Table of contents for Open 2018 in Golf Monthly

What is it about Carnoustie that makes it so challenging? In my opinion, it comes down to the bunkering. I don't think there's a better-bunkered course – not in terms of the number of hazards but in terms of where they are positioned. Fairways tend to camber towards the traps and you have to hit to your spots. If you don't do that then you're going to struggle. If you want to take the aggressive line to get past the bunkers, you have to be very accurate. The way the bunkers are set presents a mental challenge and you have to decide on a clear strategy to avoid them. Does it favour the better ball-strikers then? Without a doubt. If you look back at the past seven Opens here, it…

When the PGA of America was founded in 1916, 15 of the 35 charter members hailed from a small town on the east coast of Scotland just north of Dundee. The story of Carnoustie's pioneering golfers is one of the most remarkable in the history of the game. During the early part of the 20th century, some 200 Carnoustie golfers left Scotland and headed all over the world, particularly to the USA and Australia. The renowned American golf writer Herbert Warren Wind wrote that, “St Andrews may be the Home of Golf, but Carnoustie is the home of American and Australian professional golf.” “One family, and their extended family, shaped golf in America” The tale of Carnoustie's contribution to golf went largely untold for many years, but the Carnoustie Golf…

Golf is full of interesting debates: Nicklaus or Woods? Links or heathland? Hardest shot in the game: long-iron or chip from a tight lie? Two of the shorter discussions in golf are as follows: hardest course on the Open rota? Carnoustie. Hardest hole at Carnoustie? The 18th. If I had one word to describe the course it would be ‘relentless', and for the closing hole ‘fearsome' sums things up. You can read all about the challenge of the course and indeed all things Carnoustie in our special Open Championship supplement that accompanies this issue. If you could pick one pro to take on that drive for you at 18, it'd be this month's cover star, Rory McIlroy. His ability to drive the ball longer and straighter than most of his…

The GM View: The event has been plagued recently by high-profile players staying away – Europeans as well as Americans. Next year it moves to September, after the Majors and FedExCup, so hopefully that will have a significant impact. Eric Wolfe: If we expect Europe’s best to play in America, Americans should play in Europe a little more. Galileo70a: US players possibly care more about the FedExCup rankings. On the same weekend in Fort Worth, $7million in prize money was on offer. There is also the travel factor. It’s easier to stay at home than play in Europe, and it’s an expensive return trip if you miss the cut! Barry Glover: You can’t expect Americans to fly over for one event in the middle of a busy PGA Tour season.…

Push an alignment stick into the ground to mirror the angle of your club at address. Place the other one on the ground behind you, pointing to the target, to provide a reference for your club's movement. If your downswing is on the right swing plane and your path is good as you rotate through, the club will come back down mirroring the alignment stick lying on the ground. As you continue down to the ball, your hands and the grip of the club will go a little lower before starting to rise as you rotate through impact. If you can get the feeling of low to high here, you're going to be on an ideal, slightly inside path. If your movement is over the top from high to low,…

“MORE AND MORE GOLFERS ARE BUYING INTO THE QUALITY OF PREMIUM BRANDS, AND HONMA IS CERTAINLY ONE OF THOSE”Joel Tadman, GM technical editor Honma has been crafting high-end golf clubs at its base in Sakata – on the west coast of Japan – for the past 60 years, built on the foundation of in-depth research, cutting-edge technology and premium materials. It is a brand that prides itself on a meticulous approach and control of the manufacturing process. Every component is built within its own factory and at least 100 craftsmen handle every club before it reaches the customer. The attention to detail is second to none, a classic example being the hand-rolled carbon graphite shafts that are matched precisely to the clubheads for improved performance. The Beres S-06 is one…

Flying the flag Francesco Molinari won the BMW PGA with a new Bettinardi Dass BB Zero putter, with colours of the Italian flag and a sight dot added on top to help with alignment. One of a kind American Jason Dufner is the only player on the PGA Tour using a set of bespoke National Custom Works irons crafted by Don White, formerly of MacGregor. No more Nike for Tiger Tiger Woods has finally ditched his last remaining Nike clubs, switching out his VR Forged for some raw TaylorMade Milled Grind wedges ahead of the Memorial Tournament.…

