Table of contents for June 2017 in Golf Monthly

1 Technique drill No matter what your handicap, you'll have periods when you struggle with your timing. Fat and thin chips will ruin your scoring potential so use this drill in practice. Put a tee a few inches in front of the ball and set your hands over that tee at address. The simple aim is to ensure that as the clubface strikes the ball, your hands are above the tee again. Make sure they aren't too far ahead or behind the tee. This is a great way to visualise the ideal angle of attack for better, crisper chip shots. 2 Competitive practice Using some form of competitive practice is a great way to make your short game stronger under pressure. You can either challenge a friend to chipping competitions…

1 Narrow focus As coaches, we often find ourselves telling pupils about the importance of setting a very specific target. On the tee, that might be a window in a distant building or a particular branch on a tree. This means that even if you miss that small target, you are still likely to find the fairway. You can apply the same rules to the putting green. In practice, putt to a tee peg from a range of different distances around the green. This narrows your focus and will make the hole look like a bucket when you subsequently head to the course. 2 Right-hand drill This particular drill is one Tiger Woods used a lot back in his heyday. To emulate Tiger, you need to hit a series of…

1 Starting line For me, one of the most important elements to the putting technique is being able to start the ball rolling on the right line. It's surprising how easy it is to make mistakes here, and if you are consistently missing putts, you start to question everything. I try not to get too technical with my putting, but I use this drill a lot. I find a flat, straight putt and place a putting gate in the ground in front of the ball at address. The aim is to simply send the ball through without touching the sides. I do this before I go out to play and it helps me get in the rhythm of holing putts. It also gives me confidence to know what a good…

With the season upon us, now is the time to start gearing up your game for competitive golf with the hope of cutting your handicap or progressing in match play knockouts. And, as every golfer knows, the fast track to lower scores and winning matches is a solid short game. Pitch and chip it close, escape from bunkers, hole more putts and you will get it round in fewer strokes and become a tough opponent. To help you hone those skills, we have made this issue a true short-game special featuring a 36-page ‘Shoot Lower Scores' supplement, which we have produced in association with Ping. There's a wealth of tips, drills and advice from Tyrrell Hatton, one of the European Tour's rising stars, and also Golf Monthly Top 25 coach,…

GF: €190 W: sanlorenzogolfcourse.com STATS: par 72, 6,402 yards The Algarve is a hotbed of highly rated holiday golf on the south coast of Portugal, and one of its very best courses is the refreshingly different and demanding San Lorenzo. Lying alongside the mouth of the River Formosa, it twists and turns over swampland that is home to a fabulous array of wildlife. The course is packed with variety, offering elements of beach, sea, river and marsh. It is considered by many to be the most exciting in the region, regularly appearing high in the lists of the best courses in Continental Europe. The front nine is made up of an anti-clockwise loop that runs at first through some prime real estate before it reaches the swamp and lagoon at 6,…

Following on from the launch of Powakaddy's impressive Freeway range of electric trolleys for 2017 comes this new compact-folding model aimed at those with minimal storage space. The Compact C2 has been in development for over two years but the end result is a welcome addition to PowaKaddy's range. It boasts an innovative ‘simple-2-fold' system that allows the trolley to be set up and packed away in just two folding movements. After a bit of practice, it takes just two to three seconds. Folded away, the trolley is compact enough to fit in the smallest of car boots and at 9.8kg, it's one of the lightest electric trolleys on the market. It may fold down small, but the Compact C2 doesn't skimp on useful features. It has a full-colour widescreen…

1 What made you launch a new driver in this way? It was new, innovative and different – things that Wilson prides itself on being. We're very proud of the ideas we have, but there's no harm in getting more from other places. It let people see how we designed, tested and made products and I think people enjoyed the openness of the entire process. 2 Who will benefit most from Triton? It's a high-launching, low-spinning and forgiving driver, so pretty much every type of golfer can benefit. It's got four weights to move around, two different sole plates and an adjustable hosel, so custom-fitting is very important with this product. 3 How disappointed were you with the initial non-conforming ruling? This driver went through our full testing protocol. We…

