Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2016 i Golf Monthly

Where southern Portugal's mountains and lowlands descend into the sea, the Algarve is a golfing paradise which offers something for everyone both on and off the course. Fine golf dots the coastline from east to west, but it is in the centre and Vilamoura where there is the greatest concentration of courses. The Oceânico Group has no fewer than seven fine and contrasting designs of varying vintage, with the Old being the most famous where umbrella pines flank each hole. Next door, Pinhal was upgraded 30 years ago by Robert Trent Jones Snr and it has since been lengthened, and nearby is Laguna, a links-style design where water and sand dominate. At the same location is the Millennium, a Martin Hawtree design on mainly open land with a few holes…

The 'smart island', as Mallorca was called by the Romans, is characterised by its diverse, beautiful landscapes, onto which have been laid some delightful golf courses. Almost half of the population of Mallorca live in Palma de Mallorca, the capital of the Balearics. Visually, it is dominated by La Seu cathedral, which was begun in 1229 but finished in 1601. It sits between the Royal Palace of La Almudaina and the Episcopal Palace and overlooks the Parc de la Mar and the Mediterranean Sea. Palma has a winning combination of old and new, with quaint old streets, intriguing architecture, modern shops and many alluring bars and restaurants. There is something for everyone here, and it is all walkable. It also makes a good base, such is the size of the…

Photography Kevin Murray Set on the striking coastline of East Fife, just a few miles outside St Andrews, Kingsbarns has earned a reputation as one of the very finest courses in the British Isles. Making use of fabulous natural terrain and including elements of contemporary course design, it's a wonderful modern take on the rugged Scottish links. Showcased each year at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, the layout at Kingsbarns materialised thanks to the vision of Mark Parsinen and course designer Kyle Phillips. In the late 1990s, they recognised the potential of this beautiful stretch of coast and decided to create a world-class golf course. Phillips has amassed an impressive portfolio over recent years, but many feel Kingsbarns to be his architectural masterpiece. He certainly had good materials to work…

The two questions I always ask when a potential trip is circulated among the GM staff are: “Is my diary free?” and “Have I been there before?” In an ideal world, my answers will be “yes” and “no” in that order, at which point I'll throw my hat in the ring, looking to achieve the right blend of humility and boldness in my pitch. That said, when word of a trip to Sandals Emerald Bay Resort in The Bahamas popped into my inbox, humility may just have flown out of the window as the Caribbean had never once come on my radar. And, as anyone who has been there will testify, that is a disappointing omission. Several months later, it looked like my Caribbean dream was turning into a nightmare…

We are undoubtedly blessed with a proliferation of excellent golf resorts throughout the UK and Ireland, with the number growing significantly over the last quarter of a century as more of us embrace the idea of a resort-based break. That break may be a quick overnighter and convivial catch-up with your very oldest golfing mate, a longer family trip or something else. As with the game in general, competition in the golf-resort sector means there are some very tasty deals to be had. Some of our most famous golfing resorts have been around for a century or more; others only opened this millennium. Some boast highly regarded courses that reside towards the top end of our biennial UK and Ireland Top 100 Courses rankings; others offer magnificent accommodation and more…

Knutsford in Cheshire is part of an affluent area in the north-west of England that is home to some lovely towns and villages, many fine golf courses and that lies within striking distance of the superb links courses on the nearby coast. On its outskirts is the Mere Resort and Spa, a luxurious 81-bedroom hotel, which, unlike so many golf hotels, is much younger than its well-established course. Indeed, golf here dates back to 1935 when architect James Braid played in an exhibition match which featured the reigning Open champion, Henry Cotton. A few minor modifications have been made over the years, but it remains essentially as Braid intended with holes lined by majestic trees, heavy bunkering, beautiful flora and some lovely views over the adjacent lake that borders the…

A number of first-rate courses have been constructed in the east in recent decades with the oriental shift showing no sign of slowing. Among all those to have been built, arguably the best are in Thailand. Internationally acclaimed architects and local talent have worked their creative juices brilliantly in the state of Chonburi. Most of the venues are first class and some fit the must-play criteria. My wife and I were recently lucky enough to sample a little coterie of courses near the resort city of Pattaya. The city has expanded in a similar manner to many Far Eastern villages over the last few decades (thanks partly to American GIs taking R&R during the Vietnam War) and the resulting golf courses are both varied and plentiful. While it is pretty…

