Today's Golfer Issue 288 preview

Today’s Golfer NOVEMBER 2011 (OCTOBER 6-NOVEMBER 2) www.todaysgolfer.co.uk

Golfer BRITAIN’S BEST-SELLING GOLF MAGAZINE Today’s

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◗ S PA I N ◗ P O R T U G A L ◗ F R A N C E ◗ T U R K E Y ◗ ◗ CYPRUS ◗ SCOTLAND ◗ IRELAND ◗ P L U S : L OA D S M O R E T O P G O L F I N G D E S T I NAT I O N S

FIRST TEE Rules

GPS SHARE? Q. In a recent club competition I was drawn with two players who were friends and often played together.

As we reached our balls for our second shots into the first I had hit the longest tee shot so I waited for my partners to play. The first one stepped up, checked his GPS and knocked a solid shot onto the green from the right side of the fairway. As I turned around to watch the other play from the left rough I was surprised to see that he wasn’t ready. He then waited for his friend to bring the GPS over before checking the distance of his shot and then playing.

They never shared yardages verbally but shared the GPS the whole way round, making it take longer than it should have. Is this allowed?

Scott Marsden, Glasgow A. The use of distance measuring devices during a stipulated round remains contrary to the Rules of Golf; however, a Committee can permit them via a Local Rule – see the specimen Local Rule at Appendix I, Part B, 9 in the Rules. Information regarding distance is considered to be public information and so it is always permissible for players to exchange distance information. When the Local Rule permitting distance measuring devices is in place it is also permissible for players to actually use and share a distance measuring device. Clearly players should not unduly delay play if they are sharing.

Kevin Barker, R&A Assistant Director, Rules

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GET Cannon-POWERED

Cobra produce first ever four-foot long driver, designed for distance Cobra is taking driving distance to the extreme with the launch of a 48-inch club called the Long Tom, which will enable golfers to generate even greater clubhead speeds to power their tee shots even further.

As well as its added length – most drivers are 45 ½ inches – the Long Tom also increases distance with the highest length to weight ratio of any Cobra driver (total weight of 269 grams), a strong and thin titanium alloy face and E9 Face Technology that creates a larger sweetspot.

“Our new Long Tom drivers are all about letting it fly,” said Tom Preece, VP Club Research and Development

at Cobra. “The Long Tom features a new Ti 8-1-1 face that generates fast ball speeds. This new technology, combined with the long length and ultra-light weight results in extreme distance.”

In addition to the traditional design, Cobra is launching 500 limited-edition Long Tom RAW drivers with an unfinished cosmetic a month before the main product goes on general sale.

Like Callaway’s famed Big Bertha range, the Long Tom is named after a cannon that was used during World War Two and the Korean War. Cobra first used the name for a 46-inch

driver that was released in the 1970s.

Cobra has taken inspiration from the cannon for the aesthetics of the club, as well as its power and length, with the all black and unfinished silver cosmetics of the two versions.

The Long Tom RAW driver is available from selected retailers in a men’s right-handed 9° loft in a choice of S, R or X flexes for £319 from October 14. The Long Tom driver is available in 8°, 9° and 10° lofts in men’s right-handed and 9° in men’s left-handed in a range of flexes for £289 from November 25.

See Today's Golfer's first-hit video at www.todaysgolfer.co.uk/longtom

GET FIRING The Long Tom is named after a cannon, and its aesthetics and power have been influenced by that.

LIGHT LOAD As well as being 48-inches long the driver has the highest length to weight ratio of any Cobra driver.

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SIMPLISTIc New handle aside the Automatic is as simplistic as GoKart's superb original model.

COLLECTABLE 500 Long Tom RAW drivers with an unfinished cosmetic go on sale a month before the main product.

