Worldwide Golf February 2024 by Worldwide Golf

M I D D L E

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E A S T ’ S

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M A G A Z I N E

EST

1999

FEBRUARY

2024 MORE DISTANCE?

VOKEY SM10

LEARN HOW TO GET THE MOST FROM WHAT YOU HAVE GOT

HOW THE NO.1 WEGDE IN GOLF KEEPS ON GETTING BETTER

GLORY RORY ‘FOUR’

FINDING THE

F E A T U R E NICOLAI HØJGAARD

FOCUS

FAMILY COMPETITION BRINGS OUT WINNING FORMULA

CLAUDE HARMON III

HOW THE PROFESSIONAL GAME HAS CHANGED

+ TAYLORMADE QI10 V STEALTH2 + PING G430 10K MAX TESTED + NEW BALLS PLEASE!

Worldwide Golf is the Official Media partner to the DP World Tour in the Middle East and the official magazine of the Emirates Golf Federation

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VOICE OF THE TOUR Tom Phillips Head of Middle East, DP World Tour

ver the last couple of decades, it has become something of a tradition for the DP World Tour to start the calendar year in the Middle East. The exact composition of events may have changed as the Tour has evolved, but this region has consistently delivered some incredible action inside the ropes, and unquestionably the start of 2024 has continued that trend. With the Abu Dhabi Championship moving into our end of season DP World Tour Play-Offs, the Dubai Invitational came on to our schedule as an official event for the first time, forming a Dubai double header with the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, our first Rolex Series event of 2024. Both tournaments provided fantastic finishes and compelling storylines, all whilst continuing to showcase Dubai as a top-class sporting destination. Of course, our two winners - Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy each have their own personal connections to Dubai. Rory, who claimed a record fourth Hero Dubai Desert Classic title, lived in Dubai for several years at the start of his career, and can trace both his first sponsor – Jumeriah – and first tournament victory in 2009 back to the Emirate.

MIddle East Success

The four-time Major Champion also has an extensive record of success in Dubai. Just two months after sealing his fifth Race to Dubai title at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Rory’s victory at Emirates Golf Club meant he eclipsed three-time winner Ernie Els as the most successful player in the 35 editions of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. Remarkably, Rory has been playing in the tournament since 2006 when he competed as an amateur, and in addition to his four victories, he has a further seven top ten finishes in the tournament. As Rory himself described it in his winner’s press conference, the tournament has been a staple in at least half of his lifetime, providing him with some wonderful memories. Tommy’s own history with Dubai is perhaps more recent, but his victory in the Dubai Invitational – by one shot from Rory and Thriston Lawrence – will mean just as much to him. The three-time Ryder Cup player recently relocated to Dubai from the UK and over the past year, he has set up and developed the

Tommy Fleetwood Academy at the DP World Golf Performance Centre at Jumeirah Golf Estates. Located just along from the Tour’s own office, we’re ideally positioned to witness the contribution that facility is making to golf at all levels here in Dubai and the UAE. While our tournaments, and the chance to watch world class players such as Rory and Tommy winning titles, help to inspire Emiratis to play golf, ultimately it is also essential to have the infrastructure in place that enables people to participate in our sport.

EGF Crucial Role

That is why our partners at the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) play such a crucial role, particularly through grassroots and player performance programmes. At the recent Dubai Invitational, our Chairman, Eric Nicoli, and Chief Executive, Keith Pelley, recognised the EGF’s continued support to the Tour and its help in developing the game in the region, taking time out from the tournament to thank His Excellency General Abdullah Al Hashmi, EGF Vice Chairman, for his unwavering support to the Tour. As part of our long-term partnership with the EGF, the Challenge Tour will return to Abu Dhabi for two consecutive events in April, when players from the UAE will get the opportunity to showcase and test their skills against the best emerging players from elsewhere in the world. Ahead of those tournaments, we have three further DP World Tour events here in the Middle East as part of our International Swing – the Ras Al Khaimah Championship, which is about to get underway as I pen this column; the Bahrain Championship presented by Bapco Energies; and the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. The Bahrain Championship represents our return to the Kingdom for the first time in 13 years and I visited Royal Golf Club earlier this month for a signing ceremony with our new Presenting Partners. There was a palpable sense of excitement building for the event, which takes place only a few weeks after teenage sensation Luke Littler won the 2024 Bahrain Darts Masters. Our own tournaments have certainly hit the target so far in 2024, so we look forward to seeing which storylines unfold in the weeks ahead as the Middle East continues to enhance its reputation as a top-class golfing region.

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Contents F E B R U A R Y

2 0 2 4

18 Starter

14 READERS LETTERS

FInd out what our readers have to say and submit your thoughts for an opportunity to win a dozen Titleist balls.

15 CROSSWORD CHALLENGE Test your golfing intellect with our puzzle of the month.

18 STATISTIC LOOK BACK

The numbers and facts behind Fleetwood’s victory at the Dubai Invitational; McIlroy’s magical Majlis moment and Dunlap’s amateur shock at The American Express.

20 GOLF NEWS

Keith Pelley bids farewell to his place as CEO of the DP World Tour but who is filling the role?

24 MATTEO MANASSERO

The Italian has battled back to winning ways, but what are is ambitions for the season?

Features 22 RECORD BREAKING RORY After securing his fourth Dubai Desert Classic title can he convert it to Major success in 2024?

30 NICOLAI HØJGAARD

How do you better Ryder Cup glory and being crowned the DP World Tour Championship king?

34 CLAUDE HARMON III

Being instructor to Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka there are fewer better positioned to pass judgement on how LIV Golf might develop.

ISSUE No.265 FEBRUARY 2024 • Published in Dubai by: Worldwide Sporting Publications Ltd • PO Box 24677 • Dubai, UAE (Tel) +9714 340 3785 Publisher: Alex Gallemore • Multimedia Journalist: Will Kent (will@wspdubai.com) • Production/Design: Contactless Media Ltd • Editorial Panel: Alex Gallemore, Nick Huby, Pete Cowen, Thomas Wragg, Will Kent • Photography: Getty Images • June 2009 SSN 1- 46805671 • Approval UAE National Media Council: Ref.816 30/5/2007 Trade License No. 1/104375/15280 • Worldwide Golf specifies that post-press changes may occur to any information given in this publication and takes no responsibility for goods or services advertised.

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Experience Middle East’s Best Golf Course e Els Club, Dubai

To learn more, visit www.elsclubdubai.com or call 04 425 1000

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Contents F E B R U A R Y

Gear

2 0 2 4

Instruction 40

PING G430 MAX 10K The latest tech monster isn’t just about forgivness it has a trick up it’s sleeve.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO FLY IT HIGH by Jaco Stander, Senior PGA Professsional, Yas Links Abu Dhabi.

TAYLORMADE QI10 DRIVER Why we believe the Qi10 will prove to be the brand’s best driver.

VOKEY SM10 The Master Craftsman has sprinkled his magic by adding even more control to the SM10 wedges.

MASTER THE SHORT GREENSIDE CHIP SHOT

by Joe O’Connor, Teaching Professional, Tommy Fleetwood Academy.

SWING SEQUENCE Take an in-depth look at Padraig Harrington’s swing as explained by Professional Jonathan Craddock.

DANGER OF CHASING SPEED

NEW AVX Is it just new packaging, or has Titleist reegineered one of their most advanced balls for more distance and control?

Travel

Nick Huby, Head Instructor, Pete Cowen Academy, explains why.

Quick9

YANNIK PAUL - From Ronaldo to teleportation.

AUSTRALIA Take you sticks down under and experience the variery of courses around Sydney.

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PETE COWEN COLUMN

DUBAI DELIGHTS

he Middle East swing spoils us all after the Christmas break. Only days before jumping on a plane to Dubai, I was picking up balls on the range in driving rain and near sub-zero temperatures. Eight hours later I was on the range at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club in perfect weather conditions and watching the Dubai Invitational in perfect playing conditions. It was great to see the course so well presented, and many people abroad messaged me to say the same thing, having only from seen it on television. So, a win for Dubai’s golf tourism trade. If golf fans abroad were not booking their flight to Dubai after seeing the conditions at the Creek, I’m sure they were after watching the Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club the following week. You all know I’m a huge Majlis fan but the set up was one of the best to date. The course was immaculate and the rough was a true test, as were the bunkers. Players just couldn’t smash it miles and gouge lofted club into the greens, they needed the right technique and course management. The bunkers provided little spin for players and the rough made them think twice off the tee boxes, just how a course should be set up. With the greens drying out and getting faster it was inevitable the scoring was going to be tougher on the final day, but I expected Young and Meronk to push Rory harder over the closing holes. Especially when you consider Rory was one over par for the back nine, the door was open for someone to come after him. Young was impressive throughout the week, considering it was the first time he had stepped foot on the Majlis. Though when Rory put his foot on the gas during the opening nine on Sunday Cameron just couldn’t match the world’s number two for power. Young is a big hitter but seeing Rory 10 yards further ahead off the tee can affect anyone’s game, and the American’s accuracy dropped to 42.9% in the final round compared to 50% over the previous three days. Missing fewer fairways meant he struggled to find greens, which showed in the stats, as his greens in regulation for the final round was just 55.6%, down nearly 20% from the previous 36 holes. With Rory winning the power battle in the final group Meronk had the opportunity to post a score and put the pressure on, especially when he could see McIlory wasn’t pulling away on the back nine. It was looking good, as Adrian picked up three quick birdies but when he dropped a shot on 16 it gave McIlroy all the breathing space he required, even though Meronk got the shot back on the final hole, Rory did not need to take any risks. Things could have been different for Rory if Koepka was in the field. If the LIV event date in Mexico wasn’t so close, Brooks might have been

tempted to tee it up in Dubai. He’s looking to get match fit for the Masters and not concerned about travelling the globe to prove he’s the best. Everyone tends to forget that Brooks made it the hard way and wasn’t a college superstar. He came over to the Challenge Tour to show what he was made of. Thousands of miles from home and with little support he quickly proved that his strength of mind matched his game. Koepka might not have to worry about the airfares anymore but that desire to win and dominate is arguably stronger than ever. It will be good to catch up with Brooks and my other players on the range at Mayakoba, but I bet they are all delighted to see Rahm’s name on the starting sheet. Having the current Masters champion in the field with his competitive spirit will only up everyone else’s game. Though the talk right now is about the amateur Nick Dunlap who won The American Express, defeating the likes of Schauffele and Justin Thomas, but had to pass his winner’s cheque down to runner-up Bezuidenhout. Dunlap is now in a privileged position, having won a PGA TOUR event and the US Amateur title, he has a two year exemption status and able to play three out of the four Majors. Plus, rocketed up from 4121 to 68 on the Official World Ranking, so if he turns professional and maintains form, he could break inside the top 50 and earn a place at The Open. That is the only Major Dunlap has not qualified for. Having said that things could get tougher for the young lad, as added fame brings the media spotlight and that can make or break a player. So, it will be interesting to see how he performs at the Masters against the best in the world on a course that tests every part of the game. 

