Golf Australia - January 2017, Australia Top 100 Courses

20 WAYS TO SHOOT YOUR
BEST SCORE THIS WEEKEND BUBBA WATSON

THE MISUNDERSTOOD
MAVERICK
JANUARY 2017 ISSUE #335
EXCLUSIVE R A N K I N G
U S T R A L I A' S
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38 BEST BITS OF
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WITH DISTANCE AND BUILT TO SCORE.
EDITOR
Brendan James [email protected]
GOLF AUSTRALIA EXPRESS EDITOR
Damian Shutie [email protected]
ART DIRECTOR Allan Bender
GRAPHIC DESIGN Oliver Barles
COLUMNIST-AT-LARGE John Huggan
COLUMNISTS Mike Clayton, Brendan Moloney,
Geoff Ogilvy, Greg Norman
29 TOUR PROFESSIONAL Adam Scott
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Kevin Barker, Matt Cleary,
Dale Concannon, Ben Everill, James Henderson,
Andrew Marshall, Rod Morri, Rick Weber
CONTENTS
CONTRIBUTING PGA PROFESSIONALS Steve Aisbett,
Daniel Blackwell, Leon Faulkner, Brad Hughes,
Lorien Scott, Christian Small, Anthony Summers
PHOTOGRAPHY Getty Images,
Matthew Harris/TGPL, Gary Lisbon
JANUARY #335
EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES
PH: (02) 9901 6142 [email protected]
29 RANKING: AUSTRALIA’S TOP-100
PUBLIC ACCESS COURSES
Our biennial ranking of the best 100 courses across the nation that
every golfer can play. A D V E R T I S I N G
HEAD OF SPORT
51 30 PREDICTIONS FOR 2017 Hamish Bayliss [email protected]
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128
CONTENTS JANUARY #335
66 KEEP UP & SHUT UP INSTRUCTION

If you think caddying in a professional tournament is simply about
toting a golf bag and grabbing a flag or two, think again.
84 20 WAYS TO SHOOT YOUR BEST SCORE
Our tee-to-green guide will help improve each area of your game.
76 PLAYER’S PERSPECTIVES
Legend of the game, Gary Player, gives his view on the health of the
94 CHIP LIKE THE BEST
Copy World No.1 Jason Day to get up-and-down more often.
game and why it needs fixing.
T R AV E L & C O U R S E S
104 BREAKING 80/90/100
128 VIVE LE DIFFERENCE! Christian Small: Feel the break with your feet
No South Pacific Island is nearer to Australia than New Caledonia. And a Dan Blackwell: Colour coded strategy
hot new course has given golfers even more reason to make the short Peter Shaw: Four steps to better wedge play
journey to the French territory.
142 TOP-100 SPOTLIGHT: TASMANIA GOLF CLUB

Blessed with spectacular views and laid out on great golfing terrain,
Tasmania Golf Club should be on every golfer’s ‘must play’ list when
heading to the Apple Isle.
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11 AROUND THE TRAPS EQUIPMENT
22 THE WANDERING GOLFER: BRENDAN MOLONEY
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HARD WORK MAKES OPPORTUNITY COME KNOCKING

THERE is a widely held misconception like he might keel over frozen to the bone at It’s this kind of commitment that has
that tournament professionals play golf for one stage. seen Kjeldsen jump more than 300 places
four days (if they make the cut), take a big After the third round, sitting on a to No.45 in the world ranking in just 18
cheque and go home. comfortable lead, Kjeldsen was at it again. months. For mine, he deserves every penny
This view caught me by surprise during This time for more than 90 minutes and he he gets, especially when you consider he’s
the World Cup of Golf at Kingston Heath was well and truly the last player to leave maintained that level of commitment and
when I overheard a ‘gent’ in the gallery the course. drive with his work routine at 28 events on
bemoaning the amount of prizemoney the the road, away from his family, during 2016.
Danish team of Soren Kjeldsen and Thorbjorn That’s why, as I explained to said gent,
Olesen were going to receive for their “four he gets the big bucks on offer. And, I added,
days work.” there are plenty of guys working just as hard
For the record, the Danes shared – whose devotion to the game is tested week
US$2,560,000, which is a lot of coin in in and week out as they keep the wolves
any language. But I couldn’t help but from the door – hoping one day they play
enlighten the gent that the amount of work well enough to get a piece of the action.
put in to winning that event extended well All they can do is keep grinding
beyond four days. Yes, they were certainly away until opportunity knocks.
paid an exorbitant amount of money but
that’s the nature of the game these days …
at least at the top end of town.
As I pointed out to my fellow golf watcher,
I’m not suggesting for a moment that any
golfer in the top-100 in the world is doing it
tough. Far from it. But to get to that top-100
there is an incredible amount of work to be
done and sacrifices to be made.
Using the Danes as an example. The pair
were among 18 pros who flew overnight
from Dubai to Melbourne, arriving on the
Monday at the start of tournament week.
Some headed to the hotel, while others like
Kjeldsen, dropped their luggage off on their
way to Kingston Heath for a first look at the
famed course.
Players then played practice rounds
on Tuesday, the Pro-Am on Wednesday
and then teed it up in the first round on
Thursday. In between these rounds, there
were autographs to sign, clubs to tinker
with, journalists and sponsors to talk to and
practice to be done.
Of all the players at Kingston Heath,
Kjeldsen impressed the most with his
work ethic. On Friday afternoon, after he
and Olesen had combined for a 12 under
60, there was the usual round of media
interviews to be done.
An hour after they walked off the 18th
green, Kjeldsen was out on ‘The Heath’s’
short game practice area, honing his wedge
play, while every other player in the Cup field
had probably found a nice warm, dry place
to put their feet up. Kjeldsen spent more
than an hour chipping away in the cold and
occasional drizzle. His dutiful caddie looked
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

F
or golfers, no visit to the south coast dŚĞĮŶĂůϭϬŚŽůĞƐƌĞǀĞƌƚŝŶůĂŶĚƚŽĂ
of NSW is complete without playing ƚƌĂĚŝƟŽŶĂůƉĂƌŬůĂŶĚƐůĂǇŽƵƚĐĂƌǀĞĚŝŶƚŽ
a round at Narooma’s famous golf the forest and natural lakes.
course. With its unique and stunning
dŚĞďĂĐŬŶŝŶĞĐŽŵĞƐƚŽůŝĨĞŽŶƚŚĞϯϲϵ
ĐŽĂƐƚĂůƐĞƫŶŐ͕ƚŚĞĐŽƵƌƐĞŝƐďŽƚŚĂ
ŵĞƚƌĞƉĂƌϰϭϯƚŚǁŝƚŚĂďůŝŶĚƚĞĞƐŚŽƌƚ
challenge for serious golfers and a
that needs to avoid the dam to set up
pleasure to play for the not-so-serious.
a tricky downhill approach to a two-
WĞƌĐŚĞĚĂƚŽƉĐůŝīƐũƵƫŶŐŽǀĞƌƚŚĞ ƟĞƌŐƌĞĞŶ͘/ƚƐĞƚƐƚŚĞƐƚĂŶĚĂƌĚĨŽƌƚŚĞ
WĂĐŝĮĐKĐĞĂŶ͕ƚŚĞĐŽƵƌƐĞŝƐƐƉůŝƚŝŶƚŽƚǁŽ remainder of the course, which demands
ĚŝƐƟŶĐƚƐĞĐƟŽŶƐ͘dŚĞĮƌƐƚƐĞǀĞŶŚŽůĞƐ accuracy to score well.
ĂƌĞĐŽĂƐƚĂůůŝŶŬƐĂƚŝƚƐĮŶĞƐĂŶĚďƌŝŶŐŝŶ
dŚĞĮŶĂůĨŽƵƌŚŽůĞƐƉƌŽǀŝĚĞĂŶ
all the challenges of playing golf near
opportunity to cash in on hopefully
rugged coastline, including whimsical
ĂƐƚƵƚĞƉůĂǇĞĂƌůŝĞƌŽŶŝŶƚŚĞƌŽƵŶĚ͘dǁŽ
wind changes, elevated tees and
ƐŚŽƌƚŚŽůĞƐĂŶĚƚǁŽƌĞĂĐŚĂďůĞƉĂƌ^Ɛ
perplexing doglegs.
ŵĞĂŶďŝƌĚŝĞĐŽŵĞƐŝŶƚŽƉůĂǇŽŶĞǀĞƌǇ
dŚĞŽďǀŝŽƵƐŚŝŐŚůŝŐŚƚŝƐƚŚĞϭϰϭŵĞƚƌĞ hole if the fairway is found and players
par 3 third hole, which is ranked among play within their limits.
the top short holes in the country.
dŚĞϰϱϬŵĞƚƌĞƉĂƌϭϱϭϴƚŚŝƐƚŚĞ
KŶĂŶǇŐŝǀĞŶĚĂǇƉůĂǇĞƌƐĐŽƵůĚƵƐĞ
standout among the par Ss, with a
anywhere from a sand wedge to a three
ůŽŶŐƚĞĞƐŚŽƚĚŽǁŶƚŚĞůĞŌƐĞƫŶŐƵƉ
iron to clear the sea cavern and try to
a choice to go for the green in two or
hold the small green.
lay over the trees – either way, it’s a
dŚĞĮŶĂůŚŽůĞŽŶƚŚĞĐŽĂƐƚĂůƐƚƌĞƚĐŚŝƐ ƐƉĞĐƚĂĐƵůĂƌĮŶŝƐŚƚŽĂƐƚƵŶŶŝŶŐĐŽƵƌƐĞ
ĂƚŽƵŐŚϰϮϰŵĞƚƌĞƉĂƌϰƐĞǀĞŶƚŚƚŚĂƚ that is deservedly in the top echelon of
ƌĞƋƵŝƌĞƐƚǁŽďƌĞĂƚŚƚĂŬŝŶŐƐŚŽƚƐƚŽ ƉƵďůŝĐĂĐĐĞƐƐĐŽƵƌƐĞƐŝŶƵƐƚƌĂůŝĂ͘
match the scenery you’ll see en route to
WŽƐƚͲƌŽƵŶĚǇŽƵĐĂŶĞŶũŽǇĂŐƌĞĂƚŵĞĂů
ƚŚĞďůŝŶĚŐƌĞĞŶ͘/ƚŝƐƚŚĞůŽŶŐĞƐƚŽĨƚŚĞ
ĂƚWĂƵůƐKŶdŚĞŽƵƌƐĞŝŶƚŚĞĐůƵďŚŽƵƐĞ͘
ƐƚƌŽŶŐĐŽůůĞĐƟŽŶŽĨƉĂƌϰƐĂƚEĂƌŽŽŵĂ
^ƚĂǇĂŶĚƉůĂǇƉĂĐŬĂŐĞƐĂƌĞĂůƐŽĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ͘
that range in distance to include three
ƌŝƐŬͲĂŶĚͲƌĞǁĂƌĚƐŚŽƌƚƉĂƌϰƐ͘
1 Ballingalla Street, Narooma NSW 2546 www.naroomagolf.com.au (02) 44 76 0500

AROUND
THE OPENING SHOT
TRAPS
WORLD CUP BUMP

THE WORLD CUP of Golf at Kingston Heath regular tournaments. Winning Danish
was a resounding success, especially with team member Soren Kjeldsen summed up
the players. the feeling best when he said: “…you’re
There were high-fives and knuckle bumps out there and you want to die for your
in celebration of birdies and eagles but it team-mate.”
was the Chinese team of Li Haotong (left) For those who braved the sometimes
and Ashun Wu, who won a lot of fans with chilly weather at Kingston Heath to witness
their chest bumps. this team event, there’s good news as the
The return to the two-man team format World Cup will be back in Melbourne at
extracted this ‘team emotion’ from the some stage between 2019, when it hosts the
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
players, which we don’t normally see in Presidents Cup, and 2022.
golf australia | JANUARY 2017 11

AROUND
THE 19TH HOLE CH AT
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TRAPS
ARE YOU READY

TO BELIEVE TIGER
IS BACK?
AT FIRST there was scepticism intertwined with plenty
of speculation that Tiger Woods’ long-awaited return to
the game after nearly 16 months would be short-lived.
One betting agency was offering odds of the
14-time major champion not finishing his first round,
while others had him announcing his retirement from
the game at the end of the Hero World Challenge in
the Bahamas. They had good reason to be sceptical
after his 11th hour withdrawal from two events in
late September.
A brief video of Woods practicing a few days before
his competitive return lit of social media, but it did
little to silence the doubters. What it did do was
convince the faithful that Tiger was swinging pain free,
even if aspects of his swing had been changed to avoid
further injury to his back, which has been operated on
three times in recent years.
Then, when he fronted the media on the eve of the
tournament, there was reason to feel confident this
comeback was happening and it wasn’t going to be a
flash in the pan. A year ago almost to the day, Woods
fronted the media at the same event as the host and
not as a player. He was obviously in pain and his body
language and his words were such that he could see
not see a return to the game.
“There was a lot of trepidation,” he said on
reflection, adding, “Not being able to get out of bed,
not being able to move, how can I expect to come out
here and swing a golf club at 120 miles an hour?”
He admitted to being nervous, because “I care about
what I do out there.” He need not have worried.
Apart from lacking the mental stamina week-to-
week competition provides, Tiger did Tiger-like things
for nearly four days – he holed bunker shots, played
inspiring recovery shots, hit high booming drives and
almost had a hole-in-one. But he did mix some mental
errors in with all the good stuff, which proved costly
especially in the back half of his first round as well as
the third and final rounds.
There’s obviously some rust to get rid of but
consider this. In his last PGA Tour season in 2015, 17 of
his 32 rounds were over par with three of those being
scores in the 80s.
But the positives are all there from hitting the driver
long enough to match the likes of Rickie Fowler, to no
chilli-dip chips to rolling in putts confidently from a
range of distances.
While there was no ‘W’ for his return, Woods did
enough in the Bahamas to have some mentioning
his name in dispatches as a promising pick to win the
Masters in April.
We’ll be watching as the comeback continues.
– Brendan James

Want to get something off your chest? Let us know your
opinion via e-mail to: [email protected] or send your
Follow Golf Australia on letter to: Letters to the Editor, Golf Australia magazine, Level 6,
Building A, 207 Pacific Hwy, St Leonards NSW 2065.
Twitter @GolfAustMag
YOUR SAY
EUROPE IS THE WAY
The sooner the Australian Open becomes
part of the European Tour the better. Not
HE DID MIX SOME only will it add depth to the field but the
opportunities it will present Australian
MENTAL ERRORS players will increase.
IN WITH ALL THE The PGA is already offering a way for
GOOD STUFF, WHICH our emerging talent to become part of a
PROVED COSTLY big Tour, but the Open does not, with the
exception of perhaps winning one of three
ESPECIALLY IN THE spots in the British Open.
BACK HALF OF HIS Look at the example of Ashley Hall. He
FIRST ROUND AS runs second to Jordan Spieth and will get
WELL AS THE THIRD a start in a major this year. But I reckon
he’d love that money to have gone toward
AND FINAL ROUNDS. winning a card in Europe instead.
With the amount of money now available
on the European Tour, more Aussies could
be head that way, especially if they can get
there via our big events.
Nigel Stevens
via e-mail
LETTER OF THE MONTH

ESCAPE ARTISTS
Bill Nichols was playing his usual
Monday round of skins with his favourite
foursome in the Stableford competition at
Ocean Shores Country Club when the most
usual thing happened.
Playing a side game of skins, his three
partners’ tee shots off the 10th tee were
fairly successful before Bill teed it up
and slammed his drive…straight into the
garbage bin a full 48 metres away and
left of the forward tee. The 10th at Ocean
Shores is by no means an easy hole and
Bill made is even harder for himself!
Bill extracted his ball and, not knowing
the correct procedure teed it up again with
a penalty, and from there Bill, a 29 marker,
“parred” the hole for a double bogey six
and won the skin.
The story doesn’t end there though. The to get up and down out a ball washer, but
following Saturday, club member Steve these guys can do it from a bin!
Bravington holed out his drive into the Michael Krilich
same bin. You hear about people being able Tanglewood, NSW
OUR ‘LETTER OF THE MONTH’ WINNER RECEIVES A DOZEN

CALLAWAY CHROME SOFT PREMIUM GOLF BALLS
PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES X 2; SUPPLIED

AROUND
THE NE WS
TRAPS
The way every Australian

golfer views their handicap
will change on April 1.
upgrade our relationship with Golf Australia as

HANDICAP GAME-CHANGER its technology partner. Our purpose at MPower
MSL is to empower the golf club with our
THE COMMERCIAL rights to Golf Link will “We will be able to exert more influence on unique open architecture platform. We deliver
return to Golf Australia, the sport’s governing the service we provide to golfers and hopefully solutions that improve the clubs’ knowledge,
body, in what is seen as a game-changing give them a great experience as they check understanding and engagement of the golf
move for Australian golf. movement in their handicap and playing results. community to make more money, save money
Golf Australia (GA) and MPower MSL have “It will strengthen our ability to invest in and improve their governance,” Kinross said.
announced a landmark strategic agreement golf and help drive our important development “MPower MSL can now also focus on the co-
that will allow all Australian golf club members programs such as MyGolf and Swing Fit. ordination of its golf offering both domestically
to check their handicap information and scoring “It will allow us to better communicate and internationally through MPower Golf
history via the Golf Australia home page at with golfers around the country and make golf – a combination of products from Golf Link
www.golf.org.au from April 1, 2017. stronger in Australia, so it’s a very important Partners, iSeek Golf, Golf Computer Systems,
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This technology partnership will enable GA partners with greater opportunity to understand the industry.”
to develop accurate, real-time insights into and engage with participants and provide The strategic partnership will further support
membership trends and lead the industry in increased investment into the sport. the investment in Australian golf by Hyundai
responding to changes in golf participation. MPower MSL Managing director and chief Genesis, which recently partnered with both
“It’s a significant occurrence for Golf Australia executive Craig Kinross said the partnership GA and the Genesis Golf Link Cup. The Genesis
and golf in this country to regain the full rights would also have a positive impact for his Golf Link Cup will now also be promoted
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
to the Golf Link program,” GA chief executive company. through the GA website and be GA’s preferred
Stephen Pitt said. “We are excited by the opportunity to virtual golf competition.

Mollymook Golf Club is situated at one
of Australia’s iconic tourist destinations
on the south coast of New South Wales.
The club features two unique courses
with the 18-hole “Hilltop” course set in
a natural bushland environment, with
each hole providing its own amphitheatre
with heavily tree-lined fairways. The
9-hole “Beachside” course cut along the
ocean provides breathtaking views and
interesting challenges.
Another unique feature of Mollymook Golf

Club is that it has two separate clubhouses
with the Beachside clubhouse open for
lunch and dinner 7 days a week, featuring
>}wViÌÛiÜÃÛiÀ}Þ
Beach. You can enjoy a quality meal in
luxurious surroundings with full TAB and
Gaming facilities available.
Both courses are available for the public

to play 7 days a week with bookings
essential for the Hilltop course. Mollymook
Golf Club is the perfect destination for
couples or large groups from beginners to
the accomplished player with the choice
of two different courses and multiple
Ìii«ÌÃ°/i>ÌiÃÌyiiÌv}vV>ÀÌÃ
with GPS navigation are also available
at both courses. The club is fortunate
to be surrounded by motels and several
accommodation options to suit any
budget.
Mollymook recently hosted the 2016

Australian Senior PGA Championship
and has been nominated for “Pro-Am
Tournament of the Year” for the last four
years running.
Mollymook Golf Club’s golf operations are

managed by Troon Golf, the worldwide
leader in upscale golf course management.
BEACHSIDE
t: (02) 4455 1911
a: 72 Golf Avenue, Mollymook NSW 2539
HILLTOP
t: (02) 4455 2055
a: 2 Clifford Close, Mollymook NSW 2539
e: [email protected]
MOLLYMOOK www.mollymookgolf.com.au
GOLF CLUB
AROUND
THE BA RE M Y SOUL
TRAPS
ANDY SULLIVAN
What has been your closest brush with go back and make sure no-one invented What was your first job?
death? explosives. That would save a lot of lives. As I said earlier, I worked as a roofer when
When I was 17 I was working for a What was your nickname at school? I was 16 and 17. My mate at the golf club was
company that did roofing. Pretty boring. The same as it is now: doing it and asked if I wanted to come along
I managed to fall off a ladder. I went down “Sully.” It’s always been that. Even the and be his labourer. So I did. All I really did
about 20 feet or so and landed on a pile of teachers at school called me “Sully”. A few was lug tiles up and down that ladder I fell
underlay. of my good mates did call me “meatball” off. It was good fun until I did that.
I was lucky. I landed on the softest part of for a while. Because my head is really round
my body – my backside – so I didn’t break apparently. What is your favourite smell?
anything. But it could have been nasty. Lavender. I’ve always loved that smell. It
The more I think about it, the worse the Have you ever said “I love you” and not gets me. Whatever that means (laughs).
implications become. I never want to be any actually meant it?
closer to death than that. Yes. All the time (laughs). I’m joking. But What was your first car?
yes, I have said it and not meant it. And It was a Peugeot 206. My dad bought it
What was your earliest memory? that’s all I’m going to say on that subject. I’m for me. I think it cost about £3,000. Not long
Hang on. I’ll have to think about that. I not going to elaborate. No good will come after I got it I blew up the engine, which
can’t remember my earliest memory. Must of that! upset my dad no end. He got virtually none
be when I was about three years old. I of his investment back as it was a write-
remember my sister trapping my fingers off. I was 18 when I got it. And no, I can’t
in a deckchair. We were on holiday I think, remember the number plate.
and I can still recall how sore it was. But I’ve
forgiven her. Apart from your house, what has been your
most expensive purchase?
What is your most annoying trait? It has to be my car. I have a black Porsche
I have to be right. In every argument I like Carerra 4S. It cost £45,000 – and it’s the love
to be the smartest guy in the room. I always of my life (laughs). I shouldn’t have said that,
have to win, even when I have no right to should I?
do so. I’ll keep going until the other person
gives up too. You have to give up golf or sex. Which is it?
Golf. All day long. I enjoy the other far
Who do you most admire? more!
I could be really controversial and
just say Donald Trump. I really admire
him for his hairdo. Nah, I’m joking.
Although I do wish that I’ll have hair ‘I WANT TO
like his when I get to his age. I’m not
doing too well on that front.
LIVE FOREVER.
AND WITH THE
What scares you most? WAY MEDICAL
Death. I don’t think about it often, SCIENCE
or at least as little as possible. But
we’re all scared of that, aren’t we? I
IS GOING,
don’t want to die. I want to live forever. I THINK I CAN
And the way medical science is going I DO THAT!’
think I can do that (laughs).
Who would play you in a movie?

I’ve heard a young Joe Pesci suggested!
But I think my dashing good looks mean that
Brad Pitt would be more appropriate. But,
TEXT & IMAGES: © BAUER CONSUMER MEDIA LIMITED
then again, Gerard Butler works too. Even if

he is Scottish.
You can go back in time and change one

thing. What would it be?
Someone I know says that should be
stopping Mr and Mrs Hitler from having sex.
But I think I can do better than that. I would

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Country Club
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(08) 9581 6002
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www.msgcc.com.au
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AROUND
THE COMPE TITIONS & WINNERS
TRAPS
GOLF AUSTRALIA BIG QUIZ

With the European Tour moving to leather uppers that are breathable and
the Middle East this month, test your lightweight for all-day comfort. The TPU
knowledge of the ‘Desert Swing’ and you dual density outsole provides 800 traction
could win a pair of ECCO Biom Hybrid 2 angles and excellent grip.
golf shoes worth $279. answers.The winner and the correct
Style meets performance in this TO ENTER: Peruse the questions answers will be published in the March
hybrid men’s golf shoe, boasting Yak here and then go to our website, www. issue of Golf Australia magazine.
1. South African Branden Grace and Scot 2. Who did a young Richard Green defeat in 3. The inaugural Desert Classic was played on
Paul Lawrie have both won the Qatar a play-off to win the Dubai Desert Classic the European Tour in 1989. Peter O’Malley
Masters twice. Name the only other in 1997? was beaten in a play-off and another Aussie
player to have emulated that feat. finished fourth. Who was it?
PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES X 7
4. In the 2012 Abu Dhabi Championship, 5. American Chris DiMarco is the oldest 6. At the 2014 Qatar Masters, England’s
Sergio Garcia and Jose Manuel Lara both ever winner (2006) of the Abu Dhabi Steve Webster made European Tour
made a hole-in-one on the 12th hole in Championship at 37 years and 152 days. history as the first player to ever start a
the first round. Who made an ace on the Who is the youngest player to win the tournament by doing what on his first
same hole in the final round? title? hole?

