Crater might be a bit of an exaggeration, but pitch marks are certainly a lot bigger in the winter, when the greens tend to be softer and more receptive.

It’s this time of year when we get reminded at just how big a problem they are.

The issue of pitch marks varies from club to club. I’ve played a lot of golf in the UK this year, however, including during a fairly wet autumn and early winter, and there’s no doubt it’s a widespread problem.

If you repair a pitch mark straight away, instead of leaving it to someone else (greenkeepers/other players) it will start to recover within 24 hours.

If that indent is left unrepaired for 24 hours, however, it can take as long as three weeks to repair itself. During that time, a nasty-looking scar develops on the putting surface.

This, quite understandably, drives greenkeepers and your fellow golfers mad.

The former are usually the first to get blamed when the greens aren’t perfect. I’ve seen many players throw their toys out of the pram after missing a short putt, directing their rage at the quality of the putting surface, of course.

We can and should be doing better. Most of the greenkeepers I’ve chatted to this year have been pretty stretched. Although many will repair pitch marks, they don’t always have the time. Really, they shouldn't have to.

In short, don’t point the finger at the greenkeepers. Are you guilty of not repairing pitch marks? Do you even carry a pitch mark repairer? Perhaps you do, but you’re not repairing pitch marks correctly, which can actually cause more harm than good.

WHO'S TO BLAME... AND WHAT SHOULD BE DONE?

What’s the solution? One golfer, so enraged he was by the lack of green etiquette, told me the only solution was CCTV! Just joking about using such extreme measures highlights how difficult it is to find a solution.

Polite notices on the course help, as do email reminders to the membership, although they can lose their effectiveness. Golfers don't tend to like being told off.

Could the pro/shop assistant issue reminders? I can’t recall ever being told by someone in the pro shop to be mindful of pitch marks.

Perhaps they’re worried about how this might come across. I’m not sure - I’m kind of playing devil’s advocate here.

Just recently, I played in a competition. I was in the third group off. Throughout the whole round, I found myself repairing pitch marks that had clearly been left by the two groups in front. What do you do?

I’ll tell you what I did. Nothing. Swearing underneath my breath, I just repaired the damage and carried on. I would have emailed the secretary or spoken to the pro if I felt it would have done any good. It never does.

Perhaps I should have confronted the group in front? To be honest, I really don’t like confrontation. Safer to moan to those in your own group!

What this latest example of poor golf etiquette did underline, though, was that this issue cannot just be pinned on visitors and golf societies, as it often is - club members are just as culpable.

I’ve been playing the game for over 40 years now, during which time I’ve been a member of five different golf clubs. I’ve yet to come across an initiative that seems to work and significantly reduce the number of pitch marks over a long period.

Maybe you have, in which case please leave your comments in the box below.

Ah, yes, I did say there are cases where golfers should be afforded some slack.

A couple come to mind: you lose your ball in the sun and don’t see where it lands (I'm being generous, you should be able to locate it) and some kind of injury (also a stretch) that prevents you from bending down, much like some golfers struggle to pick their ball out of the cup.

If you’re scratching your head with this one, bear with me. I’ve witnessed a lot of senior golfers tap down pitch marks with their putters because bending down causes a bit of pain.

Maybe there’s an opportunity here for a new tool that can be attached to the end of the putter, allowing the golfer with a stiff back and dodgy knee to carry out the required maintenance!

Let’s share the best ideas/solutions, and keep our greenkeepers happy and our putts rolling nice and true.

As I’ve said before, WHS isn’t suited to the competitive culture of club golf that’s long established and deeply engrained in the British Isles. The feedback from golfers on articles I’ve written suggesting ways WHS could be altered and improved has been heavily in favour of what I’m saying.

I recognise the echo chamber effect, and that there will be golfers in the UK and Ireland who are delighted with WHS. Indeed, there are some people who are happy with the system are are sick of scratch golfers complaining they can't win handicap competitions.

If you are one of those people who think WHS is tip-top, then please do leave a comment in the box below the article… Do that if you have any thoughts on the subject, positive or negative.

I’m quietly confident that the overwhelming consensus on WHS among club golfers in the home nations is that it doesn’t suit us very well. But the governing bodies are either not listening or are in denial.

I think the best way to clarify the golfing public’s view on WHS would be to conduct a nationwide survey – all four of our home golfing unions should collaborate to ask the 4 million golfers across our Isles specific questions on WHS.

Is it fit for purpose? Do you enjoy golf more or less since its introduction? Is it fair? Is it being manipulated? Basic questions and on to more detailed questions with options for clarifications and suggestions.

'Not Just A Few'

If the response showed (as I very much think it would) that people are not happy with WHS – especially low-handicappers – then the powers that be would have an obligation to make some changes.

Currently, they can just swat away objections by saying it’s the loud voices of an angry few and the majority are having a great time under the new system.

I don’t think it’s just a few who believe WHS is not working for regular golfers in this country. A recent bit of correspondence from my club demonstrates it.

As from next year, if you want to enter one of the main club knockout tournaments at Banchory, you will need to have completed at least four counting rounds towards handicap throughout the previous season.

The email went on to say that although WHS has no set rules on this, we as a club can set the criteria for players to compete in certain competitions and we want to make sure the comps are fair for all players.

The club is having to take matters into its own hands to prevent players with inflated or incorrect handicaps from entering and winning the most prestigious club competitions.

I’d love to know if other clubs are being forced to take such drastic action to add criteria to competition entries because they believe WHS is not working sufficiently well. If your club has done something similar, please let us know in the box below.

I think we have given WHS a fair shot. It’s been in place for five years now and the hope, my hope at least, was that it would bed in and be tweaked where necessary to deliver a better golfing experience for all of us who enjoy playing competitive amateur golf on a weekly basis.

It hasn’t for me and, increasingly, I believe it hasn’t for the majority of established club golfers in the UK and Ireland. With individual clubs now having to deal with member disaffection at WHS at ground level by putting in caveats and extra criteria for key competitions, it’s surely time for a proper review.

Let’s have that full and specific WHS survey. Give golfers their say. If the results show that we’re all happy and content with the new system, I’ll eat my golf cap and accept defeat. If it shows we’re not, then can we make some changes please?

Quiz: How Well Do You Understand The World Handicap System?

When the very best players strike a ball, the sound is just a little different, purer, cleaner and louder. It’s an authoritative crack. It’s a resonant thwack that basically says, “take that, ball.”

At an elite event, if you walk up and down the range and know what to listen for, you can identify the very best ball strikers in the field just by hearing them hit.

Sound is important to us mere mortal amateur golfers too. A good sound at the strike gives us positive feedback that we are doing something right. It builds confidence.

When choosing a golf club, from driver right down to putter, sound is a hugely important factor to consider.

The acoustics of a strike and the associated vibrations give you a feeling for a club. If they are positive, you are more likely to feel positive about playing shots with that club.

If the sound is clanky and the vibrations through your hands and arms are unpleasant, you’re going to feel that the club isn’t performing correctly.

The sound a club makes may have no direct effect on its performance, but it will influence your, the player’s, performance. If you like the way a club sounds, you will enjoy using it, you will commit to shots hoping to experience that satisfying percussion.

If you’re testing drivers or irons and two models perform relatively closely but one sounds great and the other sounds a little dead, there’s only going to be one winner. Sound is a crucial component of getting the right club to suit your game.

Can the sound be misleading? You bet. As mentioned above, the sound a club makes does not directly impact upon performance. A great sounding driver might produce more spin and less distance than one that sounds like you’re ringing a cowbell at the point of strike.

Irons that sound clicky and clumsy when struck correctly might deliver a perfect, consistent ball flight while the forged blades that sound so pure when you hit the middle might produce a decent result one in every 10 shots.

The sound a club makes will undoubtedly influence you but don’t let it hoodwink you. If the results aren’t good, it doesn’t matter how amazing it sounds.

When it comes to the sound a club makes, it’s really a matter of personal preference what is desirable. With a driver, for instance, some prefer a dulled impact, one that feels you’ve barely touched the ball as it sails away into the deep blue yonder.

This is common on the best golf drivers that use a lot of carbon fiber, like the TaylorMade Qi35 or Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max.

Others might prefer a far more kinetic noise at the strike, one that gives the feedback that, yes, you’ve really nutted that one. Drivers like the Ping G440 Max and the Mizuno ST-Max 230 give your ears a little more to go off.

We each know what sound we like to hear with each club in the bag. For me, I prefer a pistol-shot like crack with the driver and steadily duller sounds all the way down the bag, with wedges delivering a swoosh rather than a hit and the putter making pretty much no noise at all.

A shorter sound is generally considered preferable over one that reverberates for a long time, relatively speaking. When comparing clubs and assessing them for sound, be sure to do this outside as the acoustics can vastly differ when hitting indoors on an echoey, enclosed simulator, which is not where you will end up playing most of your golf!

What’s your preference? Let us know by leaving a comment in the box below.

I think sound will always play a part in club selection and a positive noise greatly helps you gain confidence and to play in a positive way. But I also think sound can be misleading. A tractor has an engine that’s as loud as a Ferrari, but it can’t get round the Nürburgring quite so quickly!

South

Travel to the resort is very easy with it being a quick transfer from Faro Airport in roughly 15-25 mins or so. It is on this drive you will see flashes of flowing fairways and greens which give you an inkling of what’s to come on the North and South courses.

We start with the latter which opened for play in 1974. The work of American architect William Mitchell, the course has hosted the Portuguese Open eight times with high profile winners like Colin Montgomerie. The front nine weaves through the parkland trees nicely before transitioning into a challenge-filled back-nine. The last four holes in particular will test your ability to keep your score going, starting with the stunning par-3 15th over a lake. All I will say here is, if in doubt, go long.

Moving to 16, this is one of the most picturesque holes I’ve played. You are faced with a deceptive tee shot before the hole bends to the left revealing a stunning and dramatic view out to the green, seemingly surrounded by water. If you get your drive in the fairway, find the dance floor with your second and take a par.

17 is a straight and reasonably long par-5 whilst 18 is a tricky dog-leg left par-4 to finish. Concluding on the South course, it does an excellent job at being playable for a variety of levels, whilst also having a Tour pedigree as well, which is not an easy thing to do from my experience.

North

Right next door to the South sits the North which I found to be an extremely enjoyable place to play. Right away I should say it is best suited for buggies or carts because if you are walking then there are some long treks between holes and you have to criss-cross the road several times. Redesigned in 2014 by Beau Welling and Paul McGinley, the investment brought precision and strategy to the fore, especially off the tee.

I found the importance of finding the fairway was vital because whilst it isn’t particularly long, the green surrounds and bunkering means you have to be hitting your approach from the fairway to avoid trouble and keep a score going. Speaking of bunkering, it is excellent with the bunkers on the par-3’s being of particular note because of their depth and size.

Notable holes to mention include the par-4 12th which wraps around a water hazard in a similar fashion to the 18th at TPC Sawgrass, 14 and 16 are two short and lovely par-3’s putting a premium on a clean strike and correct club selection. Finally I really like 18 being an attackable par-5 to finish, just be wary of going right off the tee as there is a huge modern house there! I know the South has the Tour proven pedigree, but I actually thought the North was more intricate and therefore harder for me, especially off the tee. The green complexes are tricky, especially if you get in the wrong spot or the pin is in a tough spot. I must say the latter was definitely the case when I played it!

Laranjal

Now completing the trio is the Laranjal. I unfortunately didn’t get to play this on my whistle stop trip, but several of my Golf Monthly colleagues have played it a lot and filled me in on what I was missing. I guess I will have to get back to Quinta as soon as possible to play it!

Located two kilometers from the resort, it is routed through orange groves and designed by Portuguese architect Jorge Santana da Silva. It opened in 2008 and has gone from strength to strength, with the greens in particular ranking as some of the best in the Algarve. The design itself winds around trees and water hazards throughout the round culminating in a double dogleg par-5 with ponds seemingly everywhere!

If you don’t feel like the courses have scratched your golf itch then you also have a cool mini golf course at the resort as well as the Quinta do Lago Performance Center in partnership with TaylorMade where you can get lessons and a custom fitting. I for example got a putting lesson and my technique was inconsistent to say the least! But I am committing to the new grip the instructor suggested.

Other Activities

The Campus

If golf isn’t for you but you live an active lifestyle, I recommend heading down to The Campus, a high-performance centre used by rugby teams like the British & Irish Lions, and football teams as well. There are tennis and padel courts, a high performance gym, swimming pools, as well as rehabilitation facilities like the hydrotherapy pool and recovery suite. I definitely needed these with my ailing back! There is also The Bike Shed which is for cyclists to enjoy, as well as large fields for football and rugby too.

Food

With all these activities to choose from, you will undoubtedly need to refuel and you have got plenty of options with 14 bars and restaurants to choose from. I got to experience two of these starting with Casa Velha which served up sublime local and international cuisines and the second establishment was Bovino. I admit, I’m not a huge steak guy but this steakhouse experience was incredible. The cuts were delicious as were the sides and just about everything else - a brilliant meal.

Accommodation

There are also several accommodation options to choose from as well. The Conrad Algarve is for those wanting five-star elegance, there are luxury rental villa options, and I finally got to stay at The Magnolia Hotel. It features a cool, Miami style with style and comfort throughout the different rooms, suites, and cottages. Location wise it is a short hop away from the resorts main attractions and there is plenty to do at the hotel as well a heated outdoor salt-water pool, tennis court, cocktail bar, spa and cinema.

Essentials

How to get there

Faro Airport is well served by flights across the UK, and is just a 20-minute drive from Quinta do Lago. The Magnolia Hotel offers guests transfer services.

Where to play

North course Course stats: par 72, 6,725 yards

South course Course stats: par 72, 7,040 yards

Laranjal Course stats: par 72, 7,083 yards W: quintadolago.com

Where to stay

The Magnolia Hotel W: themagnoliahotelqdl.com

Firstly, I'd like to say welcome to those who are new to the sport. I hope you are enjoying it, especially as, for me, it has provided some of my best ever memories.

Nothing beats a round of golf and a few beers with your buddies, that's all I'll say!

Secondly, like when taking up any new hobby, it can be difficult to know where to start, especially when there are so many coaches, equipment and influencers at your disposal.

With the rise of social media, everyone appears to be an expert and, although I wouldn't say I fall into that category, I'd like to think I know a little bit about the game of golf, since I've played it for 20 years.

Therefore, if I were starting the game fresh with what I know now, I would avoid these mistakes and focus on these areas to get better and fulfill my enjoyment.

Would you add any other tips to the ones below? Let me know via our comments section...

Get Golf Lessons

The first thing you should do, and I can't stress this enough, is to get a lesson booked in with a professional.

If you're about to venture into golf for the first time, why would you not go to someone who is literally trained to speak about and analyze the golf swing? Too me, it's a no-brainer. No matter how good you are, a lesson is the most cost-effective way to improve your game.

Obviously, the question then arises of which professional do I go with? Although it definitely helps, you can do more than just research them online and I would recommend visiting local golf clubs in your area and chatting to the professionals face-to-face.

Like a job interview, you can gauge an individual better when you speak to them in person, especially as every coach teaches the game differently and every coach communicates in a different way.

You're new to the game, therefore you want someone who you can connect with, someone who has a genuine interest, and someone who won't rush you.

Don't Be Influenced By Online/Social Videos

When you've had your lesson(s), and you're comfortable with your swing, don't ruin it by watching online videos of others and be influenced by what they're doing!

You've been given something to work on that is specifically designed for your game and swing. Why oh why are you copying someone who is doing something that is completely different to what you're doing? It doesn't make sense.

A good friend of mine has taken up the game in the last six months. He's had a few lessons and his swing has come on in leaps and bounds but, one night at the range, he turned to me and admitted that he had watched this video and wanted to try a particular motion.

Instead of telling him it was wrong, I let him carry on and, sure enough, he started topping it and couldn't get the ball off the tee. Following 15 minutes of madness and frustration, I then gave him the blunt truth that, instead of trying something different, he should stick with what his coach has told him to do.

When you're starting out keep the game as simple as possible, don't start adding fuel to the fire when you're head is already ablaze.

You Don't Need A Custom Fitting

I'll admit this is something that can be beneficial when you're further down the line of your golfing journey but, for now, a new set of clubs costing thousands of dollars isn't worth it.

At the start, I would recommend either a package set or second hand clubs, as they provide better value and give you the basics for when you're wanting to strike the ball consistently.

What's more, if you play the game and don't get the bug as we have, then it gives you peace of mind knowing you haven't splashed out a considerable chunk of cash to find out.

The important thing is you have the basics you need to start. A package set provides you with a bag and around seven clubs, which is plenty. When you become a more competent ball striker, then think about investing. For now, you don't need to.

Play Off The Front Tees

Bryson DeChambeau, who is a two-time Major winner, recommends this so, if it's good enough for him, then it's something I would definitely incorporate if you're new to the game.

Admittedly, this may not be a viable option for a few, as ego gets in the way and some don't want to go off the front tees; however, it's something that will help your enjoyment when you first go out on the course.

I'll give you a further two reasons why going off the front tees is perfect for a beginner golfer. Firstly, you're starting nearer the green and, therefore, will likely need fewer shots to get it into the hole.

Secondly, following your tee shot, you'll be far closer to the flag than if you went off the back tee. This is where the scoring section of your bag comes in, which is your wedges.

If you're able to use them regularly and learn how to play different shots while using them, then in the long run you'll gain more confidence knowing you're capable of pulling off various shots.

On The Greens Is Where You Save Strokes

When venturing out onto the golf course, putting is the area that's the simplest and quickest way to save strokes in your game. This doesn't just apply to newcomers, but all golfers.

If you think about it, the putter is the most used club in the golf bag and it can be the difference between a good round and a great one.

Also, unlike the long game, where you have to either have space for a home set-up or use a golf range, putting can be practiced in the comfort of your own living room, as all it requires is a golf ball, putter and, if you have one, a putting mat.

Holing a couple of 10-footers when you're a new golfer is a thrilling feeling and a big confidence booster. There's no correct way of putting, everyone is unique, so if you can find a stroke that is comfortable and works then it's a quick way to save shots.

Try And Play With Better Players

Okay, this is one that will divide opinion but, for me, if I played with a better player, I feel it would improve my game.

Admittedly, playing with better players can be an intimidating experience, especially when you're new to the game and you're watching them hit the ball so high and far, as well as holing putts from here, there and everywhere.

But the reason I suggest playing with better players is that you can learn a lot from them. Whether it's watching their pre-shot routine, how they play different shots, or even how they grind a round out, it's a great learning experience watching a good player on the course.

I'm not suggesting you hound them with questions when playing, but just ask them odd things here and there. Why did you hit an iron off that tee? Why are you playing that chip with that club? Just little insights can make a big difference.

Rein In Your Expectations And Enjoy It

My final point is just enjoy it!

You're potentially embarking on a new hobby that will keep you entertained for life. A hobby where you can meet new friends, go travelling to new places or earn valuable life skills.

When starting your golf journey, don't expect to master it and play like a professional immediately. That's what's great about our sport, it can never be completely mastered.

One minute you're trying to hack it out of the rough, the next you're producing a shot that even the likes of Rory McIlroy would be proud of.

Hone in your expectations, don't lose your rag and, most importantly, enjoy it.

With excitement building around a strong field teeing it up at the 2019 Presidents Cup venue, it begs the question... should the Australian Open be the fifth men's Major?

David Puig took victory at Royal Queensland last week, expertly tipped by Jonny Leighfield, making it four winning tips in the last four events and five in the last six weeks.

Keeping that impressive run going is going to be a challenge, especially with Rory McIlroy in the field, but who have our panel selected to surge past the Career Grand Slam winner and emerge victorious on Sunday? Let's find out...

Crown Australian Open: Expert Betting Tips

Pick One: Daniel Hillier (+2500) To Win @ BetMGM

Hillier has been growing in stature through the years and is starting to look increasingly more comfortable on the DP World Tour and ready to win again after his 2023 British Masters triumph.

The New Zealander, who I think could easily earn one of the ten PGA Tour cards next season, has three top-10s in his last five starts including two top-fives, one of which came last week at the Australian PGA Championship. I can certainly see him contending again this time out.

Pick Two: Anthony Quayle To Finish In The Top-10 (+500) @ BetMGM

The Australian has a remarkable nine top-10s in his last ten starts including a runner-up finish so he is one of the most in-form players heading into the Australian Open.

Whether he quite has the stature to win remains to be seen but with Tiger Woods’ former caddie Steve Williams on the bag he certainly has some great expertise helping him.

The two-time PGA Tour of Australasia winner was T15th at the 2022 Open and would be a very popular winner at Royal Melbourne. I do think that is unlikely, though, but I will pick him for another top-10.

Pick One: Marc Leishman (+1400) To Win @ BetMGM

Leishman is one of the most in-form players coming into the Australian Open with four consecutive top-11 finishes from starts across the PGA Tour of Australasia, Asian Tour and DP World Tour.

A T3rd at the Australian PGA Championship tells me his game is in a great place, and the T3rd result at the Australian Open 12 months ago shows his style suits his home country.

With spots at The Masters and The Open on the line, and having managed to qualify for Royal Portrush via this route last year, Leishman is likely to feel pretty confident he can do it again.

Pick Two: Wenyi Ding (+3500) To Win @ BetMGM

Recent form and course form are really important metrics at this time of year, and Wenyi Ding is another man who is flying at the moment.

The Chinese pro was runner-up at the Australian PGA Championship and was T6th and third in a couple of big Asian Tour events previously.