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CO U R S E

ROTORUA GOLF CLUB

ARIKIKAPAKAPA

elcome to the enchanting world of Arikikapakapa, the 18-hole golf course at Rotorua Golf Club. In the Maori language, Arikikapakapa translates to ‘the sound of popping mud,’ a fitting name for a course that wraps itself around a colossal natural thermal spa. Picture this: as you navigate one-third of this magnificent layout, you’ll find yourself alongside spluttering mud pools, steam vents, and sulphur pits, creating a landscape of formidable hazards, especially on the par 3s. Now, let’s talk about the notorious ninth hole, a true test of courage. Players must skillfully navigate their tee shots, dodging bubbling pools on the right and contending

with a green guarded by another mud pool on the right and a yellow sulphur pit on the left. This hole’s fame extends beyond the fairways – it’s so iconic that it graces a New Zealand postage stamp. As golfers immerse themselves in the breathtaking views of Arikikapakapa and the 9-hole Thermal course, there’s an olfactory adventure awaiting them. The air carries a distinct aroma of rotten eggs, a scent that may require a bit of acclimation. According to club secretary Don Blackledge, the locals have grown immune to this fragrance. “We don’t notice it at all,” he says reassuringly. And here’s the silver lining – the whispers in the air suggest that the sulphur might

just be a health elixir. Welcome to a golfing experience where the challenges are as unique as the landscape, and the rewards may come with a whiff of adventure! Welcome to the enchanting world of Arikikapakapa, the 18-hole golf course at Rotorua Golf Club. In the Maori language, Arikikapakapa translates to ‘the sound of popping mud,’ a fitting name for a course that wraps itself around a colossal natural thermal spa. Picture this: as you navigate one-third of this magnificent layout, you’ll find yourself alongside spluttering mud pools, steam vents, and sulphur pits, creating a landscape of formidable hazards, especially on the par 3s. Now, let’s talk about the notorious ninth hole, a true test of courage. Players must skillfully navigate their tee shots, dodging bubbling pools on the right and contending with a green guarded

COU 12

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by another mud pool on the right and a yellow sulphur pit on the left. This hole’s fame extends beyond the fairways – it’s so iconic that it graces a New Zealand postage stamp. As golfers immerse themselves in the breathtaking views of Arikikapakapa and the 9-hole Thermal course, there’s an olfactory adventure awaiting them. The air carries a distinct aroma of rotten eggs, a scent that may require a bit of acclimation. According to club secretary Don Blackledge, the locals have grown immune to this fragrance. “We don’t notice it at all,” he says reassuringly. And here’s the silver lining – the whispers in the air suggest that the sulphur might just be a health elixir. Welcome to a golfing experience where the challenges are as unique as the landscape, and the rewards may come with a whiff of adventure! 

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LET TERS

LOC AL VIE WS

YOUR VIEWS Pick of topical letters that have been emailed in to Worldwide Golf

TIGER Hey Worldwide Golf,

I just had to drop a note to express my sheer excitement about the return of the legend himself, Tiger Woods. I’ll be honest; I wasn’t much of a golf enthusiast until Tiger burst onto the scene. His swagger, his intensity, that fist pump – it was like watching a rockstar on the golf course. Suddenly, golf wasn’t just a game for old dudes in funny trousers; it was a full-blown adrenaline rush. Tiger made me realise that golf could be cool, and I wanted to be a part of it. I vividly remember the Tiger-inspired golf fever that swept through my friends and me. We’d hit the local driving range, trying to mimic his swing (spoiler: it looked nothing like his). But hey, it was all in good fun, and it got us hooked.

RULES Dear Worldwide Golf,

Then came the injury woes and off-field problems, which felt like the golf gods had slapped us with a cruel reality check. No Tiger on the course meant no golf magic. It was a tough period, like trying to enjoy a concert without the headliner. But here we are, celebrating the return of the prodigal son. The news of Tiger planning to play 12 events this season after overcoming those setbacks – man, it’s like Christmas came early for golf enthusiasts like me. The guy’s resilience is off the charts and seeing him swing those clubs again is nothing short of a golfing fairytale. So, here’s to Tiger – the reason I took up golf, the reason I glued myself to the TV during Majors, and the reason I still believe in the magic of the game. Cheers to the legend!

As an avid golfer and a regular reader of your magazine, I felt compelled to share my thoughts on the recent news regarding the USGA and R&A’s plans to roll back the golf ball. While I understand the intent behind these proposed changes, I can’t help but express some concerns. Firstly, let me start by saying that I’m just an average golfer, and like many others, I’m not getting any better. If anything, I often find myself struggling to keep up with the pace of the game. The prospect of the ball rollback is a bit worrisome for someone like me who relies on technology to compensate for my lack of skill. Average golfers like myself need all the help we can get. The current advancements in golf equipment have allowed us to enjoy the game more, and it feels like a leveller on the course. If the ball rollback diminishes the advantages that technology provides, it might make the game more challenging for the average player. I understand that the game of golf needs to evolve, just like any other sport. I’m not against evolution, but I believe any changes should consider the majority of players who make up the backbone of the sport. It would be great to see the governing bodies strike a balance between preserving the essence of the game and embracing technology for the benefit of average golfers like myself. Thank you for providing a platform for golf enthusiasts to share their views. I look forward to hearing more perspectives on this matter in your future publications. Thanks, Richard Bowler Abu Dhabi

Sincerely, Jackie Cookson Dubai

ACROSS: 1. Dallah 4. Fifteen 7. Owen 8. Kinnings 9. Majlis DOWN: 2. Limerick 3.HSBC 4. Faldo 5. Bjørn 6. Snowman

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Name:

Worldwide Golf

CROSSWORD

Complete the crossword puzzle below 1

6 7

TRAVEL 9

Dear Worldwide Golf,

I like reading the tips and equipment sections in the magazine, that’s the first thing I turn to, Created using the Crossword Maker on TheTeach as anything that can give my game a boost is more than welcomed. Though please can we ACROSS have more travel articles and videos please. This Nameinofthe an iconic theisMiddle 2. East thatRyder is the Cup will be held in this city 1.and Name of an iconic1. trophy Middletrophy East in that 2027 time of year, Dubai is buzzing, the weather shape of an Arabic coffee pot the shape of an Arabic coffee pot 3. Sponsor of the Abu Dhabi Championship is ideal, though we are starting to plan for once. We’ve got four months of great 4. playing The number of DP World Tour titles Padraig 2011-2023 4. The number of DP World Tour titles Padraig Harrington has won conditions in terms of weather before Harrington has won 4. First golfer to spend an entire calendar y I start to find the heat a little much. So, 7. Won the 2004 World Sand Championship in Abu the Official World Golf Ranking 7. Won the 2004 World Sand Championship in this year our little group is looking for a 5. Redesigned the Championship Course a Abu Dhabi couple of long weekend getDhabi aways. We are mid to high handicappers and find 8. Incoming European Tour Group CEO Creek Resort in 2005 championship courses tough we Incoming Group CEO 6. An eight on the card 9.going, Theplus course where8.McIlory wonEuropean his first Tour DP World are all relatively new to the game. Which is why Tour title a travel section that might give us a taste of 9. The course where McIlory won his first DP World Tour title what is out there would be greatly welcomed. Magazines tend to focus on known resorts DOWN with 7,000 yard courses but I bet there are 2. 2027 Ryder Cup will be held in this city plenty of gems that don’t have the marketing budgets to shout about themselves. 3. Sponsor of the Abu Dhabi Championship between 2011-2023 These are the places I would like to read more about and maybe tempted to play.

Across

Down

First golfer to spend an entire calendar year atop the Official World Golf Ranking

Redesigned the Championship Course at Dubai Creek Resort in 2005

An eight on the card

I doubt you will print this or get back to me but thanks for the tips. Steve Marsh Dubai

WIN A DOZEN TITLEIST GOLF BALLS

Please send in your letters to letters@worldwide.golf relating your thoughts on the sport and golf in the Middle East. If its is published in the March issue you will receive a dozen Titleist Tour Soft balls. *All prizes to be delivered to a physical address in the UAE or GCC. Excludes P.O box addresses

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S TA R T E R

S TAT I S T I C LO O K B A C K

Photography: Getty Images

HERO DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC STAT PACK VENUE EMIRATES GOLF CLUB

WINNER RORY MCILROY

SCORE 71 - 70 - 63 - 70 (-14)

Rory McIlroy became the first player to win the tournament four times (2024, 23, 15, 09), overtaking Ernie Els (2005, 02, 1994) for most wins at the event.

McIlroy led the way in driving distance for the week, averaging 329.63 yards off the tee – more than 30 yards longer than the Tour Average.

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The par-4 9th was the toughest hole of the week, playing at +0.29 over par. McIlroy played the hole at one under par for the week.

Adrian Meronk and Cameron Young were tied at the top for most birdies over four rounds with the duo sinking 21 apiece.

Luke Donald made his 19th career hole-in-one when he holed an eight iron from 183 yards on the fourth during the second round.

Nicolai Højgaard hit 77.78% of Green in Regulation – the most of anyone that week.

Marcel Siem topped the leaderboard for Putts per Round, requiring an average of 25.75 strokes off the flatstick each day.

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S TA R T E R

S TAT I S T I C LO O K B A C K

Photography: Getty Images

DUBAI INVITATIONAL VENUE DUBAI CREEK GOLF & YAGHT CLUB

WINNER TOMMY FLEETWOOD

SCORE 66 - 69 - 63 - 67 (-19)

This was the second time Fleetwood converted a 54-hole lead into victory on the DP World Tour, having done so in the 2013 Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.

Tommy Fleetwood’s victory at the Dubai Invitational was his third DP World Tour victory in the United Arab Emirates, following backto-back titles at the Abu Dhabi Championship in 2017 and 2018.

The triumph moved the Englishman to over €27 million in DP World Tour Official Career Earnings.

Zander Lombard’s putter was hot at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, with the South African averaging 10 one putts per round – the tournament best. Nacho Elvira struggled with his driver in the desert with the Spaniard finding just 33.93% over four rounds. At the top of the Driving Accuracy leaderboard, Julien Guerrier hit the fairway 67.86% of the time.

