Innehållsförteckning för September 2023 från Golf Monthly

Hello and welcome to the September 2023 issue of Golf Monthly. I’m currently sitting in the media centre at the 151st Open Championship at Hoylake and writing these words to kick-off my first editor’s letter is a truly surreal feeling. I’ve played the game ever since I was able to stand upright (with varying degrees of success), followed those competing at the highest level over the last 30 years and worked for Golf Monthly since 2004. Now I have the humbling honour of becoming just its ninth editor in 112 years. From the very start, when two-time Open Champion Harold Hilton introduced the first issue of Golf Monthly in April 1911, the basic intention was to produce a publication by golfers, for golfers. Of course, the world in 2023 is…

Golf’s popularity continues to soar, according to new R&A global participation figures. Research undertaken by the governing body shows there are now 39.6 million on-course golfers who play nine or 18-hole rounds in R&A-affiliated markets, which is up a massive 34 per cent from 2016. Notably, golf’s latest boom began before the outbreak of Covid-19 and has continued since the worst of the pandemic has passed, increasing by 15 per cent from 34.5 million on-course players in 2020. The data has been gathered from a new Global Golf Participation Report which collectively measures The R&A’s affiliated markets in Asia, Africa, Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Oceania. What’s more, some 61.2 million adults outside the USA and Mexico engage with the sport in some format,…

September promises to be a blockbuster month of team golf, with the staging of the Solheim Cup and the Ryder Cup across back-to-back weeks. Fans tuning in will be able to enjoy what is sure to be a feast of thrills and spills as a host of the best players in the world from either side of the Atlantic battle it out for two of sport’s most sought-after prizes. But who will come out on top as the European Solheim Cup team go for three in a row, while the men look to bounce back from a record defeat at Whistling Straits? That harrowing loss for Padraig Harrington’s side appeared likely to spark a period of US dominance given the average age and calibre of Steve Stricker’s Wisconsin warriors. Of…

Bob Charles won his sole Major at The Open, beating Phil Rodgers by eight shots in a 36-hole play-off. The 1963 Ryder Cup was one of the most lopsided in history, with the USA beating GB&I 23-9. Vijay Singh was born in 1963, as were Dame Laura Davies and Meg Mallon. Jack Nicklaus won two Majors in a calendar year for the first time, claiming The Masters and US PGA Championship. ELSEWHERE... John F. Kennedy was assassinated on Friday, November 22 in Texas. Famous films to come out included The Great Escape, Cleopatra, From Russia With Love and High and Low. The Great Train Robbery took place in Buckinghamshire, England.…

What’s not to love about Bob MacIntyre? In among the millions of pounds currently being thrown around the game, we have a 26-year-old two-time winner whose grasp of life’s fundamentals remains very much intact. MacIntyre possesses the rare quality of having a particularly sound handle on all matters – what’s right and what’s clearly wrong – and he’s not afraid to speak up for what he believes in when the need arises. Other pros might trot out the usual cliches, but MacIntyre will tell it like it is. If you’re looking for a dictionary definition for ‘golfer who is grounded’, the Scot would offer a very good starting point. Every time a player turns up late to an interview or cancels at the last minute, my mind quickly moves to…

There are lots of people, organisations and businesses involved in golf who talk about growing the game and making it accessible to a more diverse audience. In some cases, it seems like it’s just a buzz phrase that’s bandied around or hijacked to help gain credibility or grow profit. For others, actions speak louder than words. In the drive to get more young women playing golf, arguably no one is doing more than social media star and presenter, Mia Baker. A few years ago, the 28-year-old from London didn’t know the first thing about golf. Then, just like so many people do, she got hooked. Getting bitten by the bug isn’t always enough – this game is hard. Then there are the various obstacles, especially for young women, which can…

How do I stop blocking my driver? By Top 50 Coach Ben Emerson If you’re blocking your driver, chances are you’re extending early with your lower half and getting the club trapped on the inside. To fix, put an alignment stick in the ground, as shown here, and make some slow swings, keeping your lower half in contact with the stick until well after impact. This will help you hone a better move with your body and get the club working less from the inside, leading to straighter drives. Slowly increase the speed until you can do it swinging flat out. Record Film your swing from down the line to ensure you remain in contact with the stick through the swing. How do I spin my chip shots? By Top…

