Tee Times Golf Magazine - January 2015

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ISSUE 164 JANUARY 2015 Tel: 01329 834360 Email: peter.teetimes@gmail.com www.teetimesgolfmagazine.com WISHING ALL TEE TIMES READERS A HAPPY NEW YEAR

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TEE TIMES 3

Pain-free Tiger finishes last Poulter eyes But it’s good to feel the old rush, says Woods

Ryder job as skipper

THE question still lingers: can Tiger Woods ever haul himself back towards the kind of form that had all his opponents running scared?

On the face of it, the answer has to be No after the oncedominant 14-time Major champion finished tied for last in the 18man Hero World Challenge.

A feverish Tiger Woods: ‘It’s so nice to hit drives that hard again, take bunkers out of play, cut corners’

The 38-year-old, who has himself become a Ryder icon with his trademark iron will to win, said: ‘If I was ever asked, then yes, I’d love to be a captain of a Ryder Cup team.

Coming back after a four-month injury absence and a back operation, Tiger could only look from a distance as American Jordan Spieth won the event by a mile.

Nightmare

‘But hopefully, I’ve got another 10 years in me before I ever get asked.’

Spieth, who at the age of 21 is 17 years younger than Woods, was 10 shots ahead of the field. He finished with a 66 on 26-under, in the process beating Woods’ own tournament record set in 2007.

RORY THE DOMINANT FORCE? RORY McIlroy, who waltzed away with the Race to Dubai, is on the verge of a five-year spell as world number one, fellow Irishman Graeme McDowell is predicting.

‘Rory is maturing and getting better and better as a player. His form in the second half of 2014 has blown away a lot of people. I think we are witnessing at least a five-year spell as world number one. I think he is going to dominate in the fashion of Tiger Woods.

‘The most special thing about Tiger was his drive and desire. Of course, a lot can happen in the next five years, but, looking at Rory, he could win three, four or maybe five more Majors in that time.’

Jordan Spieth, who shattered Woods’ tournament record: ‘It was the most fun I have ever had playing holes of golf’

But Woods, whose chipping around the greens was a nightmare, still found enough positives to be upbeat about his game.

Speith, whose closest challenger in Florida was Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, told Sky Sports: ‘It was the most fun I have ever had playing holes of golf.’

After playing much of the final round nursing a fever, he said he was delighted to be back swinging powerfully and pain free after his lay-off.

Spieth, who won the Australian Open by six shots last week, carded six birdies and an eagle in his final round to win his second title of the year.

‘It feels good to feel that rush again,’ he said. ‘I didn’t hit the ball as well as I would like.

The Texan said: ‘People want to see somebody come up and do what Tiger did and change a generation of golf.

‘My short game was awful. But I was able to play for four days and hit the ball the way I wanted to and that’s progress.

‘But right now I look at what the number one in the world, Rory McIlroy, did this year and I’m trying to chase him more than I am anything else.’

‘It’s so nice to hit drives that hard again, take bunkers out of play, cut corners.

I hadn’t felt healthy enough to do that in a very long time.’

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Hampshire’s Justin Rose carded a oneunder 71 to finish tied sixth with Rickie Fowler on 11-under.

Poulter was part of the European team that retained the Ryder Cup in September. Paul McGinley was skipper, and Darren Clarke is a strong favourite to take over for 2016.

Ian Poulter: Ryder tiger

‘There are lots of people that could potentially be captain,’ Poulter told BBC Sport. ‘When you look at the next one in Hazeltine in America, it’s very much looking like Darren Clarke will be running as a strong favourite.

‘He has got a great relationship with the players and he would be a very worthy captain.’

Poulter has yet to win a Major but ‘When you look at Tom Watson nearly winning the Open championship at the age of 60 a few years back, then I’ve got plenty of years left in me yet .’

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If you would like to advertise in Tee Times, or would like to submit any editorial copy for publication, please call us on: 01329 834360, email us at: peter.teetimes@gmail.com, or write to us at: PGL Services Limited, Shedfield House Dairy, Unit 3, Shedfield, Southampton, Hampshire, SO32 2HQ. Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of this publication, the publishers cannot accept liability for errors or omissions. All articles published herein are without responsibility on the part of the publishers, in the occasion of loss or damage to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of any views published in Tee Times Golf Publications. COPYRIGHT: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or recorded by any means whatsoever without prior permission in writing from the publishers. © PGL Services Limited 2006.

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How to jazz up your putting Seve’s son joins the OUR TOP TEN pro ranks GOLFERS have called it The Dark Art. In other words: drive for show, putt for dough.

TEE Times has compiled a tongue-incheek list of golf-appropriate song titles (slightly adapted from the originals) which might inspire your game, even if they are not all jazz: • It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing - Duke Ellington • Any Old Irons - Chas and Dave • Not Fade Away - Rolling Stones • Tee for Two - Doris Day • I’ve Got You under My Skins Frank Sinatra • Green, Green Grass of Home Tom Jones • Bye Bye Birdie - Ann-Margret • On the Wings of an Eagle John Denver • Blame It On The Buggy Michael Jackson • Shut Up and Drive - Rihanna

Now researchers have come up with a theory that listening to certain types of music might actually help improve your score on the greens.

And jazz greats such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Louis Armstrong seem to be the cool dudes who will put some harmony in your putting stroke, say the academics.

In tests of top university golfers, it was found that jazz music was more likely to improve putting skills measurably more than classical, country, rock or hip-hop music.

When men players listened to jazz regularly, they were an average 17 per cent more accurate than after they’d tried hip-hop, and lady players holed 10 per cent more putts.

Rock music gave the lowest accuracy for some players and brought no improvement to their accuracy.

The findings came from Oklahoma State University, building on earlier research that suggested that different types of music were beneficial to players in various sports.

Country music, for example, improved the batting performance of players in baseball, while rap raised basketball skills.

It was claimed that music helps sportspeople to concentrate by providing a tempo in their minds by which to perform.

Dr Timothy Baghurst, who led the study on golf, said: ‘Why jazz elicits performances above other genres cannot be clearly explained, but does provide an opportunity to speculate.

‘Listening to jazz may encourage greater improvisation from the listener participants in the study may have better observed the grain and slope of the green and were more open to creativity in the putt.

‘It could also be argued that jazz serves to act as a calming effect, as opposed to other genres which generally have higher tempos.’

Call for public to know more about discipline rulings TIGER Woods was fined an undisclosed sum by the European Tour for spitting on a green at the Dubai Desert Classic.

On another occasion, a Tour official strangely, insisting on anonymity - confirmed that Woods had been fined an undisclosed sum for criticising referee John Paramor.

And it took the release of court papers to reveal that former Open and PGA champion John Daly had been banned five times and fined for misbehaviour.

These situations, and others more recent, have prompted concerns about what appears to be a ‘secret court’ of Tour officials reviewing bad behaviour in golf and then handing out pinprick fines on multimillionaire players without a full explanation.

Iain Carter, the BBC golf correspondent, is leading calls for the golfing public to be told more.

Mr Carter said: ‘U.S. Ryder Cup star Patrick Reed will be disciplined for his foul-mouthed homophobic outburst that followed threeputting in China.. Reed will no doubt be hit with a fine and it was even suggested in some quarters that he might receive a short ban. So, how much and for how long? Thanks to a PGA Tour policy that some people within the game

Javier Ballesteros: ‘Today my Dad comes to mind’

JAVIER Ballesteros, 23-year-old son of the late five-time Major champion Seve, has turned professional.

Seve in 2011 at the age of 54, and as Javier set out on the difficult - some would say impossible - path of following in a giant’s footsteps, he said: ‘Today my Dad comes to my mind. He taught me everything or almost everything I know about golf, and I would have loved him to see me turning pro. I am sure he would be very proud. This is something I have always wanted. Whether I will succeed or not, time will tell.’

Javier intends to begin his career by enrolling at the Alps Tour qualifying school. He played at the British Amateur Championship this year but failed to qualify for the matchplay stage after Seve, the Spaniard fondly remembered for his flair and charisma on and off the golf course, won 87 titles in his career, including The Open in 1979, 1984 and 1988 and the Masters in 1980 and 1983, and played in eight Ryder Cups.

End this golfing code of secrecy The real believe does golf a huge disservice, these questions will never be publicly answered.

Punishments are not publicised other than in instances where a player tests positive for performance-enhancing drugs.

‘It is a disciplinary code which lacks any kind of meaningful consequence. With no publicity and no shame, where exactly is the deterrent? Why bother with a disciplinary code?

‘The current set-up is one drafted by a PGA Tour that represents the best interests of its players but, it could be argued, not the sport itself. By keeping punishments in-house, reputations remain intact.’

Mr Carter referred to a recent tournament in Shanghai without a defending champion: ‘Dustin Johnson’s absence from competition, which stretches back to early August, has yet to be fully or satisfactorily explained.

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‘All we’ve been told is he has taken a “leave of absence to confront personal challenges”.

It could easily be that the big-hitting American has not broken a single rule and his absence may well be entirely voluntary, but how on earth are we supposed to know?

‘The PGA Tour in this regard is a governing body that could be accused of being derelict in its duty to the game.

Sponsors want to be associated with a squeaky-clean game and cash will continue to flow into the golfers’ bank accounts.

‘Every other sport lives off sponsorship money, but it is hard to think of another that appears to behave with such a focus on its reputation.

With golf about to rejoin the Olympic family, it is a game that is surely obliged to rise above its outdated and secretive policy?’

George O’Grady

IN the December issue of Tee Times, we reported that Mr George O’Grady was stepping down as chief executive of the European Tour after more than 40 years with the organisation.

An incorrect photograph was published with the article. We would like to apologise for the error, and thank those Tee Times readers who took the trouble to point it out.

Mr O’Grady, 65, pictured above, will take up a presidential role to represent the Tour through the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The 65-year-old has led the Tour since 2005 and was instrumental in helping golf return to the Olympic programme for the first time in 112 years, as well as driving forward the success of The Ryder Cup.

BELEK

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TEE TIMES 5

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THE MAGIC OF MUIRFIELD Muirfield has long been listed among the finest courses in the world, acknowledged by the greatest players and the golfing cognoscenti for decades. The home of The Michael Rees Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers is unique, the manner in which it upholds the traditions of the game exemplary, and to visit and play over the links is a golfing delight. For it is far more than a round or two of golf, but an exploration of and exposure to the traditions and all that is good in the game. The black and white Elizabethan style timbered clubhouse, flanked by the Greywalls Hotel, designed by Sir Edward Lutyens is well known, easily recognised and oft photographed.

The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers is the oldest verifiable organised golf club in the world. The records of the club date back to 1744, when the club produced what is acknowledged as the first rules of golf. They numbered just thirteen rules for the first competition to be played for the “Silver Club”.

The initial competition was won by John Rattray over the five holes of Leith Links, the first home of the club. He duly signed the rules and became the first club Captain. The club continued to play at Leith Links until 1836, when overcrowding on the five hole course became unmanageable. The club moved to Musselburgh Old Course, which like St Andrews was a public links, and was just nine holes. This course was also shared with other clubs, and so in 1891 the club built a brand new course at Muirfield.

They moved to their new club, which had been designed by Old Tom Morris, and comprised sixteen holes for play. When the Honourable Company moved, they took The Open Championship with them, which caused not a small amount of ill feeling in Musselburgh at the time. The new course however gained instant approval, though in the early years it was modified on several occasion and increased to eighteen holes. Since the 1920’s it has remained little altered, except of course to be lengthened, and from the Championship tees is now well over 7,000 yards.

The first Open Championship was duly held in 1892, when it was won by amateur Harold Hilton, and since then has been held on a regular basis, played on sixteen occasions, the last in 2013. The roll call of Champions at Muirfield reads like a who’s who of golf. Harry Vardon, James Braid, Ted Ray, Walter Hagen,

Alf Perry, Henry Cotton, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson, Nick Faldo, Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson. For British fans the two most memorable Opens were a contrast in outcome. In 1972 Tony Jacklin, then in his prime, was devastated by the chipping of Trevino, and capitulated on the 17th green. Fortunes changed in 1987, when Faldo ground down Paul Azinger with eighteen straight pars to win by one shot and claim the title of Champion Golfer of the Year. A success he was to repeat at the course five years later in 1992 for his third and final Open Championship victory.

