Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2023 i Golf Monthly

Kevin Kisner In his opening three starts of 2023, Kisner registered a T34 followed by back-to-back missed cuts at the WM Phoenix Open and the Genesis. Keith Mitchell The American made it two top-fives in three starts with a solo fifth at the Genesis Invitational following a T4 at Pebble Beach. Alex Noren The momentum from a good start to 2023 in Abu Dhabi wasn’t built upon as the Swede failed to make the weekend at the Phoenix Open and the Genesis. Jason Day The former World No. 1 made it three top-tens in a row with a T9 at the Genesis Invitational. He’s now back inside the world’s top 50.…

There are fewer better feelings than having complete control and confidence in your driver. It won’t happen every time you play – sadly that’s not how this game works – but we can help you produce your best off the tee more often. Contained within the next four pages are a host of simple tips, from how to hit the ball further to increasing your clubface control. Pulling driver can be daunting for some, but it shouldn’t be a club that invokes fear; rather, it should be a source of fun. Hopefully this advice will help you enjoy hitting your driver and lead to better golf. 1The set-up You’ve got to get the set-up right, and that starts with tee height. Ideally, you want the top half of the ball…

Fresh from a 2022 that saw the popular layout metamorphose into a fully fledged resort, Dundonald Links has earned a place on the list of Scotland’s finest. The Ayrshire venue has been celebrated for its championship course since an extensive 2003 redesign by exalted architect Kyle Phillips. Now, after significant investment, it boasts the facilities to match. The headline act, of course, is still 18 holes of first-class, quintessential Scottish links golf. The course bears all the hallmarks of the style, from undulating surfaces to wide, generous fairways, and every green is crafted to give each hole a memorable finale. Deep bunkers add a nicely challenging flavour to the experience, none more so than ‘The Cauldron’, a cavernous hollow on 11 that will have you literally in over your head.…

Slovenia may not be renowned for its golf, but Howard Swan’s 2017 renovation has restored the King’s course to its former glory. It dates back to 1937 but lay all but abandoned from World War II until 1972. The setting is glorious, with the highest Slovenian Alps part of the backdrop. On the 2nd you’ll glimpse Bled Castle set high above the lake without realising the penalty area to your left is a huge ravine. There’s risk-reward on 6 and 8, with water and an intriguing green on the former. The drama continues apace coming home, with water left, plus an awkwardly angled green on 14 and the vast par-5 16th adorned with more water left and up in front of the green.…

With two DP World Tour courses, an outstanding nine-hole layout and an award-winning Beach Club, it is no surprise to hear the name Infinitum on so many lips. The Catalonia resort has gone from strength to strength of late and now boasts one of Europe’s best all-round golf offerings. The Hills is the first of two very different 18-hole courses at Infinitum. Sweeping through pine forests and suntanned cliffs, the constant changes in elevation feel more than a fair trade for some of the incredible Mediterranean vistas on offer, and the course is easy to navigate by buggy if you so choose. Just minutes away is the Lakes course, a Greg Norman design winding through natural wetlands, with water lurking around every corner. However, with generous, easily walkable fairways, Lakes…

Not far from the airport at Paphos, the Cabell Robinson design at Aphrodite Hills runs either side of a deep gorge midway along the south-western coastline of Cyprus. Its challenging topography meant that construction took five years, but the result is a thrilling course over high ground and clifftops. The 7th and 8th are both stunners, with the former a sensational par 3 played over a gorge that features the most heart-stopping access path. This is followed by a glorious short par 4 to the edge of the cliff, with the distracting backdrop of the shimmering sea and an ancient olive press in the middle of the fairway. There are some substantial walks so a buggy might be a sensible idea, especially when it’s hot.…

Just like it’s close Kent coast neighbours at Royal St George’s and Royal Cinque Ports, Prince’s, located just outside Sandwich, boasts an Open Championship pedigree, with Gene Sarazen triumphing here in 1932. Today’s Prince’s bears little resemblance to the 18-hole course of 90 years ago, and relatively little resemblance to the 27-hole course of six years ago courtesy of a major ‘reimagining’ of the layout and holes at the hands of in-demand golf course architect, Martin Ebert, who has worked at many Open venues. All three nines – Dunes, Shore and Himalayas – are now liberally adorned once more with the vast open sand scrapes that they had of old, plus some superb new greenside run-off areas that allow a variety of different shot options. The Himalayas and Shore nines…

