and greater flight distances. The long hitting 3-wood employs mploys a cup face to make even greater flight distances possible. le. An inner bar (40g) is fitted inside the club head to achieve a lower, shallower centre of gravity, to deliver a low-spin, high trajectory ajectory ball flight. The inner bar is also positioned ed to float above e the sole so that, unlike a fixed weight, it will not interfere with h face flexing so there is no sacrificing of flightt distance. Z355 Irons Each iron in the series features Srixon’s Tour V.T. sole, which is individually designed for each club according to its loft for improved follow-through. -through. This original Z-series technology is also featured in the Srixon 745 and 545 Players yers series. In the Z355, the distance between en the leading edge and the sole apex is individually idually tailored for each club in the set to achieve ve improved follow-through and less snagging ging on various surfaces. This feature is acclaimed med by the world’s tour pros because it eliminates flight distance losses on iron shots. Srixon’s unique surface heat treatment nt and a resin badge on the back both contribute to a softer impact fe feel. el. The club face sports a distinctively Srixon on design that athletes atthletes prefer, with a smaller margin on the hosel face. sel side of the fac ce. At the same time, the face area has been en increased and d the sweet spot enlarged, for even better forgiveness, giveness, flight distance d performance and stability. GOLF G GO GOL OL OL LF F ASI ASIA S A 55

CHALLENGE 2015 WIN A TRIP TO CHINA AND GET TO PLAY IN THE CHINA AMATEUR GOLF TOUR 2016 (PACKAGE INCLUDES: AIR TICKETS, STAY AND PLAY SPONSORED BY BCLN)

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LUCKY DRAW PRIZES Every golfer is entitled to a Lucky Draw prize. Prizes include watches, branded golf equipment and green fee vouchers. Terms & conditions apply Venue:

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GOLFING GEARGUIDE

PUTTERS TEST 2015

45 flatsticks tested by computers, robots and real people. Which will help you hole more putts? BY DUNCAN LENNARD s )-!'%3 4/- #2)4#(%,,

58 GOLF ASIA

Getting On A Roll F

or anyone who thinks golf is a science, consider the moment we pick up a new putter in a pro shop. The experience turns us into mystics and fortune-tellers. “Phew, I’d hole some putts with this” is the response you’re looking for – though it could just as easily be “Oh God no,” with the putter hastily re-racked before its venomous vibes contaminate your hands. Yes, a putter is a subjective thing. But a putter’s design can certainly be evaluated, while the views of our testers will help inform yours. Blend this information with that instant opinion and you’ll end up with your very own magic wand. *Please note, some putters featured are available in selected markets only.

Our panel of testers Matt Pearson Handicap: Pro Current putter: Yes! C-groove Olivia Style preference: Mallet John Carter Handicap: 15 Current putter: TaylorMade Daytona Style preference: Blade James Cox Handicap: 17 Current putter: Nike Method Core Style preference: Mid-mallet Duncan Lennard Handicap: 7 Current putter: TaylorMade Rossa Sebring Style preference: Blade

GOLF ASIA 59

GOLFING GEARGUIDE

Testing times Four golfers trialled 45 putters.

Choice 17 brands contributed putters.

Stroke tracker Nick Middleton sets up the SAM software. On the level Matt hits putts on Zen’s Green Stage putting surface.

How we tested 45 putters

Where we tested Zen Putting Mechanics, near Sheffield, offers an enlightened approach to better putting, fuelled by a triple focus on mind, body and motion. “We reverse the usual process of stroke-first, holesecond by looking at the target and working from the hole back to the brain, ” says founder Nick Middleton. Besides creating a series of innovative putters, Middleton has helped in the construction of a putting robot plus Zen Green Stage, a 16ft synthetic surface that can be adjusted for speed and slope. For more information visit www.zenoracle. com

60 GOLF ASIA

There were four members of our testing team. Gear expert and world top 100 club ﬁtter Matt Pearson – head professional at Waterton Park GC, Yorkshire – was joined by readers John Carter and James Cox, plus gear editor Duncan Lennard. The team was assembled to accommodate a preference for the three basic head shapes in which putters are built. At either end of the scale are the Ping Anser-inspired classic blade and the large-headed mallet. Mid-mallets occupy the ground between the two. As a golfer typically looks to buy from one of these categories, we’ve grouped the putters accordingly and awarded our usual verdict and total points. However, for this test we add a fourth category – counterbalanced putters. Putting’s new growth area is catalysed by the anchoring ban that kicks in on the ﬁrst day of next year, but these products – typically heavier heads counterweighted above the hands courtesy of longer shafts and handles – have virtues relevant to all golfers, whether or not they use an anchoring method.

O Under the supervision of Zen owner and creator Nick Middleton, each tester hit a series of 10ft putts on Zen’s Green Stage putting surface, set up perfectly ﬂat and stimping at around 10. The action was recorded on Science and Motion’s PuttLab – a portable system able to monitor 28 stroke parameters. We used it to monitor the golfer’s ability to aim the blade and assess how well it permitted them to return it to square at impact. From this data, each putter gained an aim ease/ efﬁciency mark out of 10. O Choosing a putter is without

question a personal thing, and our testing reflects that. Our four testers gave each putter a mark out of 10 for looks – the ability to inspire confidence – and also feel/sound. O We were also able to test a putter’s ability to forgive off-centre strikes thanks to a putting robot Zen Putting Mechanics has developed with the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, a collaboration between Boeing and the University of Sheffield. Each putter was set up to strike putts of around 20ft from the sweetspot, and then a quarter-ball into the heel. Loss of distance and accuracy were recorded, and this gave a fourth dispersion reading, out of 10. These four marks out of 10 were then averaged to give a final mark out of 10.

Who took part

True roll Balls were checked for balance.

We asked all of golf’s major brands to submit their latest blades, mid-mallets, mallets and counterbalanced putters in lengths as close as possible to 34in, with counterbalanced models at 38in. Seventeen brands sent in this equipment for our testing team to try.

BLADES

John Letters Swingmaster 001

Wilson Staff Windy City

Putter loft: 4°

Putter loft: 3°

Tech: Traditional stainless steel blade which houses a soft-feel insert. Alignment lines help aim. MP The sound and feel were ﬁne, not too hard or too soft, but I didn’t overly like the look of the club or its grip. JC I’m not normally a big fan of black putters, though this felt easy to strike, and didn’t feel too hard. I wouldn’t buy it but I can see it suiting some. JCox This putter rolled the ball

quite nicely but I struggled with distance consistency and it didn’t really instil conﬁdence. I prefer a chunkier feel. DL Slightly boxy blade which sounds relatively ﬁrm despite its soft insert. I managed to create some different sounds from across the face, though the putter seemed to roll the ball pretty well. Unfussy looks, good roll. Performance failed to inspire.

THE VERDICT

Looks: 6 Feel/Sound: 6.5 Aim: 7.5 Forgiveness: 6.5

6.5

Web: www.johnletters.com

Tech: Counterbalancing technology that sees weight added in the heel and the toe to increase stability. MP It has a decent shape and the grip was good. However for me the feel was not brilliant, a little bit clicky. Lacks that X factor with balance and feel. JC I kept feeling the toe turning in; I almost felt I had to turn it out to hit it straight. I also felt I was having to hold back, as if it

THE VERDICT Looks: 7.5 Feel/Sound: 7 Aim: 8.5 Forgiveness: 7.5

Nike Method Matter B1-07

Putter loft: 4°

Putter loft: 2.5° out on line. JCox I’ve never putted with a pure blade, but I liked the feel and weight, it felt soft off the face and was quite consistent. DL A thin blade and grip gives you the feeling you’ll have to do everything yourself. That said, the impact sound is perfectly acceptable and the putter performed ok. Soft feel, simple design. Doesn’t breed conﬁdence.

THE VERDICT Looks: 6 Feel/Sound: 7.5 Aim: 9 Forgiveness: 8.5

Web: www.hotblade.co.uk

7.5

Web: www.wilsonstaff.com

Hotblade Tempo 2 Tech: Milled from 303 stainless steel, this blade features a ﬂange weighted to create strong toe hang which will suit an arcing putting stroke. MP Not a fan. There were no marks on the head which made it hard to line up; the feel was no better than alright. JC I wouldn’t choose it on looks; it has a very thin blade. But there was no harshness off the face, and I managed to send them all

seemed powerful. JCox This felt really good and I loved the grip and white alignment lines. But the results were inconsistent. DL This putter looked to me like it sat a little toe-high, though this could just be the sole camber. The firmer sound appeals to me; distance control wasn’t as strong as some. Confidence-inspiring shape. Impact feel a bit firm.

7.5

Tech: This face-balanced design features peripheral weighting to increase forgiveness. The RZN groove insert aids feel and roll. MP A simple classic shape which looked really good behind the ball. Performance was reasonably consistent and the feel was quite soft. JC It felt quite nice off the face but I tended to pull left and felt I had to force it right. JCox This feels quite lively off the

face, with putts rolling out a bit further, but I never felt I couldn’t control it. This is a good thing for me as I can easily leave putts short. DL It felt you had to really centre it to get a consistent sound and feel, but having said that all strikes rolled out a similar distance. Frames the ball well, decent feel off the face. Not the easiest to aim.

THE VERDICT Looks: 7.5 Feel/Sound: 8 Aim: 7 Forgiveness: 8.5

7.5

Web: www.nike.com/golf

GOLF ASIA 61

GOLFING BLADES

GEARGUIDE

Mizuno MP-A307

TaylorMade Ghost Tour Black Daytona

Putter loft: 3.5°

Putter loft: 3°

Tech: The white bezelled top line helps perpendicular aim; score lines milled in to the mild carbon steel face help the ball reach true roll quicker. MP It’s a lot deeper and beeﬁer in the toe, but impact felt very nice, and I got a very consistent roll and feel. JC Strange looking putter, with a much wider toe than heel. But the toe didn’t turn in, and it gave consistent results.

JCox The strange shape didn’t instil conﬁdence. I seemed to hit too hard though the feel wasn’t too bad. The white crown line was good. DL I found the white crown line a really useful alignment aid, working well with the down-theline sighter on the ﬂange. One of the best impact sounds and feels in the category. Enjoyable feel and sound. Toe could be off-putting.

THE VERDICT Looks: 7 Feel/Sound: 9 Aim: 7.5 Forgiveness: 8

Web: golf.mizunoeurope.com

Tech: Classic blade shape with a 40º toe hang which promotes medium toe flow. A milled aluminum insert gives a tour preferred impact sound. MP I quite liked the shape, though impact felt a bit firm. It swung alright though, and felt well weighted – though just a little heavy and firm. JC I like the offset, a bit more than some, but I struggled with consistency, though impact feels

THE VERDICT Looks: 8 Feel/Sound: 8 Aim: 7.5 Forgiveness: 8

Rife Switchback Putter loft: 2°

Putter loft: 3° Everything came out sweetly but I felt I had to aim right to send the ball on line. JCox It felt a little heavy to me and my striking wasn’t consistent; probably preferred the looks to the performance. DL I found the blue blocks eyecatching. I didn’t feel a great hands-blade connection though consistency was strong. Conﬁdence-inspiring shape. Not the most consistent.

THE VERDICT Looks: 7 Feel/Sound: 9 Aim: 7.5 Forgiveness: 8

Web: www.rifegolf.com 62 GOLF ASIA

Web: www.taylormadegolf.com

Benross Casino Shufﬂe California

Tech: Interchangeable weights that can be adjusted to give an evenly balanced 375g or 415g weight, with a mis-matched 395g available for those who prefer a curved swing path. MP I liked the shape and feel. But for some reason it made me hit the ball left. It could be down to the offset which can have that effect. JC A good-looking putter to my eye which feels a little heavier.

soft enough. JCox This felt a little too heavy for me. However I got a nice strike, and the ball came off the face consistently. DL I don’t like a putter that feels too soft, and this crisper sound works perfectly for me. However, while the results were consistent, this putter did little to elevate it above others. Well balanced, solid strike. Firmer feel not for everyone.

Tech: 304 carbon steel head promotes feel and feedback. Maximum Capacity Face Grooves reduce skid. MP The putter’s lie angle felt a little flat. The strike was quite soft and felt fine, but wasn’t a huge fan of the design. JC It felt nice off the face, and I instantly felt confident with it. The black and white is a little tacky for me, but that doesn’t matter if it works.

JCox The white head and black in the middle really helped with alignment. I found consistency easy, with all putts ending in the same spot. DL One of the most pleasing blade impact sounds for me, solid but never harsh. The black zone behind the centre leaves no room for doubt, and the minimal offset suits my eye. Easy to aim, consistency. Cosmetics will divide opinion.

THE VERDICT Looks: 8.5 Feel/Sound: 8 Aim: 9 Forgiveness: 8.5

Web: www.benrossgolf.com

8.5

Ping Cadence TR Anser 2

Bettinardi BB1

Putter loft: 3°

Tech: Option of aluminium insert (340g) for faster tempos or 365g inserts for slower. True Roll technology, designed to regulate speeds across the face. MP The head seemed a bit more lofted, so you could see the face, so I felt I had to push my hands forward slightly to not see it. But lovely feel. JC A putter that feels very well balanced. I could feel the insert working and seemingly making the

strike softer, and I felt I could be consistent with it. JCox The spongy grip has a really nice feel and gives me conﬁdence. I got a really nice soft roll. DL A putter that gives all the classic balance and reassurance of a Ping, with a solid impact sound and feel that bisects loud and soft. Classic design, well balanced. Appearance of face loft.

THE VERDICT Looks: 8.5 Feel/Sound: 9 Aim: 8.5 Forgiveness: 8

8.5

Web: www.ping.com

Tech: Made from a single block of mild carbon steel. Hyper honeycomb face milling helps define the Bettinardi feel. MP Beautifully weighted but the strike felt so hard, with a defined noise. I like a heavy feel but this felt very heavy. JC Feels lovely, looks great, like the face milling, nice and easy to hit. It was a little firm off the face, and a little too heavy for me.

