Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2021 i Golf Monthly

Mizuno continues to make some of the very finest irons in golf. Grain Flow Forged HD at its legendary facility in Hiroshima, Japan, Mizuno irons have long been a favourite of top professionals and amateurs alike. The JPX921 Forged iron delivers a superb blend of power, control and forgiveness. It will help players of varying abilities get the very most from their game. Exceptionally fast ball speeds combine with classic looks and a decent level of workability to deliver great versatility. • POWER OF CHROMOLY Mizuno’s JPX921 Forged iron integrates the power of a steel alloy called chromoly (first used in Mizuno’s Hot Metal iron) into a full-body forged iron for the first time. Chromoly has made the crossover to Mizuno’s forgings with excellent results. Tests show the fastest ball…

PowaKaddy’s new CT6 GPS has become one of the most compact-folding electric trolleys to also incorporate integrated GPS, so if you want to see crucial distances on your trolley handle but are short on car boot space, it’s a perfect match. PowaKaddy hasn’t rested on its laurels in 2021. The latest CT6 GPS model now comes complete with a premium 2.8in full-colour touchscreen, displaying front, middle and back distances for over 40,000 courses. It is easier to use and boasts new autonomous functions, such as auto-hole advance, auto-course location and automatic distance function (ADF). • LIGHTWEIGHT POWER While the previous version was by no means heavy, this new model is actually five per cent lighter, weighing in at just 9.8kg. It also includes PowaKaddy’s optional Auto-Cruise Downhill EBS (Electronic Braking…

Ping has an illustrious past that has helped shape the evolution of golf equipment for over half a century. By continuing to use iconic names like the Anser in its latest ranges, Ping harks back to the very foundations of the company. In 2021, it has done something similar in apparel, too, with the new Frequency polo. • PROUD OF THE PAST The new shirt features a design based on the impact sound frequencies of the original Ping 1-A putter. Ping’s seminal moment came back in 1959 when Karsten Solheim named the company in honour of the distinctive sound the ball made off the putterface. The Frequency polo’s design is therefore both a statement about the company’s present and a clever nod to the past. It sits alongside the Holten,…

The tagline for this new Evnroll putter range is “armlock putting made easy” and it’s another fascinating concept from master putter designer, Guerin Rife. The Midlock grip features a patented design which has the deepest pistol dimension allowed by The R&A. It positions the grip sideways, which pushes the shaft angle away from the mid-forearm. This reduces the typical 9˚ of loft to just 4˚, which is similar to a gentle forward press. The idea is that this will allow a set-up position that should encourage an effortless, one-piece putting stroke with no unwanted wrist movement. • CONSISTENT BY DESIGN There’s no need for any special shafts or heavy head weights and it immediately solves the common problem of too much shaft lean with traditional armlock putters and the need…

Zoom is a brand that is making big strides in the laser rangefinder category. In the Focus Tour, you have one of the most cutting-edge models on the market. This laser can also prove a huge help off the tee, given the slope functionality (for non-competition use) and its very wide field of view at 7.5˚. This assists in picking out hazards, including those you may not otherwise have spotted. We were also impressed with how quickly the Focus Tour found the target, which is an area where some lasers haven’t always performed. In less than half a second, a vibration confirms that the target has been acquired. The distance is then shown crystal-clear in the display and you’re ready to fire at the flag with confidence. • ELEGANT DESIGN…

New on the scene, Payntr’s X 001 F spikeless shoe has made an immediate impact because of its stylish looks and a raft of performance features. Already a successful sports footwear brand in the UK, this X 001 F shoe was built with the help of Mike Forsey, a footwear expert based in the US with more than three decades of experience working for the likes of Nike, Ping Collection and Under Armour. The result is a performance-packed spikeless shoe that has been designed to give golfers an advantage from the ground up. • UNIQUE TRACTION SYSTEM Payntr’s unique 3D traction system is the fruit of detailed biomechanical insights, and we found the grip on offer to be fantastic. The shoe comprises a lightweight TPU outsole with specifically placed traction…

Launched in the UK this year, Full Swing Golf offers the ultimate package for those looking for the absolute best in home golf simulators. The official simulator of the PGA Tour and the choice of numerous professionals, including Tiger Woods, the Full Swing Pro Series simulator is the company’s pinnacle offering. • NO DELAY FROM SWING TO SCREEN It combines infrared lightwave technology with high-speed cameras to immediately show your ball flight on the screen for the most incredibly realistic practice experience. With 688 infrared sensors tracking ball flight, you see accurate trajectories with the view on the screen in real time. The simulator comes in a variety of options to suit your home, club or business, from standard size right up to a 16ft widescreen offering. Whether playing a…

TaylorMade has drawn on the technologies featured in its popular P790 iron to create the P770, which has added appeal to better players seeking a degree of workability as well as power. This is an exceptionally good-looking iron that, on first glance, would appear to be a true players’ club. But it also produces impressive length, along with exceptional forgiveness for a head of this size and shape. Higher launch is particularly noticeable in the long-irons. With additional spin (introduced into this model after player feedback), there’s excellent stopping power, too. If you’re after a combination of power and workability, the P770 could be just the ticket this year.…

