National Club Golfer February 2013 Issue

NCG Cover Feb 13 14/12/2012 11:16 Page 3

ALSO INSIDE: SECRET SECRETARY n WINTER SHOES n ANCHORING BAN

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ALSO INSIDE: SECRET SECRETARY n WINTER SHOES n ANCHORING BAN

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Tackling the issues that matter the most to you

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THE R1 WE’RE THE FIRST TO HIT TAYLORMADE’S NEW RETRO-LOOK DRIVER

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EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Dan Murphy DEPUTY EDITOR Mark Townsend STAFF WRITERS Joe Whitley James Tompkinson CONTRIBUTORS Chris Bertram Robert Rock Colin Callander Chubby Chandler Joe Harrison PHOTOGRAPHY Getty Images, Thinkstock CHIEF DESIGNER Andrew Kenworthy DESIGNER & WEBMASTER Daniel Cooper PUBLISHER Tom Irwin DISPLAY SALES MANAGER Richard Holt SALES EXECUTIVES Neil Braddish Luke Kelly Tom Lenton Jamie Miles DIGITAL MARKETING EXECUTIVE Eve Burton FINANCE & OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Will Shucksmith (ACA) ACCOUNTS Emma Abbott CHAIRMAN Peter Burgess PRINT/REPRO Precision Colour Printing, Telford SUBSCRIPTIONS Tel: 0113 289 3979 12 issues including P&P: UK £42; Europe £48; World £58 SPORTS PUBLICATIONS LTD Unit 2, Arena Park, Tarn Lane, Scarcroft, West Yorkshire LS17 9BF, United Kingdom Telephone: +44 (0) 113 289 3979 e-mail: editorial@sportspub.co.uk

Editor’s Comment I

T was a golfing year that will be remembered above all else for seemingly impregnable leads being squandered.

The first that springs to mind is the Ryder Cup, when Europe went into the singles 10-6 behind yet rallied to win by a point.

There was the Open Championship where Adam Scott looked for all the world like the Claret Jug was his, only to falter while Ernie Els shone brightly ahead, putts that had not dropped for years suddenly finding the target.

On the PGA Tour, what seems like an age ago now, Kyle Stanley took eight at the last at Torrey Pines to let Brandt Snedeker in. Then, the following week, Stanley would pull off his own comeback, this time Spencer Levin was the victim, an eight-shot lead whittled away in Phoenix.

Questions were being asked of Rory McIlroy, who had failed to feature in any of the first three Majors. Then came Kiawah and the Northern Irishman obliterated the field, cantering home in a manner showing us all that what had happened 14 months earlier at Congressional was no fluke. It began a run that saw him end 2012 as the undisputed World No 1 – not since Tiger Woods’ era of dominance dramatically ended in 2009 has one man stood above the rest so unarguably.

In the ladies’ game, Lydia Ko, at 15, redefined the rules by winning an LPGA event – and against a strong field. This might be commonplace in tennis, but it was unheard of in golf. Only marginally less surprising was the sight of Yani Tseng fighting to make cuts and barely featuring.

Nor was 2012 lacking in controversy, with the opening of Donald Trump’s course in Aberdeen the subject simultaneously of great interest and no little suspicion, particularly following a BBC documentary that did little to enhance the

Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, but the publishers cannot accept responsibility for omissions and errors. Readers are advised to check pricing and details of availability before making any journeys. All material in this publication is strictly copyright and all rights are reserved. The views expressed in National Club Golfer do not necessarily represent the views of the company or the editor. Every care is taken in compiling the contents but the publishers assume no responsibility for any damage, loss or injury arising from participation in any offer, competition or advertising contained within National Club Golfer.

ET the abiding memory for all of us in Britain will be the rain. I have never seen rough like it, nor played so infrequently in dry conditions. The summer that never was is still being felt, and will continue to be so by clubs reeling from the economic climate and faced with a trend moving away from a more traditional membership.

Notwithstanding all that, the enthusiasm for the game remains, up and down the country. All we need now is the opportunity to show it.

On that note I’d like to wish all readers a happy new year and, at the very least, a fighting chance of reducing their handicaps come spring and summer.

Y

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Finally the Old Course is currently under the knife, with architect Martin Hawtree called in to carry out the first work on any part of the course beyond the tees since the 1920s.

C

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feel, forgiveness different models, emphasising custom fit and flight to offer a comprehensive for any player’s profile.

Mid The three models are Altitude, Trajectory (TT).

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TRAVEL GUID E 2013 | Content

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2013

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LONG HAUL

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36 39 40

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Mix great golf

and wine

SHORT HAUL

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TURKEY

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51

ALL THE OVER WO

588 ALTITUDE set, hitting the ball

With this hybrid-iron been easier. The longer and higher has never with the Altitudes are fully interchangeable build your perfect set.

MTs and TTs so you can and seamlessly Engineered for altitude easy to hit. blended, every club is incredibly and advanced internal Full hollow construction and promotes a weighting adds forgiveness gravity for optimal lower, deeper centre of Every iron has a launch and effortless distance. ball speed and feel. forged clubface to enhance

588 MT

an unparalleled Find more greens with and feel. The MTs combination of forgiveness length throughout the feature a constant blade progressively set and a blade height that clubs. The easy-toincreases in higher-lofted with more traditional hit long irons are blended to have a forged clubface short irons. The irons feel while a multienhance ball speed and and aluminium in material insert of polymer vibrations at impact each iron plaque dampens for more consistent feel.

588 TT

new level with tourTake your accuracy to a constant blade calibre flight and feel. The blade length promotes height with progressive long irons and a more forgiveness in the trajectory in the short controlled, penetrating back with engineered irons. A modest cavity speed and accuracy on undercut improves ball forged clubface off-centre hits, while a feel. A multi-material enhances ball speed and for more iron plaque dampens vibrations consistent feel.

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TOP TIPS Ideas for 2013

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 5

NCG pp 6-7 MOTM 14/12/2012 11:22 Page 6

ON THE TEE Your essential guide to the world of golf – including competitions, quick tips, interviews and new gear

6 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

NCG pp 6-7 MOTM 14/12/2012 11:22 Page 7

MOMENT OF THE MONTH

T

HIS is not the first time Rory McIlroy has featured in these pages recently.

He did so for the first time in the spring after winning the Honda Classic.

At that point, we suggested a year of dominance lay ahead for the Northern Irishman. But he then endured two months of modest form – and it is perhaps this troubled spell which makes his second half to the year so impressive.

Just when the critics were beginning to sharpen their claws, McIlroy answered them emphatically with a second Major title and a cruise to the Race of Dubai.

He crowned his year with victory in the Dubai World Championship, swatting aside the challenge of playing partner Luke Donald then dealing with fellow Englishman Justin Rose with five birdies in the last five holes. It was the kind of remarkable performance we came to expect from Tiger Woods, and while it is worth remembering McIlroy still has a long way to go to get close to matching the American’s achievements, there is every chance 2013 be an enormous year for him.

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 7

NCG pp 8-9 Change Your Game 14/12/2012 11:24 Page 8

ON THE TEE

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| GEAR |

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THIS WILL CHANGE YOUR GAME

W NEA R GE

CALLAWAY RAZR FIT XTREME This driver offers fast ball speed and reduces spin for maximum distance

Key facts and figures Callaway Razr Fit Xtreme Available: January 25 SRP: ÂŁ329 Shafts: Aldila Trinity, Matrix 7M3 Black Tie (both after-market versions)

8 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

Fast face

Launcher

Fitting tools

Powerful new Speed Frame Face Technology optimises stiffness and stress distribution across the clubface resulting in a more efficient transfer of energy.

The lightest crown in golf allows Callaway engineers to achieve the lowest CG in any fully adjustable driver. This promotes higher ball speed and less spin for more yards.

OptiFit hosel adjusts the face angle to Open, Square or Closed positions while 13g and 1g weights promote Draw or Neutral ball flights.

(Higher lofts have more draw bias.)

NCG pp 8-9 Change Your Game 14/12/2012 11:24 Page 9

EXTREME PERFORMANCE Dan Murphy reports on Callaway’s new distance machine

THREE KEY FEATURES Speed Frame Face Technology This optimises stiffness and stress distribution across the face for more efficient energy transfer. It has a tighter bulge radius than the Razr Fit for a preferred look at address, plus more consistent sidespin and dispersion.

Forged Composite Crown Using the patented Forged Composite Crown, which weighs only 12.1g, allows weight to be repositioned to create the lowest CG in any fully adjustable driver.

OptiFit adjustability The improved adjustability is down to two elements: the OptiFit Hosel and OptiFit Weights. The hosel adjusts the face angle to Open, Square or Closed positions and also allows golfers to dial in their preferred look at address.

The 13g and 1g OptiFit Weights shift the centre of gravity to promote Draw or Neutral flights.

(Higher lofts have more draw bias than lower lofts.)

In a close season dominated by exciting new driver releases, Callaway’s new premium offering stands comparison with anything else about to hit the shops.

The Razr Fit Xtreme represents the longest fully-adjustable driver ever brought to market by Callaway – and you can even personalise it with your own colour scheme.

Callaway claim it is longer than the Razr Fit, which was a highly impressive performer in 2012.

Patented technologies have allowed Callaway Research & Development, the largest team in the industry, to design and configure the driver to promote optimal distance.

“The RAZR Fit Xtreme driver is worthy of its extreme designation,” said Dr. Alan Hocknell, Callaway’s senior vice president of research & development.

“We worked tirelessly to improve on the best distance characteristics of our longest drivers, and the result is incredibly fast ball speed off the Speed Frame Face.

“This driver is very long and consistent. It will not be matched.”

Callaway staff professionals like Luke List have already seen tremendous distance gains during player testing with the Razr Fit Xtreme. List, who this year led all six major tours in driving distance with a 324-yard average, gained 16.6 yards in total distance by increasing his ball speed by 0.6 mph and reducing his backspin by nearly 500 rpm.

Two premium stock shafts help power the Xtreme. The primary shaft, the Aldila Trinity, combines Aldila’s three patented design technologies (RIP, S-Core, Micro Laminate) into a single shaft design. A secondary offering, the Matrix 7M3 Black Tie, is a heavier, lower launching, lower spinning option for higher head speed and higher spin players.

Both shafts are the same as the after-market versions.rk.

NCG pp 10-11 WRBP Ganton 14/12/2012 11:25 Page 10

ON THE TEE

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WE’D RATHER BE PLAYING...

GANTON

A golfing oasis on the way to the North Yorkshire coast

O WANT TALLY? C STAY LeOBluebell Inn in

th will Head to here you horpe w rt le. e v ty a s e W stay in and can e.com eat well horp weavert bluebell

Inland links Mature trees mix in with seaside turf

10 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

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| GRASS ROOTS

NCG pp 10-11 WRBP Ganton 14/12/2012 11:25 Page 11

T

HERE are not many clubs that can boast of hosting each of the Walker, Curtis and Ryder Cups – so it’s no wonder Ganton, close to Scarborough, is a name that will elicit a knowing nod from the golfing connoisseur.

Most recently in the international spotlight when the 2003 Walker Cup – won by GB&I against the odds – was held here, the pace of life at Ganton is normally rather more sedate. In fact, arrange to play here and there is every chance you will have the course pretty much to yourself. Some 10 miles from the coast, Ganton features brutal bunkering, lots of gorse and fast-running fairways.

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 11

NCG pp 12-13 Captured On Film 14/12/2012 11:26 Page 12

ON THE TEE

| ARCHIVE |

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CAPTURED ON FILM

SEPTEMBER 26, 1953 America land in London ahead of their Ryder Cup defence

12 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

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NCG pp 12-13 Captured On Film 14/12/2012 11:26 Page 13

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Y today’s standards, this scene looks rather sedate and low key; when teams arrive for Ryder Cups they do so to enormous fanfare, hype and attention.

In contrast, the American side landing at London Airport ahead of the 1953 Ryder Cup look understated, relaxed and unflustered. We rather like the neat simplicity of it all.

The line up is as follows, from left to right: Lloyd Mangrum (holding the cup), Dr Cary Middlecoff, Ed Oliver, Sam Snead, Jim Turnesa, Jack Burke, Walter Burkemo, Ted Kroll, Fred Haas, Dave Douglas, Roy O’Brien (a supporter) and manager Fred Corcoran.

Snead is clearly the best known of the team, followed by Burke and Middlecoff but by American standards this was not a classic side, falling between their star-studded eras.

Indeed, we are all more familiar with the names in the Great Britain & Ireland side of the day – which is a rarity in this era of American dominance.

The captain was Henry Cotton and he led a side containing several luminaries of the British and Irish game: Max Faulkner, Fred Daly, Peter Alliss, Harry Bradshaw, Dai Rees, Harry Weetman, Eric Brown, Jimmy Adams, John Panton and Bernard Hunt.

The match took place at Wentworth and proved to be GB&I’s best chance of victory since the win at Southport & Ainsdale 20 years previous. By way of background, GB&I entered these matches in Surrey on the back of a 9.5-2.5 thrashing at Pinehurst in 1951.

But after losing Friday’s foursomes matches 3-1 – including an 8&7 defeat for Brown and Panton at the hands of Mangrum and Snead, Cotton’s side fought back in the singles.

Burke edged out Rees but then Daly, Brown and Weetman all won their matches – the latter with a one-hole victory over Snead – to level the tie at 4-4. But Faulkner lost to Middlecoff 3&1 and Turnesa saw off Alliss at the 18th.

Hunt halved and Bradshaw beat Haas 3&2 to make the final score a respectable 6.5-5.5.

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 13

NCG pp 14-15 TGD & Parry 14/12/2012 11:29 Page 14

ON THE TEE

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THE N VERDICTCG ON T HE ANCHO RIN DECISION G

HAS THE CORRECT DECISION ON ANCHORING BEEN MADE? NCG weighs up the long-anticipated and highly contentious decision concerning long putters

YES

Being able to putt under pressure is a major part of golf

Controlling your nerves and coping with moments of high tension, whether that is to score two points in the Stableford or knock in a three-footer for the Masters, is the essence of the game – and indeed any sport for that matter. Why should poor putters be indulged?

The same hardly applies to the hopeless chipper, or the hapless shanker or the wild driver.

Until recently, the long putter was the last resort of the stricken – anyone using one might as well have had a luminous sticker on their shirt declaring their putting incompetence.

Rather than helping them, usually it just gave them the chance to compete. Now the belly, in particular, is seen as an advantageous method as it allows

the skilled practitioner to make a stroke that is not at the mercy of a twitch. So the R&A and USGA have acted in the best interests of the game.

There has been a recent boom generally and especially in the Majors – while young players are now learning to putt with bellies and brooms rather than resorting to them. This is not in the spirit of game, just as it wasn’t when Sam Snead’s side-saddle method was outlawed many years ago.

This ruling keeps the game free from bifurcation – which many believe is crucial to the integrity of the game – and nor does it ban any equipment.

As ever, it is up to players to find new methods and the best way to get the ball into the hole.

14 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

NO

This is an unsatisfactory, knee-jerk reaction based on very flimsy evidence

So we can all rest at ease. Never mind the performance of the modern ball, the unhindered march of equipment technology and the pace of play becoming ever-more glacial. One piece of legislation from the stable-door-horse-bolted department and everything is rosy in golf’s garden.

Hardly. This is a messy, belated and unsatisfactory piece of legislation. For a start, where is the statistical evidence that the long putter is actually more effective?

What is to say this is not just a fad, a fashionable whim?

Golfers have been free to use long putters for decades – surely if it was that effective we would all have been doing so years ago?

That the rule has been made based on method of stroke rather

than banning a certain type of equipment does little to dispel the notion the authorities are running scared of the manufacturers and the threat of legislation.

It also appears they are dealing in knee-jerk responses rather than proactively. Why has it taken so long to introduce this rule if it is so important?

At a time when numbers og golfers in most developed golfing nations have reached plateaux at best and stagnation and worse elsewhere, is it really sensible to risk those who have suffered with the yips being turned away from the game for good?

And how will such a technical rule be upheld away from the tours? Truly, there are more questions than answers.

NCG pp 14-15 TGD & Parry 14/12/2012 11:30 Page 15

“IT CROSSES YOUR MIND IT COULD ALL GO WRONG” John Parry reflects on his win at the most nerve-wracking week on the calendar – Q School I had five practice rounds before it started. I have done it before and found I was rushing as there wasn’t time to do it properly.

I had two before anyone got there and had nine holes and practised on the other days. I knew what I was expecting, which made it easier. I don’t think anyone was better prepared than me as I had 10 days in Dubai beforehand where the conditions were ideal.

I have been seeing my trainer Rob Hopkinson since April – it has been a massive help. It is a slow process but will help a lot in the long run. I have never done much fitness before and this is biomechanics which shows how your muscles are working and how you create power. My exercise programme changes every 8 to 10 weeks. Then you are tested to see if your fat has gone down and your muscle has gone up. I mainly do weights – there isn’t much cardiovascular as golf is a power movement so there is no value in running on a treadmill.

In Spain I was going to the gym after each round. Rob was going to come out before Q School but had a physio course so came for the tournament itself.

It worked out brilliantly; he was able to cook the right things for me and make sure I ate right on

the course. With my caddy’s help too, all I had to do was play golf.

Starting the last day with a four-shot lead it does cross your mind for a split second it could all go wrong. But that is all before you play. When you get a few pars under your belt you settle down. It is not your normal event and people aren’t as chatty but having my trainer there I didn’t chat much to the other players. I would practise after each round, go back to the apartment and then the gym. When you hang around other players there is always some negative chat and that doesn’t really help at Q School, or any week actually.

Hopefully I won’t have to go back to Q School but it was probably the least amount of pressure I am ever going to feel there. After the fifth round I pretty much knew I had my card

so it was then just trying to win. If you are 25th you are trying to hang on and you are playing OK but not great so that is the real pressure. I started the fifth round well and the most pleasing thing was that I didn’t stumble over the line and I kept pushing on.

There isn’t a massive gap between the Challenge Tour and European Tour. The winning scores are about the same but the strength in depth is greater on the main tour. You can shoot level on a tough course and still miss the cut while you can get away with mistakes a bit more on the Challenge Tour. I need to keep to a routine this year and not neglect certain things. The players who thrive on tour are those who are mentally strong and don’t worry about knockbacks.

I don’t feel like a new person on the European Tour, I just feel like I’ve been away for a bit.

Q SCHOOL SNIPPETS

A

t least one graduate has won on tour in 12 of the last 13 years

29

players won cards at the 2011 Q School, but only four have retained them

C

allum Macaulay birdied the last two to squeeze in on the number

G

eorge Murray double bogeyed the final (108th) hole to miss out by one

A

total of 872 hopefuls took part in the Qualifying School

T

here were 13 different events across three stages

T G

here will be nine rookies on the 2013 tour

ary Orr first won his card in 1992.

20 years later he has now regained it

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 15

NCG pp 16-17 European Tour, Stats 14/12/2012 11:31 Page 16

ON THE TEE

THE 2013 EUROPEAN TOUR

IN NUMBERS

45 21 4 1

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GOING TO AMERICA Why we can expect to see a lot less of our favourite names in 2013

Number of tournaments

Tournaments held in Europe

Tournaments in Scotland

Tournaments in England

1

Tournaments in Wales. The 2014 Ryder Cup race will begin at Celtic Manor

6

Tournaments in South Africa, the most of any country

1

Tournaments in Spain. In 2011 there were seven

13

Tournament starts needed to be eligible for a card

8

To Be Announced (TBA) still on the schedule, either for tournament or venue

110

Number of spots available for 2014 season, this has been reduced from 115

8

Majors and World Golf Championships

THE days of a European Ryder Cup team arriving in the States en masse seemed a distant memory last September when only three players emerged from the plane with captain Jose Maria Olazabal, writes Mark Townsend.

But this appears to be a precursor for 2013, with America the place to be and the vast majority of our heroes rarely setting foot on European soil.

Next year, despite a minimum of 45 tournaments across the world to go at and all the riches that go with it, only Paul Lawrie and Francesco Molinari will concentrate on the European Tour with Lee Westwood decamping from Worksop to West Palm Beach in Florida and

16 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

Nicolas Colsaerts, Martin Kaymer and Peter Hanson all taking up their cards across the Atlantic.

Interestingly only four of Colin Montgomerie's side held PGA Tour cards the year after Celtic Manor.

Then there are the 'second-tier' players like David Lynn, who will join them having finished second at the PGA Championship, as well as Ross Fisher and Robert Karlsson who came through the PGA Tour’s Q School. A record 23 Europeans entered the first stage.

The pull is obvious: the strength of fields is stronger, the prize money can border on ridiculous and, geographically, it is easier to get around – particularly with a family.

Where the European

Tour can expect to see the big names, other than the PGA Championship at Wentworth and Open Championship at Muirfield, are at the start of the season in the Middle East and now the end of the season, in the Far East.

Starting in 2013 the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai will again bring the curtain down on the season and Race to Dubai but it will also be the climax of the Final Series, a combination of four tournaments which will be made up of the BMW Masters and WGC-HSBC Champions, both in Shanghai, the Turkish Open and DP World Tour Championship, won last month by Rory McIlroy.

If money does indeed make the world go round the total prize fund for the

Final Series will be close to £19m.

And to help guarantee a keen interest in Dubai, and the Bonus Pool, players will have to tee it up in two of the three tournaments ahead of the season-ender. Anyone playing in all three will receive a 20 per cent bonus to their Race to Dubai points.

At present the European Tour can pride itself on being the biggest powerhouse in Asia but even that could change with the WGC-HSBC Champions event becoming an official event, likewise the CIMB Classic in Malaysia.

A world tour could be just around the corner, relatively speaking, though it might just bypass Europe.

NCG pp 16-17 European Tour, Stats 14/12/2012 11:31 Page 17

S

TATISTICALLY PEAKING

Follow NCG: @NCGmagazine

TOP TWEETS Fully agree with the anchoring ban. Better image for the game of golf, skill and nerves are all part of the game.

Level playing field in '16 @McIlroyRory

7.63 THE WORLD ACCORDING TO...

GARY BOYD

Yes quick call your lawyer immediately! RT @Keegan_Bradley Was there some sort of announcement today? @LukeDonald

BEST MATE ON TOUR James Morrison

Anchored putter ban makes no difference to me. Didn't care for 'em in the first place! @DJohnsonPGA

WORST SHOT YOU’VE SEEN ON TOUR Tee shot in Portugal which was a driver straight right, had to be at least 90 yards off line over the previous hole. First name – Nick

Fun weekend. Oops on the signal to "mashed potato guy" but it gets a little annoying after a while @Graeme_McDowell Nice 64 today shame the par is 65! @johnparry17 How about that @nikegolf VRS Covert driver in the playoff?!

Two 300+yd drives down the middle! @scottjamieson54 Enjoyed the Australian Open. Congrats to Peter Senior! He's defying his name! @JustinRose99 Sure enough I put Tevez in my fantasy team and Mancini sends out Aguero and Balotelli.

Thanks.. @F_Molinari

SINGLE BLOWS Luke Donald led the way on the 2012 European Tour for average number of one putts. The Englishman was well clear of Robert Karlsson in second

FUNNIEST PERSON ON TOUR David Lynn and Ian Poulter

€5,519,118 Rory McIlroy’s official earnings on the 2012 European Tour from just 15 starts, including two missed cuts. Twenty seven players won more than €1m

IF NOT A GOLFER WHAT WOULD YOU BE Cricketer WHICH FAMOUS PERSON DO YOU MOST LOOK LIKE I have been told Justin Timberlake twice... they need their eyes checked!

WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO PLAY YOU IN A FILM Ryan Reynolds ONE CD, ONE BOOK AND A DVD FOR A DESERT ISLAND Jason Derulo, I Am The Secret Footballer and Never Back Down FAVOURITE FOOD Chinese WHAT WON’T YOU EAT Liver FIRST JOB Work at a bowling alley FIRST CAR Vauxhall Corsa LAST TIME YOU CRIED Family funeral WHAT WERE YOU LIKE AT SCHOOL Cheeky – when I was there and not playing golf ANY SUPERSTITIONS Wearing a bracelet when playing golf WHERE WILL YOU BE IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME The PGA Tour BEST PUTTING TIP The hole never comes to the ball, never has done and never will

SIX

Players who had multiple wins on the European Tour last year – Grace (4), Oosthuizen, Wiesberger, Lawrie, Hanson and McIlroy (all two apiece)

TOP10 WORLD RANKINGS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Rory McIlroy Luke Donald Tiger Woods Justin Rose Louis Oosthuizen Lee Westwood Adam Scott Bubba Watson Jason Dufner Brandt Snedeker

0

AV. PTS 13.81 9.13 8.90 6.69 6.37 6.37 6.37 5.59 5.54 5.48

37 HOLES-IN-ONE ON EUROPEAN TOUR WITH ABU DHABI LEADING THE WAY WITH THREE, ALL AT THE 12TH

FUN TIME FRANKIE Number of missed cuts by the ever-steady Francesco Molinari on the European Tour in 25 starts. He had one win and two second spots

January 17-20 Abu Dhabi Golf C’ship January 24-27 Farmers Insurance Open, Torrey Pines

JAN

COMING UP... www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 17

NCG pp 18 Columnist RR 14/12/2012 11:33 Page 18

ROBERT ROCK The lessons I have learned from a never-to-be-forgotten year T is not too difficult to pick out a particular highlight of 2012 as one week was fairly out of this world on the calendar.

I didn’t go to Abu Dhabi in January with any great hopes; I had just come off a decent week at Fancourt but my expectations weren’t that high, which is sometimes a good thing.

Thankfully I got better as the week went on and ended up with a Sunday to look forward to, alongside Tiger Woods.

Playing with Tiger and managing to produce something like my best golf is, to date, my proudest achievement in the game. It was the most nervous I have ever been by far. I was nervous at this year’s US Open but that was because I wasn’t playing particularly well and Olympic was one of the hardest courses I have ever tackled. In Abu Dhabi it was more the company and wanting to play well in that company – though I wasn’t putting myself under too much pressure over winning as I knew that my playing partner could very easily stop that happening no matter what I did.

I have got a recording of the final round and have watched it all the way through just once since and it’s a great reminder of how I was swinging and how I handled everything.

Afterwards you are in the media spotlight a lot but I will never tire of looking back at that week and to receive a letter from the likes of Arnold Palmer and still be congratulated by so many people is pretty cool.

The rest of the year was quite typical of others on tour and it is about this time I start playing well again – that is hopefully happening now. I love the venues at this time of year, like South Africa, and it is healthy to have to refocus and start a new year with a clean slate.

Where I maybe got things a bit wrong was when it was clear that I wasn’t getting in the Masters. I did an experiment on my driving and I got a lot out of it but I probably shouldn’t have done it at that time. I spent a month hitting a lot of balls, which I am now seeing the benefit of, but it meant I neglected other bits of my game and maybe I should have just milked the form I was in. I have done a hell of a lot of short-game work with Tom Whitehouse, who is part of my academy and played on tour, and that has helped me a huge amount.

In Dubai I would say that part was as good

A certain aura Playing with Tiger was the most nervous I have ever been

I

18 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

‘A lot of our leading players are now focusing on the PGA but it’s not for me’ as it has ever been and might have saved me as much as 10 shots over the four rounds. I can now play certain shots that I haven’t been able to in the past and it has given me more variety and creativity, and therefore more options.

I don’t set goals as I quite like the surprise element of good things coming along, for me it is more about working hard and see where it gets you. If I did have any it would be to sort my short game out, improve my putting and maintain the standard of my long game – and I am now starting the year with a definite plan for the short game so I’m hoping for some decent results in the near future.

I have also introduced a new shot which I am now able to play with some confidence. In

For mor e details on Robe rt’s academ robertro y, email ckacade my@ yahoo.c o.uk or c all 01543 4 11130

the past I would only attack pins where a fade or straight shot could get at the flag. Now I have found a reliable way to take on the left-hand pins so that is another tool for 2013 which will hopefully get my scores coming down. Away from playing I have loved doing course design with my friend James Edwards and setting up the elite academy. All of this has taken a lot of work and has maybe distracted my golf a little bit but we’re up and running now and has been well worth all the effort. I have got my schedule planned out to what is hopefully the Masters.

A lot of our leading players are focusing on the PGA Tour but that is not for me and, if I do make it to Augusta, it will be by playing well on the European Tour.

• Sponsors: Emirates Palace, BlackStar and BBT For more follow on Twitter @RobRockAcademy and www.robertrock.co.uk

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NCG pp 21 Columnist ACC 14/12/2012 11:35 Page 21

CHUBBY CHANDLER Why I’m all in favour of the potential anchoring ban T is not so much a question of why golf’s ruling bodies have decided to ban the anchoring of long putters but more a case of why it’s taken them so long in the first place.

Unfortunately it’s like everything else – metal drivers, hot balls, square grooves – they make the game easier but the authorities haven’t been able to identify these things quickly enough to rein them in.

But there is no doubt in my mind that anchoring a club against the body is against the ethos of the game and quite rightly should be outlawed. I think most players will change pretty quickly, but until the rule comes in there is nothing wrong with people using anchoring.

This move should definitely have come earlier. I see the move now as a reaction to recent Major wins and the number of college and young players starting the game automatically using the technique.

There is a precedent because once Sam Snead started putting croquet-style, it didn’t take long for it to be banned. And it didn’t take as long as it now has for the authorities to say enough is enough. I tried it myself back in the day but taking it back was more of a z-bend than an actual stroke for me so it’s not as easy as it looks. I was around when it started because Sam Torrance and Peter Senior, then Bernhard Langer, were among the first to use them and they went to them as a potential cure for the dreaded yips… and it worked for them.

But I feel there are other areas of the game that need looking at first and the speed of play is the place to start. If I was in charge of the game for a day then all my attention would be focused on speeding up the game.

Actually the rules are in place to do this, they’re just not implemented strongly or effectively enough. Players know how long they are allowed over their shots if they are first, second or third to play in their threeball but some don’t adhere to it and these are the slowcoaches who are spoiling the game.

And whatever professionals do, you can bet your bottom dollar amateurs follow shortly afterwards. The pace of play is worse in America than Europe because there is absolutely no reason why three pros in a tournament cannot get round in four hours, yet in the majority of events for the first two

I

Tangled Webb Simpson may have to adapt his putting

‘Once Snead started putting croquet style, it didn’t take long to be banned’ rounds it can take up to five hours and occasionally longer. It can be done easily as the Japanese Tour has proved. Their players get round in four hours without too much fuss.

And what might be the next big rule change? Well I’m sure something will be done to rein in the ball itself. I can’t see golf ever becoming like tennis and players limited to just one type of ball but if they can take just 10 per cent out of the distance a ball flies then I’m sure the game would be much more interesting.

And that’s another area with a precedent because the size was changed from 1.62 to 1.68 – the smaller size having less resistance flew further, but the bigger ball sat far better and

didn’t nestle half as much. There will always be changes and there will always be pros and cons but they shouldn’t take as long to be realised and implemented as it has for the long putter.

There’s a lot more mileage left in this story and, like the golf ball on links terrain in a heat wave, it will run and run. One thing I am sure of though – it will be implemented and quite rightly. Nerves and how you deal with them have always been an integral part of the game and so they should remain.

Now I’d just like to wish everybody the happiest of festive seasons while you try to avoid a different kind of belly problem – the one induced by mince pies and Christmas pudding. All the best for 2013.

• Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler is the managing director of International Sports Management. His clients include golfers Lee Westwood, Darren Clarke, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel and cricketers Michael Vaughan and Stuart Broad. Visit www.sportism.net to learn more

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 21

NCG pp 22 Columnist CC 14/12/2012 11:36 Page 22

COLIN CALLANDER Links like the Old Course were laid out in a different era – change is inevitable FEW years ago I had the pleasure of playing in one of Andrew Reynolds’ thoroughly entertaining Hickory Days at Royal Cinque Ports and it taught me a great deal about how much golf has changed over the course of the last century.

I had played that fine Kent links a couple of dozen times before that day but it was not until I tackled it armed with a canvas bag filled with wooden-shafted clubs that I realised why the original architect had constructed many of the holes in the way he had.

It soon became clear that Royal Cinque Ports is an extremely rigorous test when played with hickories and I suspect the Old Course at St Andrews would be much the same.

On both, all but the very best players would have to debate whether or not to go for the carry over water to the respective 1st greens and, generally, bunkers that are now all but obsolete would suddenly come back into play.

The game has changed over the years which is why successive committees at Deal have sanctioned changes to their venerable links and why at the start of December the St Andrews Links Trust and the R&A risked inevitable ridicule by announcing the start of a two-year project to renovate the Old Course ahead of the 2015 Open Championship.

I use the word inevitable in this context because each time someone suggests even the most minor of changes to the Old Course you can be sure it will lead to a rash of comments about the desecration of golf’s shrine.

Much of this is guff and often seems to emanate from America. A lot of it seems hysterical and some of it is completely wrong.

