Table of contents for March 2019 in Golf Monthly

Photography: Getty Images The GM view: It’s hard to be anything other than overwhelmingly positive about the appointment. Harrington is a Ryder Cup stalwart who’s intelligent, experienced, popular and sure to throw himself into the role wholeheartedly. Expect his captaincy to closely resemble that of fellow Irishman Paul McGinley. Andrew Leblanc: I think the fact he’s popular on American soil has been overblown. Yes, that may be true, but I don’t understand how it’s relevant to how the European team performs. But regardless, it’s hard to argue with the appointment and I’m sure he’ll do a great job. I also suspect this will effectively signal the end of his top-tier playing career. What a ride it’s been. Grant85: I don’t have a major issue with the decision. He’s a three-time…

NO It's really a great thing to be a golf club member; to have a course and clubhouse that are yours to use and appreciate. You have paid to enjoy these facilities and you should have preferential treatment when it comes to making the most of them. Almost every club in the country accepts paying visitors, and it's also great to be a guest at a club and to make use of the clubhouse for the duration of your visit. Visitors provide a chance for a club to showcase their product and welcome golfers who, having paid their green fee, are effectively members for a day. These paying guests help to keep the members' annual subscription as low as possible and will be welcomed warmly in the clubhouse. But what…

Photography: Paul Severn When I turned professional in 1993, I couldn't have imagined that I'd go on to enjoy so many memorable moments playing the sport I love. I've been able to achieve a number of things I'm very proud of during the course of my career and I thought I'd use this column to reflect on some of them. I'm often asked what the proudest moment of my career is, and for me it's getting to World No.1, no question about it. I was standing in the supermarket – I wasn't even playing that week – when my dad called me and said I was going to go to the top of the rankings in the morning. Martin Kaymer, who was ranked third in the world at the time,…

Piers Morgan has never been afraid to speak his mind. His forthright and sometimes controversial opinions have helped him develop a successful broadcasting career on both sides of the Atlantic. There is no doubt Morgan clearly knows how to engage with audiences on a range of different topics. As a big sports fan and a keen amateur golfer, we wanted to get his take on what our game needs to do to broaden its appeal and attract younger people in a modern world that seems to be increasingly dominated by computer games and social media. We sat down with the 16-handicapper during the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, where he was making his debut, to find out how golf can remain as relevant as possible. Here's what he said... “Nothing is…

1 Left hand only Many golfers struggle with chipping because they're too focused on getting the ball in the air, which disrupts their technique. This drill helps create more dominance in the left hand and arm. Repeat this several times and you should start to feel how the left wrist is a little more stable. Notice how the shaft and left arm are lined up through the ball. Then, put both hands back on the club and try and feel those same movements. As well as aiding feel, this is a great drill for improving attack angle and clubface stability. 2 Tee peg drill That desire to get the ball airborne often leads to ‘scooping' the ball, which usually means excessive wrist action. A simple drill to test whether you're…

1 Chipping Go through the different clubs in your bag, aiming to pitch the ball five yards away from you with each one. That will give you an idea of how far each club will run out. You've got a whole bag of clubs to use and some people hit everything with a lob wedge. Look at what the exam paper is asking you, because sometimes the easiest shot is with a 7-iron or a putter. 2 Reading greens Look at the green before you actually get to it. This will help you get a feel for the general lie of the land and your surroundings. 3 Better ball-striking Try and limit your peripheral vision. Focus on a dimple on the golf ball and then make sure you are positive…

Callaway Epic Flash Replacing the GBB Epic woods, the Epic Flash models feature a new Flash Face, said to help all golfers get more ball speed and distance. It is the product of an $8m super computer, which used artificial intelligence and machine learning to cycle through 15,000 face-design iterations and over 100 impact simulations. Learning from each one, the computer then arrived at the final design when it could no longer be improved. Its unique internal mapping consists of dozens of subtle ripples flowing from heel to toe that work together to elevate COR in the face's centre region. The Epic Flash drivers also incorporate two internal Jailbreak bars that connect the crown to the sole, stabilising and stiffening those two parts at impact, allowing the face to take…

Titleist Pro V1 & Pro V1x The number one ball in golf has undergone a relatively major design overhaul for 2019, which has resulted in increased long-game performance without affecting the short-game feel and control that golfers love from the trusted Pro V1 and Pro V1x. The changes have been validated by players of all abilities over a number of months, following numerous iterations being put through robot and player testing. The casing layer underneath the cast urethane elastomer cover has been made 14 per cent thicker on Pro V1 and 11 per cent thicker on Pro V1x. This is said to create higher ball speeds with lower driver and long-game spin for more distance. As a result, the cast urethane elastomer cover has been made 17 per cent thinner…