The top gear stories on tour, plus insight into some of the more interesting clubs that have helped players cross the finishing line Marc Leishman won the 2017 Arnold Palmer Invitational using a 21° Callaway Epic 7-wood The PGA Tour will allow laser rangefinders for select events on three of its smaller tours later this year as a trial Ian Poulter was forced to close his online clothing business, IJP Design, after ten years of trading D.A. Points won the Puerto Rico Open with a mixed set of TaylorMade SLDR and Ping i5 irons Rory McIlroy has signed a contract extension with Nike, reportedly running for the next ten years TaylorMade’s Spider Tour putter was the most played model for eight straight weeks on tour…

Photography Tom Miles “It’s easy to be intimidated by either Woods or his ‘people’ but years of going toe-to-toe with Sir Alex Ferguson was the perfect preparation” First up... thank you for such a lovely response to column number one. A good friend of mine did text me to say he was cancelling his subscription when he heard I'd been signed up but I've seen him since and he said he “almost enjoyed it”, which I'm taking as a glowing compliment. I love talking golf and whenever I get collared about the sport there are normally three questions that quickly arise: 1) Who is the best golfer you've played with? 2) How far do you hit it? and 3) What is Tiger Woods really like? I may deal with one…

Few sports contain as many variables as golf. The course design and layout, the turf type, green speed, pin positions and, of course, weather all combine to make every round unique. With all these changeable influences to consider and deal with every time we head out, it's understandable that most of us are fairly conservative when it comes to choosing the format we play. As we have quite enough to think about already, the vast majority of games completed in the UK are played to the medal, Stableford or straight match play formats we all know so well. But by sticking to our familiar playing habits, we're missing out on a world of opportunity, as there are some great games out there that could add some spice to our golfing…

What makes a great pairing in golf? A question, no doubt, that Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn will ask himself more than a few times over the next 18 months. On the biggest stage of all, the task of selecting the best pairings is analysed and debated to the nth degree. Bjorn and his counterpart, Jim Furyk, will live and breathe the Ryder Cup until late September next year. And as D-Day approaches, doubtless they'll spend many a sleepless night mulling over what they believe to be the perfect pairings to put a point on the board for their respective teams. For amateur golfers, the process is a little different. Often it's a case of receiving an email from your long-time friend and fellow member inviting you to pair up.…

Golf can be cruel. For most, the odd shank, lost ball or 0.1 feels like the end of the world, but the following story cuts deeper than most club golfers can imagine. Never do you think your golf club will be taken from you, but in today's precarious financial climate, that's exactly what has happened to the members at Laleham in Surrey. A friendly, lively members' club, Laleham had been home to the golf community in Chertsey, Surrey for over 100 years. Historic competitions, frequent roll-ups, social events and over 500 members made it a great club to call home, no matter what your age, gender or playing ability. However, earlier this year, I learned that the course was to close. This was my first club, where I got my…

Photography Kevin Murray This powerfully built Korean, coached by David Leadbetter, has good sporting genes as both his parents were Olympic table tennis medallists. He burst onto the scene in 2009, when he won the US Amateur at just 17, so his credentials are pretty impressive. You can see by his angles at address that he's set to launch the ball high with low spin – the ball is nicely forward, the right shoulder is below the left and the spine angle is tilted. The takeaway is classic Leadbetter, with the clubhead outside the hands. The depth this creates on the backswing is one of the key differences between the top pros and the average weekend warrior. His left arm is incredibly straight all the way to the top, where…

LOOKS The D300 has a fussy look at address as the Micro Vortex Generators are not positioned in a particularly uniform way. But the head shape is very appealing, as is the matte black finish. FEEL/ SOUND This driver produces a loud, tinny but powerful sound and feels solid from the sweetspot, although there’s a slight drop-off in this sensation when you don’t strike the ball cleanly. BALL FLIGHT The head/shaft combination of the D300 provides a mid-to-high launch angle and spin rate, helping those with below average ball speeds to keep the ball in the air for longer. The lightweight stock shafts and clubhead, along with the drag-reducing crown design, are engineered to help everyday golfers increase their clubhead speed and pave the way to added distance without breaking…

