Indholdsfortegnelse for November 2016 i Golf Australia

FAN behaviour at the Ryder Cup has descended to such a poor level that player safety needs to become a greater priority for future matches. It is unthinkable that a player might be attacked by a drunken lout during a Ryder Cup, but there were moments at Hazeltine where a flashpoint moment was perhaps one or two drinks away. And, sadly, it was the actions of a boozed up minority of American fans that has tainted what was a terrific victory by Davis Love’s men. For the first two days of the Cup, the Europeans endured cat-calls, screams for their golf balls to go in the water or the trees, shouts at the top of their backswing and, the lowest of all, vulgar screams. And so it was after two…

EVERY TIME I MET ARNOLD AND TALKED TO HIM, I FELT LIKE I WAS HIS FAVOURITE PERSON. I THINK EVERYONE FELT THE SAME WAY. I FIRST met Arnold Palmer at his Bay Hill club in Orlando. It was a brief introduction. We passed in the locker room and I thanked him for having me to play in his tournament. I have to admit Bay Hill is not my favourite course and there are tournaments I look forward to more. But there was always something really special about being at the club. Because Arnold was walking around. In the wake of his death, there have been many stories about how a man known as “The King” had such a common touch and could so naturally connect with people from all walks…

... STENSON AND MICKELSON WILL SIT WITH NICKLAUS AND WATSON AS THE PERPETRATORS OF THE TWO GREATEST MATCHES IN GOLF. EVERY YEAR in golf is significant for one reason or another and 2016 will be remembered for a few. Arnold Palmer died. As so many have said he wasn’t the best player ever but he was the most significant, certainly in America. In Europe, Severiano Ballesteros was much more important as he did in Europe what Palmer did in America and brought the modern game to life. Danny Willett won The Masters when with an hour and a half to go he was playing his way to what would pretty quickly become an unnoticed second or third place. Then, in a moment of madness, the defending champion Jordan Spieth hit…

“... I THOUGHT ABOUT BECOMING AN ATTORNEY … BUT I WASN’T SMART ENOUGH; I HATE BEING COOPED UP INDOORS; AND I’M TOO NICE A GUY”– ARNOLD PALMER It is hard to imagine a world without Arnold Palmer who died from heart failure on September 25, aged 87. One of the best players and certainly the most charismatic, he won seven major championships and more than 90 titles around the world including the Australian Open in 1966. For people lucky enough to see him at his peak, in the 1950s and 60s, it was impossible not to be mesmerised. He had the movie star looks that the early TV cameras and the women loved and the swagger and aggression that made every man want to play like him. Perhaps it was…

Arising legion of people immersed in the game regard Kingston Heath as the best golf course in Australia. And if not the best, certainly their favourite – a subtle but telling distinction. Where Royal Melbourne has its cavalcade of admirers (and surely always will), the band of devotees of ‘The Heath’ is far from insignificant. “It’s not uncommon,” Kingston Heath’s general manager, Gregg Chapple, says of the club hearing people call The Heath the best or their favourite course. “Led by the likes of Adam Scott, Peter Senior, Geoff Ogilvy, Ian Baker-Finch, there are many people who rate The Heath. We are very fortunate that the course is regarded as being worthy of being in the top-25 courses in the world (currently 18th), and as such we appear on numerous…

If you thought going to the gym or golf-specific training was just for elite golfers, Precision Athletica will make you think again. Precision Athletica, a private institute of sport based at Sydney’s Olympic Park, is the one stop shop for golf-specific physiotherapy, training and performance. The institute provides access to all the facilities and services elite golfers get. So whether you’re an emerging player aspiring to a career in the game or a weekend warrior who wants to play the game for as long as possible, Precision Athletica can help you achieve those goals. Each golfer who attends Precision Athletica works through a Precision Performance Pyramid, which is split into three levels – Mobility ( joint movement and muscle flexibility); Control (biomechanics, movement patterns and stability); and Performance (strength, endurance,…

TO INCREASE the margin for error with your chip shots, set your weight to the left (toward the target) in your set-up (pic 1). By doing this you should get your head more to the left of the ball (target side of the ball). Most people set-up to chip, having heard to get their weight on the left foot, they still keep their head behind the ball. This kind of set-up sees the chipping swing arc bottom out behind the ball. This kind of set-up also sees players put the ball forward in their stance because they are trying to elevate the ball, which straight away gets their head and the centre of their torso behind the ball quite a long way (pic 2). Then, from this position, they are…