CALLAWAY EPIC FLASH DRIVER Large profile is inviting to hit. High ball speed with higher launch and spin is more suited to average swing speeds. TAYLORMADE M5 IRON This iron feels fast and was surprisingly forgiving given its relatively compact design. Pleasing sound for a distance iron, too. Fairly pricey. PING G410 CROSSOVER Much smaller at address than the previous version, which lower handicappers will like. Feels fast off the face and offers plenty of forgiveness.…

PERFORMANCE Keeps you warm, dry and looking the part on and off the course. The high level of waterrepellency is surprising given the soft, wool-like material on the arms. STYLING Neutral and subtle enough to work off the course, but the quilted pattern on the front adds enough style to appeal to the modern golfer. This jacket is for golfers who want a warm, stylish option they can wear on and off the golf course. Key technology The FootJoy Fleece Quilted jacket has a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating, which offers added wet-weather protection. Lightweight insulation keeps the golfer warm, while the stretch properties allow the wearer to swing freely. A full-length water-repellent zip up to the neck also helps to keep out the elements. It features two zipped side…

The fact the King F9 Speedback represents only a marginal improvement over the King F8 is a testament to how good that iron is. That said, ball speed was a touch higher and the spin was a little lower than F8 but on the same flight, resulting in longer carries. Average golfers seeking a fast, stable and forgiving iron will be pleased with the performance of the King F9 Speedback. It is especially user-friendly, with off-centre strikes more than holding their own in terms of both distance and accuracy. These irons feel explosive and look very inviting to hit behind the ball. The improved One Length set configuration will appeal to those looking for better consistency, while the Cobra Connect shot-tracking system adds significant value.…

Morgado Golf & Country Club Three nights, semi all inclusive, two rounds of golf From £259 Group size of 4+ Free UK trip Free TaylorMade golf balls The Magnolia Hotel Three nights, bed & breakfast, two rounds of golf From £349 Group size of 4+ Free UK trip Free TaylorMade golf balls Free drink after each round of golf Pestana Gramacho Residences Three nights, self catering, unlimited rounds of golf From £145 Group size of 4+ Free UK trip Free TaylorMade golf balls €25 resort credit per room Limited Time Only ‘GrEAT FOr GrOuPs’ Promotion: Book a trip to the Algarve and you could receive up to seven dozen TaylorMade TP5 golf balls and a free night stay, including golf, at a selected UK venue…

THE GOLF Lakes course: par 72, 6,857  yards; Woods course: par 73, 6,681 yards The courses at Belton Woods complement each other very well, with the Woods skirting around the outside of the Lakes in two separate loops of nine. There's water aplenty on the latter, with the first lake appearing short left of the pretty par-3 2nd. It certainly makes you think at times, particularly just short of the 6th and 8th greens, and then on the strong par-5 finale, especially if you're going for it in two. There are more changes in elevation on the Woods layout, which plays alongside the resort's lodges early on, before climbing to the highest ground for a loop of three excellent holes from the 4th. Three pars 5s over the closing stretch…

More simplification needed I have now played a couple of rounds using the new rules and it has made a significant difference. Both rounds were three balls and I took three-and-a-half hours, saving perhaps 15 minutes. Putting with the pin in has made the most difference, and playing when you are ready – providing it is safe – has also speeded things up. I don't, however, think the ball-search time will make much difference – when have you seen anyone check their watch when they reach the area of search? There has, though, been a huge deception by the rule makers. The rules are not simpler, they are just different. The Player’s Edition is useful but only half the story. I have already come across one rule about repairing marks…

Driver TaylorMade M5, 9°, MCA Tensei White TX shaft. Irons TaylorMade P750 (3- and 4-iron), TaylorMade P730 Rors Proto (5-9), Project X 7.0 shafts. Fairway TaylorMade M6, 15°, MCA Tensei White 80 TX shaft. Wedges TaylorMade Milled Grind, 48°, TaylorMade Milled Grind Hi-Toe, 54° and 60°, Project X 6.5 shafts. Utility iron TaylorMade P790 UDI 2-iron, Project X Hzrdus 105 6.5 shaft. Putter TaylorMade Spider X. Ball 2019 TaylorMade TP5x.…

