Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2016 i Golf World

An interesting topic cropped up as we brainstormed the content for this month’s issue. Is the Ryder Cup as good as it used to be? Given the hype that now surrounds the event, it almost seemed like a stupid question. After all, millions of people will tune in to watch the action unfold at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota. At the same time, some of the world’s most prestigious corporations, including Standard Life Investments, Rolex and BMW now stump up an exorbitant amount of money to sponsor the matches. The Ryder Cup is big business. Huge, actually. But does bigger necessarily mean better? As I pondered the question, my mind drifted back to the first Ryder Cup I could remember watching as a golf journalist – the 1991 match…

THONGCHAI JAIDEE The 46-year-old Thai has won an event in each of the last three European Tour seasons, a streak bettered only by Justin Rose and matched by Rory McIlroy and Jason Day. JIM FURYK Mr 58 has not won a major since 2003, but the 46-year-old tied for 2nd at this year’s US Open to compile his fifth top-five finish in the last 19 majors. ANGEL CABRERA The big-hitting Argentinian might be out of form and about to turn 47, but he has made a career out of winning from nowhere and is always a force at Augusta National.…

The Format True, the strokeplay format kept it alive going down the final fairway but our pre-games fears were ultimately founded. Two rounds of strokeplay with the top 32 heading for a head-to-head knockout would have added drama. A team prize would have kept it alive for longer. The Fans A recurring theme of Rio 2016 was the empty stands and disappointing turnouts for events. Golf bucked that trend, with all 15,000 tickets sold for Sunday, despite the fact the Olympic course was some way away from the tourist centre. Aside from a lack of understanding of the game’s rules and etiquette, the fans were loud and boisterous and created a fitting atmosphere. The Players From bouncing around other events and hanging out with other athletes, to bunking up in…

Last month, Australia’s Curtis Luck won the US Amateur, defeating Brad Duke 6&4. Does this set Luck up for a lifetime of major success in the pro game? The statistics would suggest not; in the last 50 years, few amateur champions have gone on to land a major. Trawling back to 1966, the statistics make sober reading for the US Amateur champion. 8 L Wadkins, C Stadler, J Pate, M O’Meara, H Sutton, P Mickelson, J Leonard and T Woods – eight of the last 50 US Amateur winners then won majors. 3 Only three of those have won multiple majors – Mark O’Meara (2), Phil Mickelson (5) and Tiger Woods (14). 11 The average wait between US Amateur and major glory. Jerry Pate only had to wait two years…

‘Did Craig Reedie have to advertise his membership of a body not exactly known for inclusiveness?’ Heading into Rio, this column was not a fan of golf ’s participation in an athletic competition run by the International Olympic Committee. But as things turned out, golf and the splendid Gil Hanse-designed course provided stellar entertainment. That’s not to say everything in Brazil was tickety-boo. Far from it. Although any deficiencies – obvious or otherwise – were hard to discern amid media and television coverage that ranged from utterly incompetent to schmaltzy beyond belief. By the end of the Games, golf ’s Olympic bandwagon was so crowded it made even Rio’s least-desirable Favela appear spartanly populated. The star of the show though was not men’s champion Justin Rose. Nor was it fellow…

A lot of amateurs really struggle with the transition from the backswing to the downswing. It can be difficult because they aren’t two separate moves. The downswing starts from the ground up before the backswing has finished. The left knee triggers the whole move, but it’s very important that it does so in the correct manner. If you get it wrong it can throw you off plane and lead to all sorts of poor shots. But if you get it right, you will gain power and distance as well as hitting it straighter and more consistently. Left knee starts transition Imagine you’re set up on a railway track with your feet on one rail and the ball on the other. Create the feeling your left knee is trying to move…

If you look down the range at a tournament, you’ll notice that everyone is working on the basics – alignment, grip, ball position, set-up and posture. If any one of them is wrong then you have to compensate in your swing, and a lot of swing faults are a direct result of an error in these basics. It’s really easy to slip into bad habits with your posture, but Masters champion Danny Willett uses a really good drill that I’ve also started using. Feel the right hip Putting your hand on your right hip bone helps you tilt your upper body forward from the hips while keeping your spine straight, rather than curving your back or slouching. Build a solid base You can also try putting a club across your…

Par. Birdie. Eagle. Birdie. Par. Birdie. Birdie. Birdie. Birdie. Birdie. Birdie. Birdie. Par. Par. Par. Birdie. Par. Par. Add it all up and what do you get? The answer is the record-breaking 12-under 58 compiled by Jim Furyk at the PGA Tour’s Travelers Championship. “To have a small place in history is simply a dream,” smiled Furyk. “There have been a million and a half rounds played on the PGA Tour, so it’s humbling to stand alone at 58. It’s a really cool accomplishment.” There’s no denying the coolness of Furyk’s achievement. But given the 46-year-old American missed a 10-footer for birdie on the 14th and lipped out from seven feet on the 15th, there’s also no denying that his score could have been even lower. It’s a mindboggling revelation…

Justin Thomas Looking for the next man to break the 60 mark? The smart money could be on this big-hitter. Only on the PGA Tour for two full seasons, but already has a 62 and two 61s. Ben Martin Meet the only man to shoot a 62 in each of the last three PGA Tour seasons. Martin is 29, he has one PGA Tour win and he is currently the second best putter from over 25ft on tour. Brandt Snedeker So far this season his best score is a paltry 63. We say paltry, because the former FedEx champion has three 61s and one 60 since joining the PGA Tour in 2007. Phil Mickelson He’s one of only two players to put together two rounds of 60 on the PGA…

HENRIK ON… HIS SILVER MEDAL FINISH IN RIO “It was a great experience being part of the Opening Ceremony, watching some of the other sports and getting to interact with some of the other athletes from my country. On the course, it was a very good showing for golf worldwide. That’s the beauty of the Olympics. You reach a different audience. I had so many messages afterwards from people that never watch golf, and they said they got straight into it. I had a message on my Facebook from one guy who said, ‘I never watch golf; I was going to do something completely different this weekend, and I ended up watching golf for 10 hours.’” HENRIK ON… HIS TROON DUEL WITH MICKELSON “It’s one of those things where it…

