ISSUE 22
SPRING 2020
SURREY GOLF T H E
M A G A Z I N E
F O R
S U R R E Y
C O U N T Y
G O L F E R S
SPOTLIGHT
COUNTY NEWS News and events from around Surrey
Puttenham Golf Club
PRO TALK Another season dawns for David Boote The pre-shot routine broken down with Sam Truman
GOLF BREAKS Perthshire – home to some of the best courses in Scotland A warm welcome at St Mellion Resort Glorious golf in stunning Switzerland
GOLF SHOPPER
WIN
What’s hot in 2020
A ZOOM FOCUS X
PLUS...
LET BATTLE COMMENCE IN BELGIUM
DAVID BOOTE PREPARES FOR THE SEASON
CANICE SCREENE – ONE TO WATCH
Are cataracts affecting your golf game? At Nuffield Health Guildford Hospital, you can pay for cataract surgery and get treatment within two weeks of your initial consultation. No insurance required. Why self-fund at Nuffield Health Guildford Hospital? At our hospital, there are no waiting lists. You can pay for yourself and get an appointment with a Consultant in just 48 hours. You may already know that you need cataract surgery, or may just be experiencing problems (such as blurry vision, dazzled by light or colour/spectacle changes) with your vision that you want to get assessed. Whatever stage you’re at, we know that concerns about your eye health can be worrying, and we’ll give you the one-to-one care that you deserve. Cataract surgery at Nuffield Health is like nowhere else. We’ll support you every step of the way through the Nuffield Health Promise where we ensure that you receive a clear and transparent price for your cataract surgery with no limits on your care*.
How is it treated? Cataract surgery is the most common procedure carried out in the UK and is both highly safe and effective. It’s usually done under local anaesthetic and completed within 20 minutes. An ultrasonic probe is inserted through a tiny incision in the cornea (outer layer) of the eye. This breaks down the lens so it can be easily removed before a synthetic lens is inserted to replace it.
How long does it take to recover? You can go home within a few hours of surgery but should have someone to drive you and help at home for the first 24 hours. While taking some precautions, you can get back to normal activities within 48 hours. Your vision will improve over a few weeks with most patients fully recovered within a month or two.
Upcoming free cataract information evening On Wednesday 13 May, our Consultant Ophthalmologist, Mr Neil Modi, will be running complimentary 10 minute 1-2-1 advice sessions from 6pm. Mr Modi will explain in confidence the type of treatment you will need/what to consider if you’re thinking about treatment, as well as answering your questions.
To enquire, call 01483 378 725 or visit nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/guildford NuffieldHealthGuildfordHospital Nuffield Health Guildford Hospital Stirling Road, Guildford, GU2 7RF
*The Nuffield Health Promise means we will provide you with follow up advice, treatment or care that is clinically required if you experience a complication of your treatment/ surgery. Your treating consultant will determine what is clinically required as a direct result of your procedure. The Nuffield Health Promise does not cover situations where the surgery fails to achieve the desired outcome due to known risks or complications of that procedure. Where a prosthesis or implants is/are required for your procedure, any problems that occur with a prosthesis or implants will be covered by the manufacturer’s own guarantee. The Nuffield Health Promise applies only to self-pay patients (including by way of our interest-free medical loans) but excludes treatment paid for through private medical insurance and fertility services. Find out more at nuffieldhealth.com/promise
Welcome... We are three months into 2020 and what a year it has been so far! As I write, we are experiencing very challenging times as Coronavirus is sweeping the UK and affecting every person and business in one way or another. If you need a break from all the doom and gloom, or are self-isolating, we hope this latest edition of Surrey Golf will be a welcome distraction. Inside this issue: We tee off with County Secretary, Steve McNeill; another season dawns for David Boote and Jamie Burrows tells us how to learn to control our emotional game. For a golf staycation head to Perthshire – home to some of the best courses in Scotland or St Mellion Resort in the South West where a warm welcome awaits. When circumstances permit, discover glorious golf in stunning Switzerland or let battle commence in Wallonia, Southern Belgium. We show you what’s hot for 2020 and review some of the latest golf shoes. Plus, we have the latest news from across the county.
PUBLISHED BY Abstract Media Services Ltd Tel: 01883 370308 Editorial: Jo Habgood E: jo.habgood@abstractmediaservices.com Advertising: Justin King E: justin.king@abstractmediaservices.com Design: Mandy Boosey E: mandyboosey@yahoo.com SURREY COUNTY GOLF CONTACTS Tel: 01483 788788/www.surreygolf.org Office Manager and all knockout results: Jane Duhart Accounts/Admin: Sue Henderson COUNTY OFFICERS County Secretary: Steve McNeill Assistant to the County Secretary: Caroline Hardy-Evans Treasurer: Colin Barr President: Jack Buchanan Chairman: Terry Christy EG Voting Member: Jack Buchanan TEAM CAPTAINS/MANAGER 1st Team Captain: Kieran Lovelock Seniors Manager: Pat Cunningham
Editor
Junior U18/U17 Manager: Brian Woodham Junior U16/U15 Manager: Peter Millham Junior U14/U13 Manager: Marc Prince Junior U12 Manager: Colin Moody Rookie Tour Manager: Bob Lacey Head County Coach: John Noble
@surreygolfmag
SURREY LADIES COUNTY GOLF ASSOCIATION Tel: 01483 751622/www.slcga.org President: Val Howard
We want to hear from you! Send us your news big or small, individual or clubs.
Ladies Secretary: Sarah Brown Ladies Captain: Lorna Robey
Email editor@surreygolfmag.com NEXT ISSUE – July 1st 2020
SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE
ABSTRACT MEDIA SERVICES LIMITED
Surrey Golf 3
PURLEY DOWNS GOLF CLUB Host of the 2019 Surrey Amateur County Championship
OFFERING POSSIBLY THE BEST YEAR-ROUND GREENS IN SURREY ON AN EXCELLENT, CHALLENGING COURSE SOCIETY DAYS AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR c Probably the best society course in the area c Free draining chalk based course providing great playing surfaces all year long c Golf buggies and electric trollies for hire throughout the year* c Easy to reach from London or the M25 c Limited availability so book early *Only in exceptionally bad weather will these conditions not be available.