You can't play a round of golf without encountering a few good and bad breaks. As frustrating as coming to rest in a divot may be, especially after a perfect drive, it needn't create a huge obstacle. So, firstly, put that misfortune to the back of your mind. If you're still cursing your luck when you come to address the ball, you won't be concentrating on the basics required to ensure you make a sweet connection. The secret to making a good contact in this scenario is to hit down on the ball. With a few simple adjustments in the set-up, you can help promote a steeper backswing. By doing so, the downswing is also made steeper, which helps you to strike the ball first and then the ground. Fully…

Photography: Kevin Murray This year promises to be one of the most fascinating in the history of professional golf, with Tiger starting the season healthy, numerous exciting youngsters on the scene, a new worldwide schedule and the likes of Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth looking to bounce back from disappointing years. But first, let's talk about Tiger. Of course, people are now asking whether he'll win another Major. Well, last year there were two he had a distinct chance of winning – the USPGA and The Open. Who is going to back against him? He is one of those players who will keep on getting up after you've knocked him down. For him to win at East Lake, and I was there, was incredible. It looks like he'll really be…

Golf is hard. We know this because from time to time we lose the ability to play. However, as frustrating as a bad round can be, it’s just a game. True for the vast majority, but not so for aspiring golf professionals. Now we’re talking about a career – and poor form matters; it matters a great deal. The rewards for success on tour are handsome, of course. However, the journey to the Promised Land – and staying there – is a perilous one. In many cases, it’s not an absence of talent that ends that journey prematurely, rather a lack of preparation. Well, if you’re a budding young pro, don’t panic, for help is on hand – and it comes in the form of the Jenahura Tour Academy (JTA)…

I love golf because... Rather like my family motto – one day you're the cock of the walk, the next you're the feather duster. Favourite golf course? Trevose in north Cornwall. I go down there for three or four days every August and I love that classic links course. It's tricky one day and glorious the next. You never know what you're going to get and I love it! Favourite golfer? Ian Poulter. Arsenal fan, passionate, demonic and probably a bit unstable but utterly magnificent. Best ever round? I absolutely ripped it up once in Los Angeles, playing with an actor. I went round in about 13-over. That's as good as I have ever done but I can remember every shot! Favourite club? It has to be my 7-iron –…

Like it or not, golf is now very much a power game. Getting it out there a good distance from the tee is seen as a very significant advantage by nearly all analysts. Yes, you've still got to have great touch and sound putting to compete at the highest level, but if you're hitting shorter clubs in more often, you're likely to miss fewer greens and hit it closer. Jordan Smith, the 2017 Porsche European Open champion, is one of the new breed of long hitters. “I'd say I've always been above average, and it's always been a strong part of my game,” Smith says. The stats back that up: last year, he averaged over 300 yards off the tee, which, combined with high levels of driving accuracy (ranked 15th),…

1 Contact check Most of us practise on mats over the winter, and this drill helps you focus on contact when there's no divot to tell you how you're hitting it. Place a ruler down lengthways three inches behind the ball. If you clip the ruler, you'll clearly know that your striking is off and you're coming in too steeply or too shallow. If you're swinging well, you'll miss the ruler and get that lovely brushing sound that signals good contact. This won't resolve all issues as there are several reasons why you could be too steep or shallow, but it's a good starting point. If you think you've got a good delivery, it's a way of checking if contact is in the right place. 2 Half-set practice I would…

TaylorMade M5 & M6 Both the new M5 and M6 irons feature a Speed Bridge, a high-strength structural beam running across the cavity to connect the topline with the back bar of the iron. By connecting these specific points that vibrate at impact, the increased rigidity in the topline and upper perimeter of the face delivers improved sound and feel with increased ball speed. The new Speed Bridge also allows for the Thru-Slot design of the Speed Pocket to shift the point of maximum deflection lower on the face. This activates the Speed Pocket more efficiently, delivering enhanced flexibility over a larger area for added distance over M3 and M4. Also in the M5 and M6 irons is a Hybrar damping system, while multi-material badges control and minimise vibration for…

“FAST, FORGIVING AND WITH GREAT LOOKS, THE M5 IS GOING TO BE THE HOTTEST NEW DRIVER OF 2019”Joel Tadman, GM technical editor LOOKS The matte finish on the larger carbon fibre piece adds premium appeal. The longer, narrower grey section is more effective at highlighting aim. Twist Face continues to be barely visible, as are the injection ports. PERFORMANCE While well-struck shots with M3 held their own, overall the M5 did give us more ball speed and around seven-yard-longer carries on average, although our swing speed did increase too. Shots out of the toe lost less ball speed with M5 than with M3. FEEL/ SOUND The M5 feels fantastic. Solid and stable, it offers up a powerful ‘thud' sound that lets you know when you've nailed one. Slight off-centre strikes…