I am as concerned as the next man about the seemingly remorseless advance of golfing technology but I would not advocate a return to the use of hickories (fun though that may be) and I see no problem with any course authority making timely alterations to their venerable links, provided those changes are done judiciously and do nothing to alter the overall playing characteristics of the course concerned.

The opponents of the proposed changes to the Old Course have criticised the fact that little advance warning was given before the alterations started and they do have a point.

They are absolutely right to suggest the Old

Real Deal Cinque Ports is an immense test with hickory

A

22 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

‘There have been numerous changes to the Old Course’ Course is a special case and should be treated as such. However, they are equally wrong to demand the current course should be preserved exactly as is because that argument infers the course has been the same since the game was first played in the Auld Grey Toun and, as any golfing historian will tell you, it hasn’t.

The Old Course has evolved over time.

Nobody knows exactly what it looked like back in the 15th and 16th centuries but we do know that by the 18th century it was played as a 22hole circuit before being reduced to 18 holes in 1764. Since then there have been numerous other changes, some controversial, others not.

These alterations are all catalogued in Scott MacPherson’s fascinating book, St Andrews – The Evolution of the Old Course, and it is interesting to note the author believes most were introduced to counter a combination of technological advances and a huge leap in the skill and strength of players.

The latest round of changes at the Old Course is simply the latest manifestation of this process and should be seen as such, not as some sort of vandalistic attempt to defile sacred turf, as the vocal minority seem to have suggested.

My own thoughts are that they will enhance the challenge of the course without detracting anything from its unique character. The truth is, with the possible exception of altering the contours on the left-hand side of the 11th green, I see nothing unduly controversial within the plans and that leads me to wonder about the motives of the critics.

Is it because they genuinely believe the Old Course has stood untouched and unchanged since time immemorial? Surely not.

Is it just a good opportunity to give the authorities a good kicking? Maybe, at least for some of those involved. Or is it a roundabout way of raising concerns about the distance top players now hit the ball? If it is the latter, maybe they should tell us because then their outrage might make a bit more sense.

• Colin Callander is a former editor of Golf Monthly and this year celebrates his 30th anniversary working as a golf writer

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NCG pp 24 Columnist KM 14/12/2012 11:37 Page 24

GOLF PSYCHOLOGY

KARL MORRIS Why the long, dark winter is the time to make some genine changes HE clocks have gone back and done that nasty trick of making the days seem really short and more miserable. The season is well and truly over will and the prospect of golf with the sun on your back seems a distant hope – unless you live outside the UK! I recently returned from doing some work with Graeme McDowell at Lake Nona in Florida in the most perfect golfing weather imaginable and it was a short sharp return to reality when the plane door creaked open to a freezing Manchester morning on my return.

That said though, we can either sit and moan about the weather or look at the coming months as a great opportunity to develop our game and put some work in which could result in a great year next year. The first thing to do though is to review the past year just gone in an honest and productive way. Look back for the patterns – I promise you they will be there.

Most golfers tell me they want to be consistent without realising they already are. It may be consistently bad, but they will be consistent. Review the year and look at how you started your rounds of golf, did you tend to start well and then fade away or have poor starts with a comeback? What about certain holes, certain shots? Did you tend to get anxious with a possible score to shoot? Did getting angry, upset or distracted cost you a lot of shots? Did you control the ball reasonably well but you just didn’t control yourself?

It would be well worth sitting down with someone who you played a lot with to get their input. Often what we think we do and what we actually do are two completely different things.

Above all the best investment you could make would be to go to a good quality PGA professional and sit down with him or her and make a plan of how you can take your game forward. Make sure that you select a coach who covers all aspects of the game not just the full swing. Get involved with a coach who will motivate you and give you a definite practice plan to act on during the winter months.

If you have to make some changes to your swing then now is the time to do it. Don’t wait until next year just before the season starts and then hope that you can suddenly improve your action. It takes time and effort but it will be worth it in the long run.

Range rat?

Put in some valuable practice time

T

24 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

‘See the long, dark winter as a chance to do something with your game’ If you are going to set out on a programme of improvement then try to enlist someone else with you who can be your ‘range buddy’. The research on this is very strong in the sense that when we ‘share’ a goal with others and involve them we are much more likely to stay on track.

Even in the absolute worst of weather, working on your game indoors can be of great benefit. If you are trying to improve your putting stroke or your swing in the normal way you can have conflicting goals in the sense you want to hole the putt but, at the same time, change your action.

This can often be counterproductive.

When indoors, you can temporarily remove the target from the equation and focus on the physical move that you want to ingrain. Do this

in short but regular bursts of attention. The research on visualisation and imagery also suggests that we can enlist the power of our imagination to speed up the process of making changes in our game. It has long been established that it is useful to visualise yourself making the moves in your swing that you want to change but I have also found it very useful to get players to visualise themselves behaving differently out on the course.

If you are an angry golfer, spend some time in your imagination seeing and sensing yourself responding better to dropped shots and mistakes. If you get nervous then spend some time in your mind’s eye seeing yourself dealing with what you perceive to be pressure situations. This is creating a behaviour template that your brain can go to work on.

Above all else, see the long, dark winter as a chance to do something with your game as opposed to letting the months drift by and do nothing about it. n Find out about Karl and his CD programmes for all golfers at www.themindfactor.com

NCG pp 25 Letters 14/12/2012 11:43 Page 25

ON THE TEE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO: Letters 1st Floor, 18-22 Market Street, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire BD19 5AJ or email: letters@sportspub.co.uk

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LETTERS LETTER OF THE MONTH: Three is the magic number Dear Sir, ALTHOUGH not one for writing regarding golf issues, I have been an avid golfer for 35 years. I feel the achievements of the club golfer are often overlooked in favour of plus-handicap amateurs and equally magnificent clothing colours, the professionals’ ability to pummel classic courses into submission, the obsession with distance fed to all of us through subliminal messaging and the debate over how a long putter gives you an advantage because the club touches the body.

All topics for discussion at the 19th hole but I would like to highlight the remarkable achievements of a unknown amateur golfer. Malky McKay, a

member of Maybole in Ayrshire, this year recorded three holes in one in a month in three separate SGU competitions on three different holes.

What is more remarkable is Malky’s aces came at holes over 200 yards at Girvan (twice) and Maybole. Malky plays off an eight handicap and this remarkable feat was done without a long putter, distance obsession or flashy attire. Malky is like the overwhelming majority of golfers; he plays in hail, rain or shine, play on winter greens, doesn’t care if a ball is two, three, four, or five piece – or even if it’s white. Here’s to the Malkys of the world who succeed in an increasingly image and equipment obsessed sport. Robert Green, Glasgow

NEW BALLS? NOT TOO OFTEN, THANKS!

FOLLOW THE LINKS Dear Sir, NCG’s enthusiasm for links golf was quite infectious and I couldn’t resist reading the whole of your Top 100 as well as the Irish 25. Nonetheless, to be honest, the odd bounces, pot bunkers, inevitable wind and likely rain puts me off such courses. No, it’s inland for me.

Give me trees, lakes, traps, lush green grass and receptive greens on a breeze-free day every time.

Of course the thing is it’s all just a matter of individual taste and we are so very lucky that golf can provide such delightful and varied canvases on which to (attempt to) paint our masterpieces.

So is one style superior to the other? Well I hope the majority of your readers do prefer links because with more of them heading for the seaside it’ll leave my preferred courses quieter.

Pete Wells, via email

Dear Sir, I WAS amazed in a recent issue to see Bridgestone suggesting club golfers should be using more new balls during a round. Are they really saying that after a few holes these technologically advanced marvels are no longer consistent enough?

Following a professional’s recommendation I use the most popular two-piece ball on the market. If I buy these in bulk during the sales I can usually secure them for around £1 per

ball and that should last about three rounds. Being lucky enough to average a round a week that means I’m spending less than £18 a year. If I were the ‘average golfer’ from Bridgestone’s survey using 1.7 balls per round then that would still be less than £90 per year.

But Bridgestone are stating a pro might be using five balls per round, and that would equate to £260 per annum for me – a 1,344 per cent increase!

N Horwood, via email

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 25

NCG pp 27 Instruction Lead 14/12/2012 14:34 Page 27

Instruction section in association with

The UK’s Largest Golf Retail Group

YOUR GAME Hit it further and straighter | Hole more putts | Sharpen your short game | Golf psychology | Fitness tips

PUTTING DOWN

TO A TEE

THIS drill is a great pre-round nerve settler and will improve feel, alignment and confidence. It also helps your focus, imagination and green reading. n Use four balls and, on every putt, go through your pre-shot routine as you normally would. n Place four large white tees in the putting green at various distances. Also position the tees so you have one uphill, one downhill, one left to right and one right-to-left putt. n Putt the ball to the tees until you hit them.

The idea with this drill is that you are putting to a much smaller target so when you get out on the course the hole is as big as a bucket! A number of Tour pros such as Donald, Westwood and McIlroy use this drill before they go out to play.

Tim Hall is head pro at Ross on Wye GC in Hereford. He is one of over 1,000 Foremost pros from all over the UK qualified to give tuition. Contact Tim on 01989 720 439 or visit timhallpro.co.uk

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RUNNING MAN

Niall McGill is head professional at Noah’s Ark Golf Centre and a Foremost Golf member. Foremost is the UK’s largest golf retail group and offer the very best in tuition, retail advice and promotions. Visit www.foremostgolf.com

Here’s a great drill to get your weight transfer spot on

FLOP CULTURE

It looks great if you can pull it off, so add the parachute shot to your armoury

MARTIN KAYMER

OPEN AND FORWARD Open the clubface, similar to when you play a bunker shot, with the ball forward in your stance and your feet and body aiming left of the target. The more you open the clubface, the higher the ball will go and the less distance you will get. With your body aiming left, the clubface should now be square to your target.

Here we have a good set-up with an athletic posture, leading to a one-piece takeaway, everything starting back from his left shoulder with no sign of an early wrist

break. However, his hands and arms are travelling fractionally away from his body, making their takeaway too wide and not as co-ordinated with his trunk as they could be.

Why the talented German has slipped off the Major radar E know Martin has tried to alter his swing to produce a draw flight but his statistics show some odd anomalies for a top performer.

He is right on the money with his long-iron play but his combined driving is very poor and he appears to be abysmally weak from inside 100 yards.

In my opinion he is stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea.

A player who made it right to winning a Major is trying to alter his natural action and the result is too many shots missing to the right, too many drives not launched at the perfect angle, coupled with excessive backspin, leading to some inaccuracy and lack of distance.

Plus, wildly uncontrolled wedge play caused by variable back spin, allied to inconsistent clubface delivery stemming from excessive late release.

Interestingly, this flawed impact is generally not harmful to mid and longer shots from the fairway.

We see precious little wrist hinge with the right elbow probably too far away from his body. To be totally orthodox Kaymer's shaft should be parallel to his alignment line, we can see it is pointing well to the left. The clubhead is too much outside the line and this will lead to an excessively upright swing plane, restricting Martin's ability to transfer his weight.

It is very obvious how steep his swing plane is. Draw a line down his shaft – it points between his feet and the ball; most players have the shaft pointing at a line drawn through the ball to the target.

This delays Kaymer's wrist hinge and ensures his weight remains more central rather than the inside of his thigh.

This is perfectly in keeping with what has gone before. It is a good completion of the backswing – upright, yes a bit, restricted weight transfer, yes – but this is fine for somebody wanting to move the ball left to right with a lot of backspin imparted to the shot. Isn't Martin trying to draw the ball though?

A great delivery position for a good descending blow, a penetrating flight, plenty of backspin and a straight shot leaning marginally towards a fade.

He has retained his spine angle perfectly but has taken a deep divot and the shaft has travelled well to the left. The face is fully released and looking more closed than square. This is the action of somebody trying to put draw spin at impact with fade swing mechanics.

Lovely finish with poise.

However, the position of his left arm and wrist, with the elbow well away from the body and the firm wrist, suggest this is the finish of a natural fader or a player trying to hold off too much release/forearm rotation through impact.

W

HE lob shot is a high risk, high reward shot that is made to look simple by the world’s best.

But, for the average golfer, it can be potentially disastrous.

You should use a lob wedge or your highest-lofted wedge to play this shot.

The set-up is the key to getting the ball airborne and to ensure it lands with little or no roll. The following essentials will help.

T

ALLOW FOR THE LOFT Turn your body as you would on your normal swing, ensuring an early hinge of the wrists. You should create an L shape between your arms and club. Ensure you have a long enough backswing to allow for the extra loft you have added to the clubface.

He has dropped the club perfectly back onto plane, the shaft points at the ball so there is no issue that he went so upright on his backswing.

Or is there? Going upright restricted his weight transfer and we can detect he has more weight on his left leg and his chest is above the ball not behind it; perfect for fading, not drawing.

However, go back to the first image and look at the green; Kaymer has set up aiming towards the right side, suggesting he sought a touch of right to left spin.

n Swing analysis by Gary Alliss. Gary is the PGA Master Professional at Ladbrook Park

ENCOURAGE A DOWNWARD BLOW Probably the most common fault I see with amateur golfers is a poor weight transference and body rotation through the ball. Too many players hang back as they strike the ball, leading to a turf before ball or thin contact, as the club bottoms out too early. The ball should be struck with a descending blow (ball before turf) with every full swing club in the bag other than the driver (and even then, some high swing speed players strike this club slightly

28 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

downward). To create this downward angle of attack, the low point of your swing must occur after the ball and not before it.

The way to do this is to have the centre of your body more towards your target at impact than it was at address.

BODY AND HEAD STAY CENTRAL This drill is designed to help you both shift your weight forward on the downswing and rotate your body fully through impact.

Firstly you should address the ball using a mid iron, and with the ball placed on a low tee.

Now move your left foot over to your right and place the clubhead between your feet. As you swing to the top of the backswing, your body and head will remain very central, as any swaying to the right would cause you to lose balance. You should now step your entire body to the left making sure that you plant your weight down on the left foot before your arms swing down.

BECOME LESS RESTRICTED This movement really helps generate power but also gets your body over the ball so that it can be struck before the turf. As your weight is now moving toward the target, you should find it much easier to complete your followthrough as there is not any weight remaining on your back foot to restrict the movement. This will help you to initiate your downswing using your body rather than your hands and arms and will lead to crisper and more powerful shots.

BONUS TIP - THE CONNECTION DRILL As your body weight transfers through impact, it is important that you rotate your body efficiently through this area too. Poor rotation through the hitting area causes your clubface aim to be very inconsistent.

Set your ball on a low tee and make your address position. You should now swing back to around halfway, ensuring that you move your shoulders and arms together. From this position I now want you to swing through making sure that your body and arms

again work together and stay connected, resisting any temptation to whip your hands at the ball.

Your followthrough should complete at halfway, with your body now pointing at your target. This exercise will help keep your hands and body more connected and create a more consistent clubface at impact.

As soon as you start turning your body more efficiently through impact then your balls will fly much straighter.

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 29

Jon Shimmons is head pro at Ashley Wood in Dorset. He is one of over 1,000 Foremost pros from all over the UK to give tuition. Contact Jon on 01258 480 379 or visit jonshimmons.co.uk

30 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

CONTROLLED TAKEAWAY Your swing should follow the line of your feet and shoulders, meaning you have an out-to-in swing plane. As you strike the ball the face will still be open, and you want the feeling of the club sliding underneath the ball, taking it ‘clean’ off the top of the grass.

KEEP TURNING Make sure you follow right through, keeping your body turning through the shot. You need to play this with confidence, and with a bit of practice you can be like Tiger or Phil around the greens!

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 31

MARTIN’S 2012 STATS Driving accuracy: 66.5% (37th) Driving distance: 296.8 yds (29) Greens In Regulation: 73.3% (21) Putts per GIR: 1.75 (22) Putts per round: 29.5 (50)

32 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 33

ALSO INSIDE n IRON DRILL P28 Improve your weight transfer n FLOP IT UP P30 Perfect the parachute n KAYMER TIME P32 Gary Alliss looks into the German’s efficiency

NCG pp 28-29 McGill Foremost 14/12/2012 11:45 Page 28

RUNNING MAN Here’s a great drill to get your weight transfer spot on

ENCOURAGE A DOWNWARD BLOW Probably the most common fault I see with amateur golfers is a poor weight transference and body rotation through the ball. Too many players hang back as they strike the ball, leading to a turf before ball or thin contact, as the club bottoms out too early. The ball should be struck with a descending blow (ball before turf) with every full swing club in the bag other than the driver (and even then, some high swing speed players strike this club slightly

28 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

downward). To create this downward angle of attack, the low point of your swing must occur after the ball and not before it.

The way to do this is to have the centre of your body more towards your target at impact than it was at address.

BODY AND HEAD STAY CENTRAL This drill is designed to help you both shift your weight forward on the downswing and rotate your body fully through impact.

Firstly you should address the ball using a mid iron, and with the ball placed on a low tee.

Now move your left foot over to your right and place the clubhead between your feet. As you swing to the top of the backswing, your body and head will remain very central, as any swaying to the right would cause you to lose balance. You should now step your entire body to the left making sure that you plant your weight down on the left foot before your arms swing down.

NCG pp 28-29 McGill Foremost 14/12/2012 11:45 Page 29

FIND YOUR NEAREST FOREMOST PROFESSIONAL AT WWW.FOREMOSTGOLF.COM

Niall McGill is head professional at Noah’s Ark Golf Centre and a Foremost Golf member. Foremost is the UK’s largest golf retail group and offer the very best in tuition, retail advice and promotions. Visit www.foremostgolf.com

BECOME LESS RESTRICTED This movement really helps generate power but also gets your body over the ball so that it can be struck before the turf. As your weight is now moving toward the target, you should find it much easier to complete your followthrough as there is not any weight remaining on your back foot to restrict the movement. This will help you to initiate your downswing using your body rather than your hands and arms and will lead to crisper and more powerful shots.

BONUS TIP - THE CONNECTION DRILL As your body weight transfers through impact, it is important that you rotate your body efficiently through this area too. Poor rotation through the hitting area causes your clubface aim to be very inconsistent.

Set your ball on a low tee and make your address position. You should now swing back to around halfway, ensuring that you move your shoulders and arms together. From this position I now want you to swing through making sure that your body and arms

again work together and stay connected, resisting any temptation to whip your hands at the ball.

Your followthrough should complete at halfway, with your body now pointing at your target. This exercise will help keep your hands and body more connected and create a more consistent clubface at impact.

As soon as you start turning your body more efficiently through impact then your balls will fly much straighter.

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 29

NCG pp 30-31 Shimmons Foremost 14/12/2012 11:54 Page 30

FLOP CULTURE

It looks great if you can pull it off, so add the parachute shot to your armoury

HE lob shot is a high risk, high reward shot that is made to look simple by the world’s best.

But, for the average golfer, it can be potentially disastrous.

You should use a lob wedge or your highest-lofted wedge to play this shot.

The set-up is the key to getting the ball airborne and to ensure it lands with little or no roll. The following essentials will help.

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Jon Shimmons is head pro at Ashley Wood in Dorset. He is one of over 1,000 Foremost pros from all over the UK to give tuition. Contact Jon on 01258 480 379 or visit jonshimmons.co.uk

30 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

NCG pp 30-31 Shimmons Foremost 14/12/2012 11:54 Page 31

FIND YOUR NEAREST FOREMOST PROFESSIONAL AT WWW.FOREMOSTGOLF.COM

OPEN AND FORWARD Open the clubface, similar to when you play a bunker shot, with the ball forward in your stance and your feet and body aiming left of the target. The more you open the clubface, the higher the ball will go and the less distance you will get. With your body aiming left, the clubface should now be square to your target.

ALLOW FOR THE LOFT Turn your body as you would on your normal swing, ensuring an early hinge of the wrists. You should create an L shape between your arms and club. Ensure you have a long enough backswing to allow for the extra loft you have added to the clubface.

CONTROLLED TAKEAWAY Your swing should follow the line of your feet and shoulders, meaning you have an out-to-in swing plane. As you strike the ball the face will still be open, and you want the feeling of the club sliding underneath the ball, taking it ‘clean’ off the top of the grass.

KEEP TURNING Make sure you follow right through, keeping your body turning through the shot. You need to play this with confidence, and with a bit of practice you can be like Tiger or Phil around the greens!

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 31

NCG pp 32-33 Kaymer Swing Sequence 14/12/2012 11:56 Page 32

SWING SEQUENCE

MARTIN KAYMER

Here we have a good set-up with an athletic posture, leading to a one-piece takeaway, everything starting back from his left shoulder with no sign of an early wrist

break. However, his hands and arms are travelling fractionally away from his body, making their takeaway too wide and not as co-ordinated with his trunk as they could be.

Why the talented German has slipped off the Major radar E know Martin has tried to alter his swing to produce a draw flight but his statistics show some odd anomalies for a top performer.

He is right on the money with his long-iron play but his combined driving is very poor and he appears to be abysmally weak from inside 100 yards.

In my opinion he is stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea.

A player who made it right to winning a Major is trying to alter his natural action and the result is too many shots missing to the right, too many drives not launched at the perfect angle, coupled with excessive backspin, leading to some inaccuracy and lack of distance.

Plus, wildly uncontrolled wedge play caused by variable back spin, allied to inconsistent clubface delivery stemming from excessive late release.

Interestingly, this flawed impact is generally not harmful to mid and longer shots from the fairway.

We see precious little wrist hinge with the right elbow probably too far away from his body. To be totally orthodox Kaymer's shaft should be parallel to his alignment line, we can see it is pointing well to the left. The clubhead is too much outside the line and this will lead to an excessively upright swing plane, restricting Martin's ability to transfer his weight.

W

n Swing analysis by Gary Alliss. Gary is the PGA Master Professional at Ladbrook Park

MARTIN’S 2012 STATS Driving accuracy: 66.5% (37th) Driving distance: 296.8 yds (29) Greens In Regulation: 73.3% (21) Putts per GIR: 1.75 (22) Putts per round: 29.5 (50)

32 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

He has dropped the club perfectly back onto plane, the shaft points at the ball so there is no issue that he went so upright on his backswing.

Or is there? Going upright restricted his weight transfer and we can detect he has more weight on his left leg and his chest is above the ball not behind it; perfect for fading, not drawing.

A great delivery position for a good descending blow, a penetrating flight, plenty of backspin and a straight shot leaning marginally towards a fade.

However, go back to the first image and look at the green; Kaymer has set up aiming towards the right side, suggesting he sought a touch of right to left spin.

NCG pp 32-33 Kaymer Swing Sequence 14/12/2012 11:57 Page 33

It is very obvious how steep his swing plane is. Draw a line down his shaft – it points between his feet and the ball; most players have the shaft pointing at a line drawn through the ball to the target.

This delays Kaymer's wrist hinge and ensures his weight remains more central rather than the inside of his thigh.

This is perfectly in keeping with what has gone before. It is a good completion of the backswing – upright, yes a bit, restricted weight transfer, yes – but this is fine for somebody wanting to move the ball left to right with a lot of backspin imparted to the shot. Isn't Martin trying to draw the ball though?

He has retained his spine angle perfectly but has taken a deep divot and the shaft has travelled well to the left. The face is fully released and looking more closed than square. This is the action of somebody trying to put draw spin at impact with fade swing mechanics.

Lovely finish with poise.

However, the position of his left arm and wrist, with the elbow well away from the body and the firm wrist, suggest this is the finish of a natural fader or a player trying to hold off too much release/forearm rotation through impact.

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 33

Machrihanish Dunes 12/13/12 10:01 AM Page 1

NCG Insert Lead to Travel Guide 14/12/2012 11:19 Page 1

TRAVEL

GUIDE

2013 Don’t book your next holiday until you’ve read our in-depth guide

ALL OV ER THE WO RLD W e focus on destinatio ns from Ireland to Abu Dhabi

Golf in Abu Dhabi 14/12/2012 12:38 Page 1

NCG pp 35 Travel Guide Contents 14/12/2012 12:06 Page 35

TRAVEL GUIDE 2013 | Contents

LONG HAUL

36

ABU DHABI

39

MAURITIUS

40

SOUTH AFRICA

The Middle East’s pride

Paradise island

Mix great golf and wine

SHORT HAUL

43

TURKEY No wonder it’s so popular

51

FRANCE Refined and unspoilt

53

THE NETHERLANDS

55

SOUTH AFRICA

56

NCG ACADEMIES

Where the game began

Starring San Lorenzo

Improve your game

GB&I

59

CANARY ISLANDS Sunshine guaranteed

61

NORTH AFRICA Tunisia and Morocco

67

DRUIDS GLEN

69

WINTER LINKS

70

TOP TIPS

Ireland’s inland resort

Head for the seaside

Ideas for 2013

NCG pp 36-37 Connoisseur Clive Abu Dhabi 14/12/2012 12:08 Page 36

LONG HAUL | Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI AM more likely to find myself on a dancefloor than I am to make use of a practice ground but, aided by some sweet sounds, I begin my day in the most unlikely of ways at Saadiyat Beach. This is not what I had expected of Abu Dhabi, which is a strange thing to say as I knew next to nothing of my destination ahead of my brief sabbatical.

I knew bits and bobs about Dubai and all its glamour but my extensive knowledge of its neighbour, the largest by far of the seven Emirates and the capital of the UAE, was that it

I

now has a Grand Prix, Martin Kaymer tends to do well here and you won't have to pay much for your petrol. For your interest it should set you back about £10 to fill up though, if you like a drink, and nobody is judging here, can I suggest a taxi.

Anyway, I digress. Back to the facilities, which are genuinely ridiculous. Were there anything amiss from my short game there are two chipping greens to work on, a putting green and a vast practice ground where, as opposed to my local facility at which an oversized bell (no idea) provides the highlight, there are various bunkered and sculpted

36 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

The facilities are so good, our man even practised his chipping

QUICK GUIDE n Time difference: GMT +4 n Climate: Year-round sunshine with the cooler and most pleasant months being November to April when the temperatures are in the mid to high 20s n Language: Arabic is the official language although English is widely spoken n Currency: Dirham n Transfers: Saadiyat is just 20 minutes from the airport

greens with a backdrop of an ever-changing skyline. It is like being on the European Tour and part of the reason why so many – Matteo Manassero was here the week before his win in Singapore so I'm already expecting great things in the January Bogey – tend to their game here.

Ten years ago this aspect would have looked very different but things are very quickly changing. But we're not here to practise, even though the music has moved into the 'easy listening' bracket and I'm very much at home. While I very rarely pay close attention to the course planner, and often find

NCG pp 36-37 Connoisseur Clive Abu Dhabi 14/12/2012 12:09 Page 37

TRAVEL GUIDE 2013

myself at least four holes adrift, this one is impressive with clear and concise instructions and a world away (a common theme in Abu Dhabi) from 'Drive down the middle and look to find the middle of the green'. Quite.

The names of the holes are taken from notes made by Gary Player when designing the course and he said it was akin to having 18 little children so was unable to single out one hole. His bestlooking offspring though is surely the 5th, Dolphin View, where our aquatic friends are regularly out in force in the mornings of the cooler months. Here there are three bunkers to avoid and, as I

found to my cost an expanse of water down the left, before an approach towards the Persian Gulf. It is almost as picturesque as golf can get and, as the Emirates' first beachfront course, has a charm of its own.

There are 67 bunkers, spread over an incredible 10 hectares, with one at the 10th running the entire length of its 350 yards. And if you feel a bit sorry for yourself when you have to pick up the rake yet again spare a thought for the man, one of 48 who work solely on the course, whose job it is to keep these areas pristine – though his piece of machinery did appear to have more poke than my car.

We should also mention the 15th, Double Trouble, where water comes into play on both the tee shot and approach. Or for my playing partner four times, though Quadruple Trouble doesn't really have the same ring to it. This begins a run for home which is exquisite, including the 17th, Arabian Oasis, the shortest hole. This is director of golf Paul Booth's favourite though he has to say that as he got married there last year. The finish, Gulf Reflections, is where only the foolish try and bite off more than they can chew. More Double Trouble – though this time your foolhardy correspondent's.

Connoisseur Clive

Meet our undercover roving reporter, who tells it like it is.

NCG’s bon viveur plays off 13, always finds the best places to go and is an expert in enjoying himself, on and off the course “Given the proximity of Graham’s pro shop and the often roughneck comments of some of my fellow Royal Cotswolds members I rarely enjoy my opening tee shot but this had a charm of its own...

“Tonight (Matthew) I am at Abu Dhabi Golf Club and ahead of me is a 9-hole treasure chest of a course while, in the background,

is the gentle symphony of evening prayers. It is genuinely moving.

“But to business and a short dogleg right and a chance of an opening birdie. I don’t.

“If I were to up sticks and move Mrs Clive this is where I would base my new roots around. Night golf had never appealed before, for no reason other than ignorance, but, on first impressions, it is more enjoyable (and strangely uplifting too) than daytime golf.

“The temperature is perfect, the course here exceptional and, with a seemingly ever-present cart, the chance to stay (over) refreshed with some swing juice is most welcome. If you do fancy a round though be sure to book ahead.”

Clive’s Cigarometer Abu Dhabi scores...

Stunning Expect sand and scenery at Saadiyat

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 37

S U P E R T R A V E L G O L F W O R L D W I D E G O L F & L E I S U R E T R AV E L

5* Belle Mare Plage Resort, Mauritius 14 nights & flights fr £

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5* Heritage Awali, Mauritius 14 nights & flights fr £

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Price includes 14 nights accommodation based in a Prestige Room at Belle Mare Plage Resort on Half Board basis, FREE daily golf on Legends & Links Courses and airport transfers. Plus includes direct flights with British Airways or Air Mauritius. Valid for selected dates 8 Apr - 15 Sep 2013.

Price includes 14 nights accommodation in a Deluxe Room at Heritage Awali on All Inclusive basis, FREE daily golf on Heritage Course, and airport transfers. Plus includes direct flights with British Airways or Air Mauritius. Valid for selected dates 1 May - 30 Sep 2013.

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NCG pp 39 Mauritius 14/12/2012 12:09 Page 39

LONG HAUL | Mauritius

TRAVEL GUIDE 2013

G LOOKINK? O O TO B des of

eca vel have d Chaka Tra golfers to in taking ce n e a ri e exp fe bet for so are a sa s u ti ri st au e M the b holiday at seamless isit V . ce ri possible p com l. e v a tr ka www.cha

MAURITIUS F there is a more desirable destination for a golf holiday in the world than Mauritius, we’ve yet to discover it.

In order to describe it, one inevitably appears to have simply listed some lazy cliches – crystalclear water; miles of white, sandy beaches; year-round sunshine; luxury hotels; and immaculate courses – but the fact is, they are an accurate representation of what awaits you on this paradise island.

This is all predictable stuff, but two things might surprise you: firstly, that the sport is not a new addition to the island, keen to cash in on the travelling golfer; secondly holidays here are a lot better value than you might think.

Mauritius good value? Well, it’s not as mad as it sounds. Yes, it is expensive, but when you consider what you get, it makes more sense; you know how much you will

I

spend up front because it is allinclusive, your green fees are complimentary, and you are guaranteed sun, comfort and relaxation. Many feel that is worth every penny.

Mauritius’ golf history dates back to 1844 when, under British rule, it became the third country in the world to be introduced to the game. The oldest clubs such as Gymkhana and Le Saint Geran still offer a charming experience but it is to the resort layouts laid out by legendary golfers which tourists flock now.

Helped by design contributions from Major champions such as Ernie Els and Bernhard Langer, the island’s golfing reputation has blossomed. Indeed in 2008 it was named 2008 Golf Destination of the Year in Africa, the Indian Ocean and the Gulf States at the prestigious IAGTO awards.

So, Belle Mare Plage, Paradis

Idyllic Indian Ocean island which is surprisingly affordable

and Le Touessrok (pictured above) are some of the most evocative names in golf tourism and conjure up images of sun-kissed fairways and awesome views. Newer venues such as Anahita and Tamarina have added to the portfolio and even the most fussy golfer will be impressed by the options available on this tiny island.

With complimentary green fees for the courses at the resort you are staying at, it is understandable you will probably play all your golf there. But the resorts are grouped in little clusters on different corners of the island so it’s very easy to play elsewhere and broaden your experience; you can even stroll round the beach from Le Touessrok to Belle Mare Plage!

Away from the golf, the north of the island was one of the first to attract tourists and is therefore not surprisingly home to fine beaches, accommodation and restaurants,

world-class watersport facilities, extensive shopping opportunities and entertainment.

Some of the best beaches are on the east coast, including Blue Bay and its marine reserve while Trou d’Eau Douce is the main set-off point for Île aux Cerfs, which hosts Le Touessrok.

Finally Flic en Flac’s beaches are ideal for swimming and snorkelling.

YOUR QUICK GUIDE n When to go: It’s warmest in December but you can experience the odd thunderstorm at that time of year.