Muirfield is unusual for a links course in Scotland, most run along the coast, out and then back, but Muirfield was the first to depart from this layout. It is designed as two loops of nine holes, returning to the clubhouse at the end of each nine. One loop, the front nine is played clockwise and the back nine anti clockwise. This means that if the wind in consistent, every hole on the course has a different wind direction from the tee. No more than three holes follow the same direction.

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The island bunker by the 18th green is a feature not to be forgotten. Jack Nicklaus has described it as the best course in Britain, and when he built a course at Columbus Ohio he called it Muirfield Village.

To add to the delights of this magnificent course there is clubhouse of equal merit, the treasures housed there captivate the golfer as soon as you enter. The smoking room, the locker room, and best of all the dining room.

For here you can savour the traditional lunch served at Muirfield, dining, suitably attired with jacket and tie, refectory style on food that is simply wonderful. Glance up at the pictures and marvel at the “Silver Club “ displayed alongside some of the finest examples of hickory clubs from the greatest club makers of the 19th Century.

One of the most memorable experiences in golf is to visit and stay in the Dormie House accommodation. Then rise and breakfast early, walk out on the course and sniff the air, before sampling Kummel and coffee, then play golf, dine at lunchtime and play the second

eighteen in the afternoon. Remembering, of course, that the format favoured by the members is foursomes golf, in the traditional style, with several unique elements.

If you play very well you may have to offer “The Colonel” or to give it the correct title, “Colonel Dalmyer”. Tradition has it that if one side gets three holes ahead, it is courtesy to offer the opponents a stroke at each hole until they catch up to within one hole, ensuring close matches to the end.

It is impossible to convey in words the majesty of Muirfield, I can only recommend that you commit to planning a visit, visitors can only play on Tuesday and Thursday, and booking is absolutely essential.

Despite what many think, ladies are allowed to play, and the club will accommodate them.

There are of course no lady members, for this is unequivocally a gentleman’s golf club. A status that is likely to remain, and one that is enjoyed, without deference, by those fortunate to have membership at this magical location.

BELEK

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Flying high, it’s the lady Woods CHEYENNE Woods followed in the footsteps of her famous uncle Tiger when she recreated the iconic images of golf shots flying from the helipad at the top of the Burj Al Arab. Her visit to the world’s only seven-star hotel, with its design mimicking the sail of a ship, marked the 10th anniversary of Tiger hitting tee shots from the same location.

It was an experience she described ‘crazy and awesome.’ It’s even more unbelievable than I thought it would

The two Macs star in the BBC awards GOLF’S contribution to the annual BBC sports awards had a distinctly Irish flavour.

World number one Rory McIlroy was runnerup to Formula 1’s Lewis Hamilton for Sports Personality of the Year 2014 and Paul McGinley capped a triumphant 2014 for golf as he scooped the Coach of the Year award.

Victory in the final race of the F1 campaign in Abu Dhabi secured the crown for Hamilton, who won his second world title and became only the fourth Briton to win the drivers’ championship at least twice. McIlroy was runner-up, with athlete Jo Pavey third.

be. You hear stories and see pictures online and once you’re here in person, it’s amazing: the views, the city and how high we are. It’s a little surreal to know that Tiger was here 10 years ago in the same spot.’

Above, Cheyenne Woods driving off the top of the Burj Al Ara (picture by Tristan Jones/LET) and, left, in action

MY HOPE FOR THE FUTURE GRAEME McDowell talks a lot of sense about golf.

In his interview with the BBC about the state of the game, his views are worth considering.

This is what he has to say about: The past year: With the European Tour having come to a close for 2014, we can safely say it was a year that belonged to my friend and Ryder Cup team-mate Rory McIlroy.

It was a great year for the continent, with Rory taking his two Majors and Martin Kaymer winning the U.S. Open. Then there was also our successful at Gleneagles.

McIlroy was aiming to become just the third golfer to win the award in its 61-year history, following Welshman Dai Rees in 1957, and Sir Nick Faldo 25 years ago.

McGinley, 48, engineered a 16½-11½ win over the United States at Gleneagles but his European side were by England’s women rugby players, who claimed the World Cup for the first time since 1994.

McGinley is set to join up again with McIlroy as Ireland golf team leader at the Olympics at Rio next year.

We need to fully capitalise on what was a stellar 2014. The PGA Tour is so strong, we all get that, but we’re very passionate about getting the European Tour back on the map.

The grass roots: We all know the sport has been struggling in terms of participation numbers, and kids are the key to reversing that.

Growing up in Ireland, one of the things was how cheap and accessible it was. Just look at how many successful players Ireland has these days and I don’t think that’s a coincidence.

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The first senior Major championship to be staged in Wales was held at the Bridgend links in July. Bernhard Langer won his second title, finishing 13 shots clear of Colin Montgomerie. The Championship will return to Royal Porthcawl following next year’s Championship at Sunningdale and the 2016 edition at Carnoustie.

Easy does it

But things are changing, we’re getting new sponsors and events like the British Masters and the European Open are going to return.

Paul McGinley: Coach of the year

ROYAL Porthcawl Golf Club will host the Senior Open Championship for a second time in 2017, the Eurioean Senior Tour has announced.

Andy Stubbs, managing director of the European Senior Tour, described the 2014 event as ‘one of the best Senior Opens.

Hopefully the Welsh public will embrace it just like they did this summer,’ Mr Stubbs said.

The challenge: The biggest change in golf I’d like to see in the coming year is the revival of the iconic events on the European Tour. It’s been a tough seven or eight years financially, losing events in Spain, Germany and the UK.

We want this revival of good things happening on the European Tour, and it’s certainly something I’d love to see.

Senior Open to return to Wales

‘I want to see the return of iconic events’

When I go to different parts of the world I see that golf is still elitist. We need nine-hole par-three courses like the one I grew up on.

United States.

The young challenge: I think it comes from the American Brooks Koepka, who won the WGC in China.

Europe is packed full of young potential stars, like Tyrrell Hatton and Tommy Fleetwood but to me, Koepka is the one who has made the breakthrough and is ready to challenge on the big stage this year.

He hits it a mile and is a precocious talent.

He is the archetypal 21st-century golfer.

SHANSHAN Feng hardly needed to work up sweat as the world number five strolled to a five-shot victory in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters at Emirates Golf Club.

Five in front overnight, the extremely-gifted golfer, pictured above on the 18th green, closed with a two-under 70 to finish at 19 under in delightful conditions for her second win in three appearances in the season-ending Ladies European Tour event.

BELEK

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TEE TIMES 9

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SUENO PINES BELEK

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Sueno Golf Resort boasts two 18 hole championship golf courses, the Pines and the Dunes, both offer a splendid challenge of golf. This month we feature the Pines golf course supposedly the harder of the two and ask the question is it as good as many golfers make it out to be.

The Pines is a par 72 parkland style course designed by PGA Design Consulting, the course is traditionally set up with 4 par fives, 4 par threes and 10 par fours with an overall length of just over 7,000 yards off the back tees and as the name suggests there are a lot of trees.

The opening hole is a splendid par 5 that has the title “The Big Easy” big it is but easy it isn’t, to try and find the putting surface in two shots takes a lot of nerve and accuracy off the tee, I would consider this hole to be a good steady opening par. The second is quite an easy par 4, having said that the green is quite contoured and 3 puts would not be unusual on this hole.

A “Little Gem” of a par 3 is next, the picturesque island green requires a well struck mid iron to find the putting surface but once you are there a par should be achievable.

Holes 4 / 5 and 6 are all par fours, the fifth being most interesting, a choice of a split fairway enables a short cut to the green, even though this route is nearer it doesn’t make it easier, the course is now starting to get very tough indeed.

A lengthy par 3 comes next, requiring a 150 yard carry over water and then another 50 yards to the green, achieve a par and walk away with a smile. The front nine concludes with another testing approach shot over water to a peninsular green, this is great hole to finish the first 9 holes.

The back nine starts with a short par 4 and is quite a good birdie opportunity, you may not have noticed but this is the first time the word birdie as been mentioned, the fairway is wide and not obstructed, make the most of this hole as things are about to get tough again. The 11th and 12th are both steady par fours which lead to the visually delightful 13th, a wonderful par 3 that favours the lower punch and run up to the green rather than the lofted aerial shot, another birdie opportunity comes on this hole if you play it right.

Golf Academy

Both holes 15 and 17 are par fives, they appear to be longer than they actually are by the narrowing of the Pine trees the nearer you get to the green, if you can hit a ball long and strait then these two hole will reward you, if your ball lands in the trees you will have little option than to chip out sideways back on to the fairway.

I consider that the 18th hole and green should always be a tough challenge, especially in competitive games of golf and the 18th hole of the Pines is as good a finishing hole as you will find on any golf course in Europe.

The majestic 5* Sueno Golf Hotel provides a backdrop to the magnificent island green that awaits your approach, the slightest deviation can spell disaster but to see your ball safely land on the velvet green putting surface offers the most wonderful feeling of relief you can imagine.

To sum up, the Pines Golf Course is without question a great challenge of golf, a challenge made easier by the various tee boxes available making the course enjoyable to low and high handicappers alike.

I can certainly understand why it is a firm favourite with golfers visiting the Belek area of Turkey, the well groomed fairways, immaculate greens and an outstanding course design all adds to the wonderful golfing experience when playing this great golf course, I am just Pining to return!

April 2015 sees the opening of the new Sueno Deluxe 5* Hotel situated a few hundred yards from the original hotel.

Sungolf Belek are organising a competition week to coincide with the Turkish Open in late October 2105, visit our website for full details.

If you would like to play Sueno Pines or any other golf course in Belek please give Sungolf a call 0115 9681007.

BELEK

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JANUARY 2015

TEE TIMES 11

F

antastic opportunity to stay at the NEW prestigious Sueno Deluxe 5* Hotel and attend the 2015 Turkish Open at the Montgomerie Golf Club Belek Turkey includes 3 rounds of competition golf with a great prize table that includes 2 FREE places for next years tournament

L NE W SU EN O DE LU XE RE SO RT 5* HOTEK 2015 TURKISH OPEN COMPETITION WEE Arrival date 29th & 30th October 2015 • 7 nights Ultra All-Inclusive • FREE room upgrade guaranteed for first 10 rooms booked • 3 rounds Sueno Golf Pines and Dunes • 3 competition days Prize table to include: • *2 FREE return places for 2016 • 1 day FREE entry into the Turkish Open golf tournament • Includes presentation gala dinner • Includes FREE range balls each golf day • Includes Half way snack each golf day • Private Airport transfers • Golf transfers included

Email: sungolfinfo@btinternet.com Web: www.sungolfbelek.co.uk Tel: 0044 (0)115 9681007

ONLY

£799pp sh aring twin room

2 Winners Return FR EE in 2016

BELEK

Terms and conditions apply see website for details. Flights are not included but can be arranged on your behalf.

Introducing Premier Golf Promotions, the Hampshire based company that is proud to offer a ONE STOP SHOP service for Golf Clubs throughout the year The team at Premier Golf Promotions have years of experience in marketing, sales and customer service. A company that does not use external agencies or second parties, so [I GER IRWYVI XLEX IZIV]XLMRK MW QEREKIH MR LSYWI XS TVSZMHI E ½VWX GPEWW WIVZMGI XS EPP SJ our partners.