After a bit of a break, I returned to action at the BMW PGA Championship and then played in the Italian Open. I finished in a tie for 27th at Wentworth, which could have been much better if not for a disappointing closing round, and then I shot a final-round 63 in Italy to finish in a tie for 5th. I'm happy to report that my game feels in really good shape. All departments seem to be working and I'm pleased to have been able to get back into the swing of things so quickly after some time off. Many pros will use time off to do a lot of practising, but I barely touched the clubs. I saw it as more of an opportunity to rest, relax and get…

Over the last two years, one of the most intriguing tour-related storylines has revolved around the equipment choices of many of the world’s best golfers. When Nike dropped out of the golf club market in the summer of 2016, a vacuum was created and a host of players were left with important decisions to make. Rory McIlroy was one of those players and in May 2017, he signed an equipment sponsorship deal with TaylorMade. Since then, the Northern Irishman has worked closely with the brand, regularly tinkering with his line-up as he searches for the best possible combination. McIlroy now plays 14 TaylorMade clubs and the company’s TP-5x golf ball. Here, he talks through his journey to the gear line-up he uses today. From driver to putter, the incredible detail…

“Rory McIlroy is a world talent, an incredible athlete but, importantly for us, his values are aligned with our company. He is awfully competitive, he is very authentic to the game of golf and he is innovative in his approach to his equipment. What is unique about Rory is how true he is to himself. He is so genuine about his own identity and secure in himself and that disarms people. They want to be a part of his world. “We have assembled an incredible elite group of athletes at TaylorMade and I don’t think it has ever been done before. They all have a fierce desire to win. Not to finish, to win. However, each one of them is slightly different. Rory is extremely relatable. Tiger is this world…

1 Common causes Heavy strikes are something all golfers suffer from at times, catching the ground before the ball or creating too steep an angle of attack and generating a very deep divot. I'm going to highlight three of the most common causes here, the first being the classic over-the-top swing, a shoulder-led move in which the right shoulder moves forward, sending the club outside the line. From there, you aren't only attacking the ball too steeply, but you're also cutting across it, causing both heavy strikes and major ball-flight issues. Then there's the one where the club bottoms out too early behind the ball as a result of the body getting a bit active and moving forwards towards the target. This drops the club too early and causes a…

Getting the ball into scoring range off the tee, only to go and make a double- or triple-bogey, is an all-too-familiar scenario for many teen- and higher-handicap golfers. For Golf Monthly reader Peter Foster, who plays off 13, problems have started to arise when he gets withing 100 yards of the green. His hit-and-miss pitching technique is costing him a number of shots every round. Looking to find some answers, he applied to take part in one of our reader lessons with GM Top 25 Coach Andrew Reynolds, an experienced golf professional who boasts a top-20 finish at the Senior British Open and who has coached England's A squad. A few weeks later the pair met on the expansive pitching area at London Golf Club in Kent, where Andrew set…

1. A – Jezz incurs a one-stroke penalty. Before lifting the ball to identify it, you must announce your intention to your marker and mark the position of the ball. Failure to comply with this procedure results in a penalty of one stroke (Rule 12-2). 2. A – There is no penalty. You may play a stroke with any part of the clubhead, provided the ball is fairly struck at and the club conforms to the Rules (Rule 14-1). 3. C – Fergus must take penalty relief outside of the hazard. Relief for an embedded ball is only applicable if the ball lies in any closely-mown area through the green (Rule 25-2). As the ball lies in a hazard, the only option for relief is to take a penalty drop…

PERFORMANCE Very low spin, combined with a surprisingly high flight and explosive ball speed, produced long carries – in excess of 190 yards, on average, with the 26°-lofted 6-iron. LOOKS The offset Rogue iron offers plenty of meat behind the ball at address, without looking overly chunky. The double white score lines at the bottom of the face assist with alignment. This iron is aimed at golfers looking for more distance and forgiveness. Key technology Callaway’s 360 Face Cup expands the portion of the face that delivers the fastest ball speeds. Tungsten-infused internal weighting helps optimise both launch and spin. Urethane behind the face is filled with air pockets called microspheres, which allow the face to flex but also dampen vibration to improve sound and feel. How we tested We…