DUSTIN JOHNSON World ranking: Two ..........................10/10 Majors: One ..................................................3/10 Prowins: 13 ...................................................7/10 RCrecord: 3W-3L-0H ........................6/10 Driving distance: 313.9yds .........10/10 GIR: 67.7%......................................................5/10 Scrambling: 59.6% ................................7/10 Putts per GIR: 1.725 ..............................8/10 Total: ..............................................................56/80 DJ has always been impressive on paper but his US Open win in June has elevated him to the next level. His form this year has been magnificent with two wins and another nine top 10s. He’s surprisingly only played two Ryder Cups – losing in 2010 and 2012 – but his individual record is decent. JORDAN SPIETH World ranking: Three.......................10/10 Majors:Two ..................................................5/10 Prowins:10..................................................6/10 RC record: 2W-1L-1H .............................7/10 Driving distance: 295.5yds..........6/10 GIR: 63.2%....................................................2/10 Scrambling: 63.7% ...............................9/10 Putts per GIR: 1.707 ..............................9/10 Total: .............................................................54/80 The two-time major champion from 2015 hasn’t quite hit the same heights this year, but he…

1st 442 YARDS A fairly gentle two-shot hole with fairway bunkers around the 280-yard mark. The landing area between them is roughly 28 yards wide. Bunkers guard the 5,306sqft green. Miss those fairway bunkers and it’s an 8 or 9-iron in. 2nd 429 YARDS Three more bunkers hamper the drive on this dog-leg-left hole. Carry the bunker on the corner of the dog-leg and it’s a sand wedge to a green set diagonally to the fairway and surrounded by four good-sized bunkers. 3rd 633 YARDS A long, straight, three-shotter that only a handful of players will reach in two, providing they avoid the four fairway bunkers down the left. The green is one of the largest on the course, but guarded by three more sand traps. 4th 210 YARDS Three…

GW: What makes a good Ryder Cup pairing? BR: There is a lot of discussion among the players, captains and assistant captains as to who should be paired with whom. But it’s most important to ask the players themselves: who do you want to play with, do your games match up and do your personalities match up? The other point that gets far less focus in the media is whether their golf balls match up. In foursomes, the players share a ball. They are obsessed with this question, because it tangibly impacts on their performance. Do good pairings need to be good friends? They don’t need to be best friends, but they certainly need to be able to get along when they are on the golf course. Is it going…

TONY JACKLIN V JACK NICKLAUS When: Sunday, Royal Birkdale, 1969 Format: Final singles It’s the famous concession when, to the chagrin of some of his teammates, big Jack offered Jacklin a half that tied the matches at 16-16. It was a gesture that highlights golf as a game played by honourable gentlemen. Two other factors make Nicklaus’ actions even more courteous. The matches had not been played in the best of spirits. GB&I captain Eric Brown had told his team not to look for American balls in the rough. Second, Nicklaus had earlier lost 4&3 to Jacklin and could easily have wanted revenge. Jacklin had holed a monster putt for eagle on 17 and the competitive juices were flowing. “I felt the US was going to retain the Cup either…

1 The original design was drawn on the sleeve of a 78rpm record by Ping founder Karsten Solheim in January 1966. 2 It was the first putter to feature heel and toe weighting that increased stability. Karsten developed this idea by observing that aeroplanes were more stable when their wing tip fuel tanks were full. 3 George Archer was the first man to win a major with the Anser at the 1969 Masters. 4 A bend in the hosel sees the shaft point straight at the ball but the hands stay slightly offset. 5 There were originally two versions of the Anser because the first moulds were slightly different shapes. The ‘A’ had a flatter sole and the ‘K’ had a more sloped heel. 6 It only adopted the popular…

Si Woo Kim used an Odyssey Works #7 mallet putter to win the Wyndham Championship, but it’s the hosel that’s of particular note. The Crank Hosel is usually found on blade models. It has full shaft offset that allows the hands to stay ahead of the clubhead through impact, which is making it easier for pros to transition to bigger, more forgiving heads. Graeme McDowell switched into a 10.5° TaylorMade M2 driver en route to a T5 finish at the Wyndham, his joint best finish of the year. He went from losing ground on the field in ‘strokes gained – off the tee’ to ranking 26th for the week. Brooke Henderson was the first pro to put a new Ping Vault Oslo mallet putter in play at the Olympics. The…

‘Ecco shoes feel broken in before you’ve ever worn them. All testers concurred the Cage is as good as you can get for out-of-the-box comfort’ Nike Flyknit Elite PRICE: £220 MAIN FEATURES: Hi-tech knitted upper; Integrated TRACTION: Lunarlon midsole SOLE: Articulated traction channels Adidas Tour360 Boa Boost PRICE: £159.99 MAIN FEATURES: Boa lace closure; Boost midsole foam; Climaproof leather upper SOLE: Thintech outsole and cleats; Centraxion TPU moulding Ecco Cage PRICE: £170 MAIN FEATURES: Stability cage; Freedom Fit; Caldera leather with hydromax SOLE: Champ Slimlock cleats According to Nike, its new Flyknit Elite has the ability to “decouple the medial heel and lateral forefoot area to help propel the athlete through the swing”. Having given this shoe a thorough workout, Golf World is relieved to report this is nowhere near…

ECCO CAGE WHAT WE LIKED: Instant comfort, wet-weather performance, solid hybrid alternative WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE: Distracting logoed laces, not the most sporty shape NIKE FLYKNIT ELITE WHAT WE LIKED: Innovative sock-like foot support, ground connection, light weight WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE: Hard to get on and off, less comfort late in the round ADIDAS TOUR360 BOOST BOA WHAT WE LIKED: Boa closing system, Boost cushioning, classic/ sporty styling WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE: Tongue slightly long, some evidence of leaking round the collar The modern golf shoe designer faces a dilemma. On one hand he wants his shoe to be comfortable and supportive; on the other he needs it to offer mobility and boost stability by enhancing the golfer’s connection with the ground, two performance-based aspects that would tend to…

Where to stay Other than Royal Zoute’s few rooms on site, there are no play-and-stay options. We stayed in two Martin’s hotels, one in Leuven (Klooster) and one in Bruges (Relais), and they were perfect. Both had character in tune with their settings in medieval towns yet with modern style and service – and a superb yet unfussy breakfast many big-name hotel groups could learn from. www.martinshotels.com When to go There is no point pretending otherwise; Belgium gets even more rain than Britain. It is milder but wetter – with July a particularly bad culprit (an average of 6.23cm). We went in May and thought we were lucky, but in fact it has the second-lowest rainfall all year – behind only April, which is comfortably the lowest with an average…