FEEL There’s no question the Z-Star XV felt slightly firmer around the green but it still seemed to spin as much as the Z-Star on chips and pitches. The firmer XV would better complement a soft-feel putter face. LONG GAME On full shots, the performance between the two balls was very similar. The Z-Star provided marginally less driver spin (70 rpm) than the Z-Star XV and actually launched 0.8 degrees higher. SPIN CONTROL On short-game shots, both these balls spin and react how you expect a premium ball to react. Both have a nice low ball flight on pitch shots that checks up quickly on the second bounce. The target market here is golfers looking to combine soft feel and control on and around the greens, but without losing out…

Photography: Mike Prior Every year, the challenge of really standing out in the driver market gets even harder. A victim of its own success – and occasional bold marketing claims – TaylorMade has a bigger fight than most in convincing golfers that its latest models are worthy of their premium price tags. To find out if they are, we asked TaylorMade to fit two Golf Monthly readers for its new M1 or M2 drivers. Matthew Byrne, who has helped fit TaylorMade’s roster of staff players out on tour, was given the chance to dial them in to their perfect head/shaft combo on a chilly spring morning at West Hill Golf Club in Surrey. The selected duo, who each sampled both drivers, were 18-handicapper Michael Smith, who felt his current TaylorMade…

After a long winter the golf season is finally upon us. Now is the time to stop thinking as much about the mechanics of your swing and start to think about how to get the ball in the hole in as few shots as possible. Your short-game sharpness will determine how effectively you are able to convert good ball striking into a possible handicap cut. To help you in your quest for better scores, we have put together a complete guide to the short game. In the first part of this supplement we concentrate on the wedge game by combining advice from World No. 14 Tyrrell Hatton with tips and drills from Golf Monthly Top 25 Coach Barney Puttick. With gear tips and tour insight from the guys at PING,…

Putting is a game within a game. In comparison to the full swing, the technique required might seem relatively straightforward and the difficulties easy to overcome, right? Not quite. Being a good putter requires a mixture of good mechanics, a deft touch and a strong nerve. Get it right and your putter will mask errors in other areas. We have enlisted the help of World No. 14 Tyrrell Hatton, combining his simple playing tips with some practical advice from Golf Monthly Top 25 Coach Barney Puttick. Their combined experience should arm you with all the knowledge you need to putt your way to lower scores.…

1 Pendulum stroke One of the most important elements to putting well from long distance is the freedom and rhythm of your stroke. The problem, however, is that when you're under pressure, keeping the stroke loose and fluid is tough. That's why my pre-shot routine has a slightly different element to it. I make a few practice swings while looking at my target (the hole for straight putts but a spot on the green for breaking ones). This gives me a great feel for how far I need to swing the putter before making the stroke. Ultimately, the success of your long putting relies on hitting the ball at the right speed, so this is the most important part of the process. My routine includes three or four practice swings…

Illustration: Darren Robinson Long par 5s seem scary, but when they're downhill (and better yet, downwind), they're scoring holes. Take the par-5 18th at Kapalua's Plantation Course. Over the past two Tournament of Champions events, the tour's second longest hole has yielded 136 birdies or better against just 12 bogeys or worse. The downhill, right-to-left design usually has the Maui trade winds at the players' backs, so it's reachable in two. Here's how to say ‘aloha' to birdie or eagle on long, downhill par 5s. 1 Pause for power At Kapalua, most pros aim up the right side and hit a draw, hoping to catch the speed slot in the middle of the fairway that can add 100 yards of roll. A trick for hitting a draw? Pause – literally…

SHOT SCOPE APP Shot-tracking brand Shot Scope has a new app that allows users to access post-round statistics on the go. You can now upload data from your wristband to your mobile device to see over 100 tour-level statistics. ZOOM GLOVES There are three ‘one-size-fitsall’ gloves that use a mix of flex zones to accommodate various hand sizes. The maker says they boast 80% fewer wrinkles than other gloves and will maintain their shape after every round. ALIGNMENT PRO This all-in-one training aid can assist with all areas of your game thanks to two hinging units on each end of an alignment rod that range from 0-90°. Rory McIlroy and Jason Day have been spotted using it. KBS S-TAPER SHAFT This new iron shaft incorporates elongated step patterns to control…

