Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2015 i Golf Australia

IT SEEMS like a lifetime ago since Peter Thomson stood in front of his charges on a temporary stage overlooking the Royal Melbourne practice area and held the golden Presidents Cup aloft for all to see. There was a great roar, like you might expect from those devout fans in front of the podium after a Formula One race. Perhaps the only thing that was missing on that cool, drizzly Melbourne afternoon was a five-time British Open champion spraying the crowd, and his team, with expensive champagne. On second thoughts, that sort of thing is probably best left to the European Ryder Cup team, who have far more experience in that regard. That’s not to say there wasn’t any bubbly being splashed around as the International team celebrated an historic…

LONG putts are a big part of golf.There are times when a bad drive will mean hitting a longer club onto the green. This translates into a loss of accuracy and a lot of long putts. Since three-putts are score killers, the pressure is on to be a good lag putter. When you’re faced with a putt of 40 feet or longer, don’t be afraid to alter the technique you use on short putts. Most instruction articles on precise putting will tell you to control the stroke with the arms and shoulders, keeping the hands and wrists quiet. It’s a smart move for short putting, but on long putts distance is the real concern. To hone distance skills, you need more feel than a stiff-wristed stroke provides. So for long…

WHEN escape shots come off they are a wonder of the game. When they don’t … they can be downright embarrassing, as American pro Peter Malnati found out in a Web.com Tour event recently. What is your caption to go with this photo? Submit your caption on the entry form found on our website (not in the comment box) for the accompanying photo and the best entry judged by Golf Australia’s editors will win a pair of 2015 adidas Tour 360X shoes, worth $149.The new Tour 360X shoes continue the evolution of the Tour 360 family. With its Tour-proven performance and stability unquestioned, the new model features increased cushioning and comfort. For more information visit the website www.adidasgolf.com  or call 1800 700 011 TO ENTER: Visit www.golfaustralia.com.au and…

A STRONG squad of six has been selected to represent Australia at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship to be played in Hong Kong this month. Golf Australia high performance director Brad James recently announced the Aussie contingent, which will be headed by 17-year-old Ryan Ruffels, ranked No.9 amateur in the world after the recent US Amateur. He will be joined by fellow Victorian and good mate Lucas Herbert, (the World No.39), NSW pair Cameron Davis and Travis Smyth as well as West Australian Jarryd Felton. The final member of the squad is South Australia’s Antonio Murdaca, who will be trying to emulate Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama in winning the championship in consecutive years. Of course, Murdaca famously streeted the field last year at Royal Melbourne and won his way into the field…

SEEMINGLY in the blink of an eye we have Jason Day’s year being compared to Greg Norman’s brilliant 1986. Norman wasn’t the best player in the game at the beginning of 1986 (Severiano Ballesteros was) but he was by the end, having won all over the world as well as the ‘Saturday Slam’ where he led every major championship after 54 holes. Of those four final championship days he won only once, at Turnberry in The Open, but later in the year he won the World Match Play, the European Open and most of what he played in Australia excepting the Australian Open. Norman’s play in 1986 captivated the country and from then until the end of his realistic winning days, he both thrilled and tormented his supporters. Here was…

AS we move closer to the northern hemisphere summer of 2016, so the amount of Olympics talk on Tour has been increasing, and there are a few opinions out there, as you can imagine. For myself, the idea of playing in the Olympics is a lot less exciting than being in the Olympics. The opening ceremony would be pretty special, for example. But four rounds of strokeplay in Rio de Janeiro next year is not something I lie in bed thinking about. So, for me at least, making the Olympic team would be amazing. Competing in the Olympics? Not so much. I look at it this way. If, 12 months from now, I was sitting down to think back at my year on Tour I know which events I’d most…