Morocco is an up and coming golf destination, which has seen a huge investment in the building of new courses recently. The aim is to entice travelling golfers away from their more traditional haunts, such as Spain and Portugal, through the country's combination of accessibility, competitive green fees and a climate which offers a dry heat and few rainy days. Mornings and evenings can be cool, so golfers can find a temperature to suit depending on what time they tee off. The country offers much variety within its borders, with each city having its own distinct flavour and micro climate. The country as a whole offers an enchanting mixture of cultural influences, having adopted parts of the different ways of life that have laid their hands on the territory and,…

The eastern extremity of the Algarve is defined by the beautiful River Guadiana. Here you will find delightful towns such as Castro Marim, which each August turns back the clock to the Middle Ages for a four-day historical festival. The first golf you will encounter is perhaps surprisingly not on the coast, but at two courses a little way inland and upriver. Quinta do Vale was designed by Seve Ballesteros and opened eight years ago. He opted for the bold configuration of six par 3s, six par 4s and six par 5s. There are wonderful views from the clubhouse of the course, particularly of the closing hole, which calls for a brave approach over one of the many ponds that feature throughout. Just over the road is Castro Marim ,…

WHEN TO GO With sunshine throughout the whole year, any time is the right time to visit the Algarve. HOW TO GET THERE The Algarve is around two-and-a-half hours by air, with flights to Faro available from 22 airports in the UK. WHERE TO STAY Many of the courses in this guide have on-site or affiliated hotels – please see their websites for more information. Aside from these, the Algarve has a huge selection of hotels and guest houses of every size and style to suit all budgets and tastes (visitgolfalgarve.com). TRANSPORT For the travelling golfer, all of the courses in this guide are within an hour or so of Faro airport. There are plenty of affordable car-hire options available. COSTS With sterling strong against the Euro, the Algarve offers…

Photography Getty Images It’s busy everywhere I thoroughly enjoy your magazine and await its arrival with great anticipation. I enjoy every aspect of the contents and read with amusement (and sometimes bafflement) the comments and articles regarding the evil that is slow play. Most working golfers I know play at the weekend and count down the days, if not the hours, from Monday morning to the roll-up or competition on a Saturday or Sunday. One weekend I opted for a rest from golf to enjoy some family time. We went to the local leisure centre, and guess what? It was busy! Our family workout took twice as long as we had to queue for the fitness machines, while the pool too was busy, preventing us from doing our usual lengths.…

Danny Willett’s world ranking after his victory at the Dubai Desert Classic 79 Jordan Spieth’s opening round at the Northern Trust Open – his worst round on the PGA Tour since September 2014. His best is 61 at the John Deere Classic in 2015 Louis Oosthuizen’s GIR percentage at the ISPS Handa Perth International Months between Vijay Singh’s last two PGA Tour top sixes, the latest in the Honda Classic The number of professional events won by Lydia Ko. The New Zealander is still only 18 years old. Adam Scott’s ranking for Strokes Gained: Putting in round two of February’s Northern Trust Open… back with the short putter 11 Years between Vaughn Taylor’s last two PGA Tour victories – the 2016 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the 2005 Reno-Tahoe Open…

PICK A SPOT Choose a landing spot before playing any chip, aiming to get it on the ground as soon as possible EXPERIMENT Practise with different clubs to see how each flies and then releases BOUNCE Keep loft on the club and rely on the bounce through impact The key to playing the basic chip well is to ensure you don't strike the ball too close to the leading edge, as this will cause either the club to dig and get stuck through impact, or the ball to come off the face too fast. Either way, it won't roll up the grooves enough and you will lose out on spin. 1 Make sure you have loft on the club as you take it back, as you need the help of…

