LEE WESTWOOD EXCLUSIVE

“I WANT TO BE 2022 RYDER CUP CAPTAIN”

20-PAGE SHORT
GAME SPECIAL

SAVE
68-P
A
TRAVGE GOL
EL M F
AG

ANDY
SULLIVAN

PAR!
HOW TO ESCAPE THE
SAND EVERY TIME

Tips Drills Gear

FAULT FIXER
Stop thinning your chips
TESTED
Ping G400 Max driver
TaylorMade M4 driver
Callaway MD4 wedge
4 WEDGE
DRILLS
You can try at the range

NEW HANDICAP
SYSTEM HOW WILL 2018’S
IT AFFECT YOU? BEST
WEDGES
REVEALED
  



 
 
     
     

   

     

 

  !# 
  
 

 " #
 


 
    " 




 16
The Game
12 Your View Reader letters and emails
14 Talking Point Annual Distance Report
16 Month In Pictures Photos and stats
22 Winners’ Circle Phil Mickelson
26 Debate Age-related subs
27 Strategy Must-hit greens
28 On The Tee Streamsong Black
30 Quick Tip Create wedge spin
32 New Launches The best new gear
34 In Detail Motocaddy Cube Connect
36 Tour Gear Justin Thomas
38 World Handicap System The basics
71
Instruction
71 Andy Sullivan Six tips to make you a
better bunker player
76 Fault Fixer Ged Walters reveals how
to improve your wedge strikes
78 Scoring Zone Pitching drills
80 Strategy Hone a more reliable
chipping action
82 Thomas Pieters His ten best tips
84 Swing Sequence Thomas Detry
86 Help! I need to chip it closer
88 Rules Movable obstructions and more
48
Features
48 Lee Westwood The Englishman
discusses a host of topics
52 TPC Sawgrass What’s it like to play
one of golf’s most famous courses?
58 Ryan Fox The Kiwi on his famous
dad, big hitting and his career to date
62 Illustration Six common excuses for a
poor golf shot
64 Bel Wardle We sit down with one of
England’s most promising amateurs
68 Links v Nature How the elements are
affecting some of our finest links
100
Reviews
92 Tested By Golf Monthly Ping G400
Max driver, Callaway Mack Daddy 4
wedges, Titleist Velocity ball, Under
Armour Spieth 2 shoe and TaylorMade
M4 driver
100 Buyer’s Guide We take you through
the best wedges on the market
104 Head To Head Two affordable
flat-sticks from Odyssey and Ping
106 Reader Test Two GM readers are
fitted for Mizuno wedges
42
Opinion
40 Chris Wood Discusses two strong
showings in the Middle East
42 Wayne Riley It’s the topic everyone is
talking about – is Tiger back? Radar
certainly thinks so
44 Dan Walker Asks how much
emphasis we should place on Major wins
when defining the success of a career
102 Joel Tadman The importance of a
wedge fitting
130 Bill Elliott Lauds Phil Mickelson for
his recent win in Mexico
115
Courses
110 Must Play We pay a visit to Gog
Magog in Cambridgeshire
112 Hidden Gem Newport GC
115 Focus On Rob Smith savours a trip to
Hertfordshire, a county full of Top 100
venues and unsung heroes
120 Best of UK & Ireland This month’s
whistle-stop tour of these isles includes
an excursion to Royal Porthcawl
122 Stay & Play Cowdray Park
123 Competition Win a trip to Woburn
 #

 (( % % $%
   $+% 
($( $  % #
 ! 
*$ %  (% ! 

" ( ( -*$ #

!     



 ( %( $% %+ 
 
  &). $ %( %$ $
$+%   %(*% $
% (  )#. (( ,%
, ( (   ( - 
-$% $ , $$
  $    #

%(   ((  %( $

 " 
$%  $+ ,
# (-#  (   $+% (
,( (  ( $(- $%
%  $ $% ($#

MICHAEL HARRIS
EDITOR
michael.harris@timeinc.com
Subscribe to Golf Monthly!
Get each issue delivered to
your door, a Tri-Fold Towel, 12
Srixon UltiSoft golf balls,
exclusive rewards and up to
25% off the price of a regular
subscription. Visit
golfmonthlysubs.co.uk/14TY
or turn to page 108 to find
out more information
10
CONTACTS
EDITO RIAL
Editor: Michael Harris
Digital editor: Neil Tappin
Senior content editor: Tom Clarke
Technical editor: Joel Tadman
Content editors: Nick Bonfield, David Taylor
Technical writer: Jake O’Reilly
Editor-at-large: Bill Elliott
Design director: Kevin Eason
Design editor: Jamie Latchford
Deputy design editor: Dan Franklin
Picture researcher: Duncan Bond
Digital writer: Elliott Heath
Contributing editors: Fergus Bisset,
Jeremy Ellwood, Rob Smith
Contributing writers: Roderick Easdale, James Mason
Playing editor: Chris Wood
Staff photographers: Tom Miles, Kevin Murray
Contributors: Getty Images, Wayne Riley,
Dan Walker, Paul Severn, Kevin Kirk,
Kenny Smith, Robin Barwick
Golf Monthly, Time Inc. (UK) Ltd, Pinehurst 2, Pinehurst
Road, Farnborough Business Park, Farnborough,
Hampshire, GU14 7BF
Tel: 01252 555213
Email: golfmonthly@timeinc.com
Website: golf-monthly.co.uk
©Time Inc. (UK) Ltd ISSN 0017-1816
Sell-out hotline: 020 7907 7777
Back issues: MAGS-UK
Opening hours: 9.30am – 1.30pm Monday to Friday
mags-uk.com/browse-by-publisher/time-inc.html
Tel: 01795 662976 Email: support@mags-uk.com
International editions:
+1 888 313 5528
Syndication: Lucy Cox 020 314 85483,
lucy.cox@timeinc.com / timeincukcontent.com
A BUSY TIME FOR THE SPORT ADVERTISING
Head of sport: Matthew Johnston
matthew.johnston@timeinc.com
Topics for me to cover in the editor’s welcome are a little like London Senior media advisor: Chris O’Hagan
chris.ohagan@timeinc.com
buses. You wait for ages for one to turn up and then three arrive at the Senior media advisor: Freddie Smith
same time. In fact, for this issue you can make that four. freddie.smith@timeinc.com
Spain advertising: Spectra Media S L
Firstly, there’s the news that there will be a new World Handicap (tel: 0034 913199015; email: mariamaisey@spectramedia.es)
System from 2020. The overarching aim is to make it easier to get a Advertisement production: Andrew Buckett
Classified advertising: Hasan Mubarak
handicap, and for that handicap to be more reflective of your current
ability. Fergus Bisset explains what it means for us all on page 38. MARKETIN G
Head of marketing: Samantha Blakey
Secondly, The R&A and USGA released their third Distance Report, Production manager: Nigel Davies
and after two years of what they considered to be minimal increases in
PUBLISHIN G
driving distances, they reported an increase of three yards across the Group managing director: Oswin Grady
seven major world tours. The governing bodies have called the rise MD sports & photo: Gareth Beesley
Editor-in-chief sports & hobbies: Simon Collis
“unusual and concerning”, and it would seem like a showdown with
manufacturers is on the horizon. We are analysing the factors behind SUBSCRIPTIO NS DEPT
Golf Monthly Subscriptions, FREEPOST Time Inc. (if posted
the increase and will produce an in-depth feature in the next issue. in the UK; no further address or stamp needed); PO Box
Thirdly, the changes to the Rules of Golf that will come into effect on 20501, 1001 NM Amsterdam, The Netherlands (if posted
overseas. Affix correct postage)
January 1, 2019, were confirmed. The proposed changes were unveiled in Enquiries and order hotline: 0330 333 1113
March last year, but following a wide-ranging review that sought opinion Email: help@magazinesdirect.com
One year’s full subscription rates: 1 Year (13 issues) full
from ordinary golfers all over the world, some proposals have been subscription rates: UK £64.80; Europe & Eire €148.70
altered and new rules will be introduced. The aim of the changes is to (delivery 3-5 days); USA $191.20 (delivery 5-12 days); Rest of
World £132.80 (delivery 5-7 days)
modernise (and speed up) the game, and I feel they have the potential Online subscriptions: golf-monthly.co.uk
to do just that. Again, we’ll be covering this in detail next month.
TELEPHO NE N UMBERS
Our bonus topic is the resurgence of one Tiger Woods. Having Editorial: 01252 555213
undergone surgery last year, Tiger declared himself fit but many, me Display advertising: 01252 555366
Classified advertising: 01252 555364
included, were sceptical. These are early days, but a second-place finish Innovator: 020 314 83710
on the PGA Tour where we saw much of the Tiger of old – fizzing tee Subscriptions: 0330 333 1113
Syndication: 020 314 85478
shots and dead-eye putting – gives genuine hope he’ll find his old form.
Finally, this issue marks the final column from Chris Wood, who has Printed in the UK by the Wyndeham Group
Photography: Getty Images
given us some great insight into life on tour. Taking up the reins next
month is none other than Lee Westwood. Lee has won all around the
world and, as he tells us in an exclusive interview on page 48, has ©2018 Golf Monthly. Articles and features, including illustrations, can only be
aspirations to captain the Ryder Cup team in 2022. I’m looking forward reproduced with the permission of the Editor. We regret we cannot be liable
for the safe custody or return of any solicited or unsolicited material, whether
to hearing more from him over the next 12 months. Enjoy the issue! typescripts, photographs, transparencies, artwork or computer discs. Golf
Monthly is published 13 times a year. Contributors are advised to keep copies
of all material submitted. US agent: Mercury International, 365 Blair Road,
Avenel, NJ 07001. Periodicals paid at Rahway, NJ. POSTMASTER: Send address
changes to Golf Monthly, 365 Blair Road, Avenel, NJ 07001.
 The pick of the letters and emails to hit the Golf Monthly offices this month
Does Rules terminology
need simplifying?
Keep it simple
I have just had a look through the
proof of the new January 2019
Rules. There are several significant
improvements from the original
draft, such as knee-height drops
and the option to take a two-
stroke penalty from back on the
fairway for a lost ball or hitting
OOB in club golf only.
One objective of the new
re-write, however, was to simplify
things. The Rules have gone up
from 134 pages to 150 pages
when you include definitions that
are an integral part of
understanding the meaning.
The fact that the number of
Rules has dropped from 34 to 24
does not make them easier to
understand. They continue to
require cross-referencing beyond
most club golfers’ interest. I found
several places where there are two
or three paragraphs when one line
would do.
12
They have clearly been More transparency needed
re-written by Rules ‘experts’ who In response to the online
cannot let go. It would be far tee-booking debate from your
better to have someone with March issue, online booking’s
common sense but no detailed greatest positive is that it gives
knowledge of the Rules have you an indication of the course’s
another look and include only the state of play.
essentials. In my experience of For a beginner, there is no
club golf, every round has minor greater fear than a fourball
infringements mainly because the watching you tee off. Equally, for a
vast majority do not read or know scratch player looking for a quick
the Rules. A proper simplification nine or 18 holes, there is nothing
would lead to a level playing field. more deflating than seeing a
John Palmer, Nottingham packed course ahead of you.
When I was learning, I would trawl
Time to rein it in different courses using online
While watching the WGC-Mexico booking to find a tee time that
Championship, a statistic was was quietest to alleviate this
shown on the screen that Dustin added pressure.
Johnson has made 124 eagles DJ on his way to If courses opened up their
since 2008. A straw poll of my another eagle? membership portals for casual
three regular playing partners
(handicaps 9 to 21) revealed ten
eagles between us in that time. I
am not sure how the game’s
legislators are going to tame the
distance the professionals hit the
ball. Bunkers around the green
are not a defence or a problem
for these guys.
I would suggest deeper and
more central fairway bunkers or
winding becks crossing the
fairways to make pros have to plot
their way around more holes, as
opposed to smashing it 380 yards.
Peter Ramsden, West Yorkshire
 LETTERS
The Editor, Golf Monthly
Pinehurst 2, Pinehurst Road, Farnborough
Business Park, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 7BF

A magical time of year
LETTER I can’t tell you how excited I am
OF THE at the thought of long evenings,
wearing shorts and the first
MONTH competition off the back tees.
Social golf is good for the
in association with
soul, but there’s nothing quite
like the thrill of competition.
This will be my fifth season as a
member with a handicap and
all that goes with it, and while I
haven’t played much over the
winter, I don’t see that as a
waste of my membership fee.
To me, membership is about
much more than price-per-game.
It’s about belonging to a place
where I can meet like-minded
folk for a few hours of fun and
frustration. Sign me up forever.
And get those white tees out.
David Quinn, via email
Editor’s reply: David, I couldn’t
agree more. I think all club
golfers in this country share
that sense of excitement and
anticipation at this time of year.
Being a member of a golf club
offers so much more than a
weekly game, and is a major
reason why our sport is so
special to so many people
around the world.

The winner receives a year’s supply (six dozen) of the best Titleist golf ball for his or her game

players to see how many people
were playing the course and
when, I think it may diminish the
need for online booking systems
that take money from the clubs. If
clubs are to survive, they need to
show more transparency and
embrace technology.
Jake Shepherd, Hertfordshire
Still work to do
With regard to the ongoing
me with. I’ve invested a huge that ladies’ competitions are
amount of time and money always during the week.
buying clubs, equipment and Really? Is it true that in 2018 the
clothes. I’ve taken up regular majority of working women are
lessons and have worked really being excluded from this
hard to develop a decent swing. wonderful game? I pay the same
All good so far! membership fee as the male
I joined a lovely golf club and members but I have no
cannot fault the welcome and opportunity to regularly ‘join in’
encouragement I received. unless I take annual leave or reach
However, I’m now in a position retirement age! I understand golf
where I’d like to begin to compete is an old game with lots of history,

Photography: Getty Images

debate about growing the game
of golf, I’d like to bring something
to the table for discussion. As a
female who is moderately new to
golf (this will be my third season),
I’ve come up against a problem
that I’m hoping someone can help
with others and test my newly but where’s the harm in some
honed skills. Therein lies my equality here? Surely it’s not too
problem, and I hasten to guess the much to ask for this to be looked
problem that many other working at? I’ve made enquiries to all clubs
women face. There are no in the region and this is standard
competitions on a weekend! I’ve practice, it seems.
queried this and have been told Pamela Nield, via email

13
 TAL I P I T The R&A and USGA’s annual Distance
Report revealed an average distance
increase of more than three
yards since 2016...

The GM view: The statistics are interesting, but should

the governing bodies be devoting more time to
growing the wider game than focusing on the elite?
We’ll have a piece on the subject in our next issue.

Neil Dalzell: We need more shorter, tighter

courses. Fifty-yard-wide fairways are the problem.
Stop players just standing there and bombing it
with little risk. The course used for the WGC-
Mexico Championship was a perfect example.

James Connor: Are we heading towards potential

bifurcation here? Amateurs don’t need golf to be made
more difficult, but the pros are hitting it outrageously far
these days. It’s hardly as if pro golf and amateur golf is
exactly the same from a rules perspective, anyway…

DarrenWilliams: In the last decade or so, the gains

have, in the main, been from the professionals
swinging faster and with better launch conditions.

Rick Villalobos: Give the players some credit. They

are in better shape, nutrition has improved and
many have personal trainers. Technology helps to
a certain point, but if you’ve ever seen DJ or even
Dustin Johnson averaged 315 Phil in person, you know what I’m talking about!
yards off the tee last season

GET
IN EMAIL
golfmonthly
TWITTER
@GolfMonthly
FACEBOOK
facebook.com/
GOLF MONTHLY FORUM
golf-monthly.co.uk/
YOUTUBE
youtube.com/
INSTAGRAM
instagram.com/
TOUCH @timeinc.com golfmonthlymagazine forums GolfMonthly golfmonthly
Photography: Getty Images

All contributions must be original, not copies or duplicated to other publications. The editor reserves the right to edit letters. Time Inc. (UK) or its associated companies reserve
the right to reuse any submission sent to these pages of Golf Monthly, in any format or medium.

Editorial Complaints We work hard to achieve the highest standards of editorial content, and we are committed to complying with the Editors’ Code of Practice (https://www.ipso.co.uk/IPSO/cop.html) as enforced
by IPSO. If you have a complaint about our editorial content, you can email us at complaints@timeinc.com or write to Complaints Manager, Time Inc. (UK) Ltd Legal Department, 161 Marsh Wall, London, E14 9AP.
Please provide details of the material you are complaining about and explain your complaint by reference to the Editors’ Code. We will endeavour to acknowledge your complaint within five working days and we aim
to correct substantial errors as soon as possible.
14
 From tee to green Edited by Nick Bonfield and David Taylor

PHIL MICKELSON
Back in Business
Phil Mickelson returned to the
winners’ circle in emphatic style at
the WGC-Mexico Championship,
defeating Justin Thomas at the first
play-off hole. The five-time Major
Champion was clearly emotional
after recording his first victory
since the 2013 Open at Muirfield –
hardly surprising given he came
close to falling out of the world’s
top 50 earlier this year. He now
looks poised to feature for the USA
at Le Golf National in September.

16
 MAGIC FROM
MICKELSON

4 3
The American
only missed
four times all
Mickelson’s
Strokes
Gained:
week from Putting rank
within ten on the PGA
feet Tour

1,687
Days between Mickelson’s last
two wins: the 2018 WGC-Mexico
and the 2013 Open

43
Mickelson recorded his 43rd
PGA Tour title at Chapultepec
Golf Club

8
Only eight players have won
more PGA Tour titles

17
 $4,491,800
Money earned by Justin Thomas in
the first eight events of the 2017/18
5
Number of LPGA
Tour victories
recorded by
PGA Tour season Michelle Wie
after her triumph
at the HSBC
Women’s World
Championship,
her first win
since the 2014
US Open

6
Brian Harman
registered six top-
tens in his first nine
PGA Tour starts of
the season – more
than any other player

129
Number of tournaments
taken for Eddie
Pepperell to secure his
maiden European Tour
title at the Qatar Masters

18
 STATS OF THE MONTH

54
Tiger Woods’ tie for second at the
Valspar Championship was his best
PGA Tour finish for 54 months
2
Nelly Korda’s finish at the HSBC
Women’s World Championships.
Annika and Charlotta Sorenstam
remain the only siblings to have
triumphed on the LPGA Tour

21
Number of English victories on the
European Tour since Justin Rose lifted
the US Open trophy at Merion in 2013
10
Tommy Fleetwood’s world ranking following
the WGC-Mexico Championship – his highest
ever position. In September 2016,
he was 188th
Number of putts Paul
Casey took in the final
round of the Valspar
Championship, his
second PGA Tour
win and his first
since 2009

JUSTIN THOMAS’ 2017/18 PGA TOUR RESULTS

1 1
2

T9

T14

T17 T17

T22

CIMB The Tournament Sony Phoenix Genesis Honda WGC-Mexico

Classic CJ Cup of Champions Open Open Open Classic Championship

19
 22
6
Steve Stricker, the Cologuard Classic
winner, turned 50 in February last
year. All 22 of his rounds on the PGA
Tour Champions have been under par

Number of
European
Tour victories
for Joost
Luiten after
his win at the
NBO Oman
Open

Number of times George

2 Coetzee has won the

European Tour’s Tshwane
Open – 2015 and 2018
Photography: Getty Images
 MONTH IN PICTURES

224,624
Number of people who attended the 2018 Honda Classic
 WINNERS’ CIRCLE

PHIL MICKELSON
Can you describe the emotions of I don’t think this is the apex or the peak,
winning again? The 47-year-old American I think I’m going to continue to get
It’s very meaningful. I can’t really put it
into words given the tough times over
discusses his 43rd PGA better. I’m starting to play some of my
best golf. I’m actually hitting some shots
the last four years and the struggle to
get back here. To finally break through
Tour title at the WGC- better than I ever have in my career, I’m
starting to putt better than I ever have
and to have this validation means a lot
to me. I’m very appreciative of the
Mexico Championship... and I’m actually starting to drive it
better than I ever have. It’s a great
people that have supported me through opportunity for me to compete against
the toug e great young players, knowing how
Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth
How sig d Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy and
I needed these guys are. For me to be able
I wasn’t o compete against them is a
first tim challenge that I cherish and it’s
years. It nice to have some success.
have a w Over the last few years I’ve
especial been extremely frustrated
a WGC, knowing that I’ve been
Majors b able to play at this
don’t wa level and I haven’t
that typ been doing it.
coming
stretch Were there any
having nerves out there?
not won I was certainly
while. Yo nervous heading
to reme into the final round
what it f – the pre-round
to succe warm-up and all
that stuff. That’s all
Did you ever think part of it, though.
the 2013 Open win That’s what’s exciting,
would be your last? that’s what’s so fun and
I knew that wasn’t going that’s what I’ve missed.
to be my last one, no. And I’ve truly missed that
this isn’t, either. It certainly feeling coming into a Sunday.
boosts my confidence and
gives me a lot of encouragement This makes another Ryder Cup
on the things I’ve been working on. appearance more realistic?
With the Ryder Cup coming up, I’ve
certainly made it known that one of my
big goals is to be a part of a winning
WHAT’S IN team in Europe. It hasn’t happened in

THE BAG? MICKELSON my career. It would mean a tremendous

amount to me to have us succeed over
BY THE NUMBERS on European soil. I certainly respect and
know how good the European side is.
Driver: Callaway Irons (5-PW):
I’ve played a lot of golf with Jon Rahm
Rogue Sub Zero, 9°, Callaway X Forged 18,
and he is an incredible talent, as are
Hzrdus T110 shaft KBS Tour V 125 shafts
McIlroy and Sergio and all the great
3-wood: Callaway
Rogue Sub Zero,
Wedges: Callaway
Mack Daddy PM- 66 $86,737,134 players on the European side. If we were
Photography: Getty Images

13.5°, Fubuki J shaft Grind, 56°, 60° and able to break through and win, it would
Hybrid: Callaway 64°, KBS Tour V be a moment I’d cherish forever.
Rogue, 19°, KBS 125 shafts
hybrid shaft Putter: Odyssey His Sunday round, Mickelson’s career Will you reach 50 PGA Tour wins?
4-iron: Callaway Versa #9 White which forced a earnings on the Seven more and I’ll be there. I don’t
Epic Pro, KBS Tour Ball: Callaway play-off PGA Tour have the month or the time, but I will
V 125 shaft Chrome Soft X get there.

22
 
 


 

 
 






 T H E FA C E
OF THE

THE REST
I S H I S T O RY

INTRODUCING THE THINNEST,

FASTEST FACE IN COBRA’S HISTORY.
Meet golf’s first ever CNC precision milled forged titanium face with
TM

COBRA E9 technology. Our thinner face creates speed and distance

that our competitors would prefer you didn’t hear about. With
TM

drag-minimizing 360 AERO design and performance-tracking COBRA

TM

CONNECT technology Powered by ARCCOS, the COBRA KING F8

Driver delivers the future of the game in every sense of the word.

COBRA. DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

COBRAGOLF.CO.UK/KINGF8
KING F8 Variable and ONE Length irons are equipped with
COBRA CONNECTTM, automatic shot tracking technology
Powered by Arccos. The first truly smart set. It seamlessly
records and analyzes your shot data in real time to help
you make smarter, data-driven decisions and shoot lower
scores. Technology proven to improve your game by up to
5 strokes.* It’s not just the future of the irons game, it’s the
future of the game, period.

Fergus Bisset says
Clubs across the
DEBATE
YES country are struggling
to retain and attract
younger adult members
and survey evidence
shows a worrying lack of adult golfers
up to the age of 45. As an example, in
Scotland, ‘the home of golf’, there are
currently more members in the age
bracket of 65 to 74 than there are
between the ages of 0 and 45.
There are many arguments to explain
this, but I’m afraid a main reason
younger adults don’t feel they can justify
club membership is cost. Young adults
are struggling to find a foothold in the
inflated property market, often having to
stretch themselves too far. They are
Two Golf Monthly
struggling to put money aside and they
have less disposable income than those
regulars give us
in the older generations. At the same
time, the average cost of membership
has been rising faster than inflation. In
many cases, ordinary membership
subscriptions are simply untenable for a
large portion of those in the early stages
of working and family life.
To attract younger people to golf club
membership, subscriptions quite simply
must be affordable for them. To secure
the next generation of club golfers, and
the survival of golf clubs themselves,
older members must be prepared to offer
younger, less wealthy golfers a reduced
rate – an age-related subscription.
If young adults establishing
themselves in life can justify the cost of
becoming golf club members, they will
continue to support clubs into the latter
part of their lives.
Things may well change but, as it
stands, the older generation in the UK
are better off than the young. If those
younger players are lost to club golf
because of short-sighted stubbornness
from the old guard then the future for
the game as we know it is bleak.
“Things may
change but, as
it stands, the
older generation
in the UK are
better off than
Email golfmonthly@timeinc.com
the young”
26
DEBATE
Jeremy Ellwood says
We all know the 25- to
NO 40-year-old age bracket is
under-represented at many
golf clubs, with the
work-life balance, time
pressures and financial considerations
meaning fewer of that age are able to, or
indeed want to, shell out for a traditional
full golf club subscription.
I visited one club recently who had
just six members between the ages of
30 and 40 when they realised they had
a problem, so clearly there is an issue,
and something needs to be done.
But is it right that age should dictate
how much you pay? I’m not sure it is.
Yes, you might still be able to get
half-price bus fares as a child, but I don’t
think you’ll get very far asking for a
discount as a 35-year-old. And if you go
their thoughts into any high street store and ask for a
major discount because you’ve just got
married, bought a house and started a
family, you’ll get pretty short shrift.
Golf’s shifting supply and demand
equation has exacerbated the problem,
as many clubs now desperately need
members rather than being able to pick
and choose. But I still feel a little
uncomfortable about certain adults
paying considerably less for the same
product just because of their birthday.
For me, flexible lifestyle memberships
are a better solution as you pay a
reduced fee based on the amount of
golf you expect to play, rather than your
age. Such schemes are open to all with
time pressures, rather than just the
younger generation, and you bypass any
potential price-difference grumbles
because it’s a different product – a
capped rather than unlimited number of
rounds per year.
I would much rather see clubs explore
this avenue fully before offering hefty
discounts to potentially wealthy
30-year-olds.
“Paying a
reduced fee
based on the
amount you
Photography: Harry O’Reilly
play rather than
What’s your view? your age is a
better solution”

A MUST FIND GREEN
Whether you're chasing flags or protecting a score,
be smart when faced with danger
hile there aren’t too
W many island greens in
the UK, there are
occasions in every
round where we absolutely have
to hit the green. It could be a
pivotal moment in a match; you
could be en route to your best
score; or there could be danger in
the form of grassy swales, deep
bunkers, lakes or thick rough.
When you reach one of these
holes, here’s what to do…
2 PROTECTING A SCORE
See the bigger picture
The key in this situation is to
adopt a bigger-picture mentality,
and see the green as the target
rather than the flag. Generally, you
are looking at a target of at least
20 by 20 yards, something you’d
be confident of hitting on the
range. As the great caddie Andy
Prodger used to say, “trust is a
must”. So if the shot is 140 yards
and that’s normally an 8-iron for
you, don’t second-guess yourself.
Illustration: Darren Robinson
Shots often go awry when we club
up too much and end up steering
it. Remember, the club and ball are
not aware of what they’re about to
be asked to negotiate, so whether
it’s grass, water or sand, you can
only focus on the swing.
3
GOING FOR BROKE
Eyes on the prize
If you are chasing a score or
trying to get a hole back near the
end of a match, it’s fun to go for
broke. Although you are going for
the aggressive shot at the pin, this
doesn’t mean you should rush
your approach to it. Once you
have your yardage to the pin,
MIND GAMES
1 HIGH-HANDICAPPER
Know your yardages
Look to embrace the
challenge of finding a must-hit
green! Do your homework on the
hole and practise with the
prospective clubs you are likely to
need when the moment comes.
This will increase your confidence
and narrow your focus on the shot,
rather than allowing the mind to
worry. From a confidence point of
view, use the ball you are playing
with. I often see players pull out a
‘water ball’, and guess what that is
putting into the old grey matter?
TOP
25
COACH
taking a solid rehearsal swing will
Barney
really help to set the scene for the
Puttick
shot. I find picking an intermediate
Head
target a few feet in front of the professional,
ball, and hitting the shot over that, Mid Herts
helps you stay over the ball and Golf Club,
make the solid contact essential to Hertfordshire
knocking it close.
27
 GF: $85-$260 W: streamsongresort.com Stats: par 73, 7,331 yards
Words: Michael Harris Photography: Kevin Murray

28

hen Streamsong’s
Blue and Red courses
W opened in 2013, they
were unlike any others
in Florida. Located in the back of
beyond (90 minutes from
Orlando) and laid out on what
was a former phosphate mine,
there are no palm trees, geometric
water features or endless buggy
paths. Instead, the land is
punctuated by rugged sand hills,
native grasses and large lakes.
Last September, the Black
course joined the roster. Created
by Gil Hanse, who designed Castle
Stuart and Rio’s Olympic course,
this might be Streamsong’s best 18.
USA
The Black has similarities with IN THE AREA? WHY NOT PLAY THESE…
the Blue and Red, but feels even
more natural. It plays fast and firm
and features drivable par 4s,
strategic multi-option par 5s and
fun par 3s where you are
encouraged to use the sweeping
contours to get the ball close.
Streamsong has a refreshing Streamsong Red Streamsong Blue
‘walking golf’ philosophy where GF: $85-$260 GF: $85-$260
those carrying (or using a caddy) W: streamsongresort.com W: streamsongresort.com
get year-round access to the best
tee times. Between January and
March, the courses are buggy free.
Off course, superb practice
facilities and the stunning glass
and metal clubhouse complete
what is a unique offering.
29
 QUICK TIP

WE D G E S P IN
MYTHS
Use your time on the
practice ground wisely
and you’ll improve your
short-game feel
hen it comes to

W creating spin, there is

an important myth
worth dispelling.
Amateurs often want to play the
low chip shot that spins to a halt
on the second bounce – a
favourite of the pros – and so
they automatically set the ball
back in the stance, hinge the
wrists in the backswing and drive
the club down into the ball
through impact.
The problem with this
technique is that the ball is not in
contact with the grooves on your
wedge for long enough. To
maximise your spin, you need the
club to be in contact with the
grooves for as long as possible. In
order to achieve that, you require
a more central ball position and a
shallower angle of attack.
The ball will come out slightly
higher with this technique, but
with as much as 3,000 rpm of
extra backspin. It’s a very useful
shot to have in your armoury.

TOP
25
Photography: Kevin Murray, shot on location at Las Colinas, Spain

COACH

Ged Walters
Ball position Think shallow Left exit True Fit Golf

1 2
Set the ball a fraction
behind the centre of your
stance and place 60 per
cent of your weight on
your left side.
3
Do not let your wrists
hinge too much in the
backswing – this will help
you find the shallow
attack angle we want.
Feel the club is exiting to Centre,
the left of the ball-to- Warrington
target line. This will help
you keep loft on the face
at impact.

30
 1 2 ( ;& ( 3 7 , 2 1 6
  


 

   



 
 



  

 
 H
LAUNC E
OF TH H
MONT

CLU 9
£14
B
PER
G700 has a clean,
concealed cavity
ing is the latest
manufacturer to enter
P the market with a
hollow-body
super-game-improvement
iron designed to offer
maximum distance and
forgiveness for the
mid-to-high
handicapper.
The hollow body
The Ping positions weight
G700 iron away from the face
replaces the G
Max model and
features a hollow
construction,
which increases
face flexibility for a
higher trajectory and
more distance.
This is assisted by a
A Hydropearl
machined maraging steel polished finish
face, which has undergone a matches G400
two-step heat-treatment process
to add strength, thus enabling
Ping to make it thinner and
therefore even more flexible than consistency, forgiveness and feel. of £149 per iron in steel
what came before. With the G700 iron, we’ve been shafts and £159 per iron
In a unique twist, the G700 able to accomplish all of that in a in graphite.
irons are available in very appealing design The stock steel shaft
standard spec or with a sound that offering is the Ping AWT
‘power spec’, screams distance 2.0, and a number of
which features from the moment different graphite options
1.5˚- to 2˚- golfers hit it.” are available. After-market
stronger lofts Forgiveness steel shaft options which
through the comes not only come with no upcharge
set for even from the size include True Temper Dynamic
more distance. Wide soles aid but from the Gold, Project X LZ, True Temper
forgiveness
The standard toe and shaft XP95, Nippon NS Pro Modus 105
7-iron is 29.5˚, weights, which and KBS Tour.
while the power create extreme
spec 7-iron is 28˚. perimeter weighting GM SAYS
“The desire for and a balanced The Ping G700 iron excels at
golfers to hit their irons centre-of-gravity position. getting the ball in the air with
further continues to grow,” said The special sole design should also speed. It has clearly been
Ping president John K. Solheim. improve turf interaction. In fact, designed to help the average
“We want to provide options the sole width, bounce and offset player. Not only is it very
that greatly increase distance are similar to the G400 iron. forgiving, but having a look
without sacrificing other The Ping G700 irons go on sale similar to a muscleback iron from
performance attributes, such as on March 29. They have an RRP behind only adds to the appeal.

32

99
£2
BIG MAX BLADE IP
PUSH TROLLEY
The smallest ever folded-
down trolley now has a
simpler three-stage folding
system that clicks the parts
into place. A more rounded
frame and an anodised
metallic finish aid durability.
10
£2
ECCO COOL PRO
The Spydr-Grip outsole,
which debuted on the Ecco
Cage Pro, has been combined
with the Gore-Tex Surround
air-channelling system within
a grid-shaped sole structure
for 360° breathability and
waterproof protection.
65
£3
SCOTTY CAMERON
SELECT PUTTERS
Seven new models feature
four-way sole balancing that
allows the putter to sit
square. More vibration-
dampening material between
the face and inlay improves
sound and feel.
Golf Monthly tests all its equipment exclusively with the Foresight Sports GC2 launch monitor.
Edited by Joel Tadman
NEW LAUNCHES
HOT
P ICKS
99
99. ROM
99
29.
F
£2
£4
BIG MAX AQUA HYBRID POWAKADDY FW3S
CART BAG ELECTRIC TROLLEY
The unique flat base, leg-lock Updates to the entry level
system and footless stand Freeway product include a
£2
29.
mechanism mean it doubles new 2.3” full-colour
99
as a cart bag and stand bag. widescreen display, digital POWAKADDY
It weighs 2.3kg, has seven power gauge and battery fuel DRI-EDITION CART BAG
waterproof pockets and indicator, as well as a new Uses an even more
comes in six colours. whisper-quiet 230W motor. effective waterproof fabric
to keep your gear dry. Also
features seven pockets
and comes in five colours.
£19
9.9
9
MOTOCADDY DRY-SERIES
9
9
£79
£14
CART BAG
Upgrades include a new
COBRA KING FORGED TEC COBRA KING UTILITY ‘rip-stop’ nylon fabric with
BLACK IRON BLACK IRON heat-welded seams and
A durable dimonised black Also available in both thermo-sealed zips for
metal matte reduces glare. Variable or One Length, this maximum protection.
Tungsten weights lower and new utility iron is hollow and
centre the CG for more features a black PVD coating
forgiveness. The irons also and a loft-adjustable hosel,
feature Cobra Connect and ranging from 18˚ to 24˚
come in a One Length option. across the 3- and 4-iron. £19
9.9
5
DUCA DEL COSMA KUBA
These Italian leather shoes
feature a waterproof and
breathable microfibre that
keeps the foot dry. A soft
PU insert sole provides
extra comfort during play.
.99
.99
29
9
£19
£4
BENROSS EVOLUTION BENROSS EVOLUTION
R DRIVER R IRON
The 15g moveable weight on A two-piece head with a thin,
the back of the 450cc head heat-treated face increases
£70
adjusts shot shape. An ball speed. An ABS polymer
FOOTJOY HEATHER
improved CT Response insert dampens vibration for PINSTRIPE CHILL-OUT
Channel increases ball speed improved sound and feel. The PULLOVER
and forgiveness. Adjustable compact size will appeal to The stretch shell helps
loft and face angle. better players. keep your core warm while
allowing a free range
of motion.
33
 OTOCADDY CUBE
CONNECT PUSH TROLLEY
otocaddy’s S5
M Connect electric
trolley, which
launched last year,
was genuinely one of the most
innovative products to hit the
golfing world in 2017. It cleverly
provided accurate GPS distances
on the handle unit in a
cost-effective way via
Bluetooth from a free
smartphone app, which
has already been
downloaded 45,000
times by golfers. The new
Cube Connect looks set
to revolutionise the push
trolley category in the
same way, also offering
both GPS distances and
smartphone notifications
in a category first.
Not only that, but it
will take up minimal
34
space when stored thanks to its
two-step assembly system,
which allows it to quickly fold
over 45 per cent smaller than
traditional push trolleys into a
‘cube’ shape.
As well as features like a foot
brake and quick-release wheels,
the new Cube Connect also has
a number of handy storage
options, including an
WANT TO under-handle net, an
SEE MORE? integrated accessory
compartment and tee
and ball holders.
A nice addition to the
Smart Display is that it
can be tilted up and
down to account for
To watch all our different light
latest product conditions, helped by
reviews, visit the height-adjustable
golf-monthly. handle, which isn’t on
co.uk/reviews the S5 Connect.
Users can receive
notifications of
a missed call, text
or email, as well
as various app alerts,
including WhatsApp
and Facebook
Your smartphone
can remain
connected
to the trolley
The display on the Cube
even when
Connect is powered by a
long-life battery. This is not
rechargeable, and how long it
securely placed
in your golf bag
lasts depends on frequency of
trolley use. Motocaddy couldn’t
tell us how long its lifespan will
be, or how much it will cost to
replace, but chances are it will
last a significant period and
won’t break the bank to switch.
The Cube Connect has the
potential to convert many
electric trolley users given its
long list of impressive features.
It joins the P360, with its
fully rotating front
wheel, the original
Cube and the S1
Lite to complete
one of the best
push trolley
ranges
around.
 GEAR IN DETAIL

“I NEVER EXPECTED TO SEE THIS LEVEL OF DETAIL

AND SO MANY FEATURES ON A PUSH TROLLEY”
Joel Tadman, technical editor

Motocaddy’s Oli Churcher tells

us more about the evolution of
the manual-powered trolley

Why did you decide to

1 expand the Connect

trolley range?
The S5 Connect proved
golfers were ready to
have key GPS info available ‘at
a glance’ within the trolley
handle, rather than using an
external device. Since August,
the Cube has been our
quickest selling push trolley
ever, so it made perfect sense
to combine the two.

Are you seeing a greater

2 demand for compact-

folding trolleys?
Yes, in both electric and
manual. More golfers are
opting for the convenience of a
smaller folded size – both in
terms of storage and
transportation. When we
pioneered the compact-fold
category in 2013, its success
was immediate and we’ve seen
a consistent growth since then.

How have push trolleys

The app provides

front, middle and
3 improved recently?
They are almost
unrecognisable from
their two-wheeled
predecessors. One of the
biggest advancements has
been the wide range of
back distances to game-enhancing features. The
the green for more Cube Connect is a perfect
than 40,000 example of this progression
courses worldwide
and represents the next
generation of push trolleys.