Ball embedded in bunker face Brooks Koepka claimed his fifth Major by winning the 2023 US PGA Championship at Oak Hill, holding off Viktor Hovland, who played well until one major hiccup on the 16th, as Jin-Woo Kim, assistant director – Rules (Asia Pacific) at The R&A, reports. Trailing Koepka by a shot, Hovland’s ambitious approach from the bunker on the right of the 16th fairway only advanced a few yards before it got plugged in the grass just above the bunker. While a bunker is a specially prepared area of sand with some restrictions to confront its challenges, the grass bank lip of this prepared area, which consists of soil and grass, is part of the general area, not the bunker. As Hovland’s second shot ended up in its…

Accessibility Being able to charge the battery while it sits in the chassis vastly enhances the day-to-day practicalities. GM verdict The success of the S1 electric trolley from last year has led Motocaddy to expand the range with the launch of the S5 GPS, a model that incorporates GPS distances into the touchscreen display for an even more comprehensive experience. The S5 GPS shares much of the DNA that made the S1 such a big hit, including the brand’s quickest ever one-step folding system and the clever ‘Click-‘N’-Connect’ battery. Most enjoyably, the lightweight lithium battery is both cable-free and rechargeable without you ever having to remove it from the chassis. When the trolley is folded down, it automatically disconnects the battery and reveals a quickaccess port where you can start…

ASK OUR EXPERT What are the best trousers if I don’t want to wear full waterproofs? Rhys White, via email I relied on the FootJoy ThermoSeries trousers for most of last winter and they kept any water from light to moderate rain showers out. There are plenty of examples of trousers made from fabrics treated with a water-resistant coating to get water beading off the surface. These also take away the need to wear those cumbersome, baggy full waterproofs. Should I buy a GPS or a rangefinder? Oxymoron, GM forum A question older than time itself! Okay, not quite, but I’ve always been a rangefinder guy as I can scan and zap anything I want to for a yardage. GPS devices come with significantly more detail and are especially useful…

Words JEREMY ELLWOOD Golf fans know that Dr Alister MacKenzie was the man responsible for Augusta National; many will also be aware that the surgeon-turnedcourse architect first honed his design skills on his home patch close to Leeds. Alwoodley was his first creation, but Moortown, a mere half-a-mile away, soon followed in 1909. MacKenzie had been commissioned to create a test hole in 1908 and came up with the legendary 10th, christened ‘Gibraltar’, a beautifully bunkered par 3 which remains one of the standout holes today. A risk-reward beauty After an inviting opening par 5, the 2nd can be a real brute of a par 4, but it’s the clever, short dogleg-left par-4 5th that stands out early on. It’s a hole that has recently undergone some excellent changes under…

I’ve been fortunate to play golf in East Lothian many times, but my June trip with my wife was a little different. First, I had, by coincidence, only just returned from playing Gullane’s excellent No.1 and No.3 courses, so this was a somewhat speedier return than anticipated. Second, we wouldn’t be staying in a hotel, but rather the beautifully renovated Old Millhouse by the River South Esk in Dalkeith (admittedly in Midlothian rather than East Lothian). And finally, our mood was relatively sombre as we had only just said our sad goodbyes to a much-loved family pet, leaving my wife uncertain as to whether or not she should join me. She’s glad she did, for the Old Millhouse proved the ideal spot for her to chill while I made return…

It’s nearly showtime again, folks, with golf’s biggest team event rolling into town in Italy this autumn as September eases gently into October. It promises to be an enthralling contest as the heavyweights of European and American golf do battle for Samuel Ryder’s famous gold trophy for the 44th time. In 2021 at Whistling Straits, Europe suffered its biggest defeat for a generation, going down 19-9. The margin of victory was similar in 1981 at Walton Heath courtesy of the so-called American dream team, and some feel the current crop of Americans almost rivals that team for strength in depth. Bill Elliott ponders who might yet add their names to those already etched on their respective team sheets. Among the key players for Europe is Matt Fitzpatrick, who amazingly boasts…

