Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2015 i Golf Monthly

As I sit here writing this midway through August, it's hard to believe that the 2015 Major season has been and gone. It only seems like yesterday when we were pondering whether Rory might win his first Masters and complete his personal Grand Slam. By the middle of June, the focus had of course shifted to Jordan Spieth, who looked like he might complete the seemingly impossible Grand Slam in a season after back-to-back Majors. But for a poor approach shot to the 72nd hole at St Andrews, the 21-year-old might well have been stood on the verge of a golfing first when the season's final Major came around. Spieth's loss was of course Zach Johnson's gain. Johnson is a fascinating golfer, as our interview on p42 reveals. At just…

Battle at the beach Each year the forum make their way down to Bexhill-on-Sea for a 36-hole meet at Cooden Beach. This year the weather behaved itself for the morning singles competition, offering near-perfect playing conditions. Unfortunately, the golfing gods weren't anywhere near as compassionate for the afternoon team event, unleashing a monumental monsoon that some battled while others tamely surrendered. Playing off the white tees for the first time the course offered a fair test in the morning with scores reflecting the excellent and challenging layout. Those relying on course knowledge from previous meets were in for a bit of a surprise with some considerable changes made to a few holes, including meet organiser Smiffy’s nemesis, the 15th. In the end it was Swingalot who rose to the top…

Photography Getty Images What happened… Jason Day played some awe-inspiring golf at the USPGA Championship to notch his first Major following a series of near-misses. The Australian, who had three Major runner-up finishes to his name heading into the tournament, played near-flawless golf to get over the line for the first time. After opening up with rounds of 68 and 67, Day forced his way into the final group for the third round alongside Matt Jones. On Saturday, he looked to be surging clear but a late double, coupled with an inspired spell from Jordan Spieth and an imperious display of ball-striking from Justin Rose, meant the tournament was far from over. However, Day had no intention to cede to his Major-winning rivals, and produced a stunning final-round 67 to…

Photography Mark Newcombe Coming over the top is the number-one cause of a slice. When this happens you tend to reach the top of the backswing and then your upper body becomes too active, your right shoulder initiates the rotation in the downswing and the club is sent outside the ball-to-target line. It's one of the most common faults in golf and this drill is a great one to try. Take your normal address position without a ball and take your left hand off the club. Swing to the top, keeping your left hand in the same position it was in at the start. Now swing down, trying to keep your left hand still – if you come over the top, that left hand will want to move towards the…

The Rules guys were kept on their toes at St Andrews this year thanks to the weather, and there's no doubt golf's Rules can be a complicated affair. I've certainly come a cropper a few times over the years. I remember going into a rabbit hole in the 1973 Open at Troon, taking a drop and my ball then rolling outside where I had measured. I'd dropped within the designated area, but sadly, what I didn't know was that if the ball rolled outside that area but within another two club-lengths, it was still okay – it was still in play. Mine was within two club-lengths of where it had landed, but I thought it had to stay within the area I had marked out. So it was a genuine…

Copyright ©2015 TI Golf Holdings, Inc, reprinted with permission We’re here at your old home course, Elmcrest Country Club, on the renamed Zach Johnson Drive. How surreal is that? Yeah, it's a bit much. I mean, if we're going to get real specific here, Zach Johnson Drive might only be 65 yards long, you know? [Laughs]. Not too long ago, I had to have some stuff shipped to Elmcrest for an event my foundation was putting on, and I called the pro shop. I said, “Guys, forgive me, but it's been so long. What's the address?” And they're like, “You're joking, aren't you?” And I said, “No, I have no idea.” And they're like, “It's One Zach Johnson Drive.” You once described yourself as an average college player from Drake…

1990 USPGA Championship – 2nd Four birdies in his first 12 holes on Sunday saw Couples overtake leader Wayne Grady. But he promptly made four straight bogeys, and Grady eventually won by three. “I really felt that when I got the lead I was just not in the right spot,” Couples said. “I was making ridiculous bogeys.” 1991 Open Championship – tied 3rd Couples started the final round five adrift of leaders Ian Baker-Finch and Mark O'Meara, but after going out in two-under 32, he made four consecutive birdies from the 10th. “I made 30- or 40-footers like they were giving them to me,” he said afterwards. But the birdies dried up, and Baker-Finch held firm. 1998 Masters – tied 2nd Couples took a two-shot lead into Sunday and was…