THE VERDICT Looks: 9 Feel/Sound: 8.5 Aim: 8 Forgiveness: 8.5

Piretti Potenza II Rev 2.0

Putter loft: 3.5°

Putter loft: 2.5° JCox This felt soft yet crisp off the face, and has lovely weighting. I got a consistent strike, and this inspired confidence. Very impressed. DL A putter that seems to find its own way and makes you feel a little silly for missing. Simple looks and that sweet, soft strike make this a very strong product. Excellent balance and feel. No sweetspot marking.

THE VERDICT Looks: 9 Feel/Sound: 9 Aim: 8 Forgiveness: 8.5

Web: www.titleist.com

8.5

Web: www.bettinardi.com

Titleist Scotty Cameron Select Newport Tech: Heel and toe weighting is matched to the three standard lengths of 33, 34 and 35in. A deep milled face produces soft sound and feel. MP I didn’t like the lack of line on it, but the feel was good, towards the softer end, the overall balance was very good. JC Lovely to look at. Impact was lovely and soft, and it felt easy to find the right distance. Loved it.

JCox I found I didn’t have to do a lot with it, just pushed it through and it felt nice and consistent off the face. Looks good too. DL A lovely clean and elegant headshape, but while I like a firmer-sounding putter, this was almost a bit too crisp. This is a well engineered putter, but its feel takes some getting used to. Classy looks, well-designed. Weighting needs adjustment.

8.5

Tech: It’s milled from a solid block of stainless steel. Toe hang of around 45º and will suit an arcing stroke. It comes in 365 and 375g weights. MP Gave a soft feel with a muted sound. It was very nicely weighted and balanced and inspired conﬁdence. JC A very nice putter and grip with a cross-milled face. The ball came off it very softly and it gave very good results for both

line and direction. JCox This gave me a good, consistent roll and produced a nice, soft feel. It’s in a more traditional silver which I prefer. DL The heavier head initially seemed to create some lag in my stroke; but once I’d recalibrated it felt excellent, giving a gorgeous mellow impact tone. Super feel and consistent roll. Heavier design won’t suit all.

THE VERDICT Looks: 8 Feel/Sound: 8.5 Aim: 9.5 Forgiveness: 9.5

Web: www.pirettigolf.com GOLF ASIA 63

GOLFING BLADES

GEARGUIDE

Game changer Subtle weight ports in the toe and the heel let you customise the putter’s balance, toe hang and performance.

Two-faced The insert sees a steel mesh added to the brand’s White Hot technology to kill skid while retaining feel.

Odyssey Milled Collection #2 Putter loft: 3.5° Tech: Classic, hand-ﬁnished blade shape with CNC milling. Fusion RX insert is a blend of the White Hot insert with a steel mesh and designed to improve feel and reduce skidding. Adjustable weighting (340g, 350g, 360g) allows you to customise feel. MP This putter felt absolutely great. I love the shape, grip and feel, which was reasonably soft but never too soft. The balance was fantastic, and my results were very consistent. Nice and simple, yet very solid. 64 GOLF ASIA

JC A lovely putter with a really nice, soft feel. It is so well weighted, and gives you the feeling you don’t have to make a stroke to hit the ball. The insert colour and face matched the rest of the putter. Overall I felt very suited to this. JCox I wasn’t overly keen on the grip, which was a little too thin for me, but otherwise the putter looked and felt lovely, with the perfect swing weight and a soft, buttery feel off the face. It gave me very consistent results and is a putter I would very happily put in the bag. DL A solid putter with a crisp yet soft

impact sound, this felt really easy to swing, almost like it found its own way through the ball. It felt impossible to strike it anything other than sweet. Gorgeous feel, consistent performer. Not the easiest to aim square.

THE VERDICT Looks: 9.5 Feel/Sound: 9.5 Aim: 9 Forgiveness: 9 Web: www.odysseygolf.com

9.5

MID-MALLETS

Progen Chromo 2

Wilson Staff South Side

Putter loft: 4°

Putter loft: 3°

Tech: Machined milled face to promote consistency. The 45º toe hang will suit an arc stroke. MP A perfectly acceptable design with decent alignment aids. I got ok consistency, but the strike wasn’t pleasing to my ear and left me bit nonplussed. JC This looks OK but I really struggled to control distance and the strike lacked that mellow crispness you look for. I also had trouble getting it to sit well

behind the ball. JCox Performance wasn’t too bad for direction and distance. Solid enough and good for the money but uninspiring. DL The impact sound is muted and arguably a little dull, but I found the putter quite easy to use and reasonably forgiving on offcentre hits. A pretty good option for the price. Simple cosmetics, price. Dullish impact sound.

THE VERDICT Looks: 6 Feel/Sound: 7 Aim: 6.5 Forgiveness: 7.5

6.5

Web: www.progengolf.co.uk

Tech: Centre-shafted with a milled face to boost roll and consistency. Counterbalancing aids control by bringing the balance point nearer the hands. MP It felt solid, a little ﬁrmer than I’d like but not too bad, and the roll was as good as anything I’ve tested. JC Liked the feel, though I don’t like the shaft over the ball. The ball rolled ﬁne, though I struggled to control distance.

JCox I like a really soft feel. This wasn’t especially soft and the sound wasn’t great to my ear, but the performance on distance control was strong. DL I like the way the shaft merges into the head, though the putter felt a bit heavy and unwieldy to me. The face though gave a very pleasing sound, and seemed forgiving. Rolled the ball well. Impact a little ﬁrm for some.

THE VERDICT Looks: 7 Feel/Sound: 7.5 Aim: 7.5 Forgiveness: 8.5

Web: www.wilsonstaff.com

Benross Casino CNC Milled

TaylorMade Ghost Tour Black Maranello

Putter loft: 3°

Tech: Milled from a single piece of soft 304 carbon steel. Face milling reduces skid and boosts consistency of contact. MP This sat well but I didn‘t especially like the feel which was quite ﬁrm, and it came off the face fairly quickly. JC I struggled with squaring the face at impact; I felt it was closing and felt myself having to force it right. Could have been me of course, but I didn’t feel this with

other putters. JCox For me the ball seemed to come off the face really hot and because of this I didn’t get a consistent roll at all. DL The white sight line at the back of the leading edge made me want to push the putter towards the ball, risking a penalty. But well balanced and ﬂowed nicely through the ball. Good grip, good shape. A bit ﬁery off the face.

THE VERDICT Looks: 8 Feel/Sound: 8 Aim: 7 Forgiveness: 7.5

Web: www.benrossgolf.com

7.5

Tech: Heel-shafted putter with a slant neck, creating the feel and sound preferred by the elite player through its 6061 milled aluminium insert. MP I enjoyed using this. It sits well, feels soft yet solid, and is consistent. For some reason this face feels a lot nicer in the midmallet than the blade. JC Distance control didn’t seem a problem with all strokes giving a nice pure strike, with neither a hot

or dull feel. JCox The grooves seem to produce a soft feel, which I like. I found it easy to create a sweet strike. Dispersion was really good, especially for distance control. Inspired conﬁdence. DL This putter certainly felt a bit toe-waggy for me. It will suit a stroke more arcing than mine, though there is little to dislike. Solid yet soft strike. Aim results disappointing.

THE VERDICT Looks: 8.5 Feel/Sound: 8.5 Aim: 7 Forgiveness: 7

Web: www.taylormadegolf.com

GOLF ASIA 65

MID-MALLETS

GOLFING GEARGUIDE

Odyssey Works Big T #5

Piretti Ferrara Rev 2.0

Putter loft: 3°

Putter loft: 2.5°

Tech: Blends Versa right-angle alignment aids with Marxman face to back markings to form a strong white T-shape in a black head. Fusion RX insert. MP The consistent soft feel and smooth roll won me over quickly. I found it easy to send putts a consistent distance. JC The insert frames the ball nicely. I found it easy to line up and ﬁnd the sweetspot, and the results it gave me were great.

JCox The colour scheme made this easy to align. It gave the ball quite a soft roll and I got very good dispersion. DL Probably my favourite midmallet. Sits so comfortably behind the ball, with the white T enforcing a feeling of conﬁdence. The muted strike gives a feeling of control. Smooth roll and soft feel. Aim results didn’t really back up the design.

THE VERDICT Looks: 7.5 Feel/Sound: 7.5 Aim: 7.5 Forgiveness: 9.5

Web: www.odysseygolf.com

Tech: 365g head is hewn from a single block of carbon steel, and has a titanium PVD ﬁnish. MP This gave a solid and pleasing feel and a consistent roll. Very consistent dispersion too, especially when it comes to distance control. JC This was very forgiving on off-centre hits. The ball came off crisp every time. Another very easy putter to use. JCox At ﬁrst it seemed to feel a

THE VERDICT Looks: 8 Feel/Sound: 9 Aim: 6.5 Forgiveness: 8

Mizuno MP-A308

Putter loft: 2.5°

Putter loft: 3.5° Off-centre hits seemed smooth too. JCox I like the head shape, and it gives a lovely soft feel. I found it easy to ﬁnd consistent line and length. DL This has more offset than I thought I liked, but it helped the putterface frame the ball very well and inspired conﬁdence. Good forgiveness and feel. Poor alignment performance.

THE VERDICT Looks: 8.5 Feel/Sound: 9 Aim: 6 Forgiveness: 8.5

Web: www.nike.com/golf 66 GOLF ASIA

Web: www.pirettigolf.com

Nike Method Matter M4-12 Tech: The 304 stainless steel head helps soften feel and permits customising, while the RZN groove insert is designed to limit skid and mute impact. MP I enjoyed this. It has a very soft feel and lovely shape, with just a slight toe hang which works well for me. JC It feels very nice off the face, with dispersion and distance spot on. Off the face the ball just seems to roll with no jumping.

little heavy, but as I got used to it all putts were consistent. Good, solid impact feel. DL More a deep blade than a mallet. Again, you need to tune in to the heavy head but after a few putts it seems to help you create a pendulum-like feel to your stroke. Very pleasing impact sound. Forgiving, and consistent for distance. Performance failed to inspire.

Tech: This forged and milled putter features face score lines to reduce skid and promote roll. MP Another very strong midmallet which sat nicely, swung well and gave good consistency. JC I don’t get the crown line – in fact I didn’t even notice it – but very consistent, distance control is easy, face a little ﬁrmer than some but nothing that caused an issue. JCox I quickly found my perfect length. Not the softest off the face

but a very nice weight and easy to gauge putts. DL Extravagantly heel-shafted and toe weighted, which makes the blade seem very long, accentuating the feeling of toe ﬂow. Nice feel, but for me, I could feel the blade wanting to rotate too much. Superb alignment marks. Won’t suit golfers with a squarer stroke path.

THE VERDICT Looks: 7 Feel/Sound: 8 Aim: 10 Forgiveness: 9

Web: golf.mizunoeurope.com

8.5

TECH TESTED: MISHIT PERFORMANCE

Forgiveness tested We compare pure strikes with toe contact. How well did the putters cope?

Bettinardi BB32 Putter loft: 3Â° Tech: Hyper honeycomb face milling gives feel and consistency. The long sight line and ďŹ&#x201A;ange design build conďŹ dence. MP This felt soft, with a very consistent roll and dispersion. It sat well behind the ball and one of those putters that seems to ďŹ nd its own way. I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fault it. JC A narrower face than some, but I loved the look and the milling. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lovely to hit, smooth back and through, and every

strike was pure, came off the face just as Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like it to. JCox It has a nice look, almost a bit bronzey, and sits well. The milled face gives a great consistent roll and distance felt easy to gauge. DL The feel is there and it tracked well, but didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t suit my eye. I felt more comfortable with the Bettinardi blade. Lovely impact feel and sound. Aim is behind other qualities.

THE VERDICT Looks: 9 Feel/Sound: 8.5 Aim: 7.5 Forgiveness: 9.5

8.5

Web: www.bettinardi.com

The top 20 most forgiving putters on test 1. Bettinardi BB1 CB 2. Piretti Savona Rev 2.0 3. Titleist Scotty Cameron Futura X5R 4. Odyssey Works Big T 5. Ping Cadence TR Ketsch 6. Nike Method Matter M5-12 7. Rife Barbados 2.0 8. Bettinardi BB32 9. Progen Chromo 3 10. Piretti Teramo

Titleist Scotty Cameron GoLo 5 Putter loft: 3.5Â° Tech: An aluminium face/sole unit ďŹ ts inside a milled steel frame to create advanced perimeter weighting, with forgiveness enhanced by customisable heel/toe weights. MP I like the shape and the weight was lovely. The feel was superb, if a little bit ďŹ rmer feel than some, and it gave a very consistent roll. JC It is weighted beautifully. An insert covers most of the face so

ick Middleton of Zen Putting Mechanics makes an extraordinary claim: â&#x20AC;&#x153;In fact the strike pattern for a putter is not that much better than that for a driver. Golfers miss the putterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sweetspot far more often than they think â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and when they do, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important the putter offers as much assistance as possible.â&#x20AC;? Forgiveness, then, is an important parameter of putting design. And to get an idea of how well putters coped with mishits, we put each one on the mechanical putting jig created by Zen and AMRC Boeing. Each putter was set up to strike one ball centrally, and a second a quarter-ball into the toe â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a common and realistic mishit â&#x20AC;&#x201C; over a distance of around 20ft. The putters with the least change in results are listed below. While every effort was made to ensure accuracy, more precise results would be obtained by longer-term testing. However, on average, blade putters lost 21.14cm of distance and were 10.28cm out for line while mallets lost just 12.13cm of distance and were 7.13cm out for line. This suggests a clear forgiveness superiority for the mallet.

itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quite easy to hit from the sweetspot and dispersion and distance control were excellent. JCox Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really easy to ďŹ nd the sweetspot and this is pretty easy to line up. Lovely grip too. DL Quite a big footprint for a midmallet but manages to feel deft and wieldy. Little not to like, but not my favourite shape. Forgiveness and consistency. Not the easiest to set square.