Later this year the eyes of the world will be on the Costa del Sol as the region plays host to The Solheim Cup for the first time, with Finca Cortesín the venue as the finest European and American female golfers compete for the famous trophy. But it won’t only be stars of the women’s game who will descend on this part of the world in 2023. With more than 70 world-class golf courses and 325 days of sun a year, the region has become a prime destination for golf holidaymakers. Perfect playing conditions and a diverse range of courses have kept golfers coming back year after year. It is no surprise, therefore, that the Costa del Sol has earned the nickname the ‘Costa del Golf’. However, the region offers…

Fancourt There are three fine courses at Fancourt, a superb golf hotel and resort midway along the famous Garden Route, which follows South Africa’s lovely southern coastline. The Montagu and Outeniqua are both very good, but it is Gary Player’s Links that deservedly attracts keen golfers from far and wide. This is one of the most brilliant land transformations you will find anywhere; a wild, rugged and modern inland links that runs over very natural-looking marshland. You could never guess that it has been created over a plot of land that was formerly an airfield. With five par 5s, there is variety and drama all the way. You need to stay at the hotel to play the Links, but that is absolutely no hardship at all as it is excellent!…

The Costa del Sol was continental Europe’s first golfing playground, bursting onto the scene 60 years ago. With more than 300 days of sunshine per year on average, the climate here is temperate in winter, while in the height of summer it is very warm with little rain. Almost at the point where Europe crosses over to Africa, Sotogrande is a tranquil and beautiful haven offering a refined escape from the lively and cosmopolitan attractions just up the coast in Marbella. At its heart, the SO/ Sotogrande Spa and Golf Resort is the perfect base for a trip that takes in the destination’s four outstanding championship venues: Real Sotogrande, La Reserva Club, San Roque and Real Valderrama. Indeed, with its spa, health club, sporting facilities and restaurants, and with…

A scintillating combination of golf, dining and luxury accommodation in the Cotswolds, The Manor House is quickly becoming a must-visit golf staycation venue. Located in Wiltshire’s Castle Combe – named the prettiest village in the UK by FBM Holidays in 2021 – The Manor House estate dates back to the 14th century and is home to an acclaimed par-72 parkland course. Designed by Peter Alliss and Clive Clark, the layout’s beautifully manicured fairways are lined by mature oak and beech trees, with the River Bybrook meandering through the middle to bring much drama and beauty. Indeed, it is the river that makes the 17th such a breathtaking hole. Dropping down 120 feet, there are two separate greens split by water, with a number of well-placed bunkers adding to the test…

1Turn and body rotation are vital if you’re going to optimise distance and strike. Let your arms hang down in your address posture, then start to swing back and through, building up the momentum until you’ve got a full turn. Turn your back to the target on the way back, then your stomach to the target on the way through. It should feel like a free-flowing action. It’s also a great warm-up drill. Stance width Too wide or narrow a stance makes a good turn difficult. Too narrow and there’s too much mobility; too wide and there’s too much stability. Feet about shoulder-width apart is ideal. 2Another good drill to promote turn is to grip a club with one hand just above the clubhead and the other just below the…

As far as new golf-design projects go, few have been as eagerly anticipated in recent years as The Dunas Course at Terras da Comporta. Situated one hour south of Lisbon on the edge of Portugal’s Sado Estuary Nature Reserve, one of Europe’s most exciting new golf ventures will officially be unveiled to the golfing world this summer. Created by acclaimed golf architect David McLay-Kidd across 84 hectares of natural, sandy terrain, the par-71 links-style layout has been built using the highest sustainable practices and is predicted to quickly become one of Europe’s must-play golfing venues. The Dunas Course – at 7,168 yards – is the first to be designed in mainland Europe by McLay-Kidd, whose other famous creations include Bandon Dunes in Oregon, USA, and the Castle Course at St…

