Indholdsfortegnelse for June 2020 i Golf Monthly

Most golfers know how important it is to get the fundamentals right at address, but it can often prove quite hard to self-diagnose and adjust when things go wrong. This is where the Prak-tis range of training aids comes in unbelievably handy, covering not just the long game but also the short game and putting. ● NAIL THE FUNDAMENTALS Alignment and set-up are absolutely fundamental to any player’s game, and if things are wrong before you start your swing, it becomes much harder to play with any real consistency, often requiring compensatory movements to get things back on track. The Prak-tis alignment rules, made from recyclable polypropylene, are designed to slide so you can adjust them to the ideal stance with each club. They show you the correct distance to…

The new SIM Max rescue has found its way into the bag of Rory McIlroy and others this year, and with good reason. It features a V-shaped sole plate that has been engineered to reduce friction through the ball and allow golfers to play with confidence from all sorts of lies. The design means golfers are getting the versatility and workability of a compact head, plus the playability and forgiveness of TaylorMade’s corrective technologies like Twist Face. With five lofts ranging from 19˚ through to 31˚, golfers can take their hybrid line-up all the way through to the mid-irons if they wish.…

Trident Align is the world’s first fully adjustable ball marker. You’re probably wondering why this has been invented and what is wrong with a good, old fashioned coin? Firstly, it allows golfers to begin fine-tuning the aim of their putt even when the ball is not in place on the ground. Then, when coupled with the trident-shaped markings on the ball, golfers can match up the aim of their ball to the predetermined aim point, as set in place by the Trident Align marker. ● SKY’S THE LIMIT For a golfer using a line on their ball to putt, the line sitting at 90° (so pointing directly up to the sky) is critical. If the line is tilted or rotated in either direction, it affects how and where the golfer…

The HydroFlex follows consultations between the brand and golfers to find out exactly which features are the most important in any bag purchasing decision. Looks, ample pocket space, weather-resistant materials and reduced weight were among your key desires. The result is a stylish stand bag in three colours that not only boasts a quick-release, four-point fully adjustable strap for ease of carrying, but also the Easilock base system for those days when you’d rather let your Motocaddy trolley take the strain. ● PACKED WITH FEATURES In meeting the golfing public’s other key requirements, the HydroFlex weighs in at a mere 2.2kg, has five spacious pockets to fill and has been crafted from a waterproof TPU-coated nylon fabric with welded seams. There are also all the little extras we’ve come to…

Puma continues to deliver golfing fashion items that push the style of our sport forward while incorporating the latest innovations. Cloudspun is an ultra-soft, four-way stretch, moisture wicking fabric. Although it’s constructed from a blend of polyester and elastane, the feel is very much like cotton. The moisture-wicking properties will help keep you cool when the mercury rises. It features a subtle diagonal-stripe pattern and is available in seven attractive colour options. Looking and feeling good on the course breeds confidence and this polo shirt has style in abundance.…

The excellent Big Max Ti Lite is the lightest Ti model the brand has ever created. We’ve had a few rounds with it now and at times it barely feels like it is you who is actually propelling it, but it is also noticeably robust. It folds away simply and quickly, and the quick-release rear wheels can be instantly detached when it’s time to pack things away or give them a good clean. The front wheel can be collapsed, too, for even more compact storage. There’s a deluxe organiser panel for all your bits and bobs and the handle height can be easily adjusted to suit.…

Sustainability is a topical subject and something golfers are increasingly considering across all aspects of the game. Ocean Tee’s bamboo tees have the look of a plain-coloured wooden tee and are easily pushed into even the firmest ground, but they’re far less prone to snapping. The tees are packaged in recyclable matchbox-style units made from FSC-certified card, the printing inks are non-toxic and no plastic is used at any stage of the manufacturing process. Strong and durable, they are well worthy of a little financial support. We can all try and do our bit.…

