Today's Golfer Issue 296 Preview

TODAY’S GOLFER JULY 2012 (M AY 17-JUNE 13)

PETER HANSON’S TOP TIPS

G olfer HIT MORE GREENS Today’s

WWW. TODAYSGOLFER.CO.UK

£4.20

JULY 2012 ISSUE 296 MAY 17-JUNE 13

✓BE MORE CONSISTENT ✓HOW TO GET AGGRESSIVE

BAGS TESTED OVER TIME W W W.TODAYSGOLFER.CO.UK

GOLF SHIRTS SHOWCASE Buy stylish tops worn at Masters

Turn a slice into a draw

296

IRONS TEST

7 ways to nail your7-iron

NEW TOUR SECTION INSIDE

WIN

IRONS FROM TAYLORMADE NIKE & CALLAWAY

45 NEW SETS RATED

THIS MONTH'S SECTION

016 Bubba's driver gets limited- edition release 020 Spey Valley deal 024 Talking points 031 New columnists: Copeman and Vaughan

is su e 296 â?˜ Todaysg olfer .co.u k

FIRST TEE

GEAR

THE FIRST LOOK AT

NEW ClubS

Honma

MASS MARKET APPEAL?

Japanese firm's new models aim for larger audience despite hefty price ➔

Honma HaVE always

marketed their clubs at the world's wealthiest golfers, but the Japanese brand have launched two new drivers they claim will appeal to more players, despite their price tags.

The new S-02 and Perfect Switch drivers cost £944 and £1,115 respectively but mark a significant change of tact – previously Honma had highlighted their four and five-star products with the two and three-star models receiving less UK limelight.

And despite the economic climate, Honma's business grew significantly in 2011, encouraging a greater push into these shores this year.

Whether any club can justify this sort of expenditure is debatable but the

price is unsurprising when you consider the expensive (but sensational) materials they use. Then there's the amount of care taken with each club; not only do Honma visit you if you cannot make it to one of their centres, your custom-fitted stats are then sent to Japan where the clubs are assembled by hand. More than 100 pairs of hands come into contact with every golf club – even the shaft is hand-painted.

And the design process is far from simplistic. The new S-02 has been developed with an innovative new seven-piece head structure. The titanium used is highly-flexible, but at the same time impressively strong too – and by using a lightweight face,

Every club is handmade with expert staff lovingly creating the product – even the shafts are individually painted.

golfers can expect impressive distance.

The special titanium used just behind the face on both the crown and face has been designed to offer higher launch angle, but with lower spin rates.

The Perfect Switch model also has lots of adjustability. Honma's special tool allows the loft, lie and face angle on the 360-degree angle system to be altered without separating or turning the shaft, thus protecting the flex.

Buying information

available from: Harrods; Golf Principals, Hants; Premium Golf & Precision Golf, Surrey; Designer Golf, Northants; Tour X Golf, Lancs; Pure Forged Golf, Scotland.

Information: honmagolf.com

The Perfect Switch allows golfers to adjust loft, lie and face angle without needing to separate the head from the shaft.

Todaysg olfer .co.u k ❘ is su e 296

FIRST TEE

TG EXCLUSIVE DEAL

Elevation and elation Cash in on an awesome deal and sample some top quality golf in Scotland is su e 296 ❘ Todaysg olfer .co.u k

➔

SPEY VALLEY IS NESTLED in the

Scottish Highlands and offers outstanding views. Course architect Dave Thomas, creator of many famous venues around the world and the man behind The Belfry’s Brabazon, said: “It is an absolute treat and one of my best ever.”

This classy course normally costs £70 per round, but Today’s Golfer has secured an exclusive overnight deal in the Macdonald Aviemore Resort, with dinner, breakfast and two rounds of golf included, for just £165 per person.

The first 25 bookings will even receive FREE use of a buggy.

The par-72 Spey Valley track sits in the

Spey Valley offers a memorable golfing experience and with an exclusive TG offer, it's now an affordable experience too.

Stunning surroundings on Spey Valley's 456-yard par-4 11th hole.

foothills of Cairngorm, Britain’s sixth highest mountain. It is often overshadowed by other extraordinary Highlands courses, such as Royal Dornoch and Nairn – but if that impressive pair are the top links, this must be one of Scotland's leading and most scenic inland layouts.

