Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 436 i Today's Golfer

I vividly remember the first time I met Rory McIlroy. He was a mop-haired 17-year-old amateur who had just claimed the Silver Medal at the 2007 Open at Carnoustie. As he smashed 300-yard drives into a murky October sky at Carton House, you could see that this incredibly talented golfer – who was about to embark on his European Tour career – was destined for astonishing things. Fast-forward 16 years, four Majors and millions of dollars and we now have a different Rory. He still possesses that sublime swing that's just gorgeous to watch, but he's now, as he says himself, the most complete golfer he's ever been. He's also a husband, a father, an icon and, this year, a politician. A vocal opponent of LIV Golf, he – and…

In the lead-up to Christmas, Scott Stallings had been checking his mailbox “five times a day” and was starting to wonder whether his Masters invite had got lost in the post. As it turned out, he wasn't far off. The invitation to Augusta National had been delivered to another Scott Stallings who just so happens to live in the same state AND have a wife by the same name! The PGA Tour star was only alerted to the mix up once his namesake messaged him on Instagram. Following the exchange, the invite was forwarded to the correct Scott Stallings, who now plans to reward his namesake with dinner and some practice round tickets at Augusta as a thank you. DON'T MISS… THE FLORIDA SWING This four-week stretch always attracts the…

As well as email (editorial@todaysgolfer.co.uk) and post (Media House, Lynch Wood, Peterborough, PE2 6EA), you can contact us using any of these social platforms… @Thetodaysgolfer @TodaysGolferBauer @Todaysgolfer @Todaysgolfer PING LETTER OF THE MONTH WINS… A BRAND-NEW PING PUTTER RRP £250 LOOKS REALLY ARE IMPORTANT About a year ago, I trawled many pro shops and golfing outlets looking for a putter that was pleasing to my eye at address. I had almost given up, until I played with a guy who putted like a dream but also possessed a gorgeous looking Scotty Cameron Golo 3 putter. Because I have no electronic gadgetry whatsoever, and am too old to learn, a friend suggested using Golfbidder to find it and offered to do the necessary negotiations for me. I managed to obtain a…

We can all agree that Rory's driver technique is magnificent. Yet you will notice a theme running through this article – of just how much ‘great advice’ his super action contradicts. The way he starts the swing is a great example. Over the years, we have had it drummed into us how much care we need to take at the start of the swing. We need to stay ‘centred’. We need to take the club ‘back low and slow’. This is only possible from a ‘relaxed’ address position. We see none of this in Rory's start. In contrast, he fires energy and dynamism into his action from the very first move. Here's how he does that… 1. The first move Watch Rory carefully and you will see his first move…

Over the top This is important, because – as Rory demonstrates so beautifully – it's this downward motion of the hands and arms that puts the club into position to attack the ball from inside the ball-target line – the source of a draw. If the arms fail to drop we have no option but to swing from above the ideal path and plane… and that means a leftward attack path (right-handers), a choppy strike and spinny slices. You've read it so many times before – how the downswing starts from the ground up, lower body leading and the upper body responding. But watch Rory from the top and you'll see this isn't the whole story. Sure, his legs and lower body are active… but so, too, are his hands…

THIS MUCH I KNOW Three times Ian Woosnam has called time on his Masters career, only to go back on his word and test himself against Augusta National. He'll be there for the Champions dinner again in April, but he assures us that he won't be playing. Much to his chagrin, a bad back means he will be restricted to playing the par-3 tournament. Today he has his feet up at home in Jersey, reminiscing about a career which brought him fame, fortune and 52 professional wins. In his formative years, this son of a dairy farmer was considered too small to make it as a golfer. He used to drive around the continent in a blue VW camper van, living on baked beans and bacon to save money and…

Cobra have really upped their game since pledging to double the size of their business within five years back in 2019. Rickie Fowler's coming nicely back into form, Bryson DeChambeau's bagged a Major and established himself as the game's longest hitter, plus two-time long drive champ and Cobra ambassador Kyle Berkshire is breaking world ball speed records. Having just signed another big hitter in former US Open champ Gary Woodland, Cobra are on a roll and have serious power running through their veins. But all great players need great irons, and while Cobra have made some cracking models over the years, 2023 sees the brand bring us their most complete line-up of forged irons ever. At the turn of the year the company introduced the new King MB and CB…