When you hear the name Yonex, you might immediately think of graphite shafts. While it’s true the brand excels in this area, its talents also spread much wider into metalwood design and specifically the new Ezone GS driver. The GS stands for Graphite Speed and the goal was to create an adjustable, playable driver with an emphasis on superior speed. The driver features a high-tensile, Honeycomb Structure graphite crown that allows for more flex at the top of the face. A second-generation Power Groove sole has been added to the sole of the driver to allow maximum repulsion from low on the clubface. This combination enlarges the sweetspot for optimum ball speeds across all areas of the face. ● FAIRWAY FINDING With ball speed taken care off, Yonex then needed…

in association with Chester and North Wales Golf Academy is the place to be on a Monday night. Scott Booth, the proprietor and PGA pro, holds a ‘tips’ evening for all abilities. I’ve been bowled over by the service he’s providing. I just buy a basket of balls and Scott is on hand to give me tips on how to improve my technique. I’ve noticed golfers asking advice on new equipment, requesting re-grips or, as in my own case, booking extra lessons, all of which is good for business. Customer service is everything! I’d like to thank him and his wife, Alison, who provides free coffee, for the service they’re offering. Ken Edgar, via email Editor’s reply: Thanks Ken. When the current crisis is over, it will be more vital…

1 With long par 4s, it’s no bad idea to think of them as short par 5s. If you hit a good drive and find the fairway, you have a chance to go for the green, but if not, don’t worry – a sensible lay up should put you in position for a bogey. This is a good outcome for the vast majority on par 4s that are 450 yards plus. 2 You have a decision to make off the tee. The best option is to hit a draw that skirts the pond – the tree in the distance provides a good start line. If you’re a big hitter, you could consider carrying the pond, but there’s not much margin for error on that line. Laying up with an iron…

FootJoy has launched its new Spring/Summer apparel line and extended its spikeless shoe offering for the 2020 season. Incorporating brand new floral and ‘flock of birds’ prints, there are four new colour collections in the men’s clothing range and two new colour collections in the women’s Golf Leisure range to complement the Essentials lines. The collections feature the latest in performance fabrics and fits to ensure the golfer remains comfortable in a range of weather conditions and unrestricted throughout the swing, while catering for every visual taste. The Spirit collection, infused will pale pink morphing into more intense shades, is designed for the golfer who wants to make a statement on the course. It also includes soft grey tinted with blue, notably in the Birdseye Argyle Print polo (£55). The…

Hello everyone, and I hope you’re doing as well as can be expected in lockdown. It’s certainly a strange time, but just think about how good that first round of golf back is going to be, and how great your first pint in the pub will taste! I’m in Ascot at the moment and the other day I was going for my allocated walk when a car pulled up next to me. It was Oliver Fisher. I asked him what he was doing and he said he was on the way back from mowing his father-in-law’s lawn. I asked if he’d been able to practise and he said no, not one bit, so I said, “Fair enough, you’ve got to make some money somehow!” It was a funny exchange, but…

Shot on location at La Cala Resort 1 Hooks usually stem from swinging too much from the inside and/or the clubface being closed relative to target at impact. The drill shown here helps to ensure that your swing path is good, with the sticks encouraging alignment at address to be square to the target line. The two other balls creating a staggered gate three inches either side of the one I have hit are designed to ensure my swing path isn’t coming into the ball too much from the inside. 2 If your set-up is closed and aligned right of target, your swing will be too much from the inside and you will most likely knock the rear ball off on your takeaway (photo below). You may catch the far…

1 Beating a slice A lot of handicap golfers come over the top and across it and hold the face off. If you let the club drop underneath you and ensure the path through the ball goes to the right, rather than pulling across and hitting down at it, that can help. 2 Reading greens I use a bit of AimPoint. Sometimes when you look from one side of the hole it looks right-to-left, and from the other left-to-right. It can trick your eye, so I tend to use my feet to feel it, and I don’t think that tricks me too much then. 3 Match play I always try to imagine my opponent getting out of trouble, never believing they’re going to keep messing up. That keeps me concentrated.…

The R&A and USGA recently released a report concluding that increased hitting distance is bad for the game. This is really only an issue at tour-pro level – from what I’ve read, the driving distance of golfers at amateur level has plateaued somewhat. Part of the reason people go and watch the world’s best players is because of how far and straight they hit the ball. A big part of their talent is their ability to do it, and any rolling back of the club and/or ball technology won’t reduce the advantage they have over the field. Admittedly, more players are seeing the advantages statistically of hitting it further and therefore focusing much of their time on explosive gym sessions and speed training. Many existing tour venues, Augusta National to…

