Tee Times Golf Magazine, November 2018

ISSUE 210 | Novv 2018 | Tel: 01329 834360 | Email: peter.teetimes@gmail.com | www.teetimesgolfmagazine.com

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Reflecting on a marvellous Masters: Justin Rose, Hampshire’s favourite golfing son, made us so proud as he played his role in one of the tightest but most gentlemanly showdowns in the history of the event

AND THE WINNER IS. . .

GOLF SPORTSMANSHIP Hampshire’s Justin Rose in Ryder Justin’swill Jackpot – see Page 4 NORTH Hants Golf Clubaction: in Fleet have

TEE TIMES 3

Rory: My Green Jacket wedding wish – Page 4 We meet the 10th tee hell hound Bus Pass Golfer – Page 16

Victorious: European ‘underdogs’ who bit back with a seven-point mauling

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!

Philip’s second spell as Hants PGA skipper – Page 16

One spectator described Justin Room will be found for mementoes of the 2017 Masters be placedof alongside those Rose as ato Titan Europe’s of Rose’s U.S. Open triumph in 2013 and his Ryder Cup-winning heroes. The Olympic Golf Gold.

Hampshire man himself referred to But while Rose was pipped at Augusta by Sergio Garcia as adisappointment legend.

Sergio Garcia, the inevitable for his fans was counterbalanced by a An unbeatable pairing nicknamed display of skill and sportsmanship which was a credit to both men, and to a sport which Moli-Wood sparkled beyond still prides itself on honesty and fairness. expectations, and warhorse Ian Yes, the final round between these two Ryder Poulter thumped his chest Cup titans was bound to be emotional.

Rose before was edging his way towards Major, transforming into aasecond pillar box. and Garcia was trying to secure his first on

Hampshire Jenny’s lifetime accolade – Page 16

to find some more space in its Justin Rose Room to record the continuing exploits of the county’s favourite golfing son.

Crazy, wonderful stuff as the cream of American golf shrivelled under the onslaught.

The details are well known, but here are just a few images to remind ourselves of another wonderful, captivating Ryder Cup.

Was this golf’s worst injustice Left, chest-pumping Ryder war horse Ian ever?

Poulter, nicknamed – Page 24 because The Postman he always delivers, found a pillar-box fancydress outfit, below, to the crowd’s delight

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the very day which would have been the 60th birthday of his hero, Seve Ballesteros.

But the overriding emotion for spectators of the final round was the way these two Europeans fought the fight.

Well played, Masters mate: At the end and on the course, Rose and Garcia were sporting gentlemen

In the final round, they were toe-to-toe rivals but not opponents, supremely competitive yet gentlemanly, acknowledging each other’s skills with a knuckle-touch or a nod.

Dream team ‘Moli-Wood’’: Francesco Molinari, first European to win five Ryder • Turn to Page 4partner Tommy Fleetwood points, and four-pointer

Passion personified: Sergio Garcia became the Ryder Cup’s leading points scorer in history with 25½ – a “legend” said Justin Rose

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TEE TIMES | November 2018 3

he’s looked like winning. He’s played some great golf and he’s looked world class again.

JUSTIN’S JACKPOT

“It was just a matter of time and I’m so happy for him.”

All the pundits were rubbing their hands with glee at the prospect of what a resurgent Woods, a Ryder Cup pick by captainJim Furyk, would do the Europeans.

My cup runneth over: Justin Rose, first Englishman to become PGA Tour Champion

World number one.

A boyhood dream achieved. A starring role in a thumping Ryder Cup victory. What could be better.

Well, an extra few million n the bank helps.

Hampshire’s Justin Rose, on his way to Ryder Cup heroics in Paris, gave his bank manager a lot more reasons to smile when he became the first Englishman ever to become PGA Tour Champion.

With the season-ending FedEx Cup came bonus prize money of

Ups and downs: Tiger Woods celebrates his Tour Championship victory and, right, gets a hug of commiseration from Thomas Bjorn after his miserable Ryder Cup performances

$10million (£7.6million).

Rose birdied the 18th at East Lake for a 73 to finish on six under and seal the top-five finish he needed to win the mountain of money on offer to the FedEx Cup Champion.

The Tour Championship itself was won by an emotional Tiger Woods, completing an astonishing comeback

as he crowned a return to top form with a two-stroke victory – his first win in five years.

The 42-year-old’s victory in Atlanta was his 80th PGA Tour title - only fellow American Sam Snead has more. Less than a year ago he was 1,199 in the world.

Rose said of Woods: “All year long

But the Tiger failed to roar in Paris.

Woods’ miserable record: played four, lost four.

He looked jaded, glum and terribly out of sorts, prompting the same pundits to wonder if they had been premature in announcing that The Man was back. Europe captain Thomas Bjorn acted for many fans when he gave the 14-rime Major winner a conciliatory hug.

Perhaps Tiger’s long personal and injury battles have taken too much of a toll. Perhaps the Ryder format expected too much of his body.

Perhaps, perhaps. It would be tragic if the FedEx was, after all, just the last hurrah of the world’s best ever golfer.

Probe into club Is it right or fair to blame anybody for this? owner’s riches A golf club owner has been slapped with two Unexplained Wealth Orders issued by the National Crime Agency over her staggeringly rich lifestyle.

Zamira Hajiyeva, above, who bought owns Mill Ride Golf Club in Ascot for 10.5million, is said to own two properties worth a total of £22million and in the space of 10 years spent more than £16million at Harrods in London.

It is also claimed that she used 35 different credit cards issued by her husband’s bank to fund shopping sprees, on one occasion spending £150.000 on jewellery.

Her husband, Jahangir Hajiyev, was chairman of the state-controlled International Bank of Azerbaijan from 2001 and was sentenced to 15 years for fraud and embezzlement.

4 TEE TIMES | November 2018

A serious debate about crowd safety has arisen since two women spectators were injured by flying golf balls at major competitions.

French woman Corine Remande, 49, lost the sight in one eye after being struck by a wayward tee shot from American Brooks Koepka during the Ryder Cup in Paris.

Informed of the incident, Koepka, who had shouted a warning when the ball flew off course, said he was “heartbroken”.