This splendid course enjoys a spectacular setting an hour north of Durban on KwaZulu-Natal’s Dolphin Coast. You can stay here in an elegant colonial-style lodge gazing out over the valleys and ridges along which several holes play. The course starts brightly, with the fine 2nd turning sharp right as you fire down to the green. The par-5 6th then plays from a launchpad tee to a generous fairway from where you must decide whether or not to go for it in two over water – hence the hole name, ‘Career Best’. The 15th is the star attraction, a wondrous par 5 played from another elevated tee with OOB left and glorious views out over the Indian Ocean.…

With the Rock of Gibraltar providing its backdrop, there are few more spectacular places in Europe to play golf than at La Hacienda Links Golf Resort in southern Spain. The resort’s Links course – weighing in at 6,388 yards - made a triumphant return in 2022 following a complete reconfiguration and redesign by American golf architect Kurtis Bowman. Running along the beachfront and offering majestic views of the Mediterranean, Gibraltar and Africa, the project was one of the most exciting to take place in European golf last year. It is part of a multi-million-Euro investment, making La Hacienda one of the continent’s flagship 36-hole golf venues. In addition to the new-look Links layout, the resort has also opened a contemporary clubhouse, a driving range, an upgraded practice area and a…

Sitting in the middle of a volcanic crater, the 20-milewide Lake Taupo is in the very centre of New Zealand’s North Island. Overlooking its northern shore, the Kinloch Club is a remarkable Jack Nicklaus signature course. It opened in 2007 and covers a vast acreage, with 18 very individual and intriguing holes. From start to finish it’s a feast for the eyes with some absolutely cracking holes, including a closing quartet that’s as exciting and attractive as just about anywhere. It is also kept in tip-top condition, and there are cinematic views down to the lake and over the surrounding hills. With its seriously smart on-site accommodation and excellent food and wine, this is a wonderful place to stay and play.…

Hoiana Shores This glorious new design is just south of Da Nang on Vietnam’s eastern shoreline. It opened for play in 2019, since when it has quickly gained a worldwide reputation as one of the finest courses in Asia. This Robert Trent Jones Junior creation is a modern links, full of his trademark bold statements and expansive bunkering. It is also extremely attractive, running over a gently undulating and treeless dunescape. The front nine is slightly more inland, while the back nine heads down to the beach at the beautiful and dramatic par-5 10th, and again from the 15th round to the short 17th. The bunkering is sublime throughout, at times bleeding into the dunes.…

There are few venues in the world that can rival the majesty of Trump Turnberry. Nestled on Scotland’s south-west coast in the county of Ayrshire, offering far-reaching views over the Firth of Clyde, it has become one of the most iconic destinations in the game of golf. The centrepiece remains its magnificent Ailsa course, a four-time host of The Open Championship that is notable for its famous lighthouse, which towers over the signature par-3 9th hole. Its highly acclaimed redesign in 2016 was overseen by respected course architect Martin Ebert, and in 2019 the Ailsa course was recognised as the very best in the UK and Ireland by Golf Monthly’s respected Top 100 ranking list. The neighbouring King Robert the Bruce course – which also went under Ebert’s knife around…

It may be on the warm Mediterranean coast of Turkey in Antalya, rather than the cool North Sea coast of Angus, but this Perry Dye creation offers a true links experience as it weaves through natural sand dunes by the shore. There are sweeping, undulating fairways, some intriguing green complexes and a number of bunkers with sleepered faces that make erring long wise. All the while, there are wonderful views of the azure Mediterranean, especially on the 4th, a feisty par 3, then throughout the back nine. There’s water on the course, too, most prominently on the 7th and 8th, which flank opposite sides of the same lake. The adjacent Lykia World Antalya hotel offers multiple pools and direct access to the beach.…

Extending from the majestic mountains of the Serra da Estrela to the coastal towns and beaches on the country’s western edge, Portugal’s magical Silver Coast is a stunning stretch of Atlantic coastline. This fascinating region – situated between Lisbon and Porto – is a real gem for travellers to explore and is home to some incredible golf resorts. Right at the top of the list is Praia D’El Rey. Opened in 1997 and designed by American Cabell B. Robinson, the Praia D’El Rey course – an hour north of Lisbon – is a captivating mix of inland tree-lined holes and some more open-feeling holes that run along the coast between sand dunes. Essentials Where to play Praia D’El Rey: par 73, 7,036 yards West Cliffs Golf Links: par 72, 6,979…