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
SPOT THE BALL pack – including a dozen Tour Preferred golf

balls, a TaylorMade towel, cap and shoe bag –
worth $175.
DO YOU have a clue where Tiger Woods’ ball is in
this photo? TO ENTER: Select your grid reference and then
All you have to do is correctly identify where go to our website, www.golfaustralia.com.
Lucas’ ball is hidden on the grid, using the letters au, to submit your answer. The winner and the
and numbers (eg. A4, B2 etc). If you answer correct answer will be published in the March
correctly, you could win a TaylorMade prize issue of Golf Australia magazine.
1. Founded in 1924, the club was named

WHERE AM I? after an Arabian city.
NOVEMBER WINNERS & ANSWERS
BIG QUIZ ANSWERS
2. There are three courses on the property,
FOLLOW the five clues to determine the but it is the No.3 course that is the most 1.Claude Felstead, 1909. 2. Three,
identity of the mystery golf course? famous. Claude Felstead (1909) and Greg
Answer correctly and you could win a 3. This course has hosted five major Chalmers twice (1998 and 2011). 3.
dozen Mizuno JPX Platinum and JPX golf championships. Frank Eyre (1930). 4. Eight. 5. Kel Nagle,
balls. 4. Tiger Woods was made a member of finished T4. 6. 16. 7. Bob Stanton. 8. Dion
The JPX Platinum The JPX Platinum the club after winning a second major Kipping. 9. Flooded course, and smallpox
combines all of Mizuno’s available championship on the same course. epidemic in Sydney. 10. Tim Clark (2008).
technologies to deliver a tour feel ball 5. The last time this course hosted a major, 11. Moonah Links (2005). 12. 2011 at The
suited to mid and lower swing speeds – it was the longest course in major Lakes. He shot 75 to finish T53. 13. 15
up to 90 mph driver swing speed, while championship history. times (16 was accepted for entries after
the three-piece JPX is designed to deliver Nov 20). 14. Carnoustie Golf Club. 15.
increased distance as well as a soft, 79. 16. Six. 17. 2012, December 6 to 9.
responsive feel. 8. Silver medal.
WINNER: Tony Findlater, Kings Langley,
SW
TO ENTER: Consider the clues POT THE BALL ANSWER
here and then visit our website, ergio Garcia bunker shot. Grid 8D
www.golfaustralia.com.au, to INNER: Daniel Soroka, Point Cook,
submit your answer. The winner and ictoria
the correct answer will be published HO AM I?
in the March issue of Golf Australia eter Senior
magazine. INNER: Carl Murphy, Preston, Victoria

AROUND
THE BOOK RE VIE W
TRAPS
GOLF: THINKING
YOUR WAY TO
THE NEXT LEVEL
IMAGINE taking a year off to study the
game of golf from a new academic angle,
exploring hundreds of hours of footage and
photographs, all the wisdom of tournament
players, golf teachers and your own almost
40 years of tournament experience and
distilling it down into a clear and concise
step-by-step approach.
Imagine, too, if you found that the process
of dramatically improving your game truly was
“90 percent mental” as psychologists say,
and could be mastered predominantly off the
course. How quickly you could take your game
to the next level!
Well that is exactly what seasoned
tournament amateur Doug Hannaford did,
during a ‘sea change’ to Western Australia’s
Margaret River wine region.
The key to the simplicity of this book is
its opening chapter on how we learn most
efficiently and its logical sequencing of just 30
“objectives”, covering the most fundamental
points of the game in five key areas: ball
striking and the short game, developing
consistency, course design and how
understanding it will help your scoring, course
management and mental composure.
Hannaford is quick to point out that he did
not set out to write a technical manual, and
pays tribute to the industry professionals
whose wisdom he has distilled. In fact, he
wrote the book to cover his pet forte of
mental processes, strategy and composure
which dominate four of the five main chapters.
But there were some definite ball-striking
thoughts he felt he needed to cover, such
as two fundamentals of the grip which “80
percent of amateurs get wrong and yet they
are so critical to power and control”.
The basic tenet of Hannaford’s swing theory
is the importance of adopting a stance and
takeaway which most readily allows you to
return to the same address position at impact. To help you learn to develop effective
With that thought in mind, it is easy to HANNAFORD IS QUICK strategies, there is an extraordinary look at the
realise the importance of a square grip, a TO POINT OUT HE DID remarkable contribution of Old Tom Morris, and
stable lower body and maintaining the radius NOT SET OUT TO WRITE a tour of the works of the four key designers
of the left arm (as opposed to “keeping it of what is known as the Golden Era of course
straight” as so many writers describe it). This
A TECHNICAL MANUAL, design – from 1900 until the Great Depression
thought is backed up with photographs of AND PAYS TRIBUTE in 1929. This section is features images from
tournament players which make these things TO THE INDUSTRY some of the world’s leading photographers.
obvious in a way it has never seemed before.
Having dealt with the swing, short game
PROFESSIONALS
Golf: Think Your Way To Your Next Level
and ways to develop consistency, the book
WHOSE WISDOM HE by Doug Hannaford is available online at
moves on to discuss ‘Course Management’. HAS DISTILLED. www.golfingworld.org

Thirteenth Beach Golf Links
Set on the stunning Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria,

Thirteenth Beach is a 36 hole golf and residential complex.
The first of the two courses, The Beach Course was opened in December 2001 and designed by
Tony Cashmore. The challenging and natural links style course has received many high accolades.
The Creek Course designed by Cashmore in conjunction with 6 time major championship winner
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compared to some of Melbournes best Sandbelt courses.
Barwon Heads Road, Barwon Heads, VIC 3227

(03) 5254 2922 e: [email protected] www.13thbeach.net
THE
WANDERING
BY B R E N DA N M O L O N E Y | G O L F AU S T R A L I A C O LUMNI S T
GOLFER
HALFWAY HOUSE DELIGHTS

One of the great joys of golf is that you waiting for business to come to them, they’ve service in the insurance industry.
don’t have to stop playing to eat. put a blackboard menu on the 10th tee which The secret, they say, is to keep the food
Lawn bowls has appeal also because you informs hungry golfers that orders can be sent simple. Golfers know what they want and
can get a drink at each end but after nine by SMS message over the phone and will be it isn’t the stuff that comes out of five-star
holes it is hard to beat an Australian classic, ready at the appointed time. Some opt to sit kitchens. Delicious, freshly made pies,
the cold lamb sandwich made from the down and eat in the clubhouse and others pasties, sausage rolls, sandwiches and cakes
leftovers of the previous night’s roast and collect it from the kitchen back door in the are their preference and it helps if they can be
seasoned with an unhealthy amount of salt course of their round. eaten one-handed and do not drip jus or gravy
and tomato sauce. This brings to mind Ansett and TAA airline onto the grips of their clubs.
If you are playing well it gives a lift and if pilots who were members of Northern Golf The Trentham duo has also restored much
not, the strength to carry on. Club in the city who used to order their a marital harmony in the district. Men who
This important aspect of the game has been medium rare T-bone steak with mushroom found themselves in the doghouse for coming
lifted to new heights at Trentham Golf Club, sauce and the time they wanted it over the home late from golf and smelling like a
97 kilometres north-west of Melbourne, by radio to the control tower at Essendon Airport. brewery have been transformed into model
Larissa Ojansuu and Karen Kenton-Barnes, From there the order was phoned to the club, husbands by the Birdie Kitchen’s takeaway
who have taken over the kitchen. a short drive away, and life was sweet. meal packs. They phone their spouses to tell
Instead of proprietary brands of pies, The two 40-year-old school mums decided them what’s on the menu and arrive home
pasties and sausage rolls that have been in to try their luck when the club advertised as heroes with dinner. On the day I called the
the freezer and/or warmer far too long, their in the local paper for someone to run its vegetable lasagne had sold out and they were
Birdie Kitchen offers a range of home-cooked commercial kitchen 18 months ago. Perhaps starting on a big batch of chicken fried rice.
meals and snacks that are so good there has luck is the wrong word. Ojansuu is a formally Despite the fine country fare, both women
been an increase in the number of green fee trained chef whose job before motherhood are from Melbourne. They grew up at Point
players attracted to the course. was in the five-star Canberra Hyatt Hotel and Cook, near the Greg Norman and Bob
Instead of sitting behind the counter and Kenton-Barnes has won awards for customer Harrison-designed Sanctuary Lakes course,
but did not meet until they moved to Trentham
five years ago.
WINNIE PALMER’S ZUCCHINI BREAD RECIPE Another fine food experience was at
the Royal Park public course next to the
4 eggs 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Melbourne zoo where in 1946 a 16-year-old
1 ½ cups sugar ¾ teaspoon baking powder Peter Thomson won the club championship.
1 cup oil 2 cups zucchini, grated During winter the captain, Jonathan Holmes,
3 ½ cups plain flour, sifted 1 teaspoon vanilla used to bring along a big pot of home-made
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda 1 cup nuts, chopped pea and ham soup which was just the thing
1 ½ teaspoons salt 1 cup raisins (optional) after playing on a bl ak, cold, wet August
Sunday morning. It was so good that one
Blend first 3 ingredients thoroughly. Sift dry ingredients together. Add to egg mixture. Add zucchini and
Jewish vegetarian member claimed she could
remaining ingredients. Fill greased loaf pans half full. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-55 minutes. Remove loaves
skim it in such a way that it was both kosher
from pans as they come from oven and cool on racks. Makes 2-3 loaves.
and free of meat.
The other side of this coin is the worst
meal I’ve ever had at a golf course and it too
has religious connotations. The culprit was
the Deniliquin Golf Club which staged a junior
competition in Easter 1964.
Coming up the 18th in the first round we
started salivating to the marvellous aroma
of onions frying on the barbecue. At the
clubhouse we were told there were fish pies
for the Catholics in the field because we were
playing on a Friday in Lent. What a choice for a
kid. Straight to hell if we had the barbecue.
While all the Protestants feasted on steak,
chops and sausages the left footers gagged on
PHOTOS: BRENDAN MOLONEY X 2; GETTY IMAGES (LEFT)
pastry filled with cod liver oil. (The skinniest

kid in our school was nicknamed Friday. When
asked why by strangers, the answer was that
there was no meat on Friday.)
Years later I learned from Italian chef
Stefano di Pieri that we could have enjoyed
the barbecue after all because during the
Depression Archbishop Daniel Mannix told
his flock they could eat sausages right
through Lent. The reason, said di Pieri, was

Larissa Ojansuu (left) and Karen
Kenton-Barnes are creating beautiful
food in Trentham’s Birdie Kitchen.
that everyone knew there was no meat in retired after 30 years in the job.
Australian sausages. KINGSTON HEATH Lunch at the Thai Country Club was a buffet
Kingston Heath showed flair during the SHOWED FLAIR stretching 50 metres and loaded with dozens
World Cup recently when it put the outline of
the trophy in the froth of cappuccinos served
DURING THE WORLD of hot and cold dishes. For good measure,
three uniformed chefs stood by to cook any
in the clubhouse. CUP RECENTLY WHEN additional requests.
According to my friend and editor of a rival IT PUT THE OUTLINE Summoning the courage to ask the
magazine, Mick Davis, the club used to serve
the best steak sandwich in Australia but it
OF THE TROPHY impressive maitre d’ in his immaculate Hugo
Boss suit what was the special occasion, I
is no longer on the menu. The same fate IN THE FROTH OF was informed: “There is no special occasion,
has befallen the MacKenzie burger at Royal CAPPUCCINOS... sir. This is the normal members’ lunch.”
Melbourne about which one wag said: “I bet If that is a bit rich for the blood, you might
he didn’t design it.” like to try the zucchini bread Winnie Palmer
My favourite memories of lunch at the golf used to make for Arnold (see the recipe left).
include Huntingdale in Melbourne and the Thai She shared her recipe in a book put out by
Country Club in Bangkok. a group of God fearing southern women in
The Friday media lunch during the Masters Augusta, Georgia, home of the US Masters.
in the time of tournament founder David I gave it to the Birdie Kitchen and they are
Inglis could not be faulted and invitations considering it, although they have knocked
were greatly anticipated. The credit goes to on the head Barbara Nicklaus’ crab casserole
executive chef George Skaliotis, a gold medal recipe on the grounds that crab is too
winner at the Culinary Olympics in Germany. expensive in Australia and if they put it into a
Sadly for members and guests, he has just pie, they’d have to charge $7.

HUGGAN’S
ALLEY BY J O H N H U G G A N | G O L F AU S T R A L I A C O LUMNI S T AT L A R G E
DARING TO DREAM
Imagine, if you will, that we are going aim being to produce, over every 11-month course at Sawgrass. The tour will then spend
back in time to the very beginnings season, a variety of challenges for the best the next five weeks working northwards
of professional golf. As far as we players. Those courses will be set-up in ways through the eastern half of America/Canada.
are concerned, there are no major that will ask not only difficult and interesting From there, the tour will cross the Atlantic
championships and no tours; we are free and fun questions, but every question. for five weeks in Europe. In three of those
to do what is best for both the spectators One week, the rough will be long and thick weeks, links golf will be played, ending with
around the world and the players who will (but never around the greens). In the next, the third major, the Open Championship.
participate in whatever we come up with. long grass will be non-existent. Sometimes After that mouth-watering little scenario,
Let’s start with what we’re not going to do: the fairways will be wide; sometimes they it will be back across the pond for another
1. We’re not going to have a motley will be narrow. And the greens will be month, a run that will contain another
collection of separate and inevitably self- everything from really fast to really slow. former major, the USPGA Championship.
interested tours spread all across the globe. The bigger picture is that the ‘World The last of those four weeks will showcase
In our brave new world, everyone will work Tour’ will live up to its name, visiting every the US Open, the fourth and final major of
together for the common good. enclave of the game from the beginning the year.
2. We’re not going to have a series of of January to the end of November. There Following three more weeks in Europe,
self-important tour commissioners whose will be no professional golf in the month of the tour will spend the last ten weeks
sole aim in life is the accumulation of December. Both players and spectators need in Asia, a compelling mix of events in
money. We’re going to appoint a benevolent a break, if only to build anticipation for the countries like Japan, China, Thailand and
dictator, someone with only the best next round of events. India. And the climax to the season, the
interests of the game at heart. The season will start in the Middle East World Tour Championship, will be held
3. We’re not going to hold events on with a three-week run through Dubai, annually in the Middle East. In other words,
mediocre courses just because they are Qatar and Abu Dhabi. From there, the back where we started.
offering the most cash. Instead, we’re going following fortnight will be spent in South Imagine watching the very best golfers
to put the best players on the best courses. Africa, before three weeks in Australia. playing a game that asks them to display
Moving right along, here’s what we are One of those weeks will be spent at the a wide variety of skills rather than simply
going to do: southern hemisphere’s premier course, hitting the same high and straight shot
1. The new World Tour headquarters Royal Melbourne, where the first major that has sadly become the modern
will be in St. Andrews, the Home of Golf. championship of the season, the World norm. Imagine them playing courses
Where else? Match Play Championship, will take place. that encourage the shaping of shots
2. Every tour player will use persimmon- Next up, after a one-week stop in from left-to-right and right-to-left.
headed woods and balata balls so that the Hawaii, four weeks in western half of the Imagine them showing off their
Old Course at St. Andrews can again be United States. Although no longer a major dexterity and imagination
played as it was designed to be played. All championship, The Masters Tournament at inside 50-yards, rather than
the tees will be inside the boundary fences. Augusta National will then fill its traditional shuddering as they hack out
None of the bunkers will be surrounded by spot (not everything has to change). of yet another mindless
long grass. And those putting surfaces will After the Masters, a month will then be patch of long grass.
be cut so that, even in a stiffish breeze, they spent in the south-east of the US, climaxing Yes, yes. I know. It
remained playable. with the second major championship, the probably will never
3. Only the best courses will be used, the World Players Championship over the WPC happen – but it could.
A major at Royal Melbourne

would be a resounding success
for the global game.
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

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IN MY
OPINION E XC LU S I V E BY G E O F F O G I LV Y | G O L F AU S T R A L I A C O LUMNI S T
WHY WOMEN’S GOLF HAS GOT MY ATTENTION

I must admit, I haven’t always been a fan of see them hit shots with hybrids. It’s a joke But the women are different. They were
watching women’s golf. Maybe there was how talented they are with those clubs. I’m doing all sorts of things, but it was Brooke
a bit of male ego going on, which is not actually prepared to believe that Lydia Ko is that held my attention most. As soon as I
something I’m proud of. But for whatever better than the vast majority of male pros saw her hit one shot, it was obvious she is
reason, I wasn’t paying much heed to the from, say, 200-yards out. She is ridiculously special. The noise as her club hit the ball was
LPGA Tour, or any other Tour for that matter. good. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that the different from anyone else I watched. She
That has changed though. While it would be top women players consistently hit closer to squashed it properly.
an exaggeration to say I’m an avid viewer of where they are aiming than do the top guys. Since then, I’ve taken an interest in how
the women’s game, I’m definitely paying a I was always a fan of watching Karrie play. Brooke has been doing. But I like Lydia
lot more attention than I used to. She was and is a “real” golfer, with a great too. She is so unflappable and doesn’t
I always seem to end up watching the natural motion but Brooke Henderson is my get annoyed, which is something I can learn
ANA Inspiration – what used to be the favourite at the moment. from.
Dinah Shore – just before the Masters. And She has such a great, old-school ‘lag’ in So Yeon Ryu is another player I look
I’ve been paying particular note of the US her swing. It’s a bit like Ben Hogan swung, out for. Her Aussie caddie, Tom Watson,
Women’s Open the last few years, if only or Sergio Garcia. She hits the ball hard is someone I know, but mostly I just love
to hear what Johnny Miller is saying. He’s and seems able to produce draws and watching her swing. Her motion is as good
always interesting. So if it comes to a choice fades when they are required. She seems as almost any man. She rips it.
between watching the women’s tour or the to be completely untouched by coaches Another thing I like about the women’s
PGA Tour – especially Thursdays and Fridays and cameras and ‘rips’ at the ball the way game is that, much more than the men,
– I’m switching over to the LPGA. she wants to. She doesn’t ‘place’ the club they seem to be edging gradually towards a
I take it all in. I love watching the swings anywhere; she swings it in such a beautiful world tour. They are hugely popular in Asia
and how the women plot their way round the uninhibited way. – more than the men – and that is great to
course. Plus, they put on a better show than I actually went out to watch Brooke when see. The women are more accessible than
the men, at least in some respects. They are the LPGA came to Phoenix for the Founders the men too, way less precious. They talk to
more demonstrative. And I’m always excited Cup back in March. I spent some time on the the spectators, sign every autograph and
to see a woman golfer who impresses me, range taking in how the women went out understand they have to promote their Tour.
one who hits the ball with the right spin – about preparing for their rounds. It was soon The LPGA Tour is just a really good product
which is hard to do with a lower swing speed obvious how analytical the Koreans were, these days. I wish I had started watching
– and flight. which is something that seems to be easier sooner. But I’m making up for it now.
Playing golf is not the coolest thing you to pick out with the women than the men.
can do as a young girl, so anyone who has In general, PGA Tour players all do pretty
learned to play “properly” has my admiration much the same thing before a tournament
on more than one level. round. They put an aiming stick on the
The last ten years has seen a huge growth ground, then work their way through
in the number of really good golfers in the the bag. It’s very regimented.
women’s game. For a while there
it seemed like it was just
Karrie Webb and Annika
Sorenstam. Then there
was Lorena Ochoa. But
now there are many
fine players to watch.
I especially like to
ANOTHER THING I LIKE Brooke Henderson

ABOUT THE WOMEN’S plays the game her
way, which means
GAME IS THAT, MUCH giving it a rip
MORE THAN THE MEN,
THEY SEEM TO BE EDGING
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
GRADUALLY TOWARDS
A WORLD TOUR.

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EXCLUSIVE RANKING
YOUR GUIDE TO THE

NATION’S BESTCOURSES
EVERYONE CAN PLAY
100
O
ne of the greatest assets golf has in course architect, Dr Alister MacKenzie, they 2015 RANK: N/R
this country is its accessibility for could use as a guide to appraise courses. Sandringham makes its debut in this ranking,
the masses. “A pleasurable course is synonymous with a which some on our panel believe is long
The latest Australian Golf Industry Council good one. No course can give lasting pleasure overdue. Laid across similar land to its
figures on participation rates reveal more than unless it is a good test of golf. I also submit that neighbour Royal Melbourne, Sandringham
two million Australians played at least one no course can be really first rate unless it appeals presents a terrific challenge for golfers of all
round of golf in the 12 months to July 2016. to all classes of players,” MacKenzie wrote. standards right in the heart of the Sandbelt.
The vast majority of those rounds were played With those words, our judges went forth and www.sandringhamgolfcourse.com.au
on public accessible courses. 189 courses received votes from our judges,
There are hundreds of quality public access which is the largest number of nominated 98. PALMER GOLD COAST GC
courses spread throughout the nation, which courses in the history of this ranking. Robina, Queensland
not only offer a terrific golf experience but are Here, we present the cream of the public 2015 RANK: 73
affordable and fun to play. access crop, with a selection of new, redesigned The course previously known as Robina Woods
At last count there are nearly 1,500 courses and returning courses making their way back remains a staple treat for any golfer visiting
spread in Australia with the vast majority of into the rank of centurions. the Gold Coast with its undulating fairways
those layouts open to visiting golfers – they are Chances are you won’t agree with our list, lined by seemingly endless stands of towering
public accessible. By our definition, a public and it is true that some very good courses have gum trees proving a point of difference with its
access course is one that sets aside tee-times narrowly missed out. But few could argue neighbours.
for visiting golfers for a minimum of four days against the fact, the layouts showcased here all www.palmergolf.com.au/goldcoast
a week. meet with MacKenzie’s benchmark of being
This biennial final ranking was compiled “pleasurable”. 97. CYPRESS LAKES G&CC
during the past two years since our last Enjoy your next round. Pokolbin, NSW
Top-100 Public Access Courses ranking was 2015 RANK: N/R
published. Golf Australia editors were joined 100. THE SANDHURST CLUB Two years ago Cypress Lakes received no
by a team of committed Golf Australia readers (North course) Sandhurst, Victoria votes from our judges assembled for the Public
who volunteered to present their opinions and 2015 RANK: 95 Access Courses ranking. But a huge investment
insights on courses played during their travels. Renovation work on the Peter Thomson and by the owner to restore the course to its former
This involved visiting courses, without notice, Ross Perrett-designed layout, particularly glory has seen it surge back into the top-100
and noting any changes to the design as well as the bunkering, has bedded in well. The after a six-year absence.
the presentation of the course. They all paid for conditioning has improved a lot in recent times. www.cypresslakes.com.au
their rounds of golf. www.sandhurst.com
Each judge was given a list of voting 96. RIVERSIDE OAKS
guidelines and our judging criteria as well as 99. SANDRINGHAM (Gangurru course) Cattai, NSW
an excerpt of words of wisdom from the great Cheltenham, Victoria 2015 RANK: 87

96
Riverside Oaks’ original course has dropped This Peter Thomson and Ross Perrett- itself on being the most accessible. The club
some spots in this ranking but that can be designed layout makes its debut in the ranking and course here exude an old-school charm.
attributed to many of the debutante courses after opening for play in 2014. The design team The Vern Morcom design is not overly long and
and the elevation of several redesigned layouts have managed to create a links-style layout out is full of tree-lined doglegs to pitched greens.
ahead of it. Course upgrades in recent years of grazing land in what is still predominantly www.rhgc.com.au
have matured nicely. a rural environment on the edge of a new
www.riversideoaks.com.au residential development. 89. DUNTRYLEAGUE GC
www.clubmandalay.com.au Orange, NSW
95. YERING MEADOWS GC 2015 RANK: N/R
(Homestead course) Yering, Victoria 92. BYRON BAY GC The golfing pride of Orange dropped out of
2015 RANK: 56 Byron Bay, NSW our ranking in 2015 but it has well and truly
Yering Meadows’ Homestead course, which 2015 RANK: 81 bounced back to reach its highest-ever mark in
takes in holes 1 to 9 and 19 to 27, continues The major redesign program undertaken here this biennial list. This has come on the back of
to be the pick of the three layouts among our during the past decade has matured really well its outstanding year-round presentation.
judges. The Homestead design is the most and is complimented by consistently good www.duntryleague.com.au
interesting of the three combinations but presentation. The opening four holes at Byron
conditioning continues to be a concern. are superb and worth the green fee alone. 88. COBRAM-BAROOGA GC
www.yeringmeadows.com.au www.byronbaygolfclub.com.au (Old course) Barooga, NSW
2015 RANK: 98
94. HORSHAM GC 91. COOLANGATTA & TWEED HEADS GC This ‘Old’ Murray River gem slipped to No.98
Horsham, Victoria (West course) Tweed Heads, NSW in 2015 with our judges noting the course had
2015 RANK: 47 2015 RANK: 87 lost some of its polish from years gone by.
Horsham GC has been going through a tough The well-manicured West course is one of the But renovation work and a higher standard
time since its clubhouse and course were best value golfing experiences to be had on the of presentation in recent times has not gone
devastated by bushfires in 2009. It won a class Gold Coast. Recent upgrades to the greens unnoticed.
action and was able to build a modern clubhouse and some bunkering have enhanced the www.cbgc.com.au
but its financial position more recently has been popular layout.
a concern. As a result, the condition of the layout www.cooltweedgolf.com.au 87. ALICE SPRINGS GC
is not what it was two years ago. Alice Springs, Northern Territory
www.horshamgolfclub.com.au 90. ROYAL HOBART GC 2015 RANK: 89
Seven Mile Beach, Tasmania Has only moved up two spots in the ranking
93. CLUB MANDALAY 2015 RANK: 82 but this climb in the rank will continue while
Beveridge, Victoria Of all the nation’s clubs that carry the the current program of course improvements
2015 RANK: N/R esteemed ‘Royal’ prefix, Royal Hobart prides continues. The greens are, once again,

