Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2021 i Golf Monthly

Across 7 Hampshire club with nine holes designed by James Braid(5) 8 Augusta’s 13th (6) 9 Shot with high trajectory (9) 10 Bernhard Langer’s World Cupwinning partner (4) 11 Poorly maintained course for nanny? (4,5) 14 Swedish Ryder Cup player (9) 16 Flyleaf has Open Champion’s name (4) 17 Lion cub roams round me at Colorado club (9) 19 Equipment maker slow in delivering (6) 20 Type of cup awarded by host country of a WGC event in 2019? (5) Down 1 Winner of 2020 Qatar Masters (8) 2 Graeme who could be made by 9? (5) 3 Clubs on senior tour (3,5) 4 Race to Dubai Champion of 2019 (4) 5 Cup for those who scorn buggies? (6) 6 Left-handed golfer in water hazard? (4) 12 Wee topic for…

You grew up just down the road in Columbia, South Carolina. Does that make this win even more meaningful? It’s been the tournament I’ve wanted to win the most since I’ve been on tour, since I played my first Masters. Being close in the last couple of years and finishing second last year to Tiger, this was just something I really wanted to do. Starting the final day with a four shot lead, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. I knew I was going to have to play well if I wanted to win, and I played really, really solidly. I hit a lot of great shots. But it was still hard. I was nervous all day, but I felt like I controlled myself very well. I controlled…

Estonia GF: €80-€100 Par 72, 6,718 yards This nation on the east coast of the Baltic Sea, which gained independence from Soviet rule in 1991, may be a mere infant when it comes to golf, but the sheer quality of its handful of courses will probably take many west Europeans by surprise. Top of the tree is the spectacular links at Parnu Bay, which opened for play in 2015. This stunning creation, adorned with lagoons and sandy waste areas, enjoys a prime location where forest meets sea about 80 miles south of the capital Tallinn, not far from the border with Latvia. Already comfortably inside various European top 100 listings, the course is the handiwork of architect Lassi Pekka Tilander. The Finn’s eastern European portfolio also includes Estonia’s other top…

Over recent months, we’ve written extensively about the workings and implementation of the World Handicap System (WHS), which came into effect last month. Moving from a method based on aggregate to one based on average scoring has possibly been the most significant ever change to how golf handicaps are calculated in this country. Through our various channels, we’ve been in a good position to gauge initial reactions to the roll-out of the WHS and assess concerns about the new system. Even at this early stage, we have some evidence of how things have changed and might change in future. Going up or coming down? From a poll conducted on the Golf Monthly forum, 49 per cent of respondents said their Handicap Index had come down with the implementation of the…

Records, as they say, are there to be broken. One day, someone will go lower than Jim Furyk’s 58; Matteo Manassero won’t remain the youngest ever winner on the European Tour forever; and Seve’s 50 victories will be bettered… eventually. Other records appear insurmountable. It’s inconceivable that someone will ever spend a longer period on top of the world than Tiger Woods, just as it is that anyone will come close to occupying the 26 consecutive years Phil Mickelson spent inside the world’s top 50. In part, it’s because the game has changed. These records are truly mind-boggling, but in the modern era, where the strength in depth throughout the game is so much greater, it’s hard to imagine any player dominating for an extended period of time. Consistency is…

Twelve months ago, Marcus Armitage was coming off the type of season that might have made you think twice about your future. He and his fiancee Lucy had bought a house, he was heavily in debt – “People warned me about going on credit cards and I didn’t listen and it just got worse” – and, in 18 Challenge Tour starts, he missed eight cuts. His total earnings were short of €15k. Then he made it through the second stage of Q-School and came through the slog at Lumine with three shots to spare. Having had one go at the European Tour in 2017, this would be another shot at the big time. A week later at the Alfred Dunhill, he went into the final round at Leopard Creek in…

