Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 458 i Today's Golfer

STEP 1: CONCEPT As with irons, we begin by creating a clearer picture of what we are trying to achieve. Let's return to the idea of the swing as a circle, and how this develops as we swing. Of course, with driver the basic rule of ballstriking remains the same… we want to make contact from the centre of the face. But this time, key differences in face loft and the lie of the ball demand a different approach to ballstriking. ■ The clubface has minimal loft – generally around nine or 10 degrees. ■ We now have the option to raise the ball up off the ground, using a tee peg. With that minimal face loft ruling out any kind of downward, squeezing strike, we now need to think…

1. Bag set-up Picking out the right club is obvious, but swapping clubs out is less so. We took a 3-iron out of the bag for the event for another wedge. Tour pros' bags are fluid and adapt to events instead of using the same 14 clubs every week. 2. Risk vs reward Top players don't have an issue with confidence over a shot, so choosing whether or not to attack or play safe is not a choice of whether they can make it; it's a choice of whether it's necessary. Are you that much better punching through a tight gap to have 110 yards instead of chipping out for 140 yards left in? 3. Putting is still about feel Even with the biggest names moving into Aimpoint for green…

CALLAWAY OPUS TOTAL: 37/40 Shape, profile, looks The slightly more rounded Opus profile is a direct request from Callaway's tour staff. The shape, profile and new Spin Gen Face Tech have been refined over the last 18 months. Rounder profiles can be an acquired taste, though, and some players find a slightly curved leading edge gives the impression of being able to slip under the ball more easily. Make sure you like it first, as it's very different to the SM10. 8/10 Feel and feedback During internal testing, the new surface roughness of the Opus face saw shots launch 5° lower than their model with extra spin. We've never seen a wedge offer up such a difference in ball flight over a market leader and deliver so well on its…

Links are the form the game I enjoy the most. Heathlands are very, very close behind. And moorlands would be my third choice. But despite my own preferences, I've been conscious for some time now that there is increasing snobbery towards parklands, an attitude which I accept might also permeate into the GB&I and England rankings I chair. There are four parklands in our GB&I Top 100 and, when you consider they are by far the largest proportion of courses in GB&I, that seems a low number. When that is put to me, usually with some sort of accusation that we are obsessed by the designers of yesteryear and that we rank on reputation and tradition rather than merit, one of the defences I mount is that golf began by…

When a course leaps a joint-highest 15 places in Golf World's GB&I Top 100 ranking, you'd think it would settle in its lofty new position there for a while. But such has been the impressive overhaul of the Strand course at Portstewart that, come the refreshed 2026 list, do not be surprised to see it move even higher. It has one of the finest opening tee shots in GB&I, which begins a front nine that is rightly celebrated. This is an opening half of high octane adventure, as holes cut through awesome dunes the likes of which only really Ireland can offer. The dinky 'island' 6th hole is particularly delectable. The pace slackens a little on the back nine once emerging from the towering dunes, for the simple reason that…

The fact it took me a few minutes to think back and work out I had been to 18 countries this year – some more than once – tells you I get about a bit with my job. I should probably put the word 'job' in inverted commas, because I'm supremely aware everyone reading this will think it's hardly 'work'. I wouldn't disagree. It has its highs and lows though, as these four pages will confirm. Here are my favourite things about travelling in 2024 – as well as some of the less memorable moments. BEST ON-COURSE TRIP… Abu Dhabi Tough decision, but I'm going for Abu Dhabi. I'd been telling my friend David Jones, the Sky Sports presenter, how good AD was for a while and then one day…