TrackMan continues to set the standard when it comes to golf launch monitors. The new TrackMan 4 features a cutting-edge camera/radar hybrid solution that includes artificial intelligence (AI), a completely overhauled user interface and Virtual Golf 2 simulator for fun challenges and games that everyone can enjoy. The multi-sensor technology, which comprises dual-radar and an HD camera, means it can be used effectively indoors or outdoors. It also has over 100 simulated courses, full putting analysis, club fitting software, swing video software, online tournaments, games for kids and much more. No other launch monitor offers such an extensive list of performance and fun-based features for golfers of all abilities.…

While Motocaddy has proven itself to be more that capable of producing feature-packed electric trolleys, it acknowledges that some golfers want modern functionality in a simpler package. Step forward the new M3 GPS, which provides a more stripped-back GPS trolley experience. It incorporates a high-resolution 2.8in LCD touchscreen and can connect to the Motocaddy GPS app through Bluetooth for smartphone alerts and course updates. • SPACE SAVER What’s really great is how small the M3 GPS folds down – crucial if your car boot lacks surplus space when the golf bag is in. There’s also a DHC version (£799.99), which includes all the features found on the M3 GPS while allowing you to maintain a constant speed going down a gradient, thanks to a special single motor that offers downhill…

Part of the Geneva collection, which features traditional white, coal and black colour schemes, this polo shirt has a unique, trendy design that is sure to turn heads. It has been woven from ProDry stretch fabric, which is an exclusive FootJoy creation designed to keep you cool and dry for the duration of your round of golf and beyond. The material gives a comfortable and lightweight feel that doesn’t hinder movement between or during shots and it provides SPF 30 UV protection. Our clothing gives us a chance to express ourselves on the course and this polo shirt tells everyone that you like to look stylish. As the saying goes, look good, play good!…

Major Champion, Ryder Cup hero, short-game maestro, escapologist, captain, golfing ambassador, course designer and inimitable personality, Severiano Ballesteros’ career and life was exemplified by excellence and determination. His influence on golf remains strong to this day and I was reminded of just how important he was in fostering my own interest in this great game as I went through the superb content, marking the ten-year anniversary of his sad death, contained in this issue. Few golfers in history have provided so many with such motivation to play and improve. For me, and many of my golfing contemporaries, Seve was both an idol and an inspiration. Watching his swashbuckling and hugely determined approach to the sport was thrilling and captivating and he played a pivotal role in thrusting European golf into…

1 Conners was born in Ontario, Canada. In 2010, he won the Ontario Amateur Championship and he represented Canada in the Eisenhower Trophy in 2012 and 2014, finishing second to an American side that featured Bryson DeChambeau in the 2014 event. 2 Also in 2014, Conners finished runner-up in the US Amateur, losing to Gunn Yang 2&1 in the final. Along the way, he defeated Scottie Scheffler in the first round before knocking out Jon Rahm at the last-16 stage. The result earned him a spot in the field for the 2015 Masters, but he missed the cut. He turned pro immediately after. 3 He graduated from what is now the Korn Ferry Tour on to the PGA Tour for the 2018 season and won his first event the following…

Photography: Getty Images 4 Happy birthday, Rory! Four-time Major winner McIlroy turns 32 today. 20 USPGA Championship Collin Morikawa defends his title at Kiawah Island’s Ocean course. 8 1954: The White House gets a putting green President Dwight D Eisenhower, an avid golfer, installed a putting green on the White House grounds. It was reportedly a gift from the USGA and built by Robert Trent Jones Senior. 14 1754: The R&A Club founded The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews began life with the first Challenge for the Silver Club. 21 1995: Seve wins 50th European Tour title Seve Ballesteros won his 50th and last European Tour title at the Peugeot Spanish Open, held at Club de Campo in Madrid.…

The first time I saw Seve in the flesh was at Wentworth on a rain-sodden day in 1982. I was 11 years old and a recent convert to golf. Mud squelched underfoot and puddles formed across the manicured acres of the Burma Road, but I could not take my eyes off the feline figure who prowled and scowled and illuminated the gloom with his beautiful swing and dazzling smile. Seve was up against Sandy Lyle, a home favourite, in the final of the Suntory World Matchplay Championship and yet most people in the crowd were pulling for the Spaniard. “I always found it a very special experience playing in the British Isles,” Seve explained in his autobiography a quarter of a century later. From his first round at Royal St…

Ten years on from the untimely death of golfing great Seve Ballesteros, leading photographer David Cannon of Getty Images has produced an incredible book charting the Spaniard’s life in golf. Seve’s journey from ‘Boy of Pedrena’ to ‘Golfing Icon’ is conveyed by many of the most memorable and stirring photographs taken of him by Cannon and others, accompanied by fabulous commentary from David, as well as excellent essays penned by renowned golf writer Robert Green. The book has been produced with the support of The R&A, The European Tour and The Seve Ballesteros Foundation. What is perhaps most striking about the selection of images in this beautiful 176-page book is just what a showman and personality Seve was. His spirit and spark leaps from each page, whether it’s a shot…

