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AN UNEASY RYDER THE aftermath of Europe’s 2014 Ryder Cup victory at Gleneagles has rumbled on with public spats, criticisms and even the departure of America’s most senior golfing official.
The aftermath: U.S. golf chief quits
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Ho hum, it’s just another ace for Guy THE elusive hole-in-one shot is sought by many and attained by few, but Guy Rayson has just achieved the feat for the 15th time.
A tweet which called Ian Poulter ‘a little girl’ led to an exchange which prompted PGA of America president Ted Bishop to resign.
He has already achieved the landmark this year, which means he will be rewarded with a second limited-edition BOSS watch to recognise the achievement.
Bishop was responding to Poulter’s criticism of the Ryder Cup captaincy of Nick Faldo and Tom Watson in the Englishman’s new book, No Limits. Comparing Faldo’s superior Major and Ryder Cup record with Poulter’s, Bishop tweeted: ‘Faldo’s record stands by itself. Six majors and all-time RC points. Yours vs. His? Lil Girl.’ The PGA confirmed Bishop’s early exit from his post and apologised for his ‘unacceptable and insensitive, genderbased statements‘. PGA of America vice president Derek Sprague was appointed interim president and said: ‘Members of the PGA of America must uphold the highest standards and values of the profession, as well as the manner in which we conduct ourselves at all times.
‘We apologise to any individual or group that felt diminished, in any way, by this unacceptable incident.’ Bishop himself said: ‘I want to apologise to Ian Poulter and anyone else that I might have offended with my remarks. • U.S. ‘FIX IT’ TASK FORCE
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Ted Bishop: Resigned after calling Ian Poulter ‘Lil Girl’
Ian Poulter: ’That’s pretty shocking’
‘I have great remorse that my comments contained the words ‘little girl’ because I have always been a great advocate for girls and women in golf. In my 37-year career in golf, I have worked with many women to grow the sport and I have been a champion for inclusion and equal rights for women in golf.’
many positive gains being made among golf’s leading organisations, there is simply no room nor willingness, to take a step backwards.’
In a separate post on his Facebook page, Bishop added: ‘Sounds like a little school girl squealing during recess. C’MON MAN!’
Poulter said: ‘Is being called a ‘lil girl’ meant to be derogatory or a put down? That’s pretty shocking and disappointing, especially coming from the leader of the PGA of America.’
Bishop described these postings as ‘a classic example of poor use of social media on my part.’
Bishop chose 65-year-old Tom Watson as the 2014 US Ryder Cup captain and Poulter said in his book that baffled him: ‘It gave us (the European team) a real boost. I found it utterly bizarre.’
The Ladies Professional Golf Association praised the PGA’s dismissal of Bishop. It said in a statement: ‘This quick and decisive action sent a strong message reinforcing a consistent belief that with so
‘By the end of the second day,’ Poulter wrote in his book, ‘we have a 10-6 lead. Ecstatic as we are, quite a few of us are surprised by Watson’s decision making during Saturday’s play.’
• POULTER RAPS FALDO
• WATSON’S ODD DECISIONS
• See Page 28
Six-handicapper Guy, 56, scored his latest ace with a five-iron on the 173yard, par-three seventh at his club, Melton Mowbray. He has aced every par three at the club both on the original course and its extended 18-hole version. He has held membership since 1970 at the age of 12, and secured his first hole in one two years later - the ball was mounted on a wooden stand which is still in existence. Guy said: ‘Obviously if you hit the correct club, are reasonably accurate, have played for 40-plus years, and have played thousands of par-threes - as I have - then you improve your chances.
But clearly there is an element of luck.’ • 408-yard hole in one: See Page 32.
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SEE YOU IN COURT McIlroy skips golf to prepare next step in big legal wrangle
This was Pace’s third victory from three play-offs on the LET.
The world number one said he had withdrawn from the BMW Masters and the WGC-HSBC Championship to make time to prepare for the court trial.
Playing in front of a home crowd, the 33year-old from Mossel Bay birdied the 18th in a final round of five-under-par 67 to set the clubhouse target. She then waited before Clyburn, playing in the last group, sealed her round of 70 to tie at five-under-par.
McIlroy is suing Dublin-based Horizon Sports Management and two other companies in a case understood to involve a multimillion Euro disagreement over fees.
The Commercial Court in Dublin heard that efforts to resolve the matter through mediation had not been successful - which means the case will go to a full hearing during 2015. McIlroy’s legal team is claiming that he was given ‘markedly inferior’ conditions, such as being charged higher commission on off-course earnings compared to Horizon client Graeme McDowell - a long-term friend of McIlroy - despite assurances they would get similar terms. It also alleged McDowell was a shareholder in Horizon, an ‘extraordinary’ matter. McIlroy’s lawyers say he has no issue with McDowell himself.
Martin is the new R&A chief
Rory McIlroy: ‘I was inexperienced when I signed’
An agreement was signed by McIlroy when he was 22, when he claims he was inexperienced and without independent legal advice. The agreement allegedly resulted in him paying more than $6.8m which he claims was based on unreasonable fee rates ‘many times greater’ than standard. Horizon are counter-suing, saying McIlroy has already earned $70m, and will earn another $70m from contracts negotiated on his behalf. It denies that there were any assurances he would be on the same deal as McDowell.
Mr Slumbers, above, also becomes secretary of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, which recently voted to accept women members for the first time in its 260-year history. The 54-yearold has spent much of his career in finance but plays off a handicap of two at his local club in Surrey. ‘Golf has always been close to my heart, and I am very much looking forward to living and working in St Andrews,’ he said. The R&A was set up as the business arm of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club in 2004 and organises The Open Championship, as well as jointly governing world golf with the United States Golf Association.
On the second play-off hole, Clyburn took six to get down, whereas from 94 yards, Pace used her 52 degree wedge to hit her ball three feet from the hole.
Daisy wins a thriller
A slam dunk for Martin Kaymer MARTIN Kaymer outgunned a lot of other big guns as he birdied the first sudden-death hole to pip Bubba Watson to the Grand Slam of Golf title in Bermuda.
MARTIN Slumbers is the new R&A chief executive, succeeding the retiring Peter Dawson.
Play-off queen strikes again LEE-Anne Pace birdied the second extra hole in a sudden death play-off against Holly Clyburn to claim her ninth Ladies European Tour victory in the Cell C South African Women’s Open in KwaZulu-Natal.
RORY McIlroy has missed two big tour events as a legal dispute over fees with his former agent became deadlocked.
‘Markedly inferior’
LADIES ROUND-UP
The U.S. Open champion sank a seven-foot putt in the play-off while Watson missed from close range on the 18th. Both men finished their rounds on six under, despite Watson having held a two-shot advantage as he stood on the 17th tee. Rory McIlroy hit five bogeys and doublebogeyed the par-three 13th to finish on a disappointing two over par, while Jim Furyk finished on three over. The annual 36-hole event features each year’s four Major champions, with Furyk invited because of Northern Ireland star Kaymer held a two-shot lead over Watson following the first round after carding a sixunder-par round of 65. The German hit four
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Left: Martin Kaymer: Birdied first sudden-death hole Right: Bubba Watson: Blew a two-shot lead at the 17th
birdies and four bogeys in a level-par second round before holding his nerve in the play-off. Masters champion Watson hit a run of birdies on the 14th, 15th and 16th holes to take a two-shot lead, but a wayward tee shot at the next hole scuppered his chances as he dropped a shot on the parfive 17th. Kaymer birded the same hole and both players parred the last to force the play-off. Two neat approach shots to the 18th green set up a putting contest on the first play-off hole - with Watson unable to follow in Kaymer’s birdie, missing his attempt from five feet.
DAISY Nielsen of Denmark and France’s Melodie Bourdy produced a thrilling and tense end to the season’s LET Access Series at Stoke by Nayland Hotel Golf & Spa. Both girls ended the 54-hole WPGA International Challenge level on sevenunder-par. Cue a sudden-death play-off at the par three 18th in front of a packed gallery. Nielsen, above, held her nerve and holed an eight foot putt for a tournamentwinning birdie and claim the €4,871 winner’s cheque. It represented the biggest prize of her short career - but an even bigger one was the coveted Tour card courtesy of finishing third in the Order of Merit.
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EVENTS
Another trophy for Clyburn ENGLAND international India Clyburn added the 2014 Telegraph BMW Junior Championship girls’ title to her growing list of honours at Quinta do Lago in Portugal.
Graeme vows to put an end to the head-banging GRAEME McDowell has decided to stop beating himself up. The 35-year-old has acknowledged that mentally he had almost given up when standing on the tee alongside the likes of Rory McIlroy and watching him launch the ball 350 yards.
‘I have definitely been getting sucked in playing with these big hitters and beating myself up about it,’ he says. ‘Playing with Rory, Henrik Stenson and Dustin Johnson, I’ve been thinking “Wow, I can’t compete”.’ Cly: India Clyburn
Lopes: Vitor Lopes
The 17-year-old has been in scintillating form this summer and led from the front to add the prestigious title to the English Amateur Girls Championship and Royal Birkdale Scratch Trophy she won earlier in the season. Meanwhile, the boys’ event featured an impressive performance from Portugal’s number one teenager Vitor Lopes, who produced sub-par rounds of 70 and two 68s to win the title by four shots from Cheshire’s Rhys Nevin-Wharton with Worcestershire star Oliver Farrell back in third. Clyburn and Vitor Lopes, winner of the boys’ title, will now play in next year’s BMW Championship Pro-Am at Wentworth, an initiative first revealed by Paul McGinley at last year’s finals.
Marcel again GERMANY’S Marcel Siem won his fourth European title with a play-off victory over Alexander Levy and Ross Fisher at the BMW Masters in Shanghai. Levy was four strokes ahead at 22-under overnight but had six bogeys and a double bogey in a round of 78. Siem missed a sixfoot putt to win the title at the 18th but returned to the hole in the play-off and chipped in from the fringe grass for a birdie. Ryder Cup stars Justin Rose and Jamie Donaldson shared fourth, one shot back.
Mikko’s match FINLAND’S Mikko Ilonen beat world number five Henrik Stenson 3&1 to win the World Match Play at the London Club in Kent. Ilonen, the world number 52, carded four birdies in a bogey-free round to seal the biggest win of his career. Stenson, three down after 12, birdied 13, only for Ilonen to hole a 12-footer to go three up with four to play. The Swedish Ryder Cup player pulled one back but was unable to do any more as Ilonen sealed it on the 17th.
But a sterling Ryder Cup performance, when he responded to captain Paul McGinley’s offer of the honour of leading the team out in the singles, has helped convince him that his personal team, caddie Ken Comboy and coach Peter Cowan, were right when they tried to convince him to concentrate on his own strengths.
‘It did take me aback,’ McDowell told the Daily Mail’s Derek Lawrenson. ‘Paul said I want you to lead us because you’re a battler and a fighter and I thought, “Oh yeah, I’m a battler and a fighter”. I’d forgotten that about myself. I thought I was just a guy who hit it 275 yards from the tee and could only compete on short courses.’ If he could not match others in the bigdog department, McDowell had to focus on what he has, rather than what he does not have.
‘I’d forgotten I had a lot of other qualities that made me the player I was. I guess that‘s why we pay these fortunes to sports psychologists to get these thoughts out of our heads.
The Daily Mail’s Derek Lawrenson wrote: ‘The chances of one sport completing a clean sweep are slim indeed, but let’s put the case for golf breaking the mould.’ Lawrenson first argued the case for Team of the Year: ’Did anyone put in a performance that came close to Europe’s steamrollering of the Americans in the Ryder Cup at Glkeneagles? Europe’s team delivered to a man to trigger a postmortem in America that still rages.’