For more information please email info@purlyedowns.co.uk or speak to the club professional on 0208 657 8347 www.purlyedowns.co.uk
Call us or visit the website for our latest offers
WHAT’S INSIDE... COUNTY JUNIORS 12 Candice Screene – one to watch
FITNESS 16 Sam Heffer tells us why touching your toes has never been so important
PRO TALK
COUNTY TALK 6 Tee off with County Secretary Steve McNeill
COUNTY NEWS 8 Rookie tour dates 2020 Big win for Max O’Hagan Lottie Woad named Surrey U18 Sports Personality of the Year 2019 Rafiah Bandy and Lottie Woad selected for England Girls Squad
18 The pre shot routine broken down by Sam Truman 22 Another season dawns for David Boote
SPOTLIGHT 20 Puttenham Golf Club
PSYCHOLOGY 24 Jamie Burrows tells us how to learn to control your emotional game
GOLF SHOPPER 38 What’s hot for 2020
REVIEW 40 Functional, fashionable shoes fit to hit the fairway
GOLF BREAKS 26 Perthshire – home to some of the best courses in Scotland
COUNTY COURSE
30 A warm welcome awaits at St Mellion Resort
10 Epsom Golf Course – one of the friendliest clubs in Surrey
32 Glorious golf in stunning Switzerland 36 Let battle commence in Wallonia, Southern Belgium
TRIED & TESTED
SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE
WIN! Turn to page 42 for your chance to win a Zoom Focus X
5
COUNTY TALK
ON THE
TEE with County Secretary
STEVE MCNEILL
W
ith another season upon us, the Surrey County office are braced and prepared for what will be the usual, very busy, but enjoyable year. In fact, the administration of many of the very popular knockouts that are run for affiliated members has already started. Included in these are the Surrey 5’s, Kelso Hamilton, Thornhill Mixed Trophy, County Card Foursomes, Scratch Team Trophy, Scratch Plate, John Ling Trophy, John Ling Salver, Christies Cup, Boys Scratch and Boys Handicap. Then of course we have the county championships, the county card (society) events we run at various clubs, plus the county matches for all age groups from U12’s upwards. This all adds up to a very busy time. There are also two junior competitions that are very close to my heart, one is the Rookie League, an U14 and U18 club team competition that was started by Alan Page back in 2007. The teams play in leagues during the year, with the best teams qualifying for the knockout stages in September, which are played at Pyrford GC who have hosted for the past five years and my thanks to them. The other is the Surrey RookieTour which also began in 2007, the brainchild of Mark Packer, with the purpose of providing a competitive golf experience for Surrey junior golfers aged under 14 away from their normal club environment. The tour is for both boys and girls and is split into different categories. After a couple of years Mark moved
6
onto manage some of the junior Surrey teams. I too was a volunteer with the county at that time and took over the reins of the tour for the next five years. During this time the YIGs (Young Improvers Group) was added for those youngsters who were just starting out and didn’t yet have a handicap. The benefit of the RookieTour is that it develops junior golfers of a very high quality, teaches etiquette, and provides the Surrey team managers and coaches with a means of assessing and nurturing golfing talent from a young age. Virtually all Surrey junior golfers have played on the RookieTour and it is used to assist in team selection at county level as well as being a feeder of talent to England Golf. In fact, in one of the Surrey mens 1st team league matches last year, six of the eight players were ex RookieTour! The Surrey YIGs RookieTour was successfully launched in 2011 as an extension of the RookieTour. The YIGs are aged 7 to 12 with handicaps ranging from 37 to 54, or without a handicap, the main criteria is that they must be able to play 9 holes on a par 3 course unaided. Its aim is to give young golfers who are not yet ready for the main RookieTour the opportunity to develop their golfing skills whilst playing and competing against others of a similar age and standard. Following in Marks footsteps I went on to managing and developing the county junior teams, handing over the baton to Bob Lacey who has continued
to do a remarkable job putting in hundreds of hours as a volunteer whilst holding down a full-time job. Without Bob and all the other volunteers these events simply wouldn’t happen, they do an incredible job for the county. I would like to thank all the clubs who host events and matches for the county, it’s much appreciated. The RookieTour has over the years developed into what can only be described as probably the biggest junior tour of its kind in the UK. I describe it as the engine room for Surrey golf, with many players going on to represent Surrey, their countries and some turning professional. Most importantly, it involves both current and new golfers, with many eventually joining clubs to keep this great game of ours so popular.
Steve If you would like any further information on any of the above, please visit the Surrey County Golf website www.surreygolf.org, or give the office a ring 01483 755788
SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE
P FO RIC R EF 2 IX YE E AR D S*
FULL MEMBERSHIP NOW £1250
• Unlimited golf • County Card • Free reciprocal golf at 29 other courses in England • Free under 18 junior membership for children or grandchildren • Free hire of the clubhouse for celebrations/parties • Optional discounts on bar, food and golf shop purchases.
To enquire about membership email enquiries@puttenhamgolfclub.co.uk or call us on 01483 810498
GREEN FEE VOUCHER • Green fee to be special offer of £25 per person and voucher to cover up to 4 players. • Mon-Fri after 11am and weekends after 2pm subject to availability. Must bring in the voucher on the day of play. • Can book up to 7 days in advance by phoning the golf shop on 01483 810277.
Puttenham Golf Club, Heath Road, Puttenham, Guildford, Surrey GU3 1AL www.puttenhamgolfclub.co.uk *please see website for full terms and conditions
COUNTY NEWS
ROOKIETOUR DATES 2020
WELL DONE
RookieTour U12 & U14 Boys & U14 Girls venues and dates Reigate Heath Golf Club Thursday 9th April from 08:00am
Sutton Green Golf Club Sunday 12th July from 1:00pm
Puttenham Golf Club Tuesday 14th April from 11:30am
Bramley Golf Club Sunday 26th July from 11:30am
The Drift Golf Club Sunday 26th April from 12:30am
Cuddington Golf Club Monday 3rd August from 12:00pm
Shirley Park Golf Club Sunday 10th May from 1:00pm
Gatton Manor Golf Club Thursday 13th August from 12:00am
West Byfleet Golf Club Thursday 28th May from 1:00pm
Farnham Golf Club Thursday 20th August from 12:30am
Reigate Hill Golf Club Sunday 7th June from 12:00pm
Kingswood Golf Club Race to the Stars* Sunday 27th September from 1:00pm
Cranleigh Golf & Country Club Sunday 21st June from 11:30am
*Invitation only
Congratulations to Rafiah Banday (pictured top) – Royal Mid-Surrey and Lottie Woad – Farnham (pictured bottom) who have been selected for the England Girls Squad 2020.
BIG WIN FOR MAX
RookieTour YIGs venues and dates Horton Park Golf Club Sunday 5th April from 10:00am
Hoebridge Golf Club Sunday 5th July from 09:00am
Hoebridge Golf Club Sunday 17th May from 09:00am
Horton Park Golf Club Sunday 13th September from 10:00am
Congratulations Lottie Woad who was made Surrey U18 Sports Personality of the Year 2019 by The Farnham Sports Awards
Massive congratulations to Max O’Hagan who had a big win in the US, winning the Matlock Collegiate Classic by 9 shots. His second collegiate win. After 54 holes, he finished on -14 with rounds of -6, -5, -3 (202 total) to blow the opposition away. One bogey in three rounds.
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SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE
GOLF EVENTS London Golf Club prides itself on being one of the best venues in England at which to host a group Golf Event. Our professional, friendly team can build a package to suit your exact requirements. Every need is catered for and no detail is missed.
www.londongolf.co.uk | golf@londongolf.co.uk | 01474 875 752
COUNTY COURSE
EPSOM GOLF CLUB Experience Golf ’s Heritage, founded 1889
WHERE THE VIEWS, AS WELL AS THE GOLF, ARE STUNNING Epsom Golf Club has a reputation for being one of the friendliest private members clubs in Surrey and playing a round here is as enjoyable as it has ever been, providing a challenge for golfers of all abilities.
T
he 18-hole course offers stunning panoramic views of London’s iconic skyline and testing greens that have become legendary in the area because of their mixture of surprising speed and undulation. An advantage of being located on the Downs is the free-draining chalky subsoil, allowing for excellent year-round conditions, Epsom is often open in winter when other local courses are closed. This winter was, in fact, one of the busiest the Club has experienced with visitor numbers up on last year by 35%. Whilst being a club that embraces golfs traditional values, with a 131-year heritage to be proud of, Epsom recognises the importance of being progressive. The implementation of a course investment plan has enabled an increase in the clubs’ fleet of machinery and an ongoing
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course maintenance schedule, delivered by our experienced greenkeepers, bears witness to continued improvements in the standard of the course. As a forward-thinking club the successful introduction of new membership categories, including Flexible membership and a Buddy incentive scheme offering new members a 50% discount when joining as a pair, has seen growth of over 150 new members in the last two years. In April 2020 the club will replace its 5, 6 and 7 day memberships with a single Full membership category, which has no joining fee and is very competitively priced at £1,200 a year for both men and women. Playing members enjoy as much golf as they can handle, with a mixture of social and traditional inter-club fixtures, representing the club in matches
EXCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIPS FULL MEMBERSHIP £1,200 The club’s most popular membership FLEXIBLE £475 Designed for golfers with a modern lifestyle PATHWAY £250 Experience the club for 3 months before joining
against other clubs, as well as charity golf days and one of Surrey’s most popular Pro-am’s. Off the course there is a busy calendar of social events, organised for members, their family and friends to enjoy. In the clubhouse the main lounge and upstairs traditional wooden beamed dining room offer picturesque views of the 18th fairway and can host private and corporate functions for up to 100 guests. Visitors, societies and prospective new members are always given a warm welcome at Epsom Golf Club. For details of the latest membership opportunities, green fees and society packages please contact the Director of Golf, Stuart Walker on 01372 741867 or email stuartwalker@epsomgolfclub.co.uk For more information, visit www.epsomgolfclub.co.uk
SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE
Help us to revolutionise cancer treatment. The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity raises money solely to support The Royal Marsden, a world-leading cancer centre. We ensure our nurses, doctors and research teams can provide the very best care and develop life-saving treatments, which are used across the UK and around the world. With your support we can continue to be there for everyone who needs us. Whether you are captain of your golf club choosing your charity of the year, or organising a golf day with friends, we have lots of fundraising ideas and materials to help get you started.