CLIVE TUCKER 1 Wrist management When it comes to consistency on the green you need to rely on your bigger muscles and keep your smaller, ‘twitch' muscles quiet. If you have a ‘wristy' stroke you will also probably struggle for distance control. To help, place a ball between the butt end of the club and your left wrist at address. Now make some strokes. You should be able to swing the putter back and through without the ball coming loose. 2 Stability drill Keeping your body still is essential on the green. Practise with your shadow stretching out directly in front of you. This will highlight any unnecessary body movements that could be killing your consistency. Photography Mark Newcombe 3 Putting with conviction It's one of the most frustrating sights…

Better player You’re an accomplished golfer but your iron strikes are inconsistent Copyright ©2015 TI Golf Holdings, Inc, reprinted with permission On your ‘bucket’ list: pure every iron If you hit your irons inconsistently, your right knee may be to blame. Take your address position and place a bucket on the ground just inside your right big toe. Does your right knee push forward and knock the bucket over as you swing? If so, your knee is moving incorrectly and affecting your contact. Ideally, you want your right knee travelling towards the target as you reach the impact zone. If it pushes toward the ball instead, then you're lifting your right heel, which keeps you from shifting your weight and clearing your hips. The result? Blocks to the right or…

Key technology Ping's Cadence TR Ketsch Mid putter is 30 per cent smaller than the original Ketsch, offering increased stability in a more compact look. It comes in two weights, thanks to changeable sole plates that fine-tune your feel. Variable-depth grooves are shallower in the heel and toe sections to help mishits travel closer to the hole. Contrasting white sight lines on the dark head help you achieve more accurate alignment. Ping is also offering an oversize putter grip (£20 upcharge) for the first time, to suit those golfers who prefer a larger grip. Will suit Golfers seeking the alignment assistance, roll properties and forgiveness of the original Ketsch, but in a slimmer size. GM verdict Ping's Cadence TR family offers as much variety in shape, length and weight as…

Where to play Aphrodite Hills W: aphroditehills.com GF: €101-143 including shared cart, reduced rates for juniors Elea W: eleaestate.com GF: €70-98, twilight rates available Minthis Hills W: minthishills.com GF: €70-85 Secret Valley W: cyprusgolf.com GF: €65-90 Where to stay Almyra Hotel, Paphos W: almyra.com Amathus Beach Hotel, Limassol W: amathuslimassol.com How to get there Many airlines including BA (ba.com), both scheduled and charter, fly from a variety of UK airports to Larnaca and Paphos. For more information on all the island has to offer, go to visitcyprus.com…

Letter of the Month will receive a year’s supply (six dozen) of the best Titleist golf ball for their game Photography Duncan Nicholls, Getty Images A sense of perspective It strikes me that many golfers forget they play for fun. The difficulties recounted by new players in fitting in with experienced golfers, the obsession over course qualities, the hassles of dealing with committees and so on would all have non-golfers wondering why on earth we bother! We play for fun – the chance to spend a few hours in the open air with our mates, the enjoyment of making new friends, the cut and thrust of competition, the striving to improve. Perhaps we could try and keep a sense of perspective? It's not our job, there's very little money riding…

bladeplayer Shared greens and fairways, needs the weather to protect it but if weather is too bad it's unplayable. Should St Andrews remain on The Open rota? HawkeyeMS Why does the course need protection? Lowest score wins is the simple equation, what that score is doesn't matter. Spuddy I'm sure if you asked any of the players they would want to win it there over anywhere else. Ethan Look at the winners – has it not done a decent job of selecting pretty decent winners? walliams8 An Open Championship at St Andrews beats anything. Doon frae Troon The Old Course may be just about at the end of its era, perhaps time to move on. For tradition Musselburgh or Prestwick both have a better history……

