Indice dei contenuti per February 2019 in Golf Monthly

As we close the book on 2018, it's a good opportunity to look back on what I feel has been a great year for the sport, especially at the top level. The past 12 months has seen some truly outstanding performances, especially from Patrick Reed, Brooks Koepka and Francesco Molinari, who has almost overnight become one of the world's most complete golfers. Confidence boosted to new levels by his Open win, Molinari was one of the star men of Europe's victorious Ryder Cup team, who handed the American team a lesson in match play golf at Le Golf National. And, of course, 2018 witnessed the return of Tiger Woods. As I've written before, I'm an admirer of Tiger rather than a full-blown fan, but I found myself cheering for him…

Photography: Getty Images The GM view: Most would agree it wasn’t the most exciting spectacle, and many understandably had an issue with the huge prize pool, but some elements did work well and the viewing numbers exceeded expectations. It will be interesting to see if ‘The Match’ franchise continues going forward, as many expect it to. Nate Ross: It was boring and failed to justify the hype. I really wanted to love it, the golf just sucked. @KingFridays: I watched it and honestly thought it was terrible. The old Shell matches were much more enjoyable. All the bantering they talked about in the lead-up didn’t occur for the most part and to end it with a pitch and putt was disappointing. David Stanford: I was actually pleasantly surprised. Yes, the…

“I’VE SEEN IT ALL NOW. THE LOGIC BEHIND THE DESIGN DOES MAKE SENSE - I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE IF IT WORKS!”Joel Tadman, GM technical editor Drivers are subject to many design limitations. One such example is around COR (coefficient of restitution), a measurement of the energy transfer between the collision of clubface and ball. The limit is 0.83, meaning no more than 83 per cent of the energy can be transferred from the club to the ball. This measurement was difficult to test so the USGA and R&A introduced another measurement called characteristic time (CT), which measures the spring-like effect of the clubface in a more portable environment. It uses a pendulum test that measures the number of microseconds a metal ball is in contact with the face when…

Aaron Rai won the Hong Kong Open with a TaylorMade M4 driver Charles Howell III left PXG and won the RSM Classic with 13 Titleist clubs Danny Willett triumphed in Dubai with Callaway woods and irons Jon Rahm won the Hero World Challenge with a TaylorMade M2 driver Cameron Smith used a Scotty Cameron T5W putter to win the Australian PGA Louis Oosthuizen won in South Africa with prototype Ping Blueprint irons…

Photography: Tom Miles Farewell 2018, hello 2019! It's time to talk goals. I don't know about you, but I am not the biggest fan of new year's resolutions. Willpower has never been a particularly impressive trait of mine. I was driving home from filming Football Focus at the end of last year with a pack of six mince pies on the passenger seat. Despite telling myself repeatedly that I wasn't allowed to eat them, I am ashamed to say that none of the little beauties survived the 38-mile trip from the BBC studios in Salford to the Walker family residence in Sheffield. Having said all that about my lack of control when it comes to food… I am convinced that 2019 is the year #OperationScratch reaches its conclusion. For the…

Cameron Champ The biggest hitter on the PGA Tour by a distance won on only his second start. At 23, he’s an explosive talent. Aaron Wise The 22-year-old American won his first PGA Tour event last season and finished 24th in the FedExCup. Sam Horsfield The Englishman qualified for last year’s DP World Tour Championship in his first season on the European Tour, having won 2017 Q-School. Viktor Hovland (amateur) He became the first Norweigan to win the US Amateur in 2018 and played last year’s Australian Open, finishing 13th. Xander Schauffele The 25-year-old has already won the Tour Championship and the WGCHSBC Champions in his young career. He’s considered by many as a Major Champion in the making. Matt Wallace The supremely talented Matt Wallace is also someone you’d…

The key message in Honma’s new TWorld747 range is ‘Real Distance’. “We’re not going to talk about giving you so many more yards,” says Alejandro Sanchez, general manager of Honma Golf Europe. “What we’re saying with this product is that it’s going to help you achieve the real distance that is within you.” DRIVER Two models will be available – a 455cc version and a more forgiving 460cc model. In addition to the new Proprietary Adjustability System, which ensures the spine of the shaft remains in the ideal six o'clock position for greater consistency, the TWorld747 drivers feature an ultralight ET40 carbon crown and 4 Fang Technology, in which four metal studs inside the clubhead are strategically positioned to boost ball speeds and distances, even on off-centre hits. FAIRWAY WOOD…

