Today's Golfer Issue 268

Today’s Golfer MAY 2010 (MARCH 25-APRIL 21)

Golfer VALUE TEST BEST CLUBS FOR YOUR CASH Today’s

WWW.TODAYSGOLFER.CO.UK

TEE UP A TOP YEAR TUITION SPECIAL

MAY 2010 MAR 25-APR 21

£4.10

TIPS & DRILLS TO START YOUR SEASON IN STYLE COURSE DEALS

THE VALUE ISSUE

SAVE £5k IN GREEN FEES

Play 100 stunning courses for half price SPAIN SPECIAL

www.todaysgolfer.co.uk

HIDDEN GEMS DON’T COSTA LOT! Upcoming area offers top golf at low prices

get better... now!

BE PREPARED

play more, pay less

FREE KIT WORTH OVER £100*

268

TIPS & DRILLS SRIXON BALLS, TIPS & DRILLS TO SAVE SHOTS LINKS LOVELIES CAP & TOWEL TO SAVE SHOTS Remember these to save shots FROM A TENNER Plus: 13 mags and 5 vouchers...

Simple steps to add power...

Plan your dream trip to Norfolk

* When you subscribe to Today’s Golfer by direct debit

TIGER TALK! LEADING TOUR STARS GIVE THEIR VIEWS

* WHEN YOU SUBSCRIBE TO TODAY’S GOLFER MAGAZINE

C O V E R F E AT U R E

driving LESSONS

Increase your power as well as your accuracy with the big stick

What would we rather do, hit our ball further or find more fairways with the driver? The two go hand in hand far too infrequently. When we try and knock the cover off the ball, our body often loses its shape, especially in the downswing. So we might have created that extra five or 10mph in clubhead speed, but our body is in no position to deliver the clubhead squarely to the ball at impact. Body parts moving in the wrong direction means our accuracy will suffer. But now you can implement a combination of power and accuracy into your driving with these drills and tips.

POWER

o o w t tw r

ffoonree oon

CHIN CHECKPOINT In the backswing, try and feel that you get the left shoulder underneath the chin. This will help you achieve the desired amount of shoulder turn.

SWING ANGLES In the backswing, your aim is to turn the shoulders 90˚. So try to get your back facing the target.

POWER PUSHER In the downswing, push off the instep of the right foot to start the movement.

SHOULDER TURN drill Position a club across the chest and make an upper body turn like you would in your backswing. Try and get the butt of the club to point approximately a foot behind the ball.

Nick Clemens TG Elite Teaching Professional. For more tips and drills from Nick – absolutely FREE – visit www.todaysgolfer.co.uk/nicktips

26 TodaysGolfer.co.uk Issue 268

C O V E R F E AT U R E

X

RETAIN YOUR SHAPE You need to feel that the club is swung around your body, with no jerky up or down movements. Maintaining the ‘S’ shape in your address is key.

backswing fault When the body loses its angles in the backswing, your ball-striking consistency will inevitably suffer.

SPINNING WHEEL Accuracy with the driver comes from having a stable body position where the body turns around a central axis. Imagine your body is a wheel and the chest is the centre.

FAIRWAY FINDER drill Form a channel with two clubs that aim just to the right of the target line.

Try and feel that this is the path the clubhead will take after it strikes the ball. Attacking the ball from slightly on the inside helps you achieve a straighter, more penetrating flight.

ACCURACY

POSTURE CHECK A good way to retain your posture is to focus on your knee flex. At address, you should only see your thighs, laces and toes when you look down.

Issue 268 TodaysGolfer.co.uk 27

/ ROCK LEGE

// R O C K L E G E

ROCK LEG

/ D N

ND

E

TG TWENTY

ALICE COOPER

ND

// ND

ALICE IN WONDERLAND / / R OC K L E G E

Can TG tame the legendary wild man of rock on his home territory – the Arizona desert – and celebrate a famous TG20 victory?

bY KEVIN BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY JAMIE HINES

42

TodaySGolfer.CO.UK Issue 268

t’s probably fitting that Alice Cooper should become the first golfingcelebritytotwicechallenge for the coveted TG20. After all, he’s been breakingrecordsandnewmusicalground throughoutaremarkablecareerspanning more than four action-packed decades.

This, after all, is the iconic shock rocker responsibleforturningtheconceptofthe rockshowintodramatic,usuallymacabre, theatre featuring a gamut of weird props includingguillotines,switchblades,electric chairs, a Boa Constrictor… and lots of blood. “Visually and show-wise nobody was like us. We were a bit horror, a bit James Bond, a bit Avengers, a bit everything,” says Cooper, summing it up.