Photography Kevin Murray When did you first realise you were abnormally long, or is it something you’ve consciously worked towards? I probably realised when I first started playing golf properly around the age of 11 or 12. Even from an early age, I had the ability to hit it past everyone at my club and was able to hit the ball 300 yards. It wasn't my intention when I started playing golf and I don't really know where it came from! I didn't even start using a driver until two or three years into the whole process, but even with a 3-wood I was able to bash it past pretty much everyone at the club. How did it develop from there? I carried on playing and won a couple of…

What happened… Shane Lowry held off a stellar chasing pack at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, producing a magnificent bogey-free final round to claim the biggest title of his life and move into the upper echelons of the world ranking. What they said… “I played good today. I was quite nervous out there towards the end but made a lot of good decisions, hit the ball well and got a bit of luck as well, which was nice. It's great to be able to pull something like this off.” Shane Lowry What we think… Lowry's victory wasn't as unexpected as the American post-tournament response would have suggested. He has no discernible weakness in his game and the mental fortitude to succeed. Expect a serious assault on the Majors from the Irishman next…

British watch brand ETIQUS has launched a 24-strong collection of timepieces made specifically for those proud to be recognised as golfers. The models – 17 for men and seven for women – include many subtle golf-specific details, from a dimple-patterned face made to resemble a golf ball to a special pace-of-play bezel. This bezel, originally inspired by The R&A's Pace of Play guidelines, is the distinctive feature that differentiates these watches from timepieces themed around other sports, making them a unique gift for the golfer. ETIQUS is derived from the word etiquette, and the brand, founded by entrepreneur Gary Butler, is committed to preserving the spirit of the game for future generations. The watches in the SPORT PRO, SPORT PRO IONIC and CLASSIC TOUR collections come with Swiss-made movements as…

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Photography Kevin Murray So The Open and the USPGA Championships have come and gone, and what fine tournaments they were. Unfortunately, the former was missing something – Rory McIlroy. He was playing football before The Open with his mates when he fell awkwardly… well, you all know the rest. His decision to take at least a month off was the right one, absolutely. With the top-class medical care he gets access to, I'm sure he could have strapped it up and got out on the fairways, but there was zero point in doing so. It's hard enough to beat the best players in the world with a perfect ankle, let alone with an injured one – especially when you consider how powerful his golf swing is. If he had played…

ANDREW JONES 1 Position from the ball The first thing to check should be how far from the ball you are standing. Too close and you'll lose your spine angle in the downswing, lift out of the shot and hit an open-faced shank. Too far away and the momentum of the swing will cause you to lean into the ball through impact – again, the shank is the most likely result. To help, picture a weightlifter just before they lift. Their shoulders are over the middle of their feet, with their weight sitting over the balls of their feet. As you address the golf ball, get your weight in the right position and then let your arms hang naturally down – there should be a gap of about an open…

Key technology The SC200 is a portable, Doppler radar-based launch monitor that measures carry distance, swing speed, ball speed and smash factor before feeding this information back via its LCD display and voice output. It can be used in three different modes, with a unique scoring system employed to monitor carry distance, accuracy and consistency. The option to input your clubs' exact loft angles means the SC200 can provide even more accurate data. The wireless control unit enables all settings to be controlled remotely. Will suit Golfers who want accurate feedback on their shots hit in practice without breaking the bank. GM verdict The SC200 takes the best elements from its predecessor and improves upon them. The device is slim and lightweight, leaving you with no reason to omit it…

A head of the launch of sister brand Srixon's new Z155 and 355 series, we were given exclusive access to the man who oversees Cleveland Golf's product designs. John Rae began working for the company in 1999, and now manages over 160 employees as Vice President of R&D. He was at the helm when Cleveland brought out the first-ever 460cc driver, and when it revolutionised wedge technology in the form of Zip Grooves. We caught up with him at Camberley Heath Golf Club in Surrey to discuss all things wedges... What are the areas of wedge design you look to improve? Wedges are based around looks, feel and spin. It's where our research starts. Looks-wise, it's hard to innovate on shape. Historically, a wedge shape hasn't changed much so it's…

