Indholdsfortegnelse for September 2020 i Golf Australia

Life has been more complicated for all of us during the past six months. In the last days of compiling this edition, Victoria was entering a six-week lockdown as a second wave of COVID-19 saw a spike in positive cases and deaths. Curfews and tight restrictions were employed, which forced the closure – again – of golf courses in and around Melbourne. A mate, having played his last round of golf the afternoon before the lockdown was enforced, texted me a nice sunset course photo with the words: “you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.” Truth be told, we all know what we’ve got, you just never think you’re going to lose it. This all got me thinking beyond the lockdown and the obvious disappointment most Victorian golfers…

According to the outwardly happy, always smiling band of television commentators who chat to us so amiably about the PGA Tour, everything about the PGA Tour is just peachy keen. There is absolutely nowhere in the world they would rather be than out there on the PGA Tour. (By the way, that’s “PGA Tour,” not “PGA TOUR,” which is the more dramatic version favoured by the Ponte Vedra, Florida-based organisation). It is also important for the talking heads to say “PGA Tour” as often as possible. Not that there is any pressure from Commissioner Jay Monahan or his hordes of blazer-wearing employees. Heaven forbid. Anyway, at least in the parallel universe occupied by the perpetually grinning inhabitants of TV land, everyone and anyone involved in the always warm and fuzzy…

1. Prepare a good soil base for your turf. Your soil plays a vital role in the success of your lawn and in many cases some soil improvement work is required to get the most out of it. 2. Choose a turf variety best suited to your area. Different grasses behave differently in varying climates and soil types. 3. Water it deeply for longer, less frequently. Watering your lawn is one of the most important parts of caring for your lawn. Not watering enough leads to a range of different lawn problems and can ultimately lead to your lawns demise. On the other hand, watering too much can have adverse effects on your lawn as well. 4. Fertilise a few times a year. Fertiliser is food to your lawn; too…

It is surely no coincidence that no matter where you travel to play golf in regional Australia, you are bound to find vineyards and wineries nearby. So, if you like mixing rounds of golf with sampling quality wines, the latest edition of the Halliday Wine Companion is a must. This definitive guide to Australian wine has been compiled by respected wine critic and vigneron James Halliday, who is widely known for his witty and informative writing about wine. As one of the founders of Brokenwood in the Hunter Valley and thereafter of Coldstream Hills in the Yarra Valley, James – whose career spans 50 years – is an unmatched authority on every aspect of the wine industry, from the planting and pruning of vines through to the creation and marketing…

For me, of course, it was literally a life-changing event, one I still regularly get asked about today, 14 years on from the day I won the US Open. And the question that comes up most often is, “what’s the first thing that comes into your head when you are asked about what went on at Winged Foot back in 2006?” The answer is simple: the whole thing. It’s odd really. When you have memories of something as I have of that day, am I actually remembering it as it happened? Or am I remembering it just because I’ve told the story so many times? Have I distorted the details over the years? And the answer to that is, “I’m not sure,” although I do know that I am getting…

What has life been like so far in the European Tour bubble? When we got into the second week, I will be honest with you, I sat down and just went ‘I don’t know how I am going to survive six weeks of doing this’. It is something that I am not used to, it’s something that a lot of us are struggling with and it’s totally different. We are all out of depth. The difference has been uncomfortable for others, Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston withdrew during the first week, is there support from the Tour? I don’t know how they are going to support, because we’re human beings, we’re used to, especially us golfers, the social aspect of having our mates out here and doing whatever. And we pretty much…

Ball position and alignment are two of the most important basic fundamentals for any golf swing. Being crooked with one greatly impacts the other and what follows. Get one wrong (pics 1, 2, 3 & 4) and you will have to make significant compensations during the swing to hit the ball on the correct line. But there is a way to get both right and hit straight shots more often. The best way to set yourself to hit, with both alignment and ball position correct, is to put the club in behind the ball first during your pre-shot routine. This establishes better aim straight away. Too many people create their set up by walking into the ball and establishing their body position first. They think they are aiming where they…

Setting your hands way ahead of the ball and playing it way back in your stance may feel like it’s going to create that slightly steep attack we’ve always been told is desirable for chipping, but it actually causes more problems than it cures. To play chip shots well, you want to use the true loft on the club at impact. You also want to use your spine angle to pre-set that downward attack, not the ball position and shaft lean. SET-UP SHOULDER TILT MATCHES SHAFT ANGLE With the ball in the middle of your stance, feel like your left shoulder tilts slightly downwards to match the very slight forward lean of the shaft. BACKSWING CONTROL THE SHOT WITH YOUR SHOULDERS Control the shot as you would a long-range putt,…

