National Club Golfer June 2013 Issue

NCG Cover June 13 19/04/2013 09:52 Page 3

ALSO INSIDE: MASTERS REFLECTIONS n LAPLAND n PLAYERS’ DRIVERS

CLUB GOLF 36-PAGE SECTION ON THE GRASS ROOTS OF THE GAME

The

King EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

An audience with Arnold Palmer

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NCG pp 6 Ed Comm 19/04/2013 13:06 Page 6

ALSO INSIDE: MASTERS REFLECTIONS n LAPLAND n PLAYERS’ DRIVERS

CLUB GOLF 36-PAGE SECTION ON THE GRASS ROOTS OF THE GAME

The King EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

An audience with Arnold Palmer

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Dan Murphy DEPUTY EDITOR Mark Townsend STAFF WRITERS Joe Harrison James Tompkinson Joe Whitley CONTRIBUTORS Chris Bertram Colin Callander Robert Rock PHOTOGRAPHY Getty Images, Thinkstock, Eve Burton CHIEF DESIGNER Andrew Kenworthy DESIGNER & WEBMASTER Daniel Cooper PUBLISHER Tom Irwin 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 ISSN 1354 2532

Editor’s comment HE Masters was dominated by rules controversies, suffered from a damp Sunday and was just about saved by the best play-off I can remember in terms of quality of play since Padraig Harrington and Sergio Garcia at Carnoustie in 2007.

Adam Scott deserved his first Major, not least for the way he handled his late collapse at Royal Lytham last July.

He may well reflect on how much easier it is to make a late charge as he did at Augusta than lead the way for long periods as happened at the Open.

As for Angel Cabrera, rarely seen outside the Major championships these days, he played with the freedom of a man contented with his career and therefore with little to lose.

You will have your own opinion of the Tiger Woods rules incident, on which too much has already been said and written, but I keep thinking back to the moment before the infamous drop.

Specifically when Tiger stood in the middle of the 15th fairway at five under par watching a perfectly struck pitch shot float towards the pin.

At that moment, he must have thought he had the tournament exactly where he wanted it. A tap-in birdie to go to -6, three pars to finish and a share of the halfway lead with Jason Day. Two rounds of under-stated excellence, strategically flawless play and the position from which he has won almost all of his Majors – namely the front – safely assumed.

For me, there would only have been one winner from there and I suspect he might have been slipping on his fifth Green Jacket come Sunday with something to spare.

The break that saw his ball strike the base of the flag on the fly then ricochet not only away from its target, not only off the green but also into a water

T

hazard was about as bad as I can think possible.

You can account for NCG is a month ly magazine distri many things in golf to buted to the go lf clubs of Grea limit your exposure t Britain.

Written specific to the capricious ally for you, the serious golfe r, we aim to influences of Lady provide an insigh tful Luck but I’m not and trustworthy guide to all sure that hitting away aspects of the game from the pin just in case your ball should hit it is one of them.

S for Tianlang Guan, I have less sympathy than most.

I believe he was guilty of slow play and if, as seems highly possible, we are going to spend the next 30 years watching him develop into a multiple Major champion then I hope he learns a harsh lesson and becomes not only a great player but a brisk one as well.

Certainly, it was not the fault of John Paramor, the rules official, who enjoys the unanimous respect of anyone I’ve ever met in the professional game for his fairness and probity.

What we can say with confidence is that Guan was not the only slow player – and probably not the slowest – and it is clear that a better system needs to be devised that catches and punishes the many culprits who are more worldly-wise than this remarkable 14 year old.

A

TWO HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS ISSUE...

P36: ARNOLD PALMER I recently had the privilege of meeting The King. As much as I would like to retain a dignified professional distance, I’m afraid I can’t. It was an experience I will treasure for the rest of my life.

P120: GOLF IN LAPLAND No, that isn’t a mis-print. I was myself mystified when Connoisseur Clive sent me an unusual (even by his standards) text a few months ago telling me the latest trip he’d been invited on. This is what happened...

Connoisseur

Clive

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.

SHORT HAUL | Sweden

LAPLAND

Clive is 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

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

An audience with

THE KING

the game. charismatic men to grace the most decorated and future Arnold Palmer is one of on golf’s past, present and we listened to his views Over breakfast at Bay Hill,

BY DAN MURPHY |

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

MONTANA PRITCHARD,

GETTY

I

T is now a little after 10pm, visibility is down to less than five yards, the surrounding roads are all shut and our gallery is down to one – Nicke, a club singer who, four hours previously, had been entertaining us with his version of Black Velvet.

I ask him what he’s doing halfway up a ski slope in -20˚C watching four maniacs hitting golf balls to which he replies ‘when you spend as much time in hotel rooms as I do why wouldn’t you be out here?’

Our man tackles temperatures in the -20s but still doesn’t stop that him from squeezin g 18 holes in

I want to give him a hug, as much for his loyalty as opposed to just keeping warm.

I had concerns about many aspects of this trip – like how my delicate putting stroke would stand up – but I needn’t have worried about the cuisine.

Arctic char has puzzled me since Mike Weir selected it for his Masters Champions’ Dinner and I now salute the left-hander for his choice.

A cross between salmon and trout it has quickly become my favourite fish, superseding our old friend the sea bass.

Younger readers look away now. Another sensational first was reindeer which played a little bit of havoc with my conscience but not too much with my taste buds. For once there is no comparison with chicken, more a tender game and low in fat so perfect for those of us with a fuller figure.

Clive’s Cigarometer

Lapland scores...

120 JUNE 2013 |

.com 36 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer

www.nationalc lubgolfer.com Don’t slice Not your average short par 4

I am in the resort of Bjorkliden, 100 kilometres north of Sweden’s northernmos Kiruna, t city. I am also in Lapland.

Though, rather than a belated trip to see Santa, I am here for the golf, obviously.

Thirteen hours previously this round had begun in clear skies, bright sunshine and a jaunty -9˚.

Hopes were high, hands and layers of clothing were cold were bulging from my already bulging frame.

This was the first time I had ever donned a snood and I think I rather carried it off – think Martin Kaymer meets Carlos Tevez (who then meets David Niven).

I had never seen a snow golf course before but none could be so immaculate as this. I rarely use the word ‘breathtaking ’ as bland adjectives such as ‘pretty’ generally suffice but this, with a 70km lake as the backdrop and the distant huskies the only sound, this deserves a grander adjective.

Better still, a small red flag 180 yards away signified the start of a golf course.

Work had begun at 7am by the ‘whitekeepers’ to get the course ready. Ordinarily this would mean making the course presentable and a gentle trim, here it involves a huge operation of digging fairways and pinpointing out and preparing the ‘whites’.

The sharper tools in the box will no doubt be wondering how golf and snow can be mixed with balls forever being lost ‘rough’. The answer in the is fairly simple – anything off the fairway would mean a drop under penalty of one and, courtesy of a giveaway small hole in the surface, balls were rarely lost.

www.nationalc lubgolfer.com

6 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

| JUNE 2013

121

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NCG pp 10-11 MOTM 19/04/2013 10:19 Page 10

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

10 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

NCG pp 10-11 MOTM 19/04/2013 10:19 Page 11

MOMENT OF THE MONTH

I

T was in many respects a flawed Masters Tournament: rulings over slow play and a drop which did little to enhance the game’s reputation; a final round so drab it made 2008 seem like 1996; frequently tedious behaviour from the crowds; even Sunday’s weather was dreich.

And then the leaders got to 18.

The previous two holes had seen the action pep up a little, but the drama which unfolded in the space of 10 minutes superceded the whole day’s action combined.

It was an illustration of all that is good in golf.

First, Adam Scott hit a drive and approach which, after his Lytham agony, made a mockery of those who suggested he lacked bottle.

He then made his first significantly long putt of the day and the ‘quiet man’ of golf celebrated with a roar of “Come on Aussie”. Equally as notable was his countryman Marc Leishman’s fist pump as Scott’s putt dropped. Out of contention, the putt was irrelevant to him, but the warmth of his congratulations was lovely nonetheless.

Scott left the green anointed as the champion, with Cabrera in the fairway needing to get up and down to force a play-off. Even more importantly, he knew he had to make three. As if anyone can make birdie when they know they need to at Augusta. In the rain.

And yet, one swat of his 7 iron later, Cabrera had Scott reaching for his glove and his Pro V1 again.

The reaction between Cabrera and his son, also his caddie, was absolute magic. They grinned at each other with an innocence and joy which is rarely seen in top-class sport. It reminded one of playing sport in the schoolyard.

After the first extra hole was admirably halved in pars, both men then hit pure drives and approaches to the 10th green.

Cabrera’s positive putt just missed, Scott’s slightly tentative one didn’t.

The former congratulated the new champion with characteristic insouciance and genuine feeling.

It was a terrific climax to a modest Masters which had once promised much. Happily, it will be the class and sportsmanship of Scott, Leishman and Cabrera which will live longest in the memory.

Adam Scott

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NCG pp 12-13 WRBP Western Gailes 19/04/2013 10:20 Page 12

ON THE TEE

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WE’D RATHER BE PLAYING...

WESTERN GAILES One of Ayrshire’s finest links – yet a curiously unheralded one

Gailes force This is one of Scotland’s great links

12 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

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| GRASS ROOTS

NCG pp 12-13 WRBP Western Gailes 19/04/2013 10:21 Page 13

T

HE Ayrshire coastline is blessed with some of Britain’s finest links, and Western Gailes is one of the very best. Laid out in a figure of eight, the course has the ubiquitous railway track running down one side and the sea down the other. While this kind of long, thin strip of land is typical in this part of the world, having the clubhouse sited in the middle of the links is not – but is a nice aspect by which to remember the club. You will also note the vintage seaside turf and a back nine which is as exacting as golf can get when it is breezy – not least the par-4 17th hole, a beast when played into a headwind. Try it for yourself...

Louis Oosthuizen

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www.footjoy.co.uk www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 13

NCG pp 14-15 Captured On Film 19/04/2013 10:21 Page 14

ON THE TEE

| ARCHIVE |

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CAPTURED ON FILM

JUNE 29, 1934 Henry Cotton ends America’s dominance in The Open – and a ball is born

14 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

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NCG pp 14-15 Captured On Film 19/04/2013 10:21 Page 15

THE BACKGROUND Since Arthur Havers in 1923, nothing other than American hands had been on the Claret Jug (if we class English-born but American resident Jim Barnes as a man of the States). Mostly, granted, by legends of the game such as Jones and Hagen, but Denny Shute’s 1933 victory was confirmation that even lesserknown visitors could see off the cream of British professionals.

THE ACTION Henry Cotton began in scintillating fashion, an opening 67 being followed by a 65 – a championship record – to open up a 10-stroke lead over the field at Sandwich.

His second round was seized on by the Dunlop company and their best-selling golf ball bore the magic number for many years.

The field were so far adrift it was felt like an exhibition, and even though he couldn’t keep up his form in the third round, with a 72, no-one could take advantage and he took a 10-shot lead into the closing 18. However, two-thirds of the way round, Cotton was struggling badly. He suffered badly with nerves and, unable to eat before teeing off, he suffered stomach cramps and reached the turn in 40. Three more shots were spilled over the next three holes before he was able to stem the flow. Short of the green in two at the 13th he chipped to four feet and holed the putt, steadying his nerves to get home in 79.

It was good enough for a five-shot win – over Sid Brews of South Africa – and the first of his three Open titles. In all, he played in 20 Opens between 1927 and 1958, finishing in the top-10 17 times.

Here he is in action on the 6th green, on the left is Charles Whitcombe, who finished tied 7th.

THE QUOTE “Long before Cotton made his appearance on the 1st tee this morning, a crowd of 3,000 or 4,000 were lining the fairway up to the 1st green. Cars clustered in the parking places like great shining black beetles. Cinema cameramen mounted their talkie machines on the tops of their vans and laid long wriggling cables across the tee” Guardian report on Cotton’s win.

Bubba Watson

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www.footjoy.co.uk www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 15

NCG pp 16-17 Change Your Game 19/04/2013 10:24 Page 16

ON THE TEE

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| GEAR |

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THIS WILL CHANGE YOUR GAME

MOTOCADDY M1 PRO This compact trolley fits easily into the boot of a car

NEW

MODE L FROM THE

TROLL EXPER EY TS

MINI MAGIC The M1 Pro is so compact when folded up that it will fit into the boot of a twoseater Mini Cooper S Roadster. For those of us who need to take a trolley with us wherever we go, this makes it an exciting new option.

Accessorise An inbuilt device cradle can hold a wide range of GPS devices that can also be powered from a patented USB charging port.

Sporty A new look incorporates a two-bar frame that allows an 18-hole leadacid or Motocaddy Lithium battery to remain in its tray when the trolley is folded

Light touch The M1 Pro weighs just 10.5 kg and folds down to a size not much bigger than hand luggage

Whisper quiet The trolley is powered by a 230w motor and either an 18-hole Lead-acid battery or a superlightweight Lithium version available in both 18- and 36-hole options

16 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

Key facts and options The M1 Pro is available in Black or Alpine matt finishes from £399.99 with an 18-hole Lead-acid battery; £549.99 with 18-hole Lithium battery; and £599.99 with the 36hole Lithium battery. For more information on Motocaddy trolleys, bags, batteries and accessories, visit www.motocaddy.com.

NCG pp 16-17 Change Your Game 19/04/2013 10:24 Page 17

WHY TROLLEYS

ARE NOW FOR

EVERYONE

THE M1 PRO – A STORAGE SOLUTION

Motocaddy have introduced a foolproof compact new model, says Dan Muprhy

This is the size of the trolley when folded up. Crucially, it turns into a neat rectangle which means it slips easily into your boot, garage or storage cupboard.

You can also pick it up easily using a comfortable handle and because it clicks into place you don’t have to worry about it unfolding every time you try to lift it.

WHAT THE EXPERT SAYS Motocaddy’s managing director Tony Webb on the qualities of the M1 Pro

NEW, IMPROVED HANDLE DESIGN

“The M1 Pro is our first compact folding trolley,” says Webb. “We know a large number of golfers want transport-friendly, reliable trolleys that can fit into a variety of car boots and the easy-fold M1 Pro has been designed with this firmly in mind.”

The M1 Pro also offers Adjustable Distance Control so the trolley can travel independently up to 45m, fully-adjustable bag supports to accommodate a variety of sizes and a new ergonomic handle allowing both right and left-handed use.

The new 18-hole Lithium battery – available with all the brand’s electric trolleys – weighs just 2.2kg, a third of the lead-acid version, while at 2.5kg, the 36-hole Lithium weighs less than a quarter of the lead-acid one and is less than half of its size.

Electric trolleys were once the preserve of the seasoned golfer – now the benefits to us all of conserving energy to hit shots have become obvious. Some of us remained resolute carriers due to the sheer fiddliness of the alternative while others were put off due to a lack of boot and/or storage space.

Now there really is no excuse – the new M1 Pro comprehensively removes all of those concerns.

As stylish as it looks when assembled, what sets the M1 Pro apart is how compact it is folded up and – just as crucially – how quick and easy it is to go from the one position to the other.

A simple, numbered system tells you exactly what to do next – you work from 1 to 5 and all you need to do is find the next yellow tab to proceed. After your game, exactly the reverse is the case.

You can then easily pick up the trolley using the handle.

Take it from me that the system is (almost) idiot-proof. I did give it a dry run at home, assembling and folding the trolley using the instruction booklet but I won’t pretend I wasn’t a touch anxious arriving at a course hundreds of miles away knowing that if I couldn’t repeat the process I would have a large bag to lump round for the next three days – but I needn’t have worried.

This is not an all-singing kind of trolley – Motocaddy’s S3 range does that – rather it is simple to use and lightweight. There’s only one button, which you press to turn it on or off and twist to increase or decrease the speed.

Once finished, the only part of the folding process I got briefly wrong was the folding of the wishbone but it is satisfying when it all clicks into place and you can pop it back in the boot.

In summary, I can successfully operate the M1 Pro, and that means you can too.

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 17

NCG pp 18 OTT Skycaddie Comp 19/04/2013 11:02 Page 18

ON THE TEE

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WIN ONE OF 10 SKYCADDIE GPS WATCHES Offering the ultimate in accuracy and ease of use, these stylish watches retail at £179.95

TOTAL PRIZE VALUE:

£1,800!

To enter this fantastic competition visit WWW.NATIONALCLUBGOLFER.COM and click on Competitions.

It is FREE to enter

T

HE SkyCaddie Watch is the first to use the 100 per cent accurate SkyCaddie maps – so you get the best of all worlds.

And we’ve teamed up with SkyCaddie to put 10 watches, each worth £179.95, up for grabs in this fantastic competition.

This attractive, lightweight, comfortable and versatile watch provides unmatched golf distance accuracy in the golf GPS watch category.

It provides easy-to-read front, centre, and back-of-green yardages for the 30,000 preloaded, error-corrected, updateable ‘ground-verified’ SkyCaddie global course maps.

SKYCADDIE WATCH GPS SRP: £179.95 n Pre-loaded with all 30,000 SkyCaddie global golf course maps n All maps ground-verified by SkyCaddie mappers n Shows distances to Front, Middle and Back of greens n Auto-recognises which golf course you’re playing n Auto-Hole and Auto-Distance functions n Watch and Stopwatch functions n Odometer and Calorie Counter n Calendar To enter visit www.nationalclubgolfer.com and click on Competitions

18 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

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02/04/2013 11:06

NCG pp 20 OTT Fantasy Golf 19/04/2013 11:05 Page 20

ON THE TEE

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| COMPETITION |

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WIN A TAYLORMADE R1 IN FANTASY GOLF STATS FROM

THE 17TH The numbers from Sawgrass’s infamous par-3 island green

THE best fantasy golf game in the business has returned and the league table is already taking shape following the first few events of the season.

The great news is that it’s not too late to enter because we have prizes to give away to the top individual points-scorer each month between now and August.

Sign up now and you could win a fantastic TaylorMade R1 driver for

being the top monthly points-scorer.

The better your 10-man team performs, the more points you score. You can make up to three transfers a week and allocate a captain who will score double points.

There are counting events every week up to and including the final Major of the season, the PGA Championship, in August.

Playing the game is ABSOLUTELY FREE. Sign up now at www.nationalclubgolfer.com

40

Tee shots that found the water at last year’s event

100,000 Balls retrieved from the surrounding water every year

11

Cameras NBC devotes to the hole during the tournament

1

Paul Azinger birdied the hole on all four rounds in 1987, the only player ever to do so

30

The longest streak of avoiding the water – shared by Allenby and Verplank

9

Bob Tway has found the water nine times since 2003

12

Tway’s score in 2005, the highest-ever on the hole. It dropped him 62 places down the leaderboard

WIRRAL CLASSIC RETURNS

WIN A BOSS WATCH

The Wirral Golf Classic presents an opportunity to play Hoylake – next year’s Open venue – and three other fine links for just £229 if you book now.

The popular event takes place from September 23 to 27 and also includes Open qualifying venue Wallasey, Heswall – venue for the Junior Open Championship in 2006 – and Caldy, a qualifying venue for the Ricoh.

Visit www.wirralgolfclassic.co.uk or call 0151 625 9994 to learn more.

Around £1,000,000worth of Boss watches are up for grabs as a hole-in-one prize for club players this year.

Boss have produced a limited-edition timepiece for each golfer lucky – or skilful – enough to record a verified ace. Around 1,800 UK golf clubs currently use HowDidiDo and anybody playing in official club competitions at one of these clubs will be eligible. There were nearly 4,000 official aces recorded in 2012. No registration is required to participate as all official club competitions are recorded by HowDidiDo.

WIN A ROUND AT MUIRFIELD Nikon have teamed up with MasterCard to offer a priceless golfing experience. Any MasterCard cardholder who purchases a Nikon Coolshot Laser Rangefinder this month has the chance to win two spots to play at Muirfield on June 20. Fifteen lucky winners will have the opportunity to take a

20 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

friend. They will also play with a former Open champion, receive two nights’ free accommodation at a five-star hotel and receive an invitation to an R&A gala dinner.

To enter, purchase a Coolshot laser at www.nikongolf.co.uk, where you can also register it.

2013 GOLFER’S HANDBOOK OUT This brand-new edition includes full results from pro and amateur tournaments, articles from leading golf writers and a full overview of the year’s events. Among the writers contributing are Dan Jenkins, Lewine Mair, Derek Lawrenson and John Huggan. SRP: £20

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02/04/2013 11:06

NCG pp 22 OTT Quick Tip 19/04/2013 11:06 Page 22

ON THE TEE

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Analysis by Gary Alliss, pro at Ladbrook Park. The ‘King of the Swing’ has twice captained the PGA Cup side. w: ladbrookparkgolf.co.uk

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MASTER THE SHORT PITCH

LIKE PAUL LAWRIE What you can learn from one of the best in the business

Why is Paul such a good chipper? Well, he controls the two main keys for a top short game; swing speed and trajectory. Paul is not afraid to use the whole grip on short shots, placing his hands higher or lower on the handle of the club.

Using the grip enables a longer, wider swing arc, or shorter, narrower when he grips down, perfect for controlling the clubhead speed. He adopts a beautifully balanced posture, bending from his hips, allowing his arms to hang down naturally. The narrow, slightly open stance, plus the pinching together of his knees, means his arms swing in unison with his upper body rotation, while eliminating excessive weight transfer.

He controls ball height and spin by a combination of increasing or decreasing loft on the clubface at impact. He is unafraid to have his face open, square or closed if his plan for the shot dictates. Equally he plays the ball back in his stance if he needs a steeper angle of approach to impart more spin, or forward of middle if he needs the shot to launch higher, fly further and stop because it falls from height, rather than spin.

22 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

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NCG pp 24 OTT Lloyd, Close House 19/04/2013 11:20 Page 24

ON THE TEE

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| GRASS ROOTS

CHRIS LLOYD My first top 30 despite the odd brush with some ice plants T is hard to imagine a more immaculate course than the Golf du Palais Royal in Morocco as it only gets used once a year.

Thankfully my golf was a lot tidier too and I recorded my highest finish this season, a tie for 28th, and got inside the top 10 at the halfway stage.

I did some work with my coach Paul Mitchell at home before the tournament and gave myself a lot of chances and managed 21 birdies over the course of the week which was much more like it.

I got the better side of the draw going out late on the Thursday and took advantage of that with four straight birdies from the 14th and then repeated that run from the 15th the following day.

I think I have had five successive birdies once in a tournament and last year I had eight in nine holes on the Challenge Tour in Scotland when I was one over after six for a 62.

When you are in that sort of run

Drive time Another fairway found

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you just keep attacking and go with it – the hole looks like the size of a bucket and you have to take advantage as it doesn’t come along very often.

I made a few high numbers the other way but that seemed to be the way it was for everyone and I was six over for one hole, the 4th, which was the hardest hole on the course.

If you missed the fairway you would do well to find it in the ice

WESTWOOD BEGINS NEW DESIGN CAREER Work on the first courses to be designed by Lee Westwood will begin in July when the two existing tracks at Close House are refurbished following input from the European Ryder Cup player.

Westwood has been involved in the design and renovation of the two 18hole courses, working alongside architect Scott Macpherson.

“I first played Close House in 2011 and was amazed by its condition,” Westwood said. “The enhancements currently underway extension of the water around the will make the course even more 18th, making it a great signature attractive and challenging in parts. It hole. I am sure everyone who plays certainly is a thinking golfer’s club. the courses will want to come back “Working with Scott has allowed time and time again. me to put my stamp on the courses.

“I have played on some fabulous The Lee Westwood Filly Course is courses and Close House has the undergoing an extensive potential to be one of the very best. refurbishment and it is very The standard of the course is enjoyable. The Lee Westwood Colt certainly good enough to host a Course is also being enhanced with championship in the future.” the new tees on the 8th and an

24 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

plant. In one round I was in there, maybe three yards off the fairway, and my recovery actually went backwards.

I was lucky that the next was sitting OK and I could move it out with a full swing by about 10 yards.

• Chris Lloyd, from Bristol, is a rookie on the European Tour having come through Qualifying School

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NCG pp 26-27 OTT Challenge Tour & TTS 19/04/2013 11:08 Page 26

ON THE TEE

INTERVIEW |

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STAR OF THE FUTURE?

GEORGE MURRAY Introducing the former Scottish Amateur champion who is now making his way on the Challenge Tour

MY BACKGROUND I grew up in Anstruther and started playing golf when I was about four or five years old. My home course was there and then I played at Earlsferry Thistle and that was my home club from 12.

Later I played on two Eisenhower Trophy teams, the latter with Scott Jamieson and Richie Ramsay. They have gone to on to do great on the main tour.

There was no real pecking order but Richie had just won the US Amateur so he was the highestranked player.

I was a member at St Andrews as it was so cheap but I very seldom played the Old Course as it was always quite busy and I never had a car at that age.

European Tour I was third at the Dunhill Links at St Andrews and then second at Leopard Creek.

At St Andrews I played with Luke Donald and he was great and was very encouraging. I also played with Jamie Redknapp and he was great so we had some good football chats.

On a scale of 1-10 my nerves were about a 10. When we were young we used to go up and watch the Dunhill so to play in it in the last few groups you think ‘this is a bit different’. The nerves never really settle down but I quite enjoy being nervous on the course and I felt like not too much was expected of me. When I do get nervous I really try to enjoy myself.

MY INSPIRATIONS MY CAREER HIGHLIGHTS (SO FAR) I won the Scottish Amateur at Gullane in 2004 and then the Scottish Hydro on the Challenge Tour three years ago. On the

Colin Montgomerie was my hero. It was fantastic growing up when he seemed to be winning every week on tour and winning so many Order of Merits.

I have met him a few times and

26 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

he has a great sense of humour. I have never played with him but if I could choose one person to play with it would be him.

He still has a great presence about him.

MY LIFE ON TOUR The Challenge Tour courses are slightly easier than those on the European Tour but you still have to get the ball in the hole.

If there were any players to watch out for I would go for Tim Sluiter of the Netherlands. I knock

around with Andrew McArthur and Steven O’Hara and Andrew has made a good start this year.

MY SETBACKS I missed out by one shot at the Qualifying School in Spain after three-putting the 90th hole.

It didn’t take too long to get over but obviously I wasn’t best pleased at the time.

I’m not sure how many events difference it would have made and, at the end of the day, you are going to miss small putts in your career. You have to get on with it.

I had a steroid injection in a disc in my back in 2008 and Stuart Barton, the former British Lions and Scotland physio, advised against surgery and it has been great ever since and I have been pretty much injury free since.

I have always been very lazy with my fitness but am now working with a new fitness trainer, Rob Wilson at St Andrews, and he has been brilliant.

NCG pp 26-27 OTT Challenge Tour & TTS 19/04/2013 11:08 Page 27

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TATISTICALLY PEAKING

Follow NCG: @NCGmagazine

TOP TWEETS Congrats 2 Adam Scott!

Gutsy and bold play all week - especially down the stretch. Welcome to the fraternity. #GreenJacket #AussieChamp @ZachJohnsonPGA Pretty good week. Didn't quite have it tee to green but short game and putting were great.

No 3 putts this week was good on those greens. @WestwoodLee The press room just gave Adam a big round of applause. Has to be as popular a player to win in a while @BradFaxon I reckon it's time for a beer #aussiepride #Masters @GeoffOgilvy Congrats to Adam Scott. That was amazing playing. #clutch @Keegan_Bradley Congratulations Adam Scott on your fantastic @The_Masters victory with such style & panache. My very, very best to you & Australia mate. @GaryPlayer Congrats too Scotty , it's the greatest day in Australian Golf !!!! Just awesome ;)))))))))))) @AussieAllenby (Robert Allenby)

967 TWO MINUTES WITH...

LUKE DONALD “The BMW PGA Championship a huge event on the European Tour schedule and the West Course is one that suits my game very well.”

“I’ll be going there with high expectations of trying to emulate Monty (by winning three PGA Championship titles in a row).”

“When I was 12, 13 years old I’d be running around the course watching some of the great players – Nick Faldo, Ernie, Seve, and all the other top players in Europe.”

“In 2011, in the play-off against Lee (Westwood), it was special in that it was not only the tournament title on the line but the World Number 1 spot as well.”

“That was the first time I went to number one and it was a special moment. Every player aspires to be as good as they can be, and to know that my best was good enough to get to World No 1 was very special.”

“In 2012 it was more a case of trying to repeat my performance. It was the first time I’d defended a title and it felt fantastic.”

“It’s always tough to lead from the front. I had a two-shot lead over Justin (Rose) going into the last round and it’s always nice to go out and play really solid golf.”

“Not only did I have that tournament on the line, it was an opportunity to win back-to-back tournaments, so to do it was very satisfying. It was great knowing I had what it takes when the pressure was on.”

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Fourteen-year-old amateur Tianlang Guan’s average score through four rounds at the Masters. He was the only non-pro to make the cut and thus won low Am honours

AUGUSTA BIRDIE-FEST Throughout the four days of the Masters, the world’s elite racked up a whopping 967 birdies. The 94-strong field also carded 35 eagles and 1,293 over-par scores

£939,217.26 The prize money Adam Scott pocketed after his exhilarating play-off win at the Masters. He is the first Australian to win a Green Jacket

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

Tiger Woods Rory McIlroy Adam Scott Justin Rose Brandt Snedeker Luke Donald Louis Oosthuizen Steve Stricker Matt Kuchar Phil Mickelson

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04 ALL FOUR MAJORS HAVE NOW BEEN WON AT SOME STAGE BY LONG-PUTTER USERS. YOUR MOVE, R&A...

WOODS KING OF AUGUSTA? The World No 1’s tie for fourth at Augusta was his 13th top-10 finish in the event from just 19 starts.

Only Jack Nicklaus has more, with 22 from 44 starts.

May 9-12 The Players Championship May 16-19 Volvo World Matchplay C’ship

MAY

COMING UP... www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 27

NCG pp 28 OTT Di Dougherty 19/04/2013 11:24 Page 28

ON THE TEE

INTERVIEW |

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What was it like presenting Sky Sports’ golf coverage?

It was fantastic. I love golf and I love talking about golf. At the end of 2011 I decided to step away from work for a short time to start a family. Our little boy Maximilian James Dougherty arrived in August 2012. My time away from broadcasting has made me very hungry to return. I’m very much looking forward to 2013.

How nervous were you ahead of the 2010 Ryder Cup opening ceremony and is that the highlight of your career so far?

The Ryder Cup in 2010 was brilliant. I wasn’t actually nervous during the Opening Ceremony. I was working with a fantastic team, great floor manager (Kate Strophair you know who you are), Jason Wessely producing and Mike Allen directing. I couldn’t go wrong. The chaps talking in your

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DI’S OTHER LOVE OF LYNX “I became the ambassador for Lynx last year and the brand is growing from strength to strength. We all remember Ernie Els and Fred Couples winning Majors with Lynx equipment, the company are building on that heritage and are keen to remember their history in today’s modern market. The company also recognises the importance of the women’s Tour and is very keen to support female British golfers. Design, style and performance are key for Lynx and their innovative ideas are clear to see in their new ranges.” lynxgolf.co.uk

Can we expect to see you back on our screens soon?

I have been doing some work on Sky News Sunrise as well as branching out into other sports. I presented the World Series Squash Finals on Sky Sports in January, which was incredible.

The fitness of the professionals is incredible and I am now a keen squash player! I am also really excited to be working for the Golf Channel at Wentworth during the PGA Championship. I know a lot of the guys over in the States from various trips to the Majors and I can’t wait to work with them. The programmes air in the States only but I will be blogging about my work and tweeting no doubt.

Who was your favourite Sky pundit to work alongside?

They are all great in their own way.

Ewen Murray makes me laugh all the time! Wayne Riley is full of energy and I loved our ad libs out on the course at various European Tour events. His energy is engaging.

I started at Sky as a runner and would regularly make Richard Boxall his breakfast! Richard has a very dry sense of humour, which I love. Rob Lee’s laugh is hilarious and I always get the giggles when he does. I still chat to them and enjoy their banter.

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He is very patient with me as I can lose my cool out on the course and not talk for a hole or two. That’s a normal relationship on the golf course though isn’t it?!

I think it’s because I grew up in such a sports-mad competitive environment.

“I LISTEN TO NICK’S ADVICE ...BUT AS A WIFE IT’S EASY TO HAVE SELECTIVE HEARING!” Di Dougherty on her love of links golf, the 2010 Ryder Cup opening ceremony... and taking tips from her husband ear are very important and it’s so lovely to have calm controlled voices coming through to you. It makes a huge difference and puts one at ease. I had the easier job of just talking about the golf, the players had the tough job out on the course! If you’d given me a golf club on that 1st tee then I’d be nervous.

How is your golf, are you a member of your club and what do you play off?

My golf is okay at the moment. I don’t want to say too much more as I’ll probably jinx my game!

