Indholdsfortegnelse for Nov 2024 - Issue 426 i Golf Australia

A packed international golf calendar and a lack of coordination between tours are two reasons the Australian Open and Australian PGA Championship have struggled to attract international and Australian players in 2024, according to PGA of Australia chief executive Gavin Kirkman. In an interview with Golf Australia magazine, Kirkman said there should have been better coordination between the Asian Tour, the DP World Tour and the PGA of Australasia Tour around end-of-year scheduling “A good example is this ‘Summer of Golf’. We have never clashed, really, with the Hong Kong Open and Qatar Masters. But they’re sitting right on top of the Australian PGA and the Australian Open this year, and that’s frustrating to me,” Kirkman said. “We respect that players have to make a decision to come home and…

Even in our ever-shrinking world, it is an oddity; one only partly explained by a polarising combination of language differences and distant location. Remote from golf’s traditional heartlands in Europe, the USA and (to a lesser extent) Australasia, the Asian Tour’s exotic and generally unfamiliar names and places have been for long enough – and too long – something of a mystery to the casual fan. Which could have been avoided. It should have been oh-so different. As much as four decades ago, with faults, no doubt, on both sides, some sort of partnership between the Asian Tour and the then-European Tour could and should have happened. But it never did. Had it done so, an almost-global circuit to rival the might of the PGA Tour could have come together. Sadly,…

Intrepid Community Instructor Megan Henry’s coaching stint on Christmas Island and the Cocos Keeling Islands has been hailed as “a complete success” after she introduced golf to a large slice of the population during a recent 10-day visit. Thanks to support from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, and assistance from the Shires of Cocos Keeling and Christmas Island, Megan swapped winter in WA’s Wheatbelt for high temperatures and 100-percent humidity in Australia’s Indian Ocean Territories. Starting with three days on the Cocos Keeling Islands, Megan oversaw MyGolf in Schools sessions for 80 primary school kids and also delivered “Get Into Golf” clinics for adults. She joined the weekly scroungers outing at Cocos Island Golf Club, the only golf course in the world with an active international runway…

It wasn’t a good time to be a golf ball on the 14th tee at Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania this particular moment, as Megan Khang of the United States wound up during the first round of the 2024 Women’s U.S Open. The 26-year-old, who hails from Brockton, Massachusetts has been a member of the LPGA Tour since 2016, beating Korea’s Jin Young Ko in a playoff to clinch her first LPGA win at the CPKC Women’s Open in Vancouver, Canada last year. Khang has collected 40 career top-10s, including three this year. At time of print she sat fifth in drive accuracy on the LPGA Tour with an impressive 81.93 per cent, so us mere mortals would do well to notice how she operates off the tee. “In this…

TaylorMade Golf Company introduces the Kalea Gold women’s line, designed to build on the success of Kalea Premier. Featuring premium components and TaylorMade technologies, Kalea Gold is crafted to help women golfers of all skill levels improve their game. For the first time the line is fully customisable, with individual options for the driver, woods, rescues, irons, putter and bag. It is also available as a 10-piece set with a matching cart bag. Designed by Women, For Women In developing Kalea Gold, TaylorMade gathered feedback from four groups of women golfers, including industry professionals, employees, and Kalea Premier users. The feedback focused on cosmetics and performance, with a preference for elegant colours like white, blue, and gold, and clubs praised for being lightweight, forgiving, and high-performing. This input helped TaylorMade…

CHELTENHAM VICTORIA Melbourne’s incredible Sandbelt is a golfing region like no other anywhere in the world. It is here, in the Victorian capital’s southeastern suburbs, where you will find courses of great critical acclaim and international renown. Leading the way is Royal Melbourne with its East and West Courses, while Victoria Golf Club is across the road. A little further afield you will find Kingston Heath, Metropolitan, Commonwealth and Woodlands … just to name a few. They are all magnificent courses and home to equally impressive private golf clubs. Sharing the neighbourhood with some of these iconic courses is Sandy Golf Links, which underwent a major transformation a handful of years ago and is today one of this country’s greatest examples of how high-quality and interesting, engaging public golf will…