You pull or push an approach and, when you get to your ball, you find that not only is there a bunker between you and the hole, the pin is cut just a few feet onto the green. The smart strategy is to chip to the widest part of the green and accept you’ll probably drop a shot, but there are times when you want to take this shot on. The good news is that it’s not nearly as difficult to play as it looks. 1 GET WIDE AND LOW AT ADDRESS One of the secrets to adding loft at impact is to get the club approaching the ball at a shallow angle. Widening your stance and standing a little further away from the ball than you normally would will…

Great chipping is as much about strategy and preparation as it is technique. Many amateurs make the mistake of simply looking at the distance they need to hit the ball rather than looking at the shot, figuring out where they need to land the ball on the green and deciding what club is best-suited to the situation. Here’s a routine you can quickly integrate into your game to chip it closer more often. It doesn’t have to slow up play – in fact, it’ll speed things along if you’re chipping it dead every time! 1 Before you even think about club selection, walk to your ball, assess the lie and the shot you think you’ll need to play. Start to visualise the flight and roll of the ball in your…

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: The AVX is a uniquely positioned golf ball in the premium market. And it certainly produced the performance characteristics Titleist touts instantly during my testing. Hitting some putts alongside the company’s Pro V1 and Pro V1x the feel of the AVX was without question softer, with a very slight reduction in spin but more than enough in comparison when moving to the chipping green. Working my way through the bag, the AVX became the longer option as I made my way to driver, with the lower flight and less spin certainly different, but for mine neither better or worse. HOW THEY PERFORMED: The addition of the AVX golf ball to Titleist’s line would have been unthinkable some years ago, however, the company with such a focus on its…

MODEL PLAYED: ST200 3TS with 15° loft, fitted with Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana D+ White 7 shaft and ST200 3W with 15° loft, with Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana S+ Blue 7 shaft. FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Just like the drivers reviewed in the August issue of Golf Australia magazine, the ST200 fairways are a reminder Mizuno is much more than an exemplary producer of forged irons in 2020. The latest fairway woods, like the drivers, have a modernised classic appearance that has been designed to suit the eyes of Tour players, while the sound and feel is certainly among the standout features of the ST200. When it comes to ball flight, a strong, boring trajectory was a pleasure to see when looking up from early strikes and the adjustable TS model and standard 3-wood…

The Australian Golf Industry Council (AGIC) has released a document to highlight the range of unique ways Australia’s golf courses contribute to the conservation and management of our natural resources. The document – titled “Golf: Benefits to the Environment” – has been designed to promote golf as a leader in sustainable sport and business and outlines eight benefits that well-designed golf courses in Australia provide to the community, including: 1. Preserving open space and remnant vegetation in rural and urban environments. “Golf courses preserve open space and remnant vegetation, and protect and enhance flora and fauna within both rural and urban environments across more land than 60,000 SCGs.” 2. Promoting indigenous flora and fauna and the Australian landscape experience. “Golf courses promote and protect the indigenous flora and fauns which…

Moe Norman – considered one of the game’s best-ever ball-strikers – died from heart failure on September 4, 2004. He was 75. He was a complex character. That complexity, however, didn’t extend to his golf swing. Norman never took a lesson, instead, from the age of 12, he taught himself how to play. He would spend hours hitting balls until his hands bled. The result was a unique one-plane swing that was not only powerful but extremely accurate. He would address the ball with rigid arms extended well away from his body, gripping the club with his hands apart and through the palms of each hand. He had a wide stance with minimal knee bend, and a shorter-than-usual backswing and a high extended follow-through. It was unconventional but very effective.…

Albert Warren (A.W) Tillinghast was a star among the great architects of the golden age of course design. A former player who was good enough to finish 25th in the 1910 US Open, ‘Tillie’ became renowned as much for his high living as his incredible course creations during the Roaring 20s. While the Philadelphia socialite travelled extensively throughout the United States, designing, redeveloping and adding to courses throughout the country. But it was in New York where he was it his most prolific, creating more than 30 original courses. He was the imaginative mind behind critically acclaimed layouts like Bethpage State Park, Quaker Ridge and Fenway Country Club. But it was the West and East Courses at Winged Foot Golf Club – in the town of Mamaroneck about 40 minutes’…