The Cube Connect comes

in a graphite frame with
blue trim and has an
RRP of £219.99.

35
 TOUR INSIDER

WHAT’S IN THE BAG? SPOTTED

ON TOUR

The American is closing in on World No.1 after a fast start to 2018 New wand
for Rose
TaylorMade
created a
special
Fairway Spider Tour
woods Red putter for Justin Rose to
Titleist 917F2, 15°, test ahead of the WGC-
Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana Mexico Championship, but he
Irons S+ 80TX shaft, Titleist chose not to put it in play.
Titleist 718 AP2 (4-iron), Titleist 718 MB 915Fd, 18°, Fujikura Motore
(5-9 iron), True Temper Dynamic Gold Speeder X-Flex shaft.
Tour Issue X100 shafts. Trademark celebration
We noticed that WGC-Mexico
Championship winner Phil
Mickelson has his 2004
Masters celebration printed
on the bottom of his shoes!

Mizuno wins again

Paul Casey is only under
Wedges contract to play TaylorMade
Titleist Vokey SM5, 52° woods and his Titleist ball.
and 56°, Titleist Vokey Putter He chooses to use these
SM6, 46° and 60°, True Scotty Cameron
Futura X5 Mizuno MP-5 irons, as well as
Temper Dynamic Gold
Tour Issue shafts. prototype. Vokey SM6 wedges and a
Scotty Cameron putter.

Driver
Titleist 917D2, 9.5°, Mitsubishi Rayon
Diamana BF 60TX shaft. Ball
Titleist Pro V1x.

Paul Eddie
Casey won Michelle Pepperell
NEWS recently with a Wie won again claimed the Qatar
ROUND-UP mix of TaylorMade after switching to the Masters with Mizuno
M1, M3 and M4 Callaway Rogue JPX900 Tour
ds George driver Phil Matt
irons
The top gear stories on Coetzee Mickelso Wallace
tour, plus insight into some took the Tsh used two M won in Ind
of the more interesting clubs Open with a Daddy PM-Gr with all Ping
that have helped players Titleist 718 CB wedges in and the Titleist
irons Mexico Pro V1x
cross the finishing line
     

  


 

 "#

  #
!  "
   
#  


  

 
#
 
 


    
  

   
 WHAT THE WORLD HANDICAP
SYSTEM MEANS FOR
CLUB GOLFERS
Words: Fergus Bisset | Photography: Duncan Nicholls
In 2020, a new World Handicap System
will be implemented, heralding big changes
for UK club golfers. Here, we consider
the potential implications...
ollowing an in-depth review by six
existing handicapping authorities,
ing the Council of National Golf
s (CONGU), a new World Handicap
ystem (WHS) developed by The
&A and USGA is set to be
mplemented in 2020. The aim is to
rage more people to play golf, and
them to transport their handicap
anywhere in the world and compete on
an equitable basis.
The WHS is going to be the most
debated topic in clubhouses across the
country over the next two years as
people consider its features and
implications. Here, we lay out what we
know at this stage and what some of the
principal talking points are likely to be.
Although full details are still to be
revealed, certain features of the WHS
were announced in February, including:
● Flexibility in formats of play, allowing
both competitive and recreational
rounds to count for handicap purposes
and ensuring a golfer’s handicap is
more reflective of potential ability.
● A consistent handicap that is
portable from course to course and
country to country through worldwide
use of the USGA Course and Slope
Rating System, already successfully
used in more than 80 countries.
● An average-based calculation of a
handicap, taken from the best eight out
of the last 20 scores and factoring in
38
FLEXIBILITY:
COMPETITIVE AND
RECREATIONAL
ROUNDS TO COUNT
memory of previous demonstrated
ability for better responsiveness.
● A calculation that considers the
impact that abnormal course and
weather conditions might have on a
player’s performance each day.
● Daily handicap revisions, taking
account of the course and weather
conditions calculation.
● A maximum handicap limit of 54.0,
regardless of gender, to encourage
more golfers to measure and track their
performance to increase their
enjoyment of the game.
The system should certainly be more
representative of a golfer’s current
playing ability and we could see greater
changes in an individual’s handicap over
shorter periods of time.
For those who play a significant
amount of golf, there could be
significant variances. With the best eight
CONSISTENCY: A
HANDICAP THAT’S
PORTABLE ALL OVER
THE WORLD
A MAXIMUM
HANDICAP LIMIT OF
54 REGARDLESS
OF GENDER
of the last 20 rounds to count towards
handicap calculations, and with both
competitive and recreational (bounce)
rounds being considered, a golfer who
plays five times a week could see a
brand-new set of 20 rounds being
considered each month. If that individual
has one sparkling stretch of play, they
could find their handicap dramatically
reduced; conversely, a loss of form could
see a large hike in the number. This, of
course, will depend on the ‘memory of
demonstrated ability’ caveat. It remains
to be seen how much of an impact this
calculation will have.
 EIGHT OF LAST 20
ROUNDS USED FOR
AVERAGE-BASED
CALCULATION
HANDICAP
REVISIONS
INFLUENCED BY
CONDITIONS
With only eight of the most recent 20
rounds counting, a bad round will not
necessarily mean a handicap increase.
The days of the threat of the dreaded 0.1
rise are numbered. Is this good or bad?
On the positive side, it
will significantly reduce “The system should certainly
the number of depressed
faces in the clubhouse be more representative of a
after the Saturday medal.
A bad round should be golfer’s current ability”
just one of the 12 in the
most recent 20 that won’t count.
However, will we see more players
giving up in competitive rounds? If it’s
clear after nine holes that a round is not
going to be one of the best eight, where
is the incentive to keep battling? There
will be no scrapping to make the buffer
zone – sometimes as rewarding as firing
CONSIDERATION
OF ABNORMAL
COURSE AND WEATHER
CONDITIONS
a low number. It will be a shame to lose
this element of competitive golf.
A feature we’re yet to know the detail
on is the calculation to allow for
abnormal course and weather conditions.
That’s a significant one in this country.
The calculation should be fairly
straightforward in competition golf, with
the scoring through the day giving clear
indication of the conditions, as per the
current CSS calculation. But how will it
work in counting bounce rounds? If just
two of you are heading out and playing
against handicap, what or who defines
the impact of the conditions?
Policing counting bounce rounds
could be difficult. Will people have to
announce a round as counting before
they play? Presumably. But who notes
this and what will the repercussions be if
that person then doesn’t turn in a card?
There will also have to be careful
monitoring of handicap manipulation.
World Handicap System
The WHS will have a big
impact on UK club golfers
Will people be selective with the bounce
scores they turn in if their objective is to
either raise or lower their handicap?
With new handicap limits of 54, will
we see more competitions being won
with very low nett scores as improving
players find good rounds at the right
time? It will be possible for clubs to set
handicap limits in competitions, but
what happens when someone who has a
legitimate handicap of 50, calculated by
the new WHS, complains they are being
discriminated against? It could be a
tough one for clubs.
Overall, the introduction of the new
WHS is set to have a big
impact, and there will be
a good deal for clubs and
club golfers to work out.
The prospect of every
amateur in world golf
playing against the same
criteria and being able to compete on an
equitable basis is an appealing one.
There will be some teething issues to
consider in a country like the UK with
such a long-established competitive
golfing heritage, but once past these,
the WHS will surely be a great thing for
growing golf globally.
39
 Chris Wood
I was fairly down in the dumps last month after a string of disappointing performances, but
there were some encouraging signs out in the Middle East, particularly in Oman
was fairly negative about my game
I
in April’s column, and then I almost
went and won in Oman the
following week! That’s the nature of
this sport. It’s funny, you can be so
disappointed and frustrated with
your game for 12 or 15 months
because you’re not getting any results.
Then you come so close to winning,
finish second and you don’t focus on the
positives, you feel disappointed and
pissed off. You’re never happy playing
golf I think is the bottom line!
I was gutted I didn’t win in Oman,
because whenever you get a sniff, a
chance to win a tournament, you want
to take it. That was disappointing, but
overall it was good to hit some proper
shots again. It’s been a while, really, so it
was a bit of a relief to see some good
form back.
When you’ve come off three missed
cuts to start the year, that’s never good.
But it went deeper than that because
there was a lot of poor golf towards the
end of last year and I never felt I was
close to my game for most of last
season. When you have your winter
break and you practise and then start
poorly the following season, that’s really
demoralising. So to turn it around pretty
quickly after missing the cut in Dubai
was great.
Photography: Jon Humphries
I told you in my last column I’ve gone
back to my old coach, Paul Mitchell, so
it’s really nice to have enjoyed some
success with him early on.
I know the Oman Open isn’t a Major
Championship, but you still get the same
feelings when you’re in contention on a
“The Oman Open isn’t a Major Championship, but
you still get the same feelings when you’re in
contention. My game held up pretty well”
Sunday. My game held up pretty well
and I hit a lot of good shots. To be fair to
Joost Luiten, he won it. I only made one
bogey on Sunday and that came from a
drive that was only five yards off line, so
that sort of performance does give you a
boost of confidence and a belief you can
go out and win.
There’s a guy I know who used to be
on tour and grew up playing at my home
course. He used to say that making cuts
but finishing 50th every week really
grinds you down. So to feel like I can go
out and win golf tournaments again is a
refreshing feeling.
The golf course was amazing, too.
Sometimes you don’t get the right
impression of a course when you watch
it on the TV, but everyone has said to me
what a great layout it looked, and it
really was. Some of the players were
saying they think it’s now the best
course we play out in the Middle East. I
think the event will attract a stronger
field next year because of that.
After Oman, I went on to Qatar, where
I’ve done well before. I didn’t really play
that well and I feel like my game went a
bit backwards, but on paper it was a
decent result, a tie for 13th. The field
wasn’t the strongest and I was looking
to really be contending again, but
overall there have been some really
good signs over the last few weeks. I
feel like I’ve got my year started now,
really, and I’ve caught up to where I feel
I should be at this time of the season.
I’ve now got a good base from which to
push myself onwards and up the Race
to Dubai rankings.
One of the really encouraging things
recently has been my putting. In both
Oman and Qatar, I finished inside the
top five in the putts per round and putts
per GIR category. This is the eighth
season I’ve been working with Phil
Kenyon and my putting has been
moving along really strongly for the last
18 months or so. We’ve turned it from
probably a weakness to a strength of my
game, and it’s great to see the stats
back that up too. That bodes well for
when I start hitting more greens in
regulation, which is a traditional strength
of my game. You hear a lot of people
talking about focusing on the process on
tour, but results do an awful lot for you
as well!
I know I’m a decent way back in the
Ryder Cup standings, but the high-
profile Rolex Series events in the
summer can do a lot to change that. You
can win one and have a top-five in
another and then all of a sudden you’ve
shot right up the rankings. I’m really
aiming to peak for those tournaments. I
do feel like it’s a matter of time before I
get back into the winners’ circle and I’m
feeling more comfortable with my swing
each week. Fingers crossed!
This is my last column for Golf
Monthly. I’ve enjoyed giving you a
window into the professional world and
hopefully you’ve found them interesting
and insightful. Thanks for reading and all
the best with everything.
Chris Wood has won three times on
the European Tour. He is a Nike Golf
athlete and a Hilton Ambassador.
 Wayne Riley
Tiger Woods has generated a tremendous amount of excitement over the last few weeks,
and rightly so. If he keeps going like this, Jack Nicklaus’s record could be under threat...
ell, the topic on
W
everyone’s lips is Tiger
Woods and whether he’s
back. Let me tell you this,
folks, the answer is
absolutely yes in my
book. How could it not be
yes? It’s been an incredible couple of
months. Let’s not forget that in
September at the Presidents Cup, he still
didn’t know if he’d be able to play
professional golf again.
What’s been so impressive is the fact
that he’s only played five professional
events since then. A lot of wise and
knowledgeable analysts said before the
start of the season that an injury-free
year, with a sniff of victory in perhaps
one tournament, would be considered a
genuine success. Well, he’s already
finished second and it seems clear that
his back isn’t affecting him.
He looks in amazing shape physically,
and I’ve watched him up close and
personal thrash at balls from deep rough
with no signs of pain. I have to say,
though, that I don’t like the way he’s
going at some shots – he simply doesn’t
need to do it and this would be my only
note of caution.
In his previous comebacks, you always
sensed he wasn’t completely
comfortable swinging at full tilt and was
Photography: Kevin Murray
always conscious that one bad swing
could send him back to the operating
table. Spinal fusion surgery seems to
have allayed those fears and he’s
swinging so well, not to mention with
incredible speed. I was at Riviera and
keeping a close eye on him, and even
“The intimidation factor is 100 per cent back.
The strides he’s made in such a short space
of time have been staggering”
42
though he missed the cut there, his
swing was sensational. He’s keeping his
height so well. He obviously no longer
has a coach after he parted ways with
Chris Como, but I’ve heard Notah Begay,
who went to college with Tiger, is
involved in some capacity. Whatever is
going on, it’s clearly working.
He’s a 42-year-old man and at the
Valspar Championship he recorded the
fastest clubhead speed on the PGA Tour
this season. His ball speed is also into
the 180-miles-per-hour range, which is
staggeringly fast. Many believed his
intensive workout schedule helped bring
about his physical downfall. It’s
interesting to note now that it’s
undoubtedly helping him to be one of
the longest hitters on tour again.
What’s so encouraging is that he’s
showed signs – not necessarily at the
same time, but signs nonetheless – that
every area of his game is sharp. At the
Valspar Championship, his fairways-hit
percentage was impressive after spells
of inauspicious driving in his first couple
of events this year. His iron play has
looked imperious at times and his short
game is genuinely world-class once
more. It wasn’t long ago that he was
duffing chips left, right and centre – a
mark of two things: talent never
disappears, it lies dormant; and hard
work can get you a long way.
I know his putting let him down in the
last round at the Valspar – apart from
that tramliner he holed on the 71st green
– but the stroke has looked very solid for
the most part and he’s made a lot of
putts from within ten feet.
I already think we’re at the point
where his name on the leaderboard
carries significant gravitas. The
intimidation factor is 100 per cent back.
It’s only been a couple of months, but
the strides he’s made in such a short
space of time have been staggering.
And you know what, I’m going to say it,
Jack’s record is back on. I’m not making
any guarantees – that would be very
foolish – but he’s only 42 and he needs
four more Majors to tie the Golden Bear.
Given how well he’s playing and the
progress he’s made, it’s definitely not
out of the question, right? The fact I’m
even writing that is quite amazing given
what he’s been through over the last
few years.
Another player who looks poised to
challenge Woods this season and
beyond is a resurgent Phil Mickelson.
He’s had four top-six finishes in a row,
including that brilliant victory in the
WGC-Mexico Championship, where he
beat Justin Thomas in a play-off. And
the way he’s talking suggests he’s got
more in the tank.
He’s seven wins short of 50 PGA Tour
titles and I’m not prepared to say he
won’t get there. Wouldn’t it be amazing
if Phil finally landed the US Open in the
same year that Tiger announced his
return to the big time with his 15th Major
title? Okay, I’m getting carried away, but
can you blame me?
■ Wayne Riley is a former member of
the European Tour and two-time winner
who is part of the Sky Sports Golf Team.
He writes exclusively for Golf Monthly
 %7 8,) 8)14)6%896)
6-7)7 78%= '330
%2( (6=
%2( *6)7,
%2( *6))
7IRWSV 'SSP XIGLRSPSK] OIITW ]SY
JSGYWIH ERH EX ]SYV FIWX
)RKMRIIVIH JSV GSQTPIXI GSQJSVX MR
TPE] TIVJSVQERGI JIEXYVIW MRGPYHI
QSMWXYVI QSZIQIRX WXVIXGL
ERH GVIEWI VIWMWXERX JEFVMGW
7S RS QEXXIV LS[ LSX MX KIXW
]SY EP[E]W WXE] MR GSRXVSP
)RKMRIIVIHXS4PE]

MW VIKMWXIVIH XVEHIQEVO SJ /EVWXIR 1ERYJEGXYVMRK 'SVTSVEXMSR

13-7896) 13:)1)28  786)8',

 59-'/ (6=  '6)%7) 6)7-78%28 
94* 4638)'8-32
 Dan Walker

The term ‘success’ is a multi-faceted one when it comes to sport, and while you can enjoy a
terrific career without Major glory, golf’s big four events ultimately define a player’s legacy
hen it comes to sport Nobody thought Bubba Watson from There was great laughter when that

W
what counts as success?
Do you have to be a serial
winner? What about all
the golfers who earn a
comfortable living but
never have a tournament
win to their name? Is that success? What
about the one-off, one-time, never-seen-
again-apart-from-an-exemption Major
winners who managed to have one
single weekend to remember?
I was having a conversation about this
a few weeks ago when short-track
speed skater Elise Christie was left in
tears at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Christie is a multiple World and
European Champion but has failed to
pick up a medal of any colour at various
Olympic Games despite being the
overwhelming favourite. I was reading a
newspaper the day after the games
finished and the gist of the article was
that she was a failure.
A few days before that I’d been
watching a tearful Christie weeping after
another disqualification. It wasn’t long
before the British skater was sat in a
press conference arguing that her legacy
wasn’t defined by her inability to win an
Olympic medal. So, success of failure?
Earlier this year I watched a Bubba
Watson press conference after he picked
up his tenth PGA Tour win. He was asked
Photography Tom Miles
Bagdad, Florida, could ever get to ten
wins. Let’s be honest. No lessons. Head
case. Hooking the ball. Slicing the ball.
Can’t putt. Somehow we’re here.” He has
a point.
His argument is certainly helped by
the two Green Jackets. Some golfers
can’t point at Major wins but can direct
us towards career earnings. Lee
Westwood has often been criticised for
not picking up one of golf’s big ones,
but he’s earned more than £40,000,000.
Does that count as a successful career?
What about recognition? I live not too
far away from Nick Matthew. You could
probably walk past Nick in the street
and not look at him twice, but he is
arguably one of the UK’s most successful
sportsmen. Nick is a three-time squash
world champion and three-time
Commonwealth Gold Medallist. Does the
fact that he’s not a household name
(largely because squash has been
strangely absent from the Olympics)
detract from his achievements?
Not everyone reaches the top of their
sport. There was an infamous moment at
the World Cup in Brazil in 2014 when
Thierry Henry, Clarence Seedorf and
Robbie Savage were all sharing a studio.
At the start of the show their trophies
appeared on the screen. Henry: one Ligue
1, two Premier Leagues, three FA Cups,
was put on screen and Robbie – who
took it well – received an almighty
hammering on social media. In his
defence, he played for over a decade in
the Premier League and one could easily
argue that his career was a huge success.
Personally, when measuring success,
weight has to come into it. In golf, like
tennis, the Majors carry so much more
timber than the others. Tim Henman was
wonderful to watch but never reached
the final of a Grand Slam.
A few years ago I interviewed a
number of pro golfers about their
sporting heroes and it was the name of
Roger Federer that overwhelmingly
came out on top. Some of them
mentioned his style of play, some the
fact he was always smiling and others
his grace, but all of them mentioned the
fact he produces his best on the biggest
stage. Federer has 20 Grand Slam titles
and shows little sign of stopping.
There are many ways of judging
success, and I’d argue that everyone I’ve
mentioned above is successful. But if
you drill down into the likes of Jordan
Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Dustin
Johnson and the rest of the world’s best,
they all know that once the irons have
been permanently left in the garage,
they will be judged against the 18 Major
titles of Jack Nicklaus and the 14 of Tiger

if a player of his obvious ability should
have won more in his career?
“You have to remember… my goal was
very simple: make the PGA Tour. When
you get to the Tour, you want to win,” he
said. “Double-digit wins? I am thrilled.
two La Ligas, one Champions League,
one European Championship and one
World Cup. Seedorf: one Dutch Cup, one
Eredivisie, one La Liga, one Serie A, one
Coppa Italia and four Champions
Leagues. Savage: one League Cup.
Woods. Golf is about the big ones.
■ You can see Dan on BBC Breakfast
Mon-Wed or every Saturday on Football
Focus. You may also find him on a golf
course... probably missing a four-footer

“I was reading a newspaper article the day after

the Winter Olympics finished and the gist of it
was that Elise Christie was a failure”
44

       


 Lee Westwood

48
 Lee Westwood

LEADING
FROM
THE
Lee Westwood has been at the
forefront of European golf for decades.
Here, he reflects on a brilliant career,
assesses his current form and looks
ahead to possible Ryder Cup captaincy

Words and interview Jeremy Ellwood | Portrait Paul Severn

ee John Westwood is now 44 or two minor blips apart, he’s never

L years old and has just embarked

on his 25th consecutive
European Tour campaign. His
very first event was the Madeira Island
Open in January 1994, where he
finished T19th. He would go on to
make 12 consecutive cuts after that,
setting an immediate benchmark for
the impressive consistency that would
become the hallmark of his career. One
really looked back.
Indeed, over the past quarter of a
century, Worksop’s finest – one of
England’s most popular players – has
done very well indeed. He has won 23
times in Europe, twice on the PGA
Tour and 42 times in total around the
world, including four victories in Japan
and a perhaps surprising nine
elsewhere in Asia.

49
 Lee Westwood
He has topped the Order of Merit
twice, including the inaugural Race to
Dubai in 2009, represented Europe on
ten successive Ryder Cup teams from
1997 to 2016 and spent 22 weeks at the
top of the Official World Golf Ranking.
The only thing missing from his
impressive CV is, of course, a Major,
though he has come agonisingly close,
with three runner-up finishes –
perhaps most famously at Augusta in
2010, where he led heading into the
final round, only for Phil Mickelson to
turn on some real Sunday magic.
I met up with him in Dubai to reflect
on his career, to find out if he’s still as
driven as ever and to learn what he still
wants to do in the game…
You’ve been on tour for 25 years
– are you still as motivated as ever?
Yeah, I think so. As you get older you
get different priorities and your body
changes, so you can’t work as hard as
you once did. So you have to prioritise
your practice and work on different
things – maybe work on your fitness
and flexibility and things like that,
rather than stand on the range bashing
balls for hours on end like the 20-year-
olds! I work more on my putting and
short game now.
Have your goals for the year
changed as you’ve got older?
I haven’t set goals for ages, to be
honest. I’ve achieved a lot in my career.
Some years I’ve set goals and some
years I haven’t, and I’ve never really
found it either beneficial or negative.
What do you need to achieve to
make 2018 a good or great year?
I think just enjoying my golf more and
getting into contention more. I haven’t
played well and hit it so well the last
couple of years. If I can hit it better and
feel like I’ve got more control and can
do everything just a little bit better
technically, then I know that
will improve my results so it
5
will have been a good year.
MAJOR
MOMENTS
We look back on Westwood’s five
closest brushes with Major destiny...
50
“I know that if
my game is on
and I start
making putts, I
can still win any
week I play”
Which part of your game has
improved most since your early
days on tour, and is there any part
that you feel was perhaps better
when you first came out than now?
I think mentally when you’re younger
there’s less going on in your head and
you’ve been through less stuff. So I
guess mentally I was stronger in my
20s probably, but I don’t know as it’s
not something you ever really analyse!
But you would think that you’ve had
fewer bad experiences and you just
have a different outlook on life in your
20s as opposed to your late 30s and
early 40s, I suppose. But my short
game is way better than it used to be.
As I’ve got older, I’ve worked more on
my short game and learned the right
technique, and it’s better than it was,
certainly in my early 20s.
Did you have short-game lessons
when you were younger?
Yeah, but I couldn’t grasp it. That’s not
to say it was bad, but I’ve just got a
better variety of shots now.
3RD / 2008 US OPEN
The famous Tiger Woods/Rocco Mediate
play-off at Torrey Pines. He played with
Tiger in the last group on Sunday, and
led outright after the 9th. But three
bogeys in the next four set him back,
and he was unable to join the play-off.
What have you learned most from
your 25 years on tour?
Well, you travel the world a lot, but you
don’t see a whole lot of it! Generally
speaking you just see airports, hotels
and golf courses. That’s not to say it
isn’t a brilliant lifestyle. I’ve learned
over the years to use my intuition and
not to be afraid to make decisions and
use my initiative.
Which quality of yours do you
think has been your biggest asset in
all your years on tour?
I think my mental approach to it, and
my work ethic really. I would say I was
probably one of the hardest workers
until recently.
If you could keep just one from 42
pro wins, two Orders of Merit or
ten consecutive Ryder Cups, which
would you keep?
The 42 wins I would think.
You’ve won all over the world,
including nine times in Asia. Is
there something that suits your
game over there?
No, I’ve just always felt comfortable
over there playing on those greens and
have just embraced the culture and
everything about it.
How would you rate your chances
of making it 11 Ryder Cups?
I don’t know. I’ll have to start hitting
the ball a little bit better and playing a
bit better, but I know that if my game is
on and I start making putts, I can still
Photography: Getty Images
T3RD / 2009 OPEN
A nearer miss, really, than his runner-
up finish in 2010. Westwood led or
co-led for much of Sunday, but three
bogeys in the final four holes, including
a three-putt on 18, left him one outside
the Tom Watson/Stewart Cink play-off.
He has played in ten
consecutive Ryder Cups
win any week I play. And that’s what
qualifying for the Ryder Cup is all
about now – you have to win
tournaments. You have to be
consistently winning and finishing in
the top three.
It’s obviously on your radar then.
Is making the Ryder Cup team the
main goal for this year?
No, not really. I’ve never thought
about qualifying for Ryder Cups.
But you’ve generally never had to,
have you?
Well, no. The Ryder Cup comes as a
consequence of playing good golf, so
why think about ‘Z’ when you’ve got
to accomplish ‘X’ and ‘Y’ before that?
So you think about ‘X’ and ‘Y’ and
then ‘Z’ comes along.
You are pretty much odds-on to be
captain one day…
I’d like to be, yeah.
2ND / 2010 MASTERS
He led Phil Mickelson by one on Saturday
night, and there was little between them
on the final front nine. But Mickelson put
his foot down with four birdies –
including that shot from the pinestraw –
and Westwood was unable to keep pace.
Do you have a target year
in mind?
I’d like to do Italy in 2022.
What style of captain
would you be?
I’ve played under ten different
captains, so I’ve seen a lot of
what the different captains
have done. I think the
captain’s role is just to get the
players in the right frame of
mind and comfortable, and just able to
focus on their own thing for that week
and take everything else out of it. It’s a
hectic week, and you want to put as
little mayhem on the players as
possible – you want to try and take all
of that off them, and then obviously
get your pairings right.
What has been your most
extravagant purchase after a win?
I don’t know whether I’ve ever won a
tournament and gone out and bought
2ND / 2010 OPEN
His second Major runner-up finish of the
year came in an Open where he trailed
runaway leader Louis Oosthuizen by
eight on Saturday night. He never got
closer than seven, but climbed into 2nd
place outright as others faltered.
Westwood finished T2nd
at the 2016 Masters
something. I’ve been lucky – I’ve played
well and consistently well over the
years, and obviously in the early days I
was a lot more careful with money. But
as you accumulate it, you tend to just
buy something when you fancy it
[laughs]. I didn’t think, “Oh, I’ll buy a
Ferrari if I win a tournament.” I just
bought a Ferrari because I wanted one
and I could afford it!
Which is perfectly reasonable…
Exactly! Why limit yourself.
T2ND / 2016 MASTERS
When Jordan Spieth went into meltdown,
Danny Willett and Westwood sat best
placed to take advantage. Westwood
eagled 15 to get within one of Willett, but
a two-shot swing in Willett’s favour on 16
killed the momentum.
51
 TPC Sawgrass

Words: Neil Tappin

Photography: Kevin Murray, Getty Images, PGA Tour

Taking
Centre Stage
We take an in-depth look at one of the
most significant courses in world golf

W hen it comes to golfing

history, we often think the
richest venues lie within
our borders. But the story
of TPC Sawgrass, from its inception to
its ever-expanding tournament history,
is a match for the most prestigious.
What was once a hostile expanse of
swampland is now one of the world’s
most iconic golf courses. This year, it
will host its 37th Players Championship.
Few courses can boast such an impact
on the world game.
52
TPC Sawgrass

The 14th hole on TPC

Sawgrass’ Stadium course

53
 Like so many others, my own
familiarity with the golf course was
sewn during my teenage years in the
mid-90s. As an avid golfer and the
owner of a Super Nintendo console,
there was one game that seemed to
wile away the hours more than any
other (and that’s saying something).
PGA Tour Golf gave me and many
other teenagers the chance to play
some of the world’s most iconic
courses, albeit swapping golf clubs for
joypads. Regardless, it was the
risk-reward layout at TPC Sawgrass –
and, of course, the iconic 17th hole
– that captured an easily distracted
imagination.
Twenty years ago, I The 17th at Sawgrass: one of
came to know this golf’s most famous holes
layout like the back
of my hand.
Since those days,
TPC Sawgrass has
featured near the
top of my own list
of must-play golf
courses. Earlier this
year, I had the
chance to play it
for the first time.
An eventful past
One thing the
computer games
don’t tell you is the
incredible story of the inception of
TPC Sawgrass. Shortly after arriving
at the clubhouse, I was given a tour by
one of the on-site ‘storytellers’. I
discovered TPC Sawgrass is
inextricably linked to the second
commissioner of the PGA Tour,
Deane Beman. With so many private
golf courses on the Tour’s annual
playing schedule, Beman wanted to
buy a property that would be owned
by the players themselves, with a golf
course befitting the Tour’s flagship
event. The venue in question would
also need to host the Tour’s growing
staff count, becoming the
headquarters of the PGA Tour.
With its favourable climate and tax
laws, Florida was the obvious choice.
The player turned commissioner
originally wanted to buy Sawgrass
Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach.
The owners, a local real estate and
development company, didn’t want to
sell, however. In fact, the chairman,
Charles Cobb, felt Beman’s vision was
54
so ambitious he bet the commissioner
$100 it would never come to fruition.
Beman, however, was convinced of
its viability. After failing in his bid to
purchase Sawgrass CC, he took an
alternative approach. He negotiated a
deal with two other local landowners,
Paul and Jerome Fletcher, to buy 415
acres of nearby swampland for the
princely sum of one dollar. Beman
promised to transform this seemingly
unusable stretch into something truly
spectacular, bringing an injection of
business into the area too. In January
1979, the land was purchased and Pete
Dye was hired to lay down the course.
“He negotiated a
deal to buy 415
acres of nearby
swampland for
the princely sum
of one dollar”
Beman’s vision was for a stadium
golf course – a layout designed with
spectators very much in mind. The
problem was that the entire plot only
had 18 inches of natural elevation
above the waterline, so the course
would need the mounding built in. As
certain areas were excavated to create
lakes and provide soil for mounding,
the course began to take shape.
The sandiest subsoil was found in an
area being dug in front of the proposed
17th green. What was supposed to be
a space for a lake in front was soon
expanded to surround it. During this
period of the construction, it was Dye’s
wife, Alice, who suggested an island
green. She convinced her husband to
change his original plans and one of
golf’s most famous holes was born.
The start of a new era
In 1980, the Stadium course at TPC
Sawgrass was opened and two years
later the Players Championship was
staged at its new home. But as
America’s best set foot on their new
course, response was mixed at best.
Criticism of the layout came from a
number of top players, including Jack
Nicklaus and Ben
Crenshaw, who
described it as
“Star Wars golf
designed by Darth
Vader”. Jerry Pate
was the first
Sawgrass winner
and he celebrated
by throwing both
Beman and Dye
into the lake to the
left of the 18th
green. But Dye
took the criticism
seriously and
soon tweaked the
design, making
the greens a little
less severe. “Now it’s a damn good golf
course,” admitted Crenshaw.
Since those early days, the
conversations about the merits of the
golf course have become redundant.
All you need to do is cast your eye over
the list of past winners. During the last
three decades, 20 players have reached
the position of World No.1 and nine of
them have won The Players at
Sawgrass. In Jordan Spieth, Rory
McIlroy and Dustin Johnson, there are
three more waiting in the wings.
Having received my tour of the
clubhouse and the newly built
state-of-the-art performance facility, it
was my turn, alongside Golf Monthly’s
Michael Harris and Joel Tadman and
photographer Kevin Murray, to put
those boyhood dreams into reality and
play the golf course...
Time to shine
Neatly manicured, plenty of water, not
much rough, fast greens – in many
ways Sawgrass is the epitome of
Presidents Cup This is currently on display
in a room named after the event

The barber’s chair In 1979, when the Players

was held at Sawgrass Country Club, strong winds
reeked havoc and scoring was tough. If a player had
a double-digit store on a hole, he was allowed to sit
here and share his horror story for therapeutic means

Tiger’s putt There are numerous artworks in the

clubhouse depicting the most famous
moments in the tournament’s history

The cheque The $1 dollar cheque that

Beman wrote to pay for the land is
proudly on display in the clubhouse

First mulligan To commemorate

the start of construction, Beman
Champions locker room If you win the Players hit two balls into the wooded
Championship, you get your own locker in a room abyss. Both balls were recovered
that is only open to past champions and are on show

55
 GM’s Neil Tappin
in action
Floridian golf. However, there were a
few features that marked out Sawgrass
as something slightly special. Firstly, no are excellent in their own
two holes run in exactly the same
direction. This was done at the outset
to ensure players would consistently
find themselves having to pick the
wind. With so many tall trees
surrounding the holes, it swirls
around, so approaching each shot with 16th fairway, you get your first sight of
confidence is easier said than done.
Secondly, to shoot a low score here
you really need to be able to shape the
ball both ways. There are plenty of
examples of doglegs that run right and
left. With the inevitable wind also
playing its part, hitting draws and
fades on demand is a must. Finally, the
greens are noticeably firmer than you
typically find in this part of the world.
Every time you play onto them you
need to be precise, both with your
landing spot and the spin. For the four
members of team Golf Monthly, this
meant regularly missing the green with
chip shots. Oh dear.
I realise that all of this
makes it sound as if
Sawgrass is incredibly
difficult. Well, it is and it
isn’t. To shoot a good score
– whatever that may be for
you – you certainly need to
bring your A game.
However, apart from in the
water, it is hard to lose golf
balls here. This means that
even if you’re struggling,
there is plenty to play for as
you attempt to negotiate
the final three holes. Performance Centre This state-of-the-art facility was recently opened
56
A terrific trio
The first 15 holes at Sawgrass
right. Interesting, varied and
exciting, they are a worthy precursor to
the final three-hole stretch. Like the Old surreal about this experience. Those
Course at St Andrews, these holes are
in the back of your mind throughout
the round. As you walk up towards the
the 17th green. Wow. It is hidden from
the rest of the golf course, which only
adds to the excitement when it is
suddenly unveiled.
“Those distant
memories of
hours spent in
front of my
computer came
flooding back”
Tiger won the first of
his Players titles in ‘01
For me, there was something quite
distant memories of hours spent in
front of my computer came flooding
back. The teenage me was itching to
take it on. As I walked down onto the
17th tee, our caddie said, “Ok, here it is
guys, you have 125 yards.” Simple. As a
5-hadicapper, I’d like to think I have the
ability to hit the green from this
yardage more often than not. And yet,
in this instance, the difficulty lay in
picking the wind.
With water surrounding the green, I
found myself instantly second- and
third-guessing myself. You don’t want
to be long, but you don’t want to be
short; you want to hit the middle of the
green, but it is fast and slopey, so you
don’t want to be too far from the flag.
The negative thoughts were stacking
up. For what it’s worth, my ball pitched
on the very left flank of the
green and then spun left
and into the water. Plop.
A visceral experience
I must admit that as I
walked off the 17th green, I
was disappointed. It was all
over so quickly – I wanted
another go. Thankfully, I
soon arrived on the 18th
tee, staring at a tee shot
that’s simultaneously
intimidating and inviting. I
could imagine the crowds

flanking the left side of this hole, and
with water separating the fans from the
fairway, I could feel the pressure of
trying to make a score to win the
tournament. In many ways, this is the
real appeal of playing TPC Sawgrass.
Beman’s vision of creating an exciting
Stadium course and Dye’s skill in
bringing it to life not only creates a
fantastic spectator event, but it has
given way to a truly visceral golfing
experience for those lucky enough to
play it. However you fare during this
three-hole stretch, your golf game is
suddenly comparable to the world’s
best. No other sport allows you to
make such a direct assessment and
whatever the result, it is exhilarating.
The course as a whole, but
particularly the final three holes, are as
much a test of nerve as they are of skill.
This is why the roster of past
champions is so impressive. To make it
onto the PGA Tour you need the skill to
A worthy celebration:
Jerry Pate after his
victory in 1982
hit every shot in the book, but to win
the Players Championship you need the
X Factor – that intangible thing that
separates the very best from the rest.
The great thing about golf is that it
gives amateurs the chance to feel it for
themselves, and that was certainly my
experience. By taking on these shots
and picturing the crowds, you get an
indelible sense for what it must be like
to compete here for real. Exciting and
daunting for any golfer, playing TPC
Sawgrass is a bucket-list experience.
Q Sky Sports is the home of golf. Tune in
for live coverage of the Players
Championship between Thursday 10th and
Sunday 13th May. See www.skysports.com/
watch/golf-on-sky
Q To watch the featured groups at the
Players Championship this year, subscribe to
PGA Tour Live now. Visit www.pgatourlive.
com/subscription
Making
history
The key moments from the Players
Championship at TPC Sawgrass...
1982 Jerry Pate
Won the first Players Championship
at TPC Sawgrass by two shots from
Brad Bryant and Scott Simpson.
1987 Sandy Lyle
Became the first non-American to
triumph at The Players. The Scot
beat Jeff Sluman in a play-off.
1999 David Duval
Usurped Tiger Woods as World No.1
by winning the Players by two shots
from Scott Gump. He picked up a
cheque for $900,000.
2001 Tiger Woods
His first Players Championship
victory. He had won the three
previous Majors and went on to win
The Masters two weeks later. His
birdie on the 17th in round three is
one of the stand-out moments in
the tournament’s history.
2003 Davis Love III
Blew away the field to win his
second Players Championship by six
shots. His final-round 64 in strong
winds was described by Fred
Couples as the “best round of golf
I’ve ever seen”.
2008 Sergio Garcia
Beat Paul Goydos in a play-off to
win his first PGA Tour title in three
years. He took home the $1.7m
first prize.
2013 Tiger Woods
Secured his fourth win of 2013 and
the 78th of his PGA Tour career with
a two-shot victory over Jeff
Maggert, Kevin Streelman and
David Lingmerth.
2015 Rickie Fowler
Trailed by five shots with six holes
left. He finished eagle-birdie-birdie
to force a play-off with Kevin Kisner
and Sergio Garcia, which he won.
One of the finest
closing holes in golf
57
 TH
O M E W I R YA N F OX
AT H

"HITTING 300-YARD
DRIVES MEANS NOTHING
IF YOU CAN'T SCORE!"
Interview: Neil Tappin | Portraits: Tom Miles

Ryan Fox, the big-hitting Kiwi, discusses stepping

out of the shadow of his legendary father...

T iming, as they say, is everything.