JASON DAY (AUSTRALIA) AGE: 27PRESIDENTS CUP APPEARANCES: 2011, 2013RECORD (W-L-H): 4-4-2 ADAM SCOTT (AUSTRALIA) AGE: 35 PRESIDENTS CUP APPEARANCES: 2003, 2005, 2007,2009, 2011, 2013 RECORD (W-L-H): 12-15-3 LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN (SOUTH AFRICA) AGE: 32PRESIDENTS CUP APPEARANCES: 2013RECORD (W-L-H): 1-3-1 HIDEKI MATSUYAMA (JAPAN) AGE: 23PRESIDENTS CUP APPEARANCES: 2013RECORD (W-L-H): 1-3-1 BRANDEN GRACE (SOUTH AFRICA) AGE: 27PRESIDENTS CUP APPEARANCES: 2013RECORD (W-L-H): 0-4-0 MARC LEISHMAN (AUSTRALIA) AGE: 31PRESIDENTS CUP APPEARANCES: 2013RECORD (W-L-H): 2-2-0 ANIRBAN LAHIRI (INDIA) AGE: 28PRESIDENTS CUP APPEARANCES: ROOKIERECORD (W-L-H): 0-0-0 CHARL SCHWARTZEL (SOUTH AFRICA) AGE: 31PRESIDENTS CUP APPEARANCES: 2011, 2013RECORD (W-L-H): 5-4-1 THONGCHAI JAIDEE (THAILAND) AGE: 45PRESIDENTS CUP APPEARANCES: ROOKIERECORD (W-L-H): 0-0-0 DANNY LEE (NEW ZEALAND) AGE: 25PRESIDENTS CUP APPEARANCES: ROOKIERECORD (W-L-H): 0-0-0 SANG-MOON BAE (SOUTH KOREA) AGE: 29PRESIDENTS CUP…

RESORT GOLF IN PARADISE A round of golf at Denarau Golf & Racquet Club truly is Golf In Paradise. With a back drop of lush mountains, a waterway that meanders its way through the course and making your way out to the beautiful aqua waters of Fiji on holes 15 & 16, keeping your mind on golf can sometimes prove a challenge. This International Resort course measures 6538 metres is a par 72 with 4 different tee grounds on each hole, the course is playable for golfers of all abilities. We also have 6 grass and 4 synthetic tennis courts for those wanting to get active and a fully stocked pro-shop to cater for your golfing needs. FIJI PREMIUM CLUBHOUSE After your round relax with a refreshing beverage or try…

A common mistake is to play a lofted chip shot from an uphill lie to an elevated green. Hitting a ball from an uphill lie will promote flight in itself, so adding a high lofted club can be overkill. The results can vary between, catching grass before ball, thinning the ball over the back of the green or popping the ball too high without distance, which results in the ball rolling back to your feet. Most players now carry a hybrid. Hybrids can be a very consistent chipping club when there’s no need to elevate the ball. Using an elevated green as an example, your main objective should be to get your ball onto the putting surface. One thing you can be sure of when using a hybrid to chip…

For commitment-phobes, joining a golf club is no easy decision to make. Are you getting the best deal? Which membership type suits best? And, perhaps most tellingly, will you end up regretting the decision? The decision for would-be members is as easy today as it’s ever been. The ‘buyers’ market’ situation that currently exists in the broader landscape of club membership has seen golf clubs tweak and discount their standard offerings to become more enticing. OK, so offering the volume of categories that some clubs do can create some confusion, but ultimately a greater number of options to choose from means a higher likelihood that there’s one to suit. This edition of Golf Australia’s annual membership guide reveals the continuation of several key trends. Firstly, joining fees are going the…

THE HETHERINGTON RÉSUMÉ Won eight times on the LPGA Tour and three times in Europe. Twice won back-to-back tournaments on the LPGA Tour. Partnered Karrie Webb to win the Women’s World Cup of Golf in 2000. Boasts an impressive 3-1 record in play-offs against Annika Sorenstam. New South Wales GC Sydney, NSW This course (pictured above) is a great test. I remember playing the Australian Junior there in a brutal gale, which gave me the strongest of lessons in course management. Royal Adelaide GC Adelaide, SA I finished runner-up to Annika Sorenstam there in the Australian Open late in 1994, earning enough money to return to the Ladies European Tour the following year. It’s a true treasure to play. Dalmahoy CC Edinburgh, Scotland The site of my first professional hole-in-one,…

