Indholdsfortegnelse for May 2024 i Golf Monthly

It seems that anything Scottie Scheffler can do in the men’s game, Nelly Korda can do just as well in the women’s game, after both completed back-to-back victories on their respective tours in March. While Scheffler’s two wins, which came in consecutive weeks at Bay Hill and The Players Championship, served to further cement his seemingly impregnable lead at the pinnacle of the men’s rankings, Korda’s back-to back LPGA Tour triumphs came nearly two months apart. They propelled her to the top of the Women’s World Golf Rankings for the first time since August last year, taking over the top spot from Lilia Vu. Korda’s latest victories came in late January’s LPGA Drive On Championship, where she pipped Lydia Ko in a play-off, and in late March’s Fir Hills Seri…

Mobility check If you’re still struggling, you could be lacking a bit of mobility in certain key areas of the body where it is needed to make an effective swing. Your club pro might be able to suggest some mobility exercises, or conduct a screening. 1 Some golfers have a tendency to move, or ‘sway’, off the ball as here. Sometimes it’s because of an eagerness to wind up and hit it hard; other golfers hear ‘transfer your weight’ and think this is what needs to happen. However, this lateral swaying moves the bottom of the swing arc behind the ball at impact. 2 See above how an upper body sway causes you to move off the centre line. The line through my sternum and my nose has moved away from the…

Ping has referred to its latest model as a ‘playable distance’ iron, designed to appeal to the golfer whose primary goal is distance but who also relies on the precision of a players’-style shape. The brand’s aim has been to deliver a hollow-bodied forged iron that is predictable, powerful and long. Much like Ping’s previous players’ distance irons, the i530 has been designed with a forged, highly flexible face welded into a hollow body. This accentuates face bending to generate faster ball speeds. A lower CG has been aligned closer to where impact most often occurs, while a polymer placed in the head improves feel and sound. Compact looks and a new machining technique have helped to thin the back wall of the head. This saves weight to help with…

Lofoten Links, Norway My very first visit to Lofoten, situated in the Arctic Circle, was back in 2012 with Troon Golf. The course was still under construction, but even back then there was a sense that we were witnessing the birth of something very special. I’ve since been back a further three times, with last year’s shoot for FootJoy possibly being the best trip so far. It really is my favourite place on the planet and the owner, Frode Hov, has become a really great friend. I remember on my first visit he asked me if people would like the course and travel that far to play it. The fact that it’s recently been voted as one of Golf magazine’s Top 100 Courses in the World most definitely answers that…

1 Everybody wants to hit this shot but first we need to understand what increases friction. For maximum friction, we need a good-quality ball, dry conditions, clean grooves and no debris. If we reduce friction by adding moisture or dirt to the face, the same cut-spin shot won’t spin, so we need minimal grass interference between club and ball and, more importantly, really solid contact. When teaching this, I’ll get players to hit from three different lies to build confidence - first off a tee, then a mat then, the hardest one, off grass. 2 You’re looking to play this shot with an out-to-in path as you want to cut across it. To help with this, stand a bit closer to the ball at address with your feet slightly open,…

The flashes of colour through the midsole and outsole certainly borrow from the recent HyperFlex and Fuel releases It’s now been eight years since FootJoy introduced the first Pro/SL. Since then, the brand has sold millions of pairs across the world and has been sure to continue building on what is one of the industry’s most-loved shoes. The Pro/SLX Carbon arrives with a new look for the franchise, as well as a bold new take on the spikeless outsole design. While the Pro/SLX Carbon certainly shows us recognisable parts of Pro/SL DNA, we’d say this is a pretty drastic shift in tone from FootJoy. The heel counter has now been placed on the outside of the shoe, a new textured fabric material has been used in the heel instead of…

Adidas’ flagship performance shoe is approaching its 20th anniversary, a show of stunning longevity. This latest version, the Tour360 24, has benefited from a complete redesign from the inside out, introducing new technology into the familiar, well-loved silhouette. When we spoke with the developers of Tour360 24 earlier this year, they were happy to acknowledge some of the aspects of Tour360 22 that needed some work, despite its success. The biggest and best improvement is the new ‘T-Shape’ suede microfibre heel. This new design is a three-piece construction combining a soft, anti-abrasive, sandwiched textile that runs from the inside heel to the top of the collar. Those who may have had wear issues with previous Tour360 models can now lace up with confidence. Comfort isn’t usually the primary feature associated…