THE CRITERIA
Firstly, resorts that only grant access to their
course if you stay at the resort are excluded
from our public access ranking. These include:
Magenta Shores, Sanctuary Cove (Pines course)
and The Sands Torquay.
Secondly, for a course to qualify for our Public
Access ranking it must meet one standard in that
89
tee times are made available for visiting golfers
for a minimum four days a week.
outstanding and the presentation of the tees 83. NORTH LAKES RESORT GC
THE CRITERIA
and fairways will only get better … so will its North Lakes, Queensland
DESIGN (50%): When ranking a course judges
rank. 2015 RANK: 72
were instructed to ask the following questions to
www.alicespringsgolfclub.com.au Graham Marsh’s 6,455-metre design is a strong
themselves to determine where a course stands
test for the good amateur and professional. But
in the list.
86. OCEAN SHORES CC it doesn’t overawe part-timers or beginners
V Is there a good balance of par-3s, 4s and 5s? Is
Ocean Shores, Victoria playing from the forward tees because of
there good variety?
2015 RANK: 69 the wide fairways and large Tifeagle putting
V Is risk-and-reward a factor on many holes? Ocean Shores’ dip in the ranking here can really surfaces.
V How fair is the course for all players? be attributed to the improvement of several www.northlakesgolfclub.com.au
V Does the design offer a wide selection of other courses in this percentile of the rank
shots bringing any variation of wind direction rather than any drop off it has experienced. 82. GROWLING FROG
into play? The northern NSW course remains a fun and Yan Yean, Victoria
V How memorable are individual holes and the challenging layout for all golfers. 2015 RANK: 70
course as a whole? www.oceanshorescc.com.au Another of Graham Marsh’s solo designs, with
his trademark wide fairways, multiple tees and
CONDITION (40%): Things to consider include: 85. ALBANY GC large undulating greens. Laid in a wonderful
V The overall condition of playing surfaces. Take Albany, Western Australia rural setting north of Melbourne, Growling
into consideration elements out of control of 2015 RANK: 74 Frog’s drop here is the victim of the sharp rise
course staff like drought, bushfire and flood. Dominated by rolling fairways that cross of several courses ahead of it.
V Are the fairways cut to be well-defined from beautiful naturally-occurring sand dunes, www.growlingfromgolfcourse.com.au
semi-rough and rough? Albany is a terrific links layout on WA’s south
V Have the bunkers been well-presented? coast. In fact, some of the most natural links 81. MOLLYMOOK GC
holes in the country can be found here. (Hilltop course) Mollymook, NSW
VISUAL APPEAL (10%): In relation to public www.albanygolfclub.com.au 2015 RANK: 99
Mollymook is a bushland beauty with
access courses, visual appeal is an important
84. FLINDERS GC cathedral-like stands of gum trees lining nearly
factor in not only attracting golfers but also
Flinders, Victoria every fairway of the undulating layout. Its
getting those same golfers to play the course
2015 RANK: 85 big rise here comes on the back of its much-
again and again. Visual appeal makes up the
A favourite of regular golfers, and once-a improved conditioning and the fine result of a
remaining 20 percent. Things to consider include: -year holiday hackers alike, Flinders lies at recent bunker upgrade program.
V How aesthetically pleasing is the course to the southern-most tip of the Mornington www.mollymookgolf.com.au
look at? Peninsula. It’s been there for more than a
V Are there many holes that have the ‘wow’ century is exposed to the wind, making it a fun 80. BRIBIE ISLAND GC
factor? place to play anytime. Bribie Island, Queensland
V Does the course bIend well with its surrounds? www.flindersgolfclub.com.au 2015 RANK: N/R
Bribie Island’s original layout slipped out

of this biennial list in 2015 but it has surged
back to its highest ranking in eight years. The
Melbourne Sandbelt-style bunkering and
sandy rough lies on many holes add to the
quality of a round here.
www.bribiegolf.com.au
79. MURWILLUMBAH GC
Murwillumbah, NSW
2015 RANK: 90
Murwillumbah made its debut in this rank in
2015 and continues to impress our judges. Our
judges singled out the setting, with views of
Mt Warning, the interesting and challenging
design as well as the high standard of its
playing surfaces as worthy of note.
www.murwillumbahgolfclub.com.au
78. THE VINES RESORT & CC

(Ellenbrook course) Swan Valley, Western
Australia 84
2015 RANK: 64
Ellenbrook features wides fairways, expansive
bunkering and huge greens, which should www.cooltweedgolf.com.au 73. BALLARAT GC
make it an enjoyable and challenging offering. Ballarat, Victoria
But most of our judges felt some aspects of its 75. EASTLAKE GC 2015 RANK: 63
presentation need to improve. Kingsford, NSW The Peter Thomson and Ross Perrett’s design
www.vines.com.au 2015 RANK: 80 has been in the ground now for eight years and
Arguably one of Sydney’s most underrated the playing surfaces have matured beautifully.
77. YARRAWONGA MULWALA GC RESORT courses, Eastlake has been inching its way Our judges made particular note of the high
(Lakes course) Mulwala, NSW higher in this list for several years now. Judges quality of the bentgrass putting surfaces.
2015 RANK: 64 noted the course has never looked better and www.ballaratgolfclub.com.au
The Lakes course jumped into our ranking in they like some of the design tweaks to the
2015 and has improved 15 places on its debut layout. 72. WATERFORD VALLEY
appearance. All of our judges who voted for the www.eastlakegolfclub.com.au Knoxville, Victoria
layout enjoyed the design and were impressed 2015 RANK: 60
with the conditioning of the layout. 74. INDOOROOPILLY GC The easy-walking Santa Ana couch grass
www.yarragolf.com.au (East course) Tweed Heads, NSW fairways at Waterford Valley are punctuated
2015 RANK: 66 by more than 60 bunkers. The design also
76. COOLANGATTA & TWEED HEADS GC There are four loops of nine holes on offer at incorporates 11 lakes and wetland areas
(River course) Tweed Heads, NSW Indooroopilly and our judges thought the East throughout, which add to the enjoyment
2015 RANK: 78 course was the best combination (aside from of a round just 30 minutes east of
Like its neighbouring West course, recent the West course which didn’t qualify under our Melbourne’s CBD.
greens and bunker upgrades have added to public access criteria). The East course holes www.wvgolf.com.au
the likeability of this layout, which is arguably cover terrific rolling terrain and offer simple
more interesting, in terms of design, than the green sites on some very challenging holes. 71. ROSEBUD CC
adjoining West. www.indooroopillygolf.com.au (North course) Tweed Heads, NSW
2015 RANK: 66
The North course sits on gently undulating
sandy soil and rewards solid ball-striking, as
well as good touch around the greens. The
more favoured layout among the regulars at
Rosebud, the North boasts a terrific set of par-3
holes.
www.rosebudcountryclub.com.au
70. BELMONT GC
Belmont, NSW
2015 RANK: 79
The rise of Belmont continues after it moved
up 10 spots in 2015 and now another nine
places in the past two years. Much of this
can be attributed to extensive redesign work
particularly on the 14th, 15th and 16th holes.
www.belmontgolf.com.au
69. RACV ROYAL PINES RESORT

(Blue/Gold course) Ashmore, NSW
2015 RANK: 68
81 Royal Pines now boasts all 27 holes designed
by Graham Marsh, with the Blue – that covers

Black Bull GC
The Championship designed Thomson & Perrett
layout is a must play when next traveling along
the Murray River. Located within Silverwoods
Golf & Life Style Development Yarrawonga.
P: (03) 57440044 E: [email protected] www.blackbullgc.com.au

77 THE JUDGING PANEL
Each of the judges, drawn from the large pool of
loyal Golf Australia readers, was given specific
more undulating land separate from the main importance here. guidelines about how to rank courses and they
property – and Gold nine combination judged www.noosasprings.com.au could only rank courses they have seen since
highly by our judges for the improved design January 2015.
and presentation. 65. LEONGATHA GC
www.racv.com.au Leongatha South, Victoria
1. Brendan James (Golf Australia Editor)
2015 RANK: 83
2. Joe Thomas (Golf Australia reader)
68. EAGLE RIDGE GC The rise of this Vern Morcom design continues
3. Hamish Walker (Golf Australia reader)
Boneo, Victoria as more of our judges find their way to
4. Felicity Chapman (Golf Australia reader)
2015 RANK: 61 Gippsland to discover its quality. Judges loved
This popular Mornington Peninsula layout the terrain, the quality of the fairways and 5. Susan Johnson (Golf Australia reader)
was sold last year and the new owners have greens and the variety of holes. 6. Jacqui Lee (Golf Australia reader)
certainly invested in the layout, which has www.leongathagolf.com.au 7. Noel Townsend (Golf Australia reader)
improved its presentation markedly from late 8. Steven Jackson (Golf Australia reader)
2015 and throughout 2016. 64. RACV CAPE SCHANCK RESORT 9. Stephen Armson (Golf Australia reader)
www.eagleridge.com.au Cape Schanck, Victoria 10. Craig Weeks (Golf Australia reader)
2015 RANK: 52 11. Tony Noyes (Golf Australia reader)
67. MONA VALE GC All our judges couldn’t fault the condition of 12. Freddie Doh (Golf Australia reader)
Mona Vale, NSW this Robert Trent Jones Jnr design, which 13. Simon Reynolds (Golf Australia reader)
2015 RANK: N/R covers dramatic land on the Mornington 14. Joseph Baker (Golf Australia reader)
Mona Vale has surged back into our Peninsula. Several judges noted the ongoing 15. Nikki Scott (Golf Australia reader)
Top-100 after narrowly missing a spot on major development of the resort has detracted 16. Matthew Greig (Golf Australia reader)
the list in 2015. It achieves its highest-ever from the playing experience and once the 17. Deborah Hill (Golf Australia reader)
rank here based on the unprecedented construction is compete the course will rank 18. Sandra Lyons (Golf Australia reader)
standard of its presentation during the past higher again. 19. Phillip Nicholls (Golf Australia reader)
two years. The next two years will see even www.racv.com.au 20. Toby McCracken (Golf Australia reader)
more improvement with several greens
21. Richard O’Reilly (Golf Australia reader)
being replaced. 63. PARADISE PALMS
22. Christian Harris (Golf Australia reader)
www.mvgc.com.au Kewarra Beach, Queensland
23. John Blackwell (Golf Australia reader)
2015 RANK: 76
24. Scott Matthews (Golf Australia reader)
66. NOOSA SPRINGS RESORT In 2015, Paradise Palms dropped 22 places
25. Graham Brady (Golf Australia reader)
Noosa Heads, Queensland in this ranking and seemed destined to
perhaps miss out this year. But new owners 26. Rod Harris (Golf Australia reader)
2015 RANK: 57
Noosa Springs is perhaps the idyllic resort and management have invested heavily in the 27. Justin Walker (Golf Australia reader)
course in that it offers an enjoyable golfing layout. A redesign of several holes has slipped 28. Ken Robinson (Golf Australia reader)
escape in beautiful surrounds, while the easily into the mix but it is the higher standard 29. Nicole Robinson (Golf Australia reader)
challenge is not brutal. That said, good strategy of presentation that had our judges enthused. 30. Jillian Smith (Golf Australia reader)
and correct club selection are of the utmost www.paradisepalms.com.au

INDOOROOPILLY
.63- *3<)
Indooroopilly Golf Club delivers a premium, yet traditional

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74
62. THE SANDHURST CLUB around it in the list. Judges like the layout The Peter Thomson and Ross Perrett-designed
(Champions course) Sandhurst, Victoria and conditioning, although some noted the Black Bull makes its debut in this ranking after
2015 RANK: 51 bunkering might soon need renovating. the full 18 holes opened for play in May 2015.
Sandhurst’s developer recently handed over www.palmergolf.com.au/seareef The layout covers superb rolling terrain and
the club to the members and during the its ‘Bull Ring’ holes are memorable for the
transition Programmed Turnpoint was hired 59. TASMANIA GC challenge they present.
to improve the playing surfaces and oversee Sorell, Tasmania www.blackbullgc.com.au
renovation of the bunkers. This can only help 2015 RANK: 55
both Sandhurst layouts rise in the ranking in Tasmania’s ranks as one of Al Howard’s finest 56. SECRET HARBOUR LINKS
two years time. designs. Set on the bluffs above Barilla Bay, Secret Harbour, Western Australia
www.sandhurst.com the views are terrific and the course enjoyable, 2015 RANK: 50
while the condition – right across the layout – Secret Harbour offers a traditional links course
61. PALM MEADOWS is consistently good. experience where the wind is a constant.
Carrara, Queensland www.tasmaniagolfclub.com.au Graham Marsh ensured this layout would be
2015 RANK: 65 fair and challenging for players of all abilities
Another course in this ranking that has 58. LINKS LADY BAY in all sorts of conditions.
improved its position for the second Normanville, South Australia www.secretsgolf.com.au
consecutive time. The iconic Gold Coast layout 2015 RANK: 43
continues its rise due to a higher standard of Located along the route of the coastal getaways 55. YARRAWONGA MULWALA GC RESORT
presentation, which includes remodeled and south of Adelaide, Links Lady Bay is one of the (Murray course) Mulwala, NSW
renovated bunkering throughout. standout courses of South Australia. Possesses 2015 RANK: 59
www.palmmeadows.com.au all qualities that live up to the name of links, The Murray course was inundated by
with firm and fast playing surfaces, wide floodwater earlier this year, but is slowly
60. PALMER SEA REEF fairways and variety in the routing. returning to top condition. Most of our
Port Douglas, Queensland www.linksladybay.com.au judges marked the Murray layout on its
2015 RANK: 39 pre-flood presentation and were enthused by
Not much has changed at Sea Reef since the 57. BLACK BULL GC the conditioning and the recent tweaks to
2015 edition of our ranking but there has Yarrawonga, Victoria the design.
been plenty of movement in the positons 2015 RANK: N/R www.yarragolf.com.au
54. WARRNAMBOOL GC
Warrnambool, Victoria
67
2015 RANK: 71
One of the biggest movers in this ranking
for 2017. The clearing of coastal scrub from
several front nine holes and the remodelling
of a few greens are just part of the overall
enhancement of a round at Warrnambool.
Several judges noted the course was in the best
shape that had ever seen it.
www.wgcinc.com.au
53. PALMER COOLUM RESORT

Coolum, Queensland
2015 RANK: 54
While the resort accommodation remains
closed, rest assured the course remains open
and the quality of its presentation is better

63
than it was prior to the 2015 ranking. Several platform to create some memorable holes. 46. FEDERAL GC
judges noted the greens were without fault. www.coastgolf.com.au Red Hill, ACT
www.palmercoolumresort.com.au 2015 RANK: 48
48. KOOINDAH WATERS RESORT Federal has cemented its place in the 40s
52. MURRAY DOWNS G&CC Wyong, NSW of this ranking after debuting at No.42 in
Swan Hill, Victoria 2015 RANK: 46 2013. The beautiful layout bounces back up
2015 RANK: 58 Raised out of an unremarkable site, designers two spots as a result of superb conditioning,
Murray Downs rises again in the ranking for Ross Watson and Craig Parry produced an with one judge noting the bentgrass greens
the second time in four years. But outstanding impressive-looking course with great strategic “arguably the best in Canberra.”
presentation across the layout, particularly the value. The conditioning rarely waivers away www.federalgolf.com.au
putting surfaces, has assured it remains the from its high standard.
No.1 course to be found along the Murray River. www.kooindahwatersgolf.com.au 45. SUN CITY CC
www.murraydownsresort.com.au Yanchep, Western Australia
47. RANFURLIE GC 2015 RANK: 75
51. JOONDALUP RESORT & CC Cranbourne, Victoria The most improved course of any layout that
(Dune/Lake course) Joondalup, 2015 RANK: 38 appeared in this ranking in 2015. The redesign
Western Australia Ranfurlie is a thought provoking design with by OCCM (Ogilvy, Clayton, Cocking and Mead)
2015 RANK: 49 wide fairways and angled greens. Its slight has further enhanced this superb course
The Dune and Lake layout is often overlooked drop in the ranking here comes on the back of during the past two years. With more holes
for mention when golfers talk of Joondalup, several judges feeling the conditioning didn’t coming into play during the past 18 months,
but it always offers a memorable experience compare with where it was prior to the 2015 Sun City has never been better.
with some visually exciting holes and first- ranking. www.suncitycountryclub.com.au
class playing surfaces. www.ranfurlie.com.au
www.joondalupresort.com.au
50. CAPRICORN RESORT

Yeppoon, Queensland
2015 RANK: 34
From the back markers, Karl Litten’s creation
at Capricorn is one of the longest and,
potentially one of the toughest, layouts in
Queensland. That said, the forward markers
offer an equally challenging but enjoyable
experience for the average player.
www.capricornresortgolf.com.au
49. THE COAST GC

Little Bay, NSW
2015 RANK: 44
Sitting high on the cliffs above Little Bay,
The Coast boasts a mix of simple holes, some
57
real head-scratchers and some exhilarating
golf. The oceanside terrain has provided the

LINKS HOPE ISLAND
Links Hope Island is true to golfing

tradition with the “Spirit of the
Links” while embracing the changing
times of modern golf. Designed by
five times British Open Champion,
Peter Thomson, and partner, Mike
Wolveridge, it is rated by Australian
golfing legend, Peter Senior, as
“one of the best championship
links courses you’ll play”. Careful
strategic thinking must be employed
around the natural and man made
hazards and 128 challenging pot
style bunkers. Other facilities
including a unique aquatic style
driving range, with putting and
chipping green, a concierge bag
drop and GPS carts further enhance
your golfing experience.
Springfield Drive, HOPE ISLAND, QLD 4212 • 07 5530 9033 or +61 5530 9033
www.linkshopeisland.com.au • [email protected]
44. SANCTUARY COVE
(Palms course), Sanctuary Cove,
Queensland
2015 RANK: 36
Nearly six years on from opening after a
massive redesign by Ross Watson, the Palms
course is proving more popular than ever. Its
dip in the rank here can really only attributed
to the movements and debutant courses above
it in the list. As one judge noted … the Palms
“has become a consistent mainstay of Gold
Coast golf.”
www.sanctuarycovegolfclub.com.au
43. KALGOORLIE GC
Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
2015 RANK: 40
Rugged, sandy outback terrain are the
foundations of this well-manicured course,
which is home to the West Australian PGA
Championship. The Graham Marsh design
might be the longest in the nation from the tips,
but it remains playable to all from a variety of
forward tees.
www.ckb.wa.gov.au/Kalgoorlie-Golf-Course
42. CURLEWIS GC
Curlewis, Victoria
2015 RANK: 53
This Bellarine Peninsula layout continues
to rise in this rank, which goes hand in
hand with the subtle tweaking of its design,
the presentation and the overall golfing
experience. There are more alterations to
come, which the judges are really looking
forward to.
www.curlewisgolf.com.au
41. SETTLERS RUN G&CC

Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
2015 RANK: 45
Debuted in this ranking in 2015 and has
improved on that No.45 spot when most
courses between No.20 and 50 are trending
slightly down. The overall presentation of the 54
Greg Norman and Harley Kruse-designed
layout has lifted during the past two years.
www.settlersrungcc.com.au (Green/Gold course) Ashmore, Queensland Having risen eight spots to No.29 in 2015,
2015 RANK: N/R St Michael’s has slipped back on some of
40. SORRENTO GC The Graham Marsh-redesigned layout that ground but you can be assured they will
Sorrento, Victoria that is home to the Australian PGA rise again. It remains one of the best public
2015 RANK: 33 Championship impressed most of our judges, accessible layouts in Sydney.
We wouldn’t read too much in the dip in who all commented that it was a significant www.stmichaelsgolf.com.au
this rank from its 2015 position. Sorrento improvement on the previous layout,
remains a must for any golfer travelling to particularly the green sites and bunkering. 35. RIVERSIDE OAKS
the Mornington Peninsula, with hints of www.racv.com.au (Bungool course) Cattai, NSW
some of the great Sandbelt courses closer to 2015 RANK: 41
Melbourne. 37. EYNESBURY GC Has now been opened for a little over two years
www.sorrentogolf.com.au Eynesbury, Victoria and has matured beautifully. The Bob Harrison
2015 RANK: 35 design received plenty of positive comments
39. TWIN WATERS GC This lengthy creation from Graham Marsh from judges, particularly in regard to the
Twin Waters, Queensland is a solid design on what was a windswept strategy required to score well here.
2015 RANK: 42 and barren site, not ideally suited to golf. The www.riversideoaks.com.au
This mainstay of Sunshine Coast golf has now course boasts many thoughtfully designed and
climbed eight spots in this ranking during the skillfully constructed green sites, which keeps 34. THE VINES RESORT & CC
past four years. Presentation is consistently Eynesbury on the top-half of this ranking. (Lakes course) Swan Valley,
good, while the generous fairways disguise the www.eynesburygolf.com.au Western Australia
tee-to-green challenge. 2015 RANK: 26
www.twinwatersgolfclub.com.au 36. ST MICHAEL’S GC The message from our judges was fairly
Little Bay, NSW unanimous here. They still like the design
38. RACV ROYAL PINES RESORT 2015 RANK: 29 of the Lakes layout – good variety of holes

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Narooma’s oceanside location gives rise to
some memorable holes, but the dramatic
terrain of the inland holes is also home to
fantastic holes, which adds to the overall
quality. It’s not surprising to find this ‘country’
course so high in the ranking.
www.naroomagolf.com.au
28. PACIFIC HARBOUR GC

Bribie Island, Queensland
2015 RANK: 22
This is a layout many will need a long time to
master but they will always find the journey
enjoyable. There are plenty of standout holes
but the set of par-3s are particularly good. In
better shape since re-joining the Troon Golf
stable.
45 www.pacificharbourgolf.com.au
27. LAKELANDS GC
and interesting green sites – but the overall The Quarry/Lake maintains its spot at No.32 Merrimac, Queensland
presentation is not up to the same standard as and as the second best of the Joondalup 2015 RANK: 24
glory years gone by. combinations. The Lake nine offers a The high-standard of presentation at
www.thevines.com.au slightly less dramatic, but no less enjoyable, Lakelands has been a trademark aspect of
complement to the Quarry nine. the layout since it opened 20 years ago, some
33. LONG REEF GC www.joondalupresort.com.au would say it’s the best on the Gold Coast. The
Collaroy, NSW Jack Nicklaus design is also challenging but
2015 RANK: 31 31. SANCTUARY LAKES CLUB fair for all players.
Located on a spectacular, sloping headland Point Cook, Victoria www.lakelandsgolfclub.com.au
with water views on three sides, the course 2015 RANK: 37
sweeps up and down the hill with wind The Greg Norman and Bob Harrison-designed 26. PACIFIC DUNES GC
dictating what you will shoot on the day. This layout made its debut in this list two years ago Medowie, NSW
is a solid test in a great location on well- not long after the members took control of the 2015 RANK: 27
manicured playing surfaces. club from the original developer. The course Inches up one spot on its 2015 rank. Our
www.longreefgolfclub.com.au has been on a steady climb of improvement judges really like the James Wilcher design,
ever since. particularly the variety of the two-shot
32. JOONDALUP RESORT & CC www.sanctuarylakesclub.com.au holes. The consistency of its well-manicured
(Quarry/Lake course) Joondalup, Western presentation was also noted by several judges.
Australia 30. THE GLADES www.pacificdunesgolf.com.au
2015 RANK: 32 Robina, Queensland
2015 RANK: 37 25. PORT FAIRY GL
There seems to be generous width with this Port Fairy, Victoria
THE NEXT 25 Greg Norman and Bob Harrison design but, 2015 RANK: 30
if you’re on the wrong side of the fairway, One of Australia’s few true links courses just
1. Bayview, NSW
approach shots can be really tough. A program keeps getting better, with additional bunkering
2. Bay Views, Victoria of bunker renovations have been completed and the remodeling of some greens making
3. Bermagui, NSW and will see the layout rise again. a round here memorable across all 18 holes,
4. Coffs Harbour, NSW www.glades.com.au rather than just the ocean side holes. The
5. Corowa GC (East course), NSW condition of the layout has also been ramped
6. Country Club Tasmania, Tasmania 29. NAROOMA GC up a notch.
7. Gardiners Run, Victoria Narooma, NSW www.portfairygolf.com.au
8. Gungahlin Lakes, ACT 2015 RANK: 28
9. Liverpool, NSW
10. Lonsdale, Victoria
11. Maroochy River, Queensland
12. Millicent, South Australia
13. Moss Vale, NSW
14. Mt Broughton G&CC, NSW
15. Mt Compass, South Australia
16. Pambula-Merimbula (Pambula course), NSW
17. Portarlington, Victoria
18. Rich River Resort (East), NSW
19. Shepparton, Victoria
20. Shelly Beach, NSW
21. The Ridge, NSW
22. Tocumwal (Presidents course), NSW
23. Ulverstone, Tasmania
24. Yamba, NSW
25. Yarra Bend, Victoria 35

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It scored as many votes finishing in No.18 spot
this year as it did two years ago as No.14.
www.portseagolf.com.au
17. LINKS HOPE ISLAND

Hope Island, Queensland
2015 RANK: 18
Rarely does a golfer visiting the Gold Coast
not include the iconic Links Hope Island in
their playing itinerary. The Peter Thomson
and Mike Wolveridge design according to our
judges as not looked as good in a long time.
www.linkshopeisland.com.au
16. THE CUT