Photography: Tom Miles It’s the club we all openly or secretly yearn to hit longer or better, isn’t it? The big stick, which many of us call on for most or all of our par-4 and par-5 tee shots, has the potential to make or break our rounds. If we can keep it in play a decent distance down the fairway, we have a chance. If we’re too wayward or not getting it out there as far as we could be, it all becomes more of a struggle. Getting it right with the driver begins before you even take the club away, which is why this instruction feature with popular YouTube coach, Dan Hendriksen, starts at the very beginning with the set-up fundamentals. It then highlights the key moves that…

1 This is the first thing you see Tiger do on the practice green to make sure he’s hitting it out of the middle and the ball is rolling a consistent distance. Place two tee pegs down by the ball a little wider than the putter head and basically move the putter between them. This is all about pure stroke-building and the best way I know of aligning the stroke and ensuring a solid, square contact – the keys to consistent holing out from short range. 2 This round-the-hole three-footer drill is a Phil Mickelson favourite to build up the stroke. Your sand wedge is around 36in, so measure with that and give yourself one right-to-left, one left-to-right (see balls in bottom photo), one uphill and one downhill putt. This…

What influence does the shaft weight have and when would a lighter or heavier shaft be beneficial? Bernard Utner, via email Heavier shafts generally flight the ball lower, because they kick less and don’t increase dynamic loft as much, plus they tend to have more of a right bias too. Heavier shafts generally suit stronger players, both physically and in terms of ability. Lighter shafts launch higher and can sometimes produce more speed, which is why older golfers tend to gravitate towards them. I know what driver spec I am, so should I take a punt online or go and get fitted? LegendOle, GM Forum This depends how comfortable you are knowing you’re using a club that isn’t quite right for you. If you know your spec it will come…

Cobra Radspeed £189 V Titleist TSi2 £245 Loft: 19° Shaft: UST Mamaya Recoil 480 ESX F4 75g stiff Loft: 18° Shaft: Project X Hzrdus Smoke Black RDX 80g 6.0 LOOKS 8 ∼ 9 A more flashy appearance with graphics around the perimeter. The Cobra logo on the centre of the crown and the shorter white grooves on the face help position the ball centrally at address. It has a fuller, more rounded profile and a more traditional look overall, with no alignment mark on the crown. The white grooves extend a little further across the face, assisting with aim. FEEL/SOUND 8 ∼ 9 It wasn’t as explosive as the Titleist, but it still felt fast and had a pleasing dense sensation at impact. Felt a little harsher on off-centre…

If you have no issue playing in all weathers, then a I quality waterproof jacket is a necessity. Galvin Green is a specialist in this category, making some of the best garments in the business, and the new Action is undoubtedly the most feature-packed waterproof jacket the Swedish brand has produced to date. • FUTURISTIC FABRICS Totally waterproof and windproof thanks to the inclusion of the industry-leading Gore-Tex membrane, the Action jacket also incorporates a C-Knit backer. This reduces friction with the layers underneath, allows it to slide on more easily and also increases breathability by 15 per cent. Whatever downpour you experience on the golf course, the Action jacket will keep water at bay while maximising comfort and not hindering the golf swing. It fits well too, as you…

Puma is well known for its outlandish clothing and footwear designs but the new Ignite Caged Crafted shoe provides something more subtle, aimed at the more discerning golfer. Mixing comfort with sophisticated yet modern styling and top-notch performance, it makes a strong case for being one of Puma’s most rounded and appealing golf shoes yet. • ONE-OF-A-KIND LOOK Taking inspiration from street style as well as other sports, Puma is always at the forefront of golfing fashion. Building on the success of the popular Ignite Caged family, the Crafted edition features a premium, full-leather Pwrcage saddle that comes in various colours for a unique look. The same leather is also used on the front of the shoe to round off the design cleanly. How a shoe looks may not provide…

Combining Italian design with premium, handcrafted materials, Duca del Cosma’s Elpaso shoe is packed with features, making it not just one of the best spikeless shoes around but one of the best golf shoes on the market this year, full stop. There’s no doubt that distinctive styling has long made the brand’s products really stand out, and Duca del Cosma’s new collection for 2021 is no different, boasting 22 premium styles for men and women. • EYE-CATCHING DESIGN Designer, Baldovino Mattiazzo, felt that the traditional golf shoe needed a makeover, and there’s no doubt that he’s achieved that. Contrasting piping on the soft, full-leather upper gives the Elpaso an understated yet unique look. While it won’t be to everyone’s taste, we really like the style on offer here, especially as…

Toptracer technology isn’t only transforming how we watch golf on our screens but also how we practise golf on the range. Toptracer uses two cameras mounted above range bays to capture data on every shot and relay it – via the image analysis software – on to screens that display stats in whatever mode is selected. These include long-drive competitions, a nearest-the-pin game or a skills challenge – including the excellent Go Fish game that gets kids ‘hooked’ on golf. You even have the option to play your favourite courses from around the world – perhaps St Andrews or Pebble Beach – from the comfort of your bay. • WEALTH OF INFORMATION As well as displaying ball flight, the custom-built sensors provide real-time shot analytics such as ball speed, apex,…

A warm welcome to Golf Monthly’s Editor’s Choice 2021, and what a bumper edition it is. Such was the competition for places and the excitement in the industry around its latest products, we’ve dedicated more pages than ever before to this gear bonanza to make sure every product gets the space it deserves. We’ve narrowed it down to just 100, which was no mean feat. It required some tricky decisions and ruffled a few feathers, but we stand behind each and every one of our selections. No one has tested such a large cross-section of the market as us, which means we’re in the best position to call out the top performers that will benefit your game the most. We’ve broadened the product range too, expanding into categories like training…

