Indholdsfortegnelse for July 2021 - Issue #386 i Golf Australia

I love this time of year. When the couch fairways start losing their colour and any tee time before 10am ensures you will have a dewy oncourse experience, you just know The Open Championship is just around the corner. The Open is my favourite sporting event … forget favourite major … but favourite sporting event of all and has been since I was a teen. This is one thing I share in common with columnist-at-large, John Huggan, who has been watching The Open – from inside the ropes and from afar – for 50 years. He even tried qualifying for the oldest of majors a few times, the result of which you can read in his feature (starting on page 42) as he shares his fondest memories of the championship.…

What a refreshing sight to see a woman gracing the cover of a golf magazine – and not having to wear an evening gown or active wear to do so. Congratulations Golf Australia on not only that achievement but also publishing some wonderful stories on women’s golf, in particular the article on female course designers, which was very interesting. Keep it up! We’re on Facebook. Like us and get news updates and the chance to win prizes at www.facebook.com/golfaustralia Follow Golf Australia on Twitter @ GolfAustMag Follow Golf Australia on Instagram @golfaustraliamagazine OUR ‘LETTER OF THE MONTH’ WINNER RECEIVES A DOZEN CALLAWAY E•R•C SOFT BALLS.…

I won’t be at Royal St. George’s for the Open Championship this year, but the Kent links on the shore of the English Channel is a course that brings to mind a mixture of memories for me. My first visit was in 1993, during a trip to England with my father (who was born there). We visited my grandmother, played a bit of golf and, for two memorable days, took in the final 36-holes of the Open at St. George’s. Talk about lucky. My 16-year old self was there to see Greg Norman win his second Claret Jug. The climax was unbelievable. It seemed like everyone in contention played well, none more so than the Shark. Greg’s closing 64 wasn’t the best score on the final day – Payne Stewart…

As a player, Tom Watson was heavily influenced by the swings of both Jack Nicklaus and Byron Nelson. Watson had a very compact golf swing but he swung slightly above the perfect plane. If you are fit and strong enough to swing the club in this manner, you are able to make the swing like a ferris wheel. Watson’s famous high-hands finish was the result of this above-plane action. However, a golf swing of this nature calls for constant knee flex. Jack Nicklaus’ swing also lived above the ideal plane but because he preferred to hit a slight fade, his leg action was not as dynamic. Watson’s leg action was better because his spine angle remained constant and his right knee retained its full flex throughout the swing. You can…

There was plenty of discussion around the US PGA Championship about Phil Mickelson’s timeless swing that has changed very little over three decades. Perhaps the only thing that has changed, with the evolution in equipment, is his significant increase in clubhead speed. But the one aspect of Mickelson’s game that has not changed throughout his career – despite tinkering with several grip-styles – is the forward press to start his putting stroke. By pushing his hands a few centimetres toward the target before making his takeaway, it becomes easier to stroke the putter back into impact with his hands slightly ahead of the ball, which helps roll the ball smoothly. The forward press also lets Phil keep his hands moving toward the target during the forward stroke. A lot of…

One of the best tests you can do, regardless of your technical style or approach, is challenging your ability to start the ball on line. If you can’t start the ball on your intended start line, you run the risk of losing consistency and being forced to make compensations with your green reading or speed. This gate drill is my go-to for helping to develop an accurate start line, and is used by all the players I work with on Tour, including Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and Henrik Stenson. To set it up, you can buy a ready-made device or create your own gate using tees or any straight-edge object lying about the house – for our drill I’ve used two hand sanitiser bottles. Challenge yourself to hit 10 putts…

Improving your ability to read greens can take you to levels of performance your stroke alone cannot. I see a lot of amateurs who under-read putts and if you fall into this category, practising with a gate will not only highlight your ability to start the ball on line, but also determine the accuracy of your predicted read. HOW IT WORKS Pick a hole and visualise the path the ball is going to take in order for it to go in. Working your way back, place a gate or two tee pegs 5cm apart, 14 inches from the ball, along your start line. This will give you a one degree margin of error and provide immediate feedback on your predicted read. THE IMPORTANCE OF SPEED ON BREAKING PUTTS 1. As…

MODELS PLAYED: Callaway Epic Speed 3-wood, 5-wood and 7-wood, all fitted with Mitsubishi Chemical MMT shafts. FIRST IMPRESSIONS: SIONS: These are some very nice-looking fairway woods to my eye. A fairly compact shape sits really well behind the ball and the face shape, as well as scoring lines, have a classic Callaway look. The sole is also nice and simple with some standard Epic green. Off the face they are absolutely great. A solid and powerful feel is complimented by a strong, boring trajectory. HOW THEY PERFORMED: Testing these fairway woods was an intriguing prospect, in part for the general performance but also the ability to test out a 7-wood after discussions with Callaway about the loft’s popularity on Tour. From a performance standpoint all three could not be faulted. The ball…