A few days later, a second woman spectator luckily escaped serious injury after a ball hit her on the forehead and left her bleeding.

The Ryder Cyup incident had already prompted Mrs Remande to plan legal action against trhe organisers.

She claimed marshals should have warned fans about the ball’s flight because spectators would not have heard players’ warning shouts, that marshals did not check on her in hospital, and that there was a lack of alerts on tickets or venue signage.

The European Tour says ‘fore’ was shouted several times amid the noisy atmosphere of matchplay in the Ryder Cup. A spokesman said Ryder Cup tickets contain a statement which clearly states ground regulations which clearly that

Half blinded: Corine Remande lost the sight of an eye

Smiling but bloodied: the second fan injured by a golf ball

spectators acknowledge the general risks associated with golf, including risks with errant shots.

Keith Pelley, chief executive of the European Tour, said: “Millions of spectators attend and enjoy golf events each year. Incidents of this severity are extremely rare.”

So, who is to blame? Spectators for putting themselves in jeopardy? Players for mis-hitting the baball? The stewards? The organisers?

Martin Samuel, the Daily Mail’s premier sports writer put it this way: “If Remande is successful in her legal action — which began as a claim for medical costs, but appears to be escalating daily — then golf is over as a live spectator sport.

“All spectator sport is over, pretty much, if patrons are no longer responsible for staying alert to danger.”

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Two in a row for Cottrell Park Cottrell Park won the Ping Mixed Team Challenge at Abersoch Golf Club on 8 October, so retaining the trophy the club won last year.

Sixty teams of six players from all over Wales competed in the annual match play knockout competition run by Wales Golf and sponsored by Ping.

After four rounds, four teams played in the semi final.

This year Cottrell Park played Royal Porthcawl then Woodlake Park in the final.

The players representing the Club in the finals were Bill Bryce and Nan Thomas, Tony Parsons and Helen Evans, Tony Williams and Megan Cullinane. Eleanor Lewis, Helen Little, Tina Morgan and Lowri Roberts also played in previous rounds.

Team Manager, Jenny McGlyne, said, ‘Cottrell Park has reached finals weekend in each of the past five years. To win this prestigious competition once is an achievement. Winning twice in successive years is an even greater feat which no other club has done. All the players have shown great commitment and truly work together as a team’.

By Jenny McGlyne, Team Manager, Cottrell Park’s Mixed Ping Team.

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TEE TIMES | November 2018 5

Bad Griesbach Golf Resort

Spending a few delightful days in the relatively unknown golf resort of Bad Griesbach in Southern Bavaria was an unexpected and pleasant surprise. Bad Griesbach, as it turns out, is the world’s second largest golf resort (Mission Hills in China being the largest) and boasts eight superb and well designed eighteen hole courses, a well-established academy where golfers of all standards can hone their golfing skills under the watchful eye of experienced professionals, and a state-of-the-art Golfodrom, featuring an enormous practice range that includes several undulating practice greens.

The resort first opened in 1987, but there were initial investment and planning problems. In the early 80’s Herr Hartl, an avuncular figure often seen wandering around the resort, is the person who had a dream to build Europe’s largest golf resort but he had to fight a few battles before realising his dream.

After speculatively purchasing several100 acres of prime farm land with a view to building a golf and spa resort using underground thermal spa water, the biggest headache turned out to be locating the elusive source of the thermal waters. Millions of euros and several months of intense digging saw finances taking a turn for the worst. Then, just as Hartl was about to abandon the entire project, one of the diggers had that eureka moment and hit the underground stream some 100 feet below the ground. Now, over the course of the past couple of decades, Bad Griesbach has become Germany’s most sought after golf resort.

With golf bag in tow, thankfully included as baggage with British Airways, our group arrived in Munich airport and were met by the driver of Bad Griesbach’s mini coach. Once golf bags and luggage were carefully stowed on board, we headed for the resort, about a couple hours drive away. (I have since discovered Salzburg airport is nearer of the two airports only flights are less frequent.)

Once checked into the five star Maximillian hotel we were immediately whisked off for a tour of the resort which also included a visit to the Golfodrom, Europe’s biggest Golf Academy. Had I more time, I would have happily spent a few hours here perfecting my game but time was of the essence and there were still several courses to play.

6 TEE TIMES | November 2018

The idea was to play as many of the eight courses that could be fitted into our already tight itinerary, which meant playing the front nine holes on a couple of courses on our first day. First up was the Bernhard Langer designed ‘Beckenbauer course’ aptly named after German’s famous football captain and coach, Franz, also a shareholder and an avid golfer as well as a close friend of the owner. The course was perfect to start our week, not too hilly but with several wide fairways and some challenging and varied holes to keep you on your toes.

A delightful Bavarian lunch followed sitting outside on the Penning Estate terrace, a 46 bedroom hotel and one of the resort’s seven differently designed hotels. To get a feel of how enormous this resort is, it’s best to play all the courses - time permitting. The Porsche course running alongside the Beckenbauer is where we played our next round, this time managing to fit in a full-18 holes. Both courses, designed by Bernard Langer, are reasonably flat and not too difficult to negotiate but some holes are deceptively challenging.

Drinks and dinner followed, this time at the Ludwig Hotel, a hotel that caters specifically for families with children of all ages. The colourfully decorated Kids Centre has to be seen to be believed - every conceivable activity is available.

Fully warmed up after playing 27 holes the previous day, we ventured onto the Lederbach, the resort’s toughest and hilliest course. Unfortunately it rained most of the morning and after 9 holes I gave up although some of our group continued to play another five holes – despite the pouring rain. That afternoon we tried out the Allianz Nicholmann Brunweiss, another Bernhard Langer designed course, which, although tough in places, has some interesting challenges.

Bad Griesbach is a golf village within a resort and there are several shops and restaurants besides the seven hotels and eight golf courses. The surrounding scenery is also very therapeutic and whether you’re a keen golfer or someone just looking for a restful week of spas and massages, Bad Griesbach could well be the answer to your prayers.

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TEE TIMES | November 2018 7

59

Birthday treat for Bebb, 50 Sion Bebb celebrated his 50th birthday by winning the North Devon Links tournament and £1,500.