This is the man who at the pinnacle of his powers performed in front of a world record indoor crowd of 158,000 delirious fans in Sao Paulo, Brazil. “It was just an oceanofpeople,aseaoffacesasfarasyou could see,” he recalls.

Four years have passed since selfconfessedgolfnutCoopertrouncedTGat Troon North in Scottsdale. It was the TG Tenner then and the veteran rocker is hungry to double his money on the Talon course at Grayhawk.

Little has changed since. Cooper, now 62, still looks lean and mean, is still playing golf six times a week and is still verymuchontheroad:everyyear,between June and December, he does 100 shows worldwide. The only surprise is that he’s notplayingoffscratchandhasonlylowered his handicap from six to five.

Why is he still on the road so much whensurelyhedoesn’tneedthemoneyand would be better playing golf year-round

I

instead? “It’s what I love doing,” he insists.

“I want to be on the road half the year, doing100citiesaroundtheworld.That’sa niceclip;Idon’twanttodomorethanthat.

Thesixmonthsofftorecuperateisterrific, andthere’snothingstandinginmyway,so whynot?Besidesnobodyputsonashowas good as ours, musically and visually. I’m gladtobeanelderstatesman,andahealthy one – I’m probably in better shape than a lot of 40-year-olds - and look to guys like Ozzy (Osborne) and Iggy (Pop) as fellow survivors.We’recarnivores,notdinosaurs.

We eat whatever bands are in our path.

“SomeoneaskedBobDylanwhyhedoes 200 shows a year and he said ‘that’s what I do, I write and sing songs and apparently myfansdon’tgettiredofthemsowhatam I going to do? Go home and watch the Price is Right!’ I feel the same way.”

Cooperdoes,though,feelhe’smatured with age: “The show is more professional now and I know what I’m doing more. I’m abettersingerthesedaystoo.Iperformthe song ‘I’m Eighteen’ (his first hit) on stage and people believe at that moment my character is actually 18.

“How old is Batman, how old is Zorro andDracula?Theydon’thaveagesbecause they’re timeless and so is the Alice character. I play him but I don’t know how old he is.

“I’ll carry on till I go to a show and if it’s notfullandthefansarenotscreamingand cheering at the end, I’ll walk away from it.

Fortunately that’s never happened.”

It’s time to golf and, as always, Cooper is ready to rock and roll. He loves the game withapassion.“There’sneverbeenatime in the last 28 years where I’ve felt I don’t ➤

TG TWENTY

‘We are carnivores, not dinosaurs; we eat whatever bands are in our path’

p r o pa s t i m e s

FIGHT

CLUB

How does a Tour pro unwind? Four players explain... with the help of paint brushes, snowboards, CD decks and boxing gloves

bY Kit Alexander PHOTOGRAPHY Bob Atkins, Nick Webster and Getty

Nick Dougherty Boxer and gym fanatic Age: 27 World ranking: 118

Doughertyfirstpulledontheglovesas part of his training; but boxing has fast become much more than just a work-out. “I don’t just do it for the physicalbenefitsbutthepsychological ones as well,” he tells TG in the gym at Wentworth. “Boxing allows me to have clarity in my life, vent all my frustrations,onandoffthecourseand remindsmewhereIneedtopullmyself towhenIneedthemostoutofmyself.

“Golf is part of my life. A happy life seesabetterchanceofbeingahappy golfer, not the other way round.”

The Englishman limits himself to pad work with physical trainer Ron Cuthbert at the moment but he likes the idea of sparring with another boxer: “I’d like to do it down the line becauseImissaggressivesport.Iused to love playing rugby as a kid and this isevenmoreaggressive.It’sprimitive andthere’sagreatfeel-goodfactorto it. To be tackled in rugby is one thing butknowingsomeoneisgoingtopop youin the face is altogetherdifferent; there is an amount of fear there.

“It takes time to face that fear and commit to it and do it anyway.”

➤ 50 TodaysGolfer.co.uk Issue 268

GLOVE WORK Boxing vents the frustrations and leaves a better state of mind, says Nick.

Issue 268 TodaysGolfer.co.uk 51

BARG G E T I N T O G O L F F O R £4 2 !