MAGNOLIA LANE APARTMENTS Located just 30 metres from the 1st tee of the Twin Waters course, the Magnolia Lane luxury apartments is a good base to explore all the courses of the Sunshine Coast. The spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, offer stunning views over Twin Waters. They all boast large balcony areas or terraces, master bedrooms with en-suite, spacious living areas, fully-equipped kitchen, satellite TV, air conditioning and WiFi available. There is also lift access to all apartments. Stay and play packages start from $310 per person (two nights, one course). Seven nights, with rounds of golf at five courses, start from $980 per person. Rounds of golf can be booked for Twin Waters, Noosa Springs, Pelican Waters, Mt Coolum, Maroochy River, Palmer Coolum, Headland and Noosa Golf Clubs.…

I have been moved to write to you on the back of recent developments on the Tours regarding slow play. I was losing hope that this scourge on the game at the top end of town was going to be left unchecked forever and we would soon see seven-hour rounds. Then, in the space of only a few weeks, we see two players penalised for slow play. The first one at the PGA Championship came right out of the blue. I can’t recall the last time a player was assessed a penalty for slow play in a major (Ed. It was Chinese teenager Guan Tianlang at the Masters in 2013) and then first round, John Catlin cops a one-stroke penalty. Hooray! I bet that sent a message to the rest…

The old adage that you drive for show but putt for dough has lost significant credence since Dr. Mark Broadie’s overhaul of the PGA Tour’s performance statistics revealed power driving to be the No.1 contributing factor to low scoring. In simple terms, Broadie’s research showed that at Tour level, contrary to what you might think, it is preferable to be 300-plus yards down the hole in the rough than 270 yards down the middle of the fairway. Need convincing? Examine American Brooks Koepka’s stats up to the 2019 WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational. The four-time major winner ranked 13th in driving distance at 308 yards yet 93rd in driving accuracy, hitting only 62 percent of fairways with his tee shots. Surely, those wayward drives would cost Koepka big time? Not so.…

The 2019 Open Champion is clearly very solid in all areas of the game but the Irishman is renowned for his artistry and shotmaking repertoire around the green. We quizzed him about his technique and his approach to the short game. How important is it to visualise a shot and pick a landing area? “It’s important to visualise, for sure, but I tend not to pick a specific spot for landing the ball. If I have a shot over a bunker, I’ll visualise the ball going over the sand softly rather than at a normal pace. Another important tip is never to see a mistake. I always see the ball floating safely over the sand.” What is your view on the role of the hands in chipping? Some players advocate that…

PETER LONARD FEBRUARY 1998 “The best way to be consistent is to maintain a good spine angle and that means stand taller to the ball, don’t crouch over it. Bend from the hips keeping your back straight.” ADAM SCOTT JULY 2008 “When I start my backswing, I focus on taking the club away by turning my shoulders while keeping my hips still. Feel like you’re turning into the inside of your right leg” DUSTIN JOHNSON SEPTEMBER 2016 “The majority of amateurs hit down on the driver and up on the irons. That should be reversed. One of the easiest ways to increase power and accuracy is to shallow out your angle of attack.”…

A lot of amateurs struggle to start the ball on line because they have a perceptual bias. By that I mean their perception of what appears straight is skewed, and as a result they feel more comfortable by aiming incorrectly. To find out if you have a perceptual bias, find a straight 10ft putt and use a piece of string or a ruler to draw a straight line from the ball to the middle of the hole. As you take your normal address, focus on your target line and ask yourself the question: Does my line look straight? If the line looks left or right of the hole, that’s a clear indicator that you have a perceptual bias which is affecting your alignment. To correct this, try varying your distance…

Speed control in putting is like driving a car. You need to know when to hit the accelerator and when to apply the brakes. This drill trains your adaptability and because you are never hitting the same putt twice, it replicates what happens on the course. Find a sloping portion of the green and pick two different targets: One at the top of the slope and one at the bottom of the slope. Stick tees or plastic ball markers in the ground 5ft, 10ft and 15ft from each hole [as shown], and then alternate between putting up and down the slope by hitting one putt from each station. Each time, set yourself a target of how far past the hole you want the ball to finish. For example, it might…