The Morlais Castle club professional, pictured below, said: “Things couldn’t have gone better. I said it wouldn’t be easy because the East course is such a tough track but I just managed it.”

Ollie first to card magic sub-60 round in European Tour history

Many have dreamed of it and several have come up a stroke too many.

But England’s Oliver Fisher lived the dream as he became the first player in the history of the European Tour to card a round of 59.

There have been 600,000 rounds played on the tour but the glory of the first sub-60 finally came in Fisher’s second round in the Portugal Masters.

The 30-year-old world number 287 from Chigwell, Essex – a friend of Rory McIlroy’s since they played junior golf together – holed 10 birdies and an eagle .

His 12-under wonder round in Vilamoura just missed going even lower on the final hole – his long birdie putt just grazed the cup.

“It feels great,” he said. “I started great and I kept it going. I’m just pleased I two-putted from 40 feet on the final green.”

He registered a a level par final round over the challenging East course at Saunton which was enough to secure a two-shot win.

After leading by four shots going into the final day he held off David Dixon (Enmore Park, the former European Tour winner.

Order of Merit winner Bebb has enjoyed a successful end of season and was in fine form before a visit to the Play-Offs in Turkey.

Left, Oliver the first: Fisher celebrates his historic round. Above, the best of friends with Rory McIlroy since they played junior golf together

Fisher finished the event in seventh place on 15 under. The tournament was won by fellow Englishman Tom Lewis who claimed his first European Tour victory since 2011.

Lewis made a noteworthy contribution himself, without dropping a shot over 45 holes from

Ten birdies and an eagle: a summary of the first sub-60 in more than 600,000 European Tour rounds

Fighter Sammy makes her mark

Let it rip, but how far to go?

There is a mesmerising attraction in watching a good golfer line up a tee shot and let it rip.

As the ball soars skywards down the fairway, among spectators there is an element of awe and, let’s face it, more than a tinge of jealousy.

Improvements in equipment and players’ fitness have combined to make 300, 350 yards no longer pretty rare.

The increases in distance are also driving to distraction the people who design courses and the clubs which have traditional courses built in a time when these distances were unthinkable.

Should there be a limit on driving distances? Should something be done to stop thousands of

the start of his second round to midway through the final stretch.

Eighteen players have carded rounds of 60 on the European Tour, while Jim Furyk hit 58 on the PGA Tour in 2016. Annika Sorenstam shot a 59 in the LPGA’s Standard Register Ping event in 2001.

traditional, older golf clubs being out-muscled and too short to survive?

Now the two world governing bodies – the R^A and the USGA – have set out to ask golfers round the world just how important distance is.

A global online questionnaire and data-gathering exercise on distance in golf has been launched by The R&A and the USGA as part of the Distance Insights project.

The detailed questionnaire has been open to all interested participants in ten languages.

In the survey, administered independently online by Sports Marketing Surveys Inc., each person was asked a series of universal questions about distance in golf (defined by how far balls travel), such as:

8 TEE TIMES | November 2018

• What do you think makes golf most interesting to watch?

• Do you think recreational golfers are hitting shots further than they did five years ago?

• Do you think elite/professional golfers are hitting shots further than they did five years ago?

• What do you think should be most important to success in the game?

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “We want to hear the views of those involved in golf throughout the world about distance and what it means for the sport.”

England international Sammy Fuller has just won her first tournament on the US women’s college circuit, less than a year after she had a kidney removed.

Fuller, a student at Keiser University in Florida, shot fourunder par over three rounds on the Palmer course at PGA National and won by 12 shots.

The 19-year-old from Roehampton, Surrey, established a three-shot lead over the first 36 holes and finished with a bogey-free round of three under. Father Ashely said: “This is a great achievement for her.”

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TEE TIMES | November 2018 9

Golf Day sponsored by Eight Wealth Management raises £11,250 for the Macmillan Nurses

104 golfers and cricketers in 26 teams, suitably fortified half way by some great protein bars (kindly sponsored

by Russell Smart at Meridian Foods), enjoyed an immaculately prepared Test Valley Golf Club to raise funds for the Macmillan Nurses.

A full handicap stableford competition with the best 2 scores from 4 counting on each hole produced some excellent scoring with the White Horse Hotel Romsey team comprising: Paul Bingham, Berny Higgins, Nick ‘O Halloran and Dave Ross with 96 points just pipping the Bournemouth team with 95 points. Individual honours, sponsored by Trendy Golf, went to Angela Martin and Paul Bingham respectively.

There were also 12 skill prizes sponsored by: Ahmad Teas, Exton Vineyards, Flack Manor Brewery, Laverstoke Park Farm, Wallers Ash Gun Club, Danebury Vineyard, Somborne Valley Vineyard and Three Choirs Vineyard.

The winners were: Nearest the Pins : 5th Andy Gradidge, 9th Rachel McAlpine and Darren Crocker, 13th Trevor Foreman, 16th Finn Dodd, NTP in 2 15th Jon Hibberd, Longest Drives: 4th Carmel Price and Dave Ross, 12th Tricia Rocke and Jon Hibberd, Straightest Drives: 18th Jane Ward Boughton-Leigh and Richard Light.

Main Sponsor Eight Wealth Management’s Devon Avery and Tereza Tennett helped main organiser Trevor Foreman and his superb Support Team with the raffle and silent auction with both exceeding expectations.

The popular Heads & Tails competition also exceeded expectations with the winner, Nick ‘O Halloran (Head Chef at the White Horse Hotel in Romsey), donating back the prize to an impromptu auction.

Ryan Howarth, Fund Raising Manager at Macmillan described how important these type of events are to Macmillan with the money raised helping the Macmillan Nurses to be there for someone with cancer when they need them most by funding vital services that support not only the people affected by cancer, but their family, friends and loved ones.

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Trevor Foreman thanked all the participants for entering so magnificently into the spirit of the day and all the Support Teams for a fantastic team effort.

The £11,250 raised brings the total to date to £41,000 with the initial target of £50,000 now in focus.

10 TEE TIMES | November 2018

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Winter Equipment Check-up Winter is coming. I know some of you will immediately think of a certain TV season, but in this instance I am referring to the winter season just around the corner. This will mean a lot of you will put your clubs away not to be seen until the first cuckoo of spring is heard to utter his first words! This is however a good time to give them an annual MOT. Even if your are one of the brave types who keep on playing regardless of the weather it is still a good idea to check your equipment.