L A T ES T N E W S

sy a t Faneague L

1 201

WRIGHT SET FOR SUCCESS ALAN LOOKING GOOD WITH 10 EVENTS GONE

We’re approaching the midway point in the TG Fantasy League and Alan Wright has built up a commanding lead at the top of the leaderboard. He has an 81-point cushion in the race for the La Manga holiday but there’s still time to catch him, especially with double-points tournaments to come.

m i l es t o n e m ar k e d

DELIVERY DRIVER

Dustin Johnson turns Fed-Ex worker to personally hand over TaylorMade's one-millionth R11 driver TaylorMade Tour star Dustin Johnson impersonated a FedEx driver to handdeliver the company’s one millionth white driver to unsuspecting customer Patrick Spina at Upper Montclair CC, New Jersey, in August.

As the owner of the one-millionth R11 or Burner Superfast 2.0 wood, Spina also received one of only five limitededition gold-plated R11 drivers in existence.

A shocked Spina said: “I was expecting to pick up a new driver today and work with the pro and all of a sudden a FedEx truck turns up, and who gets out of it? DJ. Not the pro I was expecting, but it’s great to meet Dustin!”

He even let Johnson, the world number five, break in his new driver after he promised not to break it. “I think that’ll work,” exclaimed big-hitting DJ as he ripped it 300 yards down the middle of the driving range.

The milestone underlines the impact that TaylorMade’s revolutionary clubs have made since their launch in January 2011. The company projects it will sell more than two million worldwide by the end of the calendar year. ◗ Visit www.taylormadegolf.eu to learn more about TaylorMade’s white-headed R11 and Burner Superfast 2.0 metalwoods.

PR AC TI C E FAC ILITI E S

10%

32%

68%

75%

78%

92%

13%

There's no shortage of places for UK golfers to improve their games.

◗ Putting green 92% ◗ Chipping/pitching 78% ◗ Practice ground 75% ◗ Practice bunker 68% ◗ Driving range 32% ◗ Practice holes 13% ◗ Par 3 course 10%

Overall leaderboard (after BMW Championship) 1. Alan Wright, Fairway Blues, 1009 points 2. Simon Kay, BowKay, 928 points 3. Callum Cross, Megan’s Mob, 925 points

Top performing players 1. Luke Donald, $4.5m, 165 points 2. Adam Scott, $2.8m, 162 points 3. Rickie Fowler, $2.5m, 147 points August monthly winners 1. Pierre Smith, Grizzlies, 569 points Prize: Three lessons with TG Elite Teaching Pro 2. Simon Kay, BowKay, 564 points Prize: Ping Anser putter 3. Robert Hicks, Luuuuke, 564 points Prize: Druh belt ◗ Sign up, pick your six-man team and see the full leaderboard at www.todaysgolfer.co. uk/fantasygolf

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Time for ‘Dad Membership’ PACKAGES

By Lee Woodward, frustrated father

I am frustrated; surprisingly, not about the appalling state of my short game, but my life as golfing dad. Like many of you, growing up I practically lived on the golf course, revelled in the pleasure of being a member of a golf club and got down to single figures in my teenage years. But then life seems to happen and next thing you know you are 42 with the shanks.

The internet has made getting a handicap easier and you can play virtually anywhere these days, but if you want to actually join somewhere, then life gets complicated for us dads. My nine-year-old is a member of a club that would cost over £4,500 for the first year as an adult (£80 per year for him).

Even without the joining fee that is £125 a round if I play once a month, which is unlikely with family and work commitments.

I could join a course with no joining fee and subs of £950 for seven-day membership, but that’s still nearly £80 a round.

I want to enjoy all the great things about being a member of a club, without the financial duck hook. All the dads I know work all week and then spend as much time with their kids as possible at weekends. Dads negotiate like a UN diplomat to get any time to play.

Come on membership committees, your clubs are struggling and yet you have a ready-made customer you are simply not servicing. There’s a fortune to be made in Dad Membership, yet I know of only one golf club that offers ‘Associate Membership’ that allows you to play all week, weekends after 10am, all competitions and up to 20 rounds per year.

If more golf clubs offered flexible deals to suit the lives of prospective members then perhaps memberships wouldn’t be falling so rapidly and fewer clubs would be feeling the economic strain.