SMILE MORE On the one hand, you're enjoying the fresh air and some witty repartee with your closest friends. On the other hand, you've hit three shanks, lost four balls and your putter is colder than a romantic weekend away with your other half. Perspective is going to be your new middle name, and with that, you vow to smile your way through 2019. HONOURS BOARD Close your eyes and picture your name on the club's honours board. Generations of golfers will see your name and think, “T Hutchins – he must have been a hell of a player”. PRACTISE SHORT GAME Your imperious ball-striking has never received the recognition it deserves, largely because your short game is a blend of duffs, shanks and yips. However, 2019 will see a…

1 Thins: poor ball position Having the ball too far up towards the left instep is a common cause of the thin. The problem is you simply can't move your body far enough forward in the downswing to get the club interacting with the ground below the ball. It can vary, but for me, a good ball position with an iron is a couple of balls inside the left heel. If the ball is on the left heel with a driver, it definitely wants to be one back with an iron. I'm not a fan of moving the ball back with the shorter irons – for me, it can stay in a similar position with every iron. 2 Thins: standing up on downswing Standing up on the downswing is another…

We all have highly idiosyncratic swings, yet at our best we find ways of scoring well. Sadly, all sorts of things can then derail us, leaving the reliability we once enjoyed but a distant memory. In the case of 21-handicapper Phil Murgatroyd, from Whipsnade Park Golf Club, a combination of two major operations and bad habits becoming too ingrained had left him in the wilderness, unsure as to how to get things back on the straight and narrow. An extra pair of expert eyes is always a wise course of action in such circumstances, so with Phil's confidence disappearing as fast as his frustration was rising, it was time for Golf Monthly Top 25 Coach Barney Puttick to step in. The pair met up on the driving range at Ashdown…

This shoe is aimed at golfers wanting premium styling, maximum grip and best-in-class waterproof protection and breathability. Key technology Ecco’s renowned Biom Natural Motion last combines low-to-the-ground stability with a glove-like fit. Eight Zarma-Tour spikes work together with hybrid cleats on the toe and rotation line to offer optimal grip and a more stable footing. They also stop dirt clogging. The uppers are made of yak leather from Ecco-owned tanneries for a supple, premium look and feel. A neoprene collar around the heel adds stretchable comfort and softness. How we tested We wore the Biom G3 shoe for a number of rounds in different weather conditions. protection, meanwhile, ensures your feet will stay dry and won’t get sweaty thanks to the excellent breathability. The leather is soft, supple and durable…

THORNDON PARK Essex In a county not blessed with well-known courses, this delightful Colt/Alison creation from 1920 is almost universally regarded as the finest by those in the know. The back nine encompasses the front, and the short holes especially are both strong and very attractive. Just minutes from the M25, it's a genuine oasis running through an expansive park laid out by Capability Brown. The course is currently undergoing a major bunker renovation that will not only improve the whole visual and strategic impact, but also serve to cement its reputation. W: thorndonpark.com GF: Round: £80wd/£95we DONEGAL County Donegal A firm favourite in the Golf Monthly Next 100, the beautifully located course at Murvagh is blessed with an idyllic setting along Ireland's spectacular north-west coastline. The result of this…

Photography: Tom Miles Welcome to January, compadres. I really do mean this, by the way – you are indeed welcome to January. All of it. Every dull, grey, cold day. It's by several yards the worst month of the year, although Brexit March may prove to be an even more compelling contender. Whatever happens, we know what January will be like. It is a dreary time for everyone, but for our family of enthusiastic golfers it is even more barren. Oh, I know there are some of you out there who will endeavour to play the old game no matter what the weather is like. But the rest of us, the majority, for whom wrapping up in multi layers of clothing and squelching round a sodden course offers all the…