Argurably one of the most complex driver designs produced to date, the Mavrik Sub Zero benefits from the next generation of Callaway’s Flash Face designed by a powerful super computer. Artificial intelligence has not only been used to tune the acoustics but also produce a different face design for each loft, increasing efficiency. The complexity of each face design demanded a stronger material to stand up to the stress of impact, so Callaway used FS2S titanium – an exotic material that is remarkably strong and light. ● FAST AND FORGIVING The Sub Zero is the smallest of the three Mavrik drivers at 450cc and, as a result, we squeezed out extra clubhead speed and distance from it. The loft adjustability and interchangeable 14g and 2g sole weights mean you can…

Mizuno has made a strong return to the metalwood market with its ST200 range, and the adjustable TS fairway should not be overlooked when considering the best available this year. Featuring a new multi-thickness maraging steel face for increased initial ball speeds, it combines low spin and heightened forgiveness for minimal distance loss from off-centre strikes. At address, the modified ‘Tour Ready’ profile means it looks like a players’ club but has the forgiveness of a club built for an amateur. It has proven to be effective from the tee, but will also be a versatile option from more challenging positions elsewhere on the course. ● MAX DISTANCE The MAS1C maraging face features a multi-thickness design which is said to maximise efficiency in energy transfer – taking the most from…

Mizuno’s drivers may have lacked the tour presence of other brands, but the new ST200G could change all that. The weight savings from Mizuno’s compacted Wave Sole and variable-thickness graphite crown allow for two 7g sole weights mounted on longer tracks to adjust spin and launch. This is a great-looking driver and it performs. With the ability to optimise spin, launch and flight, we could maximise distance and accuracy. Even though the G version is a little more expensive than the other two models, if you try it we think you’ll see the value for money on offer.…

The SX400 boasts nearly all the features of its bigger brother, the SX500, other than the 13-mega pixel camera and the five-inch HD touchscreen (the SX400’s is an inch smaller). Among the most useful features are the Pin Position option that provides distances to the day’s flag and Dynamic HoleVue, which automatically gives you yardages to every hazard, carry and lay-up point on a hole. The sheer volume of courses that come preloaded and ready to play is what really impresses – over 35,000, with features and distances all verified on the ground, not just by satellite. Easy to use, water-resistant and feature-packed, the SX400 is one of the very best handheld GPS devices around.…

TaylorMade’s P790 is a hollow compact distance model that looks more like a blade than a game-improvement iron, but there is a Speed Pocket to provide greater forgiveness and consistency. Internal tungsten weighting and TaylorMade’s Inverted Cone face also assist on the forgiveness front. ● MARGINAL GAINS Gains over the previous version were small, but sometimes that is all a golfer is looking for. At address, the new model’s topline does appear just a fraction thinner, which may tempt better players a little more. It was also a little faster than the old model with lower spin, which added an extra handful of yards to the carry distance. As we say, small performance gains, but we feel the improved impact sound will make this great-looking iron more appealing to a…

In 2020, we are seeing the emergence of more affordable lasers, like the Volvik V1, which comes in three colour options. It costs just £199, but doesn’t skimp on useful features and modes to help golfers lock in on the flag or other objects to get the distance they desire. The V1 is lightweight, compact and easy to use and distances display quickly and clearly. For those who want the extra accuracy of a laser but don’t want to spend a small fortune, give the Volvik V1 a try.…

This ball promises tour-calibre performance in a softer package and at a lower price than Srixon’s premium Z-Star models. It has several clever design features that enhance its all-round performance, such as an improved FastLayer core and Srixon’s SeRM compound on the outer coating of the ball, which helps generate more backspin. In testing, we’ve been suitably impressed with the performance. We loved the way this ball played both off the tee and particularly around the greens and we enjoyed the handy alignment stamp on one side to help line up putts.…

All modern-day wedges offer high levels of spin, but this doesn’t always translate into hitting shots closer to the hole. But in the case of the SM8, Bob Vokey and his team have updated the design to do exactly that. Via longer hosels and tungsten toe weighting, Titleist claims to have shifted the centre of gravity so dramatically that it actually encourages the clubface to return to impact in a squarer position. Provided you’ve implemented the correct length of swing and achieved a half-decent strike, this should mean that your dispersion around the hole will tighten, leaving you with a more makeable putt. The looks have improved too, with a beautiful muscleback design featuring across the entire loft range. ● FIT FOR PURPOSE As always, choice is a big factor…