Home advantage There has been constant debate in clubhouses across the UK about the WHS. While my own view is it is certainly a better reflection of the current playing handicap of a golfer, there is one area I would like the golf unions to consider: the complex aspect of the score differential calculation in amateur open competitions. I am not talking about elite golf here, rather the enjoyable pursuit of entering open and senior open competitions. Under the old system, it was quite common for host clubs to produce, at the conclusion of the competition, separate Competition Standard Scratch (CSS) scores for ‘home’ members and visitors. This was to reflect the fact that, at many courses, home members enjoy ‘local knowledge’. It was not uncommon for the visitor CSS…

Justin Thomas Thomas’s lack of form culminated in him failing to qualify for the FedExCup Playoffs for the first time since 2014. Tom Kim Kim almost won the Scottish Open and carried that momentum into The Open, where he finished in a tie for second. Lydia Ko Ko struggled in the middle part of the year and finished T33 at the US Women’s Open and T61 at the Evian Championship. Brooke Henderson The Canadian came 12th at the US Women’s Open and finished second behind Celine Boutier at the Evian Championship.…

SOUND BITES “HE WAS WITH ME OUT THERE ALL DAY TODAY” “I LEGITIMATELY WOULD RATHER MAKE THE RYDER CUP THAN THE PLAY-OFFS” “I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THEM COMING BACK AS PLAYERS OR CAPTAINS” “WE SHOULD GIVE HIM THE CHANCE TO SEE THIS THROUGH” “THE REALITY OF TURNING PRO A COUPLE OF YEARS AFTER TIGER WOODS WAS IT REALLY FELT LIKE, FOR A DECADE, THE DREAM WAS GONE AND NOT EVEN POSSIBLE” BRIEFS R&A opens Golf It! facility in Glasgow Golf It!, a brand new concept from The R&A, opened its doors on August 5. The communitybased facility features a nine-hole course, pitch and putt and a 52-bay doubledecker floodlit driving range. iGolf nomadic handicap system doubles subscribers England Golf has doubled the number of subscribers to its iGolf platform…

No says Fergus Bisset At the top level of elite golf, the margins between players are incredibly small. Technically, there’s little to separate those at the absolute pinnacle from those we might consider ‘journeymen’. They can all hit the ball a long way; they can all hit it straight; they’re competent with a wedge; and they have the skills to hole putts. What gives players the edge to compete at the peak of the sport is mental fortitude. The best can deliver that technical excellence when the pressure is on and it really counts. Challenge Tour graduates are good enough for the DP World Tour, but they won’t all succeed on the big circuit because they don’t all have the grit and positivity to play their best stuff when it…

A former member of the European Tour and two-time winner, Wayne is part of the Sky Sports golf team. He writes exclusively for Golf Monthly It’s not far away, and it’s all anyone is talking about. That’s right, the Ryder Cup is almost here and I couldn’t be more excited. And, based on the conversations I’ve had with players, pundits and fans on both sides of the Atlantic, that’s how everyone else is feeling too. It’s golf, but not as we know it. It’s electric and enthralling. I’m going to be covering my eighth Ryder Cup and it’s a huge honour to get asked to do it. Back in the day, my boss said “why would I take an Australian to a Ryder Cup?” but I didn’t see the relevance…

It’s 9pm on Open Tuesday and a light breeze whispers round the sprawling canvas village in which I’m sitting at the heart of the Championship’s official campsite. Royal Liverpool’s historic links lies a few hundred yards away and there’s a buzz about what’s in store. In many ways, this canvas conurbation, with its festival-style atmosphere, epitomises the slow revolution taking place in golf. From popstars to reality TV personalities, golf is drawing a new crowd, inspired less by history and tradition and more by fresh air and camaraderie. Around me are the people who will bring much of the atmosphere to Hoylake over the next few days. Since The Open campsite first appeared at Troon in 2016 it has grown dramatically, with 770 tents now taking up to 2,000 golf…