Our services include: • Bespoke email campaigns to 1000s of local businesses, promoting the golf club and its facilities, membership campaigns, special offers, seasonal promotions and QSVI %PP SJ XLMW MW YRHIVXEOIR XS FYMPH GPYF E[EVIRIWW ERH TYWL QSVI JSSX XVEJ½G XLVSYKL ]SYV HSSV GSQTPMQIRXEV] JSV XII WMKREKI TEVXRIVW • 7YTTPMIVW SJ GSQTVILIRWMZI GSYVWI EGGIWWSVMIW GSQTPMQIRXEV] JSV XII WMKREKI TEVXRIVW WYFNIGX XS TEVXRIVWLMT HYVEXMSR • 8: %YHMS WYTTPMIVW JSV XLI GPYF LSYWI VIGITXMSR QIIXMRKW VSSQW TVS WLST SV SJ½GIW GSQTPMQIRXEV] JSV XII WMKREKI TEVXRIVW • ,ERH GVEJXIH GSYVWI JYVRMXYVI MRGPYHMRK XII ERH [IPGSQI WMKRW GSQTPMQIRXEV] JSV XII WMKREKI TEVXRIVW • Scorecard production and sponsorship • :MHIS *P]SZIV TVSHYGXMSR TEVXRIVW VIGIMZI E WYFWXERXMEP HMWGSYRX • 7TIGMEPMWXW MR QEVOIXMRK *SSX+SPJ [I GER WYTTSVX ERH QEREKI *SSX+SPJ SR ]SYV FILEPJ [MXL E ZMI[ XS ½RHMRK QSVI GYWXSQIVW ERH I\XIRHMRK YWI SJ JEGMPMXMIW • Help and support to golf clubs who already have tee signs in place but do not have the telesales and marketing resource to generate sponsors • *SV XLSWI GPYFW [MXL E XIPIWEPIW ERH QEVOIXMRK XIEQ [I GER WYTTP] LERH GVEJXIH WMKREKI FEWIH SR ]SYV WTIGM½GEXMSRW JSV ]SY XS WIGYVI JYXYVI WTSRWSVWLMT

±- [SYPH VIGSQQIRH 4VIQMIV +SPJ 4VSQSXMSRW XS SXLIV GSYVWIW XLI] EVI I\XVIQIP] TVSJIWWMSREP ZIV] ETTVSEGLEFPI ERH SJJIV E ½VWX GPEWW WIVZMGI² Mark Fenning - Club Manager, Tewkesbury Park Hotel & Golf Club

For further information about our services and how we can effectively support and promote your club on an annual basis, please call our team on 0800 542 2133. Alternatively, request an information pack via email to info@pgpl.co.uk or visit www.pgpl.co.uk

Golf Academy

BELEK

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JANUARY 2015

Beverly’s BIG Secrets

Hampshire Ladies Golf

HAMPSHIRE CLUB KO FINALS

– Beverly Huke It really is easy to buy presents for keen golfers……..and what better gift could there be than a training aid to help your favourite golfer (or maybe yourself) to feel good positions in the swing? make no excuses for highlighting this one again – the Swingyde! It’s simple to use, easy to carry around, very effective for both right and left handed golfers and not expensive!

I

HAPPY PRACTICING…

Available online or in good golf shops it comes with a little sweatband to protect the arm the Swingyde is pressed against – I would recommend you use it.

Knight Cup Winners Waterlooville (Kerry Smith & Bev Pennekett).

“Swingyde is used and recommended by Professional Tour players and Coaches because it works”. - Charles Howell III

It’s a long road to finals day in our inter-club knockouts. They start early in the year and finish in late September. This year the 10 teams who won through to finals days were all from different clubs.

SWINGYDE EUROPE LTD Milton Keynes, England Phone: 077 9697 4142 Email: Steve@swingyde-europe.com Website: http://www.swingyde.com

If you want to really improve your golf swing for 2015 call me 07973 307880 or check out www.beverlyhukegolf.com

GERRY'S CHIP - IN

Burley Vets Trophy Winners

A chilly December morning at Burley Golf Club is not the best time to display your chipping skills but that was what Gerry Rickman had to do at the start of his Veterans Captain year.

Not the traditional Drive- in, something more difficult. From 60 feet Gerry chipped to within 6 feet of the flag, members placed their bets on the distance, the winner received a prize courtesy of Beresford's Restaurant.

A Bring'n Win Stableford followed and the proceedings concluded with the presentation of Trophies.

The Knight Cup is the most popular club competition in Hampshire. It’s a foursomes knockout and this year was contested by 54 clubs. Finals day was held at Petersfield in glorious weather on a lovely course. The semi-finals were Petersfield vs Gosport & Stokes Bay, and Waterlooville Vs Blackmoor. Waterlooville were the first finalists to be known and in the other match it was Gosport whose winning putt sat on the edge of the 18th hole for 7 seconds before dropping to give the a place in the final. The final was also exciting with the lead changing hands before Waterlooville took the honours on the 17th. It was an excellent day with great golf from all eight players, each of whom played a strong part in their team.

The North Hants Trophy is a scratch KO for teams of three. After playing one round the knocked out teams play the same format for the North Hants Plate.

Finals day for both was held at Alresford in excellent conditions. Meon Valley, Burley, Hockley & Brokenhurst Manor were the Trophy semi-finalists. Both matches could have gone either way and spectators were treated to sparkling golf from some of Hampshire’s best players (three had just played in the Hampshire team that won the English County Championship). The final was between holders Meon Valley and Brokenhurst Manor and it couldn’t have been closer, or

North Hants Trophy Winners, Brokenhurst Manor (L-R Aileen Simpson, Pam Capon, Elaine Barrow, Charlotte Barrow)

more exciting. The last match out was the decider, but not until the 19th when Brokenhurst clinched the match.

The Plate final followed the Trophy semifinals in the morning. Bramshott Hill were finalists for the second year running. This time they were up against North Hants.

The first two matches gave a win to each team leaving the decider on the course.

North Hants had been 3 up at the turn but gradually Bramshott Hill chewed away at their lead. It took the full 18 holes before North Hants finally emerged as winners of the Plate.

The North Hants Trophy and Plate competitions always give us an exciting display of scratch match play and 2014 was no exception. Our thanks go to Alresford GC for allowing us to use their excellent course at short notice.

North Hants Plate Winners, North Hants (L-R Jenny Kershaw, Di Morgans, Rachel Davidson)

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THESE COMPETITIONS AND HAMPSHIRE GOLF FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS SEE OUR WEBSITE: WWW.HAMPSHIRELADIESGOLF.CO.UK Gerry Rickman

Golf Academy

BELEK

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JANUARY 2015

TEE TIMES 13

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

Tel: 01256 884 100 sherfieldoaks-manager@crown-golf.co.uk www.sherfieldoaksgolf.co.uk

Play Golf at SHANKLIN & SANDOWN

Friday and Sunday Night Special

Autumn / Winter Green Fee Offers (from 1st November to 31st March) 3 for 2 or 4 for 3 on Green Fees

Golf Break Offer £50 PP 18 holes on day of arrival • 3 course dinner Overnight accommodation • Full English breakfast 18 holes on day of departure

Thursday Afternoon Roll-ups £10 per player

Winter Special Golf Deal

(All Green Fees subject to availability - Please telephone (01983) 404424 to check)

4 Ball - £40 (1st October 2014 -28th February 2015)

Offers cannot be combined

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 Quote Ref: Ref: TT2014 TT2014

Meon Valley, A Marriott Hotel & Country Club is the perfect location to Tee Off. Book online at marriottgolf.co.uk for the best available rates

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JANUARY 2015

Only kidding, Tiger!

Woods in a rage over spoof interview ‘slurs’ Dan Jenkins: ‘I let him off easy’

TIGER Woods has asked for an apology after a veteran golf writer published a skit interview about him.

Scotland eyes early return of the Ryder Cup COLIN Montgomerie has welcomed the possibility of the Ryder Cup returning to Scotland as soon as 2026.

But it will probably have to travel around Europe before that can happen, he believes.

Dan Jenkins, who has covered golf for more than 60 years, wrote the spoof for Golf Digest magazine, which clearly stating that the piece was fictitious.

Jenkins’ parody ridiculed the 14-time Major winner’s failed marriage and joked that the 38-year-old former world number one enjoyed firing people and disliked paying tips.

In what critics described as a surprisingly over-the-top response, Woods described Jenkins’ article as a ‘grudge-fuelled piece of character assassination.’

Jenkins, 84, who has reported on more than 200 majors, said he wrote the

Lawrie to host Euro matchplay PAUL Lawrie is to host a new £800,000 matchplay tournament in Aberdeen as part of the European Tour’s Race to Dubai.

Tiger Woods: ‘It was grudge-fuelled’

piece because he has never been granted an exclusive interview with Woods.

Woods added: ‘I like to think I have a good sense of humour, and that I’m more than willing to laugh at myself.

‘Good-natured satire is one thing, but no fair-minded writer would put someone in the position of having to publicly deny that he mistreats his friends, takes pleasure in firing people and stiffs on tips - and a lot of other slurs, too.’

The inaugural Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play will be staged next July at Murcar Links Golf Club, on the outskirts of the city. The event aims to attract 64 of the Race to Dubai’s leading players, and former Open champion Lawrie said: ‘It’s fantastic to be bringing another European Tour event to my home town.’

Lawrie’s personal career highlight came in strokeplay, when he was crowned champion of the 1999 Open Championship at Carnoustie, but in matchplay he has twice represented in the Ryder Cup and finished third in the Volvo World Match Play two years ago.

TROLLIES GIFT

But Jenkins responded by tweeting: ‘My next column for Tiger: defining parody and satire. I thought I let him off easy.’

Mike Cantley, VisitScotland’s chairman, has revealed that the success of this year’s match at Gleneagles could help launch a bid to host the event again a lot sooner than many people had expected.

THE SKIT THAT RILED HIM

After the 1973 match at Muirfield, it took more than 40 years for the Ryder Cup to return to the home of golf, but either the 2026 or 2030 dates appear to be on the wish-list for Scottish golf.

Q: Why haven’t you fired Steiny (agent Mark Steinberg), by the way?

You’ve fired everybody else...

A: I’ll probably get around to it. I like to fire people. It gives me something to do when I’m not shaping my shots

Monty said: ‘Because it’s the home of golf, you do feel why should we have to wait 41 years to get it back. It would definitely be great to have it back in Scotland sooner.

But it’s a European Tour, remember. It’s not just a Scottish or a British Tour. And we are obligated to go to countries within Europe, not just the home nations.’

Q: You named your yacht Privacy.

Because you’re a worldwide celebrity, do you really expect and demand privacy?

A: I thought about renaming it Serenity, but that pretty much went out the door when the 9-iron hit the window of the Escalade

Q: You haven’t talked about it, but after all of those New York Post front pages during the scandal, what’s the moral of your story?

A: That’s easy. Don’t get caught.

ENGLAND Golf and PowaKaddy have ensured that disabled golfers are given improved access to the game by awarding electric trolleys to several of the country’s golf-related disability groups.

Q: I don’t get it. For a guy who can certainly afford it, you’ve become famous for being a bad tipper. It’s almost like you take pride in it.

A: I just don’t understand why you’re supposed to tip people for doing a job they’re already getting paid to do.

England Golf presented PowaKaddy electric trolleys to England Deaf Golf, England and Wales Blind Golf, BALASA Golf and the Disabled Golf Association.

Pictured above: The England and Wales Blind Golf Association during the Auld Enemies Cup.

John sizzles to Burial at sea: the ultimate club abuse? a round of 58 WE have all had the black feeling that wells up when things do not go well on the golf course.

THE magical sub-60 round has been achieved by American John Hahn.

Hahn, 25, went round in 58 at the qualifying school over the par-70 Tour Course at Spain’s PGA Catalunya Resort. But his score, which included 12 birdies, will not count as a record because preferred lies were being used.

No player has posted an official sub-60 round in a European Tour events, although rounds of 60 have been recorded 18 times on the tour. Former Open champion Darren Clarke has achieved it twice, in Monte Carlo in 1992 and Ireland in 1999.

Mostly, we rationalise that it’s a frustrating game, take a deep breath, perhaps cuss a little and move on. But one golfer in Hong Kong nursed the feeling long after he had completed the 18th at Kau Sai Chau Golf Club.

On the ferry home, he ditched nearly all his clubs, one by one, over the side and into the waters of Hong Kong Harbour.

