Innehållsförteckning för Jul 2023 - Issue 410 från Golf Australia

The ISPS men’s and women’s Australian Opens will return to Sydney later this year with The Australian and The Lakes Golf Clubs set to host from November 30 to December 3. The Australian will play host across all four days, with The Lakes Golf Club co-hosting the opening two days. It will be the first time the men’s Open has been played at the Jack Nicklaus-designed layout since 2019 and 16 years since the women’s Open was played in Sydney – where Karrie Webb emerged victorious at Royal Sydney. LPGA Tour star Steph Kyriacou and DP World Tour and PGA Tour winner Lucas Herbert both confirmed to play. This year’s event will again feature the joint tournament format seen at Kingston Heath and Victoria Golf Clubs in 2022, with the…

Daltry Calhoun has an identity crisis, not the titular character Daltry Calhoun (Johnny Knoxville) – it’s not possible for a poorly written and even more poorly acted one-dimensional character to have a multi-dimensional identity crisis – it’s the movie itself that doesn’t know what it wants to be. Perhaps the fairest lens through which to judge a film’s success is to ask whether it achieves what it set out to achieve. But in Daltry Calhoun’s case the question must first be asked – what sort of movie was writer/director Katrina Holden Bronson (Charles Bronson’s daughter) trying to make? It’s not a funny movie but one feels the characters were intended to read as comedic. It’s not a serious enough dramatic piece to serve as a star vehicle to launch more…

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 - 8 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. The new MGI Ai Navigator GPS+ is designed with an integrated GPS system built into a super responsive high-resolution 4” full colour all-weather touchscreen display which will connect you to over 40,000 courses worldwide. The integrated high performance GPS system delivers fast and accurate distances to all parts of the course. The MGI Ai Navigator GPS+ also comes with MGI’s globally renowned fully directional handheld remote control which can be used…

PORT FAIRY GL Port Fairy, Victoria Green fees: $59 (Sun-Fri), $69 (Sat). Course designer Mike Clayton once described Port Fairy as the best value round of the golf in the world. That was more than 20 years ago when the green fee was closer to $30. Now that the green is almost doubled, it hasn’t changed the fact that a round at Port Fairy – which is ranked in the top-10 public access courses in Australia – remains excellent value. This wonderful links course winds its way through unspoilt sand dunes and provides spectacular Southern Ocean views, all just a little more than a three-hour drive west of Melbourne. www.portfairygolf.com.au BARNBOUGLE DUNES / LOST FARM Bridport, Tasmania Green fees: $180 (all day on one course, October 1, 2023 to April…

TOUR EDGE HOT LAUNCH E523 & C523 DRIVERS A top of the line driver is a big investment, and while the technology on offer in the latest and greatest help your game, there are plenty of options that don’t break the bank. A surprise performer in our recent ‘2023 Driver Test’ the E523 and C523 drivers from Tour Edge offer plenty of power and forgiveness in a more affordable price point. The C driver offers a traditional shape and is built for mid to fast swing speeds, while the E is easier to hit at slower swing speeds. And who doesn’t want a nice big headed driver. RRP: $459.95 www.drummondgolf.com.au SRIXON SOFT FEEL GOLF BALLS New golf balls perform better than those from the second hand shelf, so if you…

The final exercise ties everything together and synchronises the main segments – torso, arms and wrist – which we have trained in the other four drills. If you are someone who gets very active with your hands, this chopstick drill will help to stabilise your wrists and encourage the torso to initiate the stroke. HOW IT WORKS 1 Tie two alignment sticks together near the bottom using an elastic band, then position them underneath your armpits. 2 Tuck your elbows gently against your ribcage and align the hands inside the forearm triangle which has been created. Without a putter to begin with, bend forward and rehearse the motion of your putter stroke so you can feel how the torso is doing the work. 3 Once you feel comfortable, take your…

NARELLAN • NEW SOUTHWALES My experiences at Camden Golf Club date back to the early 1980s when, as a teenage golfer growing up in western Sydney, myself and a few mates would play in the club’s Cup event and the occasional open day. One particular open day four of us were in the penultimate group of the day’s competition, and the then resident club pro Chris Tickner, was playing with some members in the final group. Tickner, who played his way through qualifying into the field for the 1978 Open Championship at St Andrews, was an absolute flusher and we spent more time admiring his shots than we did watching the results of our own swings. Tickner, who was awarded life membership of the PGA of Australia in 2011, was…