To find out more, call us on 020 8661 3391 or email community.fundraising@rmh.nhs.uk
Registered Charity No. 1095197
Membership at
Chobham Golf Club
ACROSS 7 & 5 DAY MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES YOU WILL ENJOY: ● Full social club membership giving access to the club house 7-days-a-week ● A levy card granting 15% discount on food and drinks ● Gain a Congu handicap and access to competitions, including social golfing events ● Reciprocal tee times at 8 other golf clubs ... and many more fantastic benefits for you and your family
£20 TRIAL ROUND available throughout April and May just quote ‘SurreyGolf’ Please contact the General Manager to book your trial round or for further information email Sarah@chobhamgolfclub.co.uk, call 01276 855584 or visit our website
Terms & conditions apply
To find out about this fantastic offer, get in touch today...
01276 855584 | info@chobhamgolfclub.co.uk | www.chobhamgolfclub.co.uk
COUNTY JUNIORS ONE TO WATCH
Canice Screene it is too wet to practice outdoors. During the season, my practice is mainly on the course. I always have a very busy schedule with competitions across the UK and Ireland from March – October.
When did you start playing golf and who was your inspiration? My dad started taking me to the driving range when I was about five, but I didn’t play my first competitive round until I was eight. This was also when I reached the national final of the Junior Skills Challenge. In terms of inspiration, definitely my dad! Do you have a favourite player and who would be in your dream fourball? Brooks Koepka, Tony Finau, Padraig Harrington and myself. What have been your career highlights so far? Playing for Surrey’s first team at the national county finals for the last two years was a great honour. One of the most exciting moments for me was shooting 4 under gross to win England’s South Regional Scratch Championship. I was in the ‘zone’ and it was great! I also captained the Surrey Girls’ team who won county week in 2018, which I really enjoyed. Representing Leinster in the interpros in Ireland has also been a highlight. Winning the Girls Rookie Tour Order of Merit when I was 13 was a real highpoint for me as well. One of my biggest achievements was becoming World Amateur Golf ranked by the time I was 17.
Is finding time to play whilst managing school/work etc. difficult? I’ve found it hard to balance golf and school for the past few years as my school hours were 8am until 6pm, six days a week. This left little time to practice other than during the holidays. However, I was lucky enough that the school had a golf team, so I did get to play on that on a regular basis. Now that I am on a gap year, I have been able to focus 100% on my golf. Croham Hurst GC have been very supportive to me during my golfing career. Are there specific areas of your game that you work on and how do you monitor your results to try and identify any concerns you have? I have to work hard on my iron accuracy. I’ve been tracking my stats using ‘golfdatalab’ so I can compare and monitor my improvements. Keeping stats lets me monitor my whole game so if any part
becomes a problem, I can identify the area and improve on it. Your goals for 2020 and beyond? This year I want to really improve on my WAGR ranking so I am playing in a lot of the big amateur events to help this. I also start at Boston College in August on a golf scholarship for four years so my goal is to enjoy my college golf experience and make the most out of this opportunity to see how far I can take my game. What advice would you give to young players starting their journey in golf? Just to really enjoy playing more than anything else. Make playing and practicing fun. For me, coming up through the surrey junior programme was great, as it meant making lots of friends which is so important when you are just starting off. Finally, what are your other interests when you are not playing golf? Outside of golf, I love to ski and have been since I was five. I also really enjoy all types of music and am also fascinated with the criminal mind. I hope to explore this more through my studies at Boston College.
PLAYER PROFILE Name: Canice Screene | Age: 18 Club: Croham Hurst | Handicap: 0 Competition wins/titles/placements: c World Amateur Golf Ranked
How often do you play/practice?
c Croham Hurst Club Champion
I try to practice at least four times a week and play whenever I can, weather permitting. Croham Hurst GC, my home course, is very close to where I live so I am fortunate enough to be able to have access to a great course and practice whenever I can. During the off-season, I have lessons regularly. My dad built me a golf room at the back of the garden, so I do get to practice indoors when
c England’s South East U18 Scratch Champion
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c Irish Girls Close tied top qualifier c Represented Surrey first team for 2018/19 c Captain Surrey Girls to victory in 2018. c Represented Leinster (Ireland’s national tournament) Girls team 2018-2019
SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE
2020 03 Surrey Golfer HP Golf Breaks.qxp_135mm h x 210mm w 05/03/2020 10:07 Page 1
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t 01394 383555 w www.uffordpark.co.uk Yarmouth Road | Woodbridge | Suffolk | IP12 1QW
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Looking for a fantastic experience on your next society or away day? Why not come and play Waterlooville Golf Club, home of the 2016 English Women’s County Finals?
We welcome groups from 12 to 100+ players. Waterlooville Golf Club is one of Hampshire’s friendliest clubs and you are sure to have a great experience, from the warm welcome, to the fantastic championship course right through to the great food after your game. If you haven’t played it, put it on your bucket list! The friendliness of the welcome, the presentation of the course and the quality of the greens were all outstanding.
GOLF DA YS FROM A S LITTLE AS £31.5 0
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To book your day at Waterlooville Golf Club please call 023 9226 3388 or email admin@waterloovillegolfclub.co.uk
GOLF BREAKS From £99 per person
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COUNTY FITNESS
CAN I TOUCH MY TOES? YOU MUST BE JOKING! Why touching your toes has never been so important for the modern club golfer...
Measure your toe touch by standing with feet together and hands on thighs. Bend at the waist until your knees begin to bend
By Sam Heffer
I
f your instinct tells you to answer the question “can you touch your toes” with “no way”, “It’s been years”, or “I can... but I won’t be able to get back up again” then this is the article for you. The toe touch, or hip hinge is a very useful attribute for any golfer to have if they’re looking for improvements in not only their scores but also how they physically feel after a round of golf. If you consider the set up when you stand over a golf ball, it all stems from not only being able to hinge the hips but also to maintain that hinge during your swing. This is just as applicable to a six foot putt as it is to a 300 yard drive. Certain swing characteristics such as loss of posture, early extensions (coming out of the shot too early) and reverse spine angles are all massively in play if your hamstrings aren’t conditioned to get you through 18 holes. Each of these characteristics can be linked to things on the golf course such as a loss of power and distance, inconsistent ball striking and the worry of standing over a shot thinking “this could go anywhere” as you spray it to all parts.
Away from the course, typical ‘golf ’ aches such as low back pain, creaky knees or cranky shoulders can potentially all be linked back to your ability to touch your toes yet all of which can be improved with a little bit of hamstring care. If you’re a golfer who struggles with any of those highlighted above then it’s important to understand that if your body isn’t conditioned to hold a good hip hinge position then it will just find a way to get around it. Take into consideration you could be ‘finding your way around it’ for anywhere between 70-100 shots in a single round of golf (depending on your ability) then it starts to become a bit clearer why these persistent niggles don’t ever seem to go away. Do you HAVE to be able to touch your toes? No. But if you can’t then it’s certainly something you’ll want to work on. The exercise illustrated is one I give to clients who struggle with this movement and is more often than not met with the reply: “I’ve not been able to touch my toes in years.” Magic.
For more on golf fitness, get your mitts on my free download 3 Flexibility Workouts To Master For The Masters. Visit www.golffit450.com/lm-offer and enter your email address to grab your copy now.
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Place a yoga block or a couple of cushions between your knees and stand with your hands above your head
Squeeze the yoga block as hard as you can with your knees and again bend at the waist to touch your toes. Stand and repeat 10 times
Re-measure your toe touch to see the improvement
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Torquay Golf Club is James Braid designed course and is the home of Sir Nick Faldos first professional win
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17
PRO TALK
THE PRE SHOT ROUTINE BROKEN DOWN Preparing for the shot at hand in the most effective way with PGA Professional Sam Truman
H
ow often as golfers do we look back and think, “oh I wish I’d have taken that route, or hit that shot off the tee instead”? I would suggest the answer would be, far too often. Amateur golfers generally under estimate the power of good quality decision making on their overall golfing performance, especially when dealing with unfamiliar golf courses. Golfers often have an unpredictable and inconsistent pre shot routine, so under pressure they don’t have a process to fall back on to help them deal with times of pressure. There are several psychological or process driven techniques or tools that can be used to help aid any golfer into making better decisions or executing better shots. In this article we’re going to take you through some of the most important processes a golfer will face on a round of golf.