THE VERDICT Looks: 9.5 Feel/Sound: 9 Aim: 8.5 Forgiveness: 8.5

11. Piretti Potenza II Rev 2.0 12. TaylorMade Daddy Long Legs 13. Rife Switchback 14. Mizuno MP-A308 15. Ping Cadence TR Anser 2 CB 16. Ping Cadence TR B65 17. Dunlop DP1 Pro 18. Odyssey Milled 19. TaylorMade Ghost Spider 20. Benross California 0URE SWING 2OBOT TESTING ASSURED CONSISTENT STRIKES AND ACCURATE RESULTS

Web: www.titleist.com GOLF ASIA 67

MID-MALLETS

GOLFING GEARGUIDE

Setting the pace Face grooves are designed to even out impact speeds from across the face, boosting distance control.

Mass approval The lighter blue insert suits faster tempos and helps with lagging; the heavier insert suits a slower stroke and boosts holing out.

Ping Cadence TR B65 Putter loft: 3°

Tech: A face-balanced blade with an Anserstyle hosel and single alignment line. Option of traditional (340g) or heavy (365g) inserts to tailor to stroke tempo. Both inserts feature Ping’s latest True Roll technology, designed to make ball speeds consistent across the face. MP I loved this putter. Classic shape, sat and swung beautifully, had a lovely soft feel, and the face balancing suits my stroke. This would go straight in the bag. It does though suddenly feel very hard if you miss the grooved area. 68 GOLF ASIA

JC Closest in appearance to some of the blades, nice weight, though feels quite a small hitting area, with any off-centre hits seeming to ﬁre off the face. But when you hit it, it comes off very nicely. Good, comfortable grip. JCox Liked this putter a lot. This was fairly similar to a blade, not that much difference at the back, but gave a feeling of stability and produced a nice soft roll when you hit the grooves. It’s well weighted, tracks well, and results were very good. DL A really solid putter that gives a mid-

sounding impact and seems to ﬁnd a way of rolling the ball however you try to sabotage the strike. Lovely shape, sound with a consistent and controllable feel. Grooved area could be wider.

THE VERDICT Looks: 9.5 Feel/Sound: 9.5 Aim: 8.5 Forgiveness: 9 Web: www.ping.com

MALLETS

Benross Casino Shufﬂe Arizona

Progen Chromo 3

Putter loft: 3°

Putter loft: 4°

Tech: Weighted wings boost MOI and mishit forgivness. Face grooves curb skid, while the soft 304 Carbon Steel head promotes feel. MP I’m not a fan of how it looks but I loved the way it swung, lovely consistent roll and a sweet though ﬁrmer feel. It was a little awkward to sit on the ground and line up. JC I don’t really like the fangs, and I have been known to helicopter putters. Cosmetics not my favourite

but performance was ﬁne. JCox Gave the same pleasing feel as the Benross blade. The black and white alignment frames the ball well. DL I didn’t like the jagged look, but feel and roll were pleasing. Didn’t give me my best results for distance control. Consistent good feel. Cosmetics failed to please.

THE VERDICT Looks: 6 Feel/Sound: 7.5 Aim: 7.5 Forgiveness: 6.5

Web: www.benrossgolf.com

Tech: The 45º toe hang will suit an arcing stroke. The machinemilled face reduces skid and boosts consistency. MP This looks like a kid’s club. Feel wasn’t good at all but the results were consistent. Felt awkward to line up. JC You could probably get a lot of rubbish stuck in the back there. But weirdly it was quite consistent; it just didn’t sound that nice and looks plasticky.

THE VERDICT Looks: 6 Feel/Sound: 6 Aim: 7 Forgiveness: 9.5

Hotblade Tempo 4

Putter loft: 4°

Putter loft: 4° length. Didn’t suit my eye but performance was good. JCox Very ugly and heavy, but the softest I hit all day. Despite the weight I had to hit it to get it to the hole. DL Impact was probably too soft for me, and at odds with a putter that felt a little bit cumbersome. Interesting technology, but not for me. Very soft feel and good roll. A lot more beast than beauty.

THE VERDICT Looks: 6 Feel/Sound: 7.5 Aim: 6 Forgiveness: 9

Web: store.dunlopsport.com/golf

7.5

Web: www.progengolf.co.uk

Dunlop DP1 Pro Tech: A sliding weight system allows you to adjust weight position – closer to the face as you want a ﬁrmer feel on slower greens. The insert sits proud of the face to eliminate the effects of insert border striking. MP Hideous, yet really good. The insert feels ever so soft, and the ball comes off the face lovely, rolling the ball very well. JC The feel is very, very soft and gave me great consistency for

JCox This looks plastic, but performance-wise was one of my most consistent. Impact was a little harsher than some, but I grouped the balls well. DL I seemed to get a strange noise out of it every now and again, and I didn’t care for the looks. A better performer than its cosmetics suggest. Consistency to rival pricier products, and very forgiving. Cheap looks, indifferent feel.

Tech: This 303 stainless steel mallet employs a dual bar that boosts stability. Circular facemilling removes face debris. MP For how bad it looks it was surprisingly nice. Feel is a on the ﬁrm side but it is nicely weighted and rolls the ball well. JC Looks like a bit of angle iron has been welded onto the back. Yet it performed well, and I couldn’t fault it for consistency and strike.

JCox Looks horrendous, but performance-wise was really quite nice with consistent feel, weight and grip. DL It does look like something you could knock up in your garage, and I couldn’t get it to sit very well. Yet the feel, sound and performance were very strong. Not sure I could get over the looks though. Nice balance, feel and roll. Unpleasing aesthetics.

THE VERDICT Looks: 6 Feel/Sound: 8.5 Aim: 8.5 Forgiveness: 8

7.5

Web: www.hotblade.co.uk GOLF ASIA 69

MALLETS

GOLFING GEARGUIDE

Jaxx 04

Cleveland TFI Smart Square

Putter loft: 4°

Putter loft: 3°

Tech: A strong sightline and an offset hosel aid alignment while the soft insert improves feel and feedback. MP The feel was quite clicky but it performed reasonably well. Consistency was behind the best but when you get it out of the middle it was ﬁne. JC Sounds, feels and looks awful… but got real consistency with it. Every putt was a foot by the hole and most on line.

JCox Another cheap-looking putter with not much to it. However, it gave me excellent distance control and the insert gave a nice roll. DL Sorry, but I really liked this. Yes, its cosmetics are very ordinary, but the feel was great and the consistency impressive. I’ve hit putters costing 10 times more that don’t match up. Forgiveness and consistency. Potential for mate-ribbing.

THE VERDICT Looks: 6 Feel/Sound: 7.5 Aim: 8.5 Forgiveness: 9

7.5

Web: www.jaxxgolf.co.uk

Tech: True Feel Innovation face places a milled copper face cap over a copolymer insert. Smart Square alignment aids create vertical and horizontal aids. MP Not a fan of the shape, or the concept of aligning. I felt the strike was quite hard. It put my hands in a good position. JC I’m not sure the copper face gave it a discernable difference in feel. There are a couple of screws

THE VERDICT Looks: 7.5 Feel/Sound: 7.5 Aim: 9 Forgiveness: 7.5

John Letters Silver Swan Elegance SS6

Putter loft: 3°

Putter loft: 4°

THE VERDICT

sweetspot. JCox I’m not a big fan of fangs but for some reason these don’t offend me. The face didn’t feel springy but the ball ran out well. Nice oversize grip. DL Offers a relatively neat and compact footprint for a mallet and feels stable. The strike is on the softer side, boosting the feeling of control. Soft, consistent feel. Aim not as easy as some.

Looks: 8 Feel/Sound: 8.5 Aim: 7 Forgiveness: 8

Web: www.odysseygolf.com 70 GOLF ASIA

Web: www.clevelandgolf.com

Odyssey Works SuperStroke #7 Tech: Fusion RX insert melds existing face technologies to improve roll and feel. Includes SuperStroke grip as standard. MP This sat nicely, making it easy for me to ﬁnd my natural position. Impact felt very soft and gave consistent results. JC Felt lighter than some but was the most comfortable of the mallets I’ve tried today. It came off the face not too hot or soft, and was easy to strike from the

in the bottom that sit very slightly proud which I became aware of. JCox I found this very easy to align and it gave me a really nice soft feel and consistent roll. Very nicely weighted. DL That copper face cap gives a more metallic sound and feel, but not unpleasantly so. I found it easy to hit same distance and path. Solid, consistent performer. Visuals will split opinion.

Tech: SS6 is made from 304 stainless steel. The double milled face helps with strike consistency and distance control by limiting skid. MP I quite enjoyed this putter. I favour that big round shape; it’s easy to line up, swung lovely, and consistent. JC According to the data I was suddenly aiming right, surprising given the strong sight lines. Feel was a little ﬁrm off the

face, though not a hard putter to swing purely. JCox It framed the ball really well. The sound was a bit pingy, but results were impressive. The sight lines helped me aim. DL Sweet strike, and shows you don’t need white on black to create an effective alignment aid. But didn’t ﬁt my eye, and I felt I ‘lost’ the head a bit. Breeds conﬁdence. Impact sound didn’t please.

THE VERDICT Looks: 7 Feel/Sound: 7.5 Aim: 9 Forgiveness: 8.5

Web: www.johnletters.com

TECH TESTED : FACE AIM

Set square Putters are designed to help you square the face. But do they achieve it?

TaylorMade Ghost Spider SI SuperStroke Putter loft: 2.5Â° Tech: Uses a heavier grip and head to bring the putterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s balance point closer to your hands. PureRoll surlyn insert promotes consistent roll. MP Practice strokes seemed to feel good, but the feel off the face seemed quite inconsistent. But it sat well and seems well weighted. JC I struggled with distance control; some seemed to ping off while others didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not a fan of the fang design, though it feels

well balanced. JCox I liked the SuperStroke grip as well as the feel off the face, which is very soft; this makes a nice muted sound. DL There are a lot of sharp edges on the head which make it a taste unacquired by me. Yet I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fault the putter for tracking and performance. Nice soft feel and easy roll. Inconsistent strike feel.

THE VERDICT Looks: 7 Feel/Sound: 8 Aim: 8.5 Forgiveness: 8.5

Web: www.taylormadegolf.com

square blade at address is considered one of the fundamentals of putting, and companies make huge investments into R&D to develop head designs to help us aim the face at the hole. But how well do they succeed? Face aim at set-up is one of 28 putting stroke parameters measured by Science and Motionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PuttLab. As our testing team struck putts, the system recorded in degrees how well or badly they were able to aim the blade. Those ďŹ gures averaged out to give a blade aim ďŹ gure for each putter for each tester. Those ďŹ gures were averaged again to give an overall blade aim mark for each putter. Note though that because of human error, this mark should be used more as a comparison with other putters rather than an evaluation of the putter itself. During this testing, an intriguing theme emerged. Mallets consistently scored higher marks than blades or midmallets. Indeed, our list of the 10 putters our testers found easiest to aim square contains only two blades. Piretti should also gain a special mention here, for remarkably getting three putters in the top 10. 1. Piretti Savona Rev 2.0 (Mallet) (.05Âş) 2. Mizuno MP-A308 (Mid-mallet) (.19Âş) 3. Titleist Scotty Cameron Futura X5R (Mallet) (.2Âş) 4. Bettinardi Inovai (Mallet) (.23Âş) 5. Odyssey Tank Cruiser 330M (Counterbalanced) (.27Âş) 6. Rife Barbados 2.0 (Mallet) (.39Âş) 7. Piretti Potenza II Rev 2.0 (Blade) (.4Âş) 8. Cleveland TFI Smart Square (Mallet) (.44Âş) =9. Benross Casino ShufďŹ&#x201A;e California (Blade) (.45Âş) =9. Piretti Teramo (Counterbalanced) (.45Âş)

Ping Cadence TR Ketsch Putter loft: 3Â° Tech: A machined aluminum mallet with milled TR grooves and a stainless steel sole plate, with a ball-width alignment aid. Traditional (355g) or heavy (388g) insert options. MP Felt a little ďŹ rmer but it seemed to perform consistently and the head tracked well. JC I struggled for consistency with distance. I would prefer more offset, but not a bad putter by any means.

JCox It looks a bit deep at the back, but the softness of the roll was fantastic and it felt very consistent. DL I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sure about the Darth Vader-helmet cosmetics, but its performance turned me round. The putter seemed to know which way to go without me telling it, and I loved its ďŹ rm-yet-sweet feel. Forgiving and consistent. Large footprint.

THE VERDICT Looks: 8.5 Feel/Sound: 9 Aim: 7 Forgiveness: 9.5

8.5

,ASER ACCURACY 3CIENCE AND -OTION SOFTWARE CHARTED BLADE AIM

Web: www.ping.com GOLF ASIA 71

MALLETS

GOLFING GEARGUIDE

Rife Barbados 2.0

Bettinardi Inovai

Putter loft: 2°

Putter loft: 3°

Tech: RollGroove technology is designed to achieve true roll quicker. Strong sight lines. MP This felt nice, with a feel I’d describe as ﬁrm but not too hard. It’s nicely balanced, yet results weren’t quite as positive as my feel would suggest. JC Slightly odd design and the sound of the face was for me a little tinny, almost like something was loose. But consistency was good and it felt easy to align. I’d

prefer more offset but a decent putter. JCox Easy to aim, but it sounded a little bit cheap. I like a really soft feel and this felt a little bit clunky. However, my grouping was very good. DL I actually thought the sound was ﬁne. I did though ﬁnd the putter a bit ‘wallowy’, though results were very strong. Strong aim and forgiveness. Feel not universally approved.

