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Bunkered Issue 148 2016

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Issue 148 • £4.35 @BunkeredOnline | bunkered.co.uk o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o JIMENEZ ON HIS 2018 HOPES & BEING GOLF’S ‘MOST INTERESTING MAN’ ‘IWOULDLOVETOBERYDERCUPCAPTAIN’ 8LESSONS TOPLAY BETTER GOLF OPEN PREVIEW ‘THEOPENISTHEONEWEALLWANTTOWIN’ PAGE 86 THERISE&FALL OFTHECLUB THATWON THEOPEN ANEW BEGINNING Get ready to watch a very different Open Championship GARY PLAYER Driving distance report is‘laughable’blasts three-time champion ROYAL TROON A hole-by-hole guide to this year’s host venue 28IRONS OUTNOW 14HOTNEW FAIRWAYS PLUS15PAGES OFNEWGEAR! WIN! STROMBERG GOLFBUDDY & PIQ GEAR!

CONTENTS p"ISSUE 148 FEATURES 44 MEET THE MOST INTERESTING MAN IN GOLF EXCLUSIVE P44 Michael McEwan meets Spanish star and cult icon Miguel Angel Jimenez P50 What you can learn from the Ryder Cup star’s swing P52 You’ve seen it on TV - now master Miguel’s warm-up moves for yourself 62 THE 2016 OPEN PREVIEW COVER STORY P62 Why this year’s Open will feel rather different to previous championships P70 Luke Donald explains why winning the Claret Jug would mean so much to him P76 Three-time Open champ Gary Player on driving distances P78 A hole-by-hole guide to this year’s host venue, Royal Troon P86 Craig Dennett tells the story of the extraordinary rise and fall of the club that won the 2004 Open 60‘YOU NEED A BULLETPROOF VEST & ALCOHOL’ DAY IN THE LIFE Iain Stoddart, the man behind Bounce Sports, reveals the secrets to being a good manager 108 GAME.SET. MATCH PLAY! A look ahead to this year’s Paul Lawrie Match Play at Archerfield Links 130 KNOX ON THE SCOTTISH OPEN The Florida-based Invernesian is rather excited to play on home soil this summer 8 BUNKERED.CO.UK 78 TOUGH...BUT FAIR! EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ROYAL TROON

TUITION 32 Look at the hole Try Spieth’s putting technique 34 Child’s play practice Toys that can help you improve 36 The ‘step’ drill Shift your weight effectively 40 Beat the sand Andy Carlton’s bunker tips 56 Hunt down extra yards Drive like Thomas Pieters 100 Polish your swing Three key moves to better golf 104 Pure your stroke Putting tips from Scott Clark 114 8 lessons for summer Make this your best year yet GEAR 135 Callaway Sub Zero 138 Shot Scope 140 Motocaddy S-Series 141 New adidas Tour360s 142 TaylorMade Phenom 144 Bushnell DMDs 146 Skechers shoes 147 Stewart Golf R1-S Push 148 UA CoolSwitch polo 149 Callaway footwear 150 Shop Window 151 Vintage Gear 155 Buyer’s Guide Featuring 156 Irons 166 Fairway Woods OPINION 28 Dougie Donnelly reflects on some of his fondest Open memories ahead of this year’s championship 30 Michael McEwan takes the R&A and USGA to task over their recent report into driving distance changes COMPETITIONS 129 GolfBuddy DMDs 154 A PIQ golf system 173 Stromberg clothing REGULARS 12 Letters 14 bunkered On Tour 18 On The Tee 179 Travel News 182 Travel: Switzerland 184 Travel: The Abaco Club 186 Ards & North Down 188 Pebble Beach 192 Where to Play in GB&I 202 Doon The Stretch 205 Prize Crossword 210 Wish List CONTENTS p"ISSUE 148 10 BUNKERED.CO.UK 135 DRIVING AMBITION CALLAWAY UNVEILS THE SUB ZERO XR16 DRIVER

12 BUNKERED.CO.UK DEAR Keen to keep up with the latest goings-on with the magazine online? Follow our latest musings and gossip at www.facebook.com/BunkeredMagazine and www.twitter.com/BunkeredOnline Got something you want to say? Anything you want to get off your chest? These are YOUR pages. Send all your rants, views, pics and more to letters@bunkered.co.uk ‘A PLEASURE TO READ’ ̨I congratulate you on the fantastic article in issue 147, ‘Golf Heaven’, by Bryce Ritchie. I have been a long-time reader of bunkered and really enjoy reading it every month. Bryce’s diary of events at the Masters from the press perspective was brilliant. It was great to read about the behind the scenes at Augusta. It was written with great wit and was a pleasure to read. More of the same please! Brian Kirkness, Orkney EDITOR’S REPLY Thanks for the kind words! R&A’S OVERREACTION ̨No doubt you will be inundated with letters re Muirfield’s decision [Ed: You haven’t seen our Facebook page, have you?]. I personally agree with a lot of what Michael McEwan (issue 147, p30) had to say except I personally think the R&A have overreacted due no doubt to pressures from outside golf, commercial and political. For me, the bottom line is you are playing an all-male championship on an outstanding golf course, not in an out-of-date clubhouse. For example, what pressures will we see, again from outside golf, to delete Turnberry from the list because of a certain gentleman from the United States of America? How soon we forget how difficult it was in the past for even males to join certain golf clubs because of religion, background, money etc. The world is an ill-divided place and I don’t think the R&A can cure all its ills by singling out Muirfield. Think again, R&A, and think again, you members of Muirfield. Change to allow female members and when the R&A come back, tell them to sod off (but then I am just a grumpy old high handicapper). Adam Weir, via email THE ‘TOXIC MIX’ OF OUR SPORT NEEDS TO CHANGE ̨I have just completed my first year as a full member of a golf club. In that time I have gone from a 26 handicapper to 22 and then to 18 to 22 again. I have regularly shot under my handicap - 12-under in matchplay to win against an opponent who shot five-under on his - yet my card was rejected and my cut was reversed as per the above as it was not strokeplay. I regularly also get accused of ‘banditry’, despite having attempted many times (even going so far as to suggest an extraordinary cut to the secretary) to cut the handicap. I have found the fact that the rules are so incredibly rigid very frustrating. That even damaged my confidence going forward and made me question whether I should just become one of the well talked of nomadic golfers. And people wonder why new club membership is dropping. Golf isn’t attracting young people or retaining members. Couple that with slow play, certain clubs’ refusal to enter the 21st century and admit female members (thereby making Scottish people embarrassed to admit that they’re golfers) and you have quite the toxic mix. Maybe a bit of flexibility and not having to just score under pressure of medals among many other things could go a long way? Keep up the good work. Fran Caine, Edinburgh EDITOR’S REPLY Very good letter. I see nothing wrong with being a ‘nomad’, actually. That word should not be seen as a negative - you’re still playing golf. However, you’re far better off being a member of a golf club if you find the right club, so stick with it. Here’s a Ping top to cheer you up. STARLETTER ë WIN...ASHORT-SLEEVED PING‘KARSTEN’POLO

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 13 connect with us LET’S HEAR IT FOR BELLE ̨I would like to draw your readers’ attention to the outstanding career of Belle Robertson MBE, who has just celebrated her 80th birthday, by highlighting her unique and spectacular achievements. I would respectfully suggest that Belle Robertson is, quite simply, the best lady golfer of not only her generation, but any generation! No-one comes close to what she has done in the sport, either at home or internationally. Some of her many career highlights include wins in the Dunbartonshire and Argyll Ladies (ten times), West of Scotland Ladies (four times), Ladies British Strokeplay (four times), Scottish Ladies Amateur (six times), Scottish Sportswoman of the Year (four times), the Curtis Cup (four times) and Daks UK Lady Golfer of the Year (two times). She also played here part in numerous international team triumphs, including the Vagliano Trophy, European Championships, World Team Championships and Avia UK Ladies Foursomes Champion, won the New Zealand Ladies Open Championship and was the leading qualifier in the US and British Ladies Open Championship. No doubt I have missed other triumphs in this stellar golfing career, a career where amateur golf/sport was based on the fine Corinthian principles of playing strictly for pleasure and country. So, as Belle blows out her candles to celebrate 80 memorable years - and still playing off a low single figure handicap at Machrihanish - we salute this greatest lady golfer, who has no equal in the wonderful sport of golf. John M. Watson OBE RIO SHOULD BE FOR AMATEURS ̨I’m writing this with just under 100 days until the start of the Rio Olympics. Interesting for me this year is the reintroduction of golf. What I don’t quite understand is the need to have muti-millionaire golfers representing their country. Do they have a genuine interest in Olympic values, or just fancy a ‘tick in the box’ to say that they’ve competed at the Olympics? I would love to see amateurs representing their countries instead. The standard of amateur golf over the last few years has been nothing short of outstanding. Amateurs competing in majors over the last couple of years have done an incredible job. Bryson DeChambeau, Paul Dunne, Jordan Niebrugge, Romain Langasque and Ashley Chesters have competed against the best in the world and more than held their own with their more illustrious competitors. I know I was rooting for the amateurs when I was watching them competing against the pros. So, yes, have golf at the Olympics - but only for the amateurs. Let the professionals give their egos a rest and sit back and enjoy watching the true amateurs of the sport competing for that coveted gold medal. Allan Kimmett, Prestwick TRIAL RANGEFINDERS IN RIO ̨We all know the ‘story’ re Bernhard Langer and the measurement from the sprinkler. Having just got my new edition of bunkered, I note the welcome and the letters pages once again return to the subject of slow play. My answer? Allow rangefinders. When a pro gets to the ball, out comes the Encyclopedia Britannica, which they then compare with the caddie, pace to the nearest bush, blade, tree etc and, eventually, come up with a figure! Or, take out the rangefinder, focus - and there you have it! It’s called progress. What’s wrong with that? Schools allow calculators, decorators and builders use lasers - it’s more accurate and it’s quicker. So, R&A, instead of ‘playing nine’, move into the 21st century. Oh, and one more thing, be quick about it! In fact, why not trial it at the Olympics? Duncan Curtis, via email GOLF’S GREATEST LADY GOLFER? Belle Robertson, left, and Jean K. Watson (mother of John Watson) competing in the Dunbartonshire and Argyll Foursomes at Machrihanish around 1964

14 BUNKERED.CO.UK GOLFERS SHOULD GET ‘MINIMUM WAGE’ ̨I have been an avid follower of professional golf for more than half a century but one conundrum that has always puzzled me is why do more than half of the players in any professional tournament not get paid? Recently, the minimum wage for any worker in the UK has been raised to £7.20 (for over 25s). Where is the minimum wage for professional golfers? I believe there should be one. To understand my argument, you have to ask why professional sport exists and, in particular, professional tournament golf? I believe there are a number of reasons that are fairly obvious. Firstly, there is a demand to watch golf’s finest exponents. Secondly, television and advertisers are willing to invest countless millions into the game and tournaments to sell their services or goods to viewers, spectators or readers. The best young golfers realise there may a lucrative career in golf and so become professionals. I believe it costs up to £2,000 per week for a European professional to exist and play in any particular tournament on the European Tour. Indeed, even the secondary tours have much the same expenses. Surely pro tour golf must be the only occupation that a professional or tradesman provides their services - i.e. plays two rounds which the public have paid to see either on television or by attendance at the tournament - but despite how well they may have played and entertained, if they are not in the top 60, they do not get paid. They have, in all probability, paid out for clothes, flights, hotels, food and caddies. Twenty tournaments in the year (if they are lucky) is approximately a £20,000- £40,000 outlay for the year. TV sells their advertising space, advertisers sell their product. Everyone gets paid... except the golfers! I realise, ultimately, that it is survival of the fittest. At the end of the year, if they are not good enough or cannot learn their trade quick enough, they will not retain their card. Surely it would not harm the finances of any particular tournament to pay, say, £1,000 to each player not making the cut - approximately £70,000 out of a total prize fund of between £1million and £3.5million for most tournaments on the tour? Steve Forrest, via email EDITOR’S REPLY It’s entirely up to the sponsor whether to award prize money to players who miss the cut. I’m sure a sponsor would rather more money went to players who do well rather than those who do not. At the top level, nobody needs the ‘minimum wage’ and if you can’t reach the top, then I refer you back to your own ‘survival of the fittest’ comment. It would seem a bit odd to pay all players minimum wage, then hand over a cheque to the winner for $1million. 1 Danny Streams on tour ‘Down Under’. “I was lucky enough to get to play at The Royal Adelaide Golf Club,” he said. 2 Mhairie Chambers at the Glasgow Rocks vs Worcester Wolves play-off at the Emirates Arena. 3 Iain McIntyre with his brother, Ronnie, and golﬁng pals Gordon and Davie. “We have talked for 20 years about taking a golf holiday in the sun and, ﬁnally, this year, we got ourselves organised and made it happen… of course, our trusted bunkered mags had to make the trip, too!” said Iain. 4 The Scots Wha Hae Golf Society from Stirling at Los Arqueros near Marbella. 5 Ian Hughes and George Wilson in Cancun, Mexico where hazards on the local courses included “jungle, water, crocs and snakes”. 6 Carnoustie Club members Ian Ross and Dan Murray 3,000ft up a snow-covered mountain on the Flam Railway in Norway. ONTOUR Been somewhere nice? Managed to get your copy of bunkered in the snap? If so, send us your pic and we’ll stick your mug in the mag! letters@bunkered.co.uk 1 4 2 3 5 6 DEAR

18 BUNKERED.CO.UK TRUMPTURNBERRY ThenewAilsa REVIEWED Michael McEwan was one of the first to play the ‘reborn’ course. Here are his thoughts... icky Hall, the director of golf at Trump Turnberry, is one of the friendliest people in the game. Rain, hail or shine, he’s got a smile for everyone. When I saw him most recently, though, that smile was wider than usual. “You’re in for a real treat,” he told me as I walked into the lobby of the Ayrshire resort’s recently-refurbished clubhouse. That’s because I was one of a small group of golf writers invited to try the new-look Ailsa Course, a course ‘reborn’ following the resort’s purchase in 2014 by Donald Trump and subsequently redeveloped under the auspices of top architects Mackenzie & Ebert. Seriously, who’d turn that down? Now, before we go any further, a couple of disclaimers: 1. I’ve always been fond of Turnberry. That part of Ayrshire played a big part in my upbringing and the Ailsa was where I chose to escape to on the day before my wedding in March 2011. So, there’s a special part of my ticker reserved for it; 2. We played it in near perfect conditions - blue, cloudless skies and almost no wind. In different weather, it might well have been a different experience. That being said, what is the new-look Ailsa like? Excellent; formidable; fun; and, most crucially, significantly better. The good bits… The changes are far more comprehensive than first anticipated. Martin Ebert, of the aforementioned Mackenzie & Ebert, admitted as much. Very few of the holes are unchanged since the ‘old’ course closed late last September. However, this isn’t revolution. It’s evolution. The modifications become apparent from the first hole. The green has been pushed back and to the right, creating a very slight dogleg. It’s a huge improvement - the previous green was thoroughly bland - and it sets the tone for the rest of the round. The second and third are largely unchanged. The fourth, though, is where the big changes first appear. The green has been moved lower, back and left, taking it closer to the beach, with a purpose-built, clearly-defined sandy waste area extending from the front of the tee to the front of the green. It’s way better than what was there before. The fifth has been extended into a ‘reachable-in-two’ par-5 by dint of a pushed back tee and a relocated green. Six is an entirely new hole. It’s still a par-3, only now it’s a great one. Seven and eight have changed little - more of which later - but Ú ONTHETEE TRUMPTURNBERRY R ¢

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 19 102... and still a member • p26 Paige bags her first win • p25 The best thing since Tiger? • p22 NEW LOOK This picture of the new 11th, by famed snapper David Cannon, captures the new Ailsa Course is all its glory. “The changes are immense and bring a whole new look to the golf course,” says McEwan.

20 BUNKERED.CO.UK it is at nine, ten and eleven that the most notable work has been done. Let’s cut to the chase: these three holes occupy the most iconic piece of real estate on the property but, without question, were three of the most disappointing holes. Something major, therefore, had to be done. Martin Ebert drew up plans for both a long par-3 and a short par-4. However, Trump was adamant the new ninth should be a par-3 playing over the rocks. People, he reasoned, remember par-3s. It’s a valid point. Royal Troon? Postage Stamp. Sawgrass? The 17th. Augusta National? The 12th. I’m sure the ninth on the Ailsa will, in time, become as famous as all of those. As for the tenth, Ebert hopes it will become one of the best par-5s in the world. It’s got a great chance. A challenging, sharp dogleg from the championship tee, it benefits from getting rid of that God-awful ‘doughnut’ bunker short of the green. The green, meanwhile, sits on the rocks where the old 11th tee was located. For me, the new 11th is the best change. The hole used to just be there. Nothing special; nothing memorable. I’d go so far as to say it was one of the worst par-3s on the Open rota. Now, it’s one of the best. The 12th and 13th holes haven’t changed massively. The 14th, though, is totally new. It plays to the right of the old hole and is a long, uphill, taxing par-5. Again, the 15th and 16th haven’t changed much. The 17th has been shortened slightly in order to accommodate the last big change: the straightening of the 18th. If you played the old layout, you probably didn’t know where you were aiming when you stepped on the final tee. No such issues now. It’s all right there in front of you. The lighthouse Turning the lighthouse into a halfway house was always going to be a winning idea. Forget the old shack that used to sit next to the tenth tee. It’s history. Taking its place is the historic lighthouse, which has been tastefully furnished and includes a beautiful balcony for taking in the sights. There’s also a two-bedroom suite that can be hired out. Although, with prices starting from £3,500 per night, it’s not cheap. Still, Trump Turnberry’s most iconic feature is now a functioning part of the Ailsa experience. Let’s just be glad about that. The criticisms The new-look Ailsa isn’t perfect and it’s important to acknowledge that. It’s very, very good but that shouldn’t make it immune from criticism. For one thing, the signage isn’t great. As an example, my playing partners and I spent a few minutes trying to work out where to go from the fifth green. In fact, we almost ended up playing from the new championship tee on the 18th. I have no doubts, however, that will be improved in time, as will the lack of yardage markers. None of the sprinkler heads - none that I saw, anyway -had yardages on them, so we had to rely on our trusty old strokesavers. And if you’ve got a GPS watch, forget it. One of my playing partners had one but soon realised it hadn’t been updated to account for the changes. Other criticisms? Personally, I’d have smoothed out the left-to-right slope on the eighth fairway, whilst the 15th, previously the best of four par-3s on the course, is ¢ AILSA ‘REBORN’ Main: The reconfigured tenth hole of the Ailsa; Below, from left to right: the new-look ninth; the ‘ugly’ Saltire beside the first; and the incredible new 11th, the ‘best of the changes’ to the course.

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 21 ONTHETEE now comfortably the weakest of five. The gigantic Saltire installed next to the first tee is a stirring sight for any patriotic Scot… but it’s too big. It remains in view for the entire front nine and, being honest, it started to grate on me after a while. Finally, I’m disappointed at the price of a green fee. For a non-hotel resident, playing on a Saturday or Sunday at the height of the season, you won’t get much change out of £300. Look, it shouldn’t be cheap to play. There’s a reason, after all, why a pair of Levi jeans cost more than ones from Asda. However, I just don’t like the idea of the ordinary punter being priced out of the pleasure of playing because that’s what it is - a total pleasure. In conclusion… If you were to ask me to score the reborn Ailsa out of ten, I’d give it nine. It’s truly excellent – but let’s not pretend it’s flawless. I’m perfectly happy with all of the changes that have been made but there’s still room for improvement. Still, it is so much better than what was there before. So, so much better. For my money, it’s now got to be considered one of the very best courses on the Open rota. I’ve seen them all and played most of them. What Ebert & Mackenzie and Donald Trump (yes, let’s give him the credit he’s due) have achieved at Turnberry is superb. On that note, let me finish with this plea to the R&A’s chief executive, Martin Slumbers. If you’re going to drop Trump Turnberry from the Open rota - and I strongly suggest you don’t - do it for golfing reasons, not because of who owns it. Take Donald Trump’s name off Turnberry and nobody would deny it its place as an Open venue. But bear in mind that none of the changes - necessary changes and changes made with the approval of Slumbers’ predecessor Peter Dawson, lest we forget - would have happened without the American’s investment, vision and commitment. You don’t have to like him but hating his properties simply because they are ‘his properties’ is dumb. Extremely dumb. Ricky Hall wasn’t wrong. It was indeed a real treat.