56 TodaysGolfer.CO.UK Issue 268

GAIN! e qu

ipm

ent

Taking up golf is supposed to cost an arm and a leg; so how come TG found itself on a nice course, fully kitted up, for barely the price of a big toe?

bY DUNCAN LENNARD PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES CHEADLE

‘All these clubs, plus the clothes and green fee ...for £42.88!’

Issue 268 TodaysGolfer.co.uk 60

TECHNOLOGY USED WISELY

NIKE IRONS EXCLUSIVE

CRACK SHOTs

Both hybrids and irons feature Nike’s Slingback design, which positions weight further back in the hybrid to increase MOI and stability through impact. In the irons, the Slingback design is positioned strategically to each club to promote the optimum ball flight for that particular club.

Nike’s new Slingshot Mixed promise awesome forgiveness Nike’s trio of irons in the Victory Red series have been a revelation, with game-improver, better-player and low singlefigure handicappers all being catered for brilliantly. And a couple of months ago we

showed you the new MachSpeed irons, designed for the Super Game-Improver.

Now we are able to bring you the ultimate in forgiving irons from Nike – the new Slingshot Mixed set.

These ingenious creatures contain a combination of irons and hybrids and Nike’s engineers have chosen to modify four areas of club head design to optimise performance. Here they are...

meaty... but pretty The Slingshots are forgiving but retain a certain air of ‘cuteness’. They feature a Variable Sole Width, meaning the sole narrows progressively through the set meaning the mid-irons are wider for higher launch, and the short-irons are thinner to provide the golfer with greater control.

Information: The Slingshot irons are available with or without hybrids. In steel, they retail at £300 without

a LOVE of GLOVES Nike’s new trio take grip to a new level!

Like a lot of things in golf, what was good 10 years ago doesn’t now necessarily appear that impressive.

Gloves used to be very functional.

Now Nike’s Dri-FIT Tour TW glove uses strategically-positioned Dri-FIT material in the fingers and gussets for optimal breathability and moisture management, while the cabretta leather tanning process gives great grip and soft feel.

There is a lower-priced option, the Tech XTREME which is extremely light

100 TodaysGolfer.co.uk Issue 268

and uses cabretta leather in the entire palm, index finger and thumb to create a supple glove. The lycra in the finger and thumb gusset offers good breathability.

Nike’s All Weather glove features a synthetic microfibre in the palm to provide exceptional grip even in the rain. It’s been designed to perform best when it’s wet! n Details: The Dri-Fit costs £16, the Tech Xtreme £10.50 and the All Weather £9.50.

three new nike gloves

WHAT NIKE’S STARS ARE USING

latest irons from nike And they think they’re a hy b r i d – s o t h e y ’ r e s up e r e a s y t o u s e !

We all know that Tiger Woods is a Nike Golf staff player, but it’s not all about the currently absent world No.1. Check out these five superstars who are signedup members of the Nike Golf fraternity.

Paul Casey World ranking: 6 Career wins: 11 What’s in his bag?

VR driver, VR blades, VR wedges, Method putter, One Tour ball.

Stewart Cink World ranking: 17 Career wins: 7 What’s in his bag?

VR Driver, VR Split-cavity irons, Method putter, One Tour D ball.

forgiving Hybrids The longer Slingshot irons have been replaced with easier-to-hit hybrids. They have a low and deep profile with weight placed low and further back in the head so it’s easier to get the ball airborne.

There is also more offset to help square the head at impact and help avoid banana shots!

Anthony Kim World ranking: 28 Career Wins: 2 What’s in his bag?

SasQuatch driver, VR Forged blade irons, SV Tour wedges, Method putter, One Tour ball.

mid-iron assistance

Stephen Ames World ranking: 62 Career wins: 11 What’s in his bag?

SasQuatch driver, VR Blade irons, VR wedges, Method putter, One Tour ball.

If you aren’t mad keen on hitting mid-irons as well as long irons, these are for you.

There’s more offset in these than normal, to straighten slices, while the elongated profile increases MOI – which adds stability on off-centre hits. There’s minimal offset in the short irons for more control.

Justin Leonard World ranking: 59 Career wins: 12 What’s in his bag?

SasQuatch MachSpeed driver, VR bladed irons, VR forged wedges, Method putter, One Tour ball.

n i k e ba l l e xc lus i v e !

steam powered!

Check out Nike’s cracking new three-piece One Vapor Speed...

In the old days you either forked out a lot of money for a ball that Tour players used or you spent considerably less for something that wouldn’t be out of place in a brick wall.