1 Royal St George's, Kent Sorry for being boring, and we know the magazine should entertain, but we will never manufacture any list to create interest or spark debate. Simply, RSG is, in our view, England's standout No.1. Fearsome but very, very fun, this multiple Open venue has it all. 2 Sunningdale (Old), Surrey A delightful walk, a delightful experience, and one of the game's most exquisite rounds. The undisputed top inland course in these isles. Expert contouring and mesmeric heathland scenes. The Old is a perfect example of elevation and the shot frame. It oozes confidence and class. 3 Royal Birkdale, Southport, Merseyside Tough but fair and still many people's favourite English links, this is an Open host the pros really love. 4 Woodhall Spa (Hotchkin), Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire Tom Doak's…

1 Royal Porthcawl, Bridgend The clear No.1, this World Top 100 entry is one of the finest courses in Britain and Ireland, its setting, variety, challenge and conditioning all being utterly world class. A magnificent links of undulating fairways guarded by rough and ravenous bunkers; the varying seaside winds are a key part of the challenge. 2 Royal St David's, Gwynedd “Some of the hardest holes in Wales.” “Fantastic, tough links, winding through wonderful dunes from elevated tees. The best par 69 in GB?” “Fantastic setting with views over to Snowdonia and Harlech Castle. Top, top quality.” That's just a taste of the views of the panel about the links of 'Harlech'. 3 Pennard, Swansea “Every single hole is brilliant,” says one panellist. This testing clifftop links with sloping fairways and narrow, challenging…

In a nutshell: If you fancy a stay and play break at a superb golf course and hotel, both offering stunning sea views, all within a mile of a bustling town famed for its nightlife, the North Shore Hotel & Golf Club is just what you're after. Why you should visit: The James Braid-designed course was founded in 1910 and features a fantastic mix of links and parkland holes. The greens run fast and true, while the 6,216-yard par-71 layout offers a great challenge for all levels. The hotel offers 36 bedrooms, most with spectacular views of the golf course and sea. Lots of dark wood and soft, comfortable seating make the hotel a very inviting place to be, and the restaurant serves excellent English fare cooked with locally sourced…

In a nutshell: A firm fixture in England's Top 100 courses, this heathland layout dates back to 1895, though it has 'only' been on its current site since 1912, designed firstly by Harry Colt and reworked in the 1920s by James Braid. Why you should visit: Braid was clearly pleased with his work at the time, describing the new-look heathland layout as “a wonderfully good golf course, as good, in fact, as any inland course in the country.” The five-time Open champion wasn't wrong – it is one of the best courses in the UK, hosting a plethora of prestigious amateur tournaments, including the Brabazon Trophy and the English Senior Championship. The well-established course is lined by pines, silver birch and oak trees in the heart of Robin Hood Country.…

Multi-millionaire golfers speccing their super yacht can now have the ultimate golf practice facility along with their helipad and jet skis. Unveiled at last month's Monaco Yacht Show, Zen Golf – who make the movable surfaces seen on Sky's Majors coverage – have partnered with STABLE to develop a self-levelling golf platform for super yachts. It means golfers can fire biodegradable balls off the back of the yacht from a flat surface – whatever the sea conditions – or off the limitless gradients which make Zen the world's leading moving floor for golf. “It enables realistic, full-swing golf on board without waves spoiling play,” says Zen CEO Nick Middleton. STABLE have already proved their self-levelling tech works on everything from snooker tables to beds, and its always-level platform even makes…

“I think we lost over 250 golf balls and we're all half-decent golfers. That's literally how bad the weather was. I mean, I've never played golf in a fisherman's jacket before. I came off looking like Captain Birdseye!” Cae Menai-Davis is only half joking as he starts talking about a 24-hour golf marathon that took him and seven friends to the Arctic Circle on June 20. Their journey – and the inspiring story behind it – has just been told by Reflo as part of a short documentary, which premiered on Sky Sports earlier this month. Longest Day Golf Challenges tend to involve a large amount of suffering, but it's hard to think of many which have lasted the full 24 hours and led to one man playing golf in…