The race is on for Australia’s best young female amateur golfers to earn one of two Karrie Webb Scholarships for 2025 and be granted the huge opportunity to spend a week with the seven-time major champion. The scholarships are awarded based on performance in the KW Series presented by Nippon Shaft, as well as players’ positions on the World Amateur Golf Rankings. This year’s Karrie Webb Scholarship winners were Maddison Hinson-Tolchard (WA) and Caitlin Peirce (SA), who spent a week with the Australian golf legend in the U.S in June, following a tradition which has included the likes of Hannah Green, Minjee Lee, Grace Kim and Gabi Ruffels in previous years. “I am incredibly excited to present the Karrie Webb Scholarships for another year and see who our recipients for…

Cam Smith is a breath of fresh air. In a game filled with egos, attitudes and self-confidence, “Smitty” brings the latter, minus the stuffiness of the first two. He is likeable, agreeable and a hit with golf fans. The 31-year-old comes across to many as just one of the boys – very disarming and relaxed. I am here to tell you he’s the same person behind the scenes. At the LIV DC event last year, Smith took a photo with a fan and then chatted with him for a relaxed couple minutes. No rush, no stress to get anywhere – just a superstar taking some time with an admirer and even joking about Instagram and saying he would give the fan a follow on the app. Not a promise you’ll…

In those halcyon days of the “Tiger Slam” and “In your life!” and all the rest of that manic, happy action when Tiger Woods was subjugating the world of professional golf as no one ever had, not Nicklaus, not Hogan, not the ghost of Bobby Jones, Phil Mickelson was seen as the one human being skilled enough to take it up to the ridiculously talented black kid from the Anaheim “Munis” near Disneyland. Yes, there was Ernie Els and Vijay Singh and the still very-excellent David Duval. Colin Montgomerie and Lee Westwood were competing in, if not winning, major championships, and there were entertaining cameos from Jesper Parnevik, Miguel Angel Jiminez and John Daly between binges. Even our old mate Greg Norman peaked 41st in the 2001 Official World Golf…

Putting on a downslope is as easy as gently tapping away and letting the green do all the work from there … if you’re an expert at reading greens. If you’re not, then this situation can tie you up mentally, especially if you let the post-contact aspects of putting unravel. In this image, Sweden’s Alex Noren is making a long putt attempt on the fifth green during the final round of the Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney in Texas. Anthony Summers, Head Teaching Professional at Ryde-Parramatta GC, golf coach at St Michael’s GC and with Matthew Laverty Corporate Golf, says Noren gets everything right as far as the work off the ball following the putt is concerned. Summers has transitioned into coaching from full-time playing, broadening his…

TaylorMade has introduced the Hi-Toe 4 wedges, designed for enhanced versatility and control in your short game. Building on previous models, the Hi-Toe 4 features Spin Tread RAW face technology for improved spin, particularly in wet conditions and a new range of grinds. Key improvements include a more pronounced toe mass pad for added confidence and full-face grooves on 56°, 58°, and 60° lofts, allowing maximum spin from any contact point on the clubface. The elevated centre of gravity promotes low launch and high spin, making them ideal for all playing conditions. The copper finish, which reduces glare and develops a patina over time, sets the Hi-Toe 4 apart aesthetically. The wedges come in five unique grinds, each catering to different playing styles and conditions: “Hi-Toe wedges are a great…

There is so much to like about the New South Wales Open, even before the addition of Australia’s favourite mullet. However, when Cam Smith confirmed himself as a starter for the ground-breaking November 14-17 championship at Murray Downs, interest naturally surged. In fact, despite its remote location – in terms of elite golf – ticket sales spiked by more than 1000 in a week, still three months out from the tournament. There have been so many bookings that, anecdotally, accommodation is understood to be booked out within a two-hour driving radius of nearby Swan Hill. So while Golf NSW chief operating officer Graeme Phillipson scrambles to find solutions for logistical issues which the venerable championship has not faced in several generations, they’re problems he’s happy to confront. “We were already…