NOOSA SPRINGS GOLF & SPA RESORT NOOSA HEADS, QUEENSLAND RANKING: Noosa Springs ranks 57th on Golf Australia’s Top-100 Public Access Courses list, a drop of five spots from its position in 2013.Today’s ranking puts Noosa Springs as the 13th-best public-access course in Queensland. THE DEAL: The standard green fee is $120 (including cart). Book a group of 12 or more and the green fee drops to $99 each and includes lunch either on-course or after the round. Other specials include: Sunshine Coast residents play on Sundays for $75, while tee-times booked online also attract a 15 percent saving. GOOD TO KNOW: Noosa Springs runs a range of ongoing packages that combine golf with the luxurious on-site accommodation and spa facilities. Packages can last a day or two or as long…

IT’S one of the most famous golf events in the world – and you could be there for every shot. This spring, Qantas Golf Club is giving you the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip for two to the 2016 Masters at Augusta National. This unforgettable prize includes a seven-night stay in private residential accommodation only a short walk from Augusta National, five days’ entry to the Masters, return flights and more. Savour the atmosphere as the world’s best contend for the coveted Green Jacket. From Greg Norman’s near-miss heartbreaks and Adam Scott’s win in 2013 that broke Australia’s Masters drought, to Jordan Spieth’s dominance in 2015, it’s the tournament where dreams are made and can be broken. HOW TO ENTER: Entering is easy. Simply join Qantas Golf Club today…

WE’RE going back a bit here, 17 years to be exact. There I was, standing just inside the entrance to the media centre at the 1998 Dunhill Cup when the door suddenly burst open. In marched a young lad by the name of Tiger Woods, who was in St Andrews as part of the three-man United States team competing in the now sadly defunct stroke/ matchplay tournament. And behind him was a relatively small crowd of mostly even younger autograph seekers. “Well, that was f------g fun,” said Woods to no one – and everyone – in particular, as said door slammed shut on his eager and friendly pursuers. Now fast forward to August this year, to the immediate aftermaths of Usain Bolt’s historic and epic victories over the two-time drug…

JORDAN SPIETH AGE: 22 PRESIDENTS CUP APPEARANCES: 2013 RECORD (W-L-H): 2-2-0 BUBBA WATSON AGE: 36 PRESIDENTS CUP APPEARANCES: 2011 RECORD (W-L-H): 3-2-0 JIMMY WALKER AGE: 36PRESIDENTS CUP APPEARANCES: ROOKIERECORD (W-L-H): 0-0-0 ZACH JOHNSON AGE: 39PRESIDENTS CUP APPEARANCES: 2007, 2009, 2013RECORD (W-L-H): 7-6-0 JIM FURYK AGE: 45 PRESIDENTS CUP APPEARANCES: 1998, 2000, 2003,2005, 2007, 2009, 2011 RECORD (W-L-H): 20-10-3 DUSTIN JOHNSON AGE: 31PRESIDENTS CUP APPEARANCES: 2011RECORD (W-L-H): 1-3-0 PATRICK REED AGE: 25PRESIDENTS CUP APPEARANCES: ROOKIERECORD (W-L-H): 0-0-0 RICKIE FOWLER AGE: 26PRESIDENTS CUP APPEARANCES: ROOKIERECORD (W-L-H): 0-0-0 MATT KUCHAR AGE: 37PRESIDENTS CUP APPEARANCES: 2011, 2013RECORD (W-L-H): 4-5-1 CHRIS KIRK AGE: 30PRESIDENTS CUP APPEARANCES: ROOKIERECORD (W-L-H): 0-0-0 BILL HAAS AGE: 33PRESIDENTS CUP APPEARANCES: 2011, 2013RECORD (W-L-H): 3-5-2 PHIL MICKELSON AGE: 45 PRESIDENTS CUP APPEARANCES: 1994, 1996, 1998,2000, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013…

