Table of contents for February 2017 in Golf Monthly

Photography Tom Miles As the year draws to a close it's time for golfers to take stock of the 12 months that have passed and make plans for the coming season. Did your handicap go up or down? Did you make any swing changes? Did you perform well in competitions? Did you get to play any new courses? If you are anything like me then the answer to those, and more questions besides, will probably decide what your golfing goals are for 2017. For me, my goals are three fold. Firstly, to try and groove some swing changes that I worked on with my pro back in September which helped me finish the competitive season with some respectable scores. Next, to do more than make up the numbers and swell…

LETTERS The Editor Golf Monthly Pinehurst 2, Pinehurst Road, Farnborough Business Park, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 7BF EMAIL golfmonthly @timeinc.com TWITTER @GolfMonthly FACEBOOK facebook.com/ golfmonthlymagazine GOLF MONTHLY FORUM golf-monthly.co.uk/ forums GOOGLE+ +golfmonthly YOUTUBE youtube.com/GolfMonthly VINE vine.co/Golf.Monthly INSTAGRAM instagram.com/ golfmonthly All contributions must be original, not copies or duplicated to other publications. The editor reserves the right to edit letters. Time Inc. (UK) or its associated companies reserve the right to reuse any submission sent to these pages of Golf Monthly, in any format or medium.…

Jon Rahm grew up in Barrika, Spain and dominated his native amateur circuit before crossing the Atlantic to play collegiate golf for Arizona State. It didn't take him long to settle in his new surroundings and he recorded 11 collegiate wins, putting him second on the all-time list behind none other than Phil Mickelson. Those performances led to him receiving the coveted Mark H. McCormack Medal in 2015, which is awarded annually by The R&A to the leading player in the amateur game. He continued to go from strength to strength in 2016 and finished as top amateur in the US Open at Oakmont, ending up tied for 23. In total, he spent 60 weeks at the top of the World Amateur Golf Rankings. After such a stellar amateur career…

he 20-year-old from Oban has been tipped for the top ever since he became the first player to win the Scottish National Youths and Boys' stroke play titles in the same year in 2013. In 2015, he took his game to the next level, claiming the Scottish Amateur title at Muirfield – the first left-hander in living memory to do so – before winning his first college event in the US while studying at McNeese State University in Louisiana. Things didn't quite work out for MacIntyre in the States and he decided to head back to Scotland 18 months into his studies, but that didn't hinder the Scot's progress. He finished runner-up in The Amateur Championship at Royal Porthcawl, narrowly missing out to England's Scott Gregory in the 36-hole final.…

Photography Paul Severn “My plan is to hit at least 500 balls most days this winter. I may have the odd day off, but every day I will chip and putt for an hour or so. That is vital” For me, every European Tour season actually begins as the previous one ends. When the schedule for the next campaign is released – usually during the season-ending DP World Tour Championship – I sit down and map out where and when I'm going to play over the coming months. I start with tournaments I either enjoy or have done well in (they are first to be highlighted with the green marker pen I keep in my office). That means an early trip to the Middle East for the three-week run of…

Photography Paul Severn “The best players in the world just have an underlying confidence that even without their ‘A’ game they are going to get it round 18 holes in a decent score” I suppose a lot of people would automatically assume that my Ryder Cup year of 2008 must have been the best of my golfing career. But, for me, it was actually the year that followed, which was nice because 2009 then really cemented everything I'd achieved in my 2008 season. I had a change of coach at the end of '08 and in '09 I was much more consistent in the Majors. I missed the cut at The Masters in April, but was then inside the top 24 in the next three. Plus, I had three top…

TOP 25 COACH Wildwood GC, Surrey Photography Mark Newcombe Technical approach There are two ways of hitting a punch shot. The first involves taking more club and simply swinging a little softer than usual. This works because with less swing speed, you produce less backspin. However, it can be hard to control both the distance and accuracy this way and it requires a lot of practice. So what I would propose is to control the flight of the shot by restricting the follow through. Again, you will need to take at least one extra club and set the ball back in your stance a little at address. This will mean your sternum is ahead of the ball – essentially, this set-up position is de-lofting the club for a lower flight.…