Members of Team USA make their way from the 14th green during Day One of the Solheim Cup at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia. This prestigious biennial competition pits the top women professional golfers from Europe against their American counterparts. This year the U.S won with a score of 15½ to 12½, achieving their first victory since 2017. World No.1 Nelly Korda, who has notched six victories on the LPGA Tour this season, was among the standouts, but was quite happy to play the backseat passenger here. Other notable team members included Lilia Vu, Lauren Coughlin and Lexi Thompson. Team Europe, featuring talents the likes of Celine Boutier and Leona Maguire, fought hard but ultimately fell short.…

EAGLE CLUB MEMBERS GET ALL THIS! • 24 issues of Golf Australia magazine• One dozen Callaway Supersoft golf balls• Golf Australia golf shirt• Choose a DVD - 7 golf titles to choose from• Entry in all chance to win competitions The Callaway Supersoft Golf Ball features Advanced HEX Aerodynamics, optimized for reduced drag, higher flight and longer carry distance. Introducing the ECCO S-THREE, a revolutionary hybrid model designed for game-changing on-course performance and off-course style. Featuring 100 per cent waterproof GORE-TEX technology, your feet will stay dry in any weather. A double layer of neoprene in the collar and heel provides extra padding for additional wearing comfort, while ECCO FLUIDFORM Direct Comfort Technology ensures a perfect balance of cushioning and rebound. The ZONAL FLUIDFORM midsole provides three zones of softness.…

Daniel Gale is a winner, a competitor. He possesses all the traits needed to succeed at the top level. The Fox Hills product won three times during last season’s Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia. He was victorious twice on the PGA Tour of Australasia itself, claiming the Northern Territory PGA championship and Webex Players Series Hunter Valley to go with his win at the hotly contested Sandbelt Invitational. He secured his DP World Tour card for 2025 in the process, allowing him to ply his trade on one of the biggest circuits in the world. Golf Australia magazine spoke to Gale in February when the Aussie tour was nearing its pointy end, and watched him in the flesh at last year’s Australian Open. It wasn’t the well-documented funky swing or…

Just an hour’s drive north of Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast presents an ideal blend of accessibility and charm, making it perfect for a golfing getaway whatever the time of year. Pristine beaches meet subtropical rainforests and dramatic mountains, with historic villages dotting the landscape. A great way to start your day is with a round of golf by the ocean, before unwinding in the lush hinterland, just 45 minutes away, then finishing with a paddock-to-plate or trawler-to-table fancy feed dining experience. Sure, explore the region’s treasure trove of attractions and activities, from unique wildlife encounters and captivating hedge mazes to exclusive tours, but always remember, the Sunshine Coast is a golfer’s paradise amid a destination brimming with all kinds of different experiences. PACIFIC HARBOUR G&CC Close to Brisbane on Bribie Island,…

Greg Norman squinted out through those famous, blue, bull-shooter’s eyes and surveyed the great Cheetham Salt Flats. Mat Goggin first spying the verdant pine forest and sand dunes of 7 Mile Beach this was not. The salty flatlands looked like wasteland. It looked like nothing. And surely nothing good could from it. Yet while most of us, maybe even Goggin, would see a great, flat mass of tundra, of salty decay, of derelict buildings and rusting machinery, Norman saw possibility. Norman saw canals, lakes, a housing estate and a championship golf course. Norman saw people’s dreams. Norman has always sold dreams. One of the man’s themes for winning life is people travelling to stately homes in golf carts and wearing pastel polo shirts with a little horse on them. It…

Garmin Australasia has unveiled its latest innovation for golfers – the Approach Z30 smart laser range finder. Seamlessly integrating with Garmin’s renowned golf ecosystem, the Z30 is designed to take your game to new heights with precision, speed and advanced connectivity. Next-Level Connectivity for the Modern Golfer The Approach Z30 isn’t just a standard range finder. Its standout feature, Range Relay, allows golfers to send ranged distances directly to a compatible Garmin smartwatch or the Garmin Golf™ app. With just a few taps, players can lock in a target and view the distance and laser range arc on their paired Garmin device, providing a complete picture of the hole and surrounding play area. Designed for golfers who crave real-time, precise information, the Z30 delivers fast and accurate readings of up…