THE VERDICT Looks: 7.5 Feel/Sound: 8 Aim: 9.5 Forgiveness: 9.5

8.5

Tech: A stainless steel weight is placed low and away from the face to help raise MOI. A Superﬂy milled face promotes a soft, responsive feel. MP Had a soft feel, and felt easy to align. It also felt stable, and gave me good results for distance and direction. JC It gave a nice comfortable feel, was nicely weighted, the ball comes off just as you’d want it. It seemed easy to square

THE VERDICT Looks: 8.5 Feel/Sound: 8.5 Aim: 9.5 Forgiveness: 8

Web: www.rifegolf.com

Web: www.bettinardi.com

Nike Method Matter M5-12

Piretti Savona Rev 2.0

Putter loft: 2.5°

Tech: The RZN groove insert improves feel and roll, while the simple white sight line stands out against the black crown. MP I liked the shape, and the ball came off the face lovely, rolling very well. It felt good in my hands, with impact neither soft nor hard. JC Not the most appealing design but it performed well. Each putt felt it was struck solidly and ﬂuidly. I’m not a massive fan of black colouring but I got

consistent results. JCox This gave me consistent results, and seemed good across the face. DL The strong offset frames the ball well and encourages a feeling of squareness. I found the feel slightly dull, but it seemed to improve my stroke – something not to be sniffed at. Forgiving, good mid-feel. Blade aim results indifferent.

THE VERDICT Looks: 9 Feel/Sound: 9 Aim: 7.5 Forgiveness: 9.5

Web: www.nike.com/golf 72 GOLF ASIA

through impact, and distance control was good. JCox Very easy to line up but I was a little off for distance control. I found the brand’s blade a little more controllable. DL Lovely, muted feel, making it easy to send the ball out with control. The head design is a bit busy, but felt steady throughout the stroke. Muted impact, easy aim. Solid if not inspirational.

Tech: Piretti’s highest MOI putter features strong heel and toe weighting in a 375g head. The putter is face balanced to suit a straight stroke. MP This putter swung ok and felt pretty good, but the looks didn’t suit my eye. Didn’t give me that X factor. JC Not my style of club but I found it very easy to swing in a pure fashion and the ball came off the face beautifully, with a

softer feel for a milled face. JCox It felt a little too heavy for me. The strike was quite good, and the results good, but I preferred the blade. DL I felt I had to hit the ball harder to ﬁnd the right distance. Once I dialled into that its consistency was almost spooky. Incredible aim and forgiveness stats. Heavier weighting can affect the feel.

THE VERDICT Looks: 8 Feel/Sound: 8.5 Aim: 10 Forgiveness: 10

Web: www.pirettigolf.com

8.5

Keeping a straight face X5R resists twisting on impact thanks to the blend of aluminium and stainless steel in the head.

Balanced argument This sole plate hides a hollow area, with the weight saving sent to the wings to boost stability.

Titleist Scotty Cameron Futura X5R Putter loft: 3.5° Tech: Futura X are high MOI designs with minimal toe ﬂow, designed to be easy to square up through vertical and horizontal sight lines. X5R features a rounded wing back shape, and creates stability, feel and sound through a hollow sole plate and thicker face.

with very consistent distance control. A putter that combines form and function.

MP This is one of those putters that makes a stroke without you having to do much; start it off and the weight and balance keep it moving. It has a lovely shape and feel, is easy to align, and performance was pretty good

JCox Feel wasn’t too bad but for some reason I pulled the odd putt left. Of course it could have been my technique. But it had the lovely soft feel you always know you will get with Scotty putters.

JC A nice putter with lovely grip, felt good off the face but the aesthetics not my cup of tea. Performance was good though, and I found it easy enough to send putts off on line.

DL This putter was one of those that’s able to join the dots between the eyes, hands and blade. Its balance left you feeling connected to the head throughout the stroke, inspiring competence. Excellent square aim performance. Styling won’t appeal to all.

THE VERDICT Looks: 8.5 Feel/Sound: 9 Aim: 10 Forgiveness: 9.5

9.5

Web: www.titleist.com GOLF ASIA 73

GOLFING COUNTERBALANCED

GEARGUIDE

Ping Cadence TR Anser 2 CB

Titleist Scotty Cameron GoLo 5R Dual Balance

Putter loft: 3°

Putter loft: 3.5°

Counterbalancing features a 50g weight and a 17in grip. Shaft length is 38in as standard, but an adjustable-length model is available. MP The feel was soft and it kept the hands quiet enough. Though overall it lacked ﬁzz. JC Don’t really like the black head and white insert. It felt a little dull, but counterbalancing helps you get it back and through in one ﬂuid motion.

JCox For some reason I felt I got a better feel of the standardlength blade, which to me felt a lot softer. DL For me, this takes all the qualities of the Anser 2 and mutes them by being longer, heavier and fatter gripped. Will surely do a job for the busyhanded, but until I get afﬂicted I’ll stick to the standard length. Easy to create smooth roll. Strike felt a little ﬂat.

THE VERDICT Looks: 7 Feel/Sound: 7 Aim: 8.5 Forgiveness: 9

Web: www.ping.com

Tech: Dual Balance version sees 50g added to the head and the butt, with length options of 36-40in. MP Had all the feel and consistency we expect from Scotty Cameron, but it didn’t have the wow factor standardlength putters give me. JC I wouldn’t buy it on looks but it seemed as consistent as any I’ve tried. It was easy to hit the same distance every time.Again,

THE VERDICT Looks: 7.5 Feel/Sound: 8 Aim: 8 Forgiveness: 8.5

TaylorMade Daddy Long Legs

Putter loft: 3°

Putter loft: 2.5° ball came nicely off a soft face, and I like the shaft offset from the head. JCox I like the chunky grip, but I found the feel a little inconsistent. Overall though, it looks nice behind the ball, and felt easy to aim. DL The thick grip and weight seem to take some of the feel out of the putter for me; but produced a lovely soft strike. Easy to aim, soft feel. Didn’t inspire our team.

THE VERDICT Looks: 7 Feel/Sound: 8 Aim: 9.5 Forgiveness: 8

Web: www.odysseygolf.com 74 GOLF ASIA

Web: www.titleist.com

Odyssey Tank Cruiser 330M Tech: Head weights allow overall weights of 365g, 375g or 385g, while counterbalancing weights of 5g, 15g and 30g let you customise the putter’s feel. MP I really liked this. It has a lovely feel, nice grip and weight. The counterbalancing beneﬁts are hard to feel, though it did feel a fraction smoother. JC Easy to align, with a nice head shape and alignment marks. The

a little ﬁrmer off the face. JCox Feels lovely and gave me a nice consistent roll, though I actually prefer their standardlength putters. DL I can’t say the heavier version does a lot for my feel off the head and awareness of the stroke. But the putter creates a lovely crisp noise and does help bring the shoulders into play. Consistent, solid performer. Standard-length preferred.

Tech: A heavy grip promotes counterbalancing in a putter offered in 35 and 38in lengths. PureRoll surlyn insert. MP The head sits really well, putting my hands comfortably in front of the ball. Good feel. I wouldn’t get it because there’s just too much going on for my eye, but it performed well. JC Aesthetically this is the worst putter I’ve seen. But it was pretty

consistent, and not overly heavy, with good feel and easy alignment. JCox The roll is really nice, the grip is lovely, feels nice and soft off the face, and it performs better than it looks I think. DL I found the extravagant design a burden and blessing, one minute drawing the eye and helping the putter track straight the next. Good mishit performance. Design is an acquired taste.

THE VERDICT Looks: 8 Feel/Sound: 8.5 Aim: 8 Forgiveness: 9

Web: www.taylormadegolf.com

8.5

PUTTER TEST: CONCLUSION

Bettinardi BB1 CB Putter loft: 3° A longer shaft adds 42g. The head is increased by the same amount to bring the putter’s balance point nearer the hands. MP A good-looking putter with good balance and a nice swing to it. Felt a bit ﬁrmer than some though, not in a bad way. JC Maybe the feel is a little hard off the face but it felt nice and easy to line up and not hard to swing smoothly. JCox Loved it. I probably

preferred the normal length just a bit – I just felt I had a little more consistency – but this felt as nice off the face, with a really nice feel and consistent roll. DL Again with Bettinardi, a noticeably harder sound than most of the rest off the face, but the putter ﬂowed beautifully through the ball and was a pleasure to use. Superb forgiveness. Heavier, ﬁrmer feel.

THE VERDICT Looks: 8 Feel/Sound: 7.5 Aim: 9 Forgiveness: 10

8.5

What we learned How performance influences perception; and the importance of the putter grip Handle with care While putter build tends to focus mostly on the head in terms of forgiveness and skid-reducing faces, the ﬁrst comment each tester made about a putter was almost always about its grip. The grips on the 45 putters sent in to us varied dramatically, from the slender Iomic on the Piretti Ferrara to the chunky SuperStroke on the TaylorMade Spider SI. Our testers’ reactions to the grip suggested it plays a key role in that instant, instinctive judgement of a ﬂatstick. Virtually every brand on test provides a range of grip options, so make sure you try it in your favoured grip before making your decision.

Web: www.bettinardi.com Why aren’t we all using mallets? Our testing both on the SAM system and the robot devised by Zen showed mallets outperform blades in both the forgiveness and lining-up stakes. So why do so many golfers still prefer blades? Certainly some of it is down to visuals; many golfers just don’t like the look of a mallet. It’s almost impossible to quantify the improvement in performance your preferred look gives you; but the stats suggest that golfers who prefer the look of mallets may have an advantage.

Piretti Teramo

Putter loft: 3.5° Tech: Milled from a solid block of carbon steel. The putter is face balanced to suit a straight stroke. Head weights offered are 355, 365, 375 and 400g. MP I really enjoyed hitting this putter. It seemed to come off the blade consistently sweetly, and the extra head weight seemed to help it track back and through. Impressive. JC The club felt a little heavier but was beautifully weighted.

The ball came off the milled face sweetly. JCox This performed not too bad but it felt a bit clunky for me, almost like I was mishitting the balls. DL Like all Pirettis it’s a bit heavier and forces your stroke slower. Probably no bad thing. Sweet strike, and produced impressive consistency. Balance, sweet strike. Weight needs adjusting.

THE VERDICT Looks: 8.5 Feel/Sound: 9 Aim: 9 Forgiveness: 9.5

Web: www.pirettigolf.com

Beauty: in the eye of the putt holer During the test, it was fascinating to see how a golfer’s view of a putter’s prettiness changed, relative to success. Putters deemed ugly as sin became more attractive after its wielder holed ﬁve 10-footers in a row; ‘stunning’ creations seemed to pale as they missed. Yes, it’s important to like what you look down on; but when choosing a putter, be prepared to let an unattractive-but-effective design grow on you.

Determine your alignment preference Every putterhead on test had some form of alignment aid – be it down-the-line or square to it. Golf brands have done much research into how we best square up a putter face, but ultimately some golfers ﬁnd square, toe-to-heel markings more effective while others do better with lines back from the face. Knowing which works best for you will clearly help you choose your best putter – yet of all golfers on test, only Matt had this understanding. If you don’t know your preference, ﬁnd a pro with a laser and ask him to check your face-squaring with either design; a pattern will emerge. Having said this, putters like Odyssey’s Big T and Cleveland’s TFI Smart Square have marks that cater for either preference.

GOLF ASIA 75

GOLFING PROFILE

Maintaining The Jewel In The South

We catch up with Ong Seng Kiat and ﬁnd out how he keeps the verdant landscapes of Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club amongst the best in the region

lot of work was put in from start to ﬁnish in a bid to create a course that re-deﬁnes the game. Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club (HHGCC) has raised the bar as far as golf course construction and maintenance is concerned. With greens running at almost 10.5 daily on the stimpmeter, or even 11.5 on a tournament day is possible, thanks to the exceptional care provided by course superintendent Ong Seng Kiat 76 GOLF ASIA

and his staff. Therefore it comes as no surprise that Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club has emerged as one of the most popular courses for Singaporeans and that it has become the home of the Iskandar Johor Open, an event jointly sanctioned by both the European and Asian Professional Golf Tours. GA: What would you say are the three most important elements in successful golf course management?

There are actually many elements and factors involved, but to put it simply they would have to be cultural practice, sufficient manpower as well as sufficient turf machinery. GA: What are the favourite things about your job? I love golf as a whole. I love playing the game as well as meeting up with likeminded people in and around the club as well as within the golfing circle.