September is the driest month – the end of their winter n Time difference: GMT +4 n Language: English is the official language with French and Creole also commonly used n Currency: Mauritian Rupee (MRU) n Must-play courses: Le Touessrok, Belle Mare Plage

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 39

NCG pp 40-41 South Africa 14/12/2012 12:10 Page 40

LONG HAUL | South Africa

SOUTH AFRICA OUTH AFRICA is a golfing powerhouse in more ways than one. They have won Majors in most of the decades in the modern era and currently have an especially strong batch of players; from evergreen Ernie Els to younger Major champions such as Schwartzel, Oosthuizen and Immelman.

And that quality is matched by the country’s courses – not least because of the quantity. There are more than 500 courses in South Africa, and they are some of the most picturesque in the world, with

S

the Cape Town and the Western Cape areas particularly strong.

Each area of the country has its own star attractions and many will be known to you due to the South African events on the European Tour frequently moving around.

In 2012, East London, Royal Johannesburg and Fancourt played host in consecutive weeks in January but this year it is Royal Durban, Leopard Creek and Durban CC which welcome the world’s finest.

Coastal classic Pinnacle Point offers typically thrilling terrain

40 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

Leopard Creek is the star attraction in Mpumalanga, located close to Malelane at the southern border of the Kruger National Park on an estate on the banks of the Crocodile River.

Sunshine Tour supremo Johann Rupert and South African legend Gary Player laid the course out 15 years ago.

Big game surrounds this bushveld course with crocodiles and hippos lurking

in the vast water features.

It is one of the country’s most famous layouts and Fancourt is another. It is the big name in the Garden Route area – but Pinnacle Point, Goose Valley, Pezula and George GC are also top class.

In the North West province, the revered Sun City complex dominates. Here, the Gary Player Country Club and the (Player designed) Lost City

NCG pp 40-41 South Africa 14/12/2012 12:10 Page 41

TRAVEL GUIDE 2013

Why this nation is a golfing superpower in travel as well as on tour course are located amid lovely scenery.

Sun City is 150km northwest of Johannesburg and also boasts a casino, waterworld, various sports facilities and fantastic hotels.

Durban Country Club returns to the Tour scene this year and is one of the South Africa’s finest having hosted the national Open on many occasions. Located in

KwaZulu-Natal it lies right next to the beach of the Indian Ocean.

Clovelly is one of the finest courses in the Cape region, lying between Fish Hoek and Kalk Bay on the Cape Peninsula. The undulating ground is bordered in the north by mountains covered in fynbos and by sand dunes in the south. You also get glimpses of the Indian Ocean as you play.

Also good in the area are

Durbanville, Metropolitan, Milnerton, Mowbray, Royal Cape, Rondebosch and Westlake.

Pearl Valley is one of several wonderful courses in the Cape Winelands area. It was designed

by Jack Nicklaus and is surrounded by mountains and wine estates, with the Berg River meandering through the huge estate.Erinvale, Devonvale and Stellenbosch make up the support cast in an area which should

perhaps receive more plaudits.

In the Eastern Cape area, Humewood in Port Elizabeth is a wonderful, historic track which was opened in 1931 and is one of the few links in South Africa.

It hosted the South African Open four times and the clubhouse affords breathtaking views of the course and Algoa Bay. Finally, St Francis Bay, East Mondon and Fishriver Sun are also terrific venues.

YOU QUICK GR UIDE When to go

: Climate significan varies tly due to topograph difference ical s, but the ir seasons generally ar e the opposi te of ours Time dif ference: GMT +2 Languag e: Afrikaa ns, English Currenc y: South A frica Rand Must-pla y courses: Fancourt Sun City, , Humewo od

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 41

NCG pp 42 Travel ROP Adverts 14/12/2012 12:42 Page 42

42 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

NCG pp 43 Turkey 14/12/2012 12:11 Page 43

SHORT HAUL | Turkey

TURKEY OLF has found its way to most corners of the world but nowhere has its presence been felt more extensively over the course of the last decade than Turkey.

Around 20 years ago golf had barely scratched the surface in

G

TRAVEL GUIDE 2013

A golfing revolution has made this country one of Europe’s superpowers Turkey but in two decades it has become a significant player on the golfing scene.

Given its only recent love of the game, it seems remarkable to say – but Belek is truly one of the world’s golfing hotspots, offering an array of top-quality golf as well as world-class hotels.

Real highlight The Pasha course at the Antalya GC

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 43

Turkish Golf Cornelia 14/12/2012 12:40 Page 1

Alternative Travel & Holidays

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NCG pp 45 Turkey 14/12/2012 12:11 Page 45

SHORT HAUL | Turkey

TRAVEL GUIDE 2013

LOOKIN TO BOO G K? Alternativ

e Travel o nly deal with the b est course s and lead hotels and ing should be your first port of ca ll when b ooking a golfing tr ip to Turk ey. alternativ eturkey.c om

Top challenge The Montgomerie is a fine test

HEY are all contained in one stretch of golfing paradise in Belek, rather in the way of a modern, foreign and glitzy version of the links of Southport, East Lothian, Kent or Ayrshire.

Why has Turkey become so big in golf so quickly? Quite simply, golfers like it – and it’s easy to understand why. Nice weather, good courses, value for money, a shortish flight, classy hotels and plenty to do away from the course.

What's not to like?

So, golfers have flocked to Turkey in their droves and it is now a serious player on the golf scene.

Indeed, they hosted eight of the finest golfers in the world in the Turkish Airlines World Golf Finals in the autumn (and even though it didn't produce the Rory-Tiger

T

final the organisers dreamed of, it was an undoubted success – the former even admitted he was just as happy lazing in the sun by the pool as on the course… in October! – at Antalya GC, which also hosted the Eisenhower Trophy this year) and have announced a lucrative event on the European Tour for the end of the 2013 schedule.

This interest in the professional game is fuelled by two things: firstly, to further establish their position as a player at the top table of the Royal & Ancient game; and secondly to demonstrate they are capable of hosting top-level sporting events to enhance their chances of luring the Olympics to Turkey.

Either way, it is good news for golfers – because this is one of the few areas of the world which is building, progressing and

improving. And of course as it remains popular and as it continues to make money, the capital is there to keep getting better – the polar opposite of the situation which is afflicting some of its competitors in western Europe.

Turkey has two inherent advantages over its western Europe opposition; as well as benefiting from a fantastic yearround climate, it is not in the Euro. And without wishing to turn into an election manifesto for the UK Independent Party, you would have to have lived a long way from Europe in the last four years not to realise what benefits that brings.

Unburdened by the constraints of the euro, Turkey sets its prices as it chooses and to suit its own economy. Economic discussion over, what does this mean for golfers? Lower prices.

Just in the same way as one of the few benefits of the mess of Greece leaving the euro would be its ability to offer very cheap sunshine breaks to British and German holidaymakers, Turkey is already 1-up on the 1st tee in terms of golf break prices.

Few golfers simply book just on

YOUR QUICK GUIDE n When to go: Even in winter, Turkey is still around 17˚C with five hours of sunshine – but it does get up to 10 days of rain a month. It is hottest in July so that time of year is probably best avoided.

It is still very pleasant even in the coldest months ( December to February) n Time difference: GMT +2 n Language: Turkish n Currency: Turkish Lira n Must-play courses: Cornelia, Montgomerie, Lykia, Carya

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 45

Turkish Golf Sirene 12/13/12 10:04 AM Page 1

As seen on Sky Sports Justin Rose shot a flawless 66 to beat Lee Westwood by a shot at the Turkish Airlines World Golf Final after beating Tiger Woods in the Semi Final played at the PGA Sultan in Belek, Turkey.

Stay 7 nights Ultra All Inclusive at the beautifully refurbished 5* Sirene Belek Hotel and play the stunning PGA Sultan and its sister course the Pasha.

BELEK, TURKEY IS THE PREFECT GOLFING DESTINATION

5* SIRENE BELEK HOTEL 7 nights - All Inclusive 3 Rounds Golf 2 Pasha 1 PGA Sultan From ÂŁ365 pp + flights

Alternative Travel & Holidays

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TEL: 020 7241 7155 | www.turkishgolf.com | golf@turkishgolf.com 146 Kingsland High Street, London E8 2NS

NCG pp 47 Turkey 14/12/2012 12:12 Page 47

SHORT HAUL | Turkey

TRAVEL GUIDE 2013

Faldo’s finest Cornelia is a genuine test of your skills

price though – the product has to be right. Cheap golf isn't always the correct choice and golfers don't want to fly four hours to play on boring, unattractive and poorly condition courses.

That description doesn't apply to Turkey – or rather, we should now start to say, Belek, because while the general advantages of sun and value are relevant to the whole of Turkey, almost all of the golf is in this holiday haven on the country's south coast.

Belek is home to 14 courses within 11 clubs, many of which are part of luxurious, allinclusive hotel complexes.

They are: Montgomerie Maxx Royal, Cornelia Faldo, Antalya (Pasha & Sultan), Lykia, Sueno (Pines & Dunes), Carya, Gloria (Old & New), TAT International, Robinson

(Nobilis), National Golf Club and Kaya Eagles.

Let's start with putting a bit more meat on the bones of Antalya, host recently of Rory, Tiger, Westwood and Rose.

It is home to two courses – the PGA Sultan and the Pasha – both of which were built by the renowned European Golf Design team who also laid out the likes of the thrill-a-minute TwentyTen course at Celtic Manor.

The Sultan is the premier venue but is backed up impressively by the Pasha. The former opened in 2003 and European Golf Design were aided by input from Senior Tour star David Jones.

The PGA Sultan is a long course at 7,100 yards, and is a serious challenge for even strong players – including the world No 1 and 2! - with water hazards,

large bunkers and tall trees. It is more exacting than the Pasha, which opened a year earlier and provides more gentle holiday golf if the correct tees are chosen.

At 6,350 yards, the Pasha is immaculately manicured, with undulating greens, water hazards and eucalyptus and pine trees lining its fairways and making accuracy crucial as well as making the doglegs strategically testing. Set in 140 hectares of pine and eucalyptus forest, The Montgomerie was designed by

THE SIRENE BELEK HOTEL This magnificent hotel is based around a six-storey main building – the palace – and offers one main and four a la carte restaurants, six bars, a café, nightclub, spa and leisure facilities. www.sirene.com.tr

the 2010 Ryder Cup captain and is testing, with plenty of water.

Colin Montgomerie announced himself especially pleased with this design, which was formerly known as Papillon.

He and his design team routed the course through sandy ridges with fairways lined by clumps of pine and eucalyptus forest. The Maxx Royal Hotel is one of the finest in Belek – no mean accolade.

His predecessor as Europe's captain has also worked in the region and Sir Nick Faldo's Cornelia creation is not just one of the best in Belek it is one of continental Europe's finest courses. A 27-hole complex, Sir Nick's input will mean you won't be surprised to learn it is a testing course with water playing a significant role – witness the 9th, with lakes on both sides of the fairway.

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 47

Abante 14/12/2012 16:30 Page 1

THE MAGIC OF GOLF IN PRAGUE AND KARLOVY VARY You already know you’ll find beautiful architecture, history and culture along with the Czech spirit waiting for you. Now get to know our golf in style!

The Czech map is overflowing with beautiful cities marked as UNESCO world heritage sites underlining historical landmarks and events which have become renowned getaway destinations and synonymous with character, fun and relaxation.

Today, while golf grass seeds have taken root and matured in the leisure spa towns for over 100 years, Prague and all Czech regions are witnessing golf fever and world-class courses have burgeoned all over the country.

With incredible value and limitless cultural possibilities, golfers are also treated to a top-level experience in a well-developed infrastructure.

Meals, drinks, theatre, opera, shopping, nightlife, brewery and winery tours, outdoors, wellness and spa – you name it, you’ll find it and all within 90 minutes’ flying time from the UK; an ideal golfing destination for a long weekend.

with wide but tricky greens along with several ponds and a hilly profile.

KONOPISTE: UNIQUE COMPLEX SOUTHEAST OF PRAGUE The biggest golf resort in the Czech Republic, which opened the first 18 holes in 2002. All players will enjoy the setting, cut sympathetically into the rolling hillside and forests with some inventive features. The Radecky and d Este courses have hosted many leisure and corporate golf tournaments. In addition to this is a 9-hole public course as well as practice facilities. The superbly refurbished Manor House provides conference facilities and an excellent hotel.

PRAGUE – GATEWAY TO GOLF Lying at the centre of the Czech Republic, the delightful capital of Prague is often portrayed with the Vltava River meandering through its heart, running under the remarkable Charles Bridge filled with pedestrians walking from Old Town Square towards Prague castle. Full of historic and cultural highlights, museums and beautiful small cobblestone streets. It is a great place to go shopping or enjoy the excellent nightlife.

The Prague area has more than 10 attractive 18hole courses within a 20-60 minute drive from the heart of the city.

Why don’t you test during your golfing break some of the most popular courses.

KARLSTEJN – GREAT GOLF TESTED BY THE TOUR Situated about about 45 minutes from Prague centre is the only Czech course in the Prague area to host the European Tour. The resort offers 27 holes with the original 18 holes offering unique views on the Karlstejn castle and challenging holes

ALBATROSS – THE NEW STAR AMONG THE BEST COURSES Situated near the village Vysoký Újezd in the vicinity of Prague and easily accessible from the airport, this 18-hole course was built with a vision to create the best in the Czech Republic. The clubhouse hosts a pro shop, restaurant, bar, conference rooms and an extensive terrace. The course is home to the David Carter Golf Academy and has hosted the Prague Golf Masters event on the Ladies European Tour in 2011 and 2012.

PRAGUE CITY GOLF CLUB – GOLF IN THE CITY The first 18-holer in Prague was co-designed by Alex Cejka. It was conceived as a Championship course with ambitions of hosting professional tournaments while still remaining playable for

recreational golfers. The Links and Lakes nines provide interesting variety and the clubhouse was converted from a 200-year-old horse stable.

BLACK BRIDGE – THE FIRST GOLF RESORT IN THE CITY This resort opened in 2011. The second 18-hole course in Prague is located on the eastern edge of the city. A modern clubhouse, accommodation in family-style bungalows and outstanding practice facilities are all features this modern complex. You can book VIP lessons with head pro Clive Tucker.

WEST BOHEMIA – CZECH GOLFING PARADISE West Bohemia extends west from Prague to the south-west German border. The region is famous for its countryside, the healing hot springs and famous wellness centre in Karlovy Vary and beerbrewing in Plzen, home of Pilsner Urquell. Visit historic castles, museums, quality restaurants and bars and enjoy the nightlife.

Wellness and spa treatments are perfect for soothing aching muscles after a round and the region has several striking courses, among them the country’s oldest in Marianske Lazne (also known as Marienbad), which hosted the European Tour events in 1995 and 1996, and Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad). Combining Prague and Karlovy Vary with the region’s spas and the country’s oldest courses has become very popular, both for the variety of cityscapes visitors can enjoy as well as the great golf on offer.

ABANTE GOLF PACKAGES Packages for 2 nights in Prague on a B&B basis, 2 rounds of golf and all airport and golf transfers in Prague (minibus and English-speaking driver) with a meet-and-greet service on arrival start from £199 per person, based on 4 golfers sharing two twin rooms.

Packages for 7 nights in Prague on the same basis, with 5 rounds of golf, start from £549 per person.

For the latest offers and packages visit www.abante-golf.co.uk or call 020 8133 4366 for a free brochure.

NCG pp 49 Turkey 14/12/2012 12:13 Page 49

SHORT HAUL | Turkey The three loops of nine are interwoven around the two fabulous hotels and just like the golf, these are right out of the top drawer. Of the three loops, the Prince combination is thought to be the best – but as at (coincidentally) Prince's in Kent, any mix is a good day out.

If you want to go to one resort and never move from it, Gloria is a good bet – one of the largest facilities in Europe.

It comprises an incredible 45 holes (two 18-holers and one nine-hole) as well as a fantastic practice facility. You genuinely could play here every day for a week and not get bored!

Home to two class tracks – the Pines and the Dunes – Sueno Golf & Country Club offers golf for all levels and features great

holes, including ones with island greens. Opened in late 2007, it is one of the best in the area.

Now we move to two different kind of courses more usually associated with British golf than holiday golf: a heathland and links.

Carya was designed by Open legend Peter Thomson and was inspired by Wentworth and Sunningdale. This heathland track is dominated by heather with water and trees also present to catch wayward shots.

To give you a taste of something a different from the normal diet of parkland-style courses, Carya is first class.

The same could be said of LykiaLinks; rather than the Surrey heathlands, it was inspired by Scottish links and

TRAVEL GUIDE 2013

Perry Dye was delighted to be given this design task.

It is the only links in the area (although it is a little way from the cluster) and is one of the few genuine links in continental Europe. It is perched right next to the sea and a gorgeous stretch of sandy beach. Dye, son of the legendary Pete, was careful not to be too clever with his design, meaning he has produced a quirky, interesting course rather than a manufactured one.

Hence, the ridge which runs through the middle of the course results in lots of archetypal links holes the like of which you never see except by the sea.

There are even proper mounds and blind shots – plus a view of the sea from every hole.

The most dramatic spell is the

four holes from the 13th – carved among the dunes, this is as good as golf outside of GB&I gets.

TAT International, Robinson (Nobilis), National Golf Club and Kaya Eagles are all perfectly enjoyable courses, just less dramatic than the others – but that's not to say a day out at any of them will leave you disappointed.

Finally, it is worth pointing out that even if you discount golf, Belek is a fabulous holiday destination – meaning it is entirely possible to combine a family holiday with the odd round here and there. With fantastic beaches, sightseeing, shopping and watermarks, Belek has something to keep everyone happy.

Bonus double There are two great tracks at Antalya

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 49

NCG pp 51 France 14/12/2012 12:13 Page 51

SHORT HAUL | France

TRAVEL GUIDE 2013

WHERE STAY & TO PLAY Dolce

Chantilly is in a magnifice nt setting with a Michelin-s tarred rest au rant and 18-hole co urse to sa v our. www.dolc echantill y.com

The best of British but with a subtle Gallic twist OU might be forgiven for thinking these images are of a classic Surrey heathland but we are in France or, to be more precise, at the delightful Chantilly.

We are constantly reminded of the quality of golf in certain parts of continental Europe but, for whatever reason, the French are less inclined to sing their own praises. Which is strange, given it is generally the most accessible while also possessing a collection of incredible courses and a cuisine which has few rivals.

In the next five years, with the Ryder Cup on its way to Le Golf National 20 miles outside Paris, that will surely change. And rightly so. Morfontaine is generally regarded as the best in the north but you will need to befriend a member to enjoy a game here.

The next best is Chantilly, 30 miles north of the capital.

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The clubhouse is worth the visit alone with records of 10 French Opens. George Duncan won the first one held here in 1913 while Nick Faldo captured two of his three French crowns in the late 80s. And it is easy to see why with the championship course, Le Vineuil, requiring some very precise play in surroundings – the course is set among the forest of the Ile de France – which bear a striking resemblance to the likes of Sunningdale and Walton Heath.

There is also a second course, Les Longeres, which, while not quite

FRANCE reaching the magnificent highs of its sibling, would well complement any day spent here.

Heading north, Le Touquet is another with strong British connections. La Mer is one of Harry Colt’s finest, a classic links and another to have staged various national Opens. Seve won the first of four titles here in 1977. These days the greens have been restored to their glory days while the La Foret course, the older of the two, provides a calmer, less windaffected test, being set among pine trees.

There are over 500 courses in France but we will finish on Hardelot (Les Pins), the more senior of two courses on the seaside town.

Just 30 miles from the Channel Tunnel this is a welcome stop on many tourists from over the way.

It is another former tour spot and another to enjoy sandy soil and a setting among the pines and dunes. The start may be gentle but the finish will ask plenty of searching questions. Such as why many of us have never been before.

YOUR QUICK GUIDE n When to go: Varies with each region, for the north of the country April to September is ideal n Time difference: GMT +1 n Language: French n Currency: Euro n Must-play courses: Chantilly, Le Touquet, Le Golf National

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 51

Dolce Chantilly 14/12/2012 12:42 Page 1

NCG pp 53 Netherlands 14/12/2012 12:14 Page 53

SHORT HAUL | The Netherlands

TRAVEL GUIDE 2013

Old Master Hilversumsche is one of the country’s best

THE NETHERLANDS Take a trip to the land where some believe the game began back in the 1300s O say that the Netherlands in particular and the Low Countries more generally have played an important part in the history of golf would be an understatement.

In fact, depending on who you ask, it may well have been the Dutch who invented the game, or at least one like it, long before it was first heard of in Scotland.

Archie Baird is a Scottish historian and curator of a small but famous golf museum that adjoins the professional shop behind the 1st tee of Gullane No 1.

So he knows a thing or two about the development of the game.

“The Dutch played a game like golf way before we did,” he said.

“I have evidence going back to 1300. There is no mention of golf in Scotland before 1450. But the

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Dutch neither developed the game nor did they keep it going.

“It died out totally by 1700 because they couldn’t make good clubs; the shaft was hazel, which was far too whippy, and they had no hardwood, so the heads were made of lead.

“But they didn’t need to hit the ball a long way. They always played on the ice and to a stake.

Luckily the Scottish wool merchants went across and picked the game up.

“The Dutch did teach us Scots, however, to make the ball.”

It was not until the late 19th century that the country’s first recognisable course was built – a three-hole layout in The Hague.

Following shortly after were the famous Kennemer and Hilversumshe courses but it was after the war that these, and several more, were transformed

into the classics that stand today. A triumvirate of great British architects, Harry Colt, GH Alison and JSF Morrison, was largely responsible.

Their work has left a collection of courses with a distinctly British flavour. They include genuine links courses that have shades of the Lancashire coast – Noordwijkse, the work of Frank Pennick, and Koninklijke Haagsche, a Colt and Alison design, both look uncannily like Formby in places.

Kennemer, which has hosted the Dutch Open on several occasions, is perhaps more reminiscent of Hillside.

Elsewhere, in the shape of Hilversumshe and Rosendaelsche, there are classic heathlands where you could be forgiven for thinking you were playing at the likes of Swinley Forest, The Addington or

even Sunningdale.

Another joy of holidaying in such a small country you never have to travel too far – perhaps the best example is Noordwijkse, arguably the country’s finest course, a seemingly remote links yet within half an hour’s drive of Schipol airport.

In short, there is proper golf to be found in the Netherlands, and courses that will fascinate those with a love for culture and the history of the game.

YOUR QUICK GUIDE n When to go: Any time between March and November – think of the British season but with an extra month on either side n Time difference: GMT +1 n Language: Dutch n Currency: Euro n Must-play courses: Noordwijkse, Hilversumsche, Koninklijke Haagsche

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 53

L OFFE

A DI E S S P

Guests are granted exclusive access to the renowned San Lorenzo Golf Course, designed by leading golf architects Joseph Lee and Rocky Roquemore. The course is a combination of natural beauty, pristine presentation and hole after hole of challenging golf. Having received numerous awards and acreditations, San Lorenzo is considered one of the best golf courses in Europe and the world.

Dona Filipa Hotel & San Lorenzo Golf Course are currently offering a great range of 3 & 7 night packages.

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Located a short drive from Faro International Airport in the heart of the Algarve, the 5-star Dona Filipa Hotel is famed for its breath taking views, gourmet cuisine and outstanding customer service. Surrounded by lush golf courses, pinewoods, and nestled into the golden sands of Vale do Lobo, the hotel is frequently nominated as one of the top golfing destinations in the world.

R

Golf breaks in the Algarve

IAL OFFE

IA EC

EC

A DI E S S P •L R FREE DE A UPGR ELUXE TO A D & VIP ROOMTMENT TREA

7 night stays from

€158 per night

Package includes: • Daily buffet breakfast • Four dinners per person • For Golfers: five rounds of golf, including token & trolley at San Lorenzo Golf Course • For non-golfers: three days access to the Vale do Lobo Royal Spa • Dona Filipa surprise gift • Taxes & service charge

3 night stays from

€152 per night

Package includes: • Daily buffet breakfast • Two dinners per person • For Golfers: two rounds of golf, including token & trolley at San Lorenzo Golf Course • For non-golfers: one day access to the Vale do Lobo Royal Spa • Taxes & service charge

Reservations

Telephone: +351 289 357 223 Fax: +351 289 357 201 Email: donafilipahotel@jjwhotels.com donafilipahotel.com

Terms & Conditions: Minimum of 3-night stays are required. All taxes and service charges included. Golf rounds are not transferable or refundable, always subject to course availability. Handicap Certificate (28/Men – 36/Ladies) is required to play. Child policy and inclusions are only valid and applicable to children from 0 to 12 years of age, unless specified otherwise. Free accommodation for children is only valid when sharing room with parents (according to maximum room capacity). Free meals for children are only valid when chosen from the children’s menu and when joining parents during their meals (maximum of 2 children per booking), at the Hotel´s restaurants. Free meals for children are not valid for meals taken at the Kangaroo Club and /or room service. Free entrance for Kangaroo Club (open during Christmas, Easter and summer) is only valid for children from 3 to 12 years of age. Children under the age of 3, the fee of 65€ per day/child will apply. Free use of Dona Filipa Beach Club (until 30 September 2012). Car rental in package includes: (limited mileage, collision damage waiver, theft protection, tax). Airport Service charge and other extras not included.

NCG pp 55 Algarve 14/12/2012 12:14 Page 55

SHORT HAUL | Algarve

TRAVEL GUIDE 2013

WHERE TO STAY

Dona Filip a Hotel is just 10 minutes aw ay from th Algarve’s e No 1, San Lorenzo. boasts 15 It 4 rooms, magnifice scenery an nt d amenitie s galore. donafilip ahotel.co m 00351 28 9 357200

ALGARVE HE Algarve might only cover an area around the size of one eighth of the rest of Portugal but this touristfriendly region bordering the Mediterranean in the south has more hotels, holiday apartments, villas and tourist facilities than all the rest of the country.

The most common attraction is the glorious climate as there is over 3,000 hours of sunshine every year – and even in winter the average temperatures hover around the 15˚ mark.

The Algarve, therefore, is the perfect destination for yearround golf as it combines these virtues with a location relatively accessible to British tourists.

All along the coast and a few miles inland are courses to satisfy any budget and palate.

In the extreme west – which is accessible in around an hour

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via the superb N1 motorway – lies Parque da Floresta which offers typically beautifully presented parkland golf.

Nearby is the Boavista resort which offers the best-value golf holiday in the Algarve. The course is perfectly pleasant and will entertain you all week, but what is especially good about Boavista is the all-round package. You can stay in one of the villas and play golf for a variety of packages without breaking the bank. You can eat and drink on site as well as relax in the spa or work out in the leisure centre. The practice facilities are also superb – and chipping a few balls under a setting sun is so much more attractive than it usually is... so you may even return a better golfer as well as a tanned one.

Continuing to move east to the centre of the Algarve and

The original golf holiday destination remains a highly attractive option

you come to Penina, where the Algarve golf boom began when Sir Henry Cotton laid out the Old Course. Penina has grown into a beautiful resort and offers world-class practice facilities as well as a stunning hotel.

Palmares has recently been refurbished by Robert Trent Jones Jnr and is now a fabulous complex boasting three contrasting nines. The loop along the bottom, next to the sea, is fantastic and combines beautifully with the wooded inland sections on the hill – which offer sensational views.

By now we are close to Vilamoura, where the famous Old Course has been joined by lots of other first-rate tracks such as Vila Sol, San Lorenzo – the Algarve’s No 1 which winds through pine woods with fairways bordering lagoons and offers views of sandy beaches –

Pine Cliffs, and the Victoria, Faldo and O’Connor courses which are in the Oceanico stable.

Vilamoura can be expensive compared with other parts of the Algarve but you get what you pay for and you get guaranteed quality on and off the course.

The eastern Algarve is often neglected but has attractions of its own, whether the premium golf at the Jack Nicklausdesigned Monte Rei or the great value on offer at Benamor, Castro Marim and the Quintas de Cima, do Vale and da Ria.

YOUR QUICK GUIDE n When to go: It is lovely May to September, nice in the late autumn and then milder over the winter. n Time difference: GMT +2 n Language: Portuguese n Currency: Euro n Must-play courses: Penina, Vilamoura (Old), San Lorenzo

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 55

NCG pp 56-57 Teaching Academies 14/12/2012 12:15 Page 56

SHORT HAUL | Algarve

TRAVEL GUIDE 2013

NCG WINTER ACADEMIES Get your game into shape with a week of warm-weather training at Penina ABOUT DAVE

TRAINING FROM PGA PROS

MY PENINA DIARY Dave Simpson attended a winter academy last year. Here is his account of the experience SATURDAY We flew at midday from London into Faro. After a short coach transfer, we checked into the fantastic resort. At our welcome dinner, we were introduced to the team and talked through the rest of the week. The pre-trip information was helpful in giving me an idea of what to expect.

SUNDAY

individually filmed to be compared with the movement later in the week. We played at the resort’s Championship course, which was in brilliant condition, helped even more by the sunshine.

MONDAY We focused on the long game in the morning. Again the pros were fantastic at spotting and explaining the weaknesses in my swing. I even hit a draw for the first time in my life! The afternoon playing on the course was a great fun, as we had all got to know each other much better.

My hotel room really lived up to five-star standard and after a hearty breakfast, I was very excited to start our first session. The PGA pros started the morning by explaining how a good golf shot should be constructed. It was very insightful, and just by understanding the task, I realised why some of my bad golf habits had affected my game for so long.

It already started to make so much sense. Our golf swings were each

56 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

TUESDAY Here we started the short-game session with bunker shots followed by putting. I picked up lots of good tips. I noticed, during my play in the afternoon, that my pitching had already improved through the exercises we did with the wedges in the morning. Had a great round!

WEDNESDAY Short-game coaching in the morning focused on pitching and chipping. Now I’m understanding the techniques, the shots have become a lot easier. It’s great to have the afternoon playing time, as I can put what I learn into practice straight away. I really enjoyed the farewell dinner with my fellow golfers – they’ve been brilliant company this week!

THURSDAY I took the evening flight option, which gave me time to fit in another round in the sun before my transfer and flight back to London. What a fantastic week!

“I’m in my 40s and I play off 14. In all honesty my game has been in decline for a while. I hadn’t had any lessons for years and my short game, in particular, was getting progressively worse.

“I heard about these teaching holidays from a friend, who spoke very highly of the experience. I had my doubts as I’m no spring chicken and it’s not as though I’m a professional – far from it! What got me thinking was that I knew I would have to play more this year following a promotion at work and I didn’t want to look like a fool in front of important clients and colleagues.

“The way the information is put across is clear and easy to digest.

I’ve made some good friends because it turns out that all the other people on the course were in the same boat as me. Plus, doing it in the winter gets you away from the UK at the worst time of year and sets you up for the season ahead.

“My game has improved so much my friends could scarcely believe I was the same player!”

ABOUT THE PROS At the NCG WInter Teaching Academies the coaching is led by top PGA professionals Richard Ellis and Brian Green.

Top 100 coach Richard (left) has gained hands-on experience from some of the game’s best-known coaches and players and has featured in several magazines including NCG, Today's Golfer and Golf World. He has a specialist knowledge of biomechanics.

Brian (right) has been a full-time coach for over 15 years, giving thousands of lessons to golfers ranging from complete beginners to tour players. By applying easy-tofollow fundamentals he believes anyone can build a better game.

NCG pp 56-57 Teaching Academies 14/12/2012 12:16 Page 57

WINTER TEACHING ACADEMIES 2013

LE MERIDIEN PENINA GOLF & RESORT, PORTIMAO, ALGARVE, PORTUGAL

SPECIAL RATE

£985*

n

Get your game in shape for next season

n

Benefit from top-class instruction from British PGA pros

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Meet like-minded British golfers

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Stay and play at 5-star Penina in the Algarve

WHAT THE PACKAGE INCLUDES i 5 nights’ accommodation at the 5-star Le Meridien Penina Golf & Resort based on twin share, including breakfast i 3 dinners (including ½ bottle of wine or a beer with meal) i 4 x 2-hour golf clinics from PGA professionals

TRIP DATES: FEBRUARY 16-21 MARCH 16-21

i 4 x rounds of golf i Use of Spa facilities (Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room etc.) i Return flights from London, inclusive of checked luggage

*Based on return flights from London Gatwick to Faro and twin share accommodation. Flights from other airports may vary. Cost of all flights may be subject to change. Single supplement and nongolfer rates available on request

and golf equipment i Return airport – resort group transfer

To learn more and to book call 01782 510 800 or email academies@nationalclubgolfer.com All travel and accommodation arrangements are booked by Quality Golf Destinations LTD, with whom your trip is fully travel bonded

U7420

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Tenerife lies the luxurious ABAMA Golf & Spa Resort, a perfect winter holiday destination, enjoying more hours of sunshine than any other part of Spain!