This unique bag brings together many of the best features in the 2021 Motocaddy range – like the waterproofing of the Dry-Series and lightness of the Lite-Series – and combines them with a unique and innovative top. The design of the top on this cart bag showcases a noise-reducing, 14-way divider that gives each club a distinct and separate area in which to reside. This prevents the clubs from clanking together when trolleying over rough terrain and also makes organisation very easy and aesthetically pleasing. • NO ONE-TRICK PONY This bag isn’t just about the top design, however. It has nine spacious pockets, allowing you to load up with extra clothing, food and drink and enough balls and tees to survive the worst round of golf. It is impressive that…

Many golfers choose a GPS watch for at-a-glance simplicity, and although you get just that with the LX5C, this stylish watch offers a great deal more. In fact, it’s packed with many of the same features as the handheld SX500 and SX400. • PINPOINT ACCURACY The watch comes pre-loaded with over 35,000 of SkyGolf’s ground-verified, error-corrected maps, and displays distances and more on an easy-to-read 3.5cm touchscreen. On top of this, IntelliGreen Pro provides the exact green shape and yardages from your approach angle, while SkyCaddie’s exclusive HoleVue with Dynamic RangeVue offers stunning graphic views of the hole ahead. Lightweight and comfortable, the scratch-resistant, hard-wearing LX5C ceramic bezel holds its colour and retains that ‘new’ look far longer than a traditional bezel. Above all, it’s going to help golfers to…

If you bring out a driver with an RRP of over £500, you’d better make sure it performs! Thankfully for Titleist, we found the TSi3 delivers on all fronts. Added speed is the first thing you’re likely to notice when you test it up against your current driver – that’s both ball speed and club speed via a new crown shape that reduces aerodynamic drag. The looks have improved considerably, too, and we like the newly visible SureFit CG Track positioned around the rear skirt of the driver. It has five positions that the 8g movable weight can easily slot into to help promote (or neutralise!) a certain shot shape. There’s no question that the TSi3 will be one of the longest drivers you’ll test in 2021.…

This is a golf bag that can easily do the job of two by seamlessly doubling up as both a carry and trolley bag. Indeed, it excels however you use it as it’s also fully waterproof. It weighs just 2kg and has an incredibly comfortable double strap that makes it easy and hassle-free to carry around the course. It is then very simple to convert into a spacious trolley bag thanks to its flat, footless base that fits flush on to any push or electric trolley. • LIGHTWEIGHT AND DURABLE This very innovative design means there’s no need to have separate bags stored at home if you like to switch between carrying and using a trolley for whatever reason. Overall, this is a practical and well-built bag that is a…

FootJoy has long been at the forefront of glove design and this latest HyperFLX offering carries on that tradition. The great thing about this glove is that it offers the soft feel and touch you get from premium leather, with durability closer to that of an all-weather option. We love how the stretchy Microvent material on the back of the hand, along with the Powernet Mesh Knuckles, boosts moisture control, consistency of fit and breathability. It’s one of the best all-round performers in 2021.…

BALLS Callaway Chrome Soft X LS Decathlon Inesis Tour 900 Srixon Z-Star TaylorMade Tour Response TaylorMade TP5 Titleist Pro V1 Titleist Tour Speed DRIVERS Callaway Epic Max LS Cobra Radspeed XB Ping G425 Max TaylorMade SIM2 Titleist TSi3 FAIRWAYS Callaway Epic Speed Cobra Radspeed Honma TR21 Ti Big-LB Ping G425 Max TaylorMade SIM2 Ti Titleist TSi2 IRONS Ben Hogan PTx Pro Callaway Apex Pro Cobra Radspeed Mizuno JPX921 Forged Ping G425 Srixon ZX7 TaylorMade P770 Titleist T300 Wilson Staff D9 Wilson Staff Model CB PUTTERS Evnroll ER5v Midlock Odyssey Ten 2-Ball Triple Track Ping 2021 Fetch TaylorMade Spider EX Scotty Cameron Phantom X11.5 HYBRIDS/UTILITIES Callaway Apex Pro hybrid Cobra Radspeed hybrid Srixon ZX U utility iron TaylorMade SIM2 Rescue Titleist TSi3 hybrid WEDGES Callaway Mack Daddy CB Cleveland CBX Full…

This new Puma polo has a design that sets it apart from other shirts. From peach to star-sapphire colour schemes, it’s sure to attract many an admiring glance on the fairways. Mattr (Materials, Technology and Research) is a performance fabric that is moisture-wicking and fast-drying, with a breathable, stretchy and lightweight feel to it. This will keep you comfortable when it’s hot, with its UPF 50+ providing crucial protection. Looking and feeling good on the course can allow you to focus more confidently on your game and we think this polo shirt could well help you do just that.…

Tallaway’s MD CB is one of the best, and indeed, best-looking wedges for anyone looking for a little extra assistance and forgiveness in the scoring clubs. Its oversize cavity-back design does a great job of making the transition down from the final iron in your set a little less stark. The slightly larger head and thicker topline are designed to inspire confidence, while Callaway’s Jaws grooves are on hand to provide all the spin you could ask for. There’s plenty of forgiveness on full shots and an excellent feel, something some golfers fear they will have to sacrifice in a cavity-back wedge.…