1 I’m using a basketball and an alignment stick to highlight the ideal move back into the ball, with the inset showing the dreaded, but common, over-the-top move. Anything right of the basketball’s orange cross is an over-the-top strike; anything left is the slightly inside strike we’re looking for. The over-the-top move often comes from taking the club back too far inside, with the upper body and shoulders dominating the downswing rather than the legs. This throws the club outside and then across the line at impact. 2 You need to rehearse – slowly at first – a nice one-piece move away from the ball, keeping both hands and club outside the alignment stick. From the top, you then initiate the downswing by moving into the lead leg first, which…

GM Verdict The Titleist TSi drivers, in particular the TSi3, have seen a rapid take-up on tour, even among non-contracted players. As such, we were keen to try them out. We tested both the TSi2 and TSi3 against the prior generation to get into the nitty-gritty of how the performance has changed and what you can expect. The TSi2 has a fixed rear weight and light grey detailing on the sole to distinguish it from the TSi3. We like how the moveable sole weight setting on TSi3 is now visible – on the TS3 you had to unscrew and remove the SureFit CG weight to see what it was, which was time-consuming. While we tested both, the TSi3 gave us a greater increase in ball speed, albeit with a different…

GM Verdict Sitting alongside the T20 model is the new ES21 wedge, a curious offering that provides something very different visually for the golfer. The fact the wedge is semi-hollow in construction means it doesn’t feel as soft as a muscleback model. It still feels solid on full shots, but the sensation at impact was slightly different to what we are accustomed to. The carry distances on a variety of shot lengths were very consistent, as was the ball flight, which meant it seemed easy to predict how the ball would fly and react when it landed. Spin levels were comparable with other wedges we’ve tested this year. The oversized, triangular shape at address means there’s lots of metal behind the ball, which gives you confidence that you can pull…

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Schloss Roxburghe Par 72, 6,546 yards GF: round: £60; day: £75 I remember watching The Roxburghe’s opening exhibition match live on TV in 1997 and adding it to my hit-list. Finally, 23 years later, I made it! Any expectations were more than met as this is a seriously good course built on a grand scale. As lovely as it is, there is far more to this Dave Thomas design than the much-photographed 14th with the river and viaduct. Strong holes abound, and the views are wonderful. Photography: Rob Smith, ©Visit Berwickshire Coast Eyemouth Par 72, 6,404 yards GF: round: £32.50-£37.50; day: £60-£70 Five miles north of the border, Eyemouth celebrated its centenary as a nine-holer before its 1997 rebirth as 18. Virtually nothing remains of the old course, and while…

Here's to the mortals I write this having watched Bryson DeChambeau play with a swing that would require most of us to visit a chiropractor if we ever attempted it. I’m sure there are many opinions on his method – is it good for golf, how does equipment need to change etc – but this letter is not dedicated to the Brysons of this world with their 180mph ball speeds, but to the average golfers who are at the heart of the game. We all love elite-level sport – the drama, tension, skill (and prize money!), but it isn’t reflective of the thousands of people up and down the country standing on the 1st tee most Saturday mornings wondering ‘where is this small white ball going today…?’ The day before…

Over the past few months, Bryson DeChambeau’s distance transformation has dominated golfing headlines. Many questioned if others would use his thinking and apply it to their own games, and it appears as if that’s the case. In recent weeks, a number of players have opted to put longer driver shafts in play as a way of creating more speed and therefore more distance – something Bryson has been experimenting with. Phil Mickelson has gone to a 47.5-inch shaft, with Adam Scott putting a 46-inch Titleist TSi4 in play at the Houston Open. Also in Texas, Viktor Hovland was seen testing a 47- and 48-inch Ping G425 LST. Perhaps the most pertinent recent example, though, is Dylan Frittelli – a man who enjoyed remarkable success at Augusta with his 46-inch driver.…

GM says Cobra’s out-of-the-box thinking has gone up a notch, combining some of the best design features from across the market with pioneering manufacturing techniques. We’re excited to see what the future holds! Cobra hasn’t launched a putter in a long while, so if it was going to return to the category, it was always going to do it with a bang. Step up the new King Supersport-35 putter, the first in what looks to be a line of products featuring 3D-printing technology. The oversized blade has been developed over the past two years in collaboration with HP and Parmatech, more as a showpiece of what is possible in the future. It features a fully 3D-printed metal body with an intricate lattice structure to optimise weight distribution and deliver the…