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VENUE LA QUINTA COUNTRY CLUB

Nick Dunlap became the first amateur to win a PGA Tour event since Phil Mickelson in 1991. He is also the youngest amateur to win a tour event since 1910.

WINNER NICK DUNLAP

SCORE 64 - 65 - 60 - 70 (-29)

His 60 in the third round tied the lowest round by an amateur in PGA Tour history. The American now shared the record with compatriot Patrick Cantlay who shot 60 at the 2011 Travelers Championship. Dunlap was part of the winning U.S. team at last year’s Eisenhower Trophy at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

With his win in the US Amateur championship last year, Dunlap joined Tiger Woods as the only golfers to win both that prestigious tournament as well the US Junior Amateur championship, which Dunlap won in 2021.

While his victory did not come with a winner’s cheque, he received every other perk, including a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour; invitations into the Masters (for which he already qualified via his U.S. Amateur victory), PGA Championship and Players Championship; and invitations to the PGA Tour’s signature events this season.

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S TA R T E R

NEWS

Photography: Getty Images

G O L F

N E W S

Pelley hands over the reigns to Kinnings after eight years as DP World Tour head Keith Pelley, the man at the helm of the European Tour Group, will officially end his tenure on April 2 to take up a role in his native Canada as president of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd, who own the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto FC and the Toronto Raptors. Pelley said in a statement: “It has been an incredible honour

Meronk wins the 2023 Seve Ballesteros Award

Adrian Meronk got his hands on the 2023 Seve Ballesteros Award after being voted Player of the Year by his peers on the DP World Tour. The accolade is one of a number of the 31-year-old’s history-making achievements as he becomes the first player from Poland to receive the honour after a season in which he won three times and finished a career-high fourth on the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex.

to be the Chief Executive of this wonderful institution for the past eight and a half years. “When I came over from Canada back in 2015, I set out to create a culture of innovation and to grow our prize funds and our Tour for our members by ensuring that we appealed to new, younger and more diverse audiences. “We have done that and so

Meronk earned 38% of the votes cast by his fellow DP World Tour members, with Race to Dubai Champion Rory McIlroy taking second place. Ryder Cup debutant Nicolai Højgaard and Viktor Hovland, who clinched the PGA

“It will be a huge honour to take on this role in April and I am immensely proud to have been given this responsibility. I will continue to work closely with Keith, Eric and the Board over the next three months to ensure a seamless transition.” – Guy Kinnings

TOUR’s FedEx Cup, were in joint third place. Meronk was presented with the trophy by one of Seve’s sons Javier, who travelled to Dubai ahead of the 2024 Hero Dubai Desert Classic, won by his father more than 30 years ago. 

much more because our players, staff, partners, broadcasters and fans have all fundamentally bought into that philosophy that we are in the entertainment industry. I would therefore like to thank everyone for their support and commitment to innovation and evolution in our sport.” His decision comes with the DP World Tour currently in negotiations with the PGA Tour and Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF). Any agreement will now hope to be resolved before the Canadian leaves his position. 

EGF recognised by DP World Tour Last month, the DP World Tour thanked the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) for its continued support to the Tour and help developing the game in the region. The UAE’s governing body of golf was recognised for its contribution following the culmination of the inaugural Dubai Invitational at Dubai Creek Resort, with Keith Pelley, DP World Tour CEO, and Eric Nicoli, DP World Tour Chairman, thanking His Excellency General Abdullah Al Hashmi, EGF Vice Chairman, for his unwavering support to the Tour. “The EGF has played a huge part in the DP World Tour’s success in the UAE for many years,” said Pelley. “We have worked closely together to develop golf, from grassroots to the professional game. At the start of three consecutive DP World Tour events in the UAE, we wanted to show our appreciation to His Excellency General Abdullah Al Hashmi for his hard work and dedication and celebrate the Tour’s strong and enduring relationship with the EGF, which will continue for many years to come.” 

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FEATURES RORY MCILROY

Photography: Getty Images

RECORD BREAKING

RORY Rory McIlroy won a recordbreaking fourth Hero Dubai Desert Classic last month as he successfully defended his title in front of a huge crowd at Emirates Golf Club. Now, the 34-year-old has his eyes on bigger things as he looks to end a 10-year wait without a Major trophy.

By Will Kent

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FEATURES RORY MCILROY

Photography: Getty Images

15 YEARS ON: Rory pictured with his parents Rosie and Gerry after securing the Dubai Desert Classic for a record fourth time.

2024

he Middle East has been a happy hunting ground for McIlroy throughout his entire career, with six of his 17 DP World Tour victories coming in the United Arab Emirates. He’s called Dubai home in the past, while the city was also the place he clinched his first professional trophy. He’s from Northern Ireland and now lives in the States, but desert golf has had a profound impact on his golfing story. “The arc of my career and Dubai in general have sort of tracked each other pretty consistently along the way,” said McIlroy in the aftermath of his victory at Emirates Golf Club. “I remember my first Desert Classic in '06 as an amateur, staying what seemed like out in the desert at this point, and it's probably like only 10 minutes away now, it's so built up. “But just to think like 18 years ago, and what it meant to come here and play in this event, having won it four times, and all the great experiences that I've had in Dubai and the friends that I've met and everything sort of along the way, it's always been a place where I come back to and reminisce about my career because I really feel like it's where everything started. “The first Desert Classic, I took a media credential and I walked inside the ropes to follow Tiger and Ernie and Thomas Björn, I think, and then just to think about even the arc of that: Thomas Björn is my Ryder Cup Captain; I ended up buying Ernie Els' house; I've become really good friends

with Tiger Woods. It's just amazing to think back on the last 18 years and sort of where I find myself.” And where he finds himself is at the summit of the game for yet another year. While a Major trophy has alluded him since 2014, the consistency he’s shown over an extended period has been remarkable. Eight wins and 31 other top-10 finishes since 2021 alone. It would have been easy for the seven-time Ryder Cupper to relax and let his level drop at some point. “I think I have enough people around me to keep me accountable,” he added. “I think that's really, really important. Whether that's Michael Bannon coming out and us working on some stuff; whether that's like the odd text from Harry during the course of an off-week; doing some work with Brad Faxon at home in Florida, doing work with my

2009

trainer, Roe; having conversations with Bob Rotella. “I think I have enough of a great team around me and enough people around me to keep me accountable. I feel like if I'm not trying my best, I'm letting them down, as well. If they are putting a hundred percent of their effort into it, then I feel like I should at least give them the respect to put a hundred percent of my effort in as well.”

Green Jacket Hopes This April will see McIlroy tee it up at Augusta National for the 16th time in his career. Last year he missed the cut despite also winning the Desert Classic earlier in the season, which once again provides proof of how unpredictable this game can be. But 2023 delivered lessons to Rory

Rory pictured with his wife, Erica Stoll and daughter Poppy during the Par 3 contest prior to the 2023 Masters Tournament

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which he will be hoping to use to his advantage this time around. “Augusta is still a long way away in golfing terms,” continued the four-time Major champion. “A lot can change, but it's always nice to get a win. It's always nice to feel like you're playing well going into it. I've always said that I'll take execution over preparation every single time because you just have to execute the golf shots, especially there. “I think last year at Augusta, I learnt a lot about myself. I've told this story numerous times now about the first green on Friday, and Brooks was on the eighth green and I saw the big leaderboard, and I was already 10 behind at that point. I was 10 behind after two days this week and ended up winning the golf tournament. That's massive. I feel like I've taken that learning already and put it into practise a little bit already. “I've still got some big events to come but you know, I think from now until that first or second week in April, you know, at least a part of my mind is going to be towards getting myself absolutely ready for there.” So much hinges on the Masters for McIlroy because it remains the missing piece to the puzzle in his quest to complete the career Grand Slam. Every Major matters, but the Masters particularly so. With the world number two now into his mid 30s, the doubts in his own mind must grow with every passing year that he fails to collect the illustrious Green Jacket in April. But will he get it done this time? While he gets

prepared for another trip down Magnolia Lane to answer that question, us fans head down Déjà vu Alley as we discuss that same subject again. His form is erratic at the venue, with results ranging from missed cuts to second place finishes, but that will mean little come Thursday morning.

on those same trophies that his are on, as well, which is… I mean, I don't know a better way of quantifying success in the game as putting your name on the trophies that the people before you have put their names on. “I think just being able to go from one generation to the next, I don't know if there's any other sport that you can do it as much as, maybe in Tiger time tennis a little bit. But I just think that the generation One thing which may work in Rory’s favour this span is so long in golf. I've played in the U.S. Open year is the presence of Tiger Woods at Augusta. If with Tom Watson but I've also played in a U.S. Open the American is on track fitness wise, he should with Rasmus Højgaard, who is 50 years younger be set to tee it up at the year’s first Major as he than Tom Watson. continues his latest comeback. The 48-year-old “I think just the generations and length of time is moving better, and his likely appearance will that you can be a pro and you can have success in draw a huge crowd. That should take some of the golf, I think it's amazing to think about the journey and to think about the players that you've played with. You know, at the start of my career, and then the players that I'm playing with now, and just the length of time that all of those careers have spanned.” As McIlroy plans to embark on that annual trip to Augusta, the whispers of his latest Dubai victory will no doubt become a steadfast companion. A decade-long quest - Rory McIlroy for Major glory finds its crescendo, with Augusta's hallowed grounds now the stage for the finale again, where echoes of triumph pressure and attention off the Northern Irishman may finally break the silence of anticipation. This himself. year already feels different, and he’ll be hoping it “I grew up, and my hero was Tiger Woods,” said is.  McIlroy. “I wanted to do what Tiger did. I'll probably

“I wanted to do what Tiger did. I’ll probably not have the career that he’s had, but I still look at the trophies that I’ve won and my name is on those same trophies that his are on, as well, which is… I mean, I don’t know a better way of quantifying success in the game as putting your name on the trophies that the people before you have put their names on.

not have the career that he's had, but I still look at the trophies that I've won and my name is

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FEATURES

MATTEO MANASSERO

Photography: Getty Images

By Will Kent

While many young stars shine brightly only to fade away, Matteo Manassero has defied the odds. The Italian has successfully navigated a comeback from the depths of golfing despair to this season’s DP World Tour. But what’s next?