HERE is photographic proof that nearly 99 percent of average golfers are doing a disservice to their golf swing by moving their feet too much before they hit the ball. Are you one of the thousands of golfers who lift their front foot off the ground on the backswing and then hit the ball with your back foot flat on the deck? Here you can see how the world’s best golfer, Jordan Spieth, does it. At the top of his backswing, both feet are flat on the ground as his upper body turns into his right side. As he swings down by uncoiling his torso, his weight starts to move into his left side but it is only at impact that his right foot rolls onto its instep. At no…

Reducing your score and breaking the barrier of triple figures can be as simple as improving your process and approach to your upcoming shot. Course management is crucial to improving your scoring. I look at course management as a series of steps geared around making the upcoming shot as easy as possible to execute. There are three distinct phases to my routine of which I use a three-box method: BOX ONE is the planning phase. I evaluate the lie and environmental conditions then make a strategic decision about what I want my desired outcome to be. Secondly, I build a plan for the upcoming shot. For example, the left side of the fairway is safer than the right or the front of the green is a better miss than over…

DEUTSCHE BANK CHAMPIONSHIP WINNING SCORE: 15-under-par, 269 DEFEATED: Defeated Swede Henrik Stenson by one stroke. DEFINING MOMENTS: Trailing by three shots early on the back nine, Fowler rolled in a 40-foot putt on the 14th hole to pull within one shot of Stenson. He then seized control of the tournament when the Swede hit a towering tee shot on the par-3 16th that came down short and trickled into the water resulting in a double-bogey.That left Fowler in the lead and he closed out with a three-under 68 and a one-shot win. WITH THIS VICTORY… • Fowler collected his third trophy for the year, adding to the Players Championship and Scottish Open. • Fowler moved back to No.5 in the world ranking. EQUIPMENT CHOICE DRIVER Cobra Fly-Z+ 10.5° loft, fitted…

THE COURSE LOCATION:Balgowlah Rd, Balgowlah.The club is a 25-minute drive from the Sydney CBD via the Bradfield Highway, Military Rd and the Spit Bridge. CONTACT: (02) 9948 0256. WEBSITE: www.manlygolf.com.au DESIGNERS: Peter Thomson and Ross Perrett (2012). SLOPE RATINGS: Men: 134/131/117; women: 130/118. PLAYING SURFACES: A1 bentgrass (greens),Windsor Green couch (tees, fairways and rough). COURSE SUPERINTENDENT: Michael Bradbery. PGA PROFESSIONAL: Philip Baird. GREEN FEES: $120 (tee-times and non-member access are limited). THE CLUB MEMBERSHIPS: Membership is currently open at Manly, including a new introductory category that offers a once-only 12-month membership for $1,745, plus a $250 house levy. While some course-access restrictions apply, this category provides a ‘taste’ of membership and includes golf clinic and lesson packages.The $1,745 is deducted from the joining fee should full membership be taken…

AUGUST PHOTO CAPTION COMPETITION We had some terrific entries to our photo of Spencer Levin losing a little club control.The best entry according to our judges came from Steven Nye of Nabiac, NSW, with: “I hope my swing coach is watching, I think I’m releasing the club much better now!” Congratulations Steven, you win a pair of adidas Tour 360X shoes worth $149. AUGUST SUBSCRIPTION GIVEAWAY All subscribers to Golf Australia were entered into a draw to win a trip for two to the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix worth $10,000.The winner was Andrew Kiloni of Waverley, Queensland. golf australia We’re on Facebook. Like us and get news updates and the chance to win prizes at www.facebook.com/ golfaustralia Follow Golf Australia on Twitter @GolfAustMag www.golfaustralia.com.au…

1. How old were you and where did you break par for 18 holes the first time? It must have been 15 at my home club of Heathrow in Florida. 2. Best shot of your career? I would say finding the fairway of the 72nd hole of the Players in 2012. 3. One mulligan you’d like to have? This year I hit an ordinary chip on the 72nd hole of the Humana Bob Hope Classic; I needed to get up and down to get in a play-off but failed to do so. 4. Favourite course in the USA? Friar’s Head, Long Island. 5. Favourite course outside the USA? Royal Melbourne, Australia. 6. Favourite hole in the USA? The 10th at Chambers Bay. 7. Favourite hole outside the USA? There are…