S U P E R T R A V E L G O L F W O R L D W I D E G O L F & L E I S U R E T R AV E L

7 nights at the 5* ABAMA Golf & Spa Resort, Tenerife fr £725pp Includes 3 FREE rounds of golf (with buggy) & a FREE room upgrade

Price includes 7 nights accommodation based on 2 people sharing a Deluxe Room at ABAMA Resort with breakfast, 3 FREE rounds of golf with buggy and a FREE upgrade to an Ocean View Room (subject to availability). Half Board is from £30 per person per night. Valid for selected dates 1 May - 14 Jul 2013. Please call for flight options.

020 •7208 •7061 www.supertravel.co.uk/golf-holidays/

SUPERTRAVELGOLF

All prices are per person based on twin share and subject to availability. Certain conditions apply. Prices are correct at time of print.

Please visit our website for information on the ATOL protection scheme.

NCG pp 59 Canaries 14/12/2012 12:18 Page 59

SHORT HAUL | Canaries

TRAVEL GUIDE 2013

CANARIES

A resplendent island cluster as diverse as it is beautiful

T would be an oversight of epic proportion to ignore the Canary Islands when discussing Spanish golf.

Not just because of the oftmentioned year-round sunshine, or the pristine landscape into which some of the most beautiful courses are crafted, but because they boast as rich and intriguing a golfing heritage as you could ask for.

Golf has had a home in the Canaries for longer than at any other Spanish province. The Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas in Gran Canaria was founded in 1891, and is even more famous for being Spain’s oldest golf course than it is for its current location – the plains of Bandama, where it sits adjacent to an extinct volcano.

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But as startling as the resort is, it scarcely scratches the surface of what the Canaries have to offer. Any one of its islands could claim to be the jewel in the crown, but in terms of golfing attractions, it is a battle between Tenerife and Gran Canaria.

Golf Las Americas lies in the south of Tenerife, and is a flat, easy-walking course where, even with your back to the sea, it is impossible to avoid water.

Streams and ravines are strewn across the course, and the green on the par-3 13th is imprisoned by three lakes so a poor tee shot might require the donning of your swimming trunks.

A short trip north west takes you to Seve Ballesteros’s aptly named and awe-inspiring Buenavista course, while the greens at Dave Thomas’s Abama

design must be seen to be believed.

Not to be outdone, Gran Canaria boasts its own array of gems. The Maspalomas Golf layout has hosted two tour events, the second of which was won by Jose Maria Olazabal, while the recently inaugurated Anfi Tauro resort offers a truly special backdrop, complete with waterfalls and mountains.

The other islands are not to be overlooked: La Tecina course

YOUR QUICK GUIDE n When to go: It’s warmest between June and September, but not by much. The islands enjoy fantastic weather all-year round n Time difference: GMT n Language: Spanish n Currency: Euro n Must-play courses: Abama, Buenavista, Golf Las Americas

in La Gomera is remarkable for its sheer... sheerness. The course starts on top of an enormous hill – there’s a bus, don’t worry – and meanders its way down to the bottom, offering unparalleled length off the tee.

Hotels are available within reach of a number of courses and deals can be found extremely cheap, especially when you consider that green fees are often included.

The islands straddle the middle-ground between the Atlantic and Mediterranean, and as a result the culinary face of the Canaries is as varied as the golf. While it has its own rich tradition, the islands also offer the very best in Italian, Argentinian and even Japanese.

Golf aside, you can relax in the countless jacuzzi and spas or perhaps just laze on the beach.

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www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 59

Menara Travel Tunisia 12/13/12 10:07 AM Page 1

TUNISIA GOLF FESTIVAL 9 - 16 February 2013 - HAMMAMET THE TUNISIA GOLF FESTIVAL IS OPEN TO AMATEUR GOLFERS OF ALL LEVELS £995 per golfer on ALL INCLUSIVE (Sharing a Double or Twin Room) £769 per non-golfer on ALL INCLUSIVE (Sharing a Double or Twin Room) £60: Single room Supplement (for 7 nights) INCLUDING: Return Flight from MANCHESTER * HEATHROW inclusive of taxes & Check-in Luggage & Golf Clubs Carriage & (In-flight meals & drinks) + 7 Nights’ Accommodation on ALL INCLUSIVE in the PHENICIA HOTEL 4* in HAMMAMET + 5 Rounds of competitive golf and playing on the YASMINE Golf Course x 2 + CITRUS Golf x 3 (on the LA FORET Course + LES OLIVIERS Course) + 2 Cocktail Parties + Prizes Presentation Ceremony & Gala Dinner with entertainment & Drinks + 1 Massage of 20 Minutes in the SPA centre of the hotel + Excursion + Airport Transfers + Golf Transfers + Assistance

TUNISIA GOLF OFFERS PORT EL KANTAOUI: SEABEL ALHAMBRA BEACH, GOLF & SPA 4* From £749 per GOLFER on Half Board (Sharing a Twin or Double Room) From £540 per Non-Golfer on Half Board (Sharing a Twin or Double Room) £85 Single room Supplement for 7 Nights INCLUDING: Return flight with TUNISAIR inclusive of taxes & check-in luggage of 20 Kg & Golf Club Carriage & inflight meal & drinks + 7 Nights on HALF BOARD + (Meal + ¼ bottle of Water + ¼ Bottle of Wine) in the SEABEL ALHAMBRA HOTEL + 5 rounds of golf with your preferred pre-booked Tee Times and playing on the EL KANTOUI Golf x 3 + PALM LINKS Golf x 2 + Airport Transfers + Golf Transfers + Assistance (Offer valid from 6 Jan to 31 May 13)

HAMMAMET: MÉDITERRANÉE THALASSO GOLF HOTEL 3* From £599 per GOLFER on B&B (Sharing a Twin or Double Room) From £399 per Non-Golfer on B&B (Sharing a Twin or Double Room) INCLUDING: Return flight with TUNISAIR inclusive of taxes & check-in luggage of 20 Kg & Golf Club Carriage & inflight meal & drinks + 7 Nights on B&B in the Méditerranée Thalasso Golf Hotel 3* + 5 rounds of golf with your preferred pre-booked Tee Times and playing on the CITRUS Golf x 3 + YASMINE Golf x 2 + Airport Transfers + Golf Transfers + Assistance (Offer valid from: 5 Mar to 31 May 13)

For further information please contact

Menara Travel Ltd www.golf-travel.co.uk t: 0207 371 2030 e: info@golf-travel.co.uk

NCG pp 61 North Africa 14/12/2012 12:19 Page 61

SHORT HAUL | North Africa

TRAVEL GUIDE 2013

NORTH AFRICA The new winter sun destination – head to Tunisia and Morocco NTIL recently, if you wanted to guarantee yourself some winter sun without taking an 11-hour flight, you would be looking solely towards the Canaries. But as the golf bug has spread outwith its traditional destinations, your options for playing with the sun on your back in the British winter have increased dramatically. You can now head to the north of Africa and enjoy top courses all year round.

Indeed Morocco is little more than a three-hour flight from London; it is even closer than Cyprus and Greece. And as well as the weather, it offers amazing value and courses which are not overcrowded. What’s more, given the climate, it is hardly a surprise the greens and fairways are so beautifully manicured.

You can tee it up for little more than £20, perfect for those of us seeking a budget break.

Bordering the North Atlantic and boasting an annual 300 days

U

of sunshine and year-long golfing weather, Morocco remains relatively unspoilt.

In Marrakech, the Palmeraie Golf Resort has a terrific course designed by famed American Robert Trent Jones. It offers a gentle start and a tough finish, so is a perfect tourist course. It is part of the Marrakech Palmeraie Palace Hotel, but is open to all.

The Amelkis is one of the most beautiful courses in the country, a Cabell B Robinson design dominated by palm groves and water hazards. El

YOUR QUICK GUIDE n When to go: The summer can be very hot but coastal breezes are coolling. Winter sees some rainfall but it is usually quickly passing heavy showers n Time difference: GMT +1 n Language: French in Tunisia, Arabic in Morocco n Currency: Tunisian dinar, Moroccan dirham n Must-play courses: Palm Links, Palmeraie

Jadida is another Robinson LOOKIN gem which overlooks the G T O BOOK Atlantic between ?

Menara T ravel are Casablanca and Oualidia. the expert when it co s mes to Tu Royal Dar Es-Salam is nisia and Morocco , offering b Trent Jones’ most oth expert and experi ise ence. Cal notable Moroccan l 0207 37 1 2 0 30 or visit creation. www.me naratrave Set in a 1,000-acre l.co.uk forest of cork trees, this 45hole complex is 15 to 20 minutes from Rabat and comprises three courses – the exacting Red, the more forgiving borders on the Mediterranean Blue and the 9-hole Green.

Sea and benefits from beautiful Recently, two Gary Playerviews. It has hosted the designs at Golf Mogador have European Senior Tour. opened in Essaouira.

In Hammamet, Yasmine’s Tunisia is equally tempting, course boasts elevated tees and with the courses near the sea, in multi-tiered greens, lakes and a two areas – Monastir/Kantaoui meandering creek which is ready and Hammamet. Palm Links is to catch errant shots. The Citrus probably the leading course in Club has two terrific courses. the former, combining a flat The Forest features narrow treedesign amid a palm oasis, with lined fairways so accuracy is three links-style holes. Flamingo essential to prosper. Other top is another gem while there are courses include historic two fine courses at Port El Carthage, Challenge Tour venue Kantaoui – the Sea Course and Tabarka and desert-like Tozeur the Panorama. The Sea Course Oasis.

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 61

Menara Travel Morocco 12/13/12 10:07 AM Page 1

GOLF IN MOROCCO

The Magic Awaits You...

TAILOR MADE GOLF HOLIDAYS ALL YEAR ROUND PALMERAIE GOLF RESORT MARRAKECH £399pp on B&B in PALMERAIE VILLAGE Apartments 4* £599pp on B&B in PALMERAIE GOLF PALACE HOTEL 5* INCLUDING: 7 Nights on Bed & Buffet Breakfast + 5 Rounds of Golf with your preferred pre-booked Tee Times playing on the PALMERAIE GOLF COURSE + Airport Transfers (Offer valid from 3 Jan to 28 Mar 13)

MOGADOR GOLF RESORT 5* - Essaouira £589 per Golfer on B&B & UNLIMITED GOLF INCLUDING: 7 Nights on Bed & Buffet Breakfast in a Superior Room in the Luxurious SOFITEL MOGADOR GOLF & SPA HOTEL 5* + UNLIMITED GOLF at the MOGADOR GOLF CLUB ‘Links Course - Gary Player Design’ + Unlimited Access to the course & Driving Range +

Transfers from and to MARRAKECH Airport (Offer valid from 4 Jan to 28 Mar 13)

CASINO & Night Club + Complimentary Access to Leisure & Wellness Activities (Offer valid from 1 Jan to 28 Mar 13)

RABAT ‘Royal Golf DAR ES SALAM’ £599 per Golfer on B&B

AMATEUR TOURNAMENTS

INCLUDING: 5 Nights on Bed & Buffet Breakfast in a in the Luxurious SOFITEL RABAT JARDIN DES ROSES HOTEL 5* + 4 Rounds of golf at the famous Royal Golf DAR ES SALAM RABAT

AGADIR AMATEUR OPEN ‘Counting event for the WORLD AMATEUR RANKING’ 26 Oct to 2 Nov 13 - OCEAN GOLF CLUB AGADIR - MOROCCO

MAZAGAN BEACH & GOLF RESORT 5* £449 per Golfer on B&B & UNLIMITED GOLF

MOROCCO GOLF FESTIVAL ‘4th edition’ 5 - 12 Oct 13 MARRAKECH & ESSAOUIRA

INCLUDING: 5 Nights on Bed & Buffet Breakfast + UNLIMITED GOLF at the MAZAGAN GOLF CLUB ‘Links Course - Gary Player Design’ + Free Shared Buggy + Complimentary driving Range access + 1 Round of golf at the ROYAL GOLF EL JADIDA including transfers + 50% off of SPA + Transfers from and to Casablanca Airport + Complimentary Access to

MOROCCO INTERNATIONAL AMATEUR OPEN ‘Counting event for the WORLD AMATEUR RANKING’ 28 September to 3 October 2013 PALMERAIE Golf Club - MARRAKECH MAZAGAN CLASSIC 2 - 7 Nov 13 MAZAGAN BEACH & GOLF RESORT

For bookings & further details please contact

Menara Travel Ltd Fully bonded Tour Operator ATOL 6662 www.morocco4golf.com t: 0207 371 2030 e: info@morocco4golf.com

NCG pp 63 Short Haul General Travel 14/12/2012 12:19 Page 63

SHORT HAUL | Where to go

TRAVEL GUIDE 2013

SHORT-HAUL

SUGGESTIONS Take your pick from Portugal, France, Belgium and Spain in our whistlestop tour of great golf break ideas

DONA FILIPA AND SAN LORENZO GOLF RESORT Situated just 10 minutes from the Don Filipa hotel, the San Lorenzo course (pictured) is a collection of perfectly manicured greens and fairways that border the region’s lagoons.

Originally designed by American course architect Joseph Lee, the 18-hole layout opened in 1988 and has become an Algarve classic.

While much of the course winds through the surrounding pine woods, the short 5th hole treats you to views of the glorious sandy beaches of the south-west coast of Portugal.

The hotel boasts 154 rooms and suites and invites guests of all ages to enjoy the magnificent scenery and golf. www.donafilipahotel.com

FIELDS FAIRWAY GOLF

GOLF SKI SPAIN

Fields Fairway Golf are a knowledgeable holiday firm that specialise in sending UK golfers to the very best resorts in France and Belgium. Their specially selected hotels lie close to several top courses, allowing their customers to visit an array of resorts whilst based in one place. www.fieldsfairway.co.uk

With links to over 100 courses and a range of hotels, Golf Ski Spain specialise in bringing you the best in Spanish golf and, whether you are looking to visit the mainland or one of the islands, they will be able to cater for your requirements.

Happy to talk to their customers, the group draw on their extensive knowledge of the country’s courses to offer tailored trips in a variety of locations.

Three nights at the four-star Hotel Atalaya Park in the Costa del Sol can be booked for £175pp, a fee that entitles you to bed and breakfast and two rounds on either of the resort’s 18-hole courses. Seven-night packages at some resorts are available for as little as £230pp. www.golfskispain.com

GREY OWL GOLF Grey Owl Golf’s team of experienced travelling golfers specialise in bringing you the best possible golfing holiday.

Their extensive knowledge of European resorts ensures that you will enjoy the best in continental golf, and the company will even arrange your tee times, accommodation and travel for you. www.greyowlgolf.com

WORD OF MOUTH IS THE KEY TOURISTS rely most on their friends’ recommendations when booking a golfing holiday, according to a new survey.

The survey, launched at the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM), showed that word of mouth is the single-most important factor when choosing a destination and also that more than 60 per cent of golfers opt not to book through a tour operator.

“The importance of word-ofmouth underlines the importance of customer service as guests become ambassadors for that destination or resort,” said Peter Grimster, IGTM exhibition manager.

Golf magazines proved the third most influential source of information, while specialist tour operators were ranked second, two places ahead of online.

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 63

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12/12/2012 15:34

NCG pp 67 Druidʼs Glen 14/12/2012 12:20 Page 67

GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND | Druids Glen

TRAVEL GUIDE 2013

DRUIDS GLEN This famous resort is within an hour’s drive of Dublin

ANY of us associate golf in Ireland with being by the seaside and Pat Ruddy with The European. Yet Druids Glen is a sumptuous parkland good enough to host the Irish Open on multiple occasions and it was designed by Ruddy (in association with Tom Craddock).

It also happens to be one of the very best inland courses in Ireland, and a good enough reason alone to visit a resort that also includes a second course, Druids Heath, as well as the kind of facilities you would associate with an international hotel and spa.

Druids Glen opened in 1995 with the Heath course following eight years later. Good as the Heath is, it must be acknowledged that the Glen enjoys much the more advantageous site, with its famous 12th (pictured) a spectacular downhill par 3 to a

M

green protected by water – and the eponymous druids.

The moniker of “the Augusta of Europe” is both inevitable and not without some justification.

There are moments when Druids Glen really does hit the heights and the conditioning on our visit, last summer, was exceptional.

A personal favourite hole is the short 2nd, its green backed by a stone wall and seemingly played through a secret garden. For difficulty it is hard to see beyond the 18th, a long uphill par 4 where a stream flanks the right-hand side of the green and flows into a lake at the front.

The backdrop is the 18thcentury Woodstock House where you can and must enjoy a drink afterwards. As clubhouses go, it may be in a league of its own and getting lost wandering its ancient corridors is a pleasure in itself.

Central to Druids Glen’s appeal

is its Wicklow location.

Comfortably within an hour’s drive south of central Dublin, this 440acre resort sits between the Irish sea and the county’s famous mountains.

While golfers will be attracted by the two top-class layouts, there is also much to enjoy off the course.

The modern yet established hotel is on a grand scale – which is immediately apparent on entering the lobby.

The atmosphere in the hotel’s main bar, the Thirteenth, is lively and convivial while an evening meal in the main Druids Brasserie is another essential part of the experience here.

There are 134 deluxe bedrooms, and all of them are generously appointed and spacious – always welcome news to golfers who can only dream of travelling light.

The final word must go to the leisure facilities.

The spa specialises in Elemis treatments, with six treatment rooms and a full menu of rituals, facials and body therapies, while the Fitness Club has an 18-metre lapping pool, Jacuzzi, steam rooms and sauna.

YOUR QUICK GUIDE Druids Glen Resort, Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow T: +353 1 287 0800 www.druidsglen.ie TWO GREAT PACKAGES Get ready for the golf season Includes overnight stay and one lesson per person. From €200 pp Two night stay with golf or spa Includes breakfast, Table D’Hote dinner and either a round on Druids Heath or a selected spa treatment.

From €210 per person (weekends)

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 67

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Winter Golf at The Grove Play our championship course this winter and experience one of the UK’s finest golf courses.

From individual golf to society days. For our latest winter golf offers please call 01923 294266 or visit

www.thegrove.co.uk/golf

NCG pp 69 Britain's Links 14/12/2012 12:20 Page 69

GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND | Winter Links

TRAVEL GUIDE 2013

BRITAIN’S LINKS Why winter golf should always involve a trip to the seaside

F you want to find some decent playing conditions in the depth of the British winter, head for the linksland. To the uninitiated this may sound like a strange concept.

As we all know, the weather by the seaside is unpredictable in July. Lytham was practically flooded during the Open last year, the conditions on the Saturday especially at Sandwich in 2011 were simply brutal, while at St Andrews the year before that the difference in conditions between the first and second days of the championship were so drastically different that the World No 1, Rory McIlroy, followed an opening 63 with an 80.

So why on earth would you willingly risk Birkdale or Moray, Machrihanish Dunes or Hunstanton, Hayling or

I

Aberdovey in the depths of February?

The answer is that links courses are hardy. They have to be. And they are built, by definition, on sandy, quickdraining soil.

Add these two factors together and you have firm underfoot conditions and greens that may be slower than in the summertime but are otherwise every bit as good.

As Pat Ruddy, the Irish golf writer and course designer, says: “I like all types of golf but I don’t enjoy it so much when it’s wet and my ball plugs when it lands. I don’t like finishing my round with my shoes covered in mud and my trousers muddy up to my knees.

“At this time of year it is the time for the linksmen to rejoice – you can play all 12 months of the year.

“I played on a links one January where they were using temporary tees and I asked them why and they said to preserve the proper tees. I asked them what they were saving it for – this is their time.”

Enough said.

So this is how you should go about it. Ideally, you will arrive the evening before and stay locally. Then you can be in position, equipped with base layers, a woolly hat, an extra jumper and possibly a hip flask containing a suitably potent elixir, at around half past seven, just as dawn breaks and the sun (being optimistic) rises.

Taking advantage of the forward tees invariably located adjacent to the previous green and the absence of any rough, you will be round in a maximum of three hours. Now you can stop for an early lunch (soup is

obligatory) before wrapping up again for your afternoon 18 at around 12.

You will be back in the clubhouse, showered, changed, glowing and nursing your favoured tipple in time to watch the sun set and contemplate your plans for dinner. Perfect!

YOUR QUICK GUIDE Two classic winter links venues Hayling, Hampshire One of very few true links on England’s south coast, Hayling is within comfortable reach of the capital for an overnight break. It is in great condition all year round. www.haylinggolf.co.uk Machrihanish Dunes, Argyll & Bute A modern classic, Machrihanish Dunes was designed by David McLay Kidd on a deliberately minimalist basis. The result is a stunning natural links with outstanding accommodation options on site. www.machdunes.com

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 69

NCG pp 70-71 GB&I General Travel 14/12/2012 13:01 Page 70

GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND | Domestic suggestions

GREAT IDEAS From Guernsey to East Lothian, here are some brilliant homebased golf holiday suggestions

EAST SUSSEX NATIONAL Sitting in the heart of the county, East Sussex National comprises two magnificent championship 18hole layouts.

The East Course staged the European Open in 1993 and 1994, and over the years has played host to the likes of Nick Faldo, Ernie Els and Vijay Singh.

The resort offers a selection of breaks, with one-night winter packages including dinner, B&B and 36 holes starting at £130pp.

Its four-star hotel has 104 rooms and 10 luxury suites, as well as a health club containing a 50-station gym, 20m pool and nine-room spa. www.eastsussexnational.co.uk

MACDONALD HOTELS With resorts spread across both England and Scotland, Macdonald Hotels are the ideal companion to any home-based golf holiday.

The championship course at their Portal Resort in Cheshire was

voted Golf Course of the Year in 1995, and the 5th at Spey Valley, near Aviemore, is, at 635 yards, the longest hole in Scotland.

Despite the recognised pedigree of their courses, novice players will enjoy a Macdonald golf break just as much.

Expert tuition is available at their Botley Park venue, while the Cardrona resort, with its wide range of tee options, sums up Macdonald’s inclusive policy. www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk

LA GRANDE MARE Tucked away on the western coast, La Grande Mare Hotel, Golf & Country Club is one of Guernsey’s finest resort destinations.

Perfect for any business or recreational retreat, the club boasts an 18-hole parkland course that complements its magnificent four-star hotel.

The original course was designed by the reputable Hawtree and

70 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

Sons and comprised 14 holes with four double greens before it was updated to its current 18-hole layout in 2001.

The club actively welcomes green fees, allowing their guests to enjoy a round and bask in the beauty of the adjacent Vazon Bay. www.lagrandemare.com

OLD THORNS Flanked by the glorious hills of northern Hampshire, this championship 18-hole course is a delight for novice and experienced golfers alike.

Commander John Harris was commissioned to design the course back in the 1970s, but sadly died before his plans were realised.

The BBC’s ‘Voice of Golf’ Peter Alliss took over developments and the course was completed in 1981.

The club staged a competitive fourball to celebrate its grand opening, welcoming Isao Aoki, Seve Ballesteros, Jack Nicklaus and

the then Open champion Bill Rogers to the Hampshire countryside. The card is displayed in the Legends Restaurant. www.oldthorns.com

MCMILLAN HOTELS Situated close to a range of the region’s finest courses, McMillan Hotels provide the ideal base for any golf break in southern Scotland.

The jewel in the crown is most definitely the Cally Palace resort, a picturesque venue that boasts its own 18-hole championship course designed by renowned course architect Tom Macaulay.

At any of the group’s other three venues – Kirroughtree House, Fernhill Hotel and North West Castle – guests can enjoy the beautiful Stranraer parkland course at Creachland, or sharpen their links game at the nearby Portpatrick and Glenluce courses. www.mcmillanhotels.co.uk

NCG pp 70-71 GB&I General Travel 14/12/2012 13:01 Page 71

TRAVEL GUIDE 2013 British beauties Spey Valley (top) and Old Thorns (below)

Eastern promise

Expect two great courses at East Sussex

LONDON GOLF CLUB You can experience the first-class facilities of the London Club and play the International Course for outstanding value this winter.

Conveniently located just 20 miles from London, the club offers two championship courses and firstclass service. Until the end of March, for £70 you can play the International, after starting with a breakfast muffin, tea or coffee and enjoy soup at the halfway house and round the day off with a Kentish meal. The offer is valid from Mondays to Thursdays and includes use of practice facilities. www.londongolfclub.com

HAWKSTONE PARK Built into the sprawling parkland surrounding the ruins of a medieval castle, the championship course at Hawkstone Park matches the spectacular backdrop.

The hotel owns two 18-hole courses as well as a 6-hole academy

course that are sure to test all aspects of your game and this is where two-time Major champion Sandy Lyle learnt the game.

The resort’s rare blend of quality course architecture and natural beauty saw it recently ranked in the top 20 golf holiday destinations in the world. www.principal-hayley.com

AIKENSHILL HOUSE This is the ideal base for a golf break to Aberdeen, located less than half a mile from the Trump course, one of the finest in Scotland. The resort sits less than 15 miles from several other top courses. In 2011, it was awarded a five-star rating by Visit Scotland and this spacious and wellappointed house boasts stunning views over rolling sand dunes. www.aikenshill.co.uk

PETWOOD HOTEL Set in the heart of Lincolnshire,

the Petwood Hotel is the perfect spot for a getaway. The nearby Woodhall Spa centre is home to two 18-hole courses including the championship Hotchkin course, consistently ranked as one of the top 20 in the world. The team at the Petwood will happily book your tee-times for you.

Until the end of March you can get B&B and a round on the Hotchkin for £80pp. Until April 30, £139pp secures dinner, B&B and two rounds. www.petwood.co.uk

LYTHAM GOLF BREAKS The North West is rightly regarded for its stunning links courses like Royal Lytham, and there are some great inland layouts too, like Lytham Green Drive.

Laid out in 1913, this lush, easywalking layout is known for its pristine fairways and the attractive trees that line the holes. St Annes Old Links is another North West

gem and is regarded as one of the top 100 courses in the country.

Take advantage of a wonderful offer allowing you to play Fairhaven, St Annes Old Links and Lytham Green Drive with a twonight B&B stay for just £169pp. www.lythamgolfbreaks.com

WENSUM VALLEY Situated in the glorious Norfolk countryside, the Wensum Valley Hotel provides guests with two of the county’s best courses.

The par-72 Valley course demands accurate tee shots and finesse on its undulating greens, while the Wensum championship layout hosted the 2012 Motocaddy Masters, a EuroPro Tour event. Its water hazards will pose a challenge even to skilled players.

The hotel offers 90 en-suite rooms and boasts a leisure centre with a well-equipped gym, swimming pool and spa. www.wensumvalleyhotel.co.uk

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 71

NCG pp 72-73 Travel Guide Directory 14/12/2012 16:01 Page 72

"Established in 1987

GASTON GOLF TOURS SL

organize complete golf holidays in Spain, Portugal, Gran Canaria, Mallorca and Madeira from our offices on the Costa del Sol, Southern Spain.

• Discounted Golf Tee Times • • Accommodation in Hotels &/or Apartments • • Car Rental and chauffeured transportation • We are a fully bonded Travel Agency and Tour Operator

d Discounte s e e F n e Gre Complete Golfing Packages TEL ­ 0034 952936803 • FAX ­ 0034 952936802 EMAIL ­ info@gastongolf.com • WEB ­ www.gastongolf.com

72 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

NCG pp 72-73 Travel Guide Directory 14/12/2012 16:01 Page 73

Grey Owl Golf Let us organise your bespoke golfing break

FRANCE BELGIUM SPAIN AND ITALY Contact Bill Anslow Phone: 01206 - 841994 • Fax: 01206 - 841995 E-Mail: bill@greyowlgolf.com Website: www.greyowlgolf.com

FRANCE &

BELGIUM

The experts in Hardelot & Le Touquet

www.fieldsfairway.co.uk Book your short break for 2013 NOW, at great prices, quality service.

Fields Fairway also offers Turkey & Spain t: 01376 327 636 • m: 07436 561 867 e: golf@fieldsfairway.co.uk PO BOX 12000 BRAINTREE, CM7 0HT

THE COMPLETE GOLF HOLIDAY SERVICE We take the stress out of arranging your or your group’s golf breaks – hotels, guaranteed tee times, car hire or transfers – all tailor-made to your requirements.

And 100% financially protected as we are Travel Trust Association members.

For all the popular mainland regions of Spain – Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca, Costa Brava, Huelva, Costa de la Luz, Murcia, Almeria, Costa Daurada and also the Canary Islands and Mallorca Portugal, Turkey, Morocco, Ireland, Thailand, Czech Republic, Cyprus and more!

With our TTA membership we can now offer ATOL protected flights to give you the complete package.

Whether you are looking for a budget short break or a luxury holiday, we offer great value and a personal service to all our customers.

Champs de Bataille - France

Give us a call on 01480 450907 www.golfskispain.com www.thegolftravelcompany.co.uk

U1439

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 73

Smartcaddy 14/12/2012 14:16 Page 1

SMARTCADDY POWERED BY LITHIUM • Super Lightweight • Aerospace Quality alluminium • Unique Wave Design • Quick Fold • 2 Year Warranty • 3 Year Battery Warranty • Available in several colours

UNTIL THE EN DECEMBER D OF ALL TROLLEYS C OME WITH

FREE

ACCESSOR IES PACK

Tel: 01159 361 007 • Email: info@smartcaddy.co.uk

www.smartcaddy.co.uk

NCG pp 75 Equipment Lead 14/12/2012 14:41 Page 75

EQUIPMENT Comprehensive and objective gear tests | The latest releases | Competitions | Fashion | Accessories Progressive In the longer irons there is a compact cavity back for extra forgiveness and a higher launch

COBRA AMP CELL PRO IRONS Tour pro quality... for strong players THESE stunning irons have been designed in collaboration with the likes of Rickie Fowler and Ian Poulter to provide exceptional feel, precision, workability and looks in one package.

The Amp Cell Pros see a transition from cavity-back long irons to muscle-back short irons. An all muscle-back set is also available.

“They are designed for low handicappers who want a tour player set of irons in their bag,” said Cobra’s Tom Preece. “The forging process provides exceptional tolerance control and produces that soft, buttery feel.”

SRP: TBC (3-PW, also in left-hand)

Perfect forgeries Forged carbon steel with an aligned grain structure with tight tolerances for tourlevel precision and feel

Classic lines The blade shape and profile are tour-inspired to give better players optimal workability for improved flight and trajectory control

Golfer NATIONAL

Go granular The internal cell structure enables more weight movement and precise CG placement for each iron

GET YOUR BEARINGS

CLUB

ULTIMATE GUIDE TO

EASY ALIGNMENT

TAYLORMADE R1

Four degrees There is between 8 and 12 degrees of loft to play meaning 12 different positions

The sole plate is a lot more intuitive and should be easier to follow and adjust to your particular liking

A new swish design should help to train your eye – as it did when Justin Rose first hit it

DISTANCE MACHINE

FLEXIBLE FRIEND

The R1 has a black clubface, non-glare white crown and a new crown graphic

Get your bearings The new sole plate has the look of a compass and is easy to understand

TaylorMade R1 Lofts: Adjustable between 8 & 12˚ Shaft: Aldila RIP Phenom 55g SRPs: R1 £349; R1 TP £399 Available: February

Adjustable weights help to promote your preferred shot shape

MEET TAYLORMADE’S MOST ADJUSTABLE DRIVER

WHY THE R1 IS BUILT FOR SPEED

IN testing TaylorMade discovered that 80 per cent of us are playing the wrong loft with our driver while 35 per cent of us are out by more than 2˚. Part of this is down to many of us not knowing what is best for our games and part that the adjustable driver phenomenon has become confusing.

Hence the new TaylorMade R1 which looks after your three basic

All the technology in the R1 is designed to help increase your clubhead and ball speeds

76 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

struggling to find your optimal launch angle at present you won't any longer. The R1 offers 12 settings between 8 and 12˚ including seven standard and five upright loft options. The general feeling with drivers is that most of us could do with more loft and you might be very surprised how you begin hitting it when you move this up to the 11 or 12˚ mark.

NATIONAL

CLUB

TOUR YELLOW Srixon have led the way in introducing yellow versions of their premium balls. The performance is identical to the white – but you get the benefit of a ball that is vividly framed by the clubhead, is easier to follow in the air and can also be easier to find in the rough.

TESTS...

We were with TaylorMade staff player Paul McGinley when he hit the driver for the first time

TAYLORMAD MOST POWE E’S DRIVER RFUL YET

requirements: loft, face angle and shot shape. The look of the club – it is a stand-alone product so there is no fairway wood or hybrid though there is a tour version – is far from straightforward, with a nod more towards the space age, but the fundamentals are simple.

Whatever loft, look or flight you are after, you'll get it with the R1.

Let’s start with loft. If you are

Golfer

MCGINLEY’S FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE NEW

R1

NCG VERDICT ON

Angle delight When you adjust the loft you can still have an open face if you want

Top components The irons come with Dynamic Gold shafts and Multi Compound grips as standard

When adjusting the loft you also move the face angle but you can still have an open face if you want – choose from seven postions. This may resemble a compass, or a very snazzy watch, but it is easy to get your bearings and find the desired setting.