Aren’t we all so superstitious! I play regularly at Wentworth and have met a great group of ladies

28 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

there. My handicap is 11 at present. My lowest was 6 when I was a teenager but due to work (yes – any old excuse) I have a few more shots now, which I certainly enjoy. I want to get back down to single figures by the end of the year. Note to self: Must practise more I am really looking forward to some warmer weather this summer. Fingers crossed.

How much help has husband Nick been to your game?

I play regularly and play a lot of golf with my husband, Nick. I think I’m a pretty good student and listen to most things he says! As a wife though, I think it’s easy to have selective hearing!

Do you prefer inland or seaside golf and what’s your favourite course?

Seaside courses. One of my favourite places in the world is St Andrews and the Old Course. My brother went to university there so I remember the days when we would drive up from our home in the north west. My mum and dad would take us around the courses up there and I love nothing better than playing a round of golf breathing in the sea air.

Kingsbarns is also wonderful. I have had the privilege of playing in the Dunhill Links a couple of times and playing in a pro tournament at my favourite location was brilliant.

It was therefore a no-brainer when we were choosing our wedding venue – Nick and I got married up there in December 2011. I hope one day I can partner Nick in the Dunhill Links.

That will be an interesting dynamic! I promise, Nick, I will listen to you... n For more visit the website didougherty.com and follow her on Twitter @DiDougherty1

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*Boom-Boom 2 tested as 9 degree stiff by RoboGolf 11/09/2012 hitting 288.6 metres; on average 6.6 metres further than nearest competitor club. Dispersion rates equalled the lowest of other brands at 3.3.

NCG pp 30 Columnist RR 19/04/2013 11:28 Page 30

ROBERT ROCK How our British events helped get me going as a youngster IKE most golf-mad teenagers I would always try and get to as many European Tour events in the UK as possible as well as Open Championships and Ryder Cups.

It is a learning experience like no other and to go on to play on some of these courses as a professional it gave me a real insight into what the game at the highest level is like.

As a fan I would watch any player really and spend loads of time on the practice ground, but if I could follow anyone it would be Seve and Faldo as they were my big heroes growing up.

I’m like any other golf fan in the UK and would love to have more tournaments on home soil. Sadly we no longer have an English Open on the European Tour and with other events having prize funds of one million Euros it is a shame that we can’t find sponsors for that amount as you are guaranteed some great crowds.

It is no coincidence that the PGA at Wentworth and the Open are my two favourite events on tour as they are the best courses and have the best fans.

I probably preferred the Wentworth of a few years ago more but I am growing to like it more as we go on.

This was where I made my first real breakthrough 10 years ago and I had a putt to share the lead on the Friday, which was something else given that I was still a teaching pro who was mainly playing in the Midland regional events.

It was the biggest thing that I had ever played in at that point and the first time I had ever got any nationwide coverage as it was one of the big weeks for the BBC at the time.

I remember them asking if I could do an interview with Steve Rider. I was so nervous that I didn’t want to do it but they talked me into doing it and it was great.

A few weeks later I was fourth at the British Masters at the Forest of Arden, where I had watched a lot of golf, and that then really kickstarted my career.

Despite it being quite a local event for me I didn’t have that many family and friends watching me as I wasn’t that comfortable with it and just wanted to get on with my job – but all that comes with time and experience.

Last month we had the start of the new

Moortown’s 9th The Leeds club is part of a brilliant English Tour schedule

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30 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

English Tour which I am involved with and I played in the first event at The Belfry.

The tour was set up partly because of the need for professionals to play more quality courses – and the fact they felt there was a market for it. There definitely is.

We had 92 players at The Belfry and the course was set up pretty difficult so everyone gained a lot out of it. Ben Russell proved to be a very impressive winner with a score of two under, beating Jamie Howarth by two shots.

The rest of the season now looks great, we have got the final in Dubai and the schedule boasts some of our very best courses.

This month there are West Lancs, St Annes Old Links, Moortown and St Mellion to tackle with the likes of Alwoodley, Hillside and Ganton to come.

For any up-and-coming pro it should hopefully prove to be an incredible learning ground and something I definitely would have got involved with as a player.

Last month it was great to see two of our academy players, Kelsey MacDonald and Amy Boulden, taking part on the Ladies’ European

The Tour is n English ow More de underway. tails ca found a n be t w:englis htour.co .uk

Tour in Morocco down the road from where the men’s tournament was.

Kelsey had a brilliant week and was fourth at one point and that has helped her to decide to turn pro as she hadn’t played out of her skin and was comfortable with the new surroundings.

Amy has a few more amateur events she would like to play in but will do likewise later this year and hopefully we can help both of them on how best to get ready for events, help deal with sponsors and invites and get their games in order so they have a plan of attack for the next few years.

For me it is back to Wentworth this month and hopefully some more TV interviews. It would mean I have played well...

• Sponsors: Emirates Palace, BBT, TaylorMade, Adidas, J Lindeberg and G/Fore gloves. Follow on Twitter @RobRockAcademy and robertrock.co.uk

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16/04/2013 15:50

NCG pp 32 Columnist CC 19/04/2013 11:29 Page 32

COLIN CALLANDER Arnold Palmer: My childhood hero who exceeded expectations HEN I was a youngster I had three sporting heroes. This is not the forum to discuss the merits of Celtic and Scotland winger, Jimmy Johnstone, or the great Scottish prop forward, Ian ‘Mighty Mouse’ McLauchlan, but it is an entirely appropriate place to pay tribute to the third and the most enduring, Arnold Palmer, a man who I learned all about from magazines and grainy TV pictures and who remains a hero to this day.

The first time I saw Palmer in the flesh was at the Open Championship of 1968 at Carnoustie, where my father, another Palmer fanatic, took me for the day.

By that time, it had been four years since the American had won a Major, but that was largely immaterial to the countless golfers who came to Angus watch him.

He was still The Greatest as far as we were concerned, even after he shot 77 on that opening day and went on to finish a distant eight shots behind the winner, Gary Player, after subsequent rounds of 71, 72 and 77.

That first day, I was delighted simply because I managed to get Palmer’s autograph no fewer than three times and I will always remember that on the last occasion, as he left the left the recorder’s hut, presumably less than pleased with his performance, he was still able to pat me on the head, smile and say, “I think we might have done this before.”

Palmer was a physically imposing character, with hands like shovels, but he was also totally approachable, even to a 10-year-old, and that’s probably one of the main reasons why he elicited such affection among his fans.

‘The King’, as he was dubbed, had a relatively short career at the top, winning seven Majors in a brief spell between 1958 and 1964, but his appeal has been more enduring. He remains an icon well into his 80s and I couldn’t help but notice that he was still signing autographs at this year’s Masters for anyone who happened to want one.

Another large part of Palmer’s appeal came from his ‘Go for Broke’ method of playing the game. “I got where I got – wherever that is - by doing it my way,” he told Golf Digest many years ago. “I was maybe too aggressive in certain instances, and maybe it cost me some tournaments. But that was the real me. You are

Inspiring Striding the Open fairways

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32 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

‘I admit I shed a tear as Palmer left the 18th at St Andrews’ what you are. I never was perfect, never intended to be.”

Golf fans lapped the way Palmer brutalised golf courses and it dragged golf from the back to the front pages and in the process transformed the earning potential of his contemporaries out on Tour.

“He’s the king of kings,” insisted a grateful Doug Sanders. “There’s a strength about the man that people want to be around. Anybody who resents Arnold getting more attention than the rest of us doesn’t deserve to use his head for more than a hat rack.”

All great athletes have a defining moment and Palmer’s came at the 1960 US Open at Cherry Hills when he went in to the last round seven shots behind Mike Souchak but proceeded to birdie six of the first seven holes and shoot 65 to win by two. Two weeks later, he began his single-handed quest to put the Open onto the international map when he

travelled across the Atlantic to compete at St Andrews. He didn’t win that year, the centenary title went to Kel Nagle, but he did prevail in 1961 and again in 1962 at Royal Troon where he carded rounds of 71, 69, 67 and 69 in tinderdry conditions which the rest of the field struggled to handle.

The last time I saw Palmer in action was at the 1995 Open at St Andrews where upwards of 15 people deep lined the fairways to bid him farewell and to honour the contribution he had made to the oldest championship in golf.

I don’t mind admitting that I shed a tear as he left the final green after posting rounds of 83 and 75 to miss the cut by nine shots and I have also been similarly engulfed in emotion on each of the subsequent occasions I have met him for an interview.

It is rare for any individual to get the chance to meet a childhood hero and rarer still to find that he or she exceeds all expectations. But I did, and Palmer did, and I consider my life to have been greatly enriched as a result.

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

NCG pp 34 Letters 19/04/2013 11:33 Page 34

ON THE TEE

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LETTERS much my game would improve if I could.

Obviously golf equipment has improved drastically over the years, but is all this latest ‘stuff’ going to help? Or is it a marketing attempt to get us to spend even more money in our desperate bid to shave off those strokes?

I use a second-hand set of irons and fairway woods, bought for about £200. I have never been fitted and use whatever balls I find.

My friend and I are now both single-figure handicappers hovering around 8/9 but, whereas I have spent a few

hundred pounds to get there, he must have spent thousands!

If someone can prove that it is not all hype, the day I win the lottery I promise, I will spend, spend, spend.

John Burn, Swindon

Letters Unit 2, Arena Park, Tarn Lane Scarcroft, West Yorkshire LS17 9BF or email: letters@sportspub.co.uk

Editor’s note: Equipment technology is now incredibly advanced, so the yearon-year improvements are now smaller. That said, I guarantee that if you get custom-fitted for the kit it will help your game.

PUT A BAN ON CAPS AND VISORS Dear Sir, I am totally sick of the pros wearing caps and visors during interviews.

I want to see a player’s eyes when he is answering questions.

Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer managed without headwear for most of their carees, on and off the course. We are all well aware that a particular player plays Titleist, we've seen the logo for five hours, why can't we see his face in the after-round interview?

Colin Hall, via email

SENIORS v JUNIORS All the senior teams I see come in various shapes and sizes.

Usually, ill-fitted gear just emphasises how decrepit we are.

On the other hand, our junior members usually have all the latest equipment!

Anthony Cotton, via NCG website

34 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

WRITE IN... AND WIN A NEW STAND BAG The writer of the star letter each month wins a special Ping stand bag featuring NCG’s logo.

This is a prize that money cannot buy and you will be able to show your support for Britain’s leading magazine for the club golfer every time you play.

For more details on Ping’s outstanding range of bags, visit pinggolf.com

NCG’S GEAR TESTS

WEATHER FORECASTS CRUCIAL TO CLUBS Dear Sir, NO account is taken of the effect of weather and weather forecasting on our economy.

The first four months of 2012 were the driest in 50 years, but as is now well known, the remaining nine months of 2012 bought nearly double the average rainfall.

| GRASS ROOTS

SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:

LETTER OF THE MONTH: Does the latest gear really help?

Dear Sir, ALONG with many of my friends, I took up golf seriously when our football playing days were coming to a close .

Our various differences on the football field have been matched by the varying degrees of monetary success in our chosen fields of work. When we played football all but the boots were provided and we were all on a level playing field.

Currently, I have to watch every penny I spend on golf gear. I just cannot justify paying for the latest equipment, but I often wonder how

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This has bought the golf industry to its knees. Turnover at our previously thriving golf course is down 35 per cent due to the weather.

Not one financial pundit or politician, observing the world from their cosy, dry, office, has seen the correlation between the weather and our current

poor economic state.

Even more marked is the affect of the weather forecast on commercial activity the next day.

If rain is forecast, no matter how sunny it turns out, our golf course will be quiet.

Neil Sjoberg, Secretary at Epping, Essex

NOT JUST A BAN ON THE METHOD Dear Sir, With regards to the anchoring ban, I do not believe the R&A can hide behind their patter of “it’s not an equipment ban”.

The long putter I bought was designed to be used with the upper hand resting on the upper body. I have bought a putter to be used in a certain way,

that way is banned from 2016, ergo that piece of equipment’s usefulness ends from 2016 and it can no longer have a place in my golf bag.

AS Gill, via email

Dear Sir, I like your equipment reviews but why do you persist in low handicappers testing products? Why not have somebody between 14 and 20 and one 20+ too? We are not all single-figure players.

Richard, via NCG website Editor’s note: While our panel are generally good players who have lots of knowledge, this is actually something we are discussing.

Watch this space...

PRAISE FOR THE MANCHESTER SHOW Dear Sir, It was great to see that the Golf Show Group decided to bring their show up to Manchester rather than simply staying in London.

The north is blessed with great golf courses, so thankfully it might be about to get the recognition that it deserves. I hope it has been a success so that it is repeated next year.

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NCG pp 36-39 Arnold Palmer 19/04/2013 16:35 Page 36

36 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

NCG pp 36-39 Arnold Palmer 19/04/2013 16:35 Page 37

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

An audience with

THE KING

Arnold Palmer is one of the most decorated and charismatic men to grace the game.

Over breakfast at Bay Hill, we listened to his views on golf’s past, present and future

BY DAN MURPHY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONTANA PRITCHARD, GETTY

NCG pp 36-39 Arnold Palmer 19/04/2013 16:35 Page 38

ET me have a couple of eggs over easy with a links sausage and wholewheat toast,” says Arnold Palmer to his favourite waitress at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge on the outskirts of Orlando in Florida.

“What is this – a fruity breakfast?” he adds, looking at my attempt to convince The King that the man sitting opposite him is also an elite golfer.

It is Saturday morning and the grill room is pleasantly busy, a mixture of members and residential guests, most of whom are preparing to play the championship course that hosts the PGA Tour in the Arnold Palmer Invitational each March.

Bay Hill is relaxed, classy, unstuffy and comfortable. Very much in The King's image.

To say we are in Palmer's backyard would be an understatement. The seven-time Major champion owns the club and lives on the property, approximately one of his trademark long-iron shots away from the clubhouse.

Rare indeed is a day when the now 83 year old is not seen at the club, and of course this all seems perfectly natural to the staff who see him every day.

It is anything but normal to first-time visitors and starstruck guests who know he lives here and might of catching a glance of the great man but certainly don't expect to see him wandering around on his way to and from breakfast or putting his shoes on in the locker room.

Although he does in fact own the place, he does not behave like it. The staff, many of whom have worked here for years, are hugely respectful in his presence yet also comfortable.

Speak to them and you learn how fond they are of him.

They are also good judges of when the best time is to ask for an autograph or a picture – they will even introduce you if you ask nicely.

We have all heard about Palmer's legendary ability to make people feel at ease and give time to his ‘Arnie's Army’ of fans. I have now witnessed it for myself.

In the space of the hour or so I spend in his company I shake hands with no fewer than 31

“

L

Attack mode Palmer played with great flair

“It’s very special to me that my father came to St Andrews for the Open in 1960 with me. That was important” people. The process goes like this: People spot him and stare, sidle over shyly, eventually approach the table, respectfully introduce themselves (it doesn't seem to bother them if their hero has a mouthful of food at the time) and explain why it is that he means so much to them and how much they wanted to tell him so.

Mr Palmer, as he is to most, shakes their hands, introduces them to me, listens, smiles, asks them a question or two back and thanks them for coming to Bay Hill, as though they were doing

38 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

him a favour. They leave the table with broad grins, then the whole process is repeated within a couple of minutes. And he never tires of it.

According to his long-time friend Dicky Harris, who joins us for a slice of toast, he has never seen Palmer lose his patience with a genuine fan or autograph hunter in over 40 years.

I have no idea how he can manage a single morning being so consistently charming to every person he encounters.

Then again, he is clearly

comfortable with the attention and likes company, otherwise he wouldn't spend the majority of his time in the public – if upmarket – surroundings of his beloved club.

Now well into his 80s, Palmer's hearing is not what it once was and my English accent hardly helps.

But when he smiles, as he often does, his face lights up, his eyes twinkle and he is instantly transformed into the swashbuckling superstar who rose from a humble upbringing in little-known Latrobe, Pennsylvania, to redefine the image of the professional game and become golf's iconic figure.

Half a century later and he still is. The years may have passed but the magnetism is just as strong.

Among those who come across for a chat are former tour players, like Dicky Pride and Palmer's closest friend, Dow Finsterwald, winner of the 1958 PGA, and twice third in the Masters.

Palmer and Finsterwald still play with and against each other several times a week.

“I've spent my life with him,” says Palmer, after Finsterwald has finished telling him how good his new TaylorMade irons are.

“We've been friends and partners since 19-, oh god, probably 60 years. We're very close.”

At that point, a pair approach the table.

“Mr Palmer, I'd like you meet my friend Steve Scott, he was runner-up to Tiger at Pumpkin Ridge in the 1996 US Amateur,” he says.

“You lost to Tiger?” says Palmer. “A shame you didn't win but you got a pretty good opponent there.”

“Well, at least I didn't lose to a schlep,” deadpans Scott.

Today is Palmer's eighth wedding anniversary to his second wife, Kathleen, and he receives a congratulatory call from his sister in California.

“I dumped my wife and I'm doing an interview as we speak,” he tells her with a grin. “This is international stuff.”

On this particular day, Palmer will not be getting his clubs out – “I told my wife I'd entertain her”, he says – but that is the exception to the norm.

“Some Saturdays they start a ➤

NCG pp 36-39 Arnold Palmer 19/04/2013 16:35 Page 39

Pin-up boy A portrait of Palmer at the ‘68 Open

NCG pp 41-42 Arnold Palmer 19/04/2013 10:02 Page 41

Mr Charisma NCG’s editor laps up his interviewee

little early, at 10, for me,” he says.

“Sometimes I'm not equipped to be ready to go. I'll probably get a little later time like 1030.

“I don't play most days any more. When I was working in business I used to play a little more often. I still play 18 when I play.”

“Practice is the one thing I do quite a bit. I'd much rather practice.”

The locker room at Bay Hill is a special place.

It is where the men go to play cards, talk and watch sport on television. It is more of a boys' playroom than it is somewhere to change your shoes.

Palmer will often spend a couple of hours in there in the afternoon before ambling home to Kathleen, more often than not having taken the money.

On the course, the Bay Hill Shoot Out takes place every day.

Anyone can play – from tour players to high handicappers. The format is nett strokeplay and it's $40 a man, winner takes all.

“Anywhere from about 10 to 40 or 50 play. It's competitive and then we settle it in the locker

ARNIE’S CAREER Victories 92, made up of 62 on the US Tour, 18 on international tours and events as well as 12 Seniors tournaments US earnings Regular PGA Tour: $2,130,239 Senior PGA Tour: $2,277,972 International earnings $2,516,108 Total Competitive Earnings $6,924,319 Special Achievements PGA Player of Year: 1960 and 1962 PGA Tour money list winner: 1958, 1960, 1962, 1963 Vardon Trophy 1961, 1962, 1964, 1967 Ryder Cup team: 1961, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1971, 1973 Ryder Cup captain: 1963 (playing captain) and 1975

room. That happens every day. A lot of action.”

Does he remain as competitive now as he was in his prime in the 1950s and 60s?

“Oh no, no, I don't, my game is going south, I don't play like that, and we're not playing competitive, but still.”

Needless to say, there is no standing on ceremony.

“Here at Bay Hill we have security people who keep it moving. We have a shoot-out every day and our goal is about four hours. If we can keep it at four hours we're happy. Same thing at Pebble Beach. I'm on the committee there and we encourage the caddies and the players there to try to do their rounds in four hours or less.”

“One of the problems with the game of golf is slow play. And that's what's hurting the game.

“And if we can convince these young guys to be more like Snedeker, who plays fast, and guys like Rory, if we can get them to

speed up and not play as slowly as they have been, it will help the game. It will improve the game.

“I don't mean excessively fast – I think too fast is as bad as too slow. So we need to get that on the right kind of situation.

“It will encourage people to play. A lot of people are going away from the game simply because it takes too long.”

This is not, according to Palmer, a recent problem.

“I suppose it started around the Nicklaus era. Jack was not a real fast player.

“And as a matter of fact he got penalised a couple of times for slow play and I think that kind of set a pace early on and now we need to speed it back up and get it going.

“I think people watch the tour players and they try to example the tour guys and that's one of the things we have to correct.” ➤

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 41

NCG pp 41-42 Arnold Palmer 19/04/2013 10:02 Page 42

Head turner Typical scenes at Birkdale ‘65

One of the things?

“The ball needs to be slowed down. We need to set a standard for golf balls. Like we've set the grooves in the golf clubs, we've set the lengths, we've set everything – why not set the balls?

“Well, we have a standard but we need to slow the ball down.

With new standards to slow it down.”

Just for the pros or everyone?

“For everyone. The per cent that they would slow it is going to effect the long hitters more than it is the short players.

“Slowing the ball will not have as dramatic an effect on the highhandicap players as it will the lowhandicap players and I think that's something that should happen really.

“Just to keep the golf courses that are so good – the Oakmost, the Pinehursts, the golf courses that we have known through the years, the Carnousties, the Turnberrys the Troons, the Birkdales. We need to keep them great golf courses as they are but

“I suppose. The right thing to do would have been to do it sooner than they did. They may have caused themselves more pain and anguish by waiting as long as they have.

“But I'm not sure that everybody recognised it as something that was going to happen so widely.

“And that's going to take a little time to heal that hurt.”

Has he ever tried a long putter?

“Oh, I've practised with one. I didn't give it enough time to really find out. I wasn't interested. I didn't really want to know if it worked because if it was legal I would have used it.”

The conversation turns to Tiger Woods, with whom Palmer has always been close.

You sense that the two men have a lot in common – certainly Palmer has been more sympathetic than many of the game's influential voices in recent years.

I suspect he is grateful that in his day there was less prurience, less intrusion, and the relationship

“The ball needs to be slowed down. We need to set a standard for golf balls like we have for grooves in clubs.”

Great escape The scene of his famous ‘61 recovery

we need to slow the ball to make that happen.”

Fundamentally, Palmer does not believe in bifurcation – amateurs and pros should play by the same rules.

“Absolutely. If we ever separate the amateurs from the professional game and the rules separate that would have a tremendous effect on the game – to the detriment of the game. We really need to not have that happen.”

I wonder what he makes of the current ongoing controversy over long putters and anchoring. Have the USGA and R&A done a good job in regulating the game over the years?

“Yes. I'm very pleased that they've done that. I do not think the long putter, or anchoring as you call it, has a place in the game.

“I think the old pros and the old Scotsmen from way back would flip if they saw somebody putting a putter up under their chin.”

Has it taken them too long to act?

between players and the media was a more respectful one.

“When he gets going good he's as good as ever,” insists Palmer, who says he has seen less of Tiger since he moved away from the Orlando area to a new home in Palm Beach.

I take the chance to ask him the burning question, whether Woods will ever match or even overtake Nicklaus's record of 18 Major wins.

“I'm not going to say.” He pauses. “I don't know.” He pauses again. “I think he has a chance.”

I suggest that it sounds like he thinks he will.

“Ha, ha, ha.” He stares away and thinks. “I don't know – you've put me on the spot here a little bit.

I'm going to pause on that.”

Actually, Palmer has great admiration for many of the current crop, and he follows them closely every week on the Golf Channel that he helped to found.

“Oh, I like them all. Certainly Rory is an outstanding young player of 22 years old.” ➤

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NCG pp 44 Arnold Palmer 19/04/2013 10:05 Page 44

Open saviour On the way to winning at Troon

Sixties style Arnie strides out at Wentworth

Does Rory remind him of himself at that age?

“Well, I don't know, he's much younger. I didn't start until I was 25 and that makes a hell of a difference.

“Of course, Nicklaus was young when he started, and I think that's an advantage. They can learn so much at an early age and that works pretty well.

“I think I learned on tour. But I was in the services for three years and college for four years and that is all a learning process. And when I got on tour I had some idea what to do, and I loved it.

“When I first started on tour I spent the better part of eight hours every day on the golf course. I would practice then play and then when I'd finished I'd practice more until dark.

“Rory is a very impressive young player. You know, he's making some switches right now and we'll see how he comes out.

It's going to be important.

“I think playing internationally is very important.

“And that means he's going to play here and everywhere and I

44 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

ARNIE’S MAJORS His magnificent seven 1958 Masters – Eagles the 13th to beat Ford and Hawkins by one 1960 Masters – Birdies last two to beat Venturi.

His great friend Finsterwald is third 1960 US Open – Erases a seven-shot final-round deficit to defeat Nicklaus and Hogan at Cherry Hills 1961 Open – Beats Dai Rees by one. Plaque to right of 16th pays tribute to his recovery shot 1962 Masters – Beats Player and Finsterwald in a 18-hole play-off 1962 Open – Huge galleries at a sun-baked Troon see a runaway win by six from Nagle and 13 ahead of Huggett in third 1964 Masters – Wins by six from Nicklaus and Marr to become first fourtime winner

think that's very important.

“Certainly I like Brandt Snedeker – he's good. He's got a little different approach to the game. He's quick and I think that's particularly key today.”

Asked how different life on tour is now, Palmer cites a distance between the players that did not exist in his day.

“I think we were closer because we travelled together. Today everybody goes by airplane so they're separated and in those days

lot together and we stayed in the same hotels and we rented houses together.”

Popular wherever he goes, Palmer has a special place in the hearts of British golf fans. He has not completely ruled out one more trip to the Home of Golf.

“I have a lot to do with St Andrews still, I love the course and the town.

“They want me to come over this year for the 600th anniversary but it's a long way for me to go –

“We were closer because we travelled together. Today, everybody goes by plane” we travelled in caravans so that made it different.

“Jack and I never travelled together. He came along a little later too, he's 10 or 11 years my junior.

“I used to take him on my airplane to tournaments occasionally, but that was a little different and that was getting closer to the modern era. Now, everybody flies.

“But when Dow and I started together we drove and travelled a

I'm 83 now – so we'll see.”

It is now 53 years since Palmer made his first trip to the Open Championship. It was the centenary Open and the venue was, fittingly, the Old Course. The then 30-year-old had to adjust quickly to the challenges it presents.

“Well, I suppose the proper language would be 'surprised' at St Andrews,” he says. “I had read a lot about it and knew quite a bit about it but much to my relief – ➤

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26/02/2013 12:25

NCG pp 46 Arnold Palmer 19/04/2013 10:06 Page 46

Like minds Arnie and Tiger get on famously

and I say relief because it was scary to play St Andrews the first time and not know where any of the hazards were and the bunkers – I had Tip Anderson as my caddy and he was wonderful.

“He was the greatest.

“He knew everything and he could direct me. Without him I would have been lost.

“It would have taken me a lot longer to pick up where I did and play as well as I did.

“It took me a while before St Andrews became so special to me.

“It's knowing where to hit the ball and using the memory that you have to direct you, to tell you where and to get into the 'feel' for the golf course.

“You can almost hit it away from where you think you should hit it to be in that safe position.

And that was something I had never experienced.”

Did it come naturally?

“Yes, I picked it up. My only experience up until then was Portmarnock over in Dublin for the World Cup. That was the first links course of that nature that I had ever played.

“I played with Sam Snead and we won the team but Flory van Donck – do you remember him ? –

46 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

ARNIE & BAY HILL: LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT Arnold Palmer first laid eyes on Bay Hill back in 1965 when he was invited to play a winter exhibition there against Jack Nicklaus (he won, by the way).

Back then it was little more than a still-raw golf course with a tiny pro shop, small guest lodge and a few modest bungalows carved out of the orange groves and desolate brush of central Florida. It was a breathtaking wilderness area surrounded by pristine lakes and abundant wildlife.

For Arnold, Bay Hill was a golfer’s paradise. He had been looking for a quiet, out-of-the way

place where he could retreat to every winter with his family. Arnold was so smitten he told his wife Winnie, "Babe, I’ve just played the best course in Florida and I want to own it."

Over time, Arnold has remade Bay Hill to reflect his own style and taste. Arnold and design partner Ed Seay have worked to ensure that the Bay Hill Invitational remains a stiff test for the best pros. As a result of Arnold’s tinkering, it offers some of the toughest holes on the PGA Tour.

It’s also a great place to stay. www.bayhill.com

he won the tournament individually – he beat both of us, but we won the team. And that was my first experience.

“I played well there and I loved it. I loved the Irish and I loved the setting and the atmosphere and the environment and everything. That was fun.”

Palmer's visit to that Open, and his commitment to returning each subsequent year, was largely responsible for re-instating the Open as a Major championship.

Where he led, the other Americans followed.

So what made him take the time and the effort to travel to a strange land to play a style of golf he was unfamiliar with, against weaker fields than there were at home and for less prize-money, especially once the travel expenses had been factored in?

“My father was a professional and from the time I can remember playing and competing he always said, ‘you know, Arnie, you've got to play internationally to be great’.

“And of course that sunk in. He was a very influential guy in his conversations and his feelings about the game and something that made it even more important to me was that the president of ➤

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NCG pp 48 Arnold Palmer 19/04/2013 10:10 Page 48

Latrobe CC, Harry Saxman, said: 'Well if Arn's going, you and I will go too'.

So he brought my father and they went to the Open at St Andrews with me, which was great.

“It was an excitement that set up my life for playing international golf.

“It's very special to me that my father came to St Andrews with me. That's important.”

Palmer would go on to win the Open twice, in consecutive years.

First in 1961 at Birkdale then the following year at Troon, when he ran away from the field.

“The fairways at Troon are pretty humpbacked, they all go off, and I was hitting it good enough to keep it right in the middle and that gave me the opportunity to get a pretty good lead and keep it.

“It was somewhat a separate event. It was nice to go down the 18th and enjoy it and I love Troon.”

One of the by-products of Palmer popularising the Open was

(US) Opens very easily and that is something that disturbs me a little, the fact that I didn't win them.

“But my approach was that I didn't care what tournament it was I just wanted to win. I played a Cleveland Open just like it was a US Open.

“I suppose unfortunately, as I got older and played even better golf than I did when I was young, that if I'd had a little different psychological approach then I would have won more Opens than I did and I have said at times that had I not won the Open at Cherry Hills I might well have won two or three Opens but the satisfaction, psychologically, of having won the Open did something to my mental approach and the aspect of playing the Open. And I'll stick with it!

“When you think of Oakmont, which was the one that was the most devastating to me to not win, in 62, I made a couple of major errors in that.

FAMILY MAN Born: September 10, 1929 Education: Wake Forest University Spouse: Kathleen Gawthrop (m. 2005), Winifred Walzer (1954–1999) Children: Peggy Palmer, Amy Palmer Parents: Milford (known as Deacon) and Doris

“I could have won five US Opens. It disturbs me I didn’t” to encourage a generation of European players, a group which 20 years later would wrestle away America’s dominance of the Ryder Cup. He not only doesn’t mind the effect he had in making Europe stronger (although, typically, he plays down his part), he cherishes the resurgence of America’s biennial opponents.

“When I went to Europe in ‘60 one of my thoughts was to incite the Europeans to become more competitive and come here and play and get our guys over there and make it a more international kind of go-round. I didn't realise I was going to be so successful.

“Because you see what has happened. And it was inevitable, whether I had done it or who had done it, it was going to happen, but that edged it on a little bit and made it happen sooner."

So is Tom Watson the man to regain the Cup for America?

“Tom Watson will be great.

He's a great guy and he's a good thinker so he will be the kind of captain you want.

Arnie & Jack ...an enduring rivalry and friendship

“I'm not saying that he'll absolutely win but I'd give him a pretty good chance.

“The match at Medinah was good for golf. It was a great match and I won't say that I was overly surprised at what happened.”

As well as his two Opens, there were four Green Jackets. Much like Nick Faldo and Seve

48 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

Ballesteros, it seemed these two Majors particularly suited his style, although that is not quite the way Palmer sees it.

“I don't think so. I think any Major requires the coolness on top of playing under the pressure of that situation.

“If you look at the records you'll see I could have won five

“It could well be a psychological effect. At nine I took four shots from the edge of the green and I three-putted 17 times and Nicklaus didn't three-putt at all.”

The memories seem so vivid. I wonder if he ever re-visits them in his dreams, all those Major wins or perhaps even the near misses?

“No, I come up with new ones.

I was playing a tournament the other day in my dream. I got to the 9th and I was doing pretty well and ready to go on the back nine in good shape in my dream and then I just walked off the course – in my dream!”

It is high time for him to get back to Kathleen on their anniversary. I thank him and apologise for our breakfast overrunning. Unbelievably gracious, he either doesn't mind or gives no indication of doing so.

“Thank you Mr Palmer,” I say.

“That was a privilege.”

And I mean it. ◆

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NCG pp 51 Sawgrass Experience 19/04/2013 12:19 Page 51

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NCG pp 53-54 Sawgrass Experience 19/04/2013 12:50 Page 53

1

THE 17TH DOES NOT DISAPPOINT Before you ask, the answer is, ‘yes of course I did’. A pulled 8iron long and left had more chance of finding the walkway than the putting surface.

What you might not realise about the 17th is that the drama begins as you play your second shot to the previous hole. That is when you catch your first glimpse of the 17th, which runs in the opposite direction.