“TRYING BEFORE YOU BUY IS ESSENTIAL, AS SIZES AREN’T STANDARDISED BETWEEN BRANDS. SHOES SHOULD FEEL SNUG SO YOUR FEET DON’T MOVE ABOUT INSIDE AND RUB”Jake O’Reilly, GM technical writer 1 As a rough rule, golfers with faster swing speeds will tend to require a more stable shoe with good traction, to help them use the ground more efficiently. 2 Spikeless shoes tend to be more comfortable when the ground is harder in the summer, while cleated shoes will typically offer you extra stability and grip. 3 Some brands offer a Boa lacing option. This dial-lace system lets you tighten the shoe in an easy and incremental way for the perfect adjustable fit.…

SPIN CONTROL TAYLORMADE PROJECT (A) This three-piece, 70-compression ball boasts a seamless cast urethane cover that provides spin on chip shots. TOUR PROVEN CALLAWAY CHROME SOFT A tour ball without the premium price tag, the Chrome Soft's new graphene Dual SoftFast core boosts long-game distance. VALUE SRIXON AD333 TOUR Srixon claims this offers “tour performance for moderate swing speeds” thanks to its Spin Skin and low 72 compression. STAND OUT VOLVIK VIVID This ball comes in nine colourful matte finishes, but it's no gimmick thanks to a Power Core that creates distance with feel.…

THE GOLF par 71, 6,062 yards The course plays mostly over rolling terrain around a large lake to the front of the hotel, with the final trio, including the delightfully pretty but very long par-3 17th, the other side of the mansion. The 5th doglegs round to a raised green backed by swathes of gorse, while the par-5 8th is a real shock to the system at 590 yards! The 9th is another attractive hole with a raised green playing towards distant wooded hills, while coming home the two par 5s at 13 and 15 stand out. The former plays straight back towards the hotel and even the lay-up is a little scary, as you play past the lake and then finally across a burn to the green. The 15th…

Colin selects three players he feels might be in the mix come Sunday afternoon of Open week: Dustin Johnson: I think his game is suited to this layout. He's played in a couple of Dunhill Links here, so he knows the course. He can work the ball both ways, but he's comfortable with left to right and Carnoustie definitely favours the left-to-right shot. Dustin will have a good opportunity. Justin Rose: He is such a skilled strategist and this is key to good scoring. He is an extremely patient player, but he also has power and great ball-striking ability. He was 12th in The Open here in 2007 and then second in the Dunhill Links the same year. Tommy Fleetwood: The last two winners at Carnoustie, Paul and Padraig, both…

What were you saying to Padraig as he was seemingly in meltdown? I just reminded him it wasn't over, that we'd go down and see what we faced as we didn't know exactly where the ball was. Originally, he thought he'd hit it out of bounds left, but as we were walking down we got word from the referee that it was in the burn. From there, it was just a matter of telling him to take his time, get back into it – all those cliches. What were you thinking inside? What's it going to be like when we finish? What's it going to be like tomorrow? We had talked about Jean Van de Velde in practice and what we would do if we were two shots ahead, one…

Carnoustie Caledonia Golf Club W: carnoustiecaledonia.co.uk Founded in 1887, the Caledonia clubhouse can be found on Links Parade. In the early years of the 20th century, club member Alexander Cant was responsible for inventing a new handicapping system that was the basis for all handicapping systems that followed. New Taymouth Golf Club W: Facebook The club dates back to 1906 and it is now based within the Caledonia Golf Club clubhouse. It has a full fixture list and a strong membership. Dalhousie Golf Club W: dalhousie.co.uk The club celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. In 1926, captain James Wright persuaded the community that James Braid should be employed to help upgrade the Championship course. Wright then gave his own guidance on the last three holes prior to the…

2007 Padraig Harrington The Irishman shot a final-round 67 to get into a play-off with Sergio Garcia after the Spaniard's putt agonisingly refused to drop on the 18th. Harrington would shoot level-par in the four-hole play-off to win his first Major Championship. 1999 Paul Lawrie Remembered for Jean Van de Velde's final-hole explosion. The Frenchman had a three-shot lead going down 18, but a triple-bogey meant a play-off with Paul Lawrie and Justin Leonard. Lawrie would shoot level par to win the play-off by three. 1975 Tom Watson The 1975 Open was also decided in a play-off, this time 18 holes between Tom Watson and Jack Newton. In a close contest, the pivotal moment came on the par-5 14th with Watson picking up an eagle to go ahead. He would…