Finally, shot shape is promoted via movable weights to help keep you straight or even encourage a draw.

The R1 looks like it is built for speed and the testing, and player feedback, suggest that it really delivers. As well as being so adjustable, the R1 is also long and you might find as much as 10 yards extra from your R11S.

Improved aerodynamics also help here with reduced drag over the head promoting faster clubhead speed.

Another factor is an Aldila RIP Phenom 55g shaft, which doesn't feel like other ultra-light shafts and has the playability of something 10g heavier, while still helping to deliver more clubhead speed.

INVERTED CONE

EXPLAINED Part of the reason you will hit the R1 further is down to Inverted Cone Technology. This cone is milled into the inner side of the clubface and expands the portion of the face that delivers high ball speed. It has a similar effect in irons and even your off-centre hits will go further.

“My first impressions are that it has a real sports car look it but Justin Rose was telling me how he focuses on a smaller portion of the head and that really helps his alignment and I can see what he means.

“I tested one with a 55g shaft which is lighter than mine but it was still so consistent. I missed a couple and they went dead straight so that was also great.

“It felt so solid and I really love the look of the club behind the ball.

“Being able to play around with one head should really help the amateur player. I like it to sit a bit open and I was able to do that whatever loft I had it on.

“Interestingly my ball speed went up 5mph by just changing the loft.

When the R11S came out it took me about 10 seconds to get fitted into it. The guys know my swing and numbers so well so they took out the shaft from my old driver and we were comfortable straightaway.

“I average 285 yards off the tee and, combined with the RocketBallz fairway wood, I was then able to get up on the 540-yard par 5s which I couldn't before.

“For the first shot the white was a factor, after that I have never looked at it and I'm not sure I could even tell you what colour my fairway woods are.

“In 2012 it was about 50/50 on tour with the R11s and the RocketBallz driver so it will be very interesting to see how the R1 changes that.”

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 77

New core The new Z-Stars are harder outside and softer inside.

Driver shots will launch higher but with lower spin, resulting in greater distance

Speed dimple Increased dimple coverage reduces the CD (Coefficient of Drag), enabling greater distance and a trajectory that will be strong and unyielding to the wind. Wedge shots create more spin for greater control

Spin Skin A softer cover coating creates more friction – without reducing durability

SRIXON INTRODUCE NEW

Z-STAR RANGE Improved spin control and feel allied to renowned distance for the complete ball HE new Z-Star range is an evolutionary advanced ball, designed to meet the needs of tour professionals and low handicappers around the world.

Already recognised for distance, the new range has improved spin control and feel, providing exceptional all-round performance. The surface has a new high-grip spin coating for extra control on approach shots.

Increasing the difference between a harder outside and softer inside core provides lower

T

WATERPROOF These days you can look good and still stay dry

SHOES

spin on long shots.

The new dimple pattern has reduced air resistance and an improved flight performance, with a strong trajectory into wind.

Thanks to the enhanced Energetic Gradient Growth Core, driver shots launch higher but with less spin.

Finally, a proprietary 0.5mm super-soft Neo Urethane cover and a high-grip spin-skin coating greatly improve feel and friction without reducing durability.

Thanks to the Speed Dimple, the ball maintains high initial speed.

78 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

Z-STAR v Z-STAR XV Both balls are designed with the low-handicapper and professional in mind.

The three-piece Z-STAR offers increased spin control on approach shots compared to its predecessor.

It feels slightly softer off the club.

The new Z-Star XV offers increased driver distance (2.5 yards, Srixon claim). It is a fourpiece ball. The extra layer comes in the form of a dual core. It feels slightly firmer off the blade. Both are available in white and yellow options.

Z-STAR ON TOUR The new Z-Stars are already in play on tour. Keegan Bradley and Miguel Angel Jimenez are playing Z-star, while the XV's fans include Shane Lowry, Vijay Singh, Graeme McDowell and Thorbjorn Olesen.

“Better control around the green” – Vijay Singh “Longer distance than the current model” – Ryo Ishikawa “Easier to control with middle and short irons” – Graeme McDowell “I especially like it better in the wind” – Keegan Bradley

SRIXON Z-STAR AND ZSTAR XV SRP: £48 per dozen COLOURS: Pure White, Tour Yellow AVAILABLE: February LEARN MORE: www.srixon.co.uk

FANCY TESTING THE NEW Z-STAR BALLS FOR NCG? We are looking for EIGHT lowhandicap readers to test out the new Z-Star balls and report back to us.

If you play off single figures (or below!) and would like to be sent a dozen balls to try then simply drop an email to editorial@sportspub.co.uk to register your interest.

All we need to know at this stage is your name, handicap, home club, address and current preferred ball.

NEXT GENERATION Within days of the anchoring ban being announced, Odyssey revealed these new putters

FIRST LOOK:

BUSHNELL OFFER A GPS WATCH

FIRST came the headlines and now it is time to digest the implications of the proposed anchoring ban.

It is worth re-iterating that the ban is only proposed at this stage, as we are now in a threemonth consultation period that is mainly for procedural reasons – and presumably also just in case anyone has a better suggestion.

The new ruling will not come into effect until 2016 but the sight of Adam Scott, who has anchored using a broomhandle in recent years, already experimenting with a shorter putter, and Keegan Bradley being heckled (by one, admittedly stupid, fan) suggests that attitudes are changing both inside and outside the ropes.

The term 'anchoring ban' may not trip off the tongue but it is important to make clear that the USGA and R&A, the game's governing bodies, made no mention of any restrictions on equipment. In other words, the belly (especially) and broomhandle (to a lesser extent) putters that have become such a common sight on tour in recent years remain legal.

What has changed is how you are allowed to wield them.

This is where it gets tricky. The ban will outlaw anyone touching their putter during the stroke with a part of their body beyond the hands and forearms. The distinction can be most neatly explained as follows: Ernie Els, Scott, Webb Simpson and Bradley will all have to change

their methods but Matt Kuchar is fine to continue.

Kuchar braces the shaft of his belly putter against his left forearm, which will remain legal, and that style has inspired the game's leading manufacturer of putters, Odyssey, to introduce two new models within days of the anchoring ban announcement being made.

The Metal-X Arm Locks are designed to offer an alternative method of stabilising the putter through a natural-feeling extension of the golfer’s arm.

Available initially in two models, the Metal-X #7 and the Metal-X Dart, they allow golfers to extend the shaft and grip up their lead forearm.

“We have been anticipating the proposed ban on the anchoring technique for some time now,” said Chris Koske, Odyssey Golf's global director.

“We have identified an alternative and tour-proven putting method and we’re now moving quickly to deliver the Arm Lock products that promote a stable and consistent putting stroke for both professional and amateur golfers.”

“At Odyssey we were adamant about offering alternative solutions to golfers who might change their current technique based on the recent anchoring proposal,” said Austie Rollinson, Odyssey's principle designer.

Odyssey Metal-X Arm Lock SRP:£159 Available: now www.odysseygolf.com

BEST known for their marketleading lasers, Bushnell have previously dabbled in GPS. Indeed, one of their flagship products is the Hybrid that combines a laser with basic GPS capability to offer the best of both worlds.

Now, though, they are introducing their first GPS watch – the Neo+.

Waterproof and lightweight, it is simple to operate and comfortable to wear, giving accurate front/back/centre and shotdistance measurements on 25,000 preloaded courses worldwide with no membership fees.

The Neo+ offers over 14 hours of use before it needs a recharge, which even given modern paces of play should equate to at least three rounds (unless you're playing on the LPGA Tour).

Additionally, when the product is functioning solely in watch mode, the battery can last over 12 months.

It is capable of instantly recognizing courses and has an auto-hole advance feature which automatically updatess from one hole to the next as you progress, saving you the trouble of glancing down for a quick yardage only to find the dreaded 999 yards reading on account of the GPS thinking you are playing another hole.

SRP: £159 (in black or white)

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 79

ALSO FEATURED n MEET THE R1 P76 TaylorMade’s new driver n Z-STAR 2013 P78 Srixon revamp premium ball n SHOE TEST P85 We put the spotlight on waterproof models

NCG pp 76-77 Ultimate Guide TM 14/12/2012 14:09 Page 76

Golfer NATIONAL

CLUB

ULTIMATE GUIDE TO

TAYLORMADE R1 N VERDICG CT ON TAY

LOR MOST P MADE’S OW DRIVER ERFUL YET

Four degrees There is between 8 and 12 degrees of loft to play meaning 12 different positions

Angle delight When you adjust the loft you can still have an open face if you want

Get your bearings The new sole plate has the look of a compass and is easy to understand

TaylorMade R1 Lofts: Adjustable between 8 & 12˚ Shaft: Aldila RIP Phenom 55g SRPs: R1 £349; R1 TP £399 Available: February

MEET TAYLORMADE’S MOST ADJUSTABLE DRIVER IN testing TaylorMade discovered that 80 per cent of us are playing the wrong loft with our driver while 35 per cent of us are out by more than 2˚. Part of this is down to many of us not knowing what is best for our games and part that the adjustable driver phenomenon has become confusing.

Hence the new TaylorMade R1 which looks after your three basic

requirements: loft, face angle and shot shape. The look of the club – it is a stand-alone product so there is no fairway wood or hybrid though there is a tour version – is far from straightforward, with a nod more towards the space age, but the fundamentals are simple.

Whatever loft, look or flight you are after, you'll get it with the R1.

Let’s start with loft. If you are

76 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

struggling to find your optimal launch angle at present you won't any longer. The R1 offers 12 settings between 8 and 12˚ including seven standard and five upright loft options. The general feeling with drivers is that most of us could do with more loft and you might be very surprised how you begin hitting it when you move this up to the 11 or 12˚ mark.

When adjusting the loft you also move the face angle but you can still have an open face if you want – choose from seven postions. This may resemble a compass, or a very snazzy watch, but it is easy to get your bearings and find the desired setting.

Finally, shot shape is promoted via movable weights to help keep you straight or even encourage a draw.

NCG pp 76-77 Ultimate Guide TM 14/12/2012 14:10 Page 77

GET YOUR BEARINGS

EASY ALIGNMENT

MCGINLEY’S FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE NEW

R1 We were with TaylorMade staff player Paul McGinley when he hit the driver for the first time

The sole plate is a lot more intuitive and should be easier to follow and adjust to your particular liking

A new swish design should help to train your eye – as it did when Justin Rose first hit it

DISTANCE MACHINE

FLEXIBLE FRIEND

The R1 has a black clubface, non-glare white crown and a new crown graphic

Adjustable weights help to promote your preferred shot shape

WHY THE R1 IS BUILT FOR SPEED All the technology in the R1 is designed to help increase your clubhead and ball speeds The R1 looks like it is built for speed and the testing, and player feedback, suggest that it really delivers. As well as being so adjustable, the R1 is also long and you might find as much as 10 yards extra from your R11S.

Improved aerodynamics also help here with reduced drag over the head promoting faster clubhead speed.

Another factor is an Aldila RIP Phenom 55g shaft, which doesn't feel like other ultra-light shafts and has the playability of something 10g heavier, while still helping to deliver more clubhead speed.

INVERTED CONE

EXPLAINED Part of the reason you will hit the R1 further is down to Inverted Cone Technology. This cone is milled into the inner side of the clubface and expands the portion of the face that delivers high ball speed. It has a similar effect in irons and even your off-centre hits will go further.

“My first impressions are that it has a real sports car look it but Justin Rose was telling me how he focuses on a smaller portion of the head and that really helps his alignment and I can see what he means.

“I tested one with a 55g shaft which is lighter than mine but it was still so consistent. I missed a couple and they went dead straight so that was also great.

“It felt so solid and I really love the look of the club behind the ball.

“Being able to play around with one head should really help the amateur player. I like it to sit a bit open and I was able to do that whatever loft I had it on.

“Interestingly my ball speed went up 5mph by just changing the loft.

When the R11S came out it took me about 10 seconds to get fitted into it. The guys know my swing and numbers so well so they took out the shaft from my old driver and we were comfortable straightaway.

“I average 285 yards off the tee and, combined with the RocketBallz fairway wood, I was then able to get up on the 540-yard par 5s which I couldn't before.

“For the first shot the white was a factor, after that I have never looked at it and I'm not sure I could even tell you what colour my fairway woods are.

“In 2012 it was about 50/50 on tour with the R11s and the RocketBallz driver so it will be very interesting to see how the R1 changes that.”

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 77

NCG pp 78-79 Srixon, Odyssey 14/12/2012 12:22 Page 78

New core The new Z-Stars are harder outside and softer inside.

Driver shots will launch higher but with lower spin, resulting in greater distance

Speed dimple Increased dimple coverage reduces the CD (Coefficient of Drag), enabling greater distance and a trajectory that will be strong and unyielding to the wind. Wedge shots create more spin for greater control

Spin Skin A softer cover coating creates more friction – without reducing durability

SRIXON INTRODUCE NEW

Z-STAR RANGE Improved spin control and feel allied to renowned distance for the complete ball HE new Z-Star range is an evolutionary advanced ball, designed to meet the needs of tour professionals and low handicappers around the world.

Already recognised for distance, the new range has improved spin control and feel, providing exceptional all-round performance. The surface has a new high-grip spin coating for extra control on approach shots.

Increasing the difference between a harder outside and softer inside core provides lower

T

spin on long shots.

The new dimple pattern has reduced air resistance and an improved flight performance, with a strong trajectory into wind.

Thanks to the enhanced Energetic Gradient Growth Core, driver shots launch higher but with less spin.

Finally, a proprietary 0.5mm super-soft Neo Urethane cover and a high-grip spin-skin coating greatly improve feel and friction without reducing durability.

Thanks to the Speed Dimple, the ball maintains high initial speed.

78 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

Z-STAR v Z-STAR XV Both balls are designed with the low-handicapper and professional in mind.

The three-piece Z-STAR offers increased spin control on approach shots compared to its predecessor.

It feels slightly softer off the club.

The new Z-Star XV offers increased driver distance (2.5 yards, Srixon claim). It is a fourpiece ball. The extra layer comes in the form of a dual core. It feels slightly firmer off the blade. Both are available in white and yellow options.

Z-STAR ON TOUR The new Z-Stars are already in play on tour. Keegan Bradley and Miguel Angel Jimenez are playing Z-star, while the XV's fans include Shane Lowry, Vijay Singh, Graeme McDowell and Thorbjorn Olesen.

“Better control around the green” – Vijay Singh “Longer distance than the current model” – Ryo Ishikawa “Easier to control with middle and short irons” – Graeme McDowell “I especially like it better in the wind” – Keegan Bradley

NCG pp 78-79 Srixon, Odyssey 14/12/2012 12:22 Page 79

TOUR YELLOW Srixon have led the way in introducing yellow versions of their premium balls. The performance is identical to the white – but you get the benefit of a ball that is vividly framed by the clubhead, is easier to follow in the air and can also be easier to find in the rough.

SRIXON Z-STAR AND ZSTAR XV SRP: £48 per dozen COLOURS: Pure White, Tour Yellow AVAILABLE: February LEARN MORE: www.srixon.co.uk

FANCY TESTING THE NEW Z-STAR BALLS FOR NCG? We are looking for EIGHT lowhandicap readers to test out the new Z-Star balls and report back to us.

If you play off single figures (or below!) and would like to be sent a dozen balls to try then simply drop an email to editorial@sportspub.co.uk to register your interest.

All we need to know at this stage is your name, handicap, home club, address and current preferred ball.

NEXT GENERATION Within days of the anchoring ban being announced, Odyssey revealed these new putters

FIRST LOOK:

BUSHNELL OFFER A GPS WATCH

FIRST came the headlines and now it is time to digest the implications of the proposed anchoring ban.

It is worth re-iterating that the ban is only proposed at this stage, as we are now in a threemonth consultation period that is mainly for procedural reasons – and presumably also just in case anyone has a better suggestion.

The new ruling will not come into effect until 2016 but the sight of Adam Scott, who has anchored using a broomhandle in recent years, already experimenting with a shorter putter, and Keegan Bradley being heckled (by one, admittedly stupid, fan) suggests that attitudes are changing both inside and outside the ropes.

The term 'anchoring ban' may not trip off the tongue but it is important to make clear that the USGA and R&A, the game's governing bodies, made no mention of any restrictions on equipment. In other words, the belly (especially) and broomhandle (to a lesser extent) putters that have become such a common sight on tour in recent years remain legal.

What has changed is how you are allowed to wield them.

This is where it gets tricky. The ban will outlaw anyone touching their putter during the stroke with a part of their body beyond the hands and forearms. The distinction can be most neatly explained as follows: Ernie Els, Scott, Webb Simpson and Bradley will all have to change

their methods but Matt Kuchar is fine to continue.

Kuchar braces the shaft of his belly putter against his left forearm, which will remain legal, and that style has inspired the game's leading manufacturer of putters, Odyssey, to introduce two new models within days of the anchoring ban announcement being made.

The Metal-X Arm Locks are designed to offer an alternative method of stabilising the putter through a natural-feeling extension of the golfer’s arm.

Available initially in two models, the Metal-X #7 and the Metal-X Dart, they allow golfers to extend the shaft and grip up their lead forearm.

“We have been anticipating the proposed ban on the anchoring technique for some time now,” said Chris Koske, Odyssey Golf's global director.

“We have identified an alternative and tour-proven putting method and we’re now moving quickly to deliver the Arm Lock products that promote a stable and consistent putting stroke for both professional and amateur golfers.”

“At Odyssey we were adamant about offering alternative solutions to golfers who might change their current technique based on the recent anchoring proposal,” said Austie Rollinson, Odyssey's principle designer.

Odyssey Metal-X Arm Lock SRP:£159 Available: now www.odysseygolf.com

BEST known for their marketleading lasers, Bushnell have previously dabbled in GPS. Indeed, one of their flagship products is the Hybrid that combines a laser with basic GPS capability to offer the best of both worlds.

Now, though, they are introducing their first GPS watch – the Neo+.

Waterproof and lightweight, it is simple to operate and comfortable to wear, giving accurate front/back/centre and shotdistance measurements on 25,000 preloaded courses worldwide with no membership fees.

The Neo+ offers over 14 hours of use before it needs a recharge, which even given modern paces of play should equate to at least three rounds (unless you're playing on the LPGA Tour).

Additionally, when the product is functioning solely in watch mode, the battery can last over 12 months.

It is capable of instantly recognizing courses and has an auto-hole advance feature which automatically updatess from one hole to the next as you progress, saving you the trouble of glancing down for a quick yardage only to find the dreaded 999 yards reading on account of the GPS thinking you are playing another hole.

SRP: £159 (in black or white)

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 79

NCG pp 80-81 Nike, MD Golf 14/12/2012 12:24 Page 80

Covert The cavity back technology is hidden “covertly” giving what is a sizeable iron a sleeker look at address than you would expect

Fast face The NexCOR face is designed to deliver faster ball speed and longer shots from a wider area of the face

Maximum distance The incredibly thin 1.6mm sole thickness is designed to heat up the face

The dual bevel sole Allows the club to sit low to the ball and prevent digging. This makes interaction with the turf less disturbing to the shot

NIKE REVEAL COVERT RANGE NIKE’S new VR_S Covert range will hit the shops in the coming weeks and it is certain to turn heads.

While attention will undoubtedly focus on the woods, and especially the driver, this high-speed cavityback iron should certainly not be overlooked.

The Nike Golf engineers are categorically among the best in the business and it is high time that their clubs were given the respect they deserve. Not simply because they are made by Nike – but simply because they are very good.

We’ll be testing these latest

A high-speed cavity back offering distance, control and forgiveness

irons very soon but what we can say with certainty, having seen them while attending Nike’s recent global product summit in Orlando, is that they look both striking and powerful.

The proprietary technology behind them includes a High Speed Cavity Back (also featured in the Covert driver) and a NexCOR face.

The former allows more distance and control, moving the weight to the corners of the club and raising the Moment of Inertia (MOI).

The latter creates more speed

80 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

at impact by employing variable face thickness that focuses on increasing the sweet spot not only

NIKE VR_S COVERT IRONS Available: February 8 SRPs: £449.99 (4-PW, steel); £519.99 (4-PW, graphite) Shafts: True Temper Dynalite 90; Nike Kuro Kage Black 70 Left-handed version? Yes

in the centre of the face, but also to the lower portion and towards the toe where most golfers are likely to make impact.

“Distance, control, and consistency are the keys to successful golf shots,” said Nike Golf Director of Club Creation, Tom Stites.

“We combined a High Speed Cavity Back, NexCOR technology, and a dual bevel sole to maximise distance for every club in the bag.

“Golfers will notice positive improvements not only on crisp shots, but on off-centre shots as well.”

NCG pp 80-81 Nike, MD Golf 14/12/2012 12:24 Page 81

LAMKIN

EXPAND

GRIP LINE

MD GOLF RAISE THE BAR SUPERSTRONG ST3 TI DRIVER We are big fans of MD’s Superstrong drivers – so much so that the 2011 version won our annual driver test in a result that surprised many but not us. The fact is, these are outstanding drivers that look great and offer exceptional performance. The latest version is the ST3 Ti, which has a classic head shape and improved aerodynamics. A tungsten weight screw helps create an optimum launch angle and lowers spin resulting in a driver that MD Golf believe is their bestperforming model to date.

SRP: £99.99

NV DREW WEDGES MD’s strongest suits in our eyes have been drivers and the Norman Drew-designed wedges. The latest version of the latter looks likely to

Northern Irish brand offer value and quality

BUY ONLINE MD Golf’s full range is available to buy direct at www.mdgolf.co.uk

be their best yet. Also available in a low-bounce version, MD Golf report that this year Norman has entirely re–engineered the head design and the grooves for a squarer look at address while maximising spin with the new “Vico Spin” grooves. The standard bounce wedge is ideal for soft or wet conditions. But if you play lots of seaside golf from tight lies, the low-bounce version really comes into its own, allowing you to nip the ball crisply.

SRP: £54.99

ICON HYBRID The Icon range is an all-white affair in the woods and arguably

the most stylish model is this hybrid. It is designed to offer levels of forgiveness and playability not found in a long iron and the 2013 offering will give you the confidence to approach even difficult shots in the knowledge you have the best possible club in your hands.

SRP: £69.99

LAMKIN have specialised in premium grips since the 1920s but the emphasis is on colour as well as quality these days.

Now they have expanded their popular R.E.L 3GEN line to include neon pink in the standard size and will offer the red, blue, orange, grey and blue models in midsize and oversize.

Best known for the iconic Crossline, still used by many tour players, the REL 3GEN offers a similar soft tackiness and feel and look very sharp.

Combined with a comfortable and no-slip surface pattern, it provides unmatched vibration dampening and extraordinary grip durability. The design maximizes surface area contact with a golfer’s hand to ensure a confident, controlled connection.

For anyone who is particular about their grips, Lamkin’s website (www.lamkin.co.uk) is a must-visit.

Here you can see the whole range and by using the Grip Selector facility you can find which model will best suit you and how thick it should be depending on the size of your hand and the length of your fingers.

“With this line of grips, we’re able to offer a product that feels even better than it looks,” said Lamkin’s president and CEO, Bob Lamkin.

“Initially, it was the broad assortment of colour choices that generated excitement and buzz, but consumers quickly learned that there’s much more to this grip than the bold colours. It’s truly a better feeling and performing golf grip.”

ICON IRONS It is the brushed satin finish that lifts the Icons to a new level and makes these irons look like a premium model. MD Golf say they have been designed with golfers who need as much help as possible in mind. Accordingly, this oversize iron boasts maximum perimeter weighting for the ultimate in playability. This iron is available in various custom fit options.

SRP: £249.99 (4-P, steel)

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 81

NCG pp 82-83 Cleveland Competition 14/12/2012 12:26 Page 82

COMPETITION

WIN A SET OF CUSTOM-FITTED

C

LEVELAND GOLF are about to introduce their new family of 588 irons – and you could be custom-fitted for a free set.

Three readers will each win a set of irons, as well as matching Cleveland 588 wedges and a round of golf at Rockliffe Hall’s championship course in late February.

NCG will be there on the day to observe the fitting process and the winners will feature in a future issue.

The new 588 family of irons features three

different models, emphasising feel, forgiveness and flight to offer a comprehensive custom fit for any player’s profile.

The three models are Altitude, Mid Trajectory (MT) and Tour Trajectory (TT).

Not only can you choose which set best suits your game, you can also interchange between the models to create a set with the perfect combination of ball flight, feel and forgiveness. n It is FREE to enter – go to www.nationalclubgolfer.com

ABOUT THE COMPETITION Our three winners will be invited to Rockliffe Hall on Friday February 22, 2013.

Please do not enter if you are unavailable on that date.

The prize includes a free fitting, a set of irons, two wedges and a free round of golf. The prize does not include travel costs.

For more information on Rockliffe Hall go to www.rockliffehall.com.

To learn more about Cleveland Golf, visit www.clevelandgolf.com

TOTA L PRIZE VALU E £2,50 : 0

NCG pp 82-83 Cleveland Competition 14/12/2012 12:27 Page 83

CLEVELAND 588 IRONS

At five-star Rockliffe Hall you could enjoy a free round as well as an expert fitting

The 588 range

588 ALTITUDE

588 MT

588 TT

With this hybrid-iron set, hitting the ball longer and higher has never been easier. The Altitudes are fully interchangeable with the MTs and TTs so you can build your perfect set.

Engineered for altitude and seamlessly blended, every club is incredibly easy to hit.

Full hollow construction and advanced internal weighting adds forgiveness and promotes a lower, deeper centre of gravity for optimal launch and effortless distance. Every iron has a forged clubface to enhance ball speed and feel.

Find more greens with an unparalleled combination of forgiveness and feel. The MTs feature a constant blade length throughout the set and a blade height that progressively increases in higher-lofted clubs. The easy-tohit long irons are blended with more traditional short irons. The irons have a forged clubface to enhance ball speed and feel while a multimaterial insert of polymer and aluminium in each iron plaque dampens vibrations at impact for more consistent feel.

Take your accuracy to a new level with tourcalibre flight and feel. The constant blade height with progressive blade length promotes more forgiveness in the long irons and a controlled, penetrating trajectory in the short irons. A modest cavity back with engineered undercut improves ball speed and accuracy on off-centre hits, while a forged clubface enhances ball speed and feel. A multi-material iron plaque dampens vibrations for more consistent feel.

ENTERING THIS AND OTHER COMPETITIONS IS FREE. GO TO WWW.NATIONALCLUBGOLFER.COM NOW

Raa Putters 14/12/2012 12:44 Page 1

NCG pp 85-89 Waterproof Shoes 14/12/2012 12:30 Page 85

Golfer NATIONAL

CLUB

TESTS...

WATERPROOF These days you can look good and still stay dry

SHOES

NCG pp 85-89 Waterproof Shoes 14/12/2012 12:30 Page 86

FOOTJOY SPORT

STUBURT FSZ

SRP: £110

SRP: £89.99

TESTERS’ COMMENTS MT: I’ve worn a pair of Sports for over a year and I get on very well with them. I like the styling and they felt good right from the off.

DM: We tried the version with Boa laces and it must be said they make life very easy. There’s lots of room to slip your feet in and a couple of twists makes the fit snug. Once you’re finished it’s one click and the shoe comes off again. As for the shoes, they are pleasingly light and contemporary while still being recognisable as golf shoes.

TESTERS’ COMMENTS MT: I was pleasantly surprised by these – I think they are by far and way the best Stuburts I’ve tried for years. It’s good to see such an iconic brand back to something like their best.

DM: I think Stuburt have done a great job on the looks of this shoe – it reminds you of their heritage. I remember a time when their shoes were right up there with the best so it’s great to see them once more making high-quality footwear.

NIKE TW13

PUMA ZERO LIMITS

SRP: £150

SRP: £175

TESTERS’ COMMENTS DM: Golf shoes have suddenly got modern in recent years, and none more so than these. They feel a bit like wearing a surgical glove, and the idea is your feet can go exactly where they want, without being restricted. That makes them comfortable immediately, but I must say it would take me a little while to get used to the sensation of feeling like I was wearing slippers.

MT: I like the way they feel to wear but I wasn’t completely taken by the styling.

TESTERS’ COMMENTS MT: These looked like they were going to be quite a big, heavy shoe but in fact once I’d put them on they were anything but. These are really smart shoes. The sizing seemed quite generous.

DM: Like most Puma shoes, the styling is bold so you need to be committed if you are going to wear them – no half measures. At first, I wasn’t convinced but they grew on me and I enjoyed wearing them more the longer I had them on.

86 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

NCG pp 85-89 Waterproof Shoes 14/12/2012 12:30 Page 87

STUBURT DCC

ABOUT

SRP: £149

TESTERS’ COMMENTS DM: This is a big, sturdy flamboyant shoe (at least in the two-tone patent style we tried) – much like the man who inspired the collection, the 2011 Open champion Darren Clarke. I like the style. But there’s no getting away from the fact they will take some wearing in.

MT: These reminded me of my youth, when two-tone, patent brogues were the ultimate golf shoe you could wear. I’d need to break these in gently as the tongue and upper both started rubbing immediately.

Worth bearing with though.

THE TEST

We invited all the major manufacturers to send in their latest waterproof shoes. We tested them on the course, hitting shots and walking at least one hole in each pair.

We took into consideration looks, price, bulkiness, weight, stability, comfort and how easy it was to walk and swing in each pair.

(NOT) TESTING WATERPROOFNESS We would have needed to test the shoes for several rounds to make any comment on this – and even then could have been at the mercy of a rogue fault, or just walked through a particularly wet patch of long grass that let water in from the top, rather than through the shoe.

We have only featured models that come with waterproof guarantees so we presume that they will all keep your feet dry. We have made no judgements on their effectiveness in this area.

THE TESTERS NIKE BANDON

CALLAWAY XTREME

SRP: £120

SRP: £119.99

DAN MURPHY Handicap: 4 MARK TOWNSEND Handicap: 7

TESTERS’ COMMENTS DM: I’m not sure that anybody would wear these for style – but they are incredibly effective if you’re playing in wet, muddy conditions. And if so, then you’ll have your waterproof bottoms on and you’ll be more bothered about the comfort and stability they undoubtedly provide.

Once you’ve got them on – which takes a little while the first time – you feel like you can cope with any eventuality.

MT: I’m not sure what my regular playing partners would say but I love the way they wrap around your feet and, better still, how easily they wiped clean afterwards. Your feet are not getting wet in these – simple.

TESTERS’ COMMENTS DM: This one of the more sober shoes we tested – which is far from a bad thing in an all-yearround shoe as far as I’m concerned. Maybe it was just my feet but I would say the sizing is on the small side – I definitely needed to go up a size.

MT: It promises out-of-the-box comfort and what you get is certainly a soft, yielding shoe.

Like Dan, I’d maybe go half a size up. I liked the understated looks once I got the shoes on.

THE TEST IN

NUMBERS Testers falling over while putting a pair of shoes on

1 0 4

Testers falling over while actually wearing a pair of shoes

Cold feet – taking shoes on and off repeatedly in December is not advised

9 0

Spikes on most of the shoes we tested

Spikes on Ecco’s Biom Hybrids – and we didn’t notice a difference when wearing them

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 87

NCG pp 85-89 Waterproof Shoes 14/12/2012 12:30 Page 88

BRILLIANT WINTER CHOICE

FOOTJOY XPS-1 SRP: £195

TESTERS’ COMMENTS MT: I was a fan of these from the moment I first wore them, I love the way they improve your posture over the ball and the feeling they provide of locking you into the shot. They seem to be absolutely ideal for winter golf as you just feel like you’re never going to lose your balance – even in mud and on wet slopes.

DM: I agree with Mark – the XPS-1s are made for winter golf. You could be standing on the greasiest winter mat and still be confident of your footing. Personally, I prefer a slightly lighter shoe that it feels easier to swing freely in but equally I’d say these can’t be beat for stability.

OUTSTANDING COMFORT

CLASSY AND CULTURED

ADIDAS ADIPURE MOTION

FOOTJOY ICON

SRP: £149.99

SRP: £200

TESTERS’ COMMENTS MT: I’m a big fan of the way they felt to walk and swing in – the leather felt fantastic from the word go. I wasn’t quite as keen on the shape and style.

DM: Of all the shoes we tried, these felt the best when I slipped them on in terms of softness and quality. I wasn’t as convinced by the styling – especially the cross on the heel, which didn’t do it for me. But in a different colourway I’d love to wear a pair of these and they were great to swing in.

TESTERS’ COMMENTS DM: FootJoy’s top shoe oozes quality and style – so much so that it seems a shame to wear them in the worst of conditions. But that’s not to say they can’t cope with mud and water. The most desirable shoes money can buy for the discerning and traditional golfer.