Having looked back on FootJoy’s 100-year history and gained an insight into where the company is headed going forwards, we venture back to the campsite here. Sleeping under the stars may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for those wanting to stay close to the course and immerse themselves fully in The Open’s unique atmosphere, this experience is hard to beat. Naturally, camping (you can also glamp) typically attracts a younger crowd. FootJoy clearly understands the role that the campsite plays and, by partnering with golf’s oldest Major Championship, the brand has been able to inject some extra excitement into the proceedings. Before the 151st Open Championship got under way, there was much to enjoy on camp: visits from the players; live music; free expert shoe-fitting in the FJ…

1 The chipping yips are a hugely mental part of the game, but they result from a technical fault that has crept in which has led to a fear of the ground. The golfer gets afraid of what the club is going to do at impact and that results in involuntary movements, usually with the knees and hands. However, when golfers improve their technique and start making the odd good contact, it rewires the mind so you know you can actually do it. Greater margin for error The beauty of using the bounce properly is it means you don’t have to be perfect with the strike to get good results. Shot on location at Infinitum Resort, Spain 2 Technically, the first thing to do is move the ball position further…

GM verdict From the outside, it might appear that not much has changed in the latest iteration of the P790 iron. However, TaylorMade hasn’t simply been sitting around twiddling its thumbs since it launched the third generation in 2021. In fact, it’s been busy totally reconstructing the inside of the P790, with the aim of providing even more consistent performance and playability. In this new fourth generation of P790, all the heads throughout the iron set are unique, with a bespoke amount of tungsten weighting to create something TaylorMade calls Fltd CG, or Flighted Centre of Gravity. In layman’s terms, this refers to the centre of gravity in each head being optimised to produce the best launch conditions and ball flight. So, the CG progresses from being lowest in the…

Looks The Twist Fit closure system certainly makes the Elite 5 Slip ‘In a unique, athleticlooking golf shoe. GM verdict Skechers has earned a reputation for comfort across its extensive range of golf shoes. This still rings true in the all-new Go Golf Elite 5 Slip ‘In, which boasts Slip ‘In technology for the first time in a Skechers shoe. The new design very much does what it says on the tin, with a firm heel area allowing you to slide your foot in totally hands-free. Indeed, they slide on just like a pair of comfy slippers – and they feel just as good too. Elsewhere, the Twist Fit dial system located on the side makes it easy to fasten. We can see the appeal for those who suffer from…

GolfBuddy Laser Lite 2 rangefinder £169.99 Weight: 140g Range: 880 yards Shot Scope Pro L2 rangefinder £149.99 Weight: 215g Range: 700 yards Design The Laser Lite 2, as the name suggests, is noticeably light to handle – perhaps too much so for those who struggle to keep a rangefinder steady. But the textured sections on the top and bottom should allow users to keep a firm hold of the device. 9 ~ 8 The Pro L2 has a more of a substantial feel given its extra size and weight, which will be reassuring for some, although it perhaps doesn’t quite have the premium visuals of the GolfBuddy. The Pro L2 also comes in two colour options – blue and grey. Display The display on the Laser Lite 2 could be…

When people think of golf in Scotland, it’s only natural for places like St Andrews, Carnoustie, Muirfield, Troon and Turnberry to spring to mind. It is the Home of Golf after all, and these gems of Open fame offer golfers a chance to experience the purest form of the game in all its glory. However, to assume that is all the country has to offer would be to do a disservice to the myriad of brilliant inland options that pack a different, but no less worthy, punch. One such delight can be found in the Scottish Borders at Cardrona. There’s a great golfing and outdoors getaway to be had in this village, which is the first new community settlement in the area since the 18th century. Located on the banks…

Sand Moor Just over the road from Moortown and running across to the Eccup Reservoir, Sand Moor sits in a stretch of prime golfing real estate and is sometimes overlooked by those seeking to tick off the more famous names. This is a shame, as the par-71 course is an absolute cracker in its own right and would be very high in the rankings of most counties. MacKenzie actually sat on the club’s first greens’ committee, and Henry Cotton made some GF: 18 holes: £90wd, £110 Sun from behind the wellprotected green on the short 10th. The strong par-4 11th heads off into the distance. Looking changes when new land was acquired in the 1960s. back to the Already lovely, improvements continue. tee on the left Photography: Andy Hiseman, Joe…