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Gripping in the left palm The grip should be your first port of call when assessing your swing for power-sapping faults. A dodgy grip can lead to errant shots as well as weak drives so a quick check is worth

your while. The main grip fault that saps golfers of power is the club sitting far too high in the left hand (right-handers), between the two 'hand pads'.

Essentially, this doesn’t allow

Fault One

you to use the lever that the left arm and club provide. As a result, your swing will be short and dominated by the upper body, which, as you'll discover later on, leads to a weak action.

power limiter When the wrists are unable to hinge, the club can only swing as far as the shoulders can turn. Limiting the distance the clubhead travels reduces the momentum and power that can be generated.

grip check

what happens Gripping in the palm brings the angle of the shaft more in line with the angle of the forearm. This locks the wrist firm (like you need for putting) and doesn’t allow for a free cocking of the left wrist.

heel pad goes on top In your grip, the club needs to run from the middle joint of the first finger to below the heel pad of the left hand. This allows the club to sit below the wrist rather than through its middle. From here you are able to cock the club upwards, giving you the lever that leads to extra power.

the fix

swing longer Gripping the club correctly means the club doesn’t impede the wrist being mobile; it can both turn and cock at the same time. This freedom of movement enables you to swing the club back much further, the longer backswing coil adding speed and power to the clubhead. is sue 2 8 8 ❘ Todaysg olfe r .co.uk

Power-sapping posture A key ingredient for producing power is the rotation of the body. The more rotation you can achieve in your backswing the more power you can transfer to the clubhead. Standing either

very tall or slouched to the ball means your vertebrae aren't aligned, which makes it very difficult to rotate around your spine. Poor rotation also doesn't allow you to turn on the

correct angle to hit the ball: that leads to problems with swing plane. If this fault looks familiar, a simple change to your spine angle should help you turn much more freely.

what not to do In poor posture, there’s very little angle between the legs, hips and shoulders. In this slouched position the upper spine curves excessively. The way the spine is built means you can’t rotate from here.

set-up checkpoints You need to put your backside out, unlock the knees and open the feet, creating much more pronounced angles with your body. This allows the body to rotate and attack the ball on the right angle.

Fault Two

the fix

lengthen the spine Feel that in your address position you’re tilted forward from the hips, keeping the spine long. Here, we've used an elongated cane to demonstrate the straightness of the spine but you can hang a club down your back and feel it touching the base and middle of your spine.

the result

backswing completed Notice how full the upper body turn is when the spine is long and this angle is maintained in the backswing. The chest has turned to face away from the target and the clubshaft is parallel to the ground and pointing towards the intended target. This is a powerful at-the-top position.

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Burn HOLES

Crash and

Even the world’s best golfers can run up astronomical single-hole scores WOR D S K IT A L E X A N DE R

s u o e d Hi ments

Mo e pros

th t to wan get for

Tom Weiskopf, 13 1980 Masters, Augusta National, 12th, 155-yard par 3 The majority of the time, Tom Weiskopf’s fiery competitiveness was an advantage, but it proved to be his undoing in the first round of the 1980 Masters as his tournament hopes ended within a couple of hours.

The American had finished as a runner-up four times at Augusta and the frustrations of all those nearmisses spilled out as he simply couldn’t keep his ball on the green at the shortest hole on the course.

The 1973 Open winner’s 7-iron from the tee spun back into the water and he elected to try to play the perfect pitching wedge at the pin, rather than minimising the damage to his scorecard and playing the safe shot into the larger part of the green.

He couldn’t control the spin from the dropping area and four more balls rolled off the front of the green into Rae’s Creek before he eventually managed to keep one safely on the putting surface with his 11th shot.

He two-putted for the highest official single-hole score in the history of the Masters. ◗ Lesson learned Don’t try and bounce back from a bad shot by playing a high-risk option that could further compound your misery. Take your medicine, get the ball safely back into play and get out of there with minimal damage to your scorecard and hopes of winning the tournament. >>

NOT SWEET The shortest hole at Augusta proved anything but sweet for Weiskopf at the 1980 Masters.