TOP 25 COACH Abbey Hotel & Lea Marston Hotel, West Midlands Photography Paul Severn Steep and shallow For success from bunkers, you need to find a steep swing plane but a shallow path. Start by opening the face of your wedge to get more loft – don't forget this will cause the ball to come out right. Open your feet, hips and body, aiming them well to the left of the target line. As a guide to alignment, the ball will leave the bunker in a direction halfway between where your stance and the face of your wedge are pointing. Setting up with an open stance relative to the target and swinging along the line of your body will create a fairly steep swing plane to help pop the ball…

TOP 25 COACH Head professional, Mid Herts GC Photography Paul Severn The safe option The hybrid chip is one of the easiest and most useful short-game shots to play, but relatively few amateurs use it. If you are faced with a delicate chip from a tricky lie (either in slightly thicker rough or a bare lie), the hybrid offers enough loft to get the ball up and out and then rolling like a putt. The design of the head also helps with the strike, too. Move your hands down the club and grip it as you would your putter. Hover the club slightly behind the ball and make a short, putter-like stroke to pop it in the air and take the fringe out of play. You should try this out…

“THE PIN PLACEMENT HERE WILL DETERMINE HOW AGGRESSIVE YOU CAN BE OFF THE TEE” Your mid-irons are your scoring clubs. Hit these well and you'll make easy pars and give yourself the odd birdie chance. But a good mid-iron game means that you have to be spot on with your distances. If you are playing a tree-lined course, picking the wind is a real challenge. Often par-3 tees are shaded from the wind and it is easy to forget that once the ball reaches the top of its flight, it will be affected. Take a look at the direction the flag is blowing in and look at the tops of the trees. Above all, once you have worked out what the wind is doing and then selected your club, trust…

“IT FEELS GOOD TO TAKE ACTION AND GET A SENSE OF PURPOSE ” Karl Morris As you look back on your golf last year what are your true thoughts about your performance? Did you play the golf you know you are capable of? Did you enjoy the actual experience of playing the game? How would you rate your previous 12 months? Do you want more of the same this year? As we look back on our golfing past we often resolve to make it better in the future. We think there will always be another opportunity to improve at some point. We say we want to improve. We moan about our past performance, but how often do golfers actually do anything about it? How often does a golfer actually improve?…

Player’s name Player’s handicap Home club Pre-MOT analysis “My last fittings were when I was a 24-handicap and the benefits were obvious over the following three years as my handicap tumbled. Now off 9, I would love to get an updated take on my equipment requirements to see if I can take my game to the next level.” Fitters’ advisories Heavy shaft limiting distance 001 – Switching Merv's 3-wood to a lighter shaft was a lightbulb moment for him, giving him more speed, less spin, a better smash factor and more distance. Common miss: high and right of the target 001 – Reducing Merv's hybrid shaft weight by 15g helped him close the face more quickly to combat the miss right. 002 – Merv had 95g iron shafts, and by…

Buying a new driver is an exciting prospect, but it can also be a daunting one. With so much different technology on offer from every manufacturer, it can be hard to know where to start. For 2017, custom fitting and moveable weights are strong and common themes. This adjustability helps golfers modify launch, spin and shot shape and is relatively intuitive. Combine this with adjustable loft on the hosel and you’ve got endless combinations. But assuming you’re going to get custom fitted for your new driver (something we’d strongly recommend) these aren’t settings you should play around with too much. When talking to your pro, be honest about what you want. More distance? More fairways? A draw? Some drivers may even be able to provide a little bit of everything,…