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M M A A T N T A E S O S E R O

T C H H E A P N T E E X R T 27

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FEATURES

MATTEO MANASSERO

Photography: Getty Images

Simon Khan of England congratulates Matteo Manassero losing to the young Italian on the fourth play-off hole during the 2013 BMW PGA Championship

t’s hard to believe Matteo Manassero is still just 30 years old. This year marks his 14th season as a professional in a career which has seen him rise to the top of sport, before a sharp descent back down. It wouldn’t be a disservice to call him a veteran of the game; he’s seen it all. The Italian first burst on to the scene back in 2009 when he became the youngest ever winner of the British Amateur Championship at the age of 16. A year later, he was a DP World Tour champion. Back then, life seemed to move faster than Ferrari World’s Formula Rossa ride. But as the age-old saying goes, ‘what goes up, must come down’. Possibly a little harsh on Manassero, but the last decade hasn’t been what we expected. He lost his Tour card, dropped outside the top 1000 players in the world, and he even took a short break from the sport. However, the 2013 BMW PGA Championship victor won twice on the Challenge Tour in 2023, and subsequently regained his DP World Tour playing status for 2024. While he’s still a long way from his dizzying heights of being a top 25 player in the world, he’s making great progress towards returning back to his very best. “The battle was tough at times, but you know, it was a journey,” said Manassero of earning back his card. “It was a long process that I had to re-build and

re-do a lot of things. I had good people around me. “There were tough times, but there were also really good times. Working in the right direction is pleasing, so it wasn’t always that tough, but at times it was difficult, that’s for sure. When the result doesn’t come and you’re stressed on the golf course and nothing comes your way, when you’re not feeling great, it’s not easy. “I guess, always in the last three or four years I stepped away from the golf course and had a plan to move forward. That definitely kept me going.”

Winning the battle The time period Manassero mentions stretches back to the 2020 where - despite only playing six times that year - he managed to clinch a victory. It came on the Alps Tour at the Toscana Alps Open and served as hope for the future. The following few seasons after that triumph the Italian continued to battle away on the Challenge Tour and despite a few top ten finishes here and there, missed cuts were still all too common. It’s a Tour that has decent prize money, but only if you’re contending every week. The world of professional golf isn't always synonymous with private jets and mansions; it also entails big expenses that can burden aspiring toplevel pros. Manassero experienced this first-hand, even after nearly winning €800,000 for his 2013

triumph at Wentworth. In 2019, during the last period he held a DP World Tour card, he managed just one cut throughout the entire season, earning a modest €6,900 in prize money. “No, in the last few years I didn’t,” replied the Italian when I asked if he ever thought about quitting the sport. “I had a time where I had to take a break, but not even in that time I thought I was going to stop golf. I just thought I needed a break, and that’s it, but I knew I was coming back.” Indeed, the four-time DP World Tour winner made a triumphant return, navigating a steady climb with a few hurdles along the way. The mental resilience required in this sport is often discussed, and Manassero’s recovery from such a deep low in the game, after reaching such heights, is undeniably impressive. His determination and focus was also palpable during our conversation, set against the stunning backdrop of the La Réserve Golf Links during the Mauritius Open last year. While the breath-taking views might have distracted me, it was evident that Manaserro's attention was fully dedicated to the task at hand. “Results ultimately are the ones that give you the confidence, like the cherry on a pie,” he says. “You need results, you need wins, you need something that makes you firmly believe that what you’ve done is good and going in the right direction.

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“Those two wins, in Copenhagen and Rome, they were one of the last things I needed to feel that the comeback was working fine. The season ended and now we’re in 2024 with new goals. This thing never stops, there’s always something ahead of us. I happily talk about the past, but I’m focused what’s happening in the future.” The next nine or so months will see the Italian tee it up under his Category 15 status which is likely to get him in nearly every DP World Tour event. He may just miss out on the Rolex Series tournaments and Major qualification is uncertain, but he’ll be able to compete in all of the others. Can he push on even more, or will it be a year of battling to make cuts? Honestly, who knows. He’s swinging well with the results to back it up, but it’s the unpredictability of this sport which makes is so gripping. Only Manassero himself will know what he’s capable of over the next 12 months. “I take it step by step, really,” he said when I asked what his targets are for this year. “I would say 2024 is about staying on tour and having a good year. That’s the goal. I need to measure how far I can go, and what I can do, but at the moment I don’t set goals too high. “I want to keep improving that’s for sure and feel good on the golf course in more and more difficult circumstances which is definitely one of my biggest goals, and then see what results will come.” As Manassero embarks on a comeback to the DP World Tour in 2024, ready to navigate a year of promise and uncertainty, the golfing world eagerly awaits the next chapter in this seasoned yet youthful player's tale. At 30 years old, he remains focused on both past achievements and the challenges ahead. One certainty echoes loud: the Italian's journey, filled with resilience and hope, is far from reaching its final fairway. 

Augusta National Chairman William Porter “Billy” Payne presents the Silver Cup to Low Amateur Matteo Manassero during the Green Jacket presentation after the final round of the 2010 Masters Tournament . (Inset) 2009 was the year Stewart Cink sank Tom Watson’s hopes of winning The Open at Turnberry, with Manassero collecting the Silver Medal for leading the amateur field.

Manassero poses with the trophy after winning the 2023 Copenhagen Challenge presented by Ejner Hessel .

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D a n Del igh s h

FEATURES

NICOLAI HØJGAARD

Photography: Getty Images

After the Højgaards burst onto the scene in 2019, it initially looked like Rasmus would be the twin to make the jump to golf’s top table quicker after picking up three DP World Tour titles before his brother collected his first.

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FEATURES

NICOLAI HØJGAARD

Photography: Getty Images

Nicolai Højgaard holds the DP World Tour Championship trophy on the final green at Jumeriah Golf Estates along with his brother Rasmus plus the rest of family and friends.

Despite Rasmus holding a one title advantage, four to three, it was Nicolai who entered the upper echelons of the game first with a sublime 2023 season, which saw him make his debut at the Ryder Cup before ending the year in style with a sublime win at the DP World Tour Championship. That triumph, where he reeled off five birdies in a row on the back nine, not only banked him an invitation to the Masters and lucrative starts at two of the PGA Tour’s Signature events, but also firmly propelled him further into the limelight as one of golf’s top talent at the tender age of just 22. We caught up with the Danish sensation before last month’s Dubai Invitational to find out what worked so well in 2023, his thoughts on Luke Donald retaining the Ryder Cup Captaincy and how he plans to prepare for this maiden outing at Augusta National. Worldwide Golf: You obviously ended last season on a high with victory at the DP World Tour Championship, how focused are you to kick on from that triumph and get 2024 off to a strong start? Nicolai Højgaard: I’m very focused. A season like I had last year puts things into perspective and gives you the opportunity to kind of sit back and write some notes about what you think has been working. I’m very excited for this season, I learned a lot last year and there were a couple of key moments that stood out. My mind is in a good place, and I’ve now got to build my way into the season – it’s not just black and white and thinking about wins. I need to focus on the small things and those small gains all the time. WWG: You just mentioned that you’d written a few things down that had worked last year – what do you believe worked so well in 2023? NH: I think it was my approach to the game, I’d probably say it was more disciplined and humbler to the process. When you’re either playing well or not at the top of your game, it’s about staying humble to the process and enjoying the grind of figuring the game out. Last season there were some key moments and I felt like I learned a lot from them and from spending time with some of my heroes at the Ryder Cup. It’s about how you deal with things and how you go about your own business. It’s not just about playing golf, it’s all those small things around you as well. I

think that’s also a focus for me heading into 2024. WWG: You’ve had a bit of time to let it sink in now, just how special was that win at the DP World Tour Championship? NH: It was very special. It obviously came off the back of a great week in South Africa, which is somewhere I’ve never played well before. Sun City is a great course and a good test, but I’ve never really liked the visual off the tee. We put a plan in place where I wouldn’t hit the driver as much and aim to hit more fairways with the 3-wood and 5-wood. As I slowly gained confidence, I started pulling out the driver a bit more which put me in a really good position for the DP World Tour Championship as I felt good off the tee. I really like the visual of the Earth course, I had played there once before and finished fourth so I knew if I had a good driving week I would be there or thereabouts. I got off to a good start, slowly grinded throughout the week and as you know, anything can happen on the back nine on a Sunday. It’s a cool moment to look back on, especially as my friends and family were there with me to enjoy the win. You never know how many times they will be there when stuff like that happens, so for them to be there was really special. WWG: What’s going through your head as you make the turn, knowing you are in contention to win one of the biggest events on the DP World Tour? NH: I’ll go back to when I first woke up on the Sunday as I was really angry with my finish and attitude on the back nine from the third round. I kind of rushed things too much, which made me pretty mad and that feeling was still there on the Sunday, but I used that to my advantage – it was a turning point. I felt like I was obsessed during that final round, it’s hard to explain but I was so focused on where I was hitting my shots, where I was going to make a birdie and when the next one would come. I was a couple of shots behind heading into the back nine and I just wanted to put pressure on the leaders, as it’s not easy to win a golf tournament. It’s hard to explain but you just get into a bit of a run where your hitting nice shots and making birdie after birdie, but I would have liked to have made it six in a row with that missed opportunity on 18! It ended up being enough, so it didn’t matter in the end. WWG: You mentioned there was a turning point that weekend, but I also saw a quote from you a few days ago where you said your season

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changed last year when Rasmus won in Denmark while you missed the cut. What exactly changed from that weekend onwards? NH: I probably expected more out of myself. I wanted to go out and win each week instead of going into a tournament and focusing on things that I could control, like my worth ethic and preparation. That week that Ras won, and I missed the cut, gave me a kick up the backside. I needed to start doing things differently, not different, but maybe I needed to work slightly harder, be more focused and produce more quality. I started working a lot more on the bits and pieces that I was in control of. But then in the Ryder Cup, I didn’t do my own stuff well enough, I was more focussed on the team room which is important as well, but you’ve got to do your work that week. When you look at the best players on Team Europe, they were taking care of both their own stuff and the stuff in the team room. After that week, it just clicked for me that I need to be more focused and prepared, which led to me having a really good end to the season. Sitting here today, I’m a lot smarter in the way I approach things. That doesn’t mean I’m immediately going to go out there and perform, but now I realise there’s a lot more to the game than just hitting perfect shots. WWG: On the topic of the Ryder Cup, when did you start believing you might get a call from Luke Donald to get onto the team and how special was that week in Rome? NH: I never really had it in my mind going into 2023. I then got the call to play the Hero Cup after Ras had to pull out with injury, and I played really well there but it still wasn’t in my mind. I picked up my game throughout the season, played nicely in the two weeks before the team selection, which gave me some hope that I could still get a pick, but it was probably between three players. I obviously got chosen and I’ll never forget that call from Luke. Every time I see him it sparks that memory. It was a special week to bring that trophy back to Europe. WWG: Luke will be Captain again in 2025 when Team Europe heads to New York. How much does he deserve that opportunity to lead the team again after the heroics in Rome? NH: He was a great Captain and will be again. He knows a thing or two about winning and has performed well in the States. It’s about

bringing those sorts of people when playing an away Ryder Cup – I’m not an expert in any kind of way but I know that you need players who have performed over there and he has been one of Europe’s best players. I’m sure he’s going to be a great Captain again. WWG: You received a nice early Christmas present with your Masters invitation coming through in December. How excited are you to play at Augusta National for the first time? NH: I’ve never been there, so it’s pretty cool to get that invite and get over there to see what it’s like. I’m excited for the challenge, I’ll do my best and you never know what’s going to happen. I remember watching Tiger win it back in 2019, that was such a cool moment. Last year was cool watching Jon win as well. I’ve watched it so many times on TV that I feel I almost know the course, but I guess when you turn up there you know nothing about it! I’m really looking forward to getting out there. WWG: Will you look to lean on any of the European guys that have played Augusta for any advice on how to play the course? NH: I’ll definitely try to play some practice rounds with some of the experienced guys. I’ll see where they are chipping from, how they approach the greens, but it’s like any other week so you’ve still got to see it yourself and find your own way to play the course. The experienced guys can give some golden nuggets and show you how to play it and then you go from there and hit the shots from what you feel and see. 