Add in the fact that he was T5th at the Australian Open last year and you've got a great starting point for a potential contender in 2025.

Ding might well have to carry on producing his A game if he's to win, though, as this is a tough field and his B game isn't likely to get it done.

I'd feel more confident in a top-10 pick here, but Ding could well be a star of the future and this week might turn out to be his breakthrough moment...

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Pick One: Adam Scott (+1600) To Win @ BetMGM

Despite missing the FedEx Cup Playoffs in August, Adam Scott hasn't missed a cut since, registering a T27th at the PGA Tour's Baycurrent Classic, as well as a T30th at the Genesis Championship and a solo seventh at last week's BMW Australian PGA Championship.

That solo seventh is what's putting him up for my first pick, along with the fact that the experienced 45-year-old knows Royal Melbourne well, having held a decent record at the 2019 Presidents Cup when this tournament was staged there.

Admittedly, Scott will need to get his putter working, which is always a problem area, but on home soil and re-finding some form, I believe the Aussie is a good pick for this week.

Pick Two: Bernd Wiesberger To Win/Finish In Top-10 (+9000/+500) @ BetMGM

Personally, I think Wiesberger is coming into the event slightly under the radar, especially given his recent form and the fact he appears more settled back on the DP World Tour in the tail-end of 2025.

Finishing T10th at last week's BMW Australian PGA Championship, he was also T17th at the DP World India Championship and T16th at the Open de Espana.

That equates to three top 17 finishes in his last four starts, which shows me excellent form. In Australia last week, he hit 84% of fairways, 72% in greens in regulation and was 4th in putting average, key areas to look for to perform well at Royal Melbourne.

Pick One: Ryan Fox (+3000) To Win @ BetMGM

Ryan Fox is a great price this week, perhaps due to the quality at the top of the board. His stats suit the test that Royal Melbourne sets, ranking in the top-10 for scrambling in each of the past two seasons and 11th for SG: Approach in 2025.

Fox is also a proven winner worldwide, solidifying that status this season with two well-earned PGA Tour victories.

A disappointing third round at Royal Queensland last week halted his momentum, after a solid opening 65, but I can forgive him that and fancy his chances of adding fifth DP World Tour title to his resume.

Pick Two: Alex Fitzpatrick (+5500) To Win @ BetMGM

Alex Fitzpatrick has had a solid season this year, but is still coming into tournaments a little under the radar due to a lack of a maiden DP World Tour win.

That will come in 2026, I am pretty sure of that, but I can also see a world where it happens this week.

Over his last ten events, Fitzpatrick has gained strokes with his short game and putting - which will stand him in good stead at Royal Melbourne.

The Englishman might be a good one to consider in the top-10 finish market, after three solid rounds put him in contention at Royal Queensland last week, but I am going to be brave and take a punt on a juicy price for Alex Fitzpatrick to win.

Golf Monthly Betting Picks: Wins In 2025

Later, when I spent time at a resort style course abroad, it was a similar story. Golf lived within a wider experience. You met people by the pool, or at the bar, and only afterwards realised they were also members of the golf course. Golf did not have to be the starting point. It could grow naturally out of everything else that was going on at the resort.

For younger women especially, like myself, that kind of environment is a gentle way in. The setting feels modern and relaxed. There is less sense of walking into “a golf club” and more sense of joining a lifestyle.

So where does that leave the more traditional member clubs that do not have spa facilities, hotel rooms or a long list of other activities on offer? Can they really compete for broader demographics, or are younger women always going to lean towards the resort style option?

Rethinking What A Traditional Club Looks Like

When I came back to the UK this summer and joined Aspley Guise & Woburn Sands Golf Club for lessons, I will admit I had some assumptions. On paper, it is the sort of place I might once have written off as too traditional. I imagined strict dress codes, older members who did things a certain way and not much interest in bringing in younger women who travel a lot, work remotely and are still finding their place in the game. What I actually found was very different.

The atmosphere in the clubhouse was relaxed and friendly. Members smiled and said hello. There was music playing, changing rooms with female products, and a general feeling that people were there to enjoy themselves rather than maintain a strict atmosphere.

One day, I turned up in a short skirt in what was probably too cold for British weather and braced myself for a comment. Instead, I got a few jokes about being brave, some encouragement and no judgment at all. Little moments like that quietly challenge the idea that traditional clubs are automatically stuffy or unwelcoming.

Encouraging New Players Into The Game

Aspley runs a “Journey Into Golf” pathway that is designed to help new players ease in, rather than commit all at once. It starts with coaching, moves through a flexible “New to Golf” stage, and then into a “Get into Golf” membership that sits just before full membership.

On paper, that looks like a fairly standard development programme. In reality, what makes it work is the way the women running it show up for people.

When I spoke to the Aspley Guise Club President Malcolm McGregor, Lady Captain Jane Drake and Ladies Commitee Lead Jo Harrison, they kept coming back to the same themes: connection, community and giving people time to develop a relationship with golf that works for them. Instead of just handing over a leaflet or pointing someone towards the website, they are physically present.

They meet new women in the car park and walk them to the shop so they do not have to come in alone. They organise group sessions and then follow up with WhatsApp chats so people feel connected. They pair beginner golfers with experienced members who are happy to walk them through the first few rounds, offer guidance and answer the small questions that feel too silly to ask a professional.

Those gestures sound simple, but they are powerful. For someone who is new to golf, or coming back after a break, that first experience can be the difference between signing up and never returning.

What Modern Clubs Do Well

I do not think this means modern country clubs or resort courses are doing it wrong. Far from it. At Foxhills, for example, the variety of spaces made it easy to bring friends along who did not play golf at all. You could go for lunch, a walk, or just sit on the terrace and chat. Golf blended into all of that, making the sport feel enticing.

For women who want a full lifestyle offering and are happy to stay mostly within their own age group or ability level, that kind of set up is ideal. Many of the events I joined at Foxhills and at Pitch in London were built around younger women who were relatively new to the game. It felt social and fun.

The difference at a more traditional club is that you are more likely to end up playing with people who are older and more experienced, and that can feel intimidating at first.

Why Playing With Older Members Helped

In Costa Rica at Los Suenos Resort, I often found myself playing with men much older than me, plus the occasional older female member. At first, I found that dynamic quite daunting. They were all longer off the tee, more strategic and more settled in how they carried themselves around the course.

Looking back, that experience was one of the most valuable parts of my golf journey so far. Playing with experienced golfers forces you to pay attention to course management. You learn when to talk, when to focus, how to recover from a bad shot and move on.

At Aspley, that same benefit is present, but within a structure that protects newer players from feeling overwhelmed. The older members are not just there by default. They are actively choosing to support newcomers. They turn up to the taster sessions, volunteer to play with new women and genuinely want to integrate them. That intent is what makes the difference.

So Which Would I Recommend?

When Golf Monthly's women’s golf editor asked me which type of club I would actually recommend to a younger woman, my honest answer is that both have their place.

If you are drawn to facilities and a setting that feels chic, a modern country club or resort course can be a great introduction to golf. It feels light, flexible and easy to fit around a busy life.

But if you are looking for somewhere to feel valued and learn from people who have been playing for decades, I think traditional clubs deserve more credit than they often get. Provided the club culture is right, they can offer a depth of support that modern facilities alone cannot match.

At Aspley, the women leading the “Journey Into Golf” pathway are not waiting for someone else to fix things. They are the ones standing in the car park, sending the WhatsApp messages, checking in after a tough round and celebrating the small wins. That kind of involvement from members, captains and presidents is where traditional clubs can really compete.

Giving Traditional Clubs A Chance

It is easy to assume that older clubs are automatically too strict or too serious for younger members. I thought that once. Spending time at Aspley has shown me that a traditional golf club can still feel relaxed and welcoming.

If anything, the experience has reminded me that what matters most is not the building, but the people inside it. For women, and for anyone new to the game, the feeling that a place genuinely wants you there is often most meaningful.

So if you are a younger golfer deciding between a resort style club and a more traditional one, my advice would be this: look past the facilities for a moment and pay attention to how the members behave. That is where you will see what the journey into golf at that club really looks like.

As far as I am concerned, giving tips to others without the proper credentials is one of the things you should never do at the driving range - but I love to hear the cringeworthy stories nonetheless. If you have any corkers, drop them in the comments box at the bottom of this page.

To avoid falling into the trap of being guided down the wrong path, I would always advise you to listen to the experts, of which we have many, starting with the best ball striking lessons for amateur golfers.

I'm aware that we don't all have the luxury of regular driving range sessions - so how can we expect to get any better without a significant investment of our time?

This quick tip could be the answer. Ensuring a centred strike is of paramount importance and this practical advice from Top 50 Coach Tom Motley can help you to strike it sweetly and shoot lower scores in the process...

Do This With Your Hands For Better Ball Striking In Golf

Sometimes, it's just a feeling created by a simple drill that helps everything to click into place. Better ball striking is something we can all achieve and there are a number of ways to do it.

Some like to invest in the best golf training aids on the market, while others prefer to set aside time each week for a lesson with a coach, but for many the solution is a practical piece of advice that you can use on the range and at home to drive progress.

Below, I share one such tip that is great for developing the necessary mechanics and feels to produce better ball striking.

Split The Hands

I call this a ball-striking drill as it helps to iron out many common swing faults, among them an over-the-top motion and the ‘handsy’/inside takeaway – errors that make it hard to strike it well.

Instead try this simple tip. Set your left hand on top of the grip and your right hand right down the bottom, with the thumb just touching the steel on the shaft.

This is a useful connection drill. What we’re developing here is a more one-piece takeaway, with plenty of width and connection.

It’s a really good one for players who get very ‘armsy’ and static in the body. It’s also going to help those players who lift the arms up, which creates disconnection, with the clubhead way too far behind the hands and on a flat plane.

Note (above) how my arms haven’t lifted here. I’ve rotated my torso, keeping the connection between it and my arms.

Take the club to the top and feel the stretch through your lead arm.

Keep rehearsing this and you should begin to develop the feeling for that solid, stable position you ideally want at the top of the backswing.

Note (above) the good, full pivot and extension through my trail arm. If I were to now slide my right hand back down onto the grip, I could actually hit balls from here fairly comfortably.

We’ve been reporting on the rise of the mini driver for most of the year. As my colleague, Joe Ferguson (aka ‘Kick Point Joe’), said in the summer, it’s not been so much of an explosion as a growing trend among the world’s best players.

How big a trend are we talking about? Well, according to SMS on TOUR, 16% of the field put a mini driver in the bag at the DP World India Championship in October, and almost one in four players carried one at Wentworth the previous month.

We're talking about the professionals playing in the BMW PGA Championship, of course, not the amateurs who teed it up in the pro-am, although we can expect this current trend to have an impact on the game at club level, can’t we?

You'll see a few more down your club, of course - and you'll no doubt ask to have a hit with if your friend pulls one out the bag - but we probably won't see quite the uptake at club level as we saw with white drivers, even if most major brands have now released a mini driver.

Just to clarify - in case you hadn’t worked it out from the name - this club is a smaller version of the driver - roughly a third smaller in volume.

Basically, it's a club that sits somewhere between a traditional driver and a 3-wood. This means a smaller head, typically with more loft, and a shorter shaft length.

Joe’s written about (and talked about in Kick Point) the best mini drivers and his love of the new TaylorMade R7 Quad Mini. The brand released its first mini back in 2014.

Typically, professionals will put them in the bag when they are faced with tight fairways, when a premium is placed on finding the fairways.

For example, Scottie Scheffler was seen testing a TaylorMade model at the RBC Heritage Classic earlier this year, with Hilton Head being one of the tightest courses the players face on the PGA Tour.

The list of players now using a mini driver - not that the World No.1 can be credited with starting this boom - is becoming longer, with Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Marco Penge and Rory McIlroy among those to have used this club in tournament play.

And that list of pros seems to be growing by the week.

Does this mean we should all go out and buy one, or are they a better players club?

“Just because we’re seeing tour pros use them, it doesn’t mean they can’t serve a purpose for higher handicap players,” says our resident equipment expert, Joe, also a former PGA professional and club fitter.

“But if you struggle with accuracy off the tee, the shorter shaft length that mini drivers have might actually help you to reduce your number of off-center strikes and find more fairways.”

WINNING EXAMPLES

We’ve been monitoring how successful this club has been on tour. If we measure success in terms of wins, it’s proving to be quite a weapon, with three victories on the PGA Tour for the mini driver this season, all of which have come in the last 10 events.

Put this one in your Christmas quiz: Which three players won on the PGA Tour season in 2025 using a mini driver?

The answer - and we gave you a little help by naming two mini driver users above - is Fleetwood (Tour Championship), Rose (FedEx St Jude Championship), and Sami Valimaki (RSM Classic).

More players have won on the PGA Tour using a mini driver, the gear nuts reading this might be shouting.

Maybe you’re thinking of Karl Vilips (Puerto Rico Open) and Garrick Higgo (Corales Puntacana Championship). Correct, they do have mini drivers, but they didn’t have one in their bag when they won.

Even so, the trend is clear: mini drivers are back and growing in popularity - and the general consensus from a range of the leading brands is that they’re here to stay.

I've always wondered what percentage of experienced golfers truly understand the difference between red and yellow penalty staked areas. In this instance, how many golfers drop in an area that feels roughly equitable to the other players in the group versus dropping in the exact correct spot? This sort of lack of widely held understanding is what often creates an unfair playing field. And if this is as widespread as I suspect, then it's only right to question whether the rules book is fit for purpose.

On the other hand, golf is one of the few self-policing sports (at least at club level which accounts for most of us). The rules have to provide a very clear set of procedures for everything a golfer might encounter. Given that we play on vast natural landscapes that range from windswept links courses to treelined parkland layouts, the number of likely scenarios is huge. And, of course, the main purpose of the rules is to ensure the game is fair. It follows that inequity would thrive within the grey areas created by an oversimplified set of rules.

About 20 years ago, I went through the process of getting an R&A certified golf rules qualification. At the end of the rules school, I took an exam and, despite being the least knowledgeable pupil in the class, I somehow managed to pass. However, before anyone asks me for a ruling on what to do if your ball comes to rest next to a bunker rake, I need to emphasise that most of this knowledge is long forgotten.

My abiding memory of that experience is how the complexity of the rules, whilst unhelpful in a number of ways, is unavoidable if fairness is your main priority. What do you think? There is a comments box below and I’d love to hear from anyone with a smart idea on how we can reduce complexity and retain fairness.

“My ball came to rest on a cart path – It’s an immovable obstruction as I could see on the card. So I knew I could take a free drop.

My ball was up against the far curb and there were scrub and bushes on that side. So, I went to measure a club length from a point on the near side, into the semi rough.

My playing partner came over and said, ‘Hey, it’s nearest point of relief, not nicest point of relief.’

I hadn’t heard that before, but I followed his guidance, and he told me I had to drop into the bushes. I reluctantly did so but it meant I had to chip out sideways – that seemed unfair.

I wondered whether he was right and what he had meant by nicest versus nearest?”

Let’s answer that.

When claiming relief from an abnormal course condition, say temporary water or ground under repair, or perhaps from an immovable obstruction like a path, as above, people often misinterpret what to do next.

This is covered by Rule 16. You must establish the nearest point of complete relief, where the condition or obstruction no longer interferes with the stroke the player would make (that means the lie of the ball, the stance and the area of the swing are not affected.)

You have a one club length relief area from that reference point.

In the definitions of the Rules. Nearest point of complete relief is the estimated spot where the ball would lie, nearest to the ball’s original spot (not nearer the hole) in the required area of the course and where there is no interference from the condition relief is being taken from.

In the instance above, the nearest point where the lie, stance or swing was not affected by the path was in the scrubby bushes. Often the nearest point of complete relief may be in an unpleasant spot – in thick rough or on a slope for instance.

That’s just bad luck. It could be that the nearest point of relief puts you in an unplayable ball situation. That would be very bad luck and, if it were the case, you might be better off playing the ball as it lies.

If you took relief and found yourself with an unplayable ball you would have to proceed under the relevant Rule 19.

What a lot of people tend to do is look for the nicest point of complete relief rather than the nearest point of complete relief - a "nice" convenient alternative. That’s what our reader did before being corrected by their playing partner.

If our reader had gone ahead and played from the nicer spot, they would have played from the wrong place and under Rule 14.7 received the general penalty.

If they had been playing stroke play, they would then have had to consider how to proceed.

They would have had to decide whether they’d gained a significant advantage by playing from the wrong place.

If they had, they would have needed to correct their mistake and played from the correct place before teeing off on the next hole. If they hadn’t done that, they would have been disqualified.

So remember – If you’re taking a free drop from an abnormal course condition like a cart path (or taking free relief from another situation under the Rules), be sure to identify your nearest not nicest point of complete relief.

You must measure one club length from there, even if it leaves you in an awkward spot. If you choose nicest point of relief, you face a penalty and possibly disqualification!

Rules Quiz

The World Handicap System, slow play and the cost of golf are the obvious contenders for the ‘most-discussed topic’ winner, but dress codes is definitely in the conversation (excuse the pun).

It’s a tricky one, because while most people recognise the need for evolution and modernisation, history, traditions and idiosyncrasies help to give golf its identity. Acknowledging the former while respecting the latter is a difficult balancing act.

Some golf clubs and facilities have eschewed tradition when it comes to dress codes, though, and it’s a movement that’s seemingly gaining more and more traction.

As examples, The Bristol Golf Club removed its dress code last year and GM Top 50 Coach Anders Mankert’s Leicester Golf Centre encourages patrons to wear whatever they want.

Even if you disagree, there is logic to it. Golf is undoubtedly seen as stuffy and stuck in its ways and doing something to dispel that notion creates a point of difference and a promotional narrative. And, whether you like it or not, fashion tastes have shifted and youngsters don’t like being told what to wear.

Last year, Golf Monthly ran a junior golf survey and one of the key findings related to fashion and clothing. One of the questions was: ‘Do you think non-golf-playing friends would give golf a go if they could wear what they wanted on the course?’ Some 26 juniors answered ‘yes’ or ‘strong yes’, so it’s clear dress codes do present a barrier to participation.

“People think golf is really uncool, mainly due to the clothes you have to wear,” said one reply. “All my friends at school think it’s weird that you have to wear a shirt and smart trousers and hats aren’t allowed in the clubhouse. They say golf is for old people,” read another.

Golf has a habit of not paying youngsters much attention, so in many ways it’s pleasing to see some clubs making an effort to understand modern tastes and act accordingly.

A couple of weeks ago, GM editor Neil Tappin penned an article pondering whether abandoning dress codes is the way to go after he was called out for wearing an unsanctioned colour of sock (which, I agree, is ridiculous).

“My hunch is that if we removed dress codes entirely tomorrow, the majority of golfers would neither notice nor change the way they dress,” he said.

I tend to agree with him on that, and such a move could make the game more enticing to newcomers, youngsters or those who are considering it as a new hobby, particularly if they’re fashion-conscious or keen to express themselves sartorially. I also highly doubt established golfers would turn their back on the game in protest.

However, I don’t think it’s the direction we should be going in.

Where does it end?

To be clear, I don’t particularly care what people wear – it doesn’t impact me or my enjoyment of the sport. It’s more what removing dress codes represents.

Standards are on the slide in many areas of life and I don’t believe adhering to certain aesthetic principles – which are often broad enough in scope to afford plenty of personality, colour and pizzazz – is asking too much.

If someone is so adamant they must be allowed to wear jeans, leggings or football shirts to even consider getting involved then perhaps golf isn’t for them. I’m not sure we should be compromising standards to chase people who show no interest in respecting the game’s customs.

Of course, these can be adapted and relaxed, but, for me, completely disregarding dress codes doesn’t pay sufficient homage to the history and traditions of the sport.

Owners of golf facilities are welcome to do what they want, though, and I understand why many have made this move – modern society is increasingly self-centred and the individual is seen as more important than the collective. People don’t like to be told what to do or how to act.

But the ideals of golf are incongruous with this way of thinking. It’s a sport that places the highest value on etiquette, respect for others and respect for the rules. This should remain sacrosanct and we shouldn’t dumb things down to get a few more people through the door.

Clearly it’s important to encourage and attract the next generation, but we can’t cast aside all principles in doing so. Otherwise, where does it end?

Have a view? Leave your comments in the box below

I was keen to sit down with her and find out how a focus on modernity and diversity has fuelled such massive, profitable growth.

"I was an athlete growing up, and I swam in college, so to be able to combine my retail experience with my love for sports, it was perfect," recalls Spiegel. She joined the company over a decade ago to run merchandising before being appointed President in 2022.

Since then, the growth has been nothing short of astonishing. Spiegel shares that when she started, the company was growing, but not profitably at the time. After a few years of the team putting the right structure and organisation in place, the trajectory changed and Spiegel cites this turnaround and seeing the company grow profit as one of her most rewarding achievements.

Store support centre staff has grown from 30-something people to about 200 today, a foundation that allowed PGA TOUR Superstore to capitalise fully on the pandemic-era boom. "Since COVID, we’ve more than doubled our business," she says, a feat achieved through growth in existing stores, not just new ones.

“The beautiful thing about it is not just our growth... is that the golf industry’s maintained that. It has not gone backwards. We’re seeing record numbers in golf participation.”

The question of challenges faced in the male-dominated industry is one Spiegel is asked a lot. She reveals that she was the only woman on the leadership team for a long time and when she first attended meetings, it was a little intimidating.

“I was the only woman in the room, but I always reminded myself, ‘I’m here because of my retail background and my experience,’ and then I made a big effort to start playing and to really, really learn the sport."