The views, enhanced by elevated tees, are to die for with most fairways flanked by swathes of tangly heather, strands of silver birch and Thomas' trademark crater-like bunkers.

The mountainous backdrop adds to the dramatic challenge and at more than 7,000 yards off the white tees, it’s certainly a challenge.

The course asks some tough questions of every part of a player’s game, specially the 635-yard,

‘IT HAS TO BE ONE OF SCOTLAND'S LEADING AND MOST SCENIC INLAND LAYOUTS’ par-5 5th. It’s the longest hole in Scotland.

And there are other stunning tests: the 9th is an exquisite, short, downhill, left dog-leg par 4, followed by a gorgeous par 3, the green guarded by towering Scots pines and a sea of heather.

The only downsides were the marathon walk from the 1st green to the 2nd tee and the lack of an on-site clubhouse though the nearby Dalfaber Golf & Country Club, also owned by the

Macdonald hotels group, has excellent facilities including pro shop and Scottish Steakhouse.

FACTFILE Location: Outskirts of Aviemore off the A9.

Green fees: May-Sept £70 or £240 per fourball.

Contact: macdonaldhotels.co.uk/aviemore or 01479 811725.

TG EXCLUSIVE DEAL One night's dinner, B&B at Macdonald Aviemore Resort with two rounds at Spey Valley for £165pp. Free buggies for the first 25 bookings (max two per tee slot, subject to availability).

Rates based on two sharing a twin/double room, subject to availability. Available May 1–Sept 30.

To book: 0844 879 9152, quoting TGAV. Todaysg olfer .co.u k ❘ is su e 296

W

hen a player starts to hit errant approach shots, the first point of blame is usually their swing.

“I left the face open” or “I turned it over” are among the most common phrases heard. But have you ever considered that something else – from the moment you arrived at your ball to starting your backswing – could have gone

TIP One

wrong and was the reason your ball’s in the bunker and not nestled tight to the flag?

There are many factors that influence the success of an approach shot. For example, you could make the best swing of your life but if you had the wrong club in your hand or were aligned incorrectly, you’d still miss the green.

This report is designed to help you tackle everything else that could go wrong outside of

GO SIGNALS, NOT NO SIGNALS

BefORe eveRY APPROACH SHOT

stand behind your ball (once you’ve selected your club) and feel like you’re having an out-of-body experience, seeing yourself execute the shot successfully in front of you. This is feeding your mind a positive picture of what you are trying to do, rather than focusing on what not to

do. By thinking of where you don’t want to go, you attract that negative result. Give your brain a clear instruction. Ask: “What would a good shot look like here?” The shape of shot you’re picturing should move towards the target. So if the flag is on the left the right-hander would play a draw – and vice-versa.

your fundamental technique. Areas such as your visualisation process, pre-shot routine, course management and rhythm all have a say in whether your ball finds the putting surface or not.

So take note of the advice from Adrian Fryer here, complement it with the swing tips in the TG Irons Special supplement from Gareth Johnston and see those eight-footers change from par-savers to birdie chances.

SEE THE SHOT Picturing the perfect shot before playing removes negative shot thoughts, and stops you getting bogged down with technique.

‘THe sHaPe of sHoT you see sHould Ideally MoVe ToWards THe flag’

is su e 296 ❘ Todaysg olfer .co.u k

ACCURACY

1

2

3

THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU SELECT YOUR CLUB

Routine advice

WHen YOU ARRIve AT YOUR

On every shot you play, casual or competitive, try to keep everything in your routine the same. For example, the number of practice swings and looks up at the target. This will give a consistent tempo to your play and stop anxiety creeping in.

TIP TWO

ball, you should be starting to think about your upcoming shot (certainly not what may have gone wrong off the tee) and more importantly, what factors will influence the distance you hit the ball.

Incorporating these checks are crucial.

1. Always assess the lie of your ball before selecting your club. Even small depressions in the fairway may alter the angle of attack you need to create into the ball. Certain slopes will affect the distance the ball will travel and the shape the ball moves through the air.