For the big man it was a dream. For the slightly mad scientist it was a dizzy nightmare. For the Irishman it was another frustration. Masters 2020 was a golf week like no other. This includes the 83 Augusta gigs that preceded this Covid-caressed version. No fans, no explosions of noise, no huge adrenalin rush. Just a beautiful exam paper that required thoughtful, patient study and an ability to stay in the moment over four long, vaguely chaotic days. The early deluge that delayed the first round for a crucial three-and-a-half hours meant we never quite knew what was going on, each subsequent round divided into two frustrating parts until we got to Saturday evening. It meant the usual coherent narrative was missing. In its place we had a tournament…

NO GIVING UP When the going gets tough, golfers threaten to give up. Indeed, most of us have contemplated the blissful release of cashing in our golf clubs and spending the money on a new watch, but the truth is you’re far more addicted than you’ll ever admit. GEAR EFFECT You’ve played poorly all year, your handicap has gone up by two shots, your ball-striking is distinctly mediocre and your putting stroke has a mind of its own. In this situation, buying yourself a new fairway wood is unlikely to be the panacea you’re looking for! PLAYING FOR FUN There is no such thing as playing golf “just for fun”. We might like to think that our enjoyment is not inextricably linked to how well we play, but there is…

1 To coil effectively, there has to be resistance. First, you need a nice stable base to turn from, then it’s about resistance between your shoulder and hip turn, represented by the two alignment sticks here. As you turn, you’re looking for a ballpark figure of about 45? rotation in the hips and around 90? of rotation in the shoulders. 2 Another key to coiling and storing power is keeping the right leg braced and loaded. Straightening it as you turn back can be a real power leak. You will create resistance by keeping the right leg flexed to turn against in the backswing. This restricts hip rotation to help create the difference between shoulder and hip turn, which generates coil and power. 3 Your arms are important, too. The…

Sometimes when you’re in a red penalty area, the ball will look playable, as in this diagram where a drive has ended up at point A. If you make a good recovery, this will allow you to effectively get away scot-free. But what if your next shot doesn’t go to plan and you leave your ball in the same penalty area without it ever crossing the edge at any point? Using this example, say you’ve elected to play from where your ball has ended up at point A, but the shot has come to rest at point B without ever leaving the penalty area. Of course, you can still play it as it lies if you believe it’s playable, but if you do decide to take relief, the Rules give…

GM Verdict The eighth model in the compactfolding M-Series is arguably one of the most cutting-edge alongside the M5 GPS, offering near hands-free steering using an ergonomic handset. The first concern you may have with a remote-controlled electric trolley is that it would be a faff to set up, but that’s not the case with the M7 Remote. It assembles quickly in one swift movement with the front wheel unfolding automatically. The two latches you need to undo are quite stiff initially, but they do loosen up over time. The process of steering the trolley soon becomes second nature and you haven’t got to worry about it getting away from you, because Motocaddy’s DHC (Downhill Control) feature ensures the trolley maintains your walking pace when going down steep slopes. The…

We tested six of the best golf GPS watches of 2020 out on the course over multiple rounds, but which would prove to be our favourite? •Ease of use They’re all relatively intuitive to set up and user friendly to operate, although the touchscreen on the Samsung Galaxy Active2 arguably takes more getting used to than most. Simplicity is the GolfBuddy Aim W10’s strongest suit, which will appeal to the luddites among us, while the Shot Scope V3 does require tags inserted into the tops of grips, which is a timeconsuming but worthwhile process. Features The Garmin Approach S62 is undoubtedly the most feature-packed, offering a Virtual Caddie that suggests clubs for upcoming shots once you’ve inputted five rounds’ worth of club distance data. The hole maps and screen on…