Irons Cobra King Forged MB, 4-PW, KBS C-Taper 125 S+. Fowler's shafts are 0.5in shorter than Cobra's standard length. Wedges Cobra King V-Grind, 50°, 55° and 59°. True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 shafts. Fairway Woods Cobra Fly-Z+, 13°, Aldila Tour Blue 75TX shaft. Cobra King F6 Baffler, 18.5°, Aldila Tour Blue 75TX shaft. Fowler sometimes uses a Cobra King Utility (19.5°) driving iron with a Matrix Ozik HM2 Prototype shaft instead of his Baffler. Driver Cobra King F7+, 8.5°, draw setting. Aldila NV 2KXV Blue 70X shaft. Fowler won the Honda Classic earlier in the year with a shorter shaft. Going down to a 43.5in shaft delivered a significant improvement in his fairway-finding accuracy. Putter Scotty Cameron Newport 2 Prototype. Ball 2017 Titleist Pro V1x.…

Photography Tom Miles “I wasn’t the most naturally gifted player – I never played England Boys, for example – but I just kept working and kept working” Some people have said we could be coming into the golden era of English golf. It does seem like it comes in waves, with the ‘new generation', if you like, coming ten or 15 years after the likes of Westwood, Poulter, Rose and Casey came on the scene. We saw in the Ryder Cup last year that there was a bit of a changing of the guard, with people like myself, Andy Sullivan, Danny Willett and Matt Fitzpatrick making the side. But that would have happened beforehand with those ‘older' guys replacing Faldo and so on. It does seem to be a bit…

Michael Robinson You have to be willing to help each other. With my partner, I tried to instil the value of making your opponent win the hole rather than you losing it. Luke Quantick With foursomes, it’s about keeping the ball in play. I learnt the benefit of playing a punch shot out from under the trees as opposed to trying something spectacular. Wayne Mayo It really helps to partner someone whose game you know inside out. You can help with clubbing advice, you become a team. Dan Walker Dovetailing is so important. Our partnership worked well because our games just complement each other really well. Bob Lench I had a partner who stayed in play and offered good advice. I think what I need, sometimes, when I play, is…

1 Ball position With 3-wood in hand, as I have here, your ball position should be just inside the heel of your front foot, edging back gradually with the shorter clubs (inset photo). If you have it too far forward, your hands will be too far behind the ball, your shoulders will be thrown way open and you'll take the club back outside the line – a classic cause of the slice. On the practice ground, place alignment sticks or clubs on the ground to really cement the correct positioning of the ball. This will help you find that position much more easily when you're out on the course. 2 Square to target From down the line, the shoulders have got to be square to the target. Having the shoulders…

Surely there can be no worse feeling out on the golf course than seeing your ball rocket straight right off the hosel after playing the previous few holes quite beautifully? Once a shank gets inside your head it can be impossible to shift for the remainder of your round, and Golf Monthly readers are, of course, not immune to this woe. Thankfully, in our Top 25 Coaches, we have some of the finest golf instructors in the world at our disposal, including Paul Foston, who has guided five pupils to European Tour victories. We asked Paul to step in and help a number of readers to overcome the issues that are regularly costing them shots. Self-confessed shanker, Craig Davis, was first up following a call-out on the Golf Monthly website…

FEEL/SOUND At impact there’s more of a dull thud across the face compared to M2 and while it’s certainly softer than most out-and-out distance irons, it’s not quite in the ball park of better players’ forged clubs. LOOKS The M1 iron has a mid-to-thin topline with the square edges making it look thicker than it actually is. There’s a small amount of offset and a lighter-coloured brushed finish than on the M2 iron. FORGIVENESS The combination of Speed Pocket and Face Slots means that every potential mishit is catered for. The distance, consistency and accuracy on all shots was excellent for an iron of this size. The M1 irons are aimed at those who enjoy M2-like distance and forgiveness but in a more compact profile, and with a softer feel…