Golfers invest a significant amount of money in equipment these days but often neglect properly maintaining them leading to less than optimal performance on the course. Improve your game by inspecting your club’s grips, heads, and shafts.

Grips. Check your grips and look for signs of wear. If the grips are in pretty good shape with minimal wear, then use a piece of fine steel wool with soap in it and scrub the grips. This will clean off dirt as well as roughen the grip renewing it’s tacky feel. If the grips are hard or excessively worn, then you need to replace them. Pay attention to grip size when making the replacements. In general, the middle and ring finger of the left hand (for RH golfer) should barely touch the palm as it is placed in playing position.

Heads. Inspect the heads of your clubs.

If there are signs of rust, treat them with WD-40 by applying and rubbing until the rust is removed. Clean the heads with a plastic brush and warm soapy water.

Make sure to dry completely. Get the loft and lie checked. Clubs can get out of alignment during normal play. A two degree change in loft can result in as much as ten yards in distance. If your clubs have ferrules, take a look to ensure that there are no gaps between the head and the ferrule and that they are not loose. If the ferrules have lost their shine, applying a light coat of acetone will restore their lustre. Shake the club and listen for rattles in the head. Have repaired any rattles or loose heads.

Shafts. Take a close look at the shafts.

Inspect for rust and use WD-40 to remove as mentioned above. Look for any dents and knocks in the shafts. These will make the shaft weaker and should be replaced to avoid breakage during a swing. Check to see if any of the shafts are loose. Grab the clubhead in one hand and the grip with the other and then twist. Any movement or squeak indicates that the head is loose and needs to be repaired. Take a look and see if your shafts match. Check the flex and length. Irons generally have a half

inch increment between clubs and woods usually have an inch increment between clubs. Inconsistent shaft lengths and flexes can affect the club’s accuracy and distance. Any inconsistencies should be treated straight away.

Get rid of the clubs you can’t hit right now!

All of us are faced with the decision of how to fill our bag with 14 clubs. Which should we carry and which should stay at home?

In the case of amateur golfers, there is not one club that should stay home, but probably two or three… By far the most difficult clubs to hit for most players are long irons. The lower loft makes it difficult to get the ball airborne for most players especially those with slower swing speeds.

Plus, the less loft a club has, the less backspin on a shot. Backspin can help to reduce hooks and slices. Think about it - you certainly don’t slice a wedge as much a #4 iron do you? Backspin from loft is one reason. Add in the fact that longer irons are just that - longer in length making it more difficult for most amateurs to return them to impact consistently and it’s easy to see why most players need not carry the #2, 3 & 4 irons!

So what do you replace them with? Look to any number of utility woods on the market. These clubs have larger, more forgiving heads, are often shorter in length and have a centre of gravity designed to help get the ball airborne. Look for clubs of specific lofts rather than just looking for a specific number. Keep in mind that different manufacturers use different loft standards. So not all clubs stamped with a #7, for example, have the same loft or playing characteristics. This is something to bear in mind for all golf clubs. With woods and irons even within the same manufacturer, the numbers do not necessary match each other.

Your pro or clubmaker can help in your decision-making. More and more touring professionals are going to utility clubs. If it’s good enough for them, it should be good enough for you!

12 TEE TIMES | November 2018

For assistance with any of these checks, either phone or come and see me.

During the visit I can check your clubs and advise on any necessary work that needs to be carried out. Get to know your clubs by performing an equipment check-up and see how properly maintained equipment can improve your game. Make sure this year the only handicap you have is your playing handicap and not the clubs in your hand.

Golf is hard enough at the best of times without making it even harder with equipment that needs adjustments and alterations.

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 HYPERLINK “http:// www.servicetogolf.com/doylesdilemmas. asp”http://www.servicetogolf.com/ doylesdilemmas.asp.

Should you have any questions on this or any equipment matter please feel free to call 01256 322007 or 07859 920055 Alternatively, email me directly at dave@ madetomeasuregolf.co.uk or visit my web site www.madetomeasuregolf.co.uk

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Costa Brava - Spain’s popular Golf Destination The Costa Brava is the place to go to for keen golfers looking for a short but enjoyable golf break. Apart from the many built-up seaside resorts along the coast the region surprisingly boasts a plethora of well designed golf courses suitable for all standards of golfers.

During our two night trip we squeezed in three rounds of golf, a guided tour of the historic city of Girona, a football match and several delicious lunches and dinners.

Our early morning Easyjet flight to Barcelona paid dividends and in no time we were whisked off in a small mini bus for a two an d half hour journey to the La Costa Golf and Beach resort, where, after checking into the hotel, we immediately headed off to the nearby Golf Platja de Pals clubhouse, which is a short buggy ride from the hotel. A typical Spanish lunch greeted us before our afternoon tee times.

The 18 hole links style course, the oldest on the Costa Brava and built in 1966, is regarded as one of Spain’s best courses. Intricately designed tree flanked fairways and undulating greens with strategically placed bunkers make the hole that more challenging to achieve par. In all I found it a testing course and one which needs plenty of thought to play the right shot. By the time we finally reached the 18th hole, it was already quite late in the evening but we somehow found enough time to shower and change before sitting down for dinner in the hotel’s comfortable restaurant.

After a full day’s activity, sleep beckoned and no sooner had my head hit the pillows than I fell fast asleep. However I was up early the next morning and meandered off to the nearby beach for a revitalising walk paddling barefoot in the Mediterranean.

After checking out of the hotel we were driven for about twenty minutes to the Emporda Golf resort which boasts two excellent courses, both designed by the famous American architect Robert von Hagge. The Forest course is a Mediterranean forest style course that meanders among pine tree forests and several lakes, while the Links course, the more difficult of the two and the one we played, has a typically Scottish links feel, running alongside dunes and lakes.

Its natural beauty the course an attractive and interesting fun course to play.