You are then transfixed as you walk halfway round the lake until eventually reaching the tee, the drama building all the while. The green is actually fairly generous in size – it’s just hard to make your regular swing and not try to be too precise. I chose to reload rather than use the drop zone – the 80yard shot from there looked harder to me than the original tee shot.

The par 5s are generally sporty and very much in range – the excpetion being the 9th – but the penalties for taking them on and failing are severe.

Even the last hole is, at 450 yards, at least 20 yards shorter than you would expect. It just goes to show how much has changed in the last 30 years or so since Pete and Alice Dye designed it in 1980.

And also reveals the playful, some would say sadistic, nature of the architect.

4

2

THEY’D REALLY LIKE IT TO BE A MAJOR TPC Sawgrass is the headquarters of the PGA Tour and for all the power they wield, none of the four Majors are under their control.

So this is their biggest week of the year in many ways. You have probably never seen a bigger or grander clubhouse – it is the size of a respectable hotel at 77,000 square feet.

All visitors can enjoy a guided tour of the lobby, where portraits of all the champions and their memorabilia hang from the walls.

One issue they have to counter is the overall quality of the champions the event has produced – more journeymen, relatively speaking, have won here than you suspect they’d care for. In recent years, there has been the likes of Tim Clark, KJ Choi and Fred Funk. All fine players, but none of them exactly box office.

3

IT’S QUITE SHORT BY MODERN STANDARDS...

You might have thought that a course designed explicitly for the PGA Tour would be long and expansive. Yet Sawgrass is actually quite claustrophobic. Many of the par 4s are around the 400-yard mark, which means you’re typically asked to hit something like a 3 wood and a 9 iron.

NERVOUS ON THE 17TH TEE? OH YES...

I was tight, there’s no getting away from it. And even once I’d managed to park the hire car I didn’t feel much better. You can’t stop thinking about the 17th, I doubt I went five seconds all day without it crossing my mind.

I spent the whole round peering through gaps in the trees to see if I could catch a glimpse and begin to get my head round what something looked like that I knew exactly what it looked like already.

If you catch my drift.

You know full well all anyone wants to know after you’ve been to Sawgrass is what happened on the 17th. So in some ways the whole round feels like a warm-up for one short iron.

Your first glimpse comes from halfway down the 16th fairway and it takes the breath away. It’s very cute, because you are nearer to the green then than you are on the 17th tee, which means it looks like a smaller target when the time comes.

Walking to the tee you feel like you are on The Cube or some kind

of gameshow. The only thing that’s missing is the dramatic music.

Complicating matters on our visit was a breezy headwind. You don’t need that. Standing over the ball I was actually more concerned with length than line, a fear that proved unjustified when I hit a 15-yard pull that was over dry land for precisely six yards (the first six) of its journey.

What made it worse was watching my colleague hitting a rank thin that was perfect in the conditions and found the back edge.

I wanted to reload from the same spot just to prove I could do it and mercifully found the putting surface.

Walking round past the drop zone, I was glad I’d taken that option as the 80-yard pitch from there looked distinctly unappetising to my eye.

It’s actually quite a large green, with a pronounced slope from back to front, so I did well to two-putt.

Five went down on the card, my day was ruined and I never did get to tell anyone about the highly creditable par I made at the tough 18th...

...THE GREENS ARE TINY...

They are amazingly small.

And firm. And very often raised.

And invariably surrounded by very sticky bermuda.

That all places a premium on precision and positioning. You can’t play this course from the rough. And there are certain angles from where you are struggling to hold the green, even with a short iron. It all makes for some intimidating approach shots and it can wear you down. because you know that should you miss these greens chipping it close will be very difficult.

Point of fact, if chipping is not your forte you can easily find yourself going back and forth across the greens.

5

...AND THERE ARE MANY DOG-LEGS AND OVERHANGING TREES It is very tight from the tee and most of the fairways either run out, or turn markedly, at driving distance.

That means, for the pros, hitting a lot of fairway woods and positional drives. This is no place for the bombers – length must be allied to strategy and once you make a mistake it is easy for it to be multiplied unless you are prepared to take your medicine. The best drivers probably do not receive as much of an advantage as they do elsewhere as the chief must stay in the bag a little more often than they would like.

6

YOU CAN MAKE BIRDIES HERE Even for the (competent) amateur player, there are birdie chances here, for the simple reason that you often have a short iron in your hand. You see in the Players ➤

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 53

NCG pp 53-54 Sawgrass Experience 19/04/2013 12:51 Page 54

Nerves OK, lads?

NCG editor Dan Murphy (right) and publisher Tom Irwin at 17...

each year that tour stars can get on a run and make a serious move up the leaderboard. Good wedge and short iron players can go low here.

Then again, you can just as easily

4 finish. The 16th is a very short par 5 with easily the widest fairway on the course. Dye really wants you to have a go at the green and for the top players it’s only a mid

“I’d argue Sawgrass is a brilliant technical design. Everything happens for a reason” get on a run of bogeys (or worse) and a loss of patience will invariably result in a telephone number of a scorecard.

7

EVERY HOLE HAS A STORY Pete Dye has been accused by his critics of over-complicating his golf courses. But I would argue Sawgrass is a brilliant technical design. No hole is a filler, and each one demands your attention.

Everything happens for a reason.

The building up of tension towards the end is brilliant. You have a couple of very solid par 4s at 14 and 15 before the classic 5-3-

iron in – but the green is incredibly narrow and the water is tight on the right with a little pot bunker (really) on the left. Then you have the thrill of the 17th which, like it or loathe it, dominates anyone’s thoughts throughout the back nine. And finally the menace of the 18th with water stretching all the way down the left. You can finish 3-2-4. Or 6-6-6. Or anything in between.

8

THE OLD MARCH SLOT WAS TOO EARLY Until 2007, the Players took place in March. Now it has a home in May. The main reason was to

54 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

give six consecutive months through the spring and summer an obvious highlight – the Masters in April, then the Players in May, the US Open in June, the Open in July, the PGA in August and the Tour Championship in September.

But an additional bonus was that the greenkeepers no longer had to worry about the dormant bermuda grasses not starting to grow early enough. Here in north Florida, the winters can be quite cool and that made it a real challenge to get the course as they wanted it come the tournament.

Now they have plenty of time to ensure all is as it should be.

9

IT FEELS SPECIAL BEING HERE Sometimes championship courses can be a disappointment and leave you wondering what the fuss is all about. Not Sawgrass. It’s cool, it’s larger than life, it has a sense of occasion and I absolutely loved it. ◆

TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida May 9-12 TV: Sky Sports Last year: Matt Kuchar held off the challenges of Rickie Fowler, Zach Johnson, Martin Laird and Ben Curtis, who each finished two behind at 11 under. Luke Donald was another shot back in a tournament best remebered for the slow and painful collapse of the leader after three rounds, Kevin Na, who fidgeted, backed off and waggled his way to a final 76.

NCG’s top pick: Donald hasn’t hit top form this year but the course sets up very well for him. Too good not to fire eventually.

NCG pp 56 Sawgrass Betting 19/04/2013 12:29 Page 56

MAY 9-12, 2013 | TPC SAWGRASS | PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL

BETTING GUIDE Golf tipster Bryan Nicholson on how to make some money from the week at Sawgrass

HE PGA Tour hits its headquarters when the world’s best tee it up at the fifth Major.

One of the best all-round tests on the season’s schedule, there has been a general theme towards the top end of the leaderboard down the years: this is one of quality and experience, with the cream and the game’s biggest names tending to rise to the top. This is where to look for value...

T

Bryan Nicholson is a sports betting writer and trader. You can find him online at www.nics-value-picks.com

1

Look for a wind player TPC Sawgrass tests all aspects of your game and the wind generally blows around here.

Shot shaping and ball-striking ability are required and the ability to move it both ways and keep it under the inevitable wind is crucial. Knowing the nuances of sub-air system greens that play fast and firm will give an added edge while scrambling will be a premium. Keep an eye out for the infamous island green par-3 17th that can make or break a player’s tournament.

2

Why I fancy Sergio Sergio Garcia is the standout name each year for me at Sawgrass. The Spaniard has

56 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

everything in his armoury needed to go well around this difficult track. A second place here in 2007 was followed up by a play-off win and his form is very consistent through the years at The Players.

One of the finest ball strikers in the game who excels in windy conditions, keep an eye out for a resurgent Sergio here.

3

Furyk offers a great run Experience is of high importance at Sawgrass and who better than local man and Ponta Vedra Beach resident, Jim Furyk. It’s three top-five finishes here for the 2010 FedEx Cup champion since 2003 but the elusive win is one Furyk is desperate to add to his CV. Form

from his massive season in 2010 is coming back and Jim – a regular at the top of the scrambling stats – should be one to watch this year.

4

Under-rated: Zach & Ben Two names with standout Sawgrass form are Ben Crane and Zach Johnson. Neither began 2013 too brightly but both are showing signs of form and their games might be about to peak. Indeed, Crane was fourth in Houston and was just two shots away from top spot – he has posted three recent top sixes at Sawgrass.

Johnson is a regular feature on leaderboards here down the years and both players excel in the putting and scrambling stats which should stand them in good stead.

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NCG pp 59 Lead to YCNY 19/04/2013 14:43 Page 59

Back in the day, there were professional events in Britain throughout the summer.

Times have changed on the European Tour but there is still lots of top-level golf – amateur and pro, men's and ladies – to watch this summer. Here we pay tribute to the old days while urging you to get out and catch some live action...

NCG pp 60-61 YCNY Nostalgia 19/04/2013 12:31 Page 60

MAY 9: Car Care Plan International at Moortown.

May 24: Whyte & Mackay PGA Championship at Wentworth.

May 30: Four Stars at Moor Park.

June 7: Dunhill British Masters at Woburn.

The year is 1985, the year I became fanatically obsessed with Rick Hartmann’s glasses, Rodger Davis’ socks and Ken Brown’s wooden-shafted putter. The year I fell in love with golf.

To help this happen I needed three like-minded school friends and a dad who needed very little encouragement to spend four consecutive days watching Gavan Levenson and Bernhard Langer circle Wentworth’s putting green until there was no more light.

And I needed some live golf for which, back then, you were spoilt for choice.

Growing up in South London you might have to wait 10 years to get to an Open Championship but there was very little excuse for not attending at least two European Tour events, and with some gentle persuasion probably three.

On every occasion, our heroes would be there. No weeks off to play in a money match in Asia or trying their luck on the PGA Tour, but in front of our very eyes with very little stewarding and a practice ground where you could get within a few yards of them.

Now we could see for ourselves how far Sandy hit his 1 iron, how sweet a striker Eamonn Darcy

60 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

My top 3 moments PGA Championhip, 1988 Woosie’s first victory Not missing a shot of his closing 67 to win by one PGA Championhip, 1987 Seve’s escape at 15 A 5 iron off a dust path to a few feet, best shot ever seen British Masters, 1993 Jacko’s brief return An opening 67 at the age of 49. Sadly a 76 followed

really was, how Mike McLean managed to hit a driver off the deck and how much I really wanted my swing (and hair) to resemble Paul Way’s.

By the end of the year the top of the Order of Merit would read 1) Lyle 2) Langer 3) Ballesteros and 4) Woosnam.

Come the following May there would be another new friend on the 1st tee at Wentworth. After a sabbatical of 28 years now we would get to see what the Ryder Cup really looked like.

By the end of that PGA week a couple of hundred of us would be scampering down the side of the 17th fairway to watch Way (and his magnificent barnet) get the better of Lyle, the youngster

NCG pp 60-61 YCNY Nostalgia 19/04/2013 12:31 Page 61

Hartmann’s glasses, Brown’s putter and Rodger Davis’ socks

HOW I FELL

IN LOVE WITH GOLF

Mark Townsend recalls childhood trips to British tournaments and laments the absence of the European Tour in our isles (and buying that ‘waterproof’ blouson) smashing a 1 iron of his own from five feet in front of us through the back of the green. Dad and I then treated ourselves to two (not even close to being) waterproof blousons for £10 in the minuscule tented village before watching Way pack up his clubs in his car.

We were the last people to leave – even Levenson and Langer had gone home. We cut a shambolic looking pair, even in our new tops, watching a grown man rummage around in his boot but, looking back, it was bloody magical.

Woosnam, always Woosnam.

Wherever he was on the leaderboard we would seek out our favourite countryman on the range, shuffle in behind him as he

made his way to the 1st tee and then will him to something special.

We weren’t fussed on Faldo, everybody’s favourite, we loved Seve and Sandy (of course) while, a few years later, my dad developed a soft spot for Steven Richardson following a 3-wood recovery at Woburn from behind some saplings. I meanwhile quietly began obsessing about another young Spaniard having read great things (via a small strip in the Daily Telegraph the previous year) from the previous year’s Amateur Championship. Having run from the 4th green to watch him tee off on his PGA debut, the swing was a blur, the ball never deviated from the line that split the fairway and the shoulders remained hunched as

he negotiated the slope in front of the 1st tee.

Welcome to my very sad teenage world, Jose Maria Olazabal.

But it was Woosnam who provided the great highlights, a win at Wentworth in 1988 and a few months later at Sunningdale, made all the sweeter with Faldo in second. Thousands went home disappointed, approximately a dozen of us delighted.

And so to today. Wentworth remains on the calendar, albeit a very-different looking HQ, but gone from it are the likes of Moortown, Moor Park and Woburn. Money makes the world go round and you would be better

served to watch the European Tour by living in Dubai.

Mention the likes of Seve, Sandy, Langer or Woosie and my immediate thought is that of a 5 iron from a dusty path beside the 15th, a very quick hook (and resultant double bogey before still posting a 64), holing close to 50 straight six-footers and a 2 iron to four foot to set up a tap-in eagle.

Mention Rory or whoever else and my mind quickly flicks to Sky Sports.

As rose-tinted as any childhood undoubtedly is, there was no better time to be a golfing teenage nerd, complete with flared Sunderland waterproof bottoms and Cotswold shoes, than in the mid 1980s.

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 61

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NCG pp 63 YCNY Characters 19/04/2013 12:38 Page 63

HO knows what the players of today are really like? Behind the scenes it might well be a picture of leg-pulling, rib-tickling and practical jokes because this is what many perceive the word ‘character’ to mean.

Charley Hoffman, for example, is thought to be a character as he has longer hair than most and wears a coloured glove.

It’s a dreadful, sweeping word so let’s keep it simple and wonder who today is ‘of interest’.

Who are the heroes? Who is guaranteed to make you chuckle at the end of the round? Who dresses a bit differently? Who isn’t bound by a manufacturer to wear a baseball cap?

In my idyllic (and clueless) world I would love to see a leading player use whatever clubs that he fancied and suited him best – the best driver, irons, putter and ball – and wear whatever he liked.

Then, given this edge, he would sweep all before him and not have to ensure he shows off very expensive watch in his postround interview at least 10 times to satisfy his sponsors.

W

WHERE HAVE ALL THE CHARACTERS* GONE? Mark Townsend on why he yearns for the more innocent era he grew up in

‘Do you know Sanders hired a hitman to kill him?’

The more flashes equals more money. Look out for it during the next tournament you watch on television – trust me, it does happen.

And then what does he say? We hear all about the process, the ‘it is what it is’ gubbins, the guarded utterances of anything close to something of interest, the belief, more about the process, the fans (never forget the fans), maybe sneak in something on the equipment and then pay tribute to the lovely wife and family.

And all delivered with a perfect smile. Squeaky clean, kerching.

No mention of luck and the fact that you have been unable to breathe for the best part of the last hour.

*A dreadful word – we mean ‘people of interest’ Never anything negative, particularly about yourself – this is what made you special, now don’t let anybody in.

Of course there are some players of interest these days – just not loads of them.

Five names off the top of my head in the world’s top 50 (and most likely my favourites) would be Geoff Ogilvy, Rory McIlroy, Jim Furyk, Nicolas Colsaerts and George Coetzee.

To a man, open, honest,

thoughtful and interesting.

It is all too easy to be rosetinted and suggest that anyone with a bit of colour in their apparel from the 1970s or who marked their ball with a can of beer was the most fascinating character on earth.

But then you talk to the likes of Doug Sanders or Brian Barnes and you soon realise that in fact they’re not far off it.

They open conversations with jokes, they swear too much, they

admit their mistakes. You will know the story of Sanders blowing the Open, but do you also know that he once hired a hitman to kill him? It’s a brilliant story which one can’t imagine ever getting from Rose or Donald.

For a short period they let you into their lives and they don’t think too much about what comes out of their mouths.

What does come out is brilliant and a very welcome change from what is served up today.

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 63

NCG pp 64-65 YCNY Map & Calendar 19/04/2013 17:03 Page 64

GOLF IN BRITAIN 26

25

19 38

34 18 36 42

46 53

59 60 35 44

52 28

37

51

47 40

14 55

10

57

1 39

41

21 30 31 58 12

43 54 27

49

5 3 23 17 4

9

13 15

50

6 2

48 24

33 22

11

32 20

8 7 29

56

16 61 45

NCG pp 64-65 YCNY Map & Calendar 19/04/2013 17:03 Page 65

THIS SUMMER

Where to catch an event over the coming months across the country MAY 3rd-5th 1. Lytham Trophy Royal Lytham & St Annes 4th-5th 2. Welsh Ladies Open Amateur Championship Vale of Glamorgan

11th-14th 14. Glenmuir PGA & Women’s PGA Professional Championships De Vere Slaley Hall 13th-16th 15. Speedy Services Wales Senior Open Royal Porthcawl

14th-16th 3. English Women’s Amateur Championship Kings Norton

17th-22nd 16. Amateur Championship Royal Cinque Ports & Prince’s

15th-17th 4. Senior PGA Professional Championship Northants County

19th-21st 17. PDC and World Snooker Open Collingtree Park

5. EuroPro Astbury Hall

18. Scottish Seniors Open Championship Golf House Club, Elie

17th-19th 6. Welsh Open Amateur Championship Royal Porthcawl 30th-Jun 1st 7. Kerry London Championship Burhill (New) 23rd-26th 8. BMW PGA Championship Wentworth 29th-30th 9. Lagonda Trophy Gog Magog 31st-June 2nd 10. Scottish Open Amateur Championship Southerness

JUNE 5th-7th 11. English Men’s Senior Amateur Championship Bristol & Clifton 6th-9th 12. ISPS Handa PGA Seniors De Vere Mottram Hall 11th-15th 13. Ladies British Open Amateur Championship Machynys

20th-23rd 19. Scottish Hydro Challenge hosted by Macdonald Hotels and Resorts Spey Valley 22nd-23rd 20. Berkshire Trophy The Berkshire 24th Regional Open Qualifying Various 26th-29th 21. Brabazon Trophy Formby 28th-30th 22. The Buildbase Open Frilford Heath

JULY 2nd Local Final Open Qualifying Various, East Lothian 5th-7th 23. English Open MidAmateur Strokeplay The Worcestershire 8th-10th 24. Tillman Trophy Burnham & Berrow

10th-12th 25. Grant Property Investment Championship Moray 11th-14th 26. Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open Castle Stuart 16th-18th 27. McGregor Trophy Seacroft

12th-16th 39. Girls’ British Open Amateur Fairhaven 13th-18th 40. Boys Amateur Championship Royal Liverpool & Wallasey, Wirral 14th-16th 41. Home Internationals Ganton

18th-21st 28. 142nd Open Championship Muirfield

16th-18th 42. Scottish Hydro Senior Open Fairmont St Andrews (Torrance), Fife

23rd-25th 29. South of England Amateur Walton Heath

17th-18th 43. Gold Medal Tournament Woodhall Spa

23rd-26th 30. Carris Trophy West Lancs

21st-23rd 44. Ladies British Open Amateur Strokeplay Championship Prestwick

25th-28th 31. Senior Open Championship Royal Birkdale

45. EuroPro Dale Hill, Sussex

26th-28th 32. ISPS Handa Ladies European Masters The Buckinghamshire

22nd-25th 46. Johnnie Walker Championship Gleneagles, Perthshire

29th-Aug 3rd 33. English Amateur Championship Frilford Heath

29th-Sep 1st 47. Northern Ireland Open Challenge presented by Clannah and XJET Galgorm Castle, Antrim

34. Scottish Amateur Championship Blairgowrie 31st-Aug 2nd 35. EuroPro Rowallan Castle

AUGUST 1st-4th 36. Ricoh Women’s British Open St Andrews 7th-9th 37. EuroPro Mar Hall 38. Seniors Open Amateur Championship Royal Aberdeen

48. ISPS Handa Wales Open Celtic Manor, South Wales 30th-31st 49. Jacques Leglise Royal St David’s, North Wales 30th-Sep 1st 50. Travis Perkins Senior Masters Woburn, Buckinghamshire Aug 30th-Sep 1st 51. Sweetspot Classic Longhirst Hall, Northumberland 52. Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open Archerfield Links

SEPTEMBER 3rd-4th 53. Lombard Trophy Gleneagles (PGA Centenary) 15th 54. County Champion of Champions Woodhall Spa 20th-22nd 55. PGA Cup De Vere Slaley Hall 21st-22nd 56. English Champion Club Tournament Dudsbury 24th-26th 57. Senior Home Internationals Royal County Down 25th-27th 58. EuroPro Moor Allerton 26th-29th 59. Alfred Dunhill Links Championship St Andrews, Kingsbarns & Carnoustie 29th 60. Scottish Club Championship The Duke’s

OCTOBER 15th-17th 61. EuroPro Prince’s

KEY European Tour European Senior Tour Challenge Tour EuroPro Tour Ladies’ European Tour Men’s amateur Ladies’ amateur Professional Golfers’ Association

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 65

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20/03/2013 09:44

NCG pp 67 YCNY Old Timers 19/04/2013 12:47 Page 67

THOSE WERE THE DAYS

Long before the Race to Dubai, the UK was the European Tour. Neil Coles and Andrew Coltart (not Brucie) reminisce with Mark Townsend...

Puredrive 18/04/2013 12:15 Page 1

NCG pp 69-70 YCNY Old Timers 19/04/2013 12:49 Page 69

What were the highlights on the schedule that you most looked forward to?

AC: I wanted to play well in the Scottish Open.

The PGA had such a great history and I grew up watching the Benson & Hedges at Fulford and Peter Baker winning. You just wanted to play in them, there were big crowds and you felt like you were at a big event. At Woburn you had a lovely old course with some great memories.

NC: Mine were the big three: the PGA, the British Masters and the Open. Then the Match Play. The PGA moved around then, I won it at RSG but we also played at Saunton, Hillside, Ganton, Western Gailes and Royal Mid Surrey. The Benson & Hedges was always at Fulford and very established.

The racing was there the week before. Another highlight was the Daks at Wentworth.

Are we missing a trick in not having more professional events on some of our great links?

NC: We had events at Hillside, Ashburnham, Hunstanton and Wallasey and these were great venues but today they need so much space.

AC: The problem is the logistics – setting up tented villages is tricky to expand onto local fields.

Being a traditionalist I would love to see it. When you talk about the tourist industry, foreigners want to play links and we all head to the lush parklands.

What is it like to win in front of your own fans?

AC: We (Scotland) won the Dunhill Cup at St Andrews; Monty got a lot of plaudits at the Ryder Cup but back then he was non-existent. Sam Torrance was the captain and there was not a negative in sight and he loved playing for Scotland.

When Monty captained the side there was none of that. I had an eye for the Old Course at that time and I shot some good scores. I loved the head-tohead, which was like your amateur days, and Torrance and Monty were battling it out for the Money List.

NC: My favourite win was the PGA at Sandwich in 1976 where I had a play-off with Gary Player and Eamonn Darcy. Player went out at the 1st hole and Darcy and I halved the 16th in two and I parred 17 to his five. I had three chances in the Open, I was third at Birkdale, second at Troon and sixth at Carnoustie. The only one where I maybe could have won was at Birkdale in 1961 where I was leading or tied for the lead with nine holes to play and suddenly realised it and then had a run of fives. Arnold Palmer won, Dai Rees was second.

How much of a factor was the necessary travel?

AC: You were travelling in Europe back then and you could get back home. Now it is very much a single man's sport and you might now be away for six weeks at a time. It is all very well going places where there is money but there is a question mark over whether that is best for the future of the tour.

NC: I have never liked flying. I flew in the early days but not in the latter years. There were certain things in the States that I turned down and I was ➤

Wentworth days Coles putts in the 1971 Piccadilly World Matchplay

NCG pp 69-70 YCNY Old Timers 19/04/2013 12:49 Page 70

A

Sad scenario Coles laments the absence of UK events

Great days Coltart with the Dunhill Cup in 1995

invited to the Masters over a period of years and only went once. I don’t fly now.

We would drive to Portugal and Spain and the events would follow on so we would play Portugal, La Manga, Madrid and the French Open on the way home.

You would also drive to Italy and play a few events and get the boat to Barcelona and Madrid so that was another good trip.

Are you glad you played when you did?

AC: I was lucky I played when I did, Tiger was coming through and there was a lot of money. The tour began to fragment when they introduced WGC events and that divided the tour and that has become even more the case.

I was lucky, I didn't achieve as much as I wanted to but you had to be ridiculously good and you had to prepare so long away from home with the different climates, food and conditions.

NC: We had good fun, we travelled and practised with the

same people, it was competitive but we enjoyed the trips.

Obviously it was a shorter season so we had to play well through a six-month period whereas today it is a year-long thing. I worked in a shoe repair business, ladies’ dresses, engineering and finished up buying property.

How frustrating is it for you not to see more European Tour events in the UK? AC: In these economic times it is tough but golf is still a very popular game for professional people and companies and there is still an obligation to provide these tournaments on home soil for the youngsters. We should be able to hold one or two events in Britain for the youngsters and supporters to go and watch. You come to the game because you see the stars in the flesh. There are certain tax obligations in place which put off some players from coming back to the country and the government could help with that.

You could see this coming – let's have an event and have it for

70 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

$1m and everyone was happy but you could see additional events clogging up the schedule and players coming through the Q Schools not getting into events.

NC: The amounts of money have got to such a point there aren’t many companies that can sponsor big events. It is almost impossible to sponsor some events and you

ABOUT NEIL Neil played on the European Tour for 37 years, won 29 times and played in eight Ryder Cups. When he won the Lawrence Batley at 67, he became the oldest golfer in Europe to win an event.

He is now an ambassador for Benross. www.benrossgolf.com

ABOUT ANDREW Andrew played on tour for 17 years and won twice. He played in the 1999 Ryder Cup and co-founded TPEGS with tour coach Gary Nicol which provides golf schools to all standards. www.tpegs.com

hope things will turn around. It is no longer a European Tour, more of a world tour but you have to go where the money is. I played for 37 years and won £430,000 and that is one event now.

How true is the suggestion that the British golf fan is the best in the world?

AC: The British crowds are exactly what you expect them to be. They love their golf and are very impressive. Elsewhere there are fans who want to be heard or don't understand the etiquette of the game.

NC: The British fan is less rowdy but in the early days golf was a very elitist sport on the continent and they would just wander out in their fur coats and that was as far they would walk.

The British crowds loved Seve, Nicklaus and Palmer more than anyone and I loved playing with Nicklaus the most and then Palmer. Jack was so powerful and his mental attitude was incredible; you used to look at him and wonder what made him tick. ◆

MORE PGA TOUR PROS PLAY HYBRIDS FROM ADAMS THAN FROM:

CALLAWAY, CLEVELAND, COBRA, NIKE, AND PING

COMBINED. *

AdamsGolf.com *Based on 2012 usage on the PGA Tour as reported by the Darrell Survey Co.

13ADAM026_April Print Ads for UK.indd 1

4/18/13 4:15 PM

NCG pp 72 YCNY Giveaway 19/04/2013 12:52 Page 72

WIN TICKETS AND PRIZES TO

TOP EVENTS THIS SUMMER We've got special offers for events at Mottram Hall, the Buckinghamshire and Archerfield

HANDA LADIES

EUROPEAN MASTERS

Win a threeball at Archerfield with an Ladies’ European Tour pro

Win a pair of season tickets to the ISPS Handa Ladies’ European Masters

Win a pair of season tickets to to the ISPS Handa PGA Seniors’ Championship

THE Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open will be played at Archerfield Links in East Lothian and starts on August 30.

And the winner of our brilliant competition will receive a threeball at magnificent Archerfield playing with Aberdeen Asset Management ambassador and Ladies European Tour pro Kylie Walker, followed by lunch in the deluxe clubhouse.

The lucky winner will also take home an Aberdeen Asset Management golf pack.

WE'VE got FOUR pairs to give away for the ISPS Handa Ladies European Masters at the Buckinghamshire in July The event runs from July 26 to 28 and many of the finest Ladies European Tour players will be in action. Each winner will also receive a free round of golf at this classy parkland venue on the outskirts of the capital.

Even if you don't win you can preregister for your ticket at www.ladieseuropeanmasters.com and a season ticket will only cost £10 rather £25.

Disabled and blind spectators receive free entry and a portion of the admission fee is used toward raising monies for good causes.

WE'VE got SIX pairs to give away for the ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship at De Vere Mottram Hall in June The European Senior Tour will be calling in at Cheshire venue Mottram Hall next month. The De Vere resort has recently benefitted from a £6m renovation, which has just been completed. In recent years this flagship event has welcomed former Ryder Cup captains Ian Woosnam, Sam Torrance, and Mark James, as well as former Masters and Open Championship winner, Sandy Lyle, and Ryder Cup players, Barry Lane and Costantino Rocca.

The tournament runs from June 6 to 9.

It is FREE to enter – visit www.nationalclubgolfer.com and click on Competitions 72 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

NEW DECADE MULTICOMPOUND ®

© 2013 Golf Pride. Golf Pride is a registered trademark of Eaton Corporation.

Comfort and control: a Tour-winning combination.

The fastest growing grip family on Tour.

Spring means more Majors, more rounds, and more reasons to regrip with the New Decade® MultiCompound from Golf Pride®.

Made with BCT cord for traction in the upper hand and our legendary performance rubber for responsiveness in the lower – it’s why more pros than ever count on Golf Pride® at the moment of impact.

Learn more at GolfPride.com

S P R I N G

LIMITED E D I T I O N

Amateurs Descend on Dubai for the Golf Care Matchplay Championship The UK’s biggest amateur event continues to provide the ultimate golfing experience

ith the Masters tournament now completed and the longest winter in living memory finally coming to an end, it very much feels like the long overdue beginning of the golf season. For many of us that means dusting off the golf clubs and hitting the practice area for the first-time. However, for the past several months thousands of golfers have been competing for a chance to win the ultimate golf prize, a week-long trip to Dubai, as a finalist in the Golf Care Matchplay Championship.

Amateur golfers from all over the country compete in the unique event, which will be known as the Golf Care Matchplay Championship for the first-time after Golf Care, the UK’s #1 specialist golf insurer came on board as title sponsor.

Ultimately, the tournament is designed for passionate, everyday golfers, of all ability. Unlike other elite amateur events, where entry is determined by handicap or ranking, the Matchplay Championship is open to all male and female competitors with handicaps of 28 or below for Men and 36 or below for Women. The success of the event, which is now in its tenth year, has largely been built on the enjoyment and value on offer to competitors, with the tournament providing Title Sponsor

Official Host Partners

Organiser

golfers with the opportunity to claim an exceptional Grand Final experience. This year the finalists will fly to Dubai, but in previous years they have flown to the Caribbean and Egypt.

Competitors compete in knock-out match play competition in three different categories - Men’s Pairs, Mixed Pairs and Men’s Singles, before convening at European Tour venue, The Marriott Forest of Arden, to dual it out in better-ball stableford during the Regional Finals to determine the forty Grand Finalists that will be whisked off to Dubai. In the Emirate they will not only soak up the sun, but enjoy luxurious accommodation at the recently-opened 5-star JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, the world’s tallest hotel. The iconic building features two towers, with a host of restaurants, bars, lounges, spas, and accommodation overlooking the ocean and desert.

Conditions usually reserved for the world’s best players.

For the first-half of the week, with the stunning surroundings, it’s easy for competitors to forget what they are really there for, which is to play golf and compete for the overall prize and title of Matchplay Champions 2013. They will do so at the world-renowned Els Club, designed by the 4-time major championship winner, Ernie Els, while being filmed for a Sky

Gradient version

Partners

Solid Black version

2013/2014 Events Men’s Singles (CONGU Active)

Men’s Pairs (CONGU Active)

£30

Mixed Pairs

(CONGU Active & Non-Active) For additional handicap and event clarification see

www.matchplaychampionship.co.uk/rules Title Sponsor

EVENT COVERAGE ON

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

ENTER NOW Closing Date: 30th June 2013

Sports production to be broadcast in June. The course itself is immaculate and rightly regarded as one of the best in the Middle East. The conditioning and management of the course is superb, thanks to the management of Troon Golf. It’s fair to say, having witnessed it first-hand, that this is not your average amateur golf event. Competitors are made to feel like Tour Pro’s, despite entering for just £30 per person. Furthermore, they will enjoy a plethora of local courses in the qualifying rounds preceding the lavish Regional Final and Grand Final.