YOUR GUIDE TO FINDING THE BEST FLATSTICK Putters are an exceptionally personal piece of golf equipment. Yes, there are long held ideas and suggestions as to what putter head or neck style might suit a certain stroke, but personal preference plays a major role on picking a putter, and more importantly putting well. Given these factors, there is a swathe of models, brands, face materials and more to choose from. And here are some of the latest and greatest options from all the biggest names on the market to help you roll the rock. – Jimmy Emanuel. CLEVELAND FRONTLINE Weight placement and centre of gravity (CG) are a constant talking point in new equipment. The concept of shifting discretionary weight low and deep in a driver a common one to…

Golf in the winter months can be a challenge. Courses play differently, the ball doesn’t travel as far, but chief among the issues is wearing enough clothes to stay warm without hindering the motion of a golf swing. Enter the adidas Frostguard range for men and women, which not only keeps you warm but owns a style that transcends the course. The women’s Frostguard Full Zip Jacket keeps you warm with lightweight down insulation, while stretchy fabric on the sleeves lets you swing and flex without restriction. The perfect layering piece for colder months and early mornings, the Full Zip Vest is lightweight, warm and allows plenty of movement, with bonded seams keeping out the elements. In the men’s range the Full Zip Padded Vest warms your core though down…

Coffs Harbour Golf Club has commissioned Craig Parry to complete a 27-hole masterplan for the course. The NSW North Coast club – which had its Lake Course ranked at No.89 in Golf Australia magazine’s Top-100 Public Access Courses in the country earlier this year – is taking a decade long approach to major upgrades. Parry recently spent time touring the course with course superintendent Justin Sheehan, taking photographs and notes, while pointing out areas of interest. “What we’ve done is sort of just cosmetic stuff. We’ve put paths in, we’ve changed our fairways over to couch and we’ve put an irrigation system in,” Sheehan said. “So, we’ve got the nuts and bolts there but we just need that next step and I think Craig can do that for us. “Just…

Now more than ever, visitors to the Sunshine Coast can also add golf onto their to-do list with the Sunshine Coast Golf Group’s Golf Pass. Three of the region’s most renowned courses have teamed up to offer a golfing experience likened to few other, allowing visitors to play Noosa Springs, Peregian and Twin Waters with one handy and easy to manage Golf Pass. Individually, all championship courses are of revered quality, yet when combined in sequence they form an exceptionally captivating challenge that differs greatly to the usual golf holiday. Now, the Golf Pass enables the golfer to choose his or her own sequence and itinerary of bookings, allowing individuals and groups versatility, yet also the ability to savour an experience that truly is unique on all levels. The Golf…

ALICE SPRINGS • NORTHERN TERRITORY Playing desert golf is a unique experience. The origins of the game are forever associated with links golf, with courses laid out against an ocean backdrop. While desert golf – perhaps the last frontier of the game – is played in a harsh arid and, sometimes, unforgiving environment. Yet, both places present an equally beautiful setting to play the game. Considering this great, dry brown land is 35 percent desert (or is considered desert, based on an annual average rainfall of less than 100mm) it is a little surprising there are only two desert courses ranked in this nation’s Top-100 Courses. There is the Graham Marsh-designed Kalgoorlie layout, and then there is Australia’s original desert course at Alice Springs Golf Club–a Peter Thomson and Mike…

For better or worse, Phil Mickelson has always been true to himself. Through the inevitable ups and downs, good bits and the bad that are parts of a career in a game so inherently random, the man who is simultaneously the last amateur to win a PGA Tour event and, now, the oldest-ever to win a major championship, has never changed. He’s not to everyone’s taste, of course. For many, Mickelson’s self-styled brand of “golly gee, mom” patriotism, all cheesy grins and copious thumbs-up, screams phoniness. As does his long-held post-round propensity for signing autographs – every autograph. “All image, no substance,” is the oft-held verdict of others when golf’s greatest-ever left-hander expounds on his love of family, apple pie and everything else on which the American way of life…

Looking the part can be a big boost to achieving success on the golf course. Wearing stylish, perfectly fitting and practical golf apparel can be the difference between feeling good and feeling great. With this in mind, Golf Australia magazine has teamed with Australia’s No.1 golf apparel brand, Sporte Leisure, to provide one lucky club with $12,000 worth of apparel to dress their representative teams for success in 2022. Since commencing operations in 1991, Sporte Leisure has remained committed to being the No.1 supplier of quality and value for money golf apparel, whilst aiming to maintain its influence as a creator of lifestyle inspired product for both men and women. Nominations close on September 16 with the winning club drawn and notified on September 30. For full terms and conditions,…

