Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 448 i Today's Golfer

Jon Rahm's LIV switch had been widely predicted, but it was no less gobsmacking when he actually confirmed it – especially with the eye-watering sums of money involved. His reported $600 million move (half up front) is $140 million MORE than the PGA Tour's entire prize fund for 2023. The deal also includes the use of a Saudi Royal private jet, along with 10 people working for him and his family. He'll be richer than he ever imagined, play LIV, all the Majors and the Ryder Cup. Rahm is going to have his cake and eat it… digging in with a solid gold, diamond-encrusted fork. It's a seismic moment for LIV. As Michael Catling discusses on page 64, “The PGA and DP World Tours have just been stripped of one…

FRONT NINE THE RULES For a game that is anything but predictable, it's ironic that most golf competitions follow the traditional strokeplay, Stableford or matchplay format. Of course, we like them as much as the next golfer, but there are dozens of ways you can liven things up and add some competitive fun to your next round of golf. That's why we've picked out eight underused golf games and scoring systems for you and your playing partners to try in 2024. Bingo Bango Bongo It may sound like a cheesy pop song, but it's actually a points-based betting game where scoring well doesn't necessarily win you the match. On each hole, points are awarded for three separate achievements. The first is given to the player who gets on the green first.…

PIERCESON COODY AGE: 24 | NATIONALITY: USA After turning down millions to sign with LIV Golf, the former amateur No.1 punched his ticket to the big time by winning twice in 22 starts on the Korn Ferry Tour last season. He's following in the footsteps of grandfather Charles, who played on the PGA Tour and won the 1971 Masters. VINCENT NORRMAN AGE: 26 | NATIONALITY: SWEDEN Another big-hitting Scandinavian with a seriously impressive CV. Norrman broke through with a playoff victory at the Barbasol Championship in June and backed it up by overturning a six-shot deficit to claim the Irish Open three months later. He has the 2025 Ryder Cup in his sights. ALEXA PANO AGE: 19 | NATIONALITY: USA A former child prodigy, Pano made her LPGA debut at…

Forget New Year's resolutions; for golf fans, January marks the countdown to the Majors. As you read this, it's less than three months until the opening tee shots at Augusta. So, to whet our collective appetite, I've looked into my crystal ball to predict who will lift the nine Majors in 2024. The Masters April 11-14 My winner: Scottie Scheffler Tied 10th last year with the hullaballoo of being defending champion was pretty good going. He's World No.1 and has the game and experience now to get the job done around the hallowed grounds of Augusta National. Statistically he's better tee to green than he was when he won in 2022 and his putting is moving back towards his best. Despite his woes on the greens in 2023, Scheffler still managed…

GET IN TOUCH 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 LETTER OF THE MONTH THE GIFT OF GOLF Despite having not hit a ball in almost 40 years, I was recently reintroduced to golf by my daughter's boyfriend, a committed and talented member of a club in Huddersfield. A lot has changed over the last five decades, not least a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, which impacts my movement, balance and overall health. However, a little research on the internet has shown the many benefits of playing golf for sufferers of such a cruel disease. They are…

The Masters Where: Augusta National, Georgia When: April 11-14 Defending champion: Jon Rahm Get excited because… The first Major Championship of 2024 never fails to disappoint. There's a strong chance Tiger Woods will be fit and firing by then, plus much of the focus will centre on Jon Rahm as the defending champion and the new face of LIV Golf. We especially like the idea of him going toe to-toe with Rory McIlroy on Sunday as the PGA Tour's chief defender attempts to get his hands on a Green Jacket at the 16th time of asking. His luck's got to change at some stage, right? US Open Where: Pinehurst No.2, North Carolina When: June 13-16 Defending champion: Wyndham Clark Get excited because… Pinehurst No.2 is one of the most storied…

2024 | SEASON PREVIEW Europe's celebrations in the aftermath of retaining the Solheim Cup were wild, prolonged and fully merited. The result also prompted plenty of discussions about playoffs from the American side, which is why – for Uncle Sam – this year's rematch can't come soon enough. Captains Suzann Pettersen and Stacy Lewis are hanging around for the sequel at Robert Trent Jones GC in Virginia and it promises to be another thriller in an event that consistently delivers. Europe have won five of the last seven battles, including twice away from home. Victory would be the first time either side has gone four matches without defeat. The prospect of Europe doing so via another tie is rather delicious, so expect drama and, if recent events are anything to…

The game's governing bodies have been hinting at rolling back the ball for years in attempts to reduce the impact that increased hitting distances are having on golf ‘s long-term sustainability. The most influential voices in golf had been locked in a stalemate on the issue, prompting the game's stalwarts to step in and deliver on their promise that “doing nothing is not an option”. With the PGA Tour unwilling to support a set of bifurcated rules, and iconic golf courses across the world on the verge of losing their integrity, the R&A and USGA have seemingly been left with little choice but to implement a universal rollback for golfers of all abilities. So what exactly will change? The golf ball rollback is designed to curb the hitting distances of…