While golf is still male-dominated, that is changing within the organisation. The senior leadership team now features four women, and store support is close to 50% female representation.

Still, the need for diversity is a priority, particularly for customer-facing roles. "We do need more female fitters," she says, wanting the associate base to reflect the growing female golf population.

Spiegel is particularly excited about who is driving this growth. "The largest segment of golfers in the US is young adults, 18 to 34, with the youth category and people of color being the fastest-growing segments," adding that this shift moves away from old stereotypes. "It was a middle-aged white man’s sport, but it's changing."

This dramatic demographic shift is what Spiegel mentions as one of the biggest changes she has witnessed over the last five years, along with the subsequent "cool factor" the sport now has.

The modernisation of golf is perhaps most visible in the apparel business. Women’s golf fashion is very large for PGA TOUR Superstore, doing a disproportionately high percentage of the industry's business, particularly in their resort stores.

This success is directly tied to the store’s depth of brands and sizes and its commitment to the customer. "Female customers come into our stores and are like, ‘Oh my gosh,’" says Spiegel, who also explains the need to stay current. "A young girl doesn't want a 17-inch skirt... she wants something a little shorter."

This retail modernity often clashes with club tradition. Spiegel, who belongs to a private club in Atlanta, laughs as she describes advising older friends who complain about modern apparel. "Look at what they wear on tour. You guys need to lighten up a little bit," she tells them.

While she acknowledges the emerging trend of crossover golf lifestyle apparel, Spiegel insists that the core of the women’s business is still golf. "You’re never going to see 50% of our women’s assortment as lifestyle," she says.

The rise of off-course golf at places like Top Golf and Five Iron has equally transformed participation, with the store heavily leaning into the technology space. The company is leveraging the off-course trend, which contributed to a record 47.2 million Americans playing either on-course or off-course in 2024.

The strategy is to make in-home simulation affordable and accessible to fit any space and budget, recognising that leagues, like TGL, drive a visible spike in their in-home simulation business when they air.

Currently operating 80 stores across 30 states, the company's ambition is clearly set far beyond its immediate goal. "We're looking at that 100-store mark, but we're not going to stop at 100. There’s still a significant amount of white space available in the US," Spiegel confirms.

Under her guidance, the retail giant is actively leading the way into a future where the game is more accessible, more relaxed, and growing faster than ever before.

And this problem is so big and so “dangerous for golfers” that Golf Monthly’s Kick Point hosts, Dan Parker and Joe Ferguson, have dedicated a whole 10 minutes to it in one of the latest podcasts (watch in full below).

This episode is not to be missed, especially if you’re a beginner, because you could be making this game a lot more difficult than it is already.

WATCH: Dan and Joe from Kick Point: The Golf Gear Show discuss the issues surrounding total distance measurements (from 19:18)

Dan and Joe might not always agree on everything, but when it comes to total distance, both believe that this number is near “pointless” at best.

Total distance. It’s the number that a lot of us are guilty of gravitating towards when we’re at the range or on a launch monitor because, basically, it’s a nice big number and many mistakenly assume this is what we should be taking note of.

If someone asked you how far you hit your 7-iron, what are you going to tell them?

A lot of golfers - and again, especially those who are new to the game - go by the total distance. Not good.

“I see why launch monitors have it, because they want to give an overall projection of where the ball might end up,” says Joe, a former playing professional and custom fitter.

Launch monitors are clever. Very clever. They’ll generally use the descent angle, what angle the ball is going into the ground, how much spin it has, and how much ball speed there is at that point to predict how much further the ball will travel.

Granted, thanks to the quality of hardware and software that goes into producing these devices, the prediction is pretty darn accurate. So, while total distance is a nice number to keep an eye on and is useful in some scenarios, it certainly isn't a number amateur golfers should prioritise.

At this point, Joe picks on his dad, although Ferguson Senior probably represents about 70% (a bit more guesswork there) of recreational golfers.

Let’s say Joe’s dad has been down the range and Toptracer (or whatever technology he’s using) tells him his 7-iron has travelled 150 yards.

The next day, Ferguson Snr is playing a par-3 in a competition that measures 150 yards to the pin - so he pulls out his 7-iron.

There’s a deep bunker in front of the green. What happens? Yep, you guessed it, he dumps his ball into the face - and walks off with a six.

This will be happening everywhere, simply because a lot of golfers focus on total distance.

“Not a single elite-level player operates with total distance,” explains Joe.

CARRY, CARRY, CARRY

What number, then, should golfers be paying attention to, if not total distance? Simple: carry distance.

When you’re next watching the golf, listen to the conversations between player and caddie.

All players want to know - pretty much prior to every shot they hit - is how far they need to carry the golf ball.

Take the recent Ryder Cup for example, where Bethpage was playing like a pudding, and it was nigh on impossible to take spin off the ball.

If a player had 100 yards to the pin, a lot of the time they’d have been hitting their 110-yard shot because they knew it would pull back 10 yards or so.

Conditions at somewhere like, say, Pinehurst, are always going to be very different - firm and bouncy whereby you’d need to hit a shot short and allow for the ball to hop forward a touch.

Again, this stresses the importance of knowing the total carry distance, and then doing your homework on what the ball will do once it hits the ground.

As a former professional competing on various tours, Joe says it would be standard practice in warm-up rounds for players and caddies to pace distances between where a ball landed and where it finished to help them with strategy.

For example, let’s say you’re trying to work out if you can reach a bunker on the corner of a dog leg.

You know you carry your driver 290 yards and the bunker is at 320. It’s your responsibility to know from the practice ground and from previous drives whether that bunker is in play.

It’s not exactly rocket science, but it’s incredible how many recreational golfers get fixated on total distance.

WHAT IF I USE SENSORS IN MY CLUBS?

Dan’s worried now, because he uses tags in his golf clubs. If you use Arccos, Shot Scope, Garmin or any sensors that use distance measuring technology, there’s a fair chance you’re getting presented with total distance yardages.

This is because the technology works by tracking a shot from point to point. It doesn’t know what the conditions on the course are like, whether it’s soft or firm, whether there’s a helping wind or whether you pitched into an upslope.

What you get is just an average total distance. Of course, this does have its uses. For example, take the longest total distance drive you've ever recorded and note that down. If the front of the fairway bunker sits at 265 yards away, but your longest ever total drive was 255, yards you know that bunker is out of reach even on your best day.

While not ideal to really get a measure of your carry numbers, these distance-measuring tags are incredibly useful to better understand other parts of your game, such as up-and-down percentages, fairways hit, where your typical miss is, and other Strokes Gained measurements.

WHAT’S THE ANSWER?

If carry numbers are what you need, how do you go about getting those? Unfortunately, it’s not always quite as simple as going down to your local driving range.

Some facilities will have a couple of cameras installed that do a fairly decent job of ball tracking, but you want better than decent - and you absolutely must hit your own golf balls, not range ones.

So, here’s the answer.

Firstly, borrow a launch monitor and go to the practice round with the balls you play, so it’s relevant.

Then, go through the process of hitting every club in the bag (after a warm-up, of course), making a note of the carry number for at least half a dozen good strikes for each one. Finally, work out your average.

Remember, these numbers are likely to change from winter to summer, as the core doesn’t react the same when the ball is freezing (golf balls travel further when it’s warm) - so it’s an exercise worth repeating at least a couple of times over the course of the season.

Maybe it’s not so easy for you to just borrow a launch monitor, so speak to your local PGA professional.

Spend $50 or so on a session with your pro - just working on your carry numbers and nothing else (not even swing mechanics) - and your game/course management will improve massively.

The tee times are out for the opening two rounds at Royal Queensland, with big names like Min Woo Lee, Cam Smith and Marco Penge teeing it up together as one of a few blockbuster groups.

So, after crunching the numbers and going through their rigorous process, our expert tipsters have once again come up with eight names that you should consider at the BMW Australian PGA Championship this week...

BMW Australian PGA Championship: Expert Betting Tips

Pick One: Adam Scott (+1400) To Win @ BetMGM

The Australian legend has won this championship twice and sounded very focused ahead of the tournament in his press conference, where he seemed confident in his chances of challenging for a first title since the Genesis Invitational in 2020.

Scott has only missed three cuts from 22 events this year and arrives off the back of T30 and 11th-place finishes. This championship has been won by an Australian the last seven consecutive years so I am hoping that trend continues this week in Brisbane.

Pick Two: David Micheluzzi To Finish In The Top-10 (+500) To Win @ BetMGM

Sticking with the Aussie theme, Micheluzzi does not arrive in supreme form this week but I am not too worried as the majority of his best results have come Down Under in his career.

He has four PGA Tour of Australasia victories and won the circuit’s Order of Merit in 2023. He was 5th here last year and has a number of other top-10s in this event, so I like his chances for another top-10.

Pick One: David Puig (+1400) To Win @ BetMGM

David Puig has all the right ingredients to challenge this week, and I believe he's going to do exactly that.

The Spaniard is a massive hitter off the tee, which always helps in these big Aussie events, plus he's a clutch putter. According to Data Golf, Puig has gained strokes on the greens in the past eight tournaments where that information was available.

He's also done similar off the tee with seven out out of his past eight starts seeing strokes gained. If you take into account a top-10 and two top-20s in his past three appearances, Puig is nicely positioned for a run at the title.

Pick Two: Daniel Hillier To Finish In The Top-10 (+200) To Win @ BetMGM

Daniel Hillier was understandably upset after falling short in terms of picking up a PGA Tour card only a couple of weeks ago, but the New Zealander will hopefully have recovered by now and realize he's in a beautiful stretch of form that can help him challenge for the leading honors this week.

Off the back of two top-10s and a couple more top-25s towards the end of last season, Hillier what a good driver of the ball and putter he is.

Possessing a similar profile to Puig in terms of his game, I think we'll see the Kiwi on the first page of the leaderboard after round four.

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Pick One: Marc Leishman (+1600) To Win @ BetMGM

Considering he has a victory on the LIV Golf League this year, I think that Leishman is often overlooked when it comes to the betting, which is why I've selected him this week.

Coming into the BMW Australian PGA Championship, he was T11th at the PIF Saudi International, had a solo sixth at the International Series Philippines and a T3rd at the Western Australian Open.It's not just recent form that is convincing me to lump it on the Aussie this week as, in his last two starts at Royal Queensland, he has finished T3rd and solo third. He's playing great golf and returning to a track he loves, so what's not to like about this pick?

Pick Two: Yuto Katsuragawa To Finish In The Top-10 (+500) @ BetMGM

My second pick is Katsuragawa, who has produced some fine results in his last two starts, securing a T4th at the Genesis Championship on the DP World Tour and another T4th at his home open in Japan.

He doesn't have course experience like Leishman, but the 27-year-old has won on the DP World Tour previously, as well as picking up two victories on the Japan Golf Tour.

That tells me he isn't afraid to win no matter the occasion and, with accuracy off the tee and solid putting stats, it may well be the week he earns another top 10 on the circuit.

Pick One: Min Woo Lee (+900) To Win @ BetMGM

Min Woo Lee is a deserved joint-favourite for this event and I can't see past him this week.

He won the Australian PGA Championship back in 2023, also at Royal Queensland, and has found a decent run of form since the BMW PGA Championship this year.

Returning to a venue that he has played well in the past with a recent form record reading T11, T5 and T10 in four starts is very encouraging.

Add into the mix that he ranks 1st for SG: Putting and 7th for SG: Around The Green in this field over the past three months, on a course that demands a solid short game, and I simply have to side with him in spite of the price.

Pick Two: David Law To Finish In The Top-10 (+1000) To Win @ BetMGM

David Law is back on the DP World Tour following excellent performances on the Hotel Planner Tour in 2025 - and I fancy him to start fast in the new campaign.

Law really kickstarted his season when runner-up in Abu Dhabi in April then fired off two wins and four further top-10 finishes.

His only DP World Tour victory to date came in Australia, at the Vic Open in 2019, so returning Down Under in great form should provide a lot of confidence.

With a very strong short game, Law fits the bill to contend at this event and I like his chances of sneaking into the top-10 at a great price.

Golf Monthly Betting Picks: Wins In 2025

It's something that hurts my golfing ego, especially when I see players with far less experience making them... but I guess that's the nature of our great sport!

I'm proud to say that, in my years on this planet, I've made two albatrosses, but they aren't holes-in-one, despite being more difficult to do as they require two good shots, not just one.

Coming close on multiple occasions, I've always wondered where I would like my first ace to be.

Obviously, I would like it to be at a course with sentimental value in front of a group of my best pals, but there are also certain golf holes that would provide me with some excellent bragging rights.

Shane Lowry is a prime example. Not only is he a Major Champion and holed the winning putt at a Ryder Cup, but he also has a rather good CV when it comes to making holes-in-one at iconic venues.

In January 2025, he made an ace at Pebble Beach's 7th, which is one of the most famous in golf.

On top of that, the former Open Champion has also produced an hole-in-one at the 17th at TPC Sawgrass, as well as one at the 16th at Augusta National during The Masters.

Personally, I think it's a bit selfish making a hole-in-one at so many iconic venues, which is why I've created this list of golf holes where I would like to make my first...

Where is the one place you would like to make a hole in one? Let us know in the comments below...

17th - TPC Sawgrass

I'm beginning with one of the holes where Lowry has made an ace and that's the 17th at TPC Sawgrass.

One of the most famous par 3s in golf, it has decided The Players Championship on a number of occasions, with the island green surrounded by a body of water which provides an intimidating tee shot.

Even casual golf fans can pick out this golf hole and, at TPC Sawgrass, you reportedly receive a free bag tag which is inscribed with your score on the 17th. If that's not two reasons to make an ace, I don't know what is.

16th - Cypress Point

Firstly, just take a look at that golf hole! Teeing off over the Pacific Ocean, the incredible 230-yard layout was showcased at the Walker Cup this year and provided a stunning backdrop to the team event.

Obviously, I would like to make an ace at the 7th at Pebble Beach but, if I wasn't able to do that, the 16th at Cypress Point would be an equal first prize.

Back in November 2022, a college golfer named Christian Clark made a hole-in-one at the 16th, sparking incredible scenes. Being a bucket list golf course, it would be a special place to do it.

15th/16th - Cleeve Hill

For those who have never experienced Cleeve Hill, I would highly recommend it, with it being one of the most traditional and best value rounds of golf you'll ever experience.

Firstly, the views are out of this world and, being an Old Tom Morris designed course, there are some spectacular holes, especially the par 3s.

I've picked the 15th and 16th at Cleeve Hill, but I would also put the 6th into that category, which is played over a deep ravine to an unsighted green. It's one of my favorite golf courses and, having gone close to an ace on many occasions there, one I'd love to tick off the list.

12th - Augusta National

Just playing Augusta National would provide you with bragging rights, let alone if you were to make a hole-in-one at one of the most special places in sport.

The Georgia venue has four par 3s and, although the 16th has had the most aces, for me the 12th is the stand-out on the course, as it's the place where players struggle in tournament play.

Despite being the shortest hole around the layout, the wind causes havoc in terms of club selection and, as we've seen in plenty of Masters, it plays a big part in deciding who slips on the Green Jacket come Sunday evening.

10th - The Belfry

Okay, it's not a par 3, and the chances of this ever happening are even slimmer than normal, but producing an ace at a par 4 would be a special way of making your first hole in one.

Scene of four Ryder Cups, the 10th hole at The Belfry's Brabazon Course became famous when Seve Ballesteros drove it in 1978 and at the Ryder Cup in 1985.

Now, whenever you stand on that tee, the majority of players are itching to have a go at the narrow green surrounded by water and bunkers. A hole in one on a par 4 is even rarer than one on a par 3, so not many could ever say they've done that before.

7th - Las Colinas

This a sentimental one for me, as my first game of golf abroad came at Las Colinas in 2010. The one stand-out memory came at the par 3 7th, where I made my first birdie outside of the UK.

A downhill par 3, a full pitching wedge pitched on the middle of the green and span back to a few feet, with the resulting putt making a 12-year-old Matt very happy.

Looking back on it with a more experienced head, that pin position was in a prime spot for a hole-in-one, so it would only be right for the hole where I made my first birdie abroad to be followed by my first ace.

Setting Goals Is The Easy Part

Setting goals is fun, they provide meaning and purpose and give you that instant surge of excitement and optimism for the pending new and improved version of your game. The trouble is writing ‘break 90’ or ‘hit longer drives’ can make you feel like you have already achieved them.

The real challenge isn’t dreaming big but building the habits and actions that carry you from the excitement of January into the reality of July.

Less Is More

You went too big! We are told to dream big and shoot for the stars, but from my experience when it comes to setting goals, it’s best to opt for stepping stones rather than huge milestones.

Aim to break your goals for the year down into quarters, as what you work on throughout the seasons will likely look different. Ask yourself, what I can do over the next 12 weeks to help me achieve this goal and then review and plan your next quarter.

You’re Not Realistic

Now this is a biggie and is something we are all likely guilty of. The goals people often set themselves while sitting comfortably do not reflect the reality of the work that their future selves will have to do.

It’s no good saying you want to be the best golfer in the county if you are not even the best golfer in your club. Just as it’s no good saying you want to be able to drive the ball 250 yards when you have a swing speed of 80mph.

That’s not to say you are incapable of hitting the ball further, you just need to have a different strategy to make marginal gains to improve your distance, like firstly working on your efficiency, then your speed and striking.

Misplaced Focus

You lost sight of the purpose of trying to improve, which is to play better golf, and playing better golf ultimately means shooting lower scores.

As mentioned above, a common goal is to hit the ball further. Let’s say you gain some yardage, now what? Are you going to be able to convert that into hitting more greens and lowering your scores?

Think about your whole game and where you’re losing shots. Would your time be better spent working on your chipping and putting?

Focus is also lost when comparing yourself to others, which again is a waste of time and energy. Our golf swings are unique, and real progress comes when you learn to work with what you’ve got, rather than what you think you should be doing.

Systems Create Outcomes

All goals but no process. Let’s say you set the goal to practice three times a week through the winter months, but practice day rolls around and it’s cold, you’re tired after work and you don’t feel like it. That is completely normal, which is why you need a system in place.

Checking the weather the night before and packing appropriate warm clothing can remove that friction point. Having a practice session plan of 30 minutes minimum means your session is achievable.

Removing guesswork to your practice and planning properly are essential tools to develop, and all tie in with focusing on the small things that compound to make the big differences.

Your Environment Didn’t Support Your Goals

You can’t grow flowers in the wrong soil and if you have a highly demanding job and family commitments, making big improvements may not be possible right now. Consider your environment and if it supports your goals or makes achieving them more difficult. Then look at what you can change.

If your club has limited practice facilities you will need to find somewhere that has what you need and is convenient for you to visit. It may also be a case of right now you have a lot on in life that takes priority, but that likely won’t always be the case and when the time is right you will have more flexibility and opportunity to curate the right environment that supports your goals.

Get Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable

You bought the best women's golf clubs, you spent money on lessons, but there was one vital ingredient missing, work! Like a chick pecking out of its shell or a butterfly struggling to emerge from its chrysalis, it is the strength of the struggle that prepares them for life in the outside world.

To improve at anything, especially golf, there has to be a level of discomfort as you work on things that you find difficult, as that’s how you level up. Get nervous in matches, play in more of them to get used to feeling wobbly on 3-foot pressure putts. Practice having to make twenty in a row before you can leave the practice putting green. Embrace the nerves, embrace the discomfort that comes with true progress.

I’m a big fan of goal setting. Having aspirations for your life, work and hobbies isn’t just about productivity it’s about striving to achieve, which I believe is good for the soul.

Remember to keep things fun. If chasing your goals starts to feel like a chore or too much, change things up and create goals that excite and motivate you, because as frustrating a game as golf can be it is meant to be fun!

If it’s in, you’re going to have a shot to the green. Nothing is lost and you can carry on your merry way. If it’s drifted out, you’re facing a long walk back to play again, under penalty of one shot, from where the last stroke was made. Or, if you’ve done the right thing, you’ll move to play your provisional ball.

When you reach your ball, it’s close. It’s right on the white out of bounds line. Are you in luck, or not?

Let’s start by giving an outline of out of bounds in The Rules.

OOB is defined as – All areas outside the boundary edge of the course as defined by the committee.

That boundary edge may be defined in a number of ways – white stakes, lines on the ground, fences, walls, railings, roads etc.

However it is defined, if your ball has strayed beyond the limits of the course under Rule 18.2 you must play another ball from where you last played under penalty of stroke and distance (Rule 14.6), whether from the tee or fairway or any other spot. So, if it was your tee-shot that had gone OOB, you would now be playing three off the tee.

A ball is in bounds if it lies on or touches the ground or anything else (such as any natural or artificial object) inside the boundary edge. If it’s in the air above the boundary edge, suspended in a bush for instance, if any part of the ball overhangs the course, it’s in!

Where out of bounds is defined by white stakes or a fence, the out of bounds line runs between the nearest inside points at ground level of the stakes or fence posts.

When a line on the ground is used, the line itself is out of bounds. However, a ball is deemed in bounds even if a small part of it lies on the course side of the boundary line.

If your ball sits totally on the white out of bounds line, with no part of it on the course side, it is out of bounds. You’re out of luck.

If then you find your ball bang smack on the white line. You’re out.

Rules quiz

Let’s start by talking about shoes, because the last couple of weeks have mostly been about the new TaylorMade Qi4D and Ping G440 K drivers (more news on these in the new year).