READING Brendan Moloney’s column (Cash ...There’s No Cash Here – September issue); made me more than a little angry about the state of tournament golf in this country. While I don’t think it is realistic to compare our events with the majors, as Brendan has in putting the Australian Open up against the US Open, it’s certainly worth looking at how our local Tour has not really grown at all in the past ten years. In 2004, the three Australian ‘Triple Crown’ events – the Open, PGA and Masters – had a combined total prizemoney of $3.75 million, with the Open at The Australian Golf Club offering $1.5 million. This year, the Aussie Open, with Jordan Spieth defending, has a total purse of $1.25 million –…

FRANKSTON Golf Club celebrated its centenary in 2013 and this month it is holding a party for one of its members who reaches the same milestone. When Ralph Godfrey was born in Birmingham, England, on October 18, 1915, the world was a vastly different place. King George V was on the throne, Billy Hughes was the seventh Prime Minister of Australia and the British and Australian Opens were on hold because the world was at war. After the war, six-year-old Godfrey came to Australia with his parents to join his uncle, Robin Godfrey, on his farm at Buffalo, 130 kilometres south-east of Melbourne. In the healthy Australian climate the kid flourished and became an A-grade tennis player and cricketer, competing at club level against the rising Lindsay Hassett, who went…

SUITABILITY: All golfers, but especially those seeking extra spin from their wedges. SHAFT: The KBS Wedge (with wedge flex) shaft is the standard offering. LOFTS: Available in 47°, 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58°, 60° and 62° lofts. All except the 47°, 50° and 62° feature multiple bounce options. LEFT-HANDED MODELS?: Mostly.The 47°, 52° (ATV bounce), 56° (15° bounce), 58° (13° bounce), 60° (7° bounce) and 62° models are right-hand only. HOW MUCH?: $229 per wedge (available from October 4). TAYLORMADE SAYS: “TaylorMade’s Tour Preferred EF wedge is highlighted by the introduction of a proprietary electroformed (EF) nickel cobalt face.The incredibly thin face insert (0.25mm thick) is created by way of a process that begins with the ionisation of nickel and cobalt in an electrolytic solution.The charged ions are then deposited…

Many golfers just automatically set up in the middle of the tee and swing away, but if you notice how Tour pros differ then you might be able to hit one or two more drives in the fairway, especially on a tee shot you find difficult.That could prove the difference between shooting 81 or 82 and 77 or better. Choosing the correct side of the teeing ground often greatly changes the angle of the shot and this can make you feel more confident of hitting the fairway before you swing. For example, I hit the ball with a small draw. If I tee up on the left side of the tee (pic 1), there is a greater chance of running through the fairway into the trees on the right. Whereas,…

THE KING RETURNS Cobra Golf has announced the return of King to the product line with the launch of the new King Ltd driver. Fuelled by research in space, the King Ltd features a revolutionary ‘SpacePort’ design that allowed the brand’s research and development team to strategically position the centre of gravity and make Cobra Golf’s key internal speed and stability technologies visible for the first time. It also helped engineers move discretionary weight to create the lowest centre of gravity ever. The SpacePort window is incorporated into the sole of the driver and is locked in place by the use of Spiralock thread technology, which is designed to withstand high vibrations and loads during impact without over tightening or loosening. The King Ltd driver is available in five lofts…

It’s no ordinary Thursday evening in mid-September for the two Marshall brothers. We are deep in the heart of Atlantic Canada’s Nova Scotia having just driven past a sign that indicates the halfway point between the equator and the North Pole. With the automatic set to cruise control and some cool sounds on the radio, we cut a swathe through dense pine forest that stretches as far as the eye can see. After crossing the spectacular 13-kilometre Confederations Bridge we arrive on Prince Edward Island (known locally as PEI), our final destination for a week-long gourmet golf experience – playing six of the island’s best courses, staying in top-drawer accommodation and sampling some of the planet’s finest seafood. Only 280 kilometres from tip-to-tip, Canada’s tiniest province certainly packs a punch…