PLAY BETTER | PRESENTED BY Shot Scope BREAK 100/90/80 The draw is a soft, controlled right-to-left shot for the right-handed golfer. With its ability to add yardage and cut through a breeze, it's a valuable shot for any golfer to have… but how you set about achieving it depends on your skill level. Let's look at the most effective ways to develop a draw for three different levels of player… and left-handers, please swap lefts and rights. YOUR COACH…

To improve this situation, we need to make one fundamental switch in our approach. Poor sand players try to achieve the desired strike and launch through body action, great sand players achieve it through their use of the clubface. Keep this in mind as we look at a different approach to creating the ideal contact. ‘Throw’ the clubhead Your weight is now set into that lead leg… and it should stay there throughout this three-quarter swing. It keeps your motion compact and the low point of your swing arc consistent. But within this lead-sided feel, your main goal is to create the strike by ‘throwing’ or releasing the clubhead past your hands. Address: Forward thinking Your first step is to create a far more lead-sided address position. ■ Play the…

There is a perception among club players that a great swing produces a sweet strike. It's not the case. Finding the sweetspot is not the logical result of what went before, but an individual skill we all need to work on. This month's Challenge will help you do that… with a little bit of fun thrown in. All you need are five balls and a 6 or 7-iron. FIVE-START Begin by addressing a ball in your usual manner. Once that ball position is set, place four other balls around it – a clubhead's length in front, behind, inside and outside. Mark those positions with tee pegs. Your challenge will be to strike all five balls well… from the same stance location. CHANGE-UP Pick one of the five ball locations –…

For many of us, winter means a little less golf than usual… and maybe even a full-blown lay-off if the weather turns against us. It's important, then, to keep your golfing muscles stretched out at this time of year, and this month's challenging exercise will help you do just that. Targeting rotation, range of movement, balance and core strength, it will ensure you're loose and ready to go when the sun returns. But remember, it always pays to consult your GP before adopting any new fitness regimen. YOUR COACH WHAT YOU WILL GAIN Try two sets of five stretches – left leg/throughswing then right leg/backswing – twice a week. This will help you: ■ Stretch out your lat muscles, improving your range of motion on both sides of the ball.…

The wedge class of ‘24 works harder than ever to help us find the contact, spin and versatility we need around the green. But with so many options open to you, the choice can be a little daunting. Use this advice to make sure you're buying the clubs most suited to your game. FEEL IT IN YOUR SOLE Club golfers get wedge lofts, with gap wedges typically around 50º, sand wedges 55º and lob wedges 60º. But the other number often on display – sole bounce – is less understood. Ultimately, when we hit shots, we golfers have got to keep the leading edge of the club's sole out of the floor. As soon as we jam it into the turf the club digs and stalls. Designers helps us avoid…

Now is the time to look at club golfer-focused balls. Urethane cover club golfer balls have been on the scene for a while now and based on our results, you'd be wise to give them your full attention. Compared to the market-leading tour ball, the Wilson Triad is virtually inseparable on all traditional metrics, yet it's 92p a ball cheaper and more accurate – and that's a compelling combination. Consider that and these other factors before you buy any new golf ball. IT'S TIME TO RETHINK WHICH PRO V1 YOU USE If you've blindly played the Titleist Pro V1 for a decade or more, we don't want to break the bad news, but you really should think about trying a Pro V1x. Both have changed dramatically over the last two…

When the rest of the world dreamed of a Ryder Cup-style competition they could compete in, they'll have had in mind the thrilling drama we witness every time the US and Europe lock horns. What the Internationals didn't expect to emulate was the one-sided nature of the Ryder Cup in those years before 1985. Alas, that's what has happened, with the US winning 12 of the 14 Presidents Cup matches (with one tie). But there's a feeling that the Internationals might be ready to break a run of nine straight defeats after recent close calls. Canada's Mike Weir is the new captain, playing on home soil at Royal Montreal GC, and he's likely to have a strong core of locals, with Corey Conners one of four Canadian winners on the…

FEBRUARY 2022 “I wanted to take this time to say that this is my official, my one and only time to talk about this, where I am officially declaring my fealty to the PGA Tour. I'm a PAC (Player Advisory Council) member and I have a lot of belief in Jay Monahan and the product.” JUNE 2022 “To be honest, part of the (LIV) format is not really appealing to me. Shotgun three days to me is not a golf tournament, no cut. I want to play against the best in the world in a format that's been going on for hundreds of years.” JUNE 2022 “Will our lifestyle change if I got $400 million? No, it will not change one bit. Truth be told, I could retire right now…