22 BUNKERED.CO.UK ONTHETEE Thebiggestthingtohappen togolfsinceTiger? GETTHELOWDOWNONTHERYDERCUP... ANDEARNYOURCLUB£££s! w"In case it has escaped your attention, this is a Ryder Cup year - and what better way to warm up for the match at Hazeltine than by reliving the greatest moments from all of the previous editions of the biennial contest? A new book by Peter Burns and Ed Hodge has brought together everything you need to know about every Ryder Cup ever played from the perspectives of the players who have played in them. Behind The Ryder Cup: The Players’ Stories is a comprehensive and fascinating account of the Ryder Cup and takes you both inside the ropes and the various team rooms down the years. Painstakingly researched and beautifully illustrated, it is an essential read What’s more, if you are a golf club member and you buy a hardback copy of the book direct from www.birlinn.co.uk, £5 will be donated straight back to your club to help boost grassroots golf. A win-win! e’s 22-years- old, is one-fifth of the world’s most successful boy-band, is followed by 25.4million people on Twitter, has 15.8million followers on Instagram - and he absolutely loves golf. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Niall Horan, the One Direction pop star who is probably the best thing to happen to the good old ‘Royal and Ancient’ game since Tiger Woods. Bold statement? Perhaps. Ludicrous statement? Not a chance. Here’s why. Almost 20,000 people attended the pro-am at the BMW PGA Championship, a significant proportion of them being teenage girls there to catch a glimpse of the diminutive Irishman. Thing is, who cares why they’re there - the fact is that they are there. Niall Horan has arguably got more young girls paying attention to and actually going to golf courses than any gimmicky hashtag-led marketing campaign. There’s also this. When he tweeted about his new golf management company, Modest Golf Management, supporting a new Challenge Tour event in Northern Ireland, the tour started trending in both Los Angeles and Mexico. bunkered understands that, off the back of the course, the tour’s director, Alain de Soultrait, made a visit to Mexico to see if the new interest in his circuit might be enough to encourage a company to stage a new event there. Horan’s mention of the Challenge Tour also earned its Twitter account more than 1,000 new followers almost overnight. Fact is, Niall Horan has true star power, power that transcends sports and entertainment and which is making people - young girls, in particular - pay attention to golf for the first-ever time. You don’t have to like his band or their music to accept that. Put it this way: how envious do you think golf’s main bodies would feel if he was generating all of this attention for the likes of cycling, rugby league or cricket? They’d probably feel the way all these sports now feel about golf. More of the same please, Niall. More of the same. H Why One Direction’s Niall Horan is just the kind of guy golf needs FUN DIRECTION Niall Horan poses for a selfie with a fan ahead of the pro-am at the recent BMW PGA Championship

w INSIDE THE PICTURE 1 Resident Marize do Amor Divino, who has been diagnosed with the Zika virus, walks in the mostly demolished Vila Autodromo favela community in Rio de Janeiro. The favela sits directly adjacent to the Olympic Park amidst concerns that the Zika virus will affect the Olympic Games in August. Health ofﬁcials have downplayed fears as the mosquito which transmits the virus is much less active during Rio’s winter in August. Most residents in the community have moved out and had their properties demolished after receiving compensation for their homes which are located directly adjacent to the Olympic Park under construction for the Games. This picture was taken in late February. 2 Apparently it’s now the done thing to take trophies on ‘tours’ of cities and across countries before reaching their ﬁnal destination. Here’s the Ryder Cup on one such tour, this time stopping off against the backdrop of the historic Dunluce Castle in Portrush, Northern Ireland. The trophy is visiting several locations across Europe over the coming months before heading to Hazeltine for the match in late September. 3 Gala Ortin, wife of Pablo Larrazabal, looks on during the ﬁnal round of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at The K Club. 1 2 3

ONTHETEE 4 UPS Ambassador Lee Westwood attends at a local schools golf clinic as he hands over Ping junior golf sets during the Bags 4 Birdies Campaign at Royal Troon. 5 And the doubters said she was just a pretty face. Not so. Paige Spiranac, the mini tour golfer with almost 700k followers on Instagram, just bagged her ﬁrst-ever professional victory on the Cactus Tour. This pic had the hashtag #canactuallybreak80. 6 European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley speaks on the 18th green during the Sunday of the BMW PGA at Wentworth, where a number of top players chose to miss the event, including host course designer Ernie Els. Pelley, so we’ve heard, is on the verge of announcing a major shake-up to the European Tour for 2017. 4 5 6

26 BUNKERED.CO.UK Andtheoldestgolfclub memberintheworldis... … eh, we’re not entirely sure, to be honest! he family of 102-year-old golfer Willie Cuthbert is calling on Guinness World Records to get their facts straight. Just recently, it had been announced that Norfolk golfer Geoffrey Crosskill had set a new Guinness World Record as the longest serving golf club member. Geoffrey, who is 94, joined Eaton Golf Club, Norwich, in 1934 and had been a member continuously for 82 years and 18 days when his record was certified. However, Jim Cuthbert, the son of Willie, wrote on bunkered.co.uk that his dad should hold the record. “For what it’s worth, we believe my father Willie has been a member at Kirkintilloch for 90 years, having joined when aged 12 in 1926,” wrote Jim. “You might want to inform the Guinness Book of Records.” A video by Kirkintilloch GC showing Willie hitting balls went viral recently, with one comment saying, “Amazing! I still have 67 years of golf left!” The authorities have yet to decide on who is, indeed, the oldest club member in golf. Willie is pictured below with Kirkintilloch captain Hazel Cunningham. T HOT RIGHTNOW YOUR GUIDE TO THE THINGS THAT ARE GETTING PEOPLE TALKING ENVY THIS w Hollywood megastar Mark Wahlberg posted this picture, below, of his back garden on Instagram. It’s disgustingly brilliant. He hired a team to transform his back garden into golf practice area and the result is “unbelievable” according to the actor, who makes $30m a year. Wahlberg is a left-hander and plays off seven. Next year, he’ll probably off three. The swine. READ THIS w Head to Forbes.com and look for ‘The World’s Highest-Paid Athletes’. Then let that sinking feeling hit you as you realise you should have practiced more as a kid. Phil Mickelson is the top-earning golfer on the list at No.8, having picked up $52.9m last year. Right behind him is Spieth, who is 22-years- old, with $52.8m. The top earner? Cristiano Ronaldo, of Real Madrid, with $88m. Annoying isn’t it?! CONSIDER THIS w Two years ago, Rory McIlroy hit a 430-yard drive at Royal Aberdeen. The hole was 436 yards long. The R&A and USGA have since released a report stating that driving distance has only gone up 1% in golf. On three of the seven main tours, they even claimed it had gone down. Gary Player labelled the report “laughable”. No wonder. THINK ABOUT THIS w “I will not put a limitation on Tiger in the form of a prediction. I have no clue. There are so many things that can affect him, especially injury.” - The late Earl Woods, speaking to Golf Digest in 2001. ONTHETEE STILL GOT IT! Head to Kirkintilloch GC’s Twitter page to see Willie Cuthbert hit balls!

fter a season that has already taken me from South Africa to Malaysia and China to Mauritius, it’s a real pleasure to be contemplating a run of four tournaments at home. No airports, no passports, no queues at security - just chuck the bag in the car and head straight to the course. What a pleasure. And much as I’m looking forward to the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart, the Senior Open at Carnoustie, and the Paul Lawrie Matchplay at Archerfield, one event always stands out as one of the highlights of any year - the Open Championship. It will be the 20th Open I have worked on, although I attended several as a spectator before my lottery ticket came up and I found myself being paid to go to the greatest tournament of them all! For anyone, their first visit to the Open is memorable, but mine just happened to be the final round of the legendary ‘Duel in the Sun’ at Turnberry in 1977. I still have a very clear memory of sitting alongside my late father on the hillside alongside the Monument on the 12th hole, watching Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus go by, enthralled as we all were by one of the greatest head-to-head battles for the Claret Jug there has ever been. Not a bad way to begin my Open-watching career! Thirteen years later, I was making my debut on the BBC golf team at St Andrews alongside Peter Alliss, Alex Hay, Clive Clark and Harry Carpenter, all of whom became great friends and colleagues over many years during the BBC’s long commitment to golf. Sadly, that commitment later began its slow decline along with changes in management in the Sports Department, reaching its inevitable conclusion with the half-hearted bid to retain the rights to live coverage to next year’s tournament at Royal Birkdale. Sky TV, magnificent supporters of golf for many years, pounced gleefully to snap up the UK live rights, later agreeing to begin their coverage a year early when the BBC, unsurprisingly, asked to be released from the final year of their contract. And so it will all feel very different at Royal Troon this year. I may be a little biased but I think I can guarantee that European Tour Productions coverage will be outstanding. After all, they cover the European Tour every week of the year-and Sky will happily give the Open the full Ryder Cup treatment from dawn to dusk. Every bell, whistle, celebrity guest and high-tech gizmo will be utilised - and, mark my words, the viewer will be the winner. Meantime, the BBC will have exactly what they always wanted: two hours of highlights to a sizeable audience in an evening prime time slot. I’ll be part of the commentary team bringing the Open to a massive worldwide audience, alongside Mark James, Tony Johnstone, Wayne Grady, Dame Laura Davies and many others, from the first tee shot at 6.40am to the last action of the day late in the long summer evening - and I can’t wait! Of all my Open memories - and there are many - it won’t surprise you to hear that my favourite is of the year I achieved a long-held ambition: I finally got to interview an Open champion from Scotland! I had missed out on Sandy Lyle’s win in 1985, and Sam and Monty never quite made it, but on a damp Sunday night in Carnoustie in 1999, I was standing on the 18th green asking Paul Lawrie how it felt to be holding the Claret Jug. I promise you I was probably more excited than ‘Chippy’ himself! Even in that magical moment of triumph, with the Scottish galleries roaring their delight, my Aberdonian pal was just as laid back as ever. I even tried to claim some of the credit. After all, I was the one who had told him to hang around for a while when I had interviewed him hours before, after his wonderful final round 67. I suspected that it might just be good enough for at least a play-off. It was and, of course, Paul won that too to complete the biggest final round comeback in major championship history. What a day that was. Obviously, poor Jean van de Velde’s spectacular collapse was a large part of the story but, as the years have gone, by I think Paul is now finally given the respect he is due for that sensational final day performance. I couldn’t be happier that he will be one of Darren Clarke’s Ryder Cup vice-captains at Hazeltine in September. Whether you’re heading down the A77, or watching on TV, enjoy the Open. There’s no tournament quite like it. You can follow Dougie on Twitter @DougieDonnelly 28 BUNKERED.CO.UK A Viewerswillbenefit fromOpen’sSkyswitch Change in lead broadcaster for the championship spells good news for armchair fans DougieDonnelly

t sometimes seems as though the R&A and USGA think we zip up the back. How else can you explain their brazen attempts to pull the wool over people’s eyes with the publication of their joint paper into driving distances? It was an insult to anybody of even average intelligence and served only to reinforce their stubborn, obdurate and frankly wrong belief that the best players in the world are not hitting the ball significantly further. They crammed it with jargon, graphs and all sorts of other data that was designed to make people take one look and go, ‘Fair enough, looks comprehensive so it must be accurate’. Except it’s not. It’s not even close. The devil, for those who care to look closely enough, is in the detail. The data has examined everything from 2003 onwards – a matter of years after the advent of some of the most significant technological advances the game has ever seen. In short, they’ve written a report about what happened after the horse bolted through the stable doors. It’s like buying a ticket for the cinema but only being shown the end credits - and then having an usher swear blind to you that what you saw was, in fact, the main feature. You wouldn’t buy that, so why are you buying this? The year-by-year analysis of the report is so flawed it’s almost unbelievable that the organisations in charge of the game want to put their names to it. They have claimed that, between 2003 and the end of the 2015 season, the average driving distance on four of the seven tours studied increased by around 1% or 0.2 yards. Doesn’t sound like much, does it? But year-on-year change means squat. As somebody so brilliantly put it, it’s “essentially the equivalent of measuring the growth of a child and only reporting the year to year change. Suddenly, you look at your kid twenty years later and he’s six feet tall and you’re asking yourself, ‘when did that happen?!’” That’s exactly right. The report, to my mind, is completely pointless and, dare I say it, deliberately misleading. The R&A and USGA don’t want to admit that driving distances are increasing because that would mean having to rein in technology, particularly the golf ball – and there’s no equipment manufacturer in the world who is going to take that lying down. So, instead, the game’s governing bodies are content to tell themselves and everyone else that there’s not an issue. If that is indeed the case, then ask yourself this: why has the R&A had to lengthen every single course on the Open rota since the turn of the century? Why are some courses that have previously staged top-class professional tournaments now considered ‘too short’? Because players are now ‘stronger and fitter than ever’? Nah, sorry, I’m not having that. In any case, and as a few people have already pointed out, nobody should give this report any credibility. The R&A and USGA have a shared vested interest in reaching a particular conclusion - funnily enough, the one that they’ve reached - so surely, an independent report would be more credible? In fact, here’s another question: if they are so confident in the accuracy of their findings, why didn’t they then commission a third party to pore over the numbers and write their own report? It’s like putting your house on the market, finding a buyer and then carrying out the home report by yourself. Even if you’re qualified to do it, surely you know that it’s not the most appropriate action. Until such times as an independent report is published (and don’t hold your breath waiting for it) I’d encourage you all to look at all the available data on the PGA Tour website. Not just the bits from 2003 onwards; the bits before it, too. You’ll find that the driving distance average of its players in 1995 was 264.3 yards. By 2015, it was 289.1 yards. You’ll also see that between 1995 and 2015, the distance of the longest recorded drive on the PGA Tour increased by almost 100 yards, from 315 to 409 yards. The R&A and USGA can frame their argument any way they like and certainly, the way they have done so, they are able to present a compelling case for the conclusion they want you to reach. It’s called propaganda. And I don’t like it one bit. You can follow Michael on Twitter @MMcEwanBunkered 30 BUNKERED.CO.UK I R&AandUSGAguilty of‘propaganda’ Report into driving distances on golf’s professional tours is misinformed and designed to mislead MichaelMcEwan

32 BUNKERED.CO.UK A lot of people find that putting this way - by looking at the hole - your rhythm is a lot better and you steer the ball less. Most people try and guide it and watch what the putter does. But, if you were going to throw something, you’d be looking at the target and not what you’re throwing. In golf, it’s slightly different. You are side on and that means you’re looking at the ball and not your target - so looking at the hole frees you up a little. Jordan Spieth looks at the hole on some of his shorter putts. He doesn’t do it for all his putts but he does it on some of them. Basically, the first thing that does is force him to react to the target. Remember, you can’t obviously follow the putter with your eyes. Traditionally, this has been used as a long putting drill which gets you a bit looser over the ball and gets your eyes at the target, which, in turn, tells the brain how hard to hit it. INSTINCTIVE Ask any of the best players in the world what they are thinking about in terms of speed and they’ll say ‘nothing’. When players struggle with putting, they are usually thinking about how far back to take the putter and how to control the speed. Guys who putt well just putt. This tip is to try to get you more towards the instinctive end of the spectrum. FEAR FACTOR There are guys who have won on tour with their eyes shut and guys who have won on tour looking at the target. But the general public seem to be afraid to try stuff that may help, even if it is not deemed ‘normal’. Johnny Miller won whilst putting with his eyes shut. If it works, fine. You’re not going to miss the ball. It might stress you too much because you’ll think people are looking at you as it’s not conventional but you’re not going to miss the ball. QUICKLESSON PUTTING Getbetterrhythmonthegreens Try looking at the hole when you putt - it works for Jordan Spieth By David Patrick DAVID PATRICK PGA Professional, Kingsfield Golf Range 07773 427233 @shortgamedoctor PHOTO EVE CONROY Players who are good putters tend to be instinctive. They don’t think about much. They just putt. You should try and gravitate to that level. AVOID PANICKING Most people struggle with putting because of doubt. They look at the hole, then the ball, and nothing happens. Then there’s a panic attack. They either rush the backswing, there’s no flow, or they don’t know how to start the backswing. But if you have a definitive way to start the stroke, then it’s going to help. In the long game, some guys kick their knee, some tilt their head, some have forward presses - but I think moving the butt of the putter ever so slightly forward is a good way to start. That’s what Spieth does and he’s putting better than anyone else right now.

34 BUNKERED.CO.UK K ids make vast improvements week in week out in sport because they love to play. What they do off the course has a significant impact on their technical abilities on the golf course and, to be honest, so does the lifestyle we all choose. Here are two examples of how playing more with your kids can help functional body movements that are significant to better golf. If you sit at a desk, in the car or at home, you are training your body not to move and rotate. If you arrive at the first tee feeling a little stiff in the back, I would urge you to try to incorporate a little more movement in your daily lifestyle. JAVELIN At the kids camps we deliver, they love this exercise. Not only does it bring in a little competition - someone always wants to throw it the furthest - it intrinsically develops weight transfer, body, rotation, lag and coordinated extension of the trail arm. Wow - there’s a lesson for you, your whole downswing sequence covered by simply throwing a foam javelin in a field. Do this a few times and, over time, your movement will become better automatically without you even having to think about it. FRISBEE I don’t want to sound old before my time, but I played with a Frisbee when I was younger and it’s one of those games that you will automatically join in when someone is playing but won’t necessary go out of your way to buy one. As they say, it is all in the wrists, a movement crucial to the golf swing and one of the hardest to teach - the release of the hands through impact. This is a movement that happens at the fastest time during the golf swing and one that will instantly affect the confidence of the player. I will always try and get the kids I teach to develop this movement away from the golf course, in an environment unconnected with the golf swing. Throwing a frisbee using both hands develops this motion better than anything else I know. QUICKLESSON DRILLS Simplemovementstotrainyourbody Mucking about with kids’ toys can develop movements to help your golf swing By Scott Clark SCOTT CLARK Director of Golf, Prestonfield Golf Club 0131 667 8597 @ScottClarkPGA PHOTO EVE CONROY SHOT ON LOCATION AT AMENDOEIRA GOLF RESORT Doing these drills helps ingrain good movements in your swing. I quite often use these moves when teaching as it’s sometimes the most simple way to show the movement.

36 BUNKERED.CO.UK PHOTO KENNY SMITH SHOT ON LOCATION AT LAS COLINAS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB QUICKLESSON ROBERT MITCHELL Head PGA Professional, Las Colinas Golf & Country Club +34 965 32 40 04 @RMitchellPGA SEQUENCING Trymystepdrill Learn how to shift your weight correctly By Robert Mitchell O ne of my favourite drills that I use regularly on my lesson tee for players of all levels is the step drill. I like this exercise because it has a number of benefits that are easy to understand. Not only does it help those who get a bit tense over the ball by making them focus on their feet rather than the ball, it really helps players get a feel of the correct pressure shifts and sequencing in the golf swing. The key to performing this exercise well is to allow your front foot to lift up as you swing the golf club away, and you should get the feeling that your foot wants to fall back down before you have completed your backswing. If you find it difficult to get your foot back down, it means you have excessively moved your weight on to your back foot, making it more difficult to get your weight forward for that classic’ tour player’ impact position. I suggest starting this exercise by teeing the ball up and then slowly increasing the difficulty by removing the tee and choosing longer clubs. The more confident you get, the easier the drill is to execute. Give it a try. My students are always amazed at how well they can strike the ball whilst ‘moving so much’. STILL STRUGGLING AFTER PRACTICE? HERE’S WHY A common criticism of golfers is that they don’t spend enough time practising. But there are amateurs who believe they do just that yet still don’t improve. If that’s you, the answer’s simple. You’re not practicing effectively and, in some cases, you’re doing less good for your game than the player who barely practices at all! Effective practice would be practising in similar conditions to how the game is played such as uneven lies, using different clubs and changing targets regularly rather than standing in the same place hitting ball after ball. If you want your practice to transfer to the course, you must set aside some time to practice as if you were actually on the course. FOOT UP FOOT DOWN If you struggle to get your foot back down as you come into the ball, it shows that you moved your weight too far back on your backswing.

. PHOTOS EVE CONROY SHOT ON LOCATION AT AMENDOEIRA GOLF RESORT 40 BUNKERED.CO.UK HERE’SWHATYOUNEEDTODO WHENYOU’REINTHEBUNKER BYANDYCARLTON SHORT GAME BEATTHESAND 1

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 41 ANDY CARLTON Head PGA Professional, Paisley Golf Club T: 0141 884 4114 @PaisleyPro GETTING SET UP w At set-up, impact and follow-through, your weight should all favour the left side. As soon as you get into set-up position, you should be placing 60% of weight onto your left knee. By doing that, you create a more downward strike onto the ball because your weight is already going towards the target. Also, doing that helps you hit more sand, which gets the ball to pop up out of the hazard. In practice, I’ll maybe press my left hand onto the left knee and press more onto my pressure onto my toes so that my weight is fixed and my weight is going to remain there. TAKING IT BACK w On way back you want to maintain your weight on your left knee. Don’t start with the weight on your left knee then move off it like you would in a normal shot. There’s no need to shift weight with this shot. Try and maintain the weight on the left knee and hinge your right wrist early on the backswing so you can create a steeper backswing, which will allow you to come into the back of the ball and hit more sand. w You can see my head is not moving at all and my lower half is staying very quiet. There’s not much going on there. With your backswing, it’s not so much a turn - it’s more of an arms- enhanced swing. You’re not trying to create a huge amount of distance, you’re just trying to get the ball out of the hazard. It’s more of an arms and wrist hinge as opposed to a full upper body turn. ‘TRYANDKEEPTHEWEIGHTONYOURLEFTKNEE ANDHINGEYOURRIGHTWRISTEARLY’ 2

42 BUNKERED.CO.UK KEEP IT STABLE w Through impact, my head is very stable through the ball and you can see I’ve taken plenty of sand. That’s a key for me when it comes to beating bunkers. Keep a stable base but don’t be afraid to take sand during the strike. w Try and stay over on top of the ball and keep a solid base, with as little leg movement as possible. All that should be happening is your club coming into the back of the ball, take lots of sand, and your weight is moving towards the target. The one thing you’ve got to do in the bunker is accelerate into the ball. If you decelerate, you’ll leave the ball in the sand. That’s not showing commitment. Keep a solid movement through the entire swing and don’t quit on it. In bunkers, people tend to forget the basics. Try and keep your head fairly still and accelerate through the ball in one fluid motion. ‘TAKELOTSOFSANDAND ACCELERATEINTOTHEBALL. DON’TQUITONIT’ 3

44 BUNKERED.CO.UK

WORDS MICHAELMcEWAN PHOTOS GETTYIMAGES He’s known for his expensive cigars, fine wine, fast cars, ginger ponytail and that warm-up routine - but who really is Miguel Angel Jimenez? THEMOST INTERESTING MANIN GOLF TM EXCLUSIVE TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 45

46 BUNKERED.CO.UK t’s Sunday, May 18, 2014 and Miguel Angel Jimenez is holding court in the media centre at PGA Catalunya near Barcelona. He has just won the Spanish Open and, in the process, eclipsed his own record as the oldest-ever European Tour winner. He’s 50 years and 133 days old. A reporter asks him for the secret of his longevity. “There is no secret,” insists Jimenez. “Good food, good wine, good cigars and some exercise.” It’s stuff like that which makes Jimenez such a hero to so many. Spectators are drawn to him. He’s the people’s professional, the golfer’s golfer, the fan’s favourite. He is, as some have described him, the ‘most interesting man in golf’. Relaxing with bunkered in the clubhouse at Walton Heath Golf Club, just half an hour south of London, he smiles at the mention of the nickname. “People want to put an adjective to everything these days,” he grins. “If they think I am the most interesting man in golf, then fine, that’s what I am.” Does he feel like he’s interesting, though? He pauses for a moment. “I will say this,” he says. “Every time I look in the mirror, I am very happy with what I see. But the most interesting? That is for others to decide.” The evidence in support of the claim is compelling. Jimenez is certainly not your average golfer, what with his ginger ponytail, slight pot belly, aviator sunglasses, handlebar moustache, unique warm-up routine (see page 52 for more) and penchant for the finer things in life. He loves wine, particularly a nice Rioja, like, say, a Cirsion, Ardanza, Torre Muga or perhaps a Marques de Riscal. He also enjoys chomping on cigars - especially if it’s a Cohiba Ciglo VI - and driving his 1999 Ferrari 550 Maranello. And what of this on his Audemars Piguet watch? “Any watch will tell the time,” he says, “but a good watch tells much more.” Make no mistake: Miguel Angel Jimenez is a man with an appreciation for the finer things in life, and everybody knows it. Top golf manager Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler, himself a larger-than-life character, once said: “I’ve never known someone more comfortable in his own skin than Miguel. He lives his life and plays the game the way he wants to. He never rushes anything, he savours everything. He inhales life, and he exudes it.” Jimenez’ Ryder Cup teammate and European Tour contemporary Thomas Bjorn agrees. “Miguel enjoys everything about the lifestyle of the game,” the Dane has said. “He embraces it all and enjoys himself.” That much is clear when you talk to him. “The main thing is that I love what I do with my life,” says Jimenez. “I love to compete. It’s the only thing I know how to do. It’s having that desire to compete that gives me motivation and is what makes me want to get up in the morning and go to work. “I love to practice, I love to go to the gym and I love to take care of myself. It’s something that you need to have, particularly as you get older, but I have that passion - passion for the competition.” He’s as straight-shooting in conversation as he is on the golf course. He says Carnoustie is his favourite course because “it makes you think more than any other golf course. You need to think where you want to put the ball with every single shot you hit. If you don’t think, you can’t enjoy”. Asked to name the toughest opponent he has ever come up against, he is equally forthright. “When you play well,” he says slowly, “the opponent does not matter.” The story of how Jimenez met his second wife, Susanne, is perhaps the most ‘Jimenez’ story ever recorded. It was 2011. He had divorced from his previous wife a year earlier and was playing in Austria when he noticed a woman - as it turned out, a woman ten years his junior - following his group. “I leaned over and said to my caddie, I see a beautiful blonde over there, wearing nice pants with a beautiful ass’,” he told Sports Illustrated last year. “‘I want to know exactly where she is on every part of the golf course’. I would be waiting for my turn to hit, and I’d look over at her. Our eyes locked for a moment. I smiled and she smiled back. When I went to the driving range, I saw her there and we started talking.” The couple were married three years later. “I have had a great career,” he acknowledges with a nod. “I’m fortunate to have played on the tour for almost thirty years, to have been involved in Ryder Cups and to have 21 victories. And people now know who Miguel Angel Jimenez is. They seem to Peoplewanttoputanadjectiveto everythingthesedays.IftheythinkIamthe mostinterestingmaningolf,thenfine. I w

EXCLUSIVE TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 47 PLAYERPROFILE MIGUEL ANGEL JIMENEZ AGE 52 (Jan 5, 1964) BORN Malaga, Spain TURNED PRO 1982 EUROPEAN TOUR VICTORIES 1992: Belgian Open 1994: Dutch Open 1998: Turespana Masters Open Baleares, Trophée Lancôme 1999: Turespana Masters Open Andalucia, Volvo Masters 2003: Mallorca Classic 2004: Johnnie Walker Classic, Algarve Open de Portugal, BMW Asian Open, BMW International Open, Omega Hong Kong Open 2005: Celtic Manor Wales Open 2007: Hong Kong Open 2008: BMW PGA C’ship 2010: Dubai Desert Classic, Open de France, European Masters 2012: Hong Kong Open 2013: Hong Kong Open 2014: Open de Espana CHAMPIONS TOUR VICTORIES 2014: Greater Gwinnett C’ship 2015: Mitsubishi Electric C’ship 2016: Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic BEST RESULTS IN MAJORS Masters: 4th, 2014 US Open: T2, 2000 Open: T3, 2001 US PGA: T10, 1999