Words: Rob Smith If you’re looking for golf that is both challenging and fun in a spectacularly beautiful and serene setting, Killarney Golf and Fishing Club has it all. Situated on the northern shores of Lough Leane, this easywalking, lush parkland layout is overlooked by MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, Ireland’s most prominent mountain range which includes Carrauntoohil, the country’s highest peak at 3,407 feet. There are three courses here – 45 holes in total – but the championshipstandard Killeen takes pride of place. This parkland design sets off at a dizzying pace, with three of the opening four holes hugging the water’s edge. The views are sensational and it’s easy to be distracted, but the course is a fine test all the way. Although you head away from the lough at the…

Although 2020’s schedule has been more restricted than usual, I was getting out a fair bit until sadly putting my back out getting out of the car ahead of the Sussex Mid-Age Championship at Crowborough Beacon! This scuppered a few plans, including 36 holes at The Berkshire with the GM team, although I was able to go a month later. There have been trips with Rob to Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, where I had previously played precious little, and visits to courses of all types, from the links at Prince’s and Burnham & Berrow to the hilltop treasure at Kington and parkland and heathland courses elsewhere. Separate trips to Suffolk saw me play three courses not too far apart. First, Bury St Edmunds, a commercially astute and forward-thinking members’ club with…

My relationship with The Berkshire goes back almost 40 years to the time when I helped to run a work-based society. So boundlessly keen were we during the ‘80s golf boom that we arranged a day out almost every month. More often than not we would play 36 holes, and we loved ticking new courses off the list. Despite this, we would return to The Berkshire every year. The reasons were simple and are just as valid today. It is home to two sublime courses that are packed with variety, and which are endless fun no matter how you play. Stepping back The Berkshire is situated in an area that is blessed with exceptional heathland golf. Close neighbours include Sunningdale, Wentworth and Swinley Forest. Both of its gently undulating courses…

Dustin Johnson Not green with envy Dustin Johnson produced a nearflawless display at Augusta National to secure The Masters title in recordbreaking fashion and notch his second Major Championship victory. Johnson, who’s now halfway to the Career Grand Slam, played the first four holes on Saturday in four-under-par and never looked back, holding a world-class field at bay with a combination of power, accuracy and finesse. With that skill set, he looks poised to add to his Major tally sooner rather than later. 24 Dustin Johnson won his 24th PGA Tour title at The Masters -20 He set a new record score – also a tie for the lowest score to par in men’s Major golf 60 Johnson hit 60 greens in regulation and only had four bogeys – the fewest ever by…

1 Smith was first introduced to the game by his father, Des, who was a scratch player and club champion at Wantima Golf Club in Brisbane. Eventually Smith developed into a young Australian star and was mentored by Grant Field, head coach of Golf Queensland. Field remains his coach to this day. 2 Smith turned pro in 2013 and started competing on the PGA Tour of Australasia, before moving up to the Asian Tour, the Web. Com Tour and finally the PGA Tour. He has recorded two PGA Tour victories and he won the Australian PGA Championship in 2017 and 2018. 3 At the start of 2020, wild bushfires swept across Australia, so he sought to aid relief efforts by donating $500 for every birdie and $1,000 for every eagle…

The dream scenario for any golfer when it comes to footwear is a shoe that performs on the course but also looks at home away from it, as well. It means you don’t have to change models awkwardly in the car park before or after your round and you get much more value for money, given the more wear time they will accumulate. This is why FootJoy has created the Stratos shoe, designed to offer both sophisticated styling and comfort on and off the golf course. It delivers this through a cork-lined fitbed and an all-new cushioning compound called StratoFoam, which provides optimal support and comfort for conditions specific to golf, including swinging, walking and everything in between. As well as great cushioning, StratoFoam also provides shock absorption and energy…

Danny Willett’s career has been a rollercoaster. For every glorious high, there has been a painful low. A sensational Masters victory, a Ryder Cup appearance and six other European Tour wins have been offset by injuries and losses of form. The Englishman knows how it feels to slip on a Green Jacket, but just over two years later he’d slipped to 462 in the world. He’s now back up to 57, but again battling a dip in form. “Scores-wise and results-wise, things haven’t been great,” Willett tells GM on the eve of his title defence at the BMW PGA Championship. “It’s been a bit disappointing from where the game felt like it was before lockdown, and we put in some good work during lockdown, but it’s just not quite seemed…