From the players… Tiger Woods “I think this should have happened a long time ago. We've been hammering that the ball needs to slow down. I've been of the position that if you play in a pro event or you have a ‘P’ next to your name, you should be playing a pro ball. If you have an ‘A’ next to your name and you're playing an amateur event, you should use an amateur ball.” Rory McIlroy “I don't understand the anger about the golf ball rollback. It will make no difference whatsoever to the average golfer and puts golf back on a path of sustainability. I don't believe an average golfer giving up 5-10 yards off the tee is going to have a material effect on their actual score,…

If you want to hit a successful draw, you'll need to set the club's impact aim and swing path slightly at odds with each other: The club must swing to the right of your ball-target line. ■ The clubface must be slightly closed to this path. Let's take a closer look at these two vital elements. 1. Clubface: Closed to the path To help encourage the face to be a little closed to the swing path at impact, ‘strengthen’ your grip. In practice this means turning your lead hand a little more on top of the handle and your trail hand more underneath it. Tee pegs in your thumb/ index finger Vs should face away from the target. This hold encourages the face to rotate… just what you need for…

FRONT NINE ON OUR RADAR It sounds almost too good to be true, but there is a way you can play your way to Augusta National – and you don't even have to be a great golfer or a very rich one to do it. The US Masters Texas Scramble is the biggest amateur team competition of its kind in the UK and gives you and three friends the chance to win tickets to the 2025 Masters! For the first time this year, there are separate tours running in England and Scotland, with at least 80 qualifiers taking place between April and September. Prices start from just £20 per person and the best part is there's no limit on how many events you can enter. The best team from each qualifier…

1 TAYLORMADE RBZ SPEEDLITE 11-PIECE SET £899.95 | SAVE £200 TaylorMade's RBZ range has been a hit for more than a decade now and this Speedlite variant is a great option for those starting out, as well as high handicappers and intermediates. Forgiveness is certainly a theme that runs through the driver, 3-wood and hybrid. They all come with headcovers and thanks to their lightweight design, they promise more clubhead speed and power. You also get six irons (6-SW) and a mallet putter, all of which can sit nicely inside a premium TaylorMade Bag to match the set. 2 ADIDAS DRIVE PRIME GREEN GOLF POLO SHIRT £24.99 | SAVE £10 This sporty and stylish adidas polo ticks the sustainability markers and is made from 100 percent recycled polyester. The light, stretchy…

I love golf, but the men's professional game is in a f*cking mess. No one knows what's going on and no one is being honest. I'm not blaming everything on LIV or saying there should never be change or new tours, but we had it so good before all this. The PGA Tour and DP World Tour were stronger, but now we're in this no-man's land where none of us know what is happening or when it's going to be sorted. Is it any wonder that golf fans are being turned off the professional game? I see all the negativity on social media and barring the Majors and Ryder Cup, the fans have been alienated by the money and the mess. The tours and players would all do well to…

BUYING ADVICE BY TG COACH… DRIVERS HYBRIDS IRONS FAIRWAY WOODS WEDGES PUTTERS BALLS…

As their name suggests, hybrids offer a middle ground – between woods and irons. However, in truth they are closer to irons than woods and should be regarded as easier-to-hit replacements for long irons. Base your buying choices around these four elements… BAG MAKE-UP Like your irons, your hybrid set-up should be based around hitting a number. Ultimately we want these clubs to cover an even spread of distances between your longest iron and most lofted fairway wood. This is why a qualified clubfitter will encourage you to set up your hybrids as simple extensions of your irons, with the same shafts and half-inch-length increments. As ever, your best approach here is to combine your purchase with some time spent on a launch monitor. Don't commit to the purchase until…

Putting is of course a game within a game, and in terms of equipment the rules change accordingly. Here we can afford to be more individual and instinctive to bolster confidence… but with strike, pace and even launch still crucial, fitting and technology remain at the heart of a sound purchase. GET PERSONAL Okay, you don't have to go as far as Ben Crenshaw and Bobby Jones and actually give your putter a name, but because we are no longer concerned with elements such as speed and launch, we can afford to take a much more individual and feel-based approach to selecting a putter. Start with these two considerations: What do I like looking down on? The putter is the club you use the most during the round, so it's…

Let's forget about all the uncertainty and the fact that the best players in the men's game will only come together four times in 2024. We prefer to put a positive spin on things because for only the third time in the last century, golf takes its place on sport's biggest stage with two events at the Paris Olympics. Both have been crammed into a bumper calendar, alongside four men's and five women's Majors, eight PGA Tour signature events, five Rolex Series events, and the Solheim and Presidents Cups – not to mention 12 of the biggest UK events in a four-month stretch. We've never had it so good! So allow us to highlight the tournaments you really won't want to miss……