48 BUNKERED.CO.UK Miguel Angel Jimenez is an ambassador for luxury Swiss watches manufacturer Audemars Piguet. To find out more, log-on to audemarspiguet.com or follow them on Twitter: @AudemarsPiguet enjoy watching me. I think they like my character. I’m not a shy person. I like to entertain. I think it’s important to be like that. We are professional golfers, yes, but we are also professional entertainers. We are very lucky to do what we do, so we have a responsibility to make sure people enjoy coming to watch us.” He pauses again, lost in a thought. “You know, golf? It is more than a job for me. It’s what I love to do. There is nothing better. Nothing.” There are only a couple of things he has failed to achieve in the game. One is major championship glory. He has had his chances, of course. Nine top tens in 66 appearances - including an impressive fourth-place finish at the 2014 Masters - are proof of that. He was, you may recall, the ‘best of the rest’ in the 2000 US Open, finishing second at Pebble Beach, a distant 15 shots behind record-breaking, runaway winner Tiger Woods. The other thing missing from his CV? A shot at leading the European Ryder Cup team. He threw his hat into the ring for this year’s match at Hazeltine but was, ultimately, overlooked in favour of Darren Clarke, something that he says left him ‘a little disappointed’. Still, he hasn’t given up hope of following in the footsteps of his fellow countrymen and great friends Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabal, who were at the helm of Europe’s victories in 1997 and 2012 respectively. Interestingly, both men - like Paul McGinley in 2014 - had Jimenez as one of their assistants. “The Ryder Cup has been a big part of my career, from playing with Ollie on my debut at Brookline in 1999 to being a part of Seve’s team at Valderrama in 1997 and seeing him push us and push us and push us to victory,” adds Jimenez. “There have been so many special moments for me in the Ryder Cup, so would I like one day to be the captain? Of course. I would love to. “Perhaps I will get the opportunity in France in 2018 after Darren. But we will see. If it is my time, it is my time and I will be very happy to lead. If it is not, okay, then it is not. But whatever happens, I am happy. Why wouldn’t I be?” ̈ ‘I♥Miguel’ We asked Twitter followers to tell us what they like most about Jimenez. Here are the best replies... w EXCLUSIVE

50 BUNKERED.CO.UK IT’SUNORTHODOX-BUTEFFECTIVEBYKEVINCRAGGS LEARN FROM THE PROS MIGUEL’S SWINGSECRETS w What one word would I use to describe Miguel Angel Jimenez? Refreshing. I think that sums him up pretty well. In an age where most professional athletes are six-packed clones of one another, the big Spaniard, with his passion for Cuban cigars, expensive wine and the finer things in life, is a bold break from the norm. He’s living proof that there’s more than one way to be successful and to still be going strong at the age of 52, beating his own record as the oldest-ever winner on the European Tour just two years ago, is testament to his longevity. He’s fantastic fun, a great character and, like all top players, somebody we can learn a lot from. DISSECTING THE SWING w Let’s take a closer look at Miguel’s swing. The ﬁrst you’ll notice is that it’s not completely orthodox. Even at set-up [1], he doesn’t have what you would describe as a dynamic athletic posture. Certainly not compared to Rory McIlroy or Adam Scott. However, that’s not especially important. What’s important is that all of his lines and all of his fundamentals are in perfect order. He’s balanced and comfortable - there’s no substitute for that. As he takes the club away [2], you’ll notice that there’s no strain or ﬁght. What I particularly like is the way he keeps the clubhead in front of his hands. That’s a really good position. As he pulls the club back [3 & 4], you can see the clubhead trying to get behind quite quickly. For a high handicapper, that would spell trouble but Miguel is able to make various compensations at the top of his backswing so that he gets back on-plane as he comes back down into the ball. Notice the difference in the angle of the shaft in frame seven as compared to frame four. For me, frames seven, eight and nine are the ‘money’ frames. Everything is beautifully on-plane as he comes down into impact, with the butt of the club pointing straight down at the ball [7] and his hips turning square to the ball [8]. He hits all of the classic ‘good ball-striker’ positions. Check out how quiet his right side is [9] as he comes through the ball [10] and into an excellent, balanced ﬁnish [12]. - BY KEVIN CRAGGS 1 5 9 KEVIN CRAGGS Coach to LET star Melissa Reid T: 08451 303 433 @kevincraggsgolf

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 51 2 6 10 3 7 11 4 8 12 Notice how the clubface is in front of his hands as he takes it away Compare the angle of his shaft in this picture with frame 4 Miguel’s right-side has fully released, allowing him to reach a balanced finish

52 BUNKERED.CO.UK WARMUP LIKEMIGUEL What you can learn from the Spaniard’s unique stretching routine northodox. That’s probably the most accurate way of describing Miguel Angel Jimenez’ warm-up routine. However, there’s method to the apparent madness. Here are the benefits of limbering up like the man himself. U MOVE 1 Loosen up those glutes, calves and hamstrings. Place your feet the length of a long-iron apart and, holding two clubs above your head for stability, slowly squat down into a ‘sitting’ position. Repeat up to five times.ckswing, there’s MOVE 2 Keeping your feet a club-length apart, slowly lean forward as far as you can until your chest is almost parallel to the ground. Again, use two clubs for stability. Repeat up to five times. MOVE 5 Grip two long irons above the hosel and, holding the clubs out in front of you, slowly twist them 180˚ up to a dozen times. Do this with each hand to get your forearms and wrists nice and supple, ready for the first shot of the day., or MOVE 3 With your feet tight together, place one hand on your knees and rotate them in a 360˚ movement, stabilising yourself with your opposite hand resting on golf clubs. Repeat both clockwise and anti-clockwise up to dozen times, before swapping hands. re’s no ﬂow, or they d know how to start the backswing. But if you have EXCLUSIVE MOVE 4 Get those shoulders and your core nice and loose by completing half a dozen slow, wide swings, gripping two long irons simultaneously. Place your feet much further apart than usual to complete this move and don’t worry about swing ‘technique’ - you’re just looking to get loose and limber. backswing, there’s

YOURGAME IMPROVEYOURGOLFAND BOOKALESSONTODAY! PHONE A MEMBER OF OUR TUITION PANEL TODAY AND GET YOUR GOLF GAME IN SHAPE FOR THE 2016 SEASON ANDREW JOWETT 01764 694 343 @andyj1504 KEVIN CRAGGS 08451 303 433 @kevincraggsgolf STEVE JOHNSTON 01721 720197 @mrstevejohnston ANDY CARLTON 0141 884 4114 @PaisleyPro DAVID PATRICK 07773 427 233 @shortgamedoctor SCOTT CLARK 0131 667 8597 @ScottClarkPGA MURRAYURQUHART 01479 811 725 murrayurquhartgolf.com DAVID ORR 01355 500285 @DavidOrrGolfer connect with us

56 BUNKERED.CO.UK PHOTOS ANDREW REDINGTON / CALLAWAY GOLF SHOT ON LOCATION AT EMIRATES GOLF CLUB, DUBAI HUNT EXTRA SOMETIMESIT’SEASIERTOFINDMOREDISTANCEBYGOING

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 57 ig-hitting Belgian Thomas Pieters is making a real name for himself in Europe, having started the season sandwiching himself between Rickie Fowler and Rory McIlroy in the runner-up spot in Abu Dhabi. He first made headlines in the United States, beating Jordan Spieth to the NCAA Division I Golf Championship in his sophomore year at college. This year, Arnold Palmer gave him an invite to Bay Hill and, now, he’s on track for a spot at the Olympics. He’s 6ft 5in tall and hits it long, having once landed a 420-yard drive during a Challenge Tour event in Spain. His best tip for making the biggest gains? Keep it simple. B DOWN YARDS ALLTHEWAYBACKTOBASICSBYTHOMASPIETERS

58 BUNKERED.CO.UK One of the things I do is keep it smooth at the top.The transition from my backswing into my downswing should be as smooth as possible.

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 59 MY TIPS FOR DISTANCE TRY TO CREATE WIDTH & KEEP IT SMOOTH w I naturally generate a lot of distance. As a tall person, that’s something that has never really been a problem for me and is something I have been able to take advantage of since turning pro. One of the main things I make sure I do is to keep the swing smooth from the top. I always look to make my transition from the top of the backswing into the downswing as smooth as I can. I get a lot of width at the top and if I can maintain that on the way down, it helps to build up and create a lot of clubhead speed. When I see people trying to get more distance out of their driver, they tend to get really steep coming down towards the ball as if that’s going to get the ball further out there. It’s actually the opposite of what you should be looking for. It’s the width that gets the club to the ball with a lot of clubhead speed and, when I get it right, it’s how I maximise my distance. When I go wrong with my swing, my first reaction is to go back to basics and slow everything down. I see a lot of amateurs in pro-ams trying to hit the ball really hard. Almost every week, I try and explain to them that they’ll hit it further if they slow down. That helps you to get the clubhead into the correct position at impact and then everything else follows in the right place. Whilst distance has never been a problem for me, I always need to work on keeping the ball straighter from the tee. If I start hitting it sideways, my first instinct is to go back and make sure I’m not going after the ball. I instantly see the benefits and that’s what amateurs will see, too. – BY THOMAS PIETERS Pieters’ average driving distance (in yards) on the European Tour. 304 World ranking at time of going to print. Finished last season ranked 88th. 67

60 BUNKERED.CO.UK We launched Bounce Sports in 2003. I came back from Australia, where I’d been working in marketing for Coca-Cola for two years, and I started working almost by chance with Carnegie Sports Management. It covered football, rugby, golf and it had quite a few strings to its bow. My friend Derek Ritchie and I decided to leave after a few years and we set up Bounce Sports. Our first client was Andrew Oldcorn. We didn’t intend to fully focus on golf from the start. The way the business has evolved, all of our opportunities have come in golf. We combine our time between working with players and on tournaments, like the Scottish Hydro Challenge, as a commercial partner of the European Tour. I play golf. Poorly, it has to be said. I’m a member at Royal Burgess and I’ve started playing more recently as my son is getting into it now. We didn’t have to pitch for our first client. It was unfortunate circumstances in which Andrew Oldcorn started working with us. His previous manager, a lovely guy called Alan Maxwell, passed away with cancer and Andrew was left in limbo. You never forget where you started and we still look out for him. When we are pitching for a new client it is always very relaxed. Our management style is very common sense. We tend to be very pragmatic in telling them this is what we think is the best plan for them. Then you’re hoping they agree. After that, it’s up to us to deliver. At the start of every year, we sit down with our players and show them the events we think they should be playing. You look at it pro-actively when the schedule comes out. We enter all of our players into everything. The easiest thing to do is to enter them into every event on the schedule that year, and then withdraw them accordingly. You’re then never in any doubt that your players are entered into the event. Once you miss the entry date into a tournament, there’s no going back. You can’t even miss them by a minute. You then withdraw them before the close of entries because there is a fine if you withdraw after that. The nearer you get to the tournament and withdraw, the more that cost escalates. You do not want to miss an entry. As a manager, that amounts to a sackable offence. Touch wood, I don’t think we’ve ever done it. I definitely don’t have a set day-to-day schedule. Our days are very fluid. There’s always something on the go and it’s very varied. You never do the same thing everyday. It is always on your mind, though. You always have to know what’s going on at the weekend. It starts to get more complicated when you have one player playing in Asia and another in America. That’s when you have to drink lots of coffee. Stevie Gallacher joined us in 2011. It was phenomenal to be part of his Ryder Cup journey. A plan was put in place to try and get to Gleneagles. Towards the end, it just became crazy, chasing points in any event possible. The schedule was ripped up early on to try and get there. It’s a hard one because I don’t think there’s anything we wouldn’t do again, and it ended up ultimately successful. The only detriment was that, by the time he got there, he was knackered, but we’d all do it all again. To be a good golf manager, you’ve got to be trustworthy, honest, have integrity and always be willing to work hard. What does every golf manager need? I’d say a mobile phone, a bulletproof vest and alcohol. You’ll just about survive if you have all of those. Steviejoinedusin2011.It wasphenomenaltobepart ofhisRyderCupjourney. MYLIFE INGOLF His career has taken him around the world and to some of sport’s biggest events. Now, Edinburgh-based golf manager Iain Stoddart works with some of Scotland’s best players... INTERVIEW CRAIGDENNETT PHOTO PSPMEDIAGROUPLTD ‘Missatournamententry? That’sasackableoffence’

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 61 TW T TW TW TW T TW T TW TW W WI W WI WI T TW TWI TW W TW TW WI WI TWI T T TW TWI TW W WI WI T TW T T T TW WI W TW TW W T T TW W T T TW TW TW W TW T T T TW W W W WITTE TTE TTE TTE TTE TE TTE TTE TT T TTE TTE TE TT TTE E T TE E T TTE T TTE E T ER R R R R R R R R R R R R.C R.C R.C C R R R R R R C R R R R R R C R R R R C C R R R R R R R R R R R R R R.C R R R R R R R R R R R R R R OM/ OM/ O OM/ OM/ OM/ / O OM/ O / / / / O BUN BUN BUN BUN N N BUN BUN BU KE KE KER KER R KER R K K R KER E EDO EDO EDO ED ED DO EDO EDO EDO E E NL NLI NLI NLI NLI NLI NLI NLI L L L NE NE NE NE NE E E NE NE NE E E E NE E E E NE E NE E N NE NE NE E E NE E E E E NE E E NE E E E NE E E E E E E 61 61 61 61 61 61 6 61 1 1 61 1 1 61 6 6 61 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 61 1

ANEW LOOK OPEN PHOTOS GETTYIMAGES A new man at the helm and a new broadcaster behind the cameras should give this year’s championship a fresh new look THE145THOPENCHAMPIONSHIP hings were rather different the last time the Open Championship visited Troon. Local hero Colin Montgomerie was the leading Scot on the world rankings and, despite having to come through qualifying, was considered a legitimate contender for the title. Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Vijay Singh were the world’s top three golfers. At the time of writing, they are now ranked 559th, 210th and 270th respectively. And Ian Poulter made jaws drop - and some eyes roll - when he appeared on the tee in the T ¢ WORDS MICHAELMcEWAN @MMcEwanBunkered

OPENPREVIEW ROYALTROONJULY14-17 Luke Donald EXCLUSIVE • p70 Player on driving distances • p76 Guide to Royal Troon • p78 The rise & fall of Sonartec • p86 WHATYOU CANREAD...

64 BUNKERED.CO.UK OPENPREVIEW ROYALTROONJULY14-17 first round wearing a pair of Union Jack trousers. Now, and largely off the back of headlines generated by those patriotic slacks, he has his own successful clothing line. Some things, of course, don’t change. A ‘Troon Open’ is still a proper ‘town Open’ in a similar vein to St Andrews Opens, for example. More to the point, would anybody be surprised if we got another surprise winner - à la Todd Hamilton in 2004 - or an American winner, as has happened the last six times the championship has been staged in this particular part of Ayrshire? Probably not. However, broadly speaking, things are not what they were back in 2004, with ‘change’ very much the theme of this year’s event. Indeed, whilst last year’s Open debuted the championship’s bold new branding, this year will showcase arguably even more significant, if not as obvious, changes. Indeed, if last year was the pretty new paint job, this year is all about the work going on under the bonnet. For one thing, it will be a first Open with Martin Slumbers at the helm of the R&A. The organisation’s new chief executive took charge at the end of September last year, having ‘shadowed’ his predecessor, Peter Dawson, for several months. However, the early indications are that Slumbers has no intention of being ‘Dawson 2.0’. Quite to the contrary, he appears determined to be his own man, do his own thing and, to complete a trio of horrible clichés, put his own stamp on the R&A. He’s made a major impression already, dropping Muirfield from the Open rota within minutes of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (‘Honourable’? Really?) voting to remaining a male- only club. “The Open is one of the world’s great sporting events and going forward we will not stage the Championship at a venue that does not admit women as members,” was the uncompromising message. How will he behave at the Open? How visible will he be throughout the week at Troon? We’ll likely get ALL TO PLAY FOR Above Zach Johnson is the man to beat this year following his victory at St Andrews last year. Defeating Marc Leishman and Louis Oosthuizen in a play-off delivered the American’s second major win following his Masters victory in 2007. Right Rory McIlroy was unable to defend his title last year after injuring himself playing football with friends in the run-up to the championship. The Northern Irishman was 15 the last time the Open visited Royal Troon. Below This will be Martin Slumbers’ (left) first Open in charge after he succeeded Peter Dawson (right) at the helm of the R&A. Bottom The fantastic Royal Troon will stage the championship for the ninth time in its history this year. ¢ ¢

66 BUNKERED.CO.UK OPENPREVIEW ROYALTROONJULY14-17 our first signs of that on the Wednesday. The R&A has traditionally hosted a press conference with accredited media and, in recent years, it has been one of the week’s more interesting and feisty occasions. They have been grilled on everything from doping to Trump to gambling and so on, and to their credit they have handled most matters with aplomb. That, though, has been largely down to the skilled manoeuvring of Dawson, who made an art form out of batting away difficult questions. How will Slumbers fare under such scrutiny? Time will tell. There will also be a new host broadcaster for this year’s championship with Sky Sports taking up the reins from the BBC. The Beeb chose to give up its live rights to the Open after 60 years, paving the way for Sky to step in and secure a deal worth a reported £15m per year to the R&A. The Open is the latest in a string of high- profile sporting events to be lost from the BBC over the last decade, following the likes of the Grand National and, from 2022, the Olympic Games. There can be no disputing that the quality of its Open coverage had massively nosedived, with last year’s championship at St Andrews proving to be an ignominious climax. From Ken Brown’s giant rubber duck in the Swilcan Burn (why?), to Peter Alliss’ noting that Zach Johnson’s play- off victory would likely result in a new kitchen for his wife (what?), to some lazy producer choosing to televise repeats of ‘Homes Under The Hammer’ rather than show live coverage of the championship PREVIOUSLY,ATROYALTROON... What happened on the eight other occasions that the Ayrshire links staged the Open 1923 Norwich-born Arthur Havers denied Walter Hagen back- to-back victories when, in difﬁcult conditions, he became the ﬁrst golfer ever to win the Open at Royal Troon. He pipped Hagen to the title by just one shot. 1950 South Africa’s Bobby Locke became the ﬁrst golfer to retain the Claret Jug since Walter Hagen in 1929 when he shot a new championship record score of 279 to beat Roberto De Vicenzo into second place by two shots. 1962 Arnold Palmer encouraged several of his fellow American golfers to make the journey over to Scotland for the 91st Open Championship - only to leave them trailing in his wake. He successfully defended his title by six shots. 1973 The smooth-swinging Tom Weiskopf sealed his one and only major victory, winning by three shots from Neil Coles and Johnny Miller. “I made very few mistakes and nothing bothered me,” he said. 1982 A 3-iron to three feet for eagle at the 11th hole in the ﬁnal round helped Tom Watson win his fourth Open Championship. He ﬁnished one clear of Nick Price, who suffered a back nine collapse, and Peter Oosterhuis. 1989 The ﬁrst Open play-off in 14 years - and the ﬁrst to be decided over four holes - saw Mark Calcavecchia proﬁt from Greg Norman’s misfortune at the last of the extra holes to claim his ﬁrst major championship. 1997 A scintillating ﬁnal round of 65 saw Justin Leonard come from ﬁve shots behind after 54 holes to win his ﬁrst - and, to date, his only major championship by three shots from Darren Clarke and Jesper Parnevik. 2004 Little-known American Todd Hamilton claimed his ﬁrst major title at just the eighth attempt, defeating Ernie Els in a play-off. He became the sixth consecutive golfer from the US to win the Open at Royal Troon. ¢ ¢

68 BUNKERED.CO.UK OPENPREVIEW ROYALTROONJULY14-17 after it spilled over into a fifth day (seriously?), the BBC shanked, duffed, hacked and chopped its way through the week like a 24-handicap broadcaster. This year should be rather different. Sky Sports’ coverage of golf is, quite simply, superb. It provides comprehensive analysis from a team of some of the most informed experts in the game (special tip of the cap here to Butch Harmon) and uses the latest, cutting-edge, state-of-the-art technology to produce broadcasts of the very highest quality. This year, for example, it will install a wire camera extending the length of the famous par-3 eighth hole at Royal Troon, the so-called ‘Postage Stamp’. This will be the first time such technology has been used at the Open and will provide television viewers with a unique aerial perspective of one of the most famous holes in golf. There will also be cameras installed in all of the bunkers around the eighth green. The downside? Sky Sports is a subscription service. Let’s be honest, it is too bad that the Open is no longer available ‘free to air’, even though the BBC will still deliver a two-hour nightly highlights show. However, if Sky can make as big an impression on the championship as it has made on the Ryder Cup over the last decade, it will surely only prove to be a positive move for all parties, armchair fans in particular. Two other significant changes for this year are the introduction of two new starters following Ivor Robson’s retirement - David Lancaster and Matt Corker sharing the responsibility of announcing players on the first tee - as well as a ‘music festival’ style camping village for under-25s just a short walk from the golf course. “The initiative is part of the R&A’s commitment to ensuring the championship is open to all,” said the organisers. You can’t knock them for that. With the price of advance daily tickets for adults having also been reduced to £60 - a £10 saving on last year - and a new ‘twilight’ ticket option introduced, there are now more affordable and flexible ways to enjoy the championship in person. And what a championship it promises to be. After the drama of Jordan Spieth’s bid to complete the third leg of the Grand Slam coming up just short - both literally and figuratively - last year, Zach Johnson is the man to beat this year. As ever, picking a winner is an almost futile, pointless task, with so many variables (the weather, the draw and, of course, all of the idiosyncrasies of links golf, for example) contriving to make the championship one of the most unpredictable events in sport. That being said, it would be a surprise if Rory McIlroy wasn’t in contention at least at some point over the final 36 holes. On paper, links golf shouldn’t suit Rory. He has a high ball flight and is a streaky putter who has tinkered with various different putting grips this year in an attempt to become more consistent. However, let’s not forget that he was the low amateur at Carnoustie in 2007, finished in a tie for third at St Andrews in 2010 and won the championship at Royal Liverpool in 2014. He also secured his European Tour card on only his third start as a pro in 2007 when he finished third at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Having been forced to forego his defence of the Claret Jug last year after rupturing ankle ligaments playing football, you would expect that he’ll be determined to make up for lost time. Whatever happens, it promises to be compelling. The 145th battle to be crowned the ‘Champion Golfer for the Year’ is on. Sit back, relax and enjoy. ̈ 10 SkySports’ coverageofgolf is,quitesimply, superb Tryingto pickawinneris afutile,almost pointlesstask ¢ RECORDSTHAT COULDFALL THISYEAR A new-look Open calls for some new record holders, right? Lowest round 63 (multiple players) Oldest champion Old Tom Morris (46 years, 99 days, 1867) Youngest champion Young Tom Morris (17 years, 5 months, 3 days, 1868) Biggest gap between wins Henry Cotton, 11 years (1937-1948) Best final round by a champion Greg Norman (64, Royal St George’s, 1993) Lowest nine-hole score 28 (Denis Durnian, front nine, Royal Birkdale, 1993) Widest margin of victory 13 strokes (Old Tom Morris, 1862) Lowest winning score (relative to par) 19-under-par (Tiger Woods, 2000) Lowest winning score (aggregate) 267 (Greg Norman, 1993) Biggest comeback by a winner 10 shots (Paul Lawrie, 1999)

OPENPREVIEW ROYALTROONJULY14-17 WORDS MICHAELMcEWAN PHOTOS GETTYIMAGES Having battled various demons over the past 18 months, Luke Donald is revitalised, refocused and ready to return to the top of the game. The first item on his agenda? Major championship glory... ‘THEOPEN? IT’STHEONE WEALLWANT TOWIN’ EXCLUSIVE

