Indholdsfortegnelse for May 2018 i Golf Australia

Rory McIlroy hit 4,338 shots on the PGA Tour last year. Dustin Johnson hit 5,977. There were 106 eagles, 27 aces and one albatross… Yet none of them make it onto this players’ list of the greatest shots ever seen. To be a truly great shot, it needs something extra special. The degree of difficulty; what’s on the line; how much risk and reward is involved... It’s a tough question – top players and pundits have seen a LOT of shots! But that didn’t stop us asking Major champions and Tour winners to pick the best they’ve ever seen, either in person or on TV. It takes one to know one, and so when the shots in question immediately popped into the minds of the people we asked, you know…

A seismic tremor with many aftershocks shook the golf world last year as the great Bernhard Langer became the centre of accusations that he was, against the recent rule changes, ‘anchoring’ his putter. Some went as far as to call him a “cheat.” In terms of major victories, Langer may not stand alongside modern greats of the game like Jack Nicklaus; Tom Watson; Gary Player and Tiger Woods. But, with more than 100 victories to his name, he is one of the truly great European golfers. Along with Severiano Ballesteros, he most certainly pioneered the way for his fellow continental Europeans. In fact, when official World Rankings were initiated, he became Europe and the World’s first World No.1 golfer in 1986. Away from golf and the general public’s eye, the…

Scotty Cameron’s name is synonymous with high-quality, high-performance putters. And the newly released Select putter range bearing the Titleist Master Putter Maker’s name ensures that reputation will continue long into the future. Comprising four blade models and three mid-mallets, the 2018 Select putters benefit from Cameron’s knowledge built up over years of crafting putters for the world’s best players and are the latest Titleist putters to incorporate precision-milled multi-material construction as well as improvements to the sight, sound and sole of each model. “I always strive to raise the bar by incorporating new materials, milling and manufacturing techniques. I’m at the point with the Select line of putters that now I’m hyper-focused on the finest details,” Cameron said. “Tour players pick up on things most people don’t but those details…

1 ROYAL ADELAIDE GOLF CLUB Royal Adelaide’s finish at No.1 here is confirmation of the long-held view that the Seaton links is the South Australian capital’s premier course. There have been plenty of alterations made to the layout since the course originally opened for play in 1906, but it has retained its distinctive character of being an open links course, which is a rare find in Australia. The host for nine Australian Opens and, more recently, the 2017 Women’s Australian Open is still undergoing some design changes under the guidance of minimalist American course architect Tom Doak. His changes – which have included altering some fairway mowing lines, clearing some overgrown areas of trees and scrub and the refurbishment of some bunkering – while seemingly small, have had a great…

When making the 45-minute drive to the north of Perth, one would be forgiven for thinking you had become lost as you follow the GPS directions to the front gate of Wanneroo Golf Club. The surrounding scrub covered landscape and nearby sand and limestone companies occupying property that appears less than hospitable for golf. But once inside the club’s property, it becomes quickly apparent you have arrived at an oasis of green space, with a simple yet strategically designed golf course that was Western Australia’s first fully reticulated layout, presented in immaculate condition. Founded in 1970, and opened three years later, the Bob Green/Murray Dawson design is not hugely long from the back tees by today’s standards at 6,234 metres. But Wanneroo’s challenge is via its doglegs lined with trees…

WOULD it be okay to accept what life and God and time have given you, and settle for it? To say to yourself, very quietly so no one else can hear and hold you accountable, “This is my swing, it’s what I have. I’m okay with it because we’ve been through so much together and we’re more than mates, we’re like lovers. I know you’ll do the right thing by me when you can. Of course there’ll be days you let me down by being weak or insipid or downright stupid. But on others, you’ll surprise me by being so Goddamn lovable and perfect. Those are the days we’ll cherish.” Or is that not okay? Should we all be hell bent on being better, for if we’re not better, are…

Originally known as the Surrey Hills Golf Club and based at Mont Albert, Riversdale moved to Camberwell before the club’s professional, Jock Young, laid out the original course on its current site. With a new railway line planned to take part of the club’s land, Australian Open Champion and course architect, Alex Russell, was engaged to design a new course. Russell’s creation officially opened for play in 1930 with a match between amateurs Ivo Whitton and Mick Ryan and professionals Joe Kirkwood and the legendary Walter Hagen. Some 88 years later, Russell’s original layout remains, on the whole, largely unchanged with the exception of the bunkers, which former Riversdale assistant professional and five-time Open champion Peter Thomson converted to pot-style traps in 1994. The par-72 has stood the test of…

ADAM Scott will miss his first major championship in 17 years should he fail to qualify for the US Open. The winner of the 2013 Masters Tournament has played every major since the 2001 Open Championship. But his severe drop in the world rankings means he is in now in danger of missing the US Open at Shinnecock Hills in June. The former World No.1 is ranked 59th at the time of going to press – and will need to remain inside the top-60 by May 21 or June 11 to receive automatic qualification, since his five-year exemption for winning the green jacket has now expired. Scott has struggled for form since the beginning of the 2017 season, and has only recorded four top-10s from 24 starts. “My putting is…