Much of the innovation and technological advances in iron design aren’t visible to the naked eye. New heat-treatment techniques have allowed manufacturers to make clubfaces thinner to create more spring and more ball speed. Lofts, meanwhile, are getting stronger every year because of the way brands have been able to increase forgiveness and launch angle, so you’ll almost certainly find a 7-iron from today goes a lot further than a 7-iron, or even an 6-iron, from a few years ago. The shaft plays an important role in your set’s overall performance – as does the lie angle – in ensuring you maximise speed and deliver the club correctly, something your local pro will be able to check. Larger game-improver irons tend to go further and be more forgiving, while compact…

1 Unbeatable value They are often just an incredibly inexpensive way to play another course. Sometimes you'll get coffee and bacon rolls on arrival, 18 or 36 holes, lunch and/or a meal afterwards, plus an overflowing prize table for considerably less than a standard green fee. Great value, especially with the courtesy or reduced-price practice round some clubs offer. 2 Great fun You're away from home at a course that's either new to you or an old favourite, and you'll get to meet, chat and bond with enthusiastic like-minded golfers. What's not to like? 3 Find new friends All that meeting, chatting and bonding can pave the way to new friendships, and invitations to play other golfers' home clubs. You might even find new golfing partners for some of the…

In terms of the whole year, what has to be done when? Greenkeeping has changed from when I started. The winter months used to be quite quiet, but now we have a schedule of projects that need to be undertaken in house from January through to December. Through the winter we have a bunker refurbishment programme. Then there's tree work, drainage work and tee building. We generally do those projects from October through to March. … when the course doesn’t need quite so much tending? Yes, our cutting regimes are reduced depending on the weather, how warm it is and whether or not the grass is growing. But expectation levels have changed massively just in the short period that I've been doing greenkeeping. We used to play cards a lot…

Every season, it becomes harder to proffer predictions on a game that's innately capricious in the first place. The amateur and collegiate ranks are brimming with more and more talent each year, lower-tier tours are full of players plenty good enough to ply their trade on the main circuits and the world's top 50 is as strong as it's ever been. In short, it's a fantastic time to be a golf fan. In this feature, we've highlighted – through interviews and profiles – ten players who we believe will make a significant impact at their respective levels this season. We don't have a crystal ball, but there are numerous factors, both tangible and intangible, that have contributed to their inclusions. We haven't featured the likes of Rory McIlroy and Dustin…

Photography Kevin Murray “I’m more excited about 2017 than I have been for any other year... period. You have this whole new generation coming through” Well, one great golfing year ends and another one begins. I don't know about you guys, but it seems like yesterday when Henrik Stenson holed that now famous putt on Royal Troon's 72nd hole to claim the Open Championship. I hope, and expect, that 2017 follows in those footsteps. I think it's going to be a corker of a year. First of all, it's interesting to note the powers that be are trying to mix things up in terms of formats. In February, the European Tour will stage the World Super 6 Perth – a tournament that has 54 holes of strokeplay before the top…

TOP 25 COACH Head professional, Cumberwell Park GC, Wiltshire Leave the club behind Lag is the hidden move in the golf swing that all powerful hitters have, turning a seemingly smooth and rhythmic movement into impressive distance. It all stems from the angle between the shaft and the left forearm in the downswing. The longer your wrists can maintain this angle, the better the lag will be. The feeling you want to create is one of leaving the club behind you. Take a narrow stance and set the ball just inside your left heel. Swing to the top and then let your left foot step towards the target as you start down (shown here). This will get your weight shifting towards the target, leaving your hands and the club shaft…

TOP 25 COACH Kevin Craggs Golf Academy, Falkirk Photography Tom Miles Swing principles A controlled fade is one of the most useful shots you can have. As the ball flies a little higher it stops quicker than usual, making it the ideal shape for tight, tucked-away pins. To move the ball left to right (for right-handed golfers) you need to swing the club on an out-to-in swing path. As you take your address position, aim left of the intended target with your feet, knees, hips and shoulders. Aim the clubface straighter but still slightly left of the intended target – this marks the shot's starting point. Place one alignment stick between your feet and the ball on the out-to-in swing path, and another down in front of the ball pointing…