While some driver designs continue to be as intricate and complex as they’ve ever been, TaylorMade has decided to really strip back its premium SIM2 offering for 2021. Comprising just four main components, only one of which is made from titanium, it places more focus on forgiveness than the kind of elaborate adjustability that was becoming redundant in many cases. A radical weight shift, courtesy of an aluminium Forged Ring construction, allows a fixed 16g back weight to drive forgiveness levels up to new highs. • SIMPLE BUT EFFECTIVE With the adjustable sliding weight removed, the sole is made entirely from a nine-ply carbon-fibre for even more weight savings and better airflow to boot. The result is a slick, streamlined-looking driver. It is simple to grasp in terms of concept,…

Should players be fined money or docked strokes for slow play? The seemingly perennial issue of slow-play penalties reared its head again at the LPGA Tour’s Kia Classic, where rookie Yealimi Noh was fined $10,000 after lodging two ‘bad times’ on the 10th and 12th holes. It was her second transgression – which meant her fine was twice what it would have been with a clean record – and meant she lost money for the week, having pocketed $4,247 for finishing in a tie for 61st. Granted, $10,000 is a lot of money, especially for a rookie, but the 19-year-old has already notched more than $400,000 on the LPGA Tour. The European Tour also has the ability to fine players for slow play, starting at €3,500. While these sums seem…

Photography: Kevin Murray MIRROR THE STICKS Push an alignment stick into the ground that mirrors the angle of your club at address and lay another one down behind you pointing at the target. If your downswing is on the right plane and your path is good as you rotate through, the club will come back down mirroring the stick pushed into the ground. FROM LOW TO HIGH Coming down into the ball, if you’re swinging on the ideal, slightly inside path, your hands should be moving from low to high as you rotate through impact. If your swing path is over the top, your hands will move from high to low through the ball. This movement can lead to slices, pull hooks and even shanks. HALF SWINGS IN PRACTICE Practising…

SPOTTED ON TOUR Extreme lengths Bryson DeChambeau switched to a new Cobra Radspeed driver at The Masters, with a new shape and face and lead tape on the sole. Familiar feels Justin Rose put his old TaylorMade M1 440 driver in play at Augusta, the model he used to finish runner-up in 2017. No arm done Matt Kuchar has started to lock his Bettinardi KM2 DASS VWS putter with a SuperStroke long grip against his trail arm. Photography: Getty Images Gear News Round-Up Patty Tavatanakit won the ANA Inspiration with a Ping G410 LST driver, i210 irons and a Bettinardi SS3 mallet putter. Rookie Will Zalatoris finished 2nd at The Masters with a Titleist TSi3 driver, T100 irons and an Odyssey White Hot Pro #7 putter. Henrik Stenson switched into…

Yonex’s new Ezone Elite 3.0 series of golf clubs for 2021 is designed to offer superior distance and forgiveness for male and female mid- to high-handicap golfers. The new range includes a driver, fairway wood, hybrid, irons and a putter, all of which have been created with optimal shaft weight, kick point and torque to provide maximum forgiveness, distance and feel. The new Ezone Elite 3.0 driver uses In-Core Groove technology, which is designed to improve the flex of the face, crown and sole of the golf club, creating faster ball speeds across the face with lower spin rates. GM Updated Octoforce technology in the driver removes weight from the crown and upper part of the face, lowering the centre of gravity to promote a high, forgiving launch and maximum…

Well, it wasn’t a vintage Masters in the sense there wasn’t a sustained challenge from the chasing pack, but Hideki Matsuyama was brilliant and his victory is a significant one for the world of golf. I thought the back nine was going to be totally devoid of drama when he was standing on the 12th tee with a six-shot lead, but some questionable shots into par 5s and a bounce back from Xander Schauffele gave us some excitement, albeit for a few minutes only. Still, when someone plays that well, all you can do is admire them. It was still a good tournament, though. The patrons made a difference and it was a lot better than November, but it never really got into fifth gear. It was a tournament for…

At home with Seve I used to wake up with my brother and sister every morning and go to his room, and we’d ask him to tell us stories from when he was young. He had a very normal childhood. He left school when he was 15 because he needed to work and get some money for a house. He used to caddie in Pedrena. As you can see from the pictures, dad used to hug us all the time and he was very affectionate. From the outside you might think he was a cold person, because he was a superstar in golf, but he was completely the opposite. He was very affectionate and he wanted to spend loads of time with us. I think I’m kind of the same…

1 Don’t be fooled by my feet being together here – this is the starting position for a very simple method of helping you find the correct ball position and width of stance with the four different types of club on the ground – wedge, mid-iron, fairway wood and driver. Width of stance will vary between all these clubs, and to find the ideal width, it’s best to start with your feet together centred around the relevant club. 2 With driver, your left foot stays put and your right foot moves to shoulder-width apart or slightly wider. For the fairway wood, move your left foot two inches left and the right foot not quite as far as with driver. With a mid-iron, it’s an inch or two more again with…