Photography Tom Miles Sitting on the patio at Hankley Common GC the other week and drinking in one of the truly great views in the English game, Surrey's unique heathland stretching away towards a distant horizon with perhaps a puma purring somewhere, it struck me that the old game is actually quite genuinely interesting at the moment. Of course there is always some interest somewhere but the other fact is that, for quite long periods, golf, like all sports, goes into a sort of becalmed period when not much happens and when the only thing likely to wake up aficionados is the sound of collective yawning from other corners of the kindergarten. Well, not at the moment. Many of us were kept awake by our concern for the welfare of…

Letters The Editor, Golf Monthly, 7th floor, Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street, London, SE1 0SU Email golfmonthly@timeinc.com Twitter @GolfMonthly Facebook facebook.com/  golfmonthlymagazine Golf Monthly forum golf-monthly.co.uk/forums Google+ +golfmonthly YouTube youtube.com/GolfMonthly Vine vine.co/Golf.Monthly Instagram instagram.com/  golfmonthly All contributions must be original, not copies or duplicated to other publications. The editor reserves the right to edit letters. Time Inc. (UK) or its associated companies reserve the right to reuse any submission sent to these pages of Golf Monthly, in any format or medium.…

More North Island magic Tara Iti / New Zealand Tom Doak, whose headline creations include Pacific Dunes in Oregon and Cape Kidnappers in New Zealand, has a head-turning new course opening this October, again on New Zealand’s North Island. Tara Iti has been laid out over dunes north of Te Arai Point, an hour and a half north-east of Auckland, with photos suggesting it’s a layout every bit as stunning as Doak’s clifftop Cape Kidnappers, though different in style. Tara Iti will be the first course in the southern hemisphere to feature fescue turf on both fairways and greens, encouraging play both along the ground and through the air. The beachside layout, with spectacular island backdrops, features acres of sand, whether bunkers or natural waste areas that flank many holes.…

Miller was brought up in Barnet and joined his local golf club, now The Shire, before his teenage years. Around the age of 12, he became aware of his awesome power off the tee and decided to start exploring the world of long-driving competitions alongside his successful amateur boys career. In 2005, he entered his first international event – the European Long Drive Championship – and blasted a 474-yard drive to claim the title. He’s won nine further professional titles, including the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship held in Las Vegas in 2010. In that event, he defeated Dominic Mazza in the final with a longest drive of 414 yards. His 43-yard winning margin was the biggest in the history of the event, and he also became the first European…

What happened… Inbee Park played one of the rounds of the year at the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Turnberry. The South Korean, who had won six of the previous 14 Majors, made five birdies and an eagle over her last 12 holes to finish three shots clear of Ko Jin-young and complete the career Grand Slam at the age of just 27. What they said… “This is the greatest day of my life, for sure. I played great golf out there. This has been the goal of my career and I’ve achieved it at 27. It always seemed so far away and so hard.” Inbee Park What we think… Park’s performance on Sunday at Turnberry was up there with the very best Major rounds of the decade. The Korean’s…

Photography Paul Severn I have to admit I wasn't into fitness at all growing up. I was a chubby kid from the age of 12 or 13 up to 18 or 19. Even when I was 20 I was still a bit chubby. The EGU was just getting into fitness when I was in the elite squad, but I did the bare minimum and never really paid much attention because I was playing okay. You don't really worry about it when you're young, but looking back I wish I'd started much sooner. It's a big thing for me now for a number of reasons, first and foremost because it allows me to practise for longer. That and staying injury-free are the two main things for me, and the fitter and…

I had never met or spoken to Fred Couples until this year's Berenberg Gary Player Invitational at Wentworth, which took place on the same day as the final round of the weather-delayed Open Championship at St Andrews. But like you, I knew all the key Couples facts: that he was a long hitter with the nickname 'Boom, Boom'; that he'd seemingly had a bad back for most of his career; that his ball had, against all odds, lodged itself on the bank short of the 12th green at Augusta in 1992; that he is among the more laid-back of tour pros; and that he is blessed with a gloriously rhythmic swing, the envy of many a golfer. Somewhat flatteringly, a starter at a golf club I used to work at…