Some of those that have qualified already for this years’ final include the husband and wife pairing of David and Tracey Morris, who have twice made the finals of the event in past years. They will no doubt be the ones to beat in the Mixed Pairs with scratch golfer David proving to be as consistent as ever. In the Men’s Singles Final, last year’s runaway winner Paul Llewellyn, has also made it through to defend his title.

There will be lots of new faces in Dubai though, all looking to claim one of the prestigious titles.

“With this being our tenth anniversary, we wanted to make this the biggest event in tournament history. I think we’ve

done that. The JW Marriott Marquis is unbelievable and the tallest hotel in the world. The golf course at The Els Club is phenomenal and the stunning clubhouse is open for the first-time. On top of that, competitors have a few days to themselves to see the delights of Dubai,” noted John Woosey, Managing Director. “We’ve had a great ten years and thoroughly looking forward to building on that success moving forward.”

Interestingly, entries for the 2013/14 event are still open, but with the July 1st closing date fast-approaching and qualifying rounds beginning later that month, players are being urged to register online to avoid disappointment. The tournament is run by an experienced team of industry professionals, and of course, with such an incredible Grand Final prize on offer it comes as no surprise that golfers continue to enter in their droves, especially when you consider that £30 is less than most people pay to enter their local open competition.

Don’t miss out on your chance to enter by visiting

www.matchplaychampionship.co.uk

ENTER ONLINE NOW OR CALL: 0800 158 2189

www.matchplaychampionship.co.uk

THE NEW FACE OF SPIN

Cleveland Golf, the leaders in wedge innovation, introduce the new 588 RTX Rotex Wedges: • 16% larger grooves for increased contact and friction at impact • Enhanced laser-milling for improved durability and surface roughness • Unique directionally-optimized Rotex face pattern for maximum spin

588 RTX Blade

588 RTX CB Cavity Back

Trade in any old wedge for any brand new 588 Wedge and get

£25 off

*

A maximum of three wedges can be traded in saving you £75 off three new 588 Wedges

Offer closes 30/06/13 – for terms and conditions, go to www.clevelandgolf588.eu *Available in participating stores only.

NCG pp 77 Equipment Lead 19/04/2013 13:09 Page 77

EQUIPMENT Comprehensive and objective gear tests | The latest releases | Competitions | Fashion | Accessories

DADDY LONG LEGS

HAS MAXIMUM

MULTI-MATERIAL To crank the MOI up, TaylorMade built the Daddy Long Legs head out of 16 pieces made of EIGHT materials – stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminium, titanium, tungsten, polycarbonate, Surlyn and TPU

STABILITY

TaylorMade’s new putter is the most stable they have ever made – they claim it is 60 per cent more stable than a traditional model. A 130g grip counterbalances the head weight to help you swing the head smoothly and on path. The result is an exceptionally twist-resistant head that helps you roll the ball your desired distance on your desired line.

The grip acts as a counterbalance to the clubhead, increasing the MOI. The putter almost feels like it is swinging itself, and will resist manipulation from your hands.

It is available in two lengths, 38 and 35”.

The idea is to grip the club as you would a normal-length putter, with two or three inches of the butt-end of the grip extended above your hands, which gives you the maximum benefit of counterbalancing.

SRP: £159

Clean White leading edge and single, simple black alignment line makes aiming easy

No twist The highest MOI of any TaylorMade putter for maximum twist-resistance and distance-control on off-centre hits

Sweet roll The PureRoll Surlyn insert promotes soft-yet-solid feel and smooth roll straight of the face

78

GEAR INSIGHT

HEAD TO HEAD

LYNX BOOM BOOM 2 DRIVER

WHY IT IS HOT

AND LEGAL

We run the rule over two

sleek sets of irons

COBRA AMP CELL PRO SRP: £749 (3-P) STYLE Very, very cool. Cobra have a heritage when it comes to blades and the Amp Cell Pros are very much a continuation of that legacy. Huge shelf appeal

What is the key premise behind the technology?

It was developed using gas-filled Hot 1 Technology which works on thermodynamic principles and is on the R&A’s conforming driver list.

Does the club contain gas?

Yes. A rare mixture of ‘hot gases’ provide an extremely stable pressurised atmosphere. It reacts to heat in a particular way, creating longer ‘hot’ drives. The clubface is given extra support from the inside by the thermodynamic nature of the gases. In a ‘hot gas’, the molecules move faster than in a cold gas. The kinetic energy, and hence the temperature, is greater because of the increased velocity of the molecules. This leads to perfectly even support across the face and all strikes consistently achieve low spin rates and maximum distance with incredibly low dispersion.

What happens in the clubhead?

Under ‘normal’ circumstances, the pressure created delivers longer, more accurate drives. But when they are warm, the gases help to deliver even greater performance.

Gases expand when warm and there is a noticeable increase in the length of drives.

Does this make the club illegal?

No. The Boom Boom 2 is on the list of approved Conforming Drivers available from the R&A and is supplied with a regulation headcover. There is an optional heated headcover available as an accessory. Because this is deemed purposely to change the playing characteristics of the club during a round, it is not allowed in competition golf – just as you can’t change an adjustable driver during a round.

FEEL

THE PERFECT SUMMER GARMENT The temperature is finally increasing and that means we can put the base layers away for a few months at least. What you can’t guarantee is that you won’t get caught in a shower – or that the temperature won’t dip on a spring evening. Thankfully, help is at hand in the shape of the

Blake short-sleeve, half-zip Windstopper in Soft Shell fabric.

It’s the perfect garment to keep in your bag to cover all eventualities because it doesn’t crease, is very light and takes up next to no space. The real beauty of it is that you can swing without any restriction. Research

Why Galvin Green’s half-sleeve windstopper is indispensable has shown that very little heat is lost from the forearms so you can stay warm without losing any freedom of movement.

This is a garment you will get lots and lots of use out of – we recommend either Midnight Blue or White and Apple Green.

SRP: Blake £159

OUT THE BLADE This new trolley means business – and folds completely flat

78 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

As out-and-out blades in the short irons, you would expect the feel to be good and you certainly won’t be disappointed

New Galvin half-sleeve windstopper

SRP: £699 (4-P) COMPONENTS STYLE This is a shiny, forged, compact pocket cavity that looks a million dollars.

FEEL

The Pros come with Dynamic Gold shafts and MultiCompound white-out grips

SHORT IRONS

Pure. It would take a very refined golfer to tell the difference between these and an out-and-out blade

These are blades, and they are absolutely to die for in terms of head shapes and profile

COMPONENTS

This is clever – there is a very subtle progression into the longer irons which have very small pocket cavities. At address you wouldn’t know it, but there is a little help here

LONG IRONS

INNOVATION

BIG MAX PULL Trolley specialists Big Max have introduced a new trolley that folds perfectly flat without the need to remove the wheels.

The Blade is their top-of-range model and can be assembled and folded in a matter of a few seconds with One-Fold technology. That means it can fit in the smallest spaces and is both easy and practical to transport. It is suitable for all bag sizes and weighs 6.5kg.

Big Max have also introduced a new bag that is completely waterproof. The iDry Aqua is seam-sealed, has waterproof zips, and delivers everything you could want from a golf bag, while weighing only 2.3kg.

CALLAWAY X HOT PRO

SRPs: Blade trolley £299; iDry Aqua Cart £189.99; iDry Aqua stand £179.99 www.bigmaxgolf.com

REVIEWED

LITEPOWER 36-HOLE

The super-stylish Project X Pxi is a lighter version of this legendary shaft but equally stable. The X Hot Pros are topped off with a Lamkin Crossline grip

VERDICT

LITHIUM BATTERY

SHORT IRONS

One of the biggest arguments against using an electric trolley is the weight and bulk of the battery.

Specialists LitePower have well and truly put that to bed.

Compatible with trolleys made by all the major brands, it takes just five hours to charge, weighs only 3.2kg and comes with a five-year warranty. Lithium batteries are pricey – but the benefits are obvious in terms of reliability, size and weight. I took the battery on a recent trip away and it was no trouble to transport it from boot to hotel room.

SRP: £249 www.litepower.co.uk Reviewed by Dan Murphy

This is where pocket-cavity sets excel. You get a little more help and power in the long irons in terms of launch and forgiveness without sacrificing anything in terms of looks

A touch larger in the head than a blade, nevertheless the X Hot Pros give you a low flight with plenty of control

Our favourite clubs from this year’s stylish Amp Cell range.

Brilliant option for the 5handicapper and below

LONG IRONS

VERDICT These would be perfect for a good ball striker, off eight or below, who wants classic looks with modern performance

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 79

BLACK WIDOW

LAUNCH NEW

GRIP RANGE New version of the renowned Tour Silk II takes star billing

TOUR SILK II This grip has been upgraded to optimise all-weather performance and offer more control through its new textured feel.

The surface of the new Tour Silk II provides the consistent all-weather feel and performance preferred by golfers of all abilities.

Available in Black, White and Black Midsize.

HYBRID This new grip has stemmed from intense research into the grip benefits of pebbled surfaces. This concluded that combining such a surface with a traditional wrap provided an ideal combination for golfers.

Set to become the next step in dual textured grips, the Hybrid has a unique pebble feel on the top-half and a shiny wrap on the lower section.

This provides superior comfort and tack for the golfer’s dominant hand throughout the swing. The Hybrid is available in Black, White and Black Midsize.

THE FINISHER This putter grip is constructed from the softest, most durable GelTech material available.

This grip’s blend of proprietary components utilises Black Widow’s trademarked Player Hand Control, designed to maximise your grip response. The Finisher benefits from bold design characteristics. The three-line diamond design allows you to optimise your hand position, promoting a neutral club face and preventing alignment issues.

With the thickness and playability of a jumbo, but with all the feel of a smaller version, it will prevent unwanted wrist movement.

SRPs: Tour Silk II £4.99; Hybrid £5.99; Finisher £9.99 www.bwgrips.com

Light touch The M2 is made from an ultra-light high-grade aluminium alloy Sleek The ultra-lightweight, latest-generation, 36hole Li-ion battery is up to any challenge

Golfer ELECT RIC

No tip Special anti-tip rear wheel means it can cope with the steepest gradients

NATIONAL

THIS is a trolley that will certainly turn heads. It can also turn itself, thanks to a funky remote-control system. As entertaining as guiding the M2 over a bridge undoubtedly is, of greater importance is the build quality. Motora will be a new name to many but it is immediately obvious that we are talking about a serious player at the top end of this competitive market.

CLUB

TROLL EY REVIEW

MOTORA TURN ON THE STYLE

The M2 Control is sleek and stylish

With sleek looks and the twin 180W motors integrated into the chassis, the M2 can be folded up without the need to remove the battery. On a trip away, this ease of assembling and unfolding is key, as is the ability to pick up the battery without effort and re-charge it ready for the following morning. The new 36-hole Li-ion battery weighs just

1.5kg and comes with a five-year warranty. At first glance I wondered what the purpose was of the rear wheel but it quickly becomes apparent that this helps with stability – as does the width of the wheelbase. The final touch is a luxury leather handle – this really is a trolley offering a little more.

SRP: £789 www.motoragolf.co.uk Reviewed by Dan Murphy

MIZUNO ENTER THE PREMIUM BALLS MARKET

MP-S offers tour performance with an ultra-soft cover Best known for their sleek and stylish irons, Mizuno have introduced a multi-piece tour-level ball with a new ultra-soft, tacky urethane cover.

A combination of a large inner core and highly resilient inner cover result in high initial ball speeds – with 318 large, shallow dimples to produce a mid trajectory and a stable, efficient ball flight.

Though the MP-S offers a distinctive balance of touch and control that will predominantly appeal to skilled players, anyone dealing with firm, fast conditions will appreciate its ability to stick to the green.

“What we liked about the MP-S is that it stops as quickly as it takes off,” said Andy Kikidas, Mizuno's tour operations manager. “We could

tell from the first touch of the tacky cover, that it would be incredibly responsive around the greens.”

Mizuno have also introduced the D201 – a mid-range ball that uses Mizuno’s Cavity Cross Core to reduce driver backspin without impacting the traction of shorter, control-based shots.

SRPs: MP-S £49.99 per dozen; D201 £24.99 per dozen

DUNLOP LAUNCH NEW STAND BAG

The Dunlop NZ9 Stand Bag is available in a choice of two colours, designed with a variety of useful features including a removable rain hood to help protect your clubs and multiple pockets for efficient storage, including a lined valuables pocket for added security.

It benefits from a deluxe, dual strap for improved weight distribution, as well as a rubber grip handle for easy transportation.

SRP: £44.99 www.SportsDirect.com

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 81

81

We take Motora’s new trolley for a spin

Golfer |TESTS...

NATIONAL

CLUB

GPS DEVICES

BEST WATCH ON TEST

BEST HANDHELD ON TEST

GARMIN APPROACH S3

SKYCADDIE SGXW

£279.99

SRP: £329.95

The touchscreen is great – it's easy to use and navigate around the device.

The lay-up yardages to 100 yards and 150 yards from the green are very useful.

We like how you can see the shape of the green and also move the pin to the approximate position to get a more accurate yardage. It offers all the functionality of the S1 but with whistles and bells for those who want it.

Unrivalled in terms of the amount of information it can offer, this is the most advanced GPS on the market.

From a map of the hole you are about to play to the Intelligreen feature that knows what angle you are approaching the green from for truly accurate front and back measurements, it is cutting edge. Also WiFi enabled so you can download new courses without having to plug it into a PC

Our verdict on 12 leading models – both watches and handheld units SKYCADDIE BREEZE SRP: £199

GARMIN APPROACH G6

SNOOPER SHOTSAVER S430

SRP: £299.99

SRP: £279.99

Big screen makes information easy to access and because it finds the courses itself you don't have to do anything beyond switch it on. Turn horizontal for at-a-glance bigger numbers.

A compact, sleek unit with a great, sturdy attachment to your bag. We love the touch targeting for laying up to favoured distances. There are lots of additional features.

+

The 3D hole view is a good idea, giving you a good idea of the shape of the hole. Touch anywhere on the hole and it immediately calculates the distance from where you are.

If you are exceptionally clumsy (like us) you might find the rollerball a touch awkward to use.

The touch screen took a little bit of getting used to but once it was calibrated, it worked fine.

It doesn’t depict the gradient of the holes very well (eg, steepness of fairway slopes).

+ –

–

+ –

GOLFBUDDY VOICE+ SRP: £159

+

The courses are all pre-loaded and it detects what hole you are on as you step on to the tee. Delivers yardages in clear and distinctive fashion.

–

Can be tricky to access with a jumper on as it's quite bulky. The voice can pipe up before you've finished a hole if you’re near the next tee.

+

–

For those who don’t wear a watch when playing, a belt clip option would be great. Inevitably, with extra functionality comes more button pressing

+

–

Not the most intuitive to use and you need to spend some time with it to get the best performance. Obviously, you also need a WiFi connection.

REASONS TO IN A GPS 5 INVEST

1

THEY GIVE QUICK, SIMPLE INFORMATION Cutting straight to the chase, at its most basic a GPS device tells you exactly how far you have got to the centre of the green at all times.

That single piece of information, that key yardage, is all that many of us need to pull the trigger.

2

THEY ARE EASY TO USE Most of them are, anyway. If you have been put off buying a GPS by your technological limitations then look again now.

With many of these units all you have to do is turn them on and you're away. They will find the course and hole you are on and update automatically. What could be simpler?

3

FIND OUT THE CARRY OVER A BUNKER Using the distance to the front edge of the green, you can ensure that you have enough club to clear the trouble and reach the putting surface.

4 BUSHNELL NEO+ WATCH

SNOOPER SHOTSAVER S210

SRP: £159

SRP: £129.99

Nice neat watch that doesn't feel too bulky to wear. It's intuitive to use – even without reading the instructions.

+ –

There’s a lot of 'beeping' – you have to navigate through quite a few screens to get to where you want to be

At an entry-level price you get simple-to-use GPS capability. Brilliant value and very reliable.

+ –

Clearly not as sophisticated as some (that are generally much more expensive)

SKYCADDIE WATCH SRP: £179.99

SNOOPER SHOTSAVER SG250 SRP: £159.99

+

You can trust SkyCaddie's mapping accuracy and the numbers are very clearly displayed. The watch is not too bulky.

–

At the first attempt it takes a little while to work out what each of the five buttons do and how to navigate it.

RECOMMENDED

Great multipurpose device. It works equally well as a watch, and can be used for running as well as a golf GPS.

+ –

Probably just us, but a couple of times when we wanted a yardage it had gone back to displaying the time instead

GOLFBUDDY PLATINUM

GARMIN APPROACH S1

SRP: £329

+

The best thing about the powerful Platinum is that despite all its clever functionality you can use it straight out of the box and it remains user-friendly. You won't need to spend any additional money on updates or subscriptions.

–

We found the touchscreen, which is a brilliant idea in theory to get yardages to and from spots everywhere on a hole, a little difficult to operate as precisely as we wanted.

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 83

RECOMMENDED

84 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

SRP: £179.99

Garmin's original entry-level watch could not be simpler to operate and we think it is still the best of its type. It offers the minimum amount of distracting information and sticks to the basics. You can't go wrong with oerating the S1 and it represents solid value.

+

Other watches are more sophisticated, and have many more courses pre-loaded than this.

–

EXTRA FEATURES ALSO AVAILABLE An advanced GPS will do much, much more than the above. If you are into your gadgets and like the best then you can do all manner of whizzy things like see a map of the hole you are about to play, measure the distance of your drive, log your scores, track key statistics like greens in regulation, get lay-up distances to the angle of doglegs and much, much more.

5

IT SPEEDS UP PLAY As we all know having watched the Masters, anything that gets the game moving more quickly has to be a good thing.

(Presuming you know how to work your GPS) you'll find a quick glance is all you need to make your decision on club selection.

LEARN MORE bushnellgolf.com garmin.com gpsgolfbuddy.eu snooper.co.uk skygolf.com

83

GPS test – featuring the latest watches

NCG pp 78-79 Equipment Galvin 19/04/2013 11:11 Page 78

GEAR INSIGHT LYNX BOOM BOOM 2 DRIVER

WHY IT IS HOT

AND LEGAL

What is the key premise behind the technology?

It was developed using gas-filled Hot 1 Technology which works on thermodynamic principles and is on the R&A’s conforming driver list.

Does the club contain gas?

Yes. A rare mixture of ‘hot gases’ provide an extremely stable pressurised atmosphere. It reacts to heat in a particular way, creating longer ‘hot’ drives. The clubface is given extra support from the inside by the thermodynamic nature of the gases. In a ‘hot gas’, the molecules move faster than in a cold gas. The kinetic energy, and hence the temperature, is greater because of the increased velocity of the molecules. This leads to perfectly even support across the face and all strikes consistently achieve low spin rates and maximum distance with incredibly low dispersion.

What happens in the clubhead?

Under ‘normal’ circumstances, the pressure created delivers longer, more accurate drives. But when they are warm, the gases help to deliver even greater performance.

Gases expand when warm and there is a noticeable increase in the length of drives.

Does this make the club illegal?

No. The Boom Boom 2 is on the list of approved Conforming Drivers available from the R&A and is supplied with a regulation headcover. There is an optional heated headcover available as an accessory. Because this is deemed purposely to change the playing characteristics of the club during a round, it is not allowed in competition golf – just as you can’t change an adjustable driver during a round.

THE PERFECT SUMMER GARMENT The temperature is finally increasing and that means we can put the base layers away for a few months at least. What you can’t guarantee is that you won’t get caught in a shower – or that the temperature won’t dip on a spring evening. Thankfully, help is at hand in the shape of the

Blake short-sleeve, half-zip Windstopper in Soft Shell fabric.

It’s the perfect garment to keep in your bag to cover all eventualities because it doesn’t crease, is very light and takes up next to no space. The real beauty of it is that you can swing without any restriction. Research

Why Galvin Green’s half-sleeve windstopper is indispensable has shown that very little heat is lost from the forearms so you can stay warm without losing any freedom of movement.

This is a garment you will get lots and lots of use out of – we recommend either Midnight Blue or White and Apple Green.

SRP: Blake £159

INNOVATION

BIG MAX PULL

OUT THE BLADE This new trolley means business – and folds completely flat Trolley specialists Big Max have introduced a new trolley that folds perfectly flat without the need to remove the wheels.

The Blade is their top-of-range model and can be assembled and folded in a matter of a few seconds with One-Fold technology. That means it can fit in the smallest spaces and is both easy and practical to transport. It is suitable for all bag sizes and weighs 6.5kg.

Big Max have also introduced a new bag that is completely waterproof. The iDry Aqua is seam-sealed, has waterproof zips, and delivers everything you could want from a golf bag, while weighing only 2.3kg.

78 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

SRPs: Blade trolley £299; iDry Aqua Cart £189.99; iDry Aqua stand £179.99 www.bigmaxgolf.com

REVIEWED

LITEPOWER 36-HOLE

LITHIUM BATTERY One of the biggest arguments against using an electric trolley is the weight and bulk of the battery.

Specialists LitePower have well and truly put that to bed.

Compatible with trolleys made by all the major brands, it takes just five hours to charge, weighs only 3.2kg and comes with a five-year warranty. Lithium batteries are pricey – but the benefits are obvious in terms of reliability, size and weight. I took the battery on a recent trip away and it was no trouble to transport it from boot to hotel room.

SRP: £249 www.litepower.co.uk Reviewed by Dan Murphy

NCG pp 78-79 Equipment Galvin 19/04/2013 11:12 Page 79

HEAD TO HEAD o sleek sets of irons We run the rule over tw

COBRA AMP CELL PRO SRP: £749 (3-P) STYLE Very, very cool. Cobra have a heritage when it comes to blades and the Amp Cell Pros are very much a continuation of that legacy. Huge shelf appeal

FEEL

CALLAWAY X HOT PRO

As out-and-out blades in the short irons, you would expect the feel to be good and you certainly won’t be disappointed

SRP: £699 (4-P) COMPONENTS STYLE This is a shiny, forged, compact pocket cavity that looks a million dollars.

The Pros come with Dynamic Gold shafts and MultiCompound white-out grips

FEEL

SHORT IRONS

Pure. It would take a very refined golfer to tell the difference between these and an out-and-out blade

These are blades, and they are absolutely to die for in terms of head shapes and profile

COMPONENTS

This is clever – there is a very subtle progression into the longer irons which have very small pocket cavities. At address you wouldn’t know it, but there is a little help here

LONG IRONS The super-stylish Project X Pxi is a lighter version of this legendary shaft but equally stable. The X Hot Pros are topped off with a Lamkin Crossline grip

VERDICT SHORT IRONS A touch larger in the head than a blade, nevertheless the X Hot Pros give you a low flight with plenty of control

Our favourite clubs from this year’s stylish Amp Cell range.

Brilliant option for the 5handicapper and below

LONG IRONS This is where pocket-cavity sets excel. You get a little more help and power in the long irons in terms of launch and forgiveness without sacrificing anything in terms of looks

VERDICT These would be perfect for a good ball striker, off eight or below, who wants classic looks with modern performance

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 79

Lamkin 18/04/2013 12:16 Page 1

NCG pp 81 Equipment Motora 19/04/2013 11:14 Page 81

BLACK WIDOW

LAUNCH NEW

GRIP RANGE New version of the renowned Tour Silk II takes star billing TOUR SILK II This grip has been upgraded to optimise all-weather performance and offer more control through its new textured feel.

The surface of the new Tour Silk II provides the consistent all-weather feel and performance preferred by golfers of all abilities.

Available in Black, White and Black Midsize.

HYBRID This new grip has stemmed from intense research into the grip benefits of pebbled surfaces. This concluded that combining such a surface with a traditional wrap provided an ideal combination for golfers.

Set to become the next step in dual textured grips, the Hybrid has a unique pebble feel on the top-half and a shiny wrap on the lower section.

This provides superior comfort and tack for the golfer’s dominant hand throughout the swing. The Hybrid is available in Black, White and Black Midsize.

THE FINISHER This putter grip is constructed from the softest, most durable GelTech material available.

This grip’s blend of proprietary components utilises Black Widow’s trademarked Player Hand Control, designed to maximise your grip response. The Finisher benefits from bold design characteristics. The three-line diamond design allows you to optimise your hand position, promoting a neutral club face and preventing alignment issues.

With the thickness and playability of a jumbo, but with all the feel of a smaller version, it will prevent unwanted wrist movement.

SRPs: Tour Silk II £4.99; Hybrid £5.99; Finisher £9.99 www.bwgrips.com

Light touch The M2 is made from an ultra-light high-grade aluminium alloy Sleek The ultra-lightweight, latest-generation, 36hole Li-ion battery is up to any challenge

Golfer ELECT RIC TR

No tip Special anti-tip rear wheel means it can cope with the steepest gradients

NATIONA L

OLLEY REVIE W

MOTORA TURN ON THE STYLE THIS is a trolley that will certainly turn heads. It can also turn itself, thanks to a funky remote-control system. As entertaining as guiding the M2 over a bridge undoubtedly is, of greater importance is the build quality. Motora will be a new name to many but it is immediately obvious that we are talking about a serious player at the top end of this competitive market.

CLUB

The M2 Control is sleek and stylish

With sleek looks and the twin 180W motors integrated into the chassis, the M2 can be folded up without the need to remove the battery. On a trip away, this ease of assembling and unfolding is key, as is the ability to pick up the battery without effort and re-charge it ready for the following morning. The new 36-hole Li-ion battery weighs just

1.5kg and comes with a five-year warranty. At first glance I wondered what the purpose was of the rear wheel but it quickly becomes apparent that this helps with stability – as does the width of the wheelbase. The final touch is a luxury leather handle – this really is a trolley offering a little more.

SRP: £789 www.motoragolf.co.uk Reviewed by Dan Murphy

MIZUNO ENTER THE PREMIUM BALLS MARKET

MP-S offers tour performance with an ultra-soft cover Best known for their sleek and stylish irons, Mizuno have introduced a multi-piece tour-level ball with a new ultra-soft, tacky urethane cover.

A combination of a large inner core and highly resilient inner cover result in high initial ball speeds – with 318 large, shallow dimples to produce a mid trajectory and a stable, efficient ball flight.

Though the MP-S offers a distinctive balance of touch and control that will predominantly appeal to skilled players, anyone dealing with firm, fast conditions will appreciate its ability to stick to the green.

“What we liked about the MP-S is that it stops as quickly as it takes off,” said Andy Kikidas, Mizuno's tour operations manager. “We could

tell from the first touch of the tacky cover, that it would be incredibly responsive around the greens.”

Mizuno have also introduced the D201 – a mid-range ball that uses Mizuno’s Cavity Cross Core to reduce driver backspin without impacting the traction of shorter, control-based shots.

SRPs: MP-S £49.99 per dozen; D201 £24.99 per dozen

DUNLOP LAUNCH NEW STAND BAG The Dunlop NZ9 Stand Bag is available in a choice of two colours, designed with a variety of useful features including a removable rain hood to help protect your clubs and multiple pockets for efficient storage, including a lined valuables pocket for added security.

It benefits from a deluxe, dual strap for improved weight distribution, as well as a rubber grip handle for easy transportation.

SRP: £44.99 www.SportsDirect.com

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 81

See the game differently The innovative Garmin Approach® S2 Golf watch is a stylish new addition to our existing Garmin golf watch series. Remove the guesswork from your approach play with automatic yardage to the front, middle and back of the green. Play smarter with precise yardages to layup points and dogleg landing areas.

Preloaded with over 30,000 worldwide courses easily accessible from your wrist and automatic course detection, it’s incredibly simple to use and makes you feel home on any golf course.

Golf has never been so easy.

FREE LIFETIME COURSE UPDATES

www.garmin.com/approach

©2013 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries

Approach S2

NCG pp 83-84 GPS's 19/04/2013 11:27 Page 83

Golfer |TESTS...

NATIONAL

CLUB

GPS DEVICES

Our verdict on 12 leading models – both watches and handheld units SKYCADDIE BREEZE SRP: £199

+

Big screen makes information easy to access and because it finds the courses itself you don't have to do anything beyond switch it on. Turn horizontal for at-a-glance bigger numbers.

If you are exceptionally clumsy (like us) you might find the rollerball a touch awkward to use.

–

GARMIN APPROACH G6

SNOOPER SHOTSAVER S430

SRP: £299.99

SRP: £279.99

A compact, sleek unit with a great, sturdy attachment to your bag. We love the touch targeting for laying up to favoured distances. There are lots of additional features.

The 3D hole view is a good idea, giving you a good idea of the shape of the hole. Touch anywhere on the hole and it immediately calculates the distance from where you are.

+

The touch screen took a little bit of getting used to but once it was calibrated, it worked fine.

–

BUSHNELL NEO+ WATCH

SNOOPER SHOTSAVER S210

SRP: £159

SRP: £129.99

Nice neat watch that doesn't feel too bulky to wear. It's intuitive to use – even without reading the instructions.

+ –

There’s a lot of 'beeping' – you have to navigate through quite a few screens to get to where you want to be

At an entry-level price you get simple-to-use GPS capability. Brilliant value and very reliable.

+ –

Clearly not as sophisticated as some (that are generally much more expensive)

+

It doesn’t depict the gradient of the holes very well (eg, steepness of fairway slopes).

–

SKYCADDIE WATCH SRP: £179.99

GOLFBUDDY VOICE+ SRP: £159

+

The courses are all pre-loaded and it detects what hole you are on as you step on to the tee. Delivers yardages in clear and distinctive fashion.

–

Can be tricky to access with a jumper on as it's quite bulky. The voice can pipe up before you've finished a hole if you’re near the next tee.

SNOOPER SHOTSAVER SG250 SRP: £159.99

+

You can trust SkyCaddie's mapping accuracy and the numbers are very clearly displayed. The watch is not too bulky.

–

At the first attempt it takes a little while to work out what each of the five buttons do and how to navigate it.

Great multipurpose device. It works equally well as a watch, and can be used for running as well as a golf GPS.

+ –

Probably just us, but a couple of times when we wanted a yardage it had gone back to displaying the time instead

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 83

NCG pp 83-84 GPS's 19/04/2013 11:27 Page 84

BEST WATCH ON TEST

BEST HANDHELD ON TEST

GARMIN APPROACH S3

SKYCADDIE SGXW

£279.99

SRP: £329.95

The touchscreen is great – it's easy to use and navigate around the device.

The lay-up yardages to 100 yards and 150 yards from the green are very useful.

We like how you can see the shape of the green and also move the pin to the approximate position to get a more accurate yardage. It offers all the functionality of the S1 but with whistles and bells for those who want it.

Unrivalled in terms of the amount of information it can offer, this is the most advanced GPS on the market.

From a map of the hole you are about to play to the Intelligreen feature that knows what angle you are approaching the green from for truly accurate front and back measurements, it is cutting edge. Also WiFi enabled so you can download new courses without having to plug it into a PC

+

–

For those who don’t wear a watch when playing, a belt clip option would be great. Inevitably, with extra functionality comes more button pressing

+

–

Not the most intuitive to use and you need to spend some time with it to get the best performance. Obviously, you also need a WiFi connection.

TO INVEST IN A GPS 5 REASONS

1

THEY GIVE QUICK, SIMPLE INFORMATION Cutting straight to the chase, at its most basic a GPS device tells you exactly how far you have got to the centre of the green at all times.

That single piece of information, that key yardage, is all that many of us need to pull the trigger.

2

THEY ARE EASY TO USE Most of them are, anyway. If you have been put off buying a GPS by your technological limitations then look again now.

With many of these units all you have to do is turn them on and you're away. They will find the course and hole you are on and update automatically. What could be simpler?

3

FIND OUT THE CARRY OVER A BUNKER Using the distance to the front edge of the green, you can ensure that you have enough club to clear the trouble and reach the putting surface.

4

RECOMMENDED

RECOMMENDED

GOLFBUDDY PLATINUM

GARMIN APPROACH S1

SRP: £329

SRP: £179.99

+

The best thing about the powerful Platinum is that despite all its clever functionality you can use it straight out of the box and it remains user-friendly. You won't need to spend any additional money on updates or subscriptions.

–

We found the touchscreen, which is a brilliant idea in theory to get yardages to and from spots everywhere on a hole, a little difficult to operate as precisely as we wanted.

84 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

Garmin's original entry-level watch could not be simpler to operate and we think it is still the best of its type. It offers the minimum amount of distracting information and sticks to the basics. You can't go wrong with oerating the S1 and it represents solid value.

+

Other watches are more sophisticated, and have many more courses pre-loaded than this.

–

EXTRA FEATURES ALSO AVAILABLE An advanced GPS will do much, much more than the above. If you are into your gadgets and like the best then you can do all manner of whizzy things like see a map of the hole you are about to play, measure the distance of your drive, log your scores, track key statistics like greens in regulation, get lay-up distances to the angle of doglegs and much, much more.

5

IT SPEEDS UP PLAY As we all know having watched the Masters, anything that gets the game moving more quickly has to be a good thing.