The sequence was aired by the golf lifestyle TV network Back9Network, where a reporter said: ‘He went overboard, pun intended. He just tossed his clubs off the boat one by one.

At least he saved his putter.’

Golf Academy

Club selection. . . into the harbour. . .I’ll keep this one: Part of the Back9Network sequence

Keen rulebook watchers might wonder if this was a breach of the rules. The R&A rule book does not refer to club abuse by name, but the Etiquette Section (Rule 33-7) allows for disqualification of a player for a serious breach of etiquette.

But since the angry golfer was no longer on the golf course, the matter was less the business of the R&A - and more the concern of harbour authorities who would surely frown upon fly tipping at a tourist spot.

BELEK

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JANUARY 2015

GET AROUND FOR YEARS TO COME

TEE TIMES 15

atterson roducts

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BELEK

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JANUARY 2015

WHATS HOT OR NOT

in the World of Ladies Golf

Your Monthly Blog by

Claire Kane

PLUGGING THE GAPS

FERNDOWN GOLF CLUB PGA PROFESSIONAL SELECTED FOR THE PRESTIGIOUS COACH ASPIRE PROGRAMME 2015/16 Scott Godfrey was put forward by England Golf at the end of the summer for the Coach Aspire Programme 2015/16 and was given an interview at Sport England headquarters in London.

He is one of only 22 coaches from 16 different sports across the UK who have been selected for the programme.

The Aspire programme was established three years ago to bridge the gap between sportspecific programmes arranged by Governing Bodies of Sport and the world-class programmes facilitated by UK Sport.

Aspire is for coaches who have a realistic aspiration of coaching athletes at future Olympic, Youth Olympic and Commonwealth Games. The programme is managed by Sports Coach UK and supported by each of the Home Country Sports Councils.

I recently played golf in an icy wind whilst suffering from a head cold. In my attempt to keep warm and avoid going down with pneumonia, I cocooned myself in so many layers and ended up totally over-cooked and struggling to hit the ball.

We must be mad to play golf during the winter months, but then some of us are keen to get value from our club membership, so it’s a case of being prepared and plugging all the gaps.

If you’re a skier you can always dig out your snow gear, although the bulky clothes may offer fantastic protection when you’re weaving your way down the slopes on a couple of planks but when it comes to golf, there are additional factors. For instance, you’ll need to be able to stride out for miles without becoming a ‘boil in the bag’, freely rotate your arms like a windmill without gaping bits, plus have enough flexibility to constantly bend down without feeling you’ve gained 10lbs round your midriff.

Thank goodness retailers now sell high tech compression base layers as they’re fantastic at keeping you warm. What the marketing fails to mention though, is there’s a fine line between snug and skintight, something you quickly realise when you try to slip into, what appears to be, a body-hugging garment for a 10 year old.

It’s not just the tight neck-line; the material is similar to cling-film and exposes every pimple, never mind all your lumps and bumps. So, take your Mum’s advice and ‘buy big’.

By the time you’ve added your scarf and a woolly hat to reduce the chill factor around your ears, you’re beginning to look more like a neckless snowman (woman) rather than a golfer.

If you wear winter gloves allow an additional minute per hole whilst you fumble around for your tee peg, marker and pencil.

Also if you wear ‘over’ mittens to keep your hands warm between shots, be careful not to wave your arms around as you just might be mistaken for an Aircraft Marshall directing planes with your large, paddle-like hands.

When it comes to winter golf, my personal tip is to apply a thick coat of lip gloss as it helps to stop lips turning into shrivelled prunes. Just bear in mind reapplying dark colours on the course with a pair of mittens could mean you’ll end up looking like you’ve just eaten a jam sandwich, very badly.

© Claire Kane Follow my tales on twitter @golfsnippets

Golf Academy

They have been developed for the next generation of coaches who have the potential to progress onto UK Sport’s world class coaching programmes in the future. The programme is structured to meet the development needs of each individual coach in a range of ways including profiling activities and exploring the individual’s coaching values.

Scott became Assistant Professional at Ferndown Golf Club in February 2005. In doing so, he left behind an amateur career that saw him become both English boys' and men's champion, while also qualifying for the 2003 British Open played at Royal St. George's.

Scott's real passion since turning professional has been in coaching and in 2012 he was awarded the prestigious position of England Under 18s National Girls Coach.

“It's a fantastic opportunity for me to broaden my knowledge on various aspects which contribute to making a world class coach and I intend to make the most of it.

“2015 is set to be a busy year combining the course with my role as Head Professional at Ferndown Golf Club and my commitments with the England Girls squad.

“I will keep everyone updated with my progress throughout the programme” said Scott Godfrey.

“We are thoroughly excited for Scott and will support him throughout the year with the programme and look forward to hearing about his progress” said Ian Walton, General Manager, Ferndown Golf Club.

119 Golf Links Road, Ferndown, BH22 8BU Tel: 01202 653950 www.ferndowngolfclub.co.uk

TO ADVERTISE CALL 01329 834360 OR

Email peter.teetimes@gmail.com BELEK

22/6/06 20

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JANUARY 2015

TEE TIMES 17

Alresford Golf Club

F E R N D OW N GOL F CLU B

SPECIAL WINTER RATES

‘enjoyable golf and a great deal more’

Play Peter Alliss’s favourite golf course Only £42.50 per person (to include coffee and a bacon bap) ALRESFORD IS WINTER GOLF AT ITS BEST! PACKAGE 1 Coffee & Bacon Roll 18 holes of Golf £28.75 PER PERSON

PACKAGE 2 (MONDAYS ONLY) Full English Breakfast (before golf) 18 holes of Golf £30.00 PER PERSON

PACKAGE 3 Coffee & Bacon Roll 18 holes of Golf 2 C Lunch £40.20 PER PERSON

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.

119 Golf Links Road, Ferndown, BH22 8BU Tel: 01202 653950 Visit: ferndowngolfclub.co.uk

CARDIFF GOLF CLUB

Cheriton Road, Tichborne Down, Alresford, Hampshire SO24 0PN Tel : 01962 733746 Email:secretary@alresfordgolf.co.uk

www.alresfordgolf.co.uk

Limited Full Membership Special Offer!

Play for 18 months and only pay for 15 Knighton Heath Golf Club, Bournemouth

WINTER OFFER 18 Holes & A Meal - £24.99 (January - March) No Temporary Greens • No Winter Mats Cardiff's Premier Golf Course Cardiff Golf Club , Sherborne Avenue, Cyncoed, Cardiff, CF23 6SJ General Enquiries: 029 20 753320 www.cardiffgolfclub.co.uk

Our much improved genuine heath land course, situated on 90 acres of high ground beside Canford Heath, is a great place to play golf.

Join now and pay NO JOINING FEE and receive THREE complimentary green fee vouchers following the interview. and play at 16 reciprocal golf clubs for a nominal £5 per 4ball. and receive TWO complimentary 4 ball vouchers to use Monday – Thursday, once you have paid your subscription.

To receive this special offer you would be required to pay, once your application has been approved, the full subscription based on the current rate, £ 1 170. This will secure your membership until 30 June 2016.

A SAVING OF SOME £480.

For more information please contact the Manager, Reunert Bauser, on 01202 572633 or email him at manager@khgc.co.uk.

Knighton Heath Golf Club, Francis Avenue, Bournemouth BH11 8NX www.khgc.co.uk

Meon Valley, A Marriott Hotel & Country Club is the perfect location to Tee Off. Book online at marriottgolf.co.uk for the best available rates

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JANUARY 2015

aversham Heath Golf Club, located on the Berkshire and Oxfordshire border has always offered huge potential. Part of the historic Mapledurham Estate, the area itself is rich in history but the course itself is relatively new, being opened in 2000.

C

Members enjoy exclusivity at weekends, with no visitor bookings taken before 12pm. As membership grows this time will be further extended. A generous 15% discount is provided to members on their beverage purchases and 10% discount is available on food.

With so much competition around the area, the Club, over the last few years have embarked on exciting plans to deliver the potential that has always existed.

2014 has been a busy year for the Club, they have recruited a new General Manager, a new Head Professional and a new Head Chef. All are eager to embrace the team ethos that must exist at any successful club or organisation and early signs both on and off the course are hugely positive.

For golfers who are weighing up that important membership decision Caversham Heath has much to offer. Members know that they can play the course throughout the winter, the natural gravel and chalk subsoil providing incredible drainage on the fairways while the USGA greens also ensure conditions remain not just playable, but remarkably good whatever the weather.

The club have also installed a downstairs spike bar and will shortly be refurbishing the main bar area, there will also be some improvements to the aesthetics of the course.

MCGINLEY PACKAGE Coffee & bacon rolls, 9 holes of golf, Light lunch, 18 holes of golf, Free range balls, Starter & score board, 1 Course dinner - £44.00

Further evidence that the team are committed to driving the Club forwards to benefit the members, while also allowing the incredibly busy function business to flourish.

It’s an exciting time at the Club, and we feel it will be that way for quite some time.

While the focus is very much on membership, Caversham Heath is a very

TORRANCE PACKAGE Coffee & bacon rolls 18 Holes of golf 1 Course lunch - £34.00

popular society venue, testament to the quality of course, food and all round facilities that the club can boast.

Winter packages start from just £27, and with a reputation for the best fairways in the area the only question remains… … how many of them will you find?!

JACKLIN PACKAGE Coffee & bacon rolls 18 Holes of golf £27.00

Caversham Heath Golf Club, Chazey Heath, Mapledurham, Reading RG4 7UT Tel: 0118 947 8600 Fax: 0118 947 8700 Email: info@cavershamgolf.co.uk www. cavershamgolf.co.uk

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Come and play golf, whatever the season, whatever the weather Caversham Heath provides a superbly challenging, yet highly playable and enjoyable golf course

WINTER MEMBERSHIP OFFER (from January to March 2015) *For an initial payment of £150.00, followed by unlimited and unrestricted 7-day membership at £50.00 per month, new memberʼs will receive: • Full playing rights • 2 Guest Green Fee vouchers • Full calendar of events (Join in April and we will credit £50 to your bar card)

Caversham Heath Golf Club, Chazey Heath, Mapledurham, Reading RG4 7UT Tel: 0118 947 8600 Fax: 0118 947 8700 Email: info@cavershamgolf.co.uk www. cavershamgolf.co.uk

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A READER’S question in a national newspaper prompted another discussion about some of the ‘daft disqualifications’ imposed on players for breaking the rules of golf.

The question to the Daily Mail was: Is it true that a professional golfer was once disqualified for kneeling on a towel to play a shot from under a tree? What other daft disqualifications have there been in professional golf?

Pine tree The incident which sparked the question came in the 1987 Andy Williams San Diego Open at Torrey Pines. The 1982 Masters champion, Craig Stadler, went to the scorer’s hut believing he had finished second.

Instead, Sadler was told he was disqualified for breaking the rules the day before. Stadler’s ball had landed beneath a pine tree and the only way he could play the shot was on his knees. Not wanting to dirty his trousers, he knelt on a towel to make the stroke.

As a rule, is golf a daft game?

Sandy Lyle was disqualified for adding a piece of tape to his putter to stop the glare from the sun

But TV cameras had spotted an infringement - his hand had brushed the back of his ball as he replaced it in front of his market, and the ball did not return to exactly its original place by about 2mm: disqualified.

That attracted a two-stroke penalty under the rule covering Building a Stance and ‘creating or eliminating irregularities of surface’. Because he had not entered the penalty, it meant he had turned in an incorrect scorecard. The disqualification cost him $37,000.

Reader Brian Coleman recalled that Sandy Lyle was disqualified for adding a piece of tap to his putter to stop the glare from the sun, and in the 2003 Open after a mix-up of cards, two players were disqualified for marking their own cards.

Simon Dyson was fined and disqualified for using his ball to tap down a spike mark on a green - but the most common form of disqualifiaction in the Rules is a player not signing his card at all.

And if golf is not daft, it can sometimes be a bit barmy!