TOP 25 COACH Director of coaching, St Ives Golf Club, Cambridgeshire Photography Kevin Murray Angle of attack The key to creating spin is the angle of attack. This should be relatively steep, allowing you to catch the ball cleanly before the ground. Some amateurs find it hard to commit to a downward strike, wanting instead to scoop the ball into the air. Whether you are trying to create spin or simply looking for a more consistent contact, this drill is a great one to practise. Place an object behind the ball at address, as shown. This forces you to visualise the perfect angle of attack. Now hit a series of shots. If your swing is too shallow, you'll strike the object before the ball. To maximise spin, the ball should…

TOP 25 COACH Keith Williams Golf Academy, Hawkstone Park, Shropshire Photography Mark Newcombe Line-and-strike drill This drill will test the quality of your striking. If you hit your putts from the centre of the blade, the ball will have a strong roll towards the target. Find a flat 6ft putt. Now, draw a line around the circumference of your golf ball and take care to aim this, and the face of your putter, at the middle of the hole. This is a great test of the quality of your stroke and strike – if you get it right, the line on the ball will be aiming at the target throughout its journey to the hole. With this drill, you will quickly see if you are creating any unwanted sidespin at…

Those who play regularly will know that no good round of golf is devoid of bad shots and no terrible round is bereft of great ones. Shooting a good score almost always comes down to how well you manage your misses and avoid disaster. Keep a six or higher off your card and you will finish towards the top of the leaderboard, and the confidence you will gain from easing yourself towards a good score with a clever strategy is not to be underestimated. In this feature, we have taken four typical golf holes. From a dangerous stroke-index one to a mid-length par 3, these challenges are commonplace during any round of golf. If you can meet these classic scenarios with a carefully devised gameplan based on knowing where the…

“TRYING TO STEER YOUR BALL INTO POSITION IS NEVER A GOOD IDEA OFF THE TEE” There are two significant dangers to your score on this hole – the pot bunkers and the gorse bushes. The first question you need to ask yourself is: can I reach the green in two? Be realistic; if it's going to take your two very best shots and you have a good score going, is it really worth taking it on? In this instance, an aggressive strategy brings all the trouble into play. If you are feeling confident, go for it, but develop a strategy that minimises the risk of disaster. DRIVING ZONE This hole is very well defended off the tee, with reachable pot bunkers at 246, 266 and 301 yards. Moreover, laying up…

“KNOWING YOUR OPTIONS WILL NOT ONLY HELP YOU NAVIGATE YOUR WAY AROUND THE COURSE BUT COULD ALSO SAVE YOU SHOTS” The Rules of Golf can be complicated at times, but the basics – the things that crop up again and again – are easy to master. For example, your options when your ball is unplayable or in a water hazard, playing a provisional ball or completing your scorecard. You don't need to be a Rules expert to play the game, but knowledge of the most commonly occurring Rules is essential. Knowing the Rules and your options will not only help you to navigate your way around the course, but it could also even save you a precious stroke at times, which can never be a bad thing! The fundamentals can…

So many golfers use clubs that are the equivalent of a 90's Ford Escort: dated, worn and low on technology. But while that car would have been decommissioned years ago after a failed MOT, our clubs go on swinging, with our progress being the only thing slowly rolling to a stop! As long-time advocates of properly fitted technology for everyone, we were keen to prove the merits of giving your bag a thorough once over during the off-season. Step in our guinea pigs: three GM readers of ranging abilities who were worried about their current equipment. Tasked with breaking the bad news was Jason MacNiven, founder of independent fitters Golf Principles in Basingstoke. Jason is a former European Tour fitter who realised there was a gap in the market for…

Player’s name Player’s handicap Home club Pre-MOT analysis “I have a fairly random set. My irons and wedges were fitted back in 2014 but everything else has been picked up, plus my technique has changed a lot over the past few years.” Fitters’ advisories Too much driver spin 001 – Duncan's driver spin was restricting his distance potential, but utilising the low-spin head technology now available we were able to give him an extra 12 yards of carry off the tee. Fairway wood and hybrid clash 001 – Duncan's 79g 3-wood shaft was far too heavy, slowing his swing speed and lowering his optimal launch. Fitting him into a 65g option gave him more club speed and a higher launch, which added a noteworthy 31 yards. 002 – TrackMan revealed…