(Presuming you know how to work your GPS) you'll find a quick glance is all you need to make your decision on club selection.

LEARN MORE bushnellgolf.com garmin.com gpsgolfbuddy.eu snooper.co.uk skygolf.com

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ENG-XHOT-DR-SP-210x297+3.indd 1

17/04/2013 12:31

NCG pp 87-89 Driver Test Intro 19/04/2013 13:44 Page 87

Golfer |TESTS...

NATIONAL

CLUB

DRIVERS FOR BETTER PLAYERS We test 15 models to identify the best for the lower handicapper

15 SETS OUR RATED BY OF TEST TEAM STRONG GOLFERS

NCG pp 87-89 Driver Test Intro 19/04/2013 13:45 Page 88

THE TESTERS THE PROFESSIONAL

JAMES WHITAKER Head PGA professional, Moor Allerton Handicap: Pro Current driver: Nike VR_S Covert, 9.5, Aldila RIP, x-stiff He says: “My right-to-left ball flight gains me welcome extra yards. I look for a driver that won’t turn my draw into a hook and that maximises distance. Extra forgiveness is always welcome.

THE ACCURATE SCRATCH MAN

JOHNNY LAWRENCE

The kit Heads, wrenches and headcovers

Handicap: + 0.2 Current driver: Nike VR_S, 9.5˚Graphite Design stiff He says: “I suppose I like a traditionallooking driver. I play by feel so I find I can tell pretty quickly if I am going to get on with a driver. My game is all about hitting fairways and consistency.”

DAN MURPHY Handicap: 4 Current driver: Ping Anser, set to 10˚, Mitsubishi Diamana He says: “I want a driver that is simultaneously both lively yet also solid. I’ve experimented with light shafts but I find they makes me spray the ball around. I need something to hit against that keeps the spin rates from getting too high.”

THE EXPERT TITLEIST GURU

RICHARD TEMPLE Richard Temple is Titleist’s golf clubs product and fitting manager, based at their headquarters in St Ives, and an accomplished low-handicap golfer himself

THE NCG PROMISE We pride ourselves on offering unbiased, independent reviews

Photography by Eve Burton

THE LONGER HITTER

ABOUT THE TEST

HOW WE DID IT

THE EXPERT’S VIEW

WHAT WE AIMED TO ACHIEVE We wanted to identify the drivers that we could recommend with the most confidence to the lower handicapper – and our panel reflected that with a long-time scratch player joining our pro and 4-handicap editor.

Having already tested drivers with a view to recommendations for the average club player, there was quite simply no compromising on this test.

We simply wanted to find the drivers that our better player liked the most. The question we kept asking throughout the test was: would you happily put this driver in your bag for your next competition round?

We invited the major manufacturers to send in their top drivers, and also offered them the opportunity of providing specifications to suit our testers.

OUR NON-SCIENTIFIC METHODOLOGY WITH THIS TEST We assembled an elite collection of the 15 drivers that we felt would be of the most interest to the better player.

We hit them all extensively and used a TrackMan launch monitor, so we could look at trends including distance, carry, spin rate and launch angle. Most important, though, was how each driver felt to the individual player.

Ultimately, whatever the launch monitor may tell you, the most important thing is how a driver feels and how it performs out on the course when it really counts – this was not a scientific test.

Key factors we took into consideration included: • Sound and feel • Dispersion • Looks • Distance • Playability • Shelf appeal • Price • Ball flight • Consistency of performance

Is shaft or head more important?

It’s equal, says Richard “I speak to our lead fitters and they say that if a guy likes a certain shaft for whatever reason he will do his best to fit around that shaft because he probably will be able to using Sure Fit Tour (Titleist’s adjustability system). Unless it really is unsuitable.

“If you look at launch conditions of shafts, there is a spread but it’s not that big. We can do more using SFT than by changing shafts.

“If you look at our shaft matrix, there are after-market shafts but the issue I get from the R&D people is that shafts are designed for tour players and then changed to suit amateurs.

“There is a huge spread of exotic shafts but they are pretty much redundant – they really don’t need them.”

88 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

NCG pp 87-89 Driver Test Intro 19/04/2013 13:45 Page 89

Golfer | TESTS...

NATIONAL

CLUB

BETTER PLAYER DRIVERS

In posiition The best drivers money can buy

THE EXPERT’S VIEW Is driver adjustability predominatly for the fitter or the consumer?

Definitely the former, says Richard “If you have been properly custom fit then you don’t really need the wrench.

“You should check with your professional before making changes.

“I would say stick with what’s being fitted and don’t change.

“For example, when you take off loft you change the spin rate so you might end up hitting it lower off the club but spinning more and it will cost you distance.

“If it’s set up properly, the launch condition will be optimised – so why change?

“It’s part of the fitting philosophy that the consumer should be confident and comfortable.”

SUREFIT TOUR Each Titleist 913 driver has a SureFit Tour hosel.

This dualangle hosel technology allows loft and lie to be independently adjusted to optimise ball flight and to achieve a more precise fit.

Before, adjustments were made by Titleist club technicians through a manual process involving trial-and-error, many trips to the workbench and the potential for club breakage.

Titleist engineers developed this to offer maximum “tour-van-in-ahosel” fitting effectiveness through precise adjustability in order to optimise speed, spin, launch and ball flight for distance and shot control.

THE EXPERT’S VIEW Who will your 913 drivers most appeal to?

A wide range of players, says Richard, and the difference between D2 and D3 is subtle “We want people to know how good and playable our drivers are – it’s a broader-reaching product than ever before. It’s not gameimprovement and probably never will be but we aim to offer a total package.

“Technically, the launch conditions of the D2 and D3 are very similar. The perception of D3 is that it’s for better players and lower spinning but it’s more about the look. SFT is such a powerful tool that we didn’t really need two vastly differing products. So it comes down to looks and it’s a confidence thing. If you struggle to turn it over, you would tend to go for the D2. D3 might appeal more to the traditionalist.”

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ENG-ODY-Versa-SP-210x297+5.indd 1

17/04/2013 12:27

NCG pp 91-92 Drivers 19/04/2013 11:34 Page 91

Golfer | TESTS...

NATIONAL

CLUB

BETTER PLAYER DRIVERS

CALLAWAY X HOT PRO

YONEX iEZONE

MIZUNO MP-650

TAYLORMADE RBZ2 TP

SRP: £279.99

SRP: £299

SRP: £279

SRP: £329

TESTERS’ COMMENTS JW: This was consistently long for me. I like the head and the shape.

JL: It sounds like a cannon!

Looks-wise it’s a smallish sort of head, not greatly appealing to me.

I much preferred the Xtreme.

DM: I like the shape of the head but I’m not sure about the colour, it’s neither here nor there for me.

The stock Project X shaft is not a natural fit for me but I reckon I’d get a lot out of this head with the right shaft.

TESTERS’ COMMENTS DM: I don’t mind the black and white – I think it looks sharp – but this is a very, very light driver in the standard shaft which made it hard for me to control. I know it performs much better in the Rexis shaft which was unfortunately not available on the day.

JL: There’s too much going on with a white shaft and a head that is mainly black with a white nose. I couldn’t get on with it.

JW: The results were good but I wasn’t too sure about the colours.

TESTERS’ COMMENTS JW: It doesn’t jump off the face but it’s a really nice, classic head.

Not as forgiving as some in the test but it’s a good driver.

JL: The head looks like the one on the Nike VR Pro. I hit this well. It suits my eye. I like the shiny black head – just a simple, classy club.

DM: I love the look of the head and the way it sits. I couldn’t quite get on with the shaft in our sample. Very classy.

TESTERS’ COMMENTS JW: I don’t like the yellow on the crown, that’s a bad start. But I do hit it well. It’s a forgiving driver but ultimately I didn’t feel like I’d be able to trust it on a tight par 4.

JL: I don’t like the head – it’s too big and bulbous. And I don’t like patterns on the crown. I couldn’t get any consistency to start with.

DM: I think there is a lot of toe on the head – it sticks out. I was a little disappointed with the shaft, it wasn’t as stable as I was hoping so I was not consistent.

JL MASTER MODEL

COBRA AMP CELL PRO

CLEVELAND XL CUSTOM

PING G25

SRP: £249

SRP: £319

SRP: £269

SRP: £299

TESTERS’ COMMENTS JW: Nice-looking head and it’s tidy at address. The shaft is good as well. I struggled to get a good flight from it but that was just me needing a slightly softer shaft.

JL: Looks good at address – appealing. Very heavy head.

DM: The sound is good. Great look at address. It feels like there’s something to hit against and I could control it well. It wasn’t quite as long as some for me but certainly no slouch.

TESTERS’ COMMENTS JW: It looks like I’m hitting an orange! It feels good though and you realise it’s a serious club. I prefer a driver that is a bit livelier off the face.

JL: It sits very nice but I don’t like the grey bit at the back. The head colour is an acquired taste. I didn’t hit this especially well for some reason.

DM: I like the head shape and the orange is quite cool but I didn’t get anything to write home about in terms of results.

TESTERS’ COMMENTS JW: Lots of fitting options. It looks closed to me at address when it’s in neutral. Then I set it up in open and it was like a different club. For a ‘tour’ head I’m surprised at how closed it looked in the square position.

JL: I like the head. The face is a little too deep for my eye. The results were very good.

DM: I needed it in the most open position to suit my eye – then it looked great. I really enjoyed hitting this.

TESTERS’ COMMENTS JW: The longest on test for me.

The head sticks out at the back more than Anser and that’s what makes it better on off-centre hits but not as appealing. I’m not sure if it’s a better-players driver necessarily but at my clubhead speed it’s great.

JL: Much bigger head at the back.

Very nice. The shaft suits me very well. I prefer the Anser on looks.

DM: For me the Anser performs better but I can see the forgiveness benefits and it’s a top driver.

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 91

NCG pp 91-92 Drivers 19/04/2013 11:35 Page 92

Golfer | TESTS...

NATIONAL

CLUB

BETTER PLAYER DRIVERS

GREAT-LOOKING HEAD AND FAST SPEEDS

STRONG BALL FLIGHT

BENROSS RIP

NIKE VR_S COVERT TOUR

SRP: £149

SRP: £349.99

TESTERS’ COMMENTS JW: I like the head and the sound. I carried this further than anything. This is a great driver – and it would be if it was £100 more expensive. I’m really impressed by the Benross gear this year.

JL: It reminds me of the Titleist D3 head – which is a big compliment. I could put this into play. I wasn’t expecting to say that when I took the cover off, if I’m honest.

DM: There are not many nicer heads on test.

With the right shaft, this would have been as long as anything for me. Unbelievable value CLUB NATIONAL for money.

TESTERS’ COMMENTS JW: I struggle to flight the Tour head so for me the Performance head is a better bet and I get very good results off this.

JL: I do not like the tick on the crown. It’s not for me, there’s too much going on. I prefer the Tour head but it’s still too busy and I can’t get past that.

DM: First thing: it sounds great. I like the smaller head and, surprisingly, I don’t find the swoosh and red crown off putting at all, so that’s not a factor. There’s no doubt you lose a touch of forgiveness but that’s inevitable. It is low spinning, as it should be.

NATIONAL

lMfEeNDrS o G M O C E R

Golf RECOM er MENDS CLUB

BRILLIANT ADJUSTABILITY OPTIONS

GREAT-LOOKING HEAD

TAYLORMADE R1 TP

ADAMS SUPER LS

SRP: £399

SRP: £299

TESTERS’ COMMENTS JL: I was fine with the normal shaft and spun it a little less with the TP one. I preferred this as a driver to the RocketBallz. There’s a lot going on with the head, which I didn’t like. It feels very weighty in the neck.

JW: It’s easy to hit, surprisingly so. The sound is quite ‘thunky’. I don’t like the graphics on the top but it does fly well.

DM: I really want to like this driver but the truth is I just can’t seem to get consistently outstanding performance out of it no matter what I do with the set up.

TESTERS’ COMMENTS JW: The shaft is good for me – very light and stable. It doesn’t look closed at address and sits well.

JL: Looks nice, sits nice. The flight is stable.

I like this a lot. I could take this out on the course now.

DM: This is a sleeper – and deserves greater recognition. I love the head – about as good as a white-headed driver can look for me. I’d need a slightly more stable shaft to get the very best out of this but that’s just a matter of fitting.

Golf RECOM er MENDS NATIONAL

lMfEeNDrS o G M RECO NATIONAL

CLUB

92 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

CLUB

E E A E S L L A E S L L A E S L S A S A S A E A S A E S L LE E S A LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE S L E E A S E L S A L A E S L E E S A L S A L E SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE S AL LE SA ALE E S SA LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA LE E S A LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL E L S A L S A L E E S A E L S A L S A L S L A E S AL E SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL S A L E E E A E S L E L S A L S A L E A S E S A L S A L A E S L LE S A E SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE LE S A LE SA L E S A LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA L E S A LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA L E S A LE S AL E SA LE S AL E S L E E S A E L S A L S A L S AL E SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA S A E E E L S A E L S A L S A L E E A S E L S A L S A L S L A E S AL E SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL A LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA L E S A LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA L E S A LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA L E S LE S A E SA L E A LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA L E S A LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA L E S L E S AL E SA LE S A E S L E SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE S AL LE SA ALE E S SA LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA LE E S A LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S A S L E A A LE S L E A LE S AL E SA L A LE S AL E SA L S A E S L A L S A E S L S A E S L S AL E SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE A E S L LE S A E SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE LE S A LE SA L E S A LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA L E S A LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA L E S A LE S AL E SA LE S AL E S L E E S A E L S A L S A L S AL E SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA S AL E SA LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA L E S A LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA L E S A LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA L E S A L A E S L E E E L A E S L L A E S L L A E S L S A S A S A A LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E LE S A E SA L E E E S A L LE S E SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE S AL LE SA ALE E S SA LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA LE E S A LE SA AL E S SA LE S A L E A L A E S L E SA L A E S L A E S L E S A L S A E S L A L S A E S L A L S L E SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA S AL E SA LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA L E S A LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA L E S A LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA L E S A LE A E S L LE S A E SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA 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E SA L E S A LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA L E S A L A E S L E E E L A E S L L A E S L L A E S L A S S A S A A LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S LE S A E SA L E E E S A L LE S E SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE S AL LE SA ALE E S SA LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA LE E S A LE SA AL E S SA LE S A L E A L A E S L E SA L A E S L A E S L E A L S S A E S L A L S A E S L A L S L E SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA S AL E SA LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA L E S A LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA L E S A LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA L E S A LE A E S L LE S A E SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE LE S A LE SA L E S A LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA L E S A LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA L E S A LE S AL E SA LE S AL E S L E E A S E L S A L S A L S AL E SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA S A E E E L A E S L L A E S L L A E S L L A S S A S A S L E A E S AL E SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL S A L E E E A E S L L A E S L L A E S L L A S S A S A A E S L E LE S A E SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE L E E A E S L E L A E S L L A E S L A S S A E SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE S AL LE SA ALE E S SA LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA LE E S A LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S A E L S A S L A A E S L E A LE S L E A LE S AL E SA L S A E S L A L S A E S L A L S A E S L S AL E SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE A E S L LE S A E SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE LE S A LE SA L E S A LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA L E S A LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA L E S A LE S AL E SA LE S AL E S L E E A E S L E L A E S L L A E S L A S S A E SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE S AL LE SA ALE E S SA LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA LE E S A LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL L A E S L L A E S L L E S A L S A S A S L E A E S AL E SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL S A L E E E A E S L L A E S L L A E S L L A S A S A S A E S L E LE S A E SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE LE S A LE SA L E S A LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA L E S A LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA L E S A LE S AL E SA LE S AL E SA L E E A S E L S A L S A L S AL E SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA A S E E E L A E S L L A E S L L A E S L L A S S A S A S L E A E S AL E SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL E S SA LE S AL E SA LE E S AL LE SA AL A S L E A E S L L A E S L L A E S L L A S A S L E S L E A A E S L E A E S AL E SA LE S A E SA L E S A LE S A E S AL E SA LE S A E S L E A E S AL E SA LE S A E S L E L

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NCG pp 94 Drivers 19/04/2013 11:36 Page 94

Golfer | TESTS...

NATIONAL

CLUB

BETTER PLAYER DRIVERS

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TESTERS’ COMMENTS D2 JW: I really like this driver head from a personal perspective. And I know from fitting good players into it that they do too.

JL: It sits very nicely. It’s consistent, it repeats well, and I know I can trust it. I’d put this in my bag.

D3 DM: This is a great-looking driver. It just sits so square and makes you think you’re going to hit the ball solidly and straight. Fantastic acoustics as well – powerful yet not harsh. On the day, this was actually the longest on test for me which shows a) what a great driver it is and b) the benefits of a good custom-fit, as I had been down to Titleist’s National Fitting Centre at St Ives.

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TESTERS’ COMMENTS JW: It’s a nice driver. I got very good results off this.

For me personally I’d go with the G25 but I suspect most better players would choose this, especially the big hitters.

JL: I’d put this in the bag with the right spec – I hit very consistent shots with this. I was very comfortable with it. The head is better than the G25 for me.

DM: I love the head shape and finish. For a lowspinning driver and fast ball speeds this has got to be up there. I get a really good flight off this that just keeps going forward.

CALLAWAY RAZR FIT XTREME SRP: £329

TESTERS’ COMMENTS JW: Great-looking head. I like this a lot. Good feedback off the face. For a good player with high spin rates it’s a winner.

JL: Sits nice and feels nice. It’s a very sleek, streamlined look to the whole club. Consistent and don’t feel like I’m going to miss a fairway with it. It’s a good club. Swings beautifully.

DM: Very deep noise. Great-looking head – very classy and under-stated. It’s low-spinning so I would say this is a niche product, but then this is a niche test and for the right player, this is a club that they will just love using.

94 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

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20/03/2013 08:39

NCG pp 97 Drivers WWL 19/04/2013 11:38 Page 97

Golfer | TESTS...

NATIONAL

CLUB

BETTER PLAYER DRIVERS

WHAT WE LEARNED Dan Murphy reflects on hitting the best drivers

@ Moor Allerton Golf Club, Leeds

For the best in

CUSTOM FITTING

DISTANCE COMES FROM FITTING PRIMARILY I heard a great story recently about a leading tour pro. He was concerned that the driver he was contracted to play wasn’t performing as well as others.

So he went to see an independent club fitter and tested all the top brands on TrackMan. It turned out that he couldn’t find one that went more than three yards past his current gamer and he went away happy.

The moral of the story is this: You are unlikely to find that one brand’s driver goes past everyone else’s. What you will find is that you can improve and fine-tune the performance of each and every top brand through a blend of good fitting and the use of adjustability.

ADJUSTABILITY IS GREAT FOR BETTER PLAYERS The ability to tweak a driver really did make the difference for the players in this test when we were trying to finesse performance.

By taking the loft up or down or switching a shaft, the results would change markedly.

Obviously, we had the benefit of James Whitaker’s expertise, and he was able to work his magic with

the wrench and instantly improve the performance with just about any driver in the test.

The problem is that you need to know what you are doing when adjusting your driver and if you experiment unsupervised then you run the risk of making things worse not better.

CONSISTENCY IS THE KEY When buying a new driver, you think about raw distance but in this test what really impressed our panel were consistency and control. It’s all very well having a hot driver but only if it repeats.

The best drivers – the ones we recommended – were those where we felt we could hit consistently

good shots with rather than drivers where every so often one would jump off the face. For low handicappers, good driving is at least as much about being able to find a fairway when it counts as it is smashing an extra-long one.

We use Trackman for the ultimate in accuracy

EXPERIMENT ON WEIGHT Any decent player is going to feel the difference between a 60 and 70g shaft. You’d be surprised how much difference it makes to the feel and your timing. Our experience in this test was that we preferred shafts that were a little bit heavier and a little more stable.

You might be the same or you might like a bit of extra speed – but you won’t know unless you try.

BETTER PLAYERS MORE RESISTANT TO COLOUR...

Or at least our testers were! The comments we kept hearing were “the crown was too busy” and “I like clean looks”. So, on first impression, the looks are really important and heads that are unfamiliar colours, or with patterns on, do stand out – as they are meant to. It should be said that after just a few shots you can get used to them. But it’s very much a personal thing.

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why get custom fitted?

“With over 20 years of experience Direct Golf UK’s expert club technicians have proved that golfers using the correct specification of equipment will increase distance and improve accuracy therefore reduce scores” John Andrew, Class AA PGA Professional. Owner & Founder Direct Golf UK “I just wanted to let you know what a difference having my clubs fitted by yourselves made to my game. My slice has drastically reduced making my balls go straighter and further, my short game I attack with more confidence. I reduced my round by 5 shots last week, with a bit more practise who knows what I can reduce my handicap to. A big thanks to Lee for all the tips and advice and adjusting my clubs.

I couldn’t be more happier.”

It was the most informative, useful, enjoyable hour I have ever had with a golf pro. Thank you Jake Clorley for all your help and the cup of tea! I will recommend this service to everyone and will not hesitate to call Jake again with all my golf needs. Jake made me feel completely at ease and taught me more in that hour (Lie, Loft, Swing speed, Grip size, Swing plane e.t.c.) than some have in weeks! Thanks for re-infecting me with the golf bug!

Alan Sturgeon, Huddersfield DGUK Customer

Jonathon Whitelaw, Birmingham DGUK Customer

Call our professionally trained staff to find out more about custom fitting. It will give you the best chance to reduce your scores.

Stride.indd 1

14/2/13 23:26:19

NCG pp101 Fashion Hats 19/04/2013 12:53 Page 101

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NCG pp102-104 Equipment Directory Ads 19/04/2013 14:22 Page 102

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NCG pp102-104 Equipment Directory Ads 19/04/2013 14:22 Page 103

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NCG pp105 Instruction Lead 19/04/2013 11:23 Page 105

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

STRIKE A

LIGHT

Guy Wills explains how to visualise your next bunker shot

If you lack confidence and commitment in your bunker play I'd like to instil two thoughts for you to try.

Grab a handful of sand and try throwing it towards the flag you are playing to, and you'll soon realise this takes a fair amount of power as you swing your arm towards your target resulting in a smooth acceleration to a longer followthrough than imagined.

If you do this a few times you will really get a sense of the power needed.

Repeat this action with your sand wedge making sure you accelerate through the hitting area striking sand and completing the followthrough.

The image I'd like you to have here is the action needed to strike a match.

The smooth acceleration needed to light the match will help you stay committed right through the shot.

Guy Wills is head professional at Fulford in York. He is one of over 1,000 Foremost pros from all over the UK to give tuition. For more www.willsgolf.co.uk

Shot on location at Las Colinas Golf & Country Club

FIND YOUR NEAREST FOREMOST PROFESSIONAL AT WWW.FOREMOSTGOLF.COM

CHIP YOUR WAY TO STRAIGHTER IRONS Get the hook out of your system with these simple checks HERE are not many better feelings than a crisply struck iron shot. However, it can be pretty frustrating if you can’t reliably control the direction of the ball. This tip is for you hookers out there – let’s see if we can straighten you up!

T

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BRUISE DON’T DIG

QUICK LESSON

If you are struggling with too much curve on the to basics and ball, go back check your alignment and in particular Too many knuckles showinggrip. the back of on your top hand generally encourages a hook!

HEN trying to play perfect wedge shots remember that the wedge is designed to get the ball airborne so you don’t need to help it!

A common fault is to try to scoop the ball into the air by leaning back at the moment of impact.

If the club and your body action have opposing momentum, the result will be inconsistent strikes and a collection of fats and thins.

W

How to dial in your distance control with your wedges

This followthrough position is pretty good and one to follow for any slicers. However any hookers may find they become overactive

with their hands through impact, causing the clubface to over-rotate and the ball to hook. If this sounds like you, then try this.

THE DEVIL INSIDE How to add some width to your takeaway

ITH the swing being something of a chain reaction a bad start can often lead to more faults to compensate. One common flaw and a big contributors to poor shots is caused by the club going back too far inside on the backswing.

W

We have all heard of a one-piece takeaway but what does that actually feel like?

X

Try holding the club just below the grip (on the metal) and have the butt of the club in your stomach.

Now swing the club to about the halfway position, keeping the butt in the stomach.

Shot on location at Las Colinas Golf & Country Club

Try to use the bigger muscles (chest and shoulders) to control the swing, reducing the hand action. Make some half swings focusing on rotating your body

while feeling like your hands and wrists are very quiet (like an extended chipping stroke). As you swing into impact, feel like your hands always lead the clubhead.

Simon Harrison is head professional at Lilley Brook in Gloucestershire. He is one of over 1,000 Foremost pros from all over the UK to give tuition. www.simonharrison-pga.co.uk

CHECKPOINT 1 Draw a line in the turf.

Set up as if the line were the ball. Swing in your normal pitching manner and see where your divot starts.

Shot on location at Las Colinas Golf & Country Club

106 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

John Murray is head professional at Moray in Scotland. He is one of over 1,000 Foremost pros from all over the UK to give tuition. For more www.johnmurraypgapro.co.uk

Now, as you rotate your body towards the target, feel like you hold the club off. Like in a chip shot, feel like your hands stay ahead of the club and the back of your glove and right palm swing

CHECKPOINT 2 The ‘divot’ (which should actually be more like giving the grass a cut) should start on the line and carry to around six inches beyond it. This indicates a correct shallow descending blow while still carrying forward momentum.

CHECKPOINT 3 Check you have the u shaped arc by placing a tee peg six inches beyond the line at about an inch high.

If you have a shallow angle of attack you should clip the tee peg.

CHECKPOINT 4 To achieve perfect control you need a delicate balance of striking the ball with a downward blow, whilst not too steep that the club digs into the turf.

The answer is to ‘bruise’ the turf NOT take a deep divot. This creates a ‘u’-shaped swing arc not a severe ‘v’-shaped arc.

The right elbow should be separated from the right side of the body. This movement will stop the club from rolling inside and instead keep the shaft in front of your body and give you a feeling of width.

down the target line as long as possible. It may feel exaggerated and that you are leaving the face open, but with a little practice this should straighten you up in no time. This is not for any slicers!

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 107

Dan Wood is a PGA professional who has played on the EuroPro Tour and is attached to The Oxfordshire

108 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 109

112 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

ALSO INSIDE n ANTI HOOK P106 Straighten out your iron shots n STOP THE DIG P108 How to dial in your wedges n TAKEAWAY TIP P112 How to add some width to your first move

NCG pp106-107 Murray Instruction 18/04/2013 18:19 Page 106

CHIP YOUR WAY TO STRAIGHTER IRONS Get the hook out of your system with these simple checks HERE are not many better feelings than a crisply struck iron shot. However, it can be pretty frustrating if you can’t reliably control the direction of the ball. This tip is for you hookers out there – let’s see if we can straighten you up!

T

106 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

NCG pp106-107 Murray Instruction 18/04/2013 18:19 Page 107

FIND YOUR NEAREST FOREMOST PROFESSIONAL AT WWW.FOREMOSTGOLF.COM

QUICK LESSON If you are

struggling with too much curv e on the ba ll, go back to basics an d check yo alignment ur and in part icular grip.

Too many knuckles sh owing on the back o f your top hand generally en courages a hook!

Shot on location at Las Colinas Golf & Country Club

John Murray is head professional at Moray in Scotland. He is one of over 1,000 Foremost pros from all over the UK to give tuition. For more www.johnmurraypgapro.co.uk

This followthrough position is pretty good and one to follow for any slicers. However any hookers may find they become overactive

with their hands through impact, causing the clubface to over-rotate and the ball to hook. If this sounds like you, then try this.

Try to use the bigger muscles (chest and shoulders) to control the swing, reducing the hand action. Make some half swings focusing on rotating your body

while feeling like your hands and wrists are very quiet (like an extended chipping stroke). As you swing into impact, feel like your hands always lead the clubhead.

Now, as you rotate your body towards the target, feel like you hold the club off. Like in a chip shot, feel like your hands stay ahead of the club and the back of your glove and right palm swing

down the target line as long as possible. It may feel exaggerated and that you are leaving the face open, but with a little practice this should straighten you up in no time. This is not for any slicers!

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 107

NCG pp108-109 Harrison Foremost 18/04/2013 18:17 Page 108

BRUISE DON’T DIG How to dial in your distance control with your wedges

CHECKPOINT 1 Draw a line in the turf.

Set up as if the line were the ball. Swing in your normal pitching manner and see where your divot starts.

108 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

CHECKPOINT 2 The ‘divot’ (which should actually be more like giving the grass a cut) should start on the line and carry to around six inches beyond it. This indicates a correct shallow descending blow while still carrying forward momentum.

NCG pp108-109 Harrison Foremost 18/04/2013 18:17 Page 109

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HEN trying to play perfect wedge shots remember that the wedge is designed to get the ball airborne so you don’t need to help it!

A common fault is to try to scoop the ball into the air by leaning back at the moment of impact.

If the club and your body action have opposing momentum, the result will be inconsistent strikes and a collection of fats and thins.

W

Shot on location at Las Colinas Golf & Country Club

Simon Harrison is head professional at Lilley Brook in Gloucestershire. He is one of over 1,000 Foremost pros from all over the UK to give tuition. www.simonharrison-pga.co.uk

CHECKPOINT 3 Check you have the u shaped arc by placing a tee peg six inches beyond the line at about an inch high.

If you have a shallow angle of attack you should clip the tee peg.

CHECKPOINT 4 To achieve perfect control you need a delicate balance of striking the ball with a downward blow, whilst not too steep that the club digs into the turf.

The answer is to ‘bruise’ the turf NOT take a deep divot. This creates a ‘u’-shaped swing arc not a severe ‘v’-shaped arc.

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 109

Subs Offer 19/04/2013 13:03 Page 1

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NCG pp111 Rastall Instruction 18/04/2013 18:16 Page 111

FORWARD

THINKING Put an end to ugly, flicky pitch shots

HEN watching the techniques of many players pitching and chipping, there is an underlying fault and misconception. When hitting a pitch shot, you do NOT need to lean back and try to flick the ball up into the air! The club will do all the work for you. The following practice drill will really help you to improve your striking and technique when pitching.

W

No wrist action Swing the club back to waist high so that you can control the distance and speed. We are trying to set the club in a neutral position on the backswing and turn the body through the shot so that the chest faces the target at the end.

Note that we are NOT flicking the wrists – we actually want to eliminate as much wrist action as possible when playing this shot.

Lean to the left To stop the urge to lean backwards during the shot, take your normal set-up then lean your weight towards the left side so that there is now around 70 per cent of your weight on the left foot. This will help to get the club descending into the ball and allow your weight to turn more effectively.

Ryan Rastall is a customfitting specialist and Nike Golf ambassador based at Moor Allerton, Leeds.

Visit www.magc.co.uk or call 01132 661 154 to book a lesson or fitting.

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 111

NCG pp112 Wood Instruction 18/04/2013 18:15 Page 112

THE DEVIL INSIDE How to add some width to your takeaway

ITH the swing being something of a chain reaction a bad start can often lead to more faults to compensate. One common flaw and a big contributors to poor shots is caused by the club going back too far inside on the backswing.

W

We have all heard of a one-piece takeaway but what does that actually feel like?

X

Try holding the club just below the grip (on the metal) and have the butt of the club in your stomach.

Now swing the club to about the halfway position, keeping the butt in the stomach.

The right elbow should be separated from the right side of the body. This movement will stop the club from rolling inside and instead keep the shaft in front of your body and give you a feeling of width.

Dan Wood is a PGA professional who has played on the EuroPro Tour and is attached to The Oxfordshire

112 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

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NCG pp115 Fitness Storm 19/04/2013 12:58 Page 115

FITNESS FOR GOLF TOUR SECRETS

MY ON AND OFFCOURSE TIPS,

by European Tour pro Graeme Storm MY FITNESS My fitness regime has always been a bit up and down, I have had good periods in the gym and then let it go but I have been quite fortunate with injuries.

During my amateur days I did no fitness; when it kicked in I was a bit loathed to do it and there wasn’t enough information.

I wasn’t overweight, despite working in a cake factory to earn some extra money, so I did what I had to do.

I am not the most flexible golfer in the world so I do a lot of rolling for my back and twisting and stretching and massage.

A typical session would be some dynamic stretching, work on a Swiss ball, one-legged squats with or without weight, chest presses and lateral pull downs so I have a nice variety.

I worked with Lee Westwood’s coach Steve McGregor for three years and got quite trim but felt a bit stiff in the back area so I do less now with heavy weights.

COPING WITH INJURIES In 2010 I had a tear in my shoulder rotator cuff which happened doing gym work and then not stretching off enough.

I then played a bit of water polo and went to smash the ball with my left hand and that’s when it happened.

I tried to play through it originally and spoke to Paul Casey and he told me about the cortisone effect he had so I decided against that and had to take eight months to get fully better.

MY DIET I fluctuate a bit here to be honest.

The other week in Morocco it was difficult to eat the right things and

TURN

FOR AD OVER V YOUR CICE ON MUSCLEORE S...