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O’Grady leaving top Tour job THE European Tour is looking for a new chief executive. George O’Grady, who has been with the Tour for over 40 years, is stepping down but will remain in position until his successor is found. The 65-year-old has led the Tour, which runs the three leading men’s professional golf circuits in Europe, since 2005.
Graeme McDowell: Says he almost gave up in the company of big hitters
‘So I’m using this end-of-season run to refocus for next year and really commit myself to the game again.’ Signs of McDowell’s rediscovered confidence were obvious in the World Golf Championship-HSBC event when he led from the first round, and finished just one shot off a place in the play-off won by Bubba Watson.
‘I lost focus for the last year for all the right reasons, with getting married and having our first child. They are special times in the life of anyone,’ he said.‘But not that’s all stabilised, and I realise how lucky I am to be playing out here. I’m in the prime of my career and I want to give the next five to eight years absolutely everything I have.’
CAN GOLF SWEEP THE BBC SPORTS AWARDS? A LEADING correspondent has argued the case for golf achieving a ‘triple crown’ by winning all the categories in this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards.
NEWS
Coach of the Year? ’Surely it has to be Paul McGinley. For two years, the Irishman poured everything he had into the role of Europe’s captain. Never mind not leaving any stones unturned; McGinley never left any grains of sand unturned.’ And on the main award, Sports Personality of the Year, to be decided by viewers on December 14 (Only two golfers have won it - Dai Rees in 1957 and Sir Nick Faldo in 1989):
‘It would damage the credibility of the award if Rory McIlroy didn’t win it. He has put together the greatest season in the history of European golf.’
Mr O’Grady will take up a presidential role to represent the Tour through the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. He was instrumental in helping golf be for the first time in 112 years, and has also been in charge during significant growth of The Ryder Cup.
Biking booster JOHN Andrew, owner of Direct Golf and Bike-Shed.com, has raised more than £2,500 for Cancer Research and the Seve Ballesteros Foundation, thanks to his successful 110-mile charity bike to The Open Championship in July. Andrew was accompanied on the challenging two-day journey from his Huddersfield headquarters to Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Hoylake, by Direct Golf managing director Neil Bell and stock controller Jonathan Brown. Andrew, a Class AA-qualified PGA professional, said: ‘The Seve Ballesteros Foundation and Cancer Research are charities that are very close to my heart. I’m thrilled we have managed to raise these valuable funds for them, while combining two of my big passions: golf and cycling.’
Rap for Reed AMERICAN Patrick Reed is set to be punished for foul and homophobic language on the opening day of the WGC-HSBC Champions tournament in Sheshan. Ryder Cup player Reed, 24, shot a 71 but was heard on TV swearing at himself after missing a putt on the first hole. The PGA Tour said it would ‘deal with this matter internally’.
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Prince's - 4th hole The Dunes Princes GC
7th of Royal St George's
GOLF IN KENT GARDEN of ENGLAND
Royal Cinque Ports
Visit Kent unveiled its exciting new ‘Golf in Kent’ initiative at Princes Golf Club in October, with the aim of targeting and enticing golfers and tourists, to the County of Kent. For any golfer this region is always on the must visit Edited by list, to enjoy the marvellous and very special Michael Rees golf courses throughout the Garden of England. Kent has always been at the forefront as a wonderful golfing destination; with internationally recognised links courses including Open Championship venues Prince‘s Golf Club, Royal Cinque Ports and Royal St. George’s Golf Club, known more affectionately as Sandwich. Only fourteen clubs have had the honour of hosting The Open, and Kent has three of them. These have also been the most southerly of the links chosen to host the first and still the number one championship in the golfing calendar. Kent can offer not only links golf at its finest, but a wide variety of courses to satisfy the most discerning players. Kent has around 100 courses to challenge the ability plus the additional enjoyment of the various sights and sounds of the County of Kent. Selecting venues for golfing holidays and days out, has moved forward tremendously over the last few years with so many innovative ways to arrange golf tourism. More and more golfers have found it beneficial to make the initial choice and then leave the experts to arrange the final details and confirm the bookings. The people with the skill and knowledge to be your golfing guide, insuring the best value, convenient tee times and most important of all, the best golf available all the year round. The ‘Garden of England’ has a golfing pedigree that goes back well over one hundred years and a trio of Open Championships venues, plus many other traditional links layouts, as well parkland, cliff top and downland courses that make it one of England’s most attractive and diverse golfing destinations, succinctly put by Cheryl Parker, Head of Development Partnership & funding at Visit Kent.
Canterbury Cathedral & Spire
The Open Championship has been held in Kent no less than 17 times since the 1890’s when both JH Taylor and Harry Vardon were crowned Champion Golfers. Jersey born Vardon clearly enjoyed the links at Sandwich as he returned to win the fifth of his six successes there in 1911. Some of the world’s best players have achieved greatness in Kent; Sir Henry Cotton excelled in 1934 winning and shooting the never to be forgotten 65 in the second round. Shortly after the Championship, the Dunlop Golf Company issued the famous Dunlop 65 ball in his honour. In addition to these famous Britons, the honours list also includes Bobby Locke, Sandy Lyle, and Greg Norman. The win by Bobby Locke in 1949 was the most poignant for the Irish, for Harry Bradshaw’s ball ended up in a broken beer bottle. He did not realise he could get relief and played the ball, the dropped shot resulted in a tied finish, which Locke comfortably won. The most recent winner at Royal St. George’s in 2011 was Darren Clarke from Northern Ireland, who not surprisingly rates the links at Sandwich as the finest in England. A number of great players from the USA were also successful at Royal St George’s, taking the Claret Jug back across the Atlantic to America. In 1922 the dashing Walter Hagen; the first home - born American came to win, a victory The Haig repeated in 1928. The diminutive Italian Eugenio Saraceni better known throughout the golfing world as Gene Sarazen; said he changed his name to make
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London Golf Club, 8th hole of The International
Chart Hills Bunkers on 16th
him sound more like a golfer! Gene invented the modern sand wedge and when he came to Prince’s in 1932, he gave the club its debut after keeping it secret during his practice rounds. He used it to great effect, leading after every round to break the record and take the Championship. Visitors to the course must remember to see the sand wedge and spoon which are on display, which were generously donated by “The Squire” to Prince’s Golf Club. Inland Kent has two of England’s newest golf courses which have rapidly gained recognition as excellent and challenging venues. Chart Hills at Tenterden, designed by Sir Nick Faldo, and the London Golf Club’s two eighteen hole courses bear the classic hallmarks of their designer Jack Nicklaus. Many of the world’s top professionals competed in the 50th staging of the Volvo World Match Play Championship hosted at The London Golf Club in October this year; the event was won by Mikko Ilonen. There is a wide variety of courses set in the glorious Kent countryside, many of which are a little less intimidating than the championship links, these can be enjoyed by golfers of all levels of ability, especially families wishing to play together, typical examples of these can be found in the Pentland Courses of Boughton and Etchinghill, and Lullingstone Park near Sevenoaks. A little investigative work or an enquiry to visit Kent will yield numerous options, with over one hundred courses to choose from.
Complementing the golf, The County provides a range of quality accommodation from boutique hotels to coaching inns that are perfect for travelling golfers. Kent has a plethora of historical attractions, from cathedrals to castles; especially Leeds Castle only a few miles from Maidstone, and Dover Castle overlooking the Channel Port. Canterbury Cathedral, steeped in the history of the English monarchy, St Augustine’s Abbey with its beautiful gateway, the Huguenot weavers houses and the city walls, all make the drive to the city well worth while. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the most visited cities in the country, with ample justification. Kent’s golf courses are all conveniently located within easy reach of London and its international airports, effortlessly accessed from Europe via the Eurotunnel, Eurostar and the port of Dover and well served by a good motorway and road network. Log on to the website www.golfinkent.co.uk to arrange weekend and longer trips from two to six days which can easily be arranged. Bespoke packages are available and can be tailored to suit individual requirements. Helen Heady; the Project Director, driving this initiative; summed up the situation perfectly, when she said at the launch of the new initiative that: “The County of Kent really is a golfing paradise”.
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92% Of Golfers Are Buying Golf Clubs They Don’t Need… Does that Include You? This month, I'll mostly be discussing a common miss held assumption. How much money have you spent on golf clubs since you started playing? How many strokes have you actually shaved off your game…honestly? It’s a fact that most of us see little to no improvement from simply purchasing new clubs off the rack…many of us actually get worse. In a recent US poll it showed that golfers estimated spending over $500 a year on golf equipment. What applies in the US can definitely be transcribed over to the UK. Which means some of you reading this article have already spent over £5,000 on equipment not fit for your game…actually 92% of you have! The vast majority of golfers read the national golf magazines; Today’s Golfer, Golf Monthly etc and read about the importance of fitting. The big club companies are trying pass on this message…well they say they are…but they have serious limitations to their abilities to offer you truly custom fit golf clubs. If you go to a golf retail store you get a few minutes with a young lad who has been trained to sell a full set of clubs to each and every customer. You hit a few golf balls into a net, he measures your wrist to floor distance and might measure your grip size. It's gripped, it's sorted and hey presto, he comes up with the magic phrase “Suit you, sir!” and you now have a custom fitted set of clubs – I don’t think so. Some places you go to including some professional shops have a fitting cart from a couple of major brand companies like Ping and Callaway. Which is nice but still way off of what you should be doing if you really want to stop buying clubs you don’t need and start buying clubs that actually work. This system still does not gather all the information needed to obtain information needed to perform a worthwhile custom-fitting. Think about men’s suits for a second…generally the more you spend the more customization you get. If you bought a suit today and it cost you £1000…you would fully expect to get a suit tailored for that price…for that price you would even expect that tailor to have the suit fitting you like a glove before you walked out of that store. So…tell me why then when you spend £1000 for off the rack golf clubs do you literally take them right from the rack to the golf course without expecting any level of customization from the salesman? Stores simply can’t afford to pay these so-called “fitting specialist” a high enough wage to entice qualified professionals to fill their positions. Not
only do you definitely need a decent golfer in this position but also one who is well trained in the newest fitting technologies. And with the millions of head, shaft, grip, flex, loft, lie, weight, spin and launch angle combinations there are in a golf club today, these stores do not have the space or ability to offer you the ultimate choice. As an example using the big name companies, say you like the head of the Ping driver but the feel of the Callaway shaft. Can you have that? Not a chance. As a custom club fitter and maker I am not restricted to certain combinations. Golfers sadly get seduced by the glossy magazines claiming that they can improve their game by buying the next biggest thing or the coolest looking club on a commercial that all the popular golf magazines and golf forums are hyping up. How much of a difference can a TRUE custom fitting make you ask? Well put it this way every single golf pro on tour has custom fitted and custom made golf equipment. Now I have written many times on the all the reasons why you should be custom fit…but isn’t that enough incentive for you already. I mean think about it…do you think a pro would ever just go to a store and buy a club off the wall or snag a deal off EBAY and tee off with it at the Masters? Well maybe…but not if he had any plans of winning he wouldn’t. So why do we?