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MASTER ALL ways to play

TG Elite Pro Noel Rousseau and psychologist Jamil Qureshi on the keys to winning... whatever the format wor d s K IT A L E X A N DE R PICT U R E s GET T Y

1. Singles matchplay What is it?

A head-to-head battle between two players.

Full handicap difference is usually used and a shot is given on the respective number of holes according to the course’s stroke index.

Player’s win, lose or halve holes based on their nett scores and the person who wins the most holes is the victor.

The strategy Much more like other sports, this format requires you only to be better than your

opponent on the day, which is great fun and often flattering. Your strategy needs to be flexible and dependant on the state of the game and the position of your opponent.

This will require you to take on risky shots that you wouldn’t normally consider if your opponent is playing a hole well and to make safe plays when they are out of position. Make sure you know the rules thoroughly, and use them to your advantage, and don’t offer beneficial solutions to an opponent who hasn’t seen them already.

The psychology Keep things pleasant but not too chatty, avoid contrived gamesmanship and focus on the game. Play your own game and don’t get drawn into a long-driving battle, if you’re happier playing safe. Give opponents short putts early on, but make them hole the 'easy' ones as pressure builds. This format means that one bad hole is not critical. So if you have one, move on. Also, things can change very quickly in Matchplay so if you go a couple down early on... don't panic.

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2. Strokeplay What is it?

Add up your total number of shots for 18 holes for your gross score and subtract your handicap for your nett.

The strategy Strokeplay is the most demanding format. It’s the punitive nature of this format that justifies the existence of golf psychologists. With every shot counting to your end score, a conservative strategy and a philosophical outlook are required.

Aim for the safe areas and make club selections that will allow for mild errors. It is vital that your mood is not linked to your scoring. Set process goals such as, ‘focus and commit on every shot’ or ‘swing confidently on every shot’.

The psychology If you’re playing OK but not scoring well, don’t panic. Keep doing the right things and the scores will come. If you’re finding weather conditions tough, others will too. It’s the same with course conditions. Other people will get bad bounces on bone-dry or frozen ground. Don’t be negatively influenced by a playing partner. You’re playing against the course so play the game you’re comfortable with.

3. Stableford What is it?

Points are awarded based on your nett score on each hole; four for an eagle, three for birdie, two for par, one for bogey and zero for double bogey or worse. The person with the most points wins.

The strategy This format is very popular for its forgiving nature. It affords the odd mistake but don’t be foolhardy because the single points do add up (or not, as the case may be).

This should be a strokeplay mentality with the option to be more daring when the situation calls. Decide before you start which holes you can be aggressive on and which should be a solid two points on the card.

The psychology Every point counts, so even when you think you’ve messed a hole up, don’t pick up until you’ve definitely had too many shots. Eighty-yard pitches do go in sometimes! When you have had too many shots to score, pick up and move on – both literally and mentally. Don’t let a bad hole get you down, you've got to forget about it and refocus. It’s not like a medal where you can rack up a double-figure score that will destroy your round. The worst that can happen is a ‘blob’. Stay in the present and play each hole as a game in itself. A couple of pars where you have a shot can soon turn things round.

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INSTRUCTION p ow e r a dv i c e

NEW RELEASE

Find the method that’s perfect for your game, says Noel Rousseau... pros and cons The benefit of this method is that it’s the easiest way to fix a slice and obtain greater clubhead speed. But with the clubhead spiralling out to the right and riding the centrifugal force, the hands have to rotate very quickly, creating problems with timing and possible pushes and hooks.

rolling release The clubhead is travelling away from the body on an in-out path and the hands have rolled over.

1

body release The club stays on plane but moves left post impact. It rotates less and is more in sync with the body motion.

2

driving

swing to a finish Be sure to continue turning through to a full finish with the hips and shoulders facing the target. At this point allow your head to raise and your body to come up out of posture.