The Players Championship has long been heralded as ‘the fifth Major’, but does it now have competition for that lofty title? That was the question we wanted to put to you with specific reference to the Genesis Invitational at Riviera. The answer: not quite yet. But perhaps one day. After all, not many PGA Tour events deliver so consistently than when the world’s best descend upon the iconic LA venue. Does it help that Tiger Woods is the host, teed it up this year and made the cut? Probably, but the tournament is much more than just one man. You’d be hard pressed to find a tour stop more revered by players and, perhaps most importantly, by fans. World-class golfers competing at a course that matches their talent is…

Driver Callaway Paradym, 8.5°, Fujikura Ventus Black 6X shaft. Irons Cobra King Tour 4-iron, Cobra King CB 5- and 6-iron, Cobra King MB 7-PW, Project X 6.5 shafts. Fairway woods TaylorMade M6, 15° and 18°, Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 80TX shafts. Putter Axis1 Rose. Ball Titleist Pro V1 Left Dot. Wedges Titleist Vokey Design SM9, 52° and 56°; TaylorMade Milled Grind Hi-Toe, 60°, KBS Hi-Rev 2.0 135X shafts. GEAR NEWS ROUND-UP Scottie Scheffler won the WM Phoenix Open with a TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus driver, Stealth 2 fairway, P7TW irons and Titleist Pro V1 ball. Ockie Strydom claimed the Singapore Classic with a Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond driver, Jaws Raw wedges and an Odyssey Tri Hot 5K One putter. Daniel Gavins won the Ras Al Khaimah Classic using a Paradym…

We’ve seen a number of new technologies in the electric trolley sector take the user experience to new levels in recent years, and in PowaKaddy’s RX1 (£1199.99) and RX1 GPS (£1449.99), golfers benefit from a cutting-edge touchscreen and remote functionality. Both models boast a slimline remote-control handset with a powerful 50-metre range, and a swivel front wheel for smooth manoeuvring in all conditions. What’s more, the Slope Traverse Assist (STA) helps keep the trolleys stable in any terrain. Backing up the impressive technology, the RX1 is equipped with an attractive 3.5” full-colour widescreen display, while the RX1 GPS boasts a 3.5” touchscreen OCA display, which is pre-loaded with over 40,000 courses worldwide – with no annual fees or subscriptions required. The trolley also benefits from a Bluetooth Connected App for…

By Top 50 Coach Ben Emerson Too many golfers have the bag next to the ball and just wander into the shot, which makes alignment very hard. A tour player stands with their caddie behind the ball while they visualise the whole shot. From this perspective, we can see the shot through two eyes and we get a good opportunity to pick the right club. Ask yourself a very simple question: where do you want to go? Then the brain goes to work and finds the answer. Keep moving Always have a couple of rehearsal swings behind the ball. Keep things moving with some waggles to keep everything loose before you pull the trigger. How do I tackle the downhill chip shot? By Top 50 Coach Dan Grieve The…

Cobra Aerojet iron £799 7-iron loft: 26.5°  Shaft: KBS Tour Lite At address, chamfer on each side of the topline makes it looks thinner than it is. The generous head size and shorter white bottom groove provide both confidence and alignment assistance, but the overall look isn’t as premium as the Wilson. The Aerojet iron feels just as explosive as the Dynapower but with a slightly softer, quieter sensation at impact, which we definitely preferred. The polymer in the cavity does a really good job of reducing vibrations into the hands, too. The lofts mean the club with a 7 marked on the bottom plays more like a 5-iron, so it’s important to adjust your flight-window expectations. If you’ve got speed in the locker, it will deliver playable distance, but…

W hile the world is still dealing with the pandemic, there’s been a clear softening of travel restrictions across the board over the last year or so. That’s great news for fans of our game, as there’s never been a better time to get out there and see what planet golf has to offer. If you’ve never been on a golf break abroad, either with friends or your other half, then it’s absolutely the right time to break your duck; if you have, and it’s a regular in your annual golfing calendar, then you’ll know how many great destinations there are out there – many of which feature in this travel special. If you’re looking to head for sunnier climes in Europe, then take your pick. The traditional powerhouses of…