Star quality I've read that some people in golfing circles think the Pro-Am at Wentworth should be cancelled as it is a non-event. The BMW PGA is one of Britain's big golf stages and the Pro-Am acts like the Masters Par-3 Competition and gives it that special edge. I am a PE teacher and I told some girls I teach that some of the celebrities they talk about would be competing in the Pro-Am. A couple of days later they told me they had bought tickets for the Wednesday and asked me questions on the etiquette of golf and also some basic rules. On the Friday after the Pro-Am one of the girls said she had a fantastic time and thought about getting into golf, and even went to the…

“Proprietary clubs have to listen closely to what members want to keep their core clientele happy” YES  Even though I'm currently a member of a committee-run club – and very happy with it – these days my feeling is that at many members' clubs, the committee structure can hold things back at a time when big decisions often need to be made more quickly and in a more business-like manner. Short-termism can be a real issue, with incoming committee members looking to make some sort of mark, often very well-intentioned. But surely what golf clubs really need right now is stability and consistency in the management structure, and more of the long-term strategic planning that, ironically, many such committee members would insist on in their often successful business lives. Golf…

1 What type of golfer is the Honma Beres S-06 range aimed at? The discerning golfer who appreciates the quality of craftsmanship over mass-market products; who values attention to detail and searches for the ultimate set of golf clubs. These products, whose shafts and heads are designed as one using carbon material from the aerospace industry, aim to provide the best golfing experience. 2 What are the specific benefits of the hand-rolled shafts? We can control and build bespoke kickpoints and frequencies for our tour players and consumers. What's more, we are able to reduce the little air bubbles that get trapped between the layers of carbon fibre and affect performance. 3 What are the benefits of upgrading to the more premium shafts with a higher star rating? The main…

Adam Scott was 5th in driving accuracy at the Players with a Titleist 910D3 Rory McIlroy swapped his TaylorMade M3 fairway for an M4 model Dustin Johnson put a TaylorMade Spider Mini putter in play at the Players Aaron Wise hit 89% of fairways at the Byron Nelson with a Callaway Rogue Webb Simpson won the Players with a 23.5° steel-shafted Titleist 915Hd The winner of the Memorial Bryson DeChambeau used Cobra’s One Length irons…

I've just got back to Australia after covering the BMW PGA and the Italian Open, and what great events they were. Wentworth, in particular, was absolutely incredible. The recent renovations to the golf course have elevated it again and it's truly a world-class venue. I didn't have anyone come up to me and say anything other than how good the course was, which hasn't necessarily been the case in years gone by. It's now set up perfectly for a golfer who has the complete game, which is why Francesco Molinari's victory didn't come as a surprise at all. Golf is such a difficult game, but Molinari was absolutely immense with his ball-striking and his chipping and putting looked as good as it ever has. In the past, he's struggled a…

1 Choosing the Golf Foundation as the captain's charity, or dedicating an existing club competition, such as a monthly medal or Stableford, to the Golf Foundation with a donation as an entry fee. 2 Giving members the opportunity of adding an optional donation to the Golf Foundation as part of their annual club subscription. 3 Entering a team into the annual Golf Foundation Pro-Am, supported by the European Tour, which this year is taking place at London Golf Club on Monday October 8. 4 Leaving a legacy to the Golf Foundation is a special and personal way of providing opportunities for future generations to enjoy the game. 5 Supporting initiatives such as the Etiqus Charity Challenge and the Brooch Competition (information on the Golf Foundation website), or staging putting/chipping/Tri-Golf events…

1 Address position Long, straight drivers of the ball possess certain characteristics, and Rory definitely has them. Before we start highlighting them, I should mention that even though we are looking at ‘positions', the goal is to incorporate them into the motion of the swing as a whole. So slow swings while watching yourself in the mirror or on video will confirm your feelings are correct. Then you can add speed once you have a feel for the ‘positions'. Rory has an athletic, poised set-up position, where his balance is centred and he is well aimed and relaxed. Notice also how his spine is tilted away from the target. This allows for an ease of movement into the backswing and enables him to create those crucial launch conditions Keith Sbarbaro…

1 Spiral drill There is a big difference between the practice green and the golf course. Finding a stroke with the same freedom in both places is the key, and that's why it is worth trying this drill. Starting at 3ft from the hole, place seven or eight balls in a spiral around it, progressively getting further away from the target. Small differences in break mean this drill forces you to run through your normal routine before each putt. This is a great way to get yourself into the best competition mindset. 2 Random drill Place as many balls as you have in your bag at different positions around the hole, from as near as 1ft to about 5ft away. Mark their positions with tee pegs. The game here is…