Suddenly it's almost here. After the eternal greyness of a British winter there is once again light at the end of what is always a very long tunnel. Happily this light is not, as Woody Allen once pessimistically remarked, the angry glow of an oncoming train. No, this is real light, Georgia light, Augusta bright. The Masters is many things but more than anything else it is the high note of fast-arriving better times, of sunshine and laughter, short skirts and long, cool drinks. The golf, more often than not, is compelling. Sometimes it ends up in a cavalry charge, usually it climaxes with a tense battle between two or three players, each aware of a big destiny, each trying like hell to keep their nerves under some sort of…

In golfing terms, 2015 was the year of the 20-somethings. Jordan, Jason and Rickie all emerged to join Rory at the top of the world rankings. With Tiger, Phil, Lee and Luke all drifting from contention, this was the dawn of a new era, one of high tops, flat-bill caps and putting while looking at the hole. One 20-something who made as big a leap as anyone was Matthew Fitzpatrick. As Jordan Spieth galloped into the World No.1 position, the Englishman was enjoying his first year as a touring professional. With ten top-ten finishes that included a maiden European Tour win at the British Masters plus a total prize money haul of over €2 million, Fitzpatrick leaped from 419th in the world rankings to 47th, opening the door to the…

Photography Getty Images Bernhard Langer knows the golf course at Augusta National better than most. The German – Masters champion in 1985 and 1993 – made his Augusta debut in 1982 and he will be making his 34th Masters appearance this year. Among European golfers, only Sandy Lyle has appeared in more Masters tournaments (34 up to 2015) although Langer, 58, has made more cuts and played more Masters rounds; 110 to Lyle’s 102. No other European golfers have played 100 rounds in The Masters. Here is Langer’s hole-by-hole guide to playing Augusta National: 1 Tea Olive 445 yds, par 4 The first priority is to avoid the right-hand fairway bunker, and then wind direction dictates how much club you need to reach the green. You must avoid going…

A chap named Tiger has won The Masters four times, which is as often as a fellow called Ironman. Nathaniel 'Ironman' Avery was on Arnold Palmer's bag for all four of his Masters wins. But the most successful Augusta looper was not Ironman, but Pappy. Willie 'Pappy' Stokes carried the bags of Henry Picard (1938), Claude Harmon (1948), Ben Hogan (1951 and 1953) and Jack Burke Jr in 1956. Pappy Stokes was born on the land that Augusta National was due to be laid over – the fruit nurseries where his father worked, and where he did too, briefly. As he explained to the Augusta Chronicle, “I went out there every morning to plough for cotton and corn. When they started building the course, I remember cutting down trees on…

Q In a recent game, the pin had been removed and placed 10ft from the hole. My fellow competitor overhit his 40-footer, which sped past, hit the pin and finished just the other side of it. He then moved the flagstick and holed out. We tend to forgive the odd misdemeanour, but his casual nonchalance got to me, especially as he would have been off the green otherwise. What do the Rules say? Skypilot, via GM website forum A When the flagstick has been removed, the player's ball must not strike it – Rule 17-3a. The penalty for a breach of Rule 17-3a is loss of hole in match play and two strokes in stroke play and the ball must be played as it lies. However, if the player had…

KEY TECH Progressive grooves and three sole grinds enhance playability AIMED AT Golfers seeking specific wedges for specific roles HOW MUCH £89 Increasing your custom options has been a key theme across the wedge market over the last few years. Now, with its new King Wedge, Cobra has joined the party. The sleek muscle-shaped design utilises progressive grooves, variable face roughness and three sole grinds to deliver feel, spin consistency and personalisation for different swing types and shot preferences. The first of these upgrades introduces wider grooves, spaced further apart in the 56-60° models, to impart increased spin on chip and lob shots. In the lower lofts, more traditionally spaced grooves aid trajectory control on fuller pitches. The faces on these lofts are then milled a little rougher to maximise…

KEY TECH Softer core in the injection-moulded insert promises softer feel AIMED AT Every golfer, courtesy of a range of different White Hot RX head shapes HOW MUCH From £129 to £169 Every year, Odyssey gives its range of ever-popular putter heads a makeover, with recent incarnations including the likes of its counterbalanced Tank family and the skid-reducing Metal-X range. For 2016's new White Hot RX models, Odyssey has focused its design efforts on a new insert. This dual-layer injection-moulded insert is made with a softer core that improves feel off the face. To ensure this design promotes forward roll with less skidding for more consistent distance control, the face also features the oval patterning used in Odyssey’s Metal-X and Works putters. These oval shapes, plus a textured clear coating,…