Adjustability has hugely helped the versatility of the modern-day fairway wood. Nowadays, golfers don’t need to splash out on two: one geared for distance to use off the tee and another with a higher loft for stopping power into greens. Golfers have the ability to tweak the settings (not during a round though!) to suit their needs, should they change. It also helps golfers get the distance and shot shape they are looking for, so we’d recommend opting for an adjustable model – which most are in 2017. Address and sole profile also plays a part in the confidence you get over the ball and playability from different lies. Deeper-faced fairway woods are better suited to the ball teed up, while a shallow clubface will help get the ball up…

Photography Tom Miles “The harsh fact is that the European Tour remains of consequence but, more than ever, its biggest consequence is as a feeder tour into the riches of America” What a year 2016 was. Too many good people from the world of golf and beyond left us. Too much other stuff went the wrong way – the whole thing just too perverse depending, of course, on which side of which fence you were standing and peering either hopefully or with disbelief into an all-too-uncertain future. Sticking with the golf stuff (this is, as the editor has just sharply reminded me, a golf magazine) the last 12 months have not been bad for those of us who like to watch the old game being played at its sharpest edges.…

Take us through your early years as an amateur and how beneficial they were to your development… I got into the England set-up in 2010. That enabled me to advance through practice, and learning how to do that effectively. I basically started from the bottom and worked my way up, and England Golf gave me the structure to do that properly. It was a massive help. What were some of the highlights of your amateur career? It all started off in 2010 with the Carris Trophy. In 2011, I had a successful finish to my junior career before starting my men's career the following year. I won the Hampshire Hog in 2012 and excelled in 2013, winning three times. I beat Matt Fitzpatrick in the final of the English Amateur,…

The title of Future Major Champion gets bandied around with predictable regularity, but in Hideki Matsuyama's case it's hard to argue with. He comes into 2017 as the form player in world golf. His last five starts at the time of writing included a dominant victory at the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai plus wins at the Japan Open, the Taiheiyo Masters and the Hero World Challenge. The only blot on his copybook came at the PGA Tour's CIMB Classic in Malaysia, where he had to settle for second! He first hit the headlines with a 27th-place finish as an amateur at the 2011 Masters. This caused a stir in the States but back in Japan it made him an overnight sensation. This attention took some getting used to for Matsuyama.…

When did you first get to scratch? When I was 15 or 16. I was still in secondary school and there was a young guy who was the next big thing. I wanted to be better than him, so it made me get a move on, practise and improve. I've got a competitive streak in me and I like the fact that with golf, you get out what you put in, rather than relying on a team. Take us through your amateur career… I was in the Hertfordshire county set-up when I was 14 or so, and then I got picked for the England regional squad. Looking back, there were some guys in that who have done really well. Beef was in that squad, as was Eddie Pepperell. It was…

Birds chirping early in the morning, the ball rattling into the back of the cup and the sweet ping of a well-struck drive are three of the most gratifying sounds you can experience during a round of golf. You can add many more to that list, but the bottom line is that golf's natural audio is one of its most enjoyable and endearing features. Being able to hear properly on the course greatly enhances the game's appeal and makes it much safer. Those hard of hearing, and fearing they may have to stop playing the sport they love, will be pleased to learn technology in this sphere has come on leaps and bounds in recent times, with the new Widex Beyond hearing aid leading the way. Unfortunately, deteriorating hearing is…

TOP 25 COACH Head professional, Littlestone GC, Kent Photography Mark Newcombe Set-up secrets Learning how to shape the ball is something every golfer should do. Devote some time to it on the range and you'll soon understand how to manipulate the clubface and path to produce different results. In this situation, with the pin tucked on the left side of the green, a little draw will help me access the flag. To do that, I'm aiming my clubface at where I want the ball to start. Some coaches advocate aiming the club at the target, but if you set up closed from there, I think you're likely to hit a pull/hook. Aim the clubface to the right and then set your body slightly closed to that line (your feet should…