The D7 is an impressive all-round offering. We saw some big gains in performance, admittedly helped by the stronger lofts, but the higher ball flight demonstrates the improvement in the weighting – the ball launches with lower spin, a recipe for distance. This iron is arguably better suited to shorter hitters seeking maximum distance with off-centre help. The feel is stable and explosive and the look at address is much improved over D300. An RRP of £469 for a seven-piece set is, quite frankly, a bit of a steal in a world of increasing club prices, saving you cash with seemingly little sacrifice in performance over premium brands.…

STAY Highland Apartments, Inverness For this trip I was in one of the excellent, well-equipped contemporary Highland Apartments that sit in the heart of the city looking out over the River Ness. It was the perfect base with spacious, light and airy accommodation, private underground parking and the city right on your doorstep. The company offers a choice of one- or two-bedroom apartments, with many boasting balconies or terraces gazing out over the river. W: bymansley.com EAT/DRINK Cairn Hotel, Carrbridge Just across the river from Carrbridge GC, the Cairn Hotel is the perfect spot for a bite and a drink, with draught local ales from the Black Isle Brewery and the Cairngorm Brewery. W: wynnstayhotel.com VISIT Culloden Battlefield, Culloden Moor, Inverness This museum is set on the site of the…

Photography: Tom Miles To Wentworth for the unveiling of the worst-kept secret in sport, never mind golf... the crowning of Padraig Harrington as Europe's next Ryder Cup skipper. Wentworth looked good in the winter sunshine, while Harrington also looked rather splendid with a tidy beard and, praise someone's lord, minus a cap. You'll have read that he feels some trepidation at the responsibility he has taken on, acknowledges swiftly that it's a ‘full-time job' and clearly doesn't mind if it affects his progress as a player over the next two seasons. All perfectly reasonable comments from a decent bloke who tends not to miss the opportunity of throwing in a dozen words where one would probably do. He knows that leading a side in the USA is hugely more challenging…

A modern approach Four years ago, as a single-figure female golfer, I decided to join a club with greater competition. However, aged 16, I was nervous about joining a private members’ club. It’s not uncommon in such places to see large groups of men in the clubhouse, with pockets of women here and there. Put blankly, women’s sections can present themselves as cliquey, catty and difficult to integrate. However, Worplesdon GC provided the modern approach I needed. Twelve ladies hold single-figure handicaps but everyone is friendly and encouraging. I have played in numerous events and attended social occasions. We even have a WhatsApp group with more than thirty members. Any time I’m looking for a game, I message the group. This is a fine example of how golf should be…

Shane Lowry shot 62 in Abu Dhabi with a Srixon Z 585 and Z 785 split iron set Xander Schauffele won in Hawaii with the Callaway Epic Flash SZ driver Gary Woodland finished second in Hawaii with Wilson Staff proto blades Francesco Molinari used 13 Callaway woods and irons in Hawaii Paul Casey has switched from Mizuno MP5 irons to Honma irons and a utility Tommy Fleetwood switched to a TaylorMade M6 driver in Abu Dhabi…

The updated Rules of Golf came into play on January 1. With good weather in the UK, club golfers have had an early chance to assess the impact of the changes. From our digital platforms, GM is aware of concerns being voiced, firstly from doom-mongers prophesying the “end of the game as we know it”, and secondly from those concerned club players don't yet understand, or haven't taken on board, the changes. We conducted some research to find the consensus, posting a poll on Twitter and asking questions on Facebook and the GM Forum on whether people think the new rules are an improvement. Of over 1,000 respondents to the Twitter poll, a healthy 76% think they are. There will always be dissenting voices from those averse to change, but…

Photography: Tom Miles I don't know about you, but I got quite a bit of golfing gear for Christmas. If someone is obsessed with the game they instantly become very easy to buy for. I have a growing collection of golfing tomes I have never opened, novelty tees I have no intention of using and a hideous bag towel with a pointless swan on it. Thanks for that, mum. Having said that, my wife cannot comprehend the fact that I would happily get five new gloves and a few boxes of good balls every Christmas from now until the end of time. “That's so boring” I get told every November without fail. By the way... if you're reading this and you are buying a gift for any golfer, anything other…