72 BUNKERED.CO.UK OPENPREVIEW ROYALTROONJULY14-17 oing into the 2012 Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes, there was no better golfer in the world than Luke Donald. Not according to the world rankings, at least. The Englishman was sitting top of the OWGR after a great start to the season during which he had won on both sides of the Atlantic. In his pre-championship press conference, it was pointed out to Donald that the previous 15 majors had produced 15 different winners. “Is 16 your lucky number?” a reporter asked him. Donald looked up and smiled. “Hopefully by Sunday.” It wasn’t to be. Instead, it was Ernie Els who left Lancashire with the Claret Jug, the South African profiting from a late collapse by Adam Scott. Donald, to his credit, finished in a tie for fifth. “I’ll leave this week knowing that my game is definitely good enough to win majors,” he told journalists after his final round. Nobody doubted him. At the time, Donald possessed the most razor sharp of short games. Four years on, the 38-year-old is still majorless, languishing in the lower echelons of the world’s top 100 and, at the time of writing, still to qualify for this year’s championship at Royal Troon. He missed this year’s Masters, bringing to an end a sequence of 28 consecutive major starts, and had to come through qualifying at Walton Heath to book his US Open berth. Times have changed rather a lot. From having been the leading golfer in the world at the 2012 Open, Donald is now the eighth best Englishman on the rankings. The last few years, he freely admits, have been tough. So tough, in fact, that he even contemplated calling it quits as recently as last year. “I think that’s something that crosses a lot of people’s minds when you go through a period of struggle, especially when you’ve been as high up in the game as I was,” he tells bunkered. “When you’re standing on tees and not feeling very confident in your game, not making putts and you’re not seeing the ball go in the hole but, at the same time, you feel like you’re working every bit as hard as you’ve ever worked, it becomes very hard and frustrating. “So I’d be lying if I said there weren’t instances where I said to myself, ‘Okay, I’m 38, I’ve been very successful up to now, I’ve been lucky to earn a good living from the game - why not call it a day now and go do something different?’” What kind of ‘something different’ would he have done? As an art major and a talented painter, perhaps something in that field? Or what about wine-making? The Hemel Hempstead man has his own signature collection that he has been developing in California’s Napa Valley with close friend Bill Terlato for close to a decade. Maybe that passion could have become his new profession? He says he never got that far. “It was more of a fleeting thought than a persistent thing where I was seriously contemplating quitting altogether,” he admits. “On some level, I think I perhaps forced myself to consider a life outside of golf - however briefly - to motivate me. I needed the shock of thinking about quitting to give myself a shake and say, ‘Come on, Luke, this is ridiculous. You’re a golfer. Playing golf is what you do.’ “The whole thing made me realise that it’s okay to struggle. It doesn’t make you weak and it doesn’t mean you’re suddenly a bad golfer. It’s just one of the things that people go through from time to time, in all lines of work and in all areas of life. And you know, if you are resolute, you work hard and you work your way through it, it can be a positive experience. It can give you a greater appreciation of what you’ve had and what you could have again.” Positively, Donald says he has seen signs in his game in recent months - such as finishing in a tie for second at the RBC Heritage the week after having to suffer the ignominy of watching the Masters on TV for the first time in over a decade - that he might be turning a corner with his game. “From a confidence and mental stand- point, I feel so much more comfortable this year compared to last,” he adds. WHICH BRINGS US to the Open. Donald’s relationship with the championship didn’t get off to the best of Ineededtheshockofthinkingabout quittingtogivemyselfashakeandsay, ‘Comeon,Luke.Thisisridiculous’. G w

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74 BUNKERED.CO.UK OPENPREVIEW ROYALTROONJULY14-17 starts. He missed the cut on each of his first five appearances. However, in 2005, he started making altogether better memories. Ranked 15th in the world, he arrived at St Andrews that week with two European Tour titles, a PGA Tour title and a Ryder Cup victory to his name. He had also finished third on his debut at the Masters months earlier - but an even bigger thrill was still to come. Jack Nicklaus had announced that the 2005 Open would be his final appearance in the championship. Along with Tom Watson, Donald was drawn to play alongside the 18-time major winner for the first two rounds. As it turned out, they would be the final 36 holes of major championship golf that Nicklaus would play. “It was a surreal week,” reflects Donald. “Amazing, but surreal. On the one hand, I was just trying to go about my business and concentrate on my own game. I was there to try and contend, after all. I didn’t just want to be part of Jack’s farewell and, besides, I hadn’t made a cut in an Open before. “At the same time, I was still trying to take in everything that was going on around me. It felt like applause followed us - well, followed Jack - the whole way around. He got these incredible ovations on every tee, approaching every green and, when he got to 17 and 18, there wasn’t an empty window overlooking the course. It was just an incredible, tremendous experience that I’ll never forget. And the way he finished, rolling in that birdie putt from 20 feet with about three feet of break as though it was nothing, it was fairytale stuff, really. Just magical.” Donald even keeps a memento from that championship - a picture taken on the Swilcan Bridge on that emotional early Friday evening with Nicklaus, Watson and the trio’s caddies - in the office of his house in Florida. “Seeing it always raises a smile,” he grins. “I mean, for a kid like me, only a few years into his professional career, to get that opportunity? It was pretty special.” Like most children of the late 1970s, Donald’s Open Championship memories tend to feature a predictable cast: Seve, Watson, Lyle, Calcavecchia and, of course, Faldo. “I’ll never forget him making those 18 pars at Muirfield,” he smiles. “That was such a Faldo-ish thing to do.” Joining his childhood heroes as a winner of golf’s most prestigious prize is something that he says spurs him on. “It’s the one we want to win,” he says. “I mean, the Claret Jug, it’s just - it’s just unique, isn’t it? Getting to hold it knowing you’ve won it? I just can’t think of anything better. I know some people might say the Masters but I think the Open, being our home Open and the biggest championship we have on the side of the Pond, is just extra special. Winning it is right at the top of my ‘wish list’.” Maybe so but, more importantly, what would be the first thing he’d drink from it? He pauses for a moment, weighing up his options. “I think I’d go with a nice bottle of some kind of first-growth Margaux or a tasty Bordeaux, something like that,” he smiles, clearly relishing the prospect. “I reckon it would taste better than any wine has ever tasted, too.” ̈ Winningthe OpenChampionship isrightatthetop ofmy‘wishlist’. w ATAGLANCE LUKE’S OPEN RECORD 1999...........................CUT 2000..........................CUT 2001..........................DNP 2002..........................CUT 2003..........................CUT 2004..........................CUT 2005........................... T52 2006........................... T35 2007............................ T63 2008.........................DNP 2009.............................. T5 2010.............................T11 2011............................CUT 2012............................... T5 2013...........................CUT 2014............................T64 2015.............................T12

76 BUNKERED.CO.UK OPENPREVIEW ROYALTROONJULY14-17 PlayerR&A reportis ‘laughable’ Expect the issue of driving distance to raise its ugly head at Royal Troon this July ne thing that may be a talking point at Royal Troon is driving distances. The joint paper released by the R&A and USGA said driving distance had increased by 1% on four of golf’s seven tours. Gary Player, though, wasn’t buying it. “This is why I’ve been vehemently outspoken about the ball,” said the 80-year- old. “We’re in for big trouble if we don’t change the ball. In the years to come, you’ll see players drive the green on eight of the holes at St Andrews. Will that be an Open? It’ll be laughable. “It just doesn’t make sense. You can’t take an average. Take the 20 longest hitters from whatever era you like, put it together and compare it to now and you’ll see a 50-yard difference. The longest drivers like Rory... you keep hearing that he’s regularly hitting it 340 to 350 yards. That never happened in our time. It’s really laughable.” In 2005, when still playing on the Champions Tour, Player called for changes, saying that continued releases and growth in driving distances was ‘ruining golf’. “I mean, there’s a guy called Jamie Sadlowski. He would stand on the first tee at St Andrews and drive over the green,” added Player. “Never mind stats, eyes don’t lie and there are many players in the world who would drive over the green. So, I’m not interested in these stats. I’m seeing things that were not possible - 360, sometimes 400-yard drives. “We’ve got a tsunami coming because we’ve got guys going to the gym now and working out, which I was condemned for and called an idiot for doing. Soon, we’re going to see real athletes. It better change, otherwise [the R&A and USGA are] going to be caught with their pants down.” FINAL THOUGHT Since 1997, the R&A has increased Royal Troon by 111 yards… O

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APURE& TRUETEST WORDS MICHAELMcEWAN PHOTOS GETTYIMAGES There are few courses on the Open rota that ofer quite so traditional a links experience as Royal Troon. Here’s everything you need to know.

OPENPREVIEW ROYALTROONJULY14-17 No other opening hole on the Open rota sits as close to the beach as the ﬁrst at Royal Troon. You’re little more than a delicate chip from the sand. To maximise the appeal of this wonderful setting, the championship tee box has been enlarged but, other than that, the hole is largely the same as it was back in 2004. By modern standards, it’s quite a short opening hole and typically plays with the wind, so the likes of Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Bubba Watson will fancy their chances of avoiding the four bunkers flanking the fairway and getting close to the green if the conditions allow. They’d do well not to mistake this seemingly innocuous opener for being a pushover, though - it was actually ranked the 11th most difﬁcult hole during the 2004 Open, so underestimate it at your peril. FYI The hole gets its name from a chain of rocks that lie only a few yards from the high water mark of the Spring Tides. BLACKROCK PAR ................................. 4 YARDS..................... 390 S.I. ................................... 7 Shanking one out of bounds on this hole derailed Darren Clarke’s Open Championship title tilt in 1997. Much more heavily bunkered than the ﬁrst hole, it is largely the same as it was in 2004, other than the green being extended at the back right to provide a much tighter pin position. Expect to see this used to full effect in the ﬁnal round. GYAWS PAR ................................. 4 YARDS...................... 377 S.I. ................................. 11 Named after the furrow that splits the fairway, ‘Gyaws’ will be a proper ‘risk and reward’ hole for the longer hitters. If the conditions allow, they might want to try to carry the ditch and leave themselves a wedge into a subtly undulating green. It’s for precisely those reasons that it ranked the third most difﬁcult hole in the ﬁnal round in '04. DUNURE PAR ................................. 5 YARDS...................... 555 S.I. ................................... 4 A number of modiﬁcations have been made to the ﬁrst of the par- 5s. The two pot bunkers on the left of the fairway have been moved slightly further left to encourage players to be more aggressive off the tee, whilst an approach bunker has been added to the left to give food for thought to those planning to take the hole on in two. A real test of strategy. GREENAN PAR ................................. 3 YARDS..................... 209 S.I. .................................14 On any other course, the ﬁfth would likely be considered the pick of the par-3s. But, then, other courses don’t have the ‘Postage Stamp’ (more of which shortly). This hole has been largely restored to its former appearance courtesy of the removal of some non-indigenous bushes to the right, delivering uninterrupted views towards Ayr in the distance. SEAL PAR ................................. 4 YARDS...................... 367 S.I. .................................16 1 2 3 4 5

80 BUNKERED.CO.UK Just two holes on from one of the longest holes in Open Championship golf comes the shortest - the iconic ‘Postage Stamp’. Measuring just 123 yards, it should, on paper, be a formality. However, proof that nothing is ever that straightforward, Royal Troon’s eighth hole commands the respect of all of the game’s top players. Perhaps that’s because it has been the undoing of so many of them. Following a 64 in the third round of the 1997 Open, which put him in the mix for the Claret Jug, Tiger Woods’ title tilt was scuppered when he found the greenside bunker, needed two goes to get out of it and subsequently three- putted from 15 feet for a triple-bogey six. In 1989, Greg Norman shot a 64 in the final round to force a play-off with Mark Calcavecchia, which the American subsequently won. Where did Norman drop his only shot of the round? No prizes for guessing. Even way back in 1923, Walter Hagen could manage no better than a double-bogey five at the hole. He ultimately finished second, by a shot, to England’s Arthur Havers. 'Danger everywhere' What is it about this hole that makes it so formidable? Colin Montgomerie, whose father Douglas once served as the secretary of Royal Troon Golf Club, has a theory. “You stand on the tee with a wedge in your hands and think you should be making TURNBERRY PAR ................................. 5 YARDS...................... 601 S.I. ................................... 2 For a long time the longest hole on the Open rota, the sixth is a tough par-5. How tough? Well, it’s S.I. 2 on the card, so pretty tough! The two furthest back tees have been made larger and the green surrounds have been softened to the right and rear of the green. A large area of sea buckthorn has always been removed from beyond the hole to improve the views from behind the green and the main seventh tee. FYI Architects Mackenzie & Ebert - who consulted on course changes - had considered restoring the hole to its original condition but decided against it as it was thought the changes would make the hole too tough for both the Open and general play! TEL-EL-KEBIR PAR ................................. 4 YARDS...................... 401 S.I. ................................... 9 Taking its name from a battle that was fought in 1882, just before the hole was created, the seventh at Royal Troon is genuinely brilliant. A study of old aerial photography revealed that there was actually a bunker to the right of the hole beyond the sand dunes, which create the dogleg to the right. That bunker has been restored this year with a view to giving the longer hitters more to think about if they decide to try and cut off some of the corner and get closer to the green with their tee shot, as many did during the 2004 championship. SMALL... BUTMIGHTY! The famous eighth hole at Royal Troon is proof that some of the best things come in small packages 6 7 POSTAGESTAMP PAR ................................. 3 YARDS...................... 123 S.I. .................................18 8

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 81 a birdie, but the danger lurks everywhere,” the Scot is on record as saying. “There are two bunkers on the left and three on the right. The green is close but it is very small and you miss it at your peril. No round at Troon is secure until you have passed this hole in regulation numbers. I’ve hit the ball to one inch and tapped in for a birdie, but I’ve also had sevens and eights.” Monty also believes that the wind is a major factor. “It can change everything at Troon,” he went on. “If there was no wind, ideally, I would hit a wedge straight at the pin and birdie the hole. If I was playing downwind I would try and hit a sand wedge to the front of the green and let the ball release to the back where the pin usually is. “Into the wind, the shot can demand anything up to a 5-iron and then things become interesting.” What’s changed? The green has been made slightly larger by mowing it out further at the front. However, this has, in turn, given the potential to position the ﬂag closer to the front bunker. Don’t be surprised to see this as a Sunday pin placement. Also, the slope running away from the ‘Cofﬁn’ bunker has been softened after it was decided that it had become too steep, the result of a build up of sand-splash from the regular play from the bunker. FYI The ‘Postage Stamp’ was originally called ‘Ailsa’ because of the fantastic view it offers towards the Ailsa Craig. However, it got a new identity after William Park, in Golf Illustrated, wrote of ‘a pitching surface skimmed down to the size of a postage stamp’. THEMONK PAR ................................. 4 YARDS...................... 422 S.I. ................................... 5 The biggest adjustments made to the course since the 2004 Open have happened on the ninth. Because woodland behind the green was casting a large amount of shade across it, the putting surface was the softest on the course and the most prone to disease. Consequently, those trees were removed with a series of dunes built to replace them as a backdrop to the green. On top of that, the surrounds to the green to both the left and right have been reshaped, with the championship tee enlarged and gorse cleared to the left of the carry. SANDHILLS PAR ................................. 4 YARDS...................... 451 S.I. ................................ 10 Using old photography, the Sandhills bunker that faces you on the tee has been restored to give the course some of its old identity. Its unlikely that either it or the bunker on the opposite side of the pathway will come into play for those contesting the Open, although a new back tee has been built to add to the carry. Keep the ball in the short stuff on this split fairway and you’ll have an excellent chance of making birdie. THERAILWAY PAR ................................. 4 YARDS..................... 482 S.I. ................................... 1 Quite possibly the most fearsome hole on the Open rota, the 11th takes its name from the railway line which runs parallel from the tee to the green. Previously a par-5 – indeed, as recently as 1989 when Mark Calcavecchia got his hands on the Claret Jug – it is now a long and demanding par-4. The tee shot is mostly carry over a sea of gorse, towards yet more gorse if you play conservatively, with out of bounds lurking all the way down the right hand side if you get too aggressive. You might remember this was where Ernie Els made an improbable par in 2004 after ﬁnding his ball perched halfway up a bush. OPENPREVIEW ROYALTROONJULY14-17 9 10 11

82 BUNKERED.CO.UK Another lengthy par-4, the 12th turns away from the railway line and plays towards a fairway that doglegs slightly from left to right. The tees for the hole have been reconfigured, with the championship tee enlarged. The only other significant change has been the improvement of the grasses in the swale to the left of the bunker to allow it to be more tightly mown. Other than that, it is largely the same as it was in 2004. The first of the short holes on the back nine, the 14th is visually very intimidating with the bunkers on either side of the green narrowing your view on the tee and making the target look a lot shorter than it actually is. The green has actually been mown out further to the rear right this year so that the ﬂag can be tucked behind the bunker on the side of the green. Expect to see that particular pin position come into play over the course of the weekend of this year’s championship. The start of the final homeward stretch of holes all the way to the clubhouse, the 13th will unquestionably prove to be unlucky for some. Not counting a restored sandy waste area that you drive over, this hole is completely bunkerless - but that doesn’t mean it’s in any way easy. Instead, it relies on natural hazards (most notably its stunning fairway undulations) to provide the challenge, whilst the raised green is a seriously tough target to hit. What’s changed? The championship tee has been enlarged and a considerable amount of gorse clearance has been carried out to leave a superb stretch of sandy dunes to the right of the carry instead. The ﬂatter area in the rough has been given some shape to create more difficulty for those not finding the fairway. The green has also been extended to the left rear to produce an extremely challenging pin position. FYI The club’s founding captain, James Dickie, had trading connections with Burmah (now known as Myanmar). It is thought that this is where the hole gets its name. THEFOX PAR ................................. 4 YARDS..................... 430 S.I. ................................... 6 ALTON PAR ................................. 3 YARDS...................... 178 S.I. ................................. 15 BURMAH PAR ................................. 4 YARDS...................... 473 S.I. ................................. 12 OPENPREVIEW ROYALTROONJULY14-17 12 14 13

84 BUNKERED.CO.UK One of the most unpopular holes with players in the '04 Open, the long 15th has been softened - and largely rerouted - to take much of the dogleg out of play. The front section of the fairway has now been moved to the left of its previous position, with two pot bunkers lurking on either side waiting to catch errant shots. These changes have given the hole more of a snake-like shape, which will largely determine how aggressive players get from the tee. Some significant changes have been made to this fabulous hole since the Open was last in town. A new tee has made it slightly longer, although bigger hitters should still be able to carry the ditch if they so wish. Some synthetic dune systems have also been included to give the hole more definition. As on several other holes, mowing the green out at the back, both left and right, has provided more pin positions closer to the fringes. A great eagle opportunity just got harder! The penultimate hole also just so happens to be the most difficult of the short holes at Royal Troon, measuring 220 yards from back to front. Indeed, depending on the wind, you could see players going into it with a wood. The plateau green, meanwhile, falls away sharply on both sides and is well guarded by bunkers short and on the right and left-hand sides. You most certainly don’t want to be protecting a one-shot lead arriving on this tee on Open Sunday. And so we arrive at the final hole, which has barely changed since '04. The only significant changes have been the deepening of the greenside bunkers on the right-hand side. Finding the centre of the fairway off the tee is absolutely crucial to avoid the bunkers left and right. Find any of those traps and you’ll struggle not to drop a shot. Just ask Greg Norman. His huge drive here in the play-off with Mark Calcavecchia in 1989 found one of the traps and he only succeeded in advancing his escape into yet another trap. He then went through the green and out of bounds with his third shot to practically hand victory to Calcavecchia, who had played the hole much more conservatively and set- up his victory with a 5-iron approach to six feet. Don’t be surprised to see bigger-hitters rein it in and go with either a 3 or 5-wood off the tee here, lest they suffer the same fate as the Great White Shark. CROSBIE PAR ................................. 4 YARDS..................... 499 S.I. ................................... 3 CRAIGEND PAR ................................. 4 YARDS..................... 458 S.I. ................................. 17 WELL PAR ................................. 5 YARDS...................... 554 S.I. ................................... 8 RABBIT PAR ................................. 3 YARDS......................220 S.I. ................................. 13 OPENPREVIEW ROYALTROONJULY14-17 15 16 18 17

OFF THE TEE Todd Hamilton hated hitting his 3-wood. Sonartec’s Md proved a suitable alternative from the tee

WHAT THEHELL HAPPENEDTO SONARTEC? EXCLUSIVE It was the club that propelled Todd Hamilton to Open glory at Royal Troon in 2004 and prompted the creation of a new category of golf equipment. However, it also put its parent company out of business. This is the exclusive story of the Sonartec Md hybrid. OPENPREVIEW ROYALTROONJULY14-17 WORDSCRAIGDENNETT @Craig_Dennett

88 BUNKERED.CO.UK Biggerclubhead TheMdhybridclubheadwas slightlydeeperthanwhatwas foundinotherutilityclubsat thetime. Itmadeitveryeasyto hitaswellashelpingwithfeel. ACK in 2004, Todd Hamilton won the Open Championship at Royal Troon. It was the second year in a row an unknown golfer had won golf’s oldest prize following Ben Curtis’ victory in 2003. Curtis had entered his winning week ranked 396th in the world, while Hamilton had been sitting 56th ahead of his visit to Royal Troon. Prior to the 2004 season, Hamilton had been playing on the Japan Golf Tour for 11 years. In his first season on the PGA Tour, he won a major championship. How did he do it? With a mix of brilliant golf and a golf club that single-handedly revolutionised the golf equipment industry. That club was a 17-degree Sonartec Md hybrid bent to 14 degrees. “What’s it called, is it called anything, the club?” asked one reporter after Hamilton had lifted the Claret Jug. “It’s made by a company called Sonartec,” was the champion’s reply. After his Open triumph, Todd Hamilton never had another top ten finish in a major again. Troon was as good as it got for him and, bizarrely, as good as it got for the brand that launched the club. Twelve years later, hybrids are as popular as ever, yet Sonartec went out of business more than seven years ago. What happened? Where did it go wrong? This is the story of Sonartec’s rise and fall. SONARTEC’S early beginnings can be traced to a meeting between Toru Kamatari and Hidetsugu Koyama, the vice president of Japanese clubmakers Royal Collection, in 1998. A Japanese national, Kamatari had moved to Hawaii at the age of 18 to attend Kansai Gaidai College with the aim of becoming an entrepreneur. However, owning a golf equipment company had never crossed his mind. After graduating, Kamatari worked for a real estate company. In the late 1980s, they asked him to manage a golf shop called ‘A Piece of Time’. Until then, he had never hit a golf ball in his life. It was there, however, that his love affair with golf began and he totally immersed himself in the game. Many who knew him at the time said his biggest talent as an entrepreneur lay in recognising market trends. It was a talent that would allow him to launch the careers of Scotty Cameron and Bob Bettinardi in Japan during the early 1990s. During the 1998 meeting. Kamatari quickly struck up a friendship with Koyama, and, less than a year later, he was offered the chance to license Royal Collection’s patented technology to make and sell driving cavity clubs outside of Asia. He seized that chance. In December 1999, Kamatari, Koyama and Royal Collection’s president Yoshinari Kami, founded Sonartec. THREE-TIME major winner Nick Price was the first to give the company a boost when he put a Sonartec EX fairway wood in his bag. He would go on to become Sonartec’s only contracted player. However, it was not long before more players followed. NickPricewasthefirst protogivethecompanya boostbyplayingitsclubs. w B ‘IREFUSEDTO WATCH.IWASTOO SUPERSTITIOUS.’ The man who built Hamilton’s Md hybrid couldn’t watch him win the Open with it Sonartec’s PGA Tour rep and Todd Hamilton’s friend Dave Williams had arrived at Royal Troon for the 2004 Open Championship with the full intention of staying to watch for the full week. He ended up watching all of the action unfold on television. “On the Wednesday night, I decided to ﬂy home the next day,” recalled Williams. “I was in a pub in Troon on the Wednesday night, I can’t remember the name of it, but I was there until 2am with Todd and I told him I had decided to go home the next morning. “I was really superstitious about watching him play and I wasn’t comfortable staying for the tournament.” When he landed in New York from Glasgow, Williams immediately checked how Hamilton was doing. He was level-par and ‘getting it round there.’ On the weekend when Hamilton was making his way up the leaderboard, Williams’ superstitions reached new levels as he watched on television. He said: “I wouldn’t let my wife come into the room to watch it, I was too scared to jinx it because it was really surreal watching him do what he was doing. “That weekend was ridiculous. I lost my mind.”