There’s a few factors to consider whereby the player then gives themselves more margin for error in the shot at hand. Lets work through a few points: c If we know the flag distance: Where is the flag situated on the green? c What hazards protect or potentially obstruct us from the flag? c How much green is there between us and the flag? Interpreting these points helps us make a better decision for the shot at hand into the green. And then consider the environment? c How much wind and from what direction is it blowing?
c What condition are the playing surfaces in? Will the ball release forward on firmer turf or will the ball get caught up in softer ground and stop shorter? c Does the shot at hand play more effectively uphill or downhill? Learning to effectively look into shots in more detail will help you make better decision as to which club is most suitable for the shot at hand. AIM SMALL MISS SMALL When dealing with tee shots and any approach shot into a green there’s a nice tactic/ tool we can use to make sure we are fully focused on the shot at hand.
LONG GAME – PLOTTING OUT THE SHOT. In the age of technological advances in the sport, most golfers have some form of device to help them assess how far either the green is away or more precisely how far away the flag is. However sometimes just simply measuring the flag distance or knowing how far the middle of the green is away is simply not enough information.
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PRO TALK
A good routine allows you to go through the same processes before a shot regardless of the scenario of the shot at hand
If the golfer is standing on a par 4 with a fairly wide fairway the assumption is that the golfer will hit the fairway, and sometimes that is the case. However, when the target gets bigger, and especially if the target gets smaller (e.g. narrow tree lined fairway), the chances are the golfer who doesn’t focus on a specific enough target or panics about the negative connotations of missing the fairway on a tree lined hole, will often be more drawn into producing a bigger miss. One of the best tactics to use on any long game shot is to pick a very small target out on the hole or tee shot that you’re playing. For example, if you’re wanting to aim at a tree at the end of a hole, rather than just aiming at the trunk of the tree envisage aiming at a branch or even a leaf on the tree at hand. This process creates a much more specific focus as to where the player wants the ball to finish. PSYCHOLOGY – TRICKS TO ZONE IN We’ve all had days on the golf course where we’ve struggled to concentrate, or the people you are playing with that are causing you to be distracted. Today we’re going to introduce a few skills that will help you zone in at the shot at hand and will help reduce the effect of pressure
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and scenario of the shot at hand. Know when to switch on and off: Use a trigger or action that symbolises that it’s now time to stop the adjacent chit chat and focus on the shot at hand. This could very simply be the moment you put on your golf glove or the moment you throw the grass in the air to find out the wind direction. Routine: Can you create a repeatable and efficient pre shot routine for all of your shots. A good routine allows you to go through the same processes before
Sam Truman is a PGA Professional based at The Surrey Golf Lab, Reigate Hill Golf Club and is regarded as one of the best young performance coaches in the region. Current roles include: • Performance Coach – Hugh Marr Golf • Surrey Boys (U12’s & U14’s) and Girls (U18’s) County Coach • Elite Academy Coach for Whitgift School
a shot regardless of the scenario of the shot at hand. Creating repeatability in your routine means that the mind has a moment to purely focus on the shot at hand and not at any issues arising around the shot at hand.
Sam is able to provide clients with access to the most up to date golf coaching technology at one of the best practice facilities in the UK Clients are exposed to Trackman club and ball tracking and also the SAM Putt Lab Analysis System in the new indoor putting studio. For more information follow Sam on: @SamTrumanGolf
@SamTrumanGolf Under the tutorship of European Tour Coach E: SamTrumanGolf@gmail.com Hugh Marr, Sam prides himself in providing the best holistic coaching experiences for his players. Sam works with all levels of golfers from the young aspiring junior all the way up to European tour professionals.
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SPOTLIGHT
SPOTLIGHT ON
PUTTENHAM Puttenham Golf Club, nestling in the foothills of the Hogs Back just off the A31 in Surrey celebrated its 125th Anniversary in 2019.
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he club ran many very well supported events throughout the year to mark the milestone, however the most popular decision that was made by the club to celebrate 125 years was to reduce the full membership subscription to just £1,250 (not just for new members but for existing members as well) and to fix this price for a three year period. Twelve months into this three-year plan and Puttenham Golf Club is definitely a club on the up and looking forward to its next 125 years. Across all categories over 100 new members joined Puttenham Golf Club in 2019 and the start of 2020 has been just as buoyant. Gary Simmons the Secretary/ Manager at Puttenham said “Embarking on the Puttenham 125 Project was a calculated risk. The club
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was effectively giving away considerable guaranteed income by reducing existing member subscriptions by offering both new and existing members the same price of £1,250 and fixing the price for three years. Too many businesses reduce prices to new customers who they don’t know from Adam and expect their loyal customers to keep on paying the full rate. We aim to reward customer loyalty and our retention rate has been phenomenal since the launch of Project 125”. Les Bygrave who became a member at Puttenham in April of 2019 described his experience in glowing terms, “You know what it’s like, you’ve been a member at a club for years and you feel comfortable, you know the course, the staff, even the management! Well, that was me up
until April 2019. I play regularly with my brother, so we both decided to go and visit Puttenham for a game – let me say at this point, it really was the best golfing decision we’ve ever made. As we stood on the 3rd tee, with its risk and reward tee shot beckoning, and with those superb views across the hog’s back laid before us, my brother turned to me and said – “I’m joining, this place is fantastic”. That was in March 2019, and now coming up to the end of our first year at Puttenham I can only reinforce those initial favourable impressions. Members have welcomed us with open arms, giving us opportunities to join in with one of many ‘roll ups’ the club operates over every weekend. Competitions are plentiful, the course, which is predominantly based on sandy soil drains extremely quickly
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SPOTLIGHT
WHY NOT JOIN US? If you are interested in becoming a member a or you would simply like to play the course and sample the Puttenham experience as a visitor, then please contact the club office for full details on:
Becoming a member here really has been the best golfing decision we’ve ever made
and rarely do you suffer any muddy shoes, poor lies or playing areas during the winter months. The bar area is friendly and welcoming, the pro-shop staff equally so. The driving range and covered practice bays are superb, the food in the clubhouse is outstanding and you are even provided with a half-way hut between the 9th green and 10th tee to grab a bite or a cuppa. So, I would say to anyone thinking of joining a club, the question is not should I visit Puttenham and see for myself – it’s when should I visit. Becoming a member here really has been the best golfing decision we’ve ever made.” 2019 also saw a reinvigoration of the clubs Junior Section. Puttenham first decided to expand their Free Junior Membership offer that is made to
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01483 810498 or alternatively email enquiries@puttenhamgolfcub.co.uk
children or grandchildren of existing adult members, from the age of 16 or under, up to the age of 18 or under. Then they reduced the annual Junior Membership subscription for children of non-members to just £50. An enthusiastic Colin Reardon, a former Club Chairman took over the role of Junior Organiser, and along with his trusted lieutenant and fellow member Colin Price enrolled on an ASQ Level 1 coaching course run by the Professional Golfers Association. Their thinking was so they could make the most of this new interest in junior golf at Puttenham they needed to be able to assist the Club Professional Dean Lintott with the ever-expanding number of children attending the Junior Academy. Colin Reardon commented, “As a 20-handicap golfer I felt it was
important that I understood the fundamentals of coaching the juniors. My swing has been likened to trying to kill a snake in a phone box, so I didn’t want to pass this on to our youngest golfers. The basics taught on the Level 1 course were incredibly useful and have helped my game too!” As a result of the success thus far of the ‘Puttenham Plan’ the additional members have helped Puttenham to continue to invest in its course and clubhouse and thrive as a member’s club. The clubhouse has enjoyed a complete redecoration in 2019, and the hardworking team of greens staff have received well deserved recognition as the picturesque woodland and heathland course that they maintain with great pride has been ranked as one of the best in Surrey by Top 100 Courses.
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PRO TALK
ANOTHER SEASON DAWNS! This year has had a slightly shorter off season than normal but was nevertheless both restful and productive...