handicap has not changed – in many cases it has even gone up. Some of you are thinking “well you are right for the most part…but I feel like the driver I have now is better then any I have ever owned.” And you might be right…but…even if that is true, the chances of it being the optimal driver for you are slim. That’s because all that has to be wrong is one of the following variables: Club Head Style, Shaft Flex, Shaft Length, Shaft Flex, Clubhead Lie, Loft, Grip Size, etc. If even one of these is off it could be killing your game. And we are not talking yards, we’re talking strokes. All it takes is a couple drives a few yards further in the woods, one or two wedge shots that sail over the green, a pitching wedge you had to choke down on because you don’t own a Gap Wedge and your talking 5-6 strokes easy…every round. All because you believe the magazines and do not get a properly fit set of
equipment. So before making an investment on another club think do you want to follow the 92% crowd or do you want the same advantages as the professionals. Even better than that, I hope you seriously consider going to a professional clubmaker to get fit for a set and join the 8% club! For more information or to receive the benefits listed above, contact David numbers below, to arrange an appointment. A copy of this and my previous articles for Doyle’s Dilemmas can be found online at http://www.servicetogolf.com/ doylesdilemmas.asp. Should you have any questions on this or any equipment matter please feel free to call me at 01256 322007 or 0785990055 Alternatively, email me directly at dave@madetomeasuregolf.co.uk or visit my web site at www.madetomeasuregolf.co.uk
Today’s fitting and the future of fitting will be about crunching numbers and putting the best combination of numbers together that will improve every aspect of your game. A poll in the US polled over 25,000 golfers that did nothing more then get custom fit and they saw their handicaps drop by an average of 5-7 strokes! And this didn’t take hours on the range or cost thousands in golf lessons…all they did was get a professional custom fitting. Everything from distance to accuracy to consistency to your overall confidence will improve with today’s fitting technologies. So get rid of those lessons for now…because without the right gear first…all you’re doing is creating bad habits that will need fixing later. Golf is hard enough…don’t make it harder then it needs to be by using the wrong equipment. Without properly fits clubs, no golfer will ever reach his optimal performance level in this game. For the most part golfers have similar problems with their equipment that needs fixing. But most of us try to solve that problem in the wrong manner. We tend to think that if something new comes out…then it will magically fix our swing. And the higher the price tag on the equipment…the better our swing will be. But many drivers and several years later we still find our game has not improved, the
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WHATS HOT OR NOT
Hampshire Ladies Golf
in the World of Ladies Golf ROMSEY WINNERS OF Your Monthly Blog by Claire Kane THE STONEHAM CUP MARKING YOUR CARD
Romsey Golf Club, Stoneham Cup Winners 2014
They say the most important wood in your bag is your pencil, yet personally, every pencil I’ve ever owned seems to morph into a blunt, stubby instrument. What’s more I’ve yet to find a decent pencil sharper that doesn’t shave off thick chunks of wood to uncover yet another section of broken lead.
rack their brains on the first tee wondering if they’ve entered the first stages of dementia.
You’d think in today’s high tech world we’d be using something more sophisticated than a slither of tree, a barrel of lead and a grubby little rubber stuck on the end which turns your card into a smudged, charcoal etching.
FEISS (Fried Egg In Soft Sand)
The average card may only be 6” by 4” but you have to be a competitive golfer to understand the many pitfalls you can fall down and how picky some handicap secretaries can be. Many an card has been disqualified because the handicap has been forgotten (despite official handicaps being held on the competition database), or someone’s numeracy skill was a bit dodgy on the day, let alone making the fundamental mistake of putting the card in the wrong box which is what I once did. One of the first steps is to note down the name of the competition, usually a combination of past members trophies, or a strange name such as a ‘bogey’ or ‘Gonne Quiche’– thankfully you don’t get penalised for spelling mistakes. Even the simple task of remembering what the date is can cause total confusion as fellow players frantically
I often feel the score card simply doesn’t reflect the sheer effort, pain and bad luck endured during the round so wouldn’t it be fun to include the odd comment or acronym to explain a horrendous score:
BRIDASOC (Ball Rolled Into Divot And Shot Off Club) BRISB (Ball Rolled Into Steep Bunker) GRIPP (Greenkeepers Revenge Impossible Pin Position) WAIR (Wind Assisted Into Rough) EBB (Extremely Bad Bounce) SPER (Slow Play Effected Rhythm) MAL (Must Arrange Lessons) After 18 holes in the winter months, my card usually looks pretty beaten up, so I pity the poor soul who has to decipher and double check my scrawling figures so I feel sure a few light-hearted comments would make their day.
100 years ago the ladies of Stoneham GC presented a trophy to Hampshire Ladies’ County Golf Association to be played for by Hampshire golf clubs. It was named the Stoneham Cup, and Stoneham were the first winners (at Hayling). It was therefore fitting for the finals day of the 2014 competition to be held at Stoneham GC. Stoneham had been knocked out at the quarter final stage and so there was not to be a special 100th anniversary for them, but as expected the club and everyone associated with it ensured that the 2014 Finals Day was extra special. Three of the four teams who arrived to play the morning’s semi-final matches had been here last year. Waterlooville were aiming to retain the trophy they had won for the first time in 2013, while Romsey and Weybrook Park were looking to take the top prize this time around. Lee-on-the-Solent had plans to surprise them all! It’s a long route to finals day requiring clubs to have a good squad of players all able to play consistently good golf. So, it’s a terrific achievement to get to finals day. Romsey started the day well, determined to get to the final again and go one better than last year. Despite that the first result went Weybrook’s way but the Romsey wins started to come in and after they
went 4 up the final match was called in and Romsey got ready for the final. The Waterlooville/Lee match took a lot longer to resolve. They stood at 3 all for a long time, waiting for the final match which eventually made its way up the 18th fairway with Waterlooville 1 up. Lee conceded when it became apparent that they couldn’t win the hole to go down the 19th and Waterlooville were through to the final again. Romsey set off with steely determination and at one point they were up in all seven matches. However Waterlooville didn’t let them get their own way all the time and several matches alternated between the two clubs. First win was to Romsey’s Jan Crook in the third match. Minutes later they were 2 up when Sara Barnes beat Helen Pinhorn and then Julie Cole beat Kerry Smith to put Romsey 3 up. The spectators moved across the course to watch match 6 as Romsey’s Geraldine Pringle was playing beautifully and was dormie after 13 holes. When she sunk her putt on 14 she had won her match and Romsey had won the Stoneham Cup. The good news went round the course and the remaining matches (all very close) came in. Well done Romsey, you were a delight to watch and are well deserved winners of the 2014 Stoneham Cup.
Meanwhile, let’s hope a clever soul invents a gadget so we can easily enter our scores electronically on the course and then simply hit ‘upload’ as we walk off the 18th © of Claire Kane Follow my tales on twitter @golfsnippets
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Waterlooville GC, Stoneham Cup Runners-up 2014
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS AND OTHER COMPETITIONS AND HAMPSHIRE GOLF FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS SEE OUR WEBSITE WWW.HAMPSHIRELADIESGOLF.CO.UK
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Play Golf at SHANKLIN & SANDOWN
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The Burley Golf Club ‘in the heart of the New Forest’
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For further information, please contact us or visit our website - www.ssgolfclub.com SHANKLIN & SANDOWN GOLF CLUB The Fairway, Sandown, Isle of Wight, PO36 9PR Telephone: (01983) 403217 (option 2) Email: club@ssgolfclub.com Quote Ref: TT2014
WINTER WARMERS
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Weekdays: £23 per person Bacon roll & coffee plus 18 holes JOIN IN DECEMBER 2014 for ONLY £275 (Full Membership) NOTHING more to pay until 01/04/2015 Picturesque course with fast and true greens Free reciprocal golf at 11 other clubs Warm, family friendly clubhouse with first class catering Telephone or email assistantsecretary@burleygolfclub.co.uk Tel. 01425 402431 www.burleygolfclub.co.uk Cott Lane, Burley, nr. Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 4BB
WINTER GOLF DAY PACKAGE * Coffee & Bacon Roll on Arrival * Whisky shot before heading out onto the course * 18 Holes, Wellington or Waterloo * Christmas Buffet / Roast Turkey * Handwarmer * 10% Discount card for a 2015 Golf Day Booking * £29.50 Mid-Week * £34.50 Weekends (10% Off Green Fee Prices, excludes food and beverage) T&C's - Available for December, January, February 2015. Sherfield Oaks Golf Club Wildmoor Lane Sherfield on Loddon Hook, Basingstoke Hampshire, RG27 0HB
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PREPARE LIKE A PRO SERIES • Master Pro British PGA • PGA of Europe 5 star Professional • European Tour and Senior Player • Ryder Cup and World Cup Player • International Coach
WINTER IS UPON US. TIME TO PERFECT YOUR SWING OFF THE COURSE. SEND ME YOUR VIDEO
Peter Dawson helps golfers, at all levels, to reach their potential. As an international coach you can trust his expert eye to build your game, knowledge and confidence. here is an old saying, “if you want to find out about someone before doing business play golf with them”. As we have said in the previous article some times you can relate to playing golf as you might arrange a new business deal.
T
Preparation! The moment we step onto the first tee we are in the lap of the Gods somewhat, but if we have prepared ourselves properly for the round golf we might just eliminate some possible mistakes. We would prepare for the round the day or evening before. Sufficient balls/tees and pencils in the bag? Check the golf shoes are in the boot, preferably clean! In my junior days I was once told by a very respected professional, the last thing you look at when at address are your shoes, dirty shoes slipshod mind! Nowadays we all seem to have electric trolleys, and many have distance finding GPS aids, these all need to be charged. These GPS aids take a great deal of guess work out of the game and though personally I think they take away some of the fun and expertise we must move with the times! The business world adopts and adapts new technology daily, the abacus is a thing of the past! With modern technology you can video your swing using your ipad/smartphone/tablet and send it on to me to analyse and return to you. This especially useful when it is impossible to find time for lesson in a busy schedule. Go to my website for more information on this. Check the weather forecast. Rain predicted then waterproofs confirmed in the bag, if it does rain then we would require a couple of towels to help dry the grips and keep the hands dry, an Umbrella. Have a plastic bag on hand so if it does rain then place your spare gloves in the bag to prevent them from getting wet. If we are due a hot spell, waterproofs can stay in the boot of the car, best there as if you put them in the garage the very next time you play you might forget and sods law it will rain! If you are a player that perspires under stress or heat have an extra glove in the bag ready to change when the one you are wearing starts to get damp. Drinks preferably water but the choice is yours. You will see nowadays the pros on the tour constantly taking sips of water, dehydration creeps up on us, concentration starts to wane and before we know it it’s too late, a couple of shots have drifted away! Nutrition, bananas are very popular fruit on the golf course due to the high potassium levels. The same can be said in the business world, concentration is needed throughout the working day, the correct food to keep up that concentration must play an important part.
Hats, peaked caps or sunglasses are also popular and an essential aid in bright sunlight.
A number of Hampshire pros have come up with a great idea of offering their members a tube of practice balls at a very low price for them to loosen up before they play.
When speaking to a young golfer about preparation and equipment I often say, if they work hard on all aspects of their golf they might become very, very good and turn professional.
If your club does not have a practice ground I imagine there are nets for you to loosen up in.
Then they will have a caddy who looks after all aspects of the equipment, until then it’s down to them!
If neither, then you may have to create your own exercise to loosen up the body ie clubs behind the back turning the shoulders as far as they will go, stretch those calf muscles and some spinal exercises also.
ou have not yet left the house but all these things need to have been considered!
Y
As you do for an important business meeting you prepare before leaving the office ie correct timing, correct route, traffic information all the back ground information relative to your meeting. Golf and meetings are similar, arrive in plenty of time take in the surroundings get your bearings absorb the atmosphere if good! Arrive at the club in time to visit the clubhouse, have a drink, chat to your partners, hit a few balls on the range.