What has been your closest brush with death? I’m allergic to peanuts. I’ve had a few scary moments with that. A few years ago I ate a couple of nuts in an airport and my throat swelled up. I could hardly breath. I needed the paramedics to help me at the gate. I was really struggling. My heart was pounding. My lips were swollen. It was nasty. I’m not sure how close I came to dying but it wasn’t good. What is your earliest memory? I’ve got a terrible memory! But I do recall going out to play football in our little Aberdeen shirts with my neighbours in Inverness, Paul and Craig Cuthbert. That was pretty early on. What is your most annoying trait? I sometimes don’t pay attention as…

Each resort contender was marked out of 100 in these five categories: Golf course/s - 40 points; Accommodation - 20pts; Non-golf amenities - 20pts; Practice facilities - 10pts; Location - 10pts. Golf course/s The quality but also the quantity of the holes. We largely followed our Top 100 Courses ranking as a guide, while a second course was often crucial as it gives you the option of never having to leave the resort for golfing variety. Accommodation Fairly self-explanatory... but given that there was a separate category for non-golf amenities, this one focused on the range and quantity of accommodation rather than facilities other than dining options. Non-golf amenities Yes, a lot of points, but if we simply did it on courses and accommodation, anywhere with so much as a…

Best quantity of holes? Quinta do Lago. All three courses are outstanding – an ideal resort if you don’t fancy wandering much. Best for fun golf? Lumine in Tarragona as alongside its two Championship courses is a nine-hole course called “Ruins” which is very accessible for all golfers. Favourite large hotel? This is difficult. Purely from a personal perspective, Lopesan Costa Meloneras in Gran Canaria. Great surroundings, the biggest pool I’ve been in with a superb course to match. Favourite small hotel? Finca Cortesin is unrivalled when it comes to luxury, proximity to great golf and the important apres golf. Best non-golf facilities? Chateau des Vigiers, near Bordeaux, France for its vineyards for wine tasting. Where reinvigorates you? Borgo Egnazia Hotel in Puglia, Italy. Hasn’t got the most highly-rated course…

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24 YEARS JACK NICKLAUS 1962-1986 (AGE 22-46) The man with the most majors predictably also has the longest span between his first and last wins. He claimed the first of his 18 aged 22 and the last when 46. 19 YEARS GARY PLAYER 1959-1978 (AGE 23-42) The Black Knight was the only golfer in the 20th Century to win the Open in three different decades. He won at Muirfield in 1959, Carnoustie in 1968 and Royal Lytham in 1974. 16 YEARS JULIUS BOROS 1952-1968 (AGE: 32-48) Became the game’s oldest major winner when he held off Bob Charles and Arnold Palmer to win the 1968 US PGA aged 48. His longevity is perhaps because he only turned pro aged 29. 11 YEARS TIGER WOODS 1997-2008 (AGE: 21-32) Eight years since…

Hands up if you predicted that Danny Willett, Dustin Johnson, Henrik Stenson and Jimmy Walker would win this year’s majors. Don’t worry, our arms have remained by our sides too. And why wouldn’t they? Going into this season all of the focus surrounded the ‘Big Three’ – Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Jason Day. Golf had entered an era that would be dominated by this trio of magnificent young players with contrasting styles. Clearly, 2016’s majors didn’t follow the script though. So how did it happen, and what does it tell us about the state of the game right now? “The talent in the game now goes so deep that it’s getting hard for anyone to separate themselves,” believes Sir Nick Faldo. “There are so many players who can win…

Butch Harmon FAMOUS CLIENTS Currently it includes Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler, Brandt Snedeker and Jimmy Walker. Previously: Tiger, Greg Norman, Adam Scott and Phil Mickelson. MAJOR WINS Guided Tiger Woods to eight major titles, but has also inspired Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Jimmy Walker, Greg Norman and Stewart Cink to grand slam victories. GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT Under Harmon’s tutelage Tiger Woods played arguably the finest golf ever witnessed, the high point being the ‘Tiger Slam’ that saw Woods win four majors in a row between 2000 and 2001. IMPARTIAL VIEW “Butch develops such a strong mental understanding of his players that he’s able to get them to appreciate their strengths and convince them to do what they need to do to become a better player” – Travis Fulton, the Golf Channel…

What is it? As the name suggests, six-hole golf events. But throw in a shot clock, blaring music, PA announcements and players dressed “a little differently” and you have a revolutionary form of the auld game. Alongside this more relaxed dress code, players would also likely use fewer clubs – perhaps as few as five – and tournaments would be international matchplay rather than individuals head to head. Revolution not evolution. Who is it aimed at? It will be televised, as European Tour chief Keith Pelley is eager to boost TV viewing figures. It’s also aimed at attracting new generations to a version of golf that takes less time and increases excitement levels. His inspiration is Twenty20 cricket, which has seen massive revenues flow into the grassroots. “Golf has to…

@SPOOKYFISH From a pure golf standpoint it would have to be the major. But to be a gold medalist at The Olympics is very special. @PERSEVERINGGOLF You can’t compare Apples and Oranges! @ONEILLMATTY Has to be the US Open. If Monty or Westwood had won Olympic gold would that make up for them not winning a major? No! No major = ‘If only’. @GREASE34 The US Open because it’s a major, won against the top players in the world at a historic championship golf course. @FORFARDAVID I think it has to be the US Open just now. I think he would rank the Olympics gold above The Players or a WGC title at the end of his career. From GW Twitter page: @golfworld1 Join in the Twitter conversation at: @golfworld1…

I’m one of the most powerful players because my swing combines leverage, speed, strength and good mechanics. That last one is vital because no matter how athletic you are you will lose distance and accuracy if you don’t hit the ball solidly. Power begins with solid contact, especially for amateurs who want to hit it further. Resist temptation to go at it too hard and swing within yourself while maintaining good posture and balance. I focus on starting the swing with a long and slow takeaway and retaining my spine angle and the flex in my right knee in the backswing. This should help keep your club on a neutral path, so you can deliver the clubhead more consistently and efficiently at impact.…