The Irishman was ruled out of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in 2011 when at the end of the second day he innocently signed for a 65.

Padraig Harrington and Nick Faldo: Fell foul more than once

Another reader, Jon Gower, said Padraig Harrington and Nick Faldo fell foul of the rules more than once.

In 2000, Harrington was five shots ahead after three days of the Benson & Hedges International at the Belfry when officials discovered he had not signed his card on day one: disqualified for a slip that cost him £166,000.

Mr Gower said Faldo in the 1994 Dunhill Masters was ahead by six with seven to play when someone reported that in the previous round he had removed a piece of coral from behind his ball in a bunker: disqualified, missing out on a $100,000 payday.

briefly Six new events for Euro Tour THERE will be six new tournaments and seven new venues on this year’s European Tour. July’s Paul Lawrie Matchplay is at Murcar Links, Aberdeen, and the European Open will be at Bad Griesbach, Germany, in September.

Also new are the Thailand Classic, Indian Open, Shenzhen International and Mauritius Open, and Rory McIlroy hosts the Irish Open at Royal County Down, a new course, in late May. There will be at least 47 events across 11 months, with a possible return in October of the British Masters for the first time since 2008.

A fiver wins it RISING Chinese star Xi Yu Lin dominated at Yalong Bay Golf Club to earn a commanding five-stroke victory at the Sanya Ladies Open in tropical Hainan, China.

And at the 1992 Million Dollar Challenge, Faldo incorrectly marked his card: disqualified, picking up a loser’s cheque for ’just’ $105,000.

The 18-year-old shot a 14-under total in hot and windy conditions for a 202 total as the first home winner in five years of the tournament.

Lin finished ninth in the first Sanya event as a 14-year-old amateur and has never finished outside the top 10 in the tournament.

Tough? Players’ bank managers may be crying into their brandies, but Rules is Rules, innit?

Monty milestone COLIN Montgomerie has been honoured in Turkey ahead of completing his 600th European Tour event.

Jason Palmer practising his very successful one-handed chipping technique

Michael Furrh about to send a drive 63 yards for a new Guinness Book of Records mark using the world’s longest usable golf club

The veteran Scot has amassed 31 European Tour victories, eight Order of Merit titles, two Senior Major Championships and played in eight Ryder Cups. Monty welcomed guests at the course he designed, the Montgomerie Maxx Royal, before the Turkish Airlines Open - and was shown a statue of himself which has been unveiled near the clubhouse.

Palmer told BBC Sport: ‘Every time I missed a green in regulation it resulted in a bogey. I was practising with my friend Neil Chaudhuri and told him that I’d had enough. My short game was diabolical. I then showed him that I was fine with one hand. The strike was there. It was crisp, ball then turf every time, and consistently going where I wanted it to go. He said the decision to go one-handed was a “no brainer”. I was at rock bottom so I thought I’d give it a go. It freed me up instantly. I embarked on a great run of form.’

Debut victory

Diabolical

And the Guinness world record for the longest usable golf club has been broken - again. In this ‘sport’, the longer the clubs become, the shorter are the driving distances.

Leicestershire-based Palmer, 30, has had to conquer a severe case of the yips. Now, when he is within 50 yards of a green, he plays wedge shots with just his right hand.

Michael Furrh from Dallas, who hit a ball 146 yards with a 14-foot club in 2012, has driven back into the record book with a 20 foot 6 inch club, registering a drive of 63 yards in the air.

Cheng fired a final round 68 at Orient (Xiamen) Golf and Country Club in China, rounding off a three stroke victory over French professional Marion Ricordeau, who earned the €37,500 first prize cheque due to Cheng’s amateur status. Cheng became the sixth amateur to win on the Ladies European Tour.

HERE are two golfing characters who make you do a doubletake to check that your eyes are not misleading you.

First, Jason Palmer, who has raised his game, literally singlehandedly, and secured a European Tour card for the new season after discovering a unique solution to his chipping yips.

And second, Michael Furrh who is surely the man with the longest swing in golf. With a 20-foot golf club. Why? Because he can.

Golf Academy

TOP Chinese Taipei amateur Cheng Ssu-Chia, 17, won the inaugural Xiamen Open on her Ladies European Tour debut, continuing the march of Asian ladies through the ranks.

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TEE TIMES 21

Lee-on-the-Solent Golf Club FOUNDED 1905

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Why not come and join us for a hearty full English breakfast and 18 holes of golf £100 per fourball Please contact the office on 02392 551170 to make your reservation www.leegolf.co.uk

Meon Valley, A Marriott Hotel & Country Club is the perfect location to Tee Off. Book online at marriottgolf.co.uk for the best available rates

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New look for history club

Dorset club lands an award first

TWO holes at Berkshire’s oldest golf club, the historic Newbury & Crookham, are to be redesigned.

STURMINSTER Marshall Golf Club in Dorset has become the first in the country to achieve England Golf’s new GolfMark award.

Mike Dodd with Dee Wood (left), who has just retired as Dorset County Development Officer, and Elaine Barrow, who has taken on the role

Some holes were commandeered as runways for what became the Greenham Common airbase, famed for its women’s peace protests in the 1980s.

‘It’s always nice to be first,’ said club owner and PGA professional Mike Dodd. ‘We are a pro-active club working at grass roots to get people into golf and this award underlines that we’re doing everything the right way.’

GolfMark, which was originally started in 2006, has been updated and relaunched to make it more relevant in today’s challenging commercial landscape.

you to focus on any areas where you need to tune up and it keeps you on your toes, makes sure everything is up to scratch,’ said Mike Dodd.

The new scheme has an increased focus on development and business support and a GolfMark club is one which takes positive action to recruit and retain members, plan effectively for the future, offer coaching and playing opportunities for all golfers and have the right policies and procedures in place to safeguard members of all ages.

He bought the club eight years ago and has developed it as a centre for new and improving golfers. ‘We have a short ninehole course and a purpose built driving range with a classroom and a practice area,’ said Mike. ‘We have about 250 members and probably 200 of them will have come through our coaching programmes. Some move on to other clubs but we always have new people and our membership never goes down.’

GolfMark, which incorporates Sport England’s ClubMark award, has been hugely successful since it was first launched in 2006. A total of 766 clubs achieved the award under the previous system and over 200 are already working towards the new award.

They are led by Sturminster Marshall, which has long been a supporter of the scheme and was one of the first clubs in Dorset to get the original GolfMark award. ‘It helps

The club works closely with the Dorset Golf Partnership and is one of its Get Into Golf centres, offering a course of six group lessons for adult beginners for £30, together with a range of other packages.

The club is involved in the Dorset Tour, which offers playing opportunities to new golfers

who have gone through the Get Into Golf scheme. Sturminster Marshall also hosts Feel Inspired sessions for golfers with disabilities.

Mike has a thriving junior academy and he set up the EZGO Junior Tour which gives children of all standards the chance to play different courses and meet other golfers. He is also one of the coaches with the Dorset Academy.

Dee Wood, who recently retired as Dorset County Development Officer, worked with Mike to achieve the new GolfMark and said: ‘All credit to him.’

‘Mike thrives on working with beginners and juniors and there’s always something for everyone going on at the club.’

• England Golf is the governing body for amateur golf in England. and is one of the largest sports governing bodies in England. It looks after the interests of more than 1,900 golf clubs and more than 713,000 club members.

Celtic Manor is named top golf resort It’s a silly story, says golfing MP THE Celtic Manor Resort has picked up another major accolade after being judged the UK’s best independent golf resort in the inaugural GOLFAs Awards.

The new awards recognised the golf teams and venues across the country that had made a difference in improving golfers’ experiences and showcasing the sport during 2014. Celtic Manor saw off stiff competition from fellow finalists Stoke Park, Rockliffe Hall and Grayshott Hotel and Spa to claim the prize for leading independent resort.

The judging panel, which included Keith Mitchell, marketing director of Golfbreaks.com, praised Celtic Manor’s efforts in sustaining visitor numbers and improving their experience in the aftermath of staging the 2010 Ryder Cup. The panel said: ‘When the television cameras and crowds had left, the hard work

Opened in 1873 as Crookham GC, the current course dates from after World War II, during which it was requisitioned by the Air Ministry.

began to sustain the incredible public profile and reputation that the resort had gained.

“The challenge was overcome by developing the strengths that had made the venue so successful in the first place, with personal touches making each guest feel like a VIP.’ On the back of the worldwide exposure provided by the Ryder Cup, Celtic Manor’s golf revenues doubled between 2008 and 2011 but maintaining those numbers has remained a competitive challenge in the present economic climate.

Director of Golf, Spa and Leisure Will Hewitt said: ‘Four years on from holding a Ryder Cup described as the greatest ever, it is very satisfying to still be picking up accolades of this stature.’

Celtic Manor was voted Europe’s Golf Resort of the Year and the UK’s Sport Venue of the Year in 2011.

Golf Academy

A WELSH Tory MP has dismissed criticism that he ignored his party’s calls to campaign in a Kent parliamentary by-election but visited the area to play golf.

The Sunday Times said Montgomeryshire’s Glyn Davies, 70, was just seven miles from the constituency, Rochester, when he played on a nearby course. But Mr Davies told BBC Wales it was ‘a silly story’. He said he could not canvass because he has a bad back and cannot walk far, and was able to play golf only because he used a buggy.

Conservative Chief Whip Michael Gove is understood to have ordered MPs to visit the area three times before the by-election against Mark Reckless, the Tory MP who defected to UKIP. The Prime Minister visited five time.

In 1947 the golf club amalgamated with the younger Newbury District Golf Club, which was established in 1923, and those wartime runways now constitute in part the first, 14th and 15th fairways.

The family firm of Swan Golf Designs is now to redesign the fifth and seventh holes of the JH Turner-designed layout as part of its 10year association with the club.

The UK-based company has earned commissions on four continents and is currently engaged by more than 20 clubs across Europe.

QUOTABLE QUOTE The last psychiatrist I spoke to recommended taking up golf to relieve stress - and that’s a bad idea. Golf’s more stressful than combat.

- Talking to the New York Post, Rob O’Neill, the U.S. Navy Seal who shot dead Osama bin Laden

Glyn Davis: I can only play golf with a buggy

But Mr Davies admitted he had not visited the area once, but did go to the nearby Tudor Park Marriott Hotel and Country Club with his wife for bed and breakfast and a round of golf.

‘It’s a pretty silly story, really,’ he said. ‘I don’t like to make too much of a fuss of things that can go wrong really - but generally speaking I can’t walk great distances and I can’t stand up for very long.

I wouldn’t have thought they’d want me to go down there and stand on the side of the street and not be able to walk round. I can only play golf with a buggy and I tend to do it (canvassing) on the telephone.’

Mr Davies added that a community meeting in his constituency prevented him from going to Rochester after his golfing trip.

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Lyme Regis Golf Club, Timber Hill, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3HQ

GOLF SOCIETIES THE CLASSIC PACKAGE Bacon Roll & Coffee, 18 Holes of Golf 2 Course Evening Meal ­ £40 per person 20 Players or more 1 Player F.O.C 40 Players or more 2 Players F.O.C Other Packages Are Available On Request THE PAR PACKAGE Bacon Roll & Coffee, 9 Holes of Golf Soup & Sandwiches , 18 Holes of Golf 2 Course Evening Meal ­ £55 per person

TEE TIMES 23

SOUTHWICK PARK GOLF CLUB

OUTSTANDING MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE! 15 Months for the price of 12 Adult members enjoy one free junior membership when they join We now offer intermediate membership categories (18-29 yrs) Come and view our facilities and learn more about our fabulous offers!

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TEEING UP WITH

CHARLOTTE THOMPSON Status: Professional Age: 22 years Height: 5’ 6” Club: Channels Golf Club, Essex Average Drive: 275 yards

Q When did you first start playing golf?

A Mum and Dad introduced me to golf with a set of plastic

clubs when I was just four. I then progressed to my sisters’ hand-me-downs, before receiving my first full set of clubs on my eighth birthday.

Q So, do all your family play?