In the sweltering heat of the 2003 Open Championship, a captivating showdown unfolded at Royal St. George’s as seasoned European star, Thomas Bjorn, locked horns with unheralded American rookie, Ben Curtis. Bjorn took charge early in the final round with some impeccable shot-making. His irons were pure, his putting sublime. But destiny had an unexpected twist in store. With the Claret Jug tantalisingly close and a two-shot buffer over his closest pursuers, fate dealt a crushing blow to Bjorn’s hopes on the par-3 16th hole. A wayward tee shot sent his ball cascading into a perilous greenside bunker, and gasps rippled through the crowd. It was a moment that would define the outcome. Had Bjorn’s approach shot to the green been three feet to the left, he would almost certainly…

As the cost of living continues to rise, many golfers across Australia are seeking more affordable ways to play the game. Fortunately, there are plenty of options for playing golf on a budget – from seeking out hidden gem courses or opting to play nine holes, to booking tee times online and keeping an eye out for discounted green fee packages. Over the following pages we will provide you with an insight into how you can save a few dollars here and there without being forced to spend time away from golf.…

TEVEN VALLEY Teven, NSW Green fees: $60 (seven days). This is Australia’s best nine-hole course according to Golf Australia magazine’s ranking judges, who voted for its inclusion in the Top-100 Public Access Courses ranking for 2023. It is the first and only nine-hole course to ever be included in the ranking. The course was sold in 2015 with former Monash Country Club course superintendent Paul Gumbleton part of the new ownership. Since then, the par-31 was rebuilt after a redesign by former Tour star Craig Parry, re-turfed from tee to green with Sir Grange Zoysia and is today one of the most beautifully maintained layouts in regional NSW. www.tevenvalleygolfcourse.com.au BONDI GOLF & DIGGERS CLUB North Bondi, NSW Green fees: $25 (weekdays), $30 (weekend). Lying across the top of a headland…

The quality of your putting is determined by the quality of your basics. This next exercise trains your pivot and helps you appreciate how your torso moves during the putting stroke. This is one of my favourite drills, as it’s an area most people neglect. If you move the torso poorly, you will have to compensate a lot with the hands and arms, which can make the stroke more complex and harder to co-ordinate. HOW IT WORKS 1 Grab a box or a pile of Golf Australia magazines and place an alignment stick on top, so it rests against a wall or an object and replicates the shaft angle of your putter. 2 With the second alignment stick, wrap two elastic bands over your biceps and thread the stick between…

The Vintage Golf Club and adjoining Chateau Elan resort offer a luxurious golf getaway destination, right in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country, only two hours’ drive north of Sydney. Bordering the Beggars Bridge and Bimbadgen vineyards at Pokolbin, the Greg Norman and Bob Harrison-designed course celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, having been listed in Golf Australia magazine’s Top-100 Courses ranking for all of those years. The Vintage is home to renowned golf professional, Richard Mercer, as Director of Instruction. Having played tournaments all over the world, including The Open Championship, Richard has the knowledge and skills to ensure a lesson with him will help you on the course. Overlooking the rolling fairways of the course, Château Élan is one of the finest resorts in NSW, offering luxury…

The term ‘hidden gem’ is so often overused by golf scribes when reviewing a course. I know I have been guilty of it from time-to-time but I promise from now on that will change because this is a tale about a genuine golfing gem of the hidden variety. The Forster-Tuncurry Golf Club, on NSW’s mid-north coast, boasts two golf courses. There is a short enjoyable course laid across gently sloping land outside the huge club building. This is the Forster course. Lying some seven kilometres away, to the north, is the club’s other layout. The Tuncurry Course, which is clearly one of the best five courses you will find between Newcastle and the Queensland border. It is a gem … and it is hidden. While the signage off the main…

Every golfer knows they need to practise to improve. But just standing on the putting green, or carpet, and knocking putt after putt often does very little to make us a better putter when it comes time to hole an important one during the round. Enter the Swing Pressure Putt training aid. Watch professionals at tournaments, or during practice, and they are pressurising their practice to attempt to replicate real life feelings and scenarios experienced on course, as well as making the practise more difficult to up skill. A fairly simple looking piece of kit, the Swing Pressure Putt from Australian-owned and operated Swing Store gives a target to hit your putts to from any surface, with the ball needing to roll at the right pace and direction to come…

When the COVID golf boom was in full swing, finding a spare bay at your local driving range was a struggle, let alone getting a tee time at your local course. It was a safe place to socialise and get outdoors during a global pandemic. In Australia, it hasn’t looked like slowing down following the increase in popularity that saw new golfers take an interest in the game and others return to the game after some absence. Golf’s engagement continues to thrive, and Golf Australia’s recently released 2021/22 Participation Report reflects that – more than 2.7 million Australians play golf, and each and every state and territory is experiencing another strong 12 months of membership growth. Further growth evidence comes from the Australian Sports Commission’s AusPlay data, which shows a…