David Boote
I spent a lot of time in the gym and escaped some of the bad weather with a trip back to California and Hawaii where I caught up with some of my Stanford team mates. The Seibel coaching facility seems to get better every year and I really appreciate being able to use it for winter preparation. My season got away this February in a new country for me – South Africa. The Challenge and Sunshine Tours combined to co-sanction three events with larger than normal (190 player) fields, and was a good chance to get in some tournament reps ahead of the main season start in early May. It was also great to experience new
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conditions such as playing at altitude and the on different grasses as well as in decent weather conditions – if you ignore the wind! The first competition in Limpopo, 150 miles north of Johannesburg, was at 6,000ft above sea level and the altitude had a big effect on ball distance which took some getting used to. The tournament was held at two courses, Koro Creek and Euphoria which were about 30 miles apart, so there was a lot of prep to do before the Thursday start. I had arranged for an experienced Sunshine Tour caddy to help with this! Limpopo is an area in South Africa
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PRO TALK
known for its scenery and wildlife with many game reserves nearby. Unfortunately, there was no time for safaris, but there were plenty of wild animals roaming the countryside and visible from our car as we travelled north! My own game was still a little winter rusty, the kukio grass was slightly tricky and a 74-69 for a -1 total, resulted in a missed cut. Onto the next one! The second event was in Cape Town, a short internal flight to the west coast from Joburg and a city I was excited to go to. One of my college friends from Stanford lives in the southern suburbs and plays on the Sunshine Tour so it was
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great to stay with him and have some practice rounds with someone who had local knowledge! Unfortunately it was a tough first round in strong winds at Royal Cape GC on the first day and despite some good play on day two at King David Mowbray GC in similar wind, scores of 75-71 for a +2 total, again resulted in a weekend off. However, the missed cut gave me the chance to have a good look around the city and a few of us explored some breathtaking scenery below Table Mountain with a coast road which weaves through small towns and villages and leads to sandy beaches and coves. There was also time to put some effort in on the practice range to get the clubs dialled in before the next tournament, and a four hour drive eastwards along the ‘Garden route’ to George and the Fancourt Estate. The last event was the Dimension Data Pro-Am, well known as the Sunshine Tours flagship event and formerly a full European Tour destination. Fancourt is known for having hosted the Presidents Cup in 2003 and for being the base for many of the top South African professionals such as Ernie Els and Brandon Grace. The tournament is held on three separate courses – The Links, Montagu and Outeniqua, all of which are different in terms of length , layout and degree of difficulty. I personally preferred the Links course, despite it arguably being the hardest track, because as it suggests in
the name, it reminded me of some of the courses we have here in the UK. It’s an amazing setting between the Outeniqua mountains and the Indian Ocean and a very serious test of golf. Learning three new courses and getting to know new amateur partners made for another busy week, but I managed to play some good golf finishing 42nd individually with 7168-71-72 for -7 total. This was helped by an eagle-birdie finish on the last day which was a good way to sign off my first trip to the country! My amateur partner was a very solid 5 handicap and we finished tied 8th (out of 180) as a team which was a great result! All in all, after a slow first two weeks it was good to make the cut at the Dimension Data, not only to get the feeling of playing on a Sunday back, but also to get myself up and running on the order of merit for 2020. As it was my first time down to South Africa and I hadn’t played a tournament since November, I played some pretty decent golf across the three weeks. I was pleased to shake off some winter rust too! The main season gets going again in Prague in early May, but before that, I will be fitting in some MENA Tour events in Dubai, another trip to the USA and hopefully a couple of local TP Tour events to try to stay as sharp as possible for the year ahead. @davidboote123
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PSYCHOLOGY
ALTERED STATES
learn to control your emotional game Have you ever wanted to feel differently about a situation but you just can’t seem to make yourself behave how you want to? Jamie Burrows, golf psychologist and mindset coach
Y
ou probably think it’s impossible to manage your reactions and emotions in the way you want. But it isn’t. It’s actually pretty easy and professional golfers do it all the time. We call it ‘anchoring’. Let’s make it simple. I bet you have a song that reminds you of a someone? Perhaps it’s a past love – and when you hear that song it immediately brings back all of the emotion of that experience like it’s happening again right now. That is a change of your emotional state and it’s triggered by the sound you’re hearing. Just as these anchors are created accidentally in everyday life, we can also actively create them to achieve a desired state or emotional response. It doesn’t have to be a sound either. It can be seeing something – maybe
a bar where great nights were spent with friends, it can be smelling a particular smell, perhaps the smell of sea takes you back to childhood happiness on the beach. Creating anchors on purpose can be extremely helpful for your golf game. Just imagine feeling nervous on the first tee and replacing it with the feeling of confidence. Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen both work with a mindset coach. This has allowed them to develop an anchor that works for them – they have anchored the feeling of focus to the sensation of the velcro on their glove tightening. Give it a go for yourself. Right is a basic outline of how to create your own anchor.
d Charl Schwartzel an Louis Oosthuizen both work with a mindset coach.
c Select a feeling that you would like to have in a particular situation. This may be to feel confident over a putt or calm over a tee shot. c Take a few moments to remember a time when you had that feeling. Be sure to choose a strong example. c Close your eyes and remember that feeling in vivid detail. Put yourself back there now and relive it in all its intensity. See what you could see, hear what hear and feel all of those feelings of that emotion. c When the feeling is at its most intense, anchor it. Create a physical movement or gesture that will now become your anchor. Clenching a fist and holding it is great for confidence. c As the feeling fades, release your ‘anchor’ (your fist) and relax. c Choose another example of having that feeling and repeat the procedure. Use the same gesture. c Choose a third example and anchor the feeling to the same gesture. To enhance the experience you can experiment with making the images clearer and the sounds louder. c Try your anchor and check that the feeling comes back. c If the feeling is not intense enough, repeat the procedure. c Take this with you and fire that anchor when you need it. Anchoring is just one of the elements I cover on my course Mastering Mental Resilience. If you’re looking to make 2020 the year you take your golf to the next level, get in touch for more information: jamieburrowsgolf. com/ jamie@jamieburrows.net
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X350R
• 42”/107cm cutting deck • 300L rear collector • Electric deck engagement
www.farol.co.uk/mowers London Road, Twyford, Reading Berkshire, RG10 9EG
Holmbush House, Holmbush Ind. Est., Midhurst, GU29 9XY
Tel: 01182 077760
Tel: 01730 819981
*Terms & conditions apply. E&OE. Prices include VAT.
DRUMOIG GOLF HOTEL (St. Andrews)
MALONE GOLF CLUB STAY & PLAY RATES: May to September 2020 1 night B&B any day 2 rounds of golf
£95pp
2 nights B&B Sun to Thurs 2 rounds of golf
£105pp
2 nights B&B Fri to Sat 2 rounds of golf
£115pp
Our accommodation comprises 29 en-suite rooms – 24 in unique lodges adjacent to the main facilities – tastefully furnished with Freeview TV, BT Sport, complimentary tea and coffee making facilities and free wi-fi throughout. Starters Box, Drumoig, St. Andrews, Fife KY16 0DS
E: reception@drumoiggolfhotel.com T: 01382 541898 (Golf) • 01382 541800 (Hotel)
www.drumoiggolfhotel.com
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Stunning parkland golf course located just 5 miles from Belfast city centre • Considered by many to be the best ‘old style’ parkland course in Northern Ireland • 27 hole facility with green fees to suit all budgets • Host venue of the Vagliano Trophies in 2015 and many other championships over the years • Mature 330 acre estate, with a magnificent 180 year old main clubhouse building
In any 19th hole discussion attempting to determine the accolade of a supreme inland course in Ireland, it is perfectly understandable that there will be a case for the claims of Malone Golf Club. Not much argument is really required for, truth to tell, the gently rolling summertime tapestry of mature wood, restful lake and blaze of flowers sets it quite apart. John Redmond, Great Golf Courses of Ireland
MALONE GOLF CLUB 240 Upper Malone Road, Belfast, BT17 9LB T: 02890 612758 E: manager@malonegolfclub.co.uk
www.malonegolfclub.co.uk
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GOLF BREAKS
Perthshire
HOME TO SOME OF THE BEST GOLF COURSES IN SCOTLAND “Amid all the provinces in Scotland, if a stranger were asked to describe the most varied and the most beautiful, it is probable he would name the County of Perth,” famously noted Sir Walter Scott, the distinguished Scottish novelist, playwright and poet.