Hope Island, Queensland
2015 RANK: 13
James Wilcher’s creation is a layout of two
distinct nines with the inward half being
25 described by some as the best nine holes in
Australia. The ever-changing wind direction
here ensures The Cut provides a new challenge
24. THIRTEENTH BEACH of presentation in combination with Robert with every round.
(Creek course) Barwon Heads, Victoria Trent Jones Jnr’s simple, but very effective www.the-cut.com.au
2015 RANK: 25 design, continues to be heralded with a spot
Often over-shadowed by its higher-ranked high spot on this list. Several judges noted the 15. HAMILTON ISLAND GC
neighbour, the Creek course is enjoyable and redesigned 16th hole has fit in well. Dent Island, Queensland
always well-presented. Routed further from www.msgcc.com.au 2015 RANK: 11
the surf, and over some flatter terrain, the Hamilton Island features many holes laid out
layout still retains a links-like feel. 19. THE VINTAGE along ridges or across steep valleys between
www.13thbeach.net Meadow Springs, Western Australia tees and greens that provide breathtaking
2015 RANK: 21 views of the Whitsunday Passage. The
23. MOONAH LINKS Another Greg Norman and Bob Harrison stunning 360 degree views can distract from
(Open course) Fingal, Victoria course entrenched in the top-half of this appreciating the high quality of the course.
2015 RANK: 19 ranking. Several of our judges rated The www.hamiltonislandgolfclub.com.au
Originally conceived as the home of the Vintage higher than they have before based on
Australian Open, Peter Thomson designed its overall presentation being superior to their 14. BROOKWATER GC
a course tough enough to identify a national previous visits. Brookwater, Queensland
champion. Too stern, perhaps, for the www.thevintage.com.au 2015 RANK: 11
club player, but the Open course is an elite Brookwater has managed not to slip too
experience in many other respects. 18. PORTSEA GC much in the rank despite undergoing a major
www.moonahlinks.com.au Portsea, Victoria renovation during the past nine months. This
2015 RANK: 14 work will certainly see the Greg Norman and
22. STONECUTTERS RIDGE Compact in space, yet filled with elevation Bob Harrison design to regain a higher rank.
Colebee, NSW changes across the layout, Portsea puts a www.brookwater.com.au/golf
2015 RANK: 17
The home of the NSW Open, had an unexpected
rise of nine spots in the 2015 public access
course ranking. It has slipped back five places
but it remains a superb layout – challenging for
all and well-manicured year round.
www.stonecuttersgc.com.au
21. PELICAN WATERS GC

Golden Beach, Queensland
2015 RANK: 16
Pelican Waters has established itself as one
of Queensland’s best public access layouts. It
has been cemented in the top-quarter of this
ranking since its expansion to 100 courses. The
Greg Norman and Bob Harrison design has
gained a reputation as a well-presented, risk-
reward layout.
www.pelicangolf.com.au
20. MEADOW SPRINGS G&CC

Meadow Springs, Western Australia
10
2015 RANK: 20
Meadow Springs’ continual high standard

Historic Duntryleague championship golf course and mansion are located in Australia’s
leading cool-climate wine region of Orange in the Central West of New South Wales.
Duntryleague is one of regional Australia’s premier golfing destinations with its glorious The clubhouse adjoining the mansion offer a bar, café and brasserie dining with a
setting of trees and shrubs, which were established in 1936. Members and guests alike wide selection of delicious meals to suit all tastes. In addition amid the scenic course
now enjoy this vision with a manicured course unsurpassed for beauty and history, surroundings are a generous practice fairway and other training areas, including an
rivalling any other golf course in Australia. The par-70 course stretches 6,006 metres indoor coaching room.
with lush South African couch, unduatling tree-lined fairwaays, bentgrass greens and a
Duntryleague is centrally located with a five minute walk along tree-lined streets to the
thoughtful, strategic layout requiring accuracy off the tee.
town centre where you will discover a thriving café, food and wine culture, with a number
Overlooking the prestigious course and situated in the botanical gardens is the historic of dining options from country pub bistro meals and wine bars to fine dining.
mansion, built in 1876 and offering 14 guestrooms all with en suites and free WiFi. In
conjunction with the 14 guestrooms are two fully self-contained flats comprising three
bedrooms, lounge, dining rooms and kitchens.
Golf Bookings contact the Pro Shop (02) 6362 4072 Guesthouse bookings and Stay and Play enquiries (02) 6362 3466
Woodward Street Orange NSW 2800 [email protected]
www.duntryleague.com.au
4
13. MOONAH LINKS 2015 RANK: 8 2013 to 2015 and climbing up one more spot
(Legends course) Fingal, Victoria The Dunes has suffered a similar fate to this year. Each voting judge came away from
2015 RANK: 15 Newcastle in dropping out of the top-10 but it Bonville wanting to return as soon as possible,
Golf is meant to be fun and the stunning does not reflect any change to the high quality enthused by the overall golfing experience.
dunescape, combined with a collection of well- of the layout but is the result of two newcomers www.bonvillegolf.com.au
designed and playable holes, make the Legends at the pointy end of the list. The Dunes remains
course very enjoyable. one of this country’s great golfing experiences. 8. THIRTEENTH BEACH
The Ross Perrett design, combined with www.thedunes.com.au (Beach course) Barwon Heads, Victoria
beautiful playing surfaces, make the Legends 2015 RANK: 6
course a mainstay within the top echelon of 10. JOONDALUP RESORT & CC The Beach course is 15 years young but it fits
public access courses in this country. (Quarry/Dune course) Joondalup, in so well with the surrounding dunes that
www.moonahlinks.com.au Western Australia it would be easy to assume it has been in the
2015 RANK: 5 ground for decades. This can be attributed
12. NEWCASTLE GC The Quarry/Dunes layout is one of Australia’s to Tony Cashmore’s terrific design, which
Stockton, NSW most dramatic inland layouts, with most of its is complemented by all-round first-class
2015 RANK: 9 holes being routed around, through or over an conditioning.
Newcastle has slipped out of the top-10 but abandoned limestone quarry. The course offers www.13thbeach.net
this can be attributed to other courses entering the ‘wow’ factor in spades from its creative
the rank in front of it. Newcastle remains one design to the consistently good presentation of 7. LINKS KENNEDY BAY
of the best presented and enjoyable courses to its playing surfaces. Port Kennedy, Western Australia
play in the country. It will be interesting to see www.joondalupresort.com.au 2015 RANK: 3
what effect some new holes will have on the With its undulating greens, penal pot bunkers
course when they are completed. 9. BONVILLE GOLF RESORT and the rippling fairways wedged between vast
www.newcastlegolf.com.au Bonville, NSW tracts of native vegetation, Kennedy Bay remains
2015 RANK: 10 among the elite courses in the country, and the
11. THE DUNES GL Bonville keeps inching its way north in this No.1 public access layout in Western Australia.
Rye, Victoria ranking, having moved up one spot from www.kennedybay.com.au

1
6. BARWON HEADS GC a few months back, Ocean Dunes enters our in this list 12 years ago. Its rank might have
Barwon Heads, Victoria public access ranking for the first time. The changed but the highly-acclaimed layout
2015 RANK: 7 Graeme Grant design covers dramatic seaside remains one of this country’s great golf
Swimming strong against the flow here by terrain with one memorable hole after another. experiences. Working with genuine linksland,
moving up one spot when several in the top-10 The playing surfaces are also first class. architects Tom Doak and Mike Clayton
have been forced down a few spots. Recently www.oceandunes.com.au created a layout that embodies the principles
completed redesign work on the back nine by of minimalist design – wide, windswept and
Neil Crafter and Paul Mogford has enhanced 3. BARNBOUGLE LOST FARM natural-looking.
the overall experience of a round here. Bridport, Tasmania www.barnbougle.com.au
www.bhgc.com.au 2015 RANK: 2
Moves down one place in this rank for the 1. CAPE WICKHAM
5. ST ANDREWS BEACH first time since debuting at No.2 in 2011. Bill King Island, Tasmania
Fingal, Victoria Coore’s routing hugs the sea where possible 2015 RANK: N/R
2015 RANK: 4 but it also takes advantage of the fine golfing Not since 2005 has a course debuted in this
Designed by Tom Doak, the superb golfing landscape found just inland from the beach. ranking at No.1. Cape Wickham has emulated
terrain has given rise to generous fairways This has resulted in a layout that plays to all Barnbougle Dunes’ feat by displacing at the top
and spectacular green complexes. Under points of the compass and, with the ever- of the list. It has been 14 months since the King
the current management team, the layout’s present wind, makes for a wonderful variety of Island layout officially opened for play and the
presentation has been consistently very good. shots during the course of a round. accolades for the Mike DeVries and Darius
As one judge noted: “There are no bad days on www.barnbougle.com.au Oliver design have been widespread and
the course at St Andrews Beach.” glowing. The jaw-dropping oceanside location
www.standrewsbeachgolf.com.au 2. BARNBOUGLE DUNES provided the blank canvas for a playable and
Bridport, Tasmania spectacular course that already ranks among
4. OCEAN DUNES 2015 RANK: 1 the best in the world. If you haven’t played
King Island, Tasmania The course that put Tasmania on the global Cape Wickham, our judges suggest you put it
2015 RANK: N/R golfing map has been knocked out of its No.1 on your ‘to-do’ list as soon as possible.
Having had all 18 holes opened for play just spot for the first time since making its debut www.capewickham.com.au

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30 PREDICTIONS
FOR 2017
Golf in 2016 will be remembered for its first time major
winners and the success of the Olympics. As a new year begins,
we look at who and what will make the headlines in world golf.
PHOTOGRAPHY GETTY IMAGES

3
5 6
W
e saw some extraordinary golf
in 2016. From the greatest
final round in a major at The
JORDAN SPIETH’S MASTERS PRESS
Open, courtesy of Henrik Stenson, to the CONFERENCE WILL BE TWO QUESTIONS
brilliance of Ariya Jutanugarn in the
women’s game, it was a year to remember.
OLD WHEN HE WILL BE ASKED ABOUT
The crystal ball and tea leaves are out as we THE ‘MELTDOWN’...
look ahead to the rest of 2017, which promises
to be another great year. Will we see four first-
time winners again in the majors? Unlikely. and unlike his predecessors Matt Kuchar oversized cheque.
Will the Korean’s dominate women’s golf ?
More than likely.
and Brandt Snedeker, he doesn’t win the
tournament. 5 Jordan Spieth’s Masters press conference
will be two questions old when he will be
Here’s what we believe is in store in this
eagerly anticipated golfing year. 3 Jason Day makes his first appearance on
home soil in four years at the Australian
asked about the ‘meltdown’ that cost him the
green jacket in 2016.
1 Golf Australia and its commercial partners

come to an agreement to leave the OneAsia
Open at The Australian Golf Club.
4 Hopefully we’re wrong about this one.

The World Super 6 event being played at
6 A man-bun will make its first appearance
at a Masters green jacket presentation
ceremony when Curtis Luck claims the
Tour. But there’s nothing in the tea leaves Lake Karrinyup next month will end in farce low amateur prize, emulating Oliver Goss’
to suggest it will join the Australian PGA when the winner is decided by a nearest to performance in 2014 having been the only
Championship as part of the European Tour, the pin play-off on a purpose-built 90-metre amateur to make the cut.
at least not in the foreseeable future while the
Open occupies a November time slot.
hole set up beside the 18th fairway. For a
tournament to be decided in such a way, after 7 In tribute to the late Arnold Palmer, an
empty chair will be placed on Augusta
2 An American player, not competing in

the Presidents Cup picks up a lucrative
appearance fee to play in the Fiji International
four days of competition, is no better than
asking the play-off competitors to play rock-
paper-scissors to see who takes home the
National’s 1st tee for the ceremonial opening
tee shot performed by Jack Nicklaus and Gary
Player.

7
11
8 A play-off will be needed to decide the

Masters and in fading light Jordan Spieth
will a ridiculously long birdie putt to deny
Rickie Fowler and Adam Scott. Those that
have been questioning Spieth’s ability under
pressure will ask for second servings of
humble pie.
9 Tiger Woods will play the Masters

and finish in the top-10. It will be his
best finish in a major for 2017. It won’t be
all bad for the big cat this year. He will
win twice, including a WGC event, and
finish in the top-10 on the PGA Tour
money list.
10 For the first time in the history

of the Presidents Cup, a captain’s
assistant from both teams has to be
replaced as Geoff Ogilvy (Internationals)
and Tiger Woods (US) are selected to play.
11 Having been so close to a major win

at Augusta, Rickie Fowler will claim
his second Players Championship less than a
month later.
12
12 Ariya Jutanugarn will improve on her
fourth placing in 2016 at the LPGA’s

16
18
first major by winning th

and taking the dive into
move her to within two p
the women’s world rank
of six victories in 2017 fo
13 Cameron Smith b
his first win on th
puts him in contention f
selection, adding to the r
Australians in the Intern
14 Su Oh will break
LPGA victory on
the Women’s Australian
Adelaide in front of a rec
15 Minjee Lee will c

victory in 2017, w
being at the Women’s US
16 Adam Scott come

back on the final
the Claret Jug he has yea
sadly, at the expense of h
who bogies Royal Birkda
three-putt to lose to Scot
17 Matt Fitzpatrick
European Tour w
including back-to-back D
Championship titles and
of Merit title and the firs
Luke Donald in 2011 to a
18 After a few near m

Hideki Matsuyam
PGA Championship at Q
Japan’s first major cham
he will play the last hole
his final round takes mo
complete.
19 Applications for
Japanese media f
will double as they follow
Augusta in hope of anoth
20
20 Phil Mickelson w
the World Top-1

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RECAPPING OUR 2016 PREDICTIONS
We nailed some predictions for 2016 but failed 2015 is more solid than spectacular. He wins twice
dismally with others. Here’s how we fared: but not at a major.
NAILED IT… V />;Vijay SinghLIJ>;+"/EKHB;=7B?C8HE=B?E
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pairs event).
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Woods’ best drive comes between the player rooms
TWO DAYS BEFORE V EBKCD?IJ7JB7H=;%E>D#K==7DJ?FF;:KI?DJE 7D:J>;IJJ;;7J#7P;BJ?D;)7J?ED7B7IJ>;J?C;
A;;F?D=7D;O;EDDanny Willett, who won the C7@EHM?DD;H7JJ;D:I?D7DEDFB7O?D=97F79?JO
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REVEAL HE’S >?IH;J?H;C;DJ7<J;HJ>;I;7IED;D:?D=/EKH V Adam ScottC7A;I=EE:ED>?IM;BBLE97B?I;:
FEELING A LITTLE Championship was close. He did it in November.
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OUT OF SORTS ... =;JFKI>;:JE7(ED:7OSD?I>7<J;HFB7OM7I represented by Jason Day and Marc Leishman,
BUT “I’LL BE GOOD suspended due to darkness. He was almost half
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9EKHI;I
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performance at the Waste Management >KH9>;IM7IB;<JL797DJ<HECJ>;FHE<;II?ED7B=EB< Jason DayM?DIJMEC7@EHI?D7HEM
;:=?D=Henrik
Phoenix Open. It will spark plenty of talk about 97B;D:7H<EHIEBED= Stenson, who turns 40 in Masters week, by two
a run at another Masters title for ‘lefty’.
V Jordan Spieth’s;D9EH;7<J;H7H?:?9KBEKIBO=EE: strokes.
21 Jason Day will front the media two days

before the Masters starts and reveal
he’s feeling a little out of sorts with the flu or a
virus “generally just a bit run down” but “I’ll be
good to go for the opening round”. He will end
the year as the leading scorer across all four
majors but won’t add to his US PGA win.
22 Lydia Ko will record her first LPGA

Tour victory for 2017 on home soil
at the co-sanctioned NZ Women’s Open in
Auckland. The World No.1 will then donate
some of her winning purse to victims of the
recent Christchurch earthquakes.
23 Young Aussie pro Cameron Davis will

win somewhere around the globe in
2017. He is a great talent and if given a start in
a handful of PGA Tour events, he’s a big chance
to earn enough money to win a Tour card for
2018.

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24
24 Karrie Webb will announce she is

halving her schedule to 10 events as
she contemplates full-time retirement from
where players will be restricted to using just
three clubs during their rounds. To add some
spice, the final round will be played under
the LPGA. PRESIDENT lights so a fireworks display can be factored in
25 Slow play continues to dog the PGA

Tour, while rounds on the European
Tour drop to record times for the modern era.
DONALD TRUMP
TELLS U.S CAPTAIN
to the entertainment at the venue.
29 There will be a rule controversy at the

US Open. You can take that to the bank.
26 Monday finishes again dog the PGA

Tour, with eight events being pushed STEVE STRICKER 30 President Donald Trump tells US
Captain Steve Stricker “You’re
back a day because they couldn’t be completed
by Sunday evening.
‘YOU’RE FIRED!’ fired!” on the eve of the Sunday singles at the
Presidents Cup after the Americans suffer
ON THE EVE OF
27 The PGA Tour, through its new Tokyo
office, announces a new tournament
to be added to its Asian swing with the co- THE SUNDAY
big losses in the Saturday fourballs and
foursomes. He reinstates assistant captain
Fred Couples but it’s not enough to overcome
sanctioning of one of Japan’s biggest events. SINGLES AT THE the Internationals who claim the Cup for the
28 In the name of exciting concepts for

tournament golf, European Tour chief
executive Keith Pelley announces a new event
PRESIDENTS CUP
first time ever on US soil. A working party is
established to investigate where it all went
wrong.
for the schedule called the Three-Club Classic,

OUR PANEL
READs THE
BRENDAN JAMES
DAMIAN SHUTIE
JOHN HUGGAN
MIKE CLAYTON
TEA LEAVES
Masters winner Jordan Spieth Jordan Spieth Adam Scott Rickie Fowler
US Open winner Jason Day Henrik Stenson Dustin Johnson Jordan Spieth
Open Champion Adam Scott Dustin Johnson Henrik Stenson Henrik Stenson
US PGA winner Hideki Matsuyama Rory McIlroy Thomas Pieters Rory McIlroy
Marc Leishman (top-10

Aussie player to watch bound)
Su Oh Ryan Ruffels Curtis Luck
Global player to watch Thorbjorn Olesen Russell Knox John Rahm Rory McIlroy
South Korea’s Ha Na
Jang will back up her
Brooke Henderson.
A Korean; I forget which three win season on the
Dominant female player Another year older,
one
So Yeon Ryu
LPGA with four more in
another year wiser.
2017. Watch her climb the
rankings.
It’s Re-named Trump

Cup. Internationals win
The Yanks will make light
most points but US win
work of the Internationals
Presidents Cup result Internationals by a point. Widespread indifference anyway because points
yet again. Hope I’m
won by Republican
wrong, but I fear I ain’t.
voting players count
double.
finally realise he has

no more to prove and
that his body just can’t
play 15 events, including Finally fire his manager, continue to use the
handle the rigours of
all the majors, and finish Mark Steinberg, and injuries as an excuse and
Tiger woods will... top-10 of the US money make the world a better fade out of the game.
professional golf any
more. A retirement could
list. place. Same as 2016.
be on the cards for the
greatest player of them
all.
a directive to the
tournament set-up
announcing a PGA Tour
staff to cut down all
event to be staged in
thick rough, especially Fix the ball. He won’t
New PGA Tour Commish Jay around greens, which
Undoing just about
but it’s the easiest thing
Australia, paving the way
Monahan’s first order of will eradicate wedge
everything “achieved” by
he could do to make the
for an eventual three-
business should be…. chop-outs back to the
his predecessor.
tour more interesting.
week Down Under swing
on the world’s elite Tour.
fairway and every chip
We can wish, can’t we?
shot being played with a
lob wedge.
A player leading the US

Open doesn’t ground his
putter behind the ball - it
moves - and the USGA
a player takes a drop
The rules-makers get can’t make its mind up
30cm further from the Phil Mickelson to hole
together and decide to for 6 holes what his score
hole than he should out from a spectator’s
The “it could only happen have and is penalised
protect the equipment is - oh wait……Or the
foot to secure a famous
in golf” moment of 2017 post-round, which
at the expense of the President of the USGA
victor. Hey, it could
venues…what? oh. never calls the winner of the
ultimately costs him the happen – it’s Phil.
mind… US Women’s Open by
tournament.
the wrong name at the
trophy presentation ...
You couldn’t make this
stuff up.

BUBBA

DERSTOOD
Bubba Watson is often portrayed as
awkward and unlikeable, but that couldn’t
be fur her from t e warm engagi g and

A
sense of excitement and
anticipation always accompanies
the prospect of interviewing
one of the world’s top golfers for the
first time. But enthusiasm gave way to a
certain amount of trepidation as my hour
with double Masters champion Bubba
Watson approached. We’ve all heard the
stories. Bubba is the short-fused, France-
hating golfer that none of his fellow PGA
Tour pros would help out if he got into a
fight. Talented and exciting to watch on
the golf course, but very often said to be
difficult and insular away from it.
That’s all well and good, but what if he was
difficult with me? What if he took exception
to a question, or a pose we wanted from
the photo shoot? What if I couldn’t get the
feature angle we wanted? Bubba isn’t the type
of player you get one-on-one for 60 minutes
very often, so the pressure was on.
Fortunately, the Bubba I met was nothing
like the Bubba I was expecting to meet. The
38-year-old was warm and welcoming from
the get-go. Comfortable in his own skin, he
gave thoughtful, expansive and insightful
answers – even on subjects that could have
been considered a little sensitive. The only
slightly touch and go moment occurred when
Golf World editor Nick Wright, after asking
Bubba’s agent if it would be OK to photograph
his player holding his famous pink Ping
driver and being told that it was, went to
retrieve said club from the two-time Masters
champion’s bag.
“Wait, let me do that,” his agent said.
“Bubba doesn’t like anybody touching his
driver. I’d hate to see it go wrong, especially
MY DAD GOT SICK IN 2009 AND
when you’re all getting along so well!” PASSED AWAY IN 2010. I WON MY FIRST
That minor glitch aside, Watson was
charm personified to the point where he even
TOURNAMENT THAT YEAR. WHEN I GOT
insisted on extending the time to answer all INSIDE THE ROPES, I FELT I DIDN’T HAVE
the questions I’d prepared. In short, it was
one of the most enjoyable and enlightening TO DEAL WITH THAT ANYMORE.
interviews I’ve had the pleasure of doing –
and what Bubba told me might just change importance of wh f the house
the way you think about him forever. doing at impact. th your family.
the game have a d d but my dad
Bubba on… teaching himself golf playing – a differe my mom
“My dad gave me a 9-iron when I was six – but they’re all r he youngest
years old and it was the only club I had for consistent at imp and it was us
a year. Instead of playing with toys or doing me just swing the ther. Then
schoolwork, I played golf around my house so it got my hand d at it. But
with plastic golf balls. When I was growing of square. So now till all about
up, all my imagination was playing golf and the golf ball, it’s a time with
hitting shots, but I didn’t really know what my hands leaving
golf was. I just knew I had a stick and a ball face a little open t
and that I was going to make it do something, or closing it a litt a on… making
so that’s how I learnt my creativity. hook.” Tour pro
“I didn’t have a course, so I used my house. earning
I drew a big circle in our dirt driveway for my Bubba on… golf ss was slow
hole and I’d go one way round the house, then family time I first got on
the other way. Over trees, under trees, over “My dad was a ter tionwide Tour
the edge of my house. I began creating the golfer (laughs). H he Web.Com
feeling of hitting a shot and smiling because I no longer with us I’m from a small
got it to do what I dreamed.” I can say that now nd I don’t like
He shot in the 80 wds so I had
Bubba on… the importance of the grip a handful of time n how to deal
“The first thing my dad taught me when he I think. But golf i ving cameras
gave me that club was the grip. Even though about more than of me and how
he was no good at golf, he understood the winning a trophy erviews. When

The new breed of
International americans
He may be portrayed as your typical travel-averse
American, but Bubba Watson has actually played in
more events outside his home country than any other
American in the world’s top 20 in the last five years.
1. 5.
Bubba Jordan
Watson Spieth
22 EVENTS IN 15 EVENTS IN
NINE COUNTRIES 10 COUNTRIES
2016* – Three (Brazil, China, Scotland) 2016* – Three (Abu Dhabi, Scotland, Singapore)
2015 – Seven (Bahamas, Canada, China x 2, 2015 – Four (Australia, Bahamas, China,
Japan, Scotland, Thailand) Scotland)
2014 – Four (China, England, Japan, 2014 – Four (Australia, China, England, Japan)
Thailand) 2013 – Four (China, Colombia, Panama,
2013 – Five (Canada, China, Malaysia, Scotland)
Scotland, Thailand) 2012 – None
2012 – Three (China, England, Thailand)
Bubba on his way to his second 2. 6.