You may have seen some discouraging stats pertaining to golf participation in the United Kingdom over the last few years, and it's impossible to dispute that golf is in the middle of a tough spell. Changing social and cultural factors, coupled with the economic climate and lingering, often antiquated perceptions of the game, have contributed to a decline in participation across the board. But it's not all doom and gloom. An estimated 2.8 million golfers are playing at least once a year, and a recent Sport England survey estimated there are roughly 830,000 people who have an interest in taking up the game. There are thousands of people and a number of organisations working away tirelessly behind the scenes in an effort to stabilise the decline, introduce more newcomers into…

Photography Kevin Murray, Getty Images Hear the name Luke Donald and thoughts of a magical short game immediately spring to mind. Modest in stature, the Englishman from Hemel Hempstead reached the summit of the world rankings in 2011 not by overpowering courses with distance from the tee, but through his ability to pitch and chip the ball with deadly accuracy and hole-out with unerring frequency. But in recent times, much of the talk surrounding Donald's golf has been about his long game. After 16 years working with coach Pat Goss, Donald became frustrated at his inability to compete in Majors, feeling that his inconsistent long game was the overriding cause. The final straw came at the 2013 Open at Muirfield where Donald struggled to control his ball on the firm…

Photography: Paul Severn Rhythm is king Rhythm is a massive key for me because my swing relies on it. When my rhythm isn't perfect, that's when I struggle, especially with contact. Swinging a club is like throwing a stone – you need to have both rhythm and connection to help you send it a long way. When people see me playing on TV they think it looks effortless, and that's what I see when I watch myself, too. There is an effort – it's not that easy for me! But it looks like I'm doing nothing because my rhythm is pretty good and in connection with my body action. I feel like I can then hit the ball with good speed at the last minute. Losing that connection Sometimes I…

Each month, the readers whose queries are featured will receive a copy of The R&A’s newly updated Golf Rules in Action DVD which covers the fundamental Rules of Golf by showing actual incidents that have occurred during play at the highest levels of the game. Q I have a question that came up yesterday in a monthly medal. My fellow competitor marked his ball on the green, replaced it and aligned it, then picked up the marker. But he then decided to re-mark and re-align the ball. I said to him that once he had placed the ball and removed his marker, the ball was in play and he couldn't re-mark and re-align it. He obviously disagreed. I didn't make an issue of it because I wasn't 100 per cent…

Key technology Hand-made in Gloucestershire, the R1 Push is 33 per cent smaller than the previous Z3 model when folded down, while the console has four times more volume and more features. It uses a sturdy rack and pinion system also found in car steering wheels, which hides the folding mechanism within the bespoke aluminium alloy frame to deliver cleaner aesthetics. Specially designed self-adjusting jaws will accommodate any style of stand, cart or tour bag, while silicone straps adjust to the bag's size and grip it in place. Will suit Golfers willing to invest in a lightweight, feature-packed push trolley that is durable and easy to put together. GM verdict Comfortably the best-looking push trolley on the market, the R1 Push is a genuine head-turner. The assembly process is a…

The feelings you experience on that very first shot from the sweet spot when testing out a new set of irons is often the make-or-break factor as to whether these clubs will earn a place in your bag, especially for better players. There is a wide range of sensations players want to feel from their irons. Some like a lot of feedback to notify them of an off-centre strike. Some would rather a powerful sound, while others like something more muted. There are plenty of preconceptions when it comes to feel, but what are golfers actually feeling when they strike the ball and what constitutes a good or bad-feeling club? ‘Feel’ explained Feel is essentially a combination of two things: the sound created by high-frequency vibrations in the clubhead due…

BEST DEAL ‘Time To Golf’ from £558 for two nights, includes two rounds of golf on the Championship course and a full English breakfast. Offer based on two people sharing a Classic room. Rates fluctuate, dependant on time of year and availability. The golf tee times must be booked at time of reservation. WHERE Bovey Castle is situated in the heart of Dartmoor National Park, just 40 minutes from Exeter, which can be accessed via the M5. CHECKLIST Green fees: £49 (£35 Nov-Mar) if staying; £70 (£49 Nov-Mar) if visiting Buggy hire: £35 Caddy hire: £40 Push trolley hire: £5 Club hire: £30 Driving range: Yes Putting green: Yes Short-game area: Yes Pro shop: Yes Changing rooms: Yes Sky TV: Yes, in clubhouse and accommodation Wi-Fi: Free throughout Price of…