I have had food poisoning there before so you have to be careful.

Then in places like India all the cricketers like Paul Collingwood told me to eat what the locals eat so I always do that.

I have to be careful as I haven’t got a fast metabolism and at home I’m quite good at home cooking.

PRE-ROUND DIET Before a round I will try to eat at least an hour and a half before an early tee-time.

That would be never be anything too heavy, maybe a banana or something like that, and then I’ll nibble throughout the

ON-COURSE SNACKS On the course I tend to eat dried fruits, bananas or sometimes I’ll take jam sandwiches out there.

I have just started taking these dissolvable tablets that are good for electrolytes and I have found these to be particularly effective In places like Malaysia you drink a lot of water but it doesn’t replace the salts. If you get a chance to go to the health shops it is worth a visit.

The gels in sachets are also brilliant and they are a quick release.

STELLAR YEAR Graeme enjoyed an incredible year in 1999 when he won the Amateur Championship at Royal Co Down before being part of the victorious Walker Cup side at Nairn, a side which also included Luke Donald, Paul Casey and Simon Dyson. He has one win on the European Tour, the French Open in 2007.

round to keep the energy levels high.

For a 2pm tee time I will try to get up at about 8.30 and have lunch about 12.30, maybe a salad or small bowl of pasta.

THE FIVE-MINUTE WARM-UP I wouldn’t exactly advise turning up to your next medal with no time to spare but if this does happen do a bit of jumping up and down, some dynamic stretching and swing two clubs together to loosen and stretch the muscles.

Most players on tour will hit balls for at least half an hour as well as stretching in the locker room and then leave plenty of time to get some good work in on the puting green, something a lot of amateurs tend to overlook.

The best advice would be to turn up half an hour before and save yourself some stress. You’ll get the benefits.

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 115

NCG pp116-117 Fitness 18/04/2013 18:12 Page 116

NEXT MORE A MONTH D CORE VANCED WITH A WORK...

FITNE BALL SS

THE TRUTH ABOUT

IMPROVING YOUR CORE Why sit-ups are NOT the secret to better balance

116 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

You might have heard a ‘better core’ will improve your stability and balance, and therefore your swing. That is perfectly true.

But you might also be under the impression that the way to improve your core is sit-ups.

You’re wrong – they won’t.

Well, let’s qualify that; they will help, but they are not the best way to improve this aspect of your fitness for golf.

Here, I’ll show you some exercises which will make you much fitter for golf, which will allow you to swing the club more

like the way your local PGA pro would like you to.

What’s more, you can make these improvements in your living room while watching the PGA Tour on a Sunday night!

John Sheehy is a personal trainer based at David Lloyd gym in Leeds. He is also a golf professional. Call 07988 449936 or visit davidlloyd.co.uk

NCG pp116-117 Fitness 18/04/2013 18:12 Page 117

THE START POSITION Get on the floor and place your arms shoulder-width apart, palms facing forwards. Have your weight evenly distributed between your palms and your toes. It’s a bit like a press-up position, and even merely getting into this position – which is only the starting point – is already starting to fire your core.

FIRING UP THE ENGINE Now we really get going – this exercise really fires your core.

Raise your right hand and your left foot off the ground... and hold for 20 seconds. If you can hold for 30 seconds, do so. If you can’t make that your target to reach at some point down the line. Repeat for the left side, and do three sets of these.

ALL-ROUND WORKOUT An alternative exercise is this one; keeping both feet on the floor, raise your left arm and turn your trunk so you are effectively reaching for the ceiling. Really stretch out your arm and trunk – this is massively working the core and also adds in some work for the shoulders and the obliques.

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 117

Golf Escapes 19/04/2013 15:38 Page 1

TURKISH GOLFING DELIGHTS!

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Voyage Belek Golf & Spa 7 nights + 2 rounds from £379.00 per person

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5Montgomerie Maxx Royal Golf Club 5

Two of the most requested hotels and one of the finest golf courses in Belek are offering some mouth-watering golf packages for later this year in terms of price and quality through leading golf tour operator Golf Escapes.

Montgomerie Maxx Royal Golf Club

Maxx Royal Belek Golf & Spa Hotel 5*

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A Monty masterpiece! Superb in every sense of the word with a great layout that has pushed the Montgomerie Maxx Royal into one of Belek's most requested courses. The front nine boasts water on most holes and although there’s less water on the back nine the test remains just as tough, no more so than the fabulous 18th that will require an accurate shot over the water hazards to a well protected green. The world's eyes will be on the Montgomerie Course when it plays host the PGA Tour's Turkish Open between 07-10 November 2013.

Maxx Royal is arguably the most luxurious hotel in Belek and is now the proud owner of the world-class, 18 hole Montgomerie Maxx Royal course. Each room at the hotel is fitted with wooden floors, LCD TV, a well stocked minibar and private balcony. The hotel offers its guests 7 swimming pools and 10 different restaurants all of which are onsite.

Not only is this the perfect hotel for golfers, non-golfers are sure to enjoy the facilities and experience.

Voyage Belek Golf & Spa is a superb holiday hotel overlooking the beautiful sandy Belek beach and a minute's shuttle journey from the Montgomerie Maxx Royal course where Voyage guests receive prime tee times and discounted green fees.

The number of a la carte restaurants, unlimited food choices, golden beach, 5 swimming pools, as well as entertainments, and dedicated adult only areas make this a perfect choice for a golf holiday in Turkey at unbelievably low prices considering the quality on offer.

Exclusive 2013 Turkish Open packages 7 Nights Twin room in Maxx Royal or Voyage + All Inclusive + Final day Entrance Ticket for The Turkish Open + 3 green fees: 1 Montgomerie + 1 Carya + 1 Tat + 1 Fruit basket in the room + Professional Guide service + City tour & Fine Dining in a famous Antalya Harbour restaurant + VIP airport transfers + Golf Transfers Any 7 nights between 06 November and 16 November 2013

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Please note: Flights not included - please enquire for prices. Different dates, durations, room upgrades and single room supplements available on request. All packages booked with Golf Escapes Ltd are financially protected. Prices shown are based on an exchange rate of £1 = €1.17.

NCG pp119 Lead to Travel 18/04/2013 18:10 Page 119

PLAY AWAY Exciting destinations | Latest deals & offers | Connoisseur Clive | Travel hints and tips | Competitions DESTINATION OF THE MONTH

Korineum, Cyprus ORTH Cyprus is the Med’s best-kept secret.

Blessed with untouched beauty and a perfect all-year-round golfing climate, the premier attraction is Korineum Golf & Beach Resort in the unspoiled north of the island.

Situated on the coast at the foot of the Besparmak Mountains, this attractive golf course is carved from a natural forest of umbrella pines and olive trees with breathtaking views of the Mediterranean.

The stunning boutique hotel boasts a friendly atmosphere and offers everything you would expect from a top-class resort complex – making it an ideal getaway for every season.

N

Join the a nnual Festival of Golf Week, from Septembe r 22 to 29.

V isit korineum golf.com o r mail info@kori neumgolf.c om to register an d learn mo re about holi day offers

NCG pp120-121 Connoisseur Clive Lapland 18/04/2013 18:08 Page 120

Connoisseur

Clive

SHORT HAUL | Sweden

LAPLAND Our man tackles temperatures in the -20s but that still doesn’t stop him from squeezing 18 holes in

Clive is 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 I had concerns about many aspects of this trip – like how my delicate putting stroke would stand up – but I needn’t have worried about the cuisine.

Arctic char has puzzled me since Mike Weir selected it for his Masters Champions’ Dinner and I now salute the left-hander for his choice. A cross between salmon and trout it has quickly become my favourite fish, superseding our old friend the sea bass.

Younger readers look away now. Another sensational first was reindeer which played a little bit of havoc with my conscience but not too much with my taste buds. For once there is no comparison with chicken, more a tender game and low in fat so perfect for those of us with a fuller figure.

Clive’s Cigarometer Lapland scores...

120 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

NCG pp120-121 Connoisseur Clive Lapland 18/04/2013 18:08 Page 121

T is now a little after 10pm, visibility is down to less than five yards, the surrounding roads are all shut and our gallery is down to one – Nicke, a club singer who, four hours previously, had been entertaining us with his version of Black Velvet.

I ask him what he’s doing halfway up a ski slope in -20˚C watching four maniacs hitting golf balls to which he replies ‘when you spend as much time in hotel rooms as I do why wouldn’t you be out here?’

I want to give him a hug, as much for his loyalty as opposed to just keeping warm.

I

Don’t slice Not your average short par 4

I am in the resort of Bjorkliden, 100 kilometres north of Kiruna, Sweden’s northernmost city. I am also in Lapland. Though, rather than a belated trip to see Santa, I am here for the golf, obviously.

Thirteen hours previously this round had begun in clear skies, bright sunshine and a jaunty -9˚.

Hopes were high, hands were cold and layers of clothing were bulging from my already bulging frame.

This was the first time I had ever donned a snood and I think I rather carried it off – think Martin Kaymer meets Carlos Tevez (who then meets David Niven).

I had never seen a snow golf course before but none could be so immaculate as this. I rarely use the word ‘breathtaking’ as bland adjectives such as ‘pretty’ generally suffice but this, with a 70km lake as the backdrop and the distant huskies the only sound, this deserves a grander adjective.

Better still, a small red flag 180 yards away signified the start of a golf course.

Work had begun at 7am by the ‘whitekeepers’ to get the course ready. Ordinarily this would mean making the course presentable and a gentle trim, here it involves a huge operation of digging out fairways and pinpointing and preparing the ‘whites’.

The sharper tools in the box will no doubt be wondering how golf and snow can be mixed with balls forever being lost in the ‘rough’. The answer is fairly simple – anything off the fairway would mean a drop under penalty of one and, courtesy of a giveaway small hole in the surface, balls were rarely lost. ➤

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 121

Bilyana 19/04/2013 13:46 Page 1

NCG pp123 Connoisseur Clive Lapland 18/04/2013 18:09 Page 123

SHORT HAUL | Sweden

If I’m honest I’m not the most helpful searcher of playing partners’ balls, I want to be liked and accepted but there is no real sense of urgency in my efforts.

Here the rummagings through the two-foot snow were almost to be savoured, even when the lower half of your leg suddenly disappeared from view.

A couple of errant opening tee shots also disappear very quickly from sight – in case you’re wondering it is still possible to shank one off powdery snow – but are followed each time by the soothing words of our host Peder.

‘Pilsner boll’ may not technically translate as Mulligan but we soon got the idea.

As for the balls they are orange and, come the night golf, luminous. And, given the beautiful clear blue sky, when we did manage to get one away the sight of it, if not the result, was a thing of rare beauty.

Which is more than could be

said for our short games.

In fairness this was an old school US Open-type set-up with six-inch surrounds to greens that could stretch to around 20 on the Stimpmeter.

Peder explains that the slopes will be less severe come the Swedish Snow Golf Championships in a few weeks and we content ourselves with some much-needed work on our putting strokes.

But the slopes become more familiar and the course becomes even more stunning as we make a short climb to the 3rd tee, a blind dogleg right played to what looks like the world’s end.

We are now into our stride and, although perched 200 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, things have quickly become quite normal.

Good ball striking is rewarded, an appreciation of the gradients is a must and a steady hand on the greens will serve you well. I go into lunch two down.

FACTFILE Lapland Resorts offer a three-night Snow Golf package from £465 per person from Thursday to Sunday on a half-board basis, including transfers and 'white' fees. This is based on two people sharing at Hotell Fjället, excluding flights.

There is a 9-hole course in the summer which can be tackled at any time of the day due to the daylight hours.

CONTACT w: en.laplandresorts.com

Fast forward six hours and we are now 15 holes and two-and-ahalf laps of the course in. We are also now enjoying Nicke’s version of Don’t Stop Believing by Journey and the merits of Apres Golf which involves several pints, a few Jagermeisters and one or two (four) bottles of vino tinto.

We are also all square and well aware that the golf isn’t done for the day. Peder delivers four ordinary looking golf balls on the table and then bounces one on the floor. It immediately lights up.

Shortly after, a spotlight in the distance reminds us where the 1st green sits and, with part of the blizzard now residing in our whiskers and eye-brows, we commence a three-hole play-off.

Four luminous balls disappear into the distance in our own version of the Northern Lights and one short hour later Peder knocks in a three-footer to bring the curtain down on 14 hours of a very different day. ◆

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 123

NCG pp124-126 Masters Experience 19/04/2013 13:13 Page 124

My week at the Masters

By Mark Townsend It has been the aim of Augusta National Golf Club from the inception of the Masters Tournament to provide as many facilities and conveniences for the spectator as possible. Natural vantage points around the course have been improved and some even developed where no natural observation features existed.

This would be impressive had it been written in recent years but these are Bobby Jones’ notes from 1949. The thinking was that the least satisfactory way of watching golf was to ‘trek around’ with one pairing, and that ‘greater enjoyment for the spectator may be provided by a little organisation of his activities, according to his interest and energy’.

Walking through the gates on the Tuesday of Masters week two things I was not lacking in were interest or energy. This would be my first visit to Augusta National and the realisation of my number one dream in life.

‘Good morning and welcome to the Masters, have a great day.’

I smile weakly, a mixture of nervous giggles and choked-back tears.

There is no sense of what lies ahead from the surrounds.

Washington Road is a hybrid of Krispy Kremes and tired shopping malls yet what sits to the side of Berckmans Road is a thing of rare beauty – a garden party for the world’s very best golfers. Think of Royal Ascot and the Chelsea Flower Show but then remove the suits, high heels, hordes of people and any stuffiness.

This should all come as little surprise; for the past 30 years I haven’t missed a shot from this part of the world and have read books and watched anything there is to watch on the subject. A small part of me expects to be slightly underwhelmed – nothing could live up to the image I have had in my head since before my teenage years. But it does and then goes far beyond that.

The practice ground has at least two of the most attractive

NCG pp124-126 Masters Experience 19/04/2013 13:15 Page 125

Day one at Augusta - r ealisation of a childhood dream

G’s C N d n a r e y a l P Me with Mr her is l b u P e t l e v s o s not-quite-

Two ludicrously excit Masters debutan ed ts

Tiger was even good fun when I was there. Thanks Eldrick!

My NBF, three -time champion Billy C Major asper

here. s e ar sp no s, d la y r or S Good sign though!

NCG pp124-126 Masters Experience 19/04/2013 13:15 Page 126

Just as I imagined it would be – heaven on e arth

holes you will see anywhere else and, just around the corner, sits the 1st and you slowly realise what the players face straightaway every year, a 260-yard carry to reach the brow of the hill.

For the next eight hours I act as my own tour guide, replaying a series of shots from my back catalogue of Masters’ moments from the late great European Sunday nights of the 80s all the way through to Bubba Watson’s quite ridiculous escape from the side of the 10th. Fifty of us have the same idea and nobody can quite explain why he hadn’t just chipped out sideways.

The most-anticipated walk comes at the 11th waiting for the first sighting of the most famous par 3 in the world and this is where it all finally sinks in that you are here. Players hit a series of half shots with short irons and few find their intended target before trying to whip one round the corner at the par 5 in an attempt to try and recover the shot that has likely disappeared in the previous half hour.

All of this can be seen from a certain spot to the side of the 12th tee and this is why, come Sunday

morning, the first ones through the gates head only in this direction. One or two almost break into an illegal trot.

And so it goes on, the senses stirred with every corner turned.

Despite the encyclopaedic knowledge there are plenty of surprises too; the 5th is the highest point on the course and thereby affords you a spectacular view, the people seated halfway down the short 6th have a bird’s-eye view of the 16th, the 7th green also provides a perfect sighting of the 2nd while from the banking to the left of the 16th it is possible to make out as many as eight holes, most notably the approach to the 15th.

This is the heartbeat of the practice days and where the patrons will while away a whole day watching group after group attempt to skip their ball across the water from the front of the tee.

Any player is roundly booed at even the faintest suggestion that they won’t give it a go, other groups take it on as a four in unison. Rory McIlroy gave it his best three times and never emerged from the water.

First-time visitors’ general

ters s a M e h t t n e m o The m .! . . e r e h t s a w I d changed? An

THE 1018 CLUB Just a 10-minute walk from the gates sits the 1018 Club which offers hospitality like few other places. Steaks and grilled fish are permanently on the go as are the sundowners to help sign off another memorable day.

Set in among the 100-foot pines and dogwoods this is the perfect spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner or to catch up on the golf on one of many TVs while your glass is topped up. If that’s not enough to relax then there is also a complimentary massage.

observation of Augusta National is that it is hilly but what is equally as striking is that it is not an overly big piece of ground so, just as Jones intended, it is easy to jump from one hole to the next. There is also no craning to see a shot thanks to roped areas surrounding every green for those seated and

nobody, other than the players and caddies, being allowed inside the ropes. Easier still, leave your chair, with your name tucked into the back of it, and you can return to it hours later and resume your place.

As for the famous cheese and pimento sandwiches they are as cheap as everyone says ($1.50) though I would recommend splashing out an extra dollar and going for the club sandwich at one of seven concession stands dotted around the place.

Three days later we are back on the bank to the left of the 16th, looking back down the previous fairway, and watching the World No. 1’s assault on a fifth Green Jacket being bizarrely hampered by the most unfortunate of watery graves. And, for once, the famous roars are replaced by a deafening silence.

As we make our way up the 18th I relive once more dancing around the living room with my dad in 1991 when Ian Woosnam coaxed home his six-footer and, just before we leave, I say a little prayer for Seve, my earliest memory of the Masters 30 years ago and when the distant love affair began.

NCG Travel The Masters 18/04/2013 12:22 Page 1

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Menara Travel Morocco 18/04/2013 12:23 Page 1

MOROCCO GOLF

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TA I L O R M A D E G O L F H O L I D AY S A L L Y E A R R O U N D MARRAKECH From £389 pp on B&B in PALMERAIE VILLAGE Apartments 4**** From £649 pp on B&B in PALMERAIE GOLF PALACE HOTEL 5***** Including: 7 nights on bed & buffet breakfast + 4 rounds of golf with your preferred prebooked tee times playing on the PALMERAIE GOLF COURSE + Airport transfers

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From £829 per golfer = 7 Nights on B&B + Unlimited Golf Including: Return direct flight from London Gatwick with Air Arabia inclusive of taxes & check-in luggage of 20Kg & golf clubs carriage + Accommodation on bed & buffet breakfast in a deluxe room (partial ocean view) + Unlimited golf on the MAZAGAN GOLF COURSE + Complimentary shared buggy per day on the Mzazgan Golf Course + 1 golf round at the ROYAL GOLF EL JADIDA + Airport transfers (shared shuttle - scheduled hours only) from & to Casablanca Airport

MOROCCO GOLF FESTIVAL ‘5th edition’ 5 – 12 October 2013 MARRAKECH £1195 pp on ALL INCLUSIVE in the DECAMERON ISSIL HOTEL 4***** £1289 pp on B&B in PALMERAIE GOLF PALACE HOTEL 5***** Including: Return flight from London Gatwick or Manchester + 7 Nights accommodation + 5 rounds of golf + 2 cocktail parties + Gala dinner + Prizes presentations ceremony + Guided city tour of Marrakech + 1 massage + Excursions to the Ourika Valley + Airport & golf transfers

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NCG pp129 SFTW Heacham Manor 18/04/2013 18:06 Page 129

GB&I | Norfolk

SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND

A NORFOLK RETREAT Heacham Manor is the perfect base to explore the Hunstanton area, says Dan Murphy love visiting the North Norfolk coast (I am especially fond of Hunstanton) so when I found out that nearby Heacham Manor had opened a golf course of their own I was keen to visit and take advantage of their hotel that I had heard excellent reports of.

Just a mile or so outside Hunstanton, Heacham Manor offers an outstanding restaurant and accommodation that is ideally suited to travelling groups of golfers. It also has a fine new course that I am sure will mature

I

into a destination in its own right over the coming years. There is a touch of links about it visually, thanks to gorse, mounding and ocean views, but closer inspection reveals a course that has inland credentials with plenty of water hazards and a significant tree-planting programme underway.

Away from the course, in the restaurant, the emphasis is on locally sourced produce – I enjoyed pork tenderloin, served with bubble and squeak cakes, blanched curly kale and a wholegrain mustard cream.

The hotel has joined forces with Hunstanton and King’s Lynn to create the North West Norfolk Golf Tour. The idea is that you arrive in time to play at Heacham Manor and have dinner that evening. The next day you play Hunstanton and return to Heacham for dinner, then depart after breakfast and play at King’s Lynn on your way home.

It costs £301 per person in the summer and includes two nights’ DB&B and all green fees.

01485 536 030 www.heacham-manor.co.uk

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 129

NCG pp130-131 ATOC Porthcawl 19/04/2013 14:12 Page 130

OYAL Porthcawl, the finest course in Wales, has been modified and improved ahead of hosting some prestigious events over the next two years.

Next summer the Senior Open Championship will come to South Wales for the first time but before that the European Senior Tour will be calling in for the Speedy Services Wales Senior Open.

The greens at the 4th, 5th, 9th, 10th and 11th have been recontoured to allow for new pin positions and to ensure that putts from above the hole are playable even when downwind. As anyone who has played this wonderful links will readily testify, it presents some of the most rapid putts you are ever likely to encounter and the changes ensure that ‘highly difficult’ never crosses the line into ‘unfair’. In both championships, the professionals will play the holes in a different order, just as the field did at Royal Liverpool during the 2006 Open. The downhill 18th will become the 1st, and that means the event will conclude with the par-5 17th. It should result in an exciting climax as well as meaning a tented village can be sited near to the new 1st tee and 18th greens.

There are also several new tees at Porthcawl and, at 7,071 yards, it will be the longest course on the Senior Tour in 2013 aside from Royal Birkdale which hosts this year’s Senior Open.

Michael Petch, tournament director of the Speedy Services Wales Senior Open, said: “The existing 18 holes were originally laid out in 1909 and reshaping the greens came about as a result of modern machinery more than doubling the speed of the greens.

The changes have been made with next year’s Senior Open in mind.”

Former Ryder Cup player Barry Lane will be the defending champion for the Wales Senior Open, which starts on June 14.

Michael Newland, Porthcawl’s secretary, said: “Royal Porthcawl has a rich tournament history, hosting the first Penfold tournament in 1932, the Coral Classic, the Walker Cup and the Amateur Championship on six occasions. Players and spectators alike have enjoyed the course, and we hope this will enhance their experience.”

R

130 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

GB&I | South Wales A TOUCH OF CLASS

ROYAL PORTHCAWL Wales’s finest course is preparing to host top-class golf again

NCG pp130-131 ATOC Porthcawl 19/04/2013 14:12 Page 131

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www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 131

Oxfordshire 19/04/2013 14:27 Page 1

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NCG pp133 Lead to Club Golf 19/04/2013 16:19 Page 133

CLUB GOLF section in association with

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CLUB GOLF Tackling the issues that matter to you

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THIS MONTH’S TOP STORY Play for your country at Four Nations Entries are now open for the new and improved Four Nations Golf Challenge.

The tournament gives club players from the UK and Ireland the chance to represent their country in a Ryder Cup-style event. Pairs who progress through regional qualifying will appear in the televised grand final, last year held at the Oxfordshire. It has also been announced that the 2013/14 event will be sponsored by the world’s largest golf travel company, Your Golf Travel.

“The Four Nations Golf Challenge is a great concept,”said YGT co-founder.Andrew Harding.

For more, go to fournationsgolfchallenge.co.uk

Grand finale The 2012 final was at The Oxfordshire

News | Personalities | Club focus |Greenkeeping | Secret Secretary | Must Plays | Area guides CLUB GOLF

The finest British knitwear

www.glenbraegolf.com

GCMA Focus

in association with glenbraegolf.com

THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FACING OUR GOLF CLUBS

ABOUT CLUB THE GOLF ION ASSOCIAT

S’ more than MANAGER currently support and The GCMA and managers 2,300 secretaries a network of 17 through UK. their clubs across the regional secretariesinformation service an Services include access to training and huge library, regional networking courses and and meetings. structures

Big draw Rory can attract new members

Bob Williams, CEO of the Golf Club Managers' Association, starts a new series looking at what our clubs can do to prepare for the future. Here is No.1...

T

here is a need for the golf club to understand the market place – how it is changing and how to adapt.

If you go back to the origins of the sport there have been the occasional periods within its history that have affected how the game of golf was either accepted or played.

From the time that King James II banned the playing of golf and football in 1457 to the period when Old Tom Morris had such a massive influence, the game has meandered through history with very little disruption.

So if we skip back not so long ago to the 1990s when golf was beginning to enjoy a real upsurge, there were more and more people having access to sample the delights of the fairways than ever

before. Golf courses were springing up all over the place as land owners tried to cash in on the golf boom.

Now if we move on to the present day, we can look at the state of the industry as we enter into the 2013 season.

Ironically at this moment in time we have a real role model in the guise of Rory McIlroy, so one would think that with the advantage of having the Northern Irish superstar at the top of the tree would provide a springboard for all sort of reasons.

Unfortunately it hasn’t quite worked like that, for the majority of golf clubs in the UK the market place is throwing up all sort of challenges.

Over the last hundred years or so golf has been enjoyed in the

main by those who have been in a position to join a golf club.

Now that has all changed – the game of golf is now available to almost anyone who wants to pick up a 9 iron and hit a ball.

While many people look at this situation and only see doom and gloom, my view is that it presents an opportunity to get more people interested in playing this great game – and if they like what they sample we have an opportunity to keep them in the game.

It is true that there are a number of clubs around the country who remain unfazed by the present situation – and probably will do for the foreseeable future.

But overall this is the time when the majority of golf clubs will need to sit down and take a

long hard look at their individual business and re-assess the direction in which they are going.

How often do I hear ‘we are a premier club’?

Unfortunately there are a number of ‘premier clubs’ who are losing members and not replacing them. The result of this is that they are beginning to eat into the their cash reserves, but still don’t see the need to change or adapt to the present situation.

NEXT MONTH: Bob looks at business strategy, assembling the right team and recruiting and retaining members

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 135

135 New GCMA chief Bob Williams joins team

CLUB GOLF

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Open Qualifiers

in association with glenbraegolf.com

Open Qualifiers As this year's Open Championship approaches, we pay tribute to the elite group of courses good enough to host qualifying events over the years CONWY Rugged, uncompromising and natural are three words which define this course.

This Seniors Tour host is regarded as one of the most challenging courses in the area.

Laid out in the shadow of Conwy mountain, many holes overlook the estuary towards Llandudno and Anglesey.

Generally you have a feeling of space but on the closing stretch the gorse encroaches and creates a new challenge – albeit the holes are less linksy and therefore slightly less exciting for the seaside

connoisseur. When the wind blows here, it is a fearsome test.

Nearest town: Conwy

Internationals and will be used as an Open qualifying venue for next year’s championship.

Nearest town: Troon

GLASGOW GAILES Situated in an area blessed with outstanding links courses and close to Royal Troon, Prestwick, Western Gailes and Turnberry, this is a course of real quality.

With undulating fairways, fine greens and subtle qualities, Gailes provides the kind of honest test that you can only get from a world-class links.

Last year, the course played host to both the Home

WILMSLOW In the late ‘70s and ‘80s, Europe’s greats would flock here to try to earn vital Ryder Cup points at the Greater Manchester Open and the Martini International.

The course comprises plenty of well-placed bunkers and shaped fairways that can be hard to find.

The short holes are outstanding, with the 9th perhaps the pick.

Nearest town: Wilmslow

MONIFIETH Tucked away on the east coast of Scotland, Monifieth is home to two wonderful links courses.

The club faces stiff competition given its close proximity to Carnoustie and St Andrews but more than holds its own in a region synonymous with links golf.

The star course is undoubtedly the Medal. It is classic links fare with often narrow fairways, pot bunkers, fast-running linksy fairways and penal heavy rough – as well as slick, true greens – make for a rugged test.

Nearest town: Dundee

Ryder class Aerial shot of Moortown’s 1st hole

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 139

139 Open qualifiers – where to find them

CLUB GOLF

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Centenary Focus

in association with glenbraegolf.com

THIS YEAR’S 38 CENTENARY COURSES

The 1913 Club James Tompkinson takes a closer look at four of the 38 clubs who are celebrating their centenaries with a special summer of golf 1913 WITNESSED the introduction of 38 new golf courses across Britain and Ireland – and they are all planning ways to celebrate their centenary this year.

It was a relatively popular time for new courses to open and with the Great War beginning the following year, it wasn’t until the early 1920s that new courses appeared on the British and Irish landscape again. So, there are lots of centenaries in the next two years and then very, very little until the next decade. Here are four in England who are getting very excited.

SITWELL PARK Located in the heart of South Yorkshire, Sitwell Park is a challenging, undulating parkland with tiered greens that are characteristic of designer Alister McKenzie. In preparation for the current season, the club have completed a rigourous five-year development programme which saw improvements to both the

clubhouse and the course. Sitwell Park will also host five centenary opens this year along with the prestigious Yorkshire Pro-Am on August 23. Two centenary dinners will also take place with approximately 450 people expected to attend.

GAY HILL The Birmingham-based club (pictured above) turned 100 on March 31, and their initial golfbased celebrations sadly fell victim to the weather. The club will, however, also host a centenary week from August 7-14, which will include a grand opening ceremony and various different competitions, including one between past and present club captains. A special centenary ball will be held on July 13 in the clubhouse, including a meal and a look back at the history of 100 years of golf at the club.

GARFORTH This Alister McKenzie-designed parkland will host its centenary

week in June. Located near Leeds in West Yorkshire, the course has seen many recent renovations in time for its 100th year, including a commemorative plaque, raising of the 1st tee and a new starters’ hut.

A range of competitions for men, women and juniors will take place between June 22-30 along with a centenary dinner at Thorpe Park Hotel on July 29.

HIGHCLIFFE CASTLE Nestled away on the Dorset coastline is Highcliffe Castle, an immaculately kept and wellbunkered parkland venue.

Centenary celebrations at the club began on New Year’s Day with the raising of a centenary flag and a commemorative opening ceremony which welcomed over 200 people to the club.

A series of opens will also be played at the club over the course of the year, giving men, women and seniors the chance to enjoy playing a round on a 100-year-old course.

The Addington, London Ashton and Lea, Lancashire Bargoed, Wales Baxenden & District, Lancashire Bidston, Merseyside Blackmoor, Hampshire Bowring, Merseyside Bramley, Surrey Bull Bay, Wales Castle, Ireland Clones, Ireland Coxmoor, Nottinghamshire Davenport, Cheshire Dore & Totley, South Yorkshire Dukinfield, Greater Manchester Ellesmere, Greater Manchester Ferndown, Dorset Garforth, West Yorkshire Gathurst, Lancashire Gay Hill, Birmingham Hazel Grove, Cheshire Highcliffe Castle, Dorset Letterkenny, Ireland Linlithgow, West Lothian Lytham Green Drive, Lancashire Milford Haven, Wales Okehampton, Devon Oxley Park, Staffordshire Portumna, Ireland Redditch, Worcestershire Royal Automobile Club, Surrey St Regulus Ladies’, St Andrews Sale, Cheshire Seahouses, Northumberland Sitwell Park, South Yorkshire Stocksfield, Northumberland Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear Wheatley, South Yorkshire

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 145

145

Celebrating centenaries years with UK clubs

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Greenkeeping

in association with glenbraegolf.com

SEND US YOUR QUESTI ONS...

This is a regular feature – so please email the points you’d like answered to: editorial@ sportspub.c o.uk

GREENKEEPERS’

UESTION TIME Our panel respond to queries on when growth starts, speed of greens and gathering moss...

There is a lot of moss in our greens at the moment, why is that – it’s not been seen before?

What should be done to avoid this accumulating next winter and to remove for summer play?

Geoff, Crewe Bear: It has been the wettest year on record, an increase in moss invasion, amongst other issues, is to be expected. Regular aeration and a scarifying programme will help to reduce excessive moss attack and minimise thatch build up.

How do we get quick greens?

James, Stirling Tina: Regular verticuting, brooming and brushing. Top dressing and rolling all help to maintain green speed. Keeping the height of cut low and use of a plant growth regulator to maintain a consistent speed throughout the day.

Kim: Very difficult question to answer due to all the variables that would affect green speed. Things to consider are moisture and that organic levels has moisture content in the top 20mm which has a big bearing on green speed.

Can you cut at a lower height of cut? Is the mower cutting at the height you think it is? The bench setting might be 4.5mm but is the

mower leaving the green cut at 4.5mm or is it nearer 5mm? This need to be checked. Limit the amount of fertiliser that is being used. We find little and often with liquid feed works best to help consistent green speed.

Assuming height of cut is correct and brushing, grooming and verticutting has been done then the next step is to use turf irons or rollers.

Avoid cutting too low and stressing the turf out to get quick greens – this will only create problems at a future date.