There are some tee shots when the reward of getting an extra 10 or 15 yards out of your driver is worth the extra risk, such as making a par 5 reachable in two or hitting it onto a driveable par 4. Addressing the ball in a position that encourages a level attack angle, producing an in-to-out swing path, and increasing your clubhead speed will help you do exactly that. 1 High launch, low spin Set up with the ball just inside the left heel, your spine tilted slightly away from the target so your left shoulder is a little higher than the right and the shaft vertical or leaning slightly away from the target. Keep your weight evenly spread and through the arches of your feet. 2 Lag on…

It’s very difficult to hit accurate pitch shots in a headwind and side winds because the normal high and soft ball flight will really be affected by them. In this situation, it’s much easier to control a lower ball flight that won’t move as much in gusty conditions. IS THE LOW PITCH CORRECT? A lower trajectory is beneficial in side winds or into the wind. If it’s downwind, you might need the height to stop the ball quickly or even play a bump and run to take the wind out of play. The lower pitch is also effective when you need the ball to release to a pin at the back of the green. Three keys to play the low pitch shot 1 TAKE A LESS LOFTED CLUB Taking a…

FUELLED BY FUSION Big Bertha Fusion pushes the boundaries of forgiveness like no Callaway club ever has. To increase forgiveness you have to raise the clubhead’s moment of inertia (MOI) measurement. Callaway has succeeded by developing a revolutionary clubhead design that starts with an aerospace-grade titanium exoskeleton called an Exo-Cage. The Exo-Cage is fitted with a crown and sole composed of an ultra-light, ultra-strong material called triaxial carbon. The revolutionary new triaxial carbon material is more than 65 percent lighter than titanium, and more than 35 percent thinner than our previous forged composite material. This allows Callaway to position a remarkable 35.4 grams in strategic areas of the clubhead to optimise the centre of gravity and increase the MOI by up to 17 percent – a remarkable jump that golfers…

“I’M NOT SURE WHERE MY FEAR OF SNAKES STEMS FROM. I JUST GET FRIGHTENED” What is your most annoying habit? I regularly get frustrated about the fact I pop my knuckles. It’s a kind of nervous thing I picked up when I was in college. I’m not one of those people who does it really loudly, but it’s a habit I’d definitely rather not have. When was the last time you cried? It would have been at my grandfather’s funeral earlier this year. What is your biggest regret? I wish my college team had won a national championship, but I don’t know whether I can call that a full-blown regret, because it was not a decision I could control. I was at Georgia Tech and we had a really great…

IT’S GETTING harder to like the Ryder Cup. Yes, the golf continues to excite and enthral. The inside-the-ropes action at Hazeltine National, the 41st edition of the biennial battle between the United States and Europe generally, lived up to pre-match expectations. Certainly, there were highlights. A singles contest between Sergio Garcia and Phil Mickelson produced 19 birdies; Rory McIlroy was something like eight under par against Patrick Reed – yet lost; and the stumbled-upon partnership of McIlroy and rookie Thomas Pieters looks like it could be the 21st century version of the peerless and all but unbeatable combination of Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabal. But here’s the thing. Long ago hijacked by the jacketed businessmen who run the PGA of America and the European Tour, golf’s most exciting event…

Peter Thomson once referred to foursomes as a “very silly game” and “an anachronism”, yet if Adam Scott wants to join Thomson as a two-time winner of the World Cup of Golf, he and his compatriot will have to come to terms with the peculiar alternate-shot format. Foursomes, along with fourball, will provide the structure for the 2016 edition at Melbourne’s Kingston Heath Golf Club. “It has largely died out, if it ever was prominent,” Thomson said of foursomes play in 2011. “It’s a silly idea and it’s not good for people watching. I don’t think it serves much purpose.” Indeed, foursomes can feel like half a round of golf. Players often go several holes without striking a drive or standing over a putt that matters. Fewer shots are struck…

How many of us haven’t wagered a few dollars on a round of golf ? The thrill of that winning putt, the excitement of crisply hit approach at just the right time but for some, the game only becomes interesting when massive sums are at stake. Golfers like Chicago stockbroker Smith Ferebee (pictured left) for example. He wagered the massive sum of $20,000 that he could play 600 holes in eight different American cities over four consecutive days in September, 1938. Capturing the imagination of the golfing public, who followed every stroke with interest via nationwide radio reports, he began on the west coast in Los Angeles and without taking a break, ended his journey under floodlights at Salisbury Country Club in New York with just minutes to spare. Having…

Golf specific sports chiropractor Dr Josh Nelson reveals how you can prevent serious back pain by adopting the correct posture for swinging a golf club. Although golf instruction and golf fitness have come a long way over the past decade or so, we still seem to neglect what I believe to be one of the most crucial factors of the golf swing – posture. Not only does our posture affect the way in which we move, it also effects nearly every function in our body. Improving your posture can have a dramatic effect on your golf game from both a performance and injury prevention perspective. The great news is your posture can be improved quite quickly once you have identified what type of posture you have. There are three main…