GA: What led you to pursue golf course management as a career? My parents inﬂuenced me to pick up golf, and from then on, I began to fall in love with the game. After ﬁnishing my secondary school education, I began working as an apprentice in golf course maintenance and after 2 years, I went over to Western Australia to further my studies. GA: What would you say are the three most important elements in successfully managing a golf course? Again, I could pen down chapters on this but in simple terms they would have to be Air, Sunlight and Water. GA: How would you describe your philosophy on golf course maintenance and management? I have been in the golf course maintenance industry for almost 12 years and over that time, I’ve gained a lot of knowledge and experience, I’ve even had the pleasure of working in Pakistan as a golf course superintendent. And I’ve found out that to successfully lead a golf course management team, you must get to know and understand each member of the team and their cultural backgrounds as they differ from country to country. Yet despite these differences, each team member

must possess the common understanding of the maintenance objectives for the golf course, be it a daily 10.5 on the stimpmeter or 11.5 on a tournament day. As a course superintendent, one needs to demonstrate as well as coach all members of the maintenance team. GA: What are your goals at Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club? Quite simply, I want to ensure that the golf course is in an immaculate condition at all times, foster as well as maintain a good working maintenance team and to create a memorable golﬁng experience for all golfers who play here. GA: What are the long-term maintenance objectives for the club? We would like to maintain our high service standards by up-keeping all our facilities to not only meet but also to exceed the expectations of our members and if possible, continue achieving awards! GA: What are the most signiﬁcant challenges in your job as a golf course manager? In Asia, the weather posts the greatest challenge. The confounding combination of high humidity, heat and occasional heavy thunderstorms and rainfall or the occasional extended dry spell, may

not bode well for our warm season turf on the course, as such warm season grass generally prefer more sunlight which during the monsoon months is a very scarce commodity. It is also during such months that we typically have fewer rounds of golf played due to the inclement weather. GA: What are your thoughts on extension of a golf course to meet the increased distances golfers today are able to achieve? In Horizon Hills the current total distance is sufﬁcient for both amateurs as well as professional golfers, and we have a total of 99 bunkers as well. With its current design, golfers playing at Horizon Hills can’t simply bomb their drives to make birdies, they must instead plan their shots and practice good course management to able to have a good score. GA: How important is routine maintenance and how do you carry that out at HHGCC? We carry out maintenance daily to ensure all greens are healthy and conduct tests to make sure all greens are running at a consistent speed. Most of all, we ensure all greens are mowed and bunkers raked even before the ﬁrst golfer tees off for the day. GOLF ASIA 77

GOLFING PROFILE

My Winning Reﬂection

In this latest installment, Mardan talks about his wife’s inspiration and how he enjoyed playing at the Kurmitola Golf Club

ardan Mamat of Singapore was inspired by a special message from his wife Naz as he cruised to a two-shot victory at the inaugural Bashundhara Bangladesh Open. The new event was the ﬁrst ever Asian Tour tournament to be staged in Bangladesh and Mardan was proud to be crowned the champion after producing a wonderful 78 GOLF ASIA

display of golf during the week. It is always great to be a winner. I’m the ﬁrst Bashundhara Bangladesh Open champion so I have to give credit to myself for winning. I knew I had to be at least under-par on the front nine and I did just that. After 13 holes, I told myself that I need a two-shot cushion going into the last hole and I would have a chance to win.

If I say that I didn’t have any pressure then I’m not human. Two of my competitors (Soomin) Lee and Khalin (Joshi) are young and they hit it long. They kept pushing me a lot on the front nine but I managed to steady myself and play my own game. I talked to my wife the night before the last day and she sent me a message, saying, “You are the champion,

you are the winner and you are the man”. That really inspired me to go out there and play my best. I’ve improved a lot on my mental game. I talk a lot to myself to motivate myself to play well. In fact, my wife and I have been talking a lot about my game and conﬁdence. She always inspires me and feeds me positive thoughts. I’m going to be 50 in two years so I want to keep myself ﬁt and play competitively on the Asian Tour. When I turn 50 I hope to compete on the Senior Tour. I proved myself wrong for wanting to

quit the game last year before my win in the Philippines. I have to credit my wife who told me that I love this game so much and I mustn’t walk away from it. Now I’m not thinking about ending my career. Now I want to stay ﬁt and win as many titles as I can. This is a game which I love a lot and I will like to continue playing. This is extra special for me because Singapore celebrates 50 years this year. I hope my win will inspire the youngsters in Singapore. The Bashundhara Bangladesh Open is a good start for all Bangladeshi golfers.

They have their National Open for the ﬁrst time on the Asian Tour and all the players will want to win their National Open. This will inspire them to practise harder and win the event next year. I was jumping and dancing during the prize ceremony because I like the beat of the music which they played. During the welcome dinner I heard the song which is the theme song for the event and I loved the music. Overall, the Bashundhara Bangladesh Open was a great addition on the Asian Tour Schedule and I’m happy that I walked away as the champion.

GOLF ASIA 79

ESCAPE

3 & ( * 0 / " - t * / 5 & 3 / "5 * 0 / " - t - * 4 5 * / ( 4

ESCAPE SPAIN

Interior of Royal Alcazars of Seville, Spain

A Magical Historical Experience

Cathedral of Cadiz

Enjoy golf and much more around Andalucía’s cities

Alhambra Palace of Granada illuminated at night

82 GOLF ASIA

golﬁng break to Andalucía’s classical cities can be a richly rewarding experience, combining rounds on some of Spain’s best courses with fascinating history, grand architecture, a wealth of culture, great shopping and glorious gastronomy. Spain’s southernmost region, and its second largest by area, has been pivotal to the fortunes of the country for many centuries, with grand cities such as Granada, Seville, Cadiz, Malaga and Cordoba still embodying its very essence. There are also excellent golf courses in or around all of them, allowing golfers to enjoy a few days on the fairways as well as immersing themselves into the heart and soul of the cities. You can feel the Andalucían way of life in all of the region’s cities. The capital of Andalucía and its most densely

18 fairway and view over Gibraltar Marbella Club Golf Resort GOLF ASIA 83

ESCAPE SPAIN

populated city, Seville is known for its tapas bars, as are cities throughout Andalucía. Follow the locals’ lead and take a tapeo, or tapas-bar crawl, hopping from one bar or tavern to another to sample tasty little dishes accompanied by drinks and convivial conversation with friends. Seville is also Andalucía’s cultural heart, with spring bringing its most important events on the calendar – the Semana Santa, a week of religious processions with elaborate ﬂoats, and the Feria or Spring Fair that involves dancing and horse riding. The Moors and Christians Festival, typically celebrated in other parts of Spain in June, marks the re-conquest of Spain and takes place all over Andalucía throughout the year. Architectural highlights in Seville include its cathedral, the Giralda bell tower, originally a Moorish minaret, and the ornate Alcazar palace, also built by the Moors. Seville has ﬁve golf courses, among them the Royal Club de Golf de Seville, designed by Jose Maria Olazabal and the host course of the 2004 World Cup of Golf as well as the Andalucía Open in 2009 and the Spanish Open in 2008, 2010 and 2012. Granada is laid out over foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and is dominated by its magnificent Alhambra, a Moorish palace and fortress that also incorporates beautiful gardens. It, too, has plenty of tapas, history and tradition. For golfers, there are

Finca Cortesin Hole 1

84 GOLF ASIA

Bunker at hole 6 - Sherry Golf Jerez

two courses, one being the Granada Club de Golf just south of the city and the other being Santa Clara Golf, 10 minutes from Granada. Malaga is the gateway to the Costa del Sol and has a clutch of courses close by including former Andalucía Open host Parador de Malaga Golf, the oldest course on the Costa del Sol, which was designed by Turnberry and Muirﬁeld architect Tom Simpson and opened in 1925. Many golfers who ﬂy into Malaga rent cars as soon as they pick up their luggage and head west along the

Granada Club de Golf

coast towards Marbella. But they are missing out on a wonderful city with a great buzz, history galore and superb cuisine. Picasso was born in Malaga; many of his art works adorn the Picasso Museum and his life is documented in his nearby birthplace on Plaza de la Merced, now a small museum. Malaga has been transformed into a haven of culture in recent years, with several new museums including two key institutions that opened this spring. Malagaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Muelle Uno port development saw the opening of the cube-shaped Centre Pompidou Malaga, featuring

Sherry Golf Jerez

GOLF ASIA 85

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Sherry Golf Jerez

Galerias Laquinta

86 GOLF ASIA

Montecastillo

Sherry Golf Jerez

works of art from the Centre Pompidou in Paris, while the Museo Ruso de Malaga is a branch of the famous Russian Museum in St Petersburg, Russia, in a former tobacco factory that features Russian art works dating back 600 years. The building also houses the vintage car collection of Malaga’s Automobile Museum. A ﬁne arts museum opens in the city in 2016. Among Malaga’s other buildings of note are the Moorish Alcazaba fortress overlooking the harbour and the adjacent Gibralfaro castle, a Roman amphitheatre and Malaga’s cathedral.

Cordoba has two golf courses, the Club de Golf de Cordoba situated in a beautiful forested park 15 minutes north of the city. The Moors ruled Spain from Cordoba and prior to that it was an important Roman city. Spend time taking in the sights of this fascinating city, which include the Jewish Quarter, the Mezquita Mosque which also incorporates a cathedral, and the Alcazar fortress and gardens. Visit in May to catch festivals such as the colourful Feria de Cordoba, the Cruces de Mayo (May Crosses Festival) and the Fiesta de los Patios, recently inscribed by UNESCO

Sherry Golf Jerez

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on its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It also has one of nine Michelin-starred restaurants in Andalucía. Cadiz has had a chequered history, having been founded by the Phoenicians and then been ruled by the Carthaginians, Romans and Moors and destroyed by the Visigoths before becoming the base for discovery expeditions to the New World. The port city is virtually surrounded by the sea and has over 100 watchtowers, a Roman

La Quinta Golf & Country Club

88 GOLF ASIA

amphitheatre and a yellow-domed cathedral. The area around Cadiz is famed for its hilltop pueblos blancos or white towns, while Jerez de la Frontera is synonymous with sherry and ﬂamenco and is also home to the dancing horses of the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art. Events include the Jerez Horse Fair and Sherry Festival. There are 19 courses in the Cadiz region. They include Sherry Golf Jerez and former Volvo Masters venue

Monte Castillo, both close to Jerez, the recently-reopened Arcos Gardens and a cluster of courses by the coast near Cadiz that include Costa Ballena, La Estancia, Sancti Petri Hills Golf and Novo Sancti Petri, where two of the three courses were designed by the late Seve Ballesteros. To find out more about golf in Andalucía, visit www.andalucia.org/en/ golf.

Sancti-Petri-Hills-Golf

Parador de Mรกlaga Golf

Arcos Gardens

Montecastillo

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Central Coast Charm

This part of Vietnam boasts a superb selection of golf courses built against the backdrop of China Beach at Danang as well as couple in the dry and temperate climate of highaltitude Dalat. Throw in fabulous food and produce and a range of lifestyle activities and one can see why this is fast becoming a popular tourist destination. Golf Asia checked out a few golf courses in this picturesque part of Vietnam BY JUSTINE MOSS

The Dalat at 1200 Country Club & Private Estate

90 GOLF ASIA

The Dalat at 1200 Country Club & Private Estate With its blend of colonial French and Vietnamese architecture, lush pine forests, rolling green hills and agriculture, Dalat is also known as Le Petit Paris, The City of Eternal Spring and The City of Thousands of Pine Trees. Set on an 800-hectare site a short drive from the town is The Dalat at 1200, which is named after the location’s altitude at 1,200 metres above sea level. Former touring professional and current Chairman of the Asian Tour, Kyi Hla Han, has come up with the design – the front nine have been tweaked and reshaped by Dalat Palace Golf Club

Dalat Palace Hotel

him while the back nine are totally new. According to Han, each hole on the scenic course has a different character and the front nine has been reworked to complement the back nine. What set this course apart from many others in this region are the bent grass greens, which are rarely found on courses here. As the first and flagship Asian Tour Destination, the property will also feature an Asian Tour Performance Golf Institute, the first Asian Tour Players’ Academy. This will help to train new pros, in addition to allowing current Asian Tour players the opportunity to practise year-round.

It’s a very enjoyable course to play on which is helped of course by its surroundings and stunning views of mountains, water and greenery. It’s a layout that you‘ll deﬁnitely want to play on more than once. A: Da Ron Commune, Duong District, Lam Dong Province, Dalat E: info@dalat1200.com W: www.dalat1200.com

Dalat Palace Golf Club This par-72 award-winning course also has Bent-grass greens and a full Bent grass practice facility with driving range GOLF ASIA 91

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and putting green. Its history stretches back to the 1930s when it was built on the instructions of Emperor Bao Dai who had learnt the sport on a trip to France. The course then only had six holes and the quaint clubhouse, which is still there today. In 1945 the course was abandoned until Doctor Hach from Hanoi settled in Dalat in 1954 and together with the Dalat Palace Hotel director, raised money through sponsors to rebuild the course. They found eight and for a while the course made do with the eight holes with the eighth played twice from a different tee box. The clubhouse was extended in the mid 1960s however the club closed again in 1975 due to the Vietnam War. In the early 1990s, a cofounder of DHL revived the club and extended

Danang Golf Club 92 GOLF ASIA

the course to include 18 holes. The layout is lovely and picturesque with many pine trees hugging the fairways and it and has been crafted into Dalat’s mountainous setting. A: Phu Dong Thien Vuong, Dalat T: +84 63 3821 201 E: info@dalatpalacegolf.vn W: www.dalatresorts.com/dalatpalacegolfclub

Danang Golf Club This 6,547 metre, 18-hole links-style Dunes Golf Course, was designed by Greg Norman in the true spirit of the game, meaning making full use of the contours of the land with blown-out bunkers, ﬁrm and fast fairways, rugged waste areas, swales and hollows. This award-winning course, which opened for play in 2010, is challenging as it

weaves through rugged sand dunes. It has views of ‘China Beach’ and the Marble Mountains and a lot of sand in its topography. One good thing is that the fairways are quite generous, however there are a large number of waste areas so club selection and accuracy is absolutely key here if you want to achieve a half decent score at the end of your round. Norman has built ‘strategy’ into each hole, and the course’s most difﬁcult hole is the par-4 13th so make sure your tee shot is a strong, right-to-left drive over a mammoth fairway mound which will leave you a mid-iron shot to the slightly elevated green with a false front. If there is one memorable hole, then it has to be the signature par-3 16th with views of the sea and Cham

Island. It is breathtakingly beautiful. Facilities include accommodation (villas and beach resort), clubhouse, pro-shop, restaurant, bar and lounge and golf academy. A: Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son, Danang City T: +84 (511) 3958 111 E: reservations@dananggolfclub.com W: www.dananggolfclub.com

Laguna Lang C么 Golf Club Situated halfway between Hue and Danang on a sandy strip of dune land is the 6365 metre par-71 Sir Nick Faldo-designed course. It is part of the Laguna Lang C么 resort, which is situated near Lang Co Bay and framed by a three-kilometre beach. Each hole on the course is designed to reveal a character of its own, presenting

Laguna Lang C么 Golf Club - Hole 9

Danang Golf Club - Driving range

Danang Golf Club - Hole 10 GOLF ASIA 93

ESCAPE VIETNAM

Laguna Lang Cô Golf Club

golfers with a range of opportunities for exceptional game play. The course weaves between trees, natural streams, over rice paddies and through impressive rock features to create a memorable and diverse and unique golf experience. Faldo says, “If you can create different environments for golfers throughout the round, that’s the in thing now – you want a different feel, requiring different shots”. He adds, “It’s deﬁnitely got a great feel about it. It’s got the rice ﬁeld look, the beach, jungles and blowouts when you get to number 15. That’s a pretty unique look.” Facilities include Banyan Tree & Angsana hotels and residences, pro shop, Golf Academy, driving range, tennis courts, gymnasium, swimming pool, activities centre and SPA.