Last year, Ryan Fox played his best
golf during three of the most
important weeks of the year. As
other players wilted under the
pressure of better-quality fields
and bigger potential pay cheques, Fox
rose to the challenge. Starting at Paris
National and finishing at Dundonald in
Scotland, the New Zealander recorded
three consecutive Rolex Series top tens,
pocketing a not-too-shabby €680,000.
Having graduated from the Challenge
Tour in 2016, he has progressed to
become one of the game’s rising stars.
The fact he was able to elevate his
level of performance at just the right
moment hints at a sporting mentality
that runs in the family. Ryan is the son
of the legendary All Black, Grant Fox.
His father was a pioneering fly-half – a
goal-kicker of supreme precision who
played a critical role in his country’s
success at the inaugural rugby union
World Cup. As sporting pedigrees go,
it doesn’t get much better than this.
Neil Tappin caught up with Ryan at
his adopted home club of Foxhills in
Surrey where they talked about his
unique upbringing, his spectacular
2017 season and what it feels like to
average 317 yards off the tee...

58
Ryan Fox

59
 Ryan Fox

At what point did you think you
were capable of competing on the
European Tour?
I’m a bit of a golf nerd – I watched a lot
of golf on TV growing up and all of a
sudden I was competing with the guys
I watched. It took a bit of time to get
used to. The point for me was the
middle of the year and the Rolex Series
events in France, Ireland and Scotland
where I played really well. I started to
feel like I could compete with those
guys in quality fields. With three top
tens in a row, I felt like I had a chance
to win one of those tournaments if I’d
have played really well on Sunday.
Tommy Fleetwood, Jon Rahm and
Rafa played unbelievably on Sunday to
win those tournaments. That’s what
you’ve got to do, but it didn’t feel like
that was a step too far. It felt like I
needed a great day and they don’t come
very often, but there was a chance.
You won nearly €700,000 in three
weeks. That must have felt nice?
Yes, that was a strange one. I think my
biggest pay cheque up to that point
Relaxing at his
adopted home
“You can save a
lot more shots
around the
green than you
can by smashing
it off the tee”
Blacks. I grew up watching rugby, being
involved in rugby from a young age
and playing all the way through school.
Dad coached me all the way.
What position did you play?
I didn’t have a choice really. I had to
play fly-half, or first five-eighth, which
is what we call it in New Zealand. I
was always put there but I wouldn’t
say I was up to dad’s level! I was a
goal-kicker as well, which didn’t help
very much. The only thing I can say
that I was better than dad at was
tackling. I was a little big bigger than
he was and I didn’t mind
getting whacked!
in Surrey
What was it like growing up as the
son of one of the great sportsmen
in the country? It must have been
far from an average upbringing.
It’s a weird one because it was normal.
He was just dad to me. Obviously I’m
very proud of what he achieved, but it
felt fairly normal for me. I was lucky
enough when dad was coaching to be
able to go in after the game and talk to
the players. I used to go kick a ball
around Eden Park, and I was lucky
enough as a golfer to sit down with
Steve Hansen and talk about the
mental side of sport. Same with
Graham Henry and John Kirwan.
That’s just because of who dad is and
it’s great to have access to those kinds
of people.
You were officially the longest
player on the European Tour in
2017. Does that create a certain
cachet among the players?
It’s cool, but hitting 300-yard drives
means nothing if you can't score! I
guess what it does mean is that,
because of the way it is measured, I
must have hit a lot of decent tee shots
last year.

was $60,000. All of a sudden I made

three six-figure sums in three weeks,
locked up my card and got into The
Open while also getting enough world
ranking points to get into the USPGA
Championship – it came quickly, but it
was a great feeling to know I had a job
set up for next year. It makes it easier
to plan a schedule, to start getting
comfortable and to start competing
against those top guys.

What do you remember about your

Photography: Getty Images

father’s rugby career?

He was a very good player. I was six
when he retired so I don’t remember
much, but I’ve heard a lot and seen a lot
of his old games and at one point he Fox’s biggest pay cheque to date
was the highest point scorer for the All came at last year’s Irish Open

60

His hot streak led
to qualification for
the 2017 USPGA
Do you take different lines off the
tee to other players? Are you able
to be more aggressive?
Yes, there have definitely been a few
golf courses with trouble I can take out
of play. The DP World Tour
Championship in Dubai is a perfect
example: there were a lot of holes
where there was a bunker at 300 yards
to carry, and being nice and warm the
ball goes far and I could take a lot of
those bunkers out of play.
It’s great hitting it far, but then if you
hit it far you can also hit it a long way
off line. I’ve certainly had a couple of
tournaments when it’s gone the other
way and bitten me in the arse pretty
badly too! It’s a skill, but you can save a
lot more shots around the green than
you can by smashing it off the tee. A lot
of the top-ten guys at the moment are
long. DJ obviously, Matsuyama is long
2017 greens in regulation percentage
N U M BE R S G A M
THE
E that pause in his swing, Jason Day, Rory,
31
Years old
6th
Season as a professional golfer
106th
Current world ranking
3rd
Highest European Tour finish
(2018 Maybank Championship)
351
Yards – his longest drive of the
2018 season so far
4 courses in the UK compare?
Professional wins
39th
Finishing position at
the 2016 Olympics
71
Ryan Fox
even though it doesn’t look like it with
Justin Rose is long. It’s definitely a trend.
Do you see yourself on the PGA
Tour in the future?
My dream when I started playing golf
was to play in the US, but I’d never
played in Europe at that point. After a
couple of years on the Challenge Tour
and one on the European Tour, I don’t
know if the goal has changed but I’ve
really enjoyed playing in Europe. If the
opportunity to play in the States
comes up, I will certainly take that
chance but I’m not going to chase it.
The European Tour is going up and up
with the Rolex Series.
If I have a career in Europe and I
don’t get to play in the States, I won’t
look back with any regrets. Obviously
the fields are maybe a little stronger
week-in, week-out on the PGA Tour,
but the European Tour is getting better
at getting those top players to come
and play more events.
Hard act to follow: his
dad, Grant, on the bag
You have a lot of great courses in
New Zealand. How do our top
It’s quite different. Obviously you’ve
got the history in the UK which we
don’t have in New Zealand and that
adds a lot. Turning up to St Andrews
or Carnoustie or Birkdale, they have
been around so long and there is so
much tournament history – there’s
something special about them.
We don’t have that in New Zealand,
but what we do have is some absolutely
spectacular golf courses. Cape
Kidnappers and Kauri Cliffs are two
that come to mind right on the top of
the cliffs. We’ve got a new one, too,
called Tara Iti, which has just debuted
in the top 30 in the world. It was
designed by Tom Doak and it’s much
more a links style, which is a lot closer
to some of the iconic courses over here.
61
 Words: Neil Tappin | Illustration: David Lyttleton

1. Mother Nature
She can be a cruel mistress. As you reach the top of your
backswing, a rare atmospheric event occurs – a phantom
gust of wind or the sun comes out or a squirrel bites into a
nut or the air temperature dips or a rogue rain drop drips
onto your bald patch. Put me down for a blob.

2. Spike marks
It is amazing how the spectre of one tiny spike mark can
transform the green in your mind’s eye into something
akin to a World War I battlefield. The likelihood of your
ball evading this crater is zero. Cue a heavy period of
gesticulation and a spell of bad-mouthing the green-staff.

62
 On-Course Excuses

4. Your playing partner

A golfer in the address position is like a sniper waiting for
his moment. Cue Janet asking if you’d like a Murray Mint
while you’re at the top of your backswing. “Come on,
Janet. Have some respect… Yes, I will have a mint.”

3. Mud ball
The dimples on your ball have been carefully engineered to
offer the truest of flights. What no one needs is a lump of
sod attached to one side of it. Unless Winter Rules come to
your aid, you need to strike it in the blind hope of success.
Failure, in this instance, comes with a perfect excuse.

6. Slipping
The golf swing is one of the most athletic moves the human
body can make – fact. Balancing the demand for speed,
control and stability, it’s a wonder we ever make contact. A
slip is nothing short of a tragedy. Yes, it may not have been
perceptible to the naked eye, but you felt your left foot slide
and you may as well have fallen over in your downswing.

5. Other golfers
As we have already mentioned, golfers are in a constant
state of hyper-awareness. If you are standing in the wrong
position or you move while a fellow competitor is
preparing to play, you can expect a volley of four-lettered
abuse. And rightly so.

63
 Bel Wardle

Ca

64
 Bel Wardle

Dreamin’ Words Michael Weston | Photography Daniel Gould

Bel Wardle has enjoyed considerable success

in the junior ranks. Now she’s preparing to head to
America in a bid to boost her professional dream

I
t’s a cold winter’s day
when we speak, and
rather like the famous song,
Bel Wardle is California
Dreamin’. This is to say the
teenager is longing for the
warmth of Los Angeles, the only
difference being it’s not a cold New
York she’s looking to escape, but
Alderley Edge, Cheshire, where she’s
made quite a name for herself at
Prestbury Golf Club during her seven
years playing the game.
That dream is about to become a
reality, too, with a place at the
University of California, Los Angeles,
already secured for September. It
comes as a result of some fine
performances representing both
England Girls and England Women,
and she heads to the Golden State with
some lofty ambitions. “I want to play
on the LPGA Tour, 100 per cent,” she
says, emphatically, before adding with
a grin: “Then World No.1 and a Major
win. You may as well set the bar high.”
Wardle could easily have followed a
different path, although sport was
always on the agenda. “I wanted to play
tennis professionally, then I found golf
and thought, ‘Maybe I’ll give this a go’. I
found it really fun. It was the fact that I
could play on my own. With tennis
you need someone to hit it back and
dad wasn’t always willing to do that.”
What dad, Paul, did do, however, was
take her to Prestbury on the outskirts
of Macclesfield for a junior coaching
session run by PGA teaching

65
 Bel Wardle

professional, Mark Pilling. That first eight-hole competitions to 18-holers.

taste of golf would prove to be a pivotal
moment for Wardle and her father,
who would soon be adopting the role
of taxi driver cum mentor. Along with
a group of eight or so other girls,
Wardle was off and running.
A competitive mindset
“I used to come up every Saturday. I
loved beating everyone. I was one of
those ones!” she jokes. “It was so
competitive, which is what I love, so I
just kept coming.” However, the
18-year-old does recall one unsavoury
incident when, as a junior, she was
escorted from the putting green at one
club for practising at a time when
ladies were not permitted to do so.
Whatever frustrations or
resentments she had, or still has, in
that regard, she has managed to turn it
into a positive. Without that thick skin
and the fun environment created by
Pilling, she may not be where she is
today. A year later, she was
representing her county, an experience
she remembers with great fondness. It
would all lead to England selection.
“I remember my first Cheshire
competition, the Cheshire
Championship, when I was about 13.
I was off last with the worst handicap
out there. I worked my way up from
Bel plays off a
handicap of +4.2
At that point it was all about getting
my handicap down,” she says.
Down it came. It’s largely irrelevant
now – +4.2 for the record – but back
then it was very much the yardstick for
measuring her rapid improvement.
“I played my first England Girls
competition at Tiverton GC. I’d never
been to a national tournament and
there were all these leaderboards and
people watching and you were
announced on the tee. It was quite
intimidating. I played well that week
and thought to myself, ‘Yeah, I want to
win these sorts of tournaments, this is
what I want to do’. There was a
play-off and I watched all of it. That
spurred me on,” she reveals.
“Anyone who’s done anything in
women’s golf has played the
Curtis Cup. I’d love to play in it”
In 2017, Wardle tasted victory at the
English Women’s Open Amateur
Stroke Play Championship and English
Girls Open. Then, at the start of the
year, she recorded a huge win at the
Portuguese Ladies Amateur.
Understandably, she’s still on cloud
nine, not least because she defeated a
strong field on one of the
most demanding new
courses in Europe, West
Cliffs in Portugal.
“It was brutal,” she
reflects. “You had some of
the top 100 players in the
world playing and no one
could shoot under par. I’m
a member at Royal
Liverpool and played there
ahead of the event to get
used to certain shots,
which worked out well.”
Wardle came from five
shots off the lead to beat
fellow England player
Annabell Fuller on the first
extra hole. Her assessment
of her performance speaks
volumes about her psyche
– a young head on old
shoulders, you might say.
“You could have made a big
number on any hole,” she
continues. “I was five-over
through nine and thinking, ‘God, I’m
going into the harder nine and the
wind’s battering me, what am I going
to do?’ But I just kept to my game plan
and holed everything inside five feet. I
just hit fairways and greens. I wasn’t
going pin hunting. I plotted my way
round and it was enough to win. It
doesn’t matter what win I get, they all
seem as important to me.”
The American dream
When the conversation is steered
towards her imminent move across the
pond, the excitement in her voice
cranks up a notch. Her story should be
shared to encourage any budding
young sportsperson in their quest to
reach the top of their sport, because it’s
one of hard work and persistence
alongside her coach, Richard Green,
and England coach Steve Robinson.
Eventually, those efforts opened doors.
In January 2017 she made a decision
that will play a huge role in deciding
whether she makes it as a professional.
“I went through an agency because I
had no idea how to go about going to
university in America,” recalls Wardle.
“I had a good performance at the British
Girls two years ago and I think that got
the attention of the coaches.” It must
have done, because not long afterwards
she was visiting two universities in

66

North Carolina, before a trip to
California, where she toured Stanford,
Berkeley and UCLA. By the final stop,
she knew where her future lay.
“When I walked around the UCLA
campus it felt so good,” says Wardle.
“Out there you get treated like a
professional, with your own strength
and conditioning coaches and physios.
When I met the coaches, Carrie and
Alicia, it was a no-brainer. They were
lovely and it just felt so right. They
have a lot of players go out on tour.
Bronte Law went to UCLA and has the
same coach as me so I’m looking up to
her. The weather was another big
factor. I visited Chicago but minus 20
degrees is not for me, thank you!”
Talking of degrees, Wardle is aiming
to complete a geography major. Before
that, it’s A-Levels, and she admits to
finding it difficult to strike the right
balance between her studies and golf.
“I want to go and play golf all the time.
It’s one of those things. I know I’ve got
to do my work. School allows me time
off for my golf so I do get a lot of
training done during the day, but
you’ve still got to do the work.”
In January, Bel won the
Portuguese Ladies Amateur
An exciting future
Those A-Level results will come in the
summer. In April, however, there will
be another nerve-racking wait to
discovering whether she’s done
enough to earn a place in the Curtis
Cup, which takes place at Quaker
Ridge, New York, in June. It’s on her
radar. “Just look at the players who
have played in it,” she says. “You’ve got
your Lexi Thompsons, Paula Creamers,
Charley Hulls. Anyone who’s done
anything in women’s golf has played
the Curtis Cup. I would absolutely love
to play in it.”
You wouldn’t bet against it. Nor
would it be a surprise to see her
graduate from UCLA and find a home
on the LPGA Tour, although she’s not
about to put any unnecessary pressure
on herself. “I can’t put anything in
stone and say right, in four years I’m
going to go and play on the LPGA.
That’s the ultimate aim, but I don’t
know what’s going to happen.”
Aside from Justin Rose, a player she
admires above anyone else in the
professional game, there is one golfer
whose achievements she’d be happy to
Bel Wardle
emulate. “Georgia Hall is definitely a
player I look up to. She won the Ladies
European Tour Order of Merit last year
and earned her LPGA Tour card, too.
Well done to her,” she says.
On leaving Prestbury’s clubhouse,
Wardle is approached about
representing the club in a fourball
during its 100-year anniversary
celebrations in 2020. A couple of
high-profile names are mentioned.
Who knows, she might just be the
biggest name of the four come then.
“It’s weird now that I’m only a couple
of months away from going to live in
California,” she says. “It’s out of this
world.” There’s that song again…
Bel on...
THE WOMEN’S GAME
I watch the golf pretty much
every week, but the men get so
much coverage it does seem
unfair. I’m looking at Bronte Law,
who’s playing in America on the
LPGA, and she’s doing really well
and it’s not on television. Why
not? It’s on the Golf Channel but
you can’t view it here. I find it
really frustrating because the
women play as well as the men
without the rewards. Then, you
look at the FedExCup. The prize
money is ridiculous. I’d like to see
it fed back into the game as a
whole. The women’s game could
certainly do with it. It seems to
be swept under the carpet
somehow. No one is really
tackling it and saying ‘Right, this
needs to change’.
DRESS CODES AND
ENCOURAGING JUNIORS
I was lucky to discover the junior
coaching sessions at Prestbury
and found golf fun. There are still
a lot of clubs that are stuffy. I
think dress codes needs to be
relaxed. I went to play in Sweden
recently and there were 20 or 30
juniors on the first practice day
who were in jeans. They were just
having fun. I’d never seen
anything like it.
67
 BATTLING
Words: Fergus Bisset | Photography: Getty Images

Some of the country’s best-known courses are facing

immediate or future threat from the forces of nature

C
limate change affects us all
and has an impact on
multiple aspects of life. In
January and February this
year, two stories emerged
that demonstrated the battle
Britain’s golf courses are
facing, and could face, with the
elements owing to climate change.
Firstly, there was news that
England’s oldest golf course, Royal
North Devon (RND), had lost a section
of land behind the 8th tee and that
much more was under threat. Then
came a Climate Coalition report that
suggested RND could be the tip of the
iceberg. The report stated that “only a
small increase in sea-level rise would
imperil all of the world’s links courses
before the end of the century.” Many of
Britain’s most revered and renowned
tracks could be lost.
68
When Storm Eleanor hit the
south-western coasts of England this
January, it claimed some 50 feet of land
from behind the 8th tee at RND. Tidal
flooding left rocks and debris strewn
across the course. The 7th and 8th
holes are now under imminent threat
from further high tides. Worryingly,
there are currently no plans to prevent
the ingress of the Atlantic.
RND is set on a site of specific
scientific interest on the Northam
Burrows outside Westward Ho! and
the land is controlled by Natural
England. In a statement on the recent
erosion, Natural England said: “The
dunes and shingle ridge are naturally
dynamic coastal features and subject
“If sea levels continue to rise then
our beloved links could go under”
to constant change.” They have no
intention of acting to save this land.
“We can move the holes at
considerable cost, but we would of
course like to remain on the historic
layout we have here,” said RND general
manager Mark Evans. “We’d be
devastated to lose the holes, but we can
fight neither climate change nor
government policy. It’s frustrating that
there seems to be no desire at the
higher levels to save this land.” The
situation at RND is distressing for all
golf lovers, but it is by no means the
only club and course that has faced, or
is facing, a battle against nature.
On the north-east coast of Scotland,
Montrose Links has been under

significant threat from coastal erosion
and there is a fear that if it continues,
the town itself could be at risk. The
links, upon which golf has been played
for 450 years, has already lost high tees
for the 3rd hole, the 2nd has been
re-routed and rock armour has been
installed to protect the 1st green and
2nd tees. But the feeling is that
significant further action is required.
“If Montrose does not receive
government funding to protect the
dunes, it would be a big, big problem,”
said Chris Curnin, speaking on behalf
of Montrose Golf Links Limited. “We
would have to move the course inland.
That would cost millions and would
mean losing a slice of golfing history.”
And there are others: Sheringham
Golf Club in Norfolk has had to move
greens in response to cliff falls over the
years; in 2014, storms took part of the
12th green at Aberdovey; East Devon
Golf Club has also taken preventative
measures to move holes. At Brancaster
in Norfolk in 2014, huge tidal flooding
caused £1.2 million worth of damage.
The Climate Coalition report makes
for worrying reading. The suggestion is
that if sea levels continue to rise then
our beloved links courses could go
under. This would not only be
devastating for domestic golfers, it
would also be a blow for tourism and
the British economy.
The threat of flooding isn’t always
from the sea. When Storm Aileen hit in
September 2017, flooding caused by
water running down off the hills sent
huge landslides surging down across
the links at Cullen on the Moray Firth.
It was only through internet crowd
funding that the club was able to repair
its Old Tom Morris-designed track.
Battling The Elements
Royal North Devon’s 8th-hole tee
marker washed up on the beach
And then there’s the risk from
swollen rivers. As 2015 turned to ‘16,
Storm Frank caused the River Dee in
Aberdeenshire to burst its banks. The
golf courses at Ballater, Peterculter,
Deeside and the Paul Lawrie Golf
Centre were completely inundated.
The very fact we now have names for
these regular storm surges suggests our
battle with a changing climate is
intensifying. Throw in global trends
like rising sea levels and it’s clear the
next decades could be very challenging
for the golf courses that form part of
Britain’s cultural history. Battening
down the hatches may not be enough.
69


 
7$1*2 ( 6(5,(6 ,, 52%27,& 02:(5

$ ZRUOG RI H[SHUWLVH LQ \RXU JDUGHQ

$OO RYHU WKH ZRUOG -RKQ 'HHUH PDFKLQHV GHOLYHU
FRQVLVWHQF\ DQG SUHFLVLRQ )URP JROI FRXUVHV WR
DJULFXOWXUH SURIHVVLRQDOV FKRRVH -RKQ 'HHUH
76(1*B*%B)3+B5:

'LVFRYHU 7$1*2 WRGD\ DW \RXU -RKQ 'HHUH

%< $ 33 2,1 7 0( 1 7 72
GHDOHUVKLS ɑ RU YLVLW -RKQ'HHUHFRP +( 5 0 $ -( 6 7 < 7 +( 48( ( 1
6833/,( 5 6 2) $*5,&8/7 85 $ /  *5281' 6 & $ 5(
$ 1' +25 7 ,&8/7 85 $ / (48,30( 1 7

     -2+1 '( ( 5( /7 ' 127 7 ,1*+ $ 0
 Tr a n s f o r m y o u r g a m e Edited by Neil Tappin

Andy Sullivan with Jeremy Ellwood

My best tips and drills

for everything from the
routine splash to the
plugged lie
unker shots can fill

B club golfers with

dread, and one of the
key problems is that
they haven’t worked out how to
get the club entering the sand
consistently in the same place. The
best players on tour consistently
enter the sand at the same point,
whether they are playing the high
shot, the low one or whatever.
Many club golfers also believe
you have to open everything up,
then cut across the ball, but I think
that’s such a misconception
because if you’re cutting across it,
you’ll be hitting the ball out of the
toe most of the time. The ball’s
not going to go forward then, it’s
just going to glance off to the
right. It’s probably a result of
watching Seve over the years, but
without being rude, he was a bit
more talented than most handicap
golfers! So open the face, yes, but
Photography: Paul Severn

I would much rather you then

went straight back and through.
Here, I’ll show you how to
achieve greater consistency and
offer some tips to help with the
trickier lies you may encounter…

71
 1 BALL
PO S I T I O N
or me, it’s always on

F the left heel because

it generally helps you
to pop the ball up
more easily when it’s forward in
your stance, and the ball will land
more softly too. Anything in the
middle or towards the back will
come out lower and with more
forward drive, which is usually not
what you want in a greenside
bunker. If I did want to drive it
forward more, I’d move the ball Position the ball
back just a fraction, but it here to pop it
wouldn’t be in the middle – it up more easily
would be a very subtle change.

2 C O N S I S TE N T P O I N T
O F E N TR Y
hen I’m practising, I’ll

W draw a line in the

sand with my club
and try to hit that line,
so my entry point is consistent.
That guarantees the strike and
you can then hit it low, play it
high or whatever.
Start with the
strike, and you can
then vary your shots
from there. The key ...and try to hit
part to being a good it every time
bunker player is to
take a similar
amount of sand
every time, and this
line exercise will
help you to
consistently find that Draw a line
ideal strike point. in the sand...
If you then want
to hit one high, you
need to get your hands lower and
get lower down to the ball, as that
creates a steeper angle of attack
and more loft. But do that through
set-up rather than changes to your
swing as it becomes more
technical then than it needs to be.

72
 BUNKER MASTERCLASS

3 U P S LO P E S A N D
DO W N S LO P E S
he problem most

T amateurs have is that

they don’t use the
slope correctly. To
succeed on upslopes and
downslopes you’ve got to mirror
the slope in your stance, rather
than ‘fight’ it. On an upslope, as in
the main photo here, you must
not lean into the slope because all Mirror the slope
your weight will be on your lead with your set-up
side and you’ll be too steep into
the ball. Striking it well becomes
much more difficult.
The key is to mirror the slope
with your set-up, and then after
that, keep everything the same as
on a flat lie. It’s all about using the
angle of the slope. The opposite,
of course, applies on downslopes.
You’re almost trying to keep the
angle of your spine at right angles
to the slope you’re on.

4 ABOVE
A N D B E LO W
T HE F E E T
f the ball is above me,

I I’d go down the grip a

little so it almost feels
the same at address as
it would on a flat lie. Conversely, if
the ball is below me, I’d just go up
the grip. Your posture will change a
little as a result. You’ll be more
upright with the ball above you,
and more angled over with it below
you, but everything else should
remain the same – ball off the left
heel and then hitting that line at
impact. Remember that if the ball
is above you, generally it’s going to
come out a little to the left so you’ll
need to aim the clubface a bit
more to the right at address, and Above feet Below feet
vice versa when it’s below you.

73
 T H E P LU G G E D
5 L IE
t’s the one we all

I dread, and I’ve seen

many suggestions for
how best to tackle it. I
quite like playing normal bunker
shots with an open face, but with
Don’t open
the plugged lie I’ll square the face
the clubface
up and then almost feel like I’m
leaving the club in the sand at
impact, with virtually no follow
through. I’ve found that the ball
just pops straight out then. Of
course, you know it’s going to
release much more and you’re
never going to get spin out of a
plugged lie, so if you’ve short-
sided yourself, you’re just going to
have to accept a longer putt.
Sometimes when it’s plugged,
people tend to decelerate a little,
but if you think about leaving the
club in the sand at impact, you’re
putting all your emphasis on
getting the ball out. The way I
practise it is by almost trying to
recoil at impact – you get the club
in there in the sand and are then
almost trying to pull it out
instantly, so all the momentum is
where it needs to be. I try to have virtually
no follow through

ANDY SULLIVAN
WHAT’S IN
THE BAG?
Driver Ping G400 LST
3-wood Ping G400 14.5˚
5-wood Ping G400 17.5˚
4- and 5-irons Ping i200
6-iron to PW Ping S55
Wedges Ping Glide 2.0 Stealth
50˚, 54˚ and 60˚
Putter Ping PLD Anser
Ball Titleist Pro V1
 BUNKER MASTERCLASS

6 FA I R WAY
BUNKER
SHOTS I want to feel like my
head is rising a little

gain, I think there’s a

A big misconception
about fairway bunker
shots, as many golfers
will put the ball back in their
stance to try and guarantee the
strike. But most of the time you’ve
got some kind of lip to go over,
and if you do that it’s only going
to come out lower. You might
guarantee the strike, but you are
making the shot more difficult.
The first thing I do is go down
the grip a little, which again helps
with the strike. Then, I almost want
to feel like my head is rising a little
so I’m gaining height just a fraction,
as that makes me feel as though I
can clip it a bit more at impact.
Many golfers lose a bit of height on
the downswing with a tendency to
hit it a little fat, and from a fairway
bunker that’s bad news as even a
little too much sand will rob you of
distance. So go down the grip, gain
a bit of height and clip it away.
Going down the grip will cost
you some distance too, so it’s wise
to club up. You’re also more likely
to swing a little smoother, which
again helps with the strike.

Go down the grip to

help with the strike

75
 FA U L T F IX E R Many amateurs
get stuck as they
come down...

WEDGE
STRIKES
A few key set-up and
swing changes could ...or try to help
the ball up with
make all the difference hands and wrists
to your wedge play and
distance control
Perils of a wide stance

1
When it comes to your
wedges, the majority of
misses are typically fats
and thins. One of the main
reasons is often too wide a Too wide a stance can
stance, with golfers retaining their cause inconsistencies
normal full-swing stance width all
the way down to their wedges.
They move away from the ball on
to the trail side, but then one of
three things happen: they get
stuck there coming down and
strike the ground first; they try to
move back to the lead side, but
don’t do it enough and still strike
the ground first; or they try to
help the ball up with the hands
and wrists and top the ball.

The correct stance

2
For good wedge play, you
need good foundations.
That starts with a fairly
TOP
narrow stance – perhaps
12 inches between the
heels – as this will help to
promote a little lower-body
25
COACH
rotation. Then, to encourage a
downward hit, but not too Pay close attention
steeply downwards, keep a to your foundations
fraction more weight and 12INS
pressure (around 60 per cent)
on the lead side throughout (the
left leg for a right-hander). If you
Ged Walters
do this at address, your hands PGA Teaching
should naturally move just Professional,
fractionally ahead of the ball, True Fit Golf
which again promotes that Centre,
downward strike, but not too Warrington
much. This should aid the 60%
consistency of your strikes.

76
 WEDGE STRIKES

CH ECKLIS T
Take your stance with
roughly 12ins between
your heels

Keep 60% of your

weight and pressure
on your lead foot

Hinge your wrists a

little earlier than with
a longer club

WANT TO Earlier wrist hinge

3
SEE MORE? The next variation from
your full swing is to
introduce a slightly earlier
wrist hinge, perhaps
about halfway through
your takeaway, as in this photo
here. The most critical thing now
For more help is where the club impacts the
with wedge ground – it needs to be at the
strikes, visit lowest point of the swing, right
golf-monthly. underneath the golf ball at the
co.uk/videos point where grass and ball meet.
Hinge your wrists about
halfway through If you can get the club to bottom
your takeaway out there, the quality of the strike
will be enhanced.

Use the bounce

4
To help on this front, you
need to use the bounce.
Because the ground is our
friend and we’re not
Keep the body rotating going to come in too
through impact steeply, the sole of the club and
the bounce are going to do a lot
of the work for you at impact.
There’s a two- to three-inch
2-3INS area at, and just after, the
ball, where you want the
club to be coming in at a
shallow angle and pinching
the ground so the low
point is right under the ball.
As long as you then keep the
body rotating through impact,
as in this photo, you’re going to
hit really good wedge shots. If
you do get it right at impact, the
ball will have a lot more spin on it,
so you’ll be able to control your
wedge distances better, too.
Photography: Kevin Murray

Shot on location at Ashdown

West Golf Course, East Sussex

77
 S C ORIN G Z O N E
P I T C H IN G
P R AC T ICE
These great drills will
really improve your strike,
trajectory and distance
control when pitching

The right knee

Watch the right knee moves too much

1
When I’m coaching the towards the ball
short game, a common
problem I see in a lot of
golfers is a destructive
lower-half move that really
kills their pitching technique. The
right knee moves too much
towards the ball in the
downswing, throwing the hand
path out and making them ‘fish’
for the ball. From here, it’s very
difficult to control the low point
of the golf swing and find a
decent strike.

Crossed-feet drill

2
This will help
This simple drill will really
help. Cross your feet
closely together at set-up.
stabilise your
lower half TOP
This stabilises the lower
half and makes you
concentrate far more on using your
upper half in your
25
COACH
action. You’re
working on
stability here,
WANT TO
so don’t worry SEE MORE?
about distance
– perhaps a
20-30 yard
Alistair Davies
pitch. This PGA
should help Professional,
prevent your Marriott Forest
lower half from For more help of Arden
being a with your
destructive pitching, visit
element. golf-monthly.
co.uk/videos

78

Use this set up for a
lower trajectory...
Hip
to hip
Photography: Tom Miles
PITCHING PRACTICE
CH ECKLIS T
Practise with crossed
feet to stabilise your
lower half
Keep hands in the
same place but vary
ball position for
different trajectories
Try my ‘body part’
swing-length system
Trajectory control
3
This drill will help you vary
trajectory with the same
club. Set up five balls – the
middle ball is for your
standard trajectory, the
ball furthest back a lower shot and
the ball furthest forward a higher
shot. Set up with your hands
opposite your navel and move the
clubhead back and forth along the
...and this set up for a five-ball matrix to vary trajectory.
higher trajectory The back ball should be just inside
your right heel and the forward ball
opposite your front foot. Draw the
balls forward, then try to hit them
the same distance with four or five
different trajectories. Jordan Spieth
uses similar drills to this.
‘Body part’ system
4
My favourite distance-
control drill is the ‘body
part’ system. This gauges
where the left hand goes in
relation to the body. For
example, left hand to hip both back
and through gives you one
Shoulder to yardage. You can then add in rib,
shoulder chest and shoulder, and perhaps
thigh and knee for shorter shots.
You can create further variations
simply by changing wedge, by
going up or down the grip or
perhaps even by varying swing
tempo. Importantly, it’s where you
feel your swing gets to that counts
as you have to be able to repeat
this out on the course – don’t worry
if you’re one or two inches out!
Shot on location at Silvermere
Golf Complex, Surrey
79
 S T RATE G Y
FA I L- S A F E
CH I P P I N G
Four tips to help improve
your short-game strikes
Back to basics

1
For many golfers, finding a
consistently clean contact
on short, delicate chip shots
feels almost impossible. If
you fall into this
category, try adopting
a putting technique.
Use a less lofted
club (an 8-iron is
ideal) and employ
your putting grip.
Stand as if you are
holding your putter
– closer to the ball
and with a narrower
stance. Now make a smooth,
simple putting stroke. This will
help ‘deaden’ the strike, allowing
you to be more confident with the Use a less lofted club
stroke. The ball should pop up into with your putting
the air before rolling out towards grip and stance
the hole like a putt.

Tempo tip

2
In my experience, the one This tempo will offer the
thing golfers who struggle gentle acceleration required
with their chipping have in
common is speed. In
particular, they rush back
TOP
to the ball from the top of the
backswing. Often this is due to the
anxiety that comes from thinking
too much about the
25
COACH
technicalities. Adopting a
less complicated putting
method will certainly help.
WANT TO
At address, lighten your SEE MORE?
grip and feel the tension
evaporating from your
fingers. In practice, hit
John Jacobs
shots saying ‘one and’ to Head
the top of the backswing professional,
and ‘two’ through the O Cumberwell
For more N E
downswing. This will give A N D Park GC,
you the feel for the sort of chipping tips, T W Wiltshire
visit golf- O
acceleration you should
be looking for. monthly.co.uk

80
 FAIL-SAFE CHIPPING

CH ECKLIS T
Try a less lofted club
while adopting a
putting technique

Avoid using a long

backswing where your
wrists hinge excessively

Use a hybrid but be

aware the ball will
spring off the face

Killer move

3
These two photographs
on the left illustrate the
A long backswing
difference between a
means hinging
Firm wrists lead more complicated,
the wrists
to greater control higher-tariff chipping
technique and the simpler, more
reliable option you should try.
Avoid a long backswing in which
your wrists hinge excessively. This
creates speed that you then need
to be able to control on the way
down – if you have been
struggling with your short game,
it is very possible that it is this
element that’s hurting you.
Instead, with your putter grip,
keep your wrists firm and the
backswing a little shorter than
usual. This will give you a much
more controllable speed, which
will lead to a significantly more
consistent outcome.

Hybrid option

4
Do not forget that your
hybrid is a great chipping
option. The technique is
the same – adopt your
putter grip and stance and
let the momentum for the stroke
come from the rocking of your
shoulders. It does take some
getting used to – the sweetspot of
the hybrid is hotter than an iron
and the ball does spring off the
face. Spend time developing your
The ball will spring
feel while keeping the technique
off the face more
as simple as possible. This shot
could really help on the course.
Photography: Kevin Murray

Shot on location at Las Colinas

Golf & Country Club, Spain

81
 10 BEST
TIPS

THOMAS PIETERS
In the first of a new series, Belgium’s young superstar-in-waiting offers
his top tips to address some of the club golfer’s most common battles

1
Beating a slice stance] you’ve got a lot of time
Turn the clubface in a little bit. to let the club hit the ball.
Don’t be afraid to do that.

Then just make a normal
swing, and if you match the
path and the swing direction, the
ball is going to start right and
you’ll hit a nice little draw.
Swinging it easy always helps, too.
My miss would be a slice or a
slight shot to the right, and if I just
calm down my tempo, make sure
my club gets in the right positions
and don’t get ahead of myself,
that fixes everything.
you because a shank is close to a
perfect shot, so they say, so you
were almost there!
7
Greenside bunker shots
In practice, I draw a box
around the ball, about four
inches before it and four
inches after it, and just try to
hit that box, instead of trying to
focus on just behind the ball, or
two inches behind it. I then
Pieters is one of imagine that box out on the
Europe’s most course. Make sure you hit sand
talented golfers first and make it roll like a putt.

5 8
Holing out from three feet Better ball-striking

2
Reading greens
I take a point roughly two
feet in front of the hole
where I think the ball needs
to roll over to have a chance,
and just focus on that point and
I would say look at the back
of the cup and just hit that
point. You won’t be too
focused on the break or the
speed – just focus on a tiny spot.
Again, turn the clubface in a
little bit. I would do this in a
waste bunker, for example,
because it ensures that you
get the ball first.

6 9
where the ball is going to enter Increasing power More spin with wedges
the hole. It’s called the ‘quiet eye’ Ball position is the big one, It’s about solid contact, the
so it’s more intuition-based. I think. I see a lot of ball-striking and the ball
amateurs who have the ball flight. Again, I turn the

3
Match play
Never give up. I know it
sounds cheesy, but I love
match play because it’s very
personal. You can’t give
in the middle or almost
back in the stance with the
driver. You have no time or space
then to get to the ball, whereas if
you put it up the front [of your
clubface in just a little bit. It
scares you at first, but it will work
and the ball will start on a straight
line more often.

10
holes away – you lose a hole as How to practise
Photography: Paul Severn, Getty Images

well as giving your opponent Structure is key. Make

energy and positive vibes. If WHAT’S IN THE BAG? sure you’ve got plenty
somebody wins a hole that’s fine, of drills, so you don’t
but don’t give them away. Driver: Callaway XR Wedges: Callaway Mack just stand there beating
16 (9°) Daddy 4 (48°, 52°, 56° balls without a purpose. I’ve

4
Next shot after a shank
It’s been a while for me, but
it’s a case of ‘the next one
will be better’. You have to
shut it out. Don’t let it get to
3-wood: Callaway XR and 58°) learned that in the last couple of
16 (15°) Putter: Odyssey Toulon years. I used to hit balls for hours,
Irons: Callaway Apex 16 Design San Diego and now I do less practice, but it’s
(3-4 iron); Callaway Apex Golf ball: Callaway more purposeful and structured. It
Pro 16 (5-9 iron) Chrome Soft helps me a lot.