MT: The great thing about the FootJoy range is that there’s something for everyone. Personally, I like a more modern shoe so I would probably go for an XPS-1 or a Sport but equally you know exactly what you’re getting with a pair of Icons.

88 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

NCG pp 85-89 Waterproof Shoes 14/12/2012 12:30 Page 89

ULTIMATE RELIABILITY

FOOTJOY DRYJOYS TOUR SRP: £125

TESTERS’ COMMENTS DM: All things considered, I’m not sure you can look past these. For anyone who likes a golf shoe that looks like, well, a golf shoe then DryJoys are the answer. They’re comfortable straight out of the box, they look great, they’re relatively light and they’re obviously solid enough to withstand a British winter. Still the obvious choice and that little bit less expensive than other comparable shoes.

MT: It it’s reliability you’re after then FootJoy are the answer and probably the DryJoys specifically. While models like the XPS-1 and Sport might have more technology and updated features, in a shoe for all seasons these are impossible to beat. I think they look the best too.

WHAT WE LEARNED BE OPEN-MINDED ON COLOUR It’s easy to think of waterproof shoes being black and sensible.

They still can be – but there’s no need to discount colour and style.

A shoe is no less waterproof for being white or lightweight so as long as you don’t mind a bit of afterround care then you can brighten up the fairways this winter.

HOW HEAVY A SHOE DO YOU LIKE? Some of us prefer the reassuring feel of a supportive boot, others don’t see the need to carry around any additional weight.

Again, this is not a test of suitability for purpose and (most) biomechanics specialists will tell you that you are far better off with a shoe that allows your foot to move freely anyway.

SHOES DO HAVE PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

THE MODERN CHOICE

ECCO BIOM HYBRID SRP: £160

TESTERS’ COMMENTS DM: Comfortable doesn’t begin to describe the Bioms, which are a delight to wear – so soft – and better than anything we tested to swing in for me.

Whether they are the most practical all-weather shoe is another story.

Not because of any traction issues – I didn’t notice any loss of traction due to their pimpled sole – but just because once they are wet and muddy then you can’t wear them inside anyway, which kind of defeats the point. In my opinion, Ecco golf shoes are incredibly high in quality and these are no exception.

MT: Probably my favourite shoe in terms of looks – and incredibly light and comfortable to walk and swing in. They just seem too smart to subject to a wet winter.

You only need to wear a shoe like FootJoy’s XPS-1s to understand that footwear can have implications on the way you swing. They are incredibly stable and many will love the sensation of shoes that promote that feeling.

Others will enjoy a shoe that allows free movement – try both as you might be surprised.

IN FOOTJOY WE TRUST...

We featured four FJ models in our test as it reflects their dominance in the category. It’s easy to see why.

You may not necessarily like every style they offer; but equally there is a shoe in the range for everyone.

You can’t go wrong with FootJoy – so no wonder they are so popular and widely respected by us golfers.

...BUT THERE’S PLENTY OF CHOICE Whether you look at Ecco, Adidas, Nike, Puma, Callaway or Stuburt, each one offers some great shoes.

There’s never been a broader choice of quality shoes so by all means survey the market before making your decision because there’s bound to be a shoe that suits you perfectly.

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 89

JointaceG13 NCGolfer FP Ad 12/12/2012 4:00pm Page 1

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NCG pp 91 Fitness 14/12/2012 13:03 Page 91

FIT FOR GOLF

GETTING

READY FOR GOLF If this is the extent of your warm-up process then you might want to read on

FIT HOW OU? ARE Y s we are going

onth elp oming m ous ways to h In the c ari v ell t w a s g okin yards a to be lo xtra few day aches e n a it you hit e every ing thos s. as avoid d an pain iths, who is ff ri G y d ke to An al and certified We spo n io s s coach. rofe a PGA p rmance Institute m o o rf Pe hsgolf.c Titleist dygriffit n .a w w w

THE CHANGING GAME

DO YOU WARM UP PROPERLY?

BECOME MORE DYNAMIC

FIND THE MIDDLE OF THE CLUB

During the full swing clubs are propelled from a standstill to over 100mph in just over a second. This power is not easy to achieve and can be a great strain on the body.

While recent developments in technology have led to higher clubhead speeds and longer drives it also places more stress and strain on the body. It is therefore increasingly important that golfers are physically prepared before play. You will have heard about the benefits of a warm up before and perhaps wanted to try making changes, but instead still find yourself screeching into the car park with five minutes to spare before your tee time! I want to give you even more reason to make the change and start lowering your scores and reducing that niggling lower back pain.

Not performing an adequate warm up puts you at much higher injury risk and lowers performance levels in a number of ways. In a one yearlong study, over a third of all golfers said that they had been injured during that year and it meant missing playing golf, sometimes for weeks at a time.

This can be improved with a more functional swing and physical conditioning but also with the introduction of a quick warm-up routine.

Five to 15 minutes is all we need. Start with a few minutes of aerobic activity - walking, skipping, jumping or running or anything else you fancy. Intensity should be high enough to warm the body and muscles but not be too high as to make you tired and impair performance.

Next, dynamic stretching – lunges, hamstring kicks, internal/external hip kicks, shoulder circles, step and rotate etc. You need repetitions but should not be forcing the muscle past a comfortable range of motion. There is no need for static stretching (reaching your toes and holding for 30 seconds!) as dynamic stretching helps elevate core body temperature to ensure it is ready for play. This can be tailored to the movements of the swing and leads to increased speeds, power output and range of movement; a must for every golfer.

When the warm up relates to the movements of our swing, not only are the right muscles prepared, but dynamic stretching leads to higher clubhead speeds when compared to static stretching or no stretching.

If you do not get your body ready for play, you will never realise your full potential. Warming up the muscles and including drills/exercises incorporating the desired kinematic sequence leads to increased numbers of centred strikes. Swing efficiency through an improved kinematic sequence is vital for maximising power and can be improved through many of the dynamic, multi-joint warm up components which challenge the body and mimic the needs of the swing.

The absolute best thing would be to hire a fitness specialist to screen your body, specifically for the golfing movement. From there they could offer corrective exercises that would influence your swing, or just find your tight areas that will help the most.

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 91

NCG pp 92-93 App Store 14/12/2012 16:04 Page 92

THE BEST GOLF APPS From swing analysis to GPS devices, we’re bringing you 18 brilliant golf apps for your smart phone EVERYDAY GOLF COACH n View 32 golf lessons from PGA pro Noel Rousseau, ranging from swing mechanics to short-game-shots n SwingAnalyser function allows you to upload a video of your swing and compare it against the pros n iPhone and Windows editions are just £3.99, while the iPad edition costs £4.99 www.everydaygolfcoach.com

MOBITEE n MOBITEE GPS golf assistant uses the GPS feature on your iPhone to display your on-course location n It is a complete golf guide for over 30,000 worldwide courses and calculates distances on the course n App identifies obstacles, doglegs, distance travelled as well as a satellite, aerial view of each hole www.mobitee.com

MYCADDIE n myCaddie recognises more than 3,000 UK courses and calculates shot lengths and distance to the green n It keeps score and allows you to upload rounds, view statistics, chat, comment and follow friends' progress n A one-off cost of £3.99 is followed by free updates; there are no annual or subscription fees www.mycaddie.net

DIRECT GOLF UK n APPS for iPad, Android and iPhone are all FREE and feature all the latest videos from Direct Golf TV n Users can access Direct Golf UK’s award-winning web store directly from the App and view exclusive offers n App features a store-finder that displays directions and contact details for your nearest branch www.direct-golf.co.uk/app

SWINGSMART n Swing the club with the sensor attached and view key statistics and a unique 3D view of your swing path n Email your swing to a tutor for detailed feedback n SRP: £199 (now available in the UK) www.swingsmart.com

GOLFSENSE n App allows you to take a look at your swing on your iPhone, iPod, iPad or Android mobile device n The sensor attaches to the velcro strap of almost any golf club and detects acceleration and club position n The software divides the swing into segments, presenting it from the backswing to wrist rotation golfsense.me/pages/pro

92 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

NCG pp 92-93 App Store 14/12/2012 16:04 Page 93

EVERYDAY GOLF COACH POWER n Filmed using the latest slo-mo 'Phantom' camera, this app demonstrates key tips for generating swing power n 15 in-depth HD videos give you access to the same information PGA Tour pros use to create easy clubhead speed www.everydaygolfcoach.com

DYNAMICS GOLF n iPhone, Android and iPad apps save money on expensive traditional marketing methods, and help clients acquire new customers n Allows golf clubs, golf pros, driving ranges etc to improve marketing and PR and increase brand awareness apps.dynamicsgolf.com

PRE-SHOT CLUB GOLFER n Play brilliantly in practice but poorly in competition? This App is for you – it trains you to think correctly under pressure n App helps you banish distractions, turn negative thoughts into positives and build three-step routines for every shot www.pre-shot.co.uk

GOLF FRONTIER THEY say this is the ultimate golf application for your Android device – much more than a golf GPS rangefinder.

In addition to knowing the distance to the green and hazards from anywhere on the course, you can use Golf Frontier GPS to track your scores, record your statistics, and even calculate your handicap.

All distances displayed in either yards or metres, it boasts an Electronic Tape Measure and auto hole transition as well as GPS sensitivity adjustment.

Over 21,500 courses are currently available for download and more are being added every day. You can view the full list online.

And if your course is not already listed in the directory, you can either create the map yourself using their online editing tools or send Golf Frontier an email and they will map it for you. There is never any additional charge to download courses. www.golffrontier.com

GOLF GAMEBOOK n Unique, free golf scoring App with a social twist that allows you to share your scores, stats, photos and comments in real-time n Add your golf buddies as GameBook friends and follow their rounds – live leaderboards are the best aspect of this great App golfgamebook.com

COACH’S EYE n This app lets you record a video from your iOS or Android device then analyse it in slow-motion with your student n Footage can be annotated with lines and shapes to make instructions clearer, then shared via Facebook and Twitter www.coachseye.com

EXPERT GOLF n This App's Caddie function acts as a rangefinder, using GPS to calculate the length of your drive or distance to the green n The App also contains a GPS system, a Stableford-capable scorecard and a virtual rulebook with over 200 helpful images www.expertgolf.de

GOLF MTRX GOLF MTRx uses the integrated iPhone and iPod touch sensors to measure pelvis motion during a golf swing and then provide detailed analysis and recommendations for improvement.

Only Golf MTRx uses biomechanic analysis focused on the body's core – the foundation of a powerful and efficient golf swing.

It requires no additional equipment or assistance – just the internal sensors already in your mobile device.

The app produces a MTRx efficiency score, compares your score to tour averages and prescribes specific drills to improve your swing. It also allows you to save your favourite swings and gives you a baseline. www.zerolinegolf.com

GO TO OUR APP STORE FEATURE NOW TO DOWNLOAD THESE GREAT APPS WWW.NATIONALCLUBGOLFER.COM

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 93

NCG pp 94-95 Equipment Directory 14/12/2012 16:19 Page 94

T: 01233 666000 F: 01233 666300 E: sales@electrokart.com W: www.electrokart.com

THE WEIGHT

IS OVER

The E ro Kart Voleyct ager availa

ble Lithium Pa with a ck from

£2,295.0

0

NEW LITHIUM PACK AVAILABLE £675.00 Pack includes 24volt 30ah Lithium battery & Charger.

Weight 8kg, taking 40kg from your buggy for improved performance & distance • 2 year warranty on pack • Constant power flow which means no voltage drop over • 18 holes of golf • Upto 10 times longer life • Faster charging.

Also available Lithium Packs for golf trolleys from £199.00

UPGRADE KIT

Made in England

94 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

NCG pp 94-95 Equipment Directory 14/12/2012 16:19 Page 95

BRAND NEW INNOVATIVE PRODUCT Specially formulated for increased energy and vitality With increased energy come increased concentration, vital to a consistent game n Easy to take chewable tablet, no drink needed to swallow n Great tasting lime flavour n Superb value, 16 tablets sufficient for 8 rounds n Blister packed for guaranteed freshness of each tablet n Easy to carry in pocket or golf bag, no bulky tubs or bottles n Tested by many senior tour players and caddies

Endorsed by Darren Clarke Open Golf Championship Winner 2011

permitted in competitio n play and contai ns no caffeine or drug substances

Created by US Champions Tour player Mark Mouland

www.back9plus.com Email info@back9plus.com for further information

NORTHCROFT TEE-UP

CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE GAME YOU LOVE • Places your Ball and Tee-peg on the Tee without Bending • Retrieves your Tee-peg • The Stabilizer assists with loading the Ball and Tee-peg • The Stabilizer creates greater stability, accuracy and ease of use • Comes with Retrieval Loop • Other product combinations available. Visit our website for a full video presentation • £49.70 including VAT & delivery

For more Information or to order Visit www.northcroftgolf.com or Telephone 01488 685038 www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 95

NCG pp 96 Equipment Directory 14/12/2012 16:29 Page 96

Universal Sky Pictures Ltd Microdrone Aerial & Specialist Photography Attract vital new business with TEE-TO-GREEN ‘ Drone’ helicopter photography! Qualified & award winning photographers produce a video for your website that will showcase your principle fairways with ‘ fly through’ videography and more Full day’ s Photography of your site with both ground and aerial photographs and video. Under £1000 complete. To see samples Visit universalskypictures.co.uk (Golf Club Photography page)

Nationwide service.

Call John Hollidge 07890 448 805 for more info

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NORTHCROFT BALL LIFTER PLUS EFFORTLESS BALL & MARKER LIFTING Accurate marker placement without bending. Will fit ALL putters regardless of grip size (including ‘Two Thumb’) Allows putter to be stored in dedicated sleeve on your golf bag

For more Information or to order visit www.northcroftgolf.com or Telephone 01488 685038

96 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

PLACING MARKER

LIFTING THE MARKER

CLIP ON CLIP OFF

£10.95 including VAT & delivery

NCG pp 97 Lead to Club Golf 14/12/2012 15:12 Page 97

CLUB GOLF Tackling the issues that matter to you

THE MONTH’S TOP STORY BURGLARS TARGET CLUBS Spate of trophy thefts in the south-east GOLF clubs in south-east England remain on alert after a number of trophies were stolen in Surrey and Sussex. It is believed the metal will be melted down, so their return is unlikely.

At Farnham, masked thieves broke in by ripping the patio doors from their hinges then smashed the cabinet and stole 19 pieces of memorabilia, including a trophy from the 1800s. The process took less than two minutes.

Farnham GM Grahame Cowlishaw said: "It means a massive part of our history is gone and cannot be replaced – it is extremely sad ."

Stolen history Farnham was one of the clubs to suffer

News | Personalities | Club focus |Greenkeeping | Secret Secretary | Must Plays | Area guides TO BEAT THE WINTER BLUES 5WAYS

For more on the 27-hole Shropshire club visit www.cleoburygolfclub.com or follow on Twitter @Cleoburygolf Picture courtesy of Claire Carter: www.carterart.co.uk

Cleobury Mortimer’s manager Graham Pain on how to keep your club flourishing at this time of year

1 NO TEMPORARY GREENS The best bit of advice we had was to build it to the highest possible standard, never have temporary greens and ideally have proper tees.

People don’t want to play on temporary greens and it was crucial for us to make that extra bit of effort with some extra aeration and top dressing and care. We even use the normal greens when there’s some frost on the ground and we have found it makes very little difference.

PLENTY OF SOCIAL MEDIA 2 COMPETITIONS 3 USE We keep qualifying competitions going in the winter along with many fun ones. We try to have a competition every weekend, some weekends you won’t get many playing but at least the members know something is going on. It gets players more motivated and members go to the trouble of making up a four as a team and filling up the start sheet.

We’ll also have some Stableford qualifiers to keep the better players motivated as we have found that Category 1 golfers like to get their handicaps down all year. As long as the course plays to a certain length and is on proper greens that is fine. We have placing on the fairways only.

A few years ago we introduced a nine-hole pairs knockout which has been really popular and everyone can fit in nine holes.

We have booked tee times so whether you are a visitor or a member you will be guaranteed that time. The members have their times so they aren’t affected. We work with online tee-time sellers and we have found with winter golf that social media is massive to keep that connection with your members and visitors. We now have over 1,300 people on Facebook and a blog with what the grenkeepers are up to and the latest competitions. YouTube has been brilliant, we put lots of vidoes on there to keep people connected even if it’s snowing.

The course is not on pure sand but we are very lucky in that we can close nine holes to rest it and still have 18 open. We put in 15 miles of drainage when we built the place so there is a good infrastructure in there.

OTHER CLUBS 4 USE

We are part of the Golf Club Network and are one of 30 clubs involved in that. We were one of the first six to join in 1995 and it was really a networking meeting where we could discuss trends or marketing ideas plus we also wanted to offer added value to our membership. So a member can join for £10 and then go and visit any of the clubs and play free golf midweek. You can take a guest and they pay a member’s guest rate.

We quality control each club in the group so we are all of a similar mindset and we have meetings four times a year where we can discuss joint promotions. Clubs are contacting us and we will visit to ensure it is one of a suitable standard. Several of the clubs have accommodation on site that works well or they have arrangements with local hotels.

HAVE RENEWALS JULY 5IN

Our members pay from July to July – that was the date we opened in 1993 and it works really well as your members have played a bit of golf from April onwards and feel that they have got a bit of value. If you are sending out a renewal notice in January it seems difficult to justify. You don’t mind paying it if you are using it and we always take the line that it costs more to recruit a member than retain a member. We recruited about 50 new members in 2012. I think there is still a desire to be a member, you just have to add better value to it.

We also don’t have a formal interview process, we will have a chat as we don’t want to embarrass anyone as it can be quite daunting.

We have a pretty relaxed outlook – it is a leisure pursuit and we don’t want it to be stuffy.

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 101

Surviving – or even thriving – in the winter We speak to Cleobury Mortimer to find out their secrets

D

Flexible membership can work but you risk all your members going that way if it’s too attractive.

It may sound harsh but the best member is the one who pays their yearly subscription but doesn’t play much.

oes a joining fee have any place in the current economic and golfing climate?

Club membership is changing and golfers now join a club as a place to play golf, not because they necessarily want to belong to that club itself. Joining fees make this expensive, and unless you are trying to create exclusivity (and have the facilities to match) they stop golfers joining.

H

ow much free coaching do you offer?

Our self-employed pro doesn’t offer free coaching.

Why should he?

The club has paid for free coaching days and had a limited success in recruiting new members, but many who have attended simply saw it as a free golf lesson.

D

oes a dress code have any place?

Yes, but it needs to reflect the majority view, not just the views of the older generation.

W

hen was the last time your club had a waiting list to join?

More than 10 years ago.

I

n this day and age should there be more women secretaries?

All club secretaries should play golf and know how golfers think.

It doesn’t matter what sex they are as long as they understand their members.

W

hat is your most effective way of marketing new members?

Word of mouth – give your members a good deal and they’ll tell their golfing friends.

Any other media advertising is expensive and short-lived. Your website is your biggest advert.

H

ow much interest do you get through social media, for example Twitter?

Most of our members don’t use Facebook or Twitter for golf.

H

ow much should a golf club be involved with local schools?

All clubs should offer their facility to local schools during school time – but some schools aren’t interested. Many of today’s kids are often too busy at weekends to play golf.

D

oes golf take too long and, if so, what can you/we do about it?

A medal round here can take five hours – enough said.

I have never heard anybody admit to being a slow player – until this n WOULD you like to be our Secret Secretary for a month?

Total anonymity guaranteed – simply send an email to editorial@sportspub.co.uk and we will send you some questions to answer...

A new secret secretary is revealed...

I

SECRET

SECRETARY Our sec’s anonymity gives him (or her) the licence to say what they really think

changes then golf will always be slow. Members who have been here 20 years still take ages over the same six-foot putt that they must have had 1,000 times before.

Tour professionals on TV don’t help the situation either.

H

ow many of your members get value for money?

I feel sorry for those who work 9 to 5 Monday to Friday and can only play weekends. They pay the most but play the least.

The veterans get the best value, but they’ll never admit to it. Our junior membership starts from less than £2 per week – how many parents wouldn’t pay that?

I

n general would you say golf, either by green fees or membership, is overpriced?

I can’t believe how much the local pay-and-play charges for a weekend round. It’s more expensive to play once every week there for a year, than be a member here for the whole year.

County cards help members get reasonable rates at other clubs, but how many members know about them? Twilight green fees are great but always upset the members.

s there still a place for having stewards running the bar and kitchens against outsourcing the catering and bar?

Clubs like running the bar themselves, as it makes them money. Catering can cost them money if it’s done badly or you don’t get the demand.

It’s so seasonal that most of the time you’re better off letting someone else do it and take the risk. Catering problems are the number one topic of discussion amongst golf clubs.

W

hat is the strangest request you have ever had from a member?

I was once asked to order a holein-one tie for a member who aced at a seaside crazy putting course.

I

s a flexible membership, eg credits only for when you pay, the way forward?

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 103

This month’s anonymous sec talks joining fees and a bizarre request

ABOUT

OUR PANEL Meet our expert greenkeepers

GREENKEEPERS’

ROB DAVY Club: Walmersley Bury, Lancashire About: Rob has been head greenkeeper at Walmersley for 14 years. He studied at Myerscough College and gained a diploma in turf science and sports ground management. Other courses he has worked at include Formby and The Belfry.

UESTION

TIME

TINA YOUNG

We were inundated with questions - so our panel of experts were called in for an extra session Talking point Sand is the most regularly raised topic

How can greenkeepers get the course perfect for captain’s day but not at any other time?

Terry, Morpeth Tina: Preparation for captain’s day and Pro-Ams starts well in advance of these events taking place, with all greenkeeping staff working harder and longer with the aim of putting all that work together for one particular day. There’s not a greenkeeper around who wouldn’t choose to have their course at that standard all year. It’s inevitable however that renovation and maintenance must be carried out in order to achieve these results.

Who should have right of way – the golfer or the greenkeeper?

Seb, Southend Rob: The greenkeeper should always have right of way. Not just so they can get on preparing the course for you to enjoy but also from a safety point of view. A greenkeeper cannot hear a shout of ‘fore’ if they are on a machine. A happy medium is for all golfers to wait for the greenkeeper to acknowledge the golfer and allow them to move to one side and wave the golfer down. This way they can watch the ball coming towards and reduce the risk of being hit.

Bear: No greenkeeper wants to get hit – it hurts! Greenkeepers should always have right of way.

Never fire a ball at greenkeepers when they are working and haven’t seen you. Golfers should always allow greens staff to finish what they are doing and let them move out of the firing line. Remember the staff are there to set the course up for you guys and they want to get it done and be out of your way as soon as is possible.

Why do greenkeepers cut the greens in order from the 1st to the 18th so that the same group get followed round all day?

Tom, Daventry Tina: Otherwise, what would golfers complain about?! I jest. At The Palace, the course isn’t open to the public until 9am so we are fortunate to be able to cut our greens before the golfers start play.

However, if we do need to cut while the course is open we work backwards from the 18th, so we only disturb a round once, if at all.

Our greenkeeper is forever cutting holes on crowns. It is infuriating! What are the rules surrounding this?

John, Redditch Kim: There are no rules on hole

98 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

positions just guidelines on what is a fair position for the hole. The factors on where the holes go normally are decided by the competitions coming up. To avoid putting the hole by an old hole you need to avoid that place for about two weeks. So you are planning two weeks in advance. In 2012 that has not worked very well because we have been forced to use areas we would not wish to in the summer to keep the course open – the high points of the greens.

Depending on the size of the green there might not be that many good pin positions and part of the greenkeeper’s job is to spread the wear around the green.

What type of sand is best in

WE WANT YOUR QUESTIONS...

This greenkeeping Q&A is a regular feature – so please email your questions to: editorial@sportspub.co.uk

PLEASE NOTE...

All our greenkeepers were talking generally and with no specific knowledge of a particular course that readers may have had in mind. All courses are, needless to say, different and there is often no straightforward answer.

bunkers?

Jeff, Bournemouth Kim: Sand in bunkers must be the most talked about topic at any golf club. It comes down to the type of course, where the sand will come from, cost per ton, and will it match the sand that is used to topdress the green when you get sand splash? We use a Chelford sand which is pinkish in colour but once it has been in the bunker for 12 months it goes dark with all the contamination from grass cuttings, leaves and soil after a few frosts in the winter. The way bunkers play have a lot to do with the weather, how often they are raked and topped up. In an ideal world you would replace all the sand every three years.

Do you need to play golf to be a good greenkeeper?

Christian, Swansea Dave: Wow, good question. It helps to know the rules of golf and some greenkeepers play the game to a high standard. Many, and I fall into this category, love a hack now and again but somehow free time needs to be away from the golf course for sanity reasons... BIGGA have regular competitions for greenkeepers that are well

attended with some very low handicappers. In answer to your question, no, you don’t really need to play to be a good greenkeeper – does a film director have to act to be a good director?!

revenue is all too crucial in the current economic climate.

My policy is to only delay play for heavy surface frosts, this seems to work for me but others have different systems in place.

Why do some clubs say it’s fine to play on frozen greens while others won’t let you near them?

Richard, St Helens

What is the major complaint you hear from members and how do you respond to it?

Daisy, Bridlington

Rob: A grass plant is made up of 80 per cent water. When it is frozen, foot traffic can cause the ice crystals to puncture the cell walls and damage the grass plant.

This will inevitably affect the playing surface. So in an ideal world you should stay off them.

However, some clubs are put under a lot of pressure to not have winter greens. The need for extra revenue in these hard times is a major factor and the topography of the course may not allow for winter greens.

Dave: Where do I start? Greens are too fast, greens are too slow, bunkers not enough sand, bunkers too much sand, too many divots on fairways... This year in particular with all the rain and incredible grass growth one regular complaint has been too much grass dropping on fairways and semi rough. Complaints differ from day to day depending on weather conditions and cutting regimes.

But the No.1 complaint is usually ‘why when the greens are good do you rip then to pieces?’ My answer is that we have to do renovation work to keep a good surface for the golfers and it’s what’s going on below the surface that keeps them in good condition.

Bear: A thorny subject; frozen greens can be significantly damaged when played on, although the severity of the damage can range from unnoticeable root break to black marks on your greens. It really does depend on how much you want to preserve them as winter

I keep getting Red Thread fungus on tee boxes which then turns the grass white/off coloured. How do I clear this up

and stop it from reccuring?

Ian, Epsom Bear: I try not to treat Red Thread, especially if it is only apparent on my tees and fairways.

A simple light application of fertiliser along with boxing off clippings has always knocked any Red Thread I’ve had on the head. I consider Red Thread one of the milder diseases we have to deal with and as such never really consider an expensive fungicide.

Good cultural practices and careful management of nutrient inputs will fight any disease outbreak.

What do you think is the best way to manage heather – burn it off or cut it back to a certain length each year?

Scott, Hindhead Bear: I really am not an expert of heather management. There are far better greenkeepers who can give better advice on this subject.

However what I do know of heather is that it needs acidic soils to flourish with very little disturbance from golfers. Light burning will help the plant regenerate and cutting will also help seed establishment and thinning of invasive grasses.

Club: The Palace H&GC Torquay, Devon About: Tina has been working at the Palace Hotel for eight years as part of a team of two, responsible for the 9hole par-3 course along with the 25acre estate, 1,000 Roses and 2,500 bedding plants. She has an Advanced Royal Horticultural Certificate.

RICHARD ‘THE BEAR’ GARRARD Club: Merlin Newquay, Cornwall About: The Bear has been golf course manager at Merlin for over five years. Before that, he worked at The Belfry. His entire working life has been spent in the greenkeeping industry.

DAVID COLLINS Club: Lickey Hills Birmingham, West Midlands About: David has been head greenkeeper at Lickey Hills for 15 years. He studied turf science and sports turf management at Askham Bryan college. He has previously worked at Widney Manor and Handsworth. He also works on the pitch on match days at his beloved Aston Villa.

KIM BLAKE Club: Fulford Heath Birmingham, Worcestershire About: Kim has been course manager at Fulford Heath for 24 years. He manages all budgets from salary though to capital. Every decision is based on making longterm improvements to the course to benefit members and guests.

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 99

Question time with our keepers of the green Do you need to be a good player to understand the job?

NCG pp 98-99 Greenkeeper QT Pt II 14/12/2012 13:04 Page 98

GREENKEEPERS’

UESTION

TIME

We were inundated with questions - so our panel of experts were called in for an extra session

How can greenkeepers get the course perfect for captain’s day but not at any other time?

Terry, Morpeth Tina: Preparation for captain’s day and Pro-Ams starts well in advance of these events taking place, with all greenkeeping staff working harder and longer with the aim of putting all that work together for one particular day. There’s not a greenkeeper around who wouldn’t choose to have their course at that standard all year. It’s inevitable however that renovation and maintenance must be carried out in order to achieve these results.

Who should have right of way – the golfer or the greenkeeper?

Seb, Southend Rob: The greenkeeper should always have right of way. Not just so they can get on preparing the course for you to enjoy but also from a safety point of view. A greenkeeper cannot hear a shout of ‘fore’ if they are on a machine. A happy medium is for all golfers to wait for the greenkeeper to acknowledge the golfer and allow them to move to one side and wave the golfer down. This way they can watch the ball coming towards and reduce the risk of being hit.

Bear: No greenkeeper wants to get hit – it hurts! Greenkeepers should always have right of way.

Never fire a ball at greenkeepers when they are working and haven’t seen you. Golfers should always allow greens staff to finish what they are doing and let them move out of the firing line. Remember the staff are there to set the course up for you guys and they want to get it done and be out of your way as soon as is possible.

Why do greenkeepers cut the greens in order from the 1st to the 18th so that the same group get followed round all day?

Tom, Daventry Tina: Otherwise, what would golfers complain about?! I jest. At The Palace, the course isn’t open to the public until 9am so we are fortunate to be able to cut our greens before the golfers start play.

However, if we do need to cut while the course is open we work backwards from the 18th, so we only disturb a round once, if at all.

Our greenkeeper is forever cutting holes on crowns. It is infuriating! What are the rules surrounding this?

John, Redditch Kim: There are no rules on hole

98 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

positions just guidelines on what is a fair position for the hole. The factors on where the holes go normally are decided by the competitions coming up. To avoid putting the hole by an old hole you need to avoid that place for about two weeks. So you are planning two weeks in advance. In 2012 that has not worked very well because we have been forced to use areas we would not wish to in the summer to keep the course open – the high points of the greens.

Depending on the size of the green there might not be that many good pin positions and part of the greenkeeper’s job is to spread the wear around the green.

What type of sand is best in

WE WANT YOUR QUESTIONS...

This greenkeeping Q&A is a regular feature – so please email your questions to: editorial@sportspub.co.uk

PLEASE NOTE...

All our greenkeepers were talking generally and with no specific knowledge of a particular course that readers may have had in mind. All courses are, needless to say, different and there is often no straightforward answer.

bunkers?

Jeff, Bournemouth Kim: Sand in bunkers must be the most talked about topic at any golf club. It comes down to the type of course, where the sand will come from, cost per ton, and will it match the sand that is used to topdress the green when you get sand splash? We use a Chelford sand which is pinkish in colour but once it has been in the bunker for 12 months it goes dark with all the contamination from grass cuttings, leaves and soil after a few frosts in the winter. The way bunkers play have a lot to do with the weather, how often they are raked and topped up. In an ideal world you would replace all the sand every three years.

Do you need to play golf to be a good greenkeeper?

Christian, Swansea Dave: Wow, good question. It helps to know the rules of golf and some greenkeepers play the game to a high standard. Many, and I fall into this category, love a hack now and again but somehow free time needs to be away from the golf course for sanity reasons... BIGGA have regular competitions for greenkeepers that are well

NCG pp 98-99 Greenkeeper QT Pt II 14/12/2012 13:04 Page 99

ABOUT

OUR PANEL Meet our expert greenkeepers

ROB DAVY Club: Walmersley Bury, Lancashire About: Rob has been head greenkeeper at Walmersley for 14 years. He studied at Myerscough College and gained a diploma in turf science and sports ground management. Other courses he has worked at include Formby and The Belfry.

TINA YOUNG

Talking point Sand is the most regularly raised topic

attended with some very low handicappers. In answer to your question, no, you don’t really need to play to be a good greenkeeper – does a film director have to act to be a good director?!

revenue is all too crucial in the current economic climate.

My policy is to only delay play for heavy surface frosts, this seems to work for me but others have different systems in place.

Why do some clubs say it’s fine to play on frozen greens while others won’t let you near them?

Richard, St Helens

What is the major complaint you hear from members and how do you respond to it?

Daisy, Bridlington

Rob: A grass plant is made up of 80 per cent water. When it is frozen, foot traffic can cause the ice crystals to puncture the cell walls and damage the grass plant.

This will inevitably affect the playing surface. So in an ideal world you should stay off them.