A My two older sisters, Samantha and Sarah, both played

when they were younger but gave up. Sarah recently admitting to being a tad jealous that I always won when we were kids!

But my Mum Jackie Sleet (hcp 13) still plays at Channels GC and my Dad Bob Thompson (hcp 8) plays at Three Rivers Golf and Country Club.

Q What is your home club?

A I started playing at Regiment Way Golf Club which is now

known as Little Channels GC, and joined Channels Golf Club in Essex thirteen years’ ago where I’ve been a member ever since.

hen Charlotte Thompson from Channels Golf Club qualified for the Women’s British Open in 2012 it proved to be the catalyst in her decision to turn professional.

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She succeeded in qualifying for the Ladies’ European Tour (LET) at her first attempt, and has topped the longest driving stats on tour with an impressive average drive of 275 yards. But it hasn’t all been plain sailing for Charlotte - so, how was her rookie year?

TEE TIMES ASKS THE QUESTIONS …

It’s a lovely course, and the club and members are always very friendly and supportive of me.

Q What age were you when you started playing off

single figures?

A I was about 16 years.

Q What was your best handicap as an Amateur?

A +2.5 Q Do you practise more since turning professional?

A Yes, now it’s my job I have to practise far more. Having

said that, I still prefer short sessions of about 20 minutes interspersed with breaks. It doesn’t seem to suit me or my game to practise for long continuous sessions – even when I’m on tour I prefer to simply warm up with nine holes rather than spending hours on the range.

I also concentrate far more now on all areas of my game, rather than just taking out my driver and seeing how hard I can hit it.

Q Do you have regular lessons?

A My local teaching professional is David March from

Channels who has mentored and guided me throughout my amateur career. He’s like a brother to me, and since I turned pro he accompanies me when I go for additional lessons with European Tour Coach Clive Tucker so that he is able to help me hone my skills when we get home.

Q What specific part of your game are you focusing on?

A My wedge shots. It’s currently the weakest part of my

game. I’m simply not taking advantage of my long hitting I should be playing a wedge within six foot and putting out, but this is not happening.

Q What would you say is the strongest part of your game?

A My drive. I’m currently the longest hitter on the Ladies’

Golf Academy

European Tour and head the stats for the year with an average of 275 yards.

Q What was your biggest motivator for turning professional?

A Qualifying for the Ricoh Women’s British Open in 2012.

Although I’d toyed with the possibility of turning pro, it wasn’t until I actually played in the Open at Royal Liverpool that I realised how much I loved the environment and relished playing golf at this level.

Q What is your ambition as a professional?

A To play the game I love for as long as I can and be as

successful as I can be.

Q What have been the highlights of your first year as

a professional?

A Travelling the world and making new friends. My first tournament

was in New Zealand which was daunting, but my Dad gave me a nudge and advised me not to miss the opportunity.

Although it was my first time away from home, I stayed with a lovely couple who treated me like one of their grandchildren. I made a lot of new friends including Georgina Simpson who I now share a room with when we’re on tour.

‘

Charlotte is a very powerful hitter of the ball, so we work on keeping her posture throughout the shot and controlling the clubface. We focus on her short game a lot and, as she was quite a late developer to the game, we also work hard on her course strategy and game plans. I’ve worked with Charlotte throughout her golfing life and my proudest moments were when she gained her tour status and qualified for The Women’s British Open.

’

David March, Little Channels Golf Professional

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CHARLOTTE THOMPSON

‘

From the moment we first saw Charlotte running up the course to keep up with the older boys as a junior, until we proudly heard her name representing Channel GC at the British Open at Royal Liverpool, she has always been a credit to us.

Charlotte always supports the club events and is happy to give her time for Captains’ charity days.

This recently included a competition where low handicap city bankers tried to out-drive her … needless to say, they didn’t succeed!

She’s a lovely girl, unfailingly polite and pleasant to everyone she meets. The club is extremely proud of all that she has achieved, and we wish her every success and happiness in the future.

’

Roddy Macleod, past Honorary Sec, Channels GC Although I didn’t made the cut, I caddied for my friend Caroline Martens on the last day who was playing with Trish Johnson, so it was a great adventure and one that I’m so glad I didn’t miss.

Q And highlights on the course?

A Shooting nine birdies in one round during this year’s

German Open was exciting. It enabled me to make the cut and finish in the top 30.

Q Do you automatically get exemption for 2015?

A Unfortunately I didn’t earn enough on tour this season to

gain automatic exemption, so I will be returning to Marrakech to try and repeat (or better) last year’s success and earn my LET tour card for 2015.

TEE TIMES 25

LADIES’

Q&A

band

by Carol Younghus

Q Do you play with ladies' or men’s clubs?

A I play with men’s Titleist clubs and an odyssey putter, I love

the way they look and feel when hitting the ball.

Q Which golfing event would you love to win above

all others?

If things don’t pan out, I will join the LET Access Tour for the year until I get another chance.

Q Which is your favourite ‘away’ course to play?

A Although I absolutely love Sunningdale and Carnoustie my

favourite has to be the Samanah Golf Course in Morocco because it’s surrounded by the beautiful Atlas Mountains, it’s always in great condition, and I have very happy memories of it!

Q What hobbies do you enjoy outside golf?

A I love socialising, going to the gym and playing squash. I used

to play netball at top level and trained with the England regional squad.

But eventually I had to make a choice between golf and netball. I opted for golf but continued playing netball at club level until I realised that I couldn’t risk injuring a hand, so I gave up a few years’ ago.

Q What’s your favourite club in the bag?

A My 8 iron. I always hit it exactly 150 yards so it’s my ‘standard’

club when I arrive at any golf course for a tournament.

A The Ricoh British Open.

Q Do you do any golf-related gym exercises?

A Yes, I work out at the gym and have started golf specific

exercises. These include using a medicine ball to help with my golf posture. I hold and swing the ball to emulate my backswing and then throw it down into the floor (unlike the golf swing!).

Q Who are your golfing heroes?

A I’ve always admired Dame Laura Davis because of her

outstanding golf and dedication to the game.

And Seve Ballesteros because he was such a charismatic man who was recognised and revered around the world.

Q What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

A Don't hit it harder hit it better!

Q What golfing tip would you give to other young golfers?

A Work on all aspects of your game to become a fully-

rounded player. As I’ve been discovering myself this season, it’s not all about hitting it long.

Q Presumably there are also low points?

A Yes. I certainly haven’t played as well this season as I know

I’m capable of, which has been a big disappointment. But I’ve learned a lot about myself and my game which which will hold me in good stead going into 2015.

Q Do you have a caddie?

A Not at the moment. I loved that my Dad caddied for me

during the Women’s British Open in 2012 but I haven’t got anyone regular on the bag as it’s too expensive. Hopefully in the future!

Q And what about a sponsor?

A Yes, I’ve been very fortunate to be sponsored by MyClubBetting.

Q I see you qualified for the LET tour at your

first attempt?

A Yes, it was played over five rounds in Marrakech, Morocco and I was delighted to qualify in 27th position to earn my tour card for the 2014 season.

CHARLOTTE’S HIGHLIGHTS 2004 - Represented GB&I in the Wee Wonders competition in America 2012 - Essex Ladies’ Champion 2012 - Porters Park Centenary Cup Tied Champion 2012 - English Women’s Stroke play Runner-Up 2012 - Third in the English Ladies mid amateur championship 2012 - East Region Championship Runner-Up 2012 – Member of the winning county team for Essex at county finals 2013 – Essex Ladies’ Champion 2013 - Qualified for the RICOH Women’s British Open 2013 - East Region Champion 2013 - Liphook Scratch Cup Tied Winner

Meon Valley, A Marriott Hotel & Country Club is the perfect location to Tee Off. Book online at marriottgolf.co.uk for the best available rates

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PARTNERSHIP TO SCALE NEW HEIGHTS IN 2015 The Darren Clarke Golf Tour has enjoyed great success in a short space of time, and the organisers are aiming to continue helping some of the new stars of European golf thanks to its blossoming relationship with Sicily’s five-star Donnafugata Golf Resort & Spa. Darren Clarke, the winner of 22 tournaments worldwide including the 2011 Open Championship, opened a new Darren Clarke Centre of Excellence (DCCOE) at the deluxe resort in the spring – the first facility of its kind in continental Europe.

Michael Rees

As part of the new partnership with Donnafugata, the winner of the 2014 Darren Clarke Golf Tour – which is run by Darren Clarke Golf – also won a luxury four-night holiday to the Resort.

The Darren Clarke Golf brand has gone from strength to strength since launching in 2010, developing players such as Allan Dunbar and Paul Cutler, who progressed onto the European Tour, and organisers believe it will continue to flourish in the years to come, with Donnafugata playing a leading role.

Andy Peoples, operations manager at the Darren Clarke Golf School, said: “I am very excited about the growing relationship between Darren Clarke Golf and DCCOE.

“I have spoken to many people including students, parents and members of the public, who have shown a keen interest in the new partnership with Donnafugata.”

“I think there is excellent potential for DCCOE to be a stand out facility, both in terms of the golf courses and practice and teaching areas.”

Andy was at Donnafugata earlier this month to discuss plans for 2015 with the Resort’s golf team – director of golf Guy Roberts, head golf professional Davide Terrinoni and golf operations director Sebastiano Torrisi – and gave a glowing assessment of the awardwinning 36-hole venue and its golf facilities.

“The current teaching facility offers a wide range of options for practice and teaching, and is capable of coping with large numbers.

There are also a number of future improvements that have been earmarked, and that will certainly help to take it to an even higher level.” He added: “The resort offers plenty in terms of a customer experience and is a very relaxing place to be. At every point, the staff were engaging, friendly, attentive and professional. It is five-star, without a doubt.

the grand final, with 13-year-old Darren Scott being crowned overall champion.

As well as enjoying four nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation, Scott will also enjoy three rounds of golf on a choice of Donnafugata’s two 18-hole championship courses, the Links and Parkland – host of the Sicilian Open in 2011.

“The Darren Clarke Golf School will continue to grow next year as both a golf school and brand. We have already begun recruiting for our student intake and are ahead of where we were at the same time last year. DCGS will also expand and grow its junior golf tour events, and we hope to link one of these with Donnafugata in the future, as well as holding some training camps at the resort.”

Opened in 2010, the Resort has quickly established itself as one of the most talkedabout luxury venues in Europe, with its new Darren Clarke Centre of Excellence offering a variety of tuition packages and individual lessons for golfers of all abilities aged six and above.

Roberts said: “We’re delighted with how the relationship partnership has progressed over the last nine months. Donnafugata offers visitors the chance to use some of the best new golf facilities in Europe, as well as being the ideal venue to hold a group training camp, and we’re very excited at the possibilities that lie ahead.”

Located just 15 minutes from Comiso airport and set in the beautiful area of Donnafugata, a natural reserve and famous tourist destination known for the imposing castle which bears the same name, the Resort also boasts a number of fantastic historical cities nearby. These include Val di Noto, the heart of Sicilian baroque; Ragusa Ibla, Modica, Siracuse Noto and Scicli. Each has been recognized as fitting of UNESCO World Heritage status.

This year’s Darren Clarke Golf Tour, supported

by TaylorMade, saw more than 100 youngsters compete at eight events in two regions – four in Northern Ireland and four in southern Ireland – for the chance to qualify for

The five-star luxury Donnafugata Golf Resort & SPA (www.donnafugatagolfresort.com) is the perfect starting point for discovering the hidden treasures of Sicily, one of Italy’s most fascinating regions. A real paradise for golfers,

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the Resort – which is 15 minutes away from Comiso airport and a 90-minute drive from Catania airport – hosted the Sicilian Open in 2011 and is located in the heart of Sicilian baroque with pure beaches. It is an ideal location for relaxing holidays and important events in exclusive surrounding.

The Resort has 202 rooms, a 900mq spa and health club, two swimming pools, three restaurants, eight meeting rooms and two championship golf courses.

