Innehållsförteckning för October 2020 från Golf Australia

Have you ever wondered what it might be like to regularly smash your drives 300 yards, consistently hit 15 or 16 greens in regulation a round and never, never, never have the fear of hitting a skanky shot along the ground, much to the delight of your mates? I have. Probably from the very first rounds I played as a teen I would tinker with something. With each new golf magazine that hit the shelves, I would study the tips far more intensely than anything I brought home from school and I would be on the range working through the next thing that was going to cut shots from my handicap. I’m now in my early 50s and I’m still tinkering away. Working for a golf magazine you’re exposed to…

Whenever I bang on about the increasingly one-dimensional nature of the play at (male) golf’s elite level, I have first to make myself clear. The stars of our game are, generally speaking, sensitive souls quick to take offence even when none is intended. Egos, you know. So, let’s knock on the head right now the often-stated, but mistaken, response to my assessment of the dominant style of play on Tour. My hopefully constructive and thought-provoking criticism is not an attack on the talent-levels owned by those at the sharp end of the game. Far from it. To argue that men like Brooks Koepka, Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas and Jon Rahm are not incredibly gifted individuals would be ridiculous. They are clearly worthy of our admiration and praise. But comparisons between…

PETER Thomson fired a pair of final day 70s to win his first Australian Open title at Melbourne’s Metropolitan Golf Club, four strokes ahead of Norman von Nida. In victory, Thomson, then 22, became the first Australian to hold both the New Zealand and Australian Open titles. It was Thomson’s fourth attempt to win the Stonehaven Cup, but his first as a fully fledged professional. More than 7,000 people followed Thomson over the 36-hole final day and were treated to some wonderful golf from the young Victorian. The morning round saw Thomson battle with his putter on greens that were running faster than the previous two rounds. He was out in 36 and home in 34 before lunch and led von Nida by one shot. Ossie Pickworth, the winner of…

Course set-up has long been a topic of hot conversation on professional Tours all over the world. But it is important for every golfer. No matter how well or badly you perform, having fun and finding the game more interesting is a lot easier to achieve when the playing field is set-up properly.› Okay, let’s eliminate pro events for a minute. The greatest “normal” course set-ups are those found at Royal Melbourne, Augusta National and the Old Course at St. Andrews (pictured). They are all in the top-10 in the world and all three have wide fairways. But they can have those wide fairways because the turf is typically firm and the angles into the greens matter. As a result, there are hardly any lost balls. And people can putt…

There are multiple ways to gain an athletic scholarship from colleges in the United States, however finding these opportunities can be difficult if you’re not already being noticed by recruiters. Prospective students need to be in contact with the right people – such as coaches – and in addition to their talent, will need to possess the appropriate visa, history of their academic records and an avenue to the US college entrance exams. It is also important to be proactive and do your research. For instance, do you know how many scholarships are available at your desired institution? Do you know when the recruiting process starts? Do you know how good you have to be to get sport scholarships? Are you eligible for the scholarship you’re hoping to acquire? There…

At some point during the past few months, there would have been a time when you put the sticks away for a week or two or more. It might have been enforced, due to weather, course conditions or some form of pandemic lockdown. But there’s a good argument to be made for taking a break from golf whether you have to or not. A break does allow you to forget the bad golf and make a fresh start and there’s no better time to do that than in the spring. You can start the warmer weather months with a clean slate and a fresh outlook. Throughout the year, we all inevitably get into some bad habits. A new start gives you the chance to create some new, more effective movement…

One of the most frustrating things for a golfer of any standard is failing to hit the green when you have a wedge in your hand. No matter whether it’s a chunked shot or a thinned one, chances are it was caused by a decelerating clubhead. Sometime between the top of the backswing and before impact you subconsciously know your swing was too long and the club is moving too quickly to hit it the 50, 60, 70 or 80 metres you have left to the flag. So, how do you fix this? One of the key engines of consistent pitch shots is the rotation of your body. If you can let the rotation of your body dictate the shot, rather than your arms, you will be able to control…

TITLEIST INTRODUCES TOUR SPEED It would come as no surprise, given the company’s reputation as the number one ball in golf, years of research and development went into Titleist’s creation of the new Tour Speed. The substantial investment in the development of a new category of golf balls for Titleist was taken further with extensive amateur testing via a prototype model named EXP • 01. The result? “A high performance, multilayer golf ball with a proprietary thermoplastic urethane cover – providing golfers with the fastest, best performing golf ball in its category”, according to the company. Incorporating a three-piece construction, the Tour Speed produces its distance through greater ball speed and low long game spin, which is complimented by short game consistency and feel. The new core formulation, fastest ionomer…

