Indholdsfortegnelse for December 2015 i Golf Australia

AS WE impatiently look forward to the first major championship of 2016 and another Australian assault on the green jacket at Augusta National, it is an opportune time to reflect on what has been a memorable year. Jason Day’s victory in the PGA Championship was the obvious highlight for Australian golf fans. Having struggled with vertigo at the US Open – which arguably cost him a genuine shot at the title – and given his despair at missing a putt to make the play-off a few weeks earlier at the Open Championship, it was a sweet victory at Whistling Straits. In the days after his breakthrough win the story of his rise to major champion from humble beginnings growing up in Queensland added to the legend. What shouldn’t be forgotten…

A GROWING number of Australian golf clubs are utilising world-leading technology to protect golfers from being struck by lightning during a round. UBIMET is at the forefront of weather forecasting technology and owns and operates the largest and most sophisticated lightning detection network in the country. During the past year dozens of clubs, including Elanora in Sydney, Royal Melbourne and The National in Victoria as well as Cottesloe in Perth, are using the technology to protect the health and safety of their staff and players. UBIMET’s Lightning Detection Service and associated ‘Weather Cockpit’ product enable golf clubs to protect their players by receiving SMS and e-mail alerts indicating the presence of storm activity (and lightning) within a 15-kilometre radius of the club. Course superintendents and tournament organisers can view and…

THERE has been a lot of commentary on how golf clubs are run, from having a good general manager to responsible boards. The general managers I have come across do a good job as a whole, considering they have to deal with 1,000 experts across green keeping and bar management in any given year. It’s the club boards that concern me, as they can’t come to grips with the contradiction: 1) It’s a business, and 2) We have members not customers. No golf club that I know of in Australia has a forum where members can vent their frustration or ideas. Sure, you can write a letter, which is replied to by the general manager. What members want and a golf club needs is member access to the board to…

NEWS that the Emirates Australian Open will be played in Sydney until 2023 must have gladdened a few hearts in the harbour city but it is a great disservice to golfers in the rest of the land. From a Melbourne perspective, we have not seen the Open played here since 2002 and it is possible that we won’t host it again before 2024, after an absence of 22 years. It was last played in Melbourne and reduced to 54 holes at Victoria Golf Club after the greens fiasco on the first day. Steve Allan won by a shot from Aaron Baddeley, Craig Parry and American Rich Beem.Allan was 29 at the time; if it comes back to Melbourne in 2024, he’ll be 51 and I’ll be 75. The problem then…

RORY SAYS “It’s all about accuracy and controlling the ball. There’s always power, balance and timing in the equation but good iron play requires a detailed knowledge of how the ball reacts when struck, how high I want it to go and how much spin I should put on it.” Rory’s improvement with his irons is definitely linked to improved driving accuracy. Hitting from the fairway means the ball interacts with a clean, dry clubface, creating friction and clean contact. That helps him control distance and spin. From the rough or in the wet, the ball slides up the face – which equals less spin and control. Rory has probably the highest ball flight with his irons of any of the Tour pros and this gives him a big advantage…

RORY SAYS “There are many factors involved in chipping the ball close – club angle, stance, body rotation – but acceleration through the ball, however delicate the chip, is crucial to the result. We all occasionally hit a chip heavy or thin but, for me, ensuring I don’t decelerate is the most important factor.” Rory likes to use his wedges around the green and you very rarely, if ever, see him use less lofted clubs like his mid and short-irons. He doesn’t carry a stock pitching wedge and his wedges are 52°, 56° and 59° with a little less bounce than most players. Despite using quite a lot of loft, he likes to keep the ball flight fairly low and controls the distance the ball runs out by varying the…

For me, the app works well because you can check your positions against my swing and other swings as well. I was interested in this concept right from the start because I tend to be a very visual learner. Seeing the correct positions and comparing them is something I’ve found very helpful rather than just being told where the right elbow should be or the way the hips should work. When the evidence is right there in front of you on a screen, you can do something about it. As I’ve mentioned, often what you feel is happening – and what is actually happening – can be two different things. This app helps you clear up any grey areas between the two ... and this is why I’m convinced it…