Masters title in 2014. BELOW: The Matt Dustin
returning champion shows off his Kuchar Johnson
second Green Jacket in 2015.
19 EVENTS IN 15 EVENTS IN
10 COUNTRIES SEVEN COUNTRIES
people put a microphone in your face right
after a round, I just tell it how it is. 2016* – Three (Brazil, Canada, Scotland) 2016* – Two (Canada, Scotland)
I was brought up to tell the truth, so why 2015 – Six (Bahamas, Canada, Fiji, Mexico, 2015 – Four (Bahamas, China, Hong Kong,
hide anything? Scotland x 2) Scotland)
I had to learn to back off that a little bit. 2014 – Two (Canada, England) 2014 – Two (Canada, England)
I had to learn to deal with situations where 2013 – Five (Australia x 2, Canada, France, 2013 – Four (Australia, Canada, China,
I got frustrated. Over those three years and Scotland) Scotland)
during my first few years on the PGA Tour I 2012 – Three (Canada, England, Hong Kong) 2012 – Three (China, England, Scotland)
had a lot of peaks and valleys.
“I got so nervous and scared that I never 3. 7.
won on the Nationwide Tour and it took Patrick Phil
me five years to get my first win (the 2010 Reed Mickelson
Travelers Championship on the PGA Tour). 18 EVENTS IN 15 EVENTS IN
I kept battling, fighting and figuring it out. I 11 COUNTRIES SIX COUNTRIES
realised that golf is just a game and it really
has no effect on my life and my family.” 2016* – Three (Brazil, Scotland x 2) 2016* – Two (Scotland x 2)
2015 – Eight (Bahamas, China x 2, Dubai, 2015 – Two (Scotland x 2)
Bubba on… major life changes Hong Kong, Malaysia, Scotland, Switzerland) 2014 – Three (Abu Dhabi, England, Scotland)
“My dad got sick in 2009 and passed away in 2014 – Four (China, England x 2, Malaysia) 2013 – Four (China, Malaysia, Scotland x 2)
2010. 2013 – Two (Canada, Malaysia) 2012 – Four (China, England, Scotland,
I won my first tournament in 2010 because 2012 – One (Colombia) Singapore)
when I got inside the ropes I felt like I didn’t
have to deal with that anymore. I could just 4. 8.
play the game I love. I qualified for the Ryder Rickie Jimmy
Cup for the first time that year and my career Fowler Walker
has improved ever since. 18 EVENTS IN 14 EVENTS IN
“Winning the Masters in 2012 brought me 10 COUNTRIES EIGHT COUNTRIES
back to my rookie season on tour because
guess what, now the media, the crowd, your 2016* – Three (Abu Dhabi, Brazil, Scotland) 2016* – Two (Canada, Scotland)
sponsors all want you more. Now I’m back in 2015 – Six (Abu Dhabi, Bahamas, China, 2015 – Four (Bahamas, Japan, Scotland x 2)
my shell. I’ve got to learn the whole system Ireland, Scotland x 2) 2014 – Three (China, England, Scotland)
that took me nine years to learn again. So 2014 – Three (China, England, Scotland) 2013 – Three (China, Malaysia, Scotland)
that was a tough year for my golf. At the same 2013 – Five (Australia, China, Malaysia, 2012 – Two (Canada, Malaysia)
time, in 2012, I became a dad. We adopted Scotland, Thailand)
Caleb two weeks before the Masters so 2012 – One (England)

becoming a dad and winning just turned my
whole world upside down.”
Bubba on… his performance goals

“We all want to be Tiger Woods but you have
to set a realistic goal for yourself. I said in an
interview once that I wanted to win 10 PGA
Tour events. If you win double digits in this
era you’re really doing something in this day
and age – and I’ll go to my grave saying that to
anybody. Jack Nicklaus is the greatest ever,
don’t get me wrong, but it’s now a world game.
Everyone knows how to practise and train,
and everybody has a psychologist. Jack, and
the people around him back then didn’t have
those resources.”
Bubba on… why majors are (somewhat)

overrated
“We’ve changed our criteria of what makes
a great career. Golf used to be all about
consistency. It used to be great if you made
every cut in a year, but now it’s like, ‘Did you
win?’ Lee Westwood is a great, great golfer
but he’s never won a major so now we down
[knock] him. Why? He’s a legend. If I’d won
42 times, I’d be considered a legend. Colin
Montgomerie is a legend in the game. I’ve
won nine times, 10 if you add Tiger’s Hero
World Challenge. I’m not even close to what After missing out on a captain’s
those guys have done but because I’ve won pick, Bubba revelled in his role
as Team USA vice-captain at
a major, you think I’m better than them. Hazeltine.
They’re way better than me.”
Bubba on… being competitors and Bubba on… cuts and consistency versus
friends winning
“As a Tour player, I want to beat everybody,
but I realise what’s most important. If Rory
“The world would think you’re a great golfer
if you win three times in a year but miss all
I’VE HAD BAD
beats me because he hit better shots than me, your other cuts. Our attention span is so PRESS, FOR SURE,
then I can’t be mad at him. I shake his hand short these days that you just look at what
and congratulate him. Am I not going to be happened last week or a player’s wins. Even BUT I WANT TO BE
friends with him because he beat me? No. I
can sit here and say McIlroy is better than me
I forget what I’ve done myself. Sometimes,
I’ll think I haven’t been playing well and
REMEMBERED AS A
so I shouldn’t talk to him, but we’re friends. then I’ll go, ‘Wait, I’ve won this year’. When GOOD GUY. I DON’T
We’re trying to be the best Bubba or Rory we
can be. There are going to be weeks
Rory missed a few cuts a couple of years ago,
everyone was questioning him. Then he wins
CARE IF I WAS CON-
I beat him… hopefully. You just think ‘I’m two majors and everyone’s calling him the SIDERED A GREAT
going to beat you next time.’ But we do it in a greatest.
friendly way. You’re going to go crazy if you “When I won the Masters in 2012, GOLFER.
don’t have any friends.” everyone was talking about it on Monday, but
He married former Watson announced himself with a 407-yard

A LONG AND basketball player drive on the way to a 4th-place finish in his first
WINDING ROAD Angela, who he
met at college in
event of the season, the Sony Open in Hawaii.
He finished 90th on the money list and led the
Bubba’s route to the top is punctuated by
Georgia. tour in driving distance with 319.6 yards.
mountainous highs and cavernous lows.
2003 2004 2005 2006 2008

Watson turned He earned the final PGA He made it
professional and finishes Tour card for the following to the Tour
63rd on the second-tier season by finishing 21st Championship for
Nationwide Tour, with on the Nationwide Tour the first time and
two top 10s and 13 cuts money list, including a 2nd finished 30th in the
made from 21 starts. and a 3rd. FedEx Cup.

by Tuesday everybody was talking about who ran with it. I know from the bottom of my
was going to win the next event. Fatherhood heart that none of it was true and my team
has helped me, but I’m a human being so knows I didn’t do or say anything wrong.
y. But my wife But I got blasted for it, nonetheless. If my
e. They make life revolves around golf and the media that
the same surrounds golf then, man, I’m a loser. People
am around are going to write negative stuff whether it’s
ause I’m so true or not.
ing.” But I understand that.”
the media Bubba on… his longstanding relationship

is what’s with Ping
ut in reality “I’ve played Ping since I was eight. I’m all
the outside about loyalty and I hate switching. Ping
edia trying is a family-owned company with a family
here in the atmosphere and I have no reason to switch.
king a cut John Solheim is a brilliant mind and he’s all
o years I’ve about making things better for everybody.
nd the Open He’s not trying to make gimmicky products.
se events. I’ve always just enjoyed hanging out with
e because him. I didn’t really know my granddad and
twice. But no one can ever replace my dad, but he’s been
hat sells, and the closest thing. When I say something
vity. Bubba wrong, he lets me know about it, but when I
y to a charity do something good he always gets in contact,
if Bubba too. It’s a close relationship.”
emper that
Bubba on… giving back to golf through
the Olympics
ch trip “I played in the Olympics because it’s about
ssed the cut giving back what’s been given to me. Golf
French Open, has taken me around the world. People don’t
our of the leave from my hometown and there’s not an
course and industry there where people make a ton of
merican money so my parents didn’t have a lot. So
e iconic for me to go around the world because of
wer” (the golf, I need to give back to it. The Olympics
ding starting shows golf to the world and encourages more
d “this arch people to get outside and enjoy this beautiful
” (Arc de creation of the Earth that we have.”
ay that Bubba on… his legacy

of our year “I’ve had some bad press, for sure, but I want
die, manager to be remembered as a good guy. I really don’t
nd we did so care if I was considered a great golfer. The
achievements on the golf course are for my
eek but it’s own personal satisfaction. I want people
t get paid to to say I was a giver – a good man, a good
nfortunately, husband, a good father, a good friend. And
and everybody who cares what he did as a golfer?”
Watson secured his first victory at the Adopted Caleb before Won his second Travelers Championship
Travelers Championship, lost to Martin Kaymer winning the Masters to go and Hero World Challenge in the
in a play-off at the US PGA Championship and 4th in the world rankings. Bahamas. ESPN poll revealed Watson
made his Ryder Cup debut at Celtic Manor. His Made his second Ryder Cup as the pro fellow tour golfers would be
father Gerry died in October. appearance at Medinah. least prone to help in a fight.
2010 2011 2012 2014 2015 2016

He won his second and Second Masters win took Watson secured his second
third PGA Tour events him from 30th to 4th in the Northern Trust Open – his 10th
but attracted negative world. Sealed two further career title if you count the Hero
headlines after missing wins and a third Ryder Cup World Challenge. He was a vice-
the cut at the French spot. Adopted daughter captain on America’s victorious
Open. Dakota. Ryder Cup team.

P UP
KEE
T UP
HU
If you think caddieing in a professional tournament is simply about toting a golf
bag and grabbing a flag or two, think again.
WORDS STEVE KEIPERT PHOTOGRAPHY BRENDAN JAMES
T
he time-honoured maxim of ‘loopers’ who do it week in, week out. It’s than most pros. The host course, Stonecutters
caddieing reminds us there are a far more intricate job than it appears, Ridge in Sydney’s north-west, is my home
three basic tenets to the job: show even when the player calculates his own club and I have logged more than 200 rounds
up, keep up and shut up. After four days distances as Deyen did. there since the course opened in 2012.
carrying Victorian professional Deyen I ventured into the role hoping to be of The tee-to-green strategy of the layout is
Lawson’s bag at the New South Wales some assistance to a player who freely admits straightforward enough to decipher even
Open, I have a fresh admiration for the he’s more relaxed during tournament play in swirling winds, but it can be useful to

Deyen Lawson does the
numbers during the second
round of the NSW Open.
intimately know the terrain around the greens on his clubs are such that even a slightly
and to recognise how to approach certain pin overzealous replacement in the bag can put
positions. them out of kilter. No problem, I thought. Just
We met on the Monday practice round as I KEPT WANTING put the clubs back in gently. I did drop the
Deyen and Ben Clementson played 11 holes hybrid’s headcover at one point – ironically to
to reacquaint themselves with the layout. TO PUT HIS PUTTER jot down notes for this story – but fortunately
Deyen played the NSW Open the previous
year; Ben contested both previous editions at
BESIDE THE my ‘walk of shame’ was only a few paces
backwards. I also kept wanting to put his
Stonecutters (his claim to fame was holing WEDGES ... THAT’S putter back in the lower part of his bag beside
out for eagle at the long par-4 8th two days in
a row one year). On a warm, sunny spring day
WHERE I KEEP the wedges, simply because that’s where I
keep mine. But Deyen prefers his flatstick
we became accustomed to each other and the MINE. BUT DEYEN kept up alongside the woods.
golf course. I pointed out a few potentially The practice round was instructive. Deyen
tricky pin positions and the likely wind PREFERS HIS is a true feel player, so much so that he plays
directions as the pair played a casual match
that my player lost on the last green.
FLATSTICK KEPT without a glove, and when the opportunity
arises he likes to take on shots that others
Lawson, for those unfamiliar with him, UP ALONGSIDE THE might call high-risk. His relaxed manner and
is a 25-year-old from the Geelong area. In approach to golf had the happy side effect of
a terrific advertisement for the benefits WOODS. helping me relax in this unfamiliar role.
of a PGA traineeship, he completed his
in late 2015 before gaining a PGA Tour of SHOWTIME!
Australasia card by sharing 18th place at Practice ranges are fascinating places to
qualifying school. In 2016 he enjoyed a great liked straight away. He scoffed at my observe at professional tournaments. Who’s
year, finishing in the top-ten at the New decision to down a soft drink instead of a chatting? Who’s silent? Who’s merely
Zealand Open, WA PGA, NT PGA and South beer after Thursday’s first 18 and when I warming up? Who’s trying to reconstruct a
Pacific Open. Only three times did he miss did opt for the beer after Friday’s round, he swing minutes before their tee-time? On the
the cut and came into the NSW Open sitting uttered a derogatory remark about the one Thursday afternoon of the NSW Open, Deyen
tenth on the order of merit with $62,449 in I chose, which then became a running joke Lawson went to work, pitching and chipping,
prizemoney. between us. spending ample time around the short-game
Deyen’s nickname is ‘Digger’ or ‘Digs’, and The player gave this caddie only one area before hitting all the even-numbered
he doesn’t mind making a few sly digs, a trait I instruction of note. The wrap-style grips irons then a single hybrid shot and some

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3-woods. The compact practice range at during the second round, he began to seek leave you to it.” Six shots back at the halfway
Stonecutters prevented players from hitting my confirmation on a few reads. At times it mark and tied for eighth, there was still
drivers, although at least one player did so helped, but nowhere near as many putts fell as plenty of time for this new philosophy on the
despite the risk of a breach notice and $500 had toppled a day earlier. When his second- greens to bear fruit. With weekend tee-times
fine from the Tour. Deyen warned me that round 70 closed with three straight uphill 12- secured, there was reason for optimism.
about the only request he’ll ask during his foot birdie chances that each went begging, Deyen doesn’t use a Tour bag and instead
warm-up is to know what time it is, for fear of I carried only a standard stand bag with
cutting it too fine for his tee-time. retractable legs. I wouldn’t describe it as
Our playing partners were course-record heavy yet it was heavy enough. I did jokingly
holder and former Australian Amateur ask whether he’d added a brick or two, which
champion Rohan Blizard, whose father
Graham caddied for him. The other member
AS FOR through the years has been a traditional
caddie initiation. To me the bag and its
of our group was Thai player Chanat OTHER CADDIE contents felt evenly weighted, which might
Sakulpolphaisan, who also had a first-time
caddie on the bag. Deyen started slowly,
PROTOCOLS, THERE be as important as its overall mass. During
the second round, a friend in the gallery
dropping a shot via a greenside bunker at the IS AN ETIQUETTE mentioned that the bag looked like it was
3rd hole, before coming to life. In need of a sitting too low across my back. If it was,
spark, he parked a neat 7-iron below the cup TO HANDLING it didn’t feel uncomfortable, although on
on our tough par-3 6th hole and calmly rolled
in the putt for his first birdie. He walked over
THE FLAG THAT Saturday I adjusted the straps slightly. I felt
no back pain during or after rounds, or in the
to me with a little more spring in his step, his DIFFERS SLIGHTLY days after the tournament. There was a little
clenched fist outstretched. I’m not normally ‘fire’ in my hip flexors once I stopped after
a big ‘fist bump’ guy, but he was the boss this FROM THE WAY both the first two rounds, but that sensation
week so if birdies needed to be celebrated
with a fist bump, I was only too happy to
CLUB GOLFERS was gone by Sunday morning.
As for other caddie protocols, there is an
acquiesce. What followed that afternoon were DO IT... etiquette to handling the flag that differs
eight more fist bumps as Deyen plucked nine slightly from the way club golfers do it during
birdies from the last 13 holes to shoot 64 and casual play. Depending on the group, the
sit in fourth place overnight. standard procedure is for the caddie of the
As putt after putt dropped on Thursday we walked off the green vowing to alter our player furthest from the hole to remove the
afternoon, there was no way I was going to approach to green-reading for the weekend. pin. From there, it might be handed between
suggest altering our procedure on the greens. “I normally just see the line and hit it,” the caddies once or twice, with the caddie of
I consider myself a pretty good green- Deyen lamented. “OK, from now on, I’ll only the player who will putt out last returning the
reader but so does Deyen, so I left him to it come in if you aren’t sure of the line or want flag to the cup. It doesn’t always work that
in the first round. However, at some point confirmation,” I suggested. “Otherwise I’ll way – for instance, the caddie whose player

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Keeping the grooves and clubs
clean for every shot is a big part
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is ‘away’ might be raking a bunker, in which business unless there’s a hold-up in play. takeaway was just how good these guys are (in
case the other caddies will step in and even The practice range is the real gold mine as case I’d needed any further convincing).
clean another player’s ball – but that’s the gentle and not-so-gentle jibes fly like divots.
‘rule’. I hit the caddie ‘trifecta’ on the 11th A comment Peter Lonard made to us on the TRYING TO FINISH THE JOB
green on Saturday when Deyen faced a long range on Sunday morning that cannot be After two days of ideal conditions – and
putt and needed the pin tended. But to avoid repeated here had me trying hard not to laugh scores to match – Saturday afternoon
my shadow and the flag’s shadow being a uncontrollably. turned hot and blustery. I’ve seen the strong
distraction, I would have had to put my feet Know this: the players do get angry but nor’wester plenty of times, and while it
right on playing partner Jake Higginbottom’s they are excellent at shaking it off. They makes Stonecutters’ par-5s play downwind,
line. So I edged close to his line but not on it to are brilliant at switching ‘on’ and ‘off ’ it toughens the par-3s and longer par-4s.
try to keep everyone happy. That sort of fancy between shots and at expelling any anger or Given it is almost always much stronger
footwork must go on all the time. disappointment but then getting on with it. I than a zephyr, the nor’wester is arguably the
There is also common-sense stuff you saw several truly horrible shots but on almost course’s toughest wind. The par-4 12th hole
figure out on the run. I’d never thought every occasion the damage was limited. On went from a 3-wood and gap wedge on Friday
about it before, but it just made sense to use the Saturday, Higginbottom half-shanked his to a driver and 5-iron on Saturday. However,
the towel to hold the heads of the irons and tee shot off the 5th into wetlands. He cursed, two holes later Deyen struck his best shot
wedges while walking to stop them rattling. naturally, but within 30 seconds there was a of the tournament. With the tees moved up
I’m certain I left the bag in the ‘wrong’ place broad grin on his face. Almost predictably, he at the 370-metre 14th to have it play about
a few times or breached some other minor somehow conjured a bogey from a position 310 metres, he rode the helping wind with a
etiquette points here and there just through the average golfer would make a double or pinpoint driver that scampered up the steep
sheer lack of experience, but I don’t think worse. A day earlier, Blizard found himself in tier in the green and settled three feet below
I committed a sin worse than my practice- a predicament in the water hazard beside the the hole for a tap-in eagle. It repaired the
round indiscretion with the headcover. 16th green, sitting no closer to the hole after damage of a double-bogey two holes earlier as
Standing so close to the players is a four swings than he was after one. Yet he, a third-round 70 left him tied for 16th.
fantastic place to hear the great banter that too, managed to limit the damage from there After sweating on it for most of the week,
goes on between them – when the time is – and to birdie the next hole. There were bad Deyen learned of his entry into the next
right. On the course, it’s pretty much all- shots, no question, but skill-wise, my overall week’s Australian Open overnight between

the third and fourth rounds. Maybe it was the
relief of hearing that news or perhaps it was
the fact he now sat ten shots behind Adam
Blyth’s lead, but his final-round warm-up was
subtly different. Until then, his process had
been identical: pitch, chip and bunker shots
first, then full swings working progressively
down through the even-numbered clubs and
onto the woods before heading to the putting
green. On Sunday, however, he went through
his warm-up a touch faster and also hit
different clubs. That he double-bogeyed
the par-5 1st – a hole where he enjoyed no
luck all week – might have been a flow-on
effect. It also might have been down to the
bad lie in the greenside bunker. Who knows?
That’s golf.
The upshot of his tournament was a mid-
field finish, which was disappointing after
such a bright start. Ultimately, Deyen couldn’t
rediscover the magic on the greens he found
on the Thursday afternoon and fell backwards
on Sunday. Rounds of 64-70-70-74 left him at
AFTER MORE
THAN FOUR LAPS
OF MY HOME
COURSE WITHOUT
STRIKING A SHOT,
I DID NOTICE
PERIPHERAL
FEATURES THAT I
HADN’T SPOTTED
BEFORE...
ten-under and tied for 49th, 13 shots behind

Blyth. He earned $1,600 for the week.
There were some odd moments during
the four days. The second round fell on
Remembrance Day and while walking along
the 3rd fairway that morning, the siren that is
used to suspend play in bad weather sounded.
Our whole group looked skyward and saw
nothing but a blanket of blue, save for the odd
wispy cloud. Amid the confusion, I asked,
“Is it 11 o’clock?” Turns out it was, although
according to the three players, the PGA Tour
of Australasia had given no warning that a
Remembrance Day observation would take
place. A minute later, the siren sounded for
a second time and play resumed, with Deyen
birdieing the hole from ten feet. seeing the pros pick apart Stonecutters will had been deposited. Within the small field
After more than four laps of my home help me play the course a little better. My provided for the transaction description read
course without striking a shot, I did notice course management might be a strength, but the words: “Keep up, shut up.” Was it advice?
peripheral features that I hadn’t spotted there are now a couple of holes I will approach Maybe. But I prefer to think of it as Deyen
before simply because I wasn’t lost in the differently based on what I saw – even though Lawson showing his comfort level with an
headspace of my own game. For instance, the way I play the game varies dramatically unfamiliar and one-off sidekick. Either way,
there’s a series of glorious red flowering from how they go about it. the eternal caddie mantra clearly holds true
bushes along the left side of our 2nd hole that A few days after the NSW Open, I checked whether you’ve been ‘looping’ for four days or
I’m sure I hadn’t noted before. I also suspect my bank account and found a sum of money four decades.

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ON THE FUTURE ON REINING

OF THE GAME... BACK THE BALL...
‘For Tour players, the game ‘It goes 50 yards too far... and
has never been so healthy’ it’s killing the game’
YER’ WORDS KEVIN BROWN
PHOTOGRAPHY PAUL SEVERN,
GETTY IMAGES
ON HIS GREATEST ON LIVING UNTIL

ACHIEVEMENT... HE’S 100...
‘Beating Jack, Arnie & Co to ‘I don’t eat dinner – that is
the Senior Slam is my No.1’ what kills your health’
Still got it! Player shot
lower than his age in every
round he played last year.
G
ary Player was, in a sense, at home. age of 33 it’s regarded as freakish. In golf, you closing down because they’re not able to make
He was holding court in the lounge haven’t really reached your prime at 33, so it financially. Why? Because of the golf ball.
of his smart hotel near Wentworth there’s a vast difference. They’ve let the golf ball go 50 yards further
in Surrey and he was in his element. I saw an article in a UK national newspaper than when we played – now a pro goes to a
While tucking into afternoon tea – making claiming that Andy Murray is the greatest course and he hits a driver and 7-iron to a par 5
sure to remove the middle, doughy part of his sportsman Britain has ever produced. How can so the first thing the committee ask – and I’ve
sizeable scone – the Black Knight was putting that be? He’s won three Majors – Nick Faldo seen this happen a lot in South Africa – is shall
the world to rights. has won six! And let me tell you, when you win we make it longer? And I say you’re never going
The legendary South African has a view Wimbledon you’ve got to beat seven people – to see a pro here again in your life! So the pros
on everything, and when he talks, everybody when you win The Open you’ve got to beat 156. are not important at all and the members must
listens. His views are often forthright Also, at Wimbledon you’re playing in the same stop changing their courses and spending all
and controversial, but he talks from vast conditions – wind, cold or hot – it’s the same this money.
experience... and he talks a lot of sense. for everybody, whereas in The Open you might Another thing – and you in Britain probably
How can you ignore the thoughts of tee off in the morning and play in a howling can’t appreciate what I’m saying – we’re
somebody who has won nine Majors, more wind and shoot 76 and play better than the running out of water. The world is running out
than 167 professional tournaments, and is one man who shot 70 in the af i l f d b 2025 h world will
of only five players to achieve the Grand Slam weather. Even the textur short of water. Think
– and the only one to claim all of the senior changes between 7am a ike South Africa
Major Championships? Let me tell you, if Jack N r places just don’t
The answer is, you can’t… to beat seven people he w or precious little.
won 50 Majors! hey’re building these
GOLF IS GREAT BECAUSE... and making them
Firstly, it’s a great education. To travel, HOW I SEE THE FUT they’re running out
without question, is the best education a OF THE GAME ater. I don’t believe
man can obtain and playing golf, especially For Tour players, the course should be
professionally, enables you to do that. Instead game has never been so wed to survive
of studying and learning about events, you’re healthy. For an ordinary ess they use refined
experiencing them, from everything from tournament now you wage water. Water for
politics to health and education and colleges, get a $1m first prize. golf course keeps
schools to cultures, to religions. It’s all Galleries are enormous, 000 people alive for
experiencing it instead of reading about it. TV coverage and media ar, so we can’t afford
The other reason golf is so great is longevity: massive. But the amateu t courses survive on
I won a tournament on the US Senior Tour at game has never been so water – we’ve got to
63 and you can’t do that in tennis or boxing or bad. It’s hurting. Round inue to use effluent
whatever. If you do that in tennis beyond the are down. Courses are r.