Striping a fairway wood can be one of the most challenging yet satisfying skills in all of golf. This means that finding a model that suits your game and performs consistently for you will be crucial in helping you to lower your scores. This year, we’ve tested 12 3-woods from nine brands – some new and others carrying over from last year – to help you along the decision-making journey for your next fairway wood. Looks Having clubs you like the look of both in the bag and when sitting behind the ball at address is really important to help inspire confidence and put you in a comfortable frame of mind before hitting a golf shot. Mizuno has always been known for producing beautiful forged irons, but its recent metalwood…

England’s most northerly and sparsely populated county, Northumberland is both peaceful and very beautiful. Its remote location, for most of us at least, is both a curse and a blessing. Yes, it can take time and effort to get there, but the rewards in terms of the pleasure and the value on offer more than compensate. Alnmouth is one of approaching 40 clubs in the county, and also the fourth oldest in the country, dating back to 1869. Despite its seaside location, the Harry Colt design from 1931 is actually parkland in nature. The club’s original nine-hole course, designed by Mungo Park, is now the home of a separate club, Alnmouth Village, situated right next door. Three loops Each nine runs either side of Foxton Hall, the characterful clubhouse, with…

“Pete Dye said he did not set out to design a ‘fair’ course because life itself is not fair” Watching The Players Championship, Scottie Scheffler’s understated brilliance was so breathtakingly assured that it almost eased its way towards mundane. This is ridiculous but a wee bit true because of the lack of jeopardy involved when this outwardly humble bloke is in form and swings a club. Of course, he can have an off day but when the tank is full and his foot is on the accelerator he is a compelling example of technical brilliance. As indeed is TPC Sawgrass itself. So while we leave Scheffler to ponder whether he ever needs to practise much again, let’s talk golf courses. There are around 3,000 in Britain and Ireland and they…

Who decides the pairings? I’ve often wondered how groups for the first two rounds of a tournament are decided. Is it names out of a hat; is it by world ranking; or is it to make them attractive for spectators both on-course and watching on TV? Also, can a player refuse to play alongside someone he has been paired with because, for example, that player is a slow golfer or attracts a noisy gallery or they simply just don’t like one another? I was an organiser of a golf society many years ago and can recall many incidents of society members telling me who they did and didn’t want to play with! John Ryan, Dudley A backward step The papers, golf magazines and golf broadcasts nowadays are full of top…

189.94 Cameron Champ’s average ball speed (mph) on the PGA Tour, which tops the list SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER’S 2024 PGA TOUR STROKES GAINED ERNIE ELS’ CAREER WINS BY CONTINENT $850,000 The amount Scottie Scheffler’s caddie, Ted Scott, earned via his boss’ wins in the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship 5,578 Number of birdies Tiger Woods has made in his PGA Tour career 130 Months between the two last DP World Tour wins for Matteo Manassero MOST DP WORLD TOUR WINS 9 Most birdies in a row on the DP World Tour: James Nitties in the 2019 ISPS Handa Vic Open 57 Lowest ever Korn Ferry Tour round by Cristobal Del Solar this February in Colombia 7 Number of players on the LPGA Tour who currently hit more than 80%…

Florida, United States GF: preview rounds: $30-$170 Stats: Karoo - par 72, 6,954 yards When World Woods in Florida opened in 1994 at the height of the golf course boom, the vision was for it to be one of the best public-access destinations in the US. Architect Tom Fazio laid out two distinct courses: Pine Barrens, inspired by Pine Valley, and Rolling Oaks, designed to evoke echoes of Augusta National. Despite being well-received, relative remoteness meant income couldn’t keep pace with upkeep. Effectively mothballed during Covid, Cabot then bought both courses and the surrounding land in 2022, renaming it Cabot Citrus Farms. Three courses are open for preview play: the 18-hole Karoo on the former Pine Barrens site, named after the distinctive calling sound of the Sandhill Cranes that stride…

You get the impression Joaquin Niemann doesn’t mind being one of the most talked-about golfers in the game. Not one bit. He is used to it. Niemann has been hogging the headlines for his globe-trotting pursuit of world rankings points, as the poster boy for the pundits who claim LIV tournaments should award those points and also, of course, for his golf. The on-course highlights included a wild and wonderful Australian Open victory, finishing the tournament by making birdie from behind a catering marquee to force a play-off and then closing it out in style with an eagle at the second extra hole. Then came a 59 to set up his first win on the LIV Golf circuit in Mexico, closely followed by a second $4million payday in Jeddah. But…