Shaping the ball on demand is something you will need to know how to do if you want to score in the 70s on a consistent basis. To understand ball flight you must first understand how the ball curves; there are two vectors that control curvature presuming that you produce a centred strike on the clubface.These two vectors are your club path angle and your clubface angle at the moment of impact. Clubface angle at impact will determine where the ball creates its initial launch, then if you require curvature you must have the club path travelling somewhere away from the face angle. Why does the ball fade? Why does the ball hook? Is my face open? These are all questions we get on a daily basis; the answer is…

Everybody wants to hit the ball better. Everybody wants to make their swing better. And, yes, this holds very true – as the better we strike the ball and the better shots we hit, the easier the game becomes. We don’t have to look for balls or take penalty strokes or spend our day chipping out of the trees if we strive for a better swing. It’s a noble concept and if you are given the right information, void of Band-Aid fixes, then this can certainly become a reality. Until you are ready to take the plunge and work hard at the idea of building a better golf swing, without swapping and changing and hoping for a quick fix, then that is really all it will be – an idea…

TRY THE FOOD A day out on the course is one sure way to work up an appetite. Food is king here, and the island’s annual Long Table Festival (April 1 to 3, 2016) puts the island’s fresh produce front and centre. The preparation and consumption of this degustation-type feast takes place over several days and features local beef, lamb, vegetables, rock lobster, oysters, octopus and even mutton-birds, all of which are dressed, adorned and flavoured with local honey, herbs, cream and garlic. If you can’t make it for this gourmet weekend, don’t worry, much of this produce is available locally and you can pick up hints and tips on preparation from some of the friendly locals. And, of course, there is the famous cheese and dairy products of the…

OCTOBER PHOTO CAPTION COMPETITION We had some great entries to our photo of Peter Malnati losing his cool after an escape shot went wrong.The best entry according to our judges came from Darren Hall of Old Toongabbie, NSW, with: “Have a go they said …” Congratulations Darren, you win a pair of adidas Tour 360X shoes worth $149. SUBSCRIPTION GIVEAWAY New and renewing subscribers to Golf Australia during September and October were entered into a draw to win a Seiko Premier watch. The four winners randomly drawn were: Peter Wood of Wollongong, NSW; Sheree Podmore of West Albury, NSW; David Perkin, of Kellyville, NSW and Margaret Lloyd, of Delungra, NSW. golf Australia We’re on Facebook. Like us and get news updates and the chance to win prizes at www.facebook.com/ golfaustralia Follow…

1. How old were you and where did you break par for 18 holes the first time? I was ten years old and it was at Tanglewood in Milton, Florida. 2. Best shot of your career? At the 16th at Bay Hill (in 2011). I had a shot I could only hit ten feet high because of trees. I had 204 yards and hit 6-iron over water to 20 feet for eagle. 3. One mulligan you’d like to have? Second shot at 18 in the play-off at the 2010 PGA Championship (at Whistling Straits). I should have laid up. 4. Favourite course in the USA? Pebble Beach. 5. Favourite course outside the USA? The Old Course at St Andrews. 6. Favourite hole in the USA? No.13 at Augusta National Golf…

EVERYONE who has ever played golf knows the feeling: “I wish I could play that shot over again.” It’s a fact of golfing life.Yes, we all play to hit the ball and shoot low scores, but when you think about it, everything you do is just getting you ready to hit the good shot at the right time. Once you have played for a while too, you realise that, say, 15 holes of every round are more of that same sort of preparation. But at some stage in those other three holes you are going to have to hit a really good shot under pressure. That’s intimidating if you haven’t been there before, as every beginner realises the first time they have to hit off the 1st tee with people…

Young Tom Morris died 140 years ago, on Christmas Day 1875. Gone but definitely not forgotten, he consistently ranks among the top-20 golfers of all time. So just how good was he? We can only go on contemporary reports but imagine someone with the ball-striking skills of Jordan Spieth and competitive streak of Jason Day. Add the ability to win four Open Championships by the age of 21 – an unmatched feat even today – and we are dealing with someone really special. No wonder ‘Old’ Tom Morris famously once admitted: “I cannae cope wi’ Tommy” when talking about going head-to-head with his brilliant but tragically flawed son. Born in St Andrews on April 20, 1851, Tommy Junior may have started life at the ‘Home of Golf’ but he would…