Although to many golf in Portugal equals the Algarve, tracks of the quality and style of those on the south coast can be found elsewhere in the country, often with the advantage that they are less populated. Such is the experience at Orizonte's collection of seven fine courses around the Lisbon area. Ribagolfe has two courses. Many of the fairways of Ribagolfe 1 are tight corridors carved through the undulations of a cork-oak forest, and three of the par-5 holes have a risk-reward element for those seeking the green in two shots. This layout, barely half an hour east of Lisbon, is one you have to plot your way round carefully. Reward for those who do so is that the greens are often large and relatively flat. This course was…

Photography Constance Hotels “Are we nearly there yet?” Every parent will be all too familiar with the plaintive cry of the young traveller, usually first uttered about a mile from home. For the last three years, I have had to contend with a slightly more sophisticated version of this cry: “Can we go back to Mauritius?” My problem, if I can call it that, is that when I was invited to the Constance Hotels' Belle Mare Plage Resort back in 2012 to cover the European Senior Tour's MCB Tour Championship for the magazine, I managed to sway things to take the whole family. This, of course, was fantastic, but I had now made a very serious rod for my own back in that a week in the Lake District or…

With stunning views of Lake Geneva and the surrounding Alps, the Evian Resort Club at Evian-les-Bains in the Haute-Savoie region of France delivers one of the most breathtaking settings for golf anywhere in the world. Since 1994, the resort has welcomed many of the best players in the women's game for an event which began life as the Evian Masters and is now known as the Evian Championship. Contested each September, the tournament has (since 2013) been recognised as the final Major of the year on both the European and LPGA Tours. Last season, teenage sensation Lydia Ko of New Zealand claimed her first Major title in the Evian, finishing six clear of America's Lexi Thompson. The course at the Evian Resort was totally remodelled for the 2013 championship with…

Stoke Park is undoubtedly one of the very best upmarket golf and sports resorts in the country. It first achieved worldwide recognition when it was the host for the celebrated match between James Bond and Goldfinger in the eponymous film more than half a century ago. Since then, its magnificent Grade I Palladian mansion and extensive landscaped grounds have been a playground for the rich and famous – I remember seeing Angelina Jolie's actor father Jon Voight in the bar on one visit – as well as enthusiastic golfers from all over the world. Its opulent buildings and photogenic grounds have been used regularly for film and TV productions, featuring stars such as Daniel Craig, Hugh Grant and Madonna. The 300-acre estate's heritage goes back to way before Harry Colt…

On my only previous trip to India a quarter of a century ago, I managed to sneak in a final-morning round at Delhi Golf Club. Despite that, I had never really thought of this vast, exotic land as a likely candidate for a golfing trip. Things have changed, though, and buoyed by one of the world's few thriving economies, the nation has taken to golf. Indeed, there is a growing collection of courses, and I was absolutely delighted to accept an invitation from ITC Hotels, one of the largest such chains in India, to go and see the new offering for golfers. My trip was to take me first to Gurgaon on the southern outskirts of Delhi, then over to the east and vibrant Kolkata and finally back to the…

Photography Getty Images Imagine Celtic Manor on steroids. That is Mission Hills, the Chinese golf complex just over the border from Hong Kong named by the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest resort in the world. Spread across two sites – Shenzhen and Dongguan – there are 12 courses designed by golf legends from five continents. And Mission Hills is throwing its arms open to European visitors who are welcome to visit this westernised slice of the east. The most striking first impression is the caddies. Like the extras in a James Bond film, there are 1,000 women dressed in red and white tracksuits scuttling around the place. All with westernised names, they speak English and offered instruction on my jet-lagged putting. I was surprised how well everyone spoke…