Despite the interruptions offered by the accursed Covid and then the shocking rows and pathetic name-calling around the LIV rebellion, followed, of course, by something that very nearly appears to be a peace agreement that may yet fall apart – despite all this, golf is hoping to get back to just being a game at the Ryder Cup. Hopefully it will. I’ve no doubt that when the match gets under way, we may all sit back and enjoy the contest that unfolds at the revamped Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, where American fans can drool over an equally refurbished ancient castle that was doing what castles do 500 years before the USA creaked into existence. Located ten miles outside the centre of Rome, Marco Simone’s fairways trundle up and…

Harman tames Hoylake to secure maiden Major Congratulations on winning The Open. Did you always know you had a Major in you? I’ve always had a self-belief that I could do something like this. It’s just when it takes so much time, it’s hard not to let your mind falter. I’m 36 years old and the game is getting younger. I think someone mentioned I’ve had more top-tens than anyone since 2017 – that’s a lot of times where you’re like, ‘dammit man, I had that one.’ I don’t know why it happened now, but I’m very thankful. At what point did you think you could win the Claret Jug? There were fleeting thoughts throughout the final day, but I told myself I wasn’t going to let any of that…

The basics I would suggest playing wedge through to 6-iron in the centre of your stance, longer irons and hybrids just forward of centre and driver a couple of inches inside your left heel. Downwind, you could move the ball forward to hit your driver more on the up for more distance, but if your swing comes from the inside, never have it too far forward. Keeping it low To keep it low, take less loft, move the ball back, make a conscious effort to stay more in front of it and swing shorter both back and through. Open the stance a little, too, to avoid too much draw. Only play your irons back in the stance if you need to keep flight down, and even then never too far…

The golf Cathedral course: par 72, 6,442 yards Tower course: par 71, 6,109 yards The pretty, parkland Cathedral course at Chichester is very much a round of two halves. If you can survive the lengthy front nine relatively unscathed, you’ll be in good shape to build a score on the shorter, more manageable home stretch. The round begins comparatively benignly before really showing its teeth on the monstrous par-5 5th. It’s not just the 608-yard length to worry about here. A narrow fairway with water either side that pinches in close to the green means this is not a hole for the faint-hearted. It’s one that thoroughly justifies its SI1 billing. Coming home, there are a couple of shorter par 5s at 12 and 14 before the attractive par-3 15th,…

2012 FootJoy launches its first full line of men’s apparel to complement the existing shoe, glove, outerwear and layering ranges. The new line features contemporary styles and a variety of performance fabrics. 1923 Field and Flint Company launches the first ‘FootJoy’ with the tagline, ‘The shoe that’s different’. 1927 FootJoy becomes the official golf shoe worn by the US Ryder Cup team. Walter Hagen captains the side, which includes a player by the name of Johnny Farrell. 1928 Farrell (above centre) wins the US Open at Olympia Fields. The 27-year-old beats Bobby Jones in a 36-hole play-off. It’s FootJoy’s first ever professional win. There have been over 8,000 since. 1945 FootJoy earns the distinction of being the number-one shoe on the PGA Tour – aposition the brand has held every…

The concept of greatness is one that permeates all areas of professional sport – players strive for it, fans heatedly debate it and legacies are forged because of it. Of course, greatness is a broad concept and its definition will vary based on the subject matter, but is it even something that can be objectively defined? If so, what constitutes greatness in professional golf? I had this discussion with GM contributor Wayne Riley recently and it occurred to me it was a topic that warranted further thought. Like me, he feels the word ‘great’ is used too often, so we set about attempting to define it in a golfing context. It quickly became clear how challenging it would be. Every time we thought we’d managed it, a player would pop…