Nicolai raises the Ryder Cup as Tyrrell Hatton, Ludvig Åberg and Viktor Hovland look on at the official presentation after the Sunday singles matches of the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club

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FEATURES

CLAUDE HARMON III

Photography: Getty Images

QUESTION

TIME

By Will Kent

As well all know, golf has been in uncharted territory over the last two years. What will happen to LIV? Does the ball go too far? Will Tiger ever win again? Nobody can answer any of those questions with any degree of certainty. However, world-renowned instructor Claude Harmon III is more qualified than most to voice an opinion on everything in this game. Worldwide Golf caught up with the American at the Els Club to find out just what he thinks of the sport as we head deeper into 2024.

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FEATURES

CLAUDE HARMON III

Photography: Getty Images

Worldwide Golf: What do you make of the plans to roll the ball back in the future? Claude Harmon III: From what I see, the USGA and the R&A think that technology - the driver, the golf ball - go too far. But if that’s the case, I should be able to pick up Rory McIlroy’s driver and carry it 330 in the air like he does? I think it’s archaic thinking to think that in 2024, it’s just technology. I think if you’re just looking at technology as to why the golf ball goes too far, I don’t see the 25 handicapper hitting the golf ball any straight or any further. I see the best in the world doing that. There is an art to hitting the golf ball far. I don’t see technology helping the average golfer at all. WWG: Do you think in the professional game the ball should be brought back? CHIII: I don’t. I don’t see anything wrong with the professional game of golf. There are people in golf who want golf to be the only thing on the planet that doesn’t change. It doesn’t make any sense to me. We’re also the only sport where there is a segment of people who want to watch the best golfers in the world struggle. That doesn’t happen in any other sport. Nobody goes to the World Cup final and wants to see a nil nil draw. Nobody wants that. Nobody wants to see the best footballer struggle. WWG: Harrington recently said he doesn’t think the human body has reached its peak in terms of how far the a human can hit a golf ball. What do you think of that? CHIII: I saw a stat the other day that over half the golf tournaments on the PGA Tour last year were won by players who had under 176mph ball speed with the driver. Wilco Nienaber, Gordon Sargent and all these guys that are carrying the ball. Are they winning five times a year? There are some players who hit nine irons crazy distances. They don’t win any golf tournaments. WWG: Last year was full of controversy, but one thing that stood out was the Ryder Cup. What did you make of that event? CHIII:The Ryder Cup was amazing, and I think the Europeans did a fantastic job. I’ve been to the majority of the Ryder Cups since 1993 and when the Americans play in Europe, the crowds hostile, when the Europeans play in America, the crowds hostile. I don’t have any problem with that. It’s like that in every other sport. The Europeans are passionate, it speaks to how important the event is. It was a great spectacle. WWG: What do you make of the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour and LIV Golf merging? CHIII: I don’t think it’s going to happen, I really don’t. I think there’s a group of people in the US who don’t like the fact the Saudis have come in and done what they’ve done. Professional golf for a long time has been broken. The Tours knew it was broken, the agents knew it was broken and the players knew it was broken. But nobody could come together to have any sort of changes. In two years, LIV and the Saudis have come in, and everybody on the PGA Tour will make exponentially more money than they’ve ever made before and that is 100 hundred percent because of LIV, and competition. Until they came in, there was no competition so the PGA Tour did what they wanted. WWG: How do you see this all unfolding, and where will the game be in five years’ time? CHIII: I really don’t know where it goes from here, but what I do know is, competition is part of a free market. Golf can’t be the only thing that doesn’t operate like everything else. I live in south Florida and a lot of New York finance people have second homes there. In the finance world, companies buy companies all the time, mergers happen all the time. The PGA Tour has had to pivot. I think that LIV is forcing them to revaluate. Hovland’s recent comments about how he feels the PGA Tour has badly managed the PGA Tour. I just don’t think there was any competition. This has been going on for a long time. It seems to me that the Tour thought it was going go away and they didn’t have to do anything. In my opinion, none of this needed to happen. WWG: Tiger Woods looking like he’s coming back this year, how excited are you to see him back? CHIII: Talking to the players who were down at his tournament at the

Hero, they said he was moving better, walking better. I know his trainer Colby quite well and he said it’s been a long process but his body is starting to move better. There’s been a lot of trial and error with Tiger off the golf course to see how much he can push. He’s going to push as hard as he can. Colby has been a huge part. He looks like he’s in good shape and swinging the golf club well. I think the big question is whether he can stay healthy, and get enough momentum playing such a limited schedule. WWG: How much has his swing changed over the last 20 years? CHIII: Massively. It’s all based around the injuries that he has. If you look at how much he’s been injured, he’s had to work around a lot of the issues that he has. I think how much can he practice? How hard can he push? How many tournament reps can he get? I think the other thing that nobody talks about is he’s not the same player as he was. He was so great that everybody keeps thinking that we’re going to see we’re going to see the Tiger of old. He was so great. Such an amazing golfer, and an icon. He was somewhat a victim of his own success. He is judged by such a different lens. So if Tiger plays six, eight events this year doesn’t contend in any of them and misses some cuts... I think the Tour has changed the schedule is 100 percent so Tiger can continue to play, I just believe that. That’s just my opinion. WWG: And finally, what’s your standout bold prediction for 2024 in the golfing world? CHIII: I think the one thing in 2024 is the LIV players will be more competitive. Nobody is going to be surprised if someone from LIV in a big tournament plays well, and that’s a positive. The narrative was that they are all washed up, and Brooks Koepka should have won two Majors last year. I think you’re going to continue to see good play from players all over the world. 

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Tuition

Toptracer Range

Junior Golf

www.petecowen.com

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INSTRUCTION F LY I T H I G H !

Photography: Will Kent

JACO STANDER

SENIOR PGA GOLF PROFESSIONAL AT YAS LINKS ABU DHABI @STANDERJAC090

PLAY THE FIRST TRUE LINKS CO U 40 Master 10-45.indd 40

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DON’T BE AFRAID TO FLY IT HIGH!

ou’re just off the green but still too far away to pull the putter out, so do you bump and run it, or fly the ball in the air? It’s a common question we often find ourselves with when we’re just off the putting surface. I’ve hopefully got the answer for you which you can take with you to the course next time you play. In my lessons at Yas Links Abu Dhabi, I’m often encouraging amateurs to keep the ball low to ground to minimise the chance of a mistake. With a shorter iron, a small swing can often pop the ball up just enough and get it rolling along the green in no time. We’re blessed with fantastic facilities here so can always rely on the greens being perfect for this type of shot. It’s worth remembering though, you’re going to need a lot of green to work with to get the best result from a bump and run. The green also needs to be relatively flat. If you have this scenario in front of you, then this is the shot I would advise you to play. I would go as far down to seven iron, depending on how far away you are and the green’s speed.

However, my advice changes if the green is undulating and has unpredictable slopes as seen in this image. While it could still be a sensible option to play a bump and run, it introduces more variables and now you have to pay more attention to your green reading ability. This is when it becomes trickier, and I would consider using a higher lofted club to fly it high. Granted, this shot requires a greater level of skill and is harder to execute, but if done correctly, it can pay dividends. But still, why am I suggesting this? If you have ample green to work with but have to navigate a significant slope, gauging the green’s speed will prove challenging. Simply but, there’s no trouble in the air and my preferred approach is to aim for a softer landing in these situations. This shot also requires the right mindset. Even as pro, I know I’m not the only one who’s once had a short 20 yard chip over a bunker, just to duff it straight in the trap. The same is here with the thought of thinning it over the back and miles away. Confidence is everything in this game, and that comes with practice.

LOOK OUT FOR THE VIDEO AT

Watch Jaco explain this simple drill in greater detail by scanning the QR code to the right!

WorldwideGolf Worldwide.Golf

O URSE IN THE MIDDLE EAST BOOK NOW

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INSTRUCTION

C LO C K FA C E C O N T R O L

Photography: Will Kent

JOE O’CONNOR

TEACHING PROFESSIONAL AT TOMMY FLEETWOOD ACADEMY @JOEOCONNOR_GOLF

CLOCK FACE CONTROL

ne thing I love helping people get better at in my lessons are short greenside chip shots. The issues people have with these shots are often easily fixed without too many technique changes, so I’ve seen big improvements in a short amount of time. Hopefully I can help you here too. Firstly, the main culprit for bad shots from just off the putting surface with a wedge in hand is set up. I often see players stand too wide – or even too narrow – when setting up to 15 to 20 yard chip. I’d like to see you standing with your feet just slightly narrower than shoulder width apart. Then, with your feet in position, lean slightly onto your lead side. I’m not talking your entire weight here, rather up to 70 percent. This helps to get a nice solid base for us to work with. Once you’ve nailed this, your half way there to hitting a decent shot.

Next up is understanding the body is what moves the club and utilising that effectively. What I mean by that is don’t overly hinge your wrists, and excessively bend your elbows. Your torso has more than enough power to help you here, and can help improve your consistency. I often see people taking very long backswings with short follow throughs, and vice versa. This is not what we want. We want both to be equal, and a good way to do this is to use your shoulders to move the club. Focus on an equal tempo, back and through. For example, I like to reference a clockface when explaining this to my students in person, as seen on the page to the right. When in your set up, the ball is at six o’clock. If you pull the club back to nine o’clock, your follow through should finish at three o’clock. This is the same all the way around the clock face. Give it a go.