In both methods the right arm straightens through impact to deliver force and power.

methods of release

f ree dri v i ng v i deo ti p s AT TG’S WEB SITE

MORE TIPS ● WHAT IS THE ‘RELEASE’?

The term ‘release’ refers to the movement through impact and beyond where the wrists unhinge and the club swings around at the ball from behind you. This movement not only optimises clubhead speed but also serves to squareup the clubface.

Without a strong release the club face will return to the ball open, leading to a weak slice.

● USE AS A SLICE CURE

pros and cons With the body-pivot release, the clubface is staying square for longer through impact and on-plane, which is more consistent. But to keep the club on-plane after impact we are fighting centrifugal force by pulling left around the body. This requires a stronger pivot action with the body.

full finish Regardless of which release method you choose, both should lead to a full, balance finish position.

3

If you are constantly fighting a slice, then method one should obtain quick results.

It’s great for higher handicap players to understand the effect of club path and the rotation of the clubface through impact. Slicers usually combine an open clubface with an out-to-in club path.

● BETTER PLAYER METHOD

The body pivot release is the preferred method for consistent shotmaking but takes some practice to achieve. This method is more suited to lower handicap players that possess a swing where the club and body work more in sync.

● LIFE AFTER IMPACT...

Both methods of releasing the club require you to have your attention on the movement of the club after impact. With the club moving so fast, it is not good enough to focus on impact only.

Having clear intentions for your followthrough will lead to a better motion through the ball.

EQUIPMENT { N ew T I T L E I S T I RO N S r ev e a l e d}

ALL-ROUND apPEAL

Titleist take range to another level with arrival of new AP1 and AP2 irons Four years after launching their first AP Irons, Titleist have taken the range to new heights with the latest AP1 and AP2 (712 Series).

The original AP was forgiving while appealing to the better player and the new models have benefited from improvements to their internal weighting. Engineers have used higher density tungsten to reposition mass more effectively to increase MOI without changing the length of the blade or altering the centre of

gravity location.

The new 712 AP1 irons have been designed with a bevelled topline, and offer higher ball speeds on mishits, while the long irons have been designed with a four per cent increase in MOI for more forgiveness.

Aspiring players will be pleased to learn that the short irons are more traditional in size, with the blade length reducing progressively in size through the set.

The 712 AP2 irons also benefit

from increased forgiveness with better performance on off-centre strikes, but no loss of workability or shot control. The square toe profile has been inspired by the Tour but the enhanced MOI also means improved feel off the face, while reduced sole widths from 8-PW allows for better turf interaction.

“When we redesigned the 712 AP irons, we redistributed weight in the clubhead so that we not only increased MOI or forgiveness; we

kept blade lengths the same and maintained the same CG distance from the shaft axis. This allows players to flight and shape shots,” says Dan Stone, Vice President, Research and Development for Titleist Golf Clubs. ◗ INFORMATION: The new irons will retail at £114 per club (steel) and £130 per club (graphite). Right and left-handed models will go on sale from November 18.

SOLE WINNER Titleist have kept the blade lengths short and the sole narrow by using internal weighting.

I N C R E A S E D R E S I S TA N C E The new AP1 iron features a lighter stainless steel sole plate which encases a Tungsten weight in the toe to raise the MOI (resistance to twisting) of the club.

THIN FINISH The topline has been bevelled slightly to make it look thinner and more compact.

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CHANGING WEIGHTS The previous AP2 iron had a one-piece Tungsten sole plate but the 712 sees a stainless steel plate and two individual Tungsten weights in the heel and toe.

LATE ST NEWS

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THINGS YOU NEED

TO KNOW

MASTER's class W e d g e l e g e n d l au n c h e s S M 4 m o d e l Titleist's Bob Vokey has designed a new range of SM4 wedges that feature Spin Milled technology.

Inspired by the original 200 Series shape produced in 1998, the wedges have been made from soft 8620 carbon steel and feature 17 individually cut grooves that have been designed to be narrower and sharper to give more spin.