82
10 BEST TIPS

83
 S W I NG S E Q U E N C E
TH OMA S D E T R Y
The butt of the club
sits away from the
body at address
his talented Belgian
had a great amateur
T career and played in
the same Junior Ryder
Cup as Jordan Spieth and Justin
Thomas, so may well follow
countrymen Nicolas Colsaerts and
Thomas Pieters into the full squad
one day. His handicap was plus-6
when he turned pro!
84
Mechanically this swing is very
sound – a good-looking
movement with exemplary angles
at address. The top of his spine is a
lot straighter than in some of the
older guard like Nicklaus, who
were seemingly more hunched at
the top. But I think that is just
physicality. They are now doing so
much core work and are a lot fitter.
AN ALYS I S B Y B ARN E Y PUTTI CK
His swing is
fairly compact
WANT TO
SEE MORE?
I particularly like the way the
butt of the club sits away from the
body at address. Detry is 6ft 2in
and it’s easy for taller golfers to
have their hands too close to the
body at address, which can have a
For numerous major impact on where the club
tour pro swing goes in the backswing. This set-up
videos, visit position, with the hands a little
golf-monthly. way from the thighs, is one to
co.uk/videos

THOMAS
DETRY *
THE STATS
70.69
Stroke average
*European Tour
The hands slot in nicely
on the way down
emulate – worth practising in front
of the mirror! At impact, I know
the hips are clearing, but that gap
Photography: Harry O’Reilly
remains virtually the same.
There’s good width on the
takeaway, and watching his swing
on video, I love his nice, unhurried
rhythm. The shoulders pivot over
a stable base going back, and his
swing is relatively compact, as it is
THOMAS DETRY
72%
Greens in regulation
292.8
Driving distance (yards)
182
Official World Golf Ranking
A beautiful extension
down the line
TOP
25
COACH
with quite a few younger guys momentum. A number of players
with an iron – Jon Rahm, for do this. After impact, the right
example. But it’s a measured arm and shaft extend beautifully
Barney
backswing, with the hands then down the line.
Puttick
slotting in nicely on the way down This is pretty close to technical
Head
and the hips rotating well to give perfection, and he appears to professional,
him a good angle of attack. have good nerve, too, as he Mid Herts
There is a little bit of a drop in enjoyed much success in US Golf Club,
head height at impact, but I collegiate golf. He could be one to Hertfordshire
believe that’s just down to really watch out for this year.
85
 HE LP!
I NE E D TO C H I P
IT C LO S E R
Reader Graham Allshorn
has lost patience with
his poor chipping. Could
our Top 25 Coach help
stop the rot?
GM coach Andrew
getting to grips with
Graham’s chipping

TOP
25
COACH

s we all know, wanting all too often. He has got professional whose roster includes

A chipping is often the

bridge between a
good and bad round,
with many pars and nett birdies
relying on our ability to get the
ball up and down.
For GM reader Graham Allshorn,
these opportunities are left
his handicap down to 12, but feels
his poor chipping is now holding
him back from going lower.
Looking to banish his thins and
perhaps even create some spin, he
applied to take part in one of our
reader lessons with GM Top 25
Coach Andrew Jones, a golf
elite county players.
A few weeks later the pair met
on the large short-game area at
The London Club, where Andrew
went to work to see if he could Andrew Jones
rebuild Graham’s swing and give Andrew
him the short-game consistency JonesGolf.com
he has been seeking.

86

GRAHAM ALLSHORN | HANDICAP: 12 | HOME CLUB: GREAT YARMOUTH AND CAISTER GOLF CLUB
FAULT: I’M ALWAYS THINNING MY CHIP SHOTS
THE PROBLEM: I really suffer with inconsistent chipping around the greens and it
seems that the closer to the pin I get, the worse I become
Andrew’s
assessment
Initially when I
looked at Graham’s
action his divots
were quite deep, which suggested
strike issues. His posture was a bit
low over the ball, too, and his
elbows were splayed out. It meant
that when he delivered his club
back to the ball at impact and his
arms straightened, he had to dig
into the ground. He was also
Words: Andrew Jones with Jake O’Reilly Photography: Chris Catchpole
gripping at the butt end of the
club, which meant he physically
couldn’t get the club and his arms
in the gap between his body and
the floor, which enhanced the
digging strike. To try and counter
this, he’d often try to rise out of
his posture through impact,
leading to thin shots. In short,
there were far too many moving
parts in Graham’s swing.
Andrew’s remedy
I tried to simplify
Graham’s technique
by getting him to
choke down the grip
and concentrate on keeping his
READER LESSONS
Graham’s original A straighter left
grip and elbow arm helped create a
position gave him shallower and more
little space to swing repeatable swing arc
left arm extended to shallow out
his angle of attack. Initially he
mastered the backswing, but his
muscle memory was making him
continue to rise up at impact.
Once he got the hang of
extending through impact, he
started to hit some really nice Andrew working
shots. With a more solid technique on eliminating
to rely on, we could then discuss Graham’s sway
in which situations he should use
the various chipping clubs. This
included how to read different
types of lie and look for the best
landing spots, which will all help
his chipping improve.
Graham’s feedback
Try different
Coming into the session I was a
clubs to learn
bit confused about how to chip how they react
properly, so I loved the way
Andrew simplified my swing. He
got my base nice and stable as I’m
WANT TO
liable to the odd sway, and that
SEE MORE?
certainly helped me. He also
explained that my shoulders
should always be parallel to the
slope I’m chipping off, which
made a massive difference to my Practise from the
strikes from some tricky lies lies you’ll face
Andrew tested me from. For a video of
this lesson, visit on the course
golf-monthly.
co.uk/videos 87
 Enhance your knowledge
MOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS
n the Abu Dhabi
I HSBC Championship
in January, Rory
McIlroy and his
caddie teamed up to move an
advertising hoarding affecting
McIlroy’s next shot. Shona McRae,
R&A assistant director – Rules,
explains the Rules governing any
such movable obstruction out on
the golf course.
McIlroy had to roll up his sleeves
and help out to be able to
Photography: Getty Images, Kenny Smith
complete his play of the 10th hole
during the first round at the recent
Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
His ball had come to rest just
behind one of the advertising
signs at the edge of the fairway.
With the sign blocking his route to
the green, McIlroy was keen to get
it moved or to take relief from the
sign to allow him the shot he
88
would have had if the sign had not
been there.
Obstructions are anything
artificial. On the golf course,
common examples would include
artificial roads and paths, rakes,
rain shelters, benches, waste bins,
directional signs and so on.
An obstruction on the course is
classed as a movable obstruction
if it may be moved without
unreasonable effort, without
unduly delaying play and without
causing any damage.
Although the advertising sign in
McIlroy’s way was fixed into the
ground, it was certainly movable
without unreasonable effort, so he
was therefore entitled to move it
to allow him a clear path to reach
the green.
With a little bit of effort and
with the help of his caddie, Harry
Words by Shona McRae
Rory gets a helping
hand in Abu Dhabi
Diamond, and the referee, McIlroy
managed to lift the sign from its
stanchion and out of the way of
his shot.
In removing a movable
obstruction, if the ball moves as a
result, there is no penalty and the
Movable ball must be replaced – Rule 24-1a.
Obstruction The movement of the ball must be
Essentials: directly attributable to the
■ Movable movement of the obstruction for
obstructions are
there to be no penalty.
artificial objects
While the obstruction must be
■ They may be
readily movable without
moved without
unreasonable unreasonable effort, it is also
effort perfectly acceptable to receive
■ You cannot assistance in moving an
delay play or obstruction out of the way.
cause damage McIlroy was fortunate to have the
■ No penalty if help of his caddie and the referee
the ball moves and the three of them were able
when moving the to easily move it, allowing him to
obstruction play on unimpeded.
 ENHANCE YOUR KNOWLEDGE

YOUR QUER I ES R ES OLV E D

A couple of weeks ago,
The liner must be sunk at least the holes at our place had
one inch below the surface
plastic inserts placed
above the normal cup liners to
give a similar look to what we see
on the TV when the holes are
painted. They are brilliant and
really help with long putts, but
surely they are only okay in
non-competition rounds? To me,
they shouldn’t be there for
competition rounds as the hole
becomes non-conforming to the
Rules of Golf, so medals and
Stablefords couldn’t be qualifiers.
Could you confirm for me please?
upsidedown, GM website forum

Plastic trims or cup

collars, when used in
conjunction with a hole
liner, are considered to be part of
the hole liner. As a result, they
must comply with the definition of
a ‘hole’. Both the liner and plastic
trim must be sunk at least one inch
below the surface. Often plastic
trims are used on practice putting
greens and are not sunk one inch
below the surface to help protect
the green. This, of course, is fine
on a practice green. However,
during a competition, this would
not conform to the Rules.
Shona McRae
R&A assistant director – Rules

Players A and B are

playing together in an
individual Stableford
competition. Player B chips the ball
on to the green and it hits player
A’s putter, which for some reason
he has left lying on the putting
surface. What would be the
outcome from a Rules perspective
when a ball is stopped or deflected
by a fellow competitor’s club?
vikingman, GM website forum
R&A
Stableford is a form of
stroke play, therefore
WINNERS
Each month, the
Rule 19-4 applies (Ball in
readers whose
Motion Deflected or Stopped by
queries are
Fellow Competitor, Caddie or featured will
Equipment). Since Player A is an receive a copy of
outside agency to Player B, there The R&A’s latest
is no penalty to either player, Golf Rules
provided the club was left there Illustrated
accidentally. Player B must play publication, plus
the ball as it lies. Is there a penalty to a sleeve of three
Shona McRae either player here? R&A logo Titleist
R&A assistant director – Rules Pro V1 golf balls

89
 R ULES EVE R Y G OL F ER S H O U LD KN O W
Advice and indicating line of play
– Rule 8
ost golfers probably
M know that while it is
fine to ask for or
receive advice from
your playing partner, including
suggestions on how to play a shot
or the likely break on a putt, the
Rules prohibit such interaction
between fellow competitors in a
stroke play event or between
opponents in a match.
On the green you can have the
line of putt indicated by your
caddie, your partner or their
caddie, as long as the line of putt
is not touched (Rule 16-1a) and
nothing is placed anywhere to
indicate the line.
Other than on the putting green
you can have anyone indicate the
line of play before you make a
stroke – perhaps when hitting over
a blind crest. But that person must
not remain on the line, close to the
90
line or on an extension to the line
beyond the hole while you play
your shot. Similarly, you can’t place
your bag, club or anything else
anywhere to indicate the line while
you play your shot – the object
must be removed before you make
the stroke. The only exception is
that you may always have the
flagstick held up to indicate the
position of the hole (Rule 17-1). The
penalty for any breach of Rule 8 is
loss of hole in match play or two
strokes in stroke play.
As for advice, perhaps the most
common question is whether or
not you can ask for a yardage
from a fellow competitor or
opponent. The answer is yes, as
distances are considered public
information rather than advice.
Contrary to what some think,
asking what club someone used on
a previous hole is not considered
advice, even if you’re about to play
a hole or shot of similar length
(Decision 8-1/6). Nor is it a breach
of Rule 8 to ask an opponent or
fellow competitor what club they
just hit into a green, as long as you
have also played your approach
(Decision 8-1/7).
Occasionally it will be a matter
of context as to whether or not a
breach has occurred. If, for
example, you say, “I should have hit
a 5-iron,” within earshot of a fellow
competitor or opponent, there is
no breach if it’s just a throwaway
comment. But if you have directed
it at an opponent or fellow
competitor to assist or mislead
them, then that is a breach.
Finally, what about suggesting
to an opponent or fellow
competitor that he declares his ball
unplayable? Well, that would be
deemed advice rather than
information on the Rules as it could
It is fine to ask for influence how he then chooses to
advice from your proceed, and you would be liable
playing partner to a penalty (Decision 8-1/16).
 ENHANCE YOUR KNOWLEDGE

T EST YOUR K N O WL ED G E
In stroke play, while waiting to play his stroke from In match play, Jezz decides to try putting from a stance
1 the sand, Fergus casually leans on his club. What is
the ruling?
2 astride the line of putt. He makes the stroke purposely
with his feet either side of the line. What is the ruling?

A. There is no penalty. A. Jezz incurs a two-stroke penalty.

B. Fergus incurs a one-stroke penalty. B. Jezz loses the hole.
C. Fergus incurs a two-stroke penalty. C. Jezz is disqualified from the match.

In stroke play, Fergus’ ball lies just off the putting In stroke play, a spectator runs onto the fairway, picks
3 green. He repairs a pitch mark that is lying just on the
putting green on his line of play. What is the ruling?
4 up Jezz’s ball and runs off. Jezz sees this happen but is
unsure of what to do. What is the ruling?

Photography: Kenny Smith, shot on location at Archerfield Golf Links, East Lothian

A. There is no penalty. A. There is no penalty and Jezz must replace a ball.

B. Fergus incurs a two-stroke penalty. B. Jezz incurs a one-stroke penalty and must replace a ball.
C. Fergus is disqualified. C. Jezz must chase after the ball and retrieve it to proceed.

In association with the

QUIZ ANSWERS
1. C – Fergus incurs a two-stroke penalty. Fergus was in breach of Rule 13-4b for touching the ground in the bunker with his club before
making a stroke. The Exceptions to Rule 13-4 do not apply. 2. B – Jezz loses the hole. The player must not make a stroke on the putting
green from a stance astride the line of putt or an extension of that line behind the ball. There is no penalty if it is inadvertent (e.g. to avoid
standing on someone else’s line). 3. A – There is no penalty. The player may repair damage caused by the impact of a ball, whether or not
the player’s ball lies on the putting green. 4. A – There is no penalty and Jezz must replace a ball. There is no penalty if a ball at rest is
moved by an outside agency. The ball must be replaced. If the ball is not immediately recoverable, another ball may be used.

91
 Te s t e d b y r e a l g o l f e r s
The larger head volume
gives the G400 Max a
bigger footprint at address,
which many golfers will prefer.
The turbulators also appear
larger and the face is lighter
in colour too, making it
easier to align.
his driver is aimed at
golfers who need
T maximum forgiveness
to find more fairways.
Key technology
By bolstering clubhead size to
460cc, Ping has made the G400
Max the most forgiving driver in
the G400 family, thanks to a
higher MOI (resistance to
twisting) than the standard
model. This should mean that
off-centre hits fly straighter and
suffer less distance loss relative
to strikes from the sweetspot.
92
Edited by Joel Tadman
An increase in head volume
up to the 460cc limit
results in more
forgiveness on off-
centre hits
Interestingly, the G400 Max
driver has a louder, more
hollow sound than the
standard G400, but it does
feel more stable on
off-centre hits.
89
£3
The G400 Max driver features
the same technologies found in We noticed a
the other G400 drivers, including
the weight-saving Dragonfly
straighter flight
crown, the tungsten back weight
for maximum forgiveness, a fast
forged titanium face and an
internal rib structure to improve
both sound and feel.
How we tested
We hit the Ping G400 Max on our
GC2 launch monitor and out on
the course to evaluate its
performance compared to the
standard G400 driver.

"FROM THE FOUR MODELS IN THE RANGE, THE
G400 MAX IS NOW THE ONE THAT DELIVERS
THE BEST BLEND OF DISTANCE AND ACCURACY"
Joel Tadman, technical editor
Our launch monitor data
showed that the G400 Max
delivered a touch more spin
than the standard G400, but
the launch, trajectory, carry
distance and ball speeds
were all similar.
G400 Max (right)
has a bigger profile
driver test, visit
TESTED BY GOLF MONTHLY
UP AGAINST
69
£4
CALLAWAY ROGUE
Higher MOI than the GBB Epic
increases forgiveness, while
redesigned Jailbreak bars
create more ball speed.
69
£3
TAYLORMADE M4
Twist Face is designed to
improve performance on
mishits, while a heavier fixed
back weight aids forgiveness.
29
£3
COBRA KING F8
A CNC-milled face provides
faster, more uniform
performance.
VERDICT
The G400 Max unquestionably
provides added forgiveness and
accuracy over the standard G400
driver, without any reduction in
clubhead speed or distance. This
applies to all swing speeds, but
those who use a wider area of
WANT TO the face to strike the ball will
see the most benefit. Out on
SEE MORE? the course, the flight was
noticeably straighter than the
standard G400 and it looks
and feels easier to hit too.
The sound is much louder,
which is where the G400 has
an advantage, but many will
To watch our wonder why the 460cc
G400 Max version wasn’t the original.
golf-monthly.
co.uk/reviews 93
 CALLA AY
ACK DADDY
Levels of spin on a
variety of greenside shots
were exceptional. Even from
iffy lies and bunkers, the
ball noticeably checked
up on the second
bounce.
Micro-grooves
provide 84 different
contact points with
the ball at impact
he MD4 wedges are
T aimed at golfers
looking to be custom
fitted for their wedges
to get the optimum loft, bounce
and grind for their games.
Key technology
Groove-in-Groove technology
comprises three raised micro-
ridges along the length of the
hitting area. Between these ridges
are micro-grooves that help grab
the ball’s cover to increase spin.
An extra ‘Nip-It’ groove near the
leading edge enhances spin on
short and/or slightly thin shots. A
system of four weight ports
allows the head’s CG to be
positioned progressively upward
as loft increases for a soft, solid
feel on every shot.
How we tested
We took a variety of loft and
grind options out on the course
during a full round.
94
9
£13
Slightly rounded in
shape and with a subtle
curve to the leading edge,
but generally very
pleasing on the eye. The
darker finish will
reduce glare.
VE DI T
You’ll struggle to find a wedge
also creates a lower flight on full
shots that is easier to control.
that spins more than the Mack The grind options are another
Daddy 4. This trait will help asset – the wide-soled, high-
nervy chippers be more bounce W-Grind is surprisingly
committed to their shots, playable and provides more
it should make getting margin for error, especially from
up-and-down from bunkers, while the C-Grind
tough situations an provides the versatility skilled
easier task and players look for. The X-Grind is a
useful addition, allowing you to
The flight across slide the club under the ball with
all the lofts was an open face without it digging
fairly consistent into the turf.
They feel soft and stable and
the flight across the lofts was
pretty consistent. With so many
loft, bounce and grind options
available, a custom fitting is a
must to ensure you get the best
wedges for your game. But once
you go through that process,
you’ll be giving yourself the best
chance to save important shots
around the green.
 TESTED BY GOLF MONTHLY

TITLEIST
he Titleist Velocity is

T aimed at golfers who

prioritise distance
over short-game
control and soft feel.

VEL CITY Velocity now comes

in visi-white with
orange sidestamp
Key technology
The new Titleist Velocity for 2018
has been re-engineered with a
softer, high-speed LSX core and

BALL
and double play
Titleist’s fastest cover blend to
numbers 00, 22, 77
deliver low spin and fast ball
and 99, as well as
6

speed off the tee. Advanced

£2
ZEN
DO

pink and orange

PER

aerodynamics stem from a

spherically-tiled 328 tetrahedral
dimple design, which produces
long carries and a higher flight to
stop the ball into greens.

As expected, Velocity doesn’t
offer the same control around
the green as Tour Soft or
Pro V1, but it still flies high
on full wedge shots to
aid stopping power.
How we tested
We hit the Velocity on our GC2
launch monitor and on the golf
course to see how it compared
to others in the Titleist family.
Velocity was the
longest Titleist
ball off the tee

Our data showed that

Velocity is the longest Titleist
ball off the tee, thanks to a
high launch and low spin.
With irons, it performs
similarly to Tour Soft
and Pro V1.
VE DICT
Velocity is for the golfer who
wants to be the longest off the
tee in his or her fourball. Its
low-spin design will
unquestionably help you find
more distance, and while it may
limit control around the greens,
you just need to make some
landing-area adjustments. If you
hit the ball high, or play a lot of
chip and runs around the green,
you shouldn’t notice too
much difference compared
with a premium offering.
Into greens, the Velocity
spun enough and flew
high enough to provide
ample stopping power
for the average player.
While Pro V1 and Tour
Soft offer more feel
and control, Velocity is
an excellent distance-
focused offering and the
new colours and numbers
only add to the appeal.

95
 UNDER AR
There is noticeably more
padding around the ankle
and under the tongue, making
it feel instantly soft and
comfortable out of the box.
The breathability is
impressive, too.
his is designed to
T offer grip, waterproof
protection and tour-
proven performance.
Key technology
A new breathable Gore-Tex
upper guarantees to keep water
out. A section with TPU fibres
reduces weight while adding
support and comfort. Rotational
Resistance cleats help lock the
foot in place and maintain
connection with the ground in
every direction during the swing.
How we tested
We wore a pair for multiple
rounds in different conditions.
VERDICT
We really liked the Spieth 1, but it
felt a touch heavy and the styling
was on the busy side. Both these
areas have improved considerably
with the Spieth 2.
96
UR
0
£16
The snug heel section and
unique outsole elements
create a solid base from which
to swing, by providing
effective grip and a solid
connection with the
ground.
The Spieth 2
shoe is around
57 grams lighter
than the Spieth 1
performance golf shoe that locks
the foot in place and prevents
excessive movement or rotation
very effectively. The styling is still
eye-catching but is now neutral
enough to suit a wider variety of
The Spieth 2
gave us good
It is noticeably lighter but still
soft-feeling under foot. In fact,
the extra flexibility of the outsole
tastes, although the fabric section
at the back may be more difficult
to keep clean. The grip is
makes it more comfortable as a exceptional and the soft leather
grip, comfort
walking shoe, and also helps you gives the feeling of a premium
and support
feel more connected to the golf shoe. There’s a huge amount
ground. This is a structured, of value here.
 )GV ;QWT (TGG )KHV 9KVJ 'XGT[ 1TFGT
'PVGT 8QWEJGT %QFG )/(4''
4GFGGO 6JKU %QFG 1P 6JG $CUMGV 2CIG $GHQTG %JGEMQWV

(GCVWTKPI 0GY 5GCUQP 1HHGTU 9KVJ 6JG .CVGUV 'SWKROGPV (QT 
2TQWF 6Q $G 6JG 7-ŦU $KIIGUV 1PNKPG 4GVCKNGT +P )QNHЯ

 (KPCPEG 2TKEG /CVEJ %WUVQO (KV 2)# #FXKEG

)TGCV /WNVKDW[ 1HHGT  7RITCFG ;QWT 9QQFU 6QFC[ (QT ,WUV c

1(
('4
,2: '< ,2: '< ,2: '<
&TKXGT (CKTYC[ *[DTKF

9CU  9CU   9CU  

0QY c 0QY c 0QY c

5CXG c
 5CXG c
 5CXG c

ũ /CZKOWO (QTIKXGPGUU ũ /CZKOWO (QTIKXGPGUU ũ /CZKOWO (QTIKXGPGUU
9KVJ (WNN #FLWUVCDKNKV[ Ū 9KVJ /QTG $CNN 5RGGF Ū 9KVJ *KIJGT $CNN (NKIJV Ū
1(

1(

1(
(

(
'4

'4

'4
6QWT $ /#: +TQPU 2TQUVCHH
$CNNU
5VGGN %CTV $CIU

9CU  9CU  9CU 

0QY c (TQO c 0QY c

5CXG c
 5CXG c
 5CXG c

ũ 6QWT 2GTHQTOCPEG (QT ũ )TGCVGT #EEWTCE[ 9KVJ ũ (WPEVKQPCN &GUKIP #V
5YKPIU #DQXG  /2* Ū 'CUKGT .CWPEJ &GUKIP Ū )TGCV #NN 4QWPF 8CNWG Ū
0'

0'

0'
9

2TQ 8 $CNN  'NGEVTKE 8QMG[ 5/

2TQOQVKQP 6TQNNG[U 9GFIGU

(TGG 2GTUQPCNKUCVKQP .KVJKWO $CVVGT[  *GCF (KPKUJGU

2TKEG c (TQO c 2TKEG c

$W[   2C[ (QT  (TGG c #EEGUUQT[ %WUVQO (KV 1RVKQPU
ũ /QTG %QPUKUVGPV (NKIJV ũ 'ZEGRVKQPCN 4GNKCDKNKV[ ũ -PQY ;QWT .GVVGT 9KVJ
9KVJ )TGCV 5QHV (GGN Ū 9KVJ +ORTQXGF (GCVWTGU Ū  6QWT 2TQXGP )TKPFU Ū

(TGG 7- &GNKXGT[ 1XGT c .QY %QUV &GNKXGT[ 6Q 'WTQRG

10.+0'  YYYENWDJQWUGIQNHEQWM %#..    

+PVGTGUV (TGG (KPCPEG +U #XCKNCDNG 1P 1TFGTU 1XGT c 5WDLGEV 6Q 5VCVWU  6%ŦU #RRN[ 2TKEG /CVEJ )WCTCPVGG (WNN 6%ŦU 1PNKPG (TGG 7- &GNKXGT[ 1XGT c 'ZENWFGU 0QP 7- /CKPNCPF

We didn’t see any real increase
in distance from M4 over M2. It
did spin slightly lower and
seemed to create a straighter
ball flight on mishits, but it
launched the ball
similarly.
98
The M4 also comes in
a draw-biased D-Type
option for golfers who
struggle with a slice
The silver matte finish
adds a touch of class to
what is a confidence-inspiring
driver. The large footprint and
prominent face angle make
you feel like a long,
accurate drive is
forthcoming.
69
£3
he M4 driver offers
T similar performance
to the M3 on drives
struck from the
middle, but doesn’t allow you to
fine-tune spin and shot shape.
Key technology
Twist Face improves distance
and accuracy on mishits, while a
Hammerhead slot increases ball
speed. A heavier fixed back
weight than on M2 creates a
ten-per-cent-higher MOI.
The Geocoustic construction
has been refined, offering a
larger profile and improved
sound and feel.
How we tested
We hit the M4 driver on our
GC2 launch monitor in our fitted
spec and put it in play on the
course over a number of rounds.
We loved the
forgiveness
of M4
VERDICT
The M4’s biggest strengths are its
forgiveness and simplicity. The
clubhead alone is compatible
with a variety of swing speeds
and strike patterns, thanks to the
high launch and low spin.
Through shaft and loft
adjustment, the majority of
golfers will be able to come close
to maximising their performance
with it. The stability across the
face was excellent and we
regularly found the fairway from
heel and toe strikes, helped by
the easy alignment. It feels
incredibly powerful from the
middle, and for those not wanting
to benefit from that extra level of
custom fitting, it is the perfect
candidate for your bag in 2018.
 WEDGES The Callaway
Mack Daddy 4 is
just one wedge
to have multiple
sole options to suit
different techniques
and turf conditions

f you look up the

I specifications for
some of the most
popular wedges This TaylorMade
currently on the market, you’d be Hi-Toe wedge is
forgiven for leaving more larger in the toe
confused than when you arrived. and has full-width
With so many loft, bounce, grooves to make
grind and finish options now open-faced
offered, it’s easy to settle for shots easier
what you know, rather than
search for something new. But
before you do that, make sure commonly used for greenside
you read our wedge 101. flop and bunker shots.
Let’s start with loft. As with As its name suggests, bounce
other clubs, this affects how affects how your wedge reacts
high, and therefore far, each full off the turf. Lower bounce suits
shot flies, so you’ll want to have firmer links turf as it stops the
even loft gaps between your head bouncing into the ball’s
wedges to avoid any awkward equator. In contrast, softer turf Milling between the
distance gaps. will benefit from higher bounce, grooves makes the
Then there’s the sole grind. SM7’s face rougher,
to stop the club digging in and
helping it grab the
Simply put, this is the shape of causing a fat.
ball’s cover and
the sole. Wedges with wider sole Finally, you can choose
impart more spin on
grinds suit full shots, so are more between finishes. Chrome delicate chip shots
commonly found in lower lofts remains the most popular
like a 50°. Meanwhile, a wedge offering, while black options
with some of its heel grinded reduce glare and raw finishes
away allows you to open the provide the rusty look some TOP BUYING TIPS
face, suiting the higher lofts golfers prefer.

1 2 3
“OPTIMISING EACH WEDGE IN Your main aim Ask if you can Consider what
YOUR SET IS THE CURRENT HOT should be to
avoid big gaps
experiment with
different grinds
you use each
wedge for. If you
TREND, WITH LOFT-SPECIFIC CGs that lead to
awkward half
and sole bounces
while chipping
only use one for
full pitches, it’ll
AND GROOVE DESIGNS MORE shots. Do this by
having even loft
and pitching, to
see which ones
benefit from a
different set-up
ADVANCED THAN EVER” increments, like
46-50-54-58 or
work the best for
your technique
to a more
versatile wedge
Jake O’Reilly, GM technical writer
46-52-58. and turf. you chip with.

100

BEST FOR
CONTROL
£15
TITLEIST VOKEY SM7
Lots of micro refinements
from SM6 have led to
improved feel and control.
You also have the choice of
six grinds, three finishes and
lofts between 46° and 62°.
9
£13
CALLAWAY MACK DADDY 4
This wedge is available in
four grinds from 46-64°. It
boasts a compact shape and
straighter leading edge that
players with confident short
games will prefer.
9
£10
CLEVELAND RTX-3
A centred CG maximises
stability for better distance
control, while sharper groove
edges enhance spin.
Available in three sole
bounces from 46-62°.
BEST FOR
FORGIVENESS
£13
TAYLORMADE MG HI-TOE
This Milled Grind wedge
features full-face grooves in
an expanded toe area to
deliver high spin when you
open the face. It’s available in
58°, 60° and 64° lofts.
9
£10
CLEVELAND CBX
This is more forgiving than
the RTX-3, thanks to its cavity
back design and wider sole. It
still offers great spin control
via the same Rotex face and
comes in 48-60° lofts.
9
£9
CALLAWAY SURE OUT
This speciality wedge
features a larger face and
wide, high-bounce sole that
means you don’t need to
open the face to hit it high.
Available in 58° and 64°.
BEST FOR
GLARE
REDUCING
£13
PING GLIDE 2.0 STEALTH
The new Stealth version of
this wedge introduces a
glare-reducing finish that also
makes the head appear more
compact. Available in four
sole options from 46-60°.
£14
MIZUNO S18 BLACK IP
This forged wedge offers a
blend of soft feel, control and
versatility. Available at every
loft between 45° and 62°, it
also uses boron-infused steel
to enhance durability.
£10
COBRA KING BLACK
This dimonised black metal
finish is available in Cobra’s
three sole grinds and between
50° and 60°. Variable Face
Roughness also delivers more
spin on finesse shots.
BUYER’S GUIDE
BEST ON
A BUDGET
£79
WILSON STAFF FG TOUR PMP
Despite the price, you’ll find
lofts from 48-60°, three sole
designs and three finish
options – tour frosted, oil can
and raw, creating many
possible combinations.
9
£9
LYNX PROWLER
Four loft options at 48°, 52°,
56° and 60° come in chrome
and gun metal finishes. You
also get a KBS Tour shaft and
Lamkin Crossline grip fitted
as standard.
9
9.9
£5
BENROSS TRIBE MDR
Get more for your money
than you’d expect with a
high-spinning KBS Tour
Wedge shaft as standard and
six lofts to choose from
between 48° and 58°.
101
Joel Tadman

Joel Tadman explains how a recent wedge fitting has transformed his ability to score and
highlights the areas you need to consider when choosing the best ones for you

F
or those of you lucky enough to
follow me on Twitter
(@joeltadman), you may have
seen I shot a good score recently.
A whopping 39 points to be
precise, so that’s +2 gross. Suffice
to say it had been a while, and
sadly, it was not a qualifier. Of course,
only having 24 putts helped, but I am in
no doubt that my wedge play was the
most important factor.
A precise wedge shot from 98 yards
on the 8th led to a birdie (with a shot).
Later, I hit an exquisite splash shot from
the sand to gimme range on the 13th,
and then followed it with a full 54˚
wedge from 93 yards into the wind on
the 14th to six foot for another unlikely
par, having already chipped out
sideways from the trees. It’s these kind
of shots that keep the momentum of a
good round intact, and having the right
wedges has helped me immensely.
I got fitted for the Titleist Vokey SM7
wedges late last year and I was
genuinely blown away by the level of
detail we went into. I even surprised
myself with some of my choices.
Remember that the fitter can suggest
what should work best for you, but you
always have the final say as things like
looks and feel also play a part in the
decision-making process.
WHAT I’VE BEEN TESTING THIS MONTH
I had the M grind in both my higher-
lofted SM6 wedges, but in SM7 the S
grind on my 54˚ proved to be more
accurate on full shots. I’m really seeing
that on the course, too.
Then I was asked where I actually
used my lob wedge, and when I thought
about it, I realised that around 80 per
cent of the shots I hit with it were from
bunkers. So we did a blind grind test,
where I was handed the different grinds
on a lob wedge in a bunker without
knowing what they were. I was surprised
at how different they each felt through
"Hitting more accurate wedge
shots keeps the momentum of
a good round intact"
the sand – some were digging down
while others glided through smoothly. I
ended up picking the new D grind – a
higher-bounce M grind – and it has been
a godsend from sand ever since.
There are so many factors to consider
when it comes to wedges, arguably
more than any club in your bag, so
getting properly fitted is a key starting
point. Ideally, you want to try and do it
at the same time as getting fitted for
99
new irons, so the shaft characteristics
are similar and the loft gaps are even.
Another thing you need to consider is
the bounce on your wedges. Are you
steep or shallow into the ball? Do you
tend to play on soft or firm turf at your
home club? Your fitter can guide you
through the various choices.
The finish on your wedges also plays a
part. I prefer the traditional chrome
finish, but on sunny days I do get
eye-shattering glare from certain angles.
This wouldn’t be the case with a darker
finish, found on the new Ping Glide 2.0
Stealth and Cobra King Black wedges,
plus it can also make the wedge look
smaller and aid alignment.
Technology has moved on leaps and
bounds, too. I was a big fan of the
full-face grooves on the Callaway Mack
Daddy PM Grind, although less so the
shape, and TaylorMade has since
brought out the Hi-Toe lob wedge that is
similar in concept – helping generate
more spin on open-faced shots that
impart more of a glancing blow.
The Cleveland CBX is another
impressive offering for those who need
more forgiveness to help hit full wedge
shots closer, without sacrificing spin or
versatility on shorter shots.
So this season, don’t settle for the
wedges that come part of your iron set

or rely on old grooves that haven’t spun

20
0

99.
£14

£2

£2

a ball back on the greens for two years.

PUMA IGNITE
PWRADAPT SHOE
This sporty-looking shoe is
incredibly comfortable, keeps
water at bay and offers
excellent grip from all lies.
GALVIN GREEN LANCE
INTERFACE-1 JACKET
Surprising levels of protection
given the thin fabric. Stretchy,
stylish and easily combined
with other layers.
BIG MAX BLADE IP
PUSH TROLLEY
It’s lightweight, making it
easy to push, but is sturdy
and folds down incredibly
small for easy storage.
Get into the finer details of your wedges
and hopefully you’ll see your scores
improve like mine. Bring on the first
qualifying competition.
■ Joel Tadman is GM technical editor
 6*+5 5'#510
9KVJ 1WT  +PVGTGUV (TGG (KPCPEG 5JQRRKPIЯ

 #24 4GRTGUGPVCVKXG 'ZCORNG 9J[ %JQQUG (KPCPEG!

)GV CNN QH VJKU 0Q +PVGTGUV 6Q 2C[

 #24 4GRTGUGPVCVKXG

0QVJKPI 6Q 2C[ 7RHTQPV

c &GRQUKV
QRVKQPCN

(NGZKDNG 2C[OGPV 6GTOU

  QT  /QPVJU

#XCKNCDNG (TQO 1PN[

c 1TFGT 8CNWG

)GV # &GEKUKQP +P ,WUV

 5GEQPFU 1PNKPG
%CNNCYC[ 4QIWG &TKXGT c

6C[NQT/CFG / (CKTYC[ c

%QDTC -+0) ( *[DTKF c 1WT (KPCPEG 6GTOU

(QT LWUV cp RGT OQPVJЯ  /QPVJU  c

QTFGT XCNWG
(KPCPEG KU UWDLGEV VQ UVCVWU VGTOU CPF EQPFKVKQPU CRRN[ CXCKNCDNG VQ 7- TGUKFGPVU QPN[
 /QPVJU  c
QTFGT XCNWG
1TFGT 6QVCN c  &GRQUKV #OQWPV c  .QCP #OQWPV c  #24
(KZGF 
(KPCPEG 6GTO  /QPVJU   /QPVJN[ 2C[OGPVU cp  6QVCN 4GRC[CDNG c  /QPVJU  c
QTFGT XCNWG

+ORTQXG [QWT ICOG YKVJ VJG NCVGUV GSWKROGPV HTQO IQNHŦU DKIIGUV DTCPFUЯ

10.+0'  YYYENWDJQWUGIQNHEQWM %#..    

%NWDJQWUG )QNH .KOKVGF

ũ%)Ū KU TGIKUVGTGF KP 'PINCPF CPF 9CNGU  4GIKUVGTGF QHHKEG  'EENGU 0GY
4QCF 5CNHQTF /CPEJGUVGT / '2 %) QPN[ QHHGT ETGFKV RTQFWEVU HTQO 5GEWTG 6TWUV $CPM 2.% VTCFKPI CU 8
4GVCKN (KPCPEG .KOKVGF
ũ8Ū YJQ CTG CWVJQTKUGF CPF TGIWNCVGF D[ VJG (KPCPEKCN %QPFWEV #WVJQTKV[ +H [QWT
CRRNKECVKQP KU UWEEGUUHWN [QW YKNN VJGP GPVGT KPVQ C %TGFKV #ITGGOGPV YKVJ 5GEWTG 6TWUV $CPM 2.%
8ŦU RCTGPV
EQORCP[ YJKEJ 8 YKNN CFOKPKUVGT 5GEWTG 6TWUV $CPM 2.% KU CWVJQTKUGF CPF TGIWNCVGF D[ VJG 2TWFGPVKCN
4GIWNCVKQP #WVJQTKV[ CPF CNUQ TGIWNCVGF D[ VJG (KPCPEKCN %QPFWEV #WVJQTKV[ WPFGT TGIKUVTCVKQP PWODGT 
 HEA D T O H E A D
Which of these two affordable flat-sticks will help improve your putting the most?
£18

5
£17
9

ODYSSEY O-WORKS RED
Model tested: #1 Wide S
Grip: SuperStroke 2.0
LO O KS
Red putters may be considered a fad by some, but
they certainly stand out visually against the grass
better than most. The single sightline appears even
more prominent, too.
FE E L/S O U ND
Arguably feels marginally softer than the Ping, but
still gets the ball rolling quickly and with good speed
so you don’t feel you have to give putts extra effort.
The sound is subtle and consistent across the range.
R O LL
Seemed to get the ball rolling a touch earlier,
although it is difficult to tell with the naked eye. This
means putts held their line for longer and mishits
went in more often than not from short range.
FO RG I V ENESS
Hard to detect any significant drop off in speed, feel
and sound on off-centre strikes. Long-range putts
seemed to roll out a consistent distance and without
any big variances in direction. Very impressive.
OVE RALL A P P EA L
For those looking to try something new and
different, the O-Works Red models are easy to align,
feel soft, get the ball rolling early and true and come
in enough shapes to suit all tastes and stroke types.
JOEL TADMAN
Technical Editor
Handicap 5 PING SIGMA G
Model tested: B60
Grip: Ping PP60
RATING
OUT OF 10
LO O KS
The B60 has an understated but classic look. The
98 range has lots of shapes, including larger mallets like
the Wolverine T that are easier to align. It is available
in a platinum or darker slate finish.
FEEL/SO U N D
The Sigma G putters feel soft, but offer speed
98 properties close to those of a milled metal putter. It
has to be said that some models in the range feel
more hollow and are louder at impact than others.
RO LL
The consistent speed from a range of distances
99 should improve lag putting. Any skidding of the ball
after impact was minimal, and short putts especially
seemed effortless to make time after time.
FO RGIVEN ESS
The insert stretching across the entire face will boost
99 the confidence of poor putters, as will the excellent
long-range distance control from the TR grooves.
Arguably the putter’s strongest suit.
OVERA LL A P P EA L
The wide range of shapes and finishes mean it’s
99 important to try a few different models, but the one
that fits your eye will provide performance and a
premium look beyond its modest price tag.