On a warm Saturday night last August, in the midst of the summer's heatwave that hard-baked the London Club in Kent, Philip Golding contemplated the next day's final round of the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship. After scores of 72, 67 and 68 the Englishman stood six shots off the lead shared by Spain's Santiago Luna and Kiwi Greg Turner, and Golding was in a four-way share of 14th place. Colin Montgomerie and Paul McGinley were among the 13 golfers between Golding and the top of the leaderboard, so he knew it would take a final round of true quality just to break into the top ten. “Realistically I needed a low number to finish top ten or top five,” recalls Golding, 56, who some readers will remember winning the French…

1 Where pulls come from A lot of people think they've pulled it when they've actually hooked it or pull-hooked it, or if the ball has just gone left from a bad strike, such as a ‘toey' one with a driver or a 3-wood. But there's actually only one true type of pull, and that's when the path goes left and the face matches up with that path. Often it will be as a result of coming over the top on the downswing, rather than shallowing things out from the top to create the ideal path back into the ball more from the inside. 2 How to shallow the club To get a feel for shallowing the club, take it to the top and then allow the club to fall…

Adrian Otaegui has become a very consistent performer on the European Tour and his swing has a lot to do with his success. He sets up to the ball in an athletic, balanced posture and keeps the clubhead outside his hands as he moves it away from the ball. As the backswing continues, the arms move up as he sets the wrists, getting the butt of the grip pointing at the ball-to-target line when the lead arm is parallel to the ground. At the top of the swing, his arms have great structure and his lead wrist is slightly cupped, resulting in his clubface being in a slightly open position. His hip turn is restricted and he retains a good amount of knee flex. Adrian starts down with great lower-body…

With so many great products hitting the shelves at this time of year, we had to do something extra special to showcase them in a way that helps you understand what they're all about. We've broken all the new gear into different categories, from woods to irons, wedges, putters, balls and shoes. Regardless of where your interest lies in 2019, we're sure at least one of the products will catch your eye and tempt you to treat yourself for the new season!…

Odyssey StrokeLab putters The ten new StrokeLab putters are said to improve your stroke through a change in weight distribution. The unique tip-heavy shafts are 40 grams lighter than a normal Odyssey #7 putter, with a design that combines a graphite body with a steel tip. Odyssey studies show this improves the consistency of backswing time, face angle at impact, ball speed and ball direction. The shaft is also slightly stiffer and lower torque than standard putters, enabling it to better control the heavier putter head. The additional weight in the sole and butt-end of the grip will also help create more consistency in the swing, allowing for a smoother and more accurate stroke. The range features ten different head shapes – six mallets and four blades – all of…

It was, certainly among industry insiders, golf's worst-kept secret that Justin Rose was leaving TaylorMade after 20 years to sign a multi-year contract with Honma. It is a deal for ten clubs, which suggests Rose will play a custom set of TWorld irons, wedges and driver, while likely continuing to use TaylorMade woods and ball. The timing of the deal is curious, but in some ways not surprising. TaylorMade has been looking to consolidate recently, with its ever-expanding roster of global stars seemingly unsustainable. Sergio Garcia left to join Callaway at the start of 2018, while the company decided not to fork out on the sizeable stand it usually occupies at the annual PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando. But even with Rose gone, the dreamy quintet of Tiger Woods, Rory…

For us, M5 is a better-looking driver, both in terms of alignment and overall visual appeal, than M3. It feels just as solid and did provide us with more ball speed and distance, even before tinkering with the weight system. This was seemingly without any drop off in accuracy. In fact, ball speed dropped off less on heel and toe strikes with M5. With the draw and fade settings also coming with added forgiveness, M5 does marginally improve over M3 in many key areas. Some may find the M6 model works just as well for £50 less.…

COVENTRY West Midlands Dating back to 1887, this very friendly and welcoming club moved to its current parkland home in 1911, when Harry Vardon marked out the bunkers over the gently undulating routing created by his brother Tom. You will find plenty of variety in the par of 73 which includes five par 5s, with plenty of mature trees demanding accuracy as well as length from your tee shots. The right-to-left doglegs at the 11th and 12th are particularly interesting and appealing – the green at the latter is guarded closely by a pond and some attractive planting. W: coventrygolf.co.uk GF: Day: £70wd ROYAL DUBLIN County Dublin This historic club is the second oldest in the country, and it moved from Phoenix Park to its lovely, exposed location to the…