But it’s not just about the grooves – the flat face surface is also preciselymachined with a series of milled micro edges which allows for more surface roughness to impart more spin on all shots.

Some wedges are more durable than others, and the new Vokeys should offer excellent performance over a long period of time because of a heat treatment that increases the durability of the face surface texture.

There are 21 different loft and bounce combinations available and five sole grinds to choose from which should ensure all golfers are well catered for! There are also three distinct finishes on offer – Tour Chrome, Black Nickel and Oil Can (see above). ◗ INFORMATION: They cost £102 a club (steel) and £118 (graphite).

Ace Baselayer FootJoy unveils new thermal product With another freezing winter well and truly on its way, shoe and clothing giant FootJoy has announced the launch of its new Performance Thermal Base Layer, designed to keep golfers well insulated in the toughest of conditions.

The high-tech ProDry Base layer fabric has been designed to offer great freedom of movement, while still fitting snugly to the golfer’s body to help regulate temperature.

The easy care nature of the fabric prevents wrinkling too while an anti-bacterial finish eliminates odour, making it perfect for even the most gruelling rounds.

“These state-of-the-art garments have been designed using extensive feedback from golfers at all levels and fit perfectly into the FootJoy layering system, which we introduced last year,” said Richard Fryer, European Sales and Marketing Manager. ◗ INFORMATION: The Thermal Baselayer top will retail at £35, with the leggings costing £32.50.

◗ We like to think we don’t make many mistakes, but we did in last month’s fairway woods test – we listed the PING K15 fairway wood at £89.99, when the price should have read £175. We apologise for the error and any inconvenience. ◗ Glenmuir has introduced four new lambswool sweaters for the A/W 2011 range, featuring the new Bionic Finish technology which makes the products more waterrepellent. ◗ PING have launched their new 4-Series bags for 2012. The new models feature six pockets, four-way top with two fulllength dividers and an integrated handle. There are seven colour options and the bag will cost £115. ◗ Nike’s new 20XI ball will officially launch in February next year, but it has already had its first European Tour win when Englishman Oliver Fisher won the Czech Open.

A cut above An undercut cavity moves the centre of gravity away from the face, aiding forgiveness.

◗ Forgan have introduced the next generation of IWD woods with their new IWD2 range.

The titanium driver will retail at £99.99 and the matching fairway woods at £49.99.

THE TG OPINION Jon Greathead on the gear you need for winter

Winter golf can often be incredibly frustrating – dodgy bounces, temporary greens and tees and miserable weather are just a few things that are sent to try us.

Over the past few months we’ve highlighted plenty of club launches from the likes of TaylorMade, Callaway, Wilson Staff, Mizuno, MD Golf aimed at the game improver. And while there is little doubt that properly fitted clubs will help your scores tumble, other areas of your kit can have an equally big impact.

Firstly, clothing. Millions of golf industry dollars invested in R&D by the likes of Galvin Green, adidas, Nike, Under Armour and Ping Collection has meant that whatever the weather, there really is no compromise in 2011 when it comes to the conditions.

The benefits of a solid base layer, as well as outstanding water and windproof garments cannot be underestimated – having a well-regulated body temperature on course is critical to good scoring.

Another key purchase for winter is a rangefinder.

Often during the winter months, greenkeepers put tees forward, while the arrival of temporary greens will leave usual club measurements way out. A good rangefinder will give you exact yardages, aiding club selection.

Check out next month’s TG, out November 3, for an in-depth rangefinder/GPS test and comprehensive clothing guide.

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EQUIPMENT Mizuno MP £159

stylish one-piece upper and good grip Sizes: UK 6.5-11 (half sizes)

Colour options White or black

Web: www.mizuno.eu Tel: 0800 328 0180

Chris: He was initially impressed and thought they were 'elegantly styled' and comfortable straight out of the box.

However, on the course his assessment was that these actually gripped too well and he felt it slightly restricted his followthrough although walking on the course was extremely comfortable. He recommended these for faster swingers looking for extra grip.

Also let's see what happens once the spikes wear a bit.