RORY SAYS “I give this area of my game a lot of time and effort. There is a lot more to bunker play than many people imagine, and a bunker can sometimes be the safest place to land if you can’t hit the green. The key to good bunker shots is a lot to do with balance, feel and commitment to the shot. I like to get a comfortable stance in the bunker, see the shot I want to play – whether I want the ball to spin or run out – and really commit to the swing and follow through.” Rory’s bunker play has gotten better as a direct result of the improvements he’s made to his long game. Two years ago, his backswing was long and loose, which…

HUDL TECHNIQUE GOLF WHAT DOES IT DO?: This is one of many impressive apps you can use to evaluate and improve your swing. Record your swing on slow motion then, instantly, analyse it frame-by-frame.You can also look at how your swing is improving by comparing it to the stored swings of professional golfers, like PGA Tour player Patrick Reed. Our favourite bit, though, is being able to slow the motion and draw on the swing plane or the alignment lines. Great stuff! COMPATIBILITY: iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and Android. HOW MUCH?: Free. In-app purchases start from $9.99. COACH’S EYE WHAT DOES IT DO?: Capture your swing on video,review the footage and analyse with lines and pointers.You can zoom in, watch your swing in slow motion and, even better, you can…

One of the big differences between you and Tour players is they often miss the green with their approach shot on the ‘smart side’. I regularly see amateurs I teach going straight for the sucker pin positions and then struggling to make a par or even a bogey when things go wrong. Good golf requires you to lose the big numbers on your card, and if you think for a second before you choose your club and hit the ball, you may be surprised how much better you will score. How do you make that decision? Professionals and caddies scan the ‘four sides’ of a green. These are long, short, left and right, and generally two of the four offer a significantly better chance of a recovery if you miss.…

If you are thinking about getting into some golf-specific fitness then the first step should be to make a plan and get a training program sorted. But you might feel a bit overwhelmed by the contrasting opinions and recommendations out there relating to golf fitness. If you are anything like the average golfer, then thoughts like this might be running through your head: • Will I need to join a gym? • How can I move my hips like Rory McIlroy? • Is stretching good for me, or not? • Should I get a trainer? • Maybe I’ll get the “Ab Flex Twisty Turner Fat Shredder Pro 9?” (the answer is a definite ‘no’ to this one!) These doubts essentially boil down to four key questions: • What exercises are…

SANDHURST CLUB SANDHURST, VICTORIA RANKING: Sandhurst’s Champions course ranks 51st on Golf Australia’s list of the Top-100 Public Access Courses, while the original North course holds 95th spot in the 2015/2016 ranking. THE DEAL: The two courses are primarily restricted to members and their guests, however visitor tee-times are readily available. Social groups are also welcome. Green fees for visitors vary day-to-day and at different times of the day, usually spanning $45 to $79 for 18 holes. Add about $25 for a GPS-equipped cart. GOOD TO KNOW: The booking section of Sandhurst’s website provides different green fees when the courses are undergoing maintenance, such as greens coring. ANECDOTALLY: Peter Thomson and Ross Perrett designed both layouts, although the Champions course carries the unique composition of having 18 holes dedicated to…

WGC–HSBC CHAMPIONS WINNER WINNING SCORE: 20-under-par, 268 DEFEATED: Defeated American Kevin Kisner by two strokes. DEFINING MOMENTS: Knox’s weekend scores of 68-68 on the back of his 65 in the second round was always going to be hard to beat. But the most defining moment for the Scot occurred before a ball was struck in the tournament.The 30-year-old only learned he had a start in the event a week before after J.B. Holmes withdrew. He quickly organised a Chinese visa and arrived in Shanghai with only enough time for one practice round with his newly recruited caddie, his wife. WITH THIS VICTORY … • This was Knox’s first PGA Tour win. • He became the first Scottish player to win a World Golf Championship. • Knox becomes the first player…