2019 CALLAWAY BIG BERTHA IRONS AND HYBRIDS Big Bertha is one of the most iconic names in golf equipment. It's synonymous with distance, stemming right back to the earliest metal driver designs. It has also been prevalent in Callaway's irons down the years, and the latest Big Bertha irons and hybrids, which replace Big Bertha OS, are said to deliver faster ball speeds and easier launch. On the irons, this is thanks to something called the Suspended Energy Core. It starts with a metal injection moulded floating tungsten weight suspended within Callaway's Urethane Microsphere material. This allows the centre of gravity to be positioned deeper in the clubhead, which promotes a higher launch. Then a new thinner and faster 360 Face Cup, boasting a shallow, flexible rim around the perimeter…

1 How does the speed injection process work? After the grinding, painting and polishing of the head, right at the end of the process when the head is basically finished, we CT test the face. Hopefully, they will all be slightly over the limit at this point. We then enter the data into a computer through a programme to determine how much resin needs to be injected into the heel and toe ports. The resin then gets cured and we measure it again after the speed-tuning process to make sure it's right on the limit. 2 How does the resin slow down the face? Resin is injected into the pockets as a liquid, but once it's cured it hardens and can then resist some of the flexibility in the face.…

Back to the lab Danny Willett returned to the winners' circle at the DP World Tour Championship using an Odyssey Stroke Lab Tuttle prototype putter. It caught our eye on TV thanks to the three long, white sightlines on the black crown. Butter knives Gary Woodland put a set of prototype Wilson Staff blades in play at the Hero World Challenge in Barbados. Rafa’s new look Rafa Cabrera Bello wore a pair of prototype FootJoy shoes during practice in Hong Kong. Details are limited, but they appear to have a grid-like stability feature on the side of the upper.…

Photography: Paul Severn Happy new year to everyone! I hope you enjoyed your time off over Christmas. I took a decent break off over the festive period following a busy end to the year and I'm looking forward to getting going again, especially given how I finished the 2018 season. During the off-season, I sat down to look at the schedule and one thing that struck me was that this year's Major Championship venues are as strong a collection as I can remember. As I've played each one, I thought I'd share my thoughts on them. As always, the first Major is The Masters at Augusta National. It's my favourite golf course in the world. It's a place you learn more and more about each year and one that continues…

If Tiger is ever going to add to his Major tally, then surely 2019 offers his best chance. Having spent the first half of last season searching for his swing, he found a rhythm and ended up coming close in two Majors and winning his 80th PGA Tour title. This year he can take a different approach, safe in the knowledge he has the game to win tournaments again. He’ll come in to 2019 fully rested and be able to build his season around the Majors, rather than search for his competitive edge. And what of those Majors? We all know his record at Augusta, but the next two on the schedule are also at venues he knows well. First comes the rescheduled USPGA at Bethpage Black, a course where…

Photography: Kevin Murray For those of us who do not play golf for a living, finding a spare hour to spend practising our game is invaluable. Given how precious these 60 minutes are, it makes sense to spend them as wisely as possible. Not wasting a single ball with a well-structured routine to prepare you for the course could help you reach a new level of performance in 2019, and that's why we turned to world number 27, Rafa Cabrera Bello, for help. He explains how his pre-round practice routines are structured to help him get the most from his game in the heat of competition. We've combined his insight with some expert advice to help you better prepare for the challenge of competition golf. PUTTING 15 MINUTES Rafa says:…

1 The ladder drill This concept is one that's frequently applied in chipping, and it helps you focus on your landing area and how the ball runs out. This isn't about aiming for the pin, rather focusing on different landing areas. It'll help you develop your distance control as well as your feel and touch from the sand. Start as short as possible, then aim to land each ball past the previous one. Use a club or golf tee to mark your landing zones, then see how many you can string together. 2 The gate drill When I'm assessing someone's bunker shots, I'm looking at spin, distance control, strike and line – this is the line test. This drill, using two alignment sticks to form a ‘gate', is going to…

PHIL MURGATROYD | HANDICAP: 21 | HOME CLUB: WHIPSNADE PARK GC Barney’s assessment Phil had swing shape issues – he was coming into the ball at different angles. When we filmed him, he could see that he was lifting up on the backswing and his arms were tending to just buckle. Coming back into the ball, he was then a bit cramped and delivering the club at all sorts of angles. Part of it stemmed from the dreaded ‘keep your head down' advice. He couldn't understand why he was sometimes topping shots even with his head down, but it was because his whole body was moving up and down. Barney’s remedy The danger in keeping your head down is that you get stuck, rather than clearing and coming through, so…