4Aces Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Pat Perez, Harold Varner III Cleeks Martin Kaymer, Richard Bland Crushers Bryson DeChambeau, Paul Casey, Charles Howell III, Anirban Lahiri Fireballs Sergio Garcia, Abraham Ancer, Eugenio Chacarra, David Puig HyFlyers Phil Mickelson, Brendan Steele, Cameron Tringale, Andy Ogletree Iron Heads Kevin Na, Danny Lee, Scott Vincent Majesticks Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenson, Sam Horsfield RangeGoats Bubba Watson, Peter Uihlein, Matthew Wolff, Thomas Pieters Ripper Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman Smash Brooks Koepka, Talor Gooch, Jason Kokrak, Graeme McDowell Stinger Louis Oosthuizen, Dean Burmester, Branden Grace, Charl Schwartzel Torque Joaquin Niemann, Sebastian Munoz, Mito Pereira, Carlos Ortiz…

I'd say that 99 percent of golfers are guilty of making the game too difficult. I used to be one of them. I would try to change this or that because that's what Tiger does or this coach recommends. I was always tinkering with something, looking for that extra one percent. To some extent, that remains the case even now, but the difference is, I go about it in a completely different way. The best thing I ever did was stripping everything back and focusing on a few key fundamentals. It wasn't easy, but all the work I've done with Matt Belsham on my short game has been key to improving my ball striking and consistency. Over the next five pages, I'll share some of the lessons I've learned, as…

One of the difficulties of playing golf abroad or on links courses especially is trying to hit a bump and run off a tight lie. I used to fat a lot of shots until I started standing a touch closer to the ball and practised chipping with the toe down and the heel off the ground. What I quickly realised is that it's almost impossible to fat a chip shot using this method because it basically eliminates the bounce altogether. The set-up does feel a bit weird at first, but try to treat it like a putt, so the shaft sits more upright at address. This one move will bring less of the club into contact with the ground, which is key to clipping the ball off the turf cleanly.…

PLAY BETTER PRESENTED BY Shot Scope QUICK TIP HERE TO HELP YOU SAVE SHOTS Watch hundreds of video tips at www.todays-golfer.com To improve the path of your takeaway and backswing, find a heavy object such as a kettlebell or a practice bag full of balls. Take your address, holding your heavy prop in front of you. Now swing it back as if it were a golf club. If your arms swing too far outside the ideal path, the extra weight will pull you into your toes, too far the other way and you'll fall back into your heels. Either way, it'll feel wrong. Repeat the move until you can regularly get the weight to hip height while remaining in balance. When you can do that, drop the weight and pick up…

The technique detailed for the 100-shooter can work for all abilities, but as skill level rises, we want to refine the motion to gain more control over the shape and the shot. In practice, for the wouldbe 80-shooter this means keeping the strong grip intact but learning to control the path through a blend of alignment and a backward tilting of the upper body. Let me explain how this works… and how you can achieve it. 1. Tilt… and path Our swing path is affected by the way we angle our upper body. The more upright – the higher the trail shoulder – we are, the more we will tend to swing ‘over the top’, or out-to-in. But as we lean back to drop that trail shoulder, the more we…

It's no surprise so many club golfers take way too much sand from greenside bunkers. When we are faced with the twin goals of getting the club into the sand and under the ball, and sending the ball up and over a lip, it's no wonder our tendency is to fall behind the ball and try to scoop it up and out. Unfortunately, the typical result of this is plenty of sand and not enough ball… and the distinct possibility your next shot will also be from the sand. Let's take a closer look at this common problem, before addressing a much more effective approach. Behind the curve On a greenside bunker shot, the typical club golfer can be overtaken by a range of fears and desires: ■ I must…

With putting, around 90% of the ball's starting direction is down to the aim of the blade at impact. Putter manufacturers do their best to help us with blade alignment within the rules, but no amount of tech can guarantee a true putt. It is of course impact squareness that will hole you putts, but by setting the blade as squarely as possible at address, you can keep in-stroke manipulation to a manageable level. This exercise will help… 1 All too often we are unaware of a poor blade aim… and consequently of the subtle manipulations needed to correct it. Set up to a straight 3ft putt, with a tee peg behind the putter to stop any backswing. Retake your address, then simply push the blade forward against the ball, rolling…

GOLF WORLD TOP 100 The most difficult aspect of producing our Top 100s is that golfers look for different things from a course. Some just want a nice setting. Another group seek a stringent examination, others quirky holes. Conditioning is paramount for a very large number. Some want subtle strategy and design nuance, others want a succession of thrilling shots over water. The list goes on. So which of those types of golfer are we compiling our lists for? I like to think we collate the courses that best demonstrate all of these aspects. But, while I know admitting fallibility or compromises is not really the done thing these days, I absolutely accept that we are trying to be all things to all golfers when it is not really possible.…