Golf shoe nerds - of which we have a few of on the team (Dan Parker) - may have noticed Dustin Johnson wearing Under Armour footwear at the PIF Saudi International in Riyadh.

The LIV golfer wasn’t the only one. Denmark’s Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen - who recently completed a hugely successful maiden season on the DP World Tour by earning himself a PGA Tour card for 2026 - has also been wearing a yet-to-be-released Under Armour golf shoe.

They are the Under Armour Drive Pro Clone golf shoes, a model that won’t officially hit the shelves until early next year.

So, we can only judge the looks at this stage - and, well, they look rather nice.

We’re assuming two-time Major winner Johnson must be a fan, and that the American has promoted the Under Armour Drive Pro Clone shoes to first spot, ahead of his usual Nike and adidas footwear (he’s also worn FootJoy in the past).

We do know that they’re first choice for Neergaard-Petersen, who was fitted with the new model earlier this year at the Under Armour Performance Centre at Stoke Park.

The talented young Dane, who finished 15th on the Race to Dubai rankings, wore the shoes in competition for the first time at the Alfred Dunhill Links and continued to wear them right through to the season-ending Tour Championship.

We (Dan) look forward to receiving a pair shortly, at which point we/he will of course give you the full lowdown.

ALSO SPOTTED

We might be fast-approaching ‘new driver season’, but we’ve already seen a number of new putters released.

Earlier this month, Scotty Cameron joined the low torque market with the Phantom 11R OC and Studio Style Fastback OC.

At the weekend, several new Ping Scottsdale TEC putters were spotted in the hands of the pros.

The new line-up, which we believe includes the likes of the Anser and two new on set/low torque models, appears to have been seeded at the RSM Classic on the PGA Tour last week.

Extra points for anyone who spotted a new golf shaft in action at the RSM, Project X Golf’s new Titan wood shaft.

Talking of Project X, did you know equipment-free agent Sami Valimaki - the first ever Finn to win on the PGA Tour - has the same Project X HZRDUS Smoke Red RDX 70 TX shaft in both his TaylorMade R7 Quad mini driver and Titleist GT3 driver?

SAMI'S SPECIAL ODYSSEY

We should also mention that Valimaki has had some work done on his putter - which is of course a legal equipment change.

The two-time DP World Tour winner currently plays with one of the most iconic putters in the history of golf, the Odyssey White Hot OG 2-Ball.

Those of you who listen/watch Golf Monthly’s Kick Point podcast (we recommend you subscribe to Kick Point so you never miss an episode) will know exactly what hosts Dan and Joe think of this model.

In that particular episode (playing above), Joe also discusses how golfers used draw on their own alignment aids - which is clearly something Valimaki still does.

And it seems to work nicely for him. He finished sixth in Putting at the end of his winning week at Sea Island Golf Club.

The Belfry - Brabazon

• GF: 18 holes £205
• W: thebelfry.com/golf

The Brabazon Course at The Belfry is in the Next 100 of the UK&I, and is probably best known for hosting a record four Ryder Cups. This Peter Alliss collaboration with Dave Thomas opened for play in 1977, since when it has benefited from regular and significant upgrading and redevelopment. Water hazards abound, with the excellent par-4 9th leading straight on to the iconic, driveable par-4 10th, one of the best examples of a risk-reward hole in England. The famous closing hole, scene of plenty of Ryder Cup drama over the years, works from right to left and over water. There are two further courses, the PGA National and the Derby, which along with a lively hotel make this a complete golfing resort.

Chapel-en-le-Frith

• GF: 18 holes £25-£50 all week
• W: chapelgolf.co.uk

Operating as a 9-holer from its foundation in 1905, it was only in the 1970s that the decision was made to invite the Alliss and Thomas partnership to redesign and upgrade to a full 18. Blessed with a fabulous setting on the western edge of the Peak District, it is now a course of two halves with nine parkland holes closer to the clubhouse and nine quite different but equally entertaining holes over the road.

Standouts include the 11th and 12th, both of which flirt with a burn, and the fine closing hole which works from left to right, again over a stream, back up to the friendly clubhouse.

Chobham

• GF: 18 holes £42-£68
• W: chobhamgolfclub.co.uk

Dating back to 1994, Alliss was by then working with Clive Clark, designer of the impressive Dumbarnie Links. This relatively short course in Surrey runs over a wooded plot featuring several ponds and lakes, all of which contribute greatly to the strategy and the visual entertainment.

Six short holes and three par 5s add to the variety, meaning good scores can be achieved if the course is played both sensibly and well. The par 3s at 15 and 18 are real crackers, and in an area packed with premium golf mostly at premium rates, Chobham offers an excellent alternative.

Hill Valley

• GF: 18 holes £45wd, £60we
• W: macdonaldhotels.co.uk/hill-valley/golf/course

A part of the Macdonald Hotels and Resorts chain, Hill Valley has not one but two Peter Alliss and Dave Thomas courses. They are located close to the England/Wales border on the western side of Shropshire, and enjoy a peaceful, very rural setting. Opening 50 years ago, both are tree-lined, with the Emerald being the more demanding at over 6,700 yards and with a par of 73.

Of similar nature but refreshingly shorter, the Sapphire has a solitary par 5 but seven short holes and several drive and pitch par 4s. With the onsite hotel, this is a fine venue for a golfing break.

King’s Lynn

• GF: 18 holes £100wd, £119we
• W: kingslynngolfclub.co.uk

Although the club dates back to 1923, it was not until the mid-1970s that the decision was taken to relocate to the north-east of this market town in Norfolk. Despite its relative youth, this tree-lined design is remarkably mature and looks substantially older. It is a long and demanding course where positional play from the tee is vital.

Doglegs feature regularly, but you also need reasonable distance if you hope to reach the longer par 4s in two. The turf is wonderfully free-draining, and this is a pretty and peaceful place to play with each hole discrete and separate from all others.

Additionally - and arguably most importantly - the quality and condition of course we play on can dramatically change from one week to the next, exacerbated if you're a nomadic player who journeys around from place to place.

Unlike touring pros, we're not often afforded the luxury of courses so perfectly manicured that you'd eat your dinner off of them. The courses, not the pros. Moving on.

Regardless, due to the variety of layout we often deal with, I think there is a cheat code of sorts which might help to lower our scores.

You may have read recently that I struggled initially when gaming a brand-new putter in an important round, and that's not something I'm keen to repeat any time soon for the reasons I highlighted.

My original flat stick featured an insert face which is really soft on contact and encourages me to be a touch more positive with my stroke. On the other hand, the newer putter is a milled face which was far hotter than I was used to and scared the living daylights out of me on slicker surfaces.

Despite very strong initial reservations, I stuck with said putter and have gamed it a few times since, slightly lessening the unadulterated hatred I felt towards it at first. A bit like a dad who says he doesn't want that new puppy, only to end up viewing it as his best friend a matter of months later.

While I might not be there quite yet, it was during a recent round on an inland-links-style layout with a green speed that barely registered on the stimpmeter that I realized the milled-face option was proving fairly successful.

Due to the particularly sluggish nature of the greens, I could maintain the correct putting technique and the club would do a great deal of the heavy lifting.

If I'd been gaming my old insert-face putter, I might have ended up bending it out of shape after thumping golf balls with it for hours on end. Not to mention, the quality of contact would have been pretty low and I would almost certainly have holed fewer putts overall.

It was during that round that I enjoyed something of an epiphany. What if I used the milled-face putter when greens are on the slower side, allowing me to remain positive with a good technique, and I swapped it out for the insert-face option when greens are quicker? Moving forward, I think that's exactly what I'm going to do.

In hindsight, my old putter would have worked much better in the big round I mentioned, not least because I was more familiar with it but also because it would have allowed me to remain positive while combining a degree of delicacy alongside.

I know golf clubs - and particularly putters - are not cheap, so I'm not suggesting you go out and buy a brand new option (unless you can afford to). But I do think it would be worth baring this suggestion in mind before you move on from an older club and donate it to pastures new.

A wise old owl named Joe 'The Pro' Ferguson once talked about putting two different drivers in his bag to suit whatever the course or hole presents him, and I think the same could well be true for putters as well in terms of green speeds.

Instead of trying to make wholesale changes to your technique which could lead to varied results, lean into the mass array of technology in modern putters and see if a different tool helps you out.

As amateur golfers, we all know that it's the club's fault and never ours. If we were using professional equipment, we would undoubtedly play better golf.

So, until you make it to the professional circuits, consider finding yourself a very different putter to the one you're used to. While it will certainly take some time to get used to at first, it could prove to be an extremely worthwhile investment in the long-run.

Just south of Manchester and situated in a beautifully peaceful location, The Wilmslow Golf Club was founded in 1889. It was originally on land that is now the home of the 9-hole course at Alderley Edge. Surprisingly, golf was only played in the Winter months as the grass was too long in the Summer! This may well be the reason that the club soon relocated to today’s idyllic and very attractive setting.

Through The Ages

The club’s first home was designed by George Lowe, a professional and acclaimed clubmaker who worked at both Royal Liverpool and Royal Lytham and St Annes. In 1903, a move was made to Great Warford, and although early details of its design are hazy, its evolution has benefited from leading architects including James Braid, JH Taylor and Fred Hawtree.

In over 120 years, it has hosted many important events, both professional and amateur. From 1976 to 1981, the club was the home of the Greater Manchester Open, then a fixture on the European Tour. And in 1983, Nick Faldo, already an established Ryder Cup player, won the Martini International here. In recent times, the focus has been on a steady improvement in conditioning and presentation which is now really paying dividends.

From Tee To Green

Today’s constantly engaging round consists of two loops of nine, each with its own dramatic climax to greens below the clubhouse down by the snaking Mobberley Brook. Doglegs are a particular feature, and while the holes are generally tree-lined, these are never too intrusive or claustrophobic.

The opening two holes set the tone well, each working its way right to left and where it is easy to be blocked out. The first short hole comes at the 6th which shares its green with the par-5 3rd. The front nine closes with a very pretty but devilish par 3, down the hill and over the brook to a well-bunkered green.

A Sting In The Tail

The back nine is even more attractive and features two more par 3s that are played over the stream. The 14th and 17th each cross a sunken valley that is home to the brook, while the 18th is arguably the signature hole, a par 5 packed with options. Depending on the drive, you are likely to have a semi-blind shot down to the left and towards the green.

Anything too far left will find water, while the front-right bunker frames the approach perfectly and is sure to take many prisoners. This lovely course has challenge, beauty and plenty to interest all the way. Back in the well-appointed and spacious clubhouse, at The Wilmslow Golf Club you are sure to receive a friendly welcome.

• Stats: par 72, 6,639 yards
• GF: Round: £130 Mon-Thu, £150 Fri&Sun

There you go... done it.

Players over the years have adopted all sorts of grip techniques to get the job done and here below we look at a selection of them, from tee to green.

Long Game

Vardon (or overlapping) grip – Its invention is credited to the great Jerseyman Harry Vardon, although sources suggest the grip was actually used before the six-time Open winner by a Scottish amateur called Johnny Laidlay.

Basically, it’s where the right forefinger overlaps the left forefinger. That’s for right-handed players… it’s the opposite for left handed players. Sam Snead and Arnold Palmer used the Vardon grip. Phil Mickelson is also a fan of the overlap.

After damaging his finger in a bike accident, 1996 US Open winner Steve Jones used a reverse overlap grip – left forefinger over right. That grip doesn’t have a moniker but surely it should be the “Steve Jones” grip. Maybe that will stick.

Interlocking grip – This is where the player interlocks the little fingers of both hands rather than overlapping.

It’s difficult to find data on which grip is favoured on tour but what we have suggests that a slightly higher percentage of players use the interlocking grip versus overlapping.

Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy all favour the interlocking grip – an impressive selection!

Baseball grip – This grip, also known as the 10-finger grip, is where there is no overlapping or interlocking of the two hands on the grip. It’s not common for pro golfers to use this method but it’s not unheard of.

The legendary Moe Norman used a 10-finger grip later in his career. Bob Estes was a "baseball" gripper. More recently Scott Piercy and Tommy “Two Gloves” Gainey have put the baseball grip into practice.

Chipping

Conventional grip – Most players use the same grip for chipping as they do for their long game. It makes sense from the point of view of feel and consistency.

Some players who either overlap or interlock may choose to go for a baseball grip on short shots in order to gain a little more feel and touch.

Putting grip – Some players will use their putting grip for some short pitches and chips.

It gives a different feel and can help those who have trouble with twitches on shorter shots.

The putting grip can be particularly useful when playing a low running shot. Players may play chip shots with more of a putting stroke. Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood are known for doing this.

Cack-handed grip – This is another method employed by players who have a little trouble with the chipping yips. It’s swapping over the hands so, for a right-handed player, putting left hand below right. It's also known as the cross handed method.

Recently, Matt Fitzpatrick has frequently chipped cack handed.

Jason Palmer, a one-time European Tour player chipped with one hand (his right hand) in an attempt to cure his chipping yips.

Putting

It’s when it comes to putting that players utilise a dazzling array of different grips. Most players use a different grip to putt with than they do for long and short game shots. Here are a selection of the methods employed:

Conventional overlap, interlock or baseball – Some players will just keep their grip the same from tee to cup. See description of those grips above.

Cack-handed – As above, but much more common in putting. Jordan Spieth is known for this putting style.

Two thumbs – This is where the player uses a fatter grip and puts their hands on the club together onto the grip as if they were praying before perhaps overlapping some or all the fingers of one hand over the other at the same level at the back of the grip.

England’s Matt Wallace has used the two-thumb grip.

The claw – It’s become increasingly popular in recent years. The left hand goes onto the grip normally and then the right hand is loosely placed below with the forefinger and perhaps middle finger pointing downwards down the front or side of the grip.

When Mark Calcavecchia turned to the technique back in 2001, he faced derision but now a number of top players including Tommy Fleetwood (see pic above) use the claw.

Armlock – This is where the shaft of a longer putter is held up the inside of the arm. The grip used may be the same of any of the above. Matt Kuchar was known for the armlock and Bryson DeChambeau is a current fan.

The long stick – There are all manner of ways that players grip the long putter (not anchoring it of course as that would be illegal.)

The most common method is to hold it at the top with the left hand as if you were gripping a mug of beer then use the right hand midway down the club, either with another beer mug grip, or perhaps a “claw” grip. Bernhard Langer and Adam Scott are well known as long putter grippers.

If you’ve ever started the winter with big goals, only to lose motivation as the chilly weather kicks in, you’re not alone. The problem isn’t a lack of effort, it’s a lack of structure. When you try to do too much at once, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

But the beauty of these winter months is that we finally have time to work deeply on our game – not just chase a quick fix before next weekend’s Stableford.

Here’s how to create a winter golf plan you’ll actually stick to, so you can come out of it ready to play your best golf yet.

Step 1: Pick Your Purpose Project

I believe there are two key ingredients to building a plan you’ll actually stick to – focus and purpose. Instead of trying to work on a bit of everything at once, choose one area of your game that will have the biggest impact. Then commit deeply to improving it.

It might be a swing change you want to groove, a mental block you’re ready to work through or a targeted skill you want to build – like strike consistency, distance control or confidence over short putts.

Pick the one thing that you know, if you were to give it your full attention this winter, you could make real, measurable progress by spring.

Your purpose project is your why for the winter. It gives meaning to every session and keeps your motivation high, even when the weather’s against you.

This isn’t about chasing quick fixes – it’s about taking consistent, purposeful action that compounds over time.

Step 2: Build Your Mini Plan

Once you’ve chosen your purpose project, it’s time to turn that focus into a clear plan to follow. The secret is to keep it short and flexible because while winter might feel long, your training cycles don’t have to be.

Break your winter into two-week “mini blocks”, with each block acting as a focused training cycle. They’re short enough to stay motivated but long enough to see real progress, with one cycle naturally building on the last.

For each block, define two things:

The specific change you’re working on

The specific goal you’re working towards

Those two ingredients give every block a clear purpose and a simple way to measure your progress.

Breaking your plan into these mini blocks creates a natural rhythm for improvement. It helps you focus deeply, spot what’s working and adjust based on what you’ve learned before moving onto the next.

It also takes the pressure off. Instead of feeling like winter is a long slog before spring rolls around, you’ll have clear milestones that make every couple of weeks feel meaningful and productive.

Step 3: Plan Your Sessions

A plan is only as good as the week it fits into. Once you know your focus and mini block goals, the next step is to decide how you’ll bring them to life week by week.

Start by defining what a “good week” looks like for you. Maybe that’s two range sessions or a daily visit to the net in your garden. The point isn’t to cram in as much as possible – it’s to create a simple structure you can stick to consistently.

Depending on your purpose project, your sessions might focus on:

Technical work – drills that improve your mechanics, sequencing or strike.

Skill training – challenges that simulate on-course shots and pressure.

Mindset work – exercises that build focus, confidence or bounce-back ability.

When you know exactly what each session is for, it’s much easier to stick to your plan, stay motivated and leave with a sense of progress.

Step 4: Create Feedback Loops

Without feedback, practice can quickly turn into guesswork. You might hit balls and feel like you’re improving but without a way to measure progress, it’s impossible to know what’s actually working. After all, “feel” and “real” can be worlds apart in golf.

That’s where building a simple feedback loop comes in so you can see what’s working, what’s not and adjust accordingly. Instead of spending a whole range session wondering why something isn’t clicking, you’ll have the data to understand why and find a way forward.

As awkward as it might feel at first, I highly recommend filming your swing when you’re working on a technical change. Seeing your swing on video gives you objective feedback and stops old habits from sneaking back in.

If your purpose project is more skill or mental game based, your feedback might be tracking how many targets you hit, how often you commit fully to your routine or how confident you feel over each shot.

Either way, creating a feedback loop takes the guesswork out of improvement and gives you real data to learn from and that’s what turns practice into progress.

Step 5: Track Your Progress & Celebrate It

When you can see your progress, it’s so much easier to stay motivated, especially through the colder months. There’s nothing quite like noticing a swing change start to click or seeing the number of targets hit steadily rise.

Tracking your progress doesn’t have to be complicated. It could be reviewing the swings you’ve filmed over time or making a quick note on your phone after each session – capturing one thing that went well and one thing you want to carry forward.

But it’s not just about tracking your progress, it’s about celebrating it.

At the end of each mini block, take a moment to reflect on the work you’ve put in and the impact it’s had. The gains might feel small but those small gains compound. And by the time spring arrives, they’ll have created a big shift in your game and your confidence.

You don’t need a complicated plan or endless hours on the range to make this winter count. You just need a clear focus, a structure that fits your life and a way to adapt as you go.

If you want a structured plan to follow this winter, my monthly training plan is designed to help golfers go from tinkering on their game to training with purpose. And if you want to see how I’m working on my game, follow me on Instagram.

One that irritates him a little more than me is the use of “quite the” rather than “quite a” as in, “He’s become quite the player over the last couple of years.” Nick Dougherty, from the Sky Sports and PGA Tour commentary teams, is very much a fan of “quite the”.

While researching this article, I actually did a quick Google/AI search to see if “quite the” is merely annoying to Rob rather than grammatically incorrect and it seems that is probably the case, with AI telling me that “in most contexts, both phrases are understood to mean something similar, but using ‘quite the’ adds a specific stylistic nuance that relies heavily on context and delivery”.

So, there we are. Another colleague admits that he gets miffed by Nick Dougherty (again – sorry, Nick!) insisting on calling them loblolly pines rather than just pines every time Masters week rolls round.

I know where my colleague is coming from. Technically, Dougherty is, of course, correct, but “loblolly”, through no fault of its own, is a mildly irritating word that becomes all the more irritating the more often it is repeated.

Anyway, I digress a little – here are a handful of phrases that grate on me to varying degrees in TV commentary and/or social media usage, which may, or may not, offend or irritate you to the same degree...

“Frozen rope"

Shot-tracking technology is largely to blame for the proliferation of this one, which is uttered far too often for listening comfort every time someone hits an arrow-straight, piercing drive that displays no hint of lateral deviation.

Unbeknown to me, it appears it is a baseball term that has now progressed into golf, but I wish it would retreat just a little.

“Throws a dart”

This is now an all-too-frequent reaction to any approach shot that lands and stops extremely close to the flagstick. It annoys me not only because of overuse but also because I think it’s only half right, for surely it is possible to throw a dart inaccurately just as much as it is to throw one that hits the target?

Yes, Mr Picky, I know – but once something has irritated you it’s unlikely to ever be able to redeem itself.

“Full send”

This has now become the go-to phrase applied to any shot where the player has put absolutely everything into it from a power perspective to hit a long drive.

That’s all well and good, and I’m told there is a YouTube channel called Full Send Golf, but it is the frequency of usage that infuriates, especially when there are ample alternatives to convey the same meaning – flat-out, all-out, don't spare the horses, full throttle, everything in the tank and so on. Let’s just mix it up a little more.

“Straight down the hey diddle diddle"

You don’t hear this one so often these days, but it was very much an overused favourite of Howard Clark in his early days behind the mic every time a player split a fairway.

I believe it does still slip into the vernacular of Ken Brown every now and then, suggesting that it was very much of a particular era as their tour careers largely overlapped.

“Dialled in”

A player doesn’t have to “throw a dart” too often before someone in the commentary booth will refer to them as being really “dialled in” with their irons and wedges. Nothing wrong with it per se – again, just overuse gradually dulling the senses.

“Dodo Molinari’s data”

Finally, and not really a specific phrase as such, but I have to admit I got thoroughly fed up with commentators (Paul McGinley in particular) mentioning Edoardo Molinari’s data and stats every other hole at the Ryder Cup.