IT IS one thing to hit fairways but another to position your drive on the fairway where it gives you an opportunity to attack a pin placement. Your ability to connect with your target and understand your driver landing radius should help you determine your driving line off the tee. Remember to tee up on the side of the trouble and hit to a safety zone which you best feel acknowledges your big miss tendency and gives you the safety net required to avoid any trouble in the failure of execution. Here’s a drill that will help you train under pressure and help your transfer the positive results from the range to the course. Using a driver, set your landing bandwidth of 30 metres wide with a carry distance of…

It’s always tricky to control the ball when it’s resting up against a collar of rough, because you’re inevitably going to get grass trapped behind clubface and ball. Instead of a risky wedge shot, use your hybrid to bunt the ball onto the green like a putt. Take a narrow stance with the ball a fraction forward of centre and choke down on the handle with your putting grip. Make a putting stroke with minimal wrist hinge and the ball will pop out and run forward onto the green.…

Striking a full shot off the sand is a real test of your ball-striking as there isn’t as much margin for error compared to hitting off grass. If you hit the ball a fraction heavy it won’t go anywhere and a little thin runs the risk of smashing the ball into the face of the bunker. But you can increase your margin for error by tweaking your set-up and technique like this. Take enough loft that you will still clear the lip even if you catch it a little thin – even if this won’t quite reach the green. Swing within yourself at about 85 per cent to ensure your lower half remains stable and you return the clubhead accurately to hit the ball before the sand. Move the ball…

Stick to a gameplan You should have a strategy for how you play every hole based on your ability and what constitutes a good score for each hole based on your handicap. This should target holes where you can realistically pick up shots with shots you’re comfortable playing and avoid risk on more difficult holes where a bogey isn’t a bad score. Stick to this gameplan for all 18 holes no matter how well you’re playing. Have a pre-shot routine You can make sure you stay ‘in the zone’ by sticking to a good and repeatable pre-shot routine. This will help you maintain your rhythm so you don’t speed up or slow down, and the familiarity will enable you stay calm and in control of your emotions. A good pre-shot…

MODEL AND LOFTS PLAYED: Mizuno T7 52° gap, 56° sand and 60° lob wedges. FIRST IMPRESSIONS: These are very clean-looking wedges. They’re an uncomplicated design and aesthetically simple but that makes them appealing. I love the bounce angles on each one, plus the way they sit at address and each club’s overall balance. HOW THEY PLAYED: Mizuno’s T7 wedges are not difficult clubs to use. Swing on-plane and they seem eager to flush the ball. Impact feels so beautifully soft and controlled, softer than any other wedges I’ve hit (and I’ve trialled a few lately). You almost don’t sense contact, while the ball checked up pretty quickly and neatly as a result. My full shots with the T7 gap wedge all flew right at the flag and only seemed to…

ADDRESS: Browns Rd, Rye, Victoria 3941. CONTACT: (03) 5985 1334; www.thedunes.com.au DESIGNER: Tony Cashmore (1997). GREEN FEES: $65 (weekdays), $89 (weekends). The nine-hole Cups course is $20 on weekdays and $25 on weekends. Book online for either course and save ten percent. GOLF AUSTRALIA MAGAZINE TOP-100 COURSES HISTORY: No.25 (2012); No.24 (2014), No.27 (2016). RANKING JUDGES’ COMMENTS: “A wonderful natural golf course where Mother Nature has greatly influenced the design.” – Cameron Howell (2016). “The two new holes at The Dunes are a terrific addition to what is a superb course.” – David Elvins (2014). “There is so much to like about a round at The Dunes. For mine, this rates as Tony Cashmore’s finest work as he worked hand-in-hand with Mother Nature to create a memorable golfing…

“JUST TO SEE THAT BALL DROP, AND EVERYTHING THAT’S COME TOGETHER FOR ME THIS YEAR … TO PULL IT OFF WAS REALLY SPECIAL” – RORY MCILROY WINNING SCORE: 12 under par, 268 DEFEATED: Defeated American duo Kevin Chappell and Ryan Moore in a sudden death play-off. DEFINING MOMENTS: McIlroy was still three shots from the lead with three holes to play. He then conjured up a magical approach shot on the par-4 16th hole. Standing 137 yards from the flag, he punched his iron approach into the green and watched as it bounced once, jagged right … and into the cup for an eagle two. He added a birdie at the 72nd hole to reach 12 under and gained a spot in the play-off. WITH THIS VICTORY… : • McIlroy…