As well as its outstanding golf facilities, Donnafugata Golf Resort & SPA has 202 rooms, an award-winning 900mq spa and health club, two swimming pools, two private beaches and three restaurants offering a broad selection of ‘0km food’ locally-sourced gastronomic delights, well accompanied by perfect Sicilian wines to enhance flavour.

For more information on Donnafugata Golf Resort & SPA or to book a stay, call 00 39 0932 914 200 or visit www.donnafugatagolfresort.com.

Details on the Darren Clarke organisation can be obtained by visiting the website: www.darrenclarkegolfschool.com or by contacting General Manager Gavin Hamlyn by email at: gavin@darrenclarkegolfschool.com.

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TEE TIMES 27

Continuing the saga of a late-convert golferâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s search for glory on the greens. . .

GOLF has taught me many things.

Hide the Goofy headcover in the boot of your car â&#x20AC;&#x201C; your grandson, who bought it, will never know.

The day my mate strode with golfing gods, briefly

Never be first to the bar afterwards.

Twice in the rough, he came soaring out.

Bunker shots looped up before settling snugly down beside the pin.

Throughout it all he wore the sort of peaceful smile that usually follows three large gin-and-tonics.

Avoid, wherever possible, playing with accountants: not only do they know your score on every hole, they know your score in every game this year. But the main thing Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got from this game is the sure knowledge that anyone who plays golf should try to develop strong religious convictions.

DIARY OF A BUS-PASS GOLFER

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure he could neither see nor hear us as the congratulations swelled around him on the clubhouse balcony.

Take it from me, unless you believe in miracles youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find it a hard game. Week follows week, calamity follows catastrophe, as golf, life and hope all sink into slow decline. That is the lot of the senior golfer.

By Bob Evans

And was that the turning point? Was his game transformed? Of course it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t.

Unless that tiny speck of stardust alights on your slumped shoulders. It can happen.

It happened to my friend Gavin. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of our Wednesday Tenners (thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right, Wednesday, 10am) and one of the golfers I admire most. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to say he plays off 28, he has played off 28 since his waistline was 28, which was at least 15 years ago.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not sure he even heard it when they checked his card. He had 46 points. His previous highest was 32. And that was for both this century and the last.

Now any fool who plays off four can be a keen golfer, but to keep going year after year with so little to show for it shows real heart.

Only this time, it didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. In the seniorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; stableford, he picked up a birdie on the par four first. Usually heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happy to do it in seven.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a nice bloke, even tempered, never complains. These chaps are what golf is really all about.

And so it went on. Drives flew long and straight. Approach shots bounced on to the green. Putts dived into the hole. It went on, for the entire round.

So I was a little bit saddened when I heard that Gavs had invested in half-a-dozen Adams clubs. As always, I thought, this will end in tears and weeping at the bar.

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None of that matters. Because for four hours one December afternoon, Gavin walked with the gods of golf.

Which is more than I have ever done.

Dammit.

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LEGENDS OF THE GAME... ...FROM CHILDHOOD PRODIGY TO LEGEND That simple statement covers the life and career to date of golfing phenomenon Tiger Woods. From a very early age he was groomed by his father, Earl, instilled with a mental discipline based on his experiences as a Green Beret officer, and trained to be as ease whilst in the spotlight. Unique and special qualities that would serve him very well, particularly in his developing years.

Eldric Tont Woods, known the world over as “Tiger” was born on the 30th December 1975, Tont is a traditional Thai name, but his nickname came from his father’s pal from the Vietnam War, Colonel Vuong Dang Phong.

He grew up in Orange County California, and started to play golf at the age of two, when he was three years old he appeared on television in a putting contest against Bob Hope. He was a prodigy, shooting 48 over a nine hole course when still only three years old, and continued to develop at a tremendous pace. He won his first world title when he was eight, winning the under 10 title. He won two more world titles before going on to win his first national prizes, and once he started his simply did not stop. He won the US Junior title three years in succession, then proceeded to do the same in the US Amateur. Six national titles in a row, and a total of 21 major amateur trophies. In 1996 he decided to turn professional, after two years at Stamford University. He signed deals with Nike at the start of his career, the most lucrative contracts in sports history, and set out to re-write the record books.

In his first season he had two wins, the Las Vegas and then the Disney Classic, but it was in 1997 that he burst into the Major Winners exclusive club. Despite being a relative rookie, he was favourite for the Masters, and he duly earned his first Green Jacket with a 12 stroke margin, a margin that was previously unheard of. Tiger had commenced the pilgrimage to overtake the record of eighteen majors held by Jack Nicklaus. He ended the year with four wins, but the following year he had to be content with just one PGA Tour win. However he was working on his swing with coach Butch Harmon, and in 1999, with a new caddy, Steve Williams on the bag, he was about to dominate world golf.

During 1999 he won eight events, including the Tour Championship, and his second major title the USPGA. It was hard to believe that he could improve on such a performance, but that was precisely what happened. The year 2000 was never to be forgotten by golf fans, and the multitudes of Tiger fans in particular. During the course of that year Tiger had seven victories, four PGA

Tour wins, two European Tours wins and three successive major titles, the US Open, The Open and the USPGA. He became one of just four golfers who have won all four majors, and it was the manner of his scoring that was exceptional, for in the twelve rounds played, he was out of the 60’s only twice.

That set the mouthwatering prospect that if he could win the next major, the 2001 Masters, he would hold all the major trophies together for the first time ever. So it proved to be, he romped home sixteen under par to take his second Green Jacket and complete what was aptly christened the “Tiger Slam” it was the incredible quadrilateral.

The run of results that saw him cemented as World Number one, a position he would hold for a total of 683 weeks in the sixteen years he has been a professional golfer. It set the standard he was to maintain despite injuries to his back and knees. His record in play offs is without parallel, he has had a total of twenty one, twelve in the USA and ten in

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Europe, and he lost only one, early in his career he was beaten by Billy Mayfair after tying in the Nissan Open.

Since that memorable year he has added eight more Majors, making the tally 4 Masters, 3 US Opens, 3 Opens and 4 USPGA titles, and as his fans believe, with more to be achieved in the future. The tally also includes eighteen World Championship events a total unlikely ever to be matched.

Sadly his career took a serious downturn in 2009, when revelations about his private life were made public. He confessed to infidelity after the story broke and he sought counselling, but he was unable to save his marriage to Elin, and they divorced in 2010.

Not surprisingly his game suffered, and it was not until 2012 that he returned to enjoy regular tournament success.

In 2012 he won three times in the USA and the following year was even more successful, a total of seven titles, five in the USA and two

more in Europe, but there was no addition to the Major list, the new contenders ensuring that for now the most memorable trophies stay out of reach. It may well be that the Nicklaus record of 18 Majors will remain for many more years.

If that is the case then Tiger has plenty of other milestones to savour, the first man to earn a billion dollars from sport, the most recognisable sporting figure the world over, and the man who makes the greatest impact on every event where he competes.

Describing himself as a Cablinasian, a mixture of Caucasian, Black Indian and Asian, he has crossed the racial boundries with his fan club.

A complex character, very private and rarely outgoing, he has committed himself to the underprivileged by creating the Tiger Foundation, he truly is a legend in his own lifetime.

Michael Rees

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Meon Valley, A Marriott Hotel & Country Club is the perfect location to Tee Off. Book online at marriottgolf.co.uk for the best available rates

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JANUARY 2015

When New Zealand’s 17 year old Lydia Ko secured victory at the CME Group Tour Championship to pocket the biggest pay day in women’s golf history, social media sites around the world christened her the ‘million dollar baby’.

But is this precocious teenager the exception to the rule, or have we started to witness a golfing phenomena that is set to change the landscape of ladies’ golf forever?

In the same month that Lydia secured her position as Rookie of the Year on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tour, another 17 year old - Chinese Taipei amateur Cheng Ssu-Chia - won the inaugural Xiamen Open on her Ladies’ European Tour (LET) debut with a final round 68 at Orient Golf and Country Club in China.

And what of our own Charley Hull from Kettering who first got the golfing world's attention when she won the English amateur championship at Turnbury, at just nine years old to beat more than thirty thousand women to the title!

Hull went on to become the youngest ever player at 17 years old to be selected to play in the Solheim Cup helping Europe to lift the trophy on USA soil in 2013.

Plus who can forget her delight when requesting her golfing hero (and world number two) Paula Creamer for an autograph … after giving her a pasting on the final day.

Youth movement Ko already holds seven ‘youngest‘ titles for lady golfers winning an LPGA tour event before their 19th birthday. Her youngest record was secured at the 2012 Canadian Women’s Open title when she was a mere 15 years, 4 months and 3 days and still an amateur.

In April this year, Ko was named one of Time magazine's ‘100 most influential people’ the youngest and one of only two teenagers the other being Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest-ever Nobel prize recipient.

Ladies’ golf legend and ‘Hall of Famer’ Annika Sorenstam said: "Lydia is responsible for sparking increased interest in our sport, not just in her native South Korea and adopted homeland of New Zealand, but also among juniors across the globe.

“Her early, record-breaking success brings with it incredible pressure but she's doing a fantastic job handling the many responsibilities that accompany stardom.

More than that, she is breaking down the barriers of what young people can achieve, an example to be followed beyond sport.”

Other young talented golfers who have made their mark early on and hold ‘youngest’ titles are four Americans: Lexi Thompson, Paula Creamer, Morgan Pressel and Jessica Korda.

And also joining this roll of honour, after her success in Dubai last month, is Hull who has

RISE OF THE

‘million dollar babies’

$$ $$

celebrated her 50th birthday last year is still fired-up to win at least one more major title to add to the four she already holds. Of the teenage prodigies she said in a recent interview for The Scotsman: “My inkling is that the teenage prodigies will be long gone before they reach my grand old age.

“Because of Tiger, everybody who comes out now has nutritionists and coaches and mind coaches. That’s just modern golf and the way it is for these girls. But I seriously doubt whether they will be playing into their forties or fifties.”

But surely golf is a sport that, even at the highest level, can embrace all ages? Some girls will start strong and fade quickly, others will have a longer apprenticeship and bloom later, and then there are the even rarer birds like Laura, Juli Inkster, Beth Daniel, JoAnne Carner, and Betsy King who start young and continue enjoying major successes well into their forties.

Beth Daniels currently holds the ‘oldest title’ record for winning the 2003 Canadian Women’s Open at the age of 46 years, 8 months and 29 days, and Fay Crocker holds the record for the oldest lady to win a major title at 45 years, 7 months, 11 days.

And this is one ‘age’ stat where the men outdo the ladies with six golfers winning a PGA tour tournament in their fifties. These are: Art Wall, Jim Barnes, John Barnum, Fred Funk, Craig Stadler with the oldest being Sam Snead who won the 1965 Greater Greensboro Open at the age of 52 years, 10 months, 8 days.

$$ become the youngest winner of the European Order of Merit. An even more incredible statistic is that this insurgence of young talent on the tour has all taken place within the confines of the last decade.

So how does the men’s tour compare with this youth surge in Ladies’ golf? Remarkably, it doesn’t! Only four golfers in the history of the game have won a tour event before their 20th birthday and only one, Jordan Speith in 2013, is from this century. The others are: Johnny McDermott in 1911, Harry Cooper in 1923, Ralph Guldahl in 1931, and not forgetting Young Tom Morris who won The Open when he was 17 years old, in 1868, and won again at ages 18 and 19 in 1869 and 1870.

Fledgling females So, with ages ranging from 15 to 18 years on this youthful roll of honour, you would imagine that no more age records could be broken in the world of ladies’ golf … but you’d be wrong! Lucy Li from California broke all records last year to become the youngest ever to qualify for the 2014 LPGA US Women's Open at just 11 years old! She was also the youngest US Women's Amateur

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qualifier, surpassing Latanna Stone's 2012 record age of 10 years, 11 months and 2 days.

So who started this rise of the fledgling females? Maybe we only need look back to the turn of the century when a tall, leggy girl from Honolulu called Michelle Wie broke onto the scene at the age of 10, to become the youngest to qualify for the USGA Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship, in 2000.