Photography: Getty Images, Kenny Smith Chris Wallace, Rules manager at The R&A, looks back on a difficult situation that Ian Poulter found himself in during a very wet and windy round at the Renaissance Club for the ASI Scottish Open. Taking on a long shot out of a fairway bunker, Poulter failed to get enough elevation, causing his ball to embed in the ground above the bunker lip. Fortunately, the Rules allowed him to take relief without penalty and he was able to take a drop and play from a still very awkward, but much easier, stance and lie. However, the ruling did cause some confusion for a number of viewers. The question of relief for an embedded golf ball in a bunker face is one which crops up fairly…

1 In match play, Jezz marks his ball’s position on the putting green using his putter. He lifts and cleans it before replacing it and playing. What is the ruling? A. Jezz gets a one-stroke penalty. B. Jezz gets the general penalty (loss of hole). C. There is no penalty. 2 In stroke play, Fergus measures his relief area from a cart path with the driver headcover still on. He then drops in his relief area and plays. What is the ruling? A. Fergus gets a one-stroke penalty. B. Fergus gets the general penalty (two strokes). C. There is no penalty. 3 In stroke play, Jezz makes a stroke using a croquet-style stance and holes the putt. What is the ruling? A. Jezz gets the general penalty and must replay…

GM Verdict The first thing you notice with the Zoom Focus Tour laser rangefinder is the premium look and feel. Reminiscent of a vintage camera, the hybrid metal design oozes class while the tacky texture of the black section that wraps around the unit provides a secure hold. It weighs 210g, so is slightly heavier than the Focus X, but we actually like this because it allows you to keep the laser steady, especially in windy conditions. The shape and size of the device meant it fitted perfectly in our hand, too. The scan mode was especially useful off the tee, providing continuous measurements for points like trees and bunker lips to enhance strategy through better choice of club and start lines. Naturally, it is on shots to the green…

Photography: Jeremy Ellwood Member at Blackmoor GC, Hampshire for 74 years What do you like so much about Blackmoor? Having played golf an estimated 7,000 times at beautiful and peaceful Blackmoor and on 120 other courses, my high opinion of Blackmoor is based on the following: every hole is cleverly designed to make you think; it’s not too hilly or long; and it is kept to very high standards. I was born just two miles away and now live nine miles away. My journey is against the flow of traffic, so what could be better? How has the course changed most? From tee to green it is virtually the same as when the great Harry Colt designed it. In the 1950s, the layout changed from loops of five and 13…

Sunningdale Quite simply, in golfing terms, the Old and New courses are divine – they are the two highest-placed inland designs in the GM Top 100. Here, you feel as though you are stepping back in time to enjoy quintessential heathland golf. Ballybunion For neighbouring links, the two courses here could hardly be more different. The Old is a wonderful, classic test with some spectacular holes through the dunes. The Cashen, a Trent Jones Snr design, is more dramatic. Fairmont St Andrews St Andrews is the spiritual home of golf, but for anyone seeking an alternative to its wonderful links offerings, the two courses up on the hill at Fairmont St Andrews serve up 36 holes of scenic and thoroughly enjoyable golf. Moor Park The two Harry Colt designs at…

Ben Rhydding Perched high up in the hills on Ilkley Moor in North Yorkshire, this extremely pretty parkland nine-holer is blessed with wonderful long-range vistas over the valley and beyond. It opens with a short par 5 – that becomes a tough par 4 as the 10th – and there’s then an even mix of par 4s and short holes. Run by the members and operating from an honesty box when the clubhouse is closed, this is fun golf at a bargain price. GF: round: £17 Lewes Downland golf is a delight in the winter, and the views from Lewes in the free-draining chalky East Sussex hills are fabulous throughout the year. The narrow entrance road up from the town is in stark contrast to the generous fairways that await,…