LOOKS Regardless of the head shape you choose, you’ll be greeted with a simple look at address – no fancy colours or alignment aids, just one or two lines that contrast nicely with the premium finish. FORGIVENESS The consistency of roll-out on longer putts was excellent. There really is a lot of assistance built in to fight the effect of mishits and help reduce the number of three-putts. FEEL/SOUND We noticed differences across the range. The B60 model had a firmer feel than expected, while the mallet Wolverine offered a hollow feel and produced a very loud ‘ping’ off the face. The Sigma G range will suit golfers who want to improve from long range, with a wide choice of head shapes available. Key technology There's a full-face aluminium insert…

“THE OPTIONS MAY SEEM OVERWHELMING, BUT ONCE YOU FIND THE SOLE AND BOUNCE THAT WORK FOR YOU, IT WILL TRANSFORM YOUR SHORT GAME” Jake O’Reilly, GM technical writer Your wedges are really your scoring clubs. The important role they play in the success or otherwise of your round makes it well worth investing both time and money in ensuring that yours are just right for your game. These days, the choice of sole grind and bounce options is just as crucial as loft in maximising greenside performance. Grind is essentially the shape of the sole. Wedges with wider sole grinds suit full shots, so are more commonly found in lower lofts such as 50° and 52°. Wedges with extra heel relief, which lets you open the face more easily,…

Photography Tom Miles “Many thought that here, once again, was a young talent stumbling uncontrollably when PR push became proper competitive shove” Even now the memory is vivid, the emotion the day brought still resonates. This, I knew at the time, was special. Over the years, golf's Grand Slam weeks have often given me my best times as a journalist covering the old game. Proper crowds with noise and passion and involvement, players who cared so much for the prize on offer they often speared themselves with a mixture of excitement and nerves, courses that offered risk and reward in equal measure. All these things combine to lift the soul a bit and occasionally to inspire those of us sitting on the sidelines with a pen in hand to rise…

TYRRELL HATTON Aged 25, Tyrrell Hatton is one of British golf's most promising talents. He won his first European Tour title at the 2016 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and is currently 14th in the world. BARNEY PUTTICK Barney is one of Golf Monthly's Top 25 Coaches. Situated at Mid-Herts Golf Club, he has a wealth of experience coaching everyone from beginners to professional players. DOMINIC GRIFFITHS PING's European Tour Manager is responsible for ensuring staff players are using equipment perfectly dialled in for their game. His simple advice in the Tour Insight sections should help you too! MARTY JERTSON Marty is PING's lead designer, responsible for many of the brand's major equipment successes. His Gear Tips reveal the thinking behind the PING wedge and putter ranges.…

TYRRELL HATTON Aged 25, Tyrrell Hatton is one of British golf's most promising talents. He won his first European Tour title at the 2016 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and is currently 14th in the world. BARNEY PUTTICK Barney is one of Golf Monthly's Top 25 Coaches. Situated at Mid-Herts Golf Club, he has a wealth of experience coaching everyone from beginners to professional players. DOMINIC GRIFFITHS PING's European Tour Manager is responsible for ensuring staff players are using equipment perfectly dialled in for their game. His simple advice in the Tour Insight sections should help you too! MARTY JERTSON Marty is PING's lead designer, responsible for many of the brand's major equipment successes. His Gear Tips reveal the thinking behind the PING wedge and putter ranges.…

Photography: Tom Miles, Getty Images, Kenny Smith Where’s the value? I’d like to start by saying I’m a very proud member of my local golf club. I’m fortunate enough to have a full membership and I certainly make use of it. However, it doesn’t surprise me that we have started to see a decline in membership. My club is currently offering a post-noon green fee of £20, which further decreases the later it gets (even when playing at the weekend). I pay roughly £120 a month for a full membership, yet ‘Joe Public’ could snap up a bargain 20 minutes after me. Even my guest rate is about £28! Where’s the value for money in being a member? Yes, you can get an official handicap and play in club competitions,…