45 43
104
 HEAD TO HEAD

The Microhinge Face

Insert helps impart
more topspin at
impact to get the
ball rolling earlier

WANT TO
SEE MORE?

The #1 Wide S is
one of six new shapes
For video
in the O-Works Red
reviews of
putter range
both these
putters, visit
golf-monthly.
co.uk

There are 16
shapes in the Ping
Sigma G range to suit
different swings and
look preferences

A Pebax elastomer
material behind the
face provides a soft
yet responsive feel

105
 SIMON
ROWLAND

ADRIAN
MCCLEARY

ccording to robot TrackMan to monitor yardages,

TESTED
research, wedge spin, the gaps between clubs and each
A and therefore
stopping power,
drops off after around 75 rounds.
For those of you who play
once a fortnight, you should see
around three years of strong
of our readers’ ball flights.
With the pair’s heads and lofts
locked in, he then looked at their
chipping actions and discussed
their courses to come to a
decision on the best bounce.

BY YOU
performance. But if you play
weekly and practice too, that
might be nearer a year.
As you can probably
guess, most club golfers
Our selected duo were
8-handicapper Simon Rowland,
who was looking to find more
controllable trajectories, and
14-handicapper Adrian
Photography: Daniel Gould Words: Jake O’Reilly

don’t change their McCleary, who wanted to

Two readers get fitted for
Mizuno wedges and then test
them out on their home courses
wedges as often as they WANT TO BE replace a mix-match
should, and we were INVOLVED? wedge set with clubs
keen to explore the that felt similar and flew
benefits of doing so in more predictably.
our latest Tested By You. Once their fitted
Step in Mizuno and its Keep an eye on wedges were delivered,
fitting expert Matthew our forum for Simon and Adrian
McIsaac, who was tasked your chance to played numerous rounds
with fitting two GM be involved: over a four-week period
readers for its S18 or T7 golf-monthly. before providing their
wedges. He used co.uk/forum unbiased feedback...

106
 TESTED BY YOU

1. SIMON ROWLAND ALSO CONSIDER

Fitter analysis chipped in four more times and

£15
0
Simon’s old iron set featured a my short game has improved
weak-lofted 44° 9-iron and 48° massively. The biggest difference Handicap: 8
specialist PW, which gave him a I’ve noticed is the increase in feel, Home club:
big 20-yard gap. Our Mizuno T7 while I am also able to manipulate Hampton Court
48° wedge offers modern distance my ball flight more easily. It Palace GC
and it gave Simon a longer carry means I can now fire pitch shots Fitted for:
and an ideal ten-yard in lower and use the Mizuno T7 48°,
gap. From there we went spin, rather than 52°, 56° and
VERSATILE
to 52°, 56° and 60° for always relying on 60°
even gaps. While Simon height to stop shots. TITLEIST VOKEY SM7
addresses the ball nearer Choose between three finishes,
his back foot, which Matt checking 46-62° lofts and six grinds that
normally suits lower Simon’s lie each suit a different style, so
bounce, his dynamic angle you can find any combination.
impact revealed he was
using the sole well, so

£13
9
we settled on mid-bounce.

Simon’s on-course feedback

I was seeking more consistency
and confidence, and I certainly
got both as I love the compact
look and responsive feel of the T7.
After receiving the clubs, my SPECIALIST
initial impression couldn’t have
been better as I chipped in on the TAYLORMADE MG HI-TOE
first hole! Since then I have This only comes in lob wedge
lofts and has an expanded toe
with full-width grooves for
more spin on open-face shots.

£13
2. ADRIAN McCLEARY
9
Fitter analysis bounce took more experimenting,
Handicap: 14 Adrian has recently got a new set as he chips from his back foot
Home club: of irons, so we could naturally with a stabbing motion. In the end
Hadden Hill GC progress from his 46° Mizuno H5 we went into a lower bounce SW
Fitted for: PW into three S18 wedges at 50°, and LW, as his ball striking was COMPACT
Mizuno S18 50°, 54° and 58°, which gave him much better than when we tried
54° and 58° lovely 12-yard gaps. Choosing his some mid-bounce options. CALLAWAY MACK DADDY 4
The choice of Garcia and many
Adrian testing Adrian’s on-course feedback more, this boasts a tighter
different sole The S18 wedges look great and leading-edge radius that aids
bounces suit my eye nicely from address. clean contacts from tight lies.
After a few rounds and a short-
game session with them I am
£10
9

really impressed and happy with

my new set-up, which covers all
bases from 100 yards and in. Out
on the course I’ve noticed much
more stopping power than my old
wedges, which is letting me be
more aggressive when
going for the pin as the VALUE
ball stops more
consistently. I have also CLEVELAND RTX-3
found that when short Available in three bounce
sided I can get the ball options, this wedge has sharper
up and stopped quickly, groove edges and a micro-milled
which I struggled to do face pattern that increase spin.
with my worn grooves.

107
 ORDER FORM
Post the completed order form to:
FREEPOST Time Inc (No stamp needed – UK only)

YES! I would like to subscribe to Golf Monthly

Q UK Annual Direct Debit: Pay just £48.49 annually, BEST
saving 25% (full price £64.80) DEAL

Q UK 2 year cheque/ cash/ credit card (26 issues) – pay just £98.49,
saving 24% across the two years (full price £129.60)
Q UK 1 year cheque/ cash/ credit card (13 issues) – pay just £51.99,
saving 19% across the year (full price £64.80)

Overseas readers can save up to 35%

Visit the web address on the opposite page for all prices

YOUR DETAILS:
Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms: Forename:
Surname:
Email:
Address:

Postcode:
Home Tel. No: (inc area code)
Mobile:
Date of Birth: D D  M M Y Y Y Y
By submitting your information, you agree to our Privacy Policy available at www.timeincuk.com/privacy. Please
keep me up to date with special offers and news from Golf Monthly and other brands within the Time Inc. UK Group
by email, post, telephone and/or SMS. You can unsubscribe at any time.

GIFT SUBSCRIPTION:
Please fill out to give more than one subscription, please supply address details on a separate sheet.
Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms: Forename:
Surname:
Address:

Postcode:

CHOOSE FROM 3 EASY WAYS TO PAY:

1. CHEQUE
I enclose a cheque/postal order for: £_____________ made payable to Time Inc. (UK) Ltd.
2. CREDIT/DEBIT CARD
Please debit my: Q Amex Q Visa Q Visa Debit Q Mastercard
ENJOY THESE GREAT
Card No.
SUBSCRIPTION BENEFITS
Expiry Date
Pay only £3.73 per issue
–  

Signature: Date:
13 issues delivered to your home
(I am over 18)
Free exclusive rewards for subscribers
3. DIRECT DEBIT: To pay £48.49 annually by UK Direct Debit,
please complete your details below: every month. Join us at
PAYMENT DETAILS DIRECT DEBIT golf-monthly.co.uk/rewards
Instruction to your bank or building society to pay by Direct Debit.
For office use only: Originators Reference – 764 221

Name of Bank:

Address of Bank:
Postcode:

Name of Account Holder:

Sort Code: Account No:

Instruction to your Bank or Building Society Please pay Time Inc. (UK) Ltd Direct Debits from the account detailed
on this Instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this
instruction may remain with Time Inc. (UK) Ltd and if so, details will be passed electronically to my Bank or
Building Society. 0330 333 1113
Signature: Date: Quote code: 14TY
(I am over 18) Lines open Monday to Saturday from
Pay just £48.49 a year by Direct Debit with the price guaranteed for the first 12 months and we will notify you in advance of any price changes. 8am and 6pm (UK time)
Offer open to new subscribers only. Direct Debit offer is available to UK subscribers only. Offer closes 31st May 2018. All orders will start with
the next available issue - please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery, 8 weeks for overseas orders. The full subscription rate is for 1 year (13 issues)
and includes postage and packaging. The gift is available for first 125 subscribers only. In the unlikely event that we run out of this gift, we
promise to offer you a discount on the price or an alternative gift of the same or greater value. Your gift will be delivered separately within 28
days of your first payment having been taken. Gift only available to subscribers on the UK mainland. If the magazine ordered changes frequency
per annum, we will honour the number of issues paid for, not the term of the subscription. For enquiries and overseas rates contact help@
magazinesdirect.com or call +44 (0) 330 333 4333. (Lines are open Monday- Saturday, 8am to 6pm UK time) For full terms and conditions
visit www.magazinesdirect.com/terms. The Rewards scheme is available for all active print subscribers of magazines published by Time Inc.
(UK) Ltd, free of charge. Digital subscribers also get access as long as the subscription has been purchased directly through the publishers at
magazinesdirect.com. Full terms and conditions are available at mymagazinerewards.co.uk.
XGM CODE 14TY
 SPRING SALE!
Subscribe today and receive
Trifold Towel and 12 Srixon Ultisoft golf balls

TOTAL
GIFT WORTH

£36
About the Gift
UltiSoft Golf Balls
Super low compression, ultimate feel. The UltiSoft is designed specifically for
golfers with low to mid swing speeds who are looking for the ultimate in feel
without sacrificing distance. The super-low compression of our softest ever E.G.G
core delivers an incredibly soft feel whilst maintaining maximum initial ball speed
to generate longer, straighter distance.

Tri-Fold Towel
The Srixon Tri-Fold towel is the ultimate in golf towels with its heavy duty micro
fibre construction, superior absorbency, quick drying technology, carabineer clip
attachment and innovative tri-fold design.

Complete
Subscribe online at
the coupon
golfmonthlysubs.co.uk/14TY opposite

THE DIRECT DEBIT GUARANTEE: This Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to pay Direct Debits · If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit Time Inc. (UK) Ltd will notify you 10 working
days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed. If you request Time Inc. (UK) Ltd to collect a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request. · If an error is made in the payment of your Direct
Debit, by Time Inc. (UK) Ltd or your bank or building society you are entitled to a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank or building society – If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when Time Inc. (UK) Ltd asks
you to · You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society. Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify us.
 Explore somewhere new Edited by Jeremy Ellwood

MUST PLAY
GOG MAGOG ambridgeshire may

C not have the wider

golfing reputation of
Words: Jeremy Ellwood Photography: Kevin Murray

certain other counties,

but Gog Magog, a few miles south
of Cambridge, is the exception to
that rule – and for more reasons
than just its unusual biblical name.
It is actually taken from the low
chalkand hills close by, and was
the club’s name from the outset
when the first nine holes were laid
out in 1899.
Despite East Anglia being
renowned for its flatness, the Old
course is anything but, climbing
on the first couple of holes over
downland that has a distinct
heathland feel in many places, up hand over the years in shaping The Wandlebury actually an extension to a nine-hole
on to the top of a chalk what most believe to be course’s 16th hole layout created by Hawtree & Son in
escarpment. That 2nd hole may Cambridgeshire’s finest test. the late 1960s, and has gone on to
only be a short par 4, but with an host Regional Qualifying for The
old quarry to carry before a sharp HISTORY Open several times.
rise to the green, it can easily The Old course had a full 18 holes The Old course continues to
catch you out early in your round. by 1901, and around 100 years later host the Lagonda Trophy, one of
W Duncan created the original the hole count at Gog Magog rose the premier events on the
nine holes, but famous architects to 36 when Hawtree’s longer amateur calendar, as it has done
Willie Park Jr, James Braid and Wandlebury course came into play every year since 1990. This
Martin Hawtree have all had a in the late 1990s. This course was prestigious 72-hole event boasts

110

an impressive cast of past
winners, among them Lee
Westwood, Luke Donald, Andy
Sullivan, Kenneth Ferrie and Oliver
Fisher. This year’s event will take
place from May 23-24.
SIGNATURE HOLES
There are many fine holes on the
Old course, including that testing
2nd and a strong cast of short
STATS:
Old: par 70, 6,367
yards; Wandlebury:
par 72, 6,735 yards
holes. Perhaps the pick of these is
the par-3 13th, a stout 204-yarder GF:
to a green that feeds down from Round: £30-£65
right to left. depending on course
Splendid vistas abound at Gog and time of day and/
Magog, and one of the finest can or year (not
be enjoyed from the 10th tee on Saturdays)
the Wandlebury course. So take a
moment to soak it all in before Address: The Gog Magog Golf Club,
opening your shoulders on the Shelford Bottom, Cambridge, CB22 3AB
inviting downhill drive. W: gogmagog.co.uk
111

HIDDEN GEM
NEWPORT
This South Wales beauty wends its way through
ancient woodlands with lovely views throughout
ewport has arrived
firmly on the golfing
N map in recent years,
with the rapid rise of
Celtic Manor yielding much
top-level tour golf and, of course,
that memorable Ryder Cup clash
back in 2010.
Venture along the M4 a little
further, though, and you’ll
discover a club that has been
offering excellent parkland golf for
over a century on a lovely course
that plays around and through
Llwyni Wood, an ancient and
extensive oak woodland. The club
was founded in 1903 at Ladyhill
Farm, but moved to its current
home in Rogerstone as long ago
as 1912, so is a true golfing
centenarian in every sense.
The course starts with an
attractive, and relatively friendly,
opener that plays down and up,
112
Newport Golf Club, Great Oak,
doglegging gently round to the
right. The 2nd is then one of two
beautiful-looking shortish par 3s
– along with the 14th coming
home – eagerly defended by a
ring of seven bunkers.
There are many strong holes,
among them the testing stroke-
index-one 13th and the par-5 5th
that plays down and up towards
HIDDEN GEMS
Newport moved to its
current home in 1912
STATS:
Par 72,
6,500 yards
GF:
Round: £25-£50wd
depending on time
Rogerstone, Newport, of year
Gwent, NO10 9FX
W: newportgolfclub.org.uk
the distant hills – one of a trio of
three-shotters in four holes. The
11th must be a real test of
The long accuracy and/or strategy when
par-3 8th the trees are in leaf – a self-
contained hole with woods either
side that pinches in dramatically
at the point where you would
perhaps ideally like to hit it!
The 17th then epitomises what
is best about Newport. You know
that you are barely a mile from
the bustling M4, but the vista laid
Photography: Paul Severn
out before your eyes as you play
down from the plateau fairway
stretches from the adjacent fields,
complete with sheep and the
occasional playful horse, to the
rolling hills beyond.
 


 


%



 0+  & '& 0& 2".!  '* '

 $'% ".
 &$0+"1 ' &  $$+  0+ ' *." "$"."+
   ( '$+ '& .! &.*&."'&$ '0*+
   / '0*+ $ .* '$

* ),  )%&, " ), ( ((& ,#

     
 
% &( *% ( (
!% &)( ( *(,$

   )&(    *$ %*  & ,

% - % ($
+)&  ,&
  !& (( ( )  



222)$'&'& '$)')0#

'&'& '$ $0 .&+.
&
+! &. ( ,
 The world’s best-selling rugby magazine

THE
STORY
BEHIND
THE NE WS
In-depth reports and
investigations

HARD-
HIT TING
OPINION
Expert views on the big
talking points – join
in the debate!
E XCLUSIV E
PL AY ER
INTERVIE WS
Rugby’s biggest stars
featured every
month

OUTSTA NDING
PHOTOGR APH Y
Inspiring imagery
BEHIND - from on and off
THE-SCENES the pitch
AC CE S S
Improve your game
with advice from
the pros

Subscribe to Rugby World today from just £20.49

– that’s a saving of 35%! And you’ll get the magazine delivered direct to your door
each month. Visit www.rugbyworldsubscription.com/14UY for the details.

Rugbyworldmagazine @Rugbyworldmag Instragram rugbyworldmag rugbyworld.com


F CU S O N ...
Top 100 venues and unsung heroes, courses old and
new, Rob Smith explores a county which has it all…
THE GROVE
1
Kyle Phillips is rightly
regarded as one of the
greatest contemporary
golf-course architects, and
his championship design
just minutes inside the M25 is an
excellent test that is kept in
superb shape throughout the year.
Opening back in 2003, the
course has already hosted several
top-flight tournaments, including
the WGC-American Express
Championship in 2006 that was
won by Tiger Woods with an
FOCUS ON...
FRO
M
£12
9
The par-4 15th greens. Each of the four short
holes is a peach: the 4th to a
green protected by a ditch; the
7th uphill towards the mansion;
the 13th played from an invitingly
impressive score of 23-under. More elevated tee; and the 16th to a
recently, it hosted the 2016 British green where distance is difficult
Masters where Alexander Noren The intimidating to judge. I’ve been lucky enough
prevailed, but there are plenty of ditch protecting to play this immaculately
tee options that make the course the 4th green conditioned course several times,
playable and and it still continues to
enjoyable for all. grow on me. The recent
One of its most addition of the Players
distinguishing Lounge makes for an
features is the excellent spot to relax
very attractive pre- or post-round.
bunkering which Stats: Par 72, 6,776 yards
beautifully W: thegrove.co.uk
frames many of GF: Round: £129-£189,
the fairways and check website for offers
115

2 3
ASHRIDGE
This beautiful design dates
back to the 1930s and
benefited in its early years
from the creative genius of
various architects,
including the great Tom Simpson.
What remains is a genuine oasis
away from the hurly burly of the
modern world, with the course
beckoning to you from the
perfectly positioned clubhouse.
The opening pair of holes
descend gently along a wide
valley, easing you into your round.
There is then great variety, with
£75 ROM
F
4 5
ALDWICKBURY PARK
This parkland course near
Harpenden is part of the
Burhill Group. It was
designed in the mid-90s
by Ryder Cup golfer
turned commentator, Ken Brown,
and Martin Gillett.
The course has hosted several
professional and county events,
and it runs through mature and
£2 FROM
3
116
the front nine closing with a
picture-perfect short par 4
played to a green that is tricky to
both find and read.
The back nine has perhaps even
more variety and joy, with the 16th
the prettiest of five diverse and
intriguing short holes. I have
played this superbly presented
course several times over the last
18 years and I hold firmly to my
view that were I to live nearby, this
is the club I would seek to join.
Stats: Par 72, 6,368 yards
W: ashridgegolfclub.ltd.uk
GF: Round: £75; Day: £100
The tricky green
on Ashridge’s 9th
gently undulating woodland.
There are some testing par 4s,
three long holes that offer the
chance of a birdie and lovely
views over the Lea Valley. Water
comes into play a couple of times,
most notably on the risk-and-
reward short par-4 closing hole.
Stats: Par 71, 6,368 yards
W: aldwickburyparkgolfclub.co.uk
GF: Round: £23-£40
£6 FR OM
THE SHIRE
5
Golfing legend Seve
Ballesteros is not quite so
well known for his course
design, but there is no
doubt that his only
creation in England bears all the
hallmarks of his flair and his
unconventional approach we all
know so well.
The Shire London, which
opened in 2007, is an extremely
friendly club where the emphasis
is very much on fun. The course
itself is a fascinating mix of six
short holes, six par 4s and six par
5s, and there is a great deal of
drama all the way round. The
course climaxes with the par-5
closing hole, which rises gently
back up to the comfortable and
relaxing clubhouse via a green
surrounded by a lake that is S-
(for Seve) shaped.
This is a course that should
appeal to golfers of any standard
who are looking for excitement,
drama and fun.
Stats: Par 72, 6,531 yards
W: theshirelondon.com
GF: Round: £65wd, £85we
BRICKENDON GRANGE
A little south of the county
town, this CK Cotton
design is 50 years old and
offers great variety.
Unusually, both nines
finish with a short hole, and
although they are of similar
lengths, they are very different in
The risk/reward nature, with the 18th played uphill
par-4 18th towards the clubhouse.
Two of my favourite holes
include an encounter with water:
the drive-and-pitch dogleg-right
5th and the very tough 17th,
where there’s a pond in a valley
way short of the green.
Stats: Par 71, 6,458 yards
W: bggc.org.uk
GF: Round: £40
£4 FROM
0
Great variety at
Brickendon Grange

6
ESSENDON
Blessed with a fabulous
old clubhouse and two
fine courses, Essendon
Country Club enjoys a
surprisingly rural location.
Although the two courses are
both parkland, they are
remarkably different.
The Old was designed by Fred
Hawtree, while an unusual feature
£4 FROM
5
Photography: Rob Smith, Andy Hiseman, Kevin Murray, Paul Severn
of the New is that the vast
majority of the holes have been
built with alternative greens. My
favourite hole is the long 10th on
the Old, which is played from an
elevated tee before snaking its
way to a partially hidden green.
Stats: New: par 73, 6,503 yards
Old: par 72, 6,351 yards
W: essendoncc.co.uk
GF: Round: £45-£55wd, £55-£65we
FOCUS ON...
Plenty of water Hertfordshire
to contend with
at The Shire
2 4
6 5
1 3
STAY
Shendish Manor,
Hemel Hempstead
This lovely Victorian country
house hotel boasts its own
18-hole course and is perfectly
situated in relation to the
county’s many golfing
attractions. Set in 160 acres of
parkland that include formal
Dutch gardens, there are 70
bedrooms of which 18 are
within the manor house itself.
W: shendish-manor.com
EAT/DRINK
The Foragers, St Albans
Just a well-struck 3-wood from
St Albans Cathedral is this
intriguing pub, which is the
brainchild of a group of
The 3rd on the neighbourhood hunters and
New course gatherers. Local game and
seasonally foraged fruit, plants
and mushrooms all feature on
the menu, and there’s a wide
selection of craft beers and
real ales, including three
brewed on site.
W: the-foragers.com
VISIT
The Making of Harry Potter,
Leavesden
At the studios where much of
the action was filmed, this fully
immersive tour combines an
in-depth look behind the
scenes with interactive
experiences and activities that
will keep fans and film-buffs
entertained for many hours.
W: wbstudiotour.co.uk
117
 GM PROMOTION
Glorious golf
at Goodwood
Goodwood offers wonderful golfing opportunities, plus an abundance of appealing off-course
activities. England Golf also recently named it England’s Most Welcoming Club of the Year...
ust 60 miles from
Marble Arch, set in the
J beautiful South Downs,
the Goodwood Estate
has long been an accessible
sporting playground for
Londoners. Horse racing began
here in 1801 and the annual
‘glorious’ Goodwood festival
remains one of the key fixtures on
the British sporting calendar.
Goodwood has also been a
wonderful getaway for golfers
since the 6th Earl of Richmond
opened a course in 1914. The
golfing offerings at Goodwood
today are varied to suit a
multitude of requirements.
A tremendous success story at
Goodwood in recent years has
been the introduction of a credit
membership model. The
innovative system allows an
individual to join for an annual
118
subscription of £430 (which
includes 30 credits) with no
joining fee. Additional credits are
then available for purchase, which
can be used to pay for tee times,
buggies, tuition or range balls. It’s
proved to be so popular that
Goodwood is one of the very few
golfing venues in the country that
currently boasts a waiting list.
This isn’t surprising when you
consider what Golf At Goodwood
offers. With two high-quality
courses, a fabulous academy, a Goodwood has a Open Champion and revered
state-of-the-art practice facility fleet of ‘Woody’ course architect James Braid. It’s
and a putting lab, both members golf buggies a fabulous downland track that
and guests have all their golfing offers brilliantly memorable holes
requirements attended to. set through the valleys and
Goodwood was also named uplands of this picturesque
England’s Most Welcoming Club swathe of countryside.
of the Year at the prestigious The first section of the course
England Golf Awards in February. meanders through a secluded and
The Downs course was attractive valley known as Target
designed by legendary five-time Bottom before the layout climbs

to a higher elevation, delivering
fabulous panoramic views across
the Goodwood Estate and
beyond, towards the Solent and
the Isle of Wight. The course
recently underwent a renovation
by leading course architect Tom
Mackenzie. The result is a triumph
– a sympathetic modernisation of
Braid’s original concept.
The Downs delivers traditional
English inland golf with a
contemporary edge. The fairways
become firm and fast-running
through the summer months and,
with undulating greens and
sculpted bunkering, it presents a
challenge for all players.
The Park course is a different
Photography: Paul Severn
proposition and it complements
its older brother perfectly. Set
across 18th-century parkland
within the grounds of Goodwood
House, the layout was designed
by Donald Steel. The fairways are
Left: the Downs’ lined by mature trees, some of
par-4 7th; top: a the Cedars are more than 300
‘Woody’ buggy; years old and the layout is always
top right: the immaculately conditioned.
Goodwood Hotel It may not be as demanding as
the Downs but, with doglegs and
cleverly placed bunkers, narrow
targets and tricky greens, this is a
course that demands strategy. As
such, it provides a memorable
and enjoyable test. It’s a beautiful
setting, a fabulous design and just
great fun to play. Both courses at
Goodwood are superb venues for
corporate golf days.
The Kennels, located at the
Downs course, is the clubhouse
for all the Estate’s sporting and
social clubs. It offers wonderful
dining options and excellent
spaces for meetings and
entertaining. At the Park course,
the Goodwood Bar and Grill, and
the other facilities at the excellent
Goodwood Hotel, are at the
guests’ disposal.
And corporate days here come
with that little Goodwood twist.
Take, for example, the famous
‘Woody’ golf buggies modelled
on an original car designed by the
The Kennels’ 9th Duke of Richmond in the
sitting room 1930s. But they aren’t all nostalgia
– they are also equipped with a
cutting-edge GPS system.
Then there’s the ‘Beat James
Braid’ competition, where the pro
will dress up as the legend and
participants will try to hit it closer
than him on a par 3, using hickory
clubs. Or, for those in need of
some Dutch courage, how about
the James Braid gin lounge which
can be set up at the first tee?
The tricky par-3
17th on the Downs
FOR MORE DETAILS ON THE GLORIOUS GOLF
AT GOODWOOD, VISIT WWW.GOODWOOD.COM
IN ASSOCIATION WITH GOODWOOD
©Stephen Hayward
Other tremendous offerings
combine the non-golfing
activities available across the
Estate. Why not include a track
session or driving experience at
the historic Goodwood Motor
Circuit, clay pigeon shooting or
even an aviation experience with
flights across the South Downs?
Through the summer, one of
the most popular options is the
‘Fairway to Furlong’ package,
where 18 holes of golf is then
followed by hospitality at the
iconic racecourse.
For groups with less golfing
experience, or for those seeking a
little fine-tuning, tuition packages
are also available.
The luxurious Goodwood Hotel
makes the Estate an ideal venue
for a short golfing break. Play
both golf courses over two days
and, in between, enjoy the
opulent and stylish communal
spaces, the wonderfully
comfortable and individual rooms
and suites, the gym and spa and
the exceptional dining options the
hotel has to offer. The newest
restaurant – named Farmer,
Butcher, Chef – showcases the
Estate’s wonderful, organic,
home-grown meat and produce.
Golfing at Goodwood is far
more than just a simple round –
it’s a thoroughly memorable
experience from the time you
arrive to the time you leave.
Whether you’re looking for a
luxury break, a corporate outing,
a new home or second club or a
venue for a great day out,
Goodwood has something to suit
every possible requirement.
Just imagine playing 18 holes
before driving laps on a historic
motor circuit, then going for a
swim before enjoying a locally
sourced and prepared meal of the
very highest quality. Goodwood
– where else in the world?
119
 1. WROTHAM HEATH 2. LONDON CLUB –

DG A
ET?
BU ON
Kent INTERNATIONAL
This corner of the south-east Kent
has many friendly but less Host of the 2014 Volvo World
well-known members’ clubs Match Play, this expansive
of every style. Wrotham and modern downland course
Heath is exactly that, and its is packed with risk and
gently undulating parkland reward. The most exciting
course is packed with variety holes are those where the
and charm. Dating back to Wrotham Heath has water comes into play, such
1906, the course was variety and charm as the superb opening par 5
expanded to a full 18 by and the thrilling short holes
eminent architect Donald at 8 and 12. The hole that
Steel in the mid-1990s. It only Great adventure at probably lives longest in the
stretches to just over 6,000 the London Club memory is the beautiful long
yards, but plenty of thought 13th with its dual fairway
and good shot-making is divided by sand, trees and
required. Standout holes yet more water. Kept in
include the rollercoaster perfect condition throughout
par-5 3rd and the beautifully the year, there is great
framed short 14th. adventure all the way.
W: wrothamheathgolfclub. W: londongolf.co.uk
co.uk GF: Round: £110 Mon-Thu,

SH G
F LU E E L I N
?
GF: Round: £50, Mon-Thu £125 Fri-Sun

F
Words: Rob Smith

BEST OF UK &
This month’s selection of near but contrasting neighbours are situated in Kent, western Ireland,

3. DROMOLAND 4. LAHINCH
DG A
ET?
BU ON

County Clare County Clare

Set in the grounds of the The fabulous course at
fabulous 15th-century Lahinch dates back more
Dromoland Castle, this lush than 125 years, and is the
parkland design offers an perfect combination of
excellent alternative to the traditional golf over rumpled
celebrated links golf for which terrain and modern, first-
the west coast of Ireland is class conditioning. Your
rightly famed. Over its Golf in a picturesque round here involves a heady
half-century lifetime, the setting at Dromoland dose of blind shots, dunes,
course has been regularly and chasms and rollercoaster
quite recently upgraded, and greens as the course twists
it now provides a fine golfing and turns its way over the
test in a picturesque setting beautiful and romantic
where lakes, streams and coastline. In the recent words
specimen trees all play their of one Golf Monthly Top 100
part. With two hotels on site, assessor, “Lahinch is a course
Dromoland Castle makes for that is as interesting as it is
an excellent base for a golfing fun. If you don’t see it once in
tour of this lovely region. your life, you’ve missed out
W: dromolandgolf.com on something.”
GF: Round: €70, check W: lahinchgolf.com
SH G

Lahinch: the best

F LU E E L I N
?

for offers of both worlds GF: Round: €210

F

120

5. MILNGAVIE
BU ON
Glasgow
Golfers in the UK and Ireland
are incredibly lucky as there
are more delightful and
enjoyable courses to play
than a lifetime will allow.
Milngavie, one such course,
was originally designed by
the Auchterlonie brothers
before benefiting from a
James Braid makeover. No
great length, it is nonetheless
a proper test of golf with the
added benefit of some terrific
views over Glasgow, the
Pentland Hills and Campsie
Fells. Milngavie provides
scenic and very entertaining
golf in a lovely oasis away
from the city.
W: milngaviegolfclub.co.uk
GF: Round: £30wd, £35we;
Day: £45wd, £55we
IRELAND
the outskirts of Glasgow and south Wales...
7. SOUTHERNDOWN
BU ON
Mid Glamorgan
Southerndown is blessed
with the most divine, wild
and timeless setting. Its
design appears as natural
and as untouched by human
hand as possible, blending in
seamlessly with its
surroundings. Harry Colt
refined the earlier creativity
of Willie Fernie, Herbert
Fowler and Willie Park, and
gorse, bracken, sea winds
and pot bunkers all play their
part in the strategy. This
unusual combination of links,
downland and cliff-top rolled
into one is packed with
strong golf, and the views
throughout are superb.
W: southerndowngolfclub.com
GF: Round: £50-£55wd,
£70-£75we
BEST OF UK&I
6. CAWDER
DG A
ET?
Glasgow
James Braid is one of golf’s
most highly respected
architects, and it was the
five-time Open Champion
who designed the tree-lined
Championship course, one of
two very enjoyable
Milngavie provides a alternatives, at Cawder. Just a
proper test of golf short drive from the city
centre and in an area blessed
with an abundance of
James Braid top-quality golf, the par-70
designed Cawder layout is regarded as highly
as any. Elevation changes add
to the challenge at the same
time as creating some
excellent and inviting views,
and the closing hole to the
17th-century clubhouse
makes for a perfect climax.
W: cawdergolfclub.com
SH G
F LU E E L I N
?
GF: Round: £45
4 3
5 6
8
7
2
1
8. ROYAL PORTHCAWL
DG A
ET?
Mid Glamorgan
Widely recognised as the
finest golf course in Wales,
this glorious design is actually
one of the finest links courses,
period. One of its compelling
joys is the frequent change
not only in direction but also
Southerndown boasts elevation, which allows the
a timeless setting golfer to enjoy fabulous sea
views throughout. Its main
defences are the wind and
Porthcawl is widely recognised the very impressive and
as the finest course in Wales attractive bunkering, and
there is far greater variety
here than at the majority of
our most highly regarded
links. Stay in the Dormy
accommodation and you may
never want to leave.
W: royalporthcawl.com
GF: Round: £135-£150; Day:
SH G
F LU E E L I N
?
£180-£210
F
121
 COWDRAY PARK, ENGLAND

STAY & PLAY

COWDRAY PARK
Jeremy Ellwood ventures
to the golf course and
lodge on this famous
Sussex estate
THE GOLF
par 70, 6,325 yards
This downland course offers up
some magnificent views from the
higher holes, most notably from
the 5th tee after a steady ascent.
The 4th is perhaps the toughest of
the opening four, climbing steeply
to a green partly hidden by trees,
especially if you stray too far left
off the tee. The double green on
the 8th/16th features some very
interesting mounds and contours,
while the 9th is then a delightful
short par 3 close to the woods
with another challenging green.
The long par-4 10th may be the
toughest test of all, sweeping
down and up to one of several
two-tier greens, one or two of
which slope away from you. My
visit was in January, but thankfully
the downland turf ensures
excellent year-round playability
when other less-fortunate courses
are struggling a little.
■ Also play… The Top 100-ranked
heathland course at Liphook in
Hampshire (liphookgolfclub.com) is
just 20 minutes north of Cowdray.
ACCOMMODATION
Much has changed at Cowdray
since my last visit, which was
longer ago than I’d thought. The
main change is that the clubhouse
I knew has been transformed into
STATS:
Par 70,
6,325 yards
GF:
£35-£60
per round
Cowdray Golf Lodge, Cowdray Estate,
Cowdray Park, Midhurst, West Sussex,
GU29 0AQ T: 01730 812423
W: cowdray.co.uk
a very classy golf lodge, while the
spacious new clubhouse sits closer
to the 1st tee and 18th green.
The accommodation in the old
clubhouse comprises four rooms
Two suites and two suites, all of which have
and four rooms recently been refurbished to a
are available very high standard, with exposed
beams, low doorways and a
comfortable ambience the order
of the day. The most recent
addition to the accommodation
offering is the Bothy, which now
offers the height of self-contained
bijou luxury – a snug, comfy and
classy retreat for two. The
breakfast in the clubhouse is both
hearty and delicious.
■ Where else… The Weald and
Downland Living Museum at
Singleton (wealddown.co.uk)
Cowdray offers
excellent year-
round playability
features more than 50 rescued
and preserved rural buildings.
BEST DEAL
Stay and play packages start from
£85pp for one round of golf, bed
and breakfast, or from £120pp for
36 holes, bed and breakfast.
Sunday/Monday stays are popular.
WHERE
Cowdray Golf Lodge stands on
the A272 in the village of
Easebourne, a mile or so east of
the West Sussex town of Midhurst.
CHECKLIST
Buggy hire: £30 per round
Trolley hire: £4 per round
Power trolley hire: £12 per round
Club hire: £10 per round per set
Driving range: Yes
Putting green: Yes
Short-game area: Yes
Pro shop: Yes
Changing rooms: Yes
Sky TV: Yes
Price of a pint: From £4

122
GM PROMOTION
WIN A SUPERB GOLF
BREAK TO WOBURN
Here is your chance to win an overnight golf break to Woburn Golf Club and
The Woburn Hotel for four, including two rounds of golf…
nce again we’ve teamed up
O with Woburn Golf Club and
The Woburn Hotel to offer
one lucky golfer the chance
to win an overnight golfing break for
four, playing two of Woburn’s three
championship courses. Woburn is home
to the Duke’s, the Duchess and the
Marquess, with all three layouts
featuring in our 2017/18 Top 100 UK &
Ireland Courses rankings.
The Tavistock Bar at
The Woburn Hotel
The 10th hole on the
The Duchess course
The prize includes: Runner-up prize:
O Overnight accommodation (two twin
rooms) at the Woburn Estate’s four AA
star hotel, The Woburn Hotel
One entrant to a mid-week fourball on
any of Woburn’s three courses.
How to enter:
O Full English breakfast and dinner To be in with a chance of winning this
in The Woburn Hotel’s two AA fantastic prize, visit golf-monthly.co.uk
Rosette restaurant, Olivier’s and answer the following question:
How many championship courses are
O A fourball to play two rounds of golf there at Woburn:
on a choice of the Duke’s, Duchess or A) 1
Marquess courses over B) 2
two days C) 3
O Lunch at Woburn
Golf Club on both days
Terms and Conditions: All entries must be made using the online entry form. The closing date for entries is April 30, 2018. The first prize consists
of the winner and three golfing partners enjoying a one night break at The Woburn Hotel (2 x twin rooms) with dinner (£38.00 per person
allowance) and breakfast included. Playing two rounds of golf in a fourball on two of the three courses, the Duke’s, Duchess or Marquess (subject
to availability). Lunch for four in the Bloomsbury Room at Woburn Golf Club on both days. The Runner up prize consists of one fourball to play a
mid week round of golf (excluding bank holidays) on a choice of the Duke’s, Duchess or Marquess course, subject to availability. The winner and
runner up and their golfing partners must all possess valid golfing handicaps (maximum 24 for gentlemen and 36 for ladies) and have CDH
Numbers or certificates available for presentation if requested. The prize date must be agreed by December 31, 2018 on a mutually agreed date
with Woburn Golf Club. Date is subject to availability. The prize must be taken by May 1, 2019, on a mutually agreed date with Woburn Golf Club.
By entering you agree to having read and understood the terms and conditions and agree to them. Woburn Golf Club, Little Brickhill, Milton
Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK17 9LJ. Telephone: 01908 370756. Golf Monthly competition terms and conditions: All prizes are non transferable
and must be accepted as offered. Employees of Time Inc. (UK) and its subsidiary companies, their families, agents or anyone connected with this
promotion are not eligible to enter. Only one entry per person. Entries must not be sent through agencies or third parties; any such entries will be
invalid. The promoter cannot accept responsibility for entries that are incomplete or delayed. The winners will be the specified number of winners
and/or runners up drawn at random after the closing date. Some competitions will be decided by a judging panel. All winners will be notified
within 28 days of the draw. Winners must be prepared to co operate with any publicity arising as a result of winning the competition. A list of the
winners can be obtained by sending a stamped addressed envelope specifying the name of the competition to Golf Monthly Marketing
Department, Pinehurst 2, Pinehurst Road, Farnborough Business Park, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 7BF. No correspondence will be entered
into. The decision of the promoter in all matters is final and binding. The promoter is Golf Monthly Magazine, Time Inc. (UK), Pinehurst 2,
Pinehurst Road, Farnborough Business Park, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 7BF. Entry implies acceptance of these rules.
HIDDEN GEM REDTAIL GOLF CLUB
IN CENTRAL FLORIDA

It's not just about the game—it’s about The Experience! Nestled among 100-year-old
oaks in the rolling hills of Lake County, this dynamically designed course simply
promises the finest natural golf settings and scenic, panoramic views that Florida has to
offer. Located in rural Sorrento (35-40 minutes north of Orlando and 15 minutes west of
I-4), RedTail prides itself on an amazing experience on and off the course.
 Equipment

GOLF MONTHLY CLASSIFIEDS

/
 //
VWLOO WXUQLQJ KHDGV

 

86 0$67(56 683(5'($/6
@,5@5 : , 4:

   


  

 
 
 

 
 ;@, :  ! 
 $  
 
 
  +)19 <? )>


 <)9%' ?+<1=


     @.  3-+&) 9+ <3
  
 

 
 
 

3HUVLPPRQ QRXQ  D WUHH RI WKH HERQ\ IDPLO\ QDWLYH WR WKH ;@,4
;  
 
 ; 
;@,4  
(DVWHUQ 8QLWHG 6WDWHV D KDUG ZRRG ZLWK SURQRXQFHG JUDLQ
SDWWHUQ WUDGLWLRQDOO\ VRXUFHG IRU RQO\ WKH ¿QHVW JROI FOXEV  :<+  
GULYHQ FORVH WR H[WLQFWLRQ E\ FKHDS PDVVSURGXFHG PHWDO  
  


 
DOWHUQDWLYHV XQLTXH SHUIRUPDQFH TXDOLWLHV LFRQLF


Hasan.Mubarak@timeinc.com


   6  "  
'ULYHUV        !% 0  
 

)DLUZD\V             8,!*
  
3XWWHUV  0RGHOV  
JUDSKLWH DQG VWHHO VKDIWV OHDWKHU KHDGFRYHU GHOLYHU\ 8 **
 

 :<+ 


SHUVLPPRQJROIFRXN 

 
 


 



WHO   

 


 

 


 





 




 


   
  



8,:* 84 /*



  

  

 
  
/,(: 5$     

05   

#,( 




 
 

95$. 