THE end of the golf year always poses questions of the new one to come. The new Mike DeVries-designed course at Cape Wickham is the most anticipated course opening since Barnbougle Dunes, and those who have seen it know just how spectacular the site is and how many great holes it has yielded. King Island is hard to get to, the trip is not inexpensive and the question is whether it works as a business. It is the exact question faced by Richard Sattler at Barnbougle and he proved adept at making a great business to add to the golf he was selling. Many were dubious (to say the least) of Barnbougle’s chances of succeeding and no doubt Cape Wickham faces the same question. The American developer Mike Keiser began…

IN CASE you can’t recognise who it is in the trees, it’s cricket legend Shane Warne, doing his best to get back in the game. What is your caption to go with this photo? Submit your caption on the entry form found on our website (not in the comment box) for the accompanying photo and the best entry judged by Golf Australia’s editors will win a pair of 2015 adidas Tour 360X shoes, worth $149.The new Tour 360X shoes continue the evolution of the Tour 360 family. With its Tour-proven performance and stability unquestioned, the new model features increased cushioning and comfort. For more information visit the website www.adidasgolf.com  or call 1800 700 011 TO ENTER: Visit www.golfaustralia.com.au and click on the ‘WIN’ icon to submit your entry.…

LOOKING back, it is one of the most significant moments in Ryder Cup history. When Seve Ballesteros burst into the European locker room at PGA National in 1983 and announced that the visiting side’s one-point loss to the Americans was actually “a victory”, he instinctively set in motion the Old World juggernaut that these days dominates the biennial contest. Fast-forward 32 years and the same might soon be true of that perennial Ryder Cup wannabe, the Presidents Cup. In the wake of the International team’s agonising 15½ to 14½ defeat (somehow, narrow losses are always “agonising”) in South Korea, Uncle Sam’s 12-strong band of nephews will be ready for a new and sturdier challenge when the matches reconvene at Liberty National in New Jersey two years hence. Should that likelihood…

RORY SAYS “Good course management is a case of having a strategy and sticking to it. Essentially, it’s taking advantage of opportunities while trying to limit the damage caused by less-than-perfect shots. Courses are set up to test every golfer’s ability to manage potential dangers but the more patient I am and the more I stick to the game plan, the easier it is to handle even the toughest set-ups. The more I play and mature, the more I can deal with the inevitable ups and downs all golfers encounter during a round.” We all know the mental game is important, but so few golfers have a plan of what to work on in this area. So I was pleased and fascinated to hear Rory McIlroy say he’d been working…

Putting together software that lets you compare swings, checking positions and tempo, was appealing to me because I’m a very visual person. I could see the benefits of placing two swings together so that you can see where you might be going wrong. When it’s there in front of you, there’s less need for complicated technical advice. It’s true to say in golf that, on many occasions, what you think you’re doing may not be what you’re actually doing. This is why this works. A club player can select a club and shot direction and record their swing with me at their side, as if I’m standing right there with you on the tee hitting balls! Over the next five pages, I’ll show you the swing positions you want to…

Coaching full-time for the past few years, I’ve observed common mistakes golfers make when pitching the ball. One in particular is when the player lacks confidence and, as a result, gets closer and closer to the ball at address. The consequences of this are disastrous! Instead of focusing on distance control, it becomes a battle to simply make clean contact with the ball. By crouching into the ball at address (pic 1), the lead arm (the left arm for right-handers) becomes slack and then during the motion the lead arm can extend, forcing the club to catch grass before ball. A player need only hit one ‘fat’ shot, then you can bet the arms will be pulling inward drastically during the next shot in every attempt to avoid another chunked…

WHAT OUR TESTER SAID: “Bushnell thought of everything with the Tour X, from the dial that allows you to change the focus to the toggle switch that alters the readings between black and red depending on the light.” MODEL USED: Bushnell Tour X rangefinder. FIRST IMPRESSIONS: I own an earlier version of Bushnell’s rangefinders, which I really like, but the idea of the Slope technology red faceplate is ingenious – when you’re legally allowed to use it. VERDICT: This is the Rolls Royce of rangefinders. The company thought of everything with the Tour X, from the dial that allows you to change the focus to the toggle switch that alters the readings between black and red depending on the light conditions or background. I used the black faceplate in competition…