Although the whole of the Algarve is blessed with excellent golf, it is the central region that contains many of the big guns and household names. From Ria Formosa alongside Faro Airport to just beyond Vilamoura, this stretch of barely ten miles is home to some serious real estate, and some serious golf. Closest to both the airport and the beach is San Lorenzo, a tough test and much-admired chart-topper that borders the estuary and salt-water lagoons. It has some spectacular holes, not least the water-snake par-5 8th and the heart-stopping closing pair, where anything left or short will end up in the agua. Nearby are the three excellent courses on the upmarket Quinta do Lago estate. A frequent host of the Portuguese Open, Quinta do Lago South opened in…

Photography Getty Images | Copyright ©2016 TI Golf Holdings, Inc, reprinted with permission “I THOUGHT I WAS A GOOD PLAYER, BUT NOW I HAVE IT IN BLACK AND WHITE THAT I CAN WIN” You won your first PGA Tour event last June, beating Justin Rose in a play-off at The Memorial. What moment stands out? That feeling when you know you have a four- or five-footer to win the tournament and seal the deal. That's a special feeling, and the first time you have it, it's hard to explain. I'd been putting so well that week, and I was feeling very confident. And to see that putt go in, and to know I was finally a tour winner, was amazing. What was different about your game that week? My mental…

Ping's G30 range was one of the most successful in recent history. They were the best-selling iron, hybrid, fairway wood and driver models in the UK in 2015 thanks to their forgiveness and ability to fit every type of player. So replacing G30 with a new line that outperformed it must have been a daunting task for Ping's engineers. But, inspired by a photo of a dragonfly sent in by CEO John Solheim, Marty Jertson and his team refined G30's strongest attributes and added new elements to ensure that the renowned G range progressed. Ping has continued to focus on speed through the Vortec on the G driver. The introduction of the Crossover club and Stretch 3-wood shows Ping's desire to pioneer new products to plug performance gaps within its…

On the Wednesday afternoon of Masters week, competitors are 'encouraged' to participate in the curtain-raising par-3 competition. Played on Augusta's beautiful short course set around and across DeSoto Springs and Ike's Pond, the stunning holes are surrounded by towering pines, azaleas and dogwoods. Not only is the event a magnificent spectacle delivering a jovial atmosphere amidst a sea of colour, but it's also a useful warm-up for those with enough nous to see past the alleged 'jinx'. Admittedly the holes on the short course require little more than a wedge for most players, but they do demand precision and, often, significant trouble awaits an errant shot. This is something that will be replicated on a grander scale over the following four days, particularly on Augusta National's challenging par-3 holes. For…

In July 1977, under azure Scottish skies, Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus fought out one of the most memorable battles in golfing history. Finishing 11 and 10 shots ahead of the field, Watson came out on top at Turnberry in the famous 'Duel in the Sun'. But it wasn't the first Major confrontation the pair had fought out, nor was it the first time that Watson had tamed the Golden Bear. In the 1977 Masters, Watson and Nicklaus battled it out right to the wire with the younger man finally prevailing. That thrilling tussle has been somewhat forgotten, overshadowed by the monumental encounter in South Ayrshire just three months later. But it's a contest well worth recounting. This is the story of the stirring overture to the Duel in the…

“EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN SEARCHING TO AVOID MAKING A POTENTIALLY BAD SITUATION EVEN WORSE” Unless you are among that very rare breed of golfer to never miss a fairway, at some stage in most rounds you will find yourself looking for your ball in varying degrees and thicknesses of rough. But what happens if you are guilty of inadvertently moving your ball when searching for it by treading on it, kicking it accidentally with your foot, or hitting it with a club as you swish about in the long grass? While it may become more and more frustrating as the clock ticks on towards the end of the five-minute search period, and the prospect of a lost ball and dropped shots begins to loom large, it's probably wise to keep that…

Choosing a new putter can be an absolute minefield, and the consequences of getting such a crucial purchase wrong could prove equally destructive to your game on the greens. Thankfully, the wealth of options now on offer in the putter market cover every possible head shape, insert type, feel and swing weight you could ask for, meaning that with the right advice and testing, it should be easy to find something you love. As this showcase of six blades and six mallets highlights, your options range from more traditional-looking models like Ping's TR 1966, to multi-material modern designs with thicker grips like the Titleist Scotty Cameron Futura X7M. Some, like our two Odyssey selections, use futuristic inserts that deliver a soft feel and smoother forward roll; others, like the Evnroll…