This is aimed at golfers seeking a versatile, windproof mid-layer that combats multiple elements. Key technology This half-zip is from 2019’s Part One collection. It comes in five colours and is made from a lightweight, breathable and windproof material suitable for the majority of rounds throughout the year. It also features an elastic drawstring at the hem, elastic cuffs and a repositioned side seam for optimum comfort. How we tested We wore a red/black Lincoln out on the course over multiple rounds in different weather conditions to assess fit, comfort and performance. STYLING Relatively subdued by Galvin's standards, but the logo and print section on the chest, along with the different colour blocks on the front and back, enhance the premium aesthetics. PERFORMANCE Given the thin material, it's surprisingly efficient…

The development of new golf clubs usually takes place in total secrecy. All you see is the end product, with little insight into where or who the idea came from, the evolution from sketch to the finished article and the challenges encountered along the way. It is understandable, as leaks can be costly and the more people brands expose the process to, the higher the chance of something getting into the open too early, wreaking havoc with demand, marketing plans and so on. But this confidentiality is quite frustrating, which is what made Driver vs Driver 2 so refreshing. It provided a window into the process that both entertained and left you gagging to try the winning design. For those unfamiliar with the concept, designs from 14 budding engineers were…

FORGIVING PING G400 CROSSOVER This iron-style utility boasts a thick topline, a generous hitting area and a wide sole that pushes weight deeper. CLASSIC-LOOKING SRIXON Z U85 This classy-looking utility iron features a hollow, forged construction for high launch, soft feel and distance. MULTI-MATERIAL MIZUNO MP-18 MMC FLI HI Mizuno's first multi-material MP utility iron adds titanium and tungsten elements for forgiveness and playability. ADJUSTABLE COBRA KING UTILITY BLACK This model can be adjusted from 18° to 24° across two heads, allowing you to tailor its set-up as you see fit.…

STAY Slieve Donard, Newcastle The Slieve Donard Resort and Spa is inextricably linked with golf, as it borders one of the world's finest courses and is perfectly set up to cater for the sport's pilgrims. Instantly recognisable via its very distinct architecture, the rooms are stylish, peaceful and very comfortable. The Oak restaurant serves up an excellent breakfast as well as delicious dining in the evening. W: hastingshotels.com EAT/DRINK Percy French Inn, Newcastle Just a couple of minutes from Royal County Down, the Percy French Inn is a welcoming and very comfortable dining pub serving a wide variety of hearty regional food and local ales at very reasonable prices. W: hastingshotels.com VISIT Game of Thrones Much of the show has been filmed in County Down and the scenery and architecture…

Renewed enthusiasm Your Top 100 rankings always causes some debate in the clubhouse and this year was no exception. While there were a few grumbles from some of my playing partners about certain positions, everyone was in agreement that the list highlights how lucky we are to play golf in this country. Such variety and strength in depth. I’ve played 23 of these fine courses and your rankings have given me renewed enthusiasm to get out and about and tick a few more off this year. What other sport can offer such opportunities to travel and meet interesting people in such beautiful settings? It’s certainly something I appreciate more as I get older. My handicap may be going in the wrong direction but my love for the game has never…

Photography: Getty Images NO The key word here is ‘always', for nearly every golfer knows that it's courteous to help those you're playing with search for their balls when they've strayed from the short grass, on the unwritten understanding that they will do likewise when you're in trouble. Fortunately, I've played with relatively few golfers over the years who have failed to do this. But I do know that on the odd occasion that it has happened, it has certainly rankled a little, especially when I've had a decent score going. So how can I possibly be arguing against such good, commonly accepted practice? Well, as with most things in life, there has to be a limit, especially at a time when ‘pace of play' is the buzz phrase on…