And another thing... Player
pulls no punches as he
chats to TG’s Kevin Brown.
It’s mine
Player lifted the
Claret Jug in
1959, 1968 and
1974.
Big three
The game’s
icons, at
Augusta
National.
HOW I’D MAKE GOLF MORE POPULAR live in different times. When now. We spent time at tournaments staying
We’ve got to cut the ball back 50 yards for I was a young man, men worked and women with members in their homes. You wouldn’t
the pros and stop building longer and more didn’t. Now everybody works to make ends see that today. It’s a natural evolvement, but
difficult courses that the members can’t play. meet so we want more family time because our time with amateurs, members, and the man
What they do is they make the greens too a lot of people don’t see their children a lot in the street, was something I enjoyed that they
undulating, they put bunkers in front of the during the week. don’t have the luxury of doing today. From a
green… I saw this in Germany the other day money point of view, I’d love to be playing. You
with the ladies and elderly gents I was playing can be an ordinary player today and still make
with – not one out of 80 players could stop millions – in our time you had to be in the top
the ball on the green. Not one. You can’t build three to make millions.
courses with bunkers in front of the greens any HOGAN WENT TO
more. You can’t build any crazy, undulating
greens, which nearly all architects are
WAR FOR FIVE THE GREATEST I’VE EVER SEEN WAS…
Ben Hogan. The best tennis player who ever
currently doing. They’re nuts! YEARS, THEN HAD lived – Australian Rod Laver – wasn’t allowed
You’ve got to make courses playable and to play in a Major Championship for five years
enjoyable for the members. They have a A CAR ACCIDENT, in his prime because he was a professional,
perfect golf course, but next thing you know,
in they (architects) come, bring the sky in, put
SO FOR 32 MAJORS and it was only open for amateurs at that stage.
Golf-wise, Hogan went to war in his prime for
deep bunkers in front of the greens, create IN HIS PRIME HE five years, then had a car accident, so for 32
undulating greens. The usual result is that
the members hate it and they resign… in their
NEVER PLAYED. Majors in his prime he never played. But he
still won nine of them! That’s on an ‘if’ basis.
millions. Now the costs are up so the clubs levy BUT HE STILL WON But the greatest player who ever lived is Jack
their members, and members leave because Nicklaus. You’ve got to go by the record books.
they don’t want to be levied. NINE OF THEM! It’s like a business – don’t tell me how good
your business is if it’s got a bad bottom line.
I’D GET MORE YOUNGSTERS PLAYING The record books tell you who’s the best – and
BY… with 18 Majors, that person is Jack.
I was informed of a great idea in the US where, I WISH I COULD HAVE PLAYED
at 5pm, they have a shut down and just let the AGAINST… MY OWN GREATEST MOMENT…
kids go out and play golf. This can only do good, I’d love to be playing today. I’m not sorry Winning the Senior Grand Slam and being
giving the youngsters something to aspire to. I played when I played – to play against the the only man ever to do it. Nicklaus, Palmer,
I’ve just designed a 12-hole course in America, best the world has ever seen like Hogan, Snead, Trevino, Watson… they all tried and to achieve
and it’s so popular. You go there and within two Nelson, Locke, Palmer, Nicklaus, Trevino, that after 50 is tough, ‘though I was as fit at 50
hours you’re finished and spend the rest of the Casper, Floyd, Irwin – was a thrill for me. And as I was at 20!’ I’m not going to say I’m the only
day with the family or whatever. Remember we I enjoyed my time… maybe more than I would one, but I don’t know how many other athletes

Olympic team
Player captained Jaco van Zyl and PLAYER BY NUMBERS
Brandon Stone at the Rio Games.
Majors, air miles,

steps and horses…
R Five-time winner of World Match Play
Championship.
R Winner of a record seven Australian Opens.
R Won his native South African Open a record
13 times.
R Has victories in 27 consecutive years.
R Shot 59, which was until this year the lowest
score ever in professional golf, in winning the
1974 Brazilian Open.
R Has designed nearly 400 golf courses
in 38 countries.
R Has bred more than 2,600 winning
thoroughbred race horses around the world.
R Has banked more than $16m in combined
worldwide earnings.
R Widely recognised as the world’s most
travelled athlete, clocking up over 26 million
air kilometres.
R Has walked more than 50 million steps
during his lifetime.
R Has raised more than $62m for charities
worldwide throughThe Player Foundation.
R Hosts the annual Berenberg Gary Player
Invitational at Wentworth, with the 2016 even
raising $150,000.
QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE BLACK KNIGHT

MY GREATEST MOMENT? BEING THE ONLY 1 Player begins his day by drinking green juice
MAN EVER TO DO THE SENIOR GRAND and exercising with 1,000 sit-ups, 250 leg lifts,
speed running and stretching.
SLAM. NICKLAUS, PALMER, TREVINO AND 2 He says he’s hit more than 11 million balls
WATSON ALL TRIED TO DO IT during his professional career.
3 He will celebrate 60 years of marriage with
wife Vivienne in the new year.
4 He made his 31st hole-in-one in this year’s
can say that? You can probably count them on withdraw. I couldn’t understand it. I’ve just Par 3 event at Augusta, aged 80.
one hand. That was a big, big plus for me. got back from Zambia and there was more of 5 He broke his age in every round of golf he
a chance of getting malaria there than i played last year
I KEEP FIT BY… but that didn’t stop me going. I’d hav
Well, yesterday I did 1,300 sit ups, then ran on anything to add a gold medal to my li
the treadmill at max and pushed 300lb with Majors. It was a huge platform for th
my legs and did 100 push ups… plus all the and hopefully the game will spring u
other regular exercises. I have a good breakfast mushroom in the field in the smaller
and good lunch but no dinner. You don’t need
dinner and dinner is what kills your health – HEALTH IS EVERYTHING
you go to bed with a full stomach and no way of I sincerely hope so and I should live Stay healthy
Player starts
digesting it. I don’t miss it. Sometimes I have to But you never know with accidents a every day with
have dinner because I have functions to attend, diseases, that might not happen. But a green juice
but you’ll see I just have a few little bits. more importantly, we’ve got to start t and exercise.
our children the importance of being
HOW GOOD WAS GOLF IN THE healthy. Schools have a big role to pla
OLYMPICS... this, but have got to wake up. It’s n
It exceeded all expectations and surely etched academics that matter… it’s common
its mark in Olympic folklore. The golf was in life that is equally important and
not only a huge success, but also a beautiful neglecting that. All we’re doing is foc
spectacle put on by some amazing golfers and on academics. But health is everyt
watched by thousands of appreciative fans.
Long live golf at the Olympics! Gary was interviewed at the Berenbe
For me, it was a tragedy that so many top Gary Player Invitational, one of the w
players pulled out, mainly because of the zika leading charitable golf events. For mo
virus. We battled so hard to get golf in the details, visit garyplayer invitational
Olympics only for many leading players to europe

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PLAY
GREAT THIS
WEEKEND
SHOOT
YOUR BEST
SCORE
Our tee-to-green guide will help improve each area of your game.
ONE OF the great things about golf is the sense of Sadly, those hopes are often dashed by the 2nd
anticipation that accompanies every walk to the first tee. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Good scoring
tee. Will this be the day when everything falls into place is a product of good preparation and smart on-
– a round where every drive hits the fairway, every iron course thinking. Whether you’re a beginner, a mid-
shot flies crisply out of the centre of the clubface, every handicapper or a single-figure golfer, over the next five
lag putt rolls dead and every 4-footer dives straight into pages, we show you how to take a professional approach
the middle of the hole? to all of the key areas of the game.

ON THE TEE The modern driver gives you distance and forgiveness.
Here’s how to take advantage of those benefits.
1. FOCUS ON AIM AND ALIGNMENT 2. KEEP GRIP PRESSURE LIGHT 3. KEEP HEAD BEHIND THE BALL
Poor driver alignment can put you deep Nothing robs your drives of distance and accuracy Hitting too early with the shoulders will destroy your
in the trees or out-of-bounds. If you’re missing more than tension in your hands. Hold the club as timing. Watch any Tour pro and you’ll see their head
fairways, review your alignment. Simply setting up to lightly as you can without feeling that you’ll lose remains behind the ball at impact. Fire your trail
the ball better will improve your accuracy and power. control. You’ll hit it longer AND straighter. shoulder down and through the ball.
4. SET UP FOR POWER

AND CONTROL
To maximise your distance with the
modern oversized driver, you’ve got
to tee the ball high and maintain
the loft on the clubface through
impact. That starts at address. Give
yourself a wide base with your feet
shoulder width apart. Play the ball
forward in your stance, opposite
your lead heel, so that your lead
arm and the clubshaft form pretty
much a straight line. And keep your
trail shoulder low to help you make
a full turn behind the ball.
KEEP YOURSELF IN PLAY CUSTOM FIT YOUR DRIVER USE THE TEE BOX
BREAK
Dipping below 100 is about
BREAK
You need to drive well to
BREAK
Look at the shape of
staying in the hole. The extra play single-figure golf. the hole, where you want
100 loft on a hybrid or fairway

wood will help keep the ball
on line and increase your
confidence.
90 For maximum power and
control, work with a fitter to
find a driver with specs that
match your swing.
80 your tee shot to finish then
choose a teeing position that
gives you the best chance of
getting there.

FROM THE FAIRWAY Improving your ball-striking will help
you hit more greens. Use these four tips.
5. PERFECT YOUR IRON POSTURE 6. AIM THE CLUB CAREFULLY 7. KEEP YOUR SWING COMPACT
Great iron play stems from being balanced and athletic Build good alignment into your pre-shot routine. Start Watch any of the world’s top players and you’ll notice
at address. Stand tall with your knees lightly flexed. by carefully aiming the face at your target, then build their backswings rarely go beyond parallel. If you
Keep your weight balanced between your heels and your stance around it. Poor aim causes more swing overswing, chances are you have to reroute the club
toes, and tilt from your hips not your waist. faults and offline shots than any other flaw. back onto the correct plane coming down.
8. TAKE A GOOD DIVOT

Solid ball-striking is all about
compressing the ball at impact. The
tell-tale sign is a good divot, which
is removed after you’ve struck
the ball. To encourage the slight
descending blow into the ball you
need, focus on keeping your hands
ahead of the clubface through the
hitting area.
STICK TO MID-IRONS GET REAL ON YARDAGE PIN-HIGH EVERY TIME
BREAK
Avoid hitting difficult long
BREAK
Golf is a game of numbers.
BREAK
You’ll be amazed at how
irons into greens. Instead Know how far you hit close to the hole your ball
100 choose mid-irons. You’ll hit

them straighter and cleaner,
and the extra loft is more
forgiving.
90 each club. Then factor in
gradient, wind and even
a slight mishit to help you
select the right club.
80 will finish on the green if
you’re pin high. Crooked
and short, however, is a
score wrecker.

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OFF THE GREEN Blending a consistent technique with good
strategy is the key to short game success.
9. TAKE SLOPE INTO ACCOUNT 10. PLAY BALL IN MIDDLE OF STANCE 11. RELEASE THE RIGHT HAND
Even good golfers can be guilty of not reading chip shots We’re often told to play the ball back in the stance and The old wisdom of chipping was to keep the hands
carefully enough. The best chippers understand that set the weight on the front foot at address. All that does ahead of the ball at impact. Modern theory is to release
getting the ball rolling on the right line is the difference is bring the sharp leading edge into play. Instead, keep the right hand under the ball to use the bounce. Not to
between leaving a tap-in or a tricky 5-footer. your weight and the ball position centred. be confused with ‘flicking’ at the ball, however!
12. WORK OUT YOUR CARRY/ROLL RATIOS

For the most part, it’s a good idea to land the ball on the
green when chipping so it can run out to the hole. The
skill is calculating which club enables you to do this. A lob
wedge will fly the ball high but the loft will stop the ball
running too far when it lands. Your 8-iron will come out
lower and run more. For maximum consistency, try to use a
club that gives you equal air and ground time.
USE YOUR PUTTING STROKE LAND IT ON THE GREEN VARY YOUR TECHNIQUE
BREAK
Using your putting technique
BREAK
Always try to land chips on
BREAK
Develop a wide repertoire
for short-range chips will the green where you can of recovery shots. Switch
100 help you avoid having to

learn another new technique.
Keeping it simple takes
disasters out of play.
90 predict how the ball will roll.
Landing the ball on grassier
areas around the green is
more risky.
80 your ball position, clubhead
release and club to create
shots of differing trajectories
and spin.

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FROM THE SAND Learn the concepts and techniques that will
help you make the right contact with the sand.
13. SET YOUR LEFT SHOULDER LOW 14. KEEP THE CLUB ON PLANE 15. RELEASE DOWN INTO THE SAND
Rather than setting up to play a splash shot as you You may have been told in the past that you need to The sole on your sand wedge is designed to prevent
would a full approach from the fairway, set your left swing the club outside the line on the backswing and the leading edge from digging deeply into the sand.
shoulder lower. This helps you control the shot with cut across it at impact. No need. Simply keep the club Trust the club to do its job, release it confidently and
your body and prevents digging deep into the sand. on its regular neutral plane. keep the grooves facing the sky in the follow-through.
16. TAKE A LONG DIVOT

As with many long-held beliefs about
bunker play that have been left by the
wayside in recent years, the concept of
hitting several inches behind the ball
is an outdated piece of advice. Instead
of splashing the clubhead down into the
sand two inches behind the ball, think
about removing a long, shallow strip
of sand through impact.
GET OUT FIRST TIME LEAVE A MAKEABLE PUTT MAKE SAND YOUR
BREAK
Too many rounds crash and
BREAK
As you develop, don’t let
BREAK
STRENGTH
burn in the sand. Develop bunker play become the Many single-figure golfers
100 a technique that enables

you to get out every time.
You can refine your feel and
control later.
90 weak part of your game. Your
goal is never to take more
than three shots to get up
and down.
80 are, in fact, miserable bunker
players. Your goal should be
to get up and down from the
sand about 50% of the time.

ON THE GREEN Sound fundamentals and sharper green-reading
will help you hole more putts. These tips will help.
17. READ PUTTS FROM BOTH SIDES 18. RELAX YOUR GRIP PRESSURE 19. GRIP POINTS AT STERNUM
You should always read a putt from behind the ball, but Nothing ruins your feel on long-range putts quicker The putting stroke is actually a very simple movement.
slope is often more visible when viewed from behind than a tight grip. On those important lag putts, you need There’s no need to get bogged down by complicated
the hole. You can do this quickly while your partners to be able to feel the weight of the putter head. On a theory. For a simple swing thought, simply keep the grip
are preparing so as not to hold up play. scale of 1-10, hold the club at a pressure of 2. pointing at your chest back and through.
20. FOCUS ON BASICS

The three most important parts of putting
are aim, posture and stroke. Carefully
align the putter to your target and build
the process into your routine. Get your
eyes as close as possible to directly
over the ball and your forearms in line
with the puttershaft. Now relax and
focus on the putt, not the technicalities
of your stroke.
CONTROL THE PUTTER HEAD DISTANCE IS EVERYTHING HOLE MUST-MAKE PUTTS
BREAK
Good putting is all about
BREAK
You’ll face lots of long putts
BREAK
The difference between an
speed control. Spend time so your goal is to avoid 83 and a 79 is usually putting.
100 on the green getting to know

the length of stroke you
need to hit the ball different
distances.
90 3-putting. Practise 20 and
30-footers to get used to
length of stroke and speed
required.
80 To dip below this scoring
barrier, keep 3-putts off
your card and hole the 5 to
6-footers.

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I
LIKE T
Copy Jason Day to get up
and down more often
PHOTOGRAPHY BOB ATKINS
One of the features of Jason Day’s ascent to world

number one has been his short game. His chipping
action is a bit different; his hands and wrists are
almost entirely wooden from start to finish, while his
body rotates strongly. This technique isn’t entirely
new – Steve Stricker has used a similar method for
a while – but Day’s employment of it has seen its
popularity rise. But what’s the point of it, and how does
it work? This article explains both, revealing a method
that’ll make your control shots much more reliable.

Mission control: How Day does it
His action is designed to harness clubhead speed and face loft, and the
distance he hits the ball. Here are its four key principles
WRISTS DON’T COCK

Wrist cock is a second lever
most golfers use. It can add
feel, but it also creates the
potential for extra speed;
ultimately it can make club
speed, impact point and
even attack angle more
variable.
BODY DRIVES THE CLUB
Day’s technique is what
we might call a one-lever
system. In this system the
one lever is the lead arm and
club, which body rotation
carries back and through. It
promotes a consistent arc
and contact.
FACE LOFT RETAINED

We set face loft at set-up
but excessive hand/wrist
action can hood the blade,
delofting it, or fan it open,
adding loft. By keeping his
wrists quiet Day retains
address loft through impact
DOWNWARD STRIKE
to the end of the swing.
A descending blow is key
to controlling impact point
and impact face loft. But the
attack is not so steep that
the digging leading edge hits
the turf; ground contact is
still through the rounded sole
of the club.

Chip
Principle
Set up a controlled downward attack
Use your address to create the descending strike that promotes the
#1 right contact with the ball… and the turf
THE ‘THREE POINTS’

Focus on your lead
shoulder, gloved hand
and clubhead. In Day’s
technique their set-up
relationship remains intact
throughout. Keep this as a
goal for your action.
WEIGHT ON LEAD SIDE

Feel extra pressure under
CREATE SHAFT LEAN your lead foot, and keep
Check your hands are just it there throughout. It will
forward of the clubhead. help you pivot around your
This encourages the lead leg, promoting strike
correct attack angle – angle control as well as a
downward, but not so steep downward blow.
that the leading edge digs
into the turf.
CHEST REFERENCE HALFWAY HOLD

Use your chest, not your feet, to guide ball position Where you put your hands on the club affects
as your sternum controls where the club arc distance, as you can make the club longer/
bottoms out. Because we want a slight descending more powerful or shorter/weaker. So keep this
strike, set up with your shirt buttons over the front consistent. For 90% of control shots halfway up is
edge of the ball. a good guide.

Chip
Principle
Thebodydrives the club
Follow this four-step process to make sure your core rotation leads
#2 the club’s movement back and through
1 2
ROTATE AWAY Start with hands on opposite shoulders, forearms crossed. Now rotate WHOLE TRUNK TURNS Now turn through, keeping that pressure under the lead foot
your body away from the target. As you turn, ensure your weight remains under your constant. Feel your entire trunk rotating as one. This is a full-body swing, so if the
lead foot and there’s no lateral movement. chest is working so must the hips and legs.
3 4
T:3@=EFA*7;93F7 ;>>+GDD7K8ADF:7GE7A8F:7;DEGB7D4BD35F;57835;>;F;7E
R
CONNECTED MOTION To bring this same motion closer to swinging the club, grip the CORE CONTROL Keep that connection right through to the finish. Hit five balls like this
club in your gloved hand only. Place your other hand on your upper lead arm to help before repeating the drill by swinging with your trail arm only, your gloved hand on
connect your lead arm to your body. your trail arm. Finally, put both hands on the club and hit five more chips; you’ll feel
This encourages body rotation to move the club. your core controlling the motion.

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Chip
Principle
The wrists don’t cock
Keep your wrist action muted to gain extra control over the speed
#3 of the club, and the distance you hit the ball
COCK UNSURE
Collecting and releasing
wrist angles is a
mechanism for creating
speed, and sharp
acceleration in the club
makes control of distance
much harder.
MUTED WRISTS
A striking aspect of Day’s
chipping action is how
short the club travels in
AVOID A THUMBS-UP
relation to the strong body
Focus on the top of your gloved-hand wrist, just below the
turn. Much of this is down
base of the thumb. When you grip the club at set-up this zone
to keeping wrist action very
is almost flat; make some one-handed backswings, ensuring
quiet.
you don’t add any angle.
CHECK POINT
Swing back, using the
trunk rotation we learned in
Principle 2, till your hands
s reach hip height. Check
the clubhead is still slightly
lower than your hands at
this point.

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Chip
Principle
Clubface loft remains constant
A wrist-free action helps you apply your intended loft to the ball,
#4 improving flight and distance control
LOFT CHECK
When you retain your
address position loft, the
club’s leading edge will
broadly match your spine
angle – on both sides of the
ball. Check this both back
and through (left).
LEVER INTACT
In Principle 1 we talked about the swing’s
lever of lead shoulder, gloved hand and
club. Quiet wrists keep their relationship
intact to the end.
TRAIL ELBOW FOLDS

Allow your trail elbow to fold as the club
swings back. It helps the core to control
clubface rotation, which lets you maintain
your set-up loft.
BETTER BY DEGREES
Excessive wrist play tends
to open or close the face,
adding or reducing loft. It
means the ball either flies
too high and short, or too low
and long. Quiet wrists mean
consistent distance.
LOCKED OUT
Watch for the trail arm remaining locked
and extended. It tends to hood the blade,
strengthening the face and sending the
ball out faster and lower.

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BREAKING
80 BY C H R IS T I A N S M A L L | P G A O F AU S T R A L I A T E A C HIN G P R O F ES S I O N A L
FEEL THE
BREAK WITH
YOUR FEET
ONE WAY to trim a few shots off
every round and get you closer to
shooting in the 70s regularly is to
take the guess work out of the line
on two- and three-metre putts.
If you can hole more of these
length putts, you will go a long way to
not only breaking 80 but it will get
you closer to shooting in the low 70s.
The key is getting a better feel for
the break on a putt, especially if, at
first glance, it looks like there is little
to no break.
To get a handle on what break
there is, stand behind the ball and
close your eyes (pic 1). You should be
able to feel, through your feet, if
there is any sort of slope or break one
way or another.
Many people will have seen or
heard of the Aimpoint system of
green reading. The basis of that
system is to read the green with your
feet and give the break a rating or a
reading.
In this simplified way without rating
the slope, you can get an idea if there
is a break left or right and then allow
for that with your putt, giving you a
greater margin for error … and more
chance of holing the putt.
For example, with this putt I have
felt that there is some break from
left to right. In practice, place some
tees in front of the cup as I have
done here, leaving a narrower gap
for the breaking putt to roll through
(pics 2 & 3). This smaller target will
also assist you when you head out on
the course.
AAA-certified
PGA professional
CHRISTIAN SMALL
is the head teaching
professional
at The Lakes GC,
PHOTOS: BRENDAN JAMES X 3
Sydney. You can book a lesson with

Christian on (02) 9669 3544 or visit
his website
www.christiansmall.com.au 1

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BREAKING
90 BY DA N I E L B L AC K W E L L | P G A O F AU S T R A L I A T E A C HIN G P R O F ES S I O N A L
ON
COURSE TIP
Hit ‘green zone’
approach shots on your
first six holes of a round
to ensure you get your
scoring off to a
solid start.

COLOURED CODED STRATEGY
BEING AWARE of your playing ability and would be represented by red) and hit a shot
understanding there are shots you that will put you into a position of
should attempt and some you are best to unnecessary pressure but with maximum
reconsider, will better your scoring. reward or do you pin point a ‘green’ target
Risk and reward is a common theme to the centre of the green and hit a
throughout the game of golf. Do you committed swing using a club that you have
attack an enticing pin position or do you play confidence in to hit a safe shot?
for safety? Your ability to evaluate the severity of the
If you want an effective way to help you pin positions can only be developed by
determine your shot selection and develop more on-course time.
awareness for when is the appropriate time You can decide which target at the green
to attempt these shots out on the course is most suited for your skill level and be
then using a colour code for pin positions decisive. Play within your means and
out on the course will assist. develop your own playing personality out on
You can associate a colour with different the course and trust your instinct to be able
levels of difficulty or risk, which will help to deliver the shot at hand.
you commit to a shot selection without any
doubt when you are over the ball. There are
three colours to work … and they match
traffic lights with: Green, conservative/safe; AAA-certified
PGA professional
Amber, low risk; and Red, high risk/
DANIEL
aggressive. BLACKWELL
Your goal when hitting your approach is the teaching
shots, whether it’s your shot into a par-4 or professional at
par-5 or your tee shot on a par-3, is to Royal Adelaide Golf Club.
determine what target best represents the You can book a lesson with Daniel
on (08) 8356 8508 or visit the website
colour and severity of the shot at hand.
www.blackwellgolf.com
Do you attack the sucker pin (which
PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

BREAKING
100 BY P E T E R S H AW | P G A O F AU S T R A L I A T E A C HIN G P R O F ES S I O N A L
FOUR STEPS TO
BETTER WEDGE PLAY
IMPROVING HOW you attack the ball with ground with the clubhead.
your wedges will allow you to gain better STEP 4: Turn through to the target keep the
consistency of strike with your wedges. clubface pointing skywards (pic 5).
Shallowing your attack angle is the key and, by
doing this, the distance you hit wedge shots – in
Certified Australian
fact all iron shots – will become more
PGA Professional
consistent. (Advanced
STEP 1: Align the ball forward in your stance Coaching) PETER
(ideally in line with your left ear, for right-handers) SHAW is the head
with neutral shaft lean (pics 1 & 2). professional at The
STEP 2: Swing the club back without much wrist Range Robina (Palmer Gold Coast).
You can book a lesson with Peter 3
hinge (pic 3).
on 0403 290 992 or email
STEP 3: Swing down to the ball on a shallower [email protected]
angle of act (pic 4) trying to simply skim the

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38
GOLF TECH! BEST BI
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tracking gad prove your game
GP S w atches, these
From apps to e best inventions to help yo RAPHY ANGUS MURRAY, HOWARD BOYLAN
R PH OTOG

Your phone is a friend
How to turn your mobile into the ultimate game improver tool
What’s the most important th
pocket when you’re playing a r
Tee peg? Pitchmark repairer?
Lucky coin? They all pale into
compared to something else y
handy when you play golf – th
smart phone.
Your phone can act as your
revolutionising your on-cours
COACH the Today’s Golfer YouTube summer.

Apps to download: channel. Once you’ve got your “I had lessons, and my pro
V1 Golf ($7.99) swing in a state you’re roughly showed me what to keep an
YouTube (Free) happy with, download V1 eye on. It’s made the time
Golf, which lets you record I spend practising much
Having the YouTube app your own swing, analyse more useful.”
by your side when you it in slow motion or even One final tip: grab a Joby
practise allows you to find a frame-by-frame, and compare GorillaPod from Amazon for
relevant video for whatever it side-by-side to any tour $24.99. It’s a neat
you’re working on and follow pro. Reader Kevin Lancaster little tripod that lets you
it step-by-step. You’ll find used V1 Golf to go from an capture better footage
over 1,000 helpful videos on 18 handicap to nine in one from every angle.
SPORTS you could do worse than try

Visulax Golf.
PSYCHOLOGIST The app is designed to help
App to download: you perfect your balance and
Visulax Golf ($4.49) timing, teach you to block
out distractions during your
Getting your body in shape round, improve your course
is one thing, but we all know management and zone in
that a large part of golf is on your target. It covers
played in the mind. Tour pros subjects including first tee
rely on the likes of leading strategy, how to handle
sports psychologists Dr Bob uneven lies, and coping with
Rotella and Dr Karl Morris to anger – if the latter saves you
hone their mental game, but snapping your putter in half,
if a session on their leather it could be the best $4.49
sofa is beyond your budget, you’ve ever spent.
The list goes on. You can avoid everyone

MARSHALL any such issues by having in the
Apps to download: instant access to the rule tournament will
The Official Rules book at the touch of a button be able to keep up to
of Golf App (Free) by downloading the R&A’s speed with live scoring.
Golf GameBook (Free) free app. You can even send messages
And wouldn’t it be nice if you to people in other groups
There’s nothing worse than could see a live leaderboard when they have a nightmare
being in the middle of a good on your next society golf day? hole. “We always use Golf
round and suddenly finding Golf GameBook’s free scoring GameBook,” says reader
yourself embroiled in a system means you can do Adam Rathbone. “It’s great
rules query. Is a squirrel a exactly that. Simply have one to see how mates are doing
burrowing animal? Is that a person in each group enter when you’re not playing
pitchmark or a spikemark? the scores for each player and with them.”