1 Pitching distances I’ve got a chart with four different positions. With my lob wedge, I’ve got a clubhead to shoulder position, which is 40 yards; where the tag sits on the shaft to my shoulder, which is 60; hands to shoulder, which is 80; and then my full swing, which is 90. 2 Wedge spin I’ve worked really hard with Graham Walker on launch control. If the ball goes too high or too low, it doesn’t have the right spin characteristics. Whatever degree the club is, say 60˚, you want the launch to be coming out at half that loft. 3 Increasing power Just work on hitting it out the middle – and that comes through practice – as that’s when you get the best ball speed. The ball hardly moves…

Q Playing in a match, I thought my opponent only had to two-putt for the hole from shortish range while my ball was still three feet away. His putt was downhill so I thought I’d at least see what he did with his first putt. He rolled it down to a few inches so I picked up my marker. He tried to stop me, but it was too late – I’d forgotten that my handicap had gone up the previous week and I now got a shot on this hole! He said to pop it back down and have a go at the three-footer, but I said I didn’t think I could now. Who was correct? Jonathan Higgins, Walthamstow AWhile it may have been slightly unfortunate for yourself, you were…

The 2021 season is underway and I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time testing all the new kit. Here’s what’s earned a spot in my bag… • Driver: Titleist TSi3 I love the new shape and in terms of ball speed, it’s the fastest driver I’ve tested. Not only that, but I feel more in control of direction than I ever have, so I’m confident I can find more fairways. • Fairway: Cobra Radspeed This is undoubtedly the most versatile option out there for me. I like to use a fairway wood both off the tee and the deck, and with some of the dodgy lies I put myself in, the sole rails help get me out of trouble more often than not. • Hybrid: Callaway Apex 21 Pro The…

Do you prefer traditional or modern links courses? Ernie Smith, Conwy Much as I love our classic links, I’m going to come down on the modern side. I just love the sheer wow-factor of courses like Doonbeg, Enniscrone and Rosapenna’s Sandy Hills. If the designers of old had greater capability to get in among the towering dunes, I suspect more would have done so. In which counties have you played most golf? Derek Jefferson, Redditch I’ve always lived close to the Kent-Sussex border but have played far more in Sussex, where I’ve ticked off 73 courses with just a handful still unplayed. What I like about Sussex is the variety, from fine heathland golf at West Sussex and Royal Ashdown to the many downland courses and just a hint of…

More than three years after the previous iteration, Ecco has released the Biom H4 and it is packed with updates, making it one of the best spikeless shoes on the market. The sportier and more athletic design is clear to see straightaway. This is thanks, in part, to the new Biom 2.0 last on which the shoe is built, giving the toe section a more rounded look. It is undoubtedly one of the best-looking shoes the Danish brand has ever produced, if not the best. • STATE-OF-THE-ART OUTSOLE Not only does it look better, but equipped with Ecco’s new MTN Grip outsole, it also performs better. Through three different zones, the new outsole delivers stability, durability and rotational support. We found the traction on offer was ample, as was the…

The original Bushnell Phantom was a brilliant entry-level GPS device, and while this new model retains great simplicity, it also features numerous upgrades that further enhance its appeal. For many golfers, it’s just the crucial distances that matter. This is what you get with the Phantom 2, but it incorporates several new technologies that will give golfers even more accurate yardages. • DYNAMIC GREEN MAPPING The Phantom 2 comes pre-loaded with 38,000 courses and up to six hazard yardages per hole. One of the most significant new features is Dynamic Green Mapping, which provides front, centre and back distance measurements no matter which direction you are approaching the green from. Given how wayward we can all be at times, this is a very welcome feature and one that will save…

Shot Scope’s V3 is not your average GPS watch. Yes, it provides important yardages to help with course strategy, but its main feature is shot tracking and this is what makes it one of the best devices out there. • SEAMLESS SHOT TRACKING The V3 comes with 16 tracking tags that screw into the top of your clubs. In GPS + Performance Tracking mode, the watch will automatically detect shot locations during a round using these tags. With the PinCollect feature, golfers can input the pin position by touching a button when they retrieve their ball from the hole, allowing for enhanced statistics about their approach play and short game. It might sound complex, but it’s actually really simple. The tracking occurs automatically; your only job is to hit the…

The new Motocaddy M-Tech electric trolley might well be the most advanced option on the market this year in terms of its technological capabilities, range of features and attention to detail. The standout innovation is the cellular capability that will be switched on this summer on the M-Tech, as well as the M5 GPS. Available through an annual subscription package, it takes the fast, accurate GPS to another level, providing more advanced course mapping, real-time updates and performance-tracking data via the M-Tech’s stunning 3.5in LCD touchscreen. • FANTASTIC FEATURES This cellular advancement unlocks premium features including full-hole mapping, depiction of greenside hazards, scoring statistics and a round summary that uploads on to the Motocaddy app to let you analyse your performance. Luxurious touches also broaden the appeal, like the hand-stitched…

Driven by performance above all else, the fifth generation of Under Armour’s Jordan Spieth-inspired shoe has been unveiled. Using insights from world-leading biomechanist, JJ Rivet, and Spieth himself, this shoe offers stability and traction in abundance. It is designed to help you maximise ground forces and gain precious yards by advancements in the rotational, horizontal and vertical traction elements found in the Spieth 4 model, plus the addition of a fourth internal traction dimension courtesy of a 3D moulded footbed. This features an additional wing that wraps over much of the foot to eliminate gaps and create a fit that is tailored to your specific foot shape, enhancing performance by reducing unwanted slippage. Unlike the Spieth 4, this is a spikeless model, but don’t let that worry you. Thanks to…