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 89 Tallfaceheight Duetothelowspincreatedbythe drivingcavity,thetallfaceheightwas anotherperformancekey,ithelped theballgethigherintotheair. Drivingcavity Thiswastherealkeytotheperformance oftheMdhybrid.Itpushedthe centreofgravityforward,giving lessspinandmoredistance. THETECHBEHINDTHECLUB A closer look at what made the Md hybrid such a hit OPENPREVIEW ROYALTROONJULY14-17

90 BUNKERED.CO.UK OPENPREVIEW ROYALTROONJULY14-17 By the summer of 2001, David Duval had given Sonartec its first major win at Royal Lytham and St Anne’s. Duval had used a 15-degree EX 3-wood from the tee on most the par-4s during the Open Championship and, thanks to the media exposure it received, interest in the brand spiked. “We doubled the sales from the previous year and we could have done even better if we didn’t have the September 11 terrorist attack in New York,” Kamatari exclusively told us. The fairway woods commanded centre stage during those early years. As well as Price and Duval, Paul Azinger had a 3-wood and a 5-wood in his bag. Azinger had wanted to replace his driver with a Sonartec 3-wood, but they couldn’t get a loft low enough or a shaft long enough to make it work as a viable alternative. THE first time anyone saw the Md hybrid was during the 2003 Open Championship at Royal St George’s. Sonartec director Koyama took four prototypes to the Kent links during the practice days. On the Tuesday, Hamilton got the chance to hit the Md hybrid for the first time. He didn’t put it in play until the following year. The key to the performance and success of the Sonartec Md hybrid was its patented driving cavity technology on the sole. It pushed weight forward in the head. When that was combined with a face height approximately a half-inch taller than hybrids available today, it made a club that would shoot the ball into the air with very little spin. The result was a significant amount of distance. Dave ‘Sticky’ Williams was Sonartec’s PGA Tour rep between 2002 and 2007 and believes it was a ‘happy accident’ that those characteristics were given by the club. “Do I think they intended it to work out that way when they designed it? No,” he told us over the phone. “They built a really good golf club and wanted their signature feature in it because it was cosmetic. It just turned out it made the club into a rocket.” Ron Levin was Hamilton’s caddy for the 2004 season and he has similar memories of the club, describing its performance as ‘just incredible, like nothing I’d ever seen before’. Fast-forward to March 2004 and Hamilton had just won his first PGA Tour title at the Honda Classic. The win secured his spot at the Masters four weeks later. Hamilton next saw Williams at the Bay Hill Invitational and told him ‘we need to start working on a golf club for Augusta because there’s no way I’m going there with this 3-wood’. Hamilton hated his 3-wood. He had only used it ‘once or twice’ in the first four months of the season. Levin used to call it the towel holder ‘because that’s all it was good for’. Williams and Hamilton eventually found a replacement. It was a 17-degree Sonartec hybrid bent to 15 degrees that he could draw w w w ATAGLANCE HAMILTON’S OPEN RECORD SINCE 2004 2005 ................ CUT 2006 ...................68 2007 ................. CUT 2008 ................... 32 2009 ................ CUT 2010 ................. CUT 2011 ................. CUT 2012 ................. CUT 2013 .................. T73 2014 ................. CUT 2015 ................. CUT UP AND DOWN Hamilton used the Md hybrid to get up and down 13 times at Royal Troon.

92 BUNKERED.CO.UK OPENPREVIEW ROYALTROONJULY14-17 off the tee on Augusta National’s tenth hole. The club didn’t officially have a name at that stage, but it was the club we now know as the Md. Williams recalled: “The Sunday before the Masters, I walked with Todd as he practised on the course. He was hitting the club so far it was ridiculous and that’s really the genesis of where his club for Royal Troon came from.” THE week before the 2004 Open Championship, Hamilton was playing in the John Deere Classic. He was continuing to work with the Sonartec Md hybrid, but he wanted it to go further. Williams had found a Fujikura Speeder 3-wood shaft that worked well and cut it to 42.5 inches long. He had also bent the loft even further, changing it from 15 to 14 degrees. It made all the difference. Both Hamilton and his caddy Levin wanted it to put it in the bag in place of the 3-wood for his trip to Royal Troon the following week. Hamilton’s trip to the Ayrshire coast didn’t go smoothly. His flight to Glasgow was cancelled on several occasions and he didn’t arrive until late on the Tuesday. While walking the course ahead of the event, Levin considered the deep pot bunkers the most treacherous hazards on the course. Hamilton couldn’t hit the ball far enough to carry them with a driver, so Levin built their strategy around playing short of them. That’s where he believed the new Sonartec addition would prove key. The ‘light bulb’ moment for the importance of Hamilton’s new 14-degree Md hybrid came on the 11th hole during his Wednesday practice round. “The 11th at Royal Troon is not only one of the toughest driving holes on the course, it’s one of the toughest driving holes in golf,” said Levin. “Todd stood up there on the Wednesday and I remember it almost rolling 300 yards straight down the middle. It’s where you want to be and he did that a few times that week.” w w SONARTECMDHYBRID INNUMBERS 1 Nick Price was the only player Sonartec ever paid an endorsement fee. 30.64 The price, in pounds, you can buy a Sonartec Md hybrid for on eBay as of June this year. 5,000 The number of email enquiries Sonartec received about its Md hybrid in the week following the 2004 Open Championship. Hamiltonusedtheclubtoget up-and-down14timesatTroon -13ofthemsuccessfully. THE WINNING BLOW Hamilton used the hybrid to knock his ball to within tap-in range for the win

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94 BUNKERED.CO.UK The ability to use the hybrid from a number of different situations also proved a key part of that strategy. On the way from the driving range to the first tee every day, Hamilton would drop ten balls beside the practice green and putt them using the hybrid to ‘get a feel for how far the ball was running out’. All of a sudden, Levin knew they had a club his player was very confident with off the tee - something he couldn;t say for his driver - and one which was also very valuable around the greens. “Personally, I’m one of the worst chippers in the world and always elect to putt or run a ball whenever I can,” said Levin. “Whenever Todd asked my opinion about whether he should chip it or putt it, I would always say putt it or hybrid it. Todd’s one of the best long putters I’ve ever seen and the hybrid is just an extension of that.” HAMILTON had a one-shot lead over Ernie Els heading into the final day. After both players completed their final round, a play-off was needed to separate them as both finished on ten-under- par overall. After the first three extra holes, the American was leading by a shot. The real drama arrived after Hamilton left his approach into into 18 short. Thirty-six yards short to be precise. “It wasn’t an overly difficult shot. All you’re doing is putting,” recalled Hamilton in an interview with PGATour.com. With Els comfortably on the green, Hamilton knew he had to get down in two. He proceeded to use his 14-degree Md hybrid from 36 yards and knock the ball to within three-feet of the cup. He’d guaranteed himself a tap in par and his first major win. It was the 13th time in 14 attempts that week Hamilton had successfully used the club to get up and down from off the green. “That little shot he played on the last hole. I saw him play it quite a few times,” Els said afterwards. “I don’t know what club he uses… but every time he used it, I think he got up and down.” Levin was overheard standing behind the 18th green that day saying: “Todd was the Most Valuable Player and that was the Most Valuable Club.” While speaking to us, Levin also revealed a rumour he heard in the months following the 2004 Open. He had been told one player had asked the USGA to inspect the legality of the Md hybrid Hamilton had used. He has never been able to verify if the rumour was true, but a Golf Digest story published several years later confirmed Sonartec had received a call from the R&A to see if the club conformed to the Rules of Golf. QUESTIONS about the club featured in almost every post Open interview. The golfing world wanted to know more and, for everyone at Sonartec, it was like a dream. That was until the commentators kept calling it something different. “We were so frustrated that the TV announcer kept calling it a ‘Rescue’ club,” said Kamatari. “We actually received a letter from TaylorMade’s lawyer the following week telling us we had to be very careful about what we said about our product and the words we used to describe it.” Kamatari brushed off the threat because he knew Sonartec didn’t have enough money to correct any errors made. He immediately called Sonartec’s Japanese headquarters and told them to start making as many Md clubs as they possibly could. “It was pure chaos,” Williams recalled about the immediate aftermath on tour. Demand for the Md hybrid went through the roof on tour. Sergio Garcia and Geoff Ogilvy were just two of the many high-profile players wanting to test the clubs. Sonartec quickly tied TaylorMade for the No.1 spot in the Darrell Survey hybrid category at some PGA Tour events. Prior to the 2004 Open Championship, tracking firm Golf Datatech didn’t even have a category on its surveys for hybrids. Immediately after Hamilton’s win, it found 7% of woods sales in golf shops were hybrids. That figure had risen to 15.7% within six months and continued to go upwards. Only 46 players had a hybrid in the bag at the Royal Troon. Two years later at Royal Liverpool in 2006, there were 105 of them in play. THE number of hybrids in play increased hugely within groups of ordinary golfers, too. Sonartec received over 5,000 email enquiries in the week following Hamilton’s Open win. As a result of the growing demand for hybrids, more manufacturers jumped on the opportunity to sell more golf clubs. Alongside Sonartec and TaylorMade, Cobra, Nickent and Adams Golf all moved swiftly to grab a share of the hybrid market. As Sonartec’s PGA Tour rep, Williams was perfectly placed to see the influence of the Md hybrid on other brands when he left the company in 2007. His next job involved working as a tour rep for Adams Golf. He says their engineers - Mike Guerrette and Scott Burnett - spent months cutting apart Sonartec Md hybrid heads trying to figure out how the driving cavity worked and how its performance could be replicated. “Their whole hybrid line, from the OPENPREVIEW ROYALTROONJULY14-17 w w

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96 BUNKERED.CO.UK time I went to work there until the time I left, was all based on the centre of gravity of that one golf club,” said Williams. AS Sonartec was struggling to keep up with the surge in demand, the other brands were taking charge. Sonartec was dealing with graphite shortages, headcover delays and issues with assembly on a regular basis. Adams Golf, meanwhile, had started selling mixed hybrid and iron sets and their sales were flying. Ultimately, Sonartec’s demise was triggered by one bad decision in the final months of 2004. The company initially forecast the sales of its hybrids would quadruple in 2005, while sales of its fairway woods would increase by 50%. Some of Sonartec’s board members, however, were worried about the competition from other brands and the possibility of being left with a significant amount of excess stock. As a result, they decided to only manufacture half of the forecast number of Md hybrids, and double the forecast for the new fairway wood it was launching. The board members were wrong with both estimates. The number of people swapping long irons for hybrids increased massively and Sonartec couldn’t satisfy the number of orders. Its fairway wood also struggled. According to Golf Digest, the failure to provide custom-shaft upgrades was a big reason it lost sales and annoyed loyal consumers. Sonartec also took too long to upgrade to more modern technology. The Md hybrid was four-years-old by the start of 2005 and, with more brands entering the fray, it struggled to match the attraction of the newer hybrids. Between 2003 and 2004, Royal Collection had sent Sonartec five different hybrid designs as potential replacements for the Md. Kamatari turned them all down. In his eyes, he couldn’t depend on Royal Collection to design new models for the American market. Instead, he built his own research and development team at Sonartec’s California HQ. WHILE working on Sonartec’s first wedges and a hybrid for higher handicap players, Kamatari discovered a forged face technology he believed would take its metalwoods to the next level. In November 2006, Kamatari travelled two hours from Carlsbad to Indian Wells to meet Peter Pocklington, owner of GolfGear International and the forged face technology patents. Canadian businessman Pocklington was a multi-billionaire who had bought and sold more than 50 companies to make his fortune. He had also owned a stake in the Edmonton Oilers ice hockey team and played a major role in signing a teenage Wayne Gretzky for the franchise. Kamatari and Pocklington negotiated for several months over a deal to work together and use the patented technology in its designs. On March 27, 2007, they reached an agreement to give ownership of a new entity, Sonartec International LLC, to Pocklington in return for an injection of cash. Kamatari, meanwhile, was installed as president on an initial two-year contract. The harmony between them didn’t last long. Kamatari and shareholders filed a lawsuit against Pocklington claiming he had failed to pay the money he had promised. Pocklington denied the claim. On August 17, he confronted Kamatari in his office before firing him on the spot. Despite original founder Kamatari’s departure, Sonartec continued. It proudly showed off its new Tri-brid line at the PGA Merchandising Show in Orlando in January 2008. By March 31, 2008, Sonartec was closed for business. “IT literally changed the industry,” concluded Williams. “The whole game changed because of that club. Everyone was building huge irons with loads of offset to help get the ball in the air. “If you really look back on it, that one high visible win that the world got to share totally turned the industry on its head. I don’t think it will ever go back to how it was before. “ Now, Hamilton’s famed Sonartec Md hybrid resides in his basement in his house in Texas. Kamatari has moved on, starting up a magnetic therapy bracelets company called Trion:Z before moving on to work with Toulon design putters. For Sonartec, 2008 may well have signalled the end of its trading, but its impact on the game of golf continues to this day. ̈ OPENPREVIEW ROYALTROONJULY14-17 MOST VALUABLE CLUB Hamilton’s caddy Ron Levin used those words to describe the impact the Md hybrid had on his Open performance w

100 BUNKERED.CO.UK THREEMOVESTOGIVEYOURSWINGSOME SUMMERLOVEBYANDREWJOWETT FINE-TUNING POLISHYOURSWING PHOTOS EVE CONROY SHOT ON LOCATION AT AMENDOEIRA GOLF RESORT WORK YOUR LEFT HIP w Rather than have a multitude of swing thoughts, if you can have just one key one, it can help you pure the strike and get more consistent. A big part of doing that is try to and feel as though your left side is a lot more dominant. That includes everything from left arm, left hand, left hip and left shoulder. Try to feel as though, through impact, the left side is leading the club a little bit more. For a lot of right-handed golfers, that’s not often their dominant side. You want to try and feel as though your left side is doing a lot more of the work, rather than the right side taking over. w From the top of the backswing, the transition, you’re looking for the left shoulder and left hip to lead and clear naturally out of the way. That then gives you space. It’s not just a lateral shift as there will be some movement into the left side. That’s only natural. But you want to rotate. Your left hip should go back and upwards. People talk about generating wrist lag but you don’t need to try and do that. This is about polishing your swing, so the more you can get your left side being dominant, the more you will create the lag in the left wrist into impact. That’ll help you get a more crisp strike through impact.

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 101 STAY STABLE w There are a lot of people who will apply the same principles to their pitching as they would to a full shot. In a full shot, what you’ll tend to do is this: as you swing back, you’ll load the right side and, as you start the transition, you’ll move and shift onto the front foot. For a shorter shot, where the emphasis is not on generating power, there can be a lot more stability in that. If you’ve set up with the weight slightly on the left side, it should stay there throughout the course of the swing. You don’t need the same weight shift as you would in a full swing, and you don’t need an active lower half. It’s not about generating clubhead speed and, yes, the left shoulder and hip will clear out of the way, as they would do with a full iron shot - but what you’re looking for is greater stability. Maintain your knee separation in the backswing and really try to focus on your weight staying around the front foot and for you to almost pivot around the front foot as opposed to shifting your weight back and forward. ANDREW JOWETT Head PGA Professional, Gleneagles 01764 694343 @andyj1504

102 BUNKERED.CO.UK The athletic finish now is diferent to Hogan’s, which used to be considered ‘the’ way to do it. It’s iconic. Now, they turn beyond that. It really is a full turn nowadays. USE MOMENTUM TO GET TO A FULL FINISH wThere tends to be a general feeling amongst some folk that, post impact, nothing matters but what you’ve got to remember is that the golf swing is a free flowing movement. Every element of the swing is a consequence of what has happened before. So, if you can work on your through swing and improve it, you can improve things that go before it as well. You can talk about balance and commitment to the shot and that’s fine. Whilst it’s fine to think about getting your chest to the target for your finish, what I would suggest is that you want to try and get momentum to take you through as much as possible. Over the last ten years, the golf swing has evolved massively and it is so much more athletic than it was before. Ten years ago, if you got your chest to the target, people would consider that a good golf swing. Young players these days are turning - and committing - almost 90º left of target. It’s a full turn. The club pulls them through and the club itself gives them maximum output in the swing. The sternum, or the buttons on their shirt, will be pointing 45º left of target. Nowadays, the clubhead can point to the target as you rotate to a complete finish.

104 BUNKERED.CO.UK TOHOLEMOREPUTTS, YOUNEEDTOSLOW DOWNBYSCOTTCLARK BE MORE CLUTCH PURE YOUR STROKE PHOTOS EVE CONROY SHOT ON LOCATION AT AMENDOEIRA GOLF RESORT BE 100% POSITIVE w Most people miss putts three different ways: left, right and short. The best putters in the world reduce this margin for error by mostly only having two. A putt that is going to finish short never has any chance of going in. That’s really all you can ask for. You’ve got to give it a chance. Hitting putts short of the hole happens either because you don’t connect properly out of the centre of the putterhead or because you haven’t swung with enough speed and effort to get it there. Either way, it can become a repetitive problem that prevents you from lowering your scores and, over a period of time, will affect your confidence on the greens. We all have the abilities to be great at putting and, with a little patience and practice that challenges you over time, you will soon improve. If you can, always walk the line of a putt, being careful not to be slow or test your line. The information you take in is incredible. Your perception of distance will improve - that’s why indoor bowlers do this at each end and their environment does not change as much as a golfer’s. Your balance as you walk will inform you of any changes in the green’s surface and give you a feeling for the severity of any slopes and borrows.

105 TRY THIS DRILL Always practice with a purpose. Your practice session tomorrow should be better and show improvement than the one today. For me, one of the best drills on the practice putting green is to create a gate using two sleeves of balls. Placing your ball in line with the middle of each pack creates roughly two inches of space either side. Regardless of your putting stroke, if you can get the putterhead facing your target between these two points, you will hit more consistent putts. The appearance of the packs set this way presents a visual obstacle and gate in which to accelerate the putterhead through and by simply not touching them you will strike more putts out of the centre of the clubface. Your stroke needs to flow. Good rhythm and tempo are key to help the putter perform. The more cautious you swing the putter, the more time you have to manipulate its movement and actually go against its design. Your putter should be fitted around your stroke tendencies and should complement a tempo which is trying to accelerate through impact. SCOTT CLARK Director of Golf, Prestonfield Golf Club T: 0131 667 8597 @ScottClarkPGA Over time, you should try closing the distance between the packs to just outside the width of the putter-head. The closer you can go, the more you refine your stroke.

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f you’re after a break from 72-hole strokeplay events, then mark a date in your diary for early August when the Paul Lawrie Match Play takes place the week after the USPGA Championship. The 64-man knock-out matchplay format keeps its €1million prize fund and moves to Archerfield Links in East Lothian for the first time. The event, of which bunkered is an official media partner, will showcase what many believe is the purest form of golf competition - head-to-head matchplay - just a matter of weeks before Lawrie heads to Hazeltine in his role as one of Darren Clarke’s assistant captains. Last year’s event at Murcar Links was won by Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who beat Sweden’s Robert Karlsson one-up in the final. “I hadn’t played much matchplay before then,” Aphibarnrat told bunkered recently. “The Paul Lawrie event was my first matchplay competition in Europe, so it was first time lucky! “It’s a much more fun format. It doesn’t feel as serious as other events that we play. You can talk to your opponent, even though you want to beat them. “I have to congratulate and thank Paul and the other sponsors of the event for bringing it to the schedule. I think they were happy with how it went. Hopefully, it will continue to go well.” He added that he enjoyed playing in the ‘typical Scottish weather’ but is looking forward to the challenge in East Lothian. “I haven’t been to Archerfield before. I’m hopeful that I can fit my defence into my schedule. It’s a little bit tricky because of the Olympics but, if I can find a way to defend my title, then I certainly will. I’d love to win it again, for sure.” As ever, Lawrie was honest about last year’s contest and said he hopes to see the event grow. “At the time, I think we probably were slightly disappointed with the crowds at Murcar but we understood that there was a lot of golf around that time in Scotland and, if you’re a spectator, the Scottish Open and Open currently rank ahead of this tournament. The crowds for the Scottish Open at Gullane were fantastic and, being in the same region and with the date being ¢ Ryder Cup vice-captain Paul Lawrie brings his European Tour ‘Match Play’ contest to Archerfield Links this August - and it comes with a two-for-one ofer WORDS BRYCERITCHIE&MARTININGLIS PHOTOS GETTYIMAGES I PREVIEW TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 109 GAME.SET. MATCHPLAY! PAULLAWRIEMATCHPLAY August 4-7, Archerﬁeld Links Golf Club, North Berwick »»»

better, hopefully that will have a positive impact on the crowds.” As an incentive to spectators, anyone who buys a ticket for the PLMP will gain free entry to the Prostate Cancer UK Scottish Senior Open, which will be played at Archerfield Links just two weeks later. “We’re hugely looking forward to the event coming here. It’s a great venue where I’ve always enjoyed coming with the boys and the staff are fantastic,” added Lawrie. “I played in a Pro-Am here with Darren Clarke and cricketer Ian Botham and had a great time. We’re all looking forward to it coming to Archerfield.” The two-time Ryder Cup star - who has a rather impressive matchplay record (W4, L3, H1) - said that this year’s date would have a better chance of attracting some of the best players in the world. “The date’s better than it was last year and I think it’s easier for guys to put this event on their schedules,” Lawrie told bunkered. “We’ve got four invites this year instead of two - although one of those is going to be me - but no matter what I’ll think we’ll have a good field and I’ll be spending some time speaking to players to see if they’ll commit to playing.” Lawrie said the tie-in with the Scottish Seniors event - which will feature Sam Torrance - was a ‘great idea’ and will hit the spot with golf fans. “If you want to come and watch our tournament, you get to watch the Seniors for free. It’s a great incentive for people to come and watch two different generations of golfers tackle the same course.” ¢ I’mlooking forwardtoit. Weshouldhave agoodfield. 110 BUNKERED.CO.UK TIGERWOODS Monty and I played against Tiger at Brookline in 1999 and he’s our best ever player, certainly of my generation. Monty played magnificently that day and it was pretty much him against Tiger with me and his playing partner Steve Pate featuring now and again. But to play against the best player of my generation was incredibly tough. We managed to win that day, which was nice, but he was certainly the best player I’ve faced in matchplay. CRAIGPARRY I played Craig in the World Match Play at Wentworth in 1999 and he was quite magnificent. He never hit the ball off-line, kept it in play all the time and he was a great chipper and putter. When you play against someone like that in matchplay, it’s just so difficult to beat them. I was about seven or eight-under that day for the 30-odd holes that we played and he beat me 3&2. JOSEMARIAOLAZABAL Me and Jose played against each other in the 2000 Seve Trophy. As everyone knows from the Ryder Cup, he was an unbelievable matchplay golfer who never gave much away. He was incredibly tough to play against. His short game was magnificent and he always holed the key putts when it mattered. When you’re playing against guys like that - short game maestros with total win-at-all-costs attitudes - then matches are just so difficult. ‘Iwaseight-under …andlost’ Paul Lawrie on his greatest match play opponents 2-FOR-1 SPECIAL OFFER Buy a ticket for the Paul Lawrie Match Play and you can return to the East Lothian course for free two weeks later to watch the Prostate Cancer UK Scottish Senior Open for FREE. Simply show your ticket from the PLMP when entering the Scottish Seniors Open and you’ll be given free admission for all three days of the event from August 19-21. Adult day tickets cost just £15 and under-18s can enter for free. GETTWICEAS MUCHACTION ONONETICKET! For tickets, call 0800 023 2557 or head to… europeantour.com/tickets