When Scott Hend does find his way back to Australia, you are likely to find him at Brisbane’s Nudgee Golf Club, teeing it up with mates in the members’ comp or just playing some holes. The father-of-two is also a big supporter of the club’s junior members and provides sponsorship for the group. “Juniors are the future in golf,” Hend says. “The future of golf isn’t guys my age, the future is kids from the age of say 9-17 enjoying the game, not getting a hard time from the members, being out there and seeing what it is to actually be outdoors, not playing computer games all the time and getting a bit of sun, a bit of wildlife, enjoying the outdoors and while you’re at you get a walk…

Who doesn’t love watching the pros hit perfectly pitched shots that bounce once and come to a screeching halt on the second bounce? Here’s a little secret: It’s not that difficult to learn how to play. Firstly, you need to use a premium ball that will spin enough to execute the shot. If you’re hitting a ball designed to spin less and offer more distance, you’ve got little to no chance of executing the spinning pitch shot. If you’re playing the right kind of ball, the key is to prevent the right hand (for right-handers) crossing the left through impact. This maintains the loft of the club. High spin comes from loft, a clean hit, speed and a downward strike. So, if you are playing a lofted wedge and are…

Many chipping faults can be traced back to address – in particular, standing too far from the ball with your hands set too low. Another factor is playing the ball too far back in your stance with the shaft leaning towards the target. Since chipping requires a fairly slow swing, gravity can cause the shaft to drop to a more vertical position. This means the clubhead is lower at impact than at address. The solution is to set up with the shaft at a steeper angle. It also helps to set the grip more in your palm. While the heel of the club will be slightly off the ground, it means the clubhead cannot get any lower throughout the shot, thereby guaranteeing a good strike.…

GROOVE YOUR TECHNIQUE AND YOUR PROCESS To really sharpen up your chipping skills, divide your practice time between refining your technique and grooving your decision-making and pre-shot routine. With so many variables in lie and distance around the green, it’s important to have a wide repertoire of shots at your disposal as well as a robust decision-making process to help you select your club and the shot. Practise how you play – replicate real on-course situations. Avoid hitting too many shots from one location. Refine your process for shot assessment and club selection. Set measurable goals to keep you focused. CLOSING THE DEAL – HOW TO HOLE OUT WITH CONFIDENCE Holing out from inside five-feet is all about process, discipline and repetition. Any practice for short putts should recreate the…

SUITABILITY: Designed to sit alongside Titleist’s hugely popular Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls, the AVX offers the softest feel of the company’s premium range, as well as lower spin and flight. High spin players will enjoy its ball flight characteristics as will those looking for greater distance in a Tour ball. TITLEIST SAYS: The next generation of Titleist AVX is engineered for greater ball speed, longer distance and increased short-game spin – advancing the multi-component golf ball technology that has produced breakthrough results for golfers who prioritise distance and extremely soft feel. First introduced in 2018 following a comprehensive four-month test market, AVX was developed as a performance alternative to sit alongside Titleist’s industry-leading Pro V1 and Pro V1x models – offering the lowest flight, lowest spin and…

SUITABILITY: Between the three options of the adjustable TS model, standard ST200 and the X model that is lighter and features a draw bias, there is fairway for most players in Mizuno’s ST200 range. SHAFTS: A range of aftermarket shafts are available from a variety of manufacturers. LEFT-HANDED MODELS: The standard ST200 3W is available. MIZUNO SAYS: Introducing a new multi-thickness maraging steel face for increased initial ball speeds. The ST200 fairway woods combine the unlikely companions of low spin and massive forgiveness – for minimal distance loss from off-centre strikes. The ST200 range sets up beautifully at address within a modified ‘Tour Ready’ profile. “By utilising stronger maraging steel, we have achieved our thinnest ever multi-thickness ‘CORTECH’ face, which now approaches COR values that are normally reserved for drivers,”…

LOCATION: Lakelands Dve, Merrimac, Gold Coast. CONTACT: (07) 5579 8700; (07) 5510 6538 (pro shop). WEBSITE: www.lakelandsgolfclub.com.au DESIGNER: Jack Nicklaus (1997). PLAYING SURFACES: Windsor Green couch (fairways); Bermuda Tifdwarf (greens). COURSE SUPERINTENDENT: Phil Soegaard. PGA & ALPG PROFESSIONALS: Rowan Beste, Craig Chandler, Anne Wilson-Lawrence and Jenny Sevil. GREEN FEES: $125 per person (including motorised cart). MEMBERSHIP: There are multiple membership categories currently available including five- and seven-day memberships. The club also offers a three-month full membership trial, while junior memberships are available upon application. ACCOLADES: No.91, Golf Australia Magazine Top-100 Courses 2020; No.31, Golf Australia Magazine Top-100 Public Access Courses 2019.…