2. The wind is one of the most powerful influences on a well-struck iron shot. So take this opportunity to check its direction and strength by throwing grass into the air or by noticing the movement of the flag or clouds. Remember that you may not feel the wind at ground level, but it’s likely to be stronger at the altitude the ball reaches at the top of its flight.

3. Based on the image you’ve seen in your mind’s eye of the shot you’re about to play, make a practice swing incorporating a feeling or trait you’ve been working on in your swing. This is also the time to rehearse the feel of the relevant shape of that shot – for example, a rounded swing and inside approach for a draw. In summary: see it, feel it, do it!

PLAN YOUR MISSES

CREATE PERSONAL RULES

can gather on the practice round of a new course the better, as this eliminates any doubt. Have a clear idea on every hole about where the trouble around the green is, where the pin is located, which side of the fairway has the best line in, how you can leave the ball below the hole and so on. Ideally make a note of all these on your course planner before you tee off.

By now, you should have a decent idea of the distance you hit your irons and therefore have all the information you need to plan the shot perfectly. If you make a bad swing, the chances are your excellent work beforehand will leave you with an easier up-and-down.

set yourself some commandments that are specific to you, that you know will make you play better and score lower, and that you must stick to for all 18 holes.

Make sure you give every shot your full attention because each shot is a pencil mark on the card; there are none more important than others.

Write your rules down and keep them in your scorecard. That way, you’re reminded of them on every tee. This advice – which you can transfer to all areas of your game – will serve to improve your focus on areas of the game you struggle with. For many amateurs, this is when hitting into the green.

THe mORe InfORmATIOn YOU

SOmeTHIng elSe YOU CAn dO IS

How are you playing?

Before you select the type of shot you wish to play ask yourself how confident you're feeling. There's little point in selecting a high tariff shot if you don’t feel up to pulling it off.

Secondary target Picking something in front of your ball on the line you want the ball to start will help you align the clubface correctly when addressing the ball. You could use a leaf, a divot or a discoloured blade of grass. ➔

Todaysg olfer .co.u k ❘ is su e 296

TRIBUTE

W

hen Severiano Ballesteros passed away on May 7, 2011 golf lost one of its true greats. But as with any genuine legend, Seve’s vast influence has lived on in many ways, from the work of the Seve Ballesteros Foundation and golf’s inclusion in the Olympic to the courses he’s designed and the continued growth of the European Tour and Ryder Cup. “I hope he is somehow seeing what is going on and how much people remember and love him,” says Seve’s nephew Ivan.

“From the moment he was born, Seve faced adversity. He was born into a very humble family and decided to practise a game that was only open to very few people at that time in Spain.

During his illness it was the same. He fought against adversity.

“Seve’s legacy is making the impossible possible. Everything is impossible until someone does it and his legacy is showing that things are possible no matter how difficult the situation is. Even though he’s not here with us, his influence lives on and he’s still fighting against brain cancer through his Foundation.”

The Seve Ballesteros Foundation The Foundation has been hugely successful since Seve set it up in partnership with Cancer Research UK in 2009, but it has received an added flood of support and donations since its founder passed away last May and has raised more than £2 million in total.

Ivan, who is vice president of the Foundation, explains: “Through his Foundation, we keep his memory alive and raise funds that help the investigation of brain cancer and hopefully give a better quality of life to those people who are suffering from this disease.

“Seve was a reference in the world of golf. He was the first European to win the Masters, he changed the Ryder Cup and we hope the Foundation will be a force in the future and give Seve’s name what he deserves. is su e 296 ❘ Todaysg olfer .co.u k

“I remember Seve saying that one of the most important things he could do was to help others and doing this was one of the things that made him feel better. He knew how privileged he was and I know he would be very proud of what we are doing.

“Obviously, there is still a long way to go and lots of things to do because the scientific world is complex. In April we presented the Seve Ballesteros Foundation lab, the biggest cancer research centre in Spain, with a cheque for €100,000. We’ve brought a very good scientist over from New York to lead the team. We will invest €500,000 into the project over the next five years.”

Around 9,300 people are diagnosed in the UK every year with tumours that start in the brain or elsewhere in the central nervous system. Although the prognosis varies greatly between different types of tumour, the current overall survival rates for malignant brain tumours are poor and only 15% of people will survive for five years or more after their diagnosis.