Rickie Fowler joined the TaylorMade staff as a ball player last year and has been working ever since to come up with the latest Pix alignment concept. The system is called ClearPath, which comprises 12 pixelated, triangle shaped graphics that are strategically placed to provide immediate feedback as to how the ball is rolling. The visual effect you get when you roll the ball on line with the TP5 Pix is compelling and enlightening. So if you’re struggling on the greens, perhaps a switch could turn your fortunes around.…

DRIVERS Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo Cobra King Speedzone Mizuno ST200G Ping G410 Plus TaylorMade SIM Titleist TS1 Yonex Ezone GS FAIRWAYS Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero Cobra King Speedzone Mizuno ST200 TS TaylorMade SIM HYBRIDS/UTILITIES Cobra King Speedzone hybrid Ping G410 hybrid TaylorMade SIM Max hybrid Titleist TS2 hybrid Titleist U500/U510 utilities Wilson Staff Model utility IRONS Cobra King Speedzone One Length Honma XP-1 Mizuno MP-20 MB Ping G710 PXG Gen3 0311 P TaylorMade P790 Titleist T100 Titleist T400 Wilson Staff Launch Pad Yonex Ezone CB 701 BALLS Callaway Chrome Soft Triple Track Srixon Q-Star Tour TaylorMade TP5 Pix TaylorMade Tour Response Titleist Pro V1 WEDGES Callaway Jaws Mack Daddy 5 Cleveland CBX 2 Titleist Vokey SM8 PUTTERS Evnroll ER10 Outback Odyssey Stroke Lab Triple Track Ten…

It’s 9pm on Wednesday April 8. Like a lot of Golf Monthly readers, I should be settled on the sofa watching the traditional pre-Masters Par 3 Contest. A little light entertainment before the main event starts tomorrow. It’s golf’s equivalent of Christmas Eve. But as I type, there is, of course, no Par 3 Contest, no Masters Tournament, no professional golf across the world’s tours and, I suspect most disappointingly for us all, no club golf to be played. No medals, stablefords, swindles, early rounds of summer knockouts, regular fourballs or, now the evenings are getting longer, a quick nine after work. The coronavirus crisis is affecting every aspect of our lives, including the game we all hold so dear, and the enforced absence we are having to endure is,…

The powers that be are adamant the Ryder Cup will go ahead in September as planned, but if this is the case, how will the teams be selected? Padraig Harrington has come out in favour of a complete line-up of captain’s picks, but is this fair on the players who have shown some early season form? As it stands, the European team would include rookies Victor Perez and Bernd Wiesberger, while Gary Woodland and Xander Schauffele would debut for the US. All the other names would be the usual suspects, with the captain’s picks to come. But with the schedule until September so uncertain, you could see the majority of the teams picked six months before the event takes place. Photography: Getty Images Harrington’s alternative idea would add another level…

Photography: Kevin Murray COURSE MANAGEMENT The purpose of this challenge is to teach you to be more accurate and play a little more smartly. Rather than smashing driver everywhere, you might choose an iron or hybrid. It teaches you course management, encourages better strategy and shows you where your weaknesses lie. PLAY YOUR WORSE BALL The idea of this exercise is to sharpen your game by playing two balls off the tee over three holes on par 4s and par 5s, picking the worse of those two balls and then playing both balls from there until you get up around the green. See how well you can score when you sometimes have to play from undesirable spots! GETTING CREATIVE Another advantage is that you will sometimes find yourself playing shots…

Well, it’s been an interesting time over the last month, as I’m sure it has been for you too! As I mentioned in my last column, I flew to Dubai after the Qatar Masters and was going to do a week’s worth of practice before flying off to the Indian Open. That was cancelled, and then while I was in Dubai the UK went in to lockdown, as did Dubai, so I had some decisions to make. My girlfriend was out in Dubai with me initially and her two kids came out to join us. But the issue with staying in Dubai was the fact we were on the 27th floor in an apartment with no balcony. The authorities out here have been brilliant, but you have to have a…

1 Annika Sorenstam Sorenstam is arguably the greatest female golfer in history. She won 72 tournaments on the LPGA Tour, including ten Majors, and 90 events worldwide, despite retiring at the age of 38. She tops the LPGA Tour career money list despite playing 149 fewer events than her closest rival and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2003. She played in eight Solheim Cups and won the LPGA Tour Player of the Year accolade on eight occasions. Sorenstam also competed in the PGA Tour’s Colonial tournament in 2003, becoming the first woman to play in a male event since 1945. 2 Robert Karlsson The tall Swede, who now plies his trade on the Champions Tour, was European number one in 2008. Between 1995 and 2010, he…