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Correct exercises can lead to good rhythm, you should always try to maintain the same rhythm with a 5 iron as you do with a driver. It is the width of the club that gives you the power not the force you put into it! You will see your partners on a good day even with a technique not 100% if the swing is smooth and rhythmical they play can well, they have the time to adjust their swing. During my playing days when I had the opportunity to play with the likes of Faldo, Watson, Norman, Ballesteros, they all swung the club with great rhythm and width.
Like making a presentation/speech when it flows you find it easy, rushed it becomes disjointed and difficult! I think back to my days in Paris when I used to give golf demonstrations in front of approximately 100 Parisians, in their language! Daunting was not the word, some days it would just flow, often forgetting it was in a different language other days it would be a struggle, but we survived! You should always make time to loosen up before playing. When your partner turns up with a minute to spare, no practice what so ever, loses 2 or 3 balls after 6 holes and then declares “its just not my day” what did he expect! As with a meeting, you get the feel of everybody around the table, in golf it’s the first 3 holes you get to know how you are feeling both physically and mentally, once you get the feeling you can adapt your strategy. Video your swing send it to me for my comments via my website Peter Dawson - 07901 229275 www.peterdawsongolf.com
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The Oldest Golf Club in Hampshire Play our two excellent, very different Courses. The mature parkland Manor Course and the heathland Forest Course (built in 1880). Visitors and Societies welcome. Check our website for Society Winter Golf Packages and Winter Green Fees. Forest
Summer golf days for 12 people or more starting from just £18.50 for seniors (senior 62+) and £26.50 per person (adults) 1 in every 15 players goes FREE and every player will receive a Free small bucket of balls for use on the range. Call the office on 01344 302030 for availability and prices. Downshire Golf Complex Easthampstead Park, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 3DH Tel: 01344 302030 Fax: 01344 301020 Email: downshiregc@bracknell-forest.gov.uk Web: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/downshiregolf Facebook: www.facebook.com/downshiregolf
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Portugal is said to be the oldest ally of Great Britain, centuries of history tie the two nation’s together, military links and the port wine trade, and two very different facets are the most recognisable. The modern attraction is for the golf, with two very distinct regions dominating the choice of areas to visit. The Algarve along the south coast has pride of place, but the North of Portugal, stretching from Lisbon the capital right up the Duoro Valley is a wonderful alternative. Orizonte Lisbon Golf, has six eighteen hole courses south of the capital city, and is serving up a new offer for groups of golfers staying and playing in the area next year. Valid until the 31st October 2015, it means that a group of eight golfers staying for seven nights, and playing five rounds on the Orizante courses will receive a meal voucher for 160 Euros, to be used at any of the clubhouses. The list includes the two Aroeira courses, designed by Frank Pennink and Donald Steel, Quinta do Peru Golf & Country Club, and the two courses at Ribagolfe, set in the ancient oak forest and dubbed the “Valderrama of Portugal” A great offer for groups wishing to savour the best of Portuguese golf. For more information simply visit: www.orizontegolf.com .
HAVE CLUBS WILL TRAVEL
VINTAGE PORTO
Above: Duoro River & Porto. Below Left: Estela Golf Club, Below Right: Hayling Golf Club
The capital of the port wine trade is Vila Nova de Gaia and the twin town of Porto, just across the river. Gaia is the location of the cellars of all the principal wine houses, household names that every port connoisseur is familiar with: Sandeman, Taylor, Warre, Graham, Dow, Offaly, Croft and Churchill. The English connection is undoubted, born when, during the wars with France, the wine supply dried up, and Portugal became the alternative source. It produced fortified wine to protect the quality on the longer sea journey to Britain, and thereafter it remained a firm favourite for the erudite drinker, whether your preference is for Tawny or Vintage Ruby Port. The ideal way to experience the Duoro Valley is by river cruise, a fascinating and relaxing trip inland as far as the Spanish border, and a short drive to the golden city of Salamanca. A region of castles, cathedrals and monasteries, for much of the advancement in agriculture was the result of the monks who came to the region from France in medieval times. Ample time to stop and visit the many vineyards to sample the port and the wine, and a special treat if you visit Quinta de Avessida and sample the excellent Moscatel de Favaios. Navigation has only been possible in recent years thanks to the construction of five massive dams and locks, which in total raise the river levels by over 430 feet, and enable the river cruisers to complete the journey to the border. Porto is a fascinating city, linked by bridges to Gaia, it is a mass of historic buildings, vintage tram networks, a vintage tile
decorated railway station and a hilltop cathedral, plus an abundance of marvellous restaurants. It is a far cry from Hayling Golf Club to the Douro Valley, but there is a very strong link. A glance in the trophy cabinet will provide the evidence of the history of the club; the Sandeman Cup and London Scottish Cup are the clues. The Hayling club was formed in 1883 at a meeting in the home of Lt Col John Sandeman, the first Captain was Fleetwood Sandeman, and Maud Sandeman started the ladies section in 1884. The Sandeman family, famous for their port and sherries, were instrumental in the introduction of golf to Hayling. Wealth created in the north of Portugal inspired golf on the links in Hampshire.
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Their counterparts in Porto did their part too, for the fourth oldest golf club in the continent of Europe is Oporto Golf Club, opened in 1901, preceded only by Pau, Biarritz and Royal Antwerp. Oporto had been an exclusively British preserve for first thirty years of its existence, before opening up to the local population. Very much like the scenario in Great Britain in the early part of the last century. The region has several other fine courses to provide variety during your stay. Estela is a classic links located just 30 minutes from the capital, set in three miles of authentic sand dunes, with fabulous views out to the Atlantic, and enhanced by two lakes, not typical but making accuracy with the driver an essential for good scoring.
Vidago Palace was originally a nine hole course designed by Philip Mackenzie, then remodelled during the refurbishment of the hotel where it is sited, and re-opened in 2010. A parkland course with centuries old trees, and breath-taking scenery, not surprisingly it is called the jewel of the north. To add to the delights there are fine courses at Miramar, Amarante and Ponte de Lima, enough variety and quality to satisfy the harshest critic. Whether you relax on the river before or after your golf, you will enjoy a superb experience, and the welcome you will receive will make you want to book a return visit before too long. Michael Rees
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THE GADGET THAT ALLOWS GOLFER TO CARRY ON THEIR GAME AND KEEP FIT! According to the British Golf Industry Association, over 4 million people in the UK are regularly playing golf but for many a bad back, knee or hip will hinder their game from time to time and affect their fitness levels and ability to play. For golfers who are suffering, help is at hand with the Northcroft Golf’s premium Ball Pick Up and Marker (The BAMP), which allows you to carry on playing the much loved game. Endorsed by legendary golfer Sam Torrance, OBE, the BAMP is more than just a ball pickup; it allows the golfer to mark the ball and lift the marker too – all without bending, so you can carry on playing, even with a bad back. It has also been specifically designed with a removable rubber cup, which allows easy storage of the putter in the golf bag. The BAMP fits on any size putter grip and retrieves the ball by simply placing the rubber cup over the ball and applying downward pressure. It effectively and securely lifts the
ball from the green or hole so there is no need to stab at the ball. The ball lifter is also designed to clip on and roll off easily so it does not inhibit the putting stroke.
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Kevin Bailey, managing director of Northcroft Golf says, “The BAMP has been introduced to help golfers who struggle to bend perhaps as a result of back, hip or knee problems and are desperate not to have to give up the much loved game and remain fit. It can also benefit all golfers, not just those with bad backs, as it is convenient to use and speeds up the time taken on the green.” Northcroft Golf’s products are superior not only in the quality of their manufacture, but the fact they incorporate sensitive design features that enhance rather than interfere with the golfer’s game. The BAMP is priced at £10 including VAT and delivery and is available at www.northcroftgolf.com or on Amazon at Northcroft Golf@Amazon
As endorsed by Sam Torrance OBE
best A Superior device attached to the Putter handle for picking up the golf ball
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TEMPLE GOLF CLUB offers lifestyle membership for today's golfer - see page 19
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DECEMBER 2014
OLD THORNS WIN FULLERS COUNTY 7s
Beverly’s BIG Secrets – Beverly Huke Now the 2014 golf season is well and truly over, it’s time to think about doing some serious work on our golf games! he picture you see is of one of the most important positions in the full swing. It is also where you need to be in the back swing to hit great ¾ shots, pitches and bunker shots.
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Key points:1) The left arm (right for left handers) is extended and at chest height. 2) The wrists are fully hinged and opposite the centre of the torso. 3) The club shaft is at a 45 degree angle (compare it against the flag). Get into this position and get in great shape for 2015. If you want to really improve your golf swing for 2015 call me 07973 307880 or check out www.beverlyhukegolf.com England teenage internationals Marco Penge and Emma Allen received a right royal boost for their Olympic ambitions when they met the Duchess of Cambridge. They were among 30 young athletes who were invited by the charity SportsAid to attend a workshop designed to help them on their journey to the Olympic or Paralympic Games.
Emma, who plays at Meon Valley in Hampshire, added: “She was brilliant, she engaged well with everybody and was genuinely very interested.
“It was an amazing day and a great experience which will really help me with my golf.”
2015 sees the 50th County Sevens Inter Club Knockout competition, which is sponsored by Fullers.
They defeated Stoneham Golf Club in a close fought final by 4 matches to 3. Earlier in the day Old Thorns had beaten Liphook and Stoneham defeated Army in the semifinals. Old Thorns emerged victorious from the original entry of sixty-nine Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Channel Island Golf Clubs.
To celebrate this milestone it is hoped every Golf Club will enter a team. Entry forms are available from the County Office at Hockley Golf Club. www.hampshiregolf.org.uk
Royal boost for England golfers' Olympic ambitions Both golfers have ambitions to play in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and both were spurred on by yesterday’s experience. “That’s the goal,” said Emma, while Marco added: “It would be pretty cool to play for GB in the Olympics.” Both are members of England Golf U18 training squads and both receive awards from SportsAid which helps young disabled and non-disabled athletes to achieve their ambitions.
The Duchess, who is patron of SportsAid, joined them at the event which was hosted by GSK at its cutting-edge Human Performance Lab in west London. She watched as they took part in a series of scientific assessments on respiration, temperature, power, cognition and body composition – and spoke to both England golfers. Or she tried to! Emma Allen, 17, was pedalling on a bike and wearing a face mask when the Duchess started chatting with her. “She was asking if I was ok because I’d been pedalling for a long time and someone had told her I was going in the humidity chamber next. She wished me good luck – and I mumbled through my mask!”
Old Thorns Golf Club won the Fullers County Sevens Final at Lee-on-the-Solent on Sunday (19/10).
Images courtesy Nathan Gallagher/SportsAid. Above: Marco Penge, watched by the Duchess. Left: The Duchess learns about Emma's respiratory test.
The Duchess had a more successful conversation with Marco, who plays at Golf at Goodwood in Sussex (pictured top). They met as the 16-year-old ran on a treadmill in an environmental chamber set to the heat and humidity of Tokyo, which will host the Games in 2020.
“She asked me about my sport and we had a chat about my golf – I explained that you don’t really run in golf but that stamina is important at the end of a tournament,” said Marco. “We had a bit of a laugh because she said she was being cruel talking to me while I was trying to run! She was really
Golf Academy
nice, everyone had said beforehand that she was very sporty and really relaxed and that was what she was like. “It was a really good day, a good experience and I enjoyed meeting the other athletes and hearing about their goals,” said Marco. Emma was a member of the England team which won the Girls’ Home Internationals for the seventh successive year and was also in Hampshire’s winning team at County Finals. Marco helped England win the Boys' Home Internationals and was the England U15 and U16 champion in 2013. He has won the Fairhaven Trophy for the past two years.