Seve’s experience brought a muchneeded spotlight onto brain cancer and the money the Foundation continues to raise is making a real difference to

Factfile

Born: April 9, 1957 in Pedrena, Spain Died: May 7, 2011 (aged 54) Turned pro: 1974 Retired: 2007 Professional wins: 91 European Tour wins: 50 Majors: Five (Masters in 1980, 1983, Open in 1979, 1984 & 1988) European Tour Order of Merit: 1976, 1977, 1978, 1986, 1988, 1991 European Tour Player of the Year: 1986, 1988, 1991 World number one: 61 weeks Ryder Cup: 1979, 1983, 1985 (winners), 1987 (winners), 1989 (tied), 1991, 1993, 1995 (winners), 1997 (winners, captain) Ryder Cup points: 20 from 37 games.

the lives of other sufferers and in the research of new treatments.

Seve Day, a Europe-wide event, will take place in July, with every penny of the £25 registration fee going to the Foundation. Visit www.seveday.com for more information about Seve Day and www.seveballesterosfoundation.org for more information on the Seve Ballesteros Foundation.

Olympics Golf will return to the Olympics at Rio 2016 after a 112-year absence, and Greg Norman believes Seve’s enthusiasm and passion for returning golf to the greatest sporting show on earth played a key role.

“In 2016, when that first tee shot is hit in Rio de Janeiro somebody should say thank you to Seve, all the players should,” says the Australian. “Golf’s back in the Olympics because of Seve.

He was the one that was asking questions in my era about why golf wasn’t in the Olympics.

“Juan Antonio Samaranch was the president of the IOC at the time.

Obviously he’s Spanish, so Seve had a connection and asked the question.

“I remember playing practice rounds with him and he talked about

Class courses Seve had an eye for design and here are six Euro crackers

The Shire is one of Seve's designs.

The Shire London, Barnet This par 72 opened for play in June 2007 and has six par 3s, six par 4s and six par 5s and a lot of water!

Info: theshirelondon.com The Westerwood, near Glasgow The par-3 15th features an elevated tee shot to a green surrounded by a 60ft rock face. Accuracy is required.

Info: qhotels.co.uk

it; ‘We’ve got to get golf back in the Olympics’, ‘why isn’t it in the Olympics, we’re international players?’

“You know Seve was very animated and very passionate in his belief. To see where it has come since the mid-80s to where it is in 2016, is a great story. It’s 30 years of hard work which was basically triggered by one individual as far as I’m concerned.”

Golf’s Olympic inclusion has directly resulted in millions of pounds of extra investment in developing nations. It’s too early to gauge the global impact of this, but it’s safe to assume that a great many people who would never have had been able to play golf will now have the opportunity to take up the game.

European Tour and Ryder Cup The European Tour and Ryder Cup, now two of the greatest organisations and institutions in golf, would not be what they are today without Seve.

When he turned pro in 1974, the

Clockwise from top: A growing diary of events is helping push the amount Seve’s Foundation has raised for brain cancer research past the £2m mark; genius at work; Seve’s passion for golf extended to course design; and another trap shot holed, this one at Augusta in 1989.

‘SEVE'S LEGACY IS MAKING THE IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE...’

Tour featured 26 tournaments in 13 countries with total prize money of just over £600,000, and the Ryder Cup was under threat as GB&I hadn’t won for eight matches.

Today, the European Tour has a 48-tournament schedule in 24 countries with more than £80 million up for grabs and the Ryder Cup is the most anticipated spectacle in golf. On top of that, Europe has won six of the last eight matches.

George O’Grady, European Tour Chief Executive, knows the importance Seve played in this transformation: “He was the inspiration behind the European Tour. In 1979 Ballesteros and his compatriot Antonio Garrido created history when they stepped onto the first tee at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, and became the first Continental players in a now European Ryder Cup Team.

“This launched a revolution that would transform the biennial ➔

The Heritage, Ireland This well-manicured and undulating layout hosted the Seve Trophy in 2007.

Info: theheritage.com Buenavista, Tenerife This spectacular seaside layout is one of the most beautiful on the Canary Islands.