";;;; 8:)) 
,8/00 

   

(80 /  
 6
8-50    

0 1






"%  

8:5)
 85@@

 
Telephone: 01252 555346

WRSFDGG\#EWFRQQHFWFRP _ WRSFDGG\FRXN _ 

 '92& 2*'';
  # 
   6
992&3
 
 
    
Insurance 


%9"%<( >2 8; @ 8+#"   
/,(:
 >2 8@ 8
 

**
5$ 0&05


 
 9# 5, 80     /
  
   
,* 5$ )/'5 5,:.

!  
   

 
    ! 
 

  
    
   
   
      
 6!  
   
 1    
 62  


 
   
  
  

  
 
   
 
 
   
 

,*
8
;@,


8:**

 
  
    


      
 ! 
   

    
   727    

 
   
  
   
 

 
  
 



 

/  

 
       

 

/*
;!

  

   
  
 
 
  


  8

 
  : $  4 
 -+<( $ ",(.
 
    // 
 $ 

!
 



      

   


 Holidays - Overseas
GOLF MONTHLY CLASSIFIEDS
Hasan.Mubarak@timeinc.com

Golf Courses

5IF.BOPS
)PVTF
/ǀĞ ŶĞǀĞƌ ƉůĂLJĞĚ ƐƵĐŚ

"TICVSZ
ĨĂŶƚĂƐƟĐ ĐŽƵƌƐĞƐ
^ƚĞƉŚĞŶ t  dƌŝƉ ĚǀŝƐŽƌ
)PUFMT 6HW LQ WKH IRRWKLOOV RI 'DUWPRRU
1DWLRQDO 3DUN 'HYRQ 7KH $VKEXU\ +RWHO
 7KH 2QO\ 6SRUW &UDIW 6SD 
+RWHOV LQ WKH 8. LV WKH LGHDO YHQXH IRU \RXU JROI EUHDN

$W OHDVW  KROHV RI )5(( JROI ZLWK HDFK QLJKW RI VWD\

3EO[SSH XL
2

^ƵŵŵĞƌ  ]EVHW 4EV 

);

^ŝnjnjůĞƌƐ ϮϬϭ


ϭϲϳϭ  Ϯ ϭ
 &Z 'ŽůĨ
Telephone: 01252 555346

 Ъ WƌŝĐĞ ƵŐŐŝĞƐ  ά
DƵůƟ ^ƉŽƌƚƐ ^ŝŵƵůĂƚŽƌƐ

+VOF  +VMZ  #BSHBJO #SFBLT  .JEXFFLT GSPN bQQQO 'VMM #PBSEà

$GGLWLRQDO )DFLOLWLHV )5(( WR UHVLGHQWV RI RXU KRWHOV /MKFIEVI 4EV  

2

4MRIW 4EV  

);

7TSVXW 6EGOIX 7TSVXW 0IMWYVI *EQMP] 6ERKIW

&IIGLIW 4EV  


&S[PW 8IRRMW 7[MQQMRK *YRLSYWI %VGLIV]

8EFPI 8IRRMW &EHQMRXSR 7TE
7EYRE +EQI^SRI %MV 4MWXSPW 3EO[SSH 4EV  
%7MHI 7UYEWL 7RSSOIV ;EXIVWPMHIW %MV 6M¾IW
&EWOIXFEPP 7LSVX 8IRRMW 8IR4MR 4PE] %VIE 0EWIVW %WLFYV]   4MRIW *VSRX  4EV  
4097 YRMUYI 'VEJX 'IRXVI JIEXYVMRK  XYXSVIH GVEJXW %WLFYV]   4MRIW &EGO  4EV  
MRGPYHMRK 4SXXIV];SSH[SVO +PEWW )RKVEZMRK
,SX 4VIWW 4VMRXMRK ;MPPS[W 4EV   ϯ' ^ƉŽƌƚƐ WŝƚĐŚ Θ Dh' WŝƚĐŚ

dŚĞ ĨŽŽĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƌĞƐƚĂƵƌĂŶƚ ǁĂƐ ŐŽŽĚ ƋƵĂůŝƚLJ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ŐƌĞĂƚ ĐŚŽŝĐĞ Z,ϬůůĂŶĚ dƌŝƉ ĚǀŝƐŽƌ

   BTICVSZHPMGIPUFMDPN

Ć $OO SULFHV SHU SHUVRQ Ć $OO URRPV HQVXLWH Ć )XOO ERDUG Ć 3DUW\ GLVFRXQWV Ć
Memberships Golf Courses

GOLF MONTHLY CLASSIFIEDS



 
   


 

  
   $   $#   % !  ## '
 % # ! '   !  #! ( $$ $ 
$ ,   *
   #'
$  ( %(* +%(  %(
 $ ' %#  # #   $ !!    ( *(* 
 

 #!# &
 $  !!  !  (#
  # !#$ #
  !# &  & #
$%"  (% $
   * % '!!  $ )-!
   #
$(
*#

 + *  ( (
" ( , *$
"#

(

Hasan.Mubarak@timeinc.com

   
 # $#  

 
% &   # # 


 $ &# #  #  
$ ###
 #&)"&)""& 
"    !' $''$(   


Accessories

Telephone: 01252 555346

Golf Courses



 
 





 
 EXPERIENCE
THE
UK’S
MOST
SCENIC
RIDES

Also available for the ultimate VIP sportive experience

is the Velo Club Ticket
Includes Custom Brewin Dolphin Jersey | Breakfast & Lunc
Q&A + Ride with celebrity guests | Plus much more

WHAT YOU GET...
Experienced event team
Expertly planned & signed route
FREE nutrition stops
Timings
Mechanical & medical support
Bespoke medal & certificate
Bike wash facilities
Web results service

21 April 19 May 3 June 7 July 4 August

Oxfordshire Derbyshire Fife, Scotland Hampshire Surrey

Book your place today

 Bill Elliott
Our editor-at-large is happy about Phil Mickelson’s return to the winners’ circle at the age of
47, despite a certain incident that occurred in Texas some 20 years ago...
t is one of life’s abiding truisms that
I
appearances can be deceptive. It’s
why the good-looking ones often
have a superficially easier life than
the rest of us. The fact that the best
looking may also turn out to be the
most self-absorbed rarely seems to
enter the equation when it comes to
doors opening or opportunities
beckoning. Personality, however, makes
up for a lot.
This last bit is at least partly the
reason why fans root for Phil Mickelson.
No tournament he plays in is complete
without television showing him patiently
signing autographs on hats,
programmes, shirts, arms and balls.
This is when they are not showing him
giving thumbs-ups to anyone and
everyone after a birdie or an outrageous
recovery shot. This simple interaction is
not much in the big scheme, but
compared to the response of those
players who drearily struggle to even
acknowledge the presence of
spectators, it is as though Mickelson has
invited the public to a private party.
Good for him. I like sportsmen who
interact with the crowd. No one, of
course, did this shtick better than Seve
Ballesteros or Arnold Palmer. Indeed,
Arnold did it so much he reckoned it
cost him at least one Masters win when,
a couple of shots ahead with a few holes
Photography: Tom Miles
to play, he joined in with the gallery so
much he lost focus and that particular
Green Jacket.
The big thing is that when he told us
about this, he swiftly added that, given
the same circumstances, he would rinse
“I love his derring-do, his what-the-hell-go-for-it
attitude, his skill with a wedge and his
relationship with the fans”
130
and repeat. “I’ve always enjoyed having
fun with the people who turn up and
pay to watch us. I regret not winning
that week, but I don’t regret responding
to the fans. I didn’t need to stop doing
that, I needed to keep my focus better.”
Of course, both Arnie and Seve
weren’t lacking in the looks department
either, but in my experience it only
seemed to occur to them that they had
what it takes when actually talking to a
woman and certainly not when talking
to the likes of me.
Yet while this duo were as interested
in people away from the actual playing
arena as they were while strutting the
old jousting fields, this is not always the
case. Which brings me back to Phil.
Twenty years ago I was in Dallas,
Texas where my mission was to
interview as many big-name players as I
could during the week of the Byron
Nelson. Mickelson was sitting at a table
in the clubhouse on his own when I first
saw him so I approached, introduced
myself and asked if he could spare me
five minutes for a chat at some point. He
didn’t look up, just said “no”. Surly
doesn’t quite capture it.
Now maybe he was having a bad day
– although the tournament had not
begun – maybe he was simply too busy
or maybe he didn’t like the media at that
time. Whatever the reason, he was
certainly not the patient, smiley Phil I
had admired until then. It’s not that he
declined to talk to me, it was the manner
of the rejection.
Don’t worry, I’m over it, but my point
is that what you see in public is not
necessarily what you get in private. Does
it matter? Not really, but it’s also worth
noting that Corey Pavin happily gave me
a chunk of an afternoon, while Nick Price
shared a few beers with me and the
photographer before sportingly posing
in a flower display for a terrific picture.
So what do I think of Mickelson now?
Well, I still haven’t had the interview
with him – hardly surprising as I haven’t
asked – but, yes, I love watching him
play golf. I love his derring-do, his
what-the-hell-go-for-it attitude, his skill
with a wedge and his relationship with
the fans.
It’s a tad easier for him to continue to
do all this outrageous stuff, of course,
because when he is faced with a
ridiculously difficult recovery shot, he
only has to think of the millions he has
stashed away somewhere.
To be fair, he caressed the dodgy
challenges even before he had all this
loot. It is, in fact, why he has so much
– sponsors eager to hire his apparently
carefree, life-is-fun attitude and attach it
to their product.
So, yes, I cheered quietly – if you
know what I mean – when he won again
in Mexico. At 47 he is punching below
his age, if not above his weight. He
remains a supreme entertainer. I still
don’t know what he’s really like, but I’m
happy to give him a big thumbs-up.
Which, of course, is more than he once
gave me all those years ago.
■ Bill Elliott is Golf Monthly’s editor-at-
large and Golf Ambassador for Prostate
Cancer UK
 */530%6$*/( 063
.045 108&3'6- 4)0&
:&5 "/% #: :&5
8&
.&"/ 4*/$& 

&6)6% &)003
JSSXNS] GS YO

-RXVSHYGMRK *SSX.S]
W QSWX TS[IVJYP ERH GSQJSVXEFPI WLSI IZIV
JIEXYVMRK 8SYVZEPMHEXIH 4S[IV7XVET¬ ERH 0EYRGL4SH¬ XIGLRSPSKMIW
 MUST PLAY
2018
It’s time to plan your perfect golfing year!
   







   

         
  

   
 
     

   


&' 
 


 
 


 # " #    ! 
  ! !    #

 " #   !  # ! # !


  $%
  !   ' % "%%''
CONTENTS
Marbella, Spain
10 SOUTH OF FRANCE

16 LE GOLF NATIONAL
10
South of France
18 MURCIA

20 MARBELLA

24 TENERIFE

26 LISBON

30 WEST CLIFFS

40 SICILY

42 PRINCE’S 44
United Arab Emirates

44 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

50 MAURITIUS

54 THE BAHAMAS

56 EUROPEAN BIG HITTERS

66 YORKSHIRE

Advertising Feature

32 ALGARVE 50
Mauritius

European Big Hitters

54
The Bahamas
 Abaco Club, Bahamas
FROM THE EDITORS

GREAT ESCAPES
ith the ‘Beast from the East’
thankfully now in the
W rear-view mirror and
intermittent spells of good
battle our inclement weather Top tracks to try
once more? Do you watch the
world’s top players on TV and
wish you could follow in their
across Europe

weather descending on the British Isles, footsteps? If you’ve answered

golfers from Land’s End to John o’ ‘yes’ to any of these questions,
Groats are rediscovering the joys of this it’s time to take matters into
grand old game. But why not take it a your own hands.
step further this year? In Must Play, our team of
Maybe you’re one of those golfers writers has explored all corners
who has had frequent chats about a golf of the globe to give you a
break, but never got round to organising flavour of the world-class golf
one? Do you often find your mind that’s at your disposal. On
wandering to warmer climes as you page 56, Jeremy Ellwood runs
down some of
The tropical paradise Europe’s big hitters, venue, Le Golf National on the outskirts
of Mauritius including European Tour of Paris, before heading further south to
host venues and many explore more of what France has to
more. We also take a offer. If you’re keen to venture further
trip to several afield, we have features on the
prominent European Bahamas, Mauritius and the United Arab
golfing regions, among Emirates, where Rob Smith played his
them Murcia in 1,000th golf course in January.
south-east Spain, the So come on, what do you have to
Algarve, Lisbon, lose? Make 2018 the year you finally
Tenerife and Sicily. plan that trip. You deserve it!
Elsewhere, Michael
Weston takes on this Nick Bonfield and David Taylor
year’s Ryder Cup host Editors, Golf Monthly Must Play

Design: Kevin Eason, Jamie Latchford, Dan Franklin Contributors and Writers: Jeremy Ellwood, Fergus Bisset, Rob Smith, Michael Weston
Advertising: Chris O’Hagan, Hasan Mubarak Advertising Tel: 01252 555 366 Cover Image: Buenavista in north Tenerife
 France
A CLASS APART
Michael Weston discovers two fine resorts in the south of
France at Royal Mougins and Golf International Pont Royal
n September, The Ryder Cup
will be held in continental
I Europe for just the second
time in its history. The eyes
of the golfing world won’t only be on Le
Golf National just outside Paris, but also
on the country as a whole. The capital
itself is home to a number of wonderful
golf venues for anyone lucky enough to
be travelling with clubs to the biennial
contest, but with nearly 600 courses
across the nation, France is a
destination that should really feature
10
more prominently on any serious golf
traveller’s bucket list.
The south of the country in particular
provides the ideal combination of
enviable climate, sumptuous food and
drink offerings, and unerring natural
beauty. It certainly makes for a truly
wonderful golf destination, with two
courses warranting special attention –
Royal Mougins and Golf International
Pont Royal.
The region of Provence-Alpes-Côte
d’Azur, which shares a border with Italy,
is tucked away in south-east France on
the Mediterranean. If you’re picturing
Cannes and the French Riviera, you’re in
the right place. The village of Mougins
nestles between the mountains and the
sea, and is as beautiful as it sounds. It’s
also where Picasso came to set up his
studio, and where he spent the last 15
years of his life. Close by stands the
region’s only golf resort at Royal
Mougins, a prestigious venue awarded
‘France’s Best Golf Resort’ by the World
Golf Awards in 2016 and 2017.
Royal Mougins: one of
France’s finest resorts

SHORT HAUL | FRANCE

Pont Royal is Seve’s
only French creation

11

SHORT HAUL | FRANCE
The course will undoubtedly catch
your eye on arrival, but it’s just as easy
to picture yourself enjoying the views
from the hotel as it is playing an
approach into one of the perfectly
manicured greens.
The hotel sits at the heart of this
golfer’s paradise, a sheer oasis of peace
and tranquillity where you can relax and
delight in the panoramic views of the
course. Relaxation at its finest can also
be experienced at the Royal Spa, an
authentic 19th century stonewall
country house – the perfect spot in
which to unwind in a world where
luxury and natural therapies intertwine.
FINE HOLES GALORE
Renowned architect Robert Von Hagge
was the man responsible for the golf
course here, which was founded in 1993.
It’s a delightful 18-hole championship
layout among hills, wooded plains and a
number of lakes, interlinked by rivers
and mini waterfalls.
Just like the American’s work at Le
Golf National, it’s a course that can be
enjoyed by golfers of all abilities,
A Royal Mougins suite
12
although the large and undulating
greens pose a real test, as does the
near-constant threat of water. Selecting
a standout hole is no easy task in such a
glorious setting, but golfers will
appreciate the beauty of the par-3 2nd,
played from a hugely elevated tee to a
green protected by a pond, and the
par-4 6th, where the double-level green
is guarded by both sand and water.
The 13th is one of the few holes with
no water hazard, but the green is well
protected and requires a pinpoint
approach. For many, and despite its
difficulty, the demanding 16th will be a
favourite. The fairway is narrow, but the
left rough must be avoided, for the
approach is to a deep, contoured green
defended by water long and right.
It’s a fantastic course that may still be
classed as a baby as it approaches its
25th birthday. But significant
improvements and investments,
especially in recent years, mean it is one
of the best in the country.
You’ll certainly work up an appetite as
you play through the olive trees and
Shot-shaping comes in
handy at Pont Royal
The testing 11th
at Royal Mougins
pines, so your lunch or dinner at La
Terrasse will be even more satisfying.
Whether you sit inside, or opt for a bit
more sun on the terrace, it’s a chance to
enjoy French cuisine at its finest. You’ll
get the very best experience in the
evening, for this is when the whole
atmosphere changes and the restaurant
transforms into a showcase for chef
Servé Vromen’s refined international
creations. If you decide to head out,
you’ll have a choice of more than 30
restaurants, with Mougins home to
Michelin stars galore.
SEVE’S FRENCH BEAUTY
Golf International Pont Royal in the
Provence region also opened for play in
the 1990s, and like Royal Mougins,
makes clever use of the natural
landscape. It has won wide acclaim for
its sensitive design, taking golfers on a
journey through pinewoods and typical
Provençal countryside. It’s also the only
Seve Ballesteros course in France, and
fans of the late, great Spaniard are
advised to tick this one off the list.
SHORT HAUL | FRANCE
Many holes are blessed with a plateau
setting, offering breathtaking views to
the Luberon and Alpilles mountain
ranges. Seve has created an interesting
challenge where golfers are required to
vary their shot shape in order to score
well, which makes it all the more
satisfying if you can pass the test.
The long par-4 7th will live long in the
memory, a rollercoaster of a hole with a
sweeping fairway, which typifies the
constant elevation changes that make
club selection so tricky. However, the
short 11th takes some beating, serving
up a long carry across a steep rocky
valley to a slick putting surface. This is
no place to suddenly lose your bottle!
It’s hard not to picture Seve here and
visualise how he would have tackled
some of the challenging shots he
created. And it’s a test those on the
European Challenge Tour will face in
September this year when the course
The Royal Mougins
Golf Resort
14
Hotel Moulin
de Vernègues
hosts the Open De Provence for the first
time. It’s also testament to its pedigree,
design and conditioning that it has been
nominated for France’s best golf course,
in the 2018 World Golf Awards.
The complex has been strengthened
further with the addition of a 37-acre
training centre, Durance, which boasts a
two-storey driving range, an expansive
putting green, a short-game practice
area and a six-hole course. There’s also
a David Leadbetter Academy.
Sitting alongside the 2nd hole, the
four-star, 102-room Moulin De
Vernègues, with its gourmet restaurant
and spa, offers the perfect place to stay.
Located in the heart of Provence, Pont
Breathtaking views
at Pont Royal
Royal is close to some of the region’s
top architectural and tourist sites, with
the Luberon Natural Regional Park
among the nearest. Here, you’ll enjoy
stunning vistas across the limestone
mountains, rolling hills and medieval
hilltop villages.
A little further away you’ll discover
the French commune of Aigues-Mortes.
Its impressive one-mile long ramparts
feature ten gates and six towers, and it’s
not difficult to imagine this historic
town as it was when first completed in
the early 14th century. Exploring this
delightful part of France is thirsty work,
and no visit would be complete without
sampling the wine. A trip to
Châteauneuf-du-Pape village, just 30
miles from the course, comes highly
recommended, but there is no shortage
of wineries that welcome visitors, and
this affords you every opportunity to
travel home with a gift or two.
ESSENTIALS
How to get there
Royal Mougins is just 20 minutes from
Nice Cote d’Azur airport. Pont Royal
is 30 minutes from Marseille and
Avignon airports.
Where to play
Q Royal Mougins
W: royalmougins.fr
GF: €90-€180 including cart (reductions
apply for hotel guests)
Q Pont Royal
W: golf-pontroyal.com
GF: €60-€85, Stay and Play from €150
per night
 The par-4 15th signals the
start of a tough closing stretch
SHORT HAUL | FRANCE

A NATIONAL
TREASURE
Michael Weston heads to Le Golf National to deliver his
verdict on the host of the upcoming Ryder Cup
ituated on the outskirts of where even a three-putt can feel like a Viewing wise, spectators are in for a
Versailles near Paris, Le Golf decent accomplishment. Next up is a treat. The par-3 16th over water will be a
S National will host the 42nd
Ryder Cup matches in
par 5, but it won’t feel like you’re being
given much of a chance to settle into
real amphitheatre where a number of
matches are likely to be decided.
September. Its elevation to Ryder Cup your round, especially if you’re already Doubtless the players will make it look
host will automatically make it a in recovery mode. The par-4 5th, where easy, but it’s anything but, like the par-4
bucket-list entry for many, with golfers ‘only’ a cluster of fairway and greenside 18th – a joy to play in a friendly game,
across the globe keen to experience bunkers lie in wait, should offer a ray of but with the Ryder Cup on the line, the
L’Albatros for themselves. If you’re light for anyone whose shoulders are island green is going to look very small.
fortunate enough to play here, you’ll starting to sag. I talk from experience. L’Albatros left me well and truly beaten
gain a clear understanding of why it For a 15-handicapper like myself, up, but I’d play it again tomorrow. The
produces such drama year after year. bogeys felt like pars, and pars, which Ryder Cup is going to be special.
L’Albatros combines the feel of a links were rare beasts, felt like birdies.
with the expansive features of a modern Stadium courses might not be
stadium course. Picking a line from the everyone’s favourite, but there is great ESSENTIALS
tee isn’t easy, and if you stray too far off variety in the Hubert Chesneau and
you’re unlikely to find your ball, which Robert Von Hagge design. The par-4 How to get there
was certainly the case when I teed it up. 13th is a delightful dogleg and a superb London to Paris is just over two hours
You’ll need a full and committed technical challenge with a well- by Eurostar, and the venue is 39km from
swing from the very first tee shot, one protected green and oak trees guarding La Gare du Nord. It’s easily accessible by
that leaves you in no doubt as to what its entrance. It makes the tee shot one both rail and car. Four airports served
lies ahead. With water down the left of the most important on the course. by major national airlines are also within
and in play on reach of the resort. Visit yourgolftravel.
Photography: Le Golf National Millereau KMSP

the approach, The island-green 18th should com/ryder-cup for further details and
it’s a brute of provide plenty of Ryder Cup drama future packages.
an opener –
and it rarely Where to play
eases up. The Q Le Golf National
par-3 2nd W: golf-national.com
requires a GF: Rates/offers vary. See website
long carry
over water to Where to stay
a typically Q Novotel Saint Quentin Golf National
slick green, W: golf-national.com

16

 

  

 

 La Manga Club’s
North course
SPAIN'S SOUTHERN
TREASURES
Spain is home to many distinct regions, each with its own
style and character. Rob Smith enjoys a tour of Murcia…
hroughout its beautiful
countryside, Spain is packed
T with varied and interesting
golf to suit all tastes and
budgets. At a more local level, the same
can be said for the south-eastern region
of the country, Murcia. The area boasts
300 days of sunshine a year and offers a
terrific mixture of golf, from the big guns
such as world-famous La Manga to
hidden gems such as Altorreal and Lorca.
At its heart is the beautiful and
characterful city of Murcia itself, through
which runs the Segura River. Based on
18
its long-standing tradition of producing
fruit, vegetables and flowers, it is known
as ‘Europe’s Orchard’. It is also home to
a multitude of delicious tapas
restaurants and an eclectic mix of
architecture, old and new. The region’s
rugged 150-mile coastline is the Costa
Calida, the ‘warm coast’, and this is an
area of great natural beauty with a
climate that is dry and inviting.
The best-known golfing resort in
Murcia is the expansive and all-
encompassing La Manga Club, which
last year was granted royal status and is
now officially ‘Real’. This mecca for the
active is home to not one but three fine
golf courses, not to mention just about
every other sporting and recreational
activity anyone could possibly want.
The North and South courses date
back to the 1970s, with the latter
benefiting from the creative mind of
Arnold Palmer. Both have been
remodelled over the years, while the
West is a Dave Thomas design which
opened just over 20 years ago and has
outstanding views, narrow fairways,
frequent blind shots and gullies snaking

Murcia is a charming city
through the course. Opinion is split as to
which is the best, and this makes a
personal game of compare and contrast
a very tempting idea. There is plenty of
excellent accommodation of varying
types on site, with the Principe Felipe
Hotel the pick of the bunch.
STRENGTH IN DEPTH
There are more than 20 courses in
Murcia. Over to the west and a few
miles inland, Lorca is a very interesting,
not to mention challenging, desert-
style course. Again designed by Dave
Thomas, it shares some characteristics
with La Manga’s West, especially the
many chasms that must be carried
either off the tee or on approaches.
This is a course packed with risk and
reward in a quiet location up in the
hills. It will both excite the first-timer
and grow on the golfer with repeated
play. To the south, the coastal town of
Aguilas has much to offer, and the very
friendly Puerto Juan Montiel Hotel with
its own marina is an excellent place to
rest your weary head.
This area is something of a Thomas the course opens out and simply gets
S H O R T H A U L | S PA I N
stronghold, and one of his best better all the way, with far-reaching
championship courses is Hacienda del views, changes in elevation and plenty
Alamo, which is an excellent test of golf of attractive and exciting holes that will
due to the strategic placement of keep the discerning golfer interested all
bunkers which demand thought on the way.
every tee. At 800 feet above sea level, Other fine courses in the region
there is often a cooling breeze which include the Nicklaus designs at Alhama,
also adds to the challenge, and the El Valle and La Torre, and it’s never very
gently undulating par-72 course covers far from one to the next. Golf in Murcia
a vast acreage. Water comes into play has much to recommend it, especially
on a number of holes, most notably the its great variety and even greater value.
short 8th and 12th. Add in the weather, the excellent
Although the course accommodation and the delicious
is bordered by villas, cuisine and the area adds up to a
there is plenty of first-rate golfing destination.
space so that the
golfer should only
feel intimidated by ESSENTIALS
the hazards on the
course, not off it! How to get there
The course at Mar There are frequent flights to Murcia and
Menor is also part of a Alicante from a wide variety of airports.
substantial development that includes
villas and an excellent hotel. It is Where to play
somewhat unusual in that while the QAltorreal
front nine was created by Thomas, the W: golfaltorreal.es
back nine was completed by Nicklaus QHacienda del Alamo
Design. This makes for an interesting W: clubdegolfhda.com
hybrid and there are some exciting QLa Manga
holes, especially where the water comes W: lamangaclub.com
into play in the middle of each nine. The QLorca
par 4s at 3 and 13 are both crackers W: lorcaresort.com
where anything right will be lost forever, QMar Menor
and there is a real club atmosphere W: marmenorresort.com
which makes the whole experience here
very welcoming. Where to stay
QLa Manga, Cartagena
THE COMPLETE PACKAGE W: lamangaclub.com
A golfing visit to Murcia is not complete QMar Menor
without a stay in the lovely capital city, W: marmenorresort.com
the seventh largest in Spain. Here, the QPuerto Juan Montiel, Aguilas
very smart Siete Coronas makes for an W: hotelpuertojuanmontiel.com
excellent base as everything is within QSiete Coronas, Murcia
walking distance. A short drive from W: barcelo.com/en-gb
here is the region’s most northerly
course, Altorreal. After a slightly For more information on golf in Murcia,
claustrophobic start through the villas, visit murciaturistica.es/en/golf
The 1st hole
at El Valle
19
 Los Naranjos, a Robert
Trent Jones Snr creation
MARBELLA
MADE EASY
Jeremy Ellwood discovers the perfect
base for taking on some of the best
golf courses the area has to offer
or the second year in a row I
was fortunate enough to
F enjoy a spot of November
golf in the Marbella
sunshine, this time staying in La Medina,
one of many well-located, luxury
apartments managed by property rental
specialists Vacation Marbella.
Like all the company’s properties, it
was modern and tastefully furnished,
and in our particular case a mere
20
five-minute stroll down to the marina at
Puerto Banus. This stretch of coast
boasts several very fine golf courses,
and this kind of accommodation is just
what many golfers are looking for…
including a very welcome bottle of red
on arrival.
On this particular trip we played two
contrasting courses where our hosts
have negotiated reduced green fees for
clients – Los Naranjos, a Robert Trent
Jones Snr creation which dates back to
1977, and Rio Real, the handiwork of
Spanish design supremo Javier Arana
which opened 12 years earlier.
Los Naranjos played host to the
Spanish PGA Championship in 1989,
when Jose Rivero had the audacity to
defeat Seve in a play-off. It is, to a
degree, a course of two halves, with
raised greens the order of the day on
the front nine, and the back nine then
playing over mostly flatter terrain, all in
the lee of the Sierra Blanca mountain
range and its highest peak – the
distinctive La Concha.
A TRUE TEST
Among the best holes are the par-5 5th,
with water down the left for most of the
way until you cross it nearer the green,
and the testing long par-3 8th that plays
to a wide green with a particularly steep
false front. Coming home, the 15th is a
fiddly short par 4 that could goad you
into attack when caution may be the
wiser option due to the pond fiercely
guarding the dogleg.

Rio Real is a very pretty course
characterised by narrow fairways,
mature trees and some intriguing
bunkers that, at times, intertwine with
the trees in the rough. Two holes – the
4th and 5th – are set the other side of
the busy A7 motorway, with the 4th
taking you right down to the shore. The
5th is then an extraordinarily tough par
4, where the approach is played blind or
semi-blind over a large mound and
water to a treacherous green.
The 6th is no less extraordinary, a
mid-length par 3 to a slender green
wedged precariously between a
rockface and a sheer drop down to the
riverbed. Even with a mere 7- or 8-iron
in hand, the sudden overwhelming need
for precision provides real pressure. The
5th and 6th are certainly among the
most memorable back-to-back holes
I’ve ever played.
Of course, all golf and no culture
makes Jezz a dull boy, so it was great to
also venture inland to the quite
spectacular Ronda Cliffs, where a bridge
traverses the dramatic 300ft gorge
Vacation Marbella
manages 60 luxury villas
created by the Guadalevin river, which
splits this medieval city in two. Looking
down is definitely not recommended if
you’ve no head for heights, though it is
worth contemplating what club you
would require to safely make it across at
various points!
A FITTING FINALE
While here, we had the very great
pleasure of wining and dining at Viejos
Descalzos, an ancient monastery-
turned-winery. This once derelict
property is now producing some very
fine wine – the owner even opened a
first-harvest 2003 on our account – and
the leisurely dinner we enjoyed here
gazing out over the vast valley made for
a very special evening indeed.
Our final treat was a wonderful meal
in the Trocadero Arena beach restaurant
close to the Rio Real’s seafront holes,
where the varied menu was
accompanied by a particularly good
Entrechuelos Chardonnay, and an even
better Cune Crianza Rioja. A fitting way
to round off a great couple of days in
the sun before our short flight back to
Gatwick and the British winter.
The par-3 6th
at Rio Real
S H O R T H A U L | S PA I N
ESSENTIALS
How to get there
There are lots of flights into Malaga every
day with a number of different airlines
from across the UK. It’s about a 45-minute
drive from Malaga airport into Marbella.
Where to play
QLos Naranjos Golf Club
Course stats: par 72, 6,688 yards
W: losnaranjos.com
QRio Real Golf & Hotel
Course stats: par 72, 6,617 yards
W: rioreal.com
Where to stay
Vacation Marbella
Vacation Marbella now manages 60
luxury villas and apartments in the
Marbella area, including La Medina. It
can secure discounted green fees at Los
Naranjos and Rio Real, and will organise
your whole golf itinerary for you if that’s
what you desire.
T: 0034 951 386 045
E: info@vacationmarbella.com
W: vacationmarbella.com
21
 Canary Islands

TANTALISING
TENERIFE
James Mason visits the largest of the Canary Islands and
comes away mighty impressed by the beauty of its courses
fter flying from the UK,
where it’s so cold I have to
A chip ice off my windscreen, I
find myself in shorts just a
little while later on the clubhouse patio
at Golf Costa Adeje, covered in SPF 50
and indulging in a buffet lunch. What a
difference a four-hour flight makes!
I have a preference for courses that
open with a par 5, as Costa Adeje does,
especially when you’re playing holiday
golf. As I pick my ball out of the hole
and replace the flag on the 1st, I look
back down the fairway and am stunned
by the view. The Atlantic shimmers in
the background beyond the terracotta
clubhouse, and it’s such a glorious sight
that it takes a moment to soak it all in.
From the fairways, the infinity greens
on the 3rd and 4th holes appear to float
on the Atlantic beyond. Spanish course
designer Pepe Gancedo has certainly
made the very most of this wonderful
parcel of land.
Black sandy waste areas, reddish-pink
rocks and barrancas, wild flowers, cacti
and palm trees surround the course,
enhancing its visual allure – it really is a
beautiful setting.
After a 40-minute ferry trip from
Tenerife to La Gomera and a stunning
half-hour drive to Tecina Golf, which
takes you up the mountain and back
down the other side, I’m staring out to
sea from the clubhouse in awe of yet
more spectacular views. It’s not only the

Seve’s Buenavista is
an absolute gem

24
Atlantic Ocean below me once more
here, but also the rocks and hills all
around me, plus the sheer variety of
colours and flowers that assault your
senses in the best possible way.
The 4th is the course’s most iconic
hole and as I make my way to the tee I
can see why – it’s 186 yards downhill
and all carry too, with the Atlantic
glistening away in the background. But
this course is no one-trick pony and
Donald Steel has made a wonderful job
of creating a challenging layout that
takes full advantage of its location.
A GLORIOUS SETTING
It’s an early start next day but I am
excited as I have heard a lot about the
course at Abama. I jump in my buggy
and head to the 1st, pull out my driver
and climb up to the tee. I’m certainly
Black sand abounds
at Costa Adeje
SHORT HAUL | CANARY ISLANDS
The Melia Hacienda
del Conde Hotel
impressed by what I see! Tall pines, lush As I place my putter back in my bag
green fairways and white sand bunkers on the final green, I wonder why no one
greet me, and, like all the courses in has been raving about this course. Are
Tenerife, there’s the Atlantic as a they just trying to keep it a secret? Who
backdrop. With the early morning knows! What I do know is that you need
golden sun casting shadows across the to play here, for Seve has created a real
course, Abama looks stunning. gem of a course and I’m sure that you
The first par 3 comes at the 4th, will love every minute of it.
which is all you could
ever want in a golf hole
– elevated tees, water to ESSENTIALS
play over, palm trees,
white sand bunkers and How to get there
that ever-present ocean There are many direct flights to Tenerife
backdrop. The green South airport from various UK airports
nestles down left of a hill with several different carriers. Flight times
covered in rocks and are around four hours and 15 minutes.
cacti. Abama really is a
course designer’s dream Where to play
piece of land and just QGolf Costa Adeje
keeps on serving up one T: 0034 922 71 00 00
great hole after another, W: golfcostaadeje.com
and stunning view upon QTecina Golf La Gomera
stunning view. From the T: 0034 922 14 58 50
fairway, as I look down to the 6th green W: jardin-tecina.com
surrounded by seven palm trees, it just QAbama Golf
seems to sit in the sea – an illusion, of W: abamagolf.com
course, as we are actually well above T: 0034 922 58 96 23
the ocean up in the hills. QBuenavista Golf
Water features on every hole on the T: 0034 922 12 90 34
back nine, with a semi-island green at W: buenavistagolf.es
the par-3 14th hole, but as another
birdie putt slips by on the 18th I’m not Where to stay
overly worried. I take a deep breath and QHotel Jardin Tropical
savour the moment – it has been a T: 0034 922 746 000
privilege to play this wonderful course. W: jardin-tropical.com
QHotel Suite Villa Maria
THE GENIUS OF SEVE T: 0034 922 168 584
Next up is a glorious drive over the W: hotelsuitevillamaria.es
mountains to Buenavista on the island’s QLas Madrigueras Golf Resort & Spa
north coast. I’ve read a few articles that T: 0034 922 777 818
have mentioned this course, but nothing W: hotellasmadrigueras.com
that has jumped out to make me think QRitz-Carlton, Abama
it’s a must-play. Standing on the 10th T: 0034 922 126 000
tee – my first of the day – I wonder why. W: ritzcarlton.com
The course was designed by one of QIberostar Anthelia
my all-time favourite golfers, Severiano T: 0800 028 0422
Ballesteros, and as I look down from the W: iberostar.com
elevated tee towards the ocean, with QSheraton La Caleta Resort & Spa
the green perched on the rocks and the T: 0034 922 162 000
Teno Mountains to my left, it’s a W: sheratonlacaleta.com
fantastic sight. I can see some of the QMelia Hacienda del Conde
other holes from this spot and suddenly T: 0034 922 06 17 00
feel like a little kid in a sweet shop. W: melia.com/es
25
 Portugal
FALLING IN
LOVE WITH
LISBON
Jeremy Ellwood savours the delights of
several cracking courses in and around
Portugal’s beautiful and historic capital
s I set out at 5am for
Heathrow hoping to beat
A the M25 rush, it dawned on
me that although I’d flown
to Lisbon several times, this trip, taking
in some of the highlights of Lisbon’s
Golf Coast, would be the first time I’d
actually stayed in the city. I was
travelling without clubs, too, so first
26
The 2nd is then a tighter hole with a
well-framed drive, before an attractive
mid-length downhill par 3 where the
travel stiffness finally eased. Both these
holes boasted what would prove a
common feature – rear bunkers that sit
towards you like front bunkers, making
for great visuals, but pretty testing lies!
The back-nine finish from 15 onwards
is superb, featuring a risk-reward par 4,
a long par 3 that’s nearly all carry over
water, a sharp dogleg left with OOB
both sides and a green where straying
above the hole spells an almost certain
three-putt.
I came away thinking Quinta do Peru
was the kind of course I could quite
happily play every day.
25th April Bridge from
thing on arrival I had to pick up my hire the 5 Oceanos Restaurant
set courtesy of MyCaddyMaster.com,
the brainchild company of enterprising
Frenchman Ghislain de la Chaise.
By early afternoon, my Callaway XR
clubs were being put to the test on the
1st at Quinta do Peru – a fittingly
generous par-5 after the morning’s
travels, though I still made a hash of it.