Woburn Golf Club in conjunction with Golf Monthly is offering one lucky reader the chance to win an overnight golfing break for four, playing two of its three championship courses. The prize includes: Overnight accommodation (two twin Executive Rooms) at the Woburn Estate's four AA star hotel; The Woburn Hotel. Full English breakfast and dinner in The Woburn Hotel's two AA Rosette restaurant Olivier's. A fourball to play two rounds of golf on a choice of the Duke's, Duchess or Marquess courses over two days at Woburn Golf Club. Lunch at Woburn Golf Club on both days of the break. Woburn Golf Club plays host to the Ricoh Women's British Open from July 28-31, 2016, and will be giving a pair of season tickets for the four days of the…

Photography Kevin Murray LITTLE ASTON The West Midlands conurbation may be one of the UK's most densely populated areas outside the capital, but it is still blessed with a strong line-up of very fine golf courses – from long-established clubs to modern resort newcomers – all battling it out for top honours in the region. One club that regularly resides close to the very pinnacle of any West Midlands rankings is Little Aston in Sutton Coldfield. This highly regarded club, now well into its second century, boasts a fine Harry Vardon parkland course laid out over the former estate grounds of Little Aston Hall, where a subsoil of sand and gravel brings good year-round playability. Recent significant investment in a state-of-the-art irrigation system means that things will only improve further…

Photography Getty Images, Kevin Murray The first Golf Monthly course rankings were published in 2004, and it is fair to say the operation then was less refined than it is now. St Andrews Old Course topped the initial 120-strong list, followed by Royal County Down, Turnberry and Muirfield. These remain the top four today, albeit in a different order, but elsewhere there were several anomalies and wide-of-the-mark misplacements, which we have since corrected. One or two courses that were in the Top 100, like Shiskine and St Pierre, are no longer even in our Next 100. Others that were in the lower reaches have rightly gravitated upwards – Rye is up from 105 to 58 and Sunningdale New from 46 to 10. We now have what we believe is a…

La Manga Club in sunny Murcia continues to pull in golfing tourists from far and wide. Why? It's simple really. It boasts three first-rate golf courses, a whole host of off-course amenities and more than 300 days of sun each year. And, it's easily accessible from a raft of major European airports. There are three championship-standard golf courses at La Manga Club. The South Course – which staged the Spanish Open five times during the 1970s – is probably the most varied layout, and features large green complexes, numerous water hazards and well-positioned barrancas. It's also fairly open, encouraging golfers to be aggressive off the tee. The best hole on the front nine is arguably the par-5 4th – which features a snaking fairway with a beautiful water feature fronting…

Photography Kevin Murray Ras al-Khaimah sits at the very northern tip of the United Arab Emirates and its name appropriately translates as 'top of the tent'. It's just an hour's drive north of Dubai but the small Emirate has more of a relaxed and laid-back feel than its bustling neighbour. Ras al-Khaimah is also known for its beautiful scenery; the Arabian Gulf lapping on white sandy beaches with the Hajar Mountains visible inland across fertile plains. It may be less famous than the Emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi as a golfing destination, but Ras al-Khaimah's reputation is building thanks largely to the wonderful facilities at Al Hamra Golf Club. The course at Al Hamra was created by Swiss architect Peter Harradine and has come to be recognised as one…

Just off the southern tip of Italy is the beautiful and mountainous island of Sicily. Larger than Wales, it is packed with archeological sites, excellent beaches and glorious scenery. It also has an enviable climate with mild winters and hot summers. Donnafugata is a couple of miles inland from the southern coastline but with elevated views out to the azure waters of the Mediterranean. Just six years old, it has earned a worldwide reputation for top quality in all that it has to offer, and has already hosted a European Tour event in the shape of the 2011 Sicilian Open. At the heart of this sumptuous golf and spa resort are not one but two excellent courses: the Parkland, which was designed by the legendary Gary Player, who is now…