Lately I’ve been focused on getting rid of the ‘play’ in my backswing. What I mean is that there’s been a lot of movement at the top of my swing this year, almost like a re-routing of the club to get it back on plane. When you do that, it makes it much more difficult to hit the ball consistently, so I’ve been missing more fairways and greens than I did throughout 2015. That’s obviously very frustrating for me, so I’ve been trying to focus on simplifying that transition at the top with less movement, which then frees me up to be able to rip all the way through the ball and hit more fairways. ADDRESS Align lower body at target I have a tendency to align my lower body…

I know they tell you to tee the ball high with the new drivers, but I’ve started doing the exact opposite with some fabulous results. It all started when I was testing the new TaylorMade M2 driver and one of the equipment guys asked me if I always teed it so high. I’d got into a habit of trying to stay back and launching the ball on the up swing, but there was an inherent inconsistency with this method because the ball would sometimes go left. I’ve found the ball never goes left when I tee it lower and I’ve been getting a better flight with a power fade that is going longer than I was driving the ball before. Try teeing the ball lower to add consistency to your…

LOWEST ROUND ON THE EUROPEAN TOUR 60 x 18 The 60 mark may have been broken seven times on the PGA Tour, but as no-one has gone below it on the European Tour. When will it happen? Soon. Where will it happen? Possibly Kingsbarns; Branden Grace and Peter Uilhein have both shot 60 there in the last four years. LOWEST 72-HOLE TOTAL IN RELATION TO PAR ON THE EUROPEAN TOUR -29, Ernie Els 2003 A lot of golfers would be pleased with 259 shots for three rounds. At the Johnnie Walker Classic in February 2003, Ernie Els completed four rounds in this number of blows. This 29-under total remains a European Tour record in relation to par. LOWEST 72-HOLE TOTAL IN RELATION TO PAR ON THE PGA TOUR -31, Ernie…

Ever since I turned pro, almost 20 years ago, ball-striking has always been the foundation of my game. Having said that, it occasionally goes off. The problem is always the same – a lack of stability at address. If you swing from a weak base, you can’t load and unload your muscles and you lose the synchronisation between your arms and torso, and between your upper and lower body, too. The whole motion becomes loose and inefficient. Here is what I work on. My key thought is “Get in and over it”. This lets my arms hang away from my body, giving them the freedom to load and unload. Good posture permits a coordinated move away from the ball – arms swinging in sync with the body motion. I used…

HENRIK SAYS “The secret to playing good bunker shots is maintaining the loft on the face throughout the swing. Check your finish position for these two points. 1. The clubface points at the sky with the shaft parallel to the ground. 2. The grip aims at your belt buckle.” Iwouldn’t say bunker play is the strength of my game, but I’ve made some great sand saves over the years to win tournaments. I set up to the ball with the face aiming right. The more height you need, the more you open the face. This helps the bounce of the club to work into the sand. Having created the loft, it’s important to keep it there on the backswing. If you allow the face to close, you risk the thin,…

The greatest spectacle in golf is here and it promises to be another epic battle. Europe has won eight of the last 10 matches dating back to 1995, but it’s a team in transition. The USA convened a special Task Force and appointed a captain with previous experience and a score to settle as they search for a winning formula. Both sides are stacked with world class talent and passions are sure to run high as the three days of intense competition unfold. Over the next 35 pages we’ll delve into the very different motivations and styles of captains Darren Clarke and Davis Love III, take a closer look at Hazeltine National and relive some of the most iconic moments in Ryder Cup history. But first, we’ve studied the teams…

EUROPE FOURBALL Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson These two major champions combined to devastating effect at Gleneagles to take three points out of three, including an incredible birdie barrage to down Watson and Kuchar in the Saturday fourballs. Sergio Garcia and Rafael Cabrera-Bello There’s a history of magnificent Spanish Ryder Cup pairings. Garcia has a fantastic record and is an experienced hand to guide Cabrera-Bello in the more forgiving fourball format. Danny Willett and Chris Wood We’ve seen pairs of rookies do well in the fourballs in recent years and the Englishmen should gel nicely. Wood has won three of five fourballs in EurAsia Cup and Seve Trophy. FOURSOMES Lee Westwood and Matt Fitzpatrick Westwood has a great track record with rookies having helped Nicolas Colsaerts and Jamie Donaldson to…

Have you spoken much with Davis Love about the course set-up? Not really. He came out to play the course a year or so ago and we spoke then. But he didn’t really mention strategy or anything like that. He did say that he wanted excitement, though. He wanted it to feel like the back nine on Sunday at the Masters. He wants lots of roars. So all I know right now is that the rough is going to be kept low. Which will be the most dramatic holes? The 16th and 17th have the potential to be very dramatic. I suspect we’ll see a lot of exciting action at both, and I think in the years ahead, visitors will come to the course and say they remember these two…

Darren Clarke and Davis Love sit in a plush New York hotel suite, sipping bottled water and catching up on news. It might look like two old mates getting together, having found themselves in the same city for a day, but this was no chance meeting. Instead, it was a gathering that has become business as usual in the life of the Ryder Cup captains – cameras, questions, conjecture. The two men know that their personal reputations rest on the events of the next few weeks. That they are both major winners with storied playing careers will matter little come Hazeltine. For Ryder Cup captains, history’s judgement is a binary affair. There will be one winner and one loser, a good captain and a bad one. For Clarke and Love…

WE TRIED IT... ‘It’s one of the straightest and most consistent drivers I’ve ever hit with the shorter shaft.’ Kit Alexander, Senior Editor Callaway Big Bertha Fusion driver Callaway’s latest driver is all about delivering maximum forgiveness so any mishits go longer and straighter and your overall driver performance is more predictable and consistent. MOI is increased by up to 17 per cent from the XR16 by moving the centre of gravity lower and deeper. The head has an aerospace-grade titanium exoskeleton called an Exo-Cage with a triaxial carbon crown and sole, which is 65 per cent lighter than titanium, and more than 35 per cent thinner than Callaway’s previous forged composite material. This head construction has also enabled the engineers to move away from previous tradeoffs in…