Cobra's King Tour irons rank among our best irons of 2024 for performance – and now they rank among the best looking irons of 2024, too. The new stealth version feature a black DBM (diamondised black metal) finish which is more durable than previous black satin irons. Like their chrome counterparts, the King Black Edition Tour irons are made from 1025 carbon steel and stamped in the forge five times – rather than the usual four – to offer improved feel and allow for more precise shaping. The forging process begins by heating carbon steel billets to 1,200° Celsius, before they're rough forged to form the shaping of an iron head. The next step involves applying 1,200 tons of pressure at 800° Celsius to each rough clubhead, refining the shapes…

Shot Scope X5 £279.99 Shot Scope's stylish X5 was designed to be worn on and off the course. Its sleek look and range of face options mean it looks great on the wrist, and with AI-powered performance, it can track over 100 stats to help you improve. It delivers accurate, real-time front, middle and back distances to all greens, hazards and dog-legs. Garmin Approach S70 £559.99 With more than 43,000 pre-loaded courses, it's harder to find a course where the S70 doesn't work than one where it does. The touchscreen AMOLED display is easy to read and the green and course views look stunning. But the yardage adjustment is a standout feature, with weather and elevation changes factored in. Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro Golf Edition £479 Buy the Watch…

The Gary Player course at Somabay was Egypt's No.1 in Golf World's 2024 Middle East and North Africa ranking. Yet it is only one small part of the attractions at this stunning coastal resort near Hurghada. One of the main appeals of this large but friendly resort is that it takes full advantage of its setting on a peninsula lapped by the gorgeous turquoise water of the Red Sea. So, that means its various hotels – ranging from surfer favourite Breakers to opulent Kempinski and Cascades, which is right next the golf hub – as well as a plethora of restaurants, a marina and the golf course are set on the water's edge. That's in contrast to other winter sun destinations such as Belek and the Middle East, which give…

1 Old Head of Kinsale, Cork, Ireland “A cascading clifftop classic, genuinely spellbinding. So many 'wow' moments, with end-of-the-earth views to die for.” So notes one Top 100 panellist. Another adds, “Where else are there ancient monuments in the fairways and towering cliffs bordering fairways with almost 360-degree views of the Atlantic?” Its setting dazzles like few others in the world. 2 Turnberry (Ailsa), Ayrshire, Scotland “The gift that keeps giving,” says one panellist. “Every hole is as good as it gets and the turn by the Lighthouse – wow! A lighthouse as a halfway hut, too…” The Ailsa's Open-hosting pedigree only adds to its beguiling setting. 3 St Andrews (Old), Fife, Scotland Like being on a movie set – you recognise so much of the course and town from seeing it…

1 Royal County Down (Championship), Newcastle, Down In four of our six criteria it is peerless globally – Design, Setting, Memorable Holes and Presentation. It scores highly in Consistency despite a relatively quieter finish and loses marks against the field only for its Playability; RCD is indubitably exacting – in every aspect of the game. 2 Royal Portrush (Dunluce), Portrush, Antrim With the addition of the high-octane Martin Ebert holes for the 2019 Open, Portrush has become a more consistent course in the eyes of most. There is big-dune action to please those who enjoy that kind of links golf, and there are sea views for those seeking aesthetic pleasure. 3 Ballybunion (Old), Ballybunion, Kerry A notable move into the top three for the Old, even if there is so…

In a nutshell: A classy venue just 10 miles from historic Bath, Orchardleigh is a fantastic place to stay and play in the West Country, ranked among the top 10 courses in Somerset. Why you should visit: It boasts a modern parkland layout overlooked by an elegant 19th century stately home, with 41 sophisticated rooms, a beautiful castle and 20 self-catering cottages providing accommodation for 170 guests. With a combination of mature trees flanking most of the fairways and water lurking dangerously on seven of its holes, the course is a strong challenge but real fun at the same time. Great value golf plotted amid spectacular Somerset countryside, and you can warm up by taking advantage of excellent practice facilities including a covered driving range. www.orchardleighgolf.com Did you know? The…