Andrew’s assessment Like many players, Peter felt he had to lift the ball into the air when pitching. He was holding the very top of the grip and both elbows were bent, plus his weight was very central and his grip pressure was very light. All together, it meant he lost control of the club and then tried to save the shot by flicking it into the air with his wrists. He was also using a sand wedge with lots of bounce, which meant anything mistimed could result in a fat or thin shot. Andrew’s remedy We started by getting Peter's wedge sitting flat on the ground, so he wasn't adding any excess bounce. The idea behind this is that you want to start with the club in the same…

“THIS SPORTY DESIGN IS VERSATILE, EXTREMELY COMFORTABLE AND PROVIDES SURPRISINGLY GOOD GRIP”Joel Tadman, GM technical editor COMFORT The cushioning underfoot and around the ankle provides ample comfort without feeling bulky or restrictive. The shoe feels light and the leather is remarkably supple. TRACTION The nubs on the outsole are different shapes and sizes, working together to provide a surprisingly high level of grip. Even in wet conditions, our feet didn't slip when going after a shot. STYLING We'd say that Arc SL has a look that exceeds its modest price. It looks trendy and modern – generally clean and simple, but with enough subtle details on the upper to add shelf appeal. The Arc SL shoe is aimed at golfers seeking spikeless comfort and performance on a modest budget. Key…

LOOKS The dark, two-tone blue crown will please the eye of the majority. The fact it doesn't extend right up to the face makes it look more lofted. It sits a touch closed, but has an oversized profile that boosts confidence. PERFORMANCE Slow- and medium-swing-speed players should experience an increase in club speed from the lightweight feel, assisted by the forgiving clubhead. This boosts distance and helps with dispersion. This driver is aimed at moderate-swing-speed golfers seeking distance and control. Key technology With lighter components and a higher balance point, XXIO X’s Low Swing MOI helps increase clubhead and ball speed without any swing changes. The Smart Impact Shaft has a unique flex profile that works to reduce the forces that pull golfers off balance, resulting in more consistency. A…

Golf, as we are all too familiar, is a frustratingly difficult game. But in the grand scheme of the 7.6 billion people in the world, I was of the opinion that being a lowish single-figure handicapper meant I was relatively good at it. This view came crashing down, however, when I played in the Pro-Am of the Motocaddy Masters, the season-opening event of the EuroPro Tour – the third tier of professional golf. The following day, 155 golfers would be slugging it out over three days for the paltry (by pro golf standards) £10,000 first prize. The field included some household names, including Phillip Price – slayer of Phil Mickelson in the 2002 Ryder Cup singles at the Belfry – and former European Tour player Gary Boyd. One of the…

As the sun was finally shining and the meadowlarks were doing what they do best, which is mostly, er, larking about, I took myself off to Wentworth and the BMW PGA Championship. Everywhere and everyone – well, nearly everyone – looked splendid. If the grass had been any greener it would have hurt the eyes, while the plentiful crowds looked a colourful picture in their summer gear. Even the blokes with white legs looked quite nice when set against the stunning backdrop of the West course. The women, of course, looked better. The players, too, had made an effort. Some, of course, are paid fortunes to wear this and that shirt, trouser, shoe and cap combo, their daily outfits only decided after several lengthy meetings at the major clothing suppliers.…

BRANDEN GRACE Of all the players on this list, I'd pick Branden Grace as my must-back, given his playing characteristics, links aptitude, pedigree and likely price with the bookmakers. Grace has one of the lowest ball flights on tour, which is clearly an asset on a links golf course. To go with that, he's also having a fine season on the greens. The South African is a past winner of the Dunhill Links (he also lost to Phil Mickelson in a play-off at the 2013 Scottish Open) and he shot the lowest-ever score in a Major last year at Birkdale en route to a tie for 6th. Best Open finish: T6 (2017) Last year: T6 RICKIE FOWLER Many people feel it's a matter of time before Rickie Fowler gets over…

How do you think Thomas Bjorn will set up the course? I think he will have the course set up fairly. He will allow the best team to win. That's the way it should be. Tricking up courses for certain players isn't right. I think he will look at the French Open over the years and the four pin positions used and take the best three of them. The best golf should prevail. Which side is looking stronger? I was favouring America. But with Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton and Paul Casey, those are four guys representing strength for Europe that we didn't have the opportunity to select last time. If you put those four with the top eight from last time, you have a very good team. Then…