ADIDAS CROSSKNIT 3.0 Features a lightweight, water-repellent heathered textile upper and a spikeless Puremotion outsole for grip. Comes in three colours. DUCA DEL COSMA KUBA The brand’s most successful spikeless model has been redesigned with a sleek, black tone-on-tone look to make it more suitable for winter. SKECHERS GO GOLF PRO V.4 HONORS Updates include a Heel Lock feature for a stable and secure fit and a cushioned insole. It also comes in this knitted textile upper. SKECHERS GO GOLF ELITE V.3 APPROACH RF This roomy spikeless shoe has a low-drop design to keep your feet low to the ground in a neutral position.…

Driver Ping G400 LST, 8.5°, Aldila Rogue 130 70TX shaft. Irons Ping i210 (3-5), Ping iBlade (6-9), KBS C-Taper 130X Black Ltd. Edition shafts. Fairway woods Ping G400, 14° and 17°, Project X Hzrdus Yellow 76g 6.5 shaft. Wedges Ping Glide 2.0 Stealth, 46°, Ping Glide Forged, 52° and 58°, KBS C-Taper 130X Black Ltd. Edition shafts. Putter Ping Sigma G Darby, Two Thumb Classic grip. Ball Titleist Pro V1.…

This is a great drill if you're struggling for consistency as it will help you regain control of the putter face. If the path of somebody's putting stroke looks fine but they're getting an inconsistent roll, the first thing I would look at is how well they're controlling the face. If the path is okay but the face is changeable, it's usually down to a grip pressure change during the stroke. Even subtle pressure changes can affect what the wrists and hands do. To add greater consistency, place a ball between your trail forearm and the putter grip. With the ball in place, you will feel the pressure against your forearm and should then look to maintain that during your stroke. If you maintain it and keep the ball in…

Photography: Kevin Murray Well, the first thing to say is a very warm happy new year to all you folks! I hope you enjoyed your festive period as much as I enjoyed mine and you feel relaxed and refreshed. It promises to be a great year on the golf course and I'm really looking forward to seeing how things play out. There are more world-class players than ever before and the year's Major venues are as good as it gets. One thing that left me slightly disappointed about the end of last year, though, was the limited number of world-class players competing in the final events of the European Tour season. I don't want to suggest that the fields were poor, as they absolutely weren't, but I couldn't help look…

1 The Englishman graduated from the 2013 Challenge Tour to secure his 2014 European Tour card. Another player who graduated at the same time was three-time Major winner Brooks Koepka 2 He drives a purple Lamborghini Huracan. It is designed to symbolise the Joker from the Batman series 3 Hatton’s best finish in a Major came at the 2016 Open Championship at Royal Troon. He finished tied for fifth 4 Hatton turned pro in 2011 off a handicap of +4 5 In his spare time he plays a lot of Xbox and one of his best friends is Matt Gallagher, also known as xMattyG, whose YouTube channel has over 47,000 subscribers 6 Hatton is a Liverpool fan…

The FedExCup Playoffs will be cut from four events to three and the champion will be decided solely on the outcome of the Tour Championship. The leader of the standings going into East Lake will commence the week on ten-under-par, with the rest of the field assigned scores on a sliding scale down to those placed 25th-30th starting on level par. Confused? Well, the system has been brought in to simplify the final event so there aren’t two winners on the day, as we saw in 2018. It also means everyone in the field theoretically has a chance of winning the title. These are the latest tweaks to a formula that the PGA Tour has struggled with ever since its inception in 2007. One thing’s for sure, though: with the…

Honma has not been a major player in the UK so far – how are you addressing that? We have big plans and we're very excited about them. We started in 2018 by increasing brand awareness about Honma in the European market. Right now, we have three sales people on the ground plus a fitter, and we just hired a fantastic head of marketing from the UK who has a ton of connections and a huge knowledge of the market there. We have big plans with some interesting players that we are signing, so we are a brand to look out for. Price was always an issue in the UK but you now have more options? Yes. If you want the most expensive golf products in the world, you still…

Paul Ring Head coach & founder Some have seen golf on TV and got hooked like I did, but the majority are kids who had probably never thought about golf. It’s not just the sport and the lessons, but the social environment we’ve created. Katie Herlock Academy co-ordinator It’s not just the ‘golfy’ kids coming along dressed head to toe in Ping – we cater for everybody. We’ve got a lot of kids on the autistic spectrum and a lot who are quite small. We want to teach all children. Jack Samuel Junior captain Being captain means helping with days like this – giving out the jumpers and sorting out the scorecards. I’ve mentored some younger children as well, trying to get them out on the main course from the…