Info: buenavistagolf.es Crans-Sur-Sierre, Switzerland This mountain track has hosted the European Tour’s European Masters since 1972 and continues to go from strength to strength.

Info: golfcrans.ch Royal Obidos, Portugal This Lisbon layout was the last course designed

by Seve and opened in January this year. It's already had rave reviews.

Info: royalobidos.com Porto Santo, Madeira This hosted the European Tour’s Madeira Islands Open in 2009, 2010 and 2011. It is on a small island near Madeira and can only be reached by plane or boat.

Info: porto-santo.com/en/ golf-course

Todaysg olfer .co.u k ❘ is su e 296

REBELS

Tommy Bolt

WHEN GOLFERS GO WRONG

Footballers have a reputation for wayward behaviour but don't be fooled into thinking golfers are all whiter than white words KIT ALEXANDER PICtures GETTY IMAGES

Crime: Club abuse

Tommy Bolt was the original bad boy golfer. He had a very successful playing career – winning the 1958 US Open and 14 other PGA Tour events – but was best known for his fiery disposition, which earned him his ‘Terrible Tommy’ and ‘Thunder Bolt’ nicknames.

He was known for expressing his oncourse frustrations by throwing and breaking his clubs and using colourful language. He even opened a bank account to pay his regular fines to the PGA. In 1957, the PGA adopted the “Tommy Bolt rule” prohibiting the throwing of clubs. The day after it was passed, Bolt tossed a putter because he wanted to be the first one fined for breaking “his” rule.

The short stick was regularly the subject of his abuse and he often had to finish tournaments putting out with other clubs.

He was even fined $250 for breaking wind as his opponent addressed a putt in the 1959 Memphis Open.

The picture opposite was taken at the 1960 US Open at Cherry Hills GC, Colorado. Bolt had just smashed two golf balls into the lake before committing his driver to the same watery grave. “I was trying to knock out a carp,” he claimed.

This was typical of the man who always looked back on his outbursts in good humour. When asked for a tip, he once replied, “Always throw your clubs ahead of you. That way, you won’t waste energy going back to pick them up.”

The Hall of Famer (he was inducted in 2002) was allowed to get away with his frequent indiscretions with nothing more than a few fines because he was such a fantastic player and ball-striker.

His talent was such that the legendary Ben Hogan, his mentor, is quoted as saying: “If we could’ve screwed another head on his shoulders, Tommy Bolt could have been the greatest who ever played.”

In his later years, Bolt himself admitted that a lot of his angry antics were merely showmanship and that he felt they had detracted from his playing. ➔ Todaysg olfer .co.u k ❘ is su e 296

LEARNING

9

3

8

4 7

6

5

DRIVE LIKE CLOCKWORK

TURN YOUR DRIVER SLICE INTO AN IMPRESSIVE DRAW USING THIS SIMPLE SWING THOUGHT FROM ADRIAN FRYER ➔

MANY AMATEUR GOLFERS KNOW

they need to strike the ball from the inside with the driver but in an attempt to do so, immediately force the club in too early in the takeaway. The resulting flow of the swing will often cause the club to return to the ball from the outside or 'over the top' in the downswing, causing weak slices. Try this simple swing thought using a clockface around the ball.

IS SU E 296 ❘ TODAYSG OLFER .CO.U K

1. SWING BACK ON SIX O'CLOCK Picture a clock face around the ball as you look down with the target line at 12 o’clock, nine o’clock positioned between the toes. In the takeaway, aim to move the clubhead away at six o’clock, directly away from the target. This backward motion creates more room and ensures the flow of the swing on the way down will be from the inside, not out-to-in.

2. ATTACK FROM SEVEN O'CLOCK Then on the way down, feel that the clubhead is delivered into the ball over the seven o’clock position. This more inside move will help the arc shallow slightly on the delivery like the world’s best pros rather than the 'in and over move' that is so destructive for many amateurs. You'll reduce the sidespin you impart on the ball and hit the draw shape you've always wanted.

LEARNING

BALL FOCUS Putting from short range while blocking out the view of the hole will lead to a more pure stroke free of any compensations.