The athletes at the workshop also had the chance to join a mentoring session with Olympic swimmer Keri-anne Payne and to meet Paralympic wheelchair athlete David Weir.
David Weir said, “It’s been a privilege to meet the athletes here today and share their achievements and challenges with the Duchess. It’s a long road to Tokyo but her support will make a big difference and with the right approach, it’s achievable. It’s exciting to think these athletes could be part of the next generation of British sporting heroes and I wish all of them the very best of luck.” For more information contact: Lyndsey Hewison - England Golf pr@englandgolf.org
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Old Thorns
Winter Warmer Tea/coffee | 18 holes | One course chef ’s special £30 midweek | £35 weekends Valid 01/11/2014 to 31/03/2015. Terms and conditions apply.
golf@oldthorns.com | 01428 725 880 | www.oldthorns.com
WINT GOLF ER FOOD & PA starti CKAGES ng fro m
£35pp
Temple Golf Club near Marlow,urth a club with over 100 years of history and an increasingly modern approach, offers a flexible Lifestyle membership for Todayʼs Golfer.
For more information please email secretary@templegolfclub.co.uk or call 01628 824795
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DECEMBER 2014
PGA AA Professional Level 2 Plane Truth Certified Instructor Level 2 TPI Professional and Junior Coach
ADAM HARNETT GOLF INSTRUCTION
his months article focuses on the full swing. More than that I want to explain how different looking swings can be equally as effective.
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We have all got that golf buddy with the weird looking swing that always seems to find the fairway. His swing looks odd, he might aim 50 yards left to allow for his slice but he seems to be able to play decent golf. The reason for this is that he has a technique, however unconventional it may seem, that is repetitive. Golf is about repetitiveness. No matter what, if we can repeat our technique we can allow for slices and hooks. No one better sums this up than the all time great English golf instructor John Jacobs who quotes:
"The sole purpose of the golf swing is to produce a correct repetitive impact. The method employed is of no significance as long as it is correct and repetitive.” We see this all the time when we watch golf on TV. Look at the variety of golf swings out there, they are not all the same but they are all correct and repetitive.
Bubba Watson
E: golfpro@worldhamgolfclub.co.uk T: 07904909973 W: Coming soon!
The Golf Swing – Its not how it looks! Correct meaning they deliver the club somewhat at the right angle to the ball, and I say somewhat as golf is not a game of perfect but make it repetitive and you will be on your way to winning golf championships.
Matt’s club rarely reaches parallel and will be approaching the ball at a much shallower angle (the airplane landing smoothly on the runway) so he can turn through the ball without pulling up like Bubba does.
Lets take a look at two modern golf swings that are completely different but have both had success at the highest level.
Which swing is better? I’ll let you decide, but let me tell you they have both won millions of dollars on the PGA TOUR.
Bubba Watson (below left), PGA TOUR player and Major Champion. See how he has extremely high hands, a huge hip turn, so much so that his lead heel is off the ground and his club is swung way past parallel. The angle that bubba swings at the ball is very downward (think of the club head as an airplane crashing towards the ground)
Bubba is the longer hitter while Matt is the straighter. Bubba will tend to win one day then miss the cut the next whereas Matt always seems to be in the top 15 of the field.
The point is that these two swings are very different but both produce correct repetitive impacts. So when you are working on your game or if you want to come along for a lesson, remember having a perfect looking swing is not important but a repetitive one is.
Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year ADAM HARNETT GOLF INSTRUCTION
He stops his “airplane’ from crashing with a huge upward pulling and lifting of his body through impact, so much so that his feet are completely off the ground when he hits. This is bubba’s way of swinging the club and he can repeat it well enough to make a very nice living. And Matt Kuchar (below right), multiple PGA TOUR Winner and the most consistent ball striker on the tour today. See how he is more bent over with his body, his arms are way behind him and lower than Bubba’s.
Matt Kuchar
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THE LECKFORD GOLF COURSE
Festive Special ‐ £23.00 (Minimum of 8 Golfers) “A unique opportunity to play this Harry Colt classic and savor the delights of the Waitrose Farm Shop”
Offer to include Coffee and Mince Pies on arrival 18 Holes of golf on the Leckford Old Course A Turkey, Stuffing and Cranberry Baguette (Delivered from the Waitrose Farm Shop) A further 9 holes of golf on the Leckford New Course (For those who wish to) (Offer valid on selected dates, Mon-Fri throughout Nov and Dec, limited availability)
For all bookings please contact Daniel Robinson on 07860 719184 Or email golf@leckfordestate.co.uk Similar packages available throughout the year, please call for further details
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DECEMBER 2014
Annual Congress and International Team Championship Heading to Glorious Gloria he 2014 PGAs of Europe Annual Congress and International Team Championship (ITC) dual-event is heading across the Mediterranean to its new home of Turkey and the stunning Belek-based Gloria Golf Resort from the 8th – 11th December.
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The Annual Congress will celebrate its 25th Anniversary this year and has traditionally been hosted in Spain and Portugal. A new three-year agreement with Gloria means the Annual Congress and ITC have a new home in one of the fastest growing golfing regions on the planet.
“We are very excited to be entering into a three-year partnership with Gloria as 'Home of the PGAs of Europe Annual Congress and International Team Championship', as well as a 'Preferred Venue of the PGAs of Europe’,” explained PGAs of Europe Chief Executive, Ian Randell. “The hosting of the Annual Congress and ITC further cement the relationship we have built up with them over the years and we are sure the comprehensive facilities at Gloria will make for a great week for both Congress delegates and ITC competitors.” with the PGA's of Europe in helping to promote golf in Turkey and in Europe in general" explained Öznur Özdemir Özaltin CEO of Gloria Hotels & Resorts.
Gloria Golf Resort has also played host to the PGAs of Europe-Sanctioned Beko Classic multiple times and the 2014 edition of the event will also take place the week before the Congress (4th - 6th December).
“On behalf of Gloria Hotels and Resorts I would like to state that it is a great pleasure to enter into a partnership with the PGAs of Europe, where we will be the host for the PGAs of Europe Annual Congress and International Team Championship. Over the years the Gloria brand has hosted several
international events, thus, this partnership will further enhance our position as one of the leading hotels and golf complex's in Europe. Over the coming years, we look forward to hosting the PGAs of Europe's members and guests and working together
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The Annual Congress is the yearly opportunity for presidents and CEOs of national PGAs, along with leaders from Federations and other significant golfing bodies from across the continent, to meet and discuss the state of play within their respective territories, as well as learn and share ideas with each other alongside
fantastic speakers from not only the world of golf but wider industries as well. The ITC will see teams from across the PGAs of Europe 36 member countries play a 72-hole strokeplay competition across Gloria’s New Course with the best two individual scores each day from the team of three counting towards the overall team score. Competitors will be looking to emulate the 2013 winners, the PGA of Holland, who took the title in last year’s event.
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S UNGOLF BELEK
* 5 T R O S E R F L O G A GLORI GOLF WEEK
(i n cl u d es 5 ro u n d s o f go lf )
Arrival Dates Feb 20th-21st 2015
7 NIGHTS ULTRA ALL-INCLUSIVE **5 rounds of golf - 3 x Gloria Old / 2 x Gloria New All tee times pre booked and confirmed for each day Airport & golf transfers included in Belek
ONLY£599pp All Inclusive Non Golfers Welcome Only £420.00pp Single room only £120pp extra / non golfers welcome Extra nights stay at Gloria Golf Resort for just £85pp (For February 20th arrivals ONLY) Flights not included but can be arranged on your behalf FREE excursion to Antalya Harbour
Terms and conditions apply / full details on request.
Tel: 0044 (0)115 9681007
BELEK
Open 9am - 7pm 6 days Email: sungolfinfo@btinternet.com www.sungolfbelek.co.uk
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DECEMBER 2014
Floodlit Golf
Gimmick novelty or really a great alternative for those who can’t play in the daytime? Email: sungolfinfo@btinternet.com Web: www.sungolfbelek.co.uk Tel: 0044 (0)115 9681007
On my recent visit to Belek Turkey, I was invited to play the Carya Golf course under floodlight conditions, something that I had wanted to experience since they were first introduced some 18 months ago. Originally just nine holes were floodlit but now all eighteen can be played under artificial lighting. We started our round at approximately five in the evening, in good daylight but we knew that only 90 minutes of normal play lay in front of us. As the light slowly diminished we entered what I can only describe as the twilight zone, a period of time where it was not dark but border line as to be able to fully track a golf ball in flight. This lasted for no more than one hole when suddenly one by one the flood lighting was switched on illuminating the whole of the golf course. Daylight along the Mediterranean coast can turn to night-time in a matter of minutes and soon the sky took on the rose pink tint that the Antalya area is famous for. Once the floodlights had reached their full intensity, which took a good two to three minutes for the allergen lamps to warm up, the whole course took on a truly magical and somewhat eerie spooky effect. The pine trees started to cast conflicting shadows where two areas of floodlight met from different directions, surprisingly it only took a few minutes for the eye to adjust to these conditions and soon I could carry on with my game without repeatedly stopping to look round in amazement. By the time the back nine was reached the sky was totally black with an array of stars which gave the floodlight experience a new dimension. It reminded me a bit of the start of a Disney film but that could be to do to the fact I was playing like Mickey Mouse and not fully concentrating on my game. The condition of the golf course must be a major consideration when undertaking a project like adding floodlights, grass needs to lie dormant and rest during the non-daylight hours. The greens can get very woolly in the evening making them slower as the round progresses. It will be interesting to see how the course stands up.
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The negatives: Getting used to following the ball in flight as it passed from one light to another and on occasion being lost for a split second before re emerging like a shooting star as the light picked it up again. Coming to terms with the distance and having faith in what the distance markers around the course are telling you, the shadows tend to make things look closer. Possibly the hardest thing to overcome is the contours of the green, on occasion I read the break from left to right but in reality there was no break. The positives: The ability to tee off from six in the morning right through till seven at night and still get a full 18 holes in. Not having to race round the last few holes before it gets dark. Playing golf in a unique environment that to my knowledge is not available anywhere else in Europe, yes I am aware of the 9 hole Dama da Noche near Marbella Spain. To sum up, bit of a gimmick, no I don’t think so, a novelty, possibly to start off with but the reality of being able to play 18 holes of golf when normally it is not possible must be a very good thing. I could easily sit on the fence or as a bit of a golf purist be anti floodlit golf, but no I come down in favour of it. Having experienced first hand the disappointment of telling my clients I can only offer them a late tee time, knowing they may struggle to play 18 holes before it gets dark. Thankfully I now have a viable option to resolve this problem. If you would like to play under the floodlights of Carya Golf please contact Sungolf Belek 0115 9681007 or go to the website www.sungolfbelek.co.uk
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DECEMBER 2014
SUNGOLF BELEK
TEE TIMES
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Alresford Golf Club
Where your golfing dreams come true!