LESSONS PLAYYOUR BESTGOLFTHIS SUMMERWITH KEVINCRAGGS& ANDYCARLTON PHOTOS KENNY SMITH 114 BUNKERED.CO.UK 8 So many people mistake being stable with leaning back on the swing - but, remember, staying stable does not mean leaning back. ̂ SHOT ON LOCATION Paisley Golf Club, Glasgow T: 0141 884 3903 @PaisleyGolfClub

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 115 ‘YOUNEEDTOBESTABLEOVER THEBALLATTHEMOMENT OFTRUTH...IMPACT’ We talk about shaft lean all the time, which basically means ‘don’t flick at it’. This equates to the hands leading the clubhead at the moment of impact, with the weight transferring into the left side and head stable behind the ball. Remember, swing through this, not to it. That’s the feeling you need to have. HOWTO BESTABLE ̂ MOMENT OF TRUTH The moment of truth during the golf swing is what happens at impact. Everything before that point just prepares you - but when the club collides with the ball, that’s what really makes a difference. Where it goes and how it flies largely depends on impact. ̂ GET STABILITY If you’re stable through impact, you’ve got a better chance of striking the ball well. Being stable means being balanced on your feet, with good weight transfer, and that means staying behind the ball. It doesn’t mean leaning back. It means transferring your lower body from right-to-left whilst the head stays behind the strike. With little movement and feeling completely natural, your sternum should stay behind the ball. Do that and you’ll create the right pressure and loft to send the ball where you want it to go. ̂ KEEP YOUR SPEED GOING THROUGH As you initiate the move from the downswing through into impact – and, remember, impact is not a ‘position’ – as we start down, you start to move your weight onto you left side and start to bring that club into impact. It’s absolutely key that you maintain good speed with your body, hands and club through and after impact. If that fails, you’re in trouble. 1 REMEMBER THIS Impact is a phase of the swing that you swing through. It’s not a position as such. It’s a position you swing through, not swing to. KEVIN CRAGGS Coach to LET star Melissa Reid T: 08451 303 433 @kevincraggsgolf ̂

116 BUNKERED.CO.UK I see so many amateurs who use the ﬁrst four holes to ‘warm up’. You now know the beneﬁts of a full shoulder turn, so taking some time to stretch, warm up and activate the right muscles can make all the difference to hitting longer drives earlier on in your round. ̂

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 117 DISTANCEGAINS WITHONEMOVE ̂ WHY THE POWER TURN IS IMPORTANT The power turn is an important position. In short, it means you’ve completed your backswing. It’s quite personal to each golfer subject to the level of their mobility and ﬂexibility. Here, you can see that I have made a full shoulder turn but the length of my swing is roughly three-quarters. I’ve maximised my turn for the level of ﬂexibility I have because it would be dangerous for me to mimic a Rory McIlroy or Jason Day swing. For one, I’m not built like them and, two, I’m not as ﬂexible as them. Do I lose any major advantage on speed or power? Not really. Providing I turn my shoulders to maximise that coil, I can get good power. To this day, Sandy Lyle still gets the ball out there. That’s really impressive for a guy his age. But he gets it not from having what some would call a ‘full’ swing, but from a full turn. ̂ HOW TO DO IT When you get to the top of your backswing, try and make sure you complete a full hip and shoulder turn. For me, a lovely thought is to make sure you turn your left shoulder into your right foot. People sometimes ask, ‘Do I turn my shoulder under my chin’? Technically, yes you do, but it depends where your chin is! You can also turn your back to the target - but I like to think of getting my left shoulder over my right foot. That ensures you’ve made a good hip rotation and full shoulder turn. If you start your downswing from a full shoulder turn, you’re adding yards. ̂ NO NEED TO SPEED UP The faster you swing back, the harder it is to complete your shoulder turn. Good tempo is an absolute must for adding yards. Having the right tempo gets you into a full turn, and allows you to create the correct sequence on the way down. The right sequence is: feet > knees > hips > shoulders > hands > club. I don’t think of this sequence when I’m swinging. It tends to just happen because you’ve coiled up to that position. It’s like pulling an elastic band then letting go. It should be a conscious effort, and it will be when you get into the right position at the top. 2 SUMMARY As you swing to the top, try to get your left shoulder over your right foot. A backswing doesn’t hit the ball; it prepares the foundations for the club to come down. Think of it as your platform. There are guys who have the shaft pointing left and right, arms long and short, and so on - but all good players come from a full shoulder turn. That’s the key ingredient. ‘ATTHETOP,TRYANDGET YOURLEFTSHOULDER OVERYOURRIGHTFOOT’ ̂

118 BUNKERED.CO.UK People tend to make more trouble for themselves when they hit into a bunker. On occasions, you will have heard tour players say they would rather be in a bunker than by the greenside. Amateurs don’talwaysunderstandthat, usually because they make the shot more complicated than it needs to be.

ESCAPE BUNKERS ̂ THINK LESS I was giving somebody a lesson recently - a good player - who was struggling in bunkers with his ‘process’. That’s because he had about ten things to think about and, to be honest, it does not need to be that complicated. I watched him stand and point his club right, then he talked about his swing path, his feet left, hips left, aiming here, coming down at this angle, point of contact… it all just got a bit much and was confusing him. None of those things, I would like to point out, are incorrect but, sometimes, you just want a quick tip to get the job done more quickly and easily. ̂ SET THE BUTT EARLY I go back to an old Gary Player tip. ‘In a bunker, you can’t break your hands soon enough’. He’s talking about your hands and your hinge. Create the angle quicker. Hinge the butt as soon as you possibly can. Now, I’m not really talking about hinging the wrist as such, I’m talking about setting the butt of the club without moving your arms too soon. You can see I’ve set the butt of the club, and only from there do I start to move. You can see how quickly the club is set and how little I’ve moved my hands. It’s absolutely critical that, in a bunker, you set the club before you start moving your arms. 3 REMEMBER THIS If you’re in a greenside bunker, point your chest to where you want to strike the ball. That decides the level of contact. Watch how quickly tour players set the club in the bunker. Look how far the club has moved in my backswing but how little my hands have moved from set-up. The trick is to move the butt of the club as quickly and as subtly as possible. ‘SETTHECLUBEARLY BEFOREYOUSTART MOVINGYOURARMS’ ̂

120 BUNKERED.CO.UK PROBLEM SOLVING 4 ̂ ADOPT THE FAULT > PROCESS > OUTCOME APPROACH When you have a fault in your swing, sometimes it’s how you attack that fault that actually leads to greater problems. Knowing what to do in that instance will reap rewards. I always thought my old coach summed it up quite nicely. He said that when players start to hit bad shots, they then get easily and quickly frustrated. The problem then grows because that frustration leads to anger and anger leads to curiosity. Curiosity then leads to you looking for something. And that means you’ll grab onto any tip and piece of advice which isn’t always applicable to you getting better. Ty to adapt a Fault > Process > Outcome solution. ̂ PROCESS You need to implement a process that solves this problem, so create a drill to give you the feeling of the correct movement. What we’re doing here is a tilt but what you want is a turn. So put the club across the shoulders to give yourself the feeling of what a turn is. ̂ OUTCOME With that feeling now ingrained, put the club back down now I’ve got the outcome of an improvement. Here’s somebody that tilts during their swing. This creates a number of problems in flight and strike because he isn’t turning. ̂ FAULT

122 BUNKERED.CO.UK If you have your right hand in the normal position, I always find it can become a little too active. The clubface can over-rotate and not remain square. This takes that problem out of the equation. ̂

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 123 SHARPENUP YOURSHORTGAME ̂ DIAL IN YOUR WEDGES Here’s a great tip to help you with your short game, which accounts for around 50% of your irons shots during a round. If you can dial in your wedges better and get consistent results, you’ll score better. To do that, simply grip the club differently to take the power away from your dominant right hand. ̂ BUTTERFLY GRIP You can see, left, that my hands are shaped a little like a butterfly. If I was to take my normal grip position my right hand would be stronger - meaning it would be more underneath the club. So, thinking in terms of pressure, weaker is the position we’re talking about here. By weakening the grip, you are turning your right hand more on top of the club. Doing that allows me to keep the clubface a lot more square through impact. ̂ NO MANIPULATION If you are looking to get elevation on the club or you are playing off a tight lie, having the conﬁdence to get down underneath the ball is key. But by placing my right hand more on top, it gives you more of a descending blow. You are not manipulating anything by doing this. You’ll naturally feel as though you are pushing the clubhead into the ground and more through the ball. The clubface also stays square once you’ve struck the ball. ̂ STICK WITH IT Is it a hard shot? For me it’s not, because I have always chipped this way. So, for someone who is struggling from this distance with their chips, it might feel a little odd at ﬁrst. But stick with it. My advice would be to create the butterfly shape with both hands and tee the ball up initially to get the feeling ﬁrst. Hit some shots like that, get used to it, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can nip the ball off a bare lie. 5 TAKE NOTE I would only do this for shots around the ‘30 yards and in’ mark. Get it dialled in on the range and you'll love the results. ANDY CARLTON Head PGA Professional, Paisley Golf Club T: 0141 884 4114 @PaisleyPro If they are being honest, most people aren’t very accurate from around 30 yards with their wedges. But this simple approach gives you much more control of the clubhead and improves your consistency. ̂

124 BUNKERED.CO.UK I’ve played golf for 25 years and have always been a good putter but I went through a few issues last year and changed my grip at the start of this year. You’ll ﬁnd that the six footers become instantly easier. It’s the longer putts that take a bit of time to get used to. Best advice is to start off from four feet, then six feet, then move onto the longer lag putts as you progress. It’ll take time but those six footers are the ones you need to save par. Make those easier to hole and you’re onto a winner. You can rock your shoulders and keep the clubface square through the ball by keeping the clubface and left hand more connected. ̂

PUTTLIKEA TOP10PLAYER ̂ SWITCH IT UP Jack Nicklaus said that if he were to start playing the game all over again, he would putt cack-handed. And he added that if he were to teach young kids to play the game, he would teach them to start putting left hand below right. There are so many reasons left-below-right is better. Dave Pelz, the leading short game coach, says he has actual proof that placing your left hand below right gives you more consistency in the roll of the ball. ̂ HOW IT WORKS By placing the left hand down, the back of your left hand becomes very much parallel with the clubface and, if you can keep that as a constant throughout the entire stroke, you’ll make more of a consistent roll. Having the right hand below the left might be more conventional, but the tendency is for you to very slightly flick at it, adding loft to the putter and, as a result, the ball jumps away from you. That type of stroke gives you a less reliable roll on the ball, so you’ll hole fewer putts. This method means your shoulders are now level. Everyone talks about the pendulum effect, so it’s easier to make that motion now if your shoulders are level. It’s not as easy if your right shoulder is underneath with the conventional grip. 6 THINK ABOUT THIS It’s no coincidence that the best players in the world right now are adopting a left-below-right grip, such as Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Danny Willett. They can see the benefits of this switch. ‘PUTTINGWITHYOURLEFTHAND BELOWYOURRIGHTMEANSYOUR SHOULDERSARENOWLEVEL’

126 BUNKERED.CO.UK When you’re under pressure, you will become more active with your hands and get more jittery. But if you can keep your chest and shoulders together and rotate together, you’ll have a better chance of good contact. ̂

STOPFLICKING YOURCHIPS ̂ GOOD TOUCH Good chipping comes down to having a deft touch. All the great short game players boast it and, for me, it comes from having the feeling of being connected through impact. That comes from having your left arm, or upper left shoulder, connected to your body. Poor short game players have flailing hands and elbows and generally just look less in control of the shot. Essentially, their body is not connected correctly. ̂ MY DRILL This drill ensures you have no disconnection during the swing. What this means is that you have your left arm moving away and separating from your chest. What normally goes wrong is that you become too ‘handsy’ and you let the smaller muscles take over. If you have an issue with that, you want to get your bigger muscles involved - let them hit the shot. You want to use your chest and your shoulders during the movement - turn your bigger muscles or upper body to hit the shot instead of flicking with your wrists. ̂ USE BOTH TIPS! This tip can also be used with my ‘butterfly’ tip (page 122). Both tips are simply another way to reduce the influence of the hands during the shot. 7 THINK ABOUT THIS Use your bigger muscles (your core) to hit your chip shots to dial in your short game. Having your right arm under your left arm gives you the feeling of better connection. I’ll play a few pitch shots one-handed in practice. All I do is grip down a little with my left hand, make a few practice swings and get my right hand tight under my left arm. I do this through the strike until I feel that everything is rotating to the target as one. I don’t want to force it and this helps with that.

128 BUNKERED.CO.UK 128 BUNKERED.CO.UK Don’t be rigid. Just relax and think about creating angles for your body to rotate. You should feel comfortable. You should be able to stand within your posture for a few minutes and not have any aches and pains. Too many guys try and be too perfect. That can give you lower back problems, hamstring problems and neck pain. Your posture should feel comfortable. RELAXYOUR POSTURE ̂ BE ATHLETIC The way you stand to the ball is so important in golf. If you watch tour players, these boys are almost like robots in the sense that every single one of them will stand over the ball in an athletic way. That gives them the best possible chance to make the right movements throughout the swing. No matter what shape or size you are, you can still put yourself in a strong posture position that’s going to allow you to make the right movements and, hopefully, make a more consistent strike on all shots. ̂ BE RELAXED Having the back straight can actually decrease your power. You still want to be relaxed over the ball. If you feel like you’re very tense over the ball, that's how you’ll swing it. Flex your knees, poke your backside out a little. Ultimately, though, make sure you’re relaxed and are able to move and turn. Sometimes by creating too much of a straight back and an arch at the bottom of your back, you’ve got to come out of that position at impact, which will lead to you blocking it. ̂ IT WORKS WITH KIDS When teaching kids posture, I get them to stand tall, hands out like the Angel of the North, then bend the knees, backside out and drops their hands down. 8 THINK ABOUT THIS Your arms should hang naturally. Don’t think about manoeuvering your weight onto your toes or heels. Be relaxed. Flex your knees and get your backside out because your glutes are the biggest muscles in your body and you want to use them throughout the swing. ̂ SPECIAL THANKS TO Paisley Golf Club. Call 0141 884 3903 for latest offers and more.

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 129 Say goodbye to guessing yardages once and for all e’ve teamed-up with our good friends at GolfBuddy to offer five lucky readers the chance to win one of the leading DMD brand’s latest products.As well as a top prize of a GolfBuddy LR5 rangefinder, we also have two LD2 ladies’ GPS watches and two compact CT2 GPS devices up for grabs. For those who like instant accuracy for any point on any hole, the new LR5 laser is a ‘must have’. It has three modes (scan, pin and normal), is ergonomically designed to fit snugly and comfortably in one hand, and delivers precise distances in less than a second by pressing just one button. It’s fast, accurate, simple and devastatingly effective. If GPS measuring is your thing, then what about the new LD2, designed with female golfers in mind? It boasts Swarovski crystals, a leather strap, steel bezel and delivers accuracy and style. It gives precise distance readings to greens, bunkers and other hazards on thousands of courses. For those players who want simple distances in an easy-to-operate package, look no further than GolfBuddy’s neat little CT2 GPS. It’s a compact unit that clips to clothing or bags but has a larger screen than any other micro GPS devices. With a ‘large number’ display, it’s always easy to see just how far you’ve got for your next shot. Remember, GolfBuddy maps all courses on foot to create extremely accurate maps and distance readings. What’s more, all of its courses worldwide are available free of charge, forever, on any GPS unit, with no expensive annual subscriptions. To stand a chance of winning one of these devices, follow the instructions below. TERMS AND CONDITIONS: All entries must be received no later than July 27, 2016. Only one entry per person can be accepted. Winners will be the first five correct entries drawn after the closing date. The editor’s decision is final. Prize is non-refundable and there is no cash alternative. Competition is only open to UK residents. Prize cannot be sold exchanged for profit. By entering this competition, you agree to share your data with our supporting partners. See our Facebook page for winners’ details: facebook.com/bunkeredmagazine HOWTOWIN TO STAND A CHANCE OF BEING OUR WINNER, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION CORRECTLY… WHAT DOES ‘GPS’ STAND FOR? 2 A. GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM 2 B. GOLF PINSEEKING SERVICE 2 C. GREAT PITCHING SOLUTION ENTER at bunkered.co.uk/ competitions Or send your answer, name and contact details to: GolfBuddy Comp, bunkered, PSP House, 50 High Craighall Road, Craighall Business Park, Glasgow, G4 9UD W COMPETITION LR5 LR2 CT2 WINTOP-OF-THE-RANGE DMDS FROM GOLFBUDDY!

his year’s Scottish Open is going to be one of the biggest tournaments I’m ever going to play in. I’ve waited to play it at Castle Stuart for a number of years, so I can’t wait. I get to play in all the majors for the first time this year and, for me, the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart will be the same as playing a major. I’m going there in good form and feeling good about my game, especially after playing with Rory [McIlroy] on the last day of the Irish Open. Rory was obviously the heavy favourite with the crowd there, so it really whetted my appetite for the Scottish Open, where I’ll hopefully have the same level of support. One of my best friends’ parents live very near the course, so I’ll be staying with them during the week. I haven’t had too many ticket requests yet, but I’m sure I will a bit nearer the time. None of my family live in Inverness any more, which is a shame, but I’m still going to have a lot of friends coming along that week. I wish Castle Stuart had been In his own words, Inverness-born Russell Knox looks ahead to playing in front of a home-town crowd for the first time PHOTOS GETTYIMAGES/SUPPLIED T ¢ SCOTTISHOPEN PREVIEW 130 BUNKERED.CO.UK ‘TheScottishOpen atCastleStuart willbethesame asplayingamajor’

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 131 In association with

132 BUNKERED.CO.UK there when I was growing up. I’ve played it a couple of times in recent years and it’s a spectacular course but playing at Nairn Dunbar throughout my childhood was great and, later on, at Inverness Golf Club. I think I’ve become the player I have because I grew up playing on a links course. I think it teaches you the importance of being able to hit every shot, so I wouldn’t have changed it for anything. I loved to play up there in the junior events. My parents used to drop me off at the course with my friends and we’d play 36 holes - sometimes even 54 holes - a day. There’s so much daylight in the summer, we’d just keep playing until it got dark. We’d sometimes go out with three clubs and have mini competitions between us. I look back on those days very fondly. In some ways, I miss those days because, back then, you were playing golf purely for the love of the game. Because we play so much competitive golf now, I miss playing for fun. It’s still fun competing, but when you’ve been away for a long stretch at tournaments, you don’t really want to play much golf. Back when I was on the Web.com Tour, I had to turn down a place in the Scottish Open. It was probably the hardest decision of my career. I wanted to play there so badly, so it was a horrible decision and I was going back and forth in my head, and at the time I thought maybe I’d made the wrong decision but it looks like it’s turned out OK in the end. If I was to win the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart, it’d be the biggest win of my career. Of course, winning the WGC in China was massive for my career but every golfer in the world wants to win their home Open and, with it being held in my home ¢ SCOTTISHOPEN PREVIEW Ihavebecometheplayer IhavebecauseIgrewup playingonalinkscourse LOCAL HERO Russell Knox says winning the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Castle Stuart would be ‘a dream come true’ ¢

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 133 5HOLESTOWATCHOUTFOR... Castle Stuart’s been given a hard time by some - but it’s actually one of Scotland’s best new courses #4 After playing along the shore of the Moray Firth for the ﬁrst three holes, the course takes a left turn with this awesome par-3 that has the eponymous Castle Stuart loitering ominously in the background. It’s deceptively long with all kinds of trouble lurking behind the green. #17 The penultimate hole is the longest of the par-3s at Castle Stuart - and, by common consent, the toughest. Avoid the bunkers to the right of the green are at all costs. The ideal shot is a low runner under the wind that is aimed slightly out to the left. A par here truly feels like a birdie. #11 For many people, this dinky little par-3 is the pick of the holes. It’s certainly one of the most photographed. You hit from a slightly elevated tee in an almost diagonal direction to a sloping green that is protected by bunkers left and right and the rocks of the coastline through the back. Don’t. Go. Long. #10 The tenth tee almost backs on to the tee box on the ﬁrst but plays the opposite way along the shoreline, so all the trouble is out left. This is absolutely not the time to get a dose of the ‘pulls’. Brooks Koepka, incidentally, drove the green here in 2013. It’s only 350+ yards. ‘Only’... #9 The front nine ends with a superb, short par-4 that begins a run of three great holes. You have two options on the tee: lay up short on the left-hand portion of the two-tier fairway, or go as far down the right as you can but leave at the expense of a tough uphill approach to an elevated green. In association with

134 BUNKERED.CO.UK town of Inverness this year, it would be a dream come true. Just to play in it is going to be amazing but getting to lift the trophy would be a huge bonus. I know there’s going to be expectation on me but golf is a pressure sport. Whoever copes with it best is normally the guy who wins. It’s not always a comfortable feeling but it’s not meant to be because professional golf is hard. So I’ll be under a bit of pressure, but contending to win tournaments and coping with the pressure that comes with it is why you play the game. I feel like I play better on the bigger stages. I loved playing with Danny [Willett] and Rory in the last group in Ireland for example. I’m hoping to feed off the support of the crowds. The Irish crowd were obviously pulling for Rory but they were also very respectful of me. They weren’t rooting against me, which was nice. If I can get the same level of support at Castle Stuart that Rory had at The K Club, then I’ll love that. The Scottish crowd will be rooting for all the home players but hopefully they’ll be cheering for me just that bit harder! I had lots of friends and family rooting for me at the Players Championship, because I live in Ponte Vedra, and hopefully that’ll be the case again at Castle Stuart. ̈ ¢ AYE NAW MAYBESAYE/ MAYBESNAW TICKETS Practice Day £15 • Thurs-Sun £35 • Concessions £25 Season £80 • U16s go free with adults Phil Mickelson The 2013 winner is back for more. He hasn’t missed ‘our’ Open since the Loch Lomond days. He’s basically half-Scottish. Rory McIlroy We told you back in January that Rory didn’t have the Scottish Open in his schedule. Sadly, nothing’s changed. Matt Kuchar Runner-up last year and one of 14 Americans who featured at Gullane. At the time of going to print, has not conﬁrmed his spot. Graeme McDowell All-round good guy G-Mac is bringing his transatlantic accent over to our shores once again to try and seal his Ryder Cup spot. Justin Rose Another former winner. This year he says he’s adopting a “week on, week off” approach due to a packed summer schedule. Martin Kaymer Former world No.1. US Open champ. Hero of Medinah. Apparently he’s still dating Kirsty Gallacher. Double hero. Rickie Fowler Bit of a kicker this one. The defending champ is skipping this year due to a busy schedule and because, very likely, he’ll be in Rio. Jimmy Walker He’s on record as saying he doesn’t think playing links golf before the Open is any help. Not convinced he’ll show up, sadly. Henrik Stenson The world No.7 ran Mickelson close at Castle Stuart three years ago. He describes the event as “perfect” Open prep. THEFIELD The big names that are in, out and still TBC for this year’s Scottish Open In association with IN GOOD COMPANY Above, Knox with McIlroy at the Irish Open and, below, he’d love to emulate Phil Mickelson by winning the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 135 Callawayfindsitsniche Sub Zero XR16 and Apex Black ofered as highly exclusive options fter all the hype surrounding the pre-season launches from the game’s biggest brands, the middle of the season offers something a little different for golf gear enthusiasts. The major manufacturers tend to go a little quiet on big releases during the summer months and, instead, place their focus on sub-products that appeal to golfers looking for a more exclusive type of product to put in their bag. That’s exactly what Callaway has achieved with the eye-catching releases of its new Sub Zero XR16 driver and Apex Black irons. Callaway is fully aware these products aren’t for everyone. The Sub Zero driver, for example, is aimed at golfers with an extremely high swing speed. Players like Phi Mickelson and Nicolas Colsaerts are already using it on tour, while Jason Gore is another finding success with it on the big stage. The driver is built for players who can swing the club as quickly as tour pros. If you can’t, then the already-released XR16 and XR16 Pro drivers are the clubs for you. The Apex Black irons, on the other hand, have what Callaway describes as ‘an unforgettable look’. The all-black look from the Satin Black PVD finish is what gives that appeal and fits nicely with trends we’ve seen towards darker finishes on irons in 2016. THIS • ISSUE New Bushnell DMDs page144 Callaway footwear page149 THIS • ISSUE GET MORE bunkered.co.uk/gear •AllpricesprovidedareRRP.ContactyourlocalgolfstockistorPGAproformoreaccurateprices&ofers. A