NAIL MORE MEDIUM-RANGE PUTTS

Remove the hole fRom youR vision AnD you'll Roll in moRe mAkeAble putts, sAys Rob WAtts ➔

on any putt under 20 feet the hole is

always lurking in your peripheral vision no matter how hard you try to block it out. With amateur golfers, this constant reminder often leads to last-moment compensations in the stroke. Your success on putts from inside this range would increase dramatically if you could focus solely on what’s under your control, rather than what isn’t. Try this simple drill.

1. block out the hole view On the practice putting green, set yourself up to a six-foot putt. Hold the putter in your right hand, and cover any view of the hole in your peripheral vision with your left by holding it to the side of your face. Hit some putts ingraining what you see, but more importantly what you don’t. If you want to practise with both hands on the putter, you could position a scorecard in your headwear.

2. take it to the course The inset above displays only what you need to see when you make your stroke: your foot aim, ball position and clubface. Once you’ve looked at the hole, your start line and aligned the putter’s face to this, thoughts of the hole should be out of your mind. Your goal is simply to roll the ball over a spot on your start line using the stroke length and tempo you settled on in your practice swings.

Todaysg olfer .co.u k ❘ is su e 296

LEARNING TOur Tips

dRIvE foR show THE EXTREMELY ACCURATE RiCHiE RAMsEY sHAREs His fAiRwAY-finding sECRETs ➔

driving supremacy...

Richie Ramsey is fast-becoming one of the European Tour’s most consistent performers. Last year was the Scot’s most successful on the circuit; finishing 28th in the Race to Dubai with six top-10s, including two consecutive third-place finishes. This followed his maiden victory at the 2009 South African Open. Integral to his success has been his supreme accuracy off the tee. In the 2011 season, he was the only player to hit more than 1,000 fairways with a 75.1% success rate. He finished second in the driving accuracy stats behind Luke Donald, although the figures are slightly skewed as the Englishman only played 19 qualifying rounds compared to Ramsey’s 100.

“On the range, always start off with shorter clubs to get the right tempo of your swing going,” Ramsey told TG exclusively in Dubai earlier this year.

“Then bring it all the way through the bag and finally to your driver. Set-up an imaginary fairway on the range in your mind and try this before you tee off. It’s crucial that your last three drives find this fairway. It applies pressure that noone has on the range but they feel it on the first tee. A lot of it is mental, you don’t want to be standing on the tee thinking of where you don’t want to hit it.

Focus on the dos, work out a routine that's right for you and practise the shots that you’ll need on the course.”

Apply the simplicity of Ramsey’s routine in your game to find the short grass more regularly. is su e 296 ❘ Todaysg olfer .co.u k

A Accurate

drives start on the range before you tee off. Squaring the clubface at impact relies on good tempo, which is created with the shorter clubs first.

B Your pre-shot

routine and having the correct fundamentals at address on every swing promote an accurate and repeatable motion.

1

2

3

4

1. build a station on the driving range Always make sure your fundamentals are spot on every time you practise. I’ll always use my alignment sticks to form a ‘t’ shape, with one pointing out from inside my left foot for ball position and the other for my alignment. Ball position is key as it ensures you're hitting up on the ball slightly.

2. be specific with your target On every drive, always stand behind the ball and be very specific with your choice of target. I like to hold the club up in front of my face (Justin Rose is another that does this) and align the shaft with my target, selecting something just in front of the ball on this line to help me align my clubface.

3. have a trigger to start your swing My starting trigger is when I take my left knee inside. The swing is a matter of seconds so you can’t be having five different swing thoughts plus they help your rhythm. Think of one thing that works best for you that you can rely on under pressure, it could be a certain number of looks at the target or a forward press.

4. get the club out in front of you Every golfer can reduce their dispersion by delivering the club to the ball correctly. I try and keep my right heel grounded in the downswing to keep the club more out in front of my body as I deliver it to the ball. Notice how the clubhead is still behind the hands, allowing me to attack the ball from the inside.

Todaysg olfer .co.u k ❘ is su e 296

PLAYING 2-fore!-1 exPLAINed The 2-FORE!-1 system does exactly what it says on the voucher!