We got the message – the Italian has come up with stats and data to help give Team Europe the edge when it comes to pairings etc. I’m sure it’s true and played a part in their success – I just didn’t want to hear about it every five minutes!

That’s it – six bugbears of mine that will no doubt differ to yours. Why not join the conversation and let us know what phrases rub you up the wrong way in the comments section below.

And I do appreciate that commentators have an awful lot of time to fill on air and have come up with many classics over the years. So sometimes, when I’m feeling in a particularly generous mood, I’m willing to just let it go and look the other way... or at least, listen the other way!

What started as just George and Wesley performing trick shots has developed into both brothers documenting their respective journeys in professional golf, travelling across the world, as well as creating content with other social media influencers and some of the biggest names in professional golf.

Here's a full breakdown of the equipment the Bryan Bros currently have in their bags.

Driver

It's only recently that George has moved away from his trusted Callaway Rogue ST driver that he had in the bag for around three years, and now opts for the Titleist GT3 Driver at a low 8° loft. He combines this with a heavy-duty Mitsubishi BB 63X shaft. This configuration is built for speed and stability, helping the long-hitting George maximise both his distance and control off the tee.

Wesley is the first to admit he had been battling some demons when on the tee box, and decided he was going to try something completely out of the blue when it comes to a driver setup. Instead of choosing a heavier shaft for more control, he has actually turned in the opposite direction.

Wesley now uses the Callaway Paradym Ai-Smoke Triple Diamond Max Driver at 9°, which is fitted with the extremely lightweight Diamana GT 50 TX shaft. Wesley made the switch to prioritise distance, looking to launch the ball as high as possible with as much speed as he can produce. Since moving into this driver, he claims to have picked up anywhere between 20 and 30 yards!

Fairway Wood

In the 3-wood spot, George carries the Callaway Paradym Fairway Wood. He has the 15° model but has it lofted down a touch to a more powerful 14°, paired with the ultra-stable and popular Fujikura Ventus Black 7X shaft, designed for maximum ball speed and a lower flight.

Wesley's 3-wood was, until the International Series in the Philippines, the Callaway Elyte at 15°, paired with a UST Mamiya LINQ M40X 7F5 shaft. After a few too many costly shots with this club on the course, he actually gifted it to a young spectator who couldn't believe his luck. We'll be sure to update this when we know what Wesley changes into!

Hybrid

While hybrids certainly feel as though they are becoming less popular in the bags of professional golfers, both of the Bryan Bros currently have one included in their setup. George had previously used a 2-iron but switched into the hybrid, looking for a little more consistency and forgiveness as he works up the bag.

George now uses the Cobra DS Adapt Hybrid set at 19°. This is paired with a UST Mamiya LINQ M40X shaft, offering a versatile option for long approaches and tricky lies.

In contrast to his brother, Wesley opts for the Titleist TSR3 Hybrid at 19°, a common choice for better players seeking a compact profile down behind the ball, with greater forgiveness than a driving iron. He has this hybrid powered by a Fujikura Ventus Blue HB 9X shaft, which offers a mid-launch, low-spin profile.

Irons

The irons are where the Bryan Bros’ connection with the Finnish brand Takomo is most evident. Both George and Wesley are ambassadors for direct-to-consumer giants, and so it's unsurprising to see both of them using the brand's equipment in the area of the bag they are largely known for.

George plays the Takomo 301 CB (Cavity Back) Irons from the 4-iron through the pitching wedge. He pairs these compact muscle cavity irons with Nippon Modus 125 X shafts, a proven choice for high-speed players seeking tour-level control and feel.

Wesley's iron configuration is perhaps the most unique part of his bag, featuring a blended, multi-brand set. He plays the Takomo 310 CB from the 9-iron up to the 6-iron in a Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100. Then he has a Takomo 101U 4-iron bent to a 5-iron loft (26°) with a Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 Mid shaft.

This is the club he feels comfortable knocking down despite the lower CG placement and the oversized utility-iron footprint. Wesley then reverts to a Titleist T200 4-iron, which launches at the window and travels the distance he is looking for with a 4-iron.

Wedges

George uses the special edition Takomo BB803 Wedges, a model designed in collaboration with the Bryan Bros. The name stands for Bryan Bros, and the 803 area code is where they grew up in South Carolina. They had input on the shaping and grinds on the wedges. He carries lofts of 50°, 54°, and 58° with a little custom grinding done to suit his delivery through impact. George has stuck with Nippon Modus in his wedges, just one step softer in the 125 S.

Wesley is known for his incredible short-game creativity and ability with a wedge in his hands. He carries a Titleist Vokey SM10 46° instead of a set pitching wedge, and then he also games the Takomo BB803 Wedges (50°, 54°, 58°). His choice of shaft is the tour-favorite Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400, known for its consistent flight, and also blends nicely with his Dynamic Gold X100 shafts in his irons.

Putter

George has been regarded as a fairly consistent putter during his time on YouTube golf, but has recently decided to switch to the visually striking and performance-oriented L.A.B. Golf DF3 Putter.

L.A.B. Golf putters are famous for spearheading the zero-torque putter space thanks to their Lie Angle Balancing technology, which aims to keep the putter face square to the path throughout the stroke to ensure more consistent contact and results.

Like his brother, Wesley rounds out his bag with the same unconventional putter - the L.A.B. Golf DF3 Putter. For a long time, while playing golf on the PGA Tour, Wesley used an Odyssey #1 milled blade, so making the switch to the extremely large and soft feeling L.A.B. DF3 must have been a decision that took some adjusting to.

Golf Ball

With the Bryan Bros not under a golf ball contract, there is likely to be some volatility in this area of the bag, but George is currently using the 2025 Titleist Pro V1 - one of the most popular and best golf balls on the market.

Wesley has used both a Callaway Chrome Tour and Titleist Pro V1 over the past couple of years, although after filming recently with Jason Day, he has been experimenting with a Bridgestone Mindset golf ball. It's unclear whether this is the Tour BX golf ball that Day was previously using or the new Bridgestone Prototype ball that Day was using during the PGA Tour Playoffs.

Apparel

The Bryan Bros currently have a partnership in place with American clothing company Rhoback. The Bros have created multiple pieces of Bryan Bros limited edition apparel in collaboration with Rhoback and can be seen wearing the brands clothing both on and off of the golf course.

Bryan Bros: Full Specs

Once a year, and a regular and extremely popular fixture on the Forum calendar since 2010, there is a charity day in aid of Help For Heroes. This is open to members and their guests, and so each year is a perfect combination of reuniting with familiar faces at the same time as making new friends.

At the heart (bad pun intended!) of all this is lynchpin and selfless organiser, Richard Hart. Recent years have seen the day hosted at the likes of Hankley Common, Hayling, Tandridge and West Surrey - this year it was the turn of the lovely Blackmoor Golf Club on the Hampshire/Surrey borders where Richard is a long-standing and rightly proud member.

He became involved in 2012 when the event made its first move from its original base, Aldwickbury Park in Hertfordshire, then the home club of the event’s founder Rick Garg. As the day grew in popularity and stature - it is now a guaranteed sell-out - Rick wanted to take it to different venues and make it a permanent fixture on the Forum calendar. He achieved this quite brilliantly, though cruelly and very sadly he suffered a fatal heart attack while playing at his new club, Centurion, in 2016. The event has now raised getting on for £190,000, a brilliant sum for such a worthy and vitally important cause.

Help For Heroes

This wonderful charity was founded in 2007 and runs under the ethos that “every member of our Armed Forces community should have the opportunity to live well after service.” The help it offers includes physical healthcare support, mental health counselling, financial grants, sport and social activities, welfare support and even a Recovery College whose online courses give people the knowledge and skills to make lasting improvements to key areas of their life.

Since its inception, the charity has helped many thousands of military veterans and its help is needed now as much as ever. For more information, please visit helpforheroes.org.uk.

Blackmoor - The Warmest Of Welcomes

I have been lucky enough to play Blackmoor a number of times over the years, and so was delighted to be back to see the recent changes. I was drawn to play with Andy Robb, a member at Sittingbourne & Milton Regis, and his son Steve and daughter Charlotte. They had kindly, some might say foolishly, paid extra towards the charity to play with a Golf Monthly writer.

They had clearly drawn the short straw with me, but nonetheless we had an extremely enjoyable round, neither disgracing ourselves nor threatening for the prizes. Poor Alan hit a superb opening drive, way beyond the obvious hazard of the new right-hand bunker, only to find his ball in a sneaky ditch hidden some way beyond.

Throughout the course, Tim Lobb’s changes to the bunkering have greatly improved the visuals, strategy and fairness. The course sits in the Next 100 of the Golf Monthly rankings, and although it occupies quite a compact plot of heathland, it uses every inch to full effect. To see and play the course when the heather is in its pomp is an absolute treat.

Words From A Hero

Following an excellent carvery lunch, we sat down to listen to Carl Shadrake, a young forces veteran who has benefited from the support of Help For Heroes and who had enjoyed playing in the event in the morning. He was able to relate the most harrowing stories but in a remarkably stoic and unsentimental way.

This is a man who has put his life on the line for his country, a man who was seriously injured in Afghanistan, a man who has who has been with friends as they died! Carl quite brilliantly conveyed the horrors of war before explaining how he had needed, and benefitted from the support of Help For Heroes.

His humility and gratitude were clearly evident, leaving all of us moved and in deep admiration. He is genuinely a hero, as are so many more who need and deserve the support of this great charity.

Going… Going… Gone!

As part of the fundraising activities, alongside a raffle with plenty of excellent prizes, there is always an auction comprising two strands. One is the silent auction where those in attendance can bid for prizes such as golf clothing and four-balls at popular clubs, and then the regular auction which with Simon Bratt at the helm again this year, is anything but silent!

There were plenty of great lots to be won, and Simon did a brilliant job which even included coaxing winning bids from Blackmoor members who were innocently enjoying a quiet drink out on the balcony. One of the star attractions was a Help For Heroes jacket presented by the charity’s local fundraising manager, John Carpenter who also spoke more about the varied and very active work of Help For Heroes.

And The Winner Is…

With the heather in bloom and its bright, new bunkering touting for business, Blackmoor is a fine test of golf and a proper challenge. It was therefore fitting that 36 points won the day, with the Forum’s Hugh McKinnon the only one to achieve this score and therefore clear winner of the Vickers Trophy. Runner-up on 35 points was Guy Hall, narrowly pipping Chris Dorsett on countback.

Best Stableford score off scratch was James Robinson, while the guest prize went to Martin Hendy, also on 36, edging it from Dhan Sharma on countback. Golf Monthly’s very own Nick Bonfield achieved the longest drive, something that those in the office will doubtless never hear the last of, while nearest the pin on the par-3 9th went to Phil Medley, and nearest the pin in two on the par-4 second hole went to Steve Tilley.

Not all prizes are won, some are earned, and each year the Rick Garg Memorial Trophy is awarded to a Forum member whose contribution is above and beyond. This year it went to Simon Bratt, and it was lovely to see Rick’s widow Karen in attendance to present the beautiful trophy. This was actually the first time that anyone in the Forum had ever seen Simon lost for words.

Learning New Skills

Many of the trophies, auction items and raffle prizes are the excellent handiwork of Military Craftmanship, CIO. This charity has been set up by veterans for veterans, to support individuals with severe mental health issues such as isolation, PTSD, low self-esteem, loneliness, depression and anxiety. Jodie Kidd is their patron and the principle is that by working with wood and learning new skills, they find new purpose. This in turn creates self-confidence, empowerment and improved well-being.

The organisation was formed by Ted Granger and Bob Taylor from the ashes of Veterans Woodcraft, a similar enterprise that is sadly no more since a dishonest associate forced it into liquidation. I was lucky enough in the raffle to win a Dambusters carving featuring a Lancaster Bomber. It is a beautiful piece of art, more of which can be seen at militarycraftmanship.co.uk.

Behind The Scenes

An event such as this takes a great deal of organising, and Richard Hart deserves all of our thanks for the huge amount of time and effort he puts in. He is greatly supported in this by his wife Vicky, and by enthusiastic members of the Forum such as Guy Hall, Phil Coumbe and Sean Wheatley.

The day at Blackmoor raised a further £8,000 for Help For Heroes, a terrific sum that will go a long way to helping people who really need that help! This annual event features golf, friendship, fun, and the worthiest of causes - a genuine win, win, win, win combination. Here’s to the next one!

As subs increase, membership numbers are falling as more (particularly younger) players are struggling to justify the expenditure in a challenging economic climate.

As membership numbers go down, the shortfall in income must be covered. At my club, we have worked hard to increase visitor numbers, but we’re not a prestigious venue so green fees can only do so much. The hole in the finances has to be plugged by the members so subscriptions go up further.

That leads to more members saying it’s just too much and giving it up. It’s a vicious cycle.

But I don’t think it needs to be. We just need to stop spending so much money. All I want from my club is a course that’s playable with decent greens and a functioning bar and kitchen. I would happily tighten my belt, pay less for membership and accept a very basic product.

Those in charge, though – the committee members, many of whom are retired with whopping great pensions and assets coming out of their ears – just seem to think they can spend their way out of trouble.

We don’t need new carpets in the dining room. We don’t need to paint the clubhouse windows a different colour. We don’t need to rebuild the whole green complex at the 15^th. We don’t need to employ an extra greenkeeper and have three members of admin staff.

All those things cost extra money that we as members are being asked to stump up.

The well-off few who have the time available to go onto the committee are spoiling it for the less well-off with stressful jobs and busy family lives who just want somewhere to play golf and go for a quick coffee and a bacon roll on a Saturday or Sunday.

Speaking to friends and colleagues in other parts of the country, it would seem I am not alone in feeling that the average working person is being priced out of club membership.

If you agree or disagree with that, please do let us know in the comment box below.

If you only have a chance to play a couple of times a month, the cost per round means membership is simply not worth it for an increasing number.

I say that this should be a time of austerity for the average second-tier local golf club. At my club, I would love to see a radical shift to reduce budgets and move to more of a skeleton operation with lower subscription charges.

I think a hold should be put on any costly course improvements right now and greens expenditure should purely be for maintaining the current layout in the best possible condition that the closely monitored budget allows for.

When it comes to the clubhouse, again, it should be basic maintenance only. Any suggestions of improving aesthetics or adding facilities should be dismissed. If the lights are on and the bacon is frying, that’s just fine with me.

Unfortunately, the committee doesn’t see it like that, and they continue to spend money we don’t have, making unnecessary changes and supposed improvements.

As a result, the subs continue to rise inexorably and the (often) younger, less wealthy members continue to be squeezed out.

We need more of the younger, less wealthy members to get onto the committee to put their feet down, but it’s a catch 22 because they tend to be the busiest with the least time to spare and committing to a committee is a commitment too far.

Club committees must consider all members from different economic backgrounds. The wealthy few might not blink at a 15% increase in subs, but there are plenty of members at many clubs across the country for whom that type of increase is a step too far.

To protect our golf clubs and maintain healthy and diverse memberships, cost reduction should be the order of the day. Save some money, save golf clubs.

Quiz: Can You Even Call Yourself A Golfer If You Can't Answer All These Questions Correctly?

Not only did he complete the career Grand Slam at The Masters, something he had been trying to do for a decade, but he also helped Europe win an away Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in September, and won the DP World Tour Race to Dubai for a 7th time.

So, bearing this in mind, as I am a McIlroy fan I have collated all the top gear he uses so you fellow Rory fans can maybe get a piece of the equipment he uses.

McIlroy is a TaylorMade staff player and uses a full bag from the brand at the moment. For example he has been using the Qi10 and Qi35 range of clubs in 2025 and yet we think he has already started using the 2026 TaylorMade Qi4D product as well (more to come on this soon). His ball changed in 2025 as well as he switched from the TP5x to the TP5 and moved from the older Milled Grind 4 wedges to the Milled Grind 5 models. He is also a Nike staff player and uses his own Victory Tour 4 shoes as well.

Finally I just had to include a cool piece of memorabilia celebrating his Green Jacket win in April as well as the EA Sports PGA Tour game with him as the cover athlete as well.

For those who don't know, the honor in golf is the golfer who has the right, or obligation, to tee off first.

In stroke play, who ever has the lowest score on the hole will usually tee off first on the next hole, while in match play, who ever wins the previous hole has the luxury of going first. If there's a tie, the player who teed off first on the previous hole continues to lead off.

Many will argue it should remain in our sport because of etiquette and the tradition but, for me, I really don't see why the honor system is still a thing within golf.

Picture the scene... You're playing a match and you come to a par 3 over water. The wind is causing havoc and you don't know what direction it's going in or what club to hit.

Why is it that, after winning the previous hole, you have to be the guinea pig and tee off first on the next? Why can't you have the choice to put your opponent in to bat first so that you can learn what the ball might do when it's in the air.

Yes, the flipside is that if they hit a good shot then the pressure is back on you, but that's the risk you take. Match play is all about the momentum shifting so, if you make the wrong call and are put under pressure, then tough...

It can work the same way in that they hit a shot that gets hounded by the wind and comes up short. All of a sudden, you now know you need to hit more club than required.

What's more, it's not just learning off your partner where it's beneficial. Slow play is becoming more and more of a big factor in the sport at both amateur and professional level.

For me, I've always been an advocate of ready golf and, under "Rule 6.4 - Order of Play When Playing Hole," it states: "The order of play from the teeing area depends on who has the honor, and after that is based on which ball is farthest from the hole."

However, it then goes on to say that: "In stroke play, there is no penalty for playing out of turn, and players are both allowed and encouraged to play “ready golf” – that is, to play out of turn in a safe and responsible way."

This begs the question of why they mention having an honor in golf at all, when there's no penalty in stroke play for playing out of turn. The Rules of Golf encourage a 'ready golf' approach, which almost makes the honor redundant.

If your playing partner has the 'honor,' but is not ready to play, whereas you are, it's only logical you step up to the tee and play your shot to help the flow and pace of play.

Constantly waiting around and losing your momentum and rhythm is a big killer in golf. If you're happy to go first when they're not ready, it speeds up the process and helps the pace of play around you. I don't see why people want to stand around on the tee for an extra five minutes while their partner dilly dallies about in their golf bag.

One other reason is, simply, common sense. As we know, golfers hit the ball various lengths off the tee and, chances are, the longest hitter in the group is also going to have the lowest scores.

If this is the case, that means that player has to wait on the tee for the group ahead to move on. For me, if a player in your group can go because they can't reach the players in front, why don't you let them? Again, it keeps the pace of play moving and gives the group in front time to walk on.

Golf is special because it still has its value, traditions and history but, for me, the honor system is something that shouldn't be present in our sport.

Personally, in stroke play, if you're happy to tee off first and your partners are okay with it then carry on. In match play, where it's a one-on-one environment, the player who wins the hole should decide on whether they go first or not.

Do you agree with me that golf should get rid of the honor system? Or that it should be updated to better reflect the modern game? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Over the years, I've directed countless women's instruction shoots, so I'm armed with all the knowledge of how to play bunker shots. That's what I've found most frustrating, especially when people say, 'You used to be really good out of bunkers!'

My brain became scrambled with competing thoughts every time I entered the sand. Clearly, whatever I thought I was doing right, my technique needed some serious attention. I reached out to Sarah Bennett, one of our Top 50 Coaches, to help end my bunker woes at Colchester Golf Club.

Set-Up

It was a case of back to basics for my set-up. I’m a right-handed player and my right hand had slipped too far round under the grip.

Without adding any extra pressure, and keeping my right elbow soft, Sarah got me to move the fleshy pad under my right thumb (the non-target hand) on top of my left thumb, as though I was gently squeezing five pence between the two. This is to help gain maximum loft without opening the clubface.

My eyes lit up, as I did wonder if this tweak to my grip would also help to abolish short game shanks, but that’s another lesson!

Too Much Spine Angle

I must remember to wriggle in the sand and lower my centre of gravity. But from there, one of my biggest problems, and one of the reasons why I often hit behind the ball, is because I have too much spine angle, tilting backwards, instead of keeping my shoulders level and my sternum over the ball, not behind it.

80% Of Weight On Front Leg

In turn, too much spine angle contributes to another fault, which is too much weight on the right side. I had to really focus on feeling like I had no weight shift towards the non-target side.

I was told to keep stable, really lean into my left side and feel my quads working. For me, having been so far back, I now felt so far forward, but as Sarah pointed out, remember that in golf ‘feel’ and ‘real’ are totally different. From the correct set-up, I was able to create a nice delivery position and now produce bunker shots with trajectory.

Take Sand

Taking sand is one thing, but more importantly, it’s about taking sand in the right place behind the ball. Sarah made two lines in the sand 4 inches apart and the aim was to enter the sand between the two lines.

To be honest, once I’d corrected my other faults, I found it easier to attack the sand in the right place with a more forward flowing movement.

I must admit, since putting into practice what I’ve learnt, I still have to concentrate hard on imagining another ball behind my ball, so I make contact with the sand in the right place.

I cannot emphasise enough the importance of my bunker lesson, or in fact, any lesson. I’d left it too long, and too many faults had crept in - it's incredible that I ever managed to get out of a bunker!

Now with Sarah’s expert tuition, which she delivered in such a relatable way, I have all the tools I need to improve in the sand. She has given me the confidence to trust myself in the bunker, and so far, so good!