A light lunch followed in the clubhouse and in what seemed like no time we were back in the bus for our next adventure, the PGA Catalunya Golf Resort, where arrangements had been made to play the famous Stadium Course in the afternoon. The club also boasts some of the best practice and coaching facilities in the world and has an expansive 2,000 square metre putting and chipping green. The Stadium course is designed by former Ryder Cup stars Neil Cole and Angel Gallardo and opened in 1999. Two years ago Barcelona put in a bid to host the 2022 Ryder Cup but missed out when it was awarded to Rome.

The Stadium course is by far the toughest of the three courses but is an exhilarating experience. There are varying elevated tee shots to deal with and most fairways are tree-lined. Green, on the other hand, have multiple tee positions to keep players on their toes. The other course is aptly called ‘The Tour’ and opened in 2005. It’s a far less challenging and more forgiving course but worth playing if you have the time.

Following our splendid round we were off again for a half hour’s drive to the centre of Girona, checking into the Hotel Carlemany for our second night’s stay.

On a short trip like this one there’s very little spare time to think about doing much outside the already tight itinerary and soon we all sitting down to another dinner.

Following a two hour guided tour of the historic city of Girona the next morning we checked out of the hotel and were driven to Girona’s famous football ground to watch an intriguing match between Girona, one of Barcelona’s principle rivals, and Eibar FC. As soon as the game was over we piled into the waiting bus for our final journey to Barcelona airport in time for our evening flight back to Gatwick.

It’s hard to believe, looking back, that we fitted so much into a couple of days but the experience was well worth it.

April Tod

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TEE TIMES | November 2018 13

Bogey man Hatton lets Dunhill slip Tyrrell Hatton, fresh from Ryder Cup heroics and sensing a hattrick of wins in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, hit a wall of bogeys which cost him the title.

Hatton, pictured, was one ahead going into the final round but surrendered a four-stroke lead on the back nine as Denmark’s Lucas Bjerregarrd overtook him by a single shot.

He bogeyed four of the last nine holes for a level par 72 and a 14 under total alongside Tommy Fleetwood.

Bjerregaard returned a 67 at St Andrews to seal his second European Tour title.

Four shots behind overnight, the 27-year-old world number 92 was six adrift at one stage. He said: “It didn’t really look like I was ever in it today, it looked like Tyrrell was going to take off with it.

“I was trucking away at it. I’ve been playing well for a little while and I played really well today and I’m really pleased that it was enough.”

Golf Art Spurs Freedom

For An Innocent Man A convict’s skills in drawing golf-related pictures helped to secure his release after spending 27 years in jail for a murder he did not commit.

The remarkable story of Valentino Dixon began in 1991 when he was jailed for a shooting in Buffalo, New York.

The 48-year-old maintained his innocence for decades until some of his ‘colour pencil drawings of golf courses were featured in Golf Digest.

His supporters began a new campaign to free him which led to a review of his case, during which another man confessed to the crime, and Dixon walked free.

The catalyst for the chain of events was when the prisoner’s flair for art attracted the attention of his jailers. The warden gave him a photograph of the famed Augusta National’s 12th hole and asked: “Can you draw this?”

Dixon said later: “After 19 years in Attica Correctional Facility, the look of a golf hole spoke to me. It seemed peaceful. I imagine playing it would be a lot like fishing.”

The picture of himself which Fujikawa posted on Instagram to announce he had come out

Using colouring pencils, he began to create meticulous, lush drawings of various links and fairways. “ I didn’t know anything about golf.

I’m from the ‘hood,” he told local media.

His sketches impressed the editors

at Golf Digest, which featured his artwork and a profile of the prisoner in 2012, and the publicity led to the case review.

So what will do in his new-found freedom? “ Maybe one day I will play golf,” he grinned.

Hall and Hull are just pipped on the post England’s Georgia Hall and Charley Hull had a storming finish in the eight-nation International Crown but it was not quite enough to prevent hosts South Korea taking the trophy for the first time.

Georgia Hall

Both Dorset star Hall, the new British Open Champion, and Hull won their final-round singles to finish in joint second with the United States.

14 TEE TIMES | November 2018

The event was hit by typhoon Kong-rey, with no play possible on Saturday.

South Korea went into the final round two points clear after the third-round fourball matches finished on Sunday morning.

Hall beat American Cristie Kerr 2&1, while Hull edged out Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum one up in their head-to-heads.

Kim In-kyung of South Korea

finished two up on Bronte Law, and Sweden’s Pernilla Lindberg beat Ewart Shadoff one up.

South Korea had topped pool A ahead of England after the third round of fourball matches, while the United States finished ahead of Sweden in pool B. Thailand finished fourth overall after earlier beating Japan and Australia in a play-off to compete in the final-round singles, with Sweden fifth.

Charley Hull

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TEE TIMES | November 2018 15

TT APRIL 2017 Issue 191_Layout 1 20/03/2017 18:40 Page 12

12 TEE TIMES

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ROMSEY JUNIORS ARE RUNNERS UP in the World of Ladies Golf IN HOME NATIONS FINAL, PORTUGAL!

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Golf through the Ages

Why Annika Sorenstam is still passionate about golf

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Delegates meeting Annika at the Congress: L-R: Dr Roger Hawke, Joyce Warburton, Moira Hoath, Annika Sorenstam, Dr Susie Wilkinson, Paul Muckelt, Claire Kane, Irene Reed

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Annika Sorenstam, a 10 time major champion and a legend in the world of ladies golf.

Annika is an Ambassador for golf and health and travels the world encouraging young people to take up golf and live an active lifestyle as part of her Annika Foundation. So it’s no surprise she was invited to attend the First International Congress on Golf & Health held recently at the Houses of Parliament. This refreshing initiative brings together Government, Medical Research, R&A, WHO and other key organisations to highlight the proven health benefitstoofcompare the game more people play. Did It’s interesting the and encourage miserable partner.

Theytoconsider it faryou more know golfers are healthier live 5 years longer thana the person? differences between someoneand starting important to have goodaverage day out with mates out playing golf andsports an experienced a pleasant but forgiving course.

Clearly a talented woman, Annikaonplayed tennis, football and skied as their twilightuntil golfing agolfer childinbut it wasn’t sheyears. moved back to Sweden, at the age of 12, she Beginners can sometimes struggle with took up golf. Before being allowed on the golf course, she had to earn her For instance, newbies are keen to play as long carries and dog-legs due to Green Card which basically meant she was able to hit the ball and know the much golf as possible so they’ll play in any inexperience and misjudgement. Sadly, etiquette and basic rules.