What should greenkeepers be doing to prepare the course for spring – anything unusual that goes on behind the scenes that members wouldn’t be aware of?

Denise, Minehead Tina: Most greenkeepers will be hollow-tining and top dressing greens as well as applying first fertiliser applications. All course furniture will be prepared and maintained at this time too.

Rob: Most of the preparatory work carried out in the spring is visual. Hollow coring, vertidraining, topdressing etc, bringing back into play areas which have been GUR, marking up any areas of GUR and making sure any water courses are marked properly

to fall in line with the rules of golf.

In addition, posts and ropes need to be collected, ruts and other areas of damage repaired. Behind the scenes, we spend a lot of time maintaining and servicing the fleet of machinery so that when the growing season arrives all the machinery is ready to be used.

If the temperature suddenly increases does growth start occurring immediately or does it take a while to get going?

Gavin, Sheffield Bear: This really does depend on how long the temperature rise lasts for. It takes time for the soil temperatures to increase after a cold spell. The plant will grow when the temperature is at a consistant level and conditions are right. Do not expect the turf to be instantly green when the sun shines for a day.

Kim: With temperature, do you mean air temperature or soil temperature? You can have good day time temperature but if the night time temperature drops then the soil temperature struggles to rise. Without soil temperature getting to 7C+, you do not get a lot of growth. Good growth starts when soil temperatures are 12˚C and all the products work well.

Seed germinates very well

including bent grass seed. This is a good question because golfers sit in the office or car and think ‘it’s been a nice day the grass will start to grow’, but it is soil temperature that is the key to growth.

What is a decent reading on the stimp in both summer and winter in the UK and what does ‘best in class’ look like?

Kim: Depends on the course and the type of golf club i.e. members or championship course and whether the greens are big, small, flat or with a lot of contours. If the greens are contoured for the average golfer then 9.5 to 10 feet is fast so you have to assess the course and the ability of the golfers to be able to putt on greens that get quick. The most important thing with a green is not how quick it is but that it is true.

ABOUT OUR EXPERTS Kim Blake Club: Fulford Heath, Birmingham, Worcs Richard ‘The Bear’ Garrard Club: Merlin, Cornwall Tina Young Club: The Palace H&GC, Torquay, Devon Rob Davy Club: Walmersley, Bury, Lancashire

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 147

147

Our greenfingered experts on fast greens

NCG pp134 Club Golf Ads 18/04/2013 12:12 Page 134

CLUB GOLF

LYTHAM GREEN DRIVE GC would like to wish all club’s celebrating their Centenary this year a happy 100th Birthday.

For more information on Society packages and Centenary celebrations open to the public, please visit our website at

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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.

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134 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

Situated in beautiful parkland with panoramic views over the tranquil Dorset countryside.

Champs de Bataille - France

NCG pp135 Bob Williams GCMA 19/04/2013 12:59 Page 135

CLUB GOLF

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GCMA Focus

in association with glenbraegolf.com

THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FACING OUR GOLF CLUBS

ABOUT B CLU E TH GOLF SOCIATION S A ’ S MANAGER ently suppor t more than

curr and The GCMA managers etaries and cr se 0 k of 17 or 2,30 tw ne a through K. their clubs ross the U cretaries ac se ice al rv on se gi re formation clude an in ng ni ai tr to Ser vices in rary, access and huge lib networking d regional an s course gs. and meetin structures

Big draw Rory can attract new members

Bob Williams, CEO of the Golf Club Managers' Association, starts a new series looking at what our clubs can do to prepare for the future. Here is No.1...

T

here is a need for the golf club to understand the market place – how it is changing and how to adapt.

If you go back to the origins of the sport there have been the occasional periods within its history that have affected how the game of golf was either accepted or played.

From the time that King James II banned the playing of golf and football in 1457 to the period when Old Tom Morris had such a massive influence, the game has meandered through history with very little disruption.

So if we skip back not so long ago to the 1990s when golf was beginning to enjoy a real upsurge, there were more and more people having access to sample the delights of the fairways than ever

before. Golf courses were springing up all over the place as land owners tried to cash in on the golf boom.

Now if we move on to the present day, we can look at the state of the industry as we enter into the 2013 season.

Ironically at this moment in time we have a real role model in the guise of Rory McIlroy, so one would think that with the advantage of having the Northern Irish superstar at the top of the tree would provide a springboard for all sort of reasons.

Unfortunately it hasn’t quite worked like that, for the majority of golf clubs in the UK the market place is throwing up all sort of challenges.

Over the last hundred years or so golf has been enjoyed in the

main by those who have been in a position to join a golf club.

Now that has all changed – the game of golf is now available to almost anyone who wants to pick up a 9 iron and hit a ball.

While many people look at this situation and only see doom and gloom, my view is that it presents an opportunity to get more people interested in playing this great game – and if they like what they sample we have an opportunity to keep them in the game.

It is true that there are a number of clubs around the country who remain unfazed by the present situation – and probably will do for the foreseeable future.

But overall this is the time when the majority of golf clubs will need to sit down and take a

long hard look at their individual business and re-assess the direction in which they are going.

How often do I hear ‘we are a premier club’?

Unfortunately there are a number of ‘premier clubs’ who are losing members and not replacing them. The result of this is that they are beginning to eat into the their cash reserves, but still don’t see the need to change or adapt to the present situation.

NEXT MONTH: Bob looks at business strategy, assembling the right team and recruiting and retaining members

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 135

NCG pp136 Club Golf Ads 18/04/2013 11:24 Page 136

CLUB GOLF

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136 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

NCG pp137 Captains’ Drive-ins 19/04/2013 13:11 Page 137

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Captains’ Drive-ins in association with glenbraegolf.com

ANYTHING GOES:

Captains’ Drive-Ins

MOST golfers would acknowledge that, on any normal day, strolling up to the 1st tee and hitting a ball in a pirate costume would not be considered acceptable.

But captain's drive-in day is not a normal day. For members, it is the chance to welcome in a new captain and for the captains themselves, it is a chance to hit a tee shot in front of an adoring crowd. Drive-in day is the one occasion where etiquette is ignored and anything goes.

Here are a few interesting ones we've found. And please send us pictures of your captain’s drive-in day this year to editorial@sportspub.co.uk

John Wade prepares to drive in at SherWoodford Golf Club Image curtesy of Paul Verney

Pierre Bechmann gets a booming reception at St Andrews

Captain Marshall Newman rolls back the years at Moor Allerton's 90th anniversary Image curtesy of The R&A

Angela Guy ignores the rulebook and the weather at Shifnal

Tinky Winky (Doug Turner) tonks one down the fairway at Bridlington

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 137

NCG pp138 Club Golf Ads 18/04/2013 14:46 Page 138

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Tailor made golf breaks since 1995. We visit and play our courses to bring you the best golfing holiday advice!

OFFER ONE

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Costa Del Sol 3 Nights, 2 Rounds Only £139

Arras Golf Resort, Northern France 1 Night, Dinner & 1 Round Only £89

Vilamoura Golf Break Oct Special 3 Nights, 2 Rounds Only £185

• 3 Nights at the Las Rampas Hotel • Central Location in Fuengirola • Golf at Cabopino Golf Club • and El Chaparral • FREE BUGGIES

• Sunday Night Special • 1 Night in a twin bedroom at • Arras Golf Resort including breakfast • 3 Course Evening Meal • 1 Round at Arras Golf Course

• 3 Nights at the Apartments Do Golfe • Golf at Oceancio Pinhal and Laguna • Free Golf Transfers • Valid throughout the peak • month of October

Only £89pp in July & August

Only £185pp in October

Only £139pp in September

Prices subject to change. Based on euro rate of 1.15. All based on 2 sharing twin/double rooms unless stated.

Call 01904 646409 or email info@glencorgolf.com to book your golf holiday today! For more great offers visit www.glencorgolf.com.

138 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

NCG pp139 Open Qualifiers 19/04/2013 16:16 Page 139

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Open Qualifiers

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Open Qualifiers As this year's Open Championship approaches, we pay tribute to the elite group of courses good enough to host qualifying events over the years CONWY Rugged, uncompromising and natural are three words which define this course.

This Seniors Tour host is regarded as one of the most challenging courses in the area.

Laid out in the shadow of Conwy mountain, many holes overlook the estuary towards Llandudno and Anglesey.

Generally you have a feeling of space but on the closing stretch the gorse encroaches and creates a new challenge – albeit the holes are less linksy and therefore slightly less exciting for the seaside

connoisseur. When the wind blows here, it is a fearsome test.

Nearest town: Conwy

Internationals and will be used as an Open qualifying venue for next year’s championship.

Nearest town: Troon

GLASGOW GAILES Situated in an area blessed with outstanding links courses and close to Royal Troon, Prestwick, Western Gailes and Turnberry, this is a course of real quality.

With undulating fairways, fine greens and subtle qualities, Gailes provides the kind of honest test that you can only get from a world-class links.

Last year, the course played host to both the Home

WILMSLOW In the late ‘70s and ‘80s, Europe’s greats would flock here to try to earn vital Ryder Cup points at the Greater Manchester Open and the Martini International.

The course comprises plenty of well-placed bunkers and shaped fairways that can be hard to find.

The short holes are outstanding, with the 9th perhaps the pick.

Nearest town: Wilmslow

MONIFIETH Tucked away on the east coast of Scotland, Monifieth is home to two wonderful links courses.

The club faces stiff competition given its close proximity to Carnoustie and St Andrews but more than holds its own in a region synonymous with links golf.

The star course is undoubtedly the Medal. It is classic links fare with often narrow fairways, pot bunkers, fast-running linksy fairways and penal heavy rough – as well as slick, true greens – make for a rugged test.

Nearest town: Dundee

Ryder class Aerial shot of Moortown’s 1st hole

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NCG pp140 Open Qualifier Ads 18/04/2013 14:40 Page 140

OPEN QUALIFIERS

“England’s Golf Coast”

THE WILMSLOW G O L F C LU B The Ideal Society, Charity and Corporate Venue A range of packages available to suit your needs Contact the General Managers Office 01565 872148 (Option 1)

ESTABLISHED 1889

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS NOW BEING CONSIDERED

www.wilmslowgolfclub.co.uk Great Warford, Mobberley, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 7AY Email: admin@wilmslowgolfclub.co.uk

Discover the finest stretch of links golf in England BOOK NOW FOR THE OPEN IN 2014

Summer Specials, Packages & Bespoke Tours to suit all golfers Visit our website www.southportgolftours.com Or contact us on +44(0)1704 551001 Email info@southportgolftours.com

140 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

Monifieth Golf Links

Medal Starter’s Box Princes Street, Monifieth, Angus DD5 4AW

Monifieth Medal Weekdays £55, Weekends £65 A unique challenge to golfers

The Ashludie Weekdays £25, Weekends £30 Offers golfers immense enjoyment

Enquiries: 01382 532767 Email: Day package including a round of golf on each bookings@monifiethlinks.com course plus full catering £79 (Mon-Fri only) Online booking facility available via Winter rates apply until 31st March 2013 our website: www.monifiethgolf.co.uk Special online rates also available via our website

NCG pp141 Open Qualifiers 19/04/2013 16:17 Page 141

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MONIFIETH

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THE ISLAND

NOTTS (HOLLINWELL)

GLASGOW GAILES

IRVINE

ORGANISE A TRIP

BLACKWELL GRANGE

Irvine is not quite a seaside course, but the land is close enough to the water for the turf to boast that sandy texture which is such a delight to strike the ball from.

As expected of a classic James Braid design, its great strength is perhaps the variety of the holes.

The neighbouring Gulf Stream ensures year-round golf, while the peaks of Arran present a stunning backdrop as you play Irvine’s mix of the exacting and the quirky.

Nearest town: Irvine

Southport Golf Tours If you are looking to pay one of these Open qualifying venues a visit, it is worth taking advantage of one of the great deals available from Southport Golf Tours.

Offering trips to the likes of Southport & Ainsdale and Fairhaven, the group has extensive experience organising golf breaks on England's Golf Coast.

For prices and package details visit www.southportgolftours.com

NOTTS (HOLLINWELL)

TAKING THE ROAD TO MUIRFIELD

The parkland course at Blackwell Grange offers a wonderful round of risk-reward golf.

At 5,621 yards, the par-68 course is not the longest, but features enough hazards to challenge any golfer.

This becomes apparent as early as the par-five 2nd, the signature hole, where you have to navigate two ponds to reach the green.

The course is located just two miles from Darlington town centre, close to the A1.

Nearest town: Darlington

Those who find their way to Hollinwell know that they have arrived at a special place from the moment they arrive at the imposing clubhouse.

Set in the rolling hills of North Nottinghamshire in the heart of Robin Hood County, Notts offers one of the finest examples of heathland golf in Britain, rivalling many of the more famous Surrey courses of this style.

Nearest town: Mansfield

Regional Qualifying for July's Open, at Muirfield, will take place over 18 holes at 16 clubs on June 24.

Entries are accepted from any male professional, male amateurs who play off scratch or lower and from ladies who finished in the top five of the last four Majors. If the entry exceeds those that can be accommodated, extra courses may be added.

It costs £140 to enter.

PANNAL Established in 1906, Pannal is renowned as one of the best courses in the north of England.

It is also the only club in the well-endowed Harrogate area to have been selected as an Open qualifying venue – an honour the club has received on more than one occasion.

The main attraction is the par72, 6,614-yard championship course, a mix of woodland and

heathland that offers attractive views of the surrounding countryside.

Nearest town: Harrogate

THE ISLAND Located a conveniently short distance from Dublin Airport, the Island is home to a classic championship links.

Measuring 6,903 yards, this rugged links has been reshaped several times, most recently by Martin Hawtree. The signature hole is the par-3 13th, which features a large bunker on the front of the green and an out of bounds down the right. Don’t miss this links when in the Dublin area.

Nearest town: Dublin

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NCG pp142 Open Qualifier Ads 19/04/2013 11:57 Page 142

OPEN QUALIFIERS

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Blackwell Golf Club Ltd

Rated in the Top 100 Courses in England Visitors and Corporate golf days welcome For all golf bookings contact our Secretary/Manager Mr Finlay Clark

l Championship Links Course l The Classic Links Experience l Located just 15 minutes from Dublin Airport l British Open Qualifying Course 2013 l Home to the highest dunes along the East Coast

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Notts (Hollinwell) Host to the 2012 British Boys Championships

A stunning championship golf course in the heart of Robin Hood County.

“We believe we have the best course layout in the East Midlands, arguably in England. Come and see for yourself by taking advantage of our summer special offers” - Gary Bardill, Secretary

Summer Specials (normal green fee price £75) Winter Specials (from 1st Nov 2012 to 31st March 2013) £160 for a fourball including one course meal Four Ball Offer £240 per tee time (£60 per head) Eight Ball Bonanza – Book for 8 golfers and the organiser comes free.

The price reflects the four ball rate and will be £420 for the party of 8.

NOTTS GOLF CLUB Hollinwell | Kirkby-in-Ashfield | Nottingham | NG17 7QR T 01623 753225 | E office@nottsgolfclub.co.uk | W www.nottsgolfclub.co.uk

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NCG pp143 Open Qualifiers 19/04/2013 16:18 Page 143

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ENVILLE Originally opened as a nine-hole layout, Enville now boasts two 18hole courses and some of the best practice facilities in the Midlands.

While the par-71 Lodge course offers a selection of top holes, the main attraction at Enville is the Highgate layout.

Measuring just over 6,700 yards, the predominantly heathland course features freedraining ground and is always well maintained.

Nearest town: Dudley

STOCKPORT

FAIRHAVEN SOUTHPORT & AINSDALE

Designed by former Open champion Sandy Herd, Stockport lies in rural woodland on the Derbyshire-Cheshire border.

The layout was opened in 1902 by golfing luminaries Harry Vardon and James Braid, while the course record of 64 is held by 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel.

Along with these big names, the 6,400-yard, par-71 course has hosted several major county championships as well as Open qualifying.

Nearest town: Stockport

2013 REGIONAL QUALIFYING VENUES

Abridge - Essex Bruntsfield Links - Scotland Buckinghamshire - Bucks Clitheroe - Lancashire East Sussex National Sussex Hankley Common - Surrey Little Aston - Staffordshire Luffenham Heath – East Midlands Mere - Cheshire Moortown - Yorkshire Northumberland Northumberland Remedy Oak - Hampshire The Island - Dublin The London – Kent • To be played on June 24 2013 LOCAL FINAL QUALIFYING VENUES

Dunbar Gullane No.1 North Berwick The Musselburgh • To be played on July 2

Offering two distinctive ninehole loops built into both flat and undulating terrain, the layout provides views of the statuesque Edinburgh Castle as well as a testing round of golf.

Nearest town: Livingston

FAIRHAVEN LADYBANK

LADYBANK

Situated less than 45 minutes from Edinburgh airport, Ladybank is one of Fife's finest most accessible courses – it is also one of its finest inland layouts.

In an area of world-class links fare, this is a terrific alternative as you swap fescue grass and blustery condistions for pine-lined fairways and a feeling of great tranquility.

The course measures a stiff 6,754 yards from the back tees and offers a collection of pristine putting surfaces and flat fairways.

Expect to be punished for a wayward tee shot.

The signature hole is the 401yard 9th, a demanding par 4 that features a dogleg fairway and a raised, two-tiered green.

Nearest town: Glenrothes

DEER PARK G&CC As well as offering one of the best courses in central Scotland, Deer Park boasts fitness, leisure and 10pin bowling facilities.

Despite these attractions, the jewel in the crown is the 6,727yard championship course.

Described by Peter Alliss as “a real hidden gem” Fairhaven is home to one of the best tracks in the celebrated north-west.

Boasting an unusual blend of links and parkland, the James Braid design features punishing bunkers as well as a range of riskreward holes.

The course has been reshaped over the past few years, with world-renowned course architect Donald Steel overseeing the work on the 7,015-yard, par-71 course.

Nearest town: Lytham St Annes

SOUTHPORT & AINSDALE Consistently ranked as one of the top 30 courses in the country, this north-west layout is known as one of Braid's great creations.

Featuring a range of sand dunes, bunkers and gorse, the 6,836-yard par-72 course will seriously test the accuracy of your driving. A two-time Ryder Cup venue, the course has also hosted several prestigious amateur events over recent years.

Nearest town: Southport

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NCG pp144 Display Ads 18/04/2013 10:02 Page 144

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NCG pp145 Centenary Courses 19/04/2013 13:00 Page 145

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Centenary Focus

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THIS YEAR’S 38 CENTENARY COURSES

The 1913 Club James Tompkinson takes a closer look at four of the 38 clubs who are celebrating their centenaries with a special summer of golf 1913 WITNESSED the introduction of 38 new golf courses across Britain and Ireland – and they are all planning ways to celebrate their centenary this year.

It was a relatively popular time for new courses to open and with the Great War beginning the following year, it wasn’t until the early 1920s that new courses appeared on the British and Irish landscape again. So, there are lots of centenaries in the next two years and then very, very little until the next decade. Here are four in England who are getting very excited.

SITWELL PARK Located in the heart of South Yorkshire, Sitwell Park is a challenging, undulating parkland with tiered greens that are characteristic of designer Alister McKenzie. In preparation for the current season, the club have completed a rigourous five-year development programme which saw improvements to both the

clubhouse and the course. Sitwell Park will also host five centenary opens this year along with the prestigious Yorkshire Pro-Am on August 23. Two centenary dinners will also take place with approximately 450 people expected to attend.

GAY HILL The Birmingham-based club (pictured above) turned 100 on March 31, and their initial golfbased celebrations sadly fell victim to the weather. The club will, however, also host a centenary week from August 7-14, which will include a grand opening ceremony and various different competitions, including one between past and present club captains. A special centenary ball will be held on July 13 in the clubhouse, including a meal and a look back at the history of 100 years of golf at the club.

GARFORTH This Alister McKenzie-designed parkland will host its centenary

week in June. Located near Leeds in West Yorkshire, the course has seen many recent renovations in time for its 100th year, including a commemorative plaque, raising of the 1st tee and a new starters’ hut.

A range of competitions for men, women and juniors will take place between June 22-30 along with a centenary dinner at Thorpe Park Hotel on July 29.

HIGHCLIFFE CASTLE Nestled away on the Dorset coastline is Highcliffe Castle, an immaculately kept and wellbunkered parkland venue.

Centenary celebrations at the club began on New Year’s Day with the raising of a centenary flag and a commemorative opening ceremony which welcomed over 200 people to the club.

A series of opens will also be played at the club over the course of the year, giving men, women and seniors the chance to enjoy playing a round on a 100-year-old course.

The Addington, London Ashton and Lea, Lancashire Bargoed, Wales Baxenden & District, Lancashire Bidston, Merseyside Blackmoor, Hampshire Bowring, Merseyside Bramley, Surrey Bull Bay, Wales Castle, Ireland Clones, Ireland Coxmoor, Nottinghamshire Davenport, Cheshire Dore & Totley, South Yorkshire Dukinfield, Greater Manchester Ellesmere, Greater Manchester Ferndown, Dorset Garforth, West Yorkshire Gathurst, Lancashire Gay Hill, Birmingham Hazel Grove, Cheshire Highcliffe Castle, Dorset Letterkenny, Ireland Linlithgow, West Lothian Lytham Green Drive, Lancashire Milford Haven, Wales Okehampton, Devon Oxley Park, Staffordshire Portumna, Ireland Redditch, Worcestershire Royal Automobile Club, Surrey St Regulus Ladies’, St Andrews Sale, Cheshire Seahouses, Northumberland Sitwell Park, South Yorkshire Stocksfield, Northumberland Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear Wheatley, South Yorkshire

www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 145

NCG pp146 Club Golf Ads 19/04/2013 11:03 Page 146

CLUB GOLF

GOLFING BREAKS

TO BELGIUM

FEATURING

MARTIN’S HOTELS

L

ET’S get straight to the point. Golfing breaks in Belgium are truly fantastic. If you have never stayed there or played golf there then you have missed a treat. You should never close the book on your all time favourite golf holiday regions until you’ve experienced it.

It’s a destination to which take your own car, via Eurotunnel. So no lugging heavy golf travel bags round crowded airports. Instead it’s three or four of you in your own car, clubs safely stashed in the boot – what could be easier? Once there, an abundance of fine Belgian hotels, chateaux and splendid golf courses await you. And the nightlife is splendid. As yet it is a relatively undiscovered golf destination and this is very strange because,

146 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

take our word for it, this is an impressive golfing experience with excellent motorway links from the Channel ports in France. The featured hotels are generally only two hours or less from Calais.

Whether you visit Brussels or you stay in Mechelen, Leuven or Bruges in Flanders or if you head towards Genval or Waterloo in Wallonia, you can book some exceptional golf packages staying at a Martin’s Hotel with star ratings ranging from three to five stars – all have their own special characteristics but each has two things in common - a well trodden welcome mat and in most cases, a bar with terrace where you can take breakfast outside during the summer months.

If you haven’t booked a 2013 golf break yet, here is your chance to discover one of the best kept secrets in golf – 2 or 3 night golf inclusive packages with prices staring at £206 that include the Channel crossing with Eurotunnel.

The packages come courtesy of Martin’s Hotels in cooperation with Driveline Golf, one of the UK’s leading golf specialist tour operators who have featured Belgium for many years and know it intimately.

For further details and for bookings, call 01462 817955 or email clubhouse@drivelinegolf.com

www.drivelinegolf.com

NCG pp147 Greenkeeper QT Pt V 19/04/2013 13:01 Page 147

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Greenkeeping

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SEND US YOUR QUESTIO NS...

This is a re gular feature – so please em ail the points you’d like answered to: editoria l@ sportspub .co.uk

GREENKEEPERS’

UESTION TIME Our panel respond to queries on when growth starts, speed of greens and gathering moss...

There is a lot of moss in our greens at the moment, why is that – it’s not been seen before?

What should be done to avoid this accumulating next winter and to remove for summer play?

Geoff, Crewe Bear: It has been the wettest year on record, an increase in moss invasion, amongst other issues, is to be expected. Regular aeration and a scarifying programme will help to reduce excessive moss attack and minimise thatch build up.

How do we get quick greens?

James, Stirling Tina: Regular verticuting, brooming and brushing. Top dressing and rolling all help to maintain green speed. Keeping the height of cut low and use of a plant growth regulator to maintain a consistent speed throughout the day.

Kim: Very difficult question to answer due to all the variables that would affect green speed. Things to consider are moisture and that organic levels has moisture content in the top 20mm which has a big bearing on green speed.

Can you cut at a lower height of cut? Is the mower cutting at the height you think it is? The bench setting might be 4.5mm but is the

mower leaving the green cut at 4.5mm or is it nearer 5mm? This need to be checked. Limit the amount of fertiliser that is being used. We find little and often with liquid feed works best to help consistent green speed.

Assuming height of cut is correct and brushing, grooming and verticutting has been done then the next step is to use turf irons or rollers.

Avoid cutting too low and stressing the turf out to get quick greens – this will only create problems at a future date.

What should greenkeepers be doing to prepare the course for spring – anything unusual that goes on behind the scenes that members wouldn’t be aware of?

Denise, Minehead Tina: Most greenkeepers will be hollow-tining and top dressing greens as well as applying first fertiliser applications. All course furniture will be prepared and maintained at this time too.

Rob: Most of the preparatory work carried out in the spring is visual. Hollow coring, vertidraining, topdressing etc, bringing back into play areas which have been GUR, marking up any areas of GUR and making sure any water courses are marked properly

to fall in line with the rules of golf.

In addition, posts and ropes need to be collected, ruts and other areas of damage repaired. Behind the scenes, we spend a lot of time maintaining and servicing the fleet of machinery so that when the growing season arrives all the machinery is ready to be used.

If the temperature suddenly increases does growth start occurring immediately or does it take a while to get going?

Gavin, Sheffield Bear: This really does depend on how long the temperature rise lasts for. It takes time for the soil temperatures to increase after a cold spell. The plant will grow when the temperature is at a consistant level and conditions are right. Do not expect the turf to be instantly green when the sun shines for a day.

Kim: With temperature, do you mean air temperature or soil temperature? You can have good day time temperature but if the night time temperature drops then the soil temperature struggles to rise. Without soil temperature getting to 7C+, you do not get a lot of growth. Good growth starts when soil temperatures are 12˚C and all the products work well.

Seed germinates very well

including bent grass seed. This is a good question because golfers sit in the office or car and think ‘it’s been a nice day the grass will start to grow’, but it is soil temperature that is the key to growth.

What is a decent reading on the stimp in both summer and winter in the UK and what does ‘best in class’ look like?

Kim: Depends on the course and the type of golf club i.e. members or championship course and whether the greens are big, small, flat or with a lot of contours. If the greens are contoured for the average golfer then 9.5 to 10 feet is fast so you have to assess the course and the ability of the golfers to be able to putt on greens that get quick. The most important thing with a green is not how quick it is but that it is true.

ABOUT OUR EXPERTS Kim Blake Club: Fulford Heath, Birmingham, Worcs Richard ‘The Bear’ Garrard Club: Merlin, Cornwall Tina Young Club: The Palace H&GC, Torquay, Devon Rob Davy Club: Walmersley, Bury, Lancashire

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NCG pp148 Pro Files 18/04/2013 18:05 Page 148

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The Pro Files

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Andrew Cory is the head professional at Worsley GC, a James Braid course on the outskirts of Manchester. www.worsleygolfclub.co.uk

W

hat makes a good club pro?

A good club pro is a pro who keeps learning new skills and taking on increased responsibilities so he becomes the best-qualified person in the golf industry at the club. We remain the focal point of the club. You have to have rapport and very high customer service. We are responsible for growing the number of golfers and improving golfers so they enjoy their game more. More members and more rounds is good for the club.

W

hat makes a good club member?

Somebody who uses and supports the club and its facilities, and asks the pro for his advice.

W

hat are the best three courses in your county?

We are spoilt for choice; my favourites are Royal Birkdale, Hillside and Royal Lytham.

W

hat annoys you about club golfers?

Asking for tuition with a new set that they have just bought from the discount store.

W

hat duties do you perform that your members don't realise?

Too many to mention but agony

THE PRO

FILES We continue our regular new feature with club professionals from across the UK

A very low percentage. It is an ageing club so whether they feel they are too old or scared of the change I don't know. But getting advice on technique or equipment is one of the most beneficial things any golfer can do to improve their enjoyment of the game.

H

ow is your golf compared to when you turned pro?

The last thing you do when you become a club pro is play golf. We all need time to keep on top of our game but it’s hard when you know that your golf doesn't pay the bills.

hat's the hardest thing about being a club pro?

Long hours, working weekends and making minimum profit.

I don't have any involvement with the course set-up. Most greenkeepers are highly qualified but it would be nice to be asked for some advice occasionally. We do not perhaps get the respect and recognition that we deserve.

hat part of your job do you most enjoy?

The rewards are fantastic when you see people you’ve advised and they improve and enjoy golf more.

H

W

S

aunt and car park attendant do not appear in the job description.

W

ow were you affected by the weather last year?

Last year’s sales were up slightly on the previous year but generally retention of members is at an alltime low so the footfall through the shop was considerably lower.

H

ow many hours do you work in a typical week?

50-60 hours in the summer.

D

o you have involvement in the course set-up and if not do you think you should?

148 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

hat are the best brands you work with and why?

Dealing with suppliers has become a bit of a nightmare but Ping have stayed pretty consistent, offering quality products and service.

W

hat is your best-ever commercial idea?

Working with the EGU and local papers promoting the game in the area with free taster lessons.

W

hat percentage of your members have lessons?

W

trangest request you've ever had from a member?

I was asked to chase after a member’s remote control trolley which had gone out of range and was heading towards a pond. Then I was asked if I would go in and retrieve his trolley and clubs. n Would you like to be our pro for a month? Get in touch by sending an email to editorial@sportspub.co.uk

NCG pp149 Display Ads 18/04/2013 14:50 Page 149

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CLUB GOLF News & Reviews

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SOUTH WEST Channel Is | Cornwall | Devon | Dorset | Glos | Somerset | Wilts

Rivalries resumed

CONTACT

PI

t: 01566 7 73442 launceston golfclub .co.uk p: PL15 8H F

M Gloucester progress The team from the Gloucester club will represent the county of Gloucestershire against other English counties at Woodhall Spa. The youngsters won the 2013 Junior Team Championship on the Forest Hills Links at Coleford.

Junior Open postponed The Ogbourne Junior Open was postponed due to freezing weather conditions at Ogbourne Downs – in March!

Due to be played on the 26th, the event has been rescheduled for June 2, when it will hopefully be warmer...

Y C HA

An Isle of Purbeck youngster has secured victory in the Peter Alliss Young Masters tournament at Ferndown.

Joe Taylor claimed a 2&1 win over Weymouth’s Ben Graham in the final.

NT

Purbeck star nets title

O N • CO

O N • CO

Y C HA M

PI

U

NT

U

Devon and Cornwall renewed their fierce rivalry in the Channel League at Tavistock.

In a closely-contested encounter, Devon prevailed in the singles to secure a three-point victory, 9-6.

County Champion: Launceston, Cornwall About A well-established course that offers stunning views over both Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor, Launceston provides an excellent venue for both members and visitors alike.

Located off the A30 at a point roughly midway between both coasts (and therefore within striking distance of those holidaying on the north or south points of the south west tip of the country), the venue

is also the first club you find upon crossing the Cornish border.

Course The 6,385-yard par-70 parkland offers a challenging round. There is a considerable adjustment in yardage for ladies, with the course reduced to a 5,682-yard par 73.

Top Hole The 18th is a classic par 5; it

requires two good shots to reach the green and set up a birdie chance with a ditch lining the left side of the fairway, with trees and out of bounds to the right. A great climax.

Card Wrecker The par-4 2nd is the first two shotter on the course and also one of the most difficult. Usually played into the wind, reaching the green in two here is a tough ask.

Victory for Truro

Dorset resort praised again The Dorset Golf and Country Club has again received a Five Star Gold Award from Visit England.

It is the highest accolade which can be given to English resorts, and notable recent guests include Welsh rugby star Justin Tipuric and Miss Galaxy 2013 winner Kirsty Fletcher. The resort boasts 27 holes of year-round golf characterised by large greens and clover-shaped bunkers.

Course development at Devon club

New England Golf grant

Members of Honiton will soon be enjoying updated course facilities thanks to a new National Lotteryfunded project.

The work at the Devon club was made possible by a £24,000 grant from Sport England – which is working with local communities to get people playing more sport.

England Golf has launched a new £300 grant to help GolfMark clubs and RangeMark driving ranges with projects intended to grow junior golf through structured coaching sessions with PGA professionals.

Clubs across the south west look set to benefit from the funding.

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Sport England invests National Lottery and Exchequer funding in projects that will grow and sustain participation in grass-roots sport.

Lady Captain Jackie Seager said: “It has taken three years to succeed at getting this grant from the lottery but the work has been worth it.”