With 112 worldwide victories, the evergreen Bernhard Langer is way ahead when it comes to German tour success. Kaymer now has 23 wins globally, but four other male German golfers have won more than once on the European TourÉ Alex Cejka The Czech-born German won four times between 1995 and 2002. He finished a career-high 6th in Europe in 1995. Since 2003 he has mostly played in the States, finally achieving a maiden PGA Tour victory in the 2015 Puerto Rico Open after a play-off. Marcel Siem Siem, who has played on tour since 2001, found himself back at Q-School in November for the first time in a decade after a disappointing 2018. The biggest of his four wins came in the 2014 BMW Masters for which he pocketed just…

Photography: Kevin Murray Over the last five years, Rafa Cabrera Bello has become one of the most consistent performers on the world stage. At the heart of this is a rock-solid long-game technique that delivers power and accuracy. At address, Rafa has a fantastic posture with textbook angles. His back is nice and straight because he bends forward from the hips and his knees are gently flexed. This means his arms can hang straight down from the shoulders, which are just a fraction forward of his toe line. From this position, you are far more likely to swing the club on a good path. With driver in hand, also notice how his stance is a fraction wider than his shoulder width. This gives him a solid base to create a…

1 Beating a slice I see so many amateurs who pick the club up steeper in the backswing and slash left across the ball in the downswing to try and hit it higher. You should feel like your swing path is going from in to out, but really exaggerate that when you are at the range. 2 Better ball-striking Try and slow things right down and stay in the shot for longer. Feel like your head stays down through the shot, even post impact. Keeping the head more stable will result in better strikes and more consistency, which we all want from our shots. 3 Reading greens If time permits, read your putts from behind the hole and also look from the low side. From here, you get a good…

We experienced ball speed and distance that matched, and in some cases exceeded, premium drivers from the more established brands. It feels light and easy to swing fast, but without losing control of the clubface. The features visible on the crown are plentiful, but our clubhead speed did increase slightly. When you factor in the consistency of ball speed across the face, intuitive adjustability and shot-tracking Cobra Connect, this driver ticks an awful lot of boxes, but you can’t tweak the draw/fade bias significantly.…

Galvin Green’s Interface-1 collection continues to impress. This half-zip option is easy to slide on thanks to the soft inner fabric and fits snugly, ensuring no excess material around the torso impedes the swing. This is helped by the elasticated waist and wrist sections. The high level of waterproof protection makes it a feasible option for all but the heaviest of downpours – water beads off the outer fabric quickly, leaving no visible trace behind. The stretchiness of the material is pretty incredible considering how thin it is, and this allows it to be combined easily with other layers, either underneath or on top. The wind resistance also helps keep the winter chill at bay. A lack of pockets would be our one minor criticism.…

WANT TO SEE MORE? For video reviews of both these irons, visit golf-monthly.co.uk/reviews…

Electric trolley users enjoy a number of benefits over their bag-carrying counterparts, like more energy come the end of the round and, without getting too scientific and scrolling through research papers, fewer back injuries. Some of you still need to be convinced. True, the clinking of clubs on your back as you stroll the fairways is one of golf’s most romantic acoustics. However, once you’ve made the switch, you’ll wonder why you were ever sceptical – if indeed you were. Perhaps you’re looking to upgrade? The good news is that technology has advanced rapidly in recent years, moving away from clunky frame styling to sleek, streamline designs. As you can see, a trolley is not just a trolley. Many come feature-packed, taking on the role of the caddie/PA with in-built…

THE GOLF Par 69, 5,154 yards The Boundary Lakes course has hidden subtleties and the odd blind shot. I was fortunate to play with a most welcoming member, Brian Chambers. This was last June and the course was running so fast that I soon learned to accept his advice to go for two clubs less than I would normally. This is not a long course generally, and it has seven par 3s and three par 5s. Views get better once the course moves away from hotel, car park and M27 surrounds and gets up among the rolling hillside. The 16th tee, for example, has lovely distant views. The best holes are towards the middle of the course. The par-3 9th is beautifully natural-looking with a fiendish staircase green. Water only…