When she did venture onto thealso course, conditions. Whereas, older golfers are some elderly golfers fail to she copewas with awarded hefty handicap of 63if the and aslong someone in they the audience quipped, it reluctant toaventure onto the course carries as lose their muscle must havelooking madea bit herdodgy an extremely popular partner when it came to doubles! weather’s and are more power and distance. than happy to while away time in the She recalled her days as a junior where she, her sister Charlotta and other clubhouse until the clouds passtoby.chill out and New golfers are prettybetween naïve when it comesin juniors (mainly boys) used play activities, games, to course management but they gradually a junior room. Annika attributes this fun, relaxed environment as helping to When beginners initially enter competitions learn where to place the ball, nevertheless, encourage the youngsters to thrive and remain in the game. they realise they need more lessons to they tend to remain bullish and optimistic Despite not playing professionally 2008 shethey stillareplays socially improve their scores. The difference withsinceeven when in deep trouble.and clearly retains her competitive edge, although not always her older golfers is they’ve already developed However,may senior golfers knowrepeat precisely the techniques but of it’s59 just–a50% question of where place100 the ball, even if they can’t stunning record of golfers don’t tobreak consistently! whether their hips, knees or shoulders will reach it, or see it! They’re These days she also plays golf with her always children, aged 7 and 9 although cope with the challenge. experienced and realistic enough to know if no longer coaches them. Occasionally they ask her advice as to which iron they’ve just played a lousy shot it’s toInitially, use but been itknown for her guidance to be ignored and end up as ait’s beginner, can be difficult probably unrecoverable andthey the chance of using a completely different club.

Well, that’s after all, what do Mums trying to remember how many shots you’ve scoringkids, is pretty remote. and takenDads – let’sknow! face it, multi-tasking is tricky when you’re so focused on passionate striking and about Beginners soonofunderstand a good itpart Annika clearly remains the game golf and sums upofby tracking“it’s the ball. notinvented… the pleasure of golf for is about friendship but saying the Interestingly, best gameit’s ever and a game the people” elderly golfers to alsocan relate it’sto. the senior golfer who appreciates the auncommon statementforthat many golfers ‘mislay’ the odd shot due to short term ‘good feel’ factor of the constant cracks We mayloss. not all be talented PGA Playerswith butawe definitely from golf memory bunch of fellowbenefit golfers, regardless so should do our bit to increase participation, whether introducing children of how dire they play. so theyyou’re develop lifegolf, skills or encouraging other adults. There are health When fresh into you’re keen to sign up foreven any games, don’t 80s! It just shows you that regardless of your age, benefits if youeven startif you in your clue what you’re entering, or who the benefits of golf are huge for everyone.

Ifhave youaare male, aged over 65, play 18 holes a week (walking) then this you’re playing with. Whereas the wiser, older isgolfer yourchooses chance to give something back to the game, as the University of carefully to avoid slogging Southampton urgently study.Kane over long courses,are through soggyseeking meadowsvolunteers for their golf health © Claire For further information contact David Wilson at D.A.Wilson@soton.ac.uk or having to climb cardiac hills with a Follow my tales on twitter@golfsnippets © Claire Kane

16 TEE TIMES | November 2018

Golf Academy

After 2 practice rounds the wait was over and Romsey found out who they would be facing in their group stages.

Golf Manager & Professional info@lwgc.co.uk

They were drawn with England Home nations Tel: 01597 822 champions Cuddington, Bothwell Castle from247 Scotland and Pyle & Kenfig from Wales.

Day 1 of main tournament saw Romsey V Cuddington in a 6 person Matchplay format on the Morgado course. It was a tough match with some fantastic golf. Romsey triumphed with a 4-2 win.

Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club

Day 2 saw Romsey v Bothwell Castle in a thrilling match on the Alamos course.

Romsey once again win 4-2, and now go top of their group! This meant that they only needed a draw in the final group match to qualify for the final.

Day 3, Romsey v Pyle & Kenfig was to be Romsey's finest performance with a 5-1 victory! They make the final against the other group winners Beadlow Manor from England.

So it was to be an all England affair with neither team expected to make it past the group stage.

into the team at the last minute. There was not a lot Romsey's Josh Hannam could do and the match went to Beadlow Manor to halve the match 3-3.

Unfortunately the tournaments rules state Membership Available that if a Match is halved then the winner will The final was held on the Morgado course be decided on the number of holes won. and Beadlow Manor took an early lead on Societies Welcome the front 9. Things changed on the back Beadlow Manor were to crowned champions nine with Romsey's Owen Grimes bringing in as they won 10-7 on countback. Romsey Friendly Atmosphere the first win, followed by George Nicholsonwere gutted as they lost on a technicality.

Jack with a nail biting win on the last, Romsey 2up.

Beadlow Manor came back with winning the next two matches with some stunning golf, now all square. It was down to the last two matches, and Romseys Aaron Danson took the next match making a draw most likely.

This was a great match and Romsey did themselves proud as runners up. They never lost a match the whole week, the only team to achieve this.

No one expected a small club to do so well Contact and to be the second best team in the Uk is quite an achievement. This has been an The last match saw Beadlow Manors junior experience that the whole team will never have a hole in one after only beingSecretary@brokenhurst-manor.org.uk brought forget. Well done Romsey Juniors.

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Verdura Gives Italian Golf New Reason to Celebrate It’s been quite a year for Italian golf with Francesco Molinari’s heroics at the Ryder Cup and this summer’s Open Championship, and Verdura Resort has continued the winning theme after being named in the top three of a new industry poll of the best golfing venues in Europe.

While Molinari, the first Italian ever to win a Major, remains on target to win this season’s Race to Dubai, Verdura was ranked number one in Italy and second overall in National Club Golfer magazine’s inaugural list of the ‘Top 100 Golf Resorts in Continental Europe’.

Marked over four categories – courses, accommodation, setting and amenities – Verdura, home of the Rocco Forte Sicilian Open, scored 89.5 out of 100 points, with the magazine’s judging panel describing the resort’s setting as “as good as it gets”.