TOP 25 COACH Cuckfield Golf Centre, Sussex Photography Kevin Murray Make a connection A pitch is a smaller version of a full swing and it requires the same synchronised movement. If you try to guide the ball towards the target, you risk losing the connection between your arms and upper body. Lacking conviction and being tentative are the biggest traps to avoid when pitching, and so to help, place an object between your forearms – I'm using a balloon. If your arms and body do not work together as they should, the balloon falls to the ground. Alternatively, make a series of one-handed swings (it doesn't really matter which hand you take off) and ensure the arm that holds the club works with the body. This drill gives you a…

TOP 25 COACH Paul Foston Golf Academy, Smarden, Kent Photography Paul Severn Landing spot The technique is very simple – I see it as an extension of the putt – but is well worth taking some time to groove. Start by setting the ball in the middle of your stance and split your weight evenly. Set an athletic posture and let your arms hang naturally down – this will help your feel for the shot. As you take the club back, don't let your wrists hinge as they would for a normal chip. This will prevent you from adding any loft through impact. The club should just brush the ground through the strike. If you are practising this shot, it is always a good idea to place your towel on…

There are three ways to get better at golf: practice, coaching and custom-fit clubs. The first is very much down to individual commitment and desire, but the second and third we can help with, especially with renowned equipment brand, Ping, on board. Our September issue's Fault Fixer Special in association with Ping saw experienced Golf Monthly Top 25 Coach, Barney Puttick, offer expert tips on 50 of the most common faults to afflict golfers. As part of that feature, we teamed up with Ping to offer two lucky readers The Ultimate Ping Play Your Best Experience. And so it was that in late November, Charlie Parker and Paul Britnell found themselves tucking into a hearty breakfast in the Gainsborough clubhouse close to Ping's headquarters ahead of the big day, having…

“INDECISION IS THE BIGGEST CAUSE OF BAD SHOTS IN GOLF, ESPECIALLY UNDER PRESSURE” With the adrenaline of the opening tee running through your veins and the desire to get off to a solid start in your mind, any first-tee environment presents the golfer with a significant challenge. If you have time to warm up, play the first hole before you leave the range. Hit the club you'll be using off the first tee, picturing the hole and the shot you want, and then hit the second shot you are expecting to face. This acts like a dress rehearsal, preparing you both mentally and physically for the challenge ahead. Once you have decided on your gameplan (and this goes for every shot you hit), you must commit to it 100 per…

“YOU NEED TO PICK A CLEAR TARGET OFF THE TEE – THIS WILL USUALLY BE A FEATURE ON THE HORIZON” With a blind drive, out of bounds running all the way down the right, deep bunkers around the green and a road just behind it, this hole is littered with card-wrecking potential. In this instance, think about where the safest place for your second shot to finish would be. A generous area short and right of the green is the key to unlocking this hole and keeping a high number at bay. Identifying this area from the start is the key to devising a successful strategy. PICK YOUR SPOT The drive off the 17th tee at the Old Course is perhaps the most famous blind shot in golf. In this…

Player’s name Player’s handicap Home club Pre-MOT analysis “I have a mish-mash of clubs that were all bought online, including an 11-year-old Mizuno MX500 driv er and some MacGregor V-Foil M455 irons that are even older! Being off 20, it'll be a massive eye-opener to see what a fitting can bring to my game." Fitters’ advisories High-spinning drives 001 – TrackMan really found out Simon's old driver. With the same swing speed, but switching to the TaylorMade M2 head, we were able to gain 17 yards in total distance and reduce his spin by 800rpm. Wrong-shaped fairway wood 001 – Simon's fairway has a very deep face, yet he has a very shallow swing, which is a poor match. He tested some shallow-headed fairways and the results were instant. As…