BONUS TIP Once you’ve mastered the set up, then next thing is to understand how ball position can influence ball flight. As you can see here, I’ve got three balls in front of me. Keeping the set up the same, but shifting the ball around can really change things. For example, the ball towards my backfoot will

come out lower and should roll more. The middle ball is my stock shot, while the ball towards my lead foot will come out higher and land softer. Give these a try and don’t be afraid the try them on the course. Remember though, it’s all body movement, not the hands!

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Watch Joe explain this simple drill in greater detail by scanning the QR code to the right!

LOOK OUT FOR THE VIDEO AT WorldwideGolf Worldwide.Golf

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INSTRUCTION

SWING SEQUENCE

Photography: Getty Images

by JONATHAN CRADDOCK

PGA Professional, Peter Cowen Academy

PADRAIG HARRINGTON

SWING SEQUENCE Padraig Harrington has established himself as one of the most successful golfers of his generation having secured 38 professional victories including the following major championships: Open Championship in (2007 & 2008), PGA Championship (2008) and the US Senior Open (2022). In 2024, he will be an inductee of the World Golf Hall of Fame. Raised in Dublin, Ireland, he developed a passion for golf from a young age of five years old. The Irishman is known for his unique swing and meticulous preparation with his swing has being a subject of much

1 Perhaps unknown to many, Harrington is one of the most fascinated players when it comes to the golf swing. He’s always tinkering to achieve new heights, particularly with speed. We can all learn a little here because by working on raw speed you can unlock a more natural movement. He actively works with the Super Speed team on overload and underload training which provides the body with different stimulus to unlock potential speed.

fascination and analysis. This combined with his attention to detail and relentless preparation are often credited as key contributors to his success on the course. The 52-year-old’s dedication to his craft is often lauded as he is in constant pursuit of improvement, always striving to reach new heights in his golfing career, especially with regards to speed. At Arnold Palmer’s tournament last year Shane Lowry challenged Harrington to get over 190 mph ball speed and he would pay for the evening meal. Paddy got 192, and Shane paid up! Let’s see how he does it below.

2 It’s evident with Harrington’s swing how he has been able to stand the test of time. Throughout the following slides imagine there is a line down from his tail bon. You will see how he maintains his connection to the line and therefore his posture throughout the whole movement. The first movement here is a very simple one. Note how the club is in front of the body. This is due to the Irishman maintaining his arm structure and not adding any unnecessary manipulation away from the ball.

Just prior to parallel to the ground with the left arm, Harrington begins to set the wrists. Notice how the club face is square, pointing more towards four o’clock as opposed to two o’clock which would be an open face and a common mistake I see. Padraig’s arm structure can be maintained due to the excellent body action. He’s spiralled into and up from the ground allowing the arms to stay in front of the body action.

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4 As mentioned, Harrington practices a fair amount of achieving high speed levels. Notice the amount of body spiral but not an excessive amount of arm or club movement. He actively thinks about a large body spiral with a stable arm movement rather than a large arm movement with little body action. If you look closely you will see Padraig’s left heal off the ground. This is down to his speed practice and how he creates high amounts of leverage. By understanding how to push the spiral into the ground you will create greater opposition from ground reaction forces.

7 Again, due to his understanding of how to create power, his left leg action allows him to maintain a solid clubface through impact. It’s also worth noticing at this stage that pressure on the ball is key to power. Of course, the quickest way to find more distance is to consistently find the centre of your club with a relatively square face. Quite often when amateurs work on their swing, they tend to over think the movement. I recommend these in-depth thoughts are done away with from the golf course and focus instead on a more dynamic movement when swinging through golf balls in scoring situations. This is a game at the end of the day, and many great players say they have no swing thoughts when they are playing well.

Something perhaps a little unusual that you might not know is how Harrington has size eight feet, yet is six foot one therefore his platform is not the biggest. Therefore his work applying the correct spiral and therefore ground force reactions is essential to the Irishman maintaining his posture and therefore unlocking the 190 mph ball speed he is still able to achieve with his driver at the age of 52. If you are 50 years old or more, I challenge you to keep watching Harrington as he is only getting faster and proof that age isn’t that much of a limiting factor in this sport. You can do the same and also get faster with the correct movement.

The three-time Major champion lifts his heal in the backswing which he says this gives him a simple idea of transition (or as we call it the reverse spiral). By placing his left heal down and feeling like he is squeezing his thighs together he is able to allow the club to move down onto plane. Notice how Harrington has not opened his upper body too early, but rather by pressuring the spiral from top down with the arm hand and club action, he is primed for a powerful release. This a key part of his effective movement which shouldn’t be overlooked.

Note in the previous slide how Harrington’s hips were open to setup whilst his upper body was square, forearms arms perhaps pointing slightly right. In this frame the energy from the body action and arm, hand and club movement have been matched, which provides an efficient transfer of energy through the golf ball. Next time you swing your club or the superspeed sticks following a warm up, try to swing as fast as you can without thinking about the movement. The only thing we are looking for is speed. You will feel the momentum build from your arms and hands, remember keep them loose, and use natural forces. Just watch how the body reacts.

The Irishman has pushed the ground with the left leg really well here to allow the body to continue moving around and up with the spiral. By understanding the spiral of the body you can unlock more power as you will not stop abruptly injuring your body. Remaing fit and healthy is an essential part to playing golf at an older age, with Harrington proof of just that as he turns 53 in August. His ability to swing this well and compete at the highest level is remarkable, but testament to his understanding of the golf swing complimented by the right gym work. The Dublin man doesn’t look like he’s slowing down any time soon either, with six wins on the PGA Champions Tour to his name in the past two years. 2024 could be another big year for him.

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EQUIPMENT PING TAYLORMADE TITLEIST BY ALEX GALLEMORE

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SWING

N I C K H U BY

THE DANGERS OF CHASING SPEED

F by Nick Huby

Head Academy Instructor Pete Cowen Golf Academy

or 20 years I’ve known Alex from Worldwide Golf and he’s worked close with Pete and myself on many projects, but his game has suffered recently due to the obsession of wanting a faster swing speed to gain more distance. He understands the swing and mechanics but sometimes you can’t see the wood for the trees. So, I invited him down to the Pete Cowen Academy in Rotherham to show how I could make him drive the ball better and even further with a much slower and more controlled swing. We both work in close contact with some of the best golfers in the world and it’s easy to lose touch with reality and think a 115mph swing speed is average. Though we need to quickly remember these are the elite golfing ‘aliens’ with pure talent that also spend hours a day working on speed drills to make it all look so effortless. Taking that into consideration you can’t expect to jump out of the car from the office, loosen up with a couple of mishits on the range and proceed to unleash a rocket off the first tee with tour level speed. What we need to do is understand how to optimise what you have and that can result in swinging slower to synchronise the movements to improve the strike, while matching the launch and spin. High launch and low spin are not always the perfect match if you don’t have the speed keep the ball in the air. Spin is your friend, you just need to find that perfect balance. Alex’s average swing speed is just over 105mph but his strike pattern is inconsistent although sometimes he can even knock it close to 290 yards. The problem is he can also hit it low on the face towards the heel and struggle to carry 230 yards, with his spin easily topping more than 3,500 rpm. Within 40 minutes I managed to get Alex averaging 275 yards and spinning it consistently around 2,300 RPM with a much slower swing. We even got him driving more than 280 yards with a swing speed of just 101mph by thinking outside the conventional fitting process.

Turn over to find out how.

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“WITH JUST OVER A 100MPH SWING SPEED, I WILL EXPLAIN HOW A CONSISTENT 280 YARD DRIVE IS ACHIEVEABLE.” - Nick Huby

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SWING

N I C K H U BY

BALL POSITION Hitting the ball on the up will allow you to play a club with a lower loft and in turn reduce spin. Align the ball just in line with your left heel at address. If you position the ball towards the centre of your stance this will steepen the attack angle and increase spin.

IMPACT BAG You should be in this position at impact with the left side. Look at the difference in shaft angle when the strike is further back.

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SHOULDER ALIGNMENT If you are right-handed, the left hand sits above the right on the grip. This naturally moves the left shoulder back, so it is easy to look down at your feet to the target line and think you are square. When in fact the chest is open and facing left of the target. This can cause players like Alex to move the swing path left and present the heel at impact, instead of a square club face. By simply realigning the shoulder in line to the correct path Alex’s spin rate not only lowered but the Smash Factor was more consistent, and that low heel strike disappeared.

GETTING THE CLUB IN EARLIER Alex also has a tendency of driving the shaft forwards and flipping his hands at impact to square the clubface. Having good hand and eye coordination means he gets away with it but when it goes wrong it can result in a huge block or a massive hook. So, under pressure that tee shot could go anywhere. The answer for Alex was to get the clubhead down earlier in the transition and allow him to work the body through impact and not the hands. By dropping the swing speed by 3mph, he wasn’t rushed in the down swing, and found it much easier to get into position.

FINDING THE RIGHT DRIVER AND SHAFT COMBINATION Alex’s PING G430 LST is a great performing driver but with his new reduced 100+mph swing speed many fitters would be tempted to match him to a lightweight but stiff shaft to try to lift the swing speed. Although Alex hits 2 degrees on the up he could go the other way and go extra stiff and even drop the loft a degree At the end of the lesson, we switched out the Mitsubishi Kai’Li White 65g stiff for a Ventus 6-TX, which on paper is for swing speeds above 110mph, and outperformed the most optimised figures previous recorded. Alex with just a swing speed of 102.1mph launched it 16.5 degrees with a spin of 1885rpm to record a drive of 281 yards and carry of 263 yards. The most important thing was Alex’s distance control was consistent and his dispersion was tight. Those wayward reloading tee shots are now a thing of the past. If all goes wrong, he can read this article to get back on track!