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cott’s words are also an accurate summary of golf in Perthshire, an area in the very heart of the country and one simply steeped in golfing history offering fantastic value. The region’s jewel needs little introduction. Images of the famed fairways of Gleneagles and its historic hotel were beamed across the globe after the five-star resort’s memorable staging of both The Ryder and Solheim Cup over the last six years. With three world-class courses to sample – The King’s, Queen’s and PGA Centenary – the venue takes pride of place in Perthshire, offering ‘take-the-breath away’ golf for any visitor and all manner of sporting pursuits. Neighbouring Auchterarder is another parkland gem, while architect James Braid – renowned designer of Top: Gleneagles PGA Centernary Course Left: Crieff Golf Club Ferntower Course
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The King’s and Queen’s – also worked his magic at Blairgowrie, with the Rosemount and Lansdowne Courses holding their own among the very best in Scotland. Surrounded by beautiful countryside and the adjacent Hydro Hotel, Crieff is also not to be missed. Built on gently sloping parkland, it is a challenging experience for all levels of golfer. Indeed, Gleneagles, Blairgowrie, Auchterarder and Crieff are coming together this year for the relaunched Legacy Cup – celebrating the Ryder, Junior Ryder and Solheim Cups all being contested Perthshire over recent years. The event has been expanded to a 72-hole better ball competition for both same gender and mixed pairs. Golfers are spoilt for choice at Monifieth Golf Links where there are two 18 hole links golf courses on offer. At 6655 yards off the white tees, the Medal course is tough, but playable.
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IT'S NOT JUST OUR GOLF THAT WILL TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAY Perthshire offers spectacular scenery, outstanding value, a fantastic choice of accommodation and an amazing variety of activities and attractions. With a guaranteed friendly welcome, you'll fall in love with Perthshire... a truly authentic Scottish golf experience.
golfperthshire.com
GOLF BREAKS
WHERE TO STAY
The Red House Hotel offers golfers a very warm welcome and with around 30 golf courses within half an hour of the front door, it’s perfectly located for a ‘play and stay’ golfing break. 01828 628500 www.red-house-hotel.co.uk
Top: Blairgowrie Golf Club Rosemount Course Bottom: Auchterarder Golf Club
The well-grassed narrow, running fairways and fast consistent greens will test any standard of golfer. 1,500 yards shorter but with slightly smaller greens and more aggressive contouring around them the challenge of the Ashludie course is no less diminished. Green fees for 2020 are £40
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(Ashludie) and £95 (Medal), but many prefer the two-course package (with breakfast rolls, soup and sandwiches and a 2-course meal) for £120. Just outside Perth, Murrayshall Country House Hotel & Golf Club also offers superb stay-and-play options, boosted by recent investment into the Murrayshall and Lynedoch courses as well as other areas of the club, including a new Spike Bar and changing room facilities.
Further north, Pitlochry is another scenic beauty, with the quality of product on the course just as good as the friendly service off it. If 9-hole golf is more your choice, Perthshire ticks that box too. From Dunning to Dalmunzie and St Fillans to Strathtay, the region boasts 17 nine-hole layouts, all with their own unique charms. Why not try the West Perthshire Golf Pass? For just £55, you can play 18hole rounds at any three of five 9-hole courses: Comrie, Crieff (Dornock Course), Killin, Muthill and St Fillans. Perthshire golf – just picture perfect.
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HOTEL
HOTEL
Societies welcome 7 days a week Talk to our team about our incredible stay and play offers Come and see our refurbished course Our well stocked professional shop can cater for all of you're needs Check out our new golf simulator, perfect for custom fitting, lessons or experience a variety of famous courses from around the world
March Madness this Spring from as little as £34.95 per person!
Bells Hotel Lords Hill Coleford GL16 8BE 01594 832583 enquiries@bells-hotel.co.uk www.bells-hotel.co.uk
GOLF CLUB
GOLF CLUB
FITNESS SUITE
FITNESS SUITE
A Course not to be missed when you visit Cornwall
01208 262570 HOT
EL
GOL
LU F C
B
FITN
ESS
SUIT
E
golf@lanhydrockhotel.com
www.lanhydrockhotel.com Lanhydrock Hotel and Golf Club | Bodmin | Cornwall | PL30 5AQ
THE
RED HOUSE HOTEL 2020
RATES
Package one c Blairgowrie GC c 1 x round of golf over Lansdowne c 1 x round of golf over Rosemount, dinner, bed & breakfast
A warm Scottish welcome awaits at Monifieth Golf Links where you can enjoy all year round on courses that seldom introduce winter greens.
£197pp Accommodation and golf deals available all year round Bespoke packages available on request
Package two c Alyth GC c 1 x round of golf, dinner, bed & breakfast
£116pp
Red House Hotel • Tel: 01828 628500 stay@red-house-hotel.co.uk • www.red-house-hotel.co.uk Station Road, Coupar, Angus, Perthshire PH13 9AL
Play traditional links golf over two golf courses in excellent condition and follow in the footsteps of Tom Watson who enjoyed his first experience of a links golf course at Monifieth a week before he won his first Open Championship.
T: 01382 532767 | E: bookings@monifiethlinks.com www.monifiethgolf.co.uk
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GOLF BREAKS
ST MELLION RESORT St Mellion Resort may be tucked away in the South West of the country, but this resort has so much going for it which persuades visitors, golfers and non-golfers alike, to take the time, trouble and effort to experience it time and again.
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verall, it gives and guarantees great value for money for both courses, including the mighty Nicklaus course, Jack’s first UK creation and arguably one of the best and certainly most challenging inland layouts in England. The quality of the courses and the facilities have been widely recognised and recently voted the ‘Best Golf Course’ in the West of England and Ranked 3rd Best Golf Resort in UK & Ireland.
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“We have always told people to head for St Mellion if they want to know what the perfect golf day looks like” said David Moon, Resort Golf Manager. “Although The Nicklaus deserves its reputation as a truly world-class test of your golf, there is none of that forbidding atmosphere which you might feel at other golf resorts. Our welcome is genuinely warm. We think that golf should be fun, and we want your memories of St Mellion to be amazing.” The Nicklaus Signature Course can be stretched to over 7,000 yards for professional events, but even at 6,200 yards off the yellows it still represents one of British golf’s most exacting tests. Moon said: “If you can keep a six off your card on The Nicklaus, you’re playing very good golf. This was Jack’s first-ever design in the UK, built before he won his last Major at the Masters
in 1986. Generations of golfers have come to challenge it, but few have truly mastered it. Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer, Paul Casey and Jose-Maria Olazabal are all former winners here. Of our two golf courses, the Nicklaus is clearly the more iconic, but we never forget that it was our Kernow course which originally attracted the European Tour to St Mellion.” The Resort, which is only 15min away from Plymouth, has an 80-room AA 4-Star hotel, multiple awardwinning dining experiences and luxurious leisure facilities to offer both visiting golfers and members. If you want to experience what this resort has to offer simply visit our website st-mellion.co.uk or speak to one of our friendly team members on 01579 352031.
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GOLF BREAKS
The oldest nine-hole course still in existence in was Switzerland, which built in 1891, stands e in the grounds of th l legendary Kulm Hote St. Moritz
GLORIOUS GOLF IN STUNNING
SWITZERLAND T
he Engadine is home to St. Moritz, better known these days as a glitzy winter sports destination, but for much of the 19th century it was far more popular with summer holidaygoers. Hundreds of British visitors headed there for complete rest and relaxation: to breathe the crystal clear Alpine air and to bathe in the health-
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inducing thermal spas, with maybe a spot of outdoor painting to while away a few hours. Naturally, due to its popularity with the Brits, the locals thought it would be a good idea to import one of their favourite pastimes to keep them entertained: golf. In the summer of 1889, Conradin von Flugi travelled
to England to assess the options for building a golf course in the Engadine, resulting in the creation of a nine-hole course (no longer in existence) located between St Moritz’s main railway station and the district of St. Moritz Bad. The oldest nine-hole course still in existence in Switzerland, which was built in 1891, stands in the grounds of
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GOLF BREAKS
the legendary Kulm Hotel St. Moritz, making it the perfect base from which to enjoy a golfing trip to the Engadine. At 1,860 metres above sea level, the par-3 Kulm Golf St. Moritz course offers magnificent views over Lake St. Moritz and the valley, as it weaves its way in and out of pine forests and up and down undulating slopes, making
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it physically and mentally challenging for players at every level of the game. A course upgrade in 2001 by local designer Mario Verdieri improved the quality of the greens whilst bringing the layout up to date in order to keep pace with the recent technological advances in golf equipment. In addition to complimentary green
® Cyrus Saedi
With its breath-taking backdrop of snow-capped peaks and piercing blue summer skies, Switzerland is one of the most spectacular mountain locations in which to play golf. And there is no better place to experience a round or two than at the Engadine Golf Club, the oldest golf club in the country having been founded over 125 years ago (and the sixth oldest in continental Europe).