Photography: Tom Miles NO Sitting at your desk midway through a dull working week, one bright spark on the horizon is the weekend competition at your home golf club. For a few hours on Saturday morning, you'll be able to enjoy the fresh air, a little friendly rivalry and some relaxed banter with like-minded spirits… or will you? Not necessarily if the weekly competition at your club is drawn. Checking the online draw sheet on Wednesday afternoon, your heart sinks. Firstly, you'd hoped to play at 9am to make it home for lunch with the in-laws, but you've been drawn at the end of the time slot at 9.45am: no chicken liver pate for you and dirty looks all round. Then you see who you're down to play with. You've…

As we all know, the flop shot is one of the most dangerous in the game. Duffs and thins can quickly turn a chance of a par into a card-wrecking disaster. The truth is, this is not a shot many amateurs practise, so it makes sense to have a safer alternative. Set up to the ball as if you were playing a full pitch shot. Aim the clubface at the target and then stand perfectly square to the ball-to-target line. Open the clubface a fraction – you'll notice how it starts to aim to the right of the target. Now aim your body further to the left until the clubface is aiming at the target. Finally, set 65% of your weight on your left foot. This is your ideal set-up…

“YOU CAN ADJUST EVERYTHING YOU’D WANT TO AND IT FEELS REALLY SOLID. TRITON HAS IT ALL FOR UNDER £350” Joel Tadman, technical editor The Wilson Staff Triton driver is one of the most innovative designs we've seen in recent years, and the story behind its evolution and the subsequent USGA ruling makes it an even more fascinating launch. It was created as part of a TV show aired on the Golf Channel called Driver vs. Driver, in which aspiring engineers pitted their designs against one another for a cash prize and the chance for their product to be brought to market. Triton, designed by Eric Sillies, was the eventual winner and, having undergone all the usual tests, production began late in 2016. But in a remarkable twist, the USGA deemed…

Bubba’s new flatstick Bubba Watson looks set to use a new Ping putter made from Damascus Steel – the same material used to make Samurai swords – known for its distinctive patterns of banding reminiscent of flowing water. Puma’s tribute Rickie Fowler paid homage to the late Arnold Palmer with this pair of Puma Ignite Hi-Tops, featuring iconic images of the legend. They sold at auction for $25,300, donated to Arnie's Army Charitable Foundation. New Mizuno irons? Jhonattan Vegas looked to put Mizuno MP-18 irons in play at the Shell Houston Open. They could well succeed the MP-4 or the MP-5 Channelback model.…

Photography Kevin Murray “In terms of someone I would like to be stuck next to in an airport bar when my flight has been delayed, it would have to be Beef” I have been out on tour as an on-course commentator for many years now, and it's a lot of fun being in and around the best players in the world. It gives me a chance to see their personalities and get involved in some of the banter. I'm constantly asked what life is like on tour, so I thought I'd give you an insight into the players who make professional golf so entertaining… Who is the funniest player on tour? I'd have to say Matt Kuchar, because he's such a goon. I just look at him and I giggle.…

TYRRELL HATTON – 15TH Showed promise from a young age but progress was steady rather than spectacular. He played for England as a junior and again as an adult. He qualified for the 2010 Open Championship while still an amateur before turning pro in 2011 aged just 19. His route to the European Tour was through the feeder circuits; first the EuroPro and Jamega Tours, then the Challenge Tour before making it on to the European Tour for 2014. DANNY WILLETT – 17TH Has always possessed exceptional self-belief. He entered junior competitions believing he would win and was often right. He played two seasons for Jacksonville State University and, in 2007, won the English Amateur Championship. He played in the Walker Cup that year against a US side featuring Dustin…

“It’s only human to wonder if you’re ever going to win. And that was definitely a thought I had” You hit World No.14 after Bay Hill, but before The Open last year you were 68th. What happened? I think the build-up to the Open was a big thing. I had a week off before the BMW International and, to be honest, my preparation was pretty poor and I missed the cut. That gave me a kick up the backside. I'm not a big practiser but I did put in a few hours over the weekend before the French Open with my Dad – he's my coach. In France, I finished 33rd but my game wasn't quite there, so my Dad came up to the Scottish Open and we did quite…