BELEK TURKEY PLAY THE MAXX ROYAL MONTGOMERIE GOLF COURSE
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Venue of the Turkish Airlines Turkish Open Stay at THE MAXX ROYAL from ÂŁ599*
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7 nights all inclusive includes airport transfers 2 rounds Montgomerie golf *Price quoted for parts of December and January 2015 flights are not included All food and drink provided FREE at the club house and on the golf course
Please contact tel 0044 (0)115 9681007 email: sungolfinfo@btinternet.com www.sungolfbelek.co.uk Open 10am-8pm 6 days
PACKAGE 1 Coffee & Bacon Roll 18 holes of Golf ÂŁ28.75 PER PERSON
PACKAGE 2 (MONDAYS ONLY) Full English Breakfast (before golf) 18 holes of Golf ÂŁ30.00 PER PERSON
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Advanced bookings Only, minimum of 12 players for any of these packages. Monday-Friday Only. Offers valid from November 2014 – end of February 2015 Not available over Christmas and New Year periods
WET WEATHER ALREADY EFFECTING YOUR GOLF? Come and join us , or just play on the best free draining course in the area. Cheriton Road, Tichborne Down, Alresford, Hampshire SO24 0PN Tel : 01962 733746 Email:secretary@alresfordgolf.co.uk
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TEMPLE GOLF CLUB offers lifestyle membership for today's golfer - see page 19
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DECEMBER 2014
TEEING UP WITH
SOPHIE KEECH Status: Amateur Age: 18 years Height: 5’ 4” Club: Parkstone Golf Club, Dorset Average Drive: 240 yards
Q When did you first start playing golf? A I was 8 years old when my Granddad, Bill Moulton (hcp 21),
introduced me to the game. He was the Club Captain of Lyme Regis Golf Club at the time and is still a member there. Q Does anyone else in your family play? A Not really. My Mum played at club level for many years
but gave it up when I was born. She loves being involved when I’m at tournaments, and I think she’s considering taking it up again in the future.
ophie Keech from Parkstone Golf Club has been making an impact in individual golf and team events for many years - despite only just turning 18 years, and still classed as a junior.
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Her bright, bubbly personality belies a strong work ethic and a steely determination to be the world’s number one lady golfer. But with only one season away from entering the adult arena, what are Sophie’s plans for the future?
TEE TIMES ASKS THE QUESTIONS … Q What age were you when you started playing off
single figures? A I was 13 years old.
Q What is your home club? A Parkstone Golf Club. It’s an extremely pretty course, and
every one is always very friendly. Q How often do you practise? A Five days a week! But this can change depending on the
time of year and the amount of tournaments I’m involved in. On average I like to spend 2.5 hours putting and 2.5 hours chipping, but sometimes I work on my game all day - I start at 9 am, have a short break for lunch, and carry on until 4 pm.
Q Do you have regular lessons? A Yes, I’m coached by Karen Nicholls, the PGA golf
professional at Millfield School in Somerset. I have lessons with her once a fortnight. We usually work on my game from 120 yards in, unless there is something with my long game that I’m unhappy about.
number of years, so she has experience of playing at the top level, understands exactly what it’s like, and what I need to do to fulfil my ambitions. Q What would you say is the strongest part of your game? A My driving! I always have confidence in my swing, and
average 240 yards depending on the conditions. Q What is your biggest achievement to date? A I’m most proud of winning the 2013 English Girls’ Open
Golf Championship at Oake Manor in Somerset. She’s a very natural coach which suits me because I tend to go by ‘feel’ in my swing rather than anything too technical. Karen was on the professional tour for a
As a junior, this was the main competition for me and the one I strived for. I remember Hayley Davis from Dorset, who has always been my local hero, winning the tournament when I was 13 years. I’d always looked up to her, so to eventually go on to win it myself was a dream come true. Q Would you like to turn pro? A In a couple of years’ time, when I’m about 20 years, I
most definitely would like to take my golf to the next level and turn professional. My ambition in life it to be the Number One lady golfer in the world.
‘
It has been good to be able to coach someone like Sophie, who is determined to succeed, has a good work ethic and is driven on the golf course. She is a player who you know will give 110% and has a dedication towards her sport. We work well together, Sophie is a natural – she is an individual like us all and approaches her golf in the way that suits her.
’
Photos courtesy of Hattie Miles www.hattiemiles.com
Professional Coach, Karen Nicholls
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SOPHIE KEECH
‘
Sophie joined Parkstone in her mid-teens to develop her skills and use the Club’s excellent practice facilities. She loves playing competitive golf and is always smiling wherever she plays - which is amazing as her schedule is always full on. When Sophie is not playing a national tournament, she will always turn out for the Parkstone Junior team which sets such a fabulous example to so many of our youngsters. We are very proud that Sophie Keech represents Parkstone around the globe and long may that continue.
’
Gary Peddie, General Manager, Parkstone G.C.
Q Do you play with ladies' or men’s clubs? A I play with Men’s Titleist clubs. I like the look and feel of
them and they fit to my eye when I set up to hit the ball. Q Which golfing event would you love to win above
all others?
like on the pro circuit? players, I was invited by England Golf to participate in the All England Cup on the professional LET Access Tour. It was held at Stoke by Nayland in Essex last month, and although I was nervous to begin with, I enjoyed playing alongside the professionals. I played well and won the top amateur position and secured 8th position overall. It was a fantastic experience which has made me even more determined to do well next season. Q Do have a back-up plan? A Yes. I was a boarder for five years at Millfield School in
Somerset, where I recently graduated with GCSEs and a Btec Sports diploma. So, sport is definitely the direction I would go down if my professional aspirations didn’t pan out. Q Which is your favourite ‘away’ course to play? A Monte Rei Golf Course in Portugal. My Grandparents have
a villa nearby so I play there during the holidays and I love it. Obviously the weather’s always good, and the course is always in immaculate condition - big and epic. Q What hobbies do you have outside golf? A I love to sing and dance, but my main hobby is shopping! In
fact I enjoy shopping the day before my big tournaments because it helps me relax. And just lately, it’s become somewhat of a ‘lucky charm’ because I’ve gone on to win on several occasions after a shopping trip. It’s usually only ‘window shopping’ though, so not too expensive! Q What’s your favourite club in the bag? A My Scotty Cameron putter. One of my most important
‘tools’ and I try to aim under 30 putts per round.
27
LADIES’
Q & A
sband by Carol Younghu
Q What is the best piece of advice you have ever
been given? A Patience! My coach Karen always tells me to be patient.
She says, if putts don’t drop, or they lip out, don’t get frustrated but take it on the chin and keep going because eventually things will start going your way again.
A There are so many I’d love to win, but ultimately it has to
be the Women’s British Open. Q Do you do any golf-related
gym exercises? A Yes – I do flexibility and stretching exercises specifically
for golf, plus I also like to cycle and row to improve my overall fitness levels.
Q Do you ever get a chance to see what it might be A Yes, in fact this year as I’m in the top 15 England amateur
TEE TIMES
Q Who are your golfing heroes? A Tiger Woods! I am inspired by the amount of tournaments
he has won. More people watch the sport now because of him, and I love watching the unbelievable shots he plays when under pressure.
Q What golfing tip
would you give to other young golfers? A Practise your putting. The difference between winning and second place always comes down the putts, and often it’s under extreme pressure so the more you practise the better your confidence when the situation arises.
SOPHIE’S HIGHLIGHTS 2014 Silver Tee award (balancing golf and education) Roehampton Gold Cup - 1st Filford Heath Scratch- 3rd Astor Salver - 1st Faldo Series qualifier- 1st in four consecutive years Sir Henry Cooper- 2nd West of England - 2nd South West Ladies qualifier- 1st Match Play- 1st Girls Home International - Team England Winners British Girls Amateur qualifier - 2nd Liphook Scratch- Joint 1st Toya Polish Junior Championship – Girls’ Champion and overall winner LET Access Tour All England Cup Amateur Champion and 8th out of Professionals Pre-2014 English Open Girls’ Champion 2013 World Schools’ Champion South Africa 2011 English Schools’ Champion 2011 and 2013 Dorset County Champion 2012
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RYDER CUP 2014: SPARKS STILL FLYING IN THE GLENEAGLES AFTERMATH TIGER Woods, who never shone in the Ryder Cup, and Phil Mickelson, who turned on his captain after the latest U.S. loss to Europe, have been called in to help sort out their country’s woeful recent record. The two big names will be part of a group being drawn together to examine the state of the U.S. team in the biennial contest against Europe. Former captains Raymond Floyd, Tom Lehman and Davis Love are also on the 11-man panel, which will explore areas including selections of captain and players.
Task Force to probe U.S. Ryder wipe-outs played at Gleneagles, are also included in the group, along with veteran tour player Steve Stricker, PGA vice-president Derek Sprague, PGA chief executive officer Pete Bevacqua and PGA secretary Paul Levy. Among a range of topics to be discussed will also be the qualifying system for players, the dates the team is decided and the timing of the captain’s wildcard selections.
The U.S. lost 16½-11½ at Gleneagles in September to register their sixth defeat in the last seven contests. Their only victory in this period came under captain Paul Azinger at Valhalla in 2008. Azinger, whose performance as skipper was invoked by Mickelson as he sideswiped Watson’s captaincy this year, chose not to be part of the group.
Left: At odds - Watson and Mickelson. Above: Azinger in 2008
‘I’m not ready to jump on a task force,’ Azinger, 54, ‘I have a scheduled meeting with the PGA of America soon and I just think it’s too soon for me to commit to jumping on a task force.’
Azinger has not ruled out returning to the captaincy at Hazeltine in 2016 if asked. Jim Furyk, the world number four, and world number 10 Rickie Fowler, who both
Woods, who for a Gleneagles wildcard, said: ‘I think this is a great step by the PGA to accomplish what we all want - to win the Ryder Cup. The Ryder Cup is very important to every player who has the honour to represent his country. I’m excited to be part of this group.’
Ian Poulter’s book lashes out at ‘bitter’ Sir Nick’s verdict on Garcia Our surprise at Watson decisions PUT Ian Poulter into Ryder Cup mode and he’s like the Incredible Hulk: don’t make him angry - you won’t like it when he’s angry. Sir Nick Faldo’s latest sniping at a Ryder Cup team-mate has infuriated Poulter and prompted him to lash out at the six-time Major winner. Faldo, working as a commentator for American television, was asked for his assessment of Sergio Garcia’s opening day at Gleneagles.
USELESS? ‘FALDO SHOULD LOOK IN THE MIRROR’
Faldo referred back to his own time as captain of the European Ryder Cup team in 2008, saying the Spaniard had had a ‘bad attitude’ and had been ‘useless’. Later, Faldo said the remark had been in semi-jest, although he accepted that ‘useless’ was the wrong word. A better choice would have been ‘lousy’, he said. Garcia was unwell at Valhalla in 2008 and also suffering emotionally after splitting from long-time girlfriend Morgan Leigh. Poulter has just published his autobiography, No Limits, and in it he castigates Faldo while dashing to Garcia’s defence. Poulter picks up the story at Gleneagles, after Faldo’s original comment was broadcast and Europe had staged a wonderful fight back to lead 5-3 at the end of the first day. ‘There is only one negative,’ writes Poulter. ‘At the press conference, it emerges Nick Faldo has been heavily critical of Sergio Garcia.
Above: Faldo and Azinger at the 2008 Ryder Cup America’s sole victory in seven. Right: Pensive Ian Poulter is angry about Faldo’s comments on Sergio Garcia
‘He had said Sergio had a bad attitude when he played under Nick in the 2008 Ryder Cup and that he was useless there. ‘Sergio puts a brave face on it but the rest of the guys are fuming. I’m shocked that he has said it. It’s highly disrespectful. It’s a cheap shot and it’s the worst possible timing. ‘It makes me laugh. Faldo is talking about someone being useless at the 2008 Ryder Cup. That’s the Ryder Cup where he was captain. That’s the Ryder Cup where the Europe team suffered a heavy defeat.