The heel strike effect

Result due to synchronised swing changes

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GEAR

TAY LO R M A D E Q i 1 0

STRAIGHTNESS IS THE FOCUS

TaylorMade’s latest driver has the brand on track

aylorMade’s new Qi10 driver first broke cover at the DP World Tour Championship, when Rory and fellow TaylorMade staff players put it in play but seeing it in a bag and being flushed by a leading tour pro doesn’t tell you much about the brands first 10K MOI driver. Before we go into the specs and how we found the club, why is all the hype about MOI with drivers this season? The R&A and USGA set a Moment of Inertia limit of 5900g cm2 per axis on all drivers, which is a calculation that measures the clubhead’s resistance to twisting when a ball is struck away from the sweet spot. This means the higher the clubhead’s MOI, the less it will twist and the straighter the ball will fly on a mishit. The club has two axis, vertical and horizontal, hence the combined compliance of 10,000g cm2. To put the evolution of TaylorMade’s into perspective, their iconic M1 driver had an MOI of 6,600. HIGHER MOI = STRAIGHTER

Stealth2 v Qi10 Stealth2 produced the fastest ball speed compared to any other driver we tested in 2023 but build quality and stability was an issue. At first glance the Qi10 has certainly addressed the quality aspect, and the face is now integral and flush unlike the Stealth2. At address the first thing that grabs your eye is the carbon crown which is now 97 percent of the top surface, sitting flush with the new blue carbon 60X face. The additional carbon has enabled TaylorMade to redistribute weight and lower the centre of gravity. This makes it easier to launch and increases the MOI. Then we have the colour change. The 60X Carbon Twist Face is now a distinctive blue instead of the red, but it’s just a colour swap and the technology still delivers those impressive ball speeds. Though we can not forgetting the proven Thru-Slot Speed Pocket which prevents ball speed drop off from those distance killing low-face strikes .

THE QI10 MODELS

Qi10 Max - the shallower head shape has allowed more weight to be positioned the centre of gravity to the limits, with the mass pushed further from the centre of the clubhead. This model is all about stability and forgiveness, though the Max’s large head isn’t an aerodynamically efficient driver but a confidence booster. Qi10 – is a dialled down version of the Max, with the back weight positioned more towards the tow for a neutral bias. The MOI is not going to be

as high as the Max, but online tests have found it more forgiving and less spinning than the Stealth2. Qi10 LS – designed with the better player in mind that is looking to lower spin and work the flight. This club is not about forgiveness compared to the other models. Though numbers suggest it is more forgiving than Stealth2 Plus, this would have been helped by a more compact weight system that enabled TaylorMade to adjust the CG. As a result, you might expect the spin rate to increase, but the RPM was even lower than the Stealth2 Plus.

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OFF TO A FLYER TaylorMade couldn’t have asked for a better start with the Qi10, as both Fleetwood and McIlroy put it in the winners enclosure ta the Dubai Invitational and the Dubai Desert Classic.

+1.2MPH

Nicholas was getting an average ball speed increase of 1.2mph with the Qi10 LS. The 2021 Open qualifier also prefered the faster feel off the face and crisper impact sound.

Out of the 10 best recorded shots with each driver, the Qi10 LS averaged a slightly higher swing speed by 0.2mph.

TEST REVIEW

We decided to test the Qi10LS v the Stealth2 Plus and not the Max, as we wanted to know why Rory and company put it straight in the bag. To achieve this, we sought the services of Nicholas Poppleton, a Tour player with a robotic 116mph swing speed and more importantly not aligned to any manufacturer. Proof was in the pudding, as they say, and the Qi10LS delivered exactly what TaylorMade claimed. On average the Qi10 spun 180rpm less with a ball speed increase of close to 1.3mph. Conclusion TaylorMade drivers have always been about performance and less about accuracy or forgiveness. Yes, speed sells, but TaylorMade has taken a fresh approach with the Qi10 distance is paired with straightness. Higher ball speeds are only useful if you are finding fairways, so has TaylorMade finally got the balance right and could the Qi10 be their best driver to date as a result?

The Stealth2 certainly packs a punch but if you are needing speed and more forgiveness the Qi10 and Max would be the better model.

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GEAR

P I N G G 430 M A X 10 K

VOKEY SM10

10K

The Master Craftsman delivers once again TAKING IT TO THE MAX Vokey wedges are a staple for any golfer and have been the number one wedge on Tour since 2004, with Vokey models accounting for more than half of the wedges in play throughout the 2022-23 PGA TOUR and DP World Tour seasons. Though if you are a die-hard tech fan you know that the models change nearly every two years, so what can we expect from the latest creation from the Master Craftsman, Bob Vokey?

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s the golfing world is getting excited about drivers with a Moment of Inertia touching or exceeding 10,000g / cm2, PING were arguably the first to the punch with their G430 10K Max, but where does it fit in their current range and what do you gain? The PING G430 has been a huge success for the brand and one of the top selling drivers in 2023. Their line-up is easy to understand, delivering a blend of distance and forgiveness depending on your requirements. When we managed to get our hands on the G430 10K Max we first needed to understand why it was needed and how it would differ from the rest in the range. After taking the headcover off for the first time, it was quick to see that this behemoth was certainly different. It might say it’s 460cc, but it’s also been pushed to the legal dimension limit as well. Having the maximum allowable heel to tow and front to back dimensions has allowed the PING engineers to extend the perimeter weighting and ultimately more forgiveness, especially when the fixed tungsten back weight is added. Not only has this been the formula for exceeding 10,000g Cm2 but ability to move the tungsten weight has driven the mass down and back to increase forgiveness and optimise the centre if gravity.

THE TEST

Normally, I wouldn’t opt for a club designed around forgiveness, as they all tend to spin too high and my ball flight just stalls. This is why I always get fitted for lower spin heads. The downside is even though I’m optimised on the TrackMan for distance at a fitting centre, that does not consider what happens on the course. I might hit one out of the screws occasionally but there isn’t a low spinning driver on the market that loves a low heel strike. The G430 10K Max is a monster and the size does negatively affect swing speed, but it is just so stable and consistent. Though the surprise was the ball speed, which was the same as the G430LS with a 1.5+ higher swing speed. The huge surprise was the spin rate, as most drivers with a high MOI would have my tee shots topping 3,000+rpm, but the 10K MAX was averaging just below 2,700rpm. This was all prior to my lesson with Nick Huby at the Pete Cowen Academy. I did get Nicholas Poppleton to rip a couple and although it spun a little high for a 114mph swing speed Tour player, it wasn’t too far behind his gamer, but the larger head size did reduce his swing speed by 1.7mph.

Putting the centre of gravity all the way back in the head was the easiest way to increase forgiveness but it could also send spin rates through the ceiling. The positioning of the back weight in the G430 10K Max is balanced to lower the spin and ball speed consistency across the face. The shallower face height, paired with the G430s variable titanium face thickness design, delivers faster ball speeds but consistent spin across the face. Ideal for golfers that have inconsistent strike patterns, which is nearly all of us!

SIZE COUNTS

G430 MAX 10K

G430 LST

CONCLUSION

The G430 10K Max is such a confidence inspiring club to hit and the fact the spin rates are not through the roof is testament to the PING engineers. If I was playing in a monthly medal or knockout I would consider putting this in the bag, as it finds fairways for fun. Though after the driver lesson with Nick, I’m trying to find a Venus 6-TX shaft, as a spin rate close to 2,000rpm with this head could be just what I’m after.

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GEAR

VOKEY SM10 WEDGES

VOKEY SM10 The Master Craftsman delivers once again Vokey wedges are a staple for any golfer and have been the number one wedge on Tour since 2004, with Vokey models accounting for more than half of the wedges in play throughout the 2022-23 PGA TOUR and DP World Tour seasons. Having said that if you are a die-hard tech fan you know that the models change nearly every two years, so what can we expect from the latest creation from the Master Craftsman, Bob Vokey?

FINISHES

- Rory McIlroy

Tour Chrome Nickel Jet Black

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he legendary wedge maker always talks about the three keys to great wedge play: shot versatility, distance control, and maximum spin.

In terms of versatility, the SM10 line up offers 25 unique loft bounce and sole grind options. The six grind options allow fitters to dial in your short game based on your swing and the type of conditions you regularly play on. This can get confusing, as even though you can buy a Vokey off the shelf, you can easily get it wrong. This is why Titleist are launching a fitting app to guide you through the process. Though, you would be safer just booking in with a Titleist fitting team member and getting set up correctly, as they will also look at your gapping. Lofts 46-52° feature a smaller profile and a straighter leading edge, while lofts 56-62° have a larger footprint and a more rounded leading edge for shot versatility.

“I always tell players that the most important club in the bag is confidence. Getting fit for each of your wedges, and learning how to use them in different situations, is one of the fastest ways to gain confidence around the green.” - Bob Vokey

Distance and trajectory control has been modified by progressive centre of gravity placements through the lofts. This is a great benefit for us playing fast courses in the UAE, where playing those low flighted wedge shots close to the green with more control is sometimes the only way to get it close to the pin as opposed to a long bump and run with an iron where you are in the lap of the gods. Taking most of that distance and uncertainty out through the air is more effective, though it might not be the case if you have the wrong grind and bounce!

These images illustrate how the centre of gravity shifts in the SM10 to give more shot control and stability.

The only missing ingredient now is spin and that is where Vokey’s have always delivered. The SM10 wedges are produced using a refined Spin Milled process to produced higher and more consistent spin rates. Each groove is individually cut based on loft and a high frequency heat treatment process is used to maximise durability.

FINISHES

The SM10 will be available in three finishes: Tour chrome, jet black and a new nickel finish. The chrome will always be the best seller but the new nickel finish should be well received in the UAE, with its subtle anti-glare coating and potentially better wearing than the black.

REVIEW

Bob Vokey is never going to reinvent the wheel when it comes to wedges. He just fine-tunes what is close to perfection each time with subtle changes, and that is why the SM line up has dominated the wedge market for two decades. Keep in mind many of us should change our wedges every year, as performance starts to diminish around 75 rounds or slightly less. Just make sure you factor in how many times you practice with your wedge! Understanding the various grinds, bounce and loft options is a challenge, and why I can’t emphasise the importance of getting fitted correctly. Being able to know how your wedge will behave is a huge advantage for everyone, not just tour level players. We all might not be able to hit 300+ bombs like Wyndham Clark but there is no reason why we can’t master the ability to skip and grip like a pro close to the green.

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GEAR

T I T L E I S T AV X

NEW TITLEIST AVX The Prov1 family member has just been reegineered but why? If you want the best premium ball on the market, the Titleist ProV1 and Prov1x has it covered. Their performance and consistency are key to why they have been the number one ball on Tour since they were launched back in 2003. If you have the budget, it’s also the ball for most club golfers, but over the last couple of years I’ve tended to play the Titleist AVX. At a similar price point to the ProV, my playing partners were surprised I switched, but I picked up some extra yards with my long game due to it spinning less but struggled to tell the difference with short iron control. If you have managed to read the swing tip with Nick Huby and also the driver reviews in this issue, you know I’ve struggled with the dreaded unwanted spin, but understandably you will appreciate why the AVX suits my game. When Titleist recently announced a new AVX was due for release this month I was keen to know whether it was just a rebranding or much more.