Shot on location at La Cala Resort, Spain 1 The perfect ball position is forward of centre, but not as far forward as with the driver. I don’t want to be hitting up on the ball, or too much down. I like to strike the ball with a more neutral angle of attack, where contact comes at the base of the swing. 2 With the ball too far back in the stance and the hands too far forward, I’m promoting a downward angle of attack. This will mean I am going to lose loft. It’s extremely difficult to flight the ball with this set-up. 3 Lots of amateurs hang back as it’s in their heads that they need to help the ball up. From here, you’re more likely to hit…

1 Dunne has an athletic-looking address position. The feet are nicely splayed and his head and sternum are just behind the ball, which is great for a driver. He appears to have a well-balanced and comfortable stance from which to start the backswing. 2 At this stage, his hands appear to have moved away from the body a fraction. This may be a problem for less-skilled players, because when a bit of connection is lost, it can cause them to whip it inside. However, Dunne continues with a fairly upright backswing. 3 The shoulder turn is quite flat and there’s not as much hip turn as you see with some players, although the width he creates will lead to a lot of power. His pattern of movement is slightly more…

GM Verdict As if the T300 iron wasn’t long enough, now golfers can achieve even more distance from the Titleist T-Series with the T400. It’s a cross between an iron and a hybrid and at 26°, it has one of, if not the, strongest 7-iron lofts on the market. However, the design is such that it still produces a playable ball flight with exceptional forgiveness, both on off-centre strikes and through the ground at impact too. Testing on the Foresight Sports GCQuad launch monitor, the T400 7-iron produced fast ball speeds close to 130mph, with carries around 190 yards on average. As you would expect, the spin sat comfortably under 5,000rpm, with a peak height of 34 yards, which is actually where we see many traditionally lofted 7-irons peaking at.…

GM Verdict Yonex might be a brand best known for its graphite shafts, but its talents spread much wider into metalwood design and specifically the new Ezone GS driver. It’s an affordable, playable and adjustable driver that ticks the boxes many golfers look for despite Yonex not being a household name. It has interchangeable 2g and 8g weights on the sole, with one port located in the heel that enables golfers to increase the draw bias on offer. The hosel is also adjustable for loft and face angle to help tighten start lines and optimise launch. We tested a 9° model with the heavier weight at the rear in the striking yellow Rexis Kaiza-H shaft produced in-house by Yonex. This driver feels incredibly solid from a wide area and this…

Remember how grim the weather was last winter? It seemed like the rain would never stop falling. If your course was lucky enough to stay open for at least some of the off-season, you will have needed to equip yourself with a decent waterproof jacket to combat the inevitable downpours. Galvin Green’s waterproofs are some of the best in the business and the new Apollo might just be the most cutting-edge the Swedish brand has produced to date. ● WELCOME ADDITIONS One key new feature for 2020 is that of front pockets. It might seem trivial, but front pockets add a surprising level of convenience during a round – when they’re not there, you certainly miss them! They are soft inside and stay close to your torso when not in…

We’re unquestionably seeing a shift towards golf apparel that can be worn on and off the course. It is that versatility where golfers see the extra value in their investment, especially when you consider the rising prices of golf clothing. Fitting that crossover style perfectly is the Adidas Sport Primeknit sweater. It’s made of stretchy, ventilated Primeknit material for premium comfort, while ribbing on the cuffs and hem delivers a tailored fit. ● PERFORMANCE FOCUS The woollen effect at the top of the chest and arms creates a more traditional look and feel, but performance remains at the heart of this mid-layer. It will keep you warm on those cool mornings without letting you overheat, while the stretchy characteristics of the material ensure it moves with you as you swing…

Galvin Green’s Insula technology features tiny air chambers built into the fabric to help retain body heat and keep you warm. The half-zip Dixon is a new lighter version that still manages to provide excellent thermal protection without feeling bulky or restrictive. It’s extremely soft and stretchy to ensure comfort and a snug fit and allow freedom of movement through the swing. Available in four colour options, it is an impressive garment that will enhance any golfer’s wardrobe.…