That year, Wie also won the Honolulu Mayor’s Cup and was the low amateur in the women’s division at the Hawaii State Open.

She was heralded around the world as the next big thing in ladies’ golf and the female ‘Tiger Woods’.

Sadly, after the initial hype, Wie suffered from injuries and putting demons that took their toll and scuppered her early potential. But after a long 14 year wait she finally lifted her first Major trophy at the US Women’s Open last year (2014).

Babies v Boomers Laura Davies, who became a Dame in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, and

Tiger’s legacy?

So what has been responsible for sparking the rise of this young phenomena? Tiger’s legacy has probably got something to do with it, it, but also ladies' golf is now being taken far more seriously.

Sponsors are seeing the potential in getting involved which means there is more money, more depth on the lady’s golf tours, greater TV coverage, and more families who realise that it’s not only sons who might be interested in golf but also daughters. And, much like the entertainment world, the competitive edge and appetite for success among young girls has grown exponentially within the last couple of decades.

The older brigade on the ladies’ tour are also doing a grand job of nurturing and helping our up and coming junior girl golfers, and across the globe golf’s leading bodies are waking up to the promotion and marketing of ladies’ golf by offering training sessions, school sponsorships, and highlighting the impressive health and wellbeing benefits of the sport.

But, whether you’re a 9 year old protégé or a 90 year old nine-holer, we all recognise that age is no barrier to our enjoyment of golf … whatever the level!

Carol Younghusband

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32 TEE TIMES

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This is golf, as it is played with true grit THE able-bodied among us have little idea of the strength of character which has to be summoned up by golfers less fortunate.

The Algarve, a leading Europe leading golf destination, enjoyed a feast of superb golf from the world’s finest impaired golfers, pictured left and right ,when the season-ending European Disabled Golf Association Algarve Open took place at Pestana Vila Sol. The tournement was launched to coincide with the Algarve Tourism Association’s new ‘golf4all’ initiative, which seeks to showcase the Algarve as a tourism attraction for golfers.

The event was won by Frenchman Charles-Henri Quélin, who has +2 handicap and plays with a fused right arm, after he shot incredible rounds of 79 and 75 (gross) to win by two shots from Lescut.

Tony Bennett, the EDGA president, said: ‘The EDGA Algarve Open has opened a new chapter for both the Algarve and the players who regularly compete on the EDGA tour.’

A spokesperson for ATA added: ‘You cannot help but being hugely inspired by the quality of the golf the men and women of the EDGA Tour play.’

The planet’s wealthiest sports stars? AMY IS THE TOP ROOKIE Not the golfers AMY Boulden capped her first season as a professional by winning the Ladies European Tour’s OMEGA Rookie of the Year prize.

NOW here’s a name to conjure with, a man who has out-earned all the world’s sporting superstars including Tiger Woods.

Giancarlo Stanton. It might not be an familiar name outside North America, but the baseball player has become one of the highest earners in sport after with the Miami Marlins.

Biggest earner: Baseball’s Giancarlo Stanton at £208million

Under the terms of the most expensive deal in United States sporting history, the 25-year-old slugger will earn £16m per year, £307,692 per week, £1,831.50 per hour and £30.53 per minute.

The 21-year-old from Llandudno in Wales led the rookie rankings heading into the OMEGA Dubai Ladies Masters, the final tournament of the 2014. With her tied 24h place finish, she held off the challenge of her nearest rivals, Sally Watson of Scotland and Nicole Broch Larsen from Denmark.

Barrier breaker BBC Sport looked at how Stanton compares to a selection of sport’s highest earners: Floyd Mayweather According to the the 37-year-old earned approximately £67m ($105m) from fights.

He is only the second sportsman or sportswoman to break the $100m (£64m) barrier, after Tiger Woods, despite having no personal endorsements.

Cristiano Ronaldo The Portuguese soccer forward, 29, is second in the Forbes list, with an estimated annual salary of £33.2m topped up by endorsements worth £17.9m.

Big financial sluggers: Lewis Hamilton and Floyd Mayweather, the boxer said to have earned £67m from fights.

Tiger Woods Woods, 38, topped the Forbes’ list for 12 consecutive years until 2011 but his earnings have suffered a significant drop since he was engulfed by The loss of sponsors hit his bottom line, while increasing injury problems have limited his tournament play. But all this, Woods is still sixth with a total income of approximately £39.1m.

Roger Federer The winner of 17 Grand Slam titles, Federer’s income was approximately

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£35.9m, with £33.2m from endorsements and £2.7m from his achievements on a tennis court.

Lewis Hamilton The 29-year-old Briton’s 2014 annual salary was $31m (£19.8m) without including bonuses and endorsements.

Wayne Rooney The Manchester United striker’s is thought to earn up to £300,000 a week, £1,785 every hour and just under £30 every minute.

‘It’s been a really great first season on the Ladies European Tour,’ she said. ‘It was one of my goals from when I turned pro, to win Rookie of the Year. I thought it was going to be quite tough this year not having a full card. I wasn’t sure how many events I was going to be playing in but starting the year well has helped me a lot. It’s a real honour to win and join the prestigious list of former winners, including Laura Davies, Annika Sorenstam and Charley Hull.’

Boulden was one of the top performers in 2014 and recorded four top 10 finishes including a second place at the Lacoste Ladies Open de France. With season’s earnings of €83,982.17, she finished 18th on the 2014 Order of Merit.

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New Year Resolution?

We all make them, maybe it is a cut in your handicap or even taking up this wonderful game. Whatever is at the top of many of our 2015 wish lists this time of year THE most important thing when goal setting is to keep it real...If goals are too unrealistic then by about May if not sooner we lose motivation and start slacking, feeling forever disappointed in our lack of ability to achieve said goals.So here are a few pointers to ensure you see yourself progress through your list rather than simply screwing it up and chucking it toward the nearest bin.

Make your way towards your ultimate goal a bit like the way some of us eat a Crunchie bar… nibble around the edges, eat the chocolate off the top and bottom and you are left with a bit of pure gold to savour at the end. Your MAIN goal is like that honeycomb. If for example you want to cut your handicap from 25 to 18 then see this happening in stages rather than one giant leap you probably won't cope with.

Your list of goals needs to be on a gradual timescale, in fact maybe leave time out of it for now. This will certainly reduce the pressure you apply on yourself to MAKE it happen ASAP. As you see improvement happening put a loose timescale to it. Don't give yourself too many deadlines, these are not fun. Life usually gets in the way.

The easiest way to drop your handicap without applying the fore mentioned pressure is simply to have a think about what costs you shots on the course (see the pic for some examples), pinpoint the problem areas (a lesson with your PGA pro will help this) and build a practice plan to get to work on these. You will then begin to see a natural reduction occurring without you having to force the issue. If you go out every round thinking “Today is the day I SHALL cut my handicap” you will probably see it go up.

The easiest and fastest way to knock shots off your handicap is to look at your short game, can you save your bacon around the greens? If you can’t get up and down or are spending far too many shots just getting the ball in the sodding hole then this is an area to get stuck into. You will see a DRAMATIC improvement to your scores and a pressure taken off your long game, missing greens suddenly won’t scare the living daylights out of you. Other areas people see dramatic improvement are the obvious on course psychology, fitness and nutrition (how do you fuel your body during 18 holes?, Do you have a mid round slump? Try to break down what you eat/drink during a round and see if a dip in sugar levels or lack of hydration is to blame for that shocking 15th hole or so each round!

If you are just taking the game up, don’t feel pressured to get on the course and playing in comps too soon. In my experience this scares many people off the game. Like your goal setting take to the game in mini steps. Your first outing on the course (and this can be early onsometimes it pays off to get out there asap) should be with a pro in a playing lesson, not on a Saturday morning when the course is heaving. A guided tour of a few holes will squash any fear of being out there very early on in your golfing development. I can’t recommend this enough.

Record your goals or your journey towards achieving them. I use Facebook as a tool to give my pupils somewhere to write thoughts and ideas down, plus track their progress and add videos or articles to help them along the way. This acts as a brilliant diary system and looking back through will keep motivation up – especially when there are good comments from “coach” on how well you are doing. It can really spur on development too. We all forget what we did WELL in a round too, writing the positives as well as what needs working on will also keep your spirits high. So suggest something similar to your coach. I could write pages on goal setting but hopefully these brief points have just got you thinking about setting even one goal in 2015.

Good luck with your goals this year. If you need any hints or tips please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’m currently on maternity leave with hands full, but will no doubt have plenty of time on my hands in the wee small hours of the morning to pop a response back to you. Email me on katiedawkinsgolf@hotmail.co.uk Happy New Year everyone!

Using the ground

Last month I spoke about how golfers feel balanced at address even if they are in a set up that will lead to a more complicated swing. This month I’m going to give you a bit more of an idea of what actually happens in an efficient golf swing from a ground reaction perspective. Ground reaction force is merely the grounds reaction to the force that is applied to it.

I would like to start by saying that during a golf swing, the better in balance you are, the more effective your ability to push and pull and create ground reaction force. This will improve efficiency, your ground up speed development as well as your torso dynamics.

Regardless of your style of swing or swing philosophy, using the ground effectively will enhance your game. Yes you can achieve club head speed and a square hit without an efficient weight movement, but you will always have inconsistency issues. On the other hand, the golfer who uses the ground effectively and stays in balance will find it easier to have power and consistency.

Let’s start at address. The weight should be distributed fairly evenly between the feet. The centre of pressure should be approximately midway between the heels and toes. Some swing styles may have the pressure slightly more towards the toes but for the sake of this article we’ll stay in the middle. As the hips and body rotate on the backswing, the weight or pressure shifts towards the right foot. As the backswing progresses, the right foot begins to push to the rear in order to brake the rotation of the hips in readiness for the start of the downswing. This rearward push actually makes the centre of pressure move towards the heel. It’s not just a case of putting weight on the heel as many people believe.

Golf Academy

A fraction of a second before the backswing is completed by the trunk, the rearward push is combined with a lateral push which is in the opposite direction to the target. The combination of these two pushes form a diagonal force which makes hips move laterally towards the target and rotate.

Now let’s deal with the left foot. On the downswing, as the weight drives towards the ball of the foot, the foot pushes in two directions at the same time. Firstly it is pushing directly forward - kind of like trying to kick a football. This force is rotating the left hip and aiding with the straightening of the leg as the ground pushes back against the foot. The other push is one that is directly towards the target. This push is braking the lateral motion of the hips that was created by the right foot at the start of the downswing.

In essence the feet are pushing in a diagonal fashion during the downswing. The right foot is driving back and away from the target while the left foot is driving forward and towards the target. At the end of the follow through most of the weight is in the middle of the left foot with just a little left on the right toe.

This is great deal of information about something that takes place in under a second, but I can guarantee that if you used the ground this effectively you would play fabulous golf no matter what standard of player you are. There are other aspects to ground force that I will cover in a future Tee Times.

If you need any help with any department of your game, please don't hesitate to contact me either through my website: www.mbtourcoach.com or by telephone M: 07787 887578.

BELEK

Tee Times July06.indd 54

TT JAN 2015 Issue 164_Layout 1 20/12/2014 18:35 Page 35

Romsey Golf Club Welcomes you all

Romsey Golf Club is an oasis of beauty on the edge of Southampton. Described by a journalist as ‘A real woodland gem’ the course makes its way through undulating ground with tree lined fairways, raised greens and deep bunkers.

7 / 5 DAY MEMBERSHIP AVAILABLE from £890 (7 Day) and £700 (5 Day) Members benefit from 27 reciprocal arrangements Successes for the club this year are: Ladies Stoneham Cup Winners Men's Kindred Club Winners for 3rd consecutive year National Junior Finalists of Men's Over 50's Carpet Barn Finalists

“We have had some of the best greens around over the past year and we continue to develop and improve the quality of the course” Romsey Golf Club, Romsey Road, Nursling, Southampton, SO16 0XW Telephone: 023 8073 4637 www.romseygolfclub.com

TT JAN 2015 Issue 164_Layout 1 20/12/2014 18:35 Page 36

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