Why have you used different materials? Each set has a different performance ideal. The Tour is very much ‘feel and control’ for players who already hit the ball far enough, hence our 1025 E Pure Select mild carbon steel. The Forged using Boron adds a little ball speed for the player who doesn’t want to give up the forged feedback. The Hot Metal with Chromoly is for the golfer who wants every possible yard available. How do you discover new materials for clubs? Sometimes it’s a request from the engineers when we hit the limits of what we’re working with. At times, a supplier has presented a material they’ve worked with in a different industry. The trick is to recognise quickly when you’ve found something really good. How do different…

GW: What were the challenges of designing for the Ryder Cup team? ML: In addition to catering for all the individual sizes, we also had to think differently about the functionality. Because the caddies carry everything, there was no need for pockets, for example. Other than that, we wanted the suit to be as lightweight and as comfortable as possible. Tell us about the new Gore C-Knit backer used in the suit. Ryder Cup Europe’s invitation to be an Official Team Supplier was perfectly timed. We had been looking for a three-layer fabric with a liner that would ‘slide and glide’ over a golfer’s clothing when the suit was put on or taken off. The new three-layer material is lighter than the previous two-layer version. What was the timeline? After…

Ecco Cage Liquid polyurethane injected around the upper for a flexible, anatomically correct sole. Freedom Fit: heel stability and a wider forefoot encourages toes to spread to offer natural support. The removable insole is breathable and allows width-fitting flexibility. Nike Flyknit Elite Lunarlon cushioning places the foot on a foam layer for comfort and support while retaining connection with the ground. Lighter than regular foam, it’s designed to spread weight and mellow pressure points. Flyknit upper aids comfort with its stretchy, sock-like feel. Adidas Tour 360 Boa Boost Taken from basketball, Boost material is densely-packed polyurethane capsules that expand and contract as you walk and swing, for a cushion that helps you retain energy without hindering connection with the turf. It’s used the length of the shoe’s midsole. THE RESULTS…

What are the main changes to the course? We’ve tried to open the golf course up, make it more user friendly, make it easier to not hit it in the water and to not hit it into someone’s yard. The people who’ve played there in the past are going to feel like it’s wide open and free. There are bunkers and hazards but it’s going to be a lot friendlier. It’s also more like an ocean-style course, even though you’re not on the ocean but for one or two holes. It has a more ocean, linksy feel. How has the signature 15th hole changed? The tees are up a little bit and the green’s a little bit higher. We wanted you to be able to see the ocean on the…

1 If you can extend your trip by another night, it’s well worth knowing Eindhoven is just over the border close to Limburg – a Top 100 course not near Holland’s other offerings. 2 If you heed our advice and stay in Martin’s Klooster or Relais, have a map and GPS handy as they are in medieval towns of dead ends and one-ways. It’s like driving on York’s Shambles! 3 Make sure you leave enough time in your schedule to have a long lunch at Royal Zoute. The view overlooking the links is magnificent... and it’s your first chance for a Belgian beer. 4 Once you’ve enjoyed this trip, you’ll almost certainly fancy another Belgium break – and if so, Martin’s Hotels offer a terrific-value Golf Pass taking in lots…

WHAT IF... I’m pitching to a front pin This is a difficult shot if you can’t make a full swing because you won’t be able to create the clubhead speed of a full swing. This limits the height and backspin you can generate, so the ball won’t stop as quickly as a full wedge shot. If you know the pin is at the front, you can play to leave yourself a full shot. But if you don’t know the flag location or an errant shot leaves you in this position, it can be tempting to get too cute and leave the ball short of the green. Err on the side of caution and play slightly past the pin to guarantee your next shot is a putt. If the ground is…

“ARE there enough really good resorts to make it a worthwhile Top 100?” That was the question we asked ourselves when we sat down to discuss a project that has been over a year in the making. The conclusion back then was an uncertain “pretty sure there is”. The answer now, having finished the project, is a categorical “yes”. And as you read through this inaugural Top 100 ranking of the finest resorts in Continental Europe, we will be surprised if you don’t agree with that assessment. The depth to the quality of venue is patently impressive; from the day when we wondered if it was possible to maintain quality from 1 to 100, we ended up with 10 very strong contenders immediately outside the list, and another 20 that…

Chris Bertram GW’s Courses & Travel editor has been to 62 of the resorts and many key contenders. Borje Laurinsson With wife Gunnel, Swedish couple use our Top 100 Courses to guide them all over Europe. Hans-Joachim Walter The former German Amateur champion travels widely, has written six golf books. Nigel Butler With wife Suzanne, these Brussels-based golfers set up Where2Golf.com Peter Bjerkeseth Extremely widely-travelled Norwegian golfer with particular expertise in Scandinavia. Olle Dahlgren From Falsterbo, Sweden, he was another key advisor on the Scandinavian resorts. Peter Gammie Lives close to the France-Spain border so is an invaluable expert in resorts in both countries.…

The European Tour Travel Club, a partnership between The European Tour and Golfbreaks.com, offers travel packages to all venues in the European Tour Properties network and more than 2,000 golf breaks worldwide. There are also exclusive opportunities to play in European Tour Pro-Ams and play some of the world’s best courses the day after a tournament with ‘Sunday Pins on Monday’ packages. Call 0845 250 8404 or visit europeantourtravelclub.com…

Linna was opened in 2005, the work of architect Tim Lobb, then of the European Golf Design firm of architects. But it also had input from an unlikely source… a Golf World reader. A competition was held in 2003 to design a hole on the new course and it was won by Dave Sampson, a South African student. His work is seen on the attractive par-5 15th – and it’s considered one of the best holes on the course! The tale had a nice ending too; Sampson was then employed by EGD and is still designing courses for them 13 years on. “I was so fortunate to win,” says Sampson. “It is the sort of thing you dream about, but it actually happened... I’m very proud of being a part…

By the time we get to the bit where the airline’s website asks what baggage you want to take, you’ve got your heart set on those flights and you just stump up. But we really ought to be at least armed with the correct information before we start searching for flights – so we have collated the golf club carriage charges for the main airlines operating out of this country. It’s especially good to know on those occasions when there is barely £60 between comparative flight costs… Virgin Atlantic Free, under 23kg – and does not count in free baggage allowance. Thomson Holidays Free, if pre-booked by telephone – and does not count in free baggage allowance. BA Free, as your checked baggage up to 190cm x 75cm x 65cm…