This is Ping’s first ever driver with moveable weight. It comes in the form of a 16-gram tungsten weight that can be relocated at the back of the clubhead to deliver up to ten yards of draw or fade bias without sacrificing forgiveness. The 455cc driver features a forged, heat-treated face that is precision machined to make it faster over a wider area. This definitely has an effect and means the driver is more consistently forgiving on off-centre strikes while still being one of the fastest on the market. With great looks, impressive distance and enhanced adjustability, it should help a range of players hit better tee shots.…

The main emphasis with Ping’s G410 hybrid was to deliver greater forgiveness and playability over the G400, and Ping has achieved this in a number of ways. Firstly, the head size has been made bigger, generating 6.5 per cent higher MOI to make the head more stable at impact. The tungsten back weight has been set deeper in the head, taking extreme perimeter weighting a step further to add even more forgiveness. And finally, the thinner maraging steel face is hotter and also textured to help reduce spin. ● ALL-NEW ADJUSTABILITY The G410 is Ping’s first ever adjustable hybrid, coming courtesy of an ingenious lightweight hosel sleeve. We like how you have the scope to not only vary trajectory, spin and loft through its adjustability, but also the lie angle…

While many view the golf glove as an accessory, FootJoy believes it is an important part of your kit that helps you play your best. After all, it is what connects the club to your hands, so perhaps we should all pay a little more attention to the glove we use. The StaSof is the number-one glove on tour because of its excellent grip, moisture management and long-lasting softness. There’s nothing like that feeling of sliding on a new glove, especially one that feels as good as the StaSof.…

The German brand’s unique, hand-built powered trolleys combine clever engineering with useful features and reliability. This titanium-framed trolley has a minimal, unfussy frame with the motor housed within the slimline axle. It breaks down into a number of small pieces, so golfers are able to take it abroad inside their travel bag and store it easily in the smallest of spaces. Along with a host of other features, it adds a new level of style and sophistication to your round, while not skimping on the key functionality.…

Welcome once again to Golf Monthly’s Editor’s Choice, a round-up of the very best golf products on the market. This is the third edition of our coveted awards and we think it has been a hat-trick of successes. We’re writing this welcome letter to you in turbulent times, with golf courses currently not open for business because of the coronavirus outbreak. While the health and safety of everyone is rightly the top priority, it is sad that many of the products we’ve selected will go untested for so long, such is the potential joy they could bring to golfers of all abilities. We’ve again chosen 100 products, which was tricky given the vast array of innovation that has been unveiled in recent months. Performance, as always, was a key consideration,…

When it comes to iron play, one of the most frequent faults is that amateurs tend to hit up on the ball, rather than down on it to compress it properly. To strike the ball consistently well, your hands need to stay ahead of the clubhead at impact rather than vice versa, and it is this move that the DST Compressor clubs, with their bent shafts, seek to train. DST stands for Delayed Strike Technology, and the clubs – either a wedge or an 8-iron – are designed to help golfers feel the correct position of the hands and the club’s handle at impact, with the curve of the shaft setting things in the desired impact position from the outset. It’s a simple but ingenious training aid that could be…

The PowaKaddy CT6 GPS is one of the very best compact-folding trolleys on the market this year, partly because of just how small it is when folded down. The new option to invert the wheels means it will take up 20 per cent less space than previous models, a huge benefit if you’re packing the car or storing in the garage. It features a ‘simple 2-fold’ frame and integrated GPS, displaying distances on a 2.8” full -colour widescreen display. It’s clear, easy to use and there are no annual fees. Factor in the more powerful and easy-to-use Plug 'N' Play lithium battery and it is ideal for golfers who want features but are short on space in the car or at home.…

TaylorMade has been at the forefront of developing driver technology for over four decades and it continues to produce equipment delivering exceptional performance. The SIM driver is the latest from TaylorMade, replacing and improving on the highly impressive M5 driver. Put straight into use by many top tour players this season, the SIM has quickly proven itself to be one of the longest and most consistent drivers on the market in 2020. SIM stands for Shape In Motion and this comes from the asymmetric sole design, which is said to reduce aerodynamic drag in the last three feet of the downswing, maximising clubhead speed where it is needed most – just before impact. A low centre of gravity optimises launch and increases forgiveness. ● SPEED MACHINE In testing, we found…

The only way is up This year had been hideous from the outset with the rain rendering most courses unplayable, then, just as the weather changed, Covid-19 shut the courses and changed our lives forever. I always look for a silver lining, though, and the golfing community really seems to have united as a family. I have thoroughly enjoyed the top players interacting on Instagram and Twitter, creating online quizzes and videoing tips for at home and in the garden. I can’t remember practising as many different aspects of my short game ever before. I literally can’t wait to get back on the course. But more important than anything else is that we all adhere to the rules so that we can enjoy our amazing courses for years to come.…