It is nearly 100 years since the first rounds were played on the current site of the Commonwealth Golf Club. That momentous occasion took place in February 1921 some 10 months after the new club was constituted and land – regarded as scrub country and comprising only 89 acres – was purchased near Centre and Warrigal Roads, South Oakleigh, right in the heart of the now world-famous Melbourne Sandbelt. Sadly, the club’s centenary was to be celebrated with a series of events throughout 2020 but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the postponement of many. The club, however, is still hopeful of commemorating its first 100 years in style at some stage soon. Hopefully, it will happen as the club’s success story – evolving from a 12-hole layout to become one of…

GERRINGONG GOLF CLUB Green fees: $40 (18 holes). www.gerringonggolf.com.au KIAMA GOLF CLUB Green fees: $30 (18 holes). www.kiamagolfclub.com.au JAMBEROO GOLF CLUB Green fees: $30 (Monday to Wednesday and weekends 18 holes); $22 (Thursday and Friday). www.jamberoogolf.com.au THE LINKS SHELL COVE Green fees: $19 (Monday, 18 holes walking); $29 (Monday with cart); From $19 to $39 (Tuesday to Friday with cart); From $29 to $39 (Saturday with cart); From $29 to $55 (Sunday with cart) www.linkshellcove.com.au CALDERWOOD VALLEY Green fees: $25 (weekdays, 18 holes); $30 (weekends and public holidays). www.calderwoodgolf.com.au THE GRANGE GOLF CLUB Green fees: $42.50 (weekdays, 18 holes); $45 (weekends). www.thegrangegolfclub.com.au PORT KEMBLA GOLF CLUB Green fees: $38 (weekdays, 18 holes); $43 (weekends). www.portkemblagolfclub.com.au WOLLONGONG GOLF CLUB Green fees: $27 (Monday,18 holes); $35 (Tuesday to Sunday). www.wollongonggolfclub.com.au…

Four years ago, the drums were beating of the imminent closure of Warringah Golf Club, one of only a few public golf courses to be found on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. A meeting in 2016 of the then recently formed Northern Beaches Council did little to quell increasing speculation that the course, laid upon land leased by the club continuously since 1934, would either close or be cut in half to provide nine holes only. The council’s administrator at the time, Dick Persson, told the meeting he wanted to convert nine holes into sports fields, after intense lobbying from local sporting clubs complained of a lack of playing facilities in the area. “We were dead and buried,” says Warringah Golf Club President, Scott Campbell. “But through the fighting spirit of the…

Australia boasts an impressive list of golfers who have graced the US college system. Here are just some of our most successful exports … ADAM SCOTT (University of Nevada-Las Vegas) The Queenslander left Australia in 1998 as an 18-year-old to become part of UNLV’s golf team from 1999-2000, where he played alongside the likes of Charley Hoffman. Scott, who was World No.1 for 11 weeks in 2014, told PGATour.com three years ago that he “picked the college with the best-looking prospectus” and UNLV “had a really beautiful glossy magazine about their golf program.” The university also happened to have the No.1 ranked golf team in the country. The 2013 Masters champion and winner of 13 PGA Tour titles knew he wanted to end up on the US circuit – and…

Arguably one of the biggest problems for the club golfer is their arms and hands can take over the backswing, lifting the club out of the ideal plane and position. This will not only lead to inconsistent hitting, but you will also rob your swing of achieving maximum power simply by not engaging the bigger muscles of your torso to take the club away. If you want to improve your takeaway and get your torso working harder and in better sync with your arms, here’s a simple drill that can help. Put a club on the ground, with the grip end directly behind the head of the club you are swinging with (pic 1). Now simply turn your torso into the backswing, pushing the grounded club away as you swing…

Cost: $299 per iron (Forged); $279 per iron (Tour). Tested by: Jimmy Emanuel, Golf Australia Deputy Editor (GA Handicap 9.4) MODEL PLAYED: JPX921 Forged (4-iron to pitching wedge), fitted with Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 120 shafts and JPX921 Tour (4-iron to pitching wedge), with KBS $-Taper 120 shafts. FIRST IMPRESSIONS: It is almost a given that opening a box of new release Mizuno irons is going to be a positive experience. And the JPX921 irons certainly lived up to expectations. Since seeing the first JPX Tour model in the form of the 900 series I have been a fan, and the latest 921 fits its lineage perfectly. A matte finish, fractionally wider-soled true player’s iron, the look is magnificent. And the feel off the clubface is soft yet solid, just…

LOCATION: Glennie Ave, South Oakleigh, Victoria, 3167. CONTACT: (03) 9575 0444. WEBSITE: www.commonwealthgolf.com.au DESIGNERS: Sam Bennett (1921); Charles Lane (1926); Sloan Morpeth (1938, 1965); Kevin Hartley (1992); Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Clayton, Mike Cocking & Ashley Mead – OCCM (2006-2019). GREEN FEE: Commonwealth Golf Club is a private golf club where play is primarily restricted to members, however green fee play is available for Interstate and International guests, with green fee of $300. PGA PROFESSIONALS: Marcus Hakkinen and John Wade. Ben Davey, golf operations manager. COURSE SUPERINTENDENT: John Mann. MEMBERSHIP: Commonwealth has two membership application paths available – one if you know current members at Commonwealth to act as Proposer and Seconder and one if you do not have this current member support. All new members commence in the Six Day…