Eight-time European Order of Merit winner and 2010 Ryder Cup-winning captain Colin Montgomerie designed this challenging course. When playing the course you get to realise just how many bunkers feature on every hole of this layout and there are also seven lakes. Although ‘links’ is in the course’s name and description,

A: Cu Du Village, Loc Vinh Commune, Phu Loc District, Thua Thien Hue Province T: +84 (0) 54 3695 881 F: +84 (0) 54 3695 891 E: laguna@lagunalangco.com W: www.lagunalangco.com

Montgomerie Links Located between Danang and Hoi An, and only 15 minutes from Danang airport, this was the ﬁrst golf course in the area. 94 GOLF ASIA

Montgomerie Links - 5th Hole, par 3

Montgomerie has put his modern touch to a traditional links environment. The par-3 2nd is relatively long and surrounded by a native casuarina forest but you have to be careful with club selection because of the wind. The par-3 ﬁfth, in comparison, is much shorter and you need to hit across the water to

Dalat Palace Hotel-L'Aquitaine Spa

WHAT TO DO - DALAT

land on the green. Luckily the landing area is generous although be careful not to overshoot the green as there is thick vegetation guarding its back. The par-5 12th is a beauty and requires three strategically placed shots to get your way around the bunkers and once on the green you’re almost guaranteed an uphill putt. Playing slightly uphill to a bunker-riddled fairway, the hole is framed by the clubhouse in the background and has been described as the best par-5 in Vietnam. The ﬁnishing hole is superb although the longest at 538 metres and it’s a real possibility to get a birdie on the hole before retiring to the clubhouse in high spirits. Long hitters will want to go for the green in two, if only just to try and avoid a number of left and right hand side fairway bunkers, but be prepared for an undulating and elevated green. Facilities include villas, modern clubhouse, driving range, pro shop, sauna, Jacuzzi, restaurant & bar and member’s lounge.

A visit to the Dalat Market is well worth the time – day and night hundreds of vendors are selling various items such as local produce, souvenirs, clothes, shoes and wine. Nearby the market is the L’ang Farm shop and cafe - a manufacturing and retail food brand - which sells specialty products such as artichoke tea, artichoke extract, herbal tea bags and loose leaf tea, herbal products, coffee, fruit, jams, specialty snacks and local wine. Sights include the Linh Phuoc Pagoda, Truc Lam religious site, Elephant Falls, the Crazy House, Dalat Flower Park, Dalat Railway Station, Emperor Bao Dai’s summer palace and the French Quarter.

WHAT TO DO – DANANG Take a short drive to Hoi An, a UNESCO

world heritage town, which is beautiful as its architecture is a mix of eras and styles from wooden Chinese shop houses and temples to colourful French colonial buildings. Make sure you also visit the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, Museum of Cham Sculpture, Cao Dai Temple or take a trip to view the majestic Marble Mountains, Lady Buddha, Danang Cathedral as well as the Non Nuoc and My Khe Beaches. Getting to Danang is easy with a number of direct flights or ones involving one stop from many countries in the region. To get to Dalat, you’ll need to fly either via a 30-minute flight from Ho Chi Minh or a 90-minute flight from Hanoi. From Dalat’s Lien Khuong airport it takes around a 30 minute drive to the city centre. For more information visit http://www.golfasian.com/golf-holidays/ vietnam/.

A: Dien Ngoc Commune, Dien Ban District, Quang Nam Province T: +84 (510) 3941 942 F: +84 (510) 3941 940 E: info@montgomerielinks.com

Danang Golf Club villa exterior

W: www.montgomerielinks.com

GOLF ASIA 95

MERCHANT LISTING

Enjoy a world of golﬁng and lifestyle beneﬁts and discounts with... th.

From discounts on green fees, golf apparel, equipment, to shopping and dining KLSPNO[Z `V\ JHU SVVR MVY^HYK [V H OVZ[ VM L_JP[PUN WYVTV[PVUZ ZPTWS` I` ÅHZOPUN `V\Y Golf Asia privilege card. For more discounts and privileges, log on to www.golfasia.sg

MERCHANT GUIDE GOLF APPAREL

MUNSINGWEAR

• Appointment is required. • For ﬁrst time trial customer only. Valid for customers 21 years old & above. • The company reserves the right to amend any terms and conditions without prior notice. • Valid til 31st Dec 2015. Novena Square #03-03/13/14/15 Singapore. Tel: 65/6252-5822 or SMS 65/9456-9533 Heartland Mall #02-133/135 Singapore. Tel: 65/6282-7388 or SMS 65/8181-7388 520 Toa Payoh Central #01-54 Singapore. Tel: 65/6258-9388 or SMS 65/8181-9388

• 10% off regular priced items. • Additional 5% off sales items. •Above promotion is applicable at the

JEAN YIP LOFT • $60 VIP RETREAT includes Full

GOLF CENTER

• 25% discount given to members. •#02-15 Far East Shopping Centre Singapore.

LE COQ SPORTIF

• 10% off regular priced items. • Additional 5% off sales items. • Above promotion is applicable at the following shops: Suntec City Le Coq Golf Plaza Singapura Le Coq Takashimaya Le Coq

following shops: Marina Bay Sands Munsingwear Mandarin Gallery Munsingwear Takashimaya Munsingwear

GOLF COURSES IN MALAYSIA HORIZON HILLS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

•15% discount on Green Fee for weekdays (except for Malaysia & Singapore Public Holiday) •Terms & Conditions apply. •Proof of membership card upon registration. •Booking shall be done 7 days in advance. •No.1, Jalan Eka, Horizon Hills, 79100, Nusajaya, Johor Darul Takzim, Malaysia. • Tel: +607/232-3166 Fax: +607/232-3919 Email: general@hhgcc.com.my Website: www.hhgcc.com.my

PERMAS JAYA GOLF CLUB

•Pay only RM32 for 18 holes buggy fees for golﬁng. •Valid for weekdays only. •Tee-off before 12pm. •6 Jalan Permas Selatan, Bandar Baru Permas Jaya, 81750 Masai, Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Tel: +607/388-7010

HEALTH & BEAUTY D’SKIN • Environmental Control Facial (90 mins) at $39 (u.p. $158)

body massage (60 mins) + Full body dry polish (20 mins) / or Ear Candling (20 mins) + Tea & Dessert of the day (usual price $269). • By appointment booking only For New Customers 23 years old & above. • Valid for Singaporean, SPRs, and holders of EP, SP, DP and WP. • NRIC & Membership card must be presented upon redemption. • Family members of Wheels Asia subscriber are welcome. • Jean Yip Group reserves the right to amend any terms and conditions without prior notice. • Valid till 31st March 2015. • Redeemable at Jean Yip Loft, 307 New Bridge Road (Outram Park MRT Station Exit H) Tel: 65/6325-7307 / 6634-5162 and quote ‘Golf Asia VIP Retreat $60’

LIFESPA • Choice of one spa treat at $28 nett: Skin Refiner Facial Treatment (U.P. $200, 60 mins) or Deep Tissue Body Massage (U.P. $160, 60 mins) • Valid for customers aged 23 & above, Singaporeans, PRs or E-Pass holders who are first time customers of LifeSpa. • Present NRIC or E-Pass upon arrival for verification. • Appointment is required and quote "Golf Asia 2015 Promotion". • Please arrive 10 mins before scheduled appointment to avoid reduced treatment time.

• Valid til 31st Dec 2015. 111 Somerset Road (Somerset MRT) #02-05 TripleOne Somerset, Singapore. Tel: 65/6737-6766

• 55 Lorong L Telok elok Kurau #01-59/61

• Contact us for your private tour!

Bright Centre, Singapore. 575 Tel: 65/8688-8575 www.thegardenslug.com

Tel: 65/6622-5380 Website: www.gourmettrails.com

CAR RENTAL 76 Bras Basah Road (City Hall MRT) Level 5, Carlton Hotel, Singapore. Tel: 65/6339-6966

SHOU SLIMMING CENTRE • MLD Massage at $39 (u.p. $85). • Receive a complimentary tummy trim worth $148. • Appointment is required. • For ﬁrst time trial customer only. Valid for customers 21 years old & above. • The company reserves the right to amend any terms and conditions without prior notice. • Valid til 31st Dec 2015. Novena Square #03-37/38 Singapore. Tel: 65/6252-5822 or SMS 65/9788-9494 One Rafﬂes Place #04-49/50 Singapore. Tel: 65/6536-9388 or SMS 65/8484-9533

TK TRICHOKARE • Trichological Scalp Treatment at $49.99 (u.p. $338) • Valid til 31st Dec 2015. Velocity @ Novena Square #03-19 The Clementi Mall #05-11 Orchard Gateway #02-12 Nex #02-24 Tel: 65/6338-8680

THE GARDEN SLUG

• 50% discount on the soup of the day (any size) or any Iced Tea or Hot Tea with purchase of any pasta dish from the in-house menu from Monday to Thursday. • $1 Hot Black Coffee or Hot Tea with purchase of any Breakfast item from the in-house menu from Friday to Sunday.

SPA

HERTZ CAR RENTAL

G.SPA

• 10% off Affordable Rates worldwide.

• Enjoy the services at members’ rate. • Valid at both g.spa @ Nassim

Terms & conditions:

and the main branch at Guillemard. • g.spa Fitness & Recreation Hub 102 Guillemard Road #02-02 Guillemard Village Singapore. Tel: 65/6280-8988 • g.Spa @ Nassim 1 Nassim Road #02-05 Singapore Tel: 65/6733-8988 Website: www.gspa.com.sg

• Privilege card must be presented upon purchase. • Not valid with other promotions and discounts. • The Garden Slug reserves the right to amend the offer should any items be unavailable, without prior notice. • Reservations recommended. Call 86888575 to make a reservation or book online at bit.ly/chopeslug. • Valid until Aug 2015.

• • •

SPA ELEMENTS | ELEMENTS CHIROPRATIC

•

• Choice of one wellness treat at $28 (u.p. $220): Healing Body Massage with Detox Back Scrub (60 mins) or Customised Rejuvenating Facial with Destress Eye Therapy (60 mins) or Spinal Check & Chiropractic Treatment. • Cathay Outlet Special: $5 off for appointments made from Monday to Thursday. Companion Perk: Bring along a friend to enjoy the promotion at the same price. • Valid for customers aged 23 & above, Singaporeans, PRs, EP and DP holders who have not visited Spa Elements in the last 12 months. • Not valid for existing package holders. Prices are subjected to 7% GST. • Valid til 31st Dec 2015. #B1-30, ION Orchard Singapore. Tel: 65/6738- 3788 or SMS 65/9059-8188 #03-19, The Cathay (near Dhoby Ghaut MRT) Singapore. Tel: 65/6738- 8008 or SMS 65/9056-8088

TRAVEL FORTIS HOSPITALITY

Terms & conditions:

• Valid on self-drive rentals for vehicle

• 10% off on all ﬁrst-time bookings •Contact us for your exclusive Island Escape getaways! Tel: 65/3108 0321 Website: www.fortis.com.sg Email: reservations@fortis.com.sg

GOURMET TRAILS

• Minimum 2 to travel • $100 off your ﬁrst GT holiday • $200 off your subsequent GT holidays • Offer is valid per trip until 31 Dec 2015

•

pick up at participating locations in USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Discount is subject to a minimum 1 day rental. Reservation must be made at least 24 hours prior to departure (48 hours for rentals in Asia). Quote CDP#1985602 during reservation. Discount cannot be used in conjunction with other rates, discounts and promotions. Blackout dates and standard HERTZ rental terms and conditions apply.

For enquiries and bookings, please book online at www.hertz. com or contact your nearest HERTZ Reservation Centre:

• Hong Kong, Tel: 2525 2838, Email: reshertz@hertz-gsa.com.hk

• Indonesia, Tel: (21) 521 2006, Email: hertzgsa@discoverjkt.net

• Malaysia, Tel: (03) 2715 8383, Email: hertzgsa@discover-kul.com

• Singapore, Tel: 1800 370 3388, Email: reserve@hertz.com

• Thailand, Tel: (02) 634 1804, Email: hertzgsa@mma.co.th

TO JOIN

GOLF ASIA PRIVILEGE CARD as a participating merchant, email: marketing@ regentmedia.sg

ESCAPE LISTINGS SINGAPORE

CHANGI GOLF CLUB

MARINA BAY GOLF COURSE

SELETAR GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

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NATIONAL SERVICE RESORT & COUNTRY CLUB

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SENTOSA GOLF CLUB

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GOLF ASIA 97

ESCAPE LISTINGS MALAYSIA

TANJONG PUTERI GOLF RESORT

KOTA PERMAI GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

PONDEROSA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

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INDONESIA

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GOLF ASIA 99

ESCAPE LISTINGS BRUNEI

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CHINA

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GOLF ASIA 101

LUXE 5 * . & 1 * & $ & 4 t 4 5 : - & t ( 30 0 . * / ( t ( " % ( & 5 4 t "6 50 4

LUXE TIMEPIECES

AUDEMARS PIGUET With a tradition in developing oval-shaped watches for women since the 1970s, Audemars Piguet introduces its latest Millenary timepiece speciﬁcally designed for ladies. Three years in the making, the new Millenary Hand Wound for Ladies is powered by its 5201 hand-wound manufacture movement operating at a frequency of 3 Hz (21,600vph), offers 54 hours of power reserve and contains 157 parts and 19 jewels. The beautifully shaped case had a diameter of 39.50 mm and is available in pink gold (ref. 77247OR) or white gold (ref. 77247BC) with diamond-set bezel and lugs (116 brilliant-cut diamonds for 0.60 carats). The crown is set with a pink cabochon sapphire. A third version (ref. 77248BC) features a white gold case entirely set with diamonds (438 brilliant-cut diamonds for 1.93 carats) and is enriched by a diamond-paved white gold off-centred disc (136 brilliant-cut diamonds for 0.26 carats) and blued gold hands.