With four Ryder Cups and a string of important championships under its belt, The Belfry has been one of the UK's highest-profile and most talked-about venues for more than 30 years. And while the Brabazon Course came in for criticism in the early days for some less remarkable holes that detracted from its standouts at 10 and 18, regular and substantial upgrades have been made, particularly those by Dave Thomas getting on for 20 years ago. The difference between the Brabazon when I first played it in 1991 and when I last stayed there and played all three of its courses could hardly be greater. These changes, combined with excellent conditioning, means it is justifiably placed well inside Golf Monthly's Top 100. The venue's AA 4-star hotel comprises more than…

Never go back, they say. And often they are spot on. We've all done it: returned to a place where we have soaked ourselves in enjoyment and fun and, quite probably, a lick or two of alcohol, but second time around it's been a bit like cold pizza in the morning... okay, but not as good as when it was first delivered. Despite this caveat, I recently found myself snuggling into one of those extraordinary BA Club World seats – the ones that extend this way and that to form a rather comfy bed, even if it takes me half the flight to work out how to manage this transformation. Half this particular flight meant three-and-a-half hours. Yes, I was on my way to Bermuda again. Now my regular reader…

The Algarve is justifiably world famous as a holiday destination in its own right, and both the foundation for this and at the heart of its enduring popularity is one key constituent – golf. This is mainland Portugal’s southernmost region – with 150 miles of sun-drenched coastline running inland through wooded hills and beautiful mountains – and is home to a treasure chest of very fine and varied courses. As a go-to escape for golfers since the 1960s, the Algarve this year celebrates a milestone birthday as its close relationship with the sport reaches its half century. Henry Cotton, Open champion three times and twice a Ryder Cup captain, designed the original layout at Penina back in 1966, and this paved the way for what was at first a trickle…

The first course beyond the lively holiday town of Albufeira is Salgados. Right by a nature reserve teeming with wildlife, this dramatic course is a real challenge when the wind is up. The marshes are home to many species of bird – some rare – and too many golf balls, as water is in play on almost every hole. The much-loved, recently departed Christy O'Connor Junior designed one of the two adjacent Oceânico courses a little way inland at Amendoeira. Oceânico O’Connor offers easy walking but not-so-easy golf with water a regular feature, while Oceânico Faldo is more undulating with expansive bunkering its main defence. There are cacti, wild herbs, ancient olive trees and desert scrub bunkers. Situated in the foothills of the Monchique Mountains is an attractive and eminently…

Marital disharmony After reading the Rules article about dangerous situations, I have had to hide the April edition of Golf Monthly from my wife. A few years ago we were playing at Harmony Golf Preserve in Florida. On the par-3 6th, we could all see a seven-foot alligator sunning itself to the right of the fairway by the lake, short of the green. My golfing partner, Martyn, and I struck our tee shots safely onto the green. My wife, Denise, came up short right! She looked at us, looked at the alligator and requested relief. We knew nothing of Rule 1-4, and with five dollars at stake, no relief was given. She duly strode along the fairway, pitching wedge in hand, with her other hand raised aloft in a form…

All photography Getty Images THE OLYMPIC GOLF COURSE RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL Not long to wait! In five months' time, some of the world's top players will set out in pursuit of Olympic gold as golf returns to the Games for the first time in 112 years. Both men's and ladies' events will see 60 players gunning for glory over this exciting Gil Hanse creation, laid out over the Reserva de Marapendi west of Rio de Janeiro.…

A round of golf by the ocean with the sun beating down is heaven on earth for a great many golfers. If you're among them, the course and backdrops at Anfi Tauro in the southwest corner of Gran Canaria take some beating. This stunning Arizona-style layout has been open for a decade, and owes its spectacularly rugged landscape to the volcanic origins of the Canary Islands, with lush swathes of green hugging the shore or weaving through stirring rock formations and cliffs. There is a string of real wow-factor holes, among them the par-3 6th pictured here, where shutting out the arresting backdrop to focus on selecting the right club in often very breezy conditions is far from easy. With eight other courses vying for your attention on the third…