Lots of tour players use MOI-style modern mallet putters right now, but there's a school of thought emerging that says high MOI isn't everything it's cracked up to be when it comes to flatsticks. This new thinking boils down to how a head rotates around its centre of gravity when mishit. If the centre of gravity location is further from the face, the rotation arc is big, which means putts are pushed further offline. In contrast, with a forward or front CG putter the rotation circle is small, so deviation is smaller, meaning mishits go less far offline. Cleveland Frontline models have sung this tune for a few years, and for 2023 there's a lovely all-new Frontline Elite family, which the company say is 38% more accurate. Where a 2cm…

GOLF WORLD TOP 100 WALES THE MOST AUTHORITATIVE RANKINGS IN THE GAME WELCOME There is not a Top 100 ranking that we've published in the past two years that I'm not proud of, but the expanded Wales list this month gives me special satisfaction. When we started ranking the best of Wales it was a Top 25; 12 years on that number has trebled. Why? And how? Simply because our panel of experts has become bigger and they have played more courses, meaning our grasp of the Principality is now much more comprehensive. We have more than 20 debutants in this Top 75, and with this expansion and the addition of more panellists, I'd normally expect my task of pulling it all together to be harder. Happily, the opposite has…

BARE MY SOUL What was your first Job? I've never had a part-time or full-time job. As soon as I finished school, I went to college and then as soon as I finished college, I went into the England Golf system and turned pro straight after. But my dad used to deliver fish around Bristol and Bath and needed someone to fill in for a week or two. So I did that, driving around and delivering these boxes of fish. It wasn't very nice. I needed two showers as soon as I finished. What was your first car and what do you drive now? My first car was a Renault Clio, which was a limey, goldy green. It was quite bright. And then for a birthday present from me to…

In last month's (very informative) rules article you explained how you do not get relief from white OOB stakes, but you did not state what happens when a red or yellow stake interferes with your swing or stance? Are you allowed a drop if you are NOT in the hazard and the post is in the way? And what about when you are IN the hazard and the post is in your way? Chris Leese A penalty area stake is a movable obstruction, hence you may move them if you wish to (see Rule 15.2a), regardless of whether or not your ball is in a penalty area.…

Fold… and collapse Perhaps the best way to answer those questions is for us to examine what happens when that trail elbow folds or collapses during the takeaway: ♦ The hands and forearms start to roll, opening the clubface and taking the club well inside its optimal, neutral path. ♦ The chest and shoulders stop rotating. ♦ The shape of the swing already starts to look overflat, creating a need to steepen on the way down – and that means slices. Next time you get a chance to watch Rory in action, take a look at his right or trail arm through the first part of the swing. It remains ramrod straight, the elbow almost locked. In fact, it doesn't start to fold until his hands reach chest height. What…

No drift Watch Rory's downswing from face-on and you will see his head pretty much holds its position, despite an aggressive shift into his lead side. In fact if anything it moves slightly backwards, away from the target – though his face is tilted forwards, often revealed by the angle of his cap. Out to launch With the low point of the swing's arc falling under the lead shoulder, your head position through the strike strongly influences whether the club is swinging downwards or upwards at impact. By holding his head back, Rory ensures this low point comes well before the strike… guaranteeing a rising clubhead at impact and that gorgeous, high-launching flight. Rory himself tells us, “I have always been around four or five degrees up on my attack…

2008 2023 While Rory Mcllroy possessed a unique talent and was destined for greatness from a very young age, his technique has continued to improve in the 15 years since he joined the Tour. There are lessons all of us can learn from his game management, whether you're a club golfer or an aspiring tour pro. Greater consistency is at the top of the wish list for all golfers, and Rory's entire approach has been geared to achieving this. Consistency on the course is borne out of how and what you practise, and how you analyse your game. Rory has maintained consistency in his swing and, while it has changed over time and is noticeably different now compared to when he turned pro in September 2007, it has been a…