Two golfers play golf for the price of one! The concept is simple and, with nearly 1,000 UK courses taking part in the scheme, it really should be a no-brainer. You can view the courses available to play under the scheme at 241golf.com and you can buy vouchers there too. There are many different voucher packages to choose from, but if you opt for 10, it works out at just £2.10 each.

And when you consider that you can save £140 if you play at The Grove in Hertfordshire it really is a fantastic way to play awesome courses at a reasonable price.

Today's Golfer also runs an online tee time booking service teeofftimes. This service offers top-value green fees at over 500 courses. It's quick and easy to do and you can get some really good deals.

Visit todaysgolfer. co.uk to see which courses are available.

P owe re d by

The King's Course The stunning James Braid layout is just £80 with a 2-FORE!-1 voucher.

is su e 296 ❘ Todaysg olfer .co.u k

£40 PluS

GLeNeAGLeS There are nearly 1,000 courses in 2-FORE!-1 but there's only one King ➔

PAR 70, 6,471 YARDS

No wonder it's called the King’s course. Of all the hundreds of layouts created by the legendary James Braid this is surely one of his best.

Five-times Open champion Braid was a master course craftsman who simply and effectively went about his business, placing different coloured marker posts to pinpoint a new layout’s tees, bunkers and greens.

Braid created the King's course in 1919, receiving £120 and expenses for his endeavours having used the wondrous terrain, idyllic, exquisite natural setting and to-die-for views of the Ochill Hills and Trossachs to their maximum.

Nowadays the King’s is overshadowed by the modern Jack Nicklaus-designed PGA Centenary which is preparing to stage the Ryder Cup in 2014. However, the King’s played a leading role in the birth of the biennial clash against the Americans. Two years after it opened, it staged the first unofficial Ryder Cup between Great Britain and the USA and fittingly it was Braid who led the hosts to a resounding victory.

But, for many, the King’s remains the No.1 at the so-called ‘Palace in the Glens’ and thankfully – like the PGA Centenary and Queen’s – it belongs to 2-FORE!-1 meaning you can play any of the layouts at reduced rates.

Hole highlights come thick and fast but on a glorious, late March afternoon TG’s unquestionably arrived with a birdie at the stunning ‘Braid’s Brawest (best)’ the par-4 13th. Long live the King’s!

THE FACTS Location: 16 miles SW of Perth on A9.

Green fees: £160.

2-FORE!-1: Mon-Thurs & Sun in high season (after 2pm) £80.

Contact: 01764 662231 or gleneagles.com/golf Todaysg olfer .co.u k ❘ is su e 296

THE TOUR

CASEY REVEALS POWER SECRETS Englishman faces test of length on 670-yard US Open hole ➔

PaUl CaSey aVeRaged

293.8 yards off the tee on the European Tour in 2011 and he’ll need all that distance to conquer the Olympic Club’s mammoth 16th hole when the US Open tees off on June 14.

The 34-year-old, who has recently returned from a shoulder injury, explains the importance of a full turn in the backswing as he steps up his preparations ahead of tackling the longest hole in the Major’s history.

“A full turn is crucial to powerful hitting, and this comes from your upperbody position at the top of the backswing. The equation is simple; the more you turn away from the target, the more torque you generate. It almost feels is su e 296 ❘ Todaysg olfer .co.u k

like screwing yourself into the ground.

“You don’t want to create a fake turn by just swinging with your arms and using too much wrist action, you will never hit the ball consistently that way.

Keep ‘low and slow’ in your mind.

Everything should come away in one piece, with the move initiated by your shoulder turn. A wide takeaway is key to storing power with your coil. Don’t take the club away with only your hands.

“If you pick up the club too quickly, it will cause you to chop across the ball at impact. Amateurs slice a lot because they have this urge to get back to the ball too soon, so the swing isn’t in sync.

Complete the backswing and come down smoothly, you’ll stop slicing.”

Balanced finish “Good balance is a product of maintaining good rhythm in the swing. Remember that well-struck shots at 80% effort go further than badly struck ones at maximum speed. The speed of the clubhead will pull you through after contact and you should finish the stroke with a perfectly balanced, high finish.”

Stay loose, don't snatch

“Your grip should be as light as possible, while still keeping control of the club. This promotes a wide, full and rhythmic swing, allows muscles to fire at top speed and ensures you don’t snatch at the shot.”