Château des Vigiers is the perfect place for those seeking intimacy and a feeling of total relaxation From the moment you sweep down the grand driveway and first set eyes on the magnificent 16th century château and its lake, you enjoy the feeling of time slowing down and nature awakening your senses The tranquillity and contentment begins now, and is continued in gastronomy, wines, golf and well-being – all enjoyed in authentic surroundings A visit to Chateau des Vigiers is a wonderful feast for the senses The region At the heart of authentic France, this is a region full of history and tradition. Situated at the gateway of the Dordogne Valley, in the heart of ‘Purple Périgord’, it is perfectly located for visiting the region’s vineyards, châteaux, grottoes and gardens.…

Best for fun golf? Chateau De Taulane near Grasse in France is a great golfing Chateau experience that holds golf initiation groups too. Best golf facilities? Quinta do Lago has a beach, a lake, tennis and water sports and a Paul McGinley golf academy. Favourite large hotel? Quinta da Marinha Resort in Cascais would be one: great facilities and golf. Favourite small hotel? Rio Real Golf & Hotel near Marbella gives guests a tailor-made experience and is situated on its own golf course with Marbella just five minutes away. Widest range of non-golf facilities? La Manga has great tennis, football, cricket facilities... plus scuba diving, horse riding, mountain biking, running and rambling. Best non-golf attraction? Château des Vigiers for wine-loving golfers. The resort you always feel reinvigorated at? Costa Navarino…

Last year, golf writers began penning Phil Mickelson’s career obituary when he dropped out of the world top 30 for the first time since 1994. This July, they opened their laptops and trashed what they’d written after the Californian produced one of his career’s finest performances to finish the Open with a score that would have been good enough to win 140 of its previous 144 editions. “I’m disappointed it wasn’t enough, but I’m excited about my game and where it’s headed,” he smiled. So where exactly is his game headed? In the short term, the answer is it’s headed to the FedEx Cup Play-offs and to his 11th consecutive Ryder Cup. In the long term, the answer could be to more major titles. “My play at the Open tells…

UP Thomas Pieters The 24-year-old Belgian gets the captain’s wild card nod Hazeltine. Captain compares him to good Tiger Woods and tips him to top the world rankings. No pressure, then. Inbee Park A gold medal to a Hall of Fame career that has seen her win everything there is to win. If this really is the end of her competitive career, she’ll exit on top. Scott Brown History repeats itself as, for the second successive year, the American aces the 3rd during the final round of the Wyndham Championship – won by Si Woo Kim. Rory McIlroy Jack Nicklaus defends Rory’s reputation by admitting he also didn’t care about “growing the game”. “I was there to win, not grow,” admitted Jack. DOWN Robert Allenby This time he’s arrested for…

Rory McIlroy “Ah yeah, that’s the one who dumped his fiancee by text.” Jason Day “Is one of them Justin Rose?” Jordan Spieth “I watched the Masters but, no, I don’t recognise that guy at all.” Dustin Johnson “I don’t know any golfers. Golf is not popular in my country.” Tiger Woods “I only know Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. The rest have never been on the Daily Mail website.” Phil Mickelson “That’s the American with the rubbish hat – can’t remember his name.” Henrik Stenson “I’d say only Woods, McIlroy, Mickelson, Day and Stenson are world famous.” Rickie Fowler “That’s Rickie Fowler – I only know him because he rides dirt bikes.”…

1 How did the opportunity to host the British Masters on the European Tour come about? A lot of the players, especially some of the English guys, have spoken to the top guys at the European Tour about wanting to get more events in the UK, with Wentworth (the BMW) having such a great attendance and being so successful. In the past, there were quite a few more UK tournaments on the schedule and we’d like to see some more. The European Tour took that to heart and came up with the idea of having a few of the bigger names associated with English golf to be ambassadors for new tournaments. The inaugural event, hosted by Ian Poulter at Woburn, was a huge success and I get to host it…

‘It’s almost impossible to get the superstars to travel without a ridiculous appearance fee.’ As somebody who has been dedicated to promoting and growing the game of golf throughout his career, it was disappointing to see so many of the world’s top players turn their backs on the opportunity to represent their countries in the Olympics. It should have been something all golfers were excited for. Having said that, I was thrilled to see Justin Rose win the Gold Medal in Rio. I’ve always said that Justin is a perfect role model and ambassador for our sport – he’s an extremely polite, charming and well-mannered gentleman who seems genuinely interested in growing the game. Golf needs more players like him right now if we are to get the younger generation…

Unlike many of my colleagues on Tour, I’m not a huge fan of putting practice. In fact, the only time you’ll see me spending hours on the green is if I have a major problem to fix. Other than that, I simply go back to basics to ensure that my putting stays on track. I’m a big believer in that if it isn’t broken, you certainly shouldn’t try to fix it! These four putting keys have helped me become a really good putter over the years. Slot them into your game and you will hole your fair share, too. Keep your head steady This is the best piece of putting advice I’ve ever received. It’s been one of my key basics since I was a kid. Keeping your head still…

On any kind of slope, my first aim is to create as much normality as possible. The closer you can get to making the shot a normal one with your set-up, the easier it will be. That means moving your body into the same position in relation to the slope that it would be from a flat lie. If you don’t do this, you’ll struggle to make good contact and bring fats and tops into play. Once you’ve got the set-up right, it’s a simple case of making a similar swing that you would from the flat. 1 Spine 90° to slope Shift about 70% of your weight to your front side so you can get your spine at 90° to the slope – just as it would be when…

It doesn’t get much better than the 13th at Augusta from a strategy perspective. There’s so much handicap golfers can learn from how the pros play this hole – and similar shot dog-leg par 5s. The big hitters can challenge the hole off the tee by hitting over the trees on the left side and biting off a lot of the corner, leaving a mid or even a short iron into the green. For shorter hitters or a more conservative approach, it’s all about shape and ball control. If you hit a low 3-wood with a little draw you can sling it a long way around the corner. You need to know the shape and trajectory you hit and trust it. You can make birdie or a simple par both…