However, some clubs are put under a lot of pressure to not have winter greens. The need for extra revenue in these hard times is a major factor and the topography of the course may not allow for winter greens.

Dave: Where do I start? Greens are too fast, greens are too slow, bunkers not enough sand, bunkers too much sand, too many divots on fairways... This year in particular with all the rain and incredible grass growth one regular complaint has been too much grass dropping on fairways and semi rough. Complaints differ from day to day depending on weather conditions and cutting regimes.

But the No.1 complaint is usually ‘why when the greens are good do you rip then to pieces?’ My answer is that we have to do renovation work to keep a good surface for the golfers and it’s what’s going on below the surface that keeps them in good condition.

Bear: A thorny subject; frozen greens can be significantly damaged when played on, although the severity of the damage can range from unnoticeable root break to black marks on your greens. It really does depend on how much you want to preserve them as winter

I keep getting Red Thread fungus on tee boxes which then turns the grass white/off coloured. How do I clear this up

and stop it from reccuring?

Ian, Epsom Bear: I try not to treat Red Thread, especially if it is only apparent on my tees and fairways.

A simple light application of fertiliser along with boxing off clippings has always knocked any Red Thread I’ve had on the head. I consider Red Thread one of the milder diseases we have to deal with and as such never really consider an expensive fungicide.

Good cultural practices and careful management of nutrient inputs will fight any disease outbreak.

What do you think is the best way to manage heather – burn it off or cut it back to a certain length each year?

Scott, Hindhead Bear: I really am not an expert of heather management. There are far better greenkeepers who can give better advice on this subject.

However what I do know of heather is that it needs acidic soils to flourish with very little disturbance from golfers. Light burning will help the plant regenerate and cutting will also help seed establishment and thinning of invasive grasses.

Club: The Palace H&GC Torquay, Devon About: Tina has been working at the Palace Hotel for eight years as part of a team of two, responsible for the 9hole par-3 course along with the 25acre estate, 1,000 Roses and 2,500 bedding plants. She has an Advanced Royal Horticultural Certificate.

RICHARD ‘THE BEAR’ GARRARD Club: Merlin Newquay, Cornwall About: The Bear has been golf course manager at Merlin for over five years. Before that, he worked at The Belfry. His entire working life has been spent in the greenkeeping industry.

DAVID COLLINS Club: Lickey Hills Birmingham, West Midlands About: David has been head greenkeeper at Lickey Hills for 15 years. He studied turf science and sports turf management at Askham Bryan college. He has previously worked at Widney Manor and Handsworth. He also works on the pitch on match days at his beloved Aston Villa.

KIM BLAKE Club: Fulford Heath Birmingham, Worcestershire About: Kim has been course manager at Fulford Heath for 24 years. He manages all budgets from salary though to capital. Every decision is based on making longterm improvements to the course to benefit members and guests.

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 99

NCG pp100 ROP Adverts 14/12/2012 12:47 Page 100

“Roxburghe’s signature hole, The Viaduct, is my favourite 14th tee in Scotland! It’s such a beautiful hole in such a glorious setting” Sam Torrance

Society Packages now available from £49 per person

Winter 4 Ball £120 including Soup & Sandwiches (from 1st November 2012 until end of March 2013) Book online and receive exclusive discounts For further details please call Craig or Steve at The Professional Shop on 01573 450 333

Qualifying School Venue - 1st Stage 2013

www.roxburghegolfclub.co.uk

Follow us on...

The Petwood Hotel Welcome to Woodhall Spa… home of English golf

Less than 1 mile from Woodhall Spa’s outstanding Hotchkin and Bracken golf courses, the Petwood Hotel boasts good local ales, fine wines and great food, making it an ideal base for your golf break.

For guests seeking to unwind, the Petwood Beauty Studio offers a range of beauty and holistic treatments for men and women.

To find out more about our special “play and stay” rates please contact Reservations on 01526 352411 and quote reference NCG-13

We look forward to welcoming you 100 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

NCG pp101 Club Winter Golf 14/12/2012 13:05 Page 101

5

WAYS TO BEAT THE WINTER BLUES

For more on the 27-hole Shropshire club visit www.cleoburygolfclub.com or follow on Twitter @Cleoburygolf Picture courtesy of Claire Carter: www.carterart.co.uk

Cleobury Mortimer’s manager Graham Pain on how to keep your club flourishing at this time of year

1 NO TEMPORARY GREENS The best bit of advice we had was to build it to the highest possible standard, never have temporary greens and ideally have proper tees.

People don’t want to play on temporary greens and it was crucial for us to make that extra bit of effort with some extra aeration and top dressing and care. We even use the normal greens when there’s some frost on the ground and we have found it makes very little difference.

OF COMPETITIONS SOCIAL MEDIA 2 PLENTY 3 USE We keep qualifying competitions going in the winter along with many fun ones. We try to have a competition every weekend, some weekends you won’t get many playing but at least the members know something is going on. It gets players more motivated and members go to the trouble of making up a four as a team and filling up the start sheet.

We’ll also have some Stableford qualifiers to keep the better players motivated as we have found that Category 1 golfers like to get their handicaps down all year. As long as the course plays to a certain length and is on proper greens that is fine. We have placing on the fairways only.

A few years ago we introduced a nine-hole pairs knockout which has been really popular and everyone can fit in nine holes.

We have booked tee times so whether you are a visitor or a member you will be guaranteed that time. The members have their times so they aren’t affected. We work with online tee-time sellers and we have found with winter golf that social media is massive to keep that connection with your members and visitors. We now have over 1,300 people on Facebook and a blog with what the grenkeepers are up to and the latest competitions. YouTube has been brilliant, we put lots of vidoes on there to keep people connected even if it’s snowing.

The course is not on pure sand but we are very lucky in that we can close nine holes to rest it and still have 18 open. We put in 15 miles of drainage when we built the place so there is a good infrastructure in there.

OTHER CLUBS 4 USE

We are part of the Golf Club Network and are one of 30 clubs involved in that. We were one of the first six to join in 1995 and it was really a networking meeting where we could discuss trends or marketing ideas plus we also wanted to offer added value to our membership. So a member can join for £10 and then go and visit any of the clubs and play free golf midweek. You can take a guest and they pay a member’s guest rate.

We quality control each club in the group so we are all of a similar mindset and we have meetings four times a year where we can discuss joint promotions. Clubs are contacting us and we will visit to ensure it is one of a suitable standard. Several of the clubs have accommodation on site that works well or they have arrangements with local hotels.

RENEWALS IN JULY 5HAVE

Our members pay from July to July – that was the date we opened in 1993 and it works really well as your members have played a bit of golf from April onwards and feel that they have got a bit of value. If you are sending out a renewal notice in January it seems difficult to justify. You don’t mind paying it if you are using it and we always take the line that it costs more to recruit a member than retain a member. We recruited about 50 new members in 2012. I think there is still a desire to be a member, you just have to add better value to it.

We also don’t have a formal interview process, we will have a chat as we don’t want to embarrass anyone as it can be quite daunting.

We have a pretty relaxed outlook – it is a leisure pursuit and we don’t want it to be stuffy.

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 101

NCG pp102 ROP Adverts 14/12/2012 16:44 Page 102

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SOCIETY PACKAGES FROM £25PP CALL NOW TO BOOK A GREAT DAY OUT

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A Different Kind of Winter Package Book a winter golf package at Studley Wood Golf Club and your group will qualify for a FREE round of golf to be used before the end of April 2013.

The winter package of

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Breakfast Roll & Coffee, 18 Holes of Golf & The Chef’s Special of the Day Meal To book your tee-time phone us on 01865 351144 or email: matt@studleywoodgolfclub.co.uk Just off Junction 9 of the M40 and 6 miles from the centre of Oxford

The Straight Mile, Horton-cum-Studley, Oxon OX33 1BF

www.studleywoodgolfclub.co.uk 102 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

NCG pp103 Secret Secretary 14/12/2012 13:06 Page 103

D

oes a joining fee have any place in the current economic and golfing climate?

Club membership is changing and golfers now join a club as a place to play golf, not because they necessarily want to belong to that club itself. Joining fees make this expensive, and unless you are trying to create exclusivity (and have the facilities to match) they stop golfers joining.

Flexible membership can work but you risk all your members going that way if it’s too attractive.

It may sound harsh but the best member is the one who pays their yearly subscription but doesn’t play much.

H

ow much free coaching do you offer?

Our self-employed pro doesn’t offer free coaching.

Why should he?

The club has paid for free coaching days and had a limited success in recruiting new members, but many who have attended simply saw it as a free golf lesson.

D

oes a dress code have any place?

Yes, but it needs to reflect the majority view, not just the views of the older generation.

W

hen was the last time your club had a waiting list to join?

More than 10 years ago.

I

n this day and age should there be more women secretaries?

All club secretaries should play golf and know how golfers think.

It doesn’t matter what sex they are as long as they understand their members.

W

hat is your most effective way of marketing new members?

Word of mouth – give your members a good deal and they’ll tell their golfing friends.

Any other media advertising is expensive and short-lived. Your website is your biggest advert.

H

ow much interest do you get through social media, for example Twitter?

Most of our members don’t use Facebook or Twitter for golf.

H

ow much should a golf club be involved with local schools?

All clubs should offer their facility to local schools during school time – but some schools aren’t interested. Many of today’s kids are often too busy at weekends to play golf.

D

oes golf take too long and, if so, what can you/we do about it?

A medal round here can take five hours – enough said.

I have never heard anybody admit to being a slow player – until this n WOULD you like to be our Secret Secretary for a month?

Total anonymity guaranteed – simply send an email to editorial@sportspub.co.uk and we will send you some questions to answer...

I

SECRET SECRETA RY

Our sec’s anonymity gi ves him (or her) the licence to say what they really think

changes then golf will always be slow. Members who have been here 20 years still take ages over the same six-foot putt that they must have had 1,000 times before.

Tour professionals on TV don’t help the situation either.

H

ow many of your members get value for money?

I feel sorry for those who work 9 to 5 Monday to Friday and can only play weekends. They pay the most but play the least.

The veterans get the best value, but they’ll never admit to it. Our junior membership starts from less than £2 per week – how many parents wouldn’t pay that?

I

n general would you say golf, either by green fees or membership, is overpriced?

I can’t believe how much the local pay-and-play charges for a weekend round. It’s more expensive to play once every week there for a year, than be a member here for the whole year.

County cards help members get reasonable rates at other clubs, but how many members know about them? Twilight green fees are great but always upset the members.

s there still a place for having stewards running the bar and kitchens against outsourcing the catering and bar?

Clubs like running the bar themselves, as it makes them money. Catering can cost them money if it’s done badly or you don’t get the demand.

It’s so seasonal that most of the time you’re better off letting someone else do it and take the risk. Catering problems are the number one topic of discussion amongst golf clubs.

W

hat is the strangest request you have ever had from a member?

I was once asked to order a holein-one tie for a member who aced at a seaside crazy putting course.

I

s a flexible membership, eg credits only for when you pay, the way forward?

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 103

NCG pp104-105 North East Area Guide 14/12/2012 13:53 Page 104

Golfer NORTH EAST NATIONAL

CLUB

COURSEDIRECTORY

We highlight some of the best places to play in the region

BAMBURGH CASTLE

MOOR ALLERTON

YORK

RUDDING PARK

FULFORD

Set amid 220 acres of rolling Yorkshire countryside, the course is an absolute treat to play.

Comprising of plenty of water and large, sloping greens which are genuinely outstanding in the summer months, Moor Allerton is a must play.

Sometimes it is the case with three loops of nine that one is generally weaker than the others, but not here. Each starts and ends at the clubhouse and all cater for the low and high handicapper.

Nearest town: Leeds

Better known as Strensall, this is the oldest club in York and undoubtedly one of the very best in the area.

The venue boasts a natural heathland course with trees lining the majority of the holes, providing a superb test for the strong and weaker player alike.

With the historic city in close proximity and other wonderful courses within easy reach, Strensall is an excellent setting for any visiting party.

Nearest town: York

The championship course at Rudding Park runs through the mature parkland that was originally laid out by the famous landscape designer, Humphrey Repton, in the 18th century.

The lakes and bunkers, together with the extensive trees and greens designed to USGA spec provide a test for even the most discerning player. The club also boasts a short course which contains a replica of the notorious island hole at Sawgrass.

Nearest town: Harrogate

Should you be the sort of person who cares to take a stroll down the fairways of modern history along with great holes Fulford is a place where you will find both in abundance.

The course made famous by Langer's tree-climbing heroics offers resplendent golf which allows players to follow in the footsteps of past champions. The 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th form Fulford's very own 'Amen Corner' and offer four stunning tests.

Nearest town: York

104 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

NCG pp104-105 North East Area Guide 14/12/2012 13:54 Page 105

YORK

MOOR ALLERTON

MID YORKSHIRE

RUDDING PARK

SCARCROFT

BAMBURGH CASTLE

SCARCROFT

MALTON AND NORTON

MID YORKSHIRE

This is the kind of course that immediately takes a special place in your heart.

Fun from start to finish, Bamburgh is by no means the longest course you will ever play at under 5,700 yards.

However, a further glance at the card will reveal a par of 68, and that gives you an idea of the type of course this is.

If you ever find yourself in Northumberland, this is an absolute must play.

Nearest town: Berwick-on-Tweed

Established in 1937, Scarcroft is a gloriously undulating course with a rich variety of mature trees and spacious fairways, set in spectacular wooded parkland.

A challenging test for both the professional and amateur alike, the magnificent 6,456 yard par-71 course regularly plays host to a number of prestigious golfing events including county matches of the Yorkshire Union of Golf as well as England Golf tournaments for ladies.

Nearest town: Leeds

Malton and Norton offers 27 holes divided into three contrasting loops, and was once described by Peter Alliss as ‘North Yorkshire's hidden gem’.

Situated midway between York and Scarborough with stunning views of the North Yorkshire Moors, the course provides a challenging and enjoying test.

The quality of the course and the warm and friendly welcome mean that this is a venue you will visit time after time.

Nearest town: Malton

Established in 1993, Mid Yorkshire may still be relatively youthful, but this challenging course is already a parkland gem.

The course was originally designed by Steve Marnoch, who deployed features such as snaking streams, long rough and several sharp doglegs to create a challenging layout.

Geographically, Mid Yorkshire is one of the easiest to access clubs in the country, being within easy reach of both the M62 and A1.

Nearest town: Pontefract

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 105

Bridlington Golf Passport 14/12/2012 16:42 Page 1

East Coast Golf Passport Bridlington and the surrounding coastline proudly boasts five of Yorkshire’s finest golf coures all located withina short distance of each other offering golfers of all abilities an excellent test of golf on five very different and contrasting courses The five clubs have come together to create a new and innovative golf pass which enables visitors to Bridlington and the East Yorkshire area the opportunity to play all five fantastic courses and at the same time enjoying incredible savings of up to half the normal Green Fees.

How to apply for this great deal?

Simple, just contact the office at Bridlington Belvedere Golf Club, tel. 01262 606367 between 9am-2pm Monday to Friday or e-mail enquiries@bridlingtongolfclub.co.uk and let us take care of the arrangements for you.**

The Special reduced cost of your passport is; *

£58 for 3 rounds of golf! £70* for 4 rounds of golf! £80* for 5 rounds of golf!

ENJOY EXCELLENT SAVINGS!

BRIDLINGTON GOLF CLUB

FILEY GOLF CLUB

FLAMBOROUGH HEAD

Belvedere Road, Bridlington t: 01262 606367 www.bridlingtongolfclub.co.uk

West Avenue, Filey t: 01723 513293 www.fileygolfclub.com

Lighthouse Road, Flamborough t: 01262 850333 www.flamboroughheadgolfclub.co.uk

HORNSEA GOLF CLUB

THE BRIDLINGTON LINKS

Rolston Road, Hornsea t: 01964 534989 www.hornseagolfclub.co.uk

Flamborough Road, Bridlington t: 01262 401584 www.bridlington-links.co.uk

The Revelstoke Hotel In conjunction with Golf Coast Passport

1-3 Flamborough Road, Bridlington YO15 2HU

Three Day Golf Break Only £158.00 Inc. 3 rounds of golf & 2 nights b&b

Four Day Golf Break Only £216.00 Inc. 4 rounds of golf & 3 nights b&b

Five Day Golf Break Only £270.00 Inc. 5 rounds of golf & 4 nights b&b Play your golf at Bridlington Belvedere, Filey, Flamborough Head, Hornsea & Bridlington Links Offer Includes Weekends

Please contact us on 01262 672362

e: info@revelstokehotel.co.uk www.revelstokehotel.co.uk

www.golfcoastpassport.co.uk *Terms and conditions apply **Dates subject to availability ***Offer is not to be used in conjunction with any other offer.

NCG pp107 North East Area Guide 14/12/2012 13:55 Page 107

NORTH EAST AREA GUIDE

FULFORD

ROTHERHAM

MOORTOWN

The golf club at Rotherham was formed in 1903 and there are few clubs in the UK that can claim such a glorious location and magnificent clubhouse.

Surrounded by beautiful timbered parkland the course is easily accessible from the M1 or A1 in South Yorkshire.

Originally a nine hole course laid out by Sandy Herd, in 1906 it was increased to eighteen holes and was subsequently modified by James Braid. What awaits guests now is an exceptionally well laid out course, where golf is played over parkland of great beauty Nearest town: Rotherham

A classic in every sense of the word, Moortown has been on the ‘must play’ list of every serious golfer since it was crafted by Dr Alister MacKenzie in 1909 and then hosted the Ryder Cup 20 years later.

Immortalised by the likes of Henry Cotton and his victorious GB&I team-mates, as well as Americans Walter Hagen and Gene Sarazen, this Yorkshire venue is brimming with history and is one of the area’s best tests.

Recent renovations have seen a huge amount of trees removed making things ‘slightly’ easier.

Nearest town: Leeds

MOORTOWN

GOLF COAST PASSPORT Thanks to the Golf Coast Passport, golfers can play seaside courses on the East Yorkshire coast with massive discounts.

The paricipating clubs are Bridlington Belvedere, Bridlington Links, Flamborough Head, Filey and Hornsea. The passport offers three rounds over any of the participating courses for just £56pp, and four and five-round packages are also available, priced at £70 and £80 respectively.

With many great hotels and B&Bs in the area, there are lots of stay-and-play options, making the scheme perfect for those looking for a quality golf break www.golfcoastpassport.co.uk WHITE ROSE GOLF BREAKS If you fancy sampling some of the best golf the North East has to offer, you must start in Yorkshire with the likes of Ganton, Alwoodley and Moortown. There is one company that we highly recommend for all Yorkshire trips and that is White Rose Golf Breaks. They have bucket loads of experience in planning play-and-stay breaks to the best courses and offer brillliant package deals that represent superb value for money.

The Ryder Cup special is unmissable. www.whiterosegolfbreaks.co.uk

LEEDS GOLF CAFE BAR If the weather really does get the better of you this winter, then Leeds Golf Cafe Bar provides the perfect golfing fix in an altogether different environment.

Boasting the most realistic simulators, which are endorsed by the PGA, the venue allows players to experience some of the world's best holes in the heart of Yorkshire. With food and drink on offer, the centre can cater for all your needs. www.indoorgolfcafebarleeds.co.uk

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 107

NCG pp108-109 NE Directory Adverts 14/12/2012 17:15 Page 108

NORTH EAST DIRECTORY

White Rose Golf Breaks

MALTON & NORTON GOLF CLUB

Unbeatable golf breaks in Yorkshire

“North Yorkshire’s hidden Gem” - Peter Allis

Great courses, warm hospitality, superb value.

Tel: 01943 609888 E-mail peter@whiterosegolfbreaks.co.uk Visit our Website at www.whiterosegolfbreaks.co.uk

NEW FLEXI MEMBERSHIP Available now for as little as £300 For more details please contact Nick or Emily on

01653 697912 www.maltonandnortongolfclub.co.uk

Bamburgh Castle Golf Club The Wynding, Bamburgh, Northumberland NE69 7DE

Indoor golf, that anyone can play & enjoy right here in Leeds City Centre

Anyone can play real golf, anytime, in any weather You can play over 36 courses including our premium courses; St Andrews, Pebble Beach & The Infamous 18 • Practice and improve your game • Great for social events and celebrations • Winter Golf Society Packages from £15pp half day No.1 LITTLE NEVILLE STREET, GRANARY WHARF, LEEDS LS1 4ED

t: 0113 244 4428 e: info@golfcafebars.co.uk

Mid Yorkshire Golf Club for the complete package 2013 GOLF MEMBERSHIP DEALS

WINTER GREENFEES CONTACT

Midweek - £30 round • £38 day Weekend - £35 round • £45 day

Secretary Michael Robinson For Special deals 01668 214321 see our website Clubhouse 01668 214378 Fax 01668 214607 Packages available for groups of 12 or more.

Website www.bamburghcastlegolfclub.co.uk email sec@bamburghcastlegolfclub.co.uk.

ROTHERHAM GOLF CLUB Thrybergh Park, Rotherham, S65 4NU

Join now & receive 15 months for the price of 12 Special rates for over 65’s And Junior membership (Under 11’s) at just

£40.00 per year

Celebrate the New Year by taking advantage of one of our unrivalled Winter Packages Just off A1 1/2 mile south of M62 junctions 32A and 33

*PACKAGE 1 - £25.95pp 18 holes & All Day Breakfast

*PACKAGE 2 - £29.95pp Bacon Roll & Coffee on Arrival, 18 holes & Two Course Meal

FOURBALL - £79.95 APRIL SPECIAL - £39.95pp Bacon Roll & Coffee on Arrival, 18 holes & Two Course Meal ** Winter Packages Available Until 31st March

Havercroft Lane, Tel 01977 704522 fax: 01977 600823 Darrington, Pontefract, golf@midyorkshiregolfclub.com West Yorkshire WF8 3BP www.midyorkshiregolfclub.com

108 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

Tel: 01709 850 466 Email: manager@rotherhamgolfclub.com www.rotherhamgolfclub.com

NCG pp108-109 NE Directory Adverts 14/12/2012 17:15 Page 109

SCARCROFT GOLF CLUB

Visitor Greenfee Offers

Midweek £40 per round • £55 per day Weekends £50 per round • £63 per day (Not in conjunction with other offers)

Discounts available on golf party packages.

Contact secretary Kevin Fretwell on 0113 2892311 or professional David Hughes on 0113 2892780

email: secretary@scarcroftgolfclub.co.uk

www.scarcroftgolfclub.co.uk

THE FULFORD (YORK) GOLF CLUB 1906 – 2012

WINTER RATES Available from £30pp Packages also available Original home of the British Ladies Open Championship; and the Benson & Hedges and Murphys Cup European Professional Events Visit our website for last minute deals and internet bookings

www.fulfordgolfclub.co.uk Contact Gary / Fiona for further information

01904 413 579 info@fulfordgolfclub.co.uk

YORK GOLF CLUB York’s oldest course Established 1890

“Any trip to York should include a visit here” National Club Golfer 2010

VISITORS & SOCIETIES WELCOME MEMBERSHIP AVAILABLE

Tel: 01904 499800 info@yorkgolfclub.co.uk Book online at www.yorkgolfclub.co.uk

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 109

Bowood Park 14/12/2012 17:17 Page 1

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“I have just one word to describe Bowood Park Hotel and Golf Club and its facilities – Superb!

This Cornish cracker is a must visit!”

John E. Morgan – Former PGA and European Tour Star

B

2 Day Golf Break to include:

3 Day Golf Break to include:

4 Day Golf Break to include:

1 Nights Bed & Breakfast 1, Three Course Evening meal 2 Rounds of Golf 1st Jan – 31st March: £71pp April & October: £105pp May – September: £115pp

2 Nights Bed & Breakfast 2, Three Course Evening Meals 3 Rounds of Golf 1st Jan – 31st March: £105pp April & October: £164pp May – September: £175pp

3 Nights Bed & Breakfast 3, Three Course Evening Meals 4 Rounds of Golf 1st Jan – 31st March: £155pp April & October: £218pp May – September inclusive: £240pp

Available midweek or weekends

Available midweek or weekends

Available midweek or weekends

• All package tariffs above are based on 2 people sharing a twin/double room. • Single room upgrades incur a supplement of 50% of the per person package price.

• Superior room upgrades incur a supplement of £10 per person per night. • Buggy hire is available at £22 per round or £33 per day. Advanced booking is advisable.

BOOKING HOTLINE 01840

213017

Additional golf break benefits in 2013: Organiser FREE OF CHARGE for groups of 16 and above

Follow us on

@bowoodparkgolf

Bowood Park Hotel & Golf Club, Lanteglos, Camelford, Cornwall PL32 9RF For further information please visit us at www.bowood-park.co.uk or contact us at golf@bowood-park.co.uk or 01840 213017

NCG pp111 SW Course Directory 14/12/2012 14:58 Page 111

Golfer SOUTH WEST NATIONAL

CLUB

COURSEDIRECTORY

SQUAD SUCCESS FOR HALL AND BOYD Georgia Hall and SarahJane Boyd are among the women and girl players selected for training with England Golf’s Performance Squad.

Hall (Remedy Oak), 16, is the British girls’ champion while Boyd (Truro) is the British strokeplay champion.

Channel Islands | Cornwall | Devon | Dorset | Gloucestershire | Somerset | Wiltshire

FEATURED COURSE: TRETHORNE If you're looking for accommodation, golf holidays, golf breaks and society days in Cornwall, Trethorne is the perfect venue.

Set in the picturesque Cornish countryside on the border between Devon and Cornwall, conveniently located just off the main A30, Trethorne can offer competitive membership packages, green fee rates and comfortable accommodation.

The club offers a challenging and beautifully maintained course along with a vibrant and friendly

atmosphere at the clubhouse, restaurant and sports bar.

Commenting on a visit, Windsor Golf Society said: "If you are looking for a golf break for a group, look no further. The staff are great, nothing too much trouble, good golf and good food.”

Trethorne recognises that many different aspects make up a good golf break. By taking the time to understand guests want from a visit, the club ensures they set out to deliver an experience beyond any expectations.

FREE GOLF AT MANOR HOUSE Boasting a staggering seven courses and a range of other sporting and spa activities, Manor House and Ashbury is a great place for a golf break escape.

The venue is offering stays from just £40pppn including free golf, free buggies and free tennis in the early part of 2013.

VISIT STADDON HEIGHTS This 18-hole cliff-top course is situated on the outskirts of Plymouth and offers outstanding views of the Devon and Cornwall coastline.

With green fees very reasonably priced, the club also offer a lot of competitions for seniors and ladies.

WINTER GOLF AT BOWOOD PARK Bowood Park is set in the heart of North Cornwall in 230 acres of rolling hills and woodland.

It features superb greens, all built to USGA standards, and its excellent drainage system means the course rarely falls foul of even the most extreme weather.

PARTNERSHIPS CELEBRATE SUCCESS County Golf Partnerships across the South West region are celebrating after a hugely successful summer of sport.

England’s network of CGPs introduced over 70,000 people to golf in the six months to the end of September - almost double the number who tried the sport in the

same period last year.

The increases were achieved despite the challenge of the wettest summer in 100 years and the competing attractions of events such as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

HALL RECOGNISED BY BBC European number one Georgia Hall was shortlisted for the 2012 BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award.

The 16-year-old from Remedy Oak in Dorset follows in the footsteps of another England golfer, Lauren Taylor of Woburn, who went on to win the 2011 award.

Hall's nomination

comes at the end of a superb year for the youngster – she is Europe’s number one woman golfer and is fourth place in the world rankings.

celebrations and the Olympics and Paralympics.

Richard Flint, England Golf’s Development Manager, commented: “These are fantastic results for the CGPs and for golf clubs.

“It is clear that CGPs are benefiting from working more closely together and sharing examples of best practice."

LAUNCESTON MARKS GATEWAY TO CORNWALL A well-established course which offers stunning views over Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor, Launceston provides an excellent test of your game.

The course is a 6385-yard par-70 parkland and is the first club as you cross the Cornish border.

SOMERSET STARLET SEALS VICTORY Bethany Baker has become the first girl to win the Henry Dibble Junior Matchplay competition at Minehead, Somerset.

The event was played over four rounds in October and November and Baker comfortably defeated three boys to secure the title.

She beat Simon Stent (11) in the last eight, Owen Thresher (17) in the semis and Minehead junior captain Jordan Arnold (8) in the final.

The 12-year-old has only been playing for a year and is a member at Tiverton.

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 111

NCG pp112-113 SW Directory Adverts 14/12/2012 17:34 Page 112

SOUTH WEST DIRECTORY

Wolfedale GOLF COURSE WE OFFER • Full range of equipment • PGA Qualified lessons • 6 hole Starters Course • Golf Shop and repairs • Full bar facilities • Equipment hire

Situated in beautiful parkland with panoramic views over the tranquil Dorset countryside.

THE CADDY BAR Relax and enjoy the full bar facilities offered in our friendly Caddy Bar. We have local real ale, local food, tea & coffee. Bar snacks are also available.

For more information please contact us on Golf Shop: 01305 260186 Caddy Bar: 01305 262486 www.wolfedalegolf.co.uk

Launceston Golf Club Spectacular views over the Devon and Cornwall border

GREAT DEALS FOR GREEN FEES AND SOCIETIES

Isle of Purbeck Golf Club

www.purbeckgolf.co.uk 01929 450354

Winter Golf from Nov 1st 4 Ball for £100 inc morning coffee, bacon bap, 18 holes and a one plate meal after play. Tee off before 11am

County Cards accepted please phone for details Now available to book online at www.purbeckgolf.co.uk Check the website for special deals and Open details Clubhouse now open to non-members for bar and restaurant meals

Come and play this cliff top course with spectacular views across Plymouth Sound, the historic city of Plymouth and the moors of Devon and Cornwall

ST WELCOME SOCIETIES MO GROUPS AND

call us on 01566 773442 or e.mail secretary@launcestongolfclub.co.uk

For details call Tim Aggett or Sharon Bailey on 01752 402475

www.launcestongolfclub.co.uk

Email: golf@shgc.uk.net

112 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

NCG pp112-113 SW Directory Adverts 14/12/2012 17:34 Page 113

FREE GOLF GOL

AWARD D

5 STAR ccccc COMMENDED HOTEL & LUXURY LOG HOMES TO RENT

Close to Poole & Bournemouth • 2 Fantastic Golf Courses • Dinner, Bed, Breakfast & Free Golf from £67.95pppn 12 Luxury Detached Log Homes to rent. Min 2 night, sleeps 8, sauna, log stoves.

You won’t be disappointed!

CALL TODAY 01929 472 244

FREE Pint & Practice Balls on Arrival Quote NCG/Feb

ROYAL NORTH DEVON GOLF CLUB England’s oldest links golf club extends a friendly welcome

GREEN FEES Sunday - Thursday £55 Friday & Saturday £60 Twilight £30 - After 4pm

Membership available Full £620 Country from £265 Comfortable Clubhouse with lounge bar, dining room (full catering available), museum room and other amenities.

For further information contact The Office Royal North Devon Golf Club | Golf Links Road | Westward Ho! Bideford | Devon | EX39 1HD 01237 473817 | info@royalnorthdevongolfclub.co.uk | www.royalnorthdevongolfclub.co.uk

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NCG pp114 NW Directory Adverts 14/12/2012 17:38 Page 114

NORTH WEST DIRECTORY

114 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

NCG pp115 NW Course Directory 14/12/2012 15:00 Page 115

Golfer NORTH WEST NATIONAL

CLUB

COURSEDIRECTORY

STAY-AND-PLAY AT HAWKSTONE PARK Hawkstone Park, in Shropshire, has 42 holes and an outstanding onsite hotel. It is therefore absolutely perfect for a golf break.

The Hawkstone Course is the premier track and is one of the most fascinating in England.

Established in 1920, the awesome follies look down on you in intimidating fashion as you navigate through towering oak and birch trees.

This is a great place to visit.

STUNNING VIEWS AT MARSDEN PARK Enjoy stunning views of East Lancashire and the majestic Pendle Hill as you take your swing around Marsden Park.

Set in the foothills of Pendle Hill, this is a public course with a private feel. The venue provides a testing 18 holes of 5,989 yards and a par of 70.

LYTHAM AND ST ANNES PACKAGE Head to the North West this winter and you could take advantage of a wonderful golf offer allowing you to play Fairhaven, St Annes Old Links and Lytham Green Drive with a two night bed and breakfast stay for just £169pp.

Cheshire | Cumbria | Lancashire | Merseyside

NEW PRACTICE FACILITY AT WILMSLOW CHESHIRE club Wilmslow have marked a new era with the opening of an all-new practice facility and player performance centre.

The project has given an already extensive practice area a new lease of life by maximising the potential of a 300+yard long range with up to 17 golfers now being able to hit

ENGLAND’S GOLF COAST REFORMS One of Britain’s biggest golf marketing groups has reformed thanks to new funding.

balls at once.