GPS watches
NAL TRAINER Millions of golfers now use
these to get their yardages
ub (Free) GPS golf watches are booming. They’re quick, easy to
use, getting ever-more stylish and sophisticated and
top players now work as hard relatively cheap, with some now combining fitness info,
ey do on the range. We can’t all text and email with the usual yardages. Here’s five of
g a full-time personal trainer our favourites.
d the world, but with the Nike+
pp, perhaps we don’t need to.
s over 100 workouts from Nike TomTom Golfer
ners, including Rory McIlroy. $249
e that doing Rory’s workout www.tomtom.com/e
it 300 metres or lift the Claret A stylish, lightweight des
body means a better golf swing, with an ultra-slim body w
ore success on the course. is great if you’re not keen
wearing a watch while p
It keeps your score, how
you’ve walked and how l
round’s taken. 40,000 cou
Golf Buddy WT5

$299.95
www.gpsgolfbuddy.com.au
A no nonsense golf specific
free app version that offers
STATISTICIAN the same level of data. Tap GPS watch, with distances to
App to download: the app before each shot and the front, centre and back of
GameGolf (Free) it will record every detail the green and plenty of
You might be familiar with of your round. It can then hazard information. There’s
GameGolf by now, the game- provide you data on greens also a pin positioning feature
tracking device that tags in regulation, fairways hit, and digital scorecard.
every shot using a sensor shot dispersion, scrambling,
screwed into the end of the putts per hole, average Garmin Approach S20
grip (see page 114). But you distances with each club, $299
may not know that there’s a and plenty more. www.garmin.com/en-AU
A golf GPS that’s also a game
tracker, which reveals the
distances you’ve hit shots to
allow for post-round analysis on
Garmin’s Connect app. It
CADDIE provided there is a local
rule permitting distance-
connects to your phone, to show
App to download: emails and text messages too.
measuring devices (which
Hole19 (Free) there is for most amateur
With over 39,000 courses comps), you absolutely SURESHOTGPS GW3
mapped out in fine detail, can. “A GPS, laser, smart $299
the app gives you exact phone, any really – www.sureshotgps.com
yardages to any point on provided the device meets More than just a Golf GPS
the course from your GPS certain guidelines and watch, the Sureshotgps GW3
location. Be prepared for recommendations,” say the tracks all fitness from
someone to tell you that R&A. As long as your device walking, running to cycling.
you can’t use your phone isn’t telling you things like Preloaded with 28,000 courses,
in competition as soon elevation changes and wind displays live distances to front,
as you start using it, but, speed, you’re in the clear. centre and rear of green.
Bushnell Neo Ion

social media. Secondly, following pros $250
PR TEAM While you may not have and coaches is a great way www.bushnellgolf.com
Apps to download: three million followers or to get an insight into how A new golf specific GPS unit f
Twitter (Free) a team of people carefully the world’s best players 2016, with a longer battery tha
Facebook (Free) curating each post like Rory practise. You might even lasts three rounds. Over and
Instagram (Free) McIlroy, social media can get a bespoke swing tip above the usual GPS function
actually help your game. from some of them! Follow the Ion shows up to four
A tour pro’s round is not For starters, sharing your Golf Australia Magazine hazards per hole plus an
complete these days until golfing highs and lows can for reader opportunities, odometer. No fees for its 35,00
they’ve posted about it on be good for motivation. competitions and more. course database.

Stats amazing!
What Game Golf reveals about us
Golfers around the globe have recorded over trackin
1,000,000 rounds using Game Golf, which on-cou
uses a sensor on each club and clever GPS to perfor
pinpoint how far, and where, they hit each been g
shot. From tour pros like Graeme McDowell valuab
and Lee Westwood to amateur players, over 80 million shots recorded, measuring into their database to disclose their most
the golfing community’s gone potty over everything from the length of time golfers revealing stats.
7mins 42secs The average
129.23
yards
distance we
The average amount of time hit a 7-iron –
47.25%
taken by golfers to play a but distance
changes
single hole. dramatically
verage amount a golfer’s drives depending
hat actually find the fairway. on ability.
1,986,635
We looked at a snap
2
shot of nearly two
207.28 yard
million drives
measured by Game
Golf, and only
948,314 found the The average distance a golfer drives the golf ball, bu
of all golfers under-club.

fairway! distance changes dramatically depending on abilit
29%
THE NUMBER OF
1.92
94% EXTRA FAIRWAYS A
5
HANDICAPPER CAN
EXPECT TO HIT
COMPARED
OF DRIVES MISS THE FAIRWAY ON THE RIGHT. The average number of TO A
27
putts amateur golfers
THIS DROPS TO 24% FOR SUB-5 take per hole.
HANDICAPPERS AND RISES TO 33% FOR 27+
HANDICAPPERS. HANDICAPPER
39%
of golfers using Game Golf are in the 10-18 handicap bracket, meaning it’s not just for
the very best players out there. 22% fall into the 5-9 handicap range, 17% into the 19-
ndicap range, 16% to the sub 5 category. 6% have a handicap of more than 27.
Younger golfers
24%
ofdrivesmissthe
fairwayontheleft.
Thisdropsto22%
forsub-5
handicappersand
19 are more
accurate with
their drivers
risesto than older ones. Game Golf
The average amount of putts a 25%for27+ says golfers under 19 hit
sub-5 handicapper takes per round. handicappers–
For a 10-18 handicapper that rises to fairways 55% of the time,
dispellingthe
34.56 and for 28+ handicappers it’s
myththatonlylow which is 7.7 fairways a
37.80. To put it into perspective the
best putters on tour average 27.61 handicappers round and 8% more than
putts per round. missdrivesleft. the average golfer.

Track your stats just like the tour pros
Every top player analyses their stats to see where they can improve. Now you can too
Shot tracking has really taken off in golf over to plot an improvement plan, whether that’s the same kind of info, to let you analyse every
the last couple of years as GPS technology has knocking it closer from 100 metres or holing round – and share those great shots and scores
developed – mirroring the rise in stats tracking more putts from eight feet. These devices, on social media. If you want to reach the next
on tour. Every top player now uses this info which usually plug into your club, provide level, it’s worth investing.
Arccos $335 Game Golf Live $349 COBRA CONNECT

www.arccosgolf.com www.gamegolf.com www.cobragolf.com/cobraconnect
The system logs every shot you hit and gives tour- Game Golf are pioneers when it comes to shot With Cobra Connect each drive is automatically
style analytics so you can identify and improve the tracking and now through some smart GPS tech you recorded and total distance is calculated as soon as
weakest areas of your game. Every shot’s brought to can not only record and see your shots live on your your hit your second shot. This is then brought to life
life on a birds eye phone, but you can by bird’s-eye visuals overlaid on GPS hole imagery.
view of the hole on invite friends to join a Review your stats post round to determine longest
your phone and we live leaderboard, drive, average driving distance and number of
love how it gives which could make a fairways hit. You can also turn your iPhone or Android
feedback on how “friendly” Saturday phone into a GPS rangefinder that measures precise
close you hit it and morning knock more distances on nearly 40,000 international courses.
your misses. fun. Cobra’s King F7+, King F7 and King LTD Black drivers
come equipped with Cobra Connect club tracking
technology powered by Arccos.
Garmin Approach X40 $389 TomTom Golfer 2 $299
www.garmin.com www.tomtom.com/en_au
Where many GPS systems are golf specific, this one TomTom’s Golfer 2 is golf specific and the latest
helps you stay healthy. It can version is fully specced up to automatically track
monitor your performance in tons and plot shots using some
of different sports from cycling pretty nifty bird’s eye hole
to swimming (and golf). It views. It measures how far
records your steps, calories you’ve hit your last shot,
burnt, heart rate, how you’ve giving an audible count as
slept, as well as automatically you approach your ball. The
tracking and plotting shots on TomTom Mysports app lets
a course layout. you analyse your round.
Jordan Spieth’s smart golf shoes

The next frontier in golf tech is already being tested by the World No.2
You probably wouldn’t believe us if we said week. Imagine it, a pair of shoes telling you champion walked an average of 13,500
Jordan Spieth had Under Armour put the how far you’ve walked, how many calories steps a day at Troon – nearly 11km – while
sort of tech usually found in you’ve consumed and how long consuming 3,600 calories. We’ll put our neck
a fitness band into the soles you’ve been training for that on the line and say it won’t be long until
of his shoes for The Open day... It’s seriously high-tech shoes with similar tech will be available to
Championship at Royal Troon. stuff, but Jordan had access to consumers.
But we promise it’s true, and for
us highlights brilliantly how far
players go to use tech to get an
edge over the field.
Jordan – like all tour pros
– isn’t allowed to wear a wrist
tracking band (with a heartbeat
monitor which cannot be
turned off ) on the course
during competitive rounds.
So Under Armour specifically
created a special one-off pair
of “smart shoes” for him, with
sensors imbedded into the soles
to track his activity during the

Swing it like a robot Swing like a pro
If it’s the novelty factor
you’re after, RoboGolfPro
can be programmed to
imitate the swings of
Bubba, Tiger and many
Michael Catling tries Britain’s first RoboGolfPro more players.
Every golf nut wants to rip it like Dustin or coaching experience. Bryson DeChambeau,
swing it like Rory; the only problem is that David Toms, Kevin Na and Mike Weir are all
many of us just don’t know how to do it. Until users, while Vaughn Taylor credited his victory
now, golfers have had to rely on feedback from at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February
coaches, video analysis or some kind of swing to owning a RoboGolfPro unit.
contraption. What would help is actually being That’s not to say, however, that RoboGolfPro
able to experience a perfect “on plane” swing is without its flaws. It’s a little clunky to
first hand, which is what makes RoboGolfPro operate and makes R2-D2 look trendy. But
such an ingenious idea. if you want results, it takes less than five
In the same way Clark Kent morphs into minutes to see the beauty in the beast. There’s
Superman, RoboGolfPro can help you ditch a sense of liberation once you realise what’s
your clunky swing and replace it with the right and what’s wrong. And even when you try
textbook model. Unlike other swing plan to fall back into old habits, the robot resists and
training aids, RoboGolfPro is the first robotic forces you to stick to the new swing until your
swing trainer which physically guides your body becomes accustomed
body through the correct path. to the new range of motion. I learned more
“The idea is to about my swing in 60
build a perfect swing minutes than I had
for your height,
body weight and
THE IDEA IS TO over the past decade.
I never realised how
flexibility,” says Nate BUILD A PERFECT low you need to drop
your hands to create
Weidner, Director
of Instruction and
SWING FOR YOU lag in the downswing,
General Manager at let alone how much
FairWeather Golf in England. “If someone has you need to engage your lower body. I have
a major swing fault, we can over-exaggerate always been reluctant to impart too many
a swing motion to get them on plane a lot swing changes, but I now know what I am
quicker. Even after a 10 or 15-minute demo, doing wrong and, more importantly, how to
there have been times where we have added correct it as well.
40 yards to some high handicappers with a For all that and more, it should come as no
7-iron.” surprise that the machine costs $150,000.
FairWeather Golf – a new indoor golf “It’s expensive technology,” admits Weidner,
academy – opened its doors in Camberley, “but we want several of these academies
Surrey, in July. The site is equipped with a throughout the UK, each having their own
fixed RoboGolfPro machine, as well as a second robot. Sometimes it’s difficult to understand
mobile unit which will be touring the UK at and implement a coach’s advice, but the robot
European Tour events in 2017, including eliminates the overloading of information. We
The Open, BMW PGA and British Masters. want everyone to be exposed to RoboGolfPro
The danger is that training aids have a because it simplifies everything for the better.”
limited shelf life, but early indications suggest The RoboGolfPro is not yet available in
RoboGolfPro could revolutionise the whole Australia, but its only a matter of time.
Rangefinders
Lasers are ideal to
get more precise
distances
As good as GPS is, it doesn’t
give you exact yardages to the
pin. So unless you want to faff
Bushnell Tour V4 $459 SURESHOTLASER PINLOC Nikon Golf
about positioning a pin manually,
having a rangefinder can be a god

Tour X Slope $599 3000IP $299 Coolshot 20 $299
send. Confident players often go www.bushnellgolf.com www.sureshotgps.com www.golfdirect.asia
for a laser to get those precise Lots of tour caddies use Bushnell. You The PinLoc 3000 IP uses built in The Coolshot is a seriously compact
distances. If you play lots of can zap anything from five to 1000 intelligent pulse, which lets the user, rangefinder and weighs in at just
different courses, or hit lots of yards and be accurate to within a know the desired target is locked in 125g. A “First Target Priority” mode is
shots when you can’t see the flag, yard. The Slope version adds by the pulsing sensation. Its accuracy really useful when zapping flagsticks
a GPS is probably better. Here’s elevation changes (which can be is precise with a -/+ of one metre. Its against a cluttered backdrop. A
three of our favourite lasers disabled for tournament play). Both design takes into account a variety of battery condition display means you
currently on the market. are water resistant and come with a factors to ensure it is water resistant, never need run out of juice during a
two-year warranty. lightweight and shock proof. round.

Handheld GPS
They’re now packed
with additional
features
If you want a device to hang on a
bag, with large colour maps and
yardages to hazards and flags,
GOLFBU 499 SURESHOT GPS 200X Garmin Approach G8
you need a GPS. Years ago, that’s
all you’d get. Today, though, the
www.gps au $169 www.sureshotgps.com $529 www.garmin.com
Much clos bile Delivers users with accurate We tested the G8 last year and loved
best units add shot-tracking
software, high-res images, they phone tha with measurements to the front, centre its combination of clear graphics, size
can be charged off a USB on a a 4in LCD ody and back of the green, and any and how it offers some really useful
trolley and you can download design. Th an be hazards in between. With 35,000 pre- functions. The “Playslike” distances
stats after a round. Watches offer a real bonus over watches. loaded courses from around the take account of elevation changes
simplicity; lasers offer accuracy. Golf Buddy says they don’t and won’t world and automatic hole (which need to be turned off in
GPS units need to stay one step ever charge for access to their recognition, the 200x ensures you comps) and a “Club Advice” feature
ahead by offering more features, 38,000+ measured golf course will always be prepared for your next recommends a club based on your
like these three. database. game no matter where you are. previous play.

Zen Green Stage $34,000
The ultimate www.zenoracle.com

The world’s first computer-controlled putting green is
one of our favourite techy product launches of 2016.
putting green It’s been designed because Zen’s tour putting coach,
Nick Middleton, believed only one in 100 putts is
dead straight, so he questions why golfers practise
on a flat surface. Zen’s Green is 16ft in length and
It can simulate almost any putt in the offers up to 12% variation in rise and fall slopes. At
world, regardless of speed or slope the touch of a button you can practise breaking and
double-breaking putts until your hands bleed. You
even get to choose what speed the green runs at –
8.5, 10, 12.5 or a lightning 15 on the stimpmeter,
which is quicker than Augusta National!
Unless your name is Rory McIlroy or Jordan
Spieth, you probably won’t be investing in one for
your own personal pleasure as this tech isn’t cheap.
But when it comes to putting lessons – and buying
the perfect flat stick for your stroke – there couldn’t
be a better, more consistent surface to learn and
practise on.
Zen are currently programming the green to
recreate some of the toughest putts in world golf.
Replicating the hardest putts holed to win Majors,
sounds like a whole lot of fun for an evening of “this
to win The Masters” action. Contact Zen to find out
how you can get a lesson on one.
Parabolic putting
This clever gadget se
ball back
PuttOut Pressure Put
$35
www.puttout.golf Flap-tastic
It’s difficult to practise pressure putts
A hinged piece opens
put in the effort to hole 25 four-footers
or closes a ‘micro
feel the pressure build on the last few
target’ with which to
get a sore back picking the ball out of
practise pace putting.
was while attempting such a drill that
inventor decided something had to ch
hours analysing how golf balls drop in
product design expert Martin Riddifor
parabolic ramp – which could return
and take the strain out of bending ove
perfect solution. It didn’t take him lon
design would also filter and reject mi Clever design
If you want to work on pace there’s a
If a putt is off line, it rolls off the
into which putts will only drop if the s
side. If it’s accurate, the curved
on, which is really worthwhile as man
gadget sends it back so you don’t
trainers “catch” any speed of putt, w
need to bend over to pick it up.
replicated on the course.

Port Fairy Perfection
Par 3 15th
Rated Australia’s 53rd Golf Course in

Australia and situated along the scenic
Victorian Great Ocean Road Port Fairy
Golf Links is simply a must visit and play!
Visitors and Corporate events welcome. Woodbine Road, Port Fairy
Memberships available from $400 E: [email protected]
Ph: 5568 2866
Fully Stocked Proshop specialising in custom
fitting. Head Professional Anthony Warburton PGA www.portfairygolf.com.au
Golf Coach. Club, Buggy and Cart Hire Available. Follow us on #portfairygolf
R ONE ON T
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Want to save three shots ?
This gadget aims to transform your putting performance
ole More Putts $598
ww.holemoreputts.com
ting might look simple but if you’re not great at it,
actually one of the hardest areas of the game to
rove.
t accounts for 40% of the shots you play. Yet you
’t see anything like the measuring tech dedicated
t as you do to hitting drivers, even though you’ll
y ever hit 14 drives a round. You have to be pretty
dcore to spend hours on a putting green honing
r stroke, or spend £50 for a video putting lesson.
d that’s where the inventors of Hole More Putts
me in. They’ve seen a gap in the market for a device. If you average 35 putts a round, that’s shaving
ice that can analyse the putts you hit, and give three shots off your score, which is seriously
a ranking of how good they are with clear impressive, and in our experience easily comparable
ruction on how to improve them. to the benefits of a full club fitting.
The tablet measures your entire stroke and feeds Tech never comes cheap, and the Hole More Putts
ck on face angle, speed, impact point, attack tablet will set you back $445 – but we reckon that it’s
ngle and the path you’re hitting putts on – the five a great investment for a PGA club pro, who could use
ey elements the PGA recommends working on to it to fit putters and give lessons.
mprove putting performance. The inventors have If you need help now, though, download Ping’s free
sted the unit with stacks of golfers from tour pros iPing App, which turns your iPhone into a putting tool
lite amateurs and club golfers and they reckon on which measures your consistency to determine your
average golfers improve by 9% after using the putting handicap (www.ping.com/apps).
thefuture?
or your shoulders
he bags launched in January with an
ressive stand at the Orlando Golf Show, and we
kon it’s the coolest bag you’ll see this year.
They aren’t widely available in the USA yet, let
ne being anywhere close to hitting shops in
stralia, but trust us they’re a cracking idea,
A pocket bunker
wing how much tech can be Practise sand skills
eezed into something as
ple as a golf bag.
anywhere
The Pocket Bunker $24
www.pocketbunker.com
Tech doesn’t mean electronic. This is a
soft golf ball with alien-like legs which has
been specifically designed to replicate the
feel and sensation of playing out of a
bunker – but you don’t use it in sand.
Instead, it’s supposed to be hit from grass
or a mat at the driving range to let you
hone your bunker play from just about
anywhere. The protruding legs give you a
brilliant, visual idea of the amount of sand
that needs to be removed to hit the perfect
bunker shot on the golf course. Like all the
best ideas it’s really simple, but effective.
customisation.

A true coastal golf experience
on the Mornington Peninsula
PUBL IC GREEN F EE PL AY ERS

W ELCOME 7 DAYS A W EEK
Flinders Golf Club | Bass Street, Flinders, Victoria

P (03) 5989 0583 | W flindersgolfclub.com.au
C &p y
Ranked in Golf Australia Magazine’s Top 100 Public Access Courses
Social Golf Package 4 Players ith Cart hire

Only $196 normally $236 valid until 30/06/17
www.LEONGATHAGOLF.com.au
855 K [email protected]
Strength
in numbers
Visitors can invite
friends or strangers to
make up a sixball using
the digital
smartwatch.
A golfer’s
heaven
Every site will be equipped
with 18 simulators and 18
short game holes, plus a
restaurant, sports bar
and pro shop.
Is this the range of the future?

RealiTee offers a ‘proper’ round of golf, but indoors. We spoke to its inventor
We all love to complain about the weather social experience. The watch enables you endless flexibility.
sometimes, so the thought of honing your game to check in on the simulator from anywhere
at a state-of-the-art indoor practice facility is within the venue, and also allows you to Ċŗ")ē-ŗ3)/,ŗ.,!.ŗ/#(Ď
enough to set the pulse racing. connect and play with friends and other golfers RealiTee is designed for all ages and abilities.
RealiTee Golf aims to revolutionise the throughout your round. Once you are within The simulator can be pre-set to a beginner
driving range and pitch and putt experience 35 metres of the green, the watch guides you mode which creates virtual walls down the
by combining simulation play with live short to your next playing location. From there, you fairway to boost the quality of your shot. It’s
game play. Ambitious? Perhaps. But world- simply press a button on your smartwatch and equivalent to using bumpers at a bowling
renowned golf course architect Robert Trent a laser of light will identify a location to play alley and will help to level the playing field
Jones II is already on board and the success of your next shot. between a novice and someone who plays off
Topgolf (soon to arrive in Australia) has paved single figures for example. It’s important that
the way for new indoor golf experiences. Little Ċŗ)ŗ3)/ŗ"0ŗ.)ŗ))%ŗ.ŗ.#'-Ď beginners don’t feel intimidated.
wonder Dave Shultz, the man behind RealiTee No, slots are typically allocated on a first-come,
Golf, can barely contain his excitement... first-served basis. The watch lists how many Ċŗ".ē-ŗ."ŗ#î,(ŗ.1(ŗ)*!)& ŗ
of the simulators and live-play holes are free (ŗ&#ŗ)& Ď
Ċŗ)1ŗ)-ŗ."ŗ)(*.ŗ1),%Ď and if there’s a queue, you can check in and Topgolf is built around a driving range but
RealiTee Golf is a condensed version of socialise with your friends while you wait primarily focuses on food, beverages and social
real golf spread across two acres. TruGolf between holes. You can even order food and experiences. It’s an entertainment facility, rather
simulators will be used for driving and most drink from your watch. than a golf facility. RealiTee Golf will also focus
fairway shots, but the great thing is that users The beauty is that you don’t have to play on a social atmosphere, but visitors will have the
can choose which courses and holes they want RealiTee in any particular order. You could added benefit of a shot-for-shot re-imagination of
to play. The idea is to recreate an authentic play nine holes on the simulator before real golf. RealiTee Golf was designed to migrate
and unique golf experience; that’s why we advancing to the short game area. There is players into traditional golf.
have designed a 70,000 sq ft live-play area
dedicated for shots inside 40 yards. There
will be synthetic greens with 10ft of elevation
variations, small pot bunkers and bridges so
you can get to every hole quickly and easily.
Ċŗ)1ŗ)ŗ*&3,-ŗ.,(-#.#)(ŗ.1(ŗ."ŗ
-#'/&.),-ŗ(ŗ&#0Ě*&3ŗ,Ď
Every visitor will be equipped with a
smartwatch to manage the entire game and

COMPACT GPS
The new way to map greens The most no-nonsense
way to get your yardages
The world’s best have gone crazy for these funky books In our view tech should always make
life simpler, not more complicated – and
The Green Book From $68 depicted by a series of arrows, contours and that’s exactly why micro GPS systems
www.thegreenbook.com numbers, so you can gauge the degree of slope in have become so popular. Some golfers
Apart from the obvious, what do Rory McIlroy, any direction every foot across the green. There’s just want to know distances to the front,
Rickie Fowler, Matt Fitzpatrick, Andy Sullivan and also a grid so you can position the pin for maximum centre and back of greens without all
Open Champion Henrik Stenson have in common? accuracy. the added extras more expensive GPS
Well they’re all early adopters of Clere Golf’s new The inventors readily admit it’s taken some pros a systems can deliver. Some need to be
Green Book, which appeared on tour in July 2015. while to work out how to best use the detailed clipped to your golf bag or belt, while
Rickie won the Scottish Open the week the book information that’s presented within the book, but others can be slipped into your pocket.
launched and Henrik Stenson used one during his they insist the better informed players are, the more Essentially, though, they are all paired-
Open victory at Troon. Sounds good, but what is it? accurate their shot planning and making is. Of down versions of their bigger more
It’s basically an ultra-detailed course planner for course, you still must feel and judge the pace of expensive GPS handheld brothers. These
each green on the course, to help you read and those putts, but this takes a lot of guesswork out of are our favourites.
gauge putts more successfully than ever before. the process.
Clere Golf, the company who came up with the The bad news is that you can’t expect to pick up
idea, have worked out a super-detailed way to laser a Green Book for your local muni, as the guys are
SURESHOT GPS 150X $149
measure greens with up to 300 million different mainly working with the world’s golf tours initially.
www.sureshotgps.com
reference points and ensure every burrow is The good news is that they do plan a gradual roll
The compact 150x, is perfect
zapped to within half a millimetres accuracy! out around the UK over the coming years.
for both casual and serious
The laser’s information is fed through 3D We reckon the tech is fabulous, but just imagine
golfers. It is small enough
computer modelling software to create a complex how good it could be once there’s a decent database
to fit in your pocket and
2D layout on the pages of a Green Book. Every of courses and it’s possible to get the information on
comes pre-loaded with golf
slope and break of each green is charted and a GPS system or your mobile phone?
course maps from around
the world.
Bushnell Neo Ghost $165

www.bushnellgolf com
GPS doesn’t come
more straight forw
the Ghost. Distanc
shown to the front,
and centre of each
and up to four haza
hole, which is just
all you really need
Golf Buddy CT2 $219.95

www.gpsgolfbuddy
Golf Buddy’s first micr
been designed to clip
anything. You get all th
usual GPS distances p
lay-up and hazard yar
an odometer and a clo
Unlike many it is wate
up to 10 meters, too.
Garmin Approach G10 $199

www.garmin.com/en AU
Devil in
Distances are limited to
detail
front, back and middle o
Lasers measure up to greens, along with haza
300 million points on the but there is a view to sh
green to ensure this book the shape of the green a
is the most detailed you can manually positio
of its kind. the pin. Doubles as a dig
scorecard, too.