Main pic: Kulm Golf Course. Top: Zuoz Golf Course. Above left: Tiger Woods & GM Heinz Hunkeler. Above right: Kulm Golf St Moritz. Above centre: Kulm Hotel – Chesa al Parc Golf Club House. Above: Samedan Golf Course.
fees, guests staying at the Kulm Hotel benefit from access to the driving range and practice facilities as well as priority tee times and golf lessons.
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® Cyrus Saedi
GOLF BREAKS
Top: Kulm Hotel St Moritz. Above: Kulm Golf St Moritz Above right: Zuoz-Madulain’s Hole 16, Par 3 and below Paddle boarding at Kulm Hotel St Moritz.
For those wishing to play at the Engadine Golf Club, which is less than a 30-minute drive from St. Moritz, the hotel concierge will happily arrange discounted green fees. The Engadine Golf Club has two courses: Samedan and Zuoz-Madulain. The 18-hole course at Samedan is the historic one, having been established in 1893. It is a classic parkland course with an interesting flavour of links. Though mainly set on the flat valley floor, the course does offer some gently undulating holes as it winds its way in between valley streams and ponds that ensure a testing round of golf. Uniquely, its wide fairways are flanked by imposing giant larch trees, some of which are over 700 years old. Sister course at Zuoz-Madulain – or simply Zuoz – presents a totally different experience. Opened in 2003, it is one of only five courses that the prolific Canadian architect Les Furber has designed in Europe. This relativelyyoung course is a challenging prospect
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that places a premium on course management and distance control. Golfers face demanding elevation changes, undulating fairways fringed by delightful meadow flowers and an array of tricky doglegs as it weaves its way along the side of the mountain through pine forests and past a fast-flowing river. After the trials and tribulations of the various golf courses, the Kulm Hotel provides a welcome retreat in which to relax and recuperate. A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, the property has 164 luxurious rooms and suites and a lavish 2,000 square metre spa that includes indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a whirlpool, various steam and sauna rooms (perfect for easing aching muscles after a round or two), relaxation areas, treatment rooms and a gym with studio room. Sporty all-rounders might also want to have a game of tennis on the hotel’s private courts or make the most of the sensational Engadine landscape, which presents numerous opportunities for hiking and biking up mountains or sailing, swimming, paddle boarding and windsurfing on the various lakes that line the valley.
For those in search of a less active holiday, there are designer shopping streets to be browsed in St. Moritz, 64 art galleries and museums for those seeking a little culture and sightseeing to be done on any of the open mountain railways and buses in the Engadine/St. Moritz region, as their use is complimentary to Kulm Hotel guests. The summer season is also peppered with interesting events, such as British Classic Car meets and a well-established Festival da Jazz. The perfect spot for your next golf break: spectacular views, testing courses and pure relaxation in the sun-filled and tranquil surroundings of the Engadine Valley.
Throughout the summer season (19 June to 6 September 2020), the Kulm Hotel offers packages (as well as half-board rates) to suit couples, families and groups who love the game of golf. Further information on the Kulm Hotel St. Moritz and the Kulm Golf St. Moritz is available at www.kulm.com or email info@kulm.com
SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE
GOLF BREAKS
A chance for victory in a place of war history Golf Chateau De La Tournette © WBT O.Legardien
LET THE BATTLE COMMENCE
WITH A GOLF WEEKEND IN WALLONIA, SOUTHERN BELGIUM
G
olfers with a passion for history come forth to Wallonia. Rally the troops and jump in the car. Within 2 hours from Calais, you will be on the golf course and ready for action. Throw international golf courses, stylish hotels and bustling historic towns with great places to eat and drink into the mix and you have the makings of a great golfing weekend. Mons is filled with reminders of WW1 history where Britain began and
Waterloo Lion Mound © WBT D.Vasilov
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ended their campaign on the Western Front, the town has all for the ‘after’ golf activities.
Our pick of the courses: c Royal Club Hainaut: Designed by renowned golf architect Tom Simpson and inaugurated in 1933, it will challenge your skills with its three courses (27 holes in total) in the middle of lush, soothing nature. c Mont Garni: It covers 6,331m (par 73) and is one of the longest in Belgium, divided by three loops of 6 holes designed around the fabulous clubhouse by Irish architect, Tom McAuley. Moving east towards the soft landscapes around Waterloo you will find no less than a dozen courses around the historic site where
Wellington and Blucher defeated Napoleon over 200 years ago. Tip: Waterloo beer (what else) and the local ‘Tarte al d’jote’ (delicious cheese tart).
Our pick of the courses: c Sept Fontaines, surrounded by beech forest with three courses and a castle turned clubhouse; it is one of the best-loved clubs in Belgium. c Château de la Tournette is renowned for its unique environment and its three championship courses including L’Anglais and L’Amercain. With the hotel’s excellent restaurants, cool cocktail bars and wellbeing facilities, victory is on the cards for all on your ‘memorable’ adventure. www.walloniabelgiumtourism.co.uk
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VAN DER VALK HOTELS GOLF PACKAGES Packages are based on double occupancy and you can choose from either the Mons Congres Hotel or Nivelles-Sud Hotel and include: c 2 nights in a comfort room c 2 green fees per person c Welcome drink Waterloo 1815
c Access to wellbeing centre
@ Olivier Cappeliez
c Live cooking breakfast buffet c Parking
TIP Try the local beer ‘La Montoise’ and enjoy the local dish ‘Côtelettes al’berdouille’ (pork chop)... with chips of course! @ Golf de l’Empereur
MONS CONGRES HOTEL
@ WBT C.Grassin
From e189.00 p.p. for 2 nights www.hotelmons.eu
@ Valk.com
@ Royal Club Hainaut @ Shutterstock
NIVELLES-SUD HOTEL
PRE-GAME TIP Whilst in town ask one of the party to rub the mythical Mons monkey for luck! Royal Club Hainaut (c) Gregory Mathelot
La Tournette (c) WBT O.Legardien
SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE
About 10 miles from Waterloo From e197 p.p. for 2 nights www.hotelnivellessud.be
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GOLF SHOPPER
TEAM PLAY
GET PUTTING! Bearing the same heel-toe weighting that helped make the original Anser 2 so popular, the Heppler version also shares the original’s angled heel ballast. The all-steel Heppler Anser 2 stands apart with colour blocking that creates its own eye-pleasing alignment assistance. RRP: £250.00 eu.ping.com
WHAT’S
HOT 4 FOCUS ON YOUR GAME WITH ZOOM
Golf Pride® launches its new MCC Teams™ collection, which will Initially consist of 15 unique colour combinations to choose from, so that golfers can represent their favourite team while on the course. The MCC Teams grips will be available in both standard size and midsize and feature a price of £12 and £13 or £14.50 www.GolfPride.com
GROUND-BREAKING PowaKaddy unveils strongest collection to date with groundbreaking CT range
Golf Pride® launches its new MCC Designed for the best premium experience at an affordable price, the Focus X from ZOOM delivers everything a golfer could need from a rangefinder. Featuring six times magnification, 600m range and continuous flagpole scanning mode to make picking up a target quick and simple. The pocket size Focus X is a stylish, lightweight design that looks fantastic in either white or charcoal and comes with a robust carry case to keep the unit safe and accessible when not in use. RRP: £219.99
PowaKaddy, is continuing to push the boundaries of ultracompact, lightweight design with the introduction of the completely remodelled 2020 Compact range. A Simple-2-fold™ system allows the CT6 and CT6 GPS to fold down 20% smaller than the previous models and an impressive 35% smaller than their nearest competitor. The all-new, lowprofile PowaFrame® chassis fits into even the smallest of car boots, making it the perfect trolley for the golfer who puts a premium on storage and convenience. From £649.99 www.powerkaddy.com