Johnny: Johnny found these a little uncomfortable at first and it took him a while to break them in. In terms of performance he said they were very middle-of-the-road and this meant the price tag came as a bit of a shock to him, which is why he marked them down on value. He liked the plain look as he thought this made them elegant and understated.

Colin: Colin was impressed by the stylish looks and thought they were unlike anything else on the market due to the one-piece leather construction. They performed well, giving Colin enough grip and traction even on his hilly home course. They hurt his heel for the first couple of rounds but this calmed down after a while. His biggest criticism was how much the leather creased across the top of the toes as he walked and he wasn’t sure how good these would look after six months. We'll soon find out!

THE VERDICT Looks: 3.8 Comfort: 3.0 Performance: 3.0 Value: 2.5 Rating:HHHHH

Nike Lunar Control £110

Younger styling and softer leather Sizes: UK 6-12 (half sizes) Web: www.nikegolf.eu Tel: 0800 056 1640

Chris: Chris liked the looks though he felt they were perhaps styled for the younger generation and he felt the quality was high. On the course he felt they were a little on the wide side for him and perhaps didn’t fit him as snugly as some. However, he said they still offered a stable platform and good grip although he found the thinner sole slightly uncomfortable at times.

Johnny: The soft leather really appealed to Johnny, a fan of the stylish and sporty looks. He felt these would be a better summer shoe than a winter shoe because they are very light, but overall he said that if he was to spend money on a golf shoe then he’d probably go for the Nike’s for all-round style and performance.

He also said he’d be interested to see how they performed in the coming months in wetter, colder weather with the soft leather.

Colin: Colin admitted he was looking forward to using these shoes but said they were a bit of a let down because they were surprisingly uncomfortable for him to walk in and he didn’t feel they provided the same level of stability or traction as some of the other shoes on test. He didn’t think the styling stood out, although he didn’t dislike the look of the shoes. He said he would be interested to see how the shoes perform in wetter conditions because he was worried about grip during the winter months.

THE VERDICT Looks: 3.3 Comfort: 2.8 Performance: 3.0 Value: 3.2 Rating:HHHHH

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Colour options Black/metallic silverblack, white/metallic silver-volt-black, white/black-varsity red, white/blackmetallic pewter

LONG - TERM TEST

Stuburt Helium Comfort £69.99

comfort and durability to the fore Sizes: UK 7-12 (half sizes) Web: www.stuburt.com Tel: 0161 886 4010

SHOES

Colour options White/black/orange, white/black/grey, black

Chris: He felt these didn’t have the same elegance as some but they performed well in all other areas. He found them to be as robust, hard-wearing and as comfortable as any on test. Though he said there was nothing flashy or trendy about the shoes he was a big fan, rating the cheapest pair on test highly for value.

Johnny: The style of the Stuburt’s didn’t impress Johnny, who thought they looked a little cheaper than the others. He also said they looked and felt very chunky on his feet and that tended to put him off, although he felt these would be pretty durable and sturdy in winter. Performance-wise he said they were very comfortable but the styling really put him off buying them, even with the cheaper price tag.

Colin: He said these had the look of a trainer or hillwalking shoe and that meant they were extremely comfortable and he expected no durability issues with these shoes at all. He was also impressed with the price as they delivered the comfort, performance and durability of more premium offerings without the hefty price tag although he admitted the styling maybe didn’t get him as excited as some of the others. One criticism was that he felt his feet got noticeably sweaty in the shoes so he didn’t think they were as breathable as some of the others.

THE VERDICT Looks: 2.3 Comfort: 3.8 Performance: 4.2 Value: 4.7 Rating:HHHHH

adidas adiPURE Z £150

all-round quality in all conditions Sizes: UK 6.5-13 (half-sizes)

Colour options White, black or brown

Web: www.taylormadegolf.eu Tel: 08000 728 624

Chris: He loved the clean, sleek design, the discreet branding on the side and the two individual carry bags (one for each shoe). In terms of performance they delivered for him as well and he said they were undoubtedly some of the best shoes he has ever worn on the course. The only downside was the price, which he felt was a bit on the steep side.