Prior to the pandemic in 2020, many clubs were struggling and the age profile of members was continuing to rise. Post Covid, and flexible working plus a greater appreciation of the benefits of participation have resulted in a significant boom. Many clubs now have substantial joining fees and lengthy waiting lists, but not everywhere. Nor will it last forever, so clubs should not be complacent. One healthy way to acknowledge this is to foster a thriving junior section. Not only will this generate the lifeblood and committee members of the future, but also create a healthier, multi-generation atmosphere. One club doing very well in this regard is Fulwell in west London, just a mile from the Thames. Its junior organiser, Russ Groombridge, is a keen and very capable golfer who…

1 PLAYING IN THE WIND Hitting golf shots in the wind is all about spin control. The harder you swing, the more the ball spins. The more the ball spins, the more it’s going to take the wind. So when you hear people using that classic phrase ‘when it’s breezy, swing it easy’, they’re really telling the truth. It’s something all golfers need to remember in those conditions. To help take some spin off the ball and keep it down in the wind, I like to picture myself swinging really flat and almost putting topspin on the ball. That’s a great feeling I like to have in my swing hitting into the wind. If I can hit a low, medium and high ball flight with most of my clubs, I…

Next under our Retro Review microscope is maybe the most iconic blade iron of all time, the Mizuno TP-9, made famous by Sir Nick Faldo. He put these in the bag in the spring of 1987, before going on to capture his first Open Championship just months later. What was the tech? Frankly, there isn’t much! It’s as pure a blade as you’re likely to see. No cavity, no multi-material construction, just a pure forged billet of steel. The main difference from the rest of the Mizuno range at that time was the winged shape of the muscle pad behind the impact area. Most others in the range had a very linear, straight pad, which we would assume was an early attempt to influence CG location. How did it perform?…

From Isla Canela on the Portuguese border in the west all the way across to Desert Springs in the east, the 300-mile expanse of Andalucia is home to a terrific array of golf. It is now 60 years since the Costa del Sol reinvented itself to become a popular European golfing destination. Blessed with a welcoming climate and only a short flight from the UK, Andalucia has been a golfing holiday favourite ever since. The region burst on to the scene in 1964 when Robert Trent Jones designed his first course this side of the Atlantic. The Real Club de Golf at Sotogrande is still going strong and will host this year’s Andalucian Masters on the DP World Tour. The area is packed with courses of all shapes and sizes,…

Much is most definitely afoot on the golfing front in the north of Scotland. The second Trump course at Aberdeen is under construction; the prospect of a course at Coul Links just north of Dornoch rumbles on, with the Highland Council voting in favour of a revised planning application last December; and Royal Dornoch broke ground on its ambitious £13.9 million clubhouse project the same month. The Moray Firth midway between those projects has been busy, too, with Cabot Highlands, Nairn, Spey Bay and Fortrose and Rosemarkie all catching my eye for various reasons. While some queried my wisdom when I decided to travel up in January, photographer Kevin Murray was very much up for joining me, especially when I found an unbeatable BA flight and car hire deal. Nevertheless,…

Scottie, congratulations on winning the Arnold Palmer and Players in back-to-back weeks. How special is that? It’s good to be sitting back here again in the winner’s chair at Sawgrass. It was another battle and a hard-fought week. A lot of guys played really well – a few of them finished at 19-under and I finished at 20. That’s some really good golf around TPC Sawgrass. You struggled with a neck injury at the Players and even had a massage during Friday’s round. How were you able to keep going? I got off to a good start – I played really well on the Thursday and on Friday I made early birdies, so I was right in the thick of the tournament. All of a sudden I got a pinch…

“LET’S GET ON WITH IT. I’D LIKE TO RESOLVE THIS NO MATTER WHAT THE OUTCOME IS SO WE CAN ALL MOVE ON”Adam Scott is keen for meetings between the PIF and player directors of the PGA Tour Policy Board to happen “WHY DID I JUST WASTE 12 MONTHS OF MY LIFE TO FIGHT FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS ALWAYS GOING TO COME BACK TOGETHER AGAIN?”Rory McIlroy reacts to the PGA Tour/PIF merger in Full Swing 2 “THERE WERE PEOPLE SENDING DEATH THREATS AND AWFUL, AWFUL, AWFUL THINGS. PEOPLE WERE AGGRESSIVE, THAT’S FOR SURE”Paulina Gretzky in Full Swing 2 on Dustin Johnson’s LIV move “IT’S THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE ON A GOLF COURSE. IT HAS BEEN A CRAZY JOURNEY THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS”Matteo Manassero’s emotional reaction after his first…