136 BUNKERED.CO.UK ow is the time for us to take a closer look at the technologies and reasoning behind the release of both the Sub Zero XR16 driver and the Black Apex irons. First things first, the Sub Zero driver has been built for better players. It has purely been designed as ‘an excellent complement’ to the other XR16 drivers that are already on the market. What this clubhead offers to golfers is pretty simple. It gives ‘extreme low spin for players who have high swing speeds’. More specifically, Callaway is talking about tour professionals and amateurs at the top level of their game. Historic moment The Sub Zero XR16 also marks a historic moment for Callaway as it is the first time it has released a driver with a centre of gravity below the neutral axis of the club. That all sounds a bit technical. What it means is that the weight sits lower than ever before in the head and Callaway has been able to do that thanks to the development of a new material for the driver crown. A new composite has been used, which has allowed Callaway’s engineers to make the crown lighter, resulting in more weight being positioned elsewhere in the head. In this case, Callaway has decided to sit that weight at the very back of the clubhead to increase the club’s forgiveness at the same time as lowering the spin. Evan Gibbs, Callaway’s senior research and development manager of woods, said the Sub Zero is ‘going to help these guys get a lot of distance’. You’ll also notice the Sub Zero XR16 has two adjustable weights on the sole. It comes with a 10g weight and a 2g weight as standard. They are designed to help you get the ball flight you’re used to. By positioning the heavy weight at the front, the ball will release lower with the least amount of spin. If you move the heavy weight to the back, you’ll get a higher ball flight and more forgiveness. As the Sub Zero XR16 is only available as a custom fitted option, Callaway is offering a wide range of after market shafts, with the brand keen to stress how much a shaft can influence your N CallawaygoesSubZero Phil Mickelson’s driver joins Apex Black irons in ‘limited edition’ categorys Changeableweights TheSubZeroXR16comeswithone2g weightandone10gweightasstandard. Whereyouplacethemcanhaveareal impactontheworkabilityofthedriver. SPECS Sub Zero XR16 driver LOFT 9.5˚ SHAFT 20 options Apex Black irons CLUBS 4-PW, 5-PW, 4-AW, 5-AW STEEL SHAFT True Temper XP95 ST 15 Black GRAPHITE SHAFT UST Recoil ES 760 Black PRICES Sub Zero XR16 driver £399 Apex Black irons £999 (steel), £1,249 (graphite)

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 137 clubhead speed, tempo and feel off the tee. Custom order The Apex Black irons are also only available through custom order and are an extension to the popular Apex ’16 family. The design features much of the same technology as found in the original Apex ’16 irons from the start of the year including Callaway’s Face Cup technology in the long irons - 4-iron through 7-iron. It improves the forgiveness of the club by offering consistent performance across the face on longer shots. The shorter irons, on the other hand, have ‘a uniquely engineered face plate’ that improves both feel and distance control. According to Dr Alan Hocknell, senior vice president of research and development at Callaway, the progressive design in Apex Black means you can have the confidence to find more greens. “When you combine all of these advanced technologies with the all-black finish, you have a forged iron for all golfers, with an unforgettable look,” he said. callawaygolf.com Benross HTXdriver Craig Dennett swapped out his normal driver and tried this one for size Follow Craig on Twitter for the latest gear chat @Craig_Dennett Swapping around your set to accommodate the latest gear sounds like a dream but it can also have the opposite of the desired effect. Too many changes can mess with your head and then everything starts to go awry. Thankfully, when I changed my normal driver for the new Benross HTX model for two rounds, I had no such issues. With Benross’ newest line, the price is what grabs your attention first. However, with over £200 of a difference in RRP of the HTX compared to my normal driver, its fair to say I was expecting a notable difference in the performance. When I picked the club up and put it down at address, it looked just like any other expensive driver. The alignment triangle behind the centre of the face was a touch off-putting but the look of the club behind the ball was just as you would expect from any premium driver. The sound and feel at impact fit into the ‘premium driver’ category, too, but it was the distance that caught my eye. It was pushing my premium driver distance close and that’s the point it surpassed my expectations. With the landing area almost always within my normal driver length, I knew this was a value-driven club. It’s important to remember Benross makes clubs for regular golfers and the HTX is more than up to that job. RRP £129 WEBSITE benrossgolf.com ‘Ithasthesoundandfeelofa premiumdriverbutitwasthe distancethatcaughtmyeye’ REVIEW ound your set to accommodate t und d y yo our ur s set et t to o ac acc com om mm mod da ate t dream but it can als d eam m b but it can a Cupfaceconfidence ByincludingitsrenownedCupFace technology,Callawayiscontinuing tooferbothforgivenessand distanceinitsbetterplayerirons.

138 BUNKERED.CO.UK ShotScope Statistics are not just for the pros. Now you can track your numbers in more depth than ever before... ô" WHAT IS SHOT SCOPE AND WHAT ADVANTAGES CAN I GET FROM USING IT? Shot Scope is a performance tracking system that gives you stats to allow you to analyse your game. It may sound complicated but it really isn’t. By wearing the band as you play and attaching the tags to the butt end of each of your clubs, the system will automatically track your shots. The slogan ‘see your game like never before’ sums up perfectly what the Shot Scope allows you to do. Best suited to golfers who are looking to improve their game, it allows you to analyse every aspect of your game with ease. It can track which club you used and where and how far you hit each club on average. As if all that wasn’t enough, it even accumulates your overall stats for the round as percentages. PRICE £225 Website shotscope.com pros. Now you can track than ever before... ô" SO, I DON’T NEED TO DO ANYTHING WHILE I PLAY TO MAKE IT WORK? Exactly. All you have to do is turn it on before you tee off and you're ready to go. That’s one of the key features of Shot Scope. Each wristband comes with 20 lightweight tags that it links to through the company's clubsense technology to automatically detect which club is being used for each shot.

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 139 ôHOW EASY IS IT TO REVIEW MY ROUND AFTERWARDS AND WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE ON THE APP? Very. As you can see in the graphics above, once you have uploaded your data after your round, you can see every shot you played plotted on a map of the golf course. It’s really easy to upload the data, too. It can be done via your smartphone, tablet or computer. ô" DOES THE APP FIGURE OUT THE STATISTICS FOR ME? I DON’T HAVE THE TIME TO DO THAT ALL MYSELF! Yes, it does. Once your data has been uploaded, head to the Shot Scope dashboard and you can view your stats in charts, graphs and tables, making it easy to find your strengths and the areas that need a little improvement. GolfBuddy CT2 With DMDs as popular as ever, Craig Dennett decided to take the CT2 for a spin Follow Craig on Twitter for the latest gear chat @Craig_Dennett One of the newest GPS devices from GolfBuddy, the CT2 is not a watch or a laser rangefinder. Instead, it is a versatile gizmo you can clip onto your bag, put in your pocket or even attach to your belt. Being honest, it was the first time I had used a GPS like this and I wasn’t sure what to expect. In my head, I had imagined it would involve a lot of messing around in between shots and I was even worried about the potential of losing it. Those fears were allayed, though, when I stepped onto the first tee because it automatically recognised both the course and hole I was on. No fiddling about with buttons and menus required. I chose to clip it onto my bag meaning that, when I sat it down, I could just glance at the screen and immediately know how far I had left to reach the green. In terms of the display, it was always clear and easy to read, even when the sun was shining on it. It gave distances to the front, centre and back of the green on all shots, while the ‘Dynamic Green View with pin placement’ allowed me to get even more detailed for my approach shots. While it didn’t quite convince me to move away from my preferred DMD style of the watch, it was a worthy alternative. It lasts forever, too. Well, not quite forever, but I managed three rounds with it without having to put it on charge, which was great. RRP £129.99 WEBSITE gpsgolfbuddy.com ‘Icouldjustglanceatthescreen andimmediatelyknowhowfarI hadlefttoreachthegreen’ REVIEW ewest GPS devices from GolfBudd w wes st t G GPS PS d de evi vice ces s fr fro om m G Go olfB Budd or a laser rangefinde a lase er ra ange efin

140 BUNKERED.CO.UK Motocaddy S-Series New streamlined line-up is packed full of useful features ô Motocaddy S1 What is it? One of the company’s most popular electric trolleys, it has been a mainstay of the S-Series since 2006. The tech Motocaddy has given the S1 an extensive upgrade. The ergonomic handle, low-profile wheels, battery tray and QUIKFOLD system have all been improved to make it both easier and better to use. They say If you’re after an easy-to-use electric trolley that doesn’t cost the earth, look no further. The nine speed settings mean you can find one to suit your walking pace. PRICES S1 £299.99 (lead-acid); £399.99 (standard lithium); £449.99 (extended lithium) S3 Pro £379.99 (lead-acid); £479.99 (standard lithium); £529.99 (extended lithium) Website motocaddy.com ôMotocaddy S3 Pro What is it? The middle level S-Series trolley. The tech It boasts all of the same features as the S1 with a high-res full colour screen that has been made more user friendly. Its simplified layout makes it easier to get full use of its performance functions. They say Ideal for anyone who loves his or her gadgets, there are plenty of features for you to play around with. The Adjustable Distance Function is great, even just to show off to your mates.

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 141 1 Sergio Garcia is a HUGE fan of them The Spaniard was the first to wear the Tour360 Prime boost on tour. He was pictured debuting the designs during the Masters in April and has continued to wear them during events since. They’re available in two colour options - white/shock blue/mineral blue and core black/power red/white - with Sergio preferring the former so far. 2 They are extremely comfortable The design for these shoes has been derived from the Tour360 boost models that were released towards the end of last year. Like in those shoes, the boost foam plays a major part in the performance and runs the full length of the foot. The difference made by the boost foam running underneath the forefoot and heel is huge and it guarantees comfort throughout your round. 3 They are breathable and lightweight The first thing you notice about the shoe is the cool pattern on the upper. Well, for the first time in a golf shoe, adidas has made the upper with its Primeknit technology. It acts to make the shoes more breathable while also being able to stretch for more comfort. The technology has already proven popular in other categories of adidas’ sport designs, including track and field, and the brand is confident it will do the same within golf. 4 They give great swing stability While some people are big fans of spikeless footwear, there’s no denying the extra traction and stability you get from a spiked model. It’s ultimately down to personal preference but adidas has installed its ten cleat puremotion outsole to give improved stability and grip. 5 They are available for a limited time People go absolutely crazy for limited edition shoes. Just ask Kanye West. His limited edition adidas ‘Yeezy’ trainers sold out in seconds after going on release. These won’t go that quickly but you’ll still need to act fast to get them before they’re gone. Website adidasgolf.co.uk 5 THINGSTOKNOWABOUTTHENEW... adidasTour360Primeboost £149.99 Only available for a limited time, these are the latest boost designs from adidas Golf OUTTHENEW... THINGSTOKNO OWABO

TaylorMadejuniorrange Built for young golfers, the Phenom clubs are focussed on making the game fun aylorMade has revealed its new Phenom range of junior clubs, which it is describing as its most advanced range of designs ever for young golfers. A lot of focus has been placed recently on how difficult the game can be for youngsters, especially when they use the wrong equipment. Now, TaylorMade believes it has found the solution with a set aimed at ‘encouraging proper swing fundamentals.’ Its designers say it has optimised the lengths, weights and lofts of the clubs to give consistent distance gaps between each of the clubs for both boys and girls. The shafts of the Phenom clubs have also been produced with the ideal flex and weight for young golfers, while also being made to the appropriate lengths. The grips, meanwhile, have been developed to meet the needs of smaller hands. Both the fairway wood and rescue have been designed to help juniors get the ball airborne off the tee and from the fairway. The irons and wedge have perimeter-weighted heads to offer as much forgiveness as possible. The putter completes the set with its centre-shafted mallet design. The Phenom clubs cater for two age ranges. The K40 is for kids between five and eight, and includes a driver, rescue, 7-iron, sand wedge, putter and bag. The K50 set is for juniors aged between nine and 12. It comes with the same clubs as the K40, as well as a fairway and a 9-iron. taylormadegolf.co.uk T HOT LAUNCH TAYLORMADE PHENOM PRICES K40 £249 K50 £299 142 BUNKERED.CO.UK

144 BUNKERED.CO.UK BushnellTour V4&neoiON Find precise distances with these new rangefinder and GPS watch releases ô Bushnell neo iON What is it? A distance measuring device for those who would rather wear a watch than use a laser rangeﬁnder. The tech Both thin and lightweight, the neo iON will instantly recognise the course as soon as you step onto the ﬁrst tee. No membership fees are required and the watch comes pre-loaded with more than 35,000 courses in over 30 countries. We say A ‘no fuss’ way to measure your distances, it’s easy to see why this would be the choice for the majority of golfers. ôBushnell Tour V4 What is it? The newest laser rangeﬁnder from the No.1 brand in the game. The tech The 2016 laser rangerﬁnder is available in two different models: Tour V4 and Tour V4 Slope. The difference between the two is Bushnell’s Slope Technology, which gives accurate yardages that take elevation changes into account. The slope version, however, cannot be used in competition with slope mode turned on. We say The introduction of the Slope Technology in last year’s Tour X model was a revelation and, while it’s a shame it can’t be used in competition, it can still give you the edge over your mates during a bounce round. PRICES Tour V4 £269 Tour V4 Slope £309 neo iON £139 Website bushnellgolf.co.uk

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146 BUNKERED.CO.UK reaking into the golf shoe market is far from straightforward considering there are so many established brands out there. However, Skechers has been able to do so with much more success than many were expecting. So much so, in fact, the brand is continuing to add to the golf styles available in the UK by releasing its athletic Blade design that takes inspiration from modern day trainer styles. The Blade shoes are available in five different colour schemes, each more radical than the last, and Skechers’ Performance Division has adapted a lot of the technologies found in its running shoes to meet the needs of golfers. Performance, comfort and style are what Skechers says these shoes offer in abundance. Its midsole sits low to the ground and works with the hybrid traction system to keep you in place. The upper is fully waterproof despite using synthetic materials. That is due to the H2GO shield waterproof seam-sealed protection Skechers has installed. The anti-microbial insole also helps to keep your feet fresh when walking long distances on the course. skechers.com B HOT LAUNCH GOLF BLADE Highlevelsoftraction Skechershasinstalledreplaceable Softspikescleatstoworkalongsideits hybridsole.Theyhelpwiththegripand stabilityoferedthroughouttheswing. PRICE £109 SkechersGOGOLFBlade Latest design ‘pushes the performance boundaries of the golf shoe’

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 147 StewartGolf R1-SPush New design is more stylish than ever ô" LOTS OF COLOUR Stewart Golf has been ‘inundated’ with colour requests and you can now buy this latest design in one of 15 variants with three frame colour options - pearl white, anodic black and platinum - and five wheel colour choices: black, white, red, blue or green. ô" INSPIRED BY CARS Stewart Golf has left no stone unturned in the design process for this trolley. It has improved the steering of the trolley by creating a system based on the ‘rack and pinion’ system used in cars to allow you to change direction with ease. ô" MORE THAN 40 IMPROVEMENTS Overall, Stewart Golf has made a vast number of improvements to both the design and build of the trolley since the launch of its predecessor two years ago. These include improving the usability of the trolley with minor tweaks and changing its mouldings to improve the strength of the design. PRICE £199 Website stewartgolf.co.uk NikeAirZoom90shoes There was an avalanche of reaction on social media when Rory McIlroy stepped onto the first tee at TPC Sawgrass wearing these new Nike Air Zoom 90 shoes. Now, Nike has put them on sale to the general public. Inspired by McIlroy’s love of the Air Max 90 trainer, Nike’s designers decided to adapt the style into a ‘performance golf shoe’. These are the third new pair of shoes McIlroy has worn this season, after already wearing Nike’s Lunar Control 4 shoes and the Flyknit Chukka shoes during tournament play. When it comes to features, these shoes are packed. The forefoot uses Zoom Air technology to give what Nike is calling ‘responsive cushioning’ while walking and the full length Phylon midsole gives comfort and stability, while also being lightweight. The upper has been designed with a waterproof ‘one-piece bootie’ construction to keep your foot dry as well as holding it in place during your swing. The rubber outsole means you can wear it on and off the course. RRP £140 WEBSITE nike.com/golf

148 BUNKERED.CO.UK 1 Jordan Spieth will wear it at the Open As one of the best golfers in the world and Under Armour’s key ambassador on tour, it’s no surprise they want Spieth to wear their best gear. With that in mind, you can expect to see the two-time major champ wearing this polo during his visit to Royal Troon for the Open Championship this summer. 2 It keeps your body and skin cool Under Armour is known for its groundbreaking technology in its clothing and its CoolSwitch tech in this polo is no different. Using an exclusive coating on the inside of the fabric, it pulls heat away from your skin, making you feel cooler and able to play your best golf for longer. Who doesn’t want that? 3 It has been tested around the globe When you read about what a new product can offer you, you want to know it’s going to work. With Under Armour’s CoolSwitch technology, that’s guaranteed. It has undergone lab tests involving five different laboratories throughout the world and has been tested in the hottest environments. In one example, testers had to run for 45 minutes in near 100-degrees Fahrenheit temperatures, with humidity levels at extreme levels. Results showed the CoolSwitch technology allowed them to exercise for longer before suffering from heat exhaustion. 4 It gives you physical and mental benefits As well as feeling cooler, the CoolSwitch technology makes you feel less tired by keeping your skin temperature lower. In tests, 55% of people said their upper body felt cooler or much cooler than normal. 5 Andy Murray gives it the thumbs up The tech has been used in other sports by Under Armour, including by Andy Murray. It will also be a key feature used during the Rio Olympics this summer. Website underarmour.com 5 THINGSTOKNOWABOUTTHENEW... UnderArmourCoolSwitch £60 Style it out like Jordan Spieth this summer OUTTHENEW... THINGSTOKNO OWABO

Callawayshoes After years of footwear struggles, these are the ‘most advanced yet’ ô Callaway Xfer Nitro What is it? The headline shoe design. The tech It features Big Bertha’s Power Cleats with each one designed to give the best performance for the area of the sole it sits on. The Memory Fold Heel Tab can be flipped up and grabbed to pull the shoe on and then flipped down. We say Cool, comfortable and a mid-priced option in the shoe market, you always feel stable during the swing. ô Callaway Del Mar Sport What is it? The lightest shoe in the spikeless Del Mar Series. The tech The all-rubber Xfer outsole gives you more control during your swing, preventing your feet from slipping and keeping the power throughout. We say It’s stylish enough to be worn off the golf course, too. ô Callaway Chev Oxygen What is it? A breathable shoe that lets air circulate even when they’re on your feet. The tech The Airmesh stops your feet from overheating while playing in warm weather and works with the Ortholite inserts to give as much comfort and support as possible. We say Lightweight and comfortable, the airmesh really does the trick. PRICES XFER NITRO £89.99 CHEV OXYGEN £69.99 DEL MAR SPORT £79.99 Website callawaygolf.com TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 149

150 BUNKERED.CO.UK 1. Galvin Green Brian windstopper £220 galvingreen.com The latest product from Galvin Green designed to protect you against the wind, the Brian windstopper is fully windproof, while also being breathable, lightweight and flexible. The piping and stitching on the front zipper creates a cool look with contrasting colours, while an adjustable bottom edge creates a tailored fit. 2. Etiqus Belt £49 etiqus.co.uk Golf timepiece-maker Etiqus has teamed up with manufacturer Druh to launch an exclusive range of belts. Available in either black or white crocodile-effect leather, Etiqus has made a special offer available for anyone who wishes to purchase a belt with one of its Sport Pro or Sport Tour timepieces. 3. Motocaddy cart bags From £79.99 motocaddy.com Motocaddy’s new range of cart bags has been described as ‘more stylish, streamlined and durable’ than any it has produced before. Covering the full spectrum of price and preference, it includes Lite, Club, Pro and Dry-Series bags, all of which all boast improved layouts at the top of the bag, with bigger dividers to help you keep your clubs organised. 4. Callaway Merino 1/4 Zip Sweater £74.99 callawayeuropeapparel.com Remember the bright white sweater Danny Willett wore throughout his final round at this year’s Masters? Well, here it is and it’s available for you to buy. Made from fine Italian yarn, it is a modern fitting sweater that can be bought in one of eight different colour options. 5. Softspikes Translucent Pulsar £12.99 per pack softspikeseurope.com Softspikes has made the spikes used in FootJoy’s FreeStyle shoes available to buy in individual packs for the first time. Available in three different colours - Azure Blue, Slime Green and Cherry Red - the Translucent Pulsar spikes have been designed to fit with the brand’s Tour Lock Insert System. 6. Stromberg Wintra windshirt £59.95 stromberggolf.com Known for the quality of their golf apparel, Stromberg has decided to bring the technology from its Wintra trousers into a windshirt. Designed to block out the wind whilst also being water resistant, it has been made using the same three-ply fabric as the Wintra trousers. SHOPWINDOW Putting the pick of the latest products on display every issue 3 6 2 3 1 5 4

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 151 GET MORE bunkered.co.uk/gear Vintage RE-VISITINGTHEEQUIPMENTTHATSHAPEDGOLF ack in 1990, the release of the first FootJoy DryJoys shoe started something of a revolution in the UK golf shoe market. The styles were already proving popular in the USA, which had been selling them since the previous year, but when the DryJoys arrived on shelves in the UK, they did so with a bang and blew away the competition. The designs brought together comfort with a watertight guarantee and research in the 1990 Shoe Survey by Sports Marketing Surveys showed that nine out of every ten golf shoes with a waterproof membrane were DryJoys. That membrane was made using Sympatex, an elastic material stretched over the shoe last, making it both waterproof and breathable. In fact, the shoe could be flexed 446,000 times without any water leaking in. This was also a time before soft spikes, meaning the DryJoys used the proven Lock- Spike system. It was light, rustproof and even had a mechanism that meant the spikes couldn’t come loose out on the course, but could be replaced with ease if necessary. Over 25 years on and FootJoy’s DryJoys line is stronger and more successful than ever, but it all started with this impressive design. FootJoyDryJoys In a time of metal spikes and tough materials, this waterproof shoe stood tall B