The facility was the brainchild of head professional Matthew Gillingham and has taken 18 months to design, plan and create.

"Our goal was to deliver a product that stands up against any other private members’ club and guarantee our practice facility is in-

England’s Golf Coast previously consisted of more than 20 clubs and several hotels which marketed their offerings to golfers around the world, but lost its funding in 2012.

However, more than half of the clubs have now agreed to fund the group themselves, and it is anticipated that several others will also come back.

“England’s Golf Coast – which stretches from Royal Lytham & St Annes to Royal Liverpool – encompasses arguably the finest stretch of golfing land found anywhere in the British Isles," said spokesperson Philip Craghill.

NUMBERS ARE ON THE UP County Golf Partnerships across the region are celebrating after a hugely successful summer.

Participants from the region include Cheshire and Cumbria.

England’s network of CGP's introduced over 70,000 people to golf in the six months to the end of September – almost double the number who tried the sport last year.

keeping with the quality of our championship course," he said.

The facility has been kitted out with the latest equipment including TrackMan, the market leader in ball flight analysis for use in conjunction with golf tuition and custom fitting along with high speed cameras for video analysis.

England Golf’s Richard Flint said: “It is clear that CGPs are benefiting from working more closely together and sharing examples of best practice."

GREAT GREENS AT GARSTANG Despite being located in an area dominated by great links courses, Garstang is one of the finest parkland courses in the North West.

This mature and testing layout is home to some of the country's best inland greens and excellent drainage makes it playable throughout the year.

SUCCESS FOR ST ANNES PROFESSIONAL St Annes Old Links' head professional Dan Webster has been awarded the Formost Golf Professional of the Year award for 2012.

Webster received the award from BBC golf commentator Andrew Cotter at the recent Foremost Golf Industry Awards Dinner.

Webster has seen his turnover increase by more than 61 per cent in the last two years.

He is already making plans for the coming years which might well see him up on stage again at future award ceremonies.

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NCG pp116 NW Directory Adverts 14/12/2012 17:41 Page 116

NORTH WEST DIRECTORY

Golfer NATIONAL

CLUB

COURSEDIRECTORY

Are you a North West club?

Want to appear in our new regional directory?

• Attract new members • Attract societies from nearby clubs • Attract visiting parties from further afield

Call 01274 851 323 or email info@sportspub.co.uk

Three great courses One great price 3 rounds of golf 2 nights accommodation From

£179 per person

116 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

NCG pp119 EM Course Directory 12/14/12 6:07 PM Page 117

Golfer EAST MIDLANDS NATIONAL

CLUB

COURSEDIRECTORY

LOUGHBOROUGH TO HOST DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE This year's County Golf Development Conference will be held at Loughborough University in February.

The event brings together representatives from the County Golf Partnerships to share best practice at workshops and hear presentations from key speakers with the golf industry and also other sports.

For more information visit www.englandgolf.org

GOLFMARK CLUB OF THE YEAR TO BE ANNOUNCED The GolfMark Club of the Year 2013 will be presented at this year's County Golf Development Conference being held at Loughborough University.

The award recognises those clubs which have provided incentives and initiatives for the development of juniors and beginners.

GET YEAR-ROUND VALUE AT WENSUM VALLEY Wensum Valley is set in 350 acres of beautiful Norfolk countryside and is home to two exquisite courses.

The venue in great condition all year round thanks to being built on free-draining soil as well as being located in one of the UK’s driest counties.

It is a perfect winter escape.

Derbyshire | Northants | Notts | Lincolnshire | Cambridgeshire | Norfolk | Suffolk

THORPENESS TO HOST PGA SUPER 60S Suffolk club Thorpeness has been announced as the host of the PGA Super 60s Tournament in 2013.

Senior players regularly play in the 36-hole betterball event, which carries a £10,000 prize-fund.

Frank Hill, head professional at the club, admits he is delighted with the news, not least so the club can showcase new changes to the James Braiddesigned course.

“The course merits hosting this event and the players will love it,” he said.

MYCOCK AND WILSON SECURE TITLES Promising youngsters Charley Mycock and Aimee Wilson have secured victory

in Derbyshire Golf’s season-long Junior Order of Merit.

The event brought together an impressive 133 budding young players between the ages of 9 and 18 to compete for the title.

Wilson, from Mickleover GC, completed a clean sweep in the girls’ gross competition and Mycock, from Buxton and High Peak GC, emerged victorious in the boys’ category.

The competition is part of a wide range of initiatives aimed at providing a pathway for young golfers in the county to develop their game.

TURNER IN OLYMPIC SQUAD A Kenwick Park youngster has been named in the youth Olympic squad which will compete for Team GB in Sydney this January.

Ashton Turner earned a place in the squad after winning the Junior County Champions’ Tournament and Lincolnshire Boys’ Championship.

The 16-year-old also

“There have many changes in the past three years with a new bunker layout now in place. This work has updated the excellent course originally laid out

by James Braid in 1922.”

PGA head of tournaments, Simon Higginbottom, said: “The PGA Super 60s is a popular event for our older members and we’re delighted to be staging the tournament at Thorpeness which rightly has a reputation for being an outstanding course and venue."

won five of his six games in the boys’ Home Internationals and represented GB&I in the Jacques Leglise Trophy.

Turner is joined by Jack Singh-Brar (Brokenhurst Manor), Gabriella Cowley (Brocket Hall), Harry Ellis (Meon Valley), Georgia Hall (Remedy Oak) and Amber Ratcliffe (Royal Cromer).

SEASIDE FUN AT NORTH SHORE Designes by James Braid, North Shore offers an immaculate course and an on-site hotel.

Visit here and you can also play other nearby courses such as Seacroft. The course is an unusual combination of seaside holes and parkland, so there is never a dull moment.

AWARDS FOR VOLUNTEERS Golf volunteers are set to be rewarded for their achievements at an event held in Loughborough in February.

There are seven different Volunteer of the Year Award categories which factor in age groups, including Under 18, volunteer coaching, those involved in club and county development, and lifetime achievers.

The winners will come from the growing network of golf volunteers. They contribute within golf clubs, schools, county golf partnerships, training schemes and other programmes.

For more visit www.golfvolunteers.org

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 117

NCG pp118 EM Directory Adverts 14/12/2012 17:46 Page 118

EAST MIDLANDS DIRECTORY

BULWELL FOREST HUCKNALL ROAD, BULWELL, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE NG6 9LQ

Beeston Fields Golf Club Old Drive, Wollaton Road, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 3DD

Come and visit Nottingham’s Oldest Golf Course

FANTASTIC OFFER TO NEW MEMBERS ONLY 2013

County Union fees apply

18 HOLES

Weekdays £15

WINTER WARMER OFFER

SOCIETY PACKAGES

29th October 2012 – 29th March 2013

Available until 31/3/13

Full 7 Day Membership £399 Lady Members £299 Husband & Spouse £650 Junior Members under 16 yrs Free

Groups of 6 - 11 Save 20% Groups of 12 - 17 Save 25% Groups of 18 - 23 Save 30% Groups of 24+ Save 40%

Stage payments accepted, T&Cs apply to membership offers, Golf England and

SAVE £££!

18 holes of golf followed by pie, chips, peas & gravy for only £23.00 per person On request prior to play, bacon roll & coffee for an additional £4.00 per person

Email us at secretary@bulwellforestgolfclub.co.uk

TRIAL MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE £250 for 3 months

Visit our website for online bookings

For any further details please contact Emma Beresford Tel: 0115 925 7062 | Email: info@beestonfields.co.uk

www.bulwellforestgolfclub.co.uk

www.beestonfields.co.uk

Call us today on 0115 976 3172

118 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

Sherwood Forest 14/12/2012 17:21 Page 1

WINTER GOLF SPECIALS AT

SHERWOOD FOREST GOLF CLUB

Winter Specials available NOW until 30th April 2013

18 Holes of Golf & a Sherwood Forest breakfast, tea or coffee

£35.00 per person Available most weekdays

Contact us on

01623 627403 / 626689

Sherwood Forest Golf Club | Eakring Road | Mansfield | Nottinghamshire | NG18 3EW T 01623 627403 • E info@sherwoodforestgolfclub.co.uk • W www.sherwoodforestgolfclub.co.uk

NCG pp120 WM Directory Adverts 12/14/12 5:47 PM Page 120

WEST MIDLANDS DIRECTORY

Societies welcome throughout 2012

Golfer NATIONAL

Golf Packages from £22.50pp

CLUB

COURSEDIRECTORY

(including food)

New 28 bay Driving Range

Wassell Grove Lane, Hagley, West Midlands DY9 9JW

Are you a West Midlands club?

Want to appear in our new regional directory?

• Attract new members • Attract societies from nearby clubs • Attract visiting parties from further afield

For bookings contact the Society Co-ordinator Tel: 01562 883701 www.hagleygolfandcountryclub.co.uk

Call 0113 289 3979 or email info@sportspub.co.uk

A perfect venue for a golf day

Qualifying School Venue

Home to the English Amateur 2013

WINTER PACKAGE from

£50

per person

Available from 1 Nov to 31 Mar INCLUDES: • Unlimited golf on any of our 3 championship courses • Coffee on arrival and the famous ‘Frilford Brunch’ events@frilfordheath.co.uk

Frilford Heath | Abingdon | Oxon | OX13 5NW | 01865 390 864 www.frilfordheath.co.uk

120 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

FRILFORD HEATH GOLF CLUB

NCG pp121 WM Course Directory 14/12/2012 15:03 Page 121

Golfer WEST MIDLANDS NATIONAL

CLUB

COURSEDIRECTORY

CHARITY DONATION AT THE OXFORDSHIRE The Oxfordshire's men's club captain, Marcus Simmons, has presented a cheque for over £30,000 to the Florence Nightingale Hospice.

The large sum has been raised over the last year through various fundraising activities, and the money will go towards providing accessible and free-ofcharge palliative care within the local community.

PROJECT HELPS DISADVANTAGED YOUNGSTERS A Golf Foundation project in the Shrewbury area has been inspiring disadvantaged foster children through teambased golf experiences.

Part of a new national scheme called ‘HSBC Golf Roots Plus’, funding is available for organisations who feel youngsters in their care would benefit from developing life skills through sport.

NEW RANGE AT THE ABBEY Three Worcester Warriors rugby players took up a new sport at the Abbey Hotel in Redditch, practising on the new driving range.

The new covered two-tier range features 28 bays, including three heated teaching bays, an outfield with state-ofthe-art lighting, automated dispensers and three artificial turf target greens.

Staffs | Shropshire | Herefordshire | Worcs | West Midlands | Warks | Oxfordshire

FEATURED COURSE: FRILFORD HEATH You can count on the fingers of one hand the number of clubs with three outstanding courses to call on – in fact in England it is hard to see past Wentworth, Woburn and Frilford Heath.

The Red, Green and Blue at the latter represent your choices, and collectively occupy some 600 acres.

A few miles outside Oxford, what makes Frilford Heath really special is the sandy soil its 54 holes occupy.

The turf is a delight to hit from and you can

FREE ACCESS FOR ASPIRING PROS A Shropshire club is giving a select band of aspiring PGA professionals a boost – by throwing open its fairways for free.

Cleobury Mortimer has waived all fees as it looks to support students on

the University of Birmingham and PGA accredited Applied Golf Management Studies degree (AGMS).

The club, which celebrates its 20th anniversary next year, has employed AGMS students over the past two summers and is now giving all students complete access to facilities.

General manager Graham Pain said: “Given the AGMS degree is such a prestigious course with just 25 students a year, we know as a business that we are getting some of the most exciting young professionals coming into the profession."

LEAMINGTON ON SHORTLIST A Warwickshire club has been named on the shortlist for the prestigious GolfMark Club of the Year award.

Leamington & County, which celebrated its centenary in 2008, is joined by Upton-byChester in Cheshire and Essex’s Garon Park on the three-club shortlist.

Each club has been visited by judges from

expect firm conditions underfoot even when other nearby courses are soggy.

The Red is considered the pick of the courses and measures in excess of 6,800 yards from the back tees.

The heathland fairways are firm and fast-running so accurate shots are always well rewarded.

The Green course is known for the quality of its short holes, whilst the Blue represents more modern golf and offers undulating greens and more obvious bunkering.

England Golf and the winner will be announced at the 2013 County Golf Development Conference on February 7.

This prestigious award, now in its fifth year, recognises GolfMark clubs which have shown an outstanding and innovative contribution to junior and beginner golf.

LONG-SERVING KITE STANDS DOWN Sutton Coldfield have announced that course manager Alan Kite has retired after 50 years of service.

Kite took the role back in 1979 after joining as a greenkeeper, and has also served as head greenkeeper. Craig Beet is the new incumbent.

GREAT OFFERS AT DRAYCOTE For those looking for a place to escape Draycote Hotel offers unrivalled golf breaks in Shakespeare’s county.

The complex contains Whitefields GC, a great all-yearround venue on the shores of Draycote Water. The course boasts excellent holes and provides a stern but enjoyable test.

Stay-and-play packages at the venue also provide unbeatable value, with midweek breaks starting from as little as £59pp including dinner and two rounds.

Weekend breaks are priced from £85.

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 121

NCG pp122 WM Directory Adverts 12/14/12 5:40 PM Page 122

WEST MIDLANDS DIRECTORY

122 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

NCG pp123 SE Directory Adverts 12/14/12 5:36 PM Page 123

SOUTH WEST DIRECTORY • SOCIETY DAYS FROM £18.50PP • GOLF BREAKS FROM £72.50PP 1 NIGHT & 2 ROUNDS • VISITOR GREENFEE £15 ALL DAY WEDNESDAY* *October 1st 2012 – March 31st 2013

MAIDSTONE ROAD, HEADCORN, KENT TN27 9PT

01622 890866 www.weald-of-kent.co.uk

Shanklin & Sandown Golf Club

Visitors & Societies Welcome For further information, special offers and bookings please email club@ssgolfclub.com or telephone (01983) 403217

visit us at www.ssgolfclub.com The Fairway, Sandown, Isle of Wight PO36 9PR

Golfer NATIONAL

CLUB

COURSEDIRECTORY

Are you a South East club?

Welwyn Garden City Golf Club 2013 SOCIETY PACKAGES Excellent course and hospitality Packages from £31 per person

Want to appear in our new regional directory?

A variety of packages to suit all Monday – Friday

• Attract new members • Attract societies from nearby clubs • Attract visiting parties from further afield

Call 01274 851 323 or email info@sportspub.co.uk

subject to availability

Membership Offers Available

WELWYN GARDEN CITY GOLF CLUB Mannicotts | High Oaks Road | Welwyn Garden City Herts | AL8 7BP www.wgcgc.co.uk | secretary@wgcgc.co.uk

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 123

NCG pp124 SE Course Directory 14/12/2012 15:04 Page 124

Golfer SOUTH EAST NATIONAL

CLUB

COURSEDIRECTORY

HOEBRIDGE RAISES HUGE AMOUNT FOR CHARITY Kind-hearted golfers at Hoebridge Golf Centre have raised an astonishing £33,997 for local charity, Shooting Star Chase, over the last two years.

Over the course of Sandra Combstock’s two-year tenure as charity chairperson, golfers have participated in golf days, casino nights and fancy dress parties to help raise the money.

INTERNATIONAL WIN FOR OLD THORNS PAIR Old Thorns duo Nick Haigh and Antony Chicheportiche dominated an international field to secure the 2012 Race to Portugal at the Algarve’s Monte da Quinta resort.

Haigh said: “We played some great golf at times over the two days and to win the pairs event by such a big margin was fantastic.”

MID-AMATEUR VENUES NAMED Top courses in the region have been named as hosts for events on the 2013 Mid-Amateur schedule.

Chart Hills (below), Sunningdale, Hankley Common, Liphook, Porters Park, Berkhamsted, Royal Cinque Ports, Old Fold Manor, South Herts, Farnham and Hindhead will all host events.

Bedfordshire | Berkshire | Buckinghamshire | Essex | Hampshire | Herts | Kent London | Middlesex | Surrey | Sussex

NEW IMPROVEMENTS AT WELWYN GARDEN CITY The course at Welwyn Garden City is already regarded as one of the finest in Hertfordshire, but the club are looking to further enhance their already excellent reputation by making fine-tuned improvements to the course and facilities.

Club professional Stuart Mason has opened a new indoor swing studio behind the pro shop at the club, one of the only facilities of its kind in the area. It features high definition CCTV-style cameras to provide video and swing analysis.

SHANKLIN AND SANDOWN GOES BACK TO HEATHLAND ROOTS Shanklin and Sandown is renowned for being one of the best courses on the Isle of Wight - offering excellent value and an enjoyable yet testing round.

The club has recently appointed a new greenkeeper, Tony Mears, who has set about returning the course to a heathland course with a classic feel.

The development work looks set to enhance the already excellent James Braid design, stripping many of the trees away and re-establishing areas of heather to create a course with a more rugged feel.

Visiting societies and fourballs can also take advantage of a fantastic new offer which allows players to experience the new design for just £30pp.

Please call to check availability.

RAYMOND SECURES TITLE A Corhampton player has secured the Titleist/FootJoy England Golf Men’s Order of Merit title for 2012.

Neil Raymond finished just three points ahead of his England international team-mate Craig Hinton (The Oxfordshire).

“I’m delighted to win and see my name among the previous winners, this

124 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

Additionally, the next phase of ongoing alteration work has already begun. The 1st tee has been levelled and the bunkers on the 18th are also being remodelled.

Set in undulating parkland, the course’s narrow fairways and small greens have seen many scorecards ruined with just a touch of wayward hitting.

Its superb drainage makes it a truly year-round course, providing a good venue for winter visitors and societies.

caps off my season nicely,” he said.

Titleist’s Jonathan Dowdell added: “There can be no doubt that the title has gone to a truly worthy winner.”

FORMER SPURS STAR AIDS CHARITY Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Micky Hazard helped Redbourn raise valuable funds through a charity golf day.

The day generated £688.34 to be split between Children in Need and the Pepper Foundation, which exists to provide care to severely ill children.

AIR AMBULANCE GIVEN BOOST A golf day and auction at Barkway Park has raised a staggering £9,000 to support a local air ambulance charity.

Hertfordshire Air Ambulance made a special landing to receive the cheque, with many donations from local businesses helping to boost the total.

An auction generated further money, with prizes including a signed Steven Gerrard shirt, a Darren Clarke picture and glove and signed books by Bob Wilson, Peter Alliss and Tanni Grey-Thompson. The club hope to host the event again in 2013.

NCG pp125 MP Studley Wood 14/12/2012 14:22 Page 125

Golfer MUST PLAY NATIONAL

CLUB

COURSEDIRECTORY

We unveil another top-class British course

MUST

STUDLEY WOOD, Oxfordshire

PLAY

A well-maintained parkland that is a delight to visit ABOUT Studley Wood is a hidden gem in the glorious Oxfordshire countryside, only 15 minutes’ drive from central Oxford.

Natural woodland forms the essence of Studley Wood while there are also no fewer than 13 lakes to navigate.

So you can’t afford to take your eye of the ball to take in the breathtaking scenery of this idyllic spot.

The Simon Gidman-designed course benefits from surfaces which have been prepared to the highest standard.

It is unsurprisingly regarded as one of the best modern courses in Oxfordshire, offering a winning combination of a pretty and peaceful setting.

THE COURSE The course presents a stimulating challenge – it is a well-manicured 18-hole course set within 170 undulating acres of beautiful countryside.

This natural advantage is enhanced by Studley being superbly manicured, with lush fairways and slick greens.

The two loops of nine play in opposite directions, so you are constantly calculating wind direction and therefore club selection.

Very few consecutive holes play the same way on this course, which is laid out around a 30-acre wood of mature trees.

The tees and greens meet USGA specification, which adds to the high-quality experience.

The view from the 18th tee is surely one of the finest in the county and sets up a fitting end to a terrific round.

CARD WRECKER The par-4 15th at Studley is the club’s signature hole and also the most notoriously difficult on the course.

Tree-lined on both sides with an undulating fairway and a small, fast green, this hole requires precise course management and the deftest touch on the putting surface.

Escape with a bogey or better here and most golfers will feel that they have done very well.

BIRDIE CHANCE If you can avoid the lake to the

2

right of the green, the par-5 7th gives players a good chance of birdie.

At 475 yards, it is easily reachable in three shots – or even in two for the really long hitters – and you usually don’t have to hit the final approach with anything more than a wedge, giving you a decent chance of getting close to the pin and setting up a birdie putt.

For those daring to attack from distance, the lake must be avoided at all costs.

LOCATION The course is close to Oxford and is easily accessible, sitting just off the M40. SatNav - OX33 1BF. CONTACT www.studleywoodgolfclub.co.uk

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 125

NCG pp126 Scotland Course Directory 14/12/2012 15:06 Page 126

Golfer SCOTLAND NATIONAL

CLUB

COURSEDIRECTORY

GREAT RATES AT DUCK’S If you're looking for a Scottish golf retreat this winter then Kilspindie House currently have some great offers to take advantage of.

Guests can enjoy two rounds at top links venues, picking from Dunbar, Longniddry or Gullane No.2 along with bed, breakfast and a three-course evening meal for just £125pp.

ACADEMY BOOST FOR SCHINKEL Teenager Michael Schinkel has become the first player from Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles to be selected for the Scottish Golf Academy.

The call is particularly impressive given the lack of winter daylight as well as a shortage of inter-club competitions during the season.

EMF RAISES MILLIONS The Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation has raised over £3m towards the building of two Maggie’s Centres in Lanarkshire and Aberdeen.

The foundation was founded by Colin Montgomerie in memory of his mother who died from lung cancer and provides support for cancer charities.

Email your club’s news to editorial@sportspub.co.uk

DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENTS AT NAIRN DUNBAR Improving and upkeeping a course which has existed for over 100 years can be quite daunting, but Nairn Dunbar are ensuring that their innovative work does not detract from the originality of the links they are blessed with.

As opposed to simply lengthening the course to keep up with new developments in club and ball technology, the club have subtly tightened several holes by moving or

SGU ANNOUNCES SQUAD CHANGES The Scottish Golf Union has announced a new-look, expanded National Squad Structure designed to offer more players the opportunity to fulfil their potential and improve Scotland’s performances on

the world stage.

The new approach will see four national squads in place for the 2013 season, with a two-tiered squad in both the mens' and boys' categories.

Scottish Golf Performance Manager Steve Paulding said: “What we decided this year was to broaden the squads out.

There is not much between many of our players in terms of individual performances. We are now going to be able to both support and challenge more players, looking for those with the right mind set, attitude and work ethic to make it to the top.”

PERFORMANCE SQUAD NAMED Six players have been named in the Scottish Performance Squad.

Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie), James White (Lundin) and Fraser McKenna (Balmore) all retain their places, while Ross Bell (Downfield), Matthew Clark (Kilmacolm) and Kilmarnock Barassie’s Jack McDonald have been promoted.

126 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

creating bunkers at the new normal landing areas for drives.

This year they have redeveloped their 12th hole, a dogleg shaped to the right, by replacing an artificial bank with a links-shaped mound incorporating four fairway bunkers. They are also removing the gorse on the right to reveal a huge natural sand dune.

The result is not only a course which has an extremely classy feel, but one which is now ready and very much able to cope with the demands of toplevel championship golf.

The group will receive an enhanced programme of support, including winter training and competitions. All six players represented Scotland in August’s Home Internationals win.

A total of 18 players are included in the Transitional Squad, six of whom are based at colleges over in the United States.

NEIGHBOURS LEND A HAND Nine-hole Helmsdale have completed an ambitious £12,000 project to re-lay its uneven 100-year-old greens.

It was only able to undertake the work thanks to support from Brora, the Carnegie Club and Royal Dornoch, who provided machinery and labour.

SUCCESS FOR ST ANDREWS The five-star Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa in St Andrews has been awarded ‘Best Resort of The Year’ at a ceremony celebrating Scotland’s Golf Tourism industry.

Resort general manager Daniel Pereira said: “This recognises the hard work and achievements of not just a few, but of each and every member of our dedicated team.”

The awards from leading industry organisation Golf Tourism Scotland are widely regarded as the 'Oscars of the golfing world'.

NCG pp127 Scotland Directory Adverts 12/14/12 5:30 PM Page 127

SCOTLAND DIRECTORY

VISITORS WELCOME WINTER TICKET NOW AVAILABLE Contact the Secretary on

01294 275979

Hirsel Golf Club ''The Augusta of the North''

The Hirsel Golf Club is one of the UK’s Hidden Gems and indeed was recently featured in Golf Monthly’s Top 100 Hidden Gems of UK & Ireland list The Club enjoys sharing our great course with Visitors and Societies alike and you are assured of a warm welcome 7 days a week. Group packages are competitively priced and can be tailored to suit your needs. 2013 bookings now being taken at 2011 prices. Can you afford to miss out on experiencing the Hirsel?

It couldn't be easier to arrange your visit to The Hirsel

For further details and to take advantage of all out best green fee offers contact the club by email at secretary@hirselgc.co.uk, by phone on 01890 882 678 or visit our website at www.hirselgc.co.uk Kelso Road, Coldstream, Scottish Borders TD12 4NJ

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 127

NCG pp128 Scotland Directory Adverts 12/14/12 5:31 PM Page 128

SCOTLAND DIRECTORY

PITREAVIE (DUNFERMLINE) GOLF CLUB

Course designed by Dr Alister MacKenzie creator of the US Masters course at Augusta and famous for his double and triple tiered greens This 18 hole course has a par 71 for Gents over 6,032 yards and a Par 72 over 5,243 yards for Ladies.

Craigielaw Golf Club A B E R L A DY | E A S T LOT H I A N | S COT L A N D | E H 3 2 0 P Y

…truly a golfer’s paradise

VISITING PARTIES/SOCIETIES MOST WELCOME A number of packages are available from only £20pp Enquiries to Paul Brookes, the Club Professional 01383 723151

JUST A VISITOR TO THE AREA

-

then bring this Ad and play half-price golf (max of 4 people) for £16 (Midweek) / £18 (Weekend)

Opening soon our 25 bedroom golf lodge…

Great play and stay packages available More details from our site www.craigielawlodge.com

View detailed information at

www.pitreaviegolfclub.co.uk or contact Malcolm Brown on 01383 722591 or email: secpdgc@btconnect.com

Tel: 01875 870 800 Email: info@craigielawgolfclub.com www.craigielawgolfclub.com

Dine, Stay, Golf Scotland’s Golf Coast

ABERLADY

EAST LOTHIAN

Eat in Donald’s Bistro

Unrivalled Winter Deal

Dinner, bed & breakfast. £140 per room per night

2 night’s B&B + 3 rounds of Golf (Dunbar, Longniddry and Gullane No.2)

(Includes a 3 course menu and bed & breakfast for 2 sharing. Excluding drinks.

Bed & Breakfast rate £115 per room per night. Winter deals available)

Golf passes available.

Just £199 per person Deal available from now until 31st March 2013

Ducks at Kilspindie House, Main Street, EH32 0RE

Email: kilspindie@ducks.co.uk • Tel: 01875 870682

www.ducks.co.uk 128 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

NCG pp129 MP Roxburghe 14/12/2012 14:14 Page 129

Golfer MUST PLAY NATIONAL

CLUB

COURSEDIRECTORY

We unveil another top-class British course

MUST

THE ROXBURGHE, Borders

PLAY

A modern championship layout in an attractive location ABOUT Designed in the 1990s by Dave Thomas, The Roxburghe is a rolling, tactically demanding layout that represents modern architecture at its very best. Set in the Borders, the course is blessed with a beautiful natural backdrop and boasts stunning views.

The area is often bypassed by English visitors but stopping here is an excellent idea. It is a particularly pretty part of the country and one that can be fully appreciated from the verdant Roxburghe fairways. The course was opened in stylish fashion in 1997 with a game between Colin Montgomerie and Sir Nick Faldo.

course stretches to 7,100 yards but it is designed in such a way that it sets up equally well for the club player. So 470-yard par 4s to test any tournament pro become a more realistic 395 from the yellows for the rest of us for the other 51 weeks of the year.

The holes may get shorter but that does not necessarily mean they become much easier. The bunkering, shaping of holes and contours of the greens see to that.

Often, the fairways are generous enough to offer a straightforward safety-first route with the real trouble coming into play only if a more aggressive strategy is pursued.

THE COURSE From the tips, this championship

CARD WRECKER The 469 par-4 10th is rated the

hardest hole on the course, and needs expert course management.

The tee shot creates something of an illusion as you can see the green but need to aim away from it to avoid bringing heavy rough and tricky bunkers into play.

The alternative is a relatively easy tee shot to the left and a steady mid-iron to within comfortable range of the green, but playing it in such a way makes escaping with par difficult.

BIRDIE CHANCE One of the fascinating aspects of The Roxburghe is that every hole provides a challenge, but the best chance for a birdie comes at the 364 yard par-4 3rd. This hole is the shortest par 4 on the course and has a relatively wide landing

3

area from the tee. With a good drive there is a great chance of hitting the green in two, but be sure to avoid the necklace of bunkers that surround the front of the putting surface to set up a birdie opportunity.

LOCATION The course is located near Kelso and Coldstream, around 10 miles from the Scotland/England border. Access via the A68 or A697. SatNav: TD5 8JZ. GREEN FEES Range from ÂŁ40 to ÂŁ80 depending on the time of year. Fourballs receive a discount.

CONTACT www.roxburghegolfclub.co.uk

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | FEBRUARY 2013 129

NCG pp130 Columnist MT 14/12/2012 14:37 Page 130

MARK TOWNSEND Reflecting on another annus mediocritis S it always going to be like this?

Will I always associate my favourite (and most healthy) hobby with a series of letdowns and mental wobbles?

Having had a collection of approximately 10 lessons in the past 30 years I can appreciate the technical breakdowns that a swing that belongs in 1984 brings. On top of which I have no core stability, short hamstrings, some sort of hip irregularity and a fat, little paunch that gets fatter and less little with every passing month.

All of this is fine and comes with the territory of being very ordinary. What continues to irk me is that 90 per cent of my concerns stem from what has gone on before I have even pulled the club back. Those beautiful rare moments of clarity when you know you are going to nail a drive or sink a three-footer come but once a month. In all honesty, in the past 20 years, I can say I have never stood over a long (six) iron and not considered the possibility of finding the hosel.

Maybe it will only be for a split second but, at some point in the process, I will have visualised a disgusting trill sound, an embarrassed, stifled shriek and the distinct chance that I will never see my ball again.

Failing that the very worst scenario will always be considered – things like hitting a ball cleaner and eradicating a playing partner or failing to register a single point are ten-a-penny passing thoughts. And so, with a new year and a bright new dawn upon us, it is time to reflect on my most pathetic meltdowns from another 12 months of mental mishaps.

I

March 25: Year’s opening Major, 8th hole Things are good, the sun is out, the clocks have just gone forward, we’re at a crackerjack of a course and I have a nine-point lead over the field. After 79 holes I am two better than level 2s and am in control of my swing and my thoughts. Better still I am in the middle of the fairway, with a shot, and just an 8 iron left in.

And then I come very close to piping one, not quite acute enough to be in the undergrowth but enough to be sitting among the roots of an old oak tree. It is unplayable. So I play it, and make a blob, and so it begins. The doubts that have been mainly absent for three days flood back and two hours later I am doing laps of the

130 FEBRUARY 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

Help, I’m scared Even as a youngster I had a sense of doom

‘It is unplayable.

So I play it. And make a blob’ putting green in a play-off against a fellow cretin who missed an 18-inch putt at the last to see me off. I hole a 20-footer for victory but the damage has been done. I hate myself.

June 8: First medal for 11 years, 1st hole A par 5 which measures just shy of 500 yards and we have found the fairway with the most satisfying drive of my adult life. There is, roughly speaking, 218 yards to a pin which is surrounded by, well, not much really. No deep bunkers, trees or hidden chasms. The opportunity to squirt a hybrid on or around the green is there like a flashing beacon. Barely possible, and only with a very quick hook, is an out of bounds fence that hasn’t been a factor at any point in the past six months. An 8 iron is removed from the satchel and half-topped up

the fairway leaving a 70-yard pitch, which was even more timid than the approach, en route to an opening, thoroughly predictable and selffulfilling prophecy of a bogey six.

June 8: First medal for 11 years, 3rd hole This is a shot I have envisaged for much of the previous 11 years. A chip, over sand, with at least 40 feet to work with. As soon as the approach was struck there had been a wave of nausea of what lay ahead. I would love to say that, having spent large chunks of the previous week perfecting this very shot, I then chipped her up to four feet and knocked her in. What did happen was that my lower half was almost on the putting surface before I had even started to return the club to the ball and my shaking hands just about made enough contact to slam the ball into the face of the bunker.

Within half an hour the very same thing had also happened on the next three holes.

• Mark Townsend is NCG’s deputy editor. He plays off 7 and has a quite appalling short game

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