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IAN Poulter’s autobiography also turns a critical eye on some of American captain Tom Watson’s decisions during the 2014 Ryder Cup. ‘By the end of the second day,’ writes Poulter, ‘we have a 10-6 lead. Ecstatic as we are, quite a few of us are surprised by Watson’s decision making during Saturday’s play. Most of all I’m astonished he does not play Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley. He leaves them out of both sessions. It completely baffles me. It gives us a double boost because it tells us there are problems in the US team room. Watson’s choices mean seven of his players play 36 holes on Saturday. I find it hard to see the sense in that. Some of them look shattered and Paul McGinley’s strategy starts to pay off. We’re fresh. We keep coming at them. Wave after wave after wave.’
‘And he was captain. So who’s useless? Faldo might need to have a little look in the mirror.
Rookie role ‘tough’
‘I have always got on great with Faldo in the past and I have a great deal of respect for everything he has achieved but this feels like sour grapes. It feels like a guy who is still bitter that he lost in 2008.
PARTNERING home hero Stephen Gallacher on the opening morning at Gleneagles was hard, Ian Poulter wrote.
Faldo has lost a lot of respect from players because of what he said. There were plenty of things a lot of the players were unhappy with at Valhalla but none of us criticised him. He may find that begins to change now.’
He admits he was not cut out for the role of big-brothering the Ryder Cup debut man. ‘I find it hard taking helping a rookie,’ Poulter writes. ‘I’m nervous too. I want to win for him as much as myself and the team, but we get humped 5&4.’ • No Limits: My Autobiography by Ian Poulter has been published by Querecus, priced £20.
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FOCUS ON FASHION Golfing with Glenmuir Glenmuir is a clothing brand that has been at the heart of the game of golf since its beginnings in 1891. It remains a family-run business crafting golfwear that has been worn by champions through the years, including successive European Ryder Cup teams since 1987. In 2005, Glenmuir launched its first Ladies’ golfwear range which continues to develop, innovate and embrace contemporary trends. It is currently worn by golfers on the Ladies’ European Tour and has become a ladies' leading golf brand. So, as we approach the prospect of another cold winter, what can we wear that will keep us warm, enable us to swing freely, and still look fashionable on the course? Tee Times asks Glenmuir how we should be layering up against the chill this season. On the ladies’ circuit there’s a trend towards base layers. How do these work? Base layers are technical products designed to draw moisture away from the skin to keep you cool when wearing multiple layers. Our Glenmuir Mock Neck Base layer is made from Hi-Cool Performance fabric which is engineered to hug the body - enhancing the circulation and stamina whilst keeping you dry and comfortable. Europe’s Ryder Cup team wore some wonderful Glenmuir zipneck sweaters do you carry the same range for ladies? We received a great response to the Ryder Cup team’s zip neck sweaters at Gleneagles and yes, we also carry a range for ladies. These include patterned zip necks in either fine supersoft cotton or luxurious lambswool – we even have some that feature diamante detail and faux-fur collars. In addition, we offer a cable-knit version that features a bionic water and soil repellent finish. What other range of materials and styles do you have, and how easy are they to care for? We offer a vast array of plain and patterned V Necks, Round Necks, Sleeveless slip overs and Zip Necks, in various materials including Cotton, Merino Wool, Lambswool and Cashmere knitwear. We always take the quality, durability, reliability and integrity of our products extremely seriously. Our 100% Lambswool knitwear is shrink resistant with an anti-pill performance finish. This ensures that it’s easy to care for and will continue to look and feel fresh wear-afterwear and wash-after-wash.
During our wet and muddy winters what trousers can you suggest that are warm but can regularly go in and out of the washing machine? Our Ladies Technical Water Resistant Winter Golf Trousers are just the trick! They have a snug fleece backing combined with a stretch bonded fabric to keep you warm and comfortable. The water resistant outer layer keeps you dry and the high performance polyester content makes them easy to wash and durable. They come in Black, Navy or Hot Pink. What are the colour trends for 2015, and how easy is it to colour-coordinate these outfits? This season we are combining traditional classic shades with vibrant accent colours. To make it easy for ladies to select colours that work together, we provide colour palettes or ‘stories’. For example, our ‘Pure Shores’ colour story combines monochrome shades with flashes of Coral Punch. Our ‘Ocean Drive’ brings together classic Navy and vibrant Spearmint, and our ‘Tropical Sorbet’ combines black with a splash of bold Ascot Blue and Lime. Does Glenmuir also provide a range of accessories to ward off the cold? Yes, we have a wide range of accessories that will keep you looking good and warm this winter. It includes our popular chunky Cable Knit Bobble Hats, Fleece headbands, and beanie hats. In addition, we supply Ladies’ neck warmers and cushioned golf socks all in a great range of colours to finish off and complement your look.
Not all lady club golfers are a size 8 or age 20 years! Does your contemporary range of clothing take this into account? Our range takes into account lady golfers of most generations, shapes and sizes with products designed to fit sizes from UK 6 to UK 20. For further information please visit www.glenmuir.com Carol Younghusband
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kylark Golf and Country Club not only provides a manicured 18-hole golf course, but an award winning restaurant, sports bar, fitness facilities, spa and a picturesque venue for wedding celebrations and special events. But a little over a year ago it was a completely different story. Tee Times catches up with Dan Richards, Managing Director, about his journey so far and plans for the future.
S
Dan Richards first heard that the previous owners of the club, run by Quindell, were looking to sell through one of his previous business partners at local investment business, Just Develop It. With experience not only as a businessman, but as a professional golfer, Dan seemed like the perfect person to take over the club, but it was certainly not a venture he took lightly.
“I thought they were mad”, said Dan. “The club was really struggling from a badly deteriorating course and its reputation had suffered due to neglect of the facilities and lack of investment. However, I knew that with my background I was well positioned to take this on for Just Develop It and make it a real success. With their investment I knew I could achieve so much, so I agreed and on 1st September 2013 the business was ours.” The process was anything but easy however - starting with zero members and zero income, Dan and his team faced the prospect of turning a seriously dilapidated golf club into an accessible, affordable and beautiful environment. With the Christmas season approaching, the first priority was the refurbishment of the reception area, bar and restaurant. Dan commented: “The old facilities were pretty old and in need of modernisation, so we concentrated on the visitor journey and refurbished the areas we would be using for
Dan Richards, Managing Director Skylark Golf and Country Club
Christmas parties. After that we moved onto the gym facilities in time for the New Year and bought in £120,000 of new equipment. This saw us through the first two really busy periods and our membership grew from zero to 500 by the end of January.” Next came the refurbishment of the spa with a top-of-the-range sunbed, luxurious treatment rooms and a dedicated area for spray-tanning and nails. “The spa was a pretty non-existent part of the old business, but it’s now a fantastically successful part of ours and it’s got a great reputation” said Dan. The next big milestone for the Skylark team was the beginning of the golf season in April. Dan was keen to build a ‘club’ and give golfers somewhere to go after their game to relax, have a drink and a bite to eat, so the Skylark pro-shop and sports bar were custom built on site and launched in time for the summer. This has been incredibly successful, not only with golfers but with local residents and visitors who
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want somewhere beautiful to go for lunch or just a drink.
“The feedback from the golfers has been really quite humbling. We wanted to create a fun and accessible course that was open to all, without any of the snobbery or elitism normally associated with golfing. I would like to think that we’ve succeeded in that beyond even our own expectations, and we’ve done it without having to hike up our prices. People are always surprised how affordable we are and our membership grows because people who come in for one thing see everything else we have to offer.” Work has also been relentless on the course itself, with the introduction of a new team of green keepers and a £200,000 investment in machinery, Dan has very much given them a blank canvas to make improvements to the whole look and feel of the course. He still has massive plans for the future however, including a drainage programme on the course and pathways for buggies to
ensure it’s playable all year round. There are also plans to plant over 450 indigenous trees on the course to create definition, renovate competition tees and totally transform the 9th hole with the addition of a lake, bunding and extra fairway space – making it the new signature hole at Skylark.
“And that’s just on the course” Dan added. “We’ve also got big plans for the gym and pool, we’ve submitted planning applications to extend the premises and build tennis courts and we’re increasing our parking facilities to cope with the volumes of people we have in for wedding receptions, tribute nights, business events and Sunday roasts. We’re also looking to re-launch our website which will really help us promote all we have to offer. I can’t believe how much we’ve achieved in little over a year but needless to say it’s going to be an exciting, and very busy, future for Skylark!” For more information about Skylark, please go to www.skylarkcountryclub.co.uk
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Continuing the saga of a late-convert golfer’s search for glory on the greens. . . CALL the ethics committee. Arraign me before them. I plead…guilty. I have cheated at golf. I have dishonestly secured an advantage over my fellow golfers. What happens is this. On the green, when I mark my ball, I cunningly push the marker right underneath the ball. Then, when I replace it, the ball is always a little further forward. Probably a couple of centimetres nearer the hole. Over the years, it must add up to miles. Disgraceful, isn’t it? Secretly, I believe that if the ball was coming to rest on the lip of the hole, that centimeter might be just enough to see it down. There, it’s done, I’ve confessed. I shall no doubt be stripped of my baseball cap and ball retriever before the entire membership of the club. This is after all, a gentleman’s game. Well, sometimes. Actually, it’s more accurate to say that it’s a game in which hypocrisy is dressed up as good sportsmanship, and it fools nobody. When your wedge shot bounces four-foot over the flag, and your rival shouts out: ‘Sit!’
Is it all a sham, this golfing, sporting life? DIARY OF A BUS-PASS GOLFER
I thought I’d make it easier for him. ‘Ah, you’ve found it,’ I said. It was never mentioned again. Now if he’d just said he’d drop a ball to save time. I would’ve cheerfully agreed. The point I’m making is that we shouldn’t set standards of probity too high for mere humans. There’s one chap I occasionally play with at Worthing whose score on the card is always slightly better than his score on the course. Do we mind? Not really. All that’s at stake is who buys the tea in the clubhouse and if he wants to risk his immortal soul for that, he’s welcome. What does really irritate are the sanctimonious angels who are above all temptation. You know the sort…
By Bob Evans and ‘Hard luck!’ as it vanishes into the deep prairie, he may possibly not mean it. He’s probably more delighted than dismayed. Similarly, as your thirty-foot chip lands on the green and two bounces into the hole, his ‘Brilliant!’, you may notice, can barely make it through his clenched teeth. Some of the least likely players cheat occasionally. My friend Tom is the epitome of the gentleman golfer. Ex-army officer,
punctilious to a point, he’s a slave to the etiquette. Yet when I was playing with him on one of those downland courses just outside Brighton, I accidentally caught him out. We were hunting for his ball in some gorse when he wandered back to the fairway, out of sight. But as I stepped round a bush, I saw him take a ball from his pocket and drop it. Our eyes met. Hard to say who was the most embarrassed.
He’s down in a valley. Shielded by thick bushes. Completely out of sight. And he’ll walk out shaking his head in mock remorse. ‘An air-shot,’ he says, with a saintly smile. ‘That’s me out.’ He may lose the game, but he has established his moral superiority over the rest of us, and most of mankind. He’ll go to heaven. The sooner the better.