How did things work in the past? Until 2011, the PGA Tour used statistical categories like ‘Putts per Round’ and ‘Greens in Regulation’. This data is still available, but can sometimes be misleading. Those who hit a lot of greens in regulation, for example, may take more putts per round by virtue of their impressive ball-striking. But it doesn’t always mean they’re bad putters, as those who hit a lot of greens but average 30ft from the hole will likely take more putts than those who miss a lot of greens but chip it close. Where did Strokes Gained come from? Mark Broadie, a professor at Columbia Business School, recognised the shortcomings of the data and set about making his own formula. ShotLink – which provides real-time information on every…

Early in the week of the 1990 US Open at Medinah, the bookmakers had Nick Faldo as narrow 9-1 favourite. The Englishman had won a second straight Masters Tournament two months earlier and was thus the only man in the field who had the opportunity to secure a ‘Grand Slam’ that season. Just behind him in terms of interest in the paddock was Curtis Strange at 10-1. The American was looking to emulate the exploits of North Berwick-born Willie Anderson some 85 years earlier and win three consecutive instalments of the American national championship. Others who were fancied by the pundits and punters at Medinah included the likes of Greg Norman, Payne Stewart and Seve Ballesteros. Hale Irwin was not being talked about. Although he had won the US Open…

We hear a lot about the versatility of hybrids; they’re great from the tee, the fairway and the rough. Where they are underused is around the greens. Some chips really get the heart rate racing and many of us also use too much loft, which makes things harder. Your hybrid can help lift the ball in the air slightly and get it rolling out towards the hole. Set up close to the ball using a really narrow stance, with weight favouring your lead side. We want the stroke to be like a putting motion. A common fault is to stand too far away, which encourages a rounded arc. Having the shaft more vertical makes it easier to find the low point at impact. How do I tackle a compact lie…

A beautifully struck and well-flighted golf shot can sometimes embed in its own pitch-mark on landing, particularly after a prolonged spell of very wet weather. But the Rules of Golf can and do help us out in this scenario, as David Wilson, rules manager at The R&A explains. A ball is deemed to be embedded when it is in its own pitch-mark made from the player’s previous stroke, and any part of the ball is below the level of the ground. If this is the case, and the ball is lying in the general area of the golf course, you are entitled to free relief. This is just what six-time PGA Tour winner Lucas Glover encountered on the 13th hole during the final round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship…

Understandably, the first ball models that spring to mind when talking about Titleist are likely to be the Pro V1 and Pro V1x. However, one of the most underrated balls in Titleist’s range, the Tour Soft, has been given an update for 2024, and we think it should be on more golfers’ radars. This ball, as the name suggests, is very soft but still feels powerful off the face. You often have to sacrifice a bit of distance when choosing to play a softer-feeling model, but the Tour Soft worked its way surprisingly far down the fairways for a ball of this type. Our average ball speed over five well-struck drives was 168.7mph, which was just 3mph less than with our ball of choice, the Titleist Pro V1. The average…

There is something most engaging about playing two parkland courses, back-to-back, with such different characteristics. Close to the heartlands of Ireland, west of Dublin, I teed it up at The Heritage and then Portarlington. The Heritage is the big-ticket item, a course designed by Seve Ballesteros, with length and muscle, rolling fairways, big bunkers and water in play on eight holes. It is an impressive set-up, all the more for having the hotel alongside. Seve’s spirit lives on The Seve Trophy was played here in 2007, only three years after the course opened. Seve captained the European side but they were soundly beaten by Great Britain and Ireland. As I approached the clubhouse I was greeted by a statue of the Spaniard. A little inspiration goes a long way. There…

The attractive parkland course borders the River Deveron, which opens out into the North Sea between the towns of Banff and Macduff Duff House Royal GF: 18 holes: £55-£70 Just inland from the north Aberdeenshire coast, Duff House Royal was founded in 1910 and is the proud possessor of an illustrious architectural pedigree. Its first layout was by Archie Simpson, who had previously designed Royal Aberdeen, but the course was largely dug over for crops during the First World War. It was then redesigned a century ago by the great Alister MacKenzie, some years before he created Augusta National. This renaissance saw a merger with Banff Golf Club and the bestowal of the royal title by the Duchess of Fife, who chose the unusual regal suffix herself. Lyme Regis GF:…