When Professor Mark Broadie researched every PGA Tour round of 62 or less that was put together between 2003 and 2015, he discovered the secret to really low scoring was hitting your approach shots closer to the pin than usual, holing a few more putts in the 5-15ft range, one more putt in the 3-5ft range and one more putt between 15 and 25ft. Jim Furyk has ranked in the top 10 for the proximity to the hole of his approach shots every year since 2011. He often ranks highly in putting from six feet, putting from inside 10 feet and putting from 10-15 feet. And his statistics for his record-breaking round show he managed to merge these perfectly, with his approach shots ending up an average of 21ft 6in…

HENRIK SAYS “Because of the way the Tour courses are set up with many hazards and dog-legs kicking in around 290 yards, I’ll often use my 3-wood instead of driver off the tee. It’s my go-to club when I absolutely have to hit the fairway. Most amateurs play the ball too far back in their stance with this club. Playing it forward more will give you more time to release the clubhead and square the face. In my old swing, my upper body would race ahead in the downswing, causing me to come up and out of the shot early. This cost me distance and accuracy. One of my key driving and fairway wood thoughts is to grind down into the turf with my feet as I transition from backswing…

HENRIK SAYS “A great way to check the alignment of your forearms at address is to lay a clubshaft or a cane across them. Take your putting posture with your arms facing each other. You can check the aim yourself or, ideally, have a friend stand behind you and check.” I’m the first to admit that I’ve been a bit of a streaky putter over the years. My putting in recent years has been more solid, though. I discovered that the root cause of my inconsistency was lining up and aiming the putter correctly. The specific issue was with my forearms. In particular, my right forearm would come out a bit at address. This misalignment caused me to pull putts left of the hole, or overcompensate and miss the other…

RORY MCILROY World ranking:Five...........................10/10 Majors:Four................................................8/10 Prowins:20 ................................................8/10 RC record:6W-6L-4H........................6/10 Driving distance:304.9yds.........8/10 GIR:68.4%....................................................6/10 Scrambling:58.8%...............................6/10 Putts per GIR:1.751.................................5/10 Total:...............................................................57/80 The Northern Irishman hasn’t had his best year but he’s still our number one on paper. He’s never lost a singles match or the Ryder Cup overall in his three previous appearances. The team environment could be just what he needs to find his best form again. DANNY WILLETT World ranking:10..................................8/10 Majors:One ..................................................3/10 Prowins:Five ............................................4/10 RC record:Rookie ...................................3/10 Driving distance:288.3yds ..........5/10 GIR:71.2% .....................................................8/10 Scrambling: 57.2%.................................5/10 Putts per GIR:1.753 ...............................5/10 Total: ...............................................................41/80 The Masters champion has struggled to live up to those heroics through the summer but there’s no denying his talent and he’s still leading the Race to Dubai. He played in the Walker Cup in 2007 and took two points from three…

‘(On 16) I had 260 to the hole and my caddie goes, “Well, what do you think?” I go, “Well, we really haven’t backed off all week. Do you think we ought to now? I don’t think so” ’ How the 24 players play this 572-yard hole could prove decisive in the destination of the Ryder Cup. It comes at a pivotal point in the round as most matches will reach this hole and any advantage and momentum carried into the final two holes will be extremely difficult to overturn. It’s the perfect risk and reward hole too. There’s scope for making a stunning eagle or racking up a double bogey, and strategy will play a massive part. Of course, all the players will want to find the…

GW: What should the captains be thinking about regarding wildcards? MB: They should focus on which selections would give the team the best chance of winning. But the selection tables show how complex the decision could be. The list of possible picks for Davis Love III is really long and he’ll have some tough choices to make. For example, Bubba Watson and Rickie Fowler are in the top eight in the Official World Golf Rankings but outside the top eight in The Ryder Cup points list. Then there’s the issue of injuries. If a player is healthy now, but has been injured, where would they be on The Ryder Cup points list? Jim Furyk is a good example. He has struggled due to injury but is now back and playing…

 Playing for a team is very different to playing for yourself. My Ryder Cup record was no singles win in seven, yet in fourballs and foursomes I excelled. My three World Match Play Championships showed I can play head-to-head pretty well, but in the Ryder Cup I was always trying too hard. ‘There’s a lot of politics involved in choosing the Ryder Cup captain. A hell of a lot’ I played with Nick Faldo in 1987. Who would have thought of that partnership? Clearly Tony Jacklin saw something in us nobody else did, and he got it absolutely right. Nick was so consistent. I knew he was going to make a par or a birdie. So I was free to just go for everything. That 1987 Ryder Cup team was…

1 WHAT’S THE TECH? The new Exo-Cage weighs just 54.9g and the weight savings from making the stronger triaxial carbon crown and sole thinner than titanium or other composites allowed 35.4g of weight to be repositioned. This enabled designers to shift the centre of gravity and increase the stability and forgiveness of the 460cc head. 2 WHAT DOES IT REPLACE? It’s not a direct replacement but the most logical comparison is Callaway’s Big Bertha V-Series driver, which dropped out of their range last year. The ‘V’ stood for Velocity and it was designed to be lightweight so it could be swung faster. It also featured a forged composite crown, Hyper Speed Face, Warbird contoured sole and an OptiFit adjustable hosel. 3 WILL IT WORK FOR ME? The Big Bertha Fusion…

What’s the oldest club in your bag? It’s got to be my Scotty Cameron putter. I got it over a decade ago, and I’m still using it because it looks good to my eye and it’s got good history. It’s also my favourite club, because when it works it makes everything so much better. Tell us about the putter’s headcover. It’s got a bright, Hawaiian-style pattern on it. I like it because it’s cool and since I’ve won in Hawaii twice it gives me good vibes. Do you have any other lucky charms? I’ve got coins that people have made for me, stuff my wife has made and things that have sentimental value, but I wouldn’t call them lucky by any means. What’s the most unusual thing you carry in…

Q What do you think about Nike pulling out of golf hardware? SCOTT PEEL, EDINBURGH It proves the golf equipment market is too overcrowded, but it’s still shocking to see the biggest sports brand in the world pull out. It also means there was no clear future for them and no growth opportunities to develop the hardware side of the business. Their loss is a big loss for the industry with a number of fine club designers and staff left without jobs. The next big question is what equipment will the likes of Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods end up using now that Nike are gone? QI’m always trying to improve my swing, so should I get custom fitted for the swing I have or the swing I’m working towards?…