TRAVEL HOW TO GET TO THE COURSE… BY ROAD Police Scotland is urging all motorists to use the designated traffic routes, which will be clearly signed by the AA. Visitors are advised to turn off their satellite navigation systems and follow the appropriate signage to the car parks. PARK & RIDE All public parking will be located at Park & Ride facilities, where you can catch dedicated buses to and from the course. LOCAL KNOWLEDGE WHAT TO DO WHEN THE DAY’S GOLF IS DONE... STAY Carnoustie and the surrounding areas of Angus and Dundee have an extensive selection of properties which cater for all accommodation requirements. The official Open accommodation bureau, stayattheopen.com, manages these services for the Championship. CAMPING Youth Ticket holders are eligible to camp for free at The…

Tiger Woods “The golf course is hard, but it's fair. I think all the players can attest to that who played in ‘99. I think it's a fantastic test” Padraig Harrington “There isn't a player who didn't find this course a test and enjoyed that test. Credit to Carnoustie, it's one of the best in the world” Ernie Els “It's got length. It's got great bunkering. You've really got to have your wits with you to play this golf course. It's probably the best-bunkered course that you'll ever find anywhere in the world” Colin Montgomerie “One of the toughest and best links courses that we have in the world” Sergio Garcia “I've never seen a links course where the fairways are so pure and the greens are so good” [ESPN]…

Making ends meet I was disappointed, but not at all surprised, to see the latest Forbes Sports Rich List didn’t include a single female sportsperson. While the likes of Tiger Woods reportedly earned $43.4m in 2017, ladies stars like Georgia Hall, who led the Ladies European Tour money list last year, made just £325,000 on the course, with far less lucrative endorsement opportunities available to her. For the girls breaking through it’s a whole lot worse, with many of them needing part-time jobs to make a living. In fact, only the top 50 in the LET rankings earned more than the average UK salary of £25,000, and that’s before they pay their travel and accommodation costs. I’m not sure there’s an easy answer, but I’d go down the tennis route…

STUBURT ENDURANCE BLOCK STRIPE POLO This wallet-friendly shirt features Stuburt’s Dri-back moisture-transfer tech to help regulate body temperature for comfort. PXG OPERATOR PUTTER This high-MOI mallet features five adjustable weight ports that can change the weight from 330g-400g. A TPE insert softens the feel. MACGREGOR DCT2000 PACKAGE SET Ideal for beginners, it features a 460cc titanium driver, a fairway wood, two hybrids, oversized irons and a putter. PRECISION PRO NX7 LASER RANGEFINDER This entry-level laser delivers a Pulse Vibration when you shoot the target. It also has a 400-yard range.…

Driver TaylorMade M3 440, 9°, Mitsubishi Tensei Orange 60TX shaft. Fairways TaylorMade M4, 15°, TaylorMade M3, 19°, Mitsubishi Tensei CK 80TX shafts. Irons TaylorMade P790, 4-iron, TaylorMade P730 Rose Proto, 5-9-iron, KBS Tour C-Taper 125 S+ shafts. Putter TaylorMade TP Red Ardmore 2 Putter (Custom), Lamkin Flat Cat grip. Wedges TaylorMade Milled Grind, 48°, 52° and 56°, Milled Grind Hi-Toe, 60°, KBS Hi-Rev 2.0 135X shafts. Ball TaylorMade TP5.…

“The key is to create a product that families want to enjoy together” Only 14% of club members in the UK and Ireland are female. There are two ways to look at that statistic: from a negative standpoint, emphasising the stereotype that golf is the preserve of middle-aged, middle-class men; or, from a more positive angle, that the low number of women presents a tremendous opportunity to grow the game by increasing female participation. Research by Syngenta conducted in 2016 suggested that latent female golfers could be worth $35 billion to the industry worldwide. At a time when Sports Marketing Surveys Inc's global participation reports show a decline in golfing numbers of 2.4% since 2012, this should be an opportunity the game pursues with vigour. A report commissioned by The…

The BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth has become a rather impressive event. It has always been prestigious, but in recent years the organisers have added an extra layer of quality. It's been my privilege to play in the Pro-Am there for the last six years, and this year the course was showing many of its sharpened teeth. To give you an idea of the difficulty... only two members broke 80 in the medal in April when the course was playing to ‘tournament conditions'. The low hum that fills your ears as you wander the course is where the real money has been spent. The constant rattle of the sub-air system allows the green staff to control the moisture in the ground and therefore make things as firm and as fast…