If you're struggling in the sand, here are Sarah's top tips:

Five S’s For Success In The Sand

• Set-up - Widen the base and “wriggle” into the sand nice and low leaning into the inside of your target thigh. This is important to contact the sand propelling the ball from the the ideal forward of central position.
• Swing Length - All good bunker players have excellent tempos and appropriate length of swing for the shot in hand. A common error is a very short quick backswing compromising the rhythm.
• Speed – I find many golfers “decelerate” both with their body and the club. Sand is a heavy material so requires a certain degree of power for the club to glide through.
• Sound - A well- executed bunker shot will produce a crisp sound with a shallow even entry divot. We all know too well when we take too much sand the divot is deep with a resounding thud or not enough a thin tingle sound.
• Sand - The entry point for all bunker shots is within an approximate 4”-5” parameter so practice hitting in between two lines this distance apart. This drill provides immediate feedback aiding consistency of strike.

The last piece of advice, and probably the most important, is to manage your expectations. Enter the bunker with a sensible exit route based on the lie and height of the bunker face. Walk into the bunker with confidence and a smile.

Sarah Bennett
PGA Honorary Member
PGA Captain GB&I 2022
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The RSM Classic produced plenty of drama last season, as Joel Dahmen kept his card by the smallest of margins. In terms of the winner, Maverick McNealy held off amateur star, Luke Clanton, to bag his first title on the circuit.

McNealy was among the favorites last year and, the year prior, Ludvig Aberg blew the competition away with a 29-under tournament total, signalling his intentions on the PGA Tour via a four shot victory.

Going into the RSM Classic, Golf Monthly's tipsters have found their form as, not only did our experts back winner Ben Griffin at the World Wide Technology Championship, but also Matt Fitzpatrick at the DP World Tour Championship last week.

Looking to make it a hattrick of wins, we have taken a look at which players we're backing this week, where plenty of drama is in-store at St. Simons Island, Georgia.

RSM Classic 2025: Best Bets

Pick One: Michael Thorbjornsen (+2500) To Win @ BetMGM

The young American is deservedly among the favorites for the final event of the season, where he will have one last chance to pick up a win. He's shown flashes of form throughout the campaign and was third at the Baycurrent Classic, so he's playing reasonably well at the moment.

His recent appearances have also seen Thorbjornsen combine power and accuracy off the tee while he has gained strokes in terms of putting more often than not of late. A T8th finish at this event last year tells me he enjoys the layout and his recent form gives Thorbjornsen a fighting chance of reigning supreme in this evenly-matched field.

Pick Two: Sami Valimaki (+5500) To Win @ BetMGM

The Finn doesn't have an awful lot to gain this week, unless of course he picks up a win, and given he's dealing with far less pressure on his shoulders than the majority of his rivals, there is every chance Valimaki could make it happen.

He's coming off a T2nd and a T8th in his past two starts as well, so the form is there. Although he's never played this event before, and he isn't among the longer hitters, Valimaki is usually very accurate and that's never a bad thing when mistakes can be so costly. I'm backing the free-wheeling Finn to enjoy another top-10 this week.

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Pick One: JT Poston (+3300) To Win @ BetMGM

A three-time winner on the PGA Tour, Poston knows how to win and, at the RSM Classic, I think he's showing enough recent good form to make it victory number four on the circuit.

At last year's RSM Classic, he finished T5th via six and seven-under-par rounds at the weekend. What's more, he hasn't been outside the top 30 in his last four PGA Tour starts, with the American's game suiting the course nicely. He's among the favorites, but still represents good value for the tournament.

Pick Two: Chandler Phillips (+6600) To Win @ BetMGM

The American enjoyed an excellent runner-up result at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, with Phillips finishing one shot back of Adam Schenk, who produced a clutch par at the 72nd hole for a maiden PGA Tour title.

Having missed two cuts prior to his second place finish, Phillips is finding some form and, crucially, returns to a course where he enjoyed success last year - finishing T8th. Going into the event, he sits 92nd in the FedEx Cup Fall Standings so, although he is likely safe, he will want to make sure of his playing status for 2026 this week.

Golf Monthly Betting Picks: Wins In 2025

“Levi is such a sweet baby,” she said, smiling. “I couldn’t say the same for the first three months, but now he’s six months, he’s a dream. He sleeps 12 hours, which changed my life. I was playing golf again, travelling again, living my dream and being a mum. It’s really rewarding.”Lee's return to competition, following an emergency C-section, was anything but easy. The physical toll had been immediate. “The first few days, I couldn’t walk,” she recalled. “

At six weeks I started putting and chipping, then swinging at eight to nine weeks, and drivers around week ten. I lost a ton of power, my ball speed dropped nearly 20 mph. I cried some days, thinking I was so far behind.”

Watch the full interview with Alison Lee on motherhood and her return to competitive golf

Despite the physical and emotional toll, the two-time Solheim Cup player’s determination never wavered. “I’ve been a pro for 11 years,” she explained. “I’ve won on the LET, but not yet on the LPGA, and that dream keeps me going.”

The challenge, she admitted, was balancing athletic ambition with motherhood: “Some days I didn’t want to practise, but I pushed myself. Still, I often felt like I wasn’t practising enough and not being the best mom. I’m still figuring out the balance, and it’s getting easier.”

Crucially, Lee was quick to credit her extensive support system, particularly her mother and Levi’s father, for helping her navigate the unique demands of elite sport and new motherhood. “Having help has been huge,” she said. “You can’t do everything alone.”

Lee also drew inspiration from successful athlete mums like Stacy Lewis, though she acknowledged the path was personal. “Every woman and every baby is different,” Lee reflected. “Some people say you should stay home longer, others say the opposite. I’m just doing what works for me.”

As a proud Golf Saudi ambassador, Lee had found a dedicated partner in her journey. She deeply values the organisation's massive investment into the women's game. “They’ve stayed committed to women’s golf,” she noted. “Purses have grown, production is better, and there are more events.

To grow the game, you need investment, and they believe in us.” This support, she added, went beyond simple sponsorship. “It’s meaningful,” Lee said. “You feel the investment, the care, the intention behind it. That kind of support makes a difference.”

Golf Saudi has invested heavily in the Ladies European Tour, funding 30 events with prize funds totalling $45.5M, sponsoring 14 female professionals, and introducing golf to thousands of women and girls across the Kingdom.

For Lee, success is no longer measured solely by trophies; it’s about legacy. “I want Levi to see that hard work pays off,” she stated. “My mum was a full-time working mum who did everything for me. She’s my role model. I want to be that for him.”

Her message to other women in sport considering motherhood was both honest and empowering: “Give yourself grace. Only a few come back and instantly play great, and usually they have help. To be a great athlete, sometimes you have to be selfish, and that’s okay. Take breaks, ask for help. It makes you a better mum too.”

Looking ahead, Lee’s goals remain ambitious. “I don’t want to just make cuts, I want to contend. This year was about seeing where my game is after taking time off. I’ll work hard this off-season and hope for a big 2026.”

Lee’s story is a blend of strength, vulnerability, and unwavering ambition. With her family’s support and the backing of Golf Saudi, she’s redefining what it means to be a modern elite athlete and mother.

www.pifglobalseries.com

There was, of course, the ‘consolation prize’ of another Race to Dubai title, a seventh for the Masters champion, who will just have to wait a little longer for DP World Tour victory number 21.

Enough about that - old news already. What you really want to know is, what’s going on in the equipment world?

Last week, the big gear story was Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood playing the new TaylorMade Qi4D drivers, the former with a standard version and the Englishman with the LS model.

Charley Hull, a player known for producing explosive speed, has also been pictured hitting the new model.

Hull fans will know that the TaylorMade player has been playing with the Qi10 LS, although the England star had the Qi4D in the bag during the penultimate event of the LPGA Tour season, The Annika.

As well as the brand-new TaylorMade drivers, the Ping G440 K - another model to have appeared on the USGA Conforming List recently - has been spotted, which appears to be the next iteration of the G440 range.

Thriston Lawrence is one of the latest Ping ambassadors to try the new Ping G440 K model.

The South African, a five-time winner on the DP World Tour, was seen using the new driver in Dubai, where he finished tied 24th.

We believe this to be a new high-MOI model, similar to the G430 10K driver, which proved very popular and is still among the best golf drivers nearly two years after its release.

We’re expecting a flurry of more new models as we approach ‘new driver season’, although it’s always just as interesting to see older gear in play - and there can’t be many players using an older driver than Aaron Rai, who took the Abu Dhabi title at Yas Links recently playing with a TaylorMade M6 driver, which was released back in 2016.

Well, maybe one or two.

A MIXTURE OF OLD AND NEW

This brings us to Adam Schenk, winner of the weekend’s Butterfield Bermuda Championship, a victory that helped the American save his card.

That crucial win, his first on the PGA Tour at the 243rd time of asking, was secured using an eight-year-old driver - the Ping G440, the model that replaced G.

It’s certainly not unusual to see old equipment out on tour. At the DP World Tour Championship, Fitzpatrick had his trusty Ping irons in the bag - i210 3- and 4-irons, and S55 irons 5-PW, a 10-year-old set that the former US Open champion won’t be retiring any time soon.

What was slightly more unusual was seeing Schenk putt one-handed.

Although we are digressing slightly at this point, Fitzpatrick has attracted a lot of attention for his cross-handed chipping action.

No doubt the two recent winners could have an interesting chat around their choice of equipment and why they don't follow convention.

Back to the latest equipment news, and it was interesting to see Ping brand ambassador Tyrrell Hatton with a brand-new TaylorMade Qi4D 3-wood in the bag.

The LIV golfer was one of only two players who could prevent McIlroy from winning the Race to Dubai at the weekend - the other being Marco Penge - but, in truth, the Northern Irishman rarely looked like losing his grip on the season-long title.

Now, after a short rest, attention will soon turn to the 2026 season.

And with the PGA Show in Orlando just around the corner, like the pros, we’re looking forward to getting our hands on plenty of new equipment.

Stay tuned.

If you’re struggling with your flat stick and are open to trying something new, we highly recommend watching the Kick Point episode below (all of it, of course, but this particular discussion starts at 5.24).

After listening to Dr MacKenzie on No Laying Up, our very own PGA professional and Kick Point host, Joe Ferguson, is up for changing the way he putts.

Is it time you did the same. Let us explain…

First, bring out the violins. Dan is struggling with his new zero torque putter.

Despite getting fitted at PXG HQ in Scottsdale, Arizona for his PXG Mustang ZT putter, whilst “bullet proof” from eight feet and in, it is performing miserably from long range. “Horrible,” he says.

Dan is in what’s known as the “reverse honeymoon period”, where instead of enjoying immediate success and joy, he’s experiencing the exact opposite - at least so far as long distance putting is concerned.

“You’ve come from a putter with a bit of toe hang,” Ferguson says, reassuringly (Joe is a big advocate of the zero torque putters).

“What zero torque does, in my opinion, when you remove that torque force, you can lose a bit of awareness.

“You’ve got to get to the point where you trust it. You don’t need to manipulate it or refind it with your hands - you just let it swing and do its thing.

“Once you understand that the clubface is going to do its thing and stay square, it’s a genuine phenomenon.”

Dr Sasho MacKenzie: Debunking Myths

Now for something quite thought-provoking, which might get you to try something totally new with your putting.

Dr MacKenzie, one of the smartest minds in golf, recently appeared on the No Laying Up podcast to discuss a piece of putting research that he had conducted.

As Joe explains, one of the most important elements of putting that we’re constantly reminded about is that you have to get your path nice and square, and a centered strike is crucial.

MacKenzie’s research suggests that neither appears to be quite so important, for he was able to show that when you moved the impact location, even by a centimeter, the change in direction and pace was minimal.

“Lots of golfers spend a lot of time on putting gate drills to work on centering the strike, and using putting mirrors to perfect the path,” says Joe. MacKenzie is saying that maybe it’s not so crucial, and he has the evidence to back it up.

Here’s where the debate gets super interesting.

There appears to be less of a focus on pace control. As Joe says, we might rehearse a hands-to-shoulder back and through for a 60-yard shot to give us a framework of how far to hit a wedge, for example, but this kind of method is largely ignored on the putting side.

Bryson DeChambeau and a number of other tour players have their various systems, the two time US Open champion being big on the length of his backswing and using different ratios to get his pace spot on.

However, MacKenzie believes that more golfers have room to improve their putting by learning how to control their clubhead speed.

Looking At The Target

Interestingly, many of those he tested were more successful when they looked at the hole rather than the ball.

“Think about playing pool and snooker. You’re not looking at where you’re going to strike the cue ball are you? You’re looking at the object ball and the pocket,” says Joe, who's also fairly handy on the baize.

“If you’re not even looking at the stroke, you can get that out of your head and not worry about how strike and path.

“It makes sense. You’re focusing purely on the target and not worrying so much about the stroke.”

Have you ever gone through your routine, looking at the ball, back at the hole, the ball, hole again, over and over, and then, as you’re about to pull the trigger, just wondered how hard you should hit the ball?

Yes? So has Joe. We all do it. Maybe it’s time, as Jordan Spieth has to known to do on occasions, that you looked at the target when taking your putting stroke. There can’t be any harm in trying, can there?

In case you’re concerned for Dan, he’s going to persist with his zero torque PXG Mustang ZT putter.

“I want to see if I can get out of this reverse honeymoon period and actually get into the honeymoon.”

Good luck, Dan, and good luck to those of you who are going to try looking at your target when you putt.

Let us know your thoughts using the comments box below. We'd love to hear from you.

Sometimes I can get into my own head when shaking off the rust, especially when things don't go to plan before the round - often leading to me aimlessly machine-gunning balls at break neck speed (which is one of seven things you should never do at the range).

However, after a visit to Trump Turnberry last year, I was very interested to learn about the warm-up routine of one my golfing idols - Colin Montgomerie - and couldn't wait to try his very simple method of getting ready for the first tee.

I was accompanied on the trip by Top 50 Coach Steve North, who kindly agreed to break it down for you in the hope that Monty's wisdom could help amateur golfers to play their best golf...

Colin Montgomerie's 26-Ball Warm-Up Routine On The Range

Warming up before a round of golf is crucial, but so many club golfers turn up with five minutes to go until their tee time and spend that time frantically sprinting to the first tee.

On our visit to Turnberry in Ayrshire for the Golf Monthly instruction shoot, we were told the story of Colin Montgomerie’s famous 26-ball warm-up.

The iconic venue, which has hosted the Open Championship four times on the majestic Ailsa Course, still gives out bags of balls with exactly 26 inside - paying homage to the eight-time European Tour order of merit winner.

So, with a bag (or bucket) of balls, plus a few spare ones for the short-game area afterwards, this is how you should use your precious prep time before the first tee...

Golf Monthly recently outlined their guide to the ultimate golf bag set up for a 10,20, and 30-handicapper, but as long as you have 14 clubs in yours, you can copy Monty before your next round.

Starting with your wedges, hit one ball with each of the 13 clubs in your bag (minus the putter), working your way up to the driver.

When you’ve hit one ball with each club, make your way back down in reverse order.

Focus on fundamentals and try not to get too bogged down in technique just ahead of a round. It’s about getting loose and nailing the basics before playing.

Monty would follow this exact routine before his round, hitting two balls with each club before heading out onto the course and showcasing his immense talent.

Has It Helped Baz?

The honest answer is... yes! Immensely, in fact.

I now feel like I have a repeatable process that I can depend on before a round. It's familiar, simple and helps me to focus my mind before the opening tee shot.

My scores have come down in recent months, as a result of a number of different factors including a tour-level golf lesson with a Top 50 Coach, but Monty's warm-up routine has also played a big part in preparing me to play my best.

The beauty is, I only have two balls with each club. That means I am fully focused on each and every shot, not giving any cheap ones away, but also if the strike isn't perfect I move on to the next club and put it to the back of my mind.

I can then revisit with a fresh perspective when that club carousels around again, with the final ball always being a closest to the pin flick with a wedge that I like to make super competitive with my playing partners.

Start as we mean to go on, aye!

What Should I Do After My 26-Ball Warm-Up?

You are almost ready to head to the first tee, but first be sure to take a few spare balls to the short-game area.

Many club golfers neglect this crucial part of their preparation, preferring a browse in the pro shop or a chat on the putting green.

Many of the most common amateur mistakes around the green can be avoided with a little extra practice, especially if you take advantage of our free short game clinic.

Set the spare balls down in tricky spots, with differing lies around the green and levels of challenge.

By giving yourself four tough short-game shots before you play, you won’t come unstuck when you’re tucked behind a bunker on the first. The idea isn’t to kill your confidence, but you’ll gain very little by going easy on yourself.

The situation in this headline is something that you might not think possible to happen. But it has done. In fact, I’ve witnessed it happen and I very much doubt it’s the only time in golf’s history it has occurred.

Playing in Spain a few years ago, on the Stadium Course at PGA Catalunya, now called Camiral, my playing partner teed off on the par-3 5^th and hit what looked a good shot destined to cling on to the left side of the green.

As the ball was coming towards the end of its flight, a bird took off from the lake on that left side. It flew straight into the path of my pal’s ball and was struck.

I’m not sure what type of bird it was but it was clearly a hardy sort as it didn’t seem remotely perturbed. It carried on, only a little ruffled. My friend’s ball however did not get off so lightly. It was deflected, possibly caught by a wing stroke, and headed left – straight into the lake. We saw the agonising splash.

It was bad luck as it looked like he’d be putting for birdie. “Surely I get to play that again!” He pleaded, after we’d all had a bit of a laugh at the unusual incident.

You might think so. But no. Unfortunately for him that’s not what the Rules of golf say.

Rule 11 covers what happens when the ball in motion accidentally hits person, animal or object.

OK, his ball had accidentally hit an animal… tick…

Now, reading on, Rule 11.1b(1) tells you what to do if you’ve hit an animal with a shot from anywhere except the putting green.

It says that you must play the ball as it lies. In some cases, the bird strike might have sent my pal’s ball closer to the hole and that would have been a good break. In this instance, the break was not good and his ball ended in a penalty area.

Bad luck indeed, and the only course of action was to follow the Rules for a ball that has ended in a penalty area, covered in Rule 17.

This was a red penalty area, so my friend had four options. Number 1, he could try to play it. That wasn’t really on though. He would have needed scuba gear to get to it.

He had then, three options left, all under penalty of one stroke. Firstly, he could play again from the tee under stroke and distance – playing three from where he hit the original shot.

Secondly, he could take back on the line relief, keeping the spot the ball crossed into the penalty area in a straight line between the hole and where the ball was to be dropped. That was going to take him off into the woods, so not that appealing.

He decided to take Option 3. A lateral two-club length drop from a reference point where the ball crossed into the penalty area, dropping no nearer the hole than the reference point.

If it had been a yellow penalty area, he would have only had the stroke and distance and back on the line penalty relief options. The lateral drop is for red penalty areas only.

If, in some extremely strange circumstance, a player hit a putt from the putting green that struck a bird and was deviated into a pond, they would be able to play again from the spot the stroke was made with no penalty.

In fact, they would have to play again from the same spot, or they would face the general penalty.

Other than shots played from the putting green, if a ball you’ve hit strikes a bird, you must play it from where it ends up. If it finishes in a pond, that’s simply bad luck and you must accept your punishment. The golfing gods are against you!

Rules Quiz

With 19 wins, including four Major Championships, there have been plenty of comparisons drawn between the red hot form of Scheffler and the famous period of utter dominance from Tiger Woods.

Tiger Woods is currently the record earner on the PGA Tour, banking more than $120 million in prize money in his career so far, but Scottie Scheffler is now lurking and ready to overtake one of the best golfers of all time.

The question is... when will Scheffler accumulate enough funds to overthrow Woods in top spot?

When Will Scheffler Pass Tiger Woods' PGA Tour Earnings?

With the rate that Scheffler keeps winning appearing to gather speed rather than be slowing down, it's hard to predict exactly when he will overtake Woods at the top of the career earnings list on the PGA Tour.

It's pretty clear that it will happen relatively soon, barring a cataclysmic drop off in form or a significant injury, and if I was to hazard a guess I would say by the Masters in 2027 (at the latest).

There is a way that we can use some of his historic earnings to make a loose prediction, so stick with me while I talk you through my theory.

Scheffler has earned just over $99 million dollars since turning professional in 2018. He didn't earn over $1 million in a season until the 2019-2020 season, so we will take an average based on the past six seasons including that one.

Doing some very basic maths tells me that Scheffler has averaged around $16.5 million a season for the last six seasons, so based on that calculation it would take him just two more to eclipse the figure currently held by Woods.

That theory is based on the notion that Woods doesn't add significant sums of prize money to his own total, which looks unlikely following Woods' recent surgery and his history over the past few seasons.

There is another way to look at this, however.

Scheffler has earned at least $20 million in each of the last three seasons, with the biggest income seen in the 2024 season ($29 million), so based on that trajectory he will surpass Woods by the end of the 2026 season.

Either way, the rate at which Scheffler has pulled alongside one of the greatest players of the modern era in terms of career prize money is simply ludicrous and a damning inditement on the state of the men's professional game.

Woods, who earned an average of $4.5 million per season using the same parameters as above, has a massive 82 PGA Tour wins.

Those victories were recorded over almost 30 years as a professional, but Tiger is about to be passed by a player with 19 wins in just seven years as a pro.

I'll let you stew on that concerning stat for a moment, then I want to hear your thoughts.

Drop me a comment below and tell me your opinion on the financial state of the game, the sums of money earned by players and anything else that peaked your interest in this article.

While You Are Here... Have A Go At Our Multiple Major Winner Crossword

A recent Instagram post from gears.sports has our PGA professional and co-host of Golf Monthly’s Kick Point podcast, Joe Ferguson, a little concerned.