BULGARI The new Diagono Scuba is a diver watch with a touch of elegance that will make it suitable for almost any situation. While maintaining the key design elements of the original model introduced in the 1990s, the new Scuba features a cleaner dial, a simpliﬁed rubber strap and a new in-house selfwinding movement, the Manufacture BVL 191 Solotempo calibre beating at 28,800vph with 42-hour power reserve. The distinctive 41 mm case, equipped with the same notched diver’s bezel found on the original, is now water resistant to 300 metres. The new Diagono Scuba is available in four versions: steel with rubber strap or steel bracelet and black dial, two-tone steel and rose gold with silver opaline dial, and rose gold on rubber strap with black dial. 104 GOLF ASIA

AKRIVIA AkriviA’s new Tourbillon Regulator is a timepiece characterised by the regulator-type arrangement of its indication, with the hours counter at 12 o’clock, the central axis bearing the minutes hand only, and the seconds hand fixed to the tourbillon at 6 o’clock. Typical of AkriviA, the case is made from stainless steel and has a diameter of 42.5 mm. It frames a grey dial featuring an unusual “polished-matt” finish that is obtained using a painstaking hand technique. The 13.7 mm carriage of the tourbillon revolves in one minute and houses a Breguet balancespring connected to the balance wheel oscillating at the rate of 21,600 vibrations per hour. The AK-04 calibre was entirely developed and finished by Rexhep Rexhepi and his team.

CARTIER The new Ronde Croisière is a sporty threehanded model featuring an amorphous diamond-like carbon or ADLC-coated bezel, hence it is almost scratch free and ﬁnger print proof. The round case measures 42 mm x 9.7 mm and offers water resistance to 100 metres with a sapphire crystal to protect the dial characterised by Cartier’s signature Roman numerals, rail-track minute circle and swordshaped skeletonised hands. The crown is set with a black synthetic spinel cabochon, another typical element of Cartier timepieces. The Ronde Croisière is available in three variations and hidden by the solid caseback, the automatic Cartier in-house movement (calibre 1847MC) beats at 28,800vph and features a dual-direction winding mechanism which delivers a power reserve of 42 hours while providing enhanced durability via a specially designed lever system.

HERMÈS Reinvented in 2012, the unusual Hermès In The Pocket timepiece returns this year in a rose gold version with alligator exterior issued in a 178-piece limited edition. The 40 mm diameter of the rounded rose gold case increases to 49 mm when worn on the wrist. The grained silvered dial features baton-type hands sweeping over pareddown numerals with the small seconds ticking at 3 o’clock. The self-winding H1837 movement (28,800vph) created for Hermès by Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier features a circular grained and snailed mainplate and offers 50 hours power reserve. The oscillating weight is adorned with the brand’s “sprinkling of Hs” motif. The Matt havana strap is hand crafted in the workshops of La Montre Hermès in Switzerland. The two parts are composed of three layers of leather: alligator, an inner cow grain leather reinforcement to ensure sturdiness, and a Zermatt calfskin lining.

GLYCINE In 2015 Glycine introduced a new version of its Airman No. 1 timepiece featuring a smaller 36 mm diameter case, the same size of the 1953 original, which was the ﬁrst 24-hour watch in the world to feature a second time zone. Offering the possibility to set three time zones, the new Airman No. 1 features a robust stainless steel case with rotating bezel framing a double 24-hour display with a red date indication at 3 o’clock. Featuring a domed Plexiglas, water resistant to 100 metres, this classic pilot watch has a screwed solid case back. The Airman No. 1 is powered by the automatic GL 293 calibre based on the ETA 2893-2 beating at 28,800vph and offering a power reserve of 42 hours.

JAQUET DROZ Part of its Astrale collection, the new Jaquet Droz Grande Heure Minute Quantième combines a contemporary design with styling elements which are typical of the brand. The dial of the Grande Heure Minute Quantième is offered in two variations (silver opaline or blue Côtes de Genève) and features three central hands, the blued steel or rhodiumplated hour and minute hands and a red-tipped seconds hand and the new date aperture at 6 o’clock sporting sharp angles and bevelled edges perfectly embedded in the dial. The last day of the month is displayed in red, a classic in Jaquet Droz timepieces. The self-winding movement, visible through the sapphire crystal case back with its openworked rotor, is the JD1150P calibre with a silicon spiral. First launched in 2014, this 4 Hz (28,800vph) movement is anti-magnetic and unaffected by changes in temperature and pressure to deliver optimal performances even in extreme conditions. Featuring a double barrel, it offers a power reserve of 68 hours. GOLF ASIA 105

LUXE TIMEPIECES

MANUFACTURE ROYALE With the new 1770 Voltige, Manufacture Royale takes the escapement out of the movement and places it above the dial, a semi-circular bridge that gradually rises to its high point above the dial secures the balance. Beneath it, the pallet and the escape wheel meet at a rate of 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz). The manufacture MR05 calibre equipping the Voltige 1770 displays hours, minutes and small seconds and provides 40 hours of power reserve. The anthracite grey dial with satin sunray ﬁnish features a cartouche at 3 o’clock bearing the Manufacture Royale inscription and a small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock with a sieve-like structure. The 45 mm steel case, designed by Eric Giroud, is held by two brancards that hug the sides and extend beyond its middle to form the lugs.

MANUFACTURE CONTEMPORAINE DU TEMPS Manufacture Contemporaine du Temps (MCT) is back to the square case with the Frequential One F110, characterised by the exposed balance wheel as the key elements of the movement are positioned around the balance wheel on different levels creating a nice depth effect, accentuated by the different type of surface ﬁnishes. The central suspended balance wheel is combined with a traditional hours-and-minutes display with white indexes and numerals. At 12 o’clock we ﬁnd a power reserve indicator. The case of the Frequential One F110 - composed of 45 parts - maintains a classic cushion form with a 42mm x 42mm size and it is crafted from titanium with DLC treatment. The movement beats at 18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5Hz). Matched to a carbon black alligator leather strap with a double deployment clasp in titanium, the Frequential One F110 is available in two versions (ref. SQ42 F110 DG01 and the all-black ref. SQ42 F110 AB01).

MONTBLANC With the new Homage to Nicolas Rieussec II model, Montblanc commemorates the second invention of Nicolas Rieussec, an improved version of his chronograph where the use of a rotating graduated enamelled disc was abandoned in favour of a long, slender central seconds hand (christened the Diablotine) which would rotate to follow a minute-circle displayed around the dial. For the hour ring and the graduation of the counters, Montblanc has opted for a hybrid ceramic whose clarity and brilliance in the daylight is reminiscent of the enamel used in traditional dials. To deliver exceptional luminescence in the dark, this ceramic incorporates pigments of Super-LumiNova to trace out Roman numerals in a typographic style. The 43mm steel case houses the self-winding MB R200 Manufacture calibre that is produced and assembled in the Montblanc workshops in Villeret, the movement beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour and, thanks to the double barrel, offers a 72-hour power reserve. The new Montblanc Homage to Nicolas Rieussec II is issued in a limited edition of 565 timepieces.

106 GOLF ASIA

OMEGA On occasion of Spectre, the latest 007 episode, Omega released the Seamaster 300 Spectre Limited Edition, the watch that Daniel Craig wears in the movie. The watch features a bi-directional, rotating diving bezel, made from black, polished ceramic, combined with a LiquidMetal 12 hour scale. LiquidMetal is a zirconium-based alloy that offers incredible hardness and resistance to corrosion and scratching. Other unique features include the “lollipop” central seconds hands, with a circle to replace the arrow used for the original version, as well as the 5-stripe black and grey NATO strap. On the bracelet’s strap holder, the 007-gun logo has been engraved. Each watch has its own unique serial number engraved on the back along with the Spectre ﬁlm logo. The 41 mm steel case is powered by the Omega Master Co-Axial calibre 8400, resistant to magnetic ﬁelds greater than 15,000 gauss, is water resistant to 300 metres and comes with a four-year warranty. Only 7,007 pieces of the Omega Seamaster 300 Spectre Limited Edition will be produced.

VACHERON CONSTANTIN The Historiques Cornes de vache 1955 is a contemporary interpretation of Reference 6087, an iconic model created by Vacheron Constantin in 1955 which was the ﬁrst water-resistant and anti-magnetic chronograph presented by the Geneva manufacturer. The 38.5mm x 10.9mm case is crafted from platinum and is water resistant to 30 metres. The screwed-in caseback is ﬁtted with a transparent sapphire crystal serving to admire the hand-decorated heart, the hand-wound Caliber 1142 beating at a frequency of 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations per hour) with a 48-hour power reserve. Like the other new chronograph movements by Vacheron Constantin, the columnwheel screw has the shape of the emblem of the Manufacture, the Maltese cross. The silver-toned opaline dial - with 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock and small seconds at 9 o’clock - is punctuated by Roman numerals, applied hour markers and hands in 18-carat white gold, while the central seconds hand, the 30-minute counter hand and the tachometric scale feature a royal blue shade which improves readability.

RICHARD MILLE The Richard Mille RM 055 Bubba Watson All Grey Boutique Edition has an upper bezel created using shot-blasted titanium carbide, a titanium and carbon alloy with a hardness of 1450 Vickers for outstanding durability over time. The caseband and caseback are made using shot-blasted titanium. The ‘all grey’ effect is achieved through a manufacturing process that involves shot blasting the grade 5 titanium case with minuscule glass beads at a low pressure to ensure an even ﬁnish. The manual winding caliber RMUL2 in grade 5 titanium displays extreme skeletonisation, with a PVD and Titalyt treated baseplate and bridges. This combination provides the whole structure with optimum rigidity and precise surface ﬂatness that is essential for the perfect functioning of the gear train. Produced in just 50 pieces, each with the limited edition number engraved at the 6 o’clock position of the caseback.

SINN Sinn expands its 103 series with the 103 A Sa B model, a classic pilot chronograph produced in a limited edition of 500 pieces and characterised by a blue electroplated dial with sunburst decoration and silver electroplated counters. The 103 A Sa B chronograph features a 41mm polished stainless-steel case and sapphire crystal glass, which is also used for the transparent back to display the Valjoux 7750 self-winding movement beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour. The bezel with minute ratcheting and a luminous triangular main marker features a captive safety system: in order to be used, the bezel must be unlocked by pressing it down on opposite sides using two ﬁngers. The Sinn 103 A Sa B is shock-resistant and anti-magnetic. Screwable crown and push-pieces contribute to a water resistance of 200 metres. The ArDehumidifying Technology guarantees increased functional reliability and freedom from fogging. GOLF ASIA 107

LUXE TIMEPIECES

VINTAGE ELEGANCE

The coming together of timeless modernity PHOTOGRAPHY CHING

ROLEX OYSTER PERPETUAL LADY-DATEJUST PEARLMASTER 29MM IN 18CT YELLOW GOLD WITH BRILLIANT-CUT DIAMOND BEZEL 108 GOLF ASIA

AUDEMARS PIGUET ROYAL OAK EXTRATHIN THE HOUR GLASS LIMITED EDITION OF 50

GOLF ASIA 109

LUXE TIMEPIECES

HUBLOT CLASSIC FUSION 45MM ROSE GOLD CASE WITH BLACK DIAL

110 GOLF ASIA

OMEGA SEAMASTER 300 MASTER CO-AXIAL CHRONOMETER TITANIUM ON LEATHER

GOLF ASIA 111

LUXE STYLE

LOUIS VUITTON Stylish and functional

Exquisite Gentlemen Back to basics for a smooth yet elegant fall style

LOEWE Classic aviator

HUGO BOSS Black Out Aeroliner Chrono

BRAUN BUFFEL Homme Briefcase

BOTTEGA VENETA Calf and suede lace up in ardoise

112 GOLF ASIA

LUXE GROOMING

A Rite Of Passage Into Manhood Shaving is simple yet not everyone does it right, here are some essential tools of the trade

Gentlemen’s Tonic Shave Ebony Gift Set The perfect gift set for the discerning gentleman includes a Pre-Shave Oil, an Awardwinning Traditional Shave Cream, Soothing After-Shave Balm and a Super Badger Brush. Begin the shaving ritual with a Pre Shave Oil, apply the Traditional Shave Cream with the Super Badger Brush, and ﬁnally awaken your skin with the Soothing Aftershave Balm.

Billy Jealousy Lightning Bolt Electric PreShave Solution Adding spark to your morning routine, it straightens up your hair whiskers, ensuring a smoother, closer shave. With its clear colour and advanced technology, Lightning Bolt produces a silicone-slick layer that makes your electric razor glide and not grab. Hints of lavender, sandalwood and sage leave a fresh, invigorating scent. Work a nickel-sized amount into the face and neck, wait a few seconds for product to absorb. Shave and look sharp in a ﬂash.

Task Essential Task Stop Burning Task Essential’s Task Stop Burning comes with fresh plant extracts, enriched with molecules of oxygen and protects the skin from free-radical damage after shaving. It moisturises, protects and promotes healing, apply to dry skin after every shave and follow up with moisturiser.