Fresh from celebrating its landmark 50th anniversary in 2022, Quinta do Lago needs no introduction. While the major draw is undoubtedly its trio of 18-hole courses, the line-up of facilities away from the fairways elevates the resort to heights few European destinations can match. The Algarve is beloved by golfers for good reason: magnificent views, more sun than California and world-class venues like this one. To many, the headline act is the South course, an eight-time Portuguese Open host, which was transformed by a €7 million overhaul in 2021. The renovation saw every bunker on the course reinstated to its original size, while Bermuda-419 grass has been introduced to make the surfaces more durable and sustainable. The adjacent North course was redesigned in 2014 through an enviable collaboration between Beau…

There are 27 holes of very enjoyable golf on offer at Salobre, a comprehensive resort with spa situated on high ground overlooking the southern coastline of Gran Canaria. The Old course opened in 1999 and is a lush green oasis in the otherwise rocky and cactus-strewn hills. Water comes into play from time to time, with doglegs, elevated drives and some expansive bunkering along the way, too. The nine-hole New course means there are three configurations from which to choose. It is actually the first three and last six of what was until recently a dramatic and contrasting 18-hole layout. All the holes are exciting and offer a thrilling contrast. You can combine them with nine from the Old for a very varied round.…

Held in high esteem across the world as a haven for food, wine and skiing, this slice of northwest Italy is not to be overlooked by golfers searching for a European excursion. With a smorgasbord of courses, you won’t be lacking for options. Piemonte is one of Italy’s largest regions – halfway between Wales and Belgium for size – and is packed with over 50 golf courses, so everyone can find their perfect layout. But there’s no shortage of quality as well as quantity. No fewer than five of the country’s top-ten layouts call Piemonte home, according to Italy Top 4 Golf Magazine. The region’s geographical diversity is also reflected in its golf scene, from mountainous, elevated layouts to flat courses in the plains around Novara... and never more than…

Few golf resorts are blessed with quite such dramatic terrain as La Cala on the Costa del Sol. It’s 34 years since Asia, the first of Cabell B Robinson’s three courses in the mountains near Mijas, opened. America arrived two years later, with the Europa layout by the River Ojén opening in 2005. All three serve up stirring mountain vistas and views down to the coast, with America (below) providing an exhilarating ride from the off as you plunge into the valley off the 1st tee. Its greens are often raised, at times small and sometimes perplexing. You can stay here, too, in the 107-bedroom hotel, which mixes an authentic Andalusian feel with contemporary styling.…

Home to a plethora of historical, cultural and gastronomic delights in the heart of the Mediterranean, Sicily has long been a popular destination for tourists eager to escape the everyday. Basking in near all-year sunshine and with a growing choice of flights to its four airports, it’s no surprise that the island is fast establishing itself among the continent’s top golf destinations. With four quality golfing venues, including one resort widely regarded as one of the best in Europe, Sicily offers something for everyone wanting a golf break that offers that little bit more. Verdura Resort, the largest of the island’s golf destinations, sits by the sparkling azure Mediterranean on the island’s south-west coast. Nestled in the valley of the River Verdura, the deluxe venue 40km from Agrigento is home…

Most of us occasionally daydream about tropical islands, but as a golfer, try imagining one you can only access by boat across warm, lapping waters, where almost the entire island is home to one of the most spectacular golf courses on the planet. Well, you’re pretty much imagining Ile aux Cerfs golf course off the east coast of Mauritius near Trou d’Eau Douce. Perhaps surprisingly, given his seemingly serious demeanour, the man responsible for bringing this magical golfing creation to life in 2003 was Bernhard Langer. The German is to be lauded for the flair and panache that have gone into what may just be the closest living, breathing golf course to one of those fantasy golf calendars. Everything about the golf experience here is special, and it is wise…

The Championship course at Carnoustie in Angus is one of the strongest and most demanding links in the UK & Ireland. Each autumn it co-hosts the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, and in 2018 it staged The Open for the eighth time. This is a links for the connoisseur and is distinguished by its superb, revetted bunkering. There are plenty of highlights, such as Hogan’s Alley and the Spectacle bunkers, as well as an amazing sting in the tail. This begins with the mammoth par-3 16th, before two closing par 4s where you must cross the Barry Burn no fewer than five times. With the on-site hotel and the shorter but testing Burnside and Buddon courses to play, too, this is a next-level Scottish golf destination.…