Youngsters from Truro have secured the Cornish Junior Champion Club title at Cape Cornwall GC. The team of Emily Wilson, Jack Andrew and Joe Reynard scored an aggregate total of 113 Stableford points.

The win means the team will represent Cornwall against other county winners at Woodhall Spa in the middle of August.

Mullion were second, with home club Cape Cornwall third.

The finals of the England Golf Junior Champion Club take place over the Bracken Course at Woodhall Spa on August 10 and 11.

NCG pp151 Club Golf SW Ads 18/04/2013 09:44 Page 151

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NCG pp152 Club Golf Ads 19/04/2013 15:58 Page 152

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152 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

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CLUB GOLF

SOUTH WEST

County Champions in association with glenbraegolf.com

Channel Is | Cornwall | Devon | Dorset | Glos | Somerset | Wilts

Teignmouth, Devon The views are spectacular from this moorland classic

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About long by modern standards, this Founded in 1924, this south interesting course features 11 Devon resort sits over 800 feet tiered greens, and all of which will above the seaside town of seriously test your putting feel.

Teignmouth and offers spectacular Teignmouth also boasts two views of the ocean and starting points – the 1st and 10th surrounding moorland. tees – to reduce waiting times.

The club is the perfect venue for weddings and functions Top Hole C H Y and even boasts an inThe par-5 1st is a great A M NT house wedding introduction to this U CONTACT coordinator. classy Devon course. t: 01626 7 77 070 The course can The 472-yard hole, teignmouth golfclub be reached via the called ‘Bishop’s .co.uk B3192 and is easily Palace’, features a p: TQ14 9N Y accessible from the heavily-sloping A380. fairway and calls for excellent course The Course management.

Designed by Alister MacKenzie, the architect responsible for Card Wrecker Augusta National, the par-69 Watch out for the 15th, a strong moorland measures just under two-shotter. Known as ‘Holcombe 6,100 yards so is a friendly test for Top’, this stroke-index one hole is visiting golfers. often played into a strong right-toBut while not being particularly left wind.

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About What is more, when you book to The courses here are set in over stay here for a few days, included 600 acres of beautiful countryside, in the price is 27 holes of golf per offering stunning views of day and because of extensive Dartmoor and across the rolling drainage resulting in fast-draining Devon countryside towards greens and superior fairways, the Exmoor. They use the natural hotel offer golf all year round. features of the landscape – making the most of mature trees, Top Hole C HA M hedgerows and ponds.

The Kigbeare is the Y P T newest and grandest The Courses of the courses and T C A CONT 9632 This unique the 3rd is stunning.

1 8 7 0 0 t: 08 om .c el ot complex just From the tee it fh ashburygol L N 4 0 2 outside X drops 50 feet to the E : p Okehampton offers green, and you must three full-length 18carry 180 yards to clear hole courses (the Hookmoor Brook.

Kigbeare, Beeches and Oakwood), three 18-hole loops made from Card Wrecker combing two of the Pines, Forest The 8th on the Forest is flanked and Ashbury nines and a further by pines, oak and sycamore, 18-hole par-3 course, the Willows. making the long, straight tee shot In other words, that’s 99 holes needed intimidating. Approach on the same site, something no shots down the left need to avoid a other British venue can rival. pond 80 yards from the green.

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CLUB GOLF News & Reviews

in association with glenbraegolf.com

SOUTH EAST Beds | Berks | Bucks | Essex | Hants | Herts | Kent | Middx | Surrey | Sussex

Former Sussex captain passes away A former Sussex county captain and vice president has passed away aged 88.

Paddy McIlvenny was captain of his county from 1972 to 1974 and was a longstanding member of The Dyke club.

Weather ruins earlyseason ladies’ event The 2013 Ladies’ London Foursomes was suspended and subsequently abandoned due to snow at The Berkshire club.

A total of 64 clubs were set to compete in the tournament.

Racing certainty Members at Newbury and Crookham in Berkshire have approved plans to run Newbury Racecourse.

The club will operate their neighbours, a wellknown track, on a 10year lease.

Esher’s monthly deal Thames Ditton and Esher in Surrey has announced a new deal which allows unlimited golf for a month for just £39. It runs until the end of November. The club is located near Esher, Surbiton and Hampton Court.

The Shire freezes green fees for 2013 season The Shire has announced it will be holding its green fee prices for the 2013 season.

The London club, which is the only course in the UK to have been designed by Seve Ballesteros, can be played for £55 during the week and £70 at weekends.

“Because of our strong membership and thriving golf days and functions business, we are happy to continue to offer this

international-quality course to golfers at what we feel is unbeatable value,” said The Shire’s owner Ceri Menai Davis.

“Where else around London or the south of England can you play a golf course which offers such a memorable challenge, in such glorious condition, designed by a true maestro, at this sort of price?” he added. “Thousands of golfers already know that a day’s golf at

The Shire is what golf should be like, and we’re looking forward to greeting many more, this year.”

Along with individual green fees, the club will also hold its prices on fourballs, meaning that a weekly fourball can be purchased from £175 including food. Weekend fourballs are priced at £210.

The course is a spectacular parkland with several water features creating risk and reward holes.

All change for S&MR

Victory for Singh-Brar England junior international Jack SinghBrar secured a dramatic play-off victory in the annual and prestigious Berkhamsted Trophy in Hertfordshire.

At 16 years and almost five months, the Hampshire youngster is believed to be the youngest ever winner of the trophy, which bears the names of such former winners as Sandy Lyle, Luke Donald and Gary Wolstenholme.

Free lessons at Kent club Manston

Le Touquet final for Ellis

Manston Golf Centre will offer a programme of free golf lessons from April through to October – with the specific aim of introducing more people to the game.

The free sessions will commence from April 1 and will run every week until the end of October on the following

Hampshire’s Harry Ellis narrowly missed out on victory in the French International Boys’ Championship at Le Touquet. The youngster lost 3&2 to Germany’s Domanic Foos in a 36hole final at the famed French coastal venue, having been 3-up through the first 13 holes.

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days/times: Tuesdays 18:30-19:30, Thursdays 10:00-11:00 and Saturdays 13:00-14:00.

Manston director of golf Michael Humphries stated: “We recognise how important our role is in introducing new people to the game of golf, hence our running these free sessions.”

Chris Weston will become the new head professional at Sittingbourne and Milton Regis.

After spending six years at Lamberhurst, Weston moved to Hemsted Forest and took up a coaching position there. In 2007 he moved to Whipsnade Park to focus on junior coaching before moving back to Kent to take up the position of head assistant at the London club. Weston has notched up several professional victories, the most recent of which was the Kent PGA BetterBall Tournament at Kings Hill in February.

NCG pp155 Club Golf SE Ads 18/04/2013 12:11 Page 155

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CLUB GOLF

SOUTH EAST

County Champions in association with glenbraegolf.com

Beds | Berks | Bucks | Essex | Hants | Herts | Kent | Middx | Surrey | Sussex

East Sussex National Follow in the footsteps of Faldo, Els and Montgomerie

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Outstanding golf on the edge of central London

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Over the past 86 years some world-class players have graced the fairways at Wyke Green and these include multiple Major champions

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About Gary Player, Greg Norman and Founded in 1926, Wyke Green Retief Goosen. was designed by highly-respected designer Fred Hawtree as well as Top Hole five-times Open champion JH The 15th is a 449-yard par 4 and is Taylor – in tandem, two of the regarded as the signature hole at most renowned golf course Wyke Green. designers in the modern era.

A precise tee shot is required to The course is thread the ball down the C HA M conveniently located in narrow tree-lined Y P T Isleworth, West fairway; this wellLondon, near the placed drive will set CONTAC87T77 0 A4 and M4. It up a downhill t: 020 856 b golfclu wykegreen boasts fantastic second to a .co.uk road and rail links relatively small T p: TW7 5P into central London. target.

Card Wrecker The finishing four holes are a tough closing stretch, but the long par-3 16th severely punishes wayward hitting. Danger lurks left as well as right off the tee, and at the end of the 232 yards, two putts aren’t a given on what is a tricky, sloping green.

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About with emphasis placed on scoring You need only look at the list of through the front nine. And all names who have graced the greens you will be thinking about in the at East Sussex National to get a last four holes is consolidation as measure for the quality of its this is a tricky closing stretch courses. between the 15th and 18th.

Sir Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie and Ernie Els have Top Hole all played on the European Similar in design to the C H Y Tour here when the legendary short 12th at A M NT venue hosted the Augusta National, the U CONTACT European Open.

16th on the East t: 01825 8 80088 Boasting two Course is a classic eastsussex national championship do-or-die hole. .co.uk courses, a 104-room Measuring 178 p: TN22 5E S hotel and yards from the back outstanding leisure tees, your shot to the facilities, this is a venue of green must clear both real class. water and sand.

Card Wrecker Coming immediately before, the 15th on the East is an almighty par 4 that involves a drive over water followed by a long second to a mercifully large green.

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COUNTY CHAMPIONS

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CLUB GOLF News & Reviews

in association with glenbraegolf.com

NORTH EAST Cleveland | Durham | North’land | Tyne & Wear | Yorkshire

Rodger passes away

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Ramside Golf Club held raffles and collections as well as sponsored golf days in aid of a local hospice.

Tyne-Wear golf derby Fans of rival football clubs Newcastle and Sunderland competed at a charity golf day.

Teams representing the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and the Foundation of Light clashed at Ramside Hall Golf Club in County Durham.

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Teams of four enjoyed a round before the score of a randomly-drawn professional appearing at the event was added to their totals.

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A former president of the Northumberland Union of Golf Clubs has passed away.

Barry Rodger was president of the Union in 1995/96 and was also the chairman of Northern Counties Golf from 2002-2004.

County Champion: Sandburn Hall, Yorkshire About Located on the outskirts of York, Sandburn Hall boasts a championship course and attractive function facilities.

It is also one of the finest coaching centres in the region.

Indeed, head pro Steve Robinson has been ranked as one of the top 25 coaches in the UK and was appointed English Golf Union Futures Coach in 2010.

The Course Despite only opening in 2005, the par-72, 6,700-yard layout has already hosted the Yorkshire PGA Masters championship twice.

Water and woodland feature heavily, while recent drainage work means it is now playable all year round, even in very wet conditions.

Top Hole The signature hole at Sandburn is

the par-3 6th. Measuring 161 yards, you must avoid water on the righthand side as well as a bunker to the front of the green.

Card Wrecker Beware of the par-5 12th. Not only does this hole usually play into the wind, but water hazards also line the right and the front of the green.

Furthermore, the putting surface is also well bunkered.

Headingley improved

Help for kids in Rotherham A Rotherham club has been selected as the base for a Golf Foundation initiative.

The scheme, at the Waterfront club, sees local police officers work alongside youngsters to boost self-confidence and educate them against offending.

“I think the young people have really enjoyed having a try at a sport they have never played before,” said club coach pro Ben Mason.

Darlington municipal to be sold off

Hughes steps down

A municipal course in Darlington is set to be sold to a nearby golf club.

Stressholme Golf Course will be sold for an estimated £1million to Blackwell Grange Golf Club in a move which, it is alleged, could pave the way for a new housing development scheme in the area.

The head professional of a North Yorkshire club has stepped down after 37 years in the job.

John Hughes joined Easingwold, a picturesque parkland to the north of the city of York, almost four decades ago and has been granted honorary life membership for his service to the club.

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As a result of that suggestion, a scrutiny committee has been set up to review the deal.

“We do not believe that the taxpayers of Darlington will benefit from this deal,” said a committee spokesperson.

“They will be losing a public asset for a knockdown price.”

Members at Leeds club Headingley are looking forward to the summer now that significant course-improvement work is completed. This included an ambitious plan to reconstruct tees – notably at the 1st – and bunkers.

Under advice from course architect Jonathan Gaunt, the strategy on the 5th has been changed by moving the bunkers so that those flirting with out of bounds are now rewarded with the best line in. New drainage lines have also been added to improve further what was already one of Leeds’ best yearround courses.

NCG pp159 Club Golf NE Ads 19/04/2013 10:39 Page 159

CLUB GOLF

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CLUB GOLF News & Reviews

in association with glenbraegolf.com

NORTH WEST Cheshire | Cumbria | Lancashire | Merseyside

Golf Show a success

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They nominated Legacy Rainbow House – which offers rehabilitation and educational services to children with disabilities as their chosen charity.

Westhoughton heroes The generous members of a Bolton club raised over £2,000 for charity last year. Westhoughton held charity golf days and raffles in aid of the Westhoughton Visiting Service, set up to combat isolation among older people.

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The members of Chester club Sandiway got their hands on the Ryder Cup last month.

PGA chief Sandy Jones visited the club to talk about heading the selection committee and took along the cup.

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Over 8,000 golfers visited the show over the course of the three days – NCG was among those exhibited!

County Champion: Appleby,Cumbria About Founded in 1894, Appleby has been on its current site at Brackenber Moor since 1903.

The Cumbrian layout is easily accessible from the A66 and M6 and is a regular host of county championship events. The club has a superb pro shop, driving range and two putting greens, while the clubhouse overlooks the 1st tee and the length of the 18th.

The Course Measuring roughly 6,100 yards, the course is not particularly long by modern standards. However, the layout comprises fast, true greens and pot bunkers which ensure Appleby will test any golfer.

Designed by former Open champion Willie Fernie, the easywalking course is also renowned for its firm turf which is a delight to strike from.

Top Hole The 308-yard par-4 8th is a great risk-reward hole. You have to navigate a pond to safely reach the well-bunkered green.

Card Wrecker Watch out for the par-3 17th.

Measuring 186 yards, the hole features a green surrounded by five bunkers, while out of bounds lurks to the right.

Free taster sessions for ladies at Lymm

Bronte lays down law again Stockport youngster Bronte Law has claimed victory the Cartier Trophy.

The England international made three consecutive birdies in France to edge out Jessica Vasilic of Sweden.

“I was hitting the ball very well, but really, really struggling with the putting,” said Law. “But I managed to work my way into it during the week and it's ten times better now.”

Cheshire club earns GolfMark award

Eloise goes close

A Cheshire club has been commended for the way it encourages youngsters to take up the game.

Bramall Park Golf Club has received the GolfMark award for its beginner-friendly facilities and development of the junior game.

“Juniors are the lifeblood of any golf club,”

Lancashire junior Eloise Healey fell just short of victory at a tournament in Scotland last month.

Healey, who helped England clinch the team trophy, led at the halfway point of the Scottish under-16s stroke play championship at Strathmore Golf Centre in Perthshire.

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said junior organiser Keith Daniels.

“As the young players improve their games we also offer them the incentive of being able to compete in the non-junior competitions.

“This all goes towards helping to integrate them into the golf club,” added Daniels.

A Cheshire golf club is leading the drive to get more ladies playing the game of golf.

Lymm is holding a free ladies' taster session having increased its number of female club members with a similar scheme last year.

“With the warmer weather hopefully on the way there is no better time to take up a fresh challenge,” said Craig Thomas, county development officer for the Cheshire County Golf Partnership.

“This is an ideal opportunity for anyone to get out of the house and enjoy a social and active hobby.”

NCG pp161 Club Golf NW Ads 18/04/2013 14:29 Page 161

CLUB GOLF

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ÂŁ20 per Round Monday to Saturday To reserve your tee time call 017683 51432 and quote NCG Offer ends 1st October 2013 Appleby Golf Club | Brackenber Moor | Appleby-in-Westmorland | Cumbria | CA16 6LP Tel 017683 51432 | www.applebygolfclub.co.uk

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CLUB GOLF News & Reviews

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WEST MIDLANDS Staffs | Shrops | Herefords | Worcs | West Mids | Warks | Oxon

Oxford City’s surprise

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The scheme rewards beginner-friendly facilities and and an effort to get more young people playing the game.

Belfry plots gym bid?

The new owners of The Belfry resort are reportedly hoping to purchase the David Lloyd gym chain.

KSL Capital Partners, who bought the club in 2012, have shown interest in the £900million company.

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The club hosted sessions for players of all ages in an attempt to get new people taking up golf.

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New Oxford City club captain Alan Davey was given a surprise at his captain’s drive in.

The Oxford United fan was greeted by club mascot Olly the Ox at his welcoming ceremony.

County Champion: Ingon Manor, Warwicks About Situated two miles north of Stratford-upon-Avon, Ingon Manor is one of the region's top courses – and is very reasonably priced. A midweek round here is on offer for just £30, weekends at £40.

Away from the course, the club is a popular wedding and function venue and caters for anything from a formal four-course meal to a casual barbecue.

The Course Measuring 6,575 yards, the par-72 championship layout boasts enough hazards to test even strong and experienced golfers.

The undulating course features several lakes and over 50,000 newly-planted trees, while all of the greens are maintained to USGA standards. A practice area is available near the 17th tee to warm up for this exacting test.

Top Hole The signature 17th is a fantastic par 3. Played over water to an island green, it is one of the most spectacular holes in the region.

Card wrecker Known as ‘Firze Hill’, the par-4 5th hole features a dogleg and wellbunkered fairway. To make matters trickier, the pin lies at the very back of a heavily-sloping green.

Astbury plan refurb

The Belfry joins De Vere Club World-renowned venue The Belfry has joined a reciprocal membership scheme.

The four-time Ryder Cup hosts have joined the De Vere Club, in which members are able to play at a list of 12 venues for £295 a year.

“I’d heard a lot about the De Vere Club before my appointment and I am 100 per cent behind it,” said Ian Knox, the club’s new director of golf.

North Worcestershire are staying put

History at Herefordshire

Members of a Birmingham club have emphatically turned down offers for their site from housing developers.

Firms have approached the board at North Worcestershire – located on the south-west outskirts of the city with good access to the M5 and M42 – in an effort to buy

A golf club in Herefordshire has appointed its first-ever female secretary.

Sarah Lawrence is the only woman to hold the role at Herefordshire Golf Club in its 117-year history.

She has worked in the secretary’s office for more than 10 years.

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the land, which has been on the site since 1907.

“We are in a prime position for a possible housing development given we have 80-odd acres,” said club treasurer David Nash.

“But we, as a club, do not want to move. We hope this rejection will reassure residents.”

A Shropshire club is to undergo a £40million redevelopment in an effort to lure a major PGA event to the West Midlands complex.

Astbury Hall, owned by former Judas Priest guitarist KK Downing, will gain a hotel, spa and Michelin-star restaurant.

“The course is already at a professionalquality level,” said site developer Anthony McCourt.

“If you look at The Belfry or Gleneagles the difference is they have bars and hotels around the course. That is what the PGA are looking for, and that is why this is a huge opportunity for Astbury Hall.”

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NCG pp164 Club Golf EM 18/04/2013 17:56 Page 164

CLUB GOLF News & Reviews

in association with glenbraegolf.com

EAST MIDLANDS Derb | N’ants | Notts | Leics | Lincs | Cambs | N’folk | Suffolk

Senior Close Am

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All breaks include use of the venue’s three golf courses and spa and leisure facilities.

For more information call 01603 261012.

County Champion: Thorpeness, Suffolk About In addition to the fine course, Thorpeness has a hotel as well as clubhouse facilities which can be used by guests.

A one-night stay on the site includes a three-course evening meal, breakfast and 36 holes on the course, while a two-night stay allows for 54 holes. The club also organises golf in association with other top courses in the region.

The Course Set among Suffolk's coastal heathland, the 6,421-yard James Braid design will test all.

The course is playable all year round thanks to low rainfall and sandy soil, while a number of new tees have been added to bring bunkers into play.

Top Hole The signature hole is generally

The Lincolnshire Union of Golf Clubs have a new website ahead of the 2013 season. The new site is smartphone friendly and allows ease of access via computers and tablets also. To view the new site, visit www.lugc.co.uk.

agreed to be the 400-yard par-4 3rd. It is important to hit your tee shot to the right of the fairway to avoid a blind approach shot to the sloping green.

Card wrecker The stroke index one 4th hole can seriously dent your card. It features a small, undulating green, while the pin is often tucked behind a greenside bunker.

Youngsters poised to begin ‘Nippers’ event

Free lessons for youngsters Seven counties in the east have teamed up to run Eastern Golf Week – an initiative to encourage people to take up golf.

Golf weeks took place across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, Norfolk and Suffolk, with activities including free lessons for beginners and juniors. Similar schemes have been run across other counties including Notts and Leics.

Derby College students claim silver New website for Lincs

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Ullesthorpe Court are now offering summer packages which include free golf for the entirety of your stay. For more information or to make a booking visit www.bwullesthorpecourt.co.uk.

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Nottinghamshire club Sherwood Forest is preparing to host the English Senior Women’s Close Amateur tournament. The tournament is open to all female amateurs over the age of 50.

A team of Derby students came close to winning gold for their county at the British Colleges Sports (BCS) National Finals at Bath.

The team of Greg Tickell (Hallamshire), Jordan Barker (Kedleston Park), Will Painter (Kedleston Park) and Jake Conoley (Seascale) won

164 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

the Silver Medal, finishing two behind the winning region, West Midlands.

The four Derby College students are all part of the Performance Golf Academy programme based at Morley Hayes.

Programme manager Nigel Furniss said: “Our players should be proud of themselves.”

Success for St Ives pair The St Ives pair of Matthew Peck and Mark Priestly triumphed in the recent Cambridgeshire County Fourball at Gog Magog. They netted a combined score of 87 points to beat local rivals and nearest challengers Lee Yearn and Mark Smith from Ely City.

A tournament in Nottinghamshire which targets golfers in the youngest age bracket is set to get underway this month.

The ‘Nippers’ season will begin with an event at Kilton Forest before moving on to Southwell, Chilwell Manor, Rufford Park, Norwood Park and Trent Lock, and entry is open to golfers aged 6-12.

A team of aggregate winners will represent Nottinghamshire against the Shropshire and Herefordshire 'Pee Wees' in the Nippers Ryder Cup event to be held at Worfield on August 28, 2013.

NCG pp165 Club Golf EM Ads 18/04/2013 14:31 Page 165

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www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 165

NCG pp166 Club Golf Scotland 18/04/2013 17:56 Page 166

CLUB GOLF News & Reviews

in association with glenbraegolf.com

SCOTLAND News and course reviews from the Home of Golf

Social media seminars

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County Champion: Pitreavie, Fife About Opened in 1922, Pitreavie is a members’ club conveniently located close to the M90.

You can drink in attractive views from the club’s recently refurbished clubhouse, while there is an appealing introductory offer for new members.

Victory for Borrowman Dollar’s Scott Borrowman, the reigning SGU Men’s Order of Merit champion, began the domestic season in superb style with victory in the Scottish Champion of Champions at Leven Golfing Society.

Carnoustie fined Carnoustie Golf Links has been ordered to pay half of a dog walker’s vet’s bill after the animal injured its paw on irrigation equipment.

The club was taken to court by one of its former directors over the matter.

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A team of Scottish youngsters finished runners-up at the Under-16 Boys’ Quadrangular at Southerndown, losing out in a final encounter with Ireland.

CONTACT

t: 01383 7 22591 pitreavieg olfclub .co.uk p: KY11 8P R

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The Scottish Golf Union is running three regional seminars to help clubs boost their social media output.

The workshops will be run in partnership with the Club Managers Association of Europe (CMAE) and Scottish Enterprise.

The Course Designed by Augusta National

architect Alister MacKenzie, the 6,032-yard, par-71 course is parkland in nature but also offers some links-like turf.

Subtly-sloping greens make putting very difficult, although the course's short par 4s and three par5s offer plenty of birdie chances.

The club also boasts a 2,299yard nine-hole course – a perfect challenge for youngsters or those new to the game.

Top Hole A par 5 is a great way to finish a round and the 18th here gives you a fair chance of making the green with two solid strokes.

Card Wrecker Watch out for the par-3 3rd hole.

With out of bounds down the left and a burn in front of the green, you must hit an accurate tee shot to avoid an early dent to your card.

SGU buoyant after landing sponsorship

Boys’ title joy for Bradley Blairgowrie’s Bradley Neil claimed the 2013 Scottish Boys Championship at Monifieth in Angus.

The 17-year-old sealed a 4&2 win over No.1 seed Ewan Scott in the 36-hole final at the classy links course on the east coast of the country.

Commenting on the win, Neil said: “I started to pull shots off at the right time, which is what I’ve worked hard to do.”

Image courtesy of Kenny Smith

Delight for Deeside manager

Top 10 spot for Scots

Deeside Golf Club manager Debbie Pern has been named the Golf Club Managers’ Association’s Manager of the Year 2012/13.

She oversaw the £1.8m building of a new clubhouse immediately after being appointed manager.

Pern stated that she

Scotland finished in the top 10 of the European Nations Cup at Sotogrande in Spain.

A strong last-day surge on the Costa del Sol propelled the side into the position. Led by Kilmacolm’s Matthew Clark, the Scots produced their best golf of the week to finish ninth overall.

166 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

was thrilled to win the award but stressed that it is a team effort.

She said: “I’m delighted to have won, but the achievements recognised were not done on my own. There’s a team at Deeside and they’ve all played their part in contributing to this success.”

The Scottish Golf Union has unveiled a new sponsorship agreement with Scottish Hydro to support a new initiative aimed at boosting golf club membership in Scotland.

The new partnership will see Scottish Hydro as the headline sponsor of the Scottish Golf Club Card, a new national membership benefits programme designed to add more value to being a member of a golf club in Scotland.

The Club Card will allow members to access a range of new benefits at participating clubs.

NCG pp167 Club Golf Scotland Ads 18/04/2013 14:58 Page 167

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fortrose&rosemarkiegolfclub James Braid’s 18 hole challenging course within the narrow Chanonry Peninsula.

Breathtaking scenery and a dolphin colony in the adjacent firth are additional attractions for discerning golfers from far and wide who make a visit to Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club a must on their golfing calendar.

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Play a Dr Alister MacKenzie course, famous for its tiered greens, in home of golf - the Kingdom of Fife, Scotland www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 167

NCG pp168 Club Golf Wales 18/04/2013 17:55 Page 168

CLUB GOLF News & Reviews

in association with glenbraegolf.com

WALES All the latest news and course reviews from the Principality

Pontypridd pair picked

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County Champion: Clyne, Glamorgan About Set at the entrance to the Gower Peninsula, Clyne is a moorland layout 10 minutes west of Swansea.

The club hosted the Welsh Open Youths Championship in 2011 and has recently invested in new four-star accommodation and six new twin rooms.

architect Harry Colt, the par-72 course sits on undulating ground 400 feet above sea level.

The course becomes difficult in springtime as strategically-placed trees add to an already challenging course that features many hazards and large greens that are always excellently maintained.

The Course Designed by legendary course

Top Hole Clyne boasts a few signature holes,

Wales in amateur sights Some of Wales' best courses have been selected to host prestigious amateur events this year.

Gems such as Aberdovey, Vale of Glamorgan and Ashburnham will all host Europe's top amateur players.

Members of the Cardiffbased Vale Resort represented Wales at a tournament in Spain earlier this year.

The club competed against some of the best club teams from the UK in the annual Home Nations event.

but the par-5 3rd stands out. The 499-yard hole features spectacular views from the tee and a birdie chance if you land your tee shot on the right of the fairway.

Card Wrecker Walking away with par on the 7th is considered a great score. Forget the pin and go for the middle of the well-bunkered green at this 480yard par 5.

Williams is Euro star

Porthcawl hosts Seniors The European Senior Tour will return to Glamorganshire in June.

Former Ryder Cup player Barry Lane is the reigning champion for the Speedy Services Wales Senior Open.

And next year legends of the game will return to the links to contest a Major title, the Senior Open. The likes of Tom Watson, Greg Norman and Ian Woosnam will all be competing.

Harman books ticket for Celtic final Vale represent Wales

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Hollywood actor Ioan Gruffudd will join the field for a celebrity event at Celtic Manor .

The Titanic star is set to appear alongside Rob Brydon at the Golf Live tournament.

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Two brothers from Pontypridd represented Wales at an international event.

Dan and Jamie Pickering were part of the under-16s squad that took on Scotland, Ireland and Holland at Southerndown, a classic links-heathland hybrid.

Cardiff youngster Kyle Harman was among the first to qualify for the final of the Junior Wales Open.

The 16-year-old secured victory in the under-18 qualifying event at Radyr with a one-overpar score of 70.

“I qualified last year but did not do too well in the final,” said Harman.

168 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

“I'm looking forward to going back to Celtic Manor and now I've played the Twenty Ten Course, I'm hoping I can plot my way around a bit better this time.”

Boys and girls compete in Under-13, Under-15 and Under-18 age groups in Wales’ premier junior golf tournament.

Welsh juniors claim victory in Ireland Wales' under-18 boys' team secured an 11-9 victory over Ireland in last month's Cardigan Cup. The event consisted of two rounds of singles and one session of foursomes at Rosslare in southern Ireland.

Wales won two of the three sessions.

Wrexham junior Chloe Williams fell just short of victory at the European Nations Cup in Spain's Costa del Sol. A final round of 76 saw Williams finish second and her efforts helped the Welsh team finish above England in third place, behind Germany and Spain.

"We would like to congratulate the whole team, but obviously Chloe in particular," said Ben Waterhouse, director of performance for the Golf Union of Wales. "Chloe has built well on her early-season form."

Spain claimed both the individual and team championships.

NCG pp169 Club Golf Wales Ads 19/04/2013 16:50 Page 169

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118 – 120 Owls Lodge Lane Mayals, Swansea SA3 5DP +44 (0)1792 401989 • www.clynegolfclub.com Designed by Harry Colt in the 1920’s, this moorland course offers a fine test of golf for all levels of handicap.

Golf societies and corporate groups are welcomed throughout the year and can tailor any package to your requirements.

We can also offer 4 star ensuite accommodation only a few yards from the first tee.

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www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JUNE 2013 169

NCG pp170 Columnist MT 18/04/2013 17:54 Page 170

MARK TOWNSEND The never-ending quandary over club selection HEN I draw my last breath on this mortal coil ideally my last thought would be towards my family, my nearest and dearest, and a sense of pride at what a happy collective I had surrounded myself with.

The nagging doubt is that, in truth, my last reflection would be on how many hybrids I should have carried.

At the risk of sounding like Alan Partridge, I like hybrids... but, most likely, for all the wrong reasons. I was once told by a great authority that I was a ‘digger’ and so filled my bag with three hybrids of them.

KJ Choi and YE Yang were new heroes to me and the losers who persisted with long irons were philistines, stuck in the ‘80s, much like my dress sense and hairdo.

But that then led to all manner of headaches and indecision and a variety of back, hip and hypochondriac problems saw my swing characteristics change.

The secret was no longer in the dirt and I had become a ‘picker’ – an assessment that would seem to be backed up by the fact I never produce a divot and thin the majority of my bad shots.

As such we are now back to one hybrid, partly as a little nudger for when all you can picture is a lost ball both left and right and you can probably get away with one where you don’t need to commit to the shot.

And partly as a back-up chipper for when the hands have really stopped functioning.

Ideally the powers that be would bring in a new ruling where only 11 clubs are permitted.

Because for the past six months I have stuck rigidly to this anyway; there might have been 13 actual clubs in the bag but I am too terrified to put two of them into play.

The 5-iron is viewed with suspicion on account of it being the longest iron in the bag, as well as being viewed with a fairly huge of loathing having rarely done anything other than being mistimed or misdirected (sometimes both) on the rare occasions it leaves the bag.

Its main purpose of late is to try and bunt one under the trees to the right of the 1st though, given that it isn’t that lofted, renders it fairly pointless for even this.

Then there is a 58˚ wedge which should throw up all sorts of options within 50 yards of

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170 JUNE 2013 | www.nationalclubgolfer.com

All smiles

My club debates aren’t quite so jolly

‘At the risk of sounding like Alan Partridge, I like hybrids... but for all the wrong reasons’ any green: the drop and stop to a raised green, the low spinny one that bounces once before skidding to an immediate halt right next to the pin, the deft little flop over a bunker and finally maybe even your flexible friend from greenside sand.

Or just a piece of metal that never fails to let you down when most needed and almost certainly puts you in a far worse position (generally some undergrowth) than when it left the satchel.

So, up for grabs this season, to accompany my (don’t) ‘go to’ 4-wood is room enough for two hybrids, or one and a more lofted fairway wood, or a strong hybrid and two weaker

Next mo nth: Wh y I am withdra suffering wal sym ptoms from pim ento sandwic cheese hes

siblings, or maybe two putters, or two drivers, or a lefthanded club for that oncea-decade moment.

We can forget about the ‘forgiving’ lofted wedge that works in my hands, technology hasn’t moved on that much.

Every week new clubs arrive in the office and, try as I might to avoid their obvious charms, my head is turned.

Every one is picked up, given a knowing and token waggle, possibly flex the shaft on the floor to tell yourself nothing, have a look at the exotic words on the shaft to tell yourself even less and then let your mind wander to a sunlit day where this piece of equipment bullets one straight down the fairway.

To leave yourself a little flop shot over a bunker…

• Mark Townsend is NCG’s deputy editor. He plays off 7 and has a quite appalling short game

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