THE COURSE LOCATION: Clifford Close, Mollymook, NSW. CONTACT: (02) 4454 1912; (02) 4455 2055 (pro shop) WEBSITE: www.mollymookgolf.com.au DESIGNER: Bill Andriske (1977) SLOPE RATINGS: Men: 137/134/126; Women: 131/126. PLAYING SURFACES: Kikuyu (fairways), bentgrass (greens). COURSE SUPERINTENDENT: Ramon Isarin. Maintenance by Programmed Turnpoint. PGA PROFESSIONAL: Barry West (Director of Golf), Luke Grinham (teaching professional). GREEN FEES: Visitors $49 (weekdays), $59 (weekends); Member’s guests $30 (weekdays) and $40 (weekends). Bookings essential. THE CLUB MEMBERSHIP: Memberships are available in all categories. Full membership (with access to Hilltop and Beachside courses) is $835, while a weekday category membership is $645. Country golf membership, with restrictions, is available for $350. RECIPROCAL CLUBS: Kooindah Waters Resort (NSW), Sun City CC (WA), Duntryleague GC (NSW), Blackwood GC (SA), Moss Vale GC (NSW), Bathurst GC (NSW), Brookwater…

A JOURNEY of a thousand miles begins with a single step. My first step started with the creation of Great White Shark Enterprises nearly 30 years ago. Over the years, I’ve learned that no business can stand still. There are always changes in ownership and personnel, and invariably challenges to keep your product relevant and in-demand. The reality is that businesses change, just like people. So like our icon the shark, we keep moving. During this time of reflection and transition, I had to ask myself: what is the purpose of Great White Shark Enterprises? What are we trying to accomplish? Why do our customers stick with us? With that, I am thrilled to announce the evolution of my company from Great White Shark Enterprises to the Greg Norman Company…

The 2016 World Cup of Golf returns to a 72-hole, two-man pairs format. The first and third days of competition will be foursomes (alternate shot) and the second and final days played as fourball (best ball). This was the format adopted for all World Cups held from 2000 until 2011 before the 2013 edition reverted to aggregate 72-hole strokeplay (no event was held in 2010, ’12, ’14 or ’15). In 2013, Jason Day captured the individual trophy, which was considered that year to be the premier prize, but there can be no individual competition under the foursomes/fourball format. In all, 56 players comprising 28 teams will compete at Kingston Heath, headed by the Australian duo. Teams are formed by the highest-ranked participating golfer gaining automatic entry and that player selecting…

A great swing starts from getting the fundamentals right – grip, alignment and posture. The good thing is that all three are easily controllable. Because there’s no movement involved, anyone can get them right, no matter their level of athletic ability. “Starting your swing from a good spot is vital. If you’re out of position at address, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to make the swing or hit the shot that you want. But if you find your fundamentals and you can control them before you even take the club away, you give yourself the best chance you can to make a good swing. “When it comes to the swing itself, I like to focus on two thoughts. The first is to make a good takeaway that sets the club…

Find your Neutral posture by standing tall with your shoulders back and your head positioned over your shoulders. To create a neutral spine position, start by tucking your pelvis under and flattening your lower back as much as possible. Now tilt your pelvis as far forward as possible causing an increased arch in your lower back. Your neutral spine position is half way between these two points where you feel a gentle contraction of your abdominal and buttock muscles. Hinge forward from your hips (imagine leaning over a fence); Soften your knees and ensure you feel your weight is distributed evenly throughout your feet (not too much through your heels or toes)! It is important to note that in most cases, with a little bit of guidance and exercise you…

IN ORDER to get a solid mistake free set-up with your putting, it is important to understand how the forearm and putter shaft are related during the stroke. Ideally the sole of the putterhead should be flat on the ground, while the shaft and forearm should be in one line (pic 1). To achieve this, focus on your grip. Here’s four steps to getting that grip right and, ultimately, getting the shaft and forearm working together. Step 1: Curl the little or ‘pinky’ finger of your top hand in. Step 2: Grip the putter so that the grip fits in the middle of your top hand (pic 2). Step 3: Place your lower hand on the putter in a comfortable position. Step 4: Now make your stroke and remember to…

MODEL AND SHAFT PLAYED: Wilson Staff FG Tour F5 9° driver, fitted with a stiff-flex Fubuki graphite shaft. FIRST IMPRESSIONS: The shape and setup of the club is really appealing. It felt nicely balanced in the hands with a good amount of weight in the clubhead. It presented well at address, and the white Fubuki shaft leading down to the black clubhead sitting against a white ball had the effect of providing a nice contrast that helped at setup. HOW IT PLAYED: My first drive with the Wilson Staff FG Tour F5 was an absolute cracker! Overall, though, it took me a while to adjust. It was pretty windy today and my normal driver is set up to help me hit a little draw whereas I kept this driver set…