Belas boasts a strong
opening quintet
Later that afternoon, we enjoyed
a wine-tasting and tour around the
fascinatingly diverse museum at
the Bacalhoa vineyard, culminating in
some very fine Moscatels as we became
perhaps just a touch over-acquainted
with the local produce!
TO TROIA BY FERRY
From here, it was a short drive to the
Hotel do Sado in Setubal, where our
top-floor restaurant looked out over the
river estuary we would be traversing by
ferry the following morning en route to
Troia Golf Resort.
This superb course, the handiwork of
Robert Trent Jones Snr, is laid out over
a slender, sandy peninsula and is one of
the jewels in the Lisbon’s Golf Coast
crown. Pines, bunkers and sandy waste
areas abound, and I absolutely loved it,
perhaps partly because I made a
ridiculous birdie on the par-5 opener
after hitting it about 70 yards right off
the tee. Some things never change.
The magnificent, well-bunkered par-3
2nd plays straight towards the water
the other side of the peninsula, from
where you climb to the 3rd tee to
savour the views and the first of many
doglegs. There are countless fine holes,
among them the 9th, which starts
narrow and gets narrower, and the
extraordinary double-dogleg 14th,
where position is everything. The back
nine ‘feels’ a little more open visually,
but I’m not sure it is really.
After Troia, we headed into the city
for the first of two nights at the Pestana
CR7 Hotel quite close to the river. We
ate at the Museu de Cerveja close by,
and it’s hard to imagine having a bad
experience at any restaurant bearing
such a name. Afterwards I learned that
two scoops of ice cream in Portugal is
twice the size of two scoops in the UK,
but still battled all the way through my
tangerine/Ferrero Rocher combo.
A STRONG START
The next day, we headed to Belas, a
Rocky Roquemore creation from the
late 1990s that is very much a buggy
course, particularly over a front nine
that circles a vast area of vegetation
SHORT HAUL | PORTUGAL
The seaside course at
Troia is a real gem
early on. Director of Golf, Paul
Saunders, told us that the
opening quintet was particularly
strong, with the 3rd perhaps the best
par 4 in Portugal, and one we simply
had to play from the tips. I tended to
agree when I split the fairway, but went
off the idea after sending a wayward
5-iron into the scrub well wide of the
green. It was still a great hole, though,
thanks to its exciting downhill approach
and the water hazard snaking in from
the left close to the green.
LISBON’S HOME OF GOLF
On the par-5 6th you need to be aware
of the cross-hazard off the tee in firm
conditions, but could just bring the
green into range downwind if you were
Belem Tower stands
on the River Tagus
27
SHORT HAUL | PORTUGAL

The Pestana CR7

Hotel in Lisbon

The short par-4 12th

at Quinta do Peru

feeling particularly brave or confident. colonial clubhouse proved the

The slightest misjudgement or mishit, perfect spot to enjoy yet
though, and you’ll be in the water short more Moscatel and one or
of the green. Only perfection will suffice. two of the local pastries.
That afternoon, we enjoyed a quite We ate at Pap ’Acorda that
different golfing experience at the night, where the legendary chocolate
long-established Lisbon Sports Club, mousse took ‘rich’ to a whole new level, ESSENTIALS
which hails itself ‘Lisbon’s Home of Golf’. then spent the next morning wandering
Everything is on a more condensed the city’s elegant streets and square. A How to get there
scale here, with the odd criss-cross hole, spot of riverside sightseeing – including Lisbon is well served from the UK by
most notably the 5th, an excellent par 5 the stunning Belem Tower – followed regular flights from London and other
along the valley playing back over the ahead of a superb fish meal at the 5 airports with several different airlines.
1st green from an elevated tee. I really Oceanos Restaurant, which lies almost
liked the 7th, an uphill par 4 to a green beneath the 25th April Bridge. This Where to play
perched on top, and the delightful short impressive structure is a dead-ringer for Q Quinta do Peru G&CC
par-3 11th over a pond, where you the Golden Gate Bridge, and gets its Course stats: par 72, 6,601 yards
simply can’t afford to miss right. name from the date of the Portuguese T: 00351 212 134 320
The 18th was another of those narrow revolution, which brought freedom from W: orizontegolf.com
holes that just keeps getting narrower, four decades of dictatorship in 1974. Q Troia Golf Resort
and this lower part of the course On the flight home I vowed to come Course stats: par 72, 6,908 yards
reminded me very much of the front back, not only to take in more of the T: 00351 265 494 024
nine at Bovey Castle in Devon. It courses on Lisbon’s Golf Coast, but also W: troiaresort.pt
provided a fitting contrast to the more to explore more of this beautiful and Q Belas Golf Club
expansive creations we had enjoyed historic city. TAP Portugal is one of few Course stats: par 72, 6,680 yards
elsewhere, and the terrace of its old airlines to still provide complimentary T: 00351 219 626 640
food and drink on W: belasclubedecampo.pt
its short-haul Q Lisbon Sports Club
flights, and as the Course stats: par 69, 5,806 yards
trolley came T: 00351 214 310 077
round, I couldn’t W: lisbonclub.com
help but notice
that the white Where to stay
wine was from the Q Hotel do Sado Business &
Bacalhoa winery. Nature, Setubal
Well, it would T: 00351 265 542 800
have been rude W: hoteldosado.com
not to, wouldn’t Q Pestana CR7 Hotel, Lisbon
it? The perfect T: 00351 210 401 710
way to toast a W: pestanacr7.com
The 7th hole at the charming very fine trip to
Lisbon Sports Club Portugal’s very Find out more about the region and
fine capital. Lisbon’s Golf Coast at visitlisboa.com

28
 Portugal
DESTINED FOR
GREATNESS
When West Cliffs
opened last year it
was heralded as
one of Europe’s
best newcomers
for decades. David
Taylor says it lives
up to the hype...
he eagerly anticipated
opening of West Cliffs close
T to Lisbon last year brought
with it predictions that it
would take European golf by storm. As
soon as you enter the front gates, it’s
easy to understand why.
The par-72 course, which was 14 years
in the making, has been laid out over
200 hectares of dramatic clifftop terrain
with ocean views on every hole. It is
located on Portugal’s Silver Coast, about
60 miles north of the capital – an area
which had a reputation for great golf
even before last year’s new addition.
Fine courses at Praia D’El Rey, Royal
Obidos and Bom Sucesso have all
opened in the last 20 years, meaning
30
visitor numbers have been steadily
growing, but West Cliffs seems to have
taken the area to the next level.
Designed by Cynthia Dye – Pete Dye’s
niece – this links layout is managed by
the Praia D’El Rey resort and lies just
ten minutes north of its sister course.
I was lucky enough to visit before its
grand opening and it was clear then
that it was set to make headlines. Those
have been coming thick and fast in
recent months, culminating in West
Cliffs being named the World’s Best
New Golf Course at
The Marriott Resort the 2017 World
at Praia D’El Rey Golf Awards.
A TESTING
LAYOUT
There’s no doubt
the course is a
tough test, as
competitors at the
2018 Portuguese
Women’s Amateur
Golf Championship
found out in January. It will inevitably
play host to many more prestigious
tournaments in the years to come but it
has been built primarily as a resort
course with the travelling golfer in mind.
It offers five teeing options, so it is
playable for all – but be sure to choose
wisely or you could be in for a long day.
Highlights on the front nine include
the 189-yard par-3 5th located on top of
a massive dune and played directly
towards the ocean. The Redan-style
green and prevailing wind make club
choice tricky here, and the large
bunkers on the left are to be avoided.
Back-to-back par 5s then follow, the
second of which features a large sandy
waste area that bisects the fairway and
is obscured from view off the tee. Big
hitters beware! The back nine starts
with a run of lovely holes taking you
closest to the eponymous cliffs, before
a superb finishing stretch from 16 to 18.
The par-3 16th occupies the highest
point on the course and offers
spectacular panoramic views, while the

17th doglegs around yet another huge
dune on the right.
The 18th plays downhill from an
elevated tee, presenting you with one
final dramatic view. You can either take
on another dune on the left to leave a
straightforward second, or go right and
face a trickier approach over water. A
fitting finale to an exhilarating ride.
STRENGTH IN DEPTH
As already mentioned, the beauty of a
trip to the Silver Coast is the sheer
number of quality courses within easy
reach, none more so than Praia D’El Rey.
This par-73 7,100-yard Cabell B
Robinson layout is blessed with great
variety. You’ll find some fantastic inland
treats on the front nine, but the back
nine is where the course really comes
alive. The stretch from the 12th to the
15th is the most exposed to the ocean
and all that it throws at you, making it
truly memorable.
The resort comprises 177 rooms and
offers four restaurants serving a variety
The reality lives up to the
promise at West Cliffs
SHORT HAUL | PORTUGAL
The 14th at West Cliffs West Cliffs’ dramatic 18th
of traditional and international dishes.
There are also apartments and villas, all ESSENTIALS
with direct access to the beach.
If you feel like a break from the golf, How to get there
Lisbon has much to offer and can be Lisbon is extremely accessible from the
explored en route to the airport. The UK. A number of airlines fly on a regular
town of Obidos, just ten kilometres basis from a host of different airports
away, justifies at least a day trip too. It is across the country.
one of Portugal’s Seven Wonders and a
UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to Where to play
its medieval walls, charming QWest Cliffs, Obidos
cobblestone streets, whitewashed Course stats: par 72, 7,003 yards
houses and lively shops and restaurants. W: westcliffs.com
Europe is blessed with some fabulous QPraia D’El Rey, Obidos
and well-established golf destinations Course stats: par 73, 7,100 yards
that cover all bases, whether that be W: praia-del-rey.com
superb courses, great food, reliable
weather or cultural delights. With the Where to stay
opening of West Cliffs, Portugal’s Silver QPraia D’El Rey Marriott Golf and Beach
Coast has confirmed its place at the top Resort, Obidos
table of golf on the continent. W: praia-del-rey.com
31
 GM Promotion

THE ULTIMATE
SUNSHINE GOLF
DESTINATION
With scores of fine courses and direct flights from 30 local
airports, the Algarve is the perfect spot for sunshine golf

32

s a holiday destination, the
southern coast of Portugal
A ticks many boxes: year-
round sunshine, natural
beauty, accessibility, and miles of golden
beaches. For golfers, there’s an array of
wonderful courses, many of which have
become household names. But the real
beauty of the Algarve is the short direct
flight time from the UK from 30 airports
right across the country.
Today, golfers are spoilt for choice,
but it takes more than good weather
and beautiful views to attract
holidaymakers. A recent Post Office
Holiday Money Report declared
the Algarve as the best-value
holiday destination in the world
in 2017. In the report, meals and
other essentials were found to be
cheaper on the Algarve than in
44 other popular holiday spots.
All of which paints a positive picture
for the region’s future. With average
annual temperatures of 17.5˚C and 150
miles of sandy beaches, it’s not just
golfers who flock to this part of Europe.
But its low-cliff coastline means 3,065
hours of sunshine a year, making it
perfect for golf across the seasons.
More direct flights make it easier than
ever to get to the Algarve, whether
you’re based in London, the north of
Scotland, the west of Ireland or
anywhere in between. Algarve Tourism’s
‘golf4all’ project ensures it is promoted
as a fully inclusive destination too, so
Quinta da Ria
GM Promotion
everyone, whether beginner, junior,
SHORT HAUL | ALGARVE
male, female, senior or disabled golfer
(or even non-golfing partner) will enjoy
a rewarding experience.
Off course, there are numerous
activities for the whole family such as
snorkelling, sailing and water-skiing on
the coast, while walkers will enjoy the
many beautiful nature reserves. Cycling,
rock-climbing and quad-biking are also
popular, and the area is rich in history
and architecture, with many ancient
towns, castles and museums to explore.
There are many restaurants catering for
all tastes and it’s hard to beat the seafood
and a glass or two of local wine.
Evenings can be enjoyed into the
early hours in one of many
late-night clubs, casinos or bars.
Whether you want a golf trip, a
weekend getaway, or a family
break, the Algarve has it all.
Vale do Lobo Ocean
33
 GM Promotion

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

Far from it being only resort-style
courses, golfers enjoy a choice of links
and parkland, as well as woodland and
mountainside. That’s why golfing parties
travel here year after year – to play old
favourites and discover new gems. The
juices start to flow the moment you
arrive at Faro airport. If you don’t see
someone wheeling a set of golf clubs,
you’re probably in the wrong place.
Golf in the Algarve started just over
half a century ago in the western region
with the creation of Penina on a former
paddy field just north of Alvor, a
wonderfully peaceful fishing village.

even if the elevation changes keep the

heart pounding a little.
Those glorious vistas are matched a
little further along the coast at Onyria
Palmares, although it’s the wonderful
Penina variety over its three very distinct nines
– Alvor, Lagos and Praia – that wins
most of the plaudits here. Onyria
Penina hosted the Algarve’s first memory with a drop of 80 feet from Palmares dates back to 1975, but
European Tour event, the Portuguese the tee to the fairway, before a similar benefited enormously from a Robert
Open, in 1973. Over the years it has been climb back up to the green. It sets the Trent Jones II renovation in 2010, which
regularly upgraded, and the course scene for a hilly test that serves up elevated it to one of the most talked-
provides a thoroughly enjoyable wonderful views throughout, especially about courses in Portugal.
parkland test, winding its way through from the clubhouse. Pestana has a portfolio of four courses
tree-lined fairways to elevated greens. It’s a course that can easily be in the west region including Henry
Penina’s nine-hole Resort and Academy combined with a visit to nearby Cotton’s Alto, where the 623-yard 16th
courses are ideal for beginners. Boavista, an undulating layout designed was once Europe’s longest hole. It was
From here, head up into the foothills by Howard Swan 15 years ago. It’s hard his final design, although sadly he did
of the mountains and you’ll find not to enjoy the views out to sea here, not live to see it realised. His goal was to
Morgado and Álamos, neighbouring
courses of contrasting style, both under Espiche
the European Golf Design umbrella. The
former, a par-73 layout, presents a game
of two halves. The front nine is flat but
with water hazards as a constant threat,
while the back nine rises and falls over
dramatically undulating terrain.
Álamos is shorter, but with narrower
fairways and smaller greens. The views
out over the reservoir and adjacent
vineyards will have a calming effect if
your game happens to be off!
Espiche, close to the harbour town of
Lagos, is a dramatic course surrounded
by beautiful countryside and vineyards.
The opener will certainly live long in the

34

Oceânico Faldo
create “a course for those who like
challenge in their game. The undulating
terrain makes each hole a new challenge,
from mastering the double-dogleg to
softly putting the tiered greens.”
Gramacho and Vale da Pinta were
originally designed as an 18-hole set-up
with 27 greens. Each nine was
subsequently expanded to a full 18
holes, and they have been kept in fine
order with a number of very strong
holes, although the latter presents a
slightly sterner test.
Meanwhile, Silves, which lies in the
foothills of the Monchique Mountains,
has an excellent selection of par 3s and
serves up yet more stunning panoramic
vistas. It offers the perfect blend of
thrilling golf in the most peaceful and
unspoilt of settings.
Pestana Gramacho
Onyria Palmares
Some of the biggest names to have
ever played the game have left their
mark on the Algarve too. Oceânico
Faldo is one of two fine courses at the
Oceânico Amendoeira Golf Resort, the
other being Oceânico O’Connor Jnr.
Faldo’s is the more undulating of the
two courses, with the six-time Major
winner’s trademark expansive bunkering
one of its key defences. The O’Connor
Jnr layout may be easier to walk, but
water hazards come into play on at least
half the holes.
Boavista
Morgado
GM Promotion
SHORT HAUL | ALGARVE
The two largest cities in the region
– Portimao and Lagos – are both well
worth a visit. Portimao features a
beautiful promenade, converted from its
busy dockland. It’s the perfect place to
unwind and enjoy a meal. The centre of
historic Lagos is enclosed within largely
14th century walls. Nearby, sun
worshippers will find some of the very
best spots to lay down a towel in the
entire region, which is saying something
given the numerous golden beaches in
the Algarve.
35
 GM Promotion
Pine Cliffs
SIMPLY WORLD CLASS
ALL-ROUND
The centre of the Algarve is a golfing
hotbed in itself. As well as featuring a
number of household names, the region
is packed with interesting towns and
activities. Just a few miles from the lively
town of Albufeira, Salgados is an easy-
walking layout alongside a nature reserve
teeming with wildlife, with the marshes
home to many species of bird.
No visit to this part of the Algarve is
complete without stopping at the Martin
36
Hawtree-designed Pine Cliffs, a
delightful nine-holer on the cliff tops
where you’ll find scoring a little easier
than at some of its more illustrious
neighbours. Its famous hole is the Devil’s
Parlour, a par 3 played across a chasm of
ochre-coloured cliffs.
Dom Pedro has five courses in the
Vilamoura area including Millennium, a
favourite with holiday golfers thanks to
its forgiving layout. There’s plenty of
water, but it’s the final two holes that
pose the greatest test. Neighbouring
Laguna on low-lying marshland,
however, presents more of a water-
based challenge. The best advice is to
stock up on balls and enjoy the test;
hopefully, you’ll overcome your fear of
water and walk off with your supplies
still largely intact.
Later this year (September 20-23), the
Portugal Masters returns to the Victoria
Course, where the likes of Shane Lowry,
Padraig Harrington and Lee Westwood
have tasted victory in the past decade. It
was designed by Arnold Palmer and is a
Quinta do Lago South

fascinating hybrid of marshland golf and
holes running through ancient trees. Its
large and undulating greens are a very
distinctive feature.
The Old Course is Vilamoura’s original
crown jewel. It’s the second oldest
course in the Algarve and one of the
finest in Europe. Perhaps the best
compliment you can pay is that every
single hole is a joy to try and conquer,
and even if you fail, it’s impossible not to
appreciate the design. Every shot
demands careful club selection and total
commitment as you fight to avoid the
pines, but it’s thoroughly enjoyable and
certainly one for the ‘must-play’ list.
Vilamoura itself is a bustling seaside
resort with a lively marina and a
number of busy restaurants and bars.
For many holidaymakers
bringing their golf clubs, it’s
number one on the list, with no
shortage of hotels and evening
entertainment to complement
their days on the fairways.
Pinhal is another popular
addition to the golfing itinerary.
It’s also one of the Algarve’s oldest
layouts. Robert Trent Jones Senior
reworked it in the 1980s, and since
then the umbrella and Atlantic
San Lorenzo
pines that line the
fairways have matured
greatly to provide a key
defence.
There’s a plethora of
other fine courses
throughout the central
region too. Pestana Vila
Sol has three nines
named according to their difficulty. The
main course comprises the Prime and
Challenge loops, with the Prestige billed
as an academy course, though it’s by no
means easy.
Henry Cotton also made a lasting
impact at Vale do Lobo, a sporting
estate popular with professional sports
teams and athletes thanks to its
first-class facilities. Vale do Lobo Ocean
has holes that run between villas to the
beach, with the par-3 15th a stunning
highlight. The breathtaking 16th on its
sister course, Vale do Lobo Royal, which
runs along the cliff edge, is another
real beauty.
Quinta do Lago North has a sandy
subsoil and the bunkering is superb
following a major renovation undertaken
Salgados
GM Promotion
SHORT HAUL | ALGARVE
The Old course
by Paul McGinley and American
architect, Beau Welling. Its visual appeal
and playability certainly elevates it into
the ‘must-play’ category. Meanwhile,
Quinta do Lago South, which opened in
the mid-1970s and frequently hosts the
Portuguese Open, is highly regarded.
Doglegs are a prominent feature at this
first-class resort course where strategic
hazards must be negotiated carefully.
A fine alternative exists at Quinta do
Lago Laranjal, which runs over a vast
orange grove, from where it gets its
Portuguese name. The par 3s are
particularly testing, as are a number of
thrilling long holes that make super use
of the rolling terrain. It’s not just the
fairways that undulate either as the
contoured greens present a further test.
Three loops of nine can be found at
Pinheiros Altos – the Pines, the Olives
and the most recent addition, the Corks.
They all share similar characteristics, but
with enough variation to also give each
a distinct feel.
San Lorenzo, designed by American
architect Joseph Lee, is another of the
Algarve’s most charming and admired
courses, and it’s easy to
understand why from the moment
you arrive. The par-5 8th is
possibly the best long hole in the
Algarve, and the feature-packed
challenges keep coming at you,
especially those bordering the
estuary and the salt-water lagoons
– just don’t forget your camera
here, or anywhere else in the
Algarve for that matter. It’s a
golf haven.
37
 GM Promotion
Castro Marim
EAST IS EDEN
The eastern Algarve’s 30-mile
coastline runs from Faro Airport to
the River Guadiana. The course at
Castro Marim opened in 2001 and
has three loops of nine, with the
main challenge being distance
control into the elevated greens.
There is also an abundance of
wildlife to enjoy on your stroll
through the pines.
The late, great Seve was responsible
for nearby Quinta do Vale, which
features his trademark collection of six
par 3s, six par 4s and six par 5s. As the
course approaches its tenth birthday, it’s
perhaps still one of the Algarve’s
lesser-known tracks, but one that is well
worth a visit.
Another Henry Cotton design lies
close to the ancient city of Tavira, a
wonderful place full of artistic ambience
Benamor
38
and Portuguese charm. Benamor may
not have opened until after Cotton’s
passing but the design follows his
masterplan, blending into the natural
surroundings and offering stunning
mountain and sea views.
Monte Rei, a Jack Nicklaus Signature
Course that is often rated Portugal’s
finest, lies in the rolling hills not far to
the east, set among some 1,000 acres of
glorious countryside. Despite its deep
Monte Rei
and often punishing bunkers, the
course has a very natural
appearance. Risk and reward is
evident throughout and it’s typical
Nicklaus that water should pose a
major challenge courtesy of
several sizable lakes. Each hole
blends effortlessly into the natural
canvas here.
Heading down from the hills
and back towards the sea, two
more coastal gems loom in the form of
Quinta de Cima and Quinta da Ria. The
former was designed as the tougher of
the duo, with its final three holes, where
water is in play, presenting a real
challenge. The latter isn’t lacking in
water trouble either, with five lakes
bordering greens. Arguably, the pick of
the holes here is the par-5 16th, where
even a defensive strategy is far from
easy to master.
Quinta do Vale
 GM Promotion

SHORT HAUL | ALGARVE

TAKE FLIGHT
TO THE
ALGARVE –
IT’S EASIER
THAN EVER
BEFORE
With direct flights from 30 local
airports, sunshine golf is little
more than two hours away

GET ON BOARD
FROM ALL OF
THESE AIRPORTS...
● Aberdeen
● Belfast
- City
- International
● Birmingham
● Bournemouth
● Bristol
● Cardiff
● Cork
● Doncaster/Sheffield
● Dublin
● Edinburgh
● Exeter
● Glasgow
- International
- Prestwick
● Kerry
● Knock
● Leeds Bradford
● Liverpool
● London
- City
- Gatwick
- Heathrow
- Luton
- Stansted
- Southend
● Manchester
● Newcastle
● Newquay
● Nottingham East Midlands
● Shannon
● Southampton

visitg o lfa lg ar ve

visitg o lfa lg a r ve

W visitg o lfa lg a r ve. com

39
 Italy

HITTING THE
HEADLINES
The success of last year’s Rocco Forte Open at
Verdura confirmed Sicily as one of Europe’s most
exciting golfing destinations...
icily is fast becoming a provides a dramatic landscape in which Phillips-designed courses providing a
major golfing hub, with its to enjoy golf – and far more besides. wonderful test for golfers of all levels.
S growing number of
high-quality courses and
Indeed, one of its biggest pulls is what
tourists can discover here without
The renowned American architect also
designed a wonderful par-3 nine-hole
resorts making it one of the most picking up a club; the golf has become a course here, perfect for honing your
attractive up-and-coming venues in bonus – albeit a significant one. short-game skills. In fact, there are no
Europe. With its lush vegetation, Verdura, close to the city of excuses for not being in good touch
beautiful mountains, clear blue seas and Agrigento, is arguably the jewel in the before you head out because the
favourable climate, the ancient island crown, with its two 18-hole Kyle practice facilities, which include a
Words: Michael Weston

Verdura is the jewel in

Siciy’s golfing crown

40
double-ended driving range, chipping
and putting greens and a golf academy,
are first class.
Anyone holidaying on the south-west
coast should book themselves a tee time.
The East is more undulating and is laid
out as two returning loops of nine, while
the West provides an out-and-back
routing. With sweeping views of the
Mediterranean, there are a number of
standout holes, such as the short par-3
6th on the East, Verdura’s answer to the
7th at Pebble Beach. Another two
excellent par 3s with coastal backdrops
feature on the West at holes 15 and 17,
before a superb finishing hole – an uphill
par 4 with the shore down the left. Last
year, Alvaro Quiros won the Rocco Forte
Open here, when a composite course
was created to combine the finest holes
from both tracks. The final six holes run
adjacent to the coast and provide one of
the most dramatic finishes on the
European Tour rota.
However, winner Quiros didn’t just
describe the course as “a paradise” but
Delightful
Donnafugata
hailed this contemporary luxury lifestyle
destination as the “complete resort”.
Hop on a golf cart or bike and explore
the 230-hectare complex which includes
Verdura Spa, six tennis courts and a
fully-equipped gym, as well as indoor
and outdoor pools. Meanwhile, at
Verdura’s four restaurants and five bars,
you can sample the very best Sicilian
cuisine and experience Rocco Forte’s
five-star service. With the superb fitness
facilities, cycling routes and water
sports, there are plenty of ways to burn
off the calories if you overindulge.
A WARM WELCOME
Head down towards the south-east tip
of the island and you’ll come across the
delightful Donnafugata Golf Resort &
Spa with its Links and Parkland layouts,
the latter of which is a Gary Player
design. But many regard the Links,
designed by Franco Piras, as a more
interesting test. A warm welcome is
guaranteed and both courses offer an
enjoyable challenge without being
overly punishing, despite
their numerous hazards.
The heat itself can be a
hazard. In terms of
playability, temperatures
in July, August and
September can see the
courses firm up
substantially. The Sicilian
Open has been staged
here, but the Rocco Forte
Open returns to Verdura
in May 2018 when the
temperature is more
bearable. What guests at
Donnafugata will not
want to miss is the dining experience.
It’s hard not to feel relaxed as soon as
you arrive at the resort and this
atmosphere continues when you head
out to eat. Whether it’s the privacy at Il
Carrubo, where you can sample the
tasting menu while watching the sunset,
or the mouth-watering offerings from
the Surf ‘N’ Turf Grill Terrace, you won’t
forget your stay here. If you’re a
seafood lover, Donnafugata is most
definitely the place for you.
S H O R T H A U L | I T A LY
Something different
at Il Picciolo
TEST OF PATIENCE
For an altogether different test of golf,
and one you might not necessarily
expect when visiting Italy’s largest
island, head north-east to Picciolo Etna
Golf Resort & Spa, a real gem located
on the lower slopes of Mount Etna. The
constant changes in elevation make for
some interesting holes that you get a
sense of from the elevated par-4
opener. Quirky? Yes, at times, but
there’s nowhere else like it on the island
where you have to get your strategy
spot on to score well. Irons from the tee
are the order of the day; it’s a test of
self-control because if you stray too far
from the tree-lined fairways it is not
easy to hack out.
This is a course that will test your
patience and you’ll certainly improve on
your score the second time around. In
between, spend the evening in the
restaurant because the dining
experience here is something quite
special, and not to be rushed.
ESSENTIALS
How to get there
There are four main airports in Sicily.
Palermo on the north-west of the island
and Catania on the east coast are well
served by low-cost airlines. British
Airways operates flights from Heathrow
and Gatwick, with other options available
through Ryanair and EasyJet. Flight time
is approximately three hours.
Where to play
QVerdura Resort
W: roccofortehotels.com
GF: Rates/offers vary, see website
QPìcciolo Etna Golf Resort & Spa
W: ilpiccioloetnagolfresort.com
GF: €85
Where to stay
QVerdura Resort
W: roccofortehotels.com
QDonnafugata Golf Resort & Spa
W: donnafugatagolfresort.com
QPìcciolo Etna Golf Resort & Spa
W: ilpiccioloetnagolfresort.com
41
 United Kingdom
PRINCE’S REBORN
Jeremy Ellwood says major upgrades to the Himalayas nine
will make this famous 27-hole Kent links a must-play in 2018
’ve always had a soft spot
for Prince’s, one of three
I Open Championship links on
the Kent coast near
Sandwich, because it was the first Open
venue I ever played. The layout may
now be very different to the one Gene
Sarazen triumphed over in 1932, though
many of the original green sites are still
in play, but that doesn’t detract from
the experience of playing somewhere
with such an illustrious history.
The layout changed, and indeed grew
to 27 holes, when it was reinstated after
World War II, with the Shore, Dunes and
Himalayas nines created then remaining
in play ever since, with a few tweaks
along the way.
Last year, something a little more
than a tweak began, with a major
upgrade to the Himalayas nine, which
plays over the linksland north of the
clubhouse, closer to Pegwell Bay. The
work is being overseen by renowned
golf course architect, Martin Ebert, and
includes a brand new hole – the short
How the Himalayas 6th hole will
look with Sandwich Bay to the left
42
The 2nd on the Himalayas
will become a par 5
par-3 5th that will provide Prince’s with
its first sea-facing hole – and changes to
all other holes to varying degrees.
RAPID PROGRESS
Last August, I went down to check out
early progress, and I returned this
January to enjoy a glorious day’s golf in
the winter sunshine and take another
look. Things had moved on apace, with
that 5th hole now fully turfed and nearly
ready, and things taking shape on all the
other holes, including
the work required to
merge the 2nd and 3rd
into the new par-5 2nd.
While there I asked
general manager, Rob
McGuirk, about this new
par 5. “The new 2nd is
definitely another
highlight,” he told me.
“I’ve now played it off
the new tee both
downwind, when you
can pretty much get on
in two, and into the wind, when I hit
driver, 3-wood, 5-iron! It’s still a dogleg
with wetlands down the left, and if you
take it over those wetlands off the
whites, it’s a 240-yard carry and then
around 260 yards to the green.”
Among the many other changes are
new wetlands elsewhere, the relocation
of several tees to higher ground to
maximise sea views, extensive changes
to the bunkering, water hazards and
green surrounds, significant tree

The new par-3 5th
nearing completion
clearing and the reinstatement of three
long-lost Himalayas bunkers set in the
dune ridge between the 8th and 9th.
These will now serve a primarily
aesthetic role, but Sarazen et al would
have played over these monster traps
on the pre-World War II routing.
“There are a couple of green
surrounds where we’ve changed things
a little,” McGuirk told me when I asked
if things had remained as per the
original plans. “On the
drivable par-4 8th we’ve
dropped the left side of the
green a bit to create a
run-off, and then on the top
left of the 6th we’ve mowed
the green out there, so
there’s now a pin position
on top. Other than that, it’s
pretty much spot on.”
Other changes include
upgrades to the putting and
short-game facilities near
the clubhouse, which will be completed
when the 8th tee moves to its new
home up on a ridge, plus a new putting
and chipping green outside the Lodge
that came into play last year.
The Lodge at the southern end of the
property opened six years ago. It is a
real feather in the cap as it forms an
ideal base not only for a golf break at
Prince’s, but also to take on all three
Kent coast Open venues, with Royal St
George’s literally next door and Royal
Cinque Ports a few minutes away. It has
38 rooms, among them some spacious
suites, an excellent bar by the 5th green
of the Shore nine and the 2 AA-Rosette
Brasserie On The Bay restaurant that
offers top-class dining.
Phase one of the Prince’s upgrade
project is nearly complete, with the
LONG-TERM
AMBITIONS
Rob McGuirk – general
manager: These are the
most extensive upgrades
since the course came
back after World War II.
There have always been
a lot of people who just wanted to play
the Shore and Dunes nines, yet we felt
that the Himalayas had the best bit of
new Himalayas nine clamouring for
SHORT HAUL | UNITED KINGDOM
attention from May onwards. I can’t
wait to see what phase two has in store.
ESSENTIALS
Where to play
Q Prince’s Golf Club, Sandwich Bay
Course stats: Shore: par 36, 3,448 yards;
Dunes: par 36, 3,432 yards; Himalayas:
par 36, 3,606 yards (pending measure)
GF: Round: £65 Mon-Thurs, £105 Fri-Sun
including free Stroke Saver (April prices:
£60 Mon-Thurs, £80 Fri-Sun)
Where to stay
Q The Lodge at Prince’s, Sandwich Bay
‘Links and Lodges’ Golf Breaks cost from
£175pp from April to October based on
twin occupancy to include one night’s
accommodation, two rounds of golf and
an a la carte breakfast.
Q 3 Open Venue Package 2018
Stay in The Lodge for two nights and
play all three Kent coast Open links, with
breakfast each morning and dinner on
the night of arrival, for £519pp from April
to October 2018 based on two sharing
(Sunday to Thursday, t&cs apply).
T: 01304 611118
W: princesgolfclub.co.uk
The Lodge at Prince’s
has 38 rooms and suites
land. Finally, we decided to go for it,
and it’s part of a long-term project in
which we are setting out to be the best
27-hole resort in the UK and Ireland.
This is the first phase, but we have yet-
to-be-finalised plans for the Shore and
Dunes nines, plus a new par-3 course
across the road from the Lodge. We’re
on course to hit our May 1st opening
date. We’re just doing the bridges at the
moment, so that’s another big job out
of the way, and then it will be a matter
of tidying up the bunkers and putting in
the sand. Then we’re there!
43
 United Arab Emirates

DESERT
CLASSICS
To celebrate the
playing of his
1,000th course,
Rob Smith revels
in a whirlwind tour
of the United Arab
Emirates…

hen I first stumbled across
golf 40 years ago, I
W instinctively ticked off where
I had played in the index of
the Sunday Telegraph Golf Course
Guide. As the count rose and
technology took over from paper, I
transferred to using a spreadsheet.
Thanks to Golf Monthly, over the last
decade I have been lucky enough to
visit and write about courses all over
the world. The tally has risen
dramatically, up by more than 180 in the
last three years alone. The number
1,000 had therefore been looming for
some time, and I finished last year with
just four to go. I was keen to mark this
with a special course that would be
memorable and different, but also
welcoming to all.
Happily, I very occasionally also write
for Troon Golf, the world’s largest
third-party manager of golf clubs and
courses, which now operates in more
than 30 countries. In January, the
opportunity arose to visit and play all of
its partners in the UAE – eight clubs and
nine courses. It was the perfect way to
reach my milestone. I had been to Dubai
before and thoroughly enjoyed The
Emirates Club and Dubai Creek,
especially the Majlis course, which hosts
the Dubai Desert Classic each year. This
time, however, I was in for an extensive
look at the nation’s golfing delights in a
climate where sunshine and warmth is
all but guaranteed.
I began my four-day adventure by
flying to Dubai and taking a taxi to the
Hilton Al Hamra Beach and Golf Resort
in the most northerly of the seven
Emirates. Here, the large, airy hotel was

44
 The links-desert hybrid
at Arabian Ranches

L O N G H A U L | U N I T E D A R A B E M I R AT E S

The 3rd hole

at Al Hamra

the ideal place to relax and freshen up

from the flight, perfectly located right
by the clubhouse for my first game.

DAY ONE
The course at Al Hamra was designed
by Peter Harradine, who is something
of a local specialist. Opened in 2007, it
runs alongside and through purpose-
built lagoons and housing, with water
coming regularly into play. I was slightly
hampered by early morning mist, so
although I am pretty sure the front nine
has some fine holes, especially the

45
 United Arab Emirates

scary par-5 5th, I know that the back

nine does! Both 11 and 12 are great fun,
and the closing hole is a wonderful long
hole, a kind of mirror image of the 18th
at Pebble Beach. The first seven and
closing two holes have floodlights and
combine seamlessly to offer a night-
time alternative.
After brunch, I followed the coast
south for 30 minutes or so to the
striking and very different Al Zorah. This
young Nicklaus Design course has been
built in and over a tidal mangrove
swamp. Wooden boardwalks link some
of the holes, and a real bonus of this
wild setting – a kind of Asiatic Royal
West Norfolk – is the frequent
encounters with birdlife. I saw what may
well have been a marsh harrier, and I
also saw what is definitely a very strong
golf course. Kept in superb condition,
there is plenty to thrill, particularly at
the four short holes which all flirt with
the marsh. I was very taken with the
whole set-up here.

DAY TWO
While I had not even heard of the two
Als before researching my trip, I had
received nothing but glowing praise for
Saadiyat Beach. Situated on raised dunes
just outside Abu Dhabi, this extremely
sandy Gary Player masterpiece was the
999th course on my CV and the start of
a special day for me. I was joined for my
golf by James, one of Troon’s young,
typically genial and capable staffers.
The two nines form a figure of eight
round the clubhouse, and although
there are hotels and houses in a few
places, they are always a long way from
the line of play… even for me. This is a
serious championship test and you need and the most surprising statistic from
to choose your tees accordingly. Having
said that, it is a sumptuous feast of golf
all the way. Several of the holes would
serve as the signature design at most
other courses, and the finishing few are
simply terrific.
I then set off for the big milestone at
Abu Dhabi Golf Club, where I was
allocated the locker used by Jamie
Donaldson when he won the HSBC
Championship in 2013. Seven days
before, the National course had
hosted the thrilling conclusion of
this year’s championship, where
Tommy Fleetwood successfully
defended his title against a
star-studded field.
The National course was
designed to be, and most
certainly is, a first-class
tournament test of the very
Natural beauty on
offer at Tandridge
46
Saadiyat Beach is
a ‘masterpiece’
highest order. Beautiful to behold and
in peak European Tour condition, it
features plenty of doglegs, water on
half the holes, trees and bushes,
perfectly placed bunkering and
excellent greens. It’s another must-play
in a land with more than its fair share,
Favourite fairways
Looking for diversity in terms of both
style and location, I’m not saying
these are absolutely the finest ten
courses I’ve ever played. The list
could, and probably would, change
my round was that given my emotional
and physical state, I lost only one ball!
Typical of the professional and
friendly approach from both Troon and
the club, I was met on the 18th tee by a
small welcoming party brandishing a
bottle of champagne. Keen to keep my
wits about me, I reluctantly restricted
with the wind. They are, however,
ten completely wonderful places
to play that I would unhesitatingly
recommend to any keen golfer.
Cape Kidnappers // New
Zealand The aerial photos alone
make this a shoe-in bucket-list course,
and a stay at this spectacularly
beautiful estate is a holiday in heaven.
Costa Navarino // Greece
Both courses at this idyllic golfing
destination are lovely, with my
preference being the Bay. The
panoramic views are outstanding.