LOCATION: Tennyson Memorial Ave, Yeerongpilly, Queensland, 4105. CONTACT: (07) 3848 1008. WEBSITE: www.brisbanegolfclub.com.au DESIGNERS: Carnegie Clark (1904); other design influences included Dr Alister MacKenzie, Joe Kirkwood, Al Howard and Wayne Grady; Ross Watson (2007-2020). GREEN FEES: The Brisbane GC is a private club. Members of reciprocal clubs are welcome and opportunities to play do exist for international and interstate visitors. Interstate visitors $150; Member’s guest $75. COURSE SUPERINTENDENT: Mitch Hayes. PGA PROFESSIONALS: Joe Janison (Director of Golf), Gary Calder, Lee Eagleton and Reece McRae (teaching professionals). MEMBERSHIPS: The Brisbane Golf Club offers a wide range of membership types and categories including seven- and six-day memberships, as well as a host of age based memberships. The club has one of the most successful Ladies’ Let’s Golf programs in Queensland and the…

In these COVID-19 times where we are forced to stay close to home, Lofted is a Godsend for those golfers looking to dream of golfing adventures far and wide. It is the first golf book of Melbourne-based freelance photographer and writer, William Watt, who is also the co-founder of the biannual publication, Caddie Magazine. The well-travelled Watt has combined his stunning photography skills with his ability to identify a good yarn and passion for golf. Watt, and a selection of contributors, whisk you away to interesting golf destinations – from the wonders of Tasmania, to New Zealand’s windswept Tara Iti and further afield to Norway and golf in the Arctic Circle. Tales of golfing paths well-trodden to the likes of St Andrews, the Melbourne Sandbelt and the west coast of…

It is not an exaggeration to say the COVID-19 pandemic has been the most impactful episode on the golf industry since World War II. As restrictions started to ease it was evident the desire to play golf still burned deeply in the community. As the old adage says, you don’t know how much you miss something until it is gone. Main competition days at clubs were no longer prime time. The squeeze on every available spot on the booking sheet on every day of the week has been unlike anything we have seen before. Despite this recent surge in participation, there is undeniable evidence many golf clubs were struggling to stay relevant and remain viable under the traditional member subscription model prior to the pandemic. Younger people, in particular, were…

There is so much variability involved with this game of golf as our body and mind can change from day to day. A swing cue that may have worked well yesterday may not be the working so well today. So how do you master this variability and recapture the flow that had you striking the ball so well the day before. You need to set a pre-round plan in place and bring your best with you to the golf course so you can find that flow to play some great golf more often. The golf swing is made up of moving parts and we need to develop a high awareness of ourselves to be able to manage these moving parts in an order to swing with freedom. The hidden human…

1 MASTER THE BASICS FIRST Having an arsenal of fancy recovery shots is all well and good, but you need a stock shot to rely on. A simple chip-and-run will get you out of trouble far more often than a risky flop over a bunker, so master the simple option before working on the adventurous shots. 2 COMMIT TO REGULAR PRACTICE Ask any Tour pro how they structure their practice and they’ll likely tell you that they spend at least twice as much time working on their chipping and putting as they do their long game. The reason for this is simple – a sharp short game will compensate for bad shots and approach shots keep your scorecard tidy. 3 PLAY THE PERCENTAGES Just as the best strikers in football…

There is something awe-inspiring about a 300-metre drive. A purely struck iron rightfully is the lure of the game for many beginners. However, these skills don’t speak to the artistry of the game that a player like Seve Ballesteros exemplified. The Spaniard is remembered for his short game and mastery with wedge in hand. And while his skills were once in a lifetime, the fact that any golfer, if possessing the right tools, can achieve quality short game shots regardless of talent or physical prowess makes it one of the game’s most enjoyable aspects. But how does one find the right wedges from the many loft, bounce and sole grind options to allow for their short game to shine and embrace their inner golfing artist? “We can get a golfer…

PLAY TO YOUR OWN BEAT AND DISTANCE Music on the golf course has surged in popularity of late. And Bushnell Golf is combining the pleasure of enjoying your favourite tunes on the course, with its renowned distance-measuring technology. The new Bushnell Wingman speaker produces premium sound quality via Bluetooth, and uses the same technology to connect to the Bushnell Golf App. With the press of a button on the small disk – kept in your pocket – the speaker announces the GPS distance to the front, middle and back of greens, with customisable settings available and auto hole advance. Powered by a battery with over 10 hours of life that can be used to charge other devices, the Wingman also incorporates the company’s ‘BITE’ technology, which allows the unit to…