MenScience Post-Shave Repair Repairs skin, combats ingrown hairs, soothes redness, is alcohol and oil-free, MensScience’s PostShave Repair was specially formulated for those with sensitive skin. It signiﬁcantly repairs and improves skin condition after shaving, and combats ingrown hairs. Spray over the beard area and gently massage after shaving. Use twice daily to treat and prevent ingrown hairs.

Products available from whathewants.com.sg GOLF ASIA 113

LUXE POSH NOSH THE HALIA AT SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDENS As a restaurant that literally grew up within the gardens, the introduction of its refreshed concept is timely as the Singapore Botanic Gardens is now honoured as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the first and only tropical botanic garden to ever receive the accolade. Named with a Malay word for ginger in deference to its location in the lush Ginger Garden, Halia presents a more relaxed dining experience for its guests, once again taking inspiration from the Asian custom of making mealtimes a time for sharing, caring and joy. The renovation was designed to unite the garden and the restaurant more intimately. The menu revamp was inspired by the dining traditions common to the different cultures in Singapore such as the generously portioned Spice Islands marinated lamb loin. Halia has also retained some time-tested classics such as the Paperbag Oven-baked Halibut Fillet, a hearty portion of fish served with sesame Japanese rice in a flavourful ginger broth. 1 Cluny Road, Ginger Garden (enter via Tyersall Avenue), Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore 259569, Tel: 65 8444 1148, Email: general.hsbg@thehalia.com, www.thehalia.com

114 GOLF ASIA

LUXE LIVING

FRAME Designed by Ola Giertz and produced by Materia, Frame was inspired by picture frames. The basic rectangular design forms a graphical chair with its versatility contributing to a creative and inspirational atmosphere. Users can sit in the middle like on a stool or straddle it and use one of its sides as a backrest. In contrast to normal seating furniture, Frame has both sides and a top that encloses the user and screens off the surroundings and creates a feeling of its own space.

GOLF ASIA 115

LUXE GADGETS

BIONIC BIRD It is a marvel of micro-technology, inspired by biomimicry. While observing real birds, Edwin Van Ruymbeke has devised and patented a steering system using wing distortion, allowing quick and immediate changes of direction. The adjustment of the tail allows the bird to fly indoors as well as outdoors with a range of 100 yards. The Bionic Bird weighs only 9.3 grams, length of 6.7 inches and a wingspan of 13 inches. It has 2 processors, 2 motors and a battery, as well as a patented mechanism similar to clockwork. Bionic Bird charges on its egg via a magnetic contact within 12 minutes. Using the egg as a nomad charger, Bionic Bird can manage 10 flights of up to 8 minutes. The flight of Bionic Bird is so real that the other birds think it is one of them. For more information visit www. mybionicbird.com.

ASUS The LolliFlash is a compact dual-colour LED light that can be easily attached to any mobile phone to provide ample light in low light conditions, delivering realistic skin tones in every photo. It is small, weighs only 8grams and can be placed anywhere on the phone due to its wireless design to provide bright light to any environment. It comes with multi-coloured interchangeable ﬁlters to create different lighting effects plus there are 3 light intensity levels to select from. The LolliFlash is compatible with any Smartphone and can function wirelessly as it has a built-in rechargeable battery that can last up to 3 hours. The LolliFlash can be charged by plugging it into a power source via MicroUSB and is available from the ASUS Online Store at http://store.asus.com/sg/. 116 GOLF ASIA

PLANTRONICS The latest BackBeat SENSE is Plantronic’s latest ultra-light, smart Bluetooth wireless stereo headphone that delivers sublime audio, all-day listening on a single charge, and intuitive smart sensor technology. Built-in smart sensors automatically pause your music when you slip off the headphones, preserving battery life when they’re not being worn, then gently fading in your tunes when you put them back on. Intelligent pairing makes connecting and moving back and forth between devices fast and seamless, including pairing with two devices simultaneously. Whispered voice alerts provide important updates on battery life, connection status, and more. Centralizing the headphone controls on one side makes the headphones easier to use and more intuitive, and battery life gets a serious boost with the ability to stream music and media for up to 18 hours on a single charge. For more information, please visit www.plantronics.com/asia/where-to-buy/.

LUMOS Lumos an innovative helmet with integrated lights has hit its Kickstarter goal just hours into its launch. Lumos keeps cyclists safe at night by warning drivers of their presence and manoeuvres with integrated turn signals and automatic brake lights. The mounted lights on the helmet are easier to see than traditional bicycle lights as they are larger, higher and shaped in a triangle, a commonly used warning symbol used on the road. Lumos also comes with an integrated accelerometer, which automatically turns the rear lights red to signal when cyclists slow down and brake. Turn signals are operated wirelessly via a wireless remote, which can be attached to handlebars. These ﬂash the arrow of direction to make a cyclist’s intentions completely clear to surrounding drivers. Lumos is completely water resistant, crash safety certiﬁed and can be charged using micro USB with charges lasting for around a week if used for 30 minutes a day. Join the Lumos waitlist on www.lumoshelmet.co.

ZERO HALLIBURTON As part of an expansion in their product offerings, Zero Halliburton has launched a completely new collection called Zero New York. As the name suggests, the design of this new collection is very much styled after New York’s fashionable lifestyle be it for leisure or for work. The Midtown series has a casual demeanour yet has a lot of features designed for business users. The bags in the series are designed with many pockets, zipper locks, sleeves for laptops and tablets. The Uptown series features light weight shoulder bags to backpacks and overnight bags, a wide range of selections for both men as well as women. For more information please visit www.zerohalliburton.asia.

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LUXE AUTOS

The McLaren Sport Series Countdown to the launch of the most attainable McLaren road car project begins

ith the beginning of the preproduction phase within the stateof-the-art McLaren Production Centre (MPC) in Woking, England, this milestone marks the ﬁnal stage in the development programme ahead of the global rollout of the 570S Coupé, the ﬁrst model to be launched in the McLaren Sports Series family. Up to this point through the development programme, the Sports Series has covered in excess of 500,000 testing kilometres. These have been on a mixture of race circuits and roads, in some of the harshest conditions around the world including the extreme heat of the Arizona and Nevada summer, the Arctic conditions common

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of northern Sweden in the winter and, of course, the changeable British weather. The MPC has now been set up in preparation for the start of production, with all tooling in place for the new model. The latest phase of the Sports Series programme will ensure the smooth transition of production methods already in place for the Super Series and Ultimate Series models with minimal disruption. It will see the integration of the Sports Series into the production line along with the Super Series, underlining the ﬂexibility of the MPC. This will also ensure the highest levels of quality, matching the exacting standards beﬁtting any model wearing the McLaren badge.

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LUXE SCENE

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Bond Pays Omega A Visit Daniel Craig makes an appearance at the inauguration of the Omega factory in Villeret, Switzerland

he actor who reprises his role as James Bond in SPECTRE, the 24th Bond adventure, was given a guided tour, as well as exclusive access to the factory’s assembly line. During the visit he was also shown the production of the new Omega Seamaster 300 “SPECTRE” Limited Edition. For Omega, Daniel Craig’s visit to Villeret was a momentous occasion. Together with Nick Hayek, Swatch Group CEO and Stephen Urquhart, President of Omega, Craig was shown exactly what goes into making Omega watches such as the one he wears in SPECTRE. As an avid collector himself, he was fascinated by the engineering and expertise on show. “I think what was so impressive was the fact that these watches are made from the ground up. You start with nothing, and then there’s suddenly a working watch. That’s the beauty of it. To see the engineering that goes into it and the legacy that goes into it, that’s what fascinated me.” The Seamaster has been James Bond’s watch since GoldenEye way back in 1995, with its naval history and classic style; the watch perfectly reﬂects Bond’s character. Now, in celebration of the new movie, fans and watch collectors will be able to buy the model worn by 007 in SPECTRE, as the Omega Seamaster 300 will go on sale as a 7,007 piece limited edition. The release marks a ﬁrst for the partnership; until now, only commemorative editions have been used to celebrate Omega’s link with the franchise. GOLF ASIA 121

LUXE SCENE

Street Racing In Kuala Lumpur Blancpain and Lamborghini celebrates a successful weekend of racing

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nstead of the usual format at Sepang International Circuit, the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo drivers and teams gathered near Kuala Lumpur’s city centre in the shadow of the twin towers, to compete in the unprecedented Kuala Lumpur City Grand Prix (KLCGP) held over 8th and 9th August. The Kuala Lumpur race is the third in this season’s Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Asia series calendar. Following intense action in Fuji and Shanghai, racers from 11 countries across the world gathered for the road race. Set in the heart of beautiful Kuala Lumpur, the KLCGP circuit runs through the city’s most exclusive areas, past luxury shopping malls, the commercial district and alongside gorgeous landscaped palm gardens. With the finishing line only a stone’s throw from the world famous twin towers, the location provides an almost unimaginably exciting venue for a super sports car race. The Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Asia Kuala Lumpur race saw drivers zip through a 3.2km circuit with 11 demanding turns along well-known streets of the capital city - Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Pinang. Large numbers of spectators lined up the streets to witness a fleet of competing Lamborghini Huracán in a high-octane race. Blancpain also unveiled the new limited to 50 pieces, L-evolution C Tourbillon Carrousel for the first time in Malaysia.

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LUXE SCENE

Celebrating Fine German Watchmaking The Connoisseurs’ Akademie Presented by A. Lange & Söhne

o commence their yearly horology appreciation series, A. Lange & Söhne Connoisseurs’ Akademie kicked off in Singapore, the ﬁrst of a dualsession regional tour that is designed and catered exclusively for the brand’s boutique customers. The second session of the Connoisseurs’ Akadamie takes place later this year in Hong Kong during the annual

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Watches & Wonders Exhibition. Themed German Watchmaking, the event revolved around the fabled German mastery and precision that is seamlessly infused into every timepiece. The highlight of the session was undoubtedly the in-depth presentation on A. Lange & Söhne’s iconic timepieces with tourbillon and constant force escapement – elements that true

aﬁcionados can appreciate. Dinner was a lavish six-course affair specially customised for the event by Chef Julien Bompard. Throughout the evening, guests were also presented with an up-close look at signature timepieces such as the Richard Lange Tourbillon Pour Le Merite, Langematik Perpetual, and Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase.

New Era For Aston Martin Aston Martin appoints Wearnes as new Singapore dealer

ston Martin has appointed leading luxury car retailer Wearnes Automotive (P/L) as its dealer in the key Southeast Asian market of Singapore from August 31 2015. The move will see Wearnes Automotive taking on all sales, aftersales, marketing and brandbuilding responsibilities for Aston Martin in Singapore. Mr. Andre Roy, Wearnes Automotive CEO, said: “Aston Martin is a luxury British brand that produces highly desirable and stunningly beautiful sports cars. We are excited by the brand and its vibrant future – from the recently announced DB9 GT to the Second Century plan for forthcoming models. We are honoured to have the opportunity to work with Aston Martin and look forward to continue building a strong Aston Martin presence in Singapore.” Wearnes Automotive amicably transitions from AM Automotive (S) Pte Ltd, which held Aston Martin representation in Singapore for more than two decades. GOLF ASIA 125

LUXE SCENE

Glenﬁddich Celebrates 50th Anniversary Of Singapore’s Independence A culmination of the company’s vision, passion and single-minded philosophy

he Singapore Anniversary Edition 50 Year Old is a limited edition bottling of only five. Each bottle has been individually hand-blown by an expert glass studio, and adorned with Scottish silver crafted by Thomas Fattorini, a sixth generation silversmith. Decorations subtly integrating the Scottish Thistle and the Singaporean Vanda Miss Joaquim orchid are featured on the bottle, casing and certificate. Nestled inside the handstitched case is a leather-bound book that details the rich history of the whisky and Singapore as an independent nation, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. Those who taste the whisky will experience perfectly balanced and complex flavours; the nose is uplifting, vibrant and complex. The taste is initially sweet with zesty orange marmalade and vanilla toffee, which then cascades through a wonderful series of layers: aromatic herbs, floral and soft fruits, silky oak tannin and hints of gentle smoke. The finish is exceptionally long with a touch of dry oak and the merest trace of peat.

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The Art Of The Chronograph Glashütte Original showcases its Calibre 37 at The Frankfurt Airport

ans of German engineering and Haute Horlogerie who travel from or via Frankfurt in the upcoming weeks, will have the chance to experience the Calibre 37 movement alongside the new chronograph models in the security zone of the airport. The exhibition was ﬁrst showcased from August 1st to the 31st this year in the Schengen Area of the airport. It will then move to the Non-Schengen Area, where it will be on display from September 1st to the 30th. The interactive

installation offers travellers the perfect opportunity to discover “The Art of the Chronograph” by Glashütte Original. For those, who do not have the chance to discover the Art of the Chronograph live in Frankfurt, the Calibre 37 App is available free of charge in German, English and Chinese from Apple’s App store or at the Google Play Store. The app engages the viewer with a number of vivid animations, engaging images, 360-degree panoramas and unusual views of the movement.

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LUXE INSPIRATION

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Riva 88’ DOMINO SUPER Its name marks the evolution of the Riva species; the 88’ Domino Super is the heir of one of the best sellers in the brand’s sporty line. The new coupé is much more than simply a restyling. It is the result of a painstaking design process aimed at further improving a very successful model. The 88’ Domino Super is out to set new standards in the yachting sector in terms of style, comfort and performance. Boasting an overall length of 26.70 meters and a beam of 6.30 meters it is the result of the cooperation between Officina Italiana Design - the design firm led by Mauro Micheli and Sergio Beretta that pencils the entire Riva range - and Ferretti Group’s Engineering Department. This yacht immediately strikes the eye for its slender, streamlined profile, which is further highlighted by the colour of the hull, a dark grey that has been named ‘London Grey’. The same innovative colour shade can also be found in some deck details and harmoniously contrasts the light grey (‘Moon Grey) of the superstructure.