No one ever forgets their first time. Or, in my case, the 35 occasions since. Just over half a century has passed since a wee boy closing in on his 10th birthday stood expectantly on one of the eight steps in front of golf’s most famous clubhouse, autograph book in hand. His little green volume worked overtime that week and it exists still. Full of signatures, most of them penned by men who competed in the 1970 Open Championship over the Old Course at St. Andrews, it catalogues the beginning of a (so far) 51-year long journey. The original driving force behind my attendance was my late father, also John. Even before I started tagging along, he achieved something of a “Grand Slam” at the Open, having seen Ben Hogan…

Amateurs are notorious for under-reading putts. Sure, they can see the obvious slope, yet they either lack confidence in their green-reading, are unable to roll the ball on their intended line or simply can’t bring themselves to allow for enough break. By gaining a clearer picture of the correct break, you can solve all these problems. Find a putt on the practice green with a significant amount of break – something like 30 centimetres or so on a 10-footer. Now place a couple of tee pegs directly in front of the hole to block the ball’s route into the cup. If you hit putts directly at the tee pegs at the correct pace to go in, you’ll see that the ball will miss on the low side every time. Once…

The best way to guarantee good alignment is to take care of it at the outset of your pre-shot routine. If you were using a rifle, you would swing the barrel around to where you wanted it to aim and your body would follow suit. In golf, if you aim the blade and shaft correctly, a good grip will help the rest of your body to fall into line. Yet many golfers aim their feet and body before they’ve even placed the club behind the ball. If you do this, you’re making life extremely difficult for yourself. STEP 1 Once you have a clear picture of your target line, walk towards the ball with your chest facing the target. Present the blade behind the ball with your right hand. Your…

Green reading is probably the most underappreciated skill you need as a golfer. To learn how to do it effectively, you need to build a repeatable routine to help with your break prediction. This drill is perfect for giving you some structure and is easily transferable from the practice green to the golf course. Start by picking any hole and then walk around that hole on the radius that the ball is located. Using your intuition and the feel of the ground beneath your feet, identify where the straight putt is. This will be where you feel the transition from walking uphill to downhill and vice versa. Once you have found your straight putt, place several balls around the hole in a clock position and pay close attention to the…

The definition of great speed control is your ability to match your intentional speed. When you are constructing a speed drill, I think it’s important to create an intention, such as what speed you want the ball to roll into the hole. I believe the ability to match your intention is a really important skill – and this drill is perfect for developing touch and feel. Starting with a 3ft putt, use a fake hole or any flat-based object as your target and place three plastic ball markers in the ground, at 1ft, 2ft and 3ft beyond the hole. PUTT ONE Aim for the ball to finish in the first zone, no more than 1ft past the hole. PUT TWO Aim for the ball to finish in the second zone, between…

KINGCADDY PLATINUM PRO TRUST THE KING Designed in Australia for local conditions, the Kingcaddy Platinum Pro electric buggy does everything you would hope for and more, all for a reasonable price. Distributed by TRocket Golf and available only via their website, the Platinum Pro is designed to allow golfers to “breeze around your course effortlessly” thanks to its patented all wheel suspension system. The frame’s design has been refined and is now stronger than ever and comes with a three year warranty, and weighs just 9 kgs without a battery and bag. Controlled by a remote that is designed and manufactured in Australia and has a lifetime warranty, the Kingcaddy Platinum Pro features a silent motor system and is powered by a lithium battery. The new dual stem seat system…

Mollymook Golf Club has long been home to one of Australia’s favourite courses, an honour that was recognised last year when it was voted third in Australia’s 50 Favourite Courses for 2020 by readers of this magazine. The picturesque Hilltop Course at Mollymook, found in the Shoalhaven region of NSW, is affectionately known as “The Ultimate Challenge” and is open to the public every day of the week. The layout is set in tranquil bushland – 220 kilometres south of Sydney – however waves from Mollymook Beach can be heard crashing throughout your round. The Hilltop Course has, for the fourth consecutive year, risen in Golf Australia magazine’s Top-100 Public Access Courses and currently sits at No.68 after this year’s ranking was released in January. Complementing the Hilltop Course is…

What is the thing about golf for Todd Woodbridge? It has allowed me to keep competing post my tennis career. What I love about it is that I am competing against myself. It is that similar feeling I had as an athlete that still allows me to go out and get that same intensity that I had but in a much more enjoyable space. Golf has opened more doors to contacts and friendships than what my tennis did. Tennis is a wonderful sport, it gave me everything. But because I was able to meet people and spend time with them on the golf course it is actually given me far more opportunity. I think it is the only sport that does that, where it creates this equality because of the…