SANDRINGHAM GOLF LINKS Cheltenham, Victoria Green fees: $57.50 (weekdays), $62.50 (weekends). Of the Top-100 ranked public access courses to be found in Australia’s metropolitan areas, Sandy Links (ranked No.29) offers the greatest bang for your buck. Sandy Links – remodelled by the creative minds at Ogilvy, Cocking and Mead – covers similar terrain to next door neighbour, Royal Melbourne, and offers public golfers the opportunity to experience the famous Melbourne Sandbelt without the great cost. This is champagne golf at beer prices. Geoff Ogilvy was right when the summed up the redesign and the new qualities of Sandy Links. “We did a lot of things so that the course doesn’t daunt anyone, but it’s also a great layout for lower handicappers because to score well, you probably need to attack…

EMBRACE WEEKDAY AND TWILIGHT TEE TIMES All courses offer reduced green fees during weekdays, making it an ideal time for budget-conscious players to hit the fairways. In fact, many courses have even cheaper rates on Mondays and Tuesdays when the demand for tee times is lower. In the summer months when there is even more demand for tee times, you can get great twilight golf deals. Twilight golf not only provides a unique ambiance on the course but also allows you to take advantage of discounted fees, making it an excellent choice for the budget-conscious golfer. BOOK ONLINE Most public access courses have an online tee time booking system on their website, and this is usually where you’ll find the best rates, as well as deals that are only offered…

When it comes to achieving a flawless golf swing, Hannah Green’s transition from backswing to downswing is a prime example of efficiency and finesse. This pivotal moment in her swing holds the key to unlocking your potential on the course. Let’s delve into the secrets of Green’s transition and discover how you can incorporate her brilliance into your own game. Timing is everything in Green’s seamless transition. The lower body takes charge, propelling the swing with the engagement of her hips and legs, while the upper body gracefully follows suit in perfect harmony. A controlled tempo is another hallmark of Green’s transition. Rather than rushing or forcing the swing, she embraces a smooth and unhurried rhythm. This deliberate approach cultivates balance and stability, resulting in consistent ball striking and improved…

Balance is a really underestimated part of putting. Not many people pay attention to it, but it’s almost impossible to be a good putter if you don’t start the ball online and strike the ball consistently. And it’s hard to do that if your body is moving and you don’t have a reliable stroke. First you need to establish a stable base at set-up, which is where two alignment sticks come in useful. HOW IT WORKS 1 Place two alignment sticks together on the floor and stand so the arches of your feet are elevated above them. As you stand tall, rock between your toes and heels and try to distribute your weight evenly before bending forwards and hitting a series of practice putts. 2 If you are someone who…

How we synchronise the hands, arms and torso defines how well we move the putter and control direction and speed. This next exercise is an extension of the previous drill and will help you to establish a neutral arm motion, which will make it far easier to deliver the putterface square at impact. HOW IT WORKS 1 The set-up follows the same principles as the previous drill. Only this time the elastic bands and alignment stick are hooked around your forearms to help with your arm alignment. 2 Like before, keep the arms neutral and make a series of practice putts so the stick that’s resting on your forearms stays square to the target and works up and down the tilted stick. This will give you better awareness of how…

Golf shoes, of course, provide traction when swinging the golf club for performance improvement, yet comfort and support when traversing the course are also of the highest importance in a modern shoe. The best offerings limiting foot and leg fatigue to keep you playing your best from the drive at the 1st until the final putt on the 18th. ECCO Golf are one of the leaders in creating golf shoes that offer more than just improved ground connection, the BIOM H4 model one of its best, and most popular. Offered in men’s and women’s, as well as laced and BOA system, the BIOM H4 features the ‘BIOM 2.0’ last that combines a modern look and feel blended with ‘BIOM NATURAL MOTION’ technology, which allows your foot to move naturally and…

We can all salivate over the pretty irons the best players in the world use, but realistically most golfers need a lot more help than a better player iron provides. That is where the clubs on the following pages come in. Featuring multi-material constructions, hollow-body or deep cavity designs, high levels of forgiveness and so much more, the game improvement iron category is a supremely technologically driven segment of the equipment industry. Covered here are the latest and greatest from the biggest names in golf, as well as some you may know a little less about, all offering higher flights, longer distance and ease of use that make iron play a dream rather than a disaster. CALLAWAY BIG BERTHA 23 Callaway’s Big Bertha brand is one of the most famous…