Delivering game-changing performance technology and developed with insight from a host of tour pros including Matt Kuchar, Brooke Henderson, Colin Montgomerie and Billy Andrade, Skechers’ 2021 range offers traction and comfort through 18 holes and beyond. The Skechers Go Golf Torque Pro is a returning favourite with an upgrade or two added in for 2021. Packed with features, not only is this a well-rounded spiked shoe in terms of performance, but it also offers brilliant value. • RENOWNED COMFORT As always, as soon as you put them on, Skechers’ renowned out-of-the-box comfort becomes apparent. It’s a staple of the brand and in this shoe, several elements combine to deliver on the comfort front. The lightweight Ultra Go midsole and Goga Max insole complement each other perfectly to provide soft but…

Sun Mountain’s H2NO moniker has become synonymous with industry-leading waterproof materials and the H2NO Lite Speed has worked these into a lightweight, stylish and practical bag. Weighing in at just 2kg, this bag leaves a small and light footprint. The X-Strap system on the H2NO Lite Speed is one of the standout features and provides excellent support while being easy to adjust on the move. This is especially useful if you often change how many golf clubs or accessories you carry, such that the weight of your golf bag can fluctuate frequently. Overall, the Sun Mountain H2NO Lite Speed is certainly ahead of its time, perhaps pointing to the future of golf carry bags.…

Following feedback from the likes of Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy, this new SIM2 hybrid features a more compact shape than its predecessor and interacts with the turf just like an iron thanks to a new leading edge and updated V-Steel design. We love the all-black colour scheme and the club sits beautifully square behind the ball. Twist Face and Speed Pocket technology ensure it delivers an excellent blend of distance, control and forgiveness. For golfers not looking solely for maximum yardage, but who also place a premium on being able to shape shots and control their ball flight, the SIM2 Rescue should be top of the list to try this season.…

You don’t have to spend big money on golf equipment to get going. One way to kit yourself out is to go for a starter package set like this one. For £169.99, you get seven clubs: driver, hybrid, 6/7-iron, 8/9-iron, pitching wedge, sand wedge and putter. Decathlon has done a good job creating the simple, classic look that so many golfers like, but it’s how each club performed that really impressed us. • CONSISTENT PERFORMANCE The 460cc driver is generous to look down on and has a lot of loft, which meant it was easy to launch and produced consistent results. With mid-size toplines and wide soles, the irons provide beginners with confidence at address and extra assistance getting the ball up and away. We also enjoyed the soft feel.…

This year’s Spider EX is big on aim and alignment, with lots to like about how it looks, too. The three dots on the top, christened True Path, make it very easy to set the putter squarely behind the ball. The new Pure Roll face insert is TaylorMade’s first multi-material creation. It comprises eight aluminium beans that work independently to produce early, consistent roll and enhanced feel. The Spider EX comes in three colours: platinum white, ghost white or navy and white. Expect to hear plenty about this model in 2021 both on tour and in the hands of your playing partners… and maybe even yours?…

Arguably our favourite of the three new Epic models, it is a little unusual in concept as it’s low-spinning (LS) yet sits within the Max (forgiving) franchise. Its more stretched-out look at address will appeal to a wider range of players. Callaway’s new Jailbreak Speedframe, designed using artificial intelligence, makes it consistently faster and we found it very forgiving despite keeping spin low. Sliding weights are less common these days but the 13g one in the rear of the sole here offers 14 yards of potential shot-shape correction. We liked how this toned down our natural draw; others will enjoy being able to eliminate one side of the course without losing distance.…

Cobra is the brand that arguably offers the best pound-for-pound value with its drivers, and this has continued to be the case with the launch of the Radspeed range. There are three versions to choose from, and while the Radspeed model was the longest for us overall thanks to its low spin, the Radspeed XB gets the nod for our Editor’s Choice awards. Why, you may ask? • RADICAL DESIGN The concept was to significantly increase something called the radius of gyration – the distance from the club’s centre of gravity to each weight location. This produces extra yardage through lower spin, faster ball speeds and more forgiveness. The Radspeed XB driver (XB stands for Xtreme Back) features an oversized address profile and 20g of weight positioned in the back…

in association with Yet again, the Race to Dubai rankings are dominated by players from the PGA Tour. In fact, seven out of the current top ten play almost full-time in the USA. The Race to Dubai should be about the European Tour, and I feel for the guys who grind it out every week but can’t compete. As long as the Majors and WGCs contribute to R2D points then it will never be fair, as these big competitions are predominantly filled with PGA Tour players. I respect the likes of Patrick Reed and Collin Morikawa, who have made an effort to cross the pond, and I would love to see more of them over here competing – not just when it involves a huge appearance fee or, by pure…