For the full discussion, fast-forward to 21:20 on the video below (we actually recommend listening to the whole episode - it’s a cracker) for a more detailed explanation.

But here’s a summary...

Gears is a golf motion analysis and body tracking system used by PGA pros, club fitters, and club manufacturers to measure and analyze every nuance of a golf swing.

If you’ve been for a thorough custom fitting session - the kind of which is available at the TaylorMade fitting center at Wentworth, for example - you’ll be familiar with the little balls that get stuck on your body.

These stickers capture lots of important data, and they’re also attached to golf clubs to see how the clubhead and shafts react.

Recently, Joe says, research carried out by Gears has revealed something very interesting about lie angles - and it would be remiss of us not to pass this on.

At this point, if you haven’t done so already, we really would recommend watching the video above, because you need a basic understanding of shaft droop.

Traditionally lie angles have been set to progress gradually more upright from longer irons down to the wedges to factor in the change in length between the clubs, which changes the pitch of the shaft at address and impact. Or so we thought...

Basically, the longer the shaft gets, the more the shaft droops. Think of drooping as the toe of the club going down - so a pitching wedge, which is shorter and stiffer, will not droop as much as a 3-iron.

What Gears has done is flattened the wedges, with the long irons being made more upright to compensate for the shaft droop that happens during the golf swing.

“It feels like we could have been doing it wrong for years,” says Joe.

“This isn’t conjecture. All the tour pros they’ve worked with have bought into it.”

According to Gears, these PGA and LPGA Tour professionals have all witnessed Strokes Gained in greens in regulation.

In theory, the shot dispersion becomes a lot tighter. No more long irons going way right or pulled wedges - or at least a lot fewer.

“What Gears is suggesting is that you’re better off having one standard, constant lie angle,” explains Joe.

Quite simply, if you were fitted in a 7-iron for a 62° lie angle, you’d want to be 62° in everything.

Interestingly, despite this being a ‘new’ way of thinking, through talking to current and retired professionals, Gears has discovered that a number of players have always subscribed to this theory.

Six-time Major winner, Lee Trevino, is one of these. “Super Mex” played with flatter wedges and his longer irons were more upright, with his lie angles working out to be around the same number for the entire set.

“I’m going to get a set with a standard lie angle and measure my dispersion,” says Joe.

How about you? How well do you know your specs?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments box below.

Worm casts are the excreted soil left on the surface by burrowing earthworms. There are most prevalent in spring and autumn, particularly in damp conditions.

The Rules of Golf forbid players to ‘press down loose soil”. So if you encounter a worm cast you cannot simply flatten it.

However the Rules of Golf do allow ‘Loose Impediments’ to be removed and the definition of these includes: “Worms, insects and similar animals that can be removed easily, and the mounds or webs they build (such as worm casts and ant hills).”

Therefore a worm cast on the fairway or green can be brushed away, or lifted and removed.

Rule 15.1a states that: “Without penalty, a player may remove a loose impediment anywhere on or off the course, and may do so in any way (such as by using a hand or foot, using a club or other equipment, getting help from others or breaking off part of a loose impediment).”

But, if the action of removing a loose impediment causes the ball to move then the player incurs a one-shot penalty, unless the ball had been at rest on the putting surface.

Local rules

Players should check before starting their round whether a local rule is in place which allows them to pick and clean balls on the fairway. Such rules are often colloquially termed “winter rules.”

Two types of ‘winter rules’ regard cleaning a ball which is on the fairway. The less common local rule is based on Model Local Rule E-2, which says that a ball’s position may be marked and the ball then lifted, cleaned and replaced in the exact same spot.

A more common winter rule, often known as Preferred Lies, allows a ball to be picked up, cleaned and replaced no nearer the hole. But it does not have to be on the exact same spot as before, merely within a defined distance of where the ball was.

It is up to the committee to determine this distance, but typically this is six inches, although the R&A suggests “one club-length, one scorecard length or 6 inches” as options.

It is recommended that you mark the position of your ball before preferring your lie, but there is no penalty if you fail to do so.

So if Preferred Lies are in operation and your ball has ended up in a worm cast, the ball can be cleaned and replaced outside of the worm cast.

But if they are not, and you ball ends in a worm cast, it’s just tough luck. Golf’s overriding principle of “play the ball as it lies” applies.

As this shows, mid handicaps encompass a wide range of abilities. The best mid handicappers get a shot on only around half the holes in a round; the worst get them on all holes, and probably will even get two shots on the lowest stroke indexes.

Mid handicappers’ histories in the game also vary. Some will be on an upwards path, part of a progression from beginner to single-figure golfer. Others may be former single-figure golfers where age has reduced some of their effectiveness. Others are simply those who have found their level and will play most of their golfing lives as mid handicappers.

This will affect their equipment choices - we've outlined some considerations below.

Balanced Drivers

Mid handicappers will almost certainly have their own equipment that they are used to. But if they are on an upwards or downwards path should they think about adjusting this equipment to reflect their changing abilities?

For example, the ex single-figure player may find that their low lofted, low-spinning driver may no longer be the best option for them.

If age has slowed the swing and reduced the drive length, maybe a driver specifically designed to add distance through extra launch and stability would now be a better option. There are also drivers specially designed for slow swing speeds.

But others in this category, with quick swing speeds, may benefit from selecting one of the best drivers for forgiveness, as accuracy, not length, is their main challenge. They could be tempted by drivers such as the Tour Edge Exotics E725 or the Ping G430 Max 10K, the latter of which blends modest spin with ample playability, meaning it suits a broad range of abilities.

Compact Distance Irons

The mid handicapper will likely be wanting a set of irons which balances forgiveness and speed with a hint of feel and workability. The very best golfers tend to use bladed irons, the most workable type of iron, but mid-handicap golfers rarely get the best results from using blades, as they don’t offer the degree of forgiveness a mid handicap player sometimes needs.

Yet the cavity back game-improvement irons designed for high handicappers, which offer plenty of forgiveness at the expense of workability, may not suit them either.

The solution is found in compact mid-handicap irons as these aim to balance workability and forgiveness. Excellent sets in this category include the TaylorMade 2025 P790; Ping i530 and Srixon ZXi5.

Or our ageing ex single-figure player may now be well advised to check out one of the best distance irons, such as the Ben Hogan Legend or the Cobra DS Adapt, which are designed to maximize ball and clubhead speeds in order to generate the longest carries.

Chipper

Yes, they don’t have the best reputation as “isn’t that what bad players use?” But this used to be said about hybrids, which are now a standard part of a club golfer's equipment set up.

Designed to help golfers playing from around the green by allowing them to use their putting stroke, chippers are more player-friendly than even the most forgiving wedges.

Chippers are designed to give another option to those who lack a total mastery of wedge shots. Phil Mickelson is never going to need one, but Phil Mickelson isn’t a mid handicapper. Models like the Odyssey Chipper and Ping ChipR have impressed us in testing, and aren't as one-dimensional as you might think.

Bunker Club

Getting out of bunkers first time can be a tough ask for some mid-handicap golfers, which is why some brands offer a very specific solution from the sand to help.

Clubs like the Ping BunkR wedge are specifically built to extract your ball from the sand more often than not, and can be a great addition to the bag should this particular shot become a nuisance for you. Failing that, adding one of the best lob wedges with plenty of loft (58° or above) would be a good starting point.

Vis-Tech Balls

Among the best golf balls there is plenty of assistance available to help with your aim and alignment, arguably more than with any other part of your equipment.

Be it lines or stripes, triangles like on the TaylorMade TP5 Pix or split color blocks like on the Srixon Q-Star Tour Divide, there are a host of options worth trying if you're a mid-handicap golfer looking to hole more short range putts - which lets face it, is every mid handicapper!

Accessories

The difference between a single-figure golfer, mid handicapper and game improver is not visible in the accessories, but if you're missing some of these items below your performance and enjoyment is almost certain to suffer.

The first is some sort of distance measurement device, be that a golf GPS watch or one of the best golf rangefinders. These will provide the crucial information you need to make better decisions before each shot and select the appropriate club. Models like the Shot Scope G6 watch and Bushnell Tour Hybrid rangefinder have stood out to us in testing recently.

Mid handicappers get just as wet as any other golfer when it rains, so waterproofs, wet weather gloves and so on are just as appropriate for them as any other. As is the rest of the paraphernalia.

Perhaps if the mid handicapper is an ex single figure golfer, maybe he or she should make sure a towel and perhaps even a grooves brush are in the bag, as they may be playing from, and hitting to, less congenial places on the course than they once used to. Perhaps also, whisper it, a ball retriever could make it into the bag, or an extra sleeve of the best mid-price golf balls should they be having a particularly off day.

There are many things that divide opinion in the game of golf, from major topics like dress code and slow play to minor issues like changing your shoes in the car park - but suggesting an adaption to the format has also garnered similarly strong opinions.

We received a number of comments from readers, covering the full spectrum of responses you might expect to see when broaching the subject of change in golf, but one particular comment resonated with me.

I actually totally agree with Neil, in that reducing the number of holes would encourage more people to play and make the game accessible, but I also liked the perspective of one of our readers, who suggested 14 holes could be the way to go...

Would 14-Hole Golf Really Be That Bad For The Game?

Often, when sharing our opinions on the state of the game, we get a broad spectrum of really valuable feedback from our audience - and this issue is no different.

I am going to share some of the comments from the article written by Neil Tappin, but if you have an opinion on this that hasn't been covered, or you want to discuss a particular theme, drop me a comment in the box at the bottom of the page.

Weighing in on the aforementioned article, a reader by the name of 'Chase J Sanders' eloquently shared a view on the benefits of 14-hole golf - and I am totally on board with it.

"In my view the ideal course length would be 14 holes, not 12, which would still allow for two meaningful sides of 7 and allow the game to look exactly as it does today.

"Anyone looking at the sport objectively knows that 18 is too long. By the last 3-4 holes, everyone except perhaps the most elite golfer is dragging.

"It's really is hard to justify maintaining 18 holes of manicured, watered golf acreage in a climate changing world that needs to monitor its energy and water usage.

"But alas, this change will never happen because, as illustrated in the comments below, golf is a sport of traditionalists who hate change, no matter how sensible."

Some of the comments referenced in Chase's response also made interesting points.

Ron Danklefs and Chasgolfer both referenced the fact that golfers do have the option to play nine-holes if they want a quicker round of golf.

There were some that agreed with this sentiment, but claimed it was difficult logistically to regularly play nine-hole golf - as outlined by Nero M.

"12 holes is an interesting option, that said - we currently have the 9 hole option. I almost always play 9 holes, as the needed time frame [approx 2 hrs] fits my life schedule better than 18.

"What would be helpful is a more positive reception at golf courses for those of us wanting to play 9. When trying to book on line - some courses seem to make it difficult to book only 9 holes.

"Sometimes I've called to inquire about 9 holes, to be advised there weren't any slots available for that - but I could book 18. Courses could be more creative about integrating 9 and 18-hole players into their schedule."

Other readers stated that the number of holes wasn't the issue, instead suggesting that elements such as the length of golf courses, player's pace of play and playing from the wrong tee box could be part of the problem.

There are those who also believe that a change is not necessary at all, as explained by another of our readers.

"Why do individuals feel the need to alter our great game to suit their own needs, you can play as many holes as you want if you are time restricted.

"It's a game that can be played from young to old and everone can be competitive by having a handicap, lets enjoy our golf for life is far to short."

What Does Baz Think?

Similarly to Neil, I have increasingly found it difficult to get out onto the golf course for 18 holes - especially with a young family and finding the time to squeeze in a five or six hour hobby over the weekend without feeling selfish.

In recent months, I have headed out before work or over lunch to play nine holes and even put in a few nine-hole cards which has been a refreshingly positive experience.

Spending an hour and a half in the fresh air, not feeling particularly tired after and conveniently fitting a game that I love into my busy schedule has helped me to get out on the course more - but I'd love to see a few 12- or 14-hole competitions running throughout the year.

This sometimes occurs in the winter, when the courses close a few holes for maintenance or to protect them from the elements, and I must admit I often enjoy those more due to the appeal of a three-hour excursion.

Even if courses kept 18 holes open and rotated which 12 or 14 holes were in play on that day, there could be a benefit to course maintenance and protection while also improving the pace of play.

I realise this might not be a particularly popular opinion, as highlighted by some of the comments above, but I do believe that golf has to adapt in order to progress.

There is no reason why some days/competitions couldn't be played on an 18-hole course, but introducing the option of a reduced length round could be a great way to become more accessible while also shaking the tag that golf is overly traditional and showing that the game is prepared to evolve.

When those physical limitations are removed or improved that doesn’t necessarily mean that the swing fault disappears. In fact, our minds hold on to the blueprint of our golf swing more than we think.

Just because your back doesn’t hurt anymore doesn’t mean that you’re not going to extend early in your golf swing to protect it.

It’s really interesting that muscle memory or the blueprint of our golf swings is so ingrained into our subconscious that even when there is no pain present, in the mind the body still tells us to “be careful, don’t overdo it, this hurt last time.”

Former Olympic javelin medalist Goldie Sayers said, “There’s definitely a return to the competition phase of rehabbing an injury that’s a bit of an art, as not that much actually mimics the skill you’re returned to when done at speed. I always found visualisation overcomes a lot of the subconscious self-protection of operations and injuries.”

Sayers attributes a higher percentage of fellow athletes not returning to compete due to the fear of re-injury, lower confidence, and decreased motivation.

I find this fascinating and often it’s a journey of rebuilding the trust within us that helps get a golfer back on track. Many golfers assume their golf will immediately return to its best when the pain is gone.

This isn’t always the case. Like having physiotherapy and rehabilitation exercises to get your body back in shape after an operation or an injury, the same will apply to your golf swing.

You need to not rush in. You need to rebuild it as physical capability has changed. There’s a chance you’ll have to make some substantial changes. Potentially you’ll swing it totally differently.

That’s why lessons are so important. Your PGA professional can give you drills to help to rebuild confidence, and this isn’t about rebuilding the muscles. This is about regaining the trust in your body's ability to move better.

Now we are not all Tiger Woods, but he's a great example of an athlete who has come back after multiple surgeries and smashed it out of the park. Most famously returning after a spinal fusion surgery to win the 2019 Masters.

I asked a few golfers whether they’d experienced the best golf they’ve ever played once they’ve come back after injury. Or did they decide not to come back at all?

One of my pupils had such a sore knee before having major surgery. His game was really suffering so he quit and hasn’t hit a ball since while he rehabilitates. He admits he’s scared of hitting his first ball as it has skewed his swing so much and resulted in not just pain but poor shots.

Memories of his worst playing season is still there, he's trying to distinguish between the correct alignment and posture from his pain avoidance improvised version, which is fuelling his self.doubt. Compounded with does he swing safe or swing normal and the fear factor of not incurring further injuries is immense.

He’s being careful not to dive in headfirst, managing his expectations is high on the agenda. Almost starting from scratch to get back down to scratch.

Juliet Braxton was a single figure golfer who was a keen skier as well as a great golfer. Then her body decided to throw her a curveball and her golf took a back seat. But after 15 years of various surgeries and operations and being recommended not to play any sports other than walking, Braxton is back playing golf.

“My first few games were truly dreadful as I think I was nervous of harming myself and I was also not as fit as I previously was. I came remarkably close to giving up.

“I decided to have lessons and although there was a marked improvement I found it extremely hard to regain my confidence. My previous handicap was 7 and I was very consistent, but now some of this consistency seems to have left me.

Three years on, I am playing off 15 which is fine, but I still feel I have more to give. During my lessons, my confidence is good, but when I’m on the first tee I feel shaky and unsure of myself. I am hoping time and practice will help to improve my confidence and my consistency will return.”

Jo Florance is back playing golf after her second knee replacement and admits she feels as good as ever. Her golf hasn’t deteriorated and she doesn’t feel phased about playing 18 holes anymore.

Florence’s friend is waiting for a hip replacement. She’s in visible pain walking, but just loves being out on the golf course. Her husband hasn’t looked back since having knee replacements, and although he’s not playing better golf, pain-free golf carries so much more enjoyment.

People with different mindsets come back from injury differently. Are you a golfer who has found new joy after returning to the game after injury, not just because you are pain-free, but because your approach to the game has changed? Are you playing better since having surgery? Let us have your comments below.

More reserved golfers, those who aren’t risk-takers will hold back and perhaps be more cautious. The confident, determined and more bullish players will say, “Hey, I’ve got a new knee. I’m invincible.” They’ll commit to their swing and trust new joints without worrying about doing themselves damage. These golfers will fly after surgery, but can also come back too soon.

The golfers I know who have returned to the game after injury have been through extensive rehab and many have worked out more than they’ve ever done before.

We know that exercise releases happy endorphins and these comeback kings and queens have a big smile on their faces. Those natural painkillers (endorphins) are at work and let’s face it, when we’re fit and healthy we feel great so the chances of coming back after injury and playing better golf could actually be quite high.

It's not because I'm a miserable so and so. Far from it. Aside from my general frustration at the rising cost of golf club membership - which I detailed last week - I'm a pretty happy-go-lucky person.

I really enjoy socializing and going to bars or watching sport with a big group, and I love to laugh - ask any of my friends. OK, well, you'll just have to trust me on that.

The point is, playing golf on my own is something I've really come to appreciate. A lot of people might think I'm strange even for going against the popular view, but allow me to explain...

If you can think of any other positives to playing alone or you vehemently disagree, pop your thoughts in the comments box below this article.

NO FEAR OF EMBARRASSMENT

With no one else watching over you like a hawk, there's no fear or shame if you duff a chip or slice a drive out of bounds. You can just carry on your merry way while taking a lesson from it. Friends or family might make a joke at your expense and, while no harm is meant or taken, it's often a comment you could do without.

On the flip side, should a playing partner make a mistake, you don't have to either pretend you haven't seen it, try and make light of the moment or suffer that awkward pause before they mutter something about never doing that at the range.

To be honest, all of the aforementioned scenarios work both ways, but playing on your own avoids any kind of social embarrassment. Ideal.

YOU CAN LISTEN TO MUSIC OR A PODCAST

Playing golf alone doesn't mean you have to walk for hours in silence, unless listening to the sounds of a golf course or appreciating the natural surroundings is something that appeals.

Quite often, I'll listen to music or a podcast - depending on the kind of mood I'm in - via a golf speaker rather than headphones so I can listen for shouts of 'Fore!'

A podcast is the usual choice because it's like two or three people are having a conversation to keep you company but they can't see what you're doing (see earlier post).

Having songs or a podcast playing along quietly in the background avoids disturbing other golfers on the course and can keep you nice and relaxed as you stripe your way around nine or 18 holes.

YOU CAN TAKE YOUR TIME

Playing golf on your own can take up as little or as much time as you want (within reason). It's possible to high-tail your way around a full 18 in roughly two-and-a-half hours if the course is quiet or you're let through.

Conversely, a four-to-five-hour round is perfectly acceptable as well, providing you're not holding anyone up behind you and you don't have a dinner reservation to keep.

Should your buddies be hell-bent on finishing a round as quickly as possible, it can take away some of your enjoyment. But guess who's in charge of time management if it's just you?

One of the key advantages of flying solo in this regard is that it allows you to take your time over shots and go through a proper pre-shot routine without annoying or disturbing others. As long as you're keeping up with the group in front and you aren't delaying the group behind, knock yourself out in terms of the time it takes.

CONCENTRATE ON YOUR GAME, NOT HELPING OTHERS

On a similar note to the above, taking your time over shots allows you to really focus on those one or two swing thoughts that you've been desperate to put into action. Other people might try to help you, and that can cloud your thought process.

Similarly, if you're trying to help someone else with their game, that can end up taking away from your own efforts. Then, when you've left the course, it can be a case of wondering where the holes went and realizing you didn't really achieve what you wanted.

GIVES YOU THE CHANCE TO MEET NEW PEOPLE

I do realize that this last point goes against my original stance somewhat, but signing up to play alone initially means you might have the chance to meet new people from time to time. And - at least for the extroverts among us - this can be a good thing.

I can't tell you the number of times I've begun a round alone, listening to my podcast and working on my game, before I've bumped into another solo golfer and offered to play together until the clubhouse.

Personally, I love meeting new people and finding out random things about them and their life - how long they've been playing, what they do for work, what they think is the biggest problem in the game right now.

If you're with anyone else, I've found chatting to fellow golfers doesn't happen as much unless you make a stop in the clubhouse afterwards.

THE ONE DOWNSIDE

There is one clear downside to playing golf alone, though, and this enters my mind every time I stand on the tee box of a par 3.

Should you manage to achieve every golfer's lifetime ambition of a hole-in-one and you do it without company, no one will believe you...

Hitting the perfect pitch shot with regularity is something all amateurs can do, especially when armed with the 20 best short game tips and drills from our experts.

As a result, instead of scrambling for par and falling foul of common amateur mistakes around the green, you can think about hitting it in nice and tight - setting up plenty of birdie opportunities.

So, to help you get dialled in from this key distance, we asked Top 50 Coach and PGA Master professional Anders Mankert to share his extensive wisdom in order to help you improve your play from the scoring zone...

Mastering The Scoring Zone

Welcome to the scoring zone! If you can sharpen up this aspect of your game, I am confident you can shoot lower scores and reduce your handicap.

I recommend mixing it up and trying to play different shots with different clubs, maybe not first time out in a competition, but certainly in casual rounds or during your next range session.

You’ll notice a shift in mindset, too, as you’ll start thinking more about getting it up and down rather than being happy with a par.