152 BUNKERED.CO.UK he inaugural bunkered Golf Club Golf Day has been hailed a huge success as 50 keen golfers enjoyed a fantastic day out at sun-soaked Caldwell Golf Club. But for most, it wasn’t just about a day in the sunshine. After all, it was the first of three qualifiers to earn a spot in the Finals Day at The Carrick on September 9, hosted by none other than 1999 Open champion Paul Lawrie. After an early start, where participants were met on arrival with a breakfast roll and hot drink, a fiercely contested day’s golf resulted in the top eight players qualifying through to play at the Loch Lomond venue. Allan Morrison was one of those who successfully qualified, finishing seventh to book his place at the free Finals Day, and he was full of praise for how the day went. “You couldn’t have wished for a better day to be honest,” he said. “The weather was perfect, the course was in really good condition, the catering was great and, overall, it was tremendous value for money. “I was out there desperate to qualify but after my front nine I thought I’d blown it. Thankfully, I had an excellent back nine, where I got 21 points, so that pulled me back into it. I can’t wait to head to The Carrick for the Finals Day now. I’ve played the course before and it’s fantastic, so I’m just hoping for a similar day weather-wise to the one we had at Caldwell. This was my first outing since becoming a member of the bunkered Golf Club and I’ve got to say I was very impressed.” As well as eight golfers qualifying for the final, prizes were also handed out for ‘Nearest The Pin’ and ‘Longest Drive’. Williamwood’s Carol McNally and Caldwell’s own J.P. Straiton won those two titles respectively, each receiving a Glenmuir jumper. “From the feedback we’ve received so far, it’s safe to say the inaugural bunkered Golf Club day was a resounding success,” said competition organiser Chris Traynor. “It was a fantastic start to our summer of exciting events and we can’t wait to welcome everyone along to the next two qualifying rounds and the Finals Day in September.” If you’re keen to tee it up in one of the two remaining qualifiers, don’t worry because it isn’t too late to get invovled. The second one takes place at Kings Acre Golf Course on July 7, while the third and final qualifier is at Murrayshall House Hotel & Golf Course on August 4. Both events cost just £15 each for bunkered Golf Club members! Each golf day follows the same format, starting with a breakfast roll and tea/ coffee, a round of golf, lunch, followed by the prize-giving ceremony, where the top eight players will qualify through to play at The Carrick. As well as meeting recently announced Ryder Cup vice-captain Lawrie, qualifiers will also take part in a golf clinic with the eight-time European Tour winner, where his tips may drive you on to become the very first bunkered Golf Club champion. And that’s not all. Once out there playing your round, there will also be the chance for you to go up against Lawrie in the ‘Beat The Pro’ Par-3 Challenge. There’s no question that this will be the highlight of the year for any bunkered Golf Club member who is lucky enough to qualify. So, don’t delay. Sign up to the bunkered Golf Club and register for one of the two remaining golf club days while you still can. T ‘IT’S TREMENDOUS VALUE FOR MONEY’ FirstbunkeredGolfClub dayhailedahugesuccess Sun shines on our first qualifier at Caldwell as eight players march on to The Carrick

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 153 CALDWELL QUALIFIERS 1. Andrew Essler Snr 2. Bob Storrie 3. Dougie Weir 4. David Sloan 5. Carol McNally 6. Brian Coulston 7. Allan Morrison 8. Andrew Essler It’s not too late to join bunkered Golf Club! YOU COULD STILL BE IN OUR FINALS DAY IN SEPTEMBER • Coffee/bacon rolls on arrival • Golf clinic with Paul Lawrie • 18-hole competition • Beat the Pro - Par 3 challenge • Light lunch in the clubhouse • Prize-giving hosted by Paul Lawrie NEXT EVENTS: KINGS ACRE GOLF CLUB, JULY 7 & MURRAYSHALL GOLF CLUB, AUGUST 4 The winners from each of the three days will qualify for our bunkered Golf Club Finals Day at The Carrick on Loch Lomond on Friday, Sept 9. The day will be hosted by former Open champion and Ryder Cup star Paul Lawrie and includes: JOIN & PLAYFOR ONLY£15 The qualifiers will be joined by another 16 at the Finals Day hosted by Paul Lawrie

154 BUNKERED.CO.UK A GPS, shot-tracker and swing analyser in one neat package? Yes please! e’ve teamed-up with PIQ and Mobitee to give two lucky readers the chance to win a brand new PIQ golf system. One of the most exciting new pieces of technology to hit golf in recent years, the PIQ golf system is, in effect, a ‘three-in-one’ device, combining a GPS rangefinder, swing analyser and shot tracker. The device has become hugely popular in a short space of time and it’s not hard to see why. The distance measuring function comes in the form of what the French brand calls golf’s ‘lightest and sleekest GPS rangefinder’, which clips onto your glove. Distances are provided to the front, centre and back of each green, thanks in no small part to a deal struck with Mobitee. It also measures key performance metrics - such as velocity, height, air time and more - using one of 18 NFC (near field communication) tags, which measure the distance of every shot you hit and where you hit it from so you call analyse your performance later using the Mobitee app. It is, in short, the ultimate device for those who are serious about taking their game to the next level... and we’ve got two to give away. To be in with a chance of winning one, simply follow the instructions below. TERMS AND CONDITIONS: All entries must be received no later than July 27, 2016. Only one entry per person can be accepted. Winners will be the first two correct entries drawn after the closing date. The editor’s decision is final. Prize is non-refundable and there is no cash alternative. Competition is only open to UK residents. Prize cannot be sold exchanged for profit. By entering this competition, you agree to share your data with our supporting partners. See our Facebook page for winners’ details: facebook.com/bunkeredmagazine HOWTOWIN TO STAND A CHANCE OF BEING OUR WINNER, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION CORRECTLY… THE PIQ DEVICE COMES FROM WHICH COUNTRY? 2 A. FRANCE 2 B. FINLAND 2 C. FIJI ENTER at bunkered.co.uk/competitions Or send your answer, name and contact details to: PIQ Golf Comp, bunkered, PSP House, 50 High Craighall Road, Craighall Business Park, Glasgow, G4 9UD W COMPETITION WINA STATE-OF-THE-ART PIQ GOLF SYSTEM 2 CHANCES TO WIN!

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 155 28ofthebest ironsfor2016•p156 Time for a change? Not sure which ones to buy? We can help... Buyer’sGuide •AllpricesprovidedareRRP.ContactyourlocalgolfstockistorPGAproformoreaccurateprices&ofers. Fairway bombers •p166 14 of the hottest fairway woods money can buy Practice likeapro •p172 The gear you need to look like a tour player on the range

IRONS! Blades, cavity backs and everything in between rguably, the set of irons you play with is the most important purchase you’ll make when it comes to the gear in your bag. Without a set of irons that suit your swing, your chances of succeeding on the links are significantly diminished. That’s why custom fitting is important, but so is choosing the right design. Here’s the latest on the market. A Distanceandfeel Describedastheﬁrstdistanceironfor tourplayers,Mizunohascrammeda lotoftechnologyintoasmallhead. 156 BUNKERED.CO.UK MIZUNOMP-5£115PERIRON WHAT IS IT? The definition of a beautiful golf iron. KEY FEATURE Its feel and forgiveness. The Channel Back keeps thickness behind the point of impact to give the blade-like feel, but the extra weight also helps with forgiveness. WE SAY A blade with more help than better players are used to. golf.mizunoeurope.com MIZUNOMP-25£115PERIRON WHAT IS IT? An extremely soft and forgiving iron for better players. KEY FEATURE The Boron. Each iron has been forged from a single billet of 1025 Boron steel, with the Boron giving more ball speed and distance. WE SAY A distance option for those who like a ‘players’ iron. golf.mizunoeurope.com

BUYER’SGUIDE TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 157 PINGS55 £118PERIRON WHAT IS IT? The iron used by Bubba Watson in recent years. KEY FEATURE The control it gives over shots. Small changes have been made to greatly improve workability, control and forgiveness. WE SAY You can never go wrong with a set of Ping irons. ping.com COBRAKINGPRO£749 WHAT IS IT? A set that mixes cavity back and muscle back designs. KEY FEATURE Its flexibility. The cavity back head gives you more forgiveness, while the muscle back offers feel and control. WE SAY You’ll stand out with the cool diamondised black metal ﬁnish. cobragolf.com TITLEISTAP2 £117PERIRON WHAT IS IT? Titleist’s low to mid handicapper irons. KEY FEATURE The tungsten. By placing it in the heel and toe, it gives more distance, without losing any forgiveness. WE SAY An impressive combination of forgiveness, feel and distance for the better player. titleist.co.uk PINGI £112PERIRON WHAT IS IT? A better player’s iron with more forgiveness. KEY FEATURE The extra help. Shot distances will be more consistent across the face. WE SAY Its forgiveness is a dream. One of the best Ping irons ever made. ping.com NIKEVAPOR FLYPRO£699.99 WHAT IS IT? An iron that blurs the category borders. KEY FEATURE It launches the ball higher and further, while still giving forgiveness. WE SAY Nike has made great leaps in its technology over the past 12 months and this is a great result. nike.com/golf TITLEISTCB £117PERIRON WHAT IS IT? A cavity blade iron. KEY FEATURE Forgiveness. No matter how good you are, you can’t complain about getting more help. WE SAY A cracking looking iron with many of the beneﬁts expected of a bigger clubhead. titleist.co.uk

Golphin For Kids Golf Festival & Fun Day Family BBQ - Kids eat free! Follow signs for Golphin Fun games and skills challenges - Drive, Chip and Putt! Prizes for 4-6 , 7-9 , 10-12 age categories • Driving - the longest and straightest • Chipping - highest shot and fun targets • Putting - learn, play, enjoy The fun begins at 11.45am till 4pm! Dean Davis’ Trick Shot Show - Come along and learn a trick shot Celebrating Open Championship week - Royal Troon, Scotland Monday 11th & Tuesday 12th July 2016 Dundonald Links, Ayr Road, Gailes 11.45am - 4.30pm Tickets £12 per child Buy now to avoid disappointment! For more information and to order tickets: call us on 01294 537676 or email info@golphin.co.uk or visit online at www.golphin.co.uk Golphinforkids @Golphinforkids

BUYER’SGUIDE BUYER’SGUIDE TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 159 SRIXONZ745£600 WHAT IS IT? A tour player’s iron that looks seriously sleek. KEY FEATURE Its shape. The design of the head gives added conﬁdence and workability that better players look for. WE SAY Srixon wanted to make a big impression with its ﬁrst UK irons release - and it did with us. We love it. srixon.co.uk COBRAKINGF6£499 WHAT IS IT? The ultimate progressive iron set. KEY FEATURE Its four different iron constructions. Cobra believes it has found the solution to best performance from all distances. WE SAY Want distance, forgiveness, feel or accuracy? Look no further. cobragolf.com CALLAWAYAPEXCF16£849 WHAT IS IT? A forged iron with distance. KEY FEATURE The Cup 360 technology. It keeps distance consistent no matter where on the face you hit. WE SAY It has the looks and performance better players will love. callawaygolf.com SRIXONZ545£600 WHAT IS IT? The most forgiving of Srixon’s forged irons. KEY FEATURE The double laser milled face. It really helps with distance control from all lies. WE SAY You get amazing feel from this iron. It’s brilliant. srixon.co.uk WILSONSTAFFFGTOURF5£599 WHAT IS IT? Wilson Staff’s iron for the lower handicapper. KEY FEATURE The Speed Sole. It combines more forgiveness with more distance. WE SAY A compact iron boasting impressive feel throughout the set. wilson.com LYNXBLACKCAT£389 WHAT IS IT? Lynx Golf’s top performing irons. KEY FEATURE Its Twin Slot Technology. This tech allows the face to flex more at impact, giving more ball speed and ultimately more distance. WE SAY A solid iron at a very affordable price. Great value. lynxgolf.co.uk

18 Holes Golf & Lunch £35 18 Holes Golf & Dinner £42 27 Holes Golf, Lunch & Dinner £51 36 Holes Golf, Lunch & Dinner £56 Packages* From Lasswade, Midlothian EH18 1AU Scotland Tel: 0131 663 3456 · Email: info@kings-acregolf.com Green Fees Weekday Green Fee £29 Weekend Green Fee £39 Situated 6 miles from Edinburgh City Centre and 10 mins from Edinburgh City Airport.

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 161 BENROSSHTX TYPER£379.99 WHAT IS IT? An iron that transcends the usual categories. KEY FEATURE Its components. Benross hasn’t scrimped on the quality of its head, shaft or grip. WE SAY Not necessarily aimed at the better player but it has the ability to compete in that category. benrossgolf.com CALLAWAY XROS£599 WHAT IS IT? A super game improvement set of irons. KEY FEATURE It can work for everyone. WE SAY If you want as much help as possible, to enjoy playing the game again or simply want to hit it straighter, these could be perfect for you. callawaygolf.com PINGG £92PERIRON WHAT IS IT? The follow up to the G30 irons. KEY FEATURE The Custom Tuning Port increases the forgiveness as well as giving a higher launch and making you more accurate. WE SAY The only Ping iron that will suit every level of player. ping.com MIZUNOJPXEZ £85PERIRON WHAT IS IT? A ‘point and shoot’ iron. KEY FEATURE The Dual Pocket construction. It runs the full way around the inside of the cavity and makes the long and mid irons forgiving and easy to get in the air. WE SAY The perfect choice for any game improver. golf.mizunoeurope.com TITLEISTAP1 £93PERIRON WHAT IS IT? Titleist’s longest, most forgiving iron ever. KEY FEATURE Its undercut cavity. The face is able to flex more at impact for higher ball speeds. Stronger lofts and more weight low in the head also aid distance. WE SAY Suits mid to high handicappers. This is one of the best irons out there. titleist.co.uk TAYLORMADEM2£699 WHAT IS IT? TaylorMade’s iron for the game improver. KEY FEATURE Distance, trajectory, forgiveness and feel. WE SAY Feels easy to hit and inspires conﬁdence at address. taylormadegolf.co.uk BUYER’SGUIDE

CALDWELL GOLF CLUB Uplawmoor · minutes from Glasgow · G78 4AU · 01505 850366 · secretary@caldwellgolfclub.net www.caldwellgolfclub.com A Premier Parkland Golfers Golf Course Membership and visitor deals available MACDONALD SPEY VALLEY CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF COURSE Play at the home of The Scottish Hydro Challenge. FROM £25.00PER PERSON FOR THE BEST GREEN FEES BOOK ONLINE AT: WWW.MACDONALDHOTELS.CO.UK/ AVIEMORE/GOLF INCLUDES: FEATURING SCOTLAND’S LONGEST HOLE – 635 YARDS 18 HOLE, PAR 72 CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE PROFESSIONAL TUITION AVAILABLE GOLF BUGGIES AVAILABLE FOR HIRE VOTED ‘MOST PICTURESQUE GOLF COURSE IN THE UK’ TO BOOK CALL THE PRO SHOP 01479 812 920 OR EMAIL GOLF.AHR@MACDONALD-HOTELS.CO.UK

BUYER’SGUIDE TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 163 NIKEVAPORFLY£499.99 WHAT IS IT? Nike’s game improvement iron. KEY FEATURE It has been designed for distance and forgiveness, while the RZN features also aid performance. WHY BUY? A good alternative for golfers who struggle to hit Nike’s forged Vapor irons. nike.com/golf WILLIAMS RACINGQUALIFIER£666 WHAT IS IT? An iron designed by a Formula One brand. KEY FEATURE Its consistent performance. Neither a game improvement club or a player’s one, it sits somewhere in between. WE SAY One for the mid-handicappers. The feel is particularly impressive. brandfusionltd.co.uk BENROSSHTX£299 WHAT IS IT? Benross’ base iron design. KEY FEATURE Its forgiveness. Benross has put a treatment on the face to help with more distance, while the Torsion Control Bar sits behind the face and gives extra forgiveness. WE SAY These irons can compete with those at a much higher price point. benrossgolf.com WILSONSTAFFC200£499 WHAT IS IT? An iron for the ‘Crossover player’. KEY FEATURE Its face flex technology. It makes the face of the iron flex like a driver would, improving your ball speed and carry distance as well as making both more consistent across the face. WHY BUY? Want distance? Want accuracy? These are for you. wilson.com HONMABERESIS-05£2,260 WHAT IS IT? A bespoke custom-built set of irons. KEY FEATURE It gives high trajectory and extra distance thanks to its slightly heavier shaft. WE SAY The craftsmanship is where the cost lies. A solid buy if you have the cash. honmagolf.co.jp DUNLOPTOUR £24.99PERIRON WHAT IS IT? The perfect starter iron. KEY FEATURE Its cavity back. That’s where the forgiveness comes from. WE SAY At under £25 per club, buying a set of these could propel you into the game for life. store.dunlopsport.com

SRIXONZ355£499 WHAT IS IT? Srixon’s first game improvement iron release in the UK. KEY FEATURE Its heavy head. Tipping the scales at 211g, it’s a key part of the brand’s Action Mass Technology designed to make you hit the ball further with the same swing. WE SAY Combine forgiveness with feel in a great looking iron. srixon.co.uk LYNXPREDATOR£199 WHAT IS IT? A very easy to hit set of modern irons. KEY FEATURE The low centre of gravity. It makes these irons both long and very forgiving. WE SAY If you’re wanting value and quality, these are an absolute steal for under £200. lynxgolf.co.uk BUYER’SGUIDE WHO FOR HEAD FINISH SHAFT LONGER IRON OPTION PRICE Players Game Improver Forged Cast Chrome Nickel Satin Chrome Black Steel Graphite 1-iron 2-iron 3-iron Mizuno MP-5 £115 Mizuno MP-25 £115 Ping S55 £118 Ping i £112 Titleist AP2 £117 Titleist CB £117 Cobra King Pro £749 Nike Vapor Fly Pro £699.99 Srixon Z745 £600 Srixon Z545 £600 Callaway Apex CF16 £849 Wilson Staff FG Tour F5 £599.99 Cobra King F6 £499 Lynx Black Cat £389 Benross HTX Type R £379.99 Mizuno JPX EZ £85 Ping G £92 TaylorMade M2 £699 Callaway XR OS £599 Titleist AP1 £93 Nike Vapor Fly £499.99 Wilson Staff C200 £499 Benross HTX £299 Honma Beres IS-05 £2,260 Williams Racing Qualifier £666 Dunlop Tour £24.99 Srixon Z355 £499 Lynx Predator £199 IRONSATAGLANCE

FAIRWAYS! Reach those par-5s in two with one of these newest designs o you struggle making the most of your metalwoods from the fairway? Well, you’ve come to the perfect place. We’ve compiled a list of the newest fairway woods on the market this year and made it easier than ever for you to make your choice. Whether you want more forgiveness, higher launch or more distance, you’ll find something in these pages to suit you. D SpeedPocket TaylorMadehasmadeitsfamous SpeedPocketlargerandmoreopen thaneverbeforeintheM2,helping toincreaseballspeedonshotslow ontheface,aswellasreducespin. TAYLORMADEM2£199 WHAT IS IT? The real headline maker of the M2 family. KEY FEATURE Its hot face. During testing, Justin Rose was hitting this fairway wood and achieved a ball speed that was higher than what he got with his driver a few years ago. WE SAY It looks the real deal and has the performance to back it up. taylormadegolf.co.uk 166 BUNKERED.CO.UK

BUYER’SGUIDE TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 167 COBRAF6KING£179 WHAT IS IT? A fully adjustable fairway wood. KEY FEATURE The adjustable loft. You no longer have to choose an individual loft. It’s available in 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8 options. WE SAY You can alter so much in the head to really dial it in to your swing. cobragolf.co.uk WILSONSTAFFFG TOURF5£199 WHAT IS IT? Wilson’s newest model for 2016. KEY FEATURE Its Fast Fit Technology. Wilson says it is the ‘fastest, easiest and one of the lightest’ adjustable hosel systems on the market. WE SAY You can’t argue with its distance. wilson.com TITLEIST915£220 WHAT IS IT? A fairway wood that can help increase your clubhead speed. KEY FEATURE Its two head choices. The 915F is for players who want a bigger head and a higher ball flight, while the 915F.d offers a lower ball flight. WE SAY Perfect for those who want a stylish, classic looking fairway wood. titleist.co.uk NIKEVAPORFLY£179 WHAT IS IT? A fairway wood packed with driver tech. KEY FEATURE The Flightweight crown. Described as being ‘extremely thin and lightweight’, the removal of weight has allowed Nike to put more weight lower in the head, giving a higher launch and less spin. WE SAY The colour is fantastic and the club looks great at address. nike.com/golf

168 BUNKERED.CO.UK CALLAWAYXR16£189 WHAT IS IT? A more forgiving and easier to hit fairway wood. KEY FEATURE The Hyper Speed Face Cup. It increases both ball speed and distance while helping with forgiveness across the face, too. WE SAY Get the ball in the air with more ease and extra distance. callawaygolf.com PINGG£220 WHAT IS IT? The successor to the highly popular G30. KEY FEATURE The head sits lower to the ground. By reducing the curve of the sole, Ping has made it easier to sweep the ball off the turf, lessening the chance of topping the ball. WE SAY It’s easier to hit than the G30 and it goes further. ping.com Backweight Theweightpositionedattheback oftheheadincreasesboththe forgivenessandlaunchangle,making iteasiertogettheballintheair. Biggerfootprint Theheadiswiderthanitspredecessors. ThishasallowedCallawaytoput moreweightfurtherbackinthe headformoreforgiveness.

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 169 BUYER’SGUIDE MIZUNOJPXEZ£219 WHAT IS IT? Mizuno’s most ‘easy to hit’ fairway wood. KEY FEATURE The Shockwave sole. It increases ball speed for distance, more forgiveness and a higher ball flight. WE SAY Ideal for those who struggle to get the ball off the ground with their fairway wood. golf.mizunoeurope.com LYNXBOOMBOOM3£199 WHAT IS IT? Lynx Golf’s premium fairway wood. KEY FEATURE Its Hot-1 technology, a rare mixture of gases inside the clubhead which Lynx says gives a big increase in ball speed. WE SAY If more distance is what you’re after, this is certainly a good option. lynxgolf.co.uk SRIXONZ355£179 WHAT IS IT? Srixon’s fairway wood for the game improver. KEY FEATURE The Action Mass Technology. Srixon has combined a heavier head with a specially created shaft to give more forgiveness and higher launch. WE SAY A traditional looking fairway with all the modern tech beneﬁts. srixon.co.uk BENROSSHTX£89.99 WHAT IS IT? Benross’ only fairway wood. KEY FEATURE Its heat-treated face. By creating the face in this way, Benross has been able to increase ball speed and distance. WE SAY Great performance that won’t hit you in the pocket. benrossgolf.com WILLIAMSRACING£225 WHAT IS IT? Williams Racing’s forgiving fairway wood. KEY FEATURE Its high launch. Williams Racing has done all it can to make it easier to get the ball off the ground. WE SAY It ticks the desirable performance boxes for most golfers. brandfusionltd.co.uk

Take a moment to stop and savour the surroundings during your round at Glenisla - a course that complements the natural splendour of the Perthshire countryside - and it’s difficult to comprehend this parkland delight is little over a decade old. Once you’ve enjoyed the delights of the course there’s the opportunity to sit back, relax and unwind in the comfort of a unique, circular clubhouse that offers a wonderful panorama of the course and the surrounding countryside. This provides a wonderful atmosphere in which to indulge in an array of catering options that can be booked as part of a visiting package, or chosen on the day. For those who wish to prolong their visit the delightful Pitcrocknie Farmhouse sleeps ten people and has unrivalled views over the course. Glenisla is maturing into a top-quality golf destination. With a course that continues to improve, as well as facilities that are hard to beat, there are few better places for discerning golfers to tee it up. Email: info@golf-glenisla.co.uk Tel: 01828 632445 www.golf-glenisla.co.uk Glenisla “ It has the look and feel of a course that is as old as the land itself” SGTA WINNER 2014 Best Value for Money Under £50 Best Value for Money Under £50 IT’S AS EASY AS... Once you’re registered, score a HiO, any time, anywhere... Get your ace ofﬁcially veriﬁed... And that’s it, you’re on your way to Sawgrass!* * in the event of more than 12 HiOs scored during the season, a play-off tournament will be held to determine the final 12 winners www.hio-club.com facebook.com/hioclub @HIOclub

DUNLOPDP1£149.99 WHAT IS IT? The top-level fairway wood from Dunlop. KEY FEATURE Its components. A Lamkin grip and Grafalloy shaft come as standard, while the Aeroskin coating on the head reduces drag for more speed. WHY BUY? A good quality fairway wood at a very reasonable price. store.dunlopsport.com HONMAS-05FROM£910 WHAT IS IT? Honma’s newest fairway wood. KEY FEATURE Its craftsmanship. All of Honma’s clubs are available in 2-Star to 5-Star options. The more money you pay, the more experienced the person that will build