Fancourt Links // South Africa
This demanding and superbly
designed Gary Player course has it all.
It’s a modern masterpiece.
Kingsbarns // Scotland
Fife is the home of golf, and I could
have chosen the Old Course for
atmosphere, but instead plumped for
this fabulous Kyle Phillips design.
Kington // England
Every such list needs its hidden gem,
and even without its charming golf,
Rob in exalted company
at Abu Dhabi GC
The majestic Thracian
Cliffs in Bulgaria
the highest course in England has the
finest views in the country.
Old Head // Ireland
So long as the weather behaves, this
is undoubtedly the most exhilarating
and breathtaking rollercoaster ride in
the whole of the UK and Ireland.
Royal Porthcawl // Wales
Links golf is wonderful, life-affirming
and in our blood, and this is a superb
example of a traditional and testing
such course of the highest calibre.
L O N G H A U L | U N I T E D A R A B E M I R AT E S
myself to just the one
glass and escaped
with a zig-zag bogey.
An appropriate finish
for me to a most
memorable and
landmark round.
I wondered how it
would feel to complete 1,000
courses and reach my Holy Grail,
and the simple answer was pride mixed
with a fleeting nostalgia for all that has
happened during those 40 years. In
hitting the target, I haven’t exactly done
anything to help humanity or found a
cure for cancer, but nonetheless it is an
achievement and I will be forever
grateful to everyone, both professionally
and personally, who has helped to get
me there. I am, more than anything,
massively lucky.
I now had time to look around the
amazing clubhouse, bag some souvenirs
and take a short breather. An hour or so
later, I joined one of the young pros,
Louis, and a couple of holidaying
visitors to play night golf over the
adjacent and very enjoyable nine-hole
Garden course. In such exalted
company, this stands up very well in its
own right. It looked impressive under
floodlight and I suspect would be even
more so during the day. Immediately
next door, the Westin is a large, friendly
hotel that is a perfect base for golf in
the area.
DAY THREE
Following another early start, it was a
little over an hour to my next stop, The
Els Club, Dubai. Yet again I was
genuinely surprised and impressed by
how different this was to any of the
other courses I was visiting. It is as
Sunningdale // England
If ever there was a timeless,
atmospheric and simply perfect venue
for golf, Sunningdale is it. The only
question is Old or New? Both.
Tandridge // England
Having been a member of this
renovated Harry Colt classic since
1994, I’m obviously biased, but I’m
still excited and enthused by this
beautiful course every time.
Thracian Cliffs // Bulgaria
A stunning coastal setting, a visual
feast from start to finish, a real test of
golf and as photogenic as they come,
Thracian Cliffs is real-life fantasy golf.
47
 United Arab Emirates
pretty as a picture and I can’t see how
anyone would not delight in its lush,
sumptuous and alluring appearance.
The conditioning, in particular the
greens, which were running at eleven,
was immaculate. On top of this, it’s
tough! There are run-offs that make
accuracy on approaches vital, but even
if you end up in no man’s land, it would
be hard not to enjoy golf here. I loved it.
Boasting an informal and very
clubby atmosphere, Arabian Ranches
has a relaxing feel which is very
welcoming. Many ex-pats choose to
base themselves here and the
off-course facilities are particularly
strong, with a first-class, state-of-the-
art academy. As for the course, this is
an easy walking, links-desert hybrid
that is a collaboration between Ian
Baker-Finch and Nicklaus Design.
Bucking the modern trend, water
hazards are conspicuous by their
absence. Instead, the former Open
Champion has paid homage to his
victory at Royal Birkdale by creating a
course that is strongly bunkered, and
where the bump-and-run is a key
element. I preferred the back nine,
particularly the long 13th, the drive-
and-pitch 15th and the tough short 17th
played into the wind. Yet again, and all
the better for it, it is something
completely different.
The 9th hole at
The Track, Meydan
48
My home for the
final two nights was
the remarkable
Jumeirah Beach – a
busy, modern and You’ll find a variety of
extremely stylish birdlife in the UAE
hotel with
outstanding views
out over the Burj Al Arab and the sea,
and across to The Palm. The majority of
Dubai’s excellent courses and attractions
are a short and comparatively
inexpensive taxi ride away.
DAY FOUR
My (thankfully!) late-morning round
was at Address Montgomerie, right
next door to the Emirates Club but
remarkably different in style. I know I
am getting repetitive, but the diversity
of style on display at all of the courses I
visited cannot be overstated.
Here, the first three holes of each
nine ease you in, but the remainder are
all memorable and there are some very
exciting water holes, including the par
3s at 6 and 13. The snaking par-5 9th is
another cracker, and the long 18th is
quite probably the most thrilling or
intimidating closing hole in the country.
Water eats in on either side of the
fairway, and as if that isn’t enough, The treacherous closing hole
there is a large pond sitting right in at the Address Montgomerie
front of the green, which even then has
 A momentous

L O N G H A U L | U N I T E D A R A B E M I R AT E S
achievement for Rob

location, I had expected a certain

unavoidable similarity at each venue,
but I was proved pleasantly wrong.
While the UAE is not golf’s most
inexpensive destination, for world-class
courses, guaranteed weather and the
very best accommodation, food and
service, it’s impossible to beat – a
one-in-a-thousand winner.

ESSENTIALS
How to get there
Several airlines fly from our larger
airports to Dubai and Abu Dhabi,
bunkers for protection. Dubai’s full-length course where into the wind, including Emirates (emirates.com), BA
stunning architecture provides a several greens are unreachable in (ba.com) and Etihad (etihad.com)
fabulous backdrop, and in a way this regulation by a mid-teen handicapper
hole encapsulates something of like me. Its greatest strengths are the Where to play
everything that is golf in the UAE. excellent greens, challenging water QAbu Dhabi Golf Club
My final port of call was the nine- hazards and the fun of playing a round W: adgolfclub.com
holer at The Track, Meydan, so named under floodlights in under two hours. QAddress Montgomerie
as it is right beside the famous With even more on the way, there are W: themontgomerie.com
racecourse that is home to the Dubai already plenty of other courses in the QAl Hamra
World Cup. Timed in order to enjoy the UAE, mainly centred around Dubai. W: alhamragolf.com
sunset and then play under floodlights, These include the Earth course at QAl Zorah
it was a perfect end to my gallop round Jumeirah Estates, home to the DP W: alzorahgolfclub.ae
the UAE. Run on pay-and-play lines, I World Tour Championship, and Gil QArabian Ranches
expected this to be more of a Hanse’s design at Trump International W: arabianranchesgolfdubai.com
beginner’s venue. It most certainly is Dubai. The region is also packed with QEls Club, Dubai
not, but is rather a demanding, sporting and leisure pursuits to satisfy W: elsclubdubai.com
even the most QSaadiyat Beach
‘Remarkable’: the demanding tourist. W: sbgolfclub.ae
Jumeirah Beach hotel I am delighted that QThe Track, Meydan
my personal Race to W: meydangolf.com
Dubai was a
complete success, Where to stay
enabling me to reach QHilton, Al Hamra
the magic 1,000 at W: www3.hilton.com
the same time as QJumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai
experiencing nine W: jumeirah.com/Jumeirah-Beach-Hotel
remarkably dissimilar QWestin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort
golf courses. W: westinabudhabigolfresort.com
In view of the local
climate and starting For more information on Troon golf
point of desert resorts, visit troon.com

49
 Mauritius

AN ENCHANTING
ESCAPE
Fergus Bisset travels to the island paradise of Mauritius and
discovers a wealth of golfing opportunity, together with a
heady mixture of beauty, history and culture
50

auritius has a reputation as a
romantic getaway; a
M favourite with honeymooners
or couples celebrating
anniversaries. That’s understandable –
it’s a very romantic place with its endless
palm-lined beaches, bath-tub-warm
shallow seas protected by an island-
circling reef, gorgeous sunsets and an
abundance of flowering plants and trees.
But Mauritius is far from being a
one-dimensional luxury resort
destination. The island has a long and
interesting history that is evident in its
language, architecture and culture.
Trou Aux Biches
The Dutch were the first to colonise in
1638 and then the French from 1715.
During the Napoleonic Wars, France
used Mauritius as a base from which to
launch attacks on British commercial
ships, so a Royal Navy expedition under
Commodore Josias Rowley set out to
capture the island. France surrendered
Mauritius to the British in 1810 and it
remained a British colony until gaining
its independence as recently as 1968.
The British influence is still strong in
LONG HAUL | MAURITIUS
Island paradise: the
16th at Paradis
Mauritius. The schools
follow the British education
system, they drive on the
left side and road signs are all of British
style. Also inherited from the British,
Mauritius is now a real golfing
destination with nine championship
courses across the island.
CLOUD NUMBER NINE
The Heritage Golf Club in Bel Ombre
was designed by Peter Matkovich, a
Zimbabwean professional turned
architect. The course currently plays
host to the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius
51
 Mauritius
Open – the first event to be tri-
sanctioned by the Asian, Sunshine and
European Tours. Although this is a
championship course and a venue for
top-level competition, it’s not
prohibitively difficult. A variety of teeing
options mean all golfers can find a
yardage to suit their ability and,
although there are plenty of hazards to
be avoided, the fairways are generous
and there tends to be reasonable
bail-out options.
Many of the fairways are lined by
dense grasses, which actually simplifies
play. Hit into the really thick stuff and
the ball is gone – move on and forget
about it! Mauritius is a volcanic island,
with evidence throughout the
countryside as well as the golf courses.
Volcanic rocks of varying sizes are a
striking feature around the fairways.
There’s a great variety of holes at the
Heritage, from driveable par 4s to long,
sweeping par 5s. There are tremendous
vistas of the surrounding mountains and
down towards the coast and there’s
interesting flora and fauna to examine,
the latter including mongoose, giant
fruit bats, monkeys and an assortment
of colourful songbirds.
FIVE-STAR EXPERIENCE
Just a short drive from The Heritage at
the south-west tip of Mauritius is the
Paradis Beachcomber Resort at Le Morne
– an incredible, five-star luxury locale
that delivers the ‘wow’ factor from the
moment you arrive. The main building
houses superb restaurants, bars and
lounge areas, all under a fabulous
thatched roof constructed using
sugarcane leaves. The luxurious rooms
stretch along the beach front, with views
Mont Choisy: the new
kid on the block
52
The Heritage Golf Club is
a European Tour host venue
of the palms and turquoise sea. Also on
the Morne peninsula, Dinarobin is a sister
Beachcomber resort and one that
perfectly complements its neighbour,
delivering a quieter atmosphere and the
utmost in sophistication.
At Paradis resort, Paradis Golf Club
must have one of the most memorable
settings of any course anywhere on earth.
The front nine features many enticing
holes and is dominated by the imposing
Morne Mountain – a World Heritage Site
and one with a tragic history. The Morne
peninsula was a refuge for runaway
slaves in the early 19th century, and the
mountain top was used as a lookout post
for military despatches sent to recapture
them. In 1835 a police unit was sent to
inform the slaves they were freed after
abolition but, when they were seen
coming, many slaves chose to jump from
the rock to their deaths rather than risk
re-enslavement.
The second half of the course is set
along the shoreline of the beautiful temptation is to cut too much off the
lagoon. There are some incredible holes, corner and countless balls fail to make
but undoubtedly the pick of the bunch the carry. This really is a fabulous hole
is the stunning 16th – a par 5 curling and representative of what is a truly
around the lagoon to a distant flag. The excellent course.
There are, of course, a plethora of
activities and sights to enjoy away from
the courses on Mauritius. Those who
enjoy water sports are spoilt for choice
– there’s a kite surfing school, scuba
diving, paddle-boarding and deep-sea
fishing. Or, for those seeking a more
sedate option, try a trip on a catamaran
to watch the sunset.
IMPRESSIVE NEWCOMER
Mauritius is only 65km long by 35km
wide, but the population is 1.3 million.
So, although you frequently have the
feeling of seclusion and remoteness,
it’s actually a fairly bustling place
and getting around the island can
take longer than you expect. From
the south-west tip, it’s over an hour’s
drive to reach the new golf course on
the northern tip of the island at Mont
Choisy, near the spectacular Trou Aux
Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa.

The delightful
Dinarobin Resort
Only opened in November, this is the
most recent addition to Mauritius’s
excellent golfing portfolio. Another
layout designed by Peter Matkovich, it’s
clearly a course laid out to deliver
maximum enjoyment for golfers of all
standards. It’s generous from the tee
and there are multiple teeing options.
The hazards are well placed, but not
overly punishing. There are interesting
and challenging slopes and borrows,
but they aren’t extreme. Volcanic rock
piles and evidence of the old sugar
plantation provide definition.
Sometimes new courses seem
immature, but this isn’t the case here.
The surfaces are already established
and the layout has the feel of one that
has been there far longer.
Although the front nine at
Mont Choisy is excellent, the real
pace and excitement builds
towards a climax on the back
nine. The 13th is a tremendous
short par 4 protected by water
hazards and the 15th is a
wonderful par 3 to an island
green, with the old plantation
tower as a backdrop. Memorable indeed.
These courses are representative of
the great golfing variety available on
Mauritius. An inland championship
course reminiscent of the best resort
tracks of Spain and the Algarve at The
Heritage, a truly memorable track at
Paradis with stunning surrounds and
then a brilliant, contemporary design at
Mont Choisy showcasing the pinnacle of
modern course architecture.
Mauritius is a golfing destination
delivering quality and variety. Add into
the mix the fact it’s a supremely
beautiful place with history, culture,
sporting and leisure offerings, incredible
seafood, tropical fruits, endless beaches
and delightfully warm and safe waters,
and you have quite a package.
LONG HAUL | MAURITIUS
The Morne Mountain looks over
the Paradis Beachcomber Resort
ESSENTIALS
How to get there
BA flies direct from Gatwick, three times
a week in summer and five times a week
in winter. See ba.com/Mauritius
Where to play
QHeritage Golf Club
W: heritageresorts.mu
QParadis
W: beachcomber-hotels.com
QMont Choisy
W: montchoisygolf.com
Where to stay
QTrou Aux Biches Beachcomber Golf
Resort & Spa
W: beachcomber-hotels.com
QParadis Beachcomber Golf
Resort & Spa
W: beachcomber-hotels.com
QDinarobin Beachcomber Golf Resort
W: beachcomber-hotels.com
For more information visit
www.beachcombertours.uk
53
 The Bahamas

PARADISE ISLANDS
If you’re seeking glorious golf and guaranteed sunshine,
The Bahamas – located just to the south-east of Miami –
is worthy of some serious consideration...

he Bahamas is home to a
number of spectacular golf
T courses that promise to
provide an unforgettable
experience for anyone fortunate enough
to walk their fairways. It’s not surprising,
really, given this archipelago, which
comprises 700 islands, is an ecological
oasis, boasting the kind of blue seas and
ocean views that take your breath away.
If the Hero World Challenge at Albany
caught your attention, then perhaps it’s
time you found out a little more about
Words: Michael Weston Photography: ©Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
what The Bahamas has to offer. Tiger
Woods and co. could have teed it up at
any number of spectacular courses on
the Grand Bahama Island – often
referred to as ‘heaven on earth’. There’s
now a further reason to visit, too, thanks
to a certain Jack Nicklaus.
Royal Blue Golf Club at Baha Mar is
the newest addition, with Nicklaus’
championship layout opening for play
last year. Baha Mar itself is a multi-
billion dollar integrated resort
development along the pristine
beaches of New Providence. Besides
Royal Blue Golf Club, which features a
unique ‘two courses in one’ design,
guests can expect a luxurious stay at
the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, as well as
fine dining at a number of superb
restaurants throughout the complex,
such as Conch Shack, which specialises
in local flavours.
This is the Golden Bear’s first venture
in the Bahamas, and it doesn’t
disappoint. The front nine features
dramatic views of rolling white sand

The 7th hole at

the Ocean Club

54
dunes, undulating fairways and the
Atlantic Ocean, before a significant
change on the back nine sees golfers
face dense jungle and steep downhill
terrain. You’ll have been wowed long
before arriving at the island green on the
16th, which borders Lake Cunningham.
Off the tips, it’s a brute at 7,189 yards,
but the beauty of this glorious layout is
that it varies from day to day, with any
one hole changing by as much as 100
yards. It won’t ever be a case of a good
walk spoiled here, as the natural
landscape has been incorporated into
the course’s design. Indeed, the area is
home to over 70 indigenous bird species.
Nicklaus may just end up beating you,
but you won’t mind a jot as you sit back
and relax with a cool something at the
magnificent Royal Blue Clubhouse,
although a drink at the nearby water
tower, known as Cable Beach Reservoir,
will take some beating. Regardless of
how you’ve played, you’ll feel like a
The Abaco Club’s
sublime closing hole
winner, and if you don’t, go and try your
luck at the Baha Mar Casino, the largest
casino in the Caribbean.
THE MORE THE MERRIER
Baha Mar will leave you wanting more
– and you’re in luck. Paradise Island lies
just off the northern coastline of New
Providence, and as the
name would suggest, this
ribbon of white sand and
azure sea is stunning. It’s
home to another world-
class luxury resort, the
highlight of which – for
golfers at least – is the
Ocean Club, now a Four
Seasons Resort.
Designed by Tom
Weiskopf, the course
offers a stern challenge,
not least because of its
crosswinds. They can
prove a distraction, as can
the wonderful views of the Atlantic and
the Nassau Harbour, where one or two
luxurious yachts are bound to catch the
eye. Lakes, sweeping sand traps and
groups of palm trees are a constant
danger, but the fairways are generally
large enough to allow you to open up
your shoulders with the driver, which
makes for an enjoyable test.
Some courses have the power to
attract guests on their name alone –
Abaco Club on Winding Bay is one of
those. Besides its alluring name, the
course here is regarded by many as the
finest in The Bahamas.
The links-style layout, designed by
Donald Steel and Tom Mackenzie, enjoys
a tranquil seaside setting, but unlike a
number of other courses on the island,
there’s a ruggedness here more akin to
what British golfers experience at home,
even if it is of a tropical kind. Every hole
is dramatic and your favourite is likely to
change all the way, until another
spectacular offering at the last – a par 5
that might just be the best closing hole
in the Caribbean.
LONG HAUL | THE BAHAMAS
Royal Blue GC
opened last year
The world-class golf keeps on coming,
with another legend of the game leaving
his mark on these beautiful islands. Greg
Norman is responsible for Sandals
Emerald Bay Golf Course, a stunning
layout that winds its way through
seaside dunes along a beautiful
peninsula. The holes that hug the
coastline are truly breathtaking, but such
dramatic scenery comes at a price for
golfers. When the wind blows, good
scoring on this long course becomes
more than a little difficult.
There are a number of other fantastic
courses worth playing here, too. If
you’ve had just one round in The
Bahamas you’ve done well, but you
could enjoy golf and far more besides
for many a year.
ESSENTIALS
How to get there
British Airways offers non-stop flights
from London to Nassau each week
(approximately nine-and-a-half hours).
Where to play
QRoyal Blue Golf Club
W: bahamar.com
QThe Ocean Club
W: fourseasons.com
QAbaco Club on Winding Bay
W: theabacoclub.com
QSandals Emerald Bay Golf Course
W: sandals.com
Where to stay
QGrand Hyatt
W: bahamar.com
QFour Seasons Resort
W: fourseasons.com/oceanclub
QAbaco Club on Winding Bay
W: theabacoclub.com
QSandals Emerald Bay Golf, Tennis &
Spa Resort
W: sandals.com
Check with each resort for more
information on green fees and packages
55
 Europe

Photography: Kevin Murray, Steve Carr

EUROPEAN
BIG HITTERS
Jeremy Ellwood revisits some of Europe’s finest courses
blessed with either big reputations or quite glorious settings

he continent of Europe
covers an area nearly four
T million square miles in size
encompassing around 50
sovereign states, so it’s no surprise to
find a veritable wealth of very fine and
varied golf within its boundaries.
Some of its most highly regarded
courses have been around for decades;
others have arrived more recently as the
game has enjoyed rapid growth in
certain countries, especially those
blessed with almost year-round
sunshine and ideal temperatures.
Here, we explore some of Europe’s
‘big hitters’ in well-known hotspots like
Spain and Portugal, and more unlikely
candidates such as Bulgaria, Slovenia
and Norway. Some are big hitters due to
their wide renown; others because of
their quite breathtaking locations…

56

LA RESERVA CLUB,
SPAIN
W: lareservaclubsotogrande.com
GF: €235-€270 per round
Golf arrived in Sotogrande over 50
years ago, with Real Club de Golf
Sotogrande the first course to open in
1964. Several more big-name venues
have opened here since then, most
notably Valderrama, a European Tour
venue for decades, and host to the 1997
Ryder Cup – continental Europe’s first.
This century, another rapidly rising
star has arrived – La Reserva Club,
which opened in 2003. The handiwork
of Cabell B Robinson, who has an
extensive European course-design
resume, the course enjoys a spectacular
mountain backdrop over some of the
area’s higher terrain and makes
excellent use of the rolling landscape.
The long 15th is a tough par 3
The 2nd is a beautiful par 5 that rises
gently to a shallow, steeply raised
green, with bunkers galore in the lay-up
zone, so even sensible three-shot
strategies require careful thought. There
is a quartet of excellent par 3s, including
the well-guarded 5th, the pretty
downhill 7th and the long 15th, where
water lurks menacingly on the left. This
hole can stretch to almost 250 yards off
the back tees.
The par-5 6th will perhaps linger
longest in the memory, sweeping down
from an elevated tee towards the
distant Mediterranean, before a nervy
approach with little margin for water
hazard error on the right. The 10th
The downhill 6th will
live long in the memory
SHORT HAUL | EUROPE
serves up the tightest drive with
trouble both sides, and this hole
must have made for a fearsome
opener when it was the 1st before
the two nines were switched.
La Reserva Club also boasts some
very fine off-course facilities, including a
vast practice ground, a large putting
green and an excellent chipping area.
The development is the latest exclusive
community in Sotogrande, and the
residential side of the project showcases
the handiwork of some of the world’s
leading architects.
From summer 2018, the facilities will
be further augmented by The Beach, a
water-based club offering a wide range
of water sports in a landscaped lagoon.
There will be a new pool, a tennis
pavilion and a summer café, all with
wonderful views towards the hills, the
ocean and the golf course.
57
Europe
LUMINE, SPAIN
W: lumine.com
GF: Lakes/Hills: €85 per round; Ruins:
€50 per round
Lumine Mediterranea Beach & Golf
Community, an hour from Barcelona in
the Tarragona region on Spain’s eastern
seaboard, is a thriving resort that
opened just ten years ago. It boasts two
beautiful 18-hole courses – the Lakes
and the Hills – plus the nine-hole Ruins
course, where intriguing 200BC Roman
remains on its 1st and 9th holes are an
eye-catching feature.
The par-5 16th on
the Lakes course
The finale on the
Hills course
Greg Norman designed the Lakes
and Ruins layouts, with the former,
which weaves through the Sequia Major
wetlands in the rolling Mediterranean
countryside, regarded as the tougher of
the two 18-hole tests. Water comes into
play on a number of holes here, but less
so on the Hills layout, which cuts
through pine forests and olive groves
over the estate’s higher ground.
The 17th green on
the Hills course
The Hills course serves up splendid
views out over the Mediterranean, and
there is still some water to contend
with, most notably the pond short left
of the 18th green, where a dramatic rock
cliff forms a stirring backdrop to your
final approach shot of the day.
Over 50 miles of sandy beaches close
by make Lumine a great spot for a
Mediterranean break.

Sheer golfing drama
on the Black Sea coast
THRACIAN CLIFFS,
BULGARIA
W: thraciancliffs.com
GF: €109 visitors; €59-€79 (hotel
guests)
Bulgaria may seem an unlikely location
for one of the world’s most spectacular
courses, but many have come away from
the Black Sea coast believing that
Thracian Cliffs is just that. It was
designed by Gary Player and opened in
2011, with Player hailing the setting as
twice as spectacular as Pebble Beach!
Potential hyperbole aside, this is
undoubtedly one of the most dramatic
settings for golf you’ll ever encounter,
Don’t miss right
on the 6th
SHORT HAUL | EUROPE
with the layout playing over a slender
coastal strip where the cliffs make their
way down to the shore in layers.
It falls away into the Black Sea on one
side, and rises to the higher ground on
the other side via even taller cliffs. The
shelves in between are home to a series
of breathtaking holes, with the 6th
perhaps the star – a par 3 playing from
an elevated tee to a green perched
precariously by the shore.
Some of the world’s finest paid a visit
in 2013 for the Volvo World Match Play,
with Graeme McDowell victorious.
A tee to test
your nerve
59
 Europe
Lovely sea views from
Real Golf de Bendinat

Much water in play

at Santa Ponsa I
REAL GOLF DE
BENDINAT, MALLORCA
W: realgolfbendinat.com
GF: €91-€97 per round
Real Golf de Bendinat lies on the
south-west side of Mallorca a few miles
from Palma. Renowned architect Martin
Hawtree laid the course out in the
mid-1980s in a wooded valley beneath
the hills and mountains.
Its greatest protection comes from
the tree-lined fairways that abound,
plus the occasional dogleg. The 3rd is a
prime example – a mere 330 metres on
the card, but with a near-right-angle
bend to the left that demands caution
and a shrewd strategy. Water comes Above all, this is a delightful place to It can test the very best, too. The
into play occasionally, most notably on play, with lovely views out to sea over European Tour’s Open de Baleares was
the short par-3 2nd both long and short the bay of Palma and on to the island of staged here several times in the late
of its well-bunkered green. Cabrera, and inland to Bendinat Castle, 1980s and early 1990s, with Seve
an impressive mid-19th century edifice Ballesteros twice emerging as champion
in a Central European Gothic style. in 1988 and 1992. Wide fairways are the
Santa Ponsa I
order of the day, but with plenty of
SANTA PONSA, water and trees to make you think too.
MALLORCA The water is particularly prevalent on
W: golf-santaponsa.com the back nine, and right from its outset
GF: €93-€99 per round too on the monster par-5 10th, which is
Santa Ponsa is situated in the far one of the longest holes in Europe at
south-west corner of Mallorca, with the 645 yards. There are also 12 rooms
Santa Ponsa I course, which opened for available on site, making Santa Ponsa
play in the late 1970s, providing an one of the best places to stay and play
enjoyable test for holiday visitors. in Mallorca.

60
 Both Ribagolfe courses

SHORT HAUL | EUROPE

feature huge greens
RIBAGOLFE, PORTUGAL
W: orizontegolf.com
GF: Ribagolfe 1: €48 per round;
Ribagolfe 2: €44 per round
Both courses at Ribagolfe, 30 miles east
of Lisbon, opened in 2004 and are
among seven courses operated by
Orizonte Golf in the area.
Ribagolfe I was designed by Peter
Townsend and can stretch to a
formidable 7,370 yards off the tips,
though plentiful tees make it playable
for all. The course plays over beautiful
undulating terrain, with multiple cork
trees and the odd water hazard to
negotiate. On the 14th you’ll need to
know how far you hit it before deciding
how much of the water to take on. British than American feel. Water comes This fabulous course is now a
Ribagolfe II is a little shorter, with into play on the 7th and 13th and both must-play, boasting a setting to rival
more generous fairways and a more courses feature huge greens, so a good any, with mountains all around including
long-range putting touch is a real asset. the very highest of the Slovenian Alps.
The course lives up to its setting, too,
The 14th at
Ribagolfe I ROYAL BLED, SLOVENIA with many magnificent holes and
W: royalbled.com splendid views, among them one out
GF: King’s: €150 per round; Lakes: €45 across a vast ravine towards Bled Castle
for nine holes from near the 2nd green.
Largely abandoned for over 25 years There’s a standout stretch from 14 to
after World War II, the King’s course at 16, with water playing a major role left
Royal Bled has risen to glorious of 14, and again on 16, where you also
prominence once more following a traverse it on the final approach. The
major recent renovation project pretty but fiddly 15th plays over a crest
overseen by Howard Swan. then down and round to the right.

A glorious mountain
backdrop at Royal Bled

61
SHORT HAUL | EUROPE

LA MANGA CLUB, SPAIN effort required to achieve it. In golfing

W: lamangaclub.com
GF: All courses: €190 per round;
residents €75-€85 per round
For golfers of a certain age, La Manga
Club in Murcia was synonymous with
European Tour Q-School finals for many
years in the 1980s.
Since then, the resort has gone from
strength to strength, not just because of
its three very fine golf courses – South,
North and West – but also because of
the wide range of other sports and
leisure activities on offer and the
excellent accommodation on site.
The South course boasts large green
complexes, multiple water hazards and
a testing 11th hole, where you must fire
a long-iron approach over water to a
three-tiered green. The North is a little
shorter, but packed with memorable
holes, none more so than the finale
played over a barranca to a vast green
beneath the Principe Felipe Hotel.
The West is then the toughest and
prettiest of the three, weaving its way
through pine-scented woodland. La
Manga remains one of Europe’s very
finest golf resorts.
Arctic splendour terms, Lofoten Links in Norway
exemplifies this perfectly, for although
getting to this spectacular links in the
68th parallel of northern latitude may
take some doing, it is most decidedly
worth the effort when you get there.
This is a golf setting like no other,
where the lush green fairways and
greens set among moody rocks and
lakes hugging the Arctic coast are
LOFOTEN LINKS, overlooked by imperious mountains. The
NORWAY stunning par-3 2nd, with its green
W: lofotenlinks.no cradled in the rocks by the shore, is
GF: approx £87 per round; residents maybe the photographic poster boy, but
approx £59.50 per round there are many other contenders. You
With many things in life, the scale of the can now stay here too, in lovely lodges
reward often depends on the degree of looking out towards the midnight sun.
Lofoten is a course
like no other

La Manga North’s
3rd hole
 5IF.BOPS /ǀĞ ŶĞǀĞƌ ƉůĂLJĞĚ ƐƵĐŚ
)PVTF ĨĂŶƚĂƐƟĐ ĐŽƵƌƐĞƐ

"TICVSZ
 ^ƚĞƉŚĞŶ t  dƌŝƉ ĚǀŝƐŽƌ

)PUFMT 6HW LQ WKH IRRWKLOOV RI 'DUWPRRU

 7KH 2QO\ 6SRUW &UDIW 6SD  1DWLRQDO 3DUN 'HYRQ 7KH $VKEXU\ +RWHO
+RWHOV LQ WKH 8. LV WKH LGHDO YHQXH IRU \RXU JROI EUHDN
$W OHDVW  KROHV RI )5(( JROI ZLWK HDFK QLJKW RI VWD\

3EO[SSH XL
2

 ]EVHW 4EV  ^ƵŵŵĞƌ

);

^ŝnjnjůĞƌƐ ϮϬϭ


ϭϲϳϭ  Ϯ ϭ
 &Z 'ŽůĨ
DƵůƟ ^ƉŽƌƚƐ ^ŝŵƵůĂƚŽƌƐ
 Ъ WƌŝĐĞ ƵŐŐŝĞƐ  ά

+VOF  +VMZ  #BSHBJO #SFBLT  .JEXFFLT GSPN bQQQO 'VMM #PBSEà
/MKFIEVI 4EV   
$GGLWLRQDO )DFLOLWLHV )5(( WR UHVLGHQWV RI RXU KRWHOV
0IMWYVI 6EGOIX 7TSVXW 7TSVXW 6ERKIW *EQMP] 4MRIW 4EV   );
2
7[MQQMRK 8IRRMW &S[PW %VGLIV] *YRLSYWI &IIGLIW 4EV  
7TE
7EYRE &EHQMRXSR 8EFPI 8IRRMW %MV 4MWXSPW +EQI^SRI 3EO[SSH 4EV  
7RSSOIV 7UYEWL %7MHI %MV 6M¾IW ;EXIVWPMHIW
8IR4MR 7LSVX 8IRRMW &EWOIXFEPP 0EWIVW 4PE] %VIE %WLFYV]   4MRIW *VSRX  4EV  
4097 YRMUYI 'VEJX 'IRXVI JIEXYVMRK  XYXSVIH GVEJXW %WLFYV]   4MRIW &EGO  4EV  
MRGPYHMRK 4SXXIV];SSH[SVO +PEWW )RKVEZMRK
,SX 4VIWW 4VMRXMRK ;MPPS[W 4EV   ϯ' ^ƉŽƌƚƐ WŝƚĐŚ Θ Dh' WŝƚĐŚ

dŚĞ ĨŽŽĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƌĞƐƚĂƵƌĂŶƚ ǁĂƐ ŐŽŽĚ ƋƵĂůŝƚLJ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ŐƌĞĂƚ ĐŚŽŝĐĞ Z,ϬůůĂŶĚ dƌŝƉ ĚǀŝƐŽƌ

   BTICVSZHPMGIPUFMDPN

Ć $OO SULFHV SHU SHUVRQ Ć $OO URRPV HQVXLWH Ć )XOO ERDUG Ć 3DUW\ GLVFRXQWV Ć
 The tricky par-4 5th
GUT LARCHENHOF,
GERMANY
W: gutlaerchenhof.de
GF: €100-€150 per round
Given Germany’s size, it may not quite
have the reputation for its golf that
other European countries do, but there
are still plenty of very good courses
Gut Larchenhof is a Jack
Nicklaus Signature Course
64
here. It has certainly had its fair share of
European Tour events over the years,
and one regular host course is this
year’s BMW International Open venue at
Gut Larchenhof, north-west of Cologne.
Germany’s only Jack Nicklaus
Signature Course is one which cleverly
combines playability with plenty of
strategic and visual features. Nicklaus
wanted the major tests to come towards
the end of each nine, and this he has
achieved. Indeed, on the 9th, Ian
Woosnam once hit three balls into the
water and promptly withdrew!
The par 3s are all strong and
protected in various ways by water,
sand, two-tier greens or sheer length in
the case of the 220-yard 8th. The par-3
16th is perhaps the best hole, with water
right of its wide, shallow green, and
there’s more water right on the classic
risk-reward 17th. The finale is a stout par
4 where a lake butts up tight to the
front left of the green.
Water comes
into play often
CRANS-SUR-SIERRE, EVIAN RESORT, FRANCE most scenic courses, where the views

SHORT HAUL | EUROPE

SWITZERLAND W: evianresort.com not only take in the lake but also some
W: golfcrans.ch/en/ GF: €55-€105 per round; hotel residents of the area’s most striking Alpine peaks.
GF: Ballesteros: £30-£109 per round; €55-€75 per round (free in February, Set in 148 acres of parkland, this most
Nicklaus: £14-£50 per round. March and November) majestic of courses plays alongside and
Ask any keen golf follower to name Since 2013, this beautifully located through mature woodland, with more
a European course with spectacular course in Evian-les-Bains, set above than a few water hazards adding to the
mountain views and most will reply Lake Geneva on the Swiss border, has strategic challenge.
‘Crans-sur-Sierre’. The stunning Seve been home to golf’s only Major to be Among the pick of the holes is the
Ballesteros course in the Alps, which played in continental Europe – the Evian excellent downhill par-3 14th, which
overlooks the Rhone Valley from just Championship. stretches for over 200 yards towards
shy of 5,000ft, has hosted the Swiss The Ladies European Tour has played the lake with a cluster of bunkers
Open or European Masters every year an event here since the mid-1990s, waiting short right. You can stay here
since 1972. though, on one of France’s oldest and too in the delightful Manoir du Golf.
Some of the best-known Alpine
peaks are on view here, from the
Matterhorn to Mont Blanc and Evian sits above
Weisshorn, the fourth highest peak, Lake Geneva
which rises up in all its magnificence
beyond the green on the iconic 7th hole.
Seve played a quite miraculous escape
shot on the 18th in 1993, and two years
later was commissioned to upgrade the
course, which now bears his name.
The Jack Nicklaus course here has
claimed ‘most beautiful nine-holer in
Switzerland’ honours four times, too. As
if the majestic setting weren’t enough,
the ball goes flattering distances at such
altitudes to make you feel even better
about yourself!

Stunning Alpine
backdrops at Crans

65

SHORT HAUL | ENGLAND
MACKENZIE’S
MASTERPIECES
Two of England’s finest courses, both
designed by one of golf’s most revered
architects, lie just half a mile apart...
hen the world’s best golfers
compete at the majestic
W Augusta National in The
Masters, they tread fairways
and fire into greens created by a
Yorkshire-born Scot called Dr Alister
MacKenzie. Between 1907 and his death
in 1934, he became one of history’s
most skilful and prolific golf course
architects. Although Augusta National
may be his most famous work,
MacKenzie began his design
career on this side of the pond.
After serving in the Boer War,
MacKenzie became a founding
member at Alwoodley in 1907
where he had the opportunity
to put his architectural theories
to the test. Legend has it that
the committee at the Leeds
club required reassurance, so
the great Harry Colt, then
secretary at Sunningdale, was
called north to offer a second
opinion. Colt was able to
confirm that MacKenzie was in
fact following many of his own design
principles and the rest is history.
A heathland course set high atop
Wigton Moor, Alwoodley is long
established as one of the best courses
in the UK and Ireland – currently 48th in
our rankings. Recent work under the
supervision of Ken Moodie has seen
almost all of the bunkers restored to
MacKenzie’s original specifications,
while new championship tees take the
yardage to 6,914 against a par of 71.
66
Alwoodley is renowned for its
wonderful par 3s – the green on the 11th
has more than a touch of Augusta about
it – as well as a fearsome closing stretch, of all the bunkers.
played into the prevailing wind that
arrives fresh from the Yorkshire Dales.
In addition, the 10th hole provided
the model for the famous 13th at
Augusta. Both are risk/reward par 5s
that sweep from right to left.
Alwoodley’s 8th hole
Quick-draining thanks to the sandy
soil underfoot, you will never walk off
Alwoodley with mud on your shoes.
In 1908, MacKenzie was invited to
design a test hole at nearby Black Moor.
The result was the famous par-3 10th,
Gibraltar. Soon after, MacKenzie was
invited to create a further 17 holes that
would become known as Moortown.
Gibraltar remains virtually untouched to
this day and is one of England’s great
short holes. Little more than 20 years
Moortown has a
rich heritage
later, Moortown hosted the Ryder Cup,
when the Americans were led by the
great Walter Hagen.
Alwoodley and Moortown are only
half a mile apart and their histories
remain intertwined. Moodie was also
consulted on a restoration project at
Moortown, resulting in the removal of
thousands of trees and the renovation
Moortown is a fraction longer than
Alwoodley, stretching to 6,980 yards
with a par of 71. It probably plays a little
longer, too, with slightly more give in
the turf underfoot. Like Alwoodley, it’s a
staple in Golf Monthly’s top-100 list.
Both courses offer
enduring examples of
MacKenzie’s design
principles. His trademarks
include large, undulating
putting surfaces, man-made
mounding sculpted to look
entirely natural, asymmetrical
bunkering that blends into its
surroundings and greens
often set at a slight angle to
the direction of approach.
PACKAGE
Alwoodley and Moortown are offering a
great value stay-and-play package for the
new season, allowing you to experience
two Top 100 Courses in one trip. For £175,
play one course on a Sunday afternoon,
stay overnight at the nearby four-star
Weetwood Hotel and then play the
second course the following morning.
The price includes breakfast and is based
on two people sharing a room. To book
or for more information, email info@
alwoodley.co.uk or call 0113 268 1680.

   

  


 
 
   
 


   

 

   

  

"  # 

 )&$ .Ù

 "   

 )&$ +.Ù

)!* ') ')*&% * )!%  &/# )&&$ &%  *!* - % *!$) &-#(


 %"
 "
)"

 "  '
%$

(
"  ($   $
&
$ $
  # $  "  *Ù  $  "  *Ù

"
 
 %
" &&&)"
  &&"!%&)!0&%-&#(&$