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NOT QUITE LONG ENOUGH FOR JOE, BUT LONG AND TIMELY FOR PETER TWO big hitters are in the news - but for different reasons. Brocket Hall ambassador Joe Miller’s spectacular winning streak came to an end in the semi-final of the $250,000 Re/Max World Long Drive Championship at Las Vegas’ Paiute Golf Resort Miller, 29, pictured left, who won the title in 2010 and was runner-up last year, remains unbeaten in Europe during 2013 and 2014, but lost in the last four in Las Vegas to the eventual runner-up Jeff Crittenden.
Meanwhile, Kent fishmonger Peter Vickerman is aiming to hook a new record for Britain’s longest ever hole-in-one after holing his tee shot on a whopping 408-yard, par-four. Vickerman produced his moment of magic during a club competition at his home course, Littlestone Golf Club, to not only win the opportunity to cement his name in the record books but also receive a limited-edition BOSS watch to commemorate the achievement. In Las Vegas, the champion was American Jeff Flagg, who took up golf when his minor league baseball career ended. He has spent the past two-and-a-half years honing his power in long-drive competitions, and reaped the benefits when he beat Crittenden, by just 13 inches, in the final both golfers just clearing the 365-yard marker.
Call for a Hall of Fame place for Welsh great
Why won’t they honour Woosie?
Ian Woosnam: ‘More than injustice that he’s overlooked’
A LEADING correspondent for the BBC has questioned why a great British golfer continues to be ignored by the panel which nominates people for the World Golf Hall of Fame. Golf correspondent Ian Carter says Dame Laura Davies’ admission is entirely justified but it is impossible to fathom why another great British name continues to be ignored.
‘What does Ian Woosnam have to do to gain recognition from the Florida-based organisation?’ he asked. The Welshman was not on the list announced for the Class of 2015 inductees and it seems his name wasn’t even considered.’ At a recent meeting in Augusta the committee chose Davies, Mark O’Meara, David Graham and the legendary architect AW Tillinghast for Hall of Fame status.
‘They were picking from a shortlist that didn’t include Woosnam’s name. This is despite the diminutive Welshman being a former world number one from a fine era in the game’s history.’ Woosnam has just one Major title - the 1991 Masters - but is among golf’s most prolific winners, said Carter. In his pomp he
Dame Laura Davies: Admission is justified but why is Woosnam being ignored?
Colin Montgomerie: No main-tour Major but he has been included
Seve Ballesteros, Greg Norman, Sir Nick Faldo and Sandy Lyle.
implications as well. Hall of Fame membership provides entitlement to play the American Champions Tour.’
‘Quite rightly all of that illustrious quartet are in the Hall of Fame, as is who has no Majors but eight European Tour Orders of Merit.’ Woosnam recently won the Dutch Seniors Open, taking the 56-year-old’s tally of career victories to a handsome 51. A genuinely global player, he has triumphed from Augusta to Australia, from Singapore to Scandinavia and many points in between. He was also a in 2006.
‘Woosnam must be genuinely puzzled that he has been overlooked yet again. Graham won 38 professional titles and O’Meara has 34 to his name. Yes, each won two Majors but in terms of longevity and impact on the game Woosnam beats both of them.
Park shoots to the top SOUTH Korea’s Inbee Park celebrated becoming world number one by beating American Stacy Lewis by two shots in the LPGA Taiwan Championship in Taipei. Park, 26, shot a fourth-round one-under-par 71 to finish at 22-under for the tournament, her third win of the year. Park married her swing coach recently. ‘I think this will be my wedding gift for myself,’ she said. World number two Lewis, also a three-time winner this year, said: ‘I don’t think this is the last time we’ll be battling at the end of a tournament.’ was beating the likes of
Carter added that if eligible Hall of Famers enjoy unbridled access to the lucrative US circuit, it is wrong that Woosie has been denied a straight pass to the highest level of seniors golf.
‘These commemorative organisations shouldn’t be a source of playing rights. Their role is to promote and preserve the history of the game. It’s not all about results and achievements. Montgomerie is a perfect example; he didn’t win a Major but has left an indelible mark on the game.’ A hundred years from now, says Carter, students of golf will want to know about the Scot, one of the most famous figures of this era. It is, after all, a hall of ‘Fame’.
A disappointed Miller, who had enjoyed a run of 13 consecutive victories before succumbing to Crittenden by one yard, said: ‘It was very frustrating to not get another world title, but I’ll regroup, learn and strive forwards again positively. I didn’t hit it like I normally do on the night, and thus I was punished. It was for me to lose, and unfortunately I did. I will, however, turn it into a positive and come back stronger.’ Peter Vickerman, 48, from St Mary’s Bay, achieved the monster ace with his driver on the course’s feared 408-yard, par-four 11th - and, if corroborated, the 12-handicapper’s ace is set to dwarf the record currently held. The R&A Golfer’s Handbook quotes the existing record as having been set in 1972 by assistant professional Peter Parkinson at West Lancashire, on the 393-yard seventh hole, but Vickerman was just happy to have had a hole-in-one.
Hat-trick He said: ‘It was an extremely windy day and I knew I’d caught this particular drive, out of the screws with a gradual draw, it flew towards the green. After despairingly looking around the green area for my ball, my opponent went towards the flag and said that there was a ball at the bottom of the cup. He asked me what I was playing with and I told him it was a Titleist Pro V1X with my initial’s ‘P.V.’ just above the logo. Of course, I didn’t really care what happened after that, but still went on to win the Coronation Cup.’
Those historians should also be pointed in the direction of a little Welshman whose supreme ball-striking overcame a debilitating back condition to conquer the world in the 1980s and ‘90s.
Vickerman has been playing golf for 15 years and plays regularly, at least two to three times a week, and had scored two aces previously. The fish trader hooked his hole-in-one trio in the past 30 months and recorded all of them at Littlestone: he scored his first on its 278-yard, par-four 13th; his second on its 182-yard, par-three 17th; and then went on to complete his hat-trick with his 408-yard British record contender.
‘Woosnam is one of the game’s great competitors, a man of charisma and achievement. It is more than an injustice if he continues to be overlooked’
He said: ‘There is no secret to getting a hole-in-one. Every golfer hits the ball with the intention of getting it near to or in the hole - it’s just luck.’
The same applies when they consider the impact of Laura Davies or the 265 courses designed by Tillinghast.
‘There are golfing Golf Academy
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Don’t let this Winter IMPACT your golf
Seeing is believing Golfer in darker trousers perfect balance long and high out of the middle of the club - before same golfer in white trousers hitting weak and right off the toe
There’s no reason why poor weather over the winter time should really harm your golf games. So many golfers give up over the Winter time then wonder why it takes a while to get back into the swing of things come the Spring. Use the miserable weather to your advantage and get practising indoors. This is something I’ve talked about a lot in past articles but I am going to concentrate this month on your impact positions. If you – like so many other players- struggle transferring your weight to the front foot and getting distance in your shots then this will help. Be aware that sometimes practice is slightly pointless unless you’ve addressed the root cause of your problem. Is there a reason physically why you haven’t seen yourself improve in this area? If your lessons are repeated every time simply because your weight is still hanging back and you are not posting up on your front leg then look at your fitness or past injuries/ailments. If you have a dodgy knee or short, tight calf muscles then chances are you won’t plant your weight onto that leg as you hit the ball. Instead the weight will stay behind the ball seeing high and weak hits. So before you even begin practising the correct position at impact, get stretching and strengthening. One of the best things you can do is massage your calf muscles with the shaft of a club. Kneel on a cushion with one leg up at 90 degrees and take an iron and firmly work the shaft up and down the back of your calf of your raised leg. One word – OUCHHH! This is a killer move but it really helps to loosen your muscles. Alternatively if you have regular sports massage then get them to really concentrate on those hammies and calves. This again is excruciating but your legs will eventually thank you for it. The obvious solution is a decent stretching programme.
Strength can also be to blame, those with weak glutes (that’s your buttocks folks) and legs will also struggle with the transfer. A squat is the ultimate golf fitness test. If you struggle even contemplating one then try this counterbalanced version first. Take a half filled practice ball bag (or your handbag or rucksack) and do a few sets of 10, keep your feet planted and your weight back through your heels. If in doubt seek advice from a fitness expert or sports physio. Huge Christmas bonus to this one as it will help keep the Christmas wobble at bay as well as add yards to your drives!! Once you have made sure you are match fit as it were, then you can start to really practice that impact position. DRILL 1 – set up within a door frame in your house with an iron in hand. Gently rest the club head on one side of the frame and adopt your usual (extremely athletic of course) posture. Then start the press into the door frame feeling your weight transfer and hips turn. Repeat this a few more times to get the feeling. DRILL 2 – utilise the foot stool or bean bag, set up to the back of this and make a few small swings (chip shot length to save the light fixtures) really planting the club head back into it as you come through. You should almost be able to push the target along the ground as you push your weight through. These drills and this sort of homework indoors will pay dividends when Spring time comes. Plus you can do it in your slippers. I am currently on maternity leave but if you have any issues with your game then feel free to email me and as a Christmas gift from me to you I’d be glad to send you articles to help you out. Katiedawkinsgolf@hotmail.co.uk Happy Christmas everyone and here’s to a successful golfing 2015.
Today’s topic is balance. Of course balance is a natural instinct, we don’t even think about it. Thousands of years ago it would have been high on the totem pole of survival. No way could you have escaped a rampaging wild animal if you didn’t have agility and balance!! We don’t have to run away from many wild animals these days, but we still need that survival instinct to play golf consistently well. Because balance is such a natural thing we can do it in pretty much any position. If one part of the body is out of line, then another part will automatically move in order to preserve balance. Take the start position of your golf swing or putting stroke for instance; if your body is out of line in some way, instincts will make you distribute your weight unevenly over your feet to feel balanced. The golfer will be unaware of this. A lesson I gave today was doing just that. Roy had his shoulders and upper body aiming left and I could see that his balance wasn’t right. I decided to use my Science & Motion Force Plate with Roy so that he could see and feel for himself how his balance at address needed to be adjusted. The force plate has a monitor at ground level for my clients to see exactly where their weight is distributed. According to my force plate, his weight was towards the toes on his left foot and in the middle of his right foot. When we improved this, his upper body righted itself, even the ball position altered. He said his new position felt different but natural. Certainly the ball was hit much more solidly and from the centre of the club face. Another instance was a putting lesson I gave to a 2 handicapper. Chris had the tendency of leaving his putts short and right. This was because he was hitting slightly out of the toe of his putter. Putts hit out of the toe generally
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come up short and right because the putter face will open on contact with the ball, losing power. He was also hitting down on the putts slightly. This was also having a negative effect on his putting. In the ideal stroke the ball wants to be hit out of the sweet spot of the putter, with slight rising stroke. The rising stroke ensures that the ball is lifted out of the grass with a fraction of topspin. Hitting down can put backspin on the putt and can cause the ball to bounce, making control of distance and direction nearly impossible. The cut across and the down hit were both caused by his posture at address. His spine was leaning towards the target. Again the balance on his feet wasn’t right. The weight on his left foot favoured his heel. Again his posture was fixed by improving the balance on his feet. The lesson certainly did the trick Chris shot a course record sixty six in a competition at Southampton Municipal Golf Course a few weeks later! In both instances these players were unaware that their balance was off. Both were able to correct themselves easily by watching their balance change on my floor monitor. My Science and Motion Force Plate gives golfers the advantage of seeing what they are feeling. Top golfers like Justin Rose are catching on; he and Shaun Foley regularly work on one to track weight movement. May I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and here’s to a successful 2015 Golfing.
Next month some interesting stuff on weight movement in the golf swing. www.mbtourcoach.com or by telephone M: 07787 887578.
BELEK
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