Short Says Fergus Bisset The very best ball-strikers can gain advantage by having options at the top end of the bag. If a player hits the ball toweringly long and straight repeatedly and can find greens from 200 plus yards out, correct high-end gapping will make a difference for them in terms of scoring. Most amateur golfers do not hit the ball like that. For the average player, the aim is to generate reasonable distance to propel the ball with a degree of consistency towards the vicinity of the putting surface. Whether this is done with a 4-wood or a 4-iron is pretty much irrelevant when it comes to scoring. The average player should find a couple of go-to long clubs they can trust to generate reliable distance for making…

Well, The Masters rarely disappoints and so it proved once again, despite Hideki Matsuyama putting himself in a seemingly unassailable position after 11 holes of the final round. It really was a masterclass in iron play and chipping and congratulations to him for such a longawaited and significant victory. “In Before the start of the tournament, the only thing I was certain of was that Jordan Spieth would be up there and I hoped the course would be playing firm and fast, because in my view The Masters is better when Augusta National is borderline crazy. We saw that in the first round, but possibly not as much as we would have liked. But still, we got what we always get at The Masters: world-class players at the top of…

Seve Ballesteros left a lasting impression on everyone who watched him. It wasn’t just because of the way he played and the shots he took on. He was a great champion, yes, a trailblazer, pioneer, genius, artist, all of those things – but he also had charisma. People loved him. He was, as acclaimed photographer David Cannon says, simply a “hero”. For Cannon, it’s hard to quantify how much the great man shaped his own professional career. He admits that one particular shot of the winning putt at St Andrews in 1984 “established him in the golfing market”. But the time spent with Seve away from tournaments had the greatest impact on him. It’s these memories he treasures most. The pair met by pure chance. Cannon was a scratch golfer…

1 PICKING YOUR BALL UP TO IDENTIFY IT WITHOUT FIRST MARKING ITS POSITION Yes, the Rules have been relaxed so you no longer have to have someone observe the lifting, but you do still have to mark the ball’s position first and you may only lift it if it is reasonably necessary to be able to identify it. Many people didn’t first mark its position before the 2019 Rules changes and still don’t now. If you need to lift your ball to be able to identify it positively, always remember to mark its position first and only clean it to the extent necessary to identify it before replacing it in its original spot. Rule 7.3: one-stroke penalty 2 SLOPE FACILITY ON RANGEFINDERS These are great for practice rounds and social…

Chip not pitch: Try to avoid a pitching swing off a tight lie, as that can induce a spot of panic and result in the hands outracing the arms.…

Photography: Paul Severn 1 Set-up. This is a classic, athletic position. He has what you call ‘soft elbows’ – not straight, just relaxed. If you drew a line from the shaft of the club, it would go right through his belt buckle. His shoulders, knees, hips and toes are all fairly parallel, which is good. 2 Takeaway. It’s quite an upright takeaway and he keeps the clubhead moving up and outside of his hands. The arms are slightly disconnected, which is a little unusual. It’s steeper compared with most players, but it’s obviously functional. 3 Top of backswing. He maintains his angles and posture really well. At the top, you can see how he’s laid the club off. There’s not as much hip rotation as you might see with other…

By now we’ve all hopefully become accustomed to dropping from knee height rather than shoulder height. Here, though, we’re going to go over the finer detail of that, plus a few other key points to remember when dropping the ball in a relief area under various Rules. ‘Knee height’ always means the distance of your knee from the ground when standing, but you do not have to be standing to take a drop. ‘Knee height’ remains a constant for you regardless of what position you adopt; if it’s more comfortable for you to crouch down or kneel, that’s fine as long as the ball is dropped from where your knee would be when standing. Dropping is one of those actions that your caddie is unable to take for you, so…

GM Verdict Known for its traditional, premium styling, Ecco is looking to branch out to the slightly younger and young-at-heart demographic with the sleek, ultra-modern Biom H4. It’s been a while since the previous Biom model, the Hybrid 3, was launched in 2017. The H4 represents a significant design shift and we love the direction Ecco has gone. From a styling perspective, it hits the perfect note. Being a fairly neutral design overall means it will interest a broad range of golfers and it provides off-course versatility. But the pops of colour and subtle features, like the embossed leather upper and brown leather patch on the tongue, provide enough pizazz to bolster the shelf appeal. The experience inside the shoe doesn’t disappoint, either. The room up front increases comfort by…

GM Verdict The goal with the Spider EX putter was to create something a little more refined than the popular Spider X model with better feel and continued high levels of forgiveness. The overall shape of the Spider EX is certainly more pleasing, with its softer lines and more rounded rear section, although it comes in a fraction larger than the Spider X. It’s available in three colour options – we tested the silver and the all-white. At address, the new dual-line system that frames three reflective dots certainly helps set the putter square to your target line and encourages you to strike the ball centrally. Whether it’s more effective than the single, thicker sightline on the Spider X will be player dependent, but the fact we holed more than…

My days of competitive golf are largely in the rear-view mirror and, for me, the game is now more about savouring the views and playing courses that aren’t too taxing. But just occasionally there is still something hugely satisfying about knowing you’ve done battle with a golf course far more likely to beat you than vice versa. I think of my game a few years ago at St Mellion, where a number of holes offer little margin for error. I didn’t set the world alight in terms of score, but felt I acquitted myself well in my personal battle against one of the toughest tests in the UK. I stopped to enjoy the views, too, which at times are beautiful. Would I want to do it every day? No! But…