Challenge yourself at shipwreck bend
Whether competing in the weekly competitions, Three par 4’s, the first two with elevated tee and the
tournament golf, or that casual round, golfers have a newly third a dogleg right, laid out behind a tertiary dune
named challenge – “The Shipwreck Bend” system hiding the coast line that gives this part of
On approaching the 4th tee at Warrnambool Golf Course Victoria its name.
golfers are greeted by the rusty remains of a ships anchor and The sign above the anchor warns that “many a good round
a sign advising that they are entering the Shipwreck Bend. has run aground here”.
A: Younger Street, Warrnambool • T: 03 55628528 • E: [email protected] • www.wgcinc.com.au
*Subject to availability
PRO SHOP
BUILT FOR SPEED

Mizuno’s new JPX900 is built on consistently high ball speeds that
don’t drop off on mis-hits.
Mizuno’s engineers didn’t rest until the JPX900 produced the
fastest ball speeds of any driver in the test centre. A newly configu
multi-thickness face and clever strengthening of key areas means t
JPX900 gives a base for the longest drives you’ll hit within R&A an
USGA guidelines.
The company’s Tour staff said they wanted a driver that looked e
hit. So the profile was changed to be longer, wider and much shallo
than normal for a Tour driver. to be adjusted alongside fade/draw bias. The weights can also be
Optimising launch angle/spin rate can make a difference of 20 to 30 removed completely.
metres. With two eight-gram weights and three ‘Fast Tracks’ (the middle RRP: $779.
one slides front to back), the JPX900 gives more players the opportunity Contact: For more details and stockists visit the website www.mizuno.com.au or
to max out those parameters. The toe and heel port allows spin/launch call (03) 9239 7100.
JOIN THE DOTZ

If you haven’t discovered Golfdotz for yourself then you don’t know what
you’re missing. This cool little product is a high-resolution ink transfer that
marks your ball with some fun and flair.
Golfdotz is a new generation transfer that simply bonds with the skin of
the ball when firm pressure from your thumb is applied. In five seconds or
less you are ready to play!
Golfdotz is a new and unique product for serious and casual golfers alike
and provides a great alternative to other ball-marking methods. Not only is
Golfdotz a fun way to mark your ball, it also lasts longer than ink.
Conforming to the R&A and PGA rules, Golfdotz does not impact the ball
flight and they come in many designs for all golfers.
Contact: Visit the website www.golfdotz.com.au and see for yourself why
MORE DISTANCE WITH BERTH

Callaway’s Big Bertha OS irons incorporate a revolution
construction, called the Exo-Cage, which promotes mo
new way. How? The Exo-Cage’s extraordinary combina
weight allows Callaway engineers to distribute more di
strategic locations to promote more forgiveness and al
360 Face Cup technology to function more efficiently. T
across the face to give you more distance on every sw
RRP: $199.99 (steel) $234.99 (graphite).
Contact: For stockists or more details, phone 1800 217 777 or

IRONS
Srixo
models in
golfers of all
The modified
golfers to swing t
impact resistance an
maximum consistency
The Srixon Z965 is a co
most advanced, demanding
preferred by skilled by players
control, while the Z 565 is a high
promotes maximum distance and f
The Z965 irons are available from 3
Z765 and Z565 irons are available from 3
RRP: $235 (each iron).
Contact: For more details and information about th
irons, visit www.srixon.com.au
that e
along w
comprised
for 7-iron we
to provide cons
irons to wedges.
Rounding out the
Tour irons that offer Tou
shot-making. The Forged
technologies as the Forged
and head weight progression.
Cobra Golf’s offering also inclu y
ENHANCED JOY FOR YOUR FEET
wedges.
Featuring a completely reimagined ‘BioMorph’ exoskeleton RRP: : $199 each (Tour One Length irons a January 2017).
upper designed to mimic the ligaments of the foot, FootJoy’s Contact: For stockists or more details, phone 053 164 or visit www.
Hyperflex II delivers lightweight support, waterproof mesh cobragolf.com.au
upper, cushioning and enhanced flexibility to elevate your game
to its highest level.
“With the new Biomorph upper, our goal was to strike a
balance between structure and flexibility and deliver those
benefits in the exact locations they’re needed,” said Doug
Robinson, VP of Golf Footwear Worldwide. “We accomplished
this by studying the physiology of the human foot and building
an upper that worked in unison with the musculature and
tendons of the foot to give the golfer a shoe that will move
when they need it to and provide support when they need it.”
Since its inception, the Hyperflex family of golf shoes has
been worn by several of the world’s best players, including
reigning PGA Champion, Jimmy Walker.
RRP: $279.95 (with BOA); $249.95 (laces)
Contact: Visit the website footjoy.com.au
Vive La
Différence !

No South Pacific island is nearer to Australia than New Caledonia. And a hot new
course has given golfers even more reason to make the short journey
to the French territory.
WORDS STEVE KEIPERT
H
ere’s a riddle: how does an gradual transfer of power from France to New a Dye family design attached to the stunning
Australian get to France in as Caledonia over a 20-year period, pending the beachside Sheraton resort on the west coast,
little as two hours and without result of another referendum in 2018. about a 90-minute drive north of the airport.
leaving the southern hemisphere? Easy: The island might be in a state of political flux, The sprawling design belies its coastal location
by visiting New Caledonia. but that matters little to golfers, for whom with an arid, savannah-style design that uses
The closest of the South Pacific islands to New Caledonia’s proximity, perfect climate the surrounding scrub and bushland to line the
Australia is considered a special collectivity and proclivity for golf courses hold the spacious fairways rather than an abundance of
of France, although the Noumea Accord, greatest appeal. water. Likewise, the bunkering is not overdone
signed after a 1998 referendum, provides for a The new kid on the golf block is Golf de Déva, and the green contours represent a particularly

Golf de Deva is a Dye family
design attached the seaside
Sheraton resort
restrained Dye layout – there are no giant play touches the Pacific, a 180-metre par-3 the course. Our hosts said they provide one of
slopes nor railroad ties to be found. Yet Déva with the various shades of blue and turquoise the best views in New Caledonia, but I’ll have
owns a charm all of her own. acting as a backdrop to a sand-lined short hole. to take their word for it. Déva is not overly
The wind is ever-present and the layout The huge waste bunker stretching along the demanding when played from the appropriate
allows for it by giving golfers ample space left side of the green is always a factor, but just set of tees, thanks to its mostly generous
to navigate from almost every tee. Rarely is as likely to be a distraction for golfers is the fairways. Miss the short grass, however, and
the passage to the target dictated through a setting. The 18th betrays the open nature of the chances of locating your ball are minimal.
specific channel as instead the conditions and the previous driving holes by asking players The pro shop staff say four to five balls is about
player tendencies will provide the ideal path to thread their final blow with the big stick the average expenditure of ammunition for 18
towards the pin. It also features one of the best between two separate stands of fulsome holes. “Beat that and you’re definitely in front,”
practice facilities you’ll find at a resort course foliage. Don’t make the mistake this writer says Grégory, Déva’s assistant pro.
– a broad, spacious driving range with separate did of leaking one too far to the right, as the Remember to bring two things to Tina Golf
chipping and putting greens. sprawling fig trees sitting within a fairway Club: an attuned sense of depth perception
For 16 holes, Déva meanders across gently bunker block any attempt to reach the green and a good camera, because you’ll need both
undulating terrain, changing direction in regulation. The scorecard says No.18 is in abundance. The host venue of the South
regularly and sprinkling short par-4s utilising the third-toughest assignment at Deva, but I Pacific Open on the PGA Tour of Australasia
long, open greens among more protected challenge anyone to find a more difficult hole is short but tight in places, while striking
targets. The par-3 11th is a popular choice for on the course. approach shots close to the flag is difficult to do
a hole that’s emblematic of the entire layout Resort guests, fitness freaks and anyone on many occasions because of the uphill and
– that is until you reach its sister short hole who adores a good view can get a preview of downhill terrain. The course moves inland on
at the 17th. Here is the solitary moment when their round by scaling the hills to the east of the front nine, where many of the steep green
approaches reside, before meandering towards
Tina Golf Club covers some the oceanfront holes on the back. That’s where
dramatic terrain offering great the camera will come in handy.
views of the surrounding area.
Beginning as a pro-am in 2009, the
South Pacific Open joined the PGA Tour of
Australasia in 2011 and is now a favourite stop
among the players. “The hardest part was to
get the PGA to come to New Caledonia to begin
with. But once they were in Noumea and saw
the course, our facilities and how we run the
event, it was easy,” says tournament promoter
Patrick Koch. “The hospitality during the week
is an important part of the tournament; it helps
to build the friendship between the players and
New Caledonia. People in Noumea love this
tournament because it is unique for us. It is the
only time of the year that good players from
Australia and New Zealand come to play.
“For the players, it presents a good

NEWCASTLE GOLF CLUB
Visitors Welcome Corporate Golf Days Membership Available
(02) 4928 1984
www.newcastlegolf.com.au
Vardon Rd Fern Bay NSW 2295
PLAY AND STAY PACKAGE DEALS

WůĂǇϭϴ,K>^ĂƚEĞǁĐĂƐƚůĞ'ŽůĨůƵď
From $140.00 per person
Twin Share - Mid Week*
Including :
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Minimum 2 people twin share
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FACT FILE
AIRCALIN
The international airline of New Caledonia,
Aircalin, operates 12 flights per week non-stop
from Australia to Noumea. Flights take less than
three hours from Sydney, less than four hours
from Melbourne and two hours from Brisbane.
Sydney flights operate six times a week, while
the Brisbane and Melbourne flights depart
three times per week.
For reservations phone 1300 655 737 or visit
www.aircalin.com
Tina has been the perennial

home of the South Pacific Open LE MÉRIDIEN NOUMEA
for the past few years. Le Méridien Noumea (pictured below) is a
unique blend of French sophistication and
opportunity as we have a smaller field than As most approach shots will come from the warm Pacific island ambience. Located on the
most Tour events,” Koch says. “Players can 150-metre range after a decent drive, balls beachfront overlooking Anse Vata bay, it is
come here for a week, it can be like a little should stay mostly dry … mostly. Tale care, as nestled in the heart of the tropical landscaped
holiday, but it can also be a good week for the overhanging branches of a greenside tree
gardens with direct access to the beach, in
their career. That’s why we have a lot of young can block drives that veer too far right. Later,
front of the Grand Casino, and only ten minutes
players come over.” the downhill 11th is a neat par-3 where club
from the city centre, the unique Tjibaou Cultural
Things became interesting at one of the selection and the ability to judge the wind are
Centre and Tina Golf Club.
most picturesque junctures during last called upon. The hole plays far shorter than
its 156 metres, yet the only complication with To book, visit www.lemeridiennoumea.com
September’s South Pacific Ocean when young
Jake McLeod ripped a drive onto the green of finding the broad green is a single bunker on
the 285-metre par-4 15th hole then binned the the left.
30-foot eagle putt to catch leader and playing A step up in quality is Golf de la Ouenghi,
partner Adam Blyth. McLeod took the direct a pleasant drive north of Noumea. There’s a
line from the elevated tee across an inlet in the basic quality to the layout just as there is at
bay and a grove of palm trees, his ball flicking Dumbéa, but the retreat-like surroundings plus
one of the last fronds before trundling onto the a handful of cleverly designed holes make it a
green. He made another long putt two holes more than worthwhile addition. The front nine
later to catch Blyth once again but lost to his is mostly flat with only a few dangers other
fellow Queensland professional on the third than the treelines, while the back utilises more
play-off hole. undulating terrain, particularly on holes 14 to SHERATON NEW
Up the road, Dumbéa Golf Club is scenic if a 16. The bunkers aren’t penal and the greens CALEDONIA DEVA RESORT
little more basic by comparison. It’s a nice spot feature subtle rather than overt contours. & SPA
for a relaxing hit that’s not too taxing on the This uncomplicated layout possesses some
Sheraton New Caledonia Deva Resort & Spa
mind nor the golf-ball pouch of your bag. The simple touches. Many uphill or dogleg holes
combines Melanesian tradition and traditional
course could use a dose of TLC, especially on feature a single tall pine tree behind the green
French influence. Located in Bourail, the
the greens, but it is far from being a ‘goat track’. that serves as a target when you can’t spot the
northern province of New Caledonia, this 180-
Many of the holes feature wide fairways and flag. Plenty of golfers won’t notice these but
relatively unprotected greens, although several they act as sound guides if required. Likewise, room resort has 60 bungalows, the 18-hole Dye
weave through some pockets of trouble in the several teeing grounds retain a stately tree or Design golf course, a health club and spa.
form of streams and long rough. two in such a position that they form more of a To book, visit
The 6th is among the more difficult chute to drive through than would normally be www.sheratonnewcaledoniadeva.com
examinations. A par-4 of 371 metres, a the case with only a few trees in play.
stream cuts the fairway on two occasions Ouenghi and Dumbéa won’t win any design NEW CALEDONIA
but on neither should it be an issue if you accolades, but both possess a charm and – For more information on New Caledonia, visit
drive the ball well. The first crossing is little especially in Ouenghi’s case – a tranquillity
www.newcaledonia.travel
more than 150 metres from the tee, while the that’s difficult to beat. Which is much like New
next is about 100 metres short of the green. Caledonia itself.

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Twin Creeks is the perfect place to mix business with pleasure.
Whether you’re looking for exclusive golf membership, to host a corporate
or social event or for a new dining experience, then let us show you why

Twin Creeks Golf & Country Club is becoming Western Sydney’s ultimate venue.

7-day Memberships from $2800pa

Membership
Contact +61 2 9670 8863 | [email protected]

Corporate Golf and Conferences

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Weddings and Functions

Contact Lauren
Wilson +61 2 9670 8866 | [email protected]
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G E T A W AY S
CRUISING EUROPE
The first Australian privately chartered golf and from the Holy Roman Empire to World War II. Club Adamstal, set against the scenery of the
cruise along the River Danube is now being The bucolic Bavarian scenery on the outskirts Alpine foothills (pictured above).
offered for 2018. of town adds to the charm of the excellent On the river, the beautiful Avalon Panorama
Combine the enjoyment of playing highly- Golf Club am Habsberg course, which was features two full decks of suites with wall-to-
rated golf courses in Germany, Austria and designed by Graham Marsh. wall ‘Panoramic’ windows that transform the
Hungary with a five-star cruise on Europe’s Other rounds to be played during the cruise living space into a unique open-air balcony.
longest river. The journey – running for seven include the Beckenbauer course at Hartl Gliding down the Danube, the tour
days from July 10 to 17 in 2018 – begins in Golf Resort, designed by Bernhard Langer, achieves a perfect balance between delightful
Nuremberg, a city with a rich history dating in Passau, as well as Austria’s amazing Golf golf and illuminating cultural tours with stops
in Regensburg, Passau, Melk, Vienna and
Budapest.
The tour will be hosted by golfing tragic
Andrew Daddo, who hosts The Golf Show on
FoxSports.
The package being offered by The Golf
Touring Company starts from $7,495
per person and includes seven nights’
accommodation, all meals and drinks with
dinner, four rounds of golf in Germany, Austria
and Hungary as well as tips from the Australian
teaching professionals on board for the week.
All gratuities and port taxes included.
The Golf Touring Company can also organise
an extension tour to the Open Championship
in Scotland or Ireland.
For more information, visit www.
thegolftouringcompany.com.au or call (02)
8484 2059.

GOLFER’S ADVENTURE An aerial view of Cape Wickham
If you have read our Top-100 Public Access from the Air Adventure plane.
Courses ranking you will see Tasmanian
courses have taken all of the top four spots.
Air Adventure Golf Tours can fly you direct to
all four courses – Barnbougle Dunes and Lost
Farm, and on to King Island’s Cape Wickham
and Ocean Dunes – with the ultimate golf trip.
Travel is in the privately chartered Air
Adventure Outback Jet, Cessna Conquest II.
This twin prop-jet aircraft is a fast, reliable
outback machine capable of landing on
Barnbougle’s private airfield. Recently
refurbished with new paint and a customised
interior, it’s all weather rated with impressive
safety features, crewed by an experienced
commercial captain.
The company has a four-day tour starting
from $2,075 per person, twin share (group of
eight), which includes return charter flights For more information or to book, call Air overnight.
to Barnbougle and King Island, departing Adventure Golf Tours on 1800 033 160 or visit Melbourne Golfing Tours can get you on the
Melbourne’s Essendon Airport, three nights’ the website golf.airadventure.com.au world famous Sandbelt courses including Royal
accommodation (two nights at Lost Farm Melbourne, Kingston Heath (pictured below),
Lodge) and green fees for two rounds at each SANDBELT DREAMS Victoria, Metropolitan and Yarra Yarra.
of the Barnbougle layouts, Cape Wickham Melbourne Golfing Tours can organise The company can organise every aspect of
and Ocean Dunes. On ground transfers are fantastic five-star golf packages throughout your trip including tee times, accommodation,
also included. Victoria for any level of golfers all year round. transfers and it will be an experience you will
For groups of four or more golfers contact The company takes the stress out of never forget.
Air Adventure Golf Tours to set your departure organising your golfing holiday for groups from Checkout the range of tours at www.
date. For smaller groups, get in touch for interstate or overseas. Melbourne groups melbournegolfingtours.com.au or email info@
available options and rates. can also be catered for, for either a day trip or melbournegolfingtours.com.au
TAKE A BENNS’ BUS

King Island has become the No.1 bucket list destination for golfers
and if you’re wondering how to get to the courses once you’re on
the island, Jim and Sharon Benn have you covered.
Jim and Sharon own King Island Benns’ Bus Tours and they can
be booked for all transfers between the airport and the island’s
PHOTOS: SUPPLIED X 5; BRENDAN JAMES (KINGSTON HEATH)
courses – Cape Wickham, Ocean Dunes (pictured right) and the

King Island layout. The couple also offer a range of tours around the
island including an arts and craft tour, a shipwreck tour, sunset and
penguin tour as well as a food tour.
The Benns’ can also assist with your accommodation needs
with two cottages that boast magnificent coastal views. Netherby
Downs is ideal for up to six people, while the fully self-contained
AC View Cottage has one-bedroom and would suit a couple.
For a free tour or accommodation quote, visit www.
seaviewcottages.com.au or www.kingislandbustours.com.au

TO ADVERTISE IN GOLFER’S MARKETPLACE CALL 0412 327 886
G O L F H O L I DAY S
VICTORIA VICTORIA
Golfers Resort GLENN MC CULLY

Yarrawonga Golf Schools
Luxury self contained accommodation 3 and 5 Day Schools
2-7 Day Golf Packages Group, Private & Beginner Formats
Summer and Winter specials from $525 pp. twin share
www.golfersresort.com.au www.golfersresort.com.au
[email protected] [email protected]
03 5744 1994 03 5744 1994
THE 2017 US MASTERS ■■■■■■■

APRIL
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How I Went Mental and Dropped 5 Shots

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t 68 years of age and having played golf on committed to the program, just relax and there could
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George had never really considered the impor- Dropping 5 shots
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the information video about how the Pro golfer thinks points had won a prize of a dozen balls”
on the course compared to amateurs and it just Nicholson asked Peter “What do your golfing mates
clicked…I immediately realised I had been missing out Pro Golf IQ Director, Peter Nicholson with Mildura’s Peter George. think?” He replied “They ask ‘what are you doing dif-
on one of the most important parts of the game.” ferently, we’ve never seen you play so well!”
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Early results WORKS!”
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SPOTLIGHT
Tasmania GOLF CLUB

ŗ ŗ Ċ ŗ
Tasmania’s beautiful par-5 3rd

hole has some similarities with the
famous closer at Pebble Beach.

T
asmania was a nomadic club for nearly Throughout his prolific design career, 18th at Pebble Beach in mind when he staked
70 years before settling on its current Howard liked the challenge of creating out the routing of this hole.
site, known as Barilla Bluff, which is courses on difficult land. But once the scrub It is the most spectacular hole on the course
surrounded by water on three sides. was cleared on the Bluff, a rolling landscape with beautiful views from the tee of Barilla
The location might be great but the was revealed, giving rise to some wonderfully Bay and the surrounding countryside. The
landscape that faced designer Al Howard and interesting holes. hole follows the Bay in a gradual curve to the
course superintendent Ian Grimsey was a Easily the best known of the holes at left and offers the option for long hitters of
wilderness of bracken, native scrub covered Tasmania is the 526-metre par-5 3rd hole. shortening the hole by cutting off the corner
sand dunes and sandstone outcrops. There’s little doubt Howard had the famous with a big drive. Of course, the danger is that

FACT FILE
ADDRESS: 1420 Tasman Highway,
the drive will finish in the water or on the especially when the wind is whipping in off
Cambridge, Tasmania, 7170.
beach some 60 metres below. Like all the the water from the right.
holes at Tasmania, wind plays a major role in Arguably the best par-3 at Tasmania is the CONTACT: (03) 6248 5098; www.
how it should be played, especially from the downhill 11th, which measures just 125 tasmaniagolfclub.com.au
tee. Once you’re on the fairway, the gradual metres from the back markers. It is a great DESIGNERS: Al Howard and Ian Grimsey (1972)
slope of the fairway is down towards the water little hole with two bunkers and steep banks GREEN FEES: $75.
so the second shot wants to bend towards the to the left, as well as behind the putting GOLF AUSTRALIA MAGAZINE TOP-100
bay. Keep the second shot from heading left, surface, making the green appear smaller, COURSES HISTORY: No.80 (2016), No.83 (2014).
and you will be left with an easy pitch. especially in a strong wind. The view from the RANKING JUDGES’ COMMENTS:
The wind can also prove hazardous at the tee over Barilla Bay is worth at least double “Love the variety of holes here. Starts with a
par-3 8th hole. The 159-metre hole is laid out the price of the green fee. couple of short, almost driveable par-4s, and
across the end of the promontory and is A memorable feature of any round at then you stand out on the tee of that beautiful
susceptible to more breeze than most of the Tasmania is the outstanding condition of the par-5 and you can’t help but love this place.” –
other holes that rise and fall through valleys bentgrass, tees, fairways and greens. While James King (2016).
and are heavily tree-lined. The hole is best most mainlanders will have experienced “Tasmania covers amazing terrain alongside
played with a punch shot below the wind to bentgrass greens at some stage, hitting full and away from the edge of the bay. You feel
find the green. Three bunkers left and a large shots off this grass almost makes you feel almost every shot you play is from a different
bunker right complicate the approach shot, guilty about taking a divot. lie and when you’re faced with wanting to hit a
draw off a hanging lie, it excites when you pull it
Tasmania’s two best par-3s –
the uphill 8th (below) and the off.” – Brendan James (2016).
dramatic downhill 11th (above).
PHOTOS: JOHN MILBOURNE

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WINNER’S CIRCLE
“…I’M SUPER EXCITED. I’M

HAROLD READY TO FILL THIS TROPHY UP
WITH CHAMPAGNE AND THEN
GET TO THE CASINO.” ”
VARNER III – HAROLD VARNER III
AUSTRALIAN PGA
CHAMPION
WINNING SCORE:
19 under par, 269
DEFEATED: Defeated
Queenslander Andrew
Dodt by two shots.
DEFINING MOMENTS:
There were two defining
moments actually, and
both came late in the
third round. The American
was five shots off the
pace heading to the 15th hole but rolled in an eagle
to get to 11 under. Two holes later, Varner holed his
wedge approach from a second eagle and he was
back in the running. Even a bogey at the final hole
didn’t hurt his chances.
WITH THIS VICTORY… :
R Varner’s win was his first as a professional.
R He is the first American to win the Australian
PGA since Hale Irwin claimed the title in 1978.
Irwin and Varner are the only Americans to win
the PGA in its long history.
R Varner is the fifth American to win a European
Tour event on Australian soil, joining Steve
Stricker, Kevin Stadler, Tiger Woods and
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20 WAYS TO SHOOT YOUR

BEST SCORE THIS WEEKEND BUBBA WATSON

JANUARY 2017 ISSUE #335

$9.50 (incl. GST)

THE NEW STEELHEAD XR IS PACKED

Kit Alexander met. VICTORIAN ADVERTISING MANAGER

PRODUCTION & DIGITAL SERVICES MANAGER Jonathan Bishop

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER David Gardiner

4 JANUARY 2017 | golf australia

Contact American Golf Supplies (02 9524 8233) or [email protected]

CONTENTS JANUARY #335

66 KEEP UP & SHUT UP INSTRUCTION

142 TOP-100 SPOTLIGHT: TASMANIA GOLF CLUB

8 TEEING OFF: BRENDAN JAMES

6 JANUARY 2017 | golf australia

HARD WORK MAKES OPPORTUNITY COME KNOCKING

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1 Ballingalla Street, Narooma NSW 2546 www.naroomagolf.com.au (02) 44 76 0500

WORLD CUP BUMP

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LETTER OF THE MONTH

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golf australia | JANUARY 2017 13

The way every Australian

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Another unique feature of Mollymook Golf

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Mollymook recently hosted the 2016

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Golf as nature intended

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SPOT THE BALL pack – including a dozen Tour Preferred golf

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Set on the stunning Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria,

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