As the clock hits 8am on an unusually dreary morning in Southern California, a blanket of milky grey cloud conceals the sun. My flight arrived from London the previous evening and this was a disappointingly familiar scene to wake up to. More Lake District than Los Angeles. Despite the weather, there is a telltale mix of excitement and tension in the air, the sort that only comes when something big is about to happen. Today, Rory McIlroy is due to make his first-ever visit to the TaylorMade headquarters after signing for the brand the previous year. Pristine carpets are being hoovered, door handles are being polished and adorning the front of the main office building is a giant billboard of the man in question with the tagline, ‘Hear The Rors’.…

1 Runway drill The first of my four tests is designed to build the confidence you need when you're out on the course. You need to have a ‘fairway' in your mind on the range so you actually know whether or not you're hitting it, as wide ranges can give you a slightly false impression. Here, there's a nicely defined ‘fairway' between two lines of trees, so in this first test you get one series of ten shots and simply record how many times you hit the fairway. Importantly, go through your routine just as you would on the course. You don't see enough practice swings on the driving range! Set yourself a target to beat next time. It brings meaningful focus. 2 Carry the trouble This test can be…

Arc SL comes in at a very attractive price point with very little sacrifice. It may not quite have the stability or shelf appeal of the Pro/SL, but it’s ideal for golfers who want a simple, stylish and comfortable pair of spikeless shoes that don’t break the bank. Arc SL can easily be worn on the way to and from the course, as well as on it. There’s a hint of stability on offer and the snug fit really helps in boosting the comfort and performance. This sporty shoe has a lot to offer for under £100; it’s well worth considering in 2018.…

LOOKS Unusual in many ways and slightly more triangular in shape than the standard MG wedge. The face starts as silver, contrasting with the aged copper finish elsewhere, but wears off soon after use. CONTROL For most shots, levels of spin were similar to the standard Milled Grind wedge, but on some really open-faced shots from the rough and bunkers, a touch more grab was evident. This model is aimed at golfers seeking more control and versatility from their highest-lofted wedge. Key technology The MG Hi-Toe’s full-face scoring lines aid a consistent contact out of the rough, while the high bounce and channel-cut midsole make for cleaner turf interaction. The cavity features three pockets that optimise weight distribution for better feel. A higher, more-centred CG launches the ball lower while…

It’s often said that power in the golf swing starts from the ground up. So if your golf shoes aren’t offering the grip and stability you need, it’s time to look for something new. As well as traction and support, comfort will be high on many wish-lists. Most companies utilise a foam-like material between the insole and outsole to cushion your stride. Some are noticeably bouncy, while others are firmer and more responsive. You’ll also need to choose between cleated and spikeless models, or take the plunge and join the many golfers who own both. Doing this can help reduce wear and provide more outfit variations, as well as different options for dry and wet weather. There are also structured and more flexible models, so hopefully you can use this…

When Titleist announced it was replacing its popular NXT Tour ball with the new Tour Soft, expectations were high among the loyal band of players who had enjoyed its performance and value over recent years. The Tour Soft (£32 per dozen RRP) was created to deliver a softer feel than the NXT Tour had ever offered. This was achieved thanks to the largest core Titleist has ever used in a ball. The Tour Soft also boasts an ultra-thin surlyn cover that is just as thin as some urethane balls. But how does all the R&D stack up on the course? Were Titleist’s claims of soft feel, long distance off the tee and control into greens warranted? To find out, we sent two Golf Monthly readers three dozen balls each to…

LUFFENHAM HEATH Rutland Reaching its centenary in 2011, this Next 100 course runs over a beautiful tract of heathland and was designed by Harry Colt. It is one of the finest such courses in the country and is around 6,500 yards from the competition tees. There are two par 5s which run in opposite directions, but also some stern par 4s such as the 2nd, 11th and 13th, which make playing to handicap very tricky indeed. That the area is not so widely known for golf is the only reason this delightful course is not far more famous. W: luffenhamheath.org GF: Round: £65wd/£70we; Day: £80wd/£90we DUNDRUM County Tipperary It may be a long way to Tipperary, but it's worth the drive if you want to enjoy a round of golf…