What’s driving you on these days? You’re still playing a lot of golf. I don’t want to let go. Once you do that it is really tough to come back. I haven’t played very well for a while. But I’m a bit more healthy than I was a few months ago, so I will play a full schedule in 2018. I want to see if I can still get a win out of this thing. You’re at that awkward age aren’t you? It’s tough to stay competitive on the regular Tour when you’re in your late 40s. And you are a little too young for senior’s golf. That’s right. It is an awkward age (laughs). It’s a bit like no-man’s land between 45 and 50. It is so hard to…

Unlike just about every other sport you can contemplate, it’s not only the players in the game of golf who experience a level of celebrity and are recognised the world over. There are a handful of those who have carried their bags who are as well known, if not more, than many players in the field at any given event. Many in the modern era are so familiar to us that they’re known simply by their first or nickname: Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay – Phil Mickelson’s long-time caddie until recently; and of course ‘Stevie’ Williams – Norman, Floyd, Scott and most famously, Tiger Woods; are figures recognisable to most. Englishman Chris Paisley’s recent hot hand early in the 2018 European Tour season, highlighted by his win at the BMW South African…

FOUR REDS GOLF F our Reds is a golfing experience that plays to South Australia’s strengths. It pairs four exceptional golf courses with four exquisite wines to create one memorable holiday. Visitors enjoy three to six nights based in Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. This vibrant, wealthy city of 1.2 million enjoys a Mediterranean climate and abundant scenery, with beaches on one side and hills on the other. A prime golfing destination, Adelaide is home to four very fine courses of long-standing repute – courses that are less famous than their eastern state counterparts, but no less challenging, perhaps more accessible and certainly a surprise to those who have not played them before. South Australia is also a wine-making heartland, producing half of the nation’s wines and home to…

THE COURSE LOCATION: 200-280 Huntingdale Road, Mount Waverley, VIC, 3149. CONTACT: (03) 9807 1411. WEBSITE: www.riversdalegolf.com.au DESIGNERS: Alex Russell (1930), Peter Thomson (1994, bunkers), Neil Crafter and Paul Mogford (ongoing). SLOPE RATINGS: 129 (blue), 129 (white), 127 (green), 130 (red women), 111 (yellow women). PLAYING SURFACES: Santa Ana couch fairways, Poa/Bent greens, Wintergrass and Kentucky bluegrass. GREEN FEES: $130 for unaccompanied interstate and overseas visitors. A letter of introduction is required. COURSE SUPERINTENDENT: Travis Scott. PGA PROFESSIONALS: John Horvath, Euan Walters and Sam Hingeley. THE CLUB MEMBERSHIP: Riversdale is a private club and offers a range of membership options including Ordinary (full), Intermediate and Mid-Week, which are all broken down further into in a variety of age categories, as well as offering Country, Junior and Young Adult memberships. Seven-Day…

THERE has never been a ‘perfect’ golfer. Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods each had their flaws. But what made them world beaters was their ability to handle any given situation; their mental games were simply extraordinary. Then there are players like Jon Rahm, whose hotheadedness leaves plenty to desire. You could argue that his emotional style of play has helped with his rapid rise to success – and the last thing the game needs is less characters. But there’s a balance that needs to be found, especially if he’s serious about breaking into the major winner’s circle. Take this year’s Masters Tournament for example. The Spaniard finished fourth, which was truly outstanding given it was only his second competitive appearance at Augusta National. But the leaderboard very rarely…

1 You won’t find too many players on Tour with a more relaxed set-up than Ernie Els. Note the ball position. He prefers his driver ball position lined up slightly back and in line with his left armpit becuase he feels this will encourage him to make a full upper body turn behind the ball. 2 Ernie is into his takeaway and he defies the old saying “take it back low and slow”. The shoulders have started to turn but he’s already getting hinge in his wrists. You can see this with the change of angle in his right wrist relative to the shaft. Els’ club is ideally outside his hands and inside the target line. 3 Halfway back and Ernie continues to turn his shoulders and has the club…

Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is world-renowned for its incredible coastline, aquatic activities, great seafood and, increasingly, the quality of its golf courses. In fact, the most difficult thing about a golf getaway to the region comes in the planning. Golfers are spoiled for choice and trying to narrow down where to play three rounds over a weekend from a selection of 20 courses spread between Bribie Island and Noosa Heads is tough. As our foursome was flying into the Sunshine Coast Airport, just north of Maroochydore, we decided to play the three courses closest to the airport – Maroochy River, Twin Waters and Mt Coolum Golf Clubs. It would prove to be a wise choice. DAY 1 A 90-minute delay taking off in Sydney had us concerned about making our early…

Whether its families, honeymooners or Truman Burbank of the 1998 blockbuster film, Fiji has always been one the world’s most desirable holiday destinations. The tropical paradise is a jewel in the crown of the South Pacific – and is renowned for its palm-lined beaches and crystal-clear lagoons. Its golf facilities are of worthy note, too. Especially Natadola Bay Golf Course, which hosts the annual Fiji International. The championship course opened in 2009 and was designed by Fijian golfing legend and former World No.1 Vijay Singh, who worked with Greg Letsche to redesign 10 of the 18 holes in 2016. Now, Natadola Bay Golf Course has partnered with The Sheraton & Westin Resorts on Denarau to offer a range of fantastic stay and play packages. The pick of the bunch, however,…