1 Posture at address can be a big issue as it will affect how you swing. With an athletic set-up, you can return the club to the ball as per the main image here. With poor posture at address – perhaps too upright with too much weight on the heels – your move back to the ball will look more like the inset photo. It’s difficult to transfer weight properly and you’ll cut across the ball, with the arms rather than the body controlling the movement. The main image looks much more powerful. The right driver If your driver shaft is too soft for your clubhead speed and swing, you’ll struggle to control the ball flight. If it’s too stiff, you’ll struggle to release the clubhead properly at impact. Shot…

GM verdict Ping made us wait for the LST version of its G430 fairway wood, but it was certainly worth staying patient for. The most notable added technology is the eightlayer Carbonfly Wrap crown, first seen on the G430 LST driver. It saves 5.5g of weight to help lower the centre of gravity and maximise launch and ball speed. The 169cc head also has an 80g tungsten sole plate, as well as a new variable-roll radius that improves performance on shots struck low on the face. It looks surprisingly inviting for a low-spin model at address and sits a little open, which will appeal to the better player who doesn’t want to see the ball going left. Connecting with the middle for the first time results in an explosive…

Golf shoes need to do a lot for us.They need to be comfortable, supportive and waterproof, offer plenty of grip, look good and, for some of us, be wearable on and off the course. As our tastes for golf shoes have changed over recent years, manufacturers have adapted. Here, thanks to our extensive testing, we take a look at the best golf shoes released this year. Looks Looks is a highly subjective, yet extremely important, category. This year has seen the emergence of even more hybrid golf shoes – those that can be worn both on and off the golf course. Some fine examples of this type of shoe are those from True Linkswear and Cole Haan, which are brands we tried for the first time and were seriously impressed…

Having the right wedge line-up in your golf bag is crucial to playing better golf around the greens and lowering your handicap. Confidence is certainly key when it comes to the short game and wedges that look right to your eye are key to ensuring you hit more chip and pitch shots closer. Whether you are someone who likes a chrome or raw finish, a straight or curved leading edge, various models offer something subtly different to the eye. Finding the right bounce options for each wedge will depend on a few factors, mainly the turf conditions and how steep or shallow your attack angle is. If yours is fairly shallow and you like the leading edge close to the ground when playing in firm conditions, a 60° wedge with…

St Annes Old Links This historic championship links had been on my radar for many years, so I was delighted to finally make it to this fine test of golf that rightly occupies a spot in the Golf Monthly Top 200 of the UK&I. The club dates back to 1901 and was founded following the move away by what is now Royal Lytham & St Annes to the other side of town. It is a traditional, challenging, easy-walking and very playable links designed by George Lowe and Sandy Herd, and it hosted Final Qualifying for The Open from 2018 until last year. There are four par 5s, unusually in back-toback pairs, and the outstanding and scarily narrow short hole that closes the front nine involves a flirtation with no fewer…

So, that was the 151st Open Championship. Remember it? It might be a struggle to recall the action with any sense of excitement. Indeed it will be nigh-on impossible. This was my 46th Open and probably the least enthralling. There have been a few dampish squibs along the way but this Royal Liverpool caper ended up not even having a blue touch paper to try to light. Let’s pause for a moment. This disappointment has nothing to do with the course or the winner. Hoylake’s antediluvian acres offer a terrific test of anyone’s talent and imagination, the clubhouse is the friendliest and most comfortable of all the Open venues, while Brian Harman’s immaculate, considered golf deserves the highest praise. “Harman, relatively modest in every way, held himself together quite brilliantly”…

Less than 24 hours before our interview, Matt Fitzpatrick was battling his way around a biblically wet Royal Liverpool in the final round of the 151st Open Championship. The week was memorable for the Fitzpatrick family but it was younger brother Alex, making his Open debut, who was all smiles at the end after an outstanding share of 17th place. Matt ended the week in a tie for 41st. In his pre-Championship press conference he commented that a top-30 finish would be a good result. His Sunday evening was then spent driving across to Sheffield for a Skechers sponsor’s day at his home club, Hallamshire. You might forgive him for at least a bit of tiredness and the odd stifled yawn, but for five hours he went above and beyond…