FOCUS

13-year-old plays on European Tour

Chinese youngster lined up against Poulter, Casey and Molinaris ➔

gUaN TIaN-laNg

became the youngest ever player in a European Tour event when he teed up at the Volvo China Open in April aged 13 years and 177 days. He finished tied 150th and missed the cut by 14 shots.

Guan earned his place in the elite 156-man field by finishing fourth in the mid-China qualifying event three weeks prior to the tournament.

The youngster started playing when he was four and has won numerous age group titles around the world, including the 2011 Callaway Junior World Golf Championship in San Diego by 11 shots after a nine-under-par 63 on the opening day. ”He was just so impressive and to be able to play out here at his age is simply amazing,” said 33-year-old playing partner Marcus Fraser. “He hits HOLE YARDAGE

it long off the tee and his putting is really good. I like his pre-shot routines as well.

You can see he is very competitive. If he keeps going like this, he'll be in the world’s top 10 pretty comfortably.

“He is very mature and has not been pushed into it at all by his parents. He really wants it, and it’s cool to witness that in someone so young.”

Guan said: “It was exciting to play in this event and I’m happy. I learnt a lot from Fraser and the other guys here.”

Nervous opening Guan got off to a shaky start with an opening bogey in the first round and was five over through six holes.

magical moment He showed his quality with a three at the par-4 7th hole for his first birdie on the European Tour.

Steadied the ship A solid inward half of nine pars meant an opening 77 (+5) and he retained hope of playing at the weekend.

Chances cut He started his second round on the 10th, but a bogey put an end to his chances of making the cut.

Positive steps He made birdies at the 7th (second day in a row) and 18th to take his debut tournament total to three.

Ready for more Despite finishing with a bogey on the 9th for a second round 79 (+7) and a +12 total there were plenty of positives.

Investing in the future

Bookmakers on Guan’s future.

Ladbrokes: 25/1 to win a European Tour event before he turns 18, 1,000/1 to be World No.1 on his 18th birthday.

William Hill: 100/1 to win a Major before he turns 21.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

TOTAL

423

572

260

481

420

593

374

246

484

374

392

575

287

498

390

199

469

630

7667

PAR

4

5

3

4

4

5

4

3

4

4

4

5

3

4

4

3

4

5

72

ROUND 1

5

5

3

6

5

6

3

3

5

4

4

5

3

4

4

3

4

5

77

ROUND 2

6

5

3

5

4

6

3

3

5

5

4

5

4

4

5

3

5

4

79

Novelty Headcovers

RyO ISHIkawa The Japanese wonderkid has a headcover in his own image. He also has his face on all his balls.

PadRaIg HaRRINgTON The double Open champ’s had a ladybird since 2007 when his son wanted to fill the Claret Jug with them.

PaUla CReameR It’s the obvious choice for the lady whose penchant for pink has earned her the nickname ‘Pink Panther’.

PGA TOUR RESTRUCTURES Q SCHOOL

➔

FROm NexT yeaR

players will no longer be able to get a PGA Tour card through the six-round Qualifying School tournament. Instead, they will have to earn their place at the top table through an entire season on the second-tier Nationwide Tour.

Prior to these changes, 25 Tour cards went to the top earners on the Nationwide Tour and 25 were available at Q School. Now, all 50 cards will be awarded through a mini-series of three tournaments during the FedEx Cup play-offs.

The top 75 golfers from the Nationwide Tour money list, the

players ranked 126-200 on the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup points list and non-members who meet certain eligibility standards will compete for the 50 cards, although the exact competition system is yet to be finalised.

Q School will still exist, but the prize will be a place on the Nationwide Tour. Another change as part of the restructuring sees the Fall Series become part of the FedEx Cup so the 2014 season will begin in October 2013.

“We strongly believe these changes will strengthen both Tours,” said PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem.

maRTIN kaymeR The German’s had this white tiger so long that they aren’t even in production any more.

Revamped England'sBrian Davis won Q School in 2004 but it will get tougher.

THOmaS aIkeN The South African’s elephant may remind him of home, but it doesn’t make his caddie’s job easy.

Todaysg olfer .co.u k ❘ is su e 296