Photography Getty Images Before this year's event in Abu Dhabi, the European Tour's tournament committee voted unanimously in favour of allowing players to wear shorts in practice rounds and Pro-Ams – not just for greater comfort in hotter conditions, but also with an eye towards modernisation and attracting youngsters to the sport. “Shorts are a natural evolution to help modernise the game,” said the tour's chief executive, Keith Pelley. “It puts our players first and our fans first too. The fashion of golf is something that the youth adopts. We will have strong rules, but there will be some fashion statements. It's a great start.” Next step, shorts being allowed in European Tour events too, perhaps? Ian Poulter tweeted that he would have no problem with that and other players…

Paul Chaplet will look back on 2016 as the year his life changed. At its outset he was a High School student in his native Costa Rica, just another promising amateur ranked 832nd in the world. By its conclusion, the 16-year-old will have competed in The Masters as well as several other prestigious events or qualifying tournaments. He's likely to have secured a place in a golf programme at a top US College, too. All these pipedreams have been made reality through his surprise victory in the second Latin America Amateur Championship (LAAC), contested at the impressive Casa de Campo resort on the south coast of the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean. “I don't know what to say, I can't quite believe it,” he said after hoisting the trophy. “I'll…

A new Exception to Rule 6-6d would now result in a different outcome for a Camilo Villegas Rules breach in early 2011. Shona McRae, R&A assistant director - Rules, explains why... Back in 2011, Camilo Villegas was disqualified from the season-opening Tournament of Champions for signing for a wrong score. This was as a result of a penalty incurred under Rule 23-1 that he failed to include in his score before signing and submitting his first-round score card. The breach occurred on the par-5 15th hole at Kapalua when Villegas' chip to the elevated green failed to make it to the top of the slope and began to roll back towards his feet. When he saw the ball rolling back down, he used his club to sweep away the divot…

1 In stroke play, Fergus’ ball has come to rest beside Jezz’s ball in a bunker. Jezz marks and lifts his ball so Fergus can play his stroke. When Fergus plays, he leaves a big splash mark in the sand, altering the lie of Jezz’s ball. What is the ruling? A Fergus incurs a two-stroke penalty for altering the lie. B There is no penalty and Jezz must accept the altered lie. C There is no penalty and the lie must be recreated. 2 In singles match play, Jezz asks Fergus to position himself at the top of the hill to indicate to him the line to the flagstick. He asks Fergus to remain in that position while he plays his stroke. What is the ruling? A Jezz incurs a…

Clubhead crowns made of carbon fibre are nothing new in drivers. It is a design technique that has been used at various times through the years, but this technology was thrust into the limelight again last year when TaylorMade launched its M1 driver. M stands for multi-material, with the M1's crown made from seven layers of carbon fibre angled in different orientations to create strength while also being lightweight. The weight savings allowed two sliding weight tracks to be added to the sole to alter launch, spin and shot shape. It became the most adjustable driver TaylorMade had ever created and its launch was widely acclaimed. Then along came M2, which featured the same carbon composite crown as the M1, with TaylorMade this time using the weight savings to increase…

LONDON CLUB (International) The two excellent courses at the London Club opened for play in 1993, and while the Heritage has hosted two European Opens and is reserved for members and their guests, the International is open to all. Many now see it as the equal of its sister course – indeed, it was selected for the Volvo World Match Play Championship in 2014. The International offers a thrilling test with plenty of risk and reward, particularly at the water holes. Opening with a superb par 5 played down to a lakeside green, the course moves onto higher ground for a few well-bunkered holes before you approach the same lake at the stirring par-3 8th. The focal point of the course is probably the dramatic 12th and 13th – the…

When I was a wee loon back in the early 1980s, my parents would take me and my sister over the Cairngorms from Deeside to visit Nairn for our summer holidays. Quite frequently the trip would be extended further north over the Kessock Bridge and onwards to Dornoch. On the face of it, the destination for these family sojourns was obviously chosen with us kids in mind – castle building on stunning beaches, then real castles, forts and battlefields with captivating stories, amazing scenery and clement weather, thanks to the influence of the Gulf Stream. This stretch of the northeastern Scottish coastline is something of a paradise. But with hindsight, there's no denying (and dad wouldn't now bother) an ulterior motive. Nairn and Dornoch were, and still are, home to…