www.zoomgolfproducts.com
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SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE
GOLF SHOPPER
WATERPROOF & VERSATILE
SUPER-LIGHT JuCad launches its latest dream golf trolleys in UK. Weighing only 5.9 kg/13 lb the JuCad drive SL Travel 2.0 is a flyweight amongst golf trolleys. This super-light electric trolley in high grade titanium with a satin finish surface offers sporting elegance and maximum flexibility. www.jucadgolf.com
The new Galvin Green Apollo Jacket breaks the mould with its first waterproof streamlined style to feature discrete front pockets. The new APOLLO waterproof jacket that headlines the Galvin Green 2020 Part One collection is the first model made in GORE-TEX Paclite® Technology fabric to incorporate front pockets – making it even more versatile for serious golfers to wear both on and off the course. RRP £290 www.galvingreen.com
WORLD’S FIRST Leading golf trolley brand Motocaddy is introducing the world’s first touch screen-enabled electric trolley as the flagship model of its transformed new range for 2020. The pioneering M5 GPS trolley features an ultra-responsive hi-res 3.5” LCD display that can easily be controlled in all weather conditions – even when wearing a glove. RRP: £749.99 www.motocaddy.com
MAKE A STAND BIG MAX is introducing three new stand bags this spring, adding a great choice of technology, innovation and price to its award winning bag range. AQUA HYBRID 2. RRP: £239.99 Available in: Black, Grey/Black, Lime/Black, Navy/White/Red, Steel Blue/ Black/Orange. www.bigmaxgolf.com
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SHOE REVIEW
LUXURY HANDMADE GOLF SHOE Llambda Potenza’s golf shoes are handmade in Europe with leather uppers and linings and an Aquastop inlay breathable membrane which ensures a waterproof guarantee. They feature a detachable soft Latex foot bed, covered in leather, for extra comfort and an Ethylene-vinyl acetate insert on the sole and heel for shock absorption impact on knees, hips and back. e290.00 https://lambdagolf.com/
What we thought... The Lambda golf shoe is the ‘look good, feel good’ shoe to beat all others – the classic look with a modern twist. This shoe made me feel like a tour professional and would be the ‘go to’ shoe for those special events and opens throughout the calendar year.
PUT YOUR BEST
FOOT FORWARD
The choice of golf shoe has never been more varied... we’ve taken a bit of the leg work out for you and reviewed some of the latest shoes that are functional, fashionable and fit to hit the fairways!
SNUG & COMFORTABLE NATURAL MOTION MEETS WATERPROOF BREATHABILITY IN ECCO® GOLF BIOM® COOL PRO Danish golf footwear pioneers, ECCO GOLF, have combined two highly innovative technologies to produce new levels of performance with ECCO BIOM® COOL PRO. ECCO BIOM® COOL PRO provides excellence through fusion to create a totally unique performance hybrid golf shoe that leverages the proven benefits of the BIOM® and GORE-TEX® SURROUND® technology platforms to facilitate supreme, 360° breathable comfort round after round. Built on ECCO’s exclusive BIOM® NATURAL MOTION last to provide an anatomical fit supporting the natural form of your foot, BIOM® COOL PRO has a low-to-the-ground sole structure for excellent ground responsiveness. RRP £210 golf.ecco.com
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What we thought...With a snug comfortable fit and feel, this shoe gives the ultimate confidence to swing hard at the ball while retaining a very solid contact with the ground. I have used golf shoes in the past that are a struggle to put on your feet – ECCO shoes go on like a slipper and in my opinion the guys at ECCO are the masters in the footwear category.
SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE
SHOE REVIEW
SPIKELESS PERFORMANCE The RIFE RF-02 Blade Spikeless shoe combines performance on the golf course and casual styling that is at home on the high street. The shoe features a spikeless outsole that provides multidirection grip and control for stability throughout the golf swing, a high-density micro PU upper for long-lasting durability and 100% waterproof protection from the elements. A low profile phylon midsole for high-rebound cushioning and stability plus a specifically moulded EVA insole for maximum walking comfort make the transition from the course to the clubhouse seamless. RRP ÂŁ64.99 www.rifegolf.com
What we thought... The Rife range are new to the market and I am impressed with the quality of shoe for the price range it falls within. A very comfortable shoe that does what it says on the tin. Good looking on and off the course and functional. The multi directional spikeless outsole provides confidence and stability while swinging.
THE LITHIUM SPECIALISTS
topcaddy@btconnect.com | topcaddy.co.uk | 01236879815
SURREY GOLF MAGAZINE
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COMPETITION
WIN A ZOOM FOCUS X From the same stable as Europe’s #1 push cart brand BIG MAX, new Laser Rangefinder brand ZOOM is introducing its first model – the Focus X. Packed with premium features it’s a match for the very best models on the market, and with a price that puts it firmly in the ‘affordable’ bracket, this innovative addition to the established DMD market is set to make waves on its introduction this spring. Using premium optics, the Focus X has six times magnification, 600m range and continuous flagpole scanning mode to make picking up a target quick and simple. Distances, that can be displayed in metres or yards, are accurate to +/0.5m and are shown in a clear, easy to read format making the Focus X
incredibly easy to use. In addition, the eyepiece of the unit is adjustable, bringing the view into focus for a wide variance of eyesight making it perfect for people wearing glasses. The Focus X further adds to its list of premium features with a Slope adjusted distance option that measures distances adjusted to compensate for the elevation of the target. In addition to the long list of premium features, the pocket size Focus X is a stylish, lightweight design that looks fantastic in either white or charcoal and comes with a robust carry case to keep the unit safe and accessible when not in use. www.zoomgolfproducts.com
To be in with a chance to WIN this fantastic Laser Rangefinder Email your contact details to zoom@surreygolfmag.com Closing date is June 30th 2020. Only one entry per person per competition. Winners will be picked at random. Visit website for full terms and conditions – www.surreygolfmag.com
GOLF CONCIERGE As individual as you
Sablier Golf is a unique and exclusive golf concierge service, offering bespoke golf experiences and tours to golf enthusiasts. We pride ourselves on offering world-class service from star t to finish. Time is our biggest luxury and by letting us take the stress and time out of organising a unique golf tour or holiday you will have time to focus on what’s impor tant – playing golf. Email: info@sabliergolf.co.uk | Tel: 01453 498042 © 2020 Sablier Golf Ltd, 14a Wortley Rd, Wotton-Under-Edge GL12 7JU
Unique Golf Experiences Tailor-made for you
An enriched lifestyle starts at
CHARTERS VILLAGE East Grinstead, West Sussex
G R A DW E L L PA R K South Chailey, East Sussex
ELMBRIDGE VILLAGE Cranleigh, Surrey Being part of a community is what retirement living is all about. At our villages we’ve created a community with an emphasis on living your best life, however you choose. Enjoy all that’s on offer, including; • Stunning communal facilities, including a restaurant and bar • Resident led social activities and interest clubs • Beautifully appointed 1 & 2 bedroom homes for sale and rent Place yourself perfectly for retirement living, call our friendly team on 01372 383950. www.retirementvillages.co.uk facebook.com/retirementvillages
COUNTY COURSE
SM
ART E DIS R TA
NC E
EXCEPTIONAL FORGIVENESS AND HIGHER LAUNCH
OUR LONGEST IRON. SO FAR. Highly-flexible, maraging steel face with metal-wood style design elevates ball speed and max height for more distance and stopping power.
SLEEK LOOK
A SMARTER WAY TO PLAY YOUR BEST.
90-DAY FREE TRIAL
Stealth, hydropearl chrome finish improves performance from rough and wet conditions.
The new G710 irons are custom built with Arccos Caddie Smart Sensors. You’re entitled to 8 sensors at no cost and a free trial to the award-winning Arccos Caddie platform.
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