But now, the golf ball industry is a totally different beast and players have as much choice as an England footballer in a nightclub!

Nike Golf are super-serious about the ball market and they’ve just launched the One Vapor Speed, a three-piece ball that has been designed for average swing-speeds.

The cover enjoys optimised aerodynamics and a seamless Ionomer blend which helps to increase distance and improve consistency while the power transfer layer (middle) helps to maximise velocity and distance through the entire bag.

Central perk The core has been reformulated to improve feel and increase speed off the face.

So, how much?

The One Vapor Speed will cost £22 per dozen – great value for a threepiece Tour ball.

*RANKINGS CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRINT

hybrids, and £360 with. The irons on their own in graphite are £360 and £420 with the rescues. www.nikegolf.eu VERDICT: CLEVELAND CG15 DSG WEDGE

WHY THIS CLUB REACHED DEEP INTO MY SOLE It takes a lot for me to even contemplate changing the wedges in my bag. They are very personal and, in my view, where the good scores are made.

But one new wedge – the Cleveland CG15 DSG – has ousted the trusty shortgame sticks that have occupied that position for years. DSG stands for Dynamic Sole Grind, which sees the back part of the sole ground away to effectively lower the bounce on open-faced shots.

What I now have is two clubs in one – a club with enough bounce to operate effectively in bunkers and in thicker grass but that can be opened up for flop shots and for nipping the ball off tight lies.

So, I feel I no longer need a 60° wedge because the 56° DSG does two jobs.

The CG15 is a revolutionary club from a real wedge specialist. n Details: £99, Oil Quench finish only, 52°-64°. www.clevelandgolf.com

JON gREATHEAD SENIOR GEAR EDITOR HANDICAP 8

david connor GEAR EDITOR HANDICAP 10

BIG BONUS CG15’s versatility means a space in the bag for another club.

Issue 268 TodaysGolfer.co.uk 101

WISH YOU WERE Here

REI OF SUNSHINE course t h at jac k bu i lt. . .

Jack Nicklaus has designed loads of courses worldwide. Monte Rei might be the best...

Factfile: Monte Rei is about a 45-minute drive from Faro airport and you can find out all you need to know about this golfing paradise at

t’s hard to believe Jack Nicklaus’ North Course at Monte Rei Golf & Country Club in the Eastern Algarve hasn’t yet celebrated its third birthday.

Since the summer of 2007, the American’s design has established itself as one of the top tracks in the Algarve, Portugal and indeed Europe.

Nicklaus has sculpted courses all over the world but Monte Rei is one of his finest. It’s breathtakingly set in the picturesque foothills of the Eastern Algarve with sweeping views of the Serra do Caldeirao mountains and the Atlantic Ocean.

“I first visited the rugged piece of land in 1989 and immediately recognised the potential for us to design an extraordinary golf course,” says Nicklaus of a layout which, in typical Golden Bear fashion, sees water come into play on 11 holes.

I

t he l ow d own H The par-72 course is 7,158 yards off the backs but is more manageable from the other three boxes: Championship (6,572 yards), Signature (6,227 yards) and Forward (5,281 yards).

H Top class doesn’t come cheap – it costs £165 to tackle Monte Rei, although the green fee includes buggy hire and extras such as a course guide, iced towels and free use of the range.

H You can book a round of a lifetime by calling 00351 281 950950.

I T ’ S G E TT I N G B E TT E R !

H Future expansion plans include a second Jack Nicklaus-designed course.

Work on the new South layout is expected to start later in 2010 and is likely to open in 2014, making Monte Rei Europe’s only venue to have two Jack Nicklaus signature courses. And although 11 villas will be available for rental this summer, a swish luxury onsite hotel is planned. t ry i t f or yourse l f

Monte Rei is one of the best tracks designed by Jack Nicklaus.

This package is a good way of playing Monte Rei ‘on the cheap’. A three-night B&B stay at the four-star Hotel Vila Gale Tavira with three rounds of golf (at Quinta da Cima, Quinta da Ria and Monte Rei) costs from £375pp plus a 10 per cent discount on accommodation for groups of eight or more. To book call Golfbreaks.com on 0845 543 6675.

Getting there: Easy. Likes of easyJet, BA, Monarch, Jet2, FlyBe and Thomson fly to Faro from only £50 return!

www.monte-rei.com For more golfing holidays to remember visit www.todaysgolfer.co.uk/travel Issue 268 TodaysGolfer.co.uk 155