LOCATION: 209 Sandy Rd, St Andrews Beach, Victoria, 3941. CONTACT: (03) 5988 6000. WEBSITE: www.standrewsbeachgolf.com.au DESIGNER: Tom Doak (2005). COURSE SUPERINTENDENT: Matthew Robilliard. GREEN FEES: $94 (18 holes); $76 (midweek, excluding public holidays and peak summer periods); $85 (group or prepaid online). MEMBERSHIP: St Andrews Beach doesn’t have a traditional membership but it offers a Season Pass. All Season Pass holders have full seven-day access (year round), an official Golf Australia handicap, personal liability insurance and exclusive access to St Andrews Beach events and competitions. All this for an annual fee of $2,495. To secure your season pass, call (03) 5988 6000. There are also Lifestyle Passes and Partner Passes available, check the website for details. ACCOLADES: 2019 Golf Australia magazine Top-100 Public Access Courses, No.6; 2020 Golf Australia magazine…

LOCATION: 1 Magenta Drive, Magenta, NSW, 2261. CONTACT: (02) 4336 0100. WEBSITE: www.magentagolf.com.au DESIGNER: Ross Watson (2006). GREEN FEE: Magenta Shores G&CC is a private club. $99 (walking), $124 (including cart). Visitors are welcome to play but access is limited to invited members’ guests, organised groups of eight or more or guests staying at the adjoining Pullman Magenta Shores Resort. COURSE SUPERINTENDENT: James Newell. MEMBERSHIP: There are nine categories of membership on offer at Magenta Shores, ranging from discounted rates for young golfers up to the age of 29, to limited golf and unlimited golf options. An unlimited Individual membership costs $3,860 annually and adds other benefits and privileges, including motorised cart and shop discounts, free range balls, the ability to invite unaccompanied guests and more. Magenta Shores also offers…

“Narrow fairways bordered by long grass make bad golfers. They do so by destroying the harmony and continuity of the game and in causing a stilted and cramped style, destroying all freedom of play.” Alister MacKenzie. Payne Stewart made one of golf ’s greatest pressure pars on the final hole of the 1999 US Open. A shot ahead of Phil Mickelson, he drove right on Pinehurst’s finishing hole and into the rough – the typically predictable US Open, gouge it out with a wedge, rough. Pinehurst is as close as you will find to an Australian course in the United States. Not flat but hardly hilly, it’s on a sand base, the bounce of the ball hugely influences the way the game is played and around the greens short grass…

The two cardinal sins causing most players to miss putts – particularly those from a close range that you have an expectation of making – are a decelerating stroke and too much hand action. When a player decelerates during their putting stroke they slow the putter head down as it approaches the ball. The most common reason is the fact that they take too long of a backstroke. This forces them to have to decelerate on their forward stroke because the player knows they are going to hit the ball too far. Firstly, the putter must accelerate through impact and you can do this by adopting a small overall swing. This requires more of an aggressive hit than you might have now, and with a 40 percent backswing and 60…

Cost: $299. Tested by: Jimmy Emanuel, Golf Australia Deputy Editor (GA Handicap 9.4) FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Music on the golf course certainly isn’t for everyone. But for those of us who do enjoy this fairly recent trend, the new Bushnell Wingman is a terrific accessory. In terms of simple sound quality, the Wingman is outstanding and to the performance levels of many top Bluetooth speakers. When it came to actual on-course performance, the Wingman was simple to set-up, easy to use and really added to the golf experience. HOW THEY PERFORMED: The first part of any technology testing is the ease of setting up the unit and the Wingman, like other Bushnell products, excelled in this area. Simply downloading the company’s app then pairing the unit to your phone, you are…

SUITABILITY: Designed for better players, the JPX921 Tour will suit low handicap players and good ball-strikers, while the JPX921 Forged are suitable to a wider handicap range looking for forged feel, forgiveness and increased ball speed. SHAFTS: Mizuno’s wide variety of shafts offered through its Shaft Optimiser fitting system is available, with the majority at no upcharge. LEFT-HANDED: A combination of JPX921 Tour irons and Forged long irons is available, with lofts pre-adjusted for optimal distance gapping. MIZUNO SAYS: The JPX921 Forged iron integrates the power of ‘Chromoly’ into a full body Forged iron for the very first time. Initially applied in Mizuno’s Hot Metal irons – Chromoly has made the cross over to Mizuno’s forgings with staggering results. ‘Grain Flow Forged HD’ in Mizuno’s legendary facility in Hiroshima Japan,…