Johnny: These impressed straight away with a really stylish look and Johnny also insisted he would be a fan of these in all black as well during the winter months. He said they were excellent in the rain and in terms of comfort and performance were among the best on test for him.

Colin: In terms of performance Colin rated these pretty highly stating they were extremely comfortable from the first minute he put them on and gave him good grip and traction on the course.

As for the looks, he liked the shape of the shoe but admitted they were very plain, particularly for adidas shoes which he said were usually very sporty. He said the leather was very soft and supple but was worried that because they were all white they would be very difficult to keep pristine for long. Overall though he was impressed with the shoes.

THE VERDICT Looks: 4.5 Comfort: 4.2 Performance: 4.0 Value: 3.2 Rating:HHHHH

Todaysg olfe r .co.uk ❘ is sue 2 8 8

COURSES { ACROSS THE B ORDE R }

theof t Bes tain i Br

GLASGOW IS A FIRM FAVOURITE

There’s not a stunning links in sight but the heart of Scotland is home to a plethora of wonderful golf bordering this famous city wor d s K EV I N BROW N

course planner The Carrick and Helensburgh are virtually next door to each other and in fact all the featured courses are within around a 30-minute drive of Glasgow’s many attractions.

BE ST OF BRITAIN

It’s fair to say that football rules in Glasgow, home of Scotland’s national venue (Hampden Park) and dominant Old Firm rivals Celtic and Rangers.

But the ‘beautiful game’ is being given a good run for its money by the country’s most historic sporting pastime. The Home of Golf’s biggest city and surrounding area boasts nearly 120 good courses.

Glasgow and central Scotland are often overlooked when it comes to golfing across the border as the majority head for St Andrews and Fife or the links of East Lothian, Ayrshire and the Highlands.

They don’t come any better than the breathtaking Tom Weiskopf-designed Loch Lomond which sits beside the bonnie banks and is among the world’s finest inland layouts. But don’t get your hopes up – the exclusive course is strictly members and the rich and famous only.

Fortunately that’s not the case at neighbour The Carrick. This relatively new but stunning track doesn’t come cheap (it can cost three figures plus), but it’s a must-play. And if money is no object

you’ll find the five-star Cameron House, De Vere’s flagship resort in the UK, just down the loch, which is a must-stay.

There are, of course, plenty of cheaper places to base yourselves, including Glasgow where you’ll find accommodation for all tastes and budgets and all the attractions you expect from a major city.

Back to the golf and another good stayand-play option is The Westerwood, a Q Hotels venue, a short drive from Glasgow and home to a splendid Seve-designed layout overlooked by the Campsie Hills.

The Westerwood is a 2-FORE!-1 member so you enjoy half-price golf with a voucher, as is the case with several other courses in the area.

Barring the Loch Lomond courses price certainly shouldn’t put many off a visit to this area. The vast majority of courses can be played for as little as £30£40, including most featured here along with castle pair Buchanan (a mature James Braid parkland and the latter home club of Scottish star Janice Moodie) and Haggs and Windyhill in Bearsden.

GLASGOW

1. THE CARRICK Par 71, 6,729 yards An absolute gem of a course alongside the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.

The Carrick is a magical place to play, and was in prime condition, the greens in particular being unbelievably quick and true, when TG visited earlier this summer.

There’s some particularly memorable holes on the back nine, the par-3 14th being the signature with its lofty tee high up in the woods.

The next three holes all run alongside the bonnie banks and though the front nine isn’t as eye-catching the superb par-4 4th is an exception with a lake hugging the fairway’s left side and mature trees lining the right.

The clubhouse, with its rooftop hot tub, is pretty special too as is the luxury Cameron House Hotel just down the loch. ◗ Vital statistics

Location: Loch Lomond, Dunbartonshire.

Green fees: £125. Teeofftimes: From £35 Contact: 01389 713655 or www. cameronhouse.co.uk/The-Carrick

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