We know that to hit the ball straight, we need a square clubface at impact. We also know this is the ultimate example of ‘easier said than done’. Even if we have a sound grip, we can develop a tendency to roll the face closed or hold it open through the strike two damaging release patterns that cause their share of pain. Here is a simple range drill that will help. 1. Pulls and hooks: Closed face Are you a golfer who tends to see their shots going to the left (righthanders)? Both pulls and hooks are the result of a closed face at impact. Your first step is to check your grip; but if this is in decent shape, don't get bogged down by what is causing the face…

Golf coaches and fitness trainers often talk about setting a ‘neutral’ spine at address. In practice, this means the back is neither excessively arched nor rounded. However, it's important to realise a neutral spine is only the starting point. The spine naturally arches as we swing to the top, and rounds or flattens as we approach impact. It is important, then, to have some lower-back mobility to accommodate these moves – both in terms of avoiding injury and maintaining good golfing form. Here is a simple exercise you can do with a golf club to work on it… Always consult your GP before adopting any new fitness regimen. 1 Grab a mid-iron, and take your golf stance and posture. Begin by rounding your back as much as you can. If…

WHAT WE LEARNED Ping drivers are still super forgiving Our test pro's eyes lit up as he heard Ping's G430 MAX driver had an MOI over 10,000g-cm2, as we discussed each driver's merits during testing. It's a huge, forgiving number, especially when you realise Callaway's brilliant 360° carbon fibre chassis Paradym musters just over 9,000. For many club golfers, hitting the fairway more often is absolutely crucial to scoring well, and if you're happy to trade a few yards for hitting your second shot from the mown grass, Ping remain just about as forgiving as drivers come. The company even say their low-spin LST model offers a similar MOI to most brands’ forgiving drivers. Carbon is king This is the year carbon fibre gets used in new and different ways…

WORLD TOP 100 COURSES IRELAND THE MOST AUTHORITATIVE RANKINGS IN THE GAME Putting this Top 100 together has made me very glad that I have two trips to Ireland already planned for 2023. There is a magical essence to a golf trip there, a touch of mystique that is, to my mind, matched only in the Highlands of Scotland on mainland Britain. It is the combination of truly world-class links in remote settings, with the golf club the hub of the community. Ireland is one of our most settled rankings. That's not to say this list is not interesting, just that there is less volatility from years of shaping it with golfers who have played as widely across Ireland as it is possible to play. And yet, in the pages…

FRANCESCO MOLINARI The Italian led Continental Europe to victory in the inaugural Hero Cup, contributing 3.5 points from four matches – a feat matched by Guido Migliozzi, Victor Perez and Nicolai Hojgaard. All four would have impressed Ryder Cup skipper Luke Donald. JON RAHM The hottest player in the world on the current form. The Spaniard has won four times since October and has notched nine top 10s in his last 10 starts. Rory might not be World No.l for much longer. THE SENIOR OPEN We had to double take when we saw the ticket prices to see former World No.ls and Ryder Cuppers at Royal Porthcawl in Wales, from July 27-30. Tournament day passes start from just £25 for adults. £12.50 for juniors aged 12-17, while under 12s go…

Imagine if we talked about anything else in our lives the way we talk about the release of new golf clubs. Forget everything you knew about Bad Golfer colunms. Duh Dum This January. Duh Dum It all changes. Duh Dum Welcome, to The Diary Of A Bad Golfer FALCON CORE MAX BS 2.0 SPEED LX CARBON. It's the moment that bad golf journalism has been waiting for. A new era in writing. Start your engines. The needle just got moved. Here at Diary Of A Bad Golfer, we've taken our ground-breaking Core Max technology to create the fastest reading experience we've ever tested. Dual Core Carbon Shafting lies at the heart of outmost forgiving column yet. With over 9,000 layers of Pro Fusion titanium, placed around a core of MGACL…