3-iron, 7-iron, 54˚ wedge says Fergus Bisset I think for a challenge like this, you should play to your strengths. In my case, putting isn’t one of them. I could miss putts with the most expensive blade on the market. For that reason, I wouldn’t waste a pick on the flat-stick. From the tee, a well-struck 3-iron will provide decent distance as well as reliable accuracy. If my driver is playing up, I often go to the 3-iron to try and find some fairways. It’s also a versatile weapon. You can punch it into the wind, let it fly with the breeze behind, play a low runner or a cut-up floater. With a little manipulation, a 3-iron can do all sorts of things. Seve famously used to demonstrate greenside bunker…

When G-Mac won the US Open, it sparked jubilant celebrations at his home club, Rathmore, in Portrush. “He’s one of us,” says former captain, Robbie Doherty… “When he joined the club, he would have been a wee strip of a lad. It wasn’t until his teenage years that his development really started and he became more recognised within the club. Even as a young teenager, he was playing against some seasoned low-handicappers – and he was winning his matches against them. “He spent a lot of time with the members after he won the US Open, especially the juniors. We held a big celebration a month or so later and made a presentation to honour his achievement. “We don’t see him as much as we would like to because he…

Shot on location at The London Club, Kent The coronavirus lockdown has come at a particularly bad time for golfers, who have spent the wet winter months champing at the bit to get the season started. No one knows when we’ll be allowed out again, but when it does happen, we’ll all want to make up for lost time. Here, we outline ten drills you can do at home to while away the hours and keep your game sharp. You’ll be surprised how much progress can be made away from the pressure of the course… 1 Grip check Often when players think about checking their grip, they look at the right hand. They see the V between the thumb and forefinger is pointing to the right shoulder and think their…

Shot on location at La Cala Resort 1 If you come into the ball steeply, there’s more shaft lean. In this situation, the leading edge becomes sharper. This can create a problem, because if you don’t strike it perfectly, it becomes like a knife into butter. Bounce fills that gap you’re creating. Think of bounce like a little wedge that sits in that gap. 2 With a shallower delivery, you don’t need that bounce. With too much bounce, your back edge starts impacting the ground first and throws the leading edge up into the air. 3 There are so many different shots you can play around the green, and the lie will often play a significant role in determining the one you play. This is where an understanding of bounce…

Drivers are the glamour purchases, the ones golfers get most excited about, which makes it even more important to get right. We’d always recommend a fitting, but in 2020 we’re seeing a slight shift away from oodles of adjustability on the sole to more models within each range suited to different styles of golfer. Adjustability also adds to the cost and can be confusing and often redundant, so brands are now giving golfers a better choice. It’s still there if you want it, and there are gains to be had by using it, but you don’t have to go down that path. In fact, there are some excellent drivers this year from the lesser-known brands, too, pushing the mainstream companies to innovate like never before. It’s a crowded market, but…

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As regularly stressed in our courses coverage, we are extremely lucky as the bar, in terms of course design and conditioning, continues to rise all the time. Entry into our Top 100 and Next 100 Course Rankings has become ever harder, and no club can afford to rest on its laurels. One excellent and very prime example is the recent work undertaken at Royal Liverpool, which the year after next was due to host The Open Championship for the 13th time. Hoylake sits proudly at number 14 in the UK&I, but its forward thinking members and management are keen to make it even more attractive to golfers at the same time as safeguarding its long-term future. Working closely with both The R&A and leading architect Martin Ebert, there are five…

Golf Monthly’s editor-at-large and Golf Ambassador for Prostate Cancer UK Thanks to what serious looking people tend to refer to as ‘unforeseen circumstances’, I’ve had a lot of time for reflection lately. I’ve used this time well by standing in the garden and gazing at my reflection in the French doors. I had French doors installed a number of years ago so I could occasionally bound through them on a summer’s day, clutching a racquet and asking the eternal question, “Anyone for tennis?” The fact that I don’t possess a tennis court, or indeed a garden big enough to accommodate one, does not discourage me in the slightest – I find it amusing and if nobody else does, well, so be it. Anyway, I wasn’t tinkering with my backhand slice…