Chris Bertram, chairman of the Top 100 panel, said: “(The resort) offers two courses – the East and West – by Kyle Phillips that are both superbly designed and enjoy holes with seaside settings.

The Rocco Forte hotel is predictably fabulous.

“It’s best for couples and families especially, but female groups would also think Verdura is divine and the setting is as good as it gets – just yards from the beach whether you are on the course or

in the hotel. The golf is so well balanced it’s hard to choose which of the two courses is the best, plus there’s a fun nine-holer.”

Endorsing the new ranking, Alex Polizzi, hotel expert and television presenter of ‘The Hotel Inspector’ on Channel 5, added in the magazine: “I love Verdura (for so many reasons) … it keeps us all happy. I have been everywhere and this is somewhere special.”

One of 10 Italian resorts to feature in the new rankings, Verdura is set in 230 hectares of stunning Mediterranean landscape, with its worldclass golf facilities include two outstanding 18-hole championship courses as well as a par-three nine-hole course, double-ended driving range and first-class academy.

The award is a further glowing endorsement for Verdura – a Rocco Forte hotel and European Tour destination – as Italy’s premier golf venue, with the

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resort also having been named number one in UK magazine Golf World’s recent updated list of the best resorts in Europe.

Antonio Castelo, director of golf at Verdura Resort, said: “It’s been a fantastic year for Italian golf and Verdura, and we’re extremely proud to fly the flag for Italy as the country’s foremost golf resort.

“It’s a huge honour for the resort to be recognised again as the best golfing venue in Italy. As the home of the Rocco Forte Sicilian Open, Verdura is now firmly established as one of the world’s elite luxury golf destinations, and we are more motivated than ever to continue to deliver an outstanding customer experience to all our guests.”

Situated on Sicily’s southern coast between Agrigento and the fishing city of Sciacca, an 80-minute drive from Trapani and Palermo airports, Verdura Resort features 203 rooms and suites, all with a sea view, including six villas which offer a perfect solution for family holidays, each with its own private swimming pool.

Away from the fairways, the resort features an array of other luxury sports and lifestyle facilities, while guests also have the opportunity to sample, on and off-site, a taste of the gastronomy, wine, history and culture that has made Sicily famous across the world. www.roccofortehotels.com

TEE TIMES | November 2018 17

Carrossa – Where Luxury Living Meets First-Class Golf Carrossa has unveiled a glittering array of autumn packages to suit every holiday need, as Mallorca’s newest luxury hotel celebrates a hugely successful couple of months with tailor-made stays for golfers.

Situated near the historic town of Artà, in the north east of the island, Carrossa, which was once a grand manor house, is a paradise for visitors wishing to avoid the crowds and enjoy the serene backdrop of the rolling hills of Llevant and the breath-taking views of the bay of Alcúdia.

The five-star resort, which has partnered with some of the finest courses on the sun-kissed island, has devised two premium golf packages for guests this autumn.

Between October 21 and November 18, a four-night, gourmet half-board break with one green fee at both the nearby Capdepera and Canyamel, as well as 50 per cent discount on the latest high-quality golf club rental

sets, costs from just £534 (€599) per person, while the premium sevennight package with green fees at Capdepera, Canyamel, Club de Golf Alcanada and Son Servera starts from just £1,016 (€1,139) per person.

Golf in Mallorca is of the highest quality with the multi-award-winning Alcanada considered to be one of the most prestigious clubs on the Balearic island, while also being the only one next to the sea. Capdepera, which is less than 10 miles from Carrossa, provides a real contrast in scenery with Dan Maples’ layout winding through both a valley and the Llevant hills.

Canyamel is a stunning 6,764-yard, par-73 course, designed by golf architect José Gancedo, that is known

for its high quality, and Son Servera is a scenic parkland 18-hole course that winds its way below a range of pine trees and mountains with beautiful views over the bay of Cala Millor.

Carrossa is home to a stunning 1,500m2 state-of-the-art wellness centre, which has been built and designed to the highest specification with saunas, steam bath, ice fountain, and a wide selection of massage, beauty and special treatments, as well as a high-tech gym.

The former manor ground gardens of Carrossa are also home to an inviting heated outdoor panoramic infinity pool and deck that provides the perfect setting for relaxing under the Mediterranean sun.

Carrossa has already gained a glowing reputation for its fine cuisine and the resort offers plenty of culinary options, with a delicious array of sophisticated international and local dishes in the fine-dining Restaurant Carrossa, or an extensive choice of dishes, such as tapas, in the more informal Bistro Badia, both of which deliver panoramic views from the terrace.

With just 75 luxurious rooms and suites, the five-star estate has an intimate feel to it and the owners, the Hamacher family, have ensured the estate’s building and gardens retained their natural charm.

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TEE TIMES | November 2018 19

Hires to you Messrs Robinson…

A new scheme from Europe’s largest golf club rental business has already secured its first ‘partner’… just days after its official launch.

Clubs to Hire, which has grown year on year since its launch in 2010, is recruiting partner businesses - or entrepreneurial individuals - to act as agents in a number of popular golfing locations. And the first ‘partner’ is Robinson Club Agadir, in Morocco, which will service exclusively that region of the North African country.

Robinson Club Agadir is a five-star resort which offers preferred rates at five nearby golf clubs - the 36-hole Golf Du Soleil; the 27hole Les Dunes; the 27-hole Golf De L’Océan Agadir; Tazegzout; and Royal Golf Agadir, which possesses nine holes - with green fees bookable at the resort, while it also offers a shuttle service to each of the courses from the resort.

Clubs to Hire’s co-founder, Tony Judge, believes the new ‘lease and rent’ scheme it is now offering to potential partners provides a great opportunity to be part of one of the golf industry’s most positive stories.

He explained: “We had only just finalised the small print of the scheme when the Robinson Club Agadir said they wanted to be part of it.

We had mentioned previously what we were looking to do, but only in passing. Yet they jumped at the opportunity to have exclusive rights over a territory.

“That merely confirms to us we really do have something special to offer potential partners. You always like to think you do, but it takes somebody else to show the same faith in the product that you have yourself.

“Quite simply, the scheme sees partners lease sets of clubs from Clubs to Hire and rents them to its customers in its exclusive territory.