YOUR COACH CHRIS RYAN Founder of the HIT Golf Academy, based at Forest of Arden chrisryangolf.com Yes, we hear it too our rather tactless inner monologue, which right now is saying something along the lines of “How on Earth can anything Rory does be relevant to you?” He is, after all, a honed athlete who hit a million balls before he was 15. He has a driver swing speed of l22mph, a ball speed of l83mph and an average driving distance in excess of 320 yards. And where we try to wrestle our driver into submission, to watch Rory in full flow is to wonder where the golfer stops and the golf club starts. But let's look at this from a more constructive angle. Rory is, in fact, human. Despite…

To understand what we mean by ‘deeper’, consider these two trademark aspects of Rory's position at the top: ♦ His left or lead arm ‘covers’ his shoulders. ♦ The handle of the club is ‘behind’ his heels. These elements combine to take the club a healthy distance inside the ball-target line; the further the club is inside that line, the ‘deeper’ it is. But what does this do for Rory? And how can it help you? Quick on the draw A deeper position at the top encourages a yard-eating draw by giving us more room and time to approach the ball from inside the ball-target line. It also promotes the ideal low-spin, high-launch driver strike by encouraging a shallow, sweeping attack through the impact zone. This deep position is a…

We can all picture how wide, explosive and powerful Rory looks through the ball. And while we might struggle to match his sheer athleticism, there is a technique at work here we can all adopt to gain power. It's the power of extension… and to understand it better, let's again look at the all-too-common opposite move. Staying down: Cramped up Club golfers are often taught to ‘retain their angles’ during the swing. While this instruction is generally helpful during the backswing and downswing, we need to forget about it on the way through. Trying to ‘stay down on’ or ‘on top of’ the ball is poison for power because it stops you using the ground and denies you access to the big, powerful muscles in your legs and glutes. You'll…

Watch hundreds of video tips at www.todays-golfer.com HERE TO HELP YOU SAVE SHOTS QUICK TIP SLAY YOUR SLICE One of the most effective ways to tame a slice is to hit shots with the ball above your feet. The typical slice is the result of swinging on an excessively steep or upright track. But with the ball above your feet you will inevitably stand a bit taller to it, your spine angle more upright and weight further back in both feet. Your action becomes naturally more rounded and rotary, and the plane of the swing flattens. If a slice is ruining your game, seek out ball-above-feet sideslopes and take every opportunity to use them. It'll take that fatal steepness out of your action. YOUR COACH…

YOUR COACH solidgolf.co.uk Fellow of the PGA based at Liverpool Golf Centre liverpoolgolfcentre.co.uk 1 A great chipping strike is all about the club's angle of attack into the ball. Ideally, we want a gentle downward angle that bruises the turf after the ball is struck. If we deviate too far from this we are headed for trouble – either in the form of a scooping, upward strike that sees the club ground out behind the ball, or an overly steep attack that jams the sharp leading edge into the turf before the ball. 2 If you want to understand and diagnose your attack pattern, a bath mat makes an effective training aid. Find one with some pile on it – a velour texture works well – where brushing the surface leaves a…

It is surely golf instruction's most famous and influential image. On page 78 of the 1957 book The Modern Fundamentals is an image of Ben Hogan addressing the ball… with his head sticking through a pane of glass. The image – The Hawk's interpretation of 1920s coach Seymour Dunn's concept of the golf plane – has been used almost constantly ever since as a visual reference for the tilt of the swing. But what are we learning here? And how can we take the idea from visualisation into movement? Let's take a look. 1 Mapped out Hogan's imaginary pane of glass ran up at an angle from the ball, resting on his shoulders. He described it as “sort of a threedimensional road map” for the path of the club, a…

What makes your perfect golf day? Superb scoring? Great friends? Glorious weather? A sun-soaked terrace above the 18th, where you can relax with a pint? All of the above? But what if you had a time machine for a day, to take you wherever you wanted to go in the blink of an eye? Well, the Top 100 Editor found one somewhere and let me borrow it for a day. Here's what happened… I wake up in the five-star Castlemartyr Resort, Co. Cork. The most comfortable bed I've ever slept in. More comfortable even than at Adare Manor. An early check out and on to the aforementioned Adare Manor and their Carriage House for breakfast. Orange juice and potato rösti (with slow-cooked ham hock, wilted spinach, fried egg, gruyère, hollandaise…