In a nutshell: One of the finest golf resorts in East Anglia and gateway to North Norfolk's wonderful golf. A fabulous 16th century country house hotel meets modern style in the contemporary Pavilion, overlooking the very playable links-style course. Why you should visit: Built in 1582, the Manor retains an air of grandeur and the 45-room hotel is probably the star of this resort, because it would be the star of many golf resorts in the UK. Heacham's hotel oozes character as well as being stylish, cosy and comfortable. There are also cottages on site, while the Pavilion is the newest accommodation at the resort. Heacham Manor is a very playable resort course, with a variety of linksy and parkland holes, man-made lakes and the River Heacham, which comes into…

In a nutshell: Among our Top 100 courses in Great Britain and Ireland with the X-Factor, one panellist said of Kington, “This is the only course I have played where I took a 360° panorama picture on my phone to show my wife how scenic it is. Some thrilling holes, too.” Why you should visit: The course was designed in 1926 by Cecil Hutchison (who helped design Gleneagles) and is set in glorious National Trust property. From its lofty site 1,284ft above sea level, the highest 18 holes in England overlook the rich agricultural land of Herefordshire and the Welsh borders, and offer panoramic views of the Brecon Beacons, the Black Mountains and the Clee, Shropshire and Malvern Hills. It has been described as an inland links and it offers…

LOCKER ROOM CHAT What was the situation with your driver face at the BMW Championship? It was cracked, I can assure you of that! It's just the way the rule is. We had long conversations about it. Someone told me I should have taken 3-wood off that tee and then said, “I'm just going to hit a provisional?” I could have hit it hard, just to break it, so I could replace it. I was like, “That's actually quite smart.” But yeah, it was ridiculous. What was the process after that? Did you have a back-up? I'm still going through the process. I had two heads, the GT3 and the TSi, which is what I use. I just put the TSi straight in, but the head that I've got I've…

I'm halfway up the 3rd hole on the Brabazon at The Belfry, and I'm using the fresh-out-the-packet towel to wipe my brow. I'm moving faster than I really want to, the weight of a full-to-the-brim tour bag in tow, as I try to catch up with my player, who's now 100 yards ahead. This caddieing is harder than it looks… We're at the Betfred British Masters, where TG has been offered the chance to caddie for a DP World Tour winner – TG columnist and all-round good guy Andrew 'Beef' Johnston. With the help of Jess McAvoy, Beef's full-time bag man and close friend, I took on the challenge as the popular tour pro's right-hand man in the pro-am. My day starts two hours earlier, on the driving range at…

The British Heart Foundation is an official supporter of our Drive for Defibs campaign. 1 PUT YOUR CLUB'S DEFIB ON THE MAP The Circuit is a national defibrillator network that provides ambulance services with vital information about UK defibs so they can be accessed quickly to help save lives. Registering one takes less than 10 minutes, but being on The Circuit's records could mean the difference between life and death. Register yours at thecircuit.uk Not enough clubs in the UK have registered their defibrillator(s) with The Circuit. So far it's… 47% in Wales 33% in England 33% in N.Ireland 23.7% in Scotland 2 LEARN CPR IN 15 MINUTES RevivR is a fast, free and interactive CPR training course. Using only a smartphone and cushion, the session offers a step-by-step guide…

Super forgiving, high MOI drivers have been the big gear story of 2024 – and now Tour Edge are getting in on the act with their 10K MOI E725. It's joined by a low-spin C725 to create the most forgiving family of drivers the company has made. Both models have a revamped Flight Tuning System, 3D diamond shapes behind the face to boost ball speeds, and 360° Ridgeback Technology designed to improve forgiveness and feel. “Forgiveness has been something we've excelled at in Exotics, but this is an entirely new level,” says Tour Edge founder and chief designer David Glod. “With 725, we are offering two specs that fit exactly what a certain player type is seeking for their performance off the tee.” 'WE'RE GETTING INTO THE 10K INERTIA MARKET…