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Thankfully it not a style upgrade, the AVX has been reengineered from core to cover to increase performance off the tee with added greenside spin. Titleist also claim the feel is even softer. I’ve not been able test the AVX out on course and the sample balls haven’t landed in the office, but I’m sadly interested in the tech side of how they go about improving ball technology.

The engine room

The AVX features a new high-speed core and has the same technology found in the ProV and ProV1X, which is how Titleist manages to reduce spin but deliver that feel and short game spin.

Protecting the engine room

Over the top of the AVX’s core is a new thin, high-flex casing layer to reduce excess long game spin, while a new softer urethane cover designed for the AVX increases stopping power with the high lofted clubs. Titleist engineers have said that the interaction between the core, casing layer and cover have been exceptional in terms of managing spin throughout the bag. “With three-piece construction golf balls, one of the real benefits is the hard-over-soft and soft-over-hard relationships which allow us to control spin in various aspects of the game,” Mike Madson, Vice President, Titleist Golf Ball R&D said. “For example, when there is a very high-speed impact condition, the cover is going to

play less of a role during that collision. Most of what is interacting with the club face is that stiff casing layer and that soft core, which is a hard-over-soft relationship. When you have hard-over-soft, it drives spin down. Conversely, on shots around the green, the impact with a wedge is a lower speed collision or more of a glancing blow where the interaction is primarily between the cover and the casing layer. When you have that soft cover over that stiff casing layer, that soft-over-hard relationship drives spin up. This helps give AVX golfers the distance they enjoy at the top end of their bags as well as the greenside spin they seek with their wedges.”

Aerodynamics

Every Titleist golf ball model has a unique aerodynamics package designed to complement its individual construction and flight window while optimising distance. A new 346 quad dipyramid catenary dimple design provides the new AVX with a piercing trajectory and helps golfers hit their preferred low flight window. This also helps maintain AVX’s separation between Pro V1 as the lowest-flying urethane offering in the Titleist golf ball family.

Verdict

The previous AXV was a great ball that delivered low spiining distance and short game control. It will be interesting to put the outgoing model up against the new AVX to assess the difference.

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T R AV E L

SYDNEY

Swinging Down Under Nestled in its own corner of the world, Australia has quietly asserted itself as a golfing haven, defying its geographical seclusion. The likes of Greg Norman, Adam Scott, Jason Day and Cameron Smith, iconic figures in the golfing world, proudly call the land down under their home, cementing Australia’s status as a cradle for some of the world’s premier golf talents. What sets this island continent apart, perhaps, is its ability to cultivate these champions on golfing canvases that are unparalleled in both beauty and challenge.

Australia’s diverse topography serves as a playground for golf architects, creating courses whose aesthetic allure and demanding layouts stand proudly as some of the best tracks globally. Amid this golfing utopia, there exists no superior destination to savour the finest golfing experiences than Sydney, the nation’s sprawling metropolis. The city not only encapsulates the essence of Australia’s golfing prowess but also offers a range of courses catering to every budget and skill level, all conveniently positioned just mo-ments away from the pulse of the airport.

LONG REEF GOLF CLUB

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LONG REEF GOLF CLUB Located just 20 km from the Sydney CBD on the beautiful Northern Beaches, Long Reef Golf Club enjoys a commanding beachfront position and boasts unsurpassed views all the way to the Central Coast to the north and Manly to the south. On a number of tees, players have wonderful views of a range of spectacular surfing and hang gliding activities as well as taking in the sight of migrating whales and dolphins, during migration season, not to mention that every tee and green at Long Reef has majestic ocean views. Golfers enjoy the unique experience of playing golf on a Links course – The Links at Long Reef provides a challenge to golfers of all standards, and the spectacular location offers a cool breeze on even the hottest summer day. Founded in 1921, the course has a well-earned reputation of being one of Sydney’s best golfing layouts and in fact one of Australia’s greatest golfers and course designers, British and Australian Open winner Peter Thomson, rated Long Reef as “the best site of any golf course in Sydney”. Four different tee positions for Men (Slope rating from 120 up to 133) and Two (2) Tee positions for Women (Slope rating from 129 up to 134) ensures the course set up meets the needs of players at all levels and for the golfing purists, the par rating for Men is 71 (Black Scratch Rating 73) and for the Women 73 (Scratch Rating 76).

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T R AV E L

SYDNEY

ROYAL SYDNEY GOLF CLUB At first glance, the vintage charm of this golf course might deceive players into a false sense of assurance. Royal Syndney Golf Club eschews tricks or gimmicks, relying instead on the timeless appeal of undulating fairways and its formidable bunkers to maintain the challenge for golfers seeking low scores. It’s imperative that tee shots find the fairway to establish a manageable approach because an approach missing the green is likely to encounter the sand, exemplified by the par four 8th hole. Spanning only 275 meters from the furthest tees, this short par four presents a viable challenge for many players. However, with bunkers lining the right side of the fairway and guarding the green’s front, the risk might outweigh the reward. Opting for a pitch from the fairway center is undoubtedly a wiser choice, steering clear of the complications associated with bunker shots or short chips onto the elevated green. This Par 72 course, stretching 6054 meters from the men’s tees and conveniently located just 13 kilometers from the airport, positions the Royal Sydney Golf Club as a delightful choice for visitors to the Harbor City.

MOORE PARK Established in 1913 as Sydney’s inaugural public golf course, Moore Park stands apart from the local golfing landscape. Adorned with fairways lined by majestic fig trees and sprawling undulating greens, this championship course offers a diverse challenge suitable for golfers of all proficiency levels. The 5th hole, a concise 150-meter par three, claims the course’s signature status. Despite its brevity, this cleverly designed hole compensates for

its lack of distance with a 30-meter drop from tee to green, presenting a deceptively tricky shot, particularly when the wind comes into play. As the proud home of the Sydney Golf Academy, Moore Park boasts some of the city’s most impressive practice amenities. The three-story fully automated hitting bay serves as the ideal pre-round warm-up spot. Additionally, the driving range features a sizable 22 square meter big screen, ensuring golf enthusiasts can stay abreast of events unfolding in the wider golfing world. With the convenience of the driving range extending its hours until midnight on select evenings and its proximity a mere 5 kilometers from the airport, Moore Park emerges as an excellent choice for traveling golfers, regardless of the arrival time of their flight.

NEW SOUTH WALES GOLF CLUB New South Wales could easily be likened to a masterpiece more than just a golf course. The undulating terrain and panoramic ocean views render this course among the most stunning on a global scale. Yet, this doesn’t imply a lack of excitement or challenge in the realm of golf. Featuring dramatic rolling fairways flanked by sandy wastelands and greens guarded by menacing pot bunkers, the course is a testament to both its aesthetic and strategic prowess. The 468-meter par five 5th hole stands as the club’s crowning jewel. Following a blind tee shot over a ridge, golfers are treated to a downhill second shot with a mesmerizing view of the sea. Negotiating bunkers surrounding a backward-

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sloping green demands precision for a manageable approach. While the NSW Golf Club maintains its private status, a glimmer of accessibility exists for the public with limited weekday tee times available when booked in advance, allowing enthusiasts to experience the artistry and challenge that define this exceptional course.

THE LAKES GOLF CLUB A golf course that has witnessed both the finesse of a Golden Bear and the prowess of a Great White undoubtedly ranks among the world’s finest, and such acclaim befits The Lakes Golf Club. With six Australian Opens under its belt, including three of the last five, this creation by Michael Clayton stands as a true masterpiece. Among the courses in the area, The Lakes stands out for its exceptional utilization of natural water hazards, notably featured on all three par fives of the back nine. A formidable challenge awaits golfers at the par five 14th hole, spanning 502 meters. Opting for a driver off the tee is a necessity to set up a reasonable second shot, where strategic decisions come into play. The prudent golfer may choose a more conservative second shot, positioning it further along the fairway for a simpler approach. On the other hand, the daring and adventurous may endeavour to carry the massive lake guarding the green. Yet, even reaching the green in two offers no assurance of a birdie, given its expanse as one of the largest putting surfaces on the course. Situated a mere three kilometers from the airport, The Lakes Golf Club

beckons as a must-play destination for the avid golfer, promising an experience that seamlessly blends challenge and strategic brilliance on the course.

THE AUSTRALIAN GOLF CLUB Founded in 1882 and set in the centre of Sydney’s busiest industrial area, is the oldest golf club still in existence in Australia. It moved to its present location at Kensington in 1903 and Dr Alister MacKenzie was commissioned to update the Australian layout. Sloan Morpeth performed further revisions and then Jack Nicklaus completely redesigned the course under the finance of Kerry Packer in 1976 to what is now the current championship livery In the 1940s the club struggled financially and during the early war years the clubhouse was commandeered by the US armed forces, and in 1944 was requisitioned by the American Red Cross. Fire eventually razed the ill fated clubhouse to the ground in 1982 and the Australian Golf Club now has a wonderful new clubhouse with panoramic views. Sloan Morpeth added further modifications and nine extra holes in 1967. The course is set in a large, often windswept, sandy basin. With few trees on the property, the Australian is reminiscent of a concave Walton Heath with elevated plateaux greens and cavernous bunkers. Host to no fewer than twenty-one Australians Opens, the first and inaugural Australian Open was played here in 1904 and most recently in 2019. The Australian is a championship venue that’s as hard-as-nails and the course will no doubt be utilised for tournament golf for many years to come. 

THE AUSTRALIAN GOLF CLUB

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QUICK NINE YA N N I K PAU L

Photography: Getty Images

QUICK NINE Yannik Paul

Favourite course you’ve ever played? Desert Forest Golf Club, Arizona

Biggest influence on your career? My brother Jeremy, we practice a lot together

Would you rather win the Masters or The Open? Masters, some people might hate me for that!

If you could have one super power, what would it be? The ability to teleport anywhere

If you weren’t a professional golfer, what would you be? Singer, I’m not good, but I’d love to be one

Do you eat or drink soup? Eat it Biggest moment of your career? Winning my first event in Mallorca and holing on the last

What was your favourite childhood TV show? Money Heist

Messi or Ronaldo? Ronaldo

2023 Stats Top 10s: 7 Best finish: 2nd (twice) Driving Accuracy 59% Driving Distance 298 yards Greens in regulation: 67% Average putts per round: 29.3 Stroke average: 70.8

DID YOU KNOW? Yannik and his twin brother Jeremy became the first pair of twins to play in a DP World Tour event, when they both played in the 2016 BMW International Open.

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