1. SHOT SELECTION

In this scenario, I can play two very different shots – a full sand wedge or a knock-down 8-iron.

Lots of club golfers would choose the former, simply because it’s that wedge range, but I’d play the 8-iron as the pin is at the back, and I’ve got the whole green to work with.

With a wedge, you have to be so precise. It’s more of an aggressive downward strike that will produce lots of height and spin.

In this situation, I want to take the spin off and let the ball run up the green. I’ll grip down a couple of inches, which takes a bit of the power off, and have the swing thought of my body pulling through the shot.

What I mean by that is that the clubhead is lagging or following behind (not undertaking), and it feels like it stays behind the whole time. We refer to it as ‘dead arms’. It’s a very shallow shot, with very little wrist action.

2. WEDGE BASICS

Sometimes a full sand wedge is the correct play but let’s start with a common fault – which is the ball position being too far forward.

This sets your sternum behind the ball, leading to fat and thin strikes.

Instead, you need your hands forward to ensure a good strike. This is a good way to learn how to compress the ball, as you have to work really hard to get your weight and hands in front.

If you can hit the ball well from this position, doing so from the middle of the stance is easy; it encourages you to move your weight, sternum and hands forward.

The image shows a textbook set-up and strike. Note the position of my hands at address – slightly forward of the ball, as is my weight.

I can’t stress enough just how important it is for your sternum to be in front of the golf ball, because this is where you want the swing’s low point to be.

By the time I reach impact, you can see that my hands are a further 4-6ins forward from where they started. I’m going to create a pretty chunky divot, with the strike being, crucially, ball then turf.

3. THE WEDGE EXTENSION DRILL

This is one of my favourite iron-play drills and one I highly recommend for honing solid technique with your scoring clubs.

I’ve actually built a sand wedge with an extra shaft sticking out of the top, but an alignment stick works just as well.

Many pros use this as a warm-up, including Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and Rickie Fowler. It encourages you to get your hands and sternum forward, as previously discussed.

If you do it correctly, you can take half swings and hit the ball without the extension contacting you at all.

But if you don’t rotate the body properly, and don’t come in with your hands in the correct position and your sternum forward – maybe you’re leaning back – you’ll get a clip on the side!

You’ll actually come to a grinding halt before you reach the ball. Start off with little chip shots, then work further back to a maximum arm position of 9 o’clock to 3 o’clock.

4. KEEP IT SIMPLE

One way to think of pitching is that we’re merely pivoting around the same spine angle.

Note the position of my sternum in this image. My spine angle is just held – it’s the same as where it started.

Unless you’re trying to cut the ball, or play a flop shot, you don’t need to open your stance.

For standard pitch shots, keep everything square with the ball in the centre and the feet shoulder width apart (outside to outside of feet). Your weight distribution should slightly favour the lead side.

5 DOWNHILL LIES

Sometimes you will need to make crucial adjustments as flat lies aren’t guaranteed, even if you find the fairway.

Chipping from downhill lies can be particularly troublesome for club golfers, but these set-up changes will help you get the desired strike. I’ve put a club down to illustrate how far back in the stance the ball needs to be.

If it’s too central, you risk bottoming out before the ball and catching it fat.

I’ve got my sternum well ahead of the ball and approximately 80% of my weight on my lead side. This is going to help me to move the low point beyond the ball.

Find a downhill lie and practise this. It will really help you to become better at pitching as ‘normal’ pitches will suddenly feel easy!

6. SHAPING SHORT PITCHES

These are two very useful little pitches to add to your armoury when you’re fairly close to the green (30-40 yards).

The first, where I’ve closed both the face and my stance, promotes a drawing pitch. I recently watched a fascinating video where Tiger Woods and Jason Day discussed how they liked to play this shot, a kind of deliberate little hook.

It lets them use the bounce and gets the ball to release up the green. Then, of course, there’s the opposite, with an open face and open stance creating cut spin.

The best golf balls offer a wealth of graphic options and other visual stimuli to help golfers gain an advantage in this area - be it lines, crosses or something a little more elaborate. I’ve tried pretty much everything, experiencing success as well as failure without reaching any concrete conclusions, so I wanted to conduct a test to determine with some certainty which is the most effective graphic for me on the greens.

So I hit 12 putts from six feet on a flat portion of green with three different options - no line showing at all, a ‘solid’ line (traditional Pro V1 sidestamp) and a stripe design (specifically the TaylorMade TP5x Stripe), which you can watch in the video above. The results were interesting.

No line: 8/12
Single line: 11/12
Stripe: 6/12

Before you all get at me in the comments at the bottom of the page (I’m still expecting a few) about the nature of the test and how it lacks scientific credibility (for the record, I agree it does) please keep in mind it was just a fun experiment more to satisfy my own curiosity.

The scores reveal that the solid line worked best. But over the ball, there was no doubt I felt much more confident with the added visual stimuli I got from the Stripe - it felt like I could see the orientation much clearer. But the counter argument, which is perhaps reflected in the scores, is that the stripe design is quite distracting - especially when making a stroke - taking the focus away from what the putter is doing.

I’ve tried the TP5x Stripe during multiple rounds and had amazing performances from short range and some abysmal ones. Some days it felt like cheating I was so prolific, on others it made me feel completely lost, second guessing my reads and generally lacking faith in the process.

The other problem with the stripe (and the line to a degree) was the extra time it took to get it aligned correctly. Placing the ball down, stepping back and looking at it from behind, holding the shaft up to check, making adjustments if needed - it all added a good 15 seconds at times to each putt.

I felt conscious of this during the test, perhaps to the point that I put rushed strokes on the ball, potentially contributing to the lower score. I appreciate this makes little sense given I was under no time pressure, but this was something I definitely felt subconsciously.

The line feels like a good middle ground - providing some help without overwhelming the senses and the results proved that. Although in competition rounds I’ve often diverted away from using a line to no line to free up my stroke and mentally focus on putting a committed stroke on it.

As someone who aims right and pulls putts online, the line when pointing at the middle of the hole on a straight putt looked off. I felt like I was having to push putts online, which admittedly worked, but it was an uncomfortable process I’d be hesitant to commit to long term.

In summary, there is unquestionably some merit in utilising the assistance golf balls can provide when it comes to alignment. Starting putts online is a critical skill and most golfers could and should take advantage of the assistance on offer.

What will work best is likely to be player dependent. The only way to know with any certainty is to try as many as you can, ideally on the course during a round to get a sense for what works under pressure.

The ‘it looks weird’ phase is one golfers often grapple with initially, to the point where they give up and revert to what they did previously. My only comment on this would be that you’re using a line because you need help to aim, so the short term pain of getting used to it should lead to long term gains.

Golf ball manufacturers acknowledge the potential benefits, which is why there’s a whole host of great options to choose from, be it the Callaway Chrome Tour Triple Track, Titleist AIM 360 or even the Srixon Q-Star Tour Divide outside of the balls featured in my test.

For me, I’ll be persisting with the standard Pro V1 sidestamp given the my results. But who knows, I may well have moved on to something else in a few weeks time.

Even if you find yourself baffled a little by the science, it'll at least get you thinking about whether you're using the right golf ball for your game - and, if you're not, what your options are.

So, Nick asked: “Given the data available to us regarding golf balls, I was wondering how we can interpret driver backspin and, in particular, how it links to lateral dispersion?

“I realise spin axis tilt is a variable within this but surely a high spin ball will lead to greater dispersion. Does the choice of ball even influence spin axis tilt?”

Over to you, Joe.

“I have a couple of schools of thought on this,” he says. “I’ve always said that spin is your friend. The more backspin you get on your golf ball, the straighter it’s likely to fly.”

Basically, the more time the ball spends spinning backwards, the less likely you are to tilt that spin axis. As Joe says, “it’s why your pitching wedge goes straighter than your 3-iron.”

Let’s quickly talk about spin, and clear up a myth. There’s no such thing as sidespin in golf. The ball is always spinning backwards. “Never sidespin,” stresses Joe, “just a tilted spin axis with the ball spinning backwards.”

It’s this that will cause your ball to go left or right. Of course, it will vary. A 20-something spin axis might be fairly extreme, but the ball is still going more or less end over end, backwards.

“The conventional thinking has always been that the more it's spinning, the less likely it is to go off line,” explains Joe, former Head Professional at The Celtic Manor Resort.

“However, in theory, once that spin axis is tilted, if you do tilt that off, then the more revolutions you have on that golf ball and the more that will enhance that curvature.”

So, here’s a question, one a lot of slicers out there may be asking. If you’re trying to straighten out that left-to-right shot shape (for a right-hander), do you want a golf ball that spins more?

“If you’re someone who does tilt that spin axis, the spinnier ball you use, in theory, the more curvature you’re going to get, unfortunately,” says Joe.

“If you’re trying to neutralize that shot shape, then the lowest spinning golf balls you can find will certainly be beneficial.”

Here’s the caveat. A lower-spinning ball is going to give you less greenside control and stopping power, so it’s a bit of a balancing act.

Of course, let’s not forget that the delivery of the clubface can also tilt the spin axis - and, believe it or not, the inner material of the ball may not be centered properly.

The level of detail that goes into golf ball production is mind-blowing. Ball thickness, centering, the thickness of the paint to ensure the aerodynamics are the same… take it from Joe who recently visited the TaylorMade ball factory in South Carolina, we’re talking microscopic detail.

Back to the original question(s) from Nick. Does the choice of ball influence spin axis tilt or is that purely on your delivery?

“Purely on delivery,” says Joe, “unless there’s a manufacturing fault.” This has given the Kick Point team an idea (ball cutting episode coming soon).

Another science lesson. This is where things get a bit heavy, as the conversation moves onto the Magnus effect. You can watch Joe’s explanation above, but here’s a basic example.

A guy drops a basketball from the top of a dam (you can find this on YouTube) with no spin. It wobbles a little bit in the air but more or less just drops straight down.

Then, he drops a basketball with a little bit of backspin. It travels for about 40 yards or so and then all of sudden it takes off and ends up about 300 yards away from where it started.

What does this mean? This is all about resistance, and it’s basically what’s happening to your golf ball in the air. So, again, if you want to straighten out your ball flight, playing with one of the best low spin golf balls might help.

We can’t have a technical chat like this and not mention the ‘Scientist’ himself, Bryson DeChambeau, a player who gives the golf ball more attention than anyone else.

In his quest for marginal gains, DeChambeau has been known to dip his golf balls in Epsom salts in order to find their natural center, marking the point on the golf ball where it’s perfectly balanced.

He’ll also look at certain dimple patterns on the ball. In the past, he’s spoken about trying to avoid striking the edge of the dimple with the putter blade, because that can make the ball move off line.

Neurotic? Maybe, but who are we to criticize the two-time Major winner?

And if you asked someone like Robert Rock, who we spoke to recently, whether this was excessive, the Englishman would most likely be of the opinion that golfers of all levels should take more time to learn about the equipment they use.

Rock takes the tools of his trade very seriously, to the point where he’d go out and get his own loft and lie machines, swing weight machines, and gripping station.

Sorry, Nick, we’ve digressed a little. Have a watch of the video above, and keep your thoughts and questions coming in.

However, the stress and time away from family can be a difficult one, especially when a worldwide schedule requires you to fly from time zone to time zone, all around the globe.

As we've seen throughout golf's history, there are hundreds of tournaments cropping up in every corner of the world, as well as numerous events appearing on the various Tours available.

For me though, one particular player has represented the global game, tournament-wise, more than anyone this year...

He may not be everyone's favorite, but you can't deny that Patrick Reed has done his fair share for global golf, especially in 2025, which is why I think he deserves a bit more respect.

A member of the LIV Golf League, the 2018 Masters winner has also ventured out to the Asian Tour and DP World Tour once again this year, with the Texan not just competing in the blue chip tournaments of those circuits, but also the more 'standard' events.

Away from the Rolex Series of the DP World Tour, in which he has played at the Dubai Desert Classic and BMW PGA Championship, Reed has also entered tournaments like the Ras Al Khaimah Championship, Bahrain Championship, BMW International Open and Open de Espana.

It's a similar story on the Asian Tour, where the 35-year-old is one of the more notable names from the LIV Golf League that you'll find in the fields regularly, making appearances in Macau, Philippines and Hong Kong.

Featuring in 14 LIV Golf League events for 2025, Reed, who is an honorary lifetime member of the DP World Tour, has currently played 10 tournaments on the circuit this year, as well as three Asian Tour events.

Certainly, I'm not disputing that there are players who haven't earned their due this year. For example, in 2025 alone, Ben Griffin has played 30 PGA Tour events, while some players on the DP World Tour have travelled from country to country to play a similar amount of times.

What I'm saying is that there are only a handful of players who have the accolades that Reed has who are still competing with a global schedule in 2025 and, despite their history, the most notable, apart from the American, is Rory McIlroy.

I won't mention their past, as this is purely from a golf perspective, but both Major winners have featured in tournaments worldwide this season and have made their efforts to represent golf on the global scale.

Again, I'm not implying other players haven't but, in my opinion, these are the two highest-profile players in the game right now who are representing the sport worldwide in terms of tournaments.

Outside of LIV Golf, Reed continues to play on both the DP World Tour and Asian Tour, while outside the PGA Tour, McIlroy has been present in India, Ireland, the Middle East and, in December, Australia.

In fact, McIlroy has even claimed that he plans on playing a more global, yet slightly lighter, schedule going forward, despite the fact that, in 2024, he played a total of 27 events, his highest since 2010.

Over the last few years, the emphasis has been on playing the PGA Tour and, specifically, competing in the USA, as seen with the handing out of 10 PGA Tour cards from the DP World Tour.

For me, I've previously stated how national opens should be given more priority and, for me, I'm glad to still see the likes of Reed and McIlroy compete worldwide and not limit their schedules to just American events.

If golf is to continue getting bigger and bigger, you need these caliber of players in worldwide tournaments, which is why I think more respect should be given to those who aren't afraid to venture out afar to represent the sport we all love.

Patrick Reed's 2025 Events

Whether immersed in the world of golf or simply spectating from a distance, these men have some interesting things to say about women’s golf at club and tour level.

Mark Slater: The Gap Between Golf And Other Sports

The initial reason for writing this piece is that one of my pupils, Mark Slater, recently returned from a golfing trip around the North of England with some eye-opening reflections on how it might feel to be a female golfer.

It’s interesting to note how other sports have significantly increased female players in the past ten years, football and rugby to name two. Football in particular has attracted many thousands of new players whilst in my local golf club there’s no noticeable increase on the course over the same period.

I was fortunate to play at Formby a couple of months ago and couldn’t help being impressed by the magnificent clubhouse and superb course. Then I learnt this is the men’s clubhouse and the ladies have their own clubhouse obscured by the single storey pro shop, and a separate course to play on. I was oblivious to the fact that there are still ladies-only golf clubs.

On the positive side, I know several fellow players whose partners are now actively learning the game. Maybe it just takes more time than other sports, so more of an evolution than revolution.

Eddie Bullock: Redefining The Culture

Eddie Bullock runs a golf consultancy and has worked in the golf industry for a very long time. He sees a significant shift happening in women's golf, one that demands a complete cultural rethink.

It deserves attention… not as a side note, but a sign of where the game as a whole is heading. The traditional architecture of women's golf culture simply doesn’t match the lifestyles of today’s players.

More women entering the game are business owners, professionals, and multi-taskers whose time is precious. They’re looking at golf that fits life, not the other way around.

What stands out most is that the social value of the game now holds equal weight to performance. Many newcomers are discovering the sport through shared experiences: group coaching, social formats, and supportive peer circles.

The World Handicap System (WHS) has divided opinion, but it plays an important role for beginners, making progression easier to understand and track. Being able to monitor improvement digitally and relatively quickly has encouraged more women to feel a part of the golfing community from the start.

This isn’t about the women's game ‘catching up’, it’s about reshaping what golf can be … inclusive, enjoyable, and genuinely welcoming, which benefits everyone.

Dom Oxley-Thorne (PGA Trainee): On-The-Ground Atmosphere

Dom Oxley-Thorne, a first-year PGA trainee at Salisbury and South Wilts Golf Club has his ear to the ground when it comes to female members and notes some encouraging changes.

I’ve only been properly involved in the golf industry for about a year, but I have seen a definite increase in female participation across all types of events, not just the traditional ladies competitions. It feels like there’s a gradual shift towards a more inclusive environment where women are seen as an integral part of the golfing community rather than a separate section of it.

But what do female members tell him about how they feel within the club, do they feel valued?

This is a bugbear amongst many female members at a club, shaking the old aged feeling of being second class members has been a tough one across clubs. It can still be a little more difficult for female members to feel fully accepted within the bigger, mixed groups. Some women are hesitant to join in, perhaps worried about being judged or not fitting in.

However, I’ve seen a real positive shift, particularly on weekends, with more women playing alongside what might once have been seen as traditional men’s groups. The fact that these women return week after week suggests they feel welcomed and respected. There’s a strong sense of value and camaraderie within those circles, though I’m not always sure that same level of appreciation is fully mirrored across the wider membership. It’s improving, but there’s still room to grow.

Visibility On Tour

When it comes to professional women’s golf, Oxley-Thorne sees more of it and feels they’re beginning to be recognised, though there’s a long way to go.

The LPGA has made a real impact in recent years, particularly in changing how people view the women’s game. When it’s on the TV in the pro shop, there’s genuine respect from members for the standard of golf being played. That visibility is invaluable, as it gives female golfers role models to look up to and helps normalise the idea that elite golf isn’t just for men.

The one area still in need of improvement is the quality of venues used for some professional women’s tournaments. Too often, the courses don’t match the standard of play, which can unintentionally undervalue the level of skill on display. The women’s game deserves to be showcased on the same calibre of courses as the men’s, and as exposure continues to grow, I think we’ll see that gap close.

The Real Challenge: Mixed Play And Grassroots

Oxley-Thorne doesn’t often play golf with women, and when he does, it’s usually in a mixed competition or when he is paired with them in an event. He wouldn’t typically play social golf within ladies groups, mainly because his playing circles are quite separate.

This cultural separation highlights where the women’s game faces its biggest challenge: the pipeline of talent. The number of girls taking up golf at a young age is still relatively low, which means many women only start playing later in life, making an already difficult game even tougher to learn and stick with.

Oxley-Thorne adds: Increasing participation at grassroots level is easier said than done. There’s huge competition from other sports, and if golf doesn’t act decisively soon, it risks being left behind. Mainstream sports such as football and rugby are already attracting the majority of funding and media attention in the women’s sporting space.

There’s still a real opportunity for golf to stand out as a unique individual sport, but that window won’t stay open forever. Grassroots investment remains the key to building participation and improving performance across the board. The pathway from junior to adult golf is still some way behind where it needs to be, and strengthening that link will be crucial for the long-term success of the women’s game.

Your Thoughts

Such interesting insights from these three men. Are you a man who feels women’s golf is growing? Do you play mixed golf on a regular basis? What’s the biggest challenge women face? We’d love to know your thoughts and hear about your experiences, good and bad, by commenting in the box below.

The game is changing, but I feel there is a long way to go. Clubs and members need to embrace the different versions of golf on offer these days. Only then will we see true progress, as clubs adapt and remodel the game of golf to suit a variety of women. Here’s to evolution!

Personally, I think they should be left centrally in bunkers. If they are left outside on the edge, they can prevent balls from going in the sand that should have done.

If they are left just inside bunkers, they can prevent balls rolling into a playable position in the bunker – that is infuriating. You might have had a shot but because the rake has stopped it just under the lip, you don’t.

Let me know in the comments box below where you think rakes should be left...

What do you do though if your ball comes to rest against a rake? Can you move it or do you just have to make the best of the situation?

Well to start with, what is a rake under the definitions of the Rules? It’s a movable obstruction. A movable obstruction is an obstruction that can be moved with reasonable effort and without damaging the obstruction or the course. It is an artificial object and is not an integral part of the course.

OK, so what can we do about a movable obstruction? Well, this is covered by Rule 15.2a.

It says that, without penalty, you can remove a movable obstruction anywhere on the course and you can do it in any way. So, whether your ball is up against the rake in the general area (on the side of a bunker) or up against a rake inside the bunker, you can move that rake without incurring a penalty.

The next, obvious question though is, what happens if the ball moves when you remove the rake?

That’s all too likely as the rake may well have been placed on a slope either leading into the bunker or within the bunker, on a sloped edge.

That’s covered in Rule 15.2a as well. It continues that – if the ball moves when you are moving a movable obstruction then, with no penalty, you must replace the ball on its original spot. If you don’t know exactly where that is – you must estimate it.

There’s no requirement to do so under the Rules, but it’s not a bad idea to mark the spot of your ball before you remove the rake. Then, if it does move, you know where to replace it.

OK, that’s fine, but you might now face another problem. If the ball moved when you removed the rake, it’s likely to move similarly when you try to place it on its original spot – the likelihood is, the ball was resting against the rake on a slope.

What to do is covered by Rule 14.2e – If the ball doesn’t stay on the original spot when you replace it, you must try a second time. It’s worth noting, you must place it and not press the ball into the ground to try to make it stay.

If it doesn’t stay in the on its original spot for a second time, you must place it on the nearest spot where the ball will stay at rest, no nearer the hole than the original spot.

If your original spot was in the general area (on the side of the bunker say) the nearest spot must still be in the general area. Likewise, if the original spot was in the bunker, the nearest spot must be in the same bunker.

Occasionally, you might get a good or better result from following this correct procedure… Sometimes you won’t. That’s golf!

Rules Quiz