We promote the partnership on the Clubs to Hire website and booking engine and that individual, or company, is, effectively, Clubs to Hire for that region. And they get to keep 100 per cent of the revenue they generate for themselves locally.”

He added: “Since Clubs to Hire launched in 2010 it has seen consistent growth for eight consecutive years and has spawned Clubs to Buy and Clubs to Lease. At a time when much of the news around golf consists of courses closures and a fall in participation it’s great that people out there are demonstrating they want to be part of a success story in the golf industry.

“And we have many more territories we’d like to expand into if we can find the right partners.”

Clubs to Hire handles more than 300,000 annual visits to its website and more than 80,000 bookings for rental clubs at 28 locations worldwide, including popular golfing regions in the USA, Thailand, Australia, South Africa and five countries across the Mediterranean, offering the latest clubs on the market, from leading brands such as TaylorMade, Callaway and Mizuno - for men and women, left- or right-handed - from just €35 per week, a potential saving of up to €125, with none of the hassle. www.clubstohire.com

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Royal Mougins Breaks Into Europe’s Golf Elite

The profile of Royal Mougins Golf Resort as one of Europe’s top up-and-coming golf resorts has received a major boost after the exclusive French venue was included in Golf World magazine’s benchmark list of the ‘Top 100 Resorts in Continental Europe’ for the first time in its history.

The resort, a four-time host of the Cannes Open and located in the heart of the French Riviera, was one of 12 new entries at no.86 in the updated rankings of the continent’s best places to play and stay.

Marked across five different categories – golf courses, accommodation, practice facilities, accessibility and amenities – Royal Mougins scored a total of 80.6 points of out of 100, with the magazine’s judging panel praising the resort’s facilities both on and off the course.

Announcing its decision, the Top 100 panel said: “Just minutes from Mougins, a charming medieval Provencal village, the 25-year-old course plays through wooded vales, rivers and lakes.

“There are 29 luxury suites and a fantastic restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine overlooking the course.”

Situated four miles from Cannes, Royal Mougins – voted ‘France’s Best Golf Hotel’ at the World Golf Awards in 2016 and 2017 – is the French Riviera’s only golf resort and has quickly established itself as one of France’s elite golfing venues.

Laid out in a wooded vale, its 18-hole championship course was designed by world-famous architect Robert Von Hagge and winds its way around scenic wooded vales, rivers and lakes – several with picturesque, free-flowing waterfalls.

And Royal Mougins took its golfing experience to new heights recently after implementing a comprehensive upgrade of the bunkers and irrigation system on its award-winning layout, as

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well as carrying out an upgrade of its driving range.

Jurgen Wondergem, general manager at Royal Mougins Golf Resort, said: “It’s a great honour to have been included for the first time in this prestigious list of the leading and most established golf resorts in Europe”.

“The accolade is deserved recognition for the improvements that we’ve made to the resort and the golf course over the last two years, and we will continue striving to improve the golf experience we offer to our guests in the future.”

Royal Mougins also features an exclusive four-star hotel with 29 designer suites, conference facilities, a Mediterranean restaurant ‘La Terrasse du 18’, a 450m2 Royal Spa and fitness centre situated in an authentic 19th-century stone-walled country house, a real estate agency and the Prime Golf Academy – with a par-three course and performance studio.

Meanwhile, the resort’s prime location provides guests with the opportunity to explore the many cultural and gastronomic delights of the historic nearby village of Mougins. Just 20 minutes from Nice airport, the town is overflowing with an array of internationally-acclaimed art galleries, museums and Michelin-star restaurants, which are home to some of France’s greatest chefs. www.royalmougins.fr

TEE TIMES | November 2018 21

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Set Up Straight Consistent not Perfect to sparkle this November It’s the time of year where your golf game is probably ready for a bit of a polish. A busy summer of golf can mean a few cheeky faults creep in. With competition golf quietening down and a winter on its way now is the time to focus on improvement.

In this article I’m highlighting the fact that to putt well you don’t need to do everything perfectly, but you do need consistency. To illustrate this fact, I’m showing you some reports taken from my Putt Lab.

The quickest and most effective way to do this is book a series of lessons with a reputable PGA pro as it’s important you work on the areas of your game that really need attention.

One of the areas that everyone slips into bad habits is the set up... so let’s do a quick spruce up by checking your alignment...

They all hit a number of putts over a set distance - about eight feet.

The different putts are illustrated by different colours. To the left of the putter you will see a row of different coloured numbers. In the case of the aim and impact, the numbers indicate the degrees left or right of the target.

A minus before the number indicates left and nothing before the number, right. In the case of the centre hit, a minus is mm towards the toe. Nothing before the number indicates that the hit was towards the heel. The number under the putter is an average of those numbers.

How do you aim yourself at the target? It’s an area that, if not correct, can lead to many other compensatory faults. So here’s a quick fire way to get yourself back on track.

Stand behind the ball and use your club like a ruler, seek out your target with the club head and draw a line from there to your ball. Pick a mini target just in front of your ball and point to that as you walk into your address position.

Set your club face looking at the mini target and place your feet together. Only once your club face is square (leading edge at a right angle to the mini target) can you allow your feet to spread to form a parallel line to your target line. Almost like you are stood on train tracks.

Trust this. You are lined up perfectly. Remember it’s not you that’s aimed at your target but your club face. Swing confidently, brushing the grass and hold that photo finish at the end.

If you are tempted to peek up at the target, those who usually are a bit squiffy in this department will feel they are aiming way off. This is a confirmation that you are in fact wonky normally. Practice this on the driving range, at home, in fact anywhere. You’ll soon get used to the feeling of aiming correctly and your game will benefit immensely from this.

For hints and tips on further improving and releasing that polished golfer within, visit www.katiedawkinsgolf.co.uk or email me from there for lesson bookings.

22 TEE TIMES | November 2018

They show the aim, the moment of impact and the impact spot of a twenty five handicapper, a fifteen handicapper and a scratch player.

As you can see when you study the pictures, none of the three are perfect but the better player is more consistent in each individual stroke.

Mob: 07787 887578 Email: martin.butcher@aim.com Web: mbtourcoach.com

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