 The question the golfing public asks each time Tiger makes another comeback is can he be the player he was in 2000? The simple answer is no. Now 41, with two children and at a different stage in his life, the goalposts have shifted. “Tiger can’t be the bomber of the ball that he once was” The power days are gone and 41-year-olds don't out-muscle 20-somethings. Only Tiger truthfully knows the extent of the physical limitations that have forced him to remodel his swing, but he can't be the bomber of the ball he once was. The body will not cope, not only with the pressure of going so hard at the ball but also, more importantly, the hours on the range needed to play golf that way. There is,…

1 Set-up essentials Most golfers know to open up their stance in the sand, but the best way to get everything right is to start by setting up square to the target (left-hand photo). This gives you a reference point as to where you want your club to be aiming. From this square set-up, feed the clubface round in your hands (right-hand photo) so it starts to look off to the right (perhaps around 45°). Now turn your body and feet to the left until the clubface returns to a square-to-target position. 2 Wiggle those feet Because sand is a loose material and you want to get your wedge down below the ball at impact, it's always a good idea to wiggle your feet in to the sand at address.…

Photography Paul Severn CRAIG DAVIS | HANDICAP: 18 | HOME CLUB: KINGSNORTH GC Paul’s assessment Craig had poor distance control and felt like he was always fighting a possible shank. All his problems were coming from a long swing, and trying to hit the ball too hard and too far. He also had a few minor issues that could cause a shank when things were out of tempo. Chiefly, this was a flat swing, in which he wrapped the club around his body, leading to around 20 yards of draw, even with his short irons. To allow for all this he was also aiming right. Paul’s remedy The best fix for Craig was also a simple one. Club up with his wedges, shorten the swing and hone a smoother tempo.…

LONG GAME The new Pro V1 spins a touch less with the driver than the previous generation while the Pro V1x launches a touch higher, but it’s not something you’d notice unless you were using a launch monitor. FEEL Both these balls offer an exceptionally soft and premium feel, especially on and around the green. The Pro V1 was perhaps marginally softer but it really was difficult to decide. CONTROL It was difficult to detect great differences in short-game spin. The Pro V1x seemed to react a little more on longer pitch shots and even more noticeably on greenside bunker shots. BALL FLIGHT The Pro V1x did seem to fly higher with irons, potentially providing greater stopping power on firmer greens. Both balls continue to deliver a consistent ball…

STYLING The updated shoe has a slightly more subtle upper design than the original HyperFlex, but on closer inspection it’s clear that just as much thought has gone in to every detail and colour combo. PERFORMANCE HyperFlex II provides more freedom to move your feet and ankles through the ball without sacrificing traction with the ground – a vital and valuable source of power. COMFORT The first thing that strikes you out of the box is the soft, cushion-like feel as you slide them on. They feel light and comfortable to walk in – certainly not a shoe you’ll have to wear in first. This shoe targets golfers who would benefit from the traction of a lightweight cleated shoe but with sufficient mobility to allow the lower half of the…

POLO SHIRTS // BELTS // MID LAYERS // CAPS // TROUSERS // SHORTS // There's much to be said for being comfortable and confident in what you wear out on the course. Knowing you look the part, sporting perfectly matched clothing and accessories from top to bottom, might not make you play like a tour pro, but you'll get much closer to feeling like one. There's nothing worse than feeling self-conscious about a dodgy colour combination or ill-fitting pair of slacks on the 1st tee. If your mind is elsewhere, it can even hamper your ability to score, which is why choosing the best outfits for you is an essential starting point. Modern apparel is also packed full of the latest fabric innovations to keep you warm when the temperature…

Photography Getty Images Any tour pro will be happy to talk at length about how switching to a fade has helped them find more fairways, or how a new ball position has revolutionised their chipping. But quiz them about their clubs and a surprising number will return a blank, empty expression. The majority just aren't that into it. It's understandable to a degree – they have enough to worry about in getting their ball round in low enough scores to feed their families. Such are the fine margins in golf that if a club ‘ain't broke', adopting a ‘don't fix it' approach means one less thing to worry about! Loyal servants This is why so many players persist with old favourites. Henrik Stenson used his trusty Callaway Octane fairway wood…