Ecco Cage Each Cage sole features eight rubber Champ Slim-Lok cleats. These have a thin-yet-strong fastening system that permits thinner and lighter midsole designs, a natural fit with Ecco’s desire to get the foot working naturally by being as close to the turf as possible. Nike Flyknit Elite Integrated articulated traction is designed to encourage the heel zone to move with power and dynamism while the forefoot stays glued to the turf. The fin-like channels are shaped to keep the golfer low to the ground, improving balance. Adidas Tour 360 Boa Boost Boa Boost features the latest Thintech outsole and complementing 10 cleats, designed to lower centre of gravity and improve a golfer’s balance and ability to transfer power. Centraxion mouldings down the middle provide a second wave of grip.…

DESIGN A strong routing over and especially between huge dunes SETTING Fantastic spot on bay’s edge. Magical on a summer’s day. PRESENTATION Acceptable but not amazing. Its weakest aspect in my mind. PLAYABILITY Tough even from forward tees if the weather isn’t calm. HOLES It’s easy to recall the holes, right from the twisting par-5 1st hole. CONSISTENCY Pretty solid – only in conditioning does it vary. TOTAL SCORE A big-boned links for the modern age with some especially nice second shots.…

LOCAL EXPERT Ben Sargent Links golf unquestionably represents not only the genesis of the game but also the purest and most complete test in the sport. It was however the heathlands of the south east – most notably in Surrey and Berkshire – that enabled the game to successfully move inland. Men like J F Abercromby, Willie Park Jnr, Tom Simpson, Herbert Fowler and Harry Colt took what they had learned from the great Scottish links and applied that knowledge here – together with their own individual theories and principles. Once these courses proved sustainable and successful these architects began to spread the game across the globe. To play in Surrey is to experience not only some great golf but also to witness the birthplace of the modern game as…

SET UP FOR A SWEEPING ATTACK Your lead shoulder should be slightly higher than your trail shoulder and the ball is about an inch inside the front heel at address. This creates a vertical shaft, which encourages a very slightly downward or level attack angle. TAKE IT AWAY ON A NATURAL ARC Keep the clubhead low to the ground and extend your arms in the takeaway so the shaft reaches parallel to the ground and your toe line with your hands slightly away from your hip to keep the club on a neutral plane and create more speed. MAINTAIN WRIST HINGE Allowing your hands to drop and move into the downswing before releasing the wrist hinge – rather than releasing it too early and ‘casting’ the club from the top…

XX Name Of The Resort Location, Country Course xx Accommodation xx Amenities xx Practice xx Accessibility xx TOTAL: XX Fly to: An indication of how long it will take you to drive to each resort from the nearest airport or airports. What to expect: A summary of the main attractions in each resort, with an emphasis on the course/s accommodation and amenities. GW verdict: An indication of why the resort has been positioned where it is, an assessement of its attractions, and a suggestion of which kind of golfer and golf travel party it might suit best.…

Best quantity of holes? Costa del Sol – From Torrequebrada and Santana down to Finca Cortesin and Valderrama. There are so many strong courses throughout the region. Even the budget courses offer some fantastic golf holes. Best for fun golf? Murcia – With Mar Menor, Roda Golf and the IRM courses all within 25 minutes of the airport. Best golf facilities? PGA Catalunya – World-class practice facilities with many different bunker types, large putting green and great driving range. The clubhouse is beautiful modern architecture and serves up fantastic food. Favourite large hotel? Sheraton Salobre, Gran Canaria – Stunning views down the mountain and has two challenging golf courses on site. Favourite small hotel? Las Madrigueras, Tenerife – real five-star facilities and service. A stunning hotel worthy of all accolades.…

Best quantity of golf? Real Club de Golf El Prat – 45 holes by Greg Norman winding through woodlands. Best for fun golf? This must have been used so many times before but Penina is the one for me. It’s got the Resort course where there’s no pressure, a good range... and if you end up hating golf, there are loads of amenities. Best golf facilities? PGA Catalunya has excellent practice facilities – a huge range but an assortment of different types of practice bunkers should you so desire! Quinta do Lago is another good practice area. Best non-golf facilities? La Manga would be the top choice for me – amazing tennis and football facilities. There is always something for non-golfers. The resort you always feel reinvigorated at? Dona Filipa…

Best quantity of holes? Quinta do Lago has to be up there with its 54-hole offering. You can also consider PGA Catalunya, Golf du Medoc or Terre Blanche. The best for fun golf? La Cala Resort has three courses carved into the Mijas mountains. Most holes offer spectacular views, with big elevation change which are fun. Best golf facilities? Terre Blanche has it all - a rooftop range, home to only one of two European Tour Performance Institutes, which includes the world famous biomechanics unit headed by Jean Jacques Rivet. Favourite large hotel? Maxx Royal in Belek would be close, a dazzling-looking hotel with impeccable service. Penha Longa is also an impressive Ritz Carlton in the grounds of an old monastery. Your favourite small hotel? Rio Real Golf Hotel on…

‘Penati is probably the closest a site in Europe comes to resembling Pine Valley’ Golf du Medoc A quality place; good on-site hotel with great deals on grand crus and two very good courses on flat ground, but with a lot of strategy and short-game interest. PGA Catalunya Probably the resort with the best and most friendly service I have visited. The main course is not one of my favourites but this is also influenced by the very penal set-up when I last visited; narrow fairways bordered by ‘lost ball’ rough. El Prat When I played, the stimp was 11-12 so the undulating greens were virtually unplayable. A very tough course. ‘Second’ course is a lot more forgiving and fun. Mondays are quiet... and half price. El Saler One of…

For decades, the beautiful Italian region of Tuscany has been a popular destination among holidaymakers who enjoy history, culture, art and beautiful landscapes. However, over the past few years, it has also started to establish itself as a favourite destination for golfers too. That is down, in no small part, to the spectacular Argentario Golf Resort and Spa. It is located in the heart of the Maremma – a beautiful and still-unexplored part of Southern Tuscany, only 90 minutes away from Rome’s Fiumicino International Airport. It comprises 73 designer bedrooms and an independent golf villa, all featuring a private terrace with views of either the stunning, lush Monte Argentario landscape, or the resort’s 18-hole championship golf course. Golf under the Tuscan sun The Argentario course was designed by former European…