A picture paints a thousand words, apparently. In the case of this image, it's probably closer to 5,000. The key thing about this picture is that it in no way exaggerates the reality of this Mauritius utopia. If anything, it doesn't quite capture the beauty, tranquillity and mind-melting paradise of Constance Belle Mare Plage. Only really when you are there do you appreciate that the jetty – from which free snorkel trips set off twice a day – is just a minute's stroll on soft, white sand to the restaurants or through gorgeous gardens to the main golf course. BMP is not a small resort, but it is beautifully formed. The beach, as its name suggests, is the main attraction and doing nothing more than spending day after day on…

1 Shiskine, Arran A course that is in the mix for the blue riband GB&I Courses list… for £34? Sometimes things just aren't too good to be true. Some may point to the fact it is 'just' 12 holes. We celebrate that – why chisel out 18 holes and end up with half of them being modest? Shiskine is hole after hole of pure, unadulterated joy. Scenery, strategy, fun and very playable yet probing. 2 Kington, Kington, Herefordshire Set at 1,284 feet above sea level, Kington is the highest course in England and offers very fine views over seven 'old' counties. Its fast-draining heathland terrain means it is playable all year round, but the biggest allure is Cecil Hutchison's intriguing design, which cleverly fits the holes – especially its greens complexes –…

1 St Andrews (Old), Fife Our GB&I No.1… our World No.1… so naturally our Scotland No.1. Simply, the most special experience in the game. The Old is about so much more than aura, though; the way it uses the modest contours of the land, how the links is incorporated into the town and its peerless memorability mean it is worthy of its place at the top. 2 Turnberry (Ailsa), Ayrshire Martin Ebert has improved the Ailsa to such an extent it is almost a 'new' course. While it is now much more consistent, it is the run from the 4th to the 11th that is especially unforgettable. 3 Royal Dornoch, Highlands Huge greens with repelling slopes and an unforgettable collection of holes. “To my mind, Dornoch has the best combined set of par…

In a nutshell: To 27 holes of Martin Hawtree-designed woodland golf in a tranquil setting, add fabulous, well-equipped log cabins and amenities that include woodland walks, bowling, fishing and a fitness centre. Scenic, super golf and excellent accommodation. Why you should visit: A Top 100 GB&I Resorts fixture, The Dorset opened in 1991 and Hawtree's three loops of nine each offer a tranquil game among mature woodland and heathland with the Purbeck Hills as a backdrop. The serenity is only likely to be broken by the wildlife that lives in the Site of Special Scientific Interest surrounding the course. The Championship layout is made up of the Lakeland and Parkland nines, and at over 7,000 yards and with lakes in play on over half the holes, it's a great test.…

In a nutshell: James Braid left his mark on this coastline at Dunstanburgh Castle, which lies in the shadow of the 14th-century fortification. This is a proper links whose 6,298 yards play to a par of 70 that becomes predictably exacting when combined with the customary stiff breeze. Why you should visit: The course nestles in Embleton Bay, close to Alnwick, and was updated in 1922, but this remains a classic Braid links with the first six holes in a loop to the north of the clubhouse and the rest to its south. “If I am ever asked to recommend a course in north-east England, Dunstanburgh Castle is normally the one,” says course architect Jonathan Davison, who grew up in the region. “It has a rustic, timeless character and charm…

Deciding nothing more than where to wake up was an extremely difficult task, so you can imagine how long the rest of the deliberations took in compiling my perfect day. I considered Gleneagles, Adare Manor and Finca Cortesin but eventually plumped for Velaa Private Island in the Maldives (above). I would stay in one of the over-water villas and that means moments after waking I could open our back door, walk down six steps from our private sun deck into the Indian Ocean and snorkel in the spellbinding turquoise water. I could easily stay there for breakfast, which is served right on the beach, or head to Gleneagles or Adare Manor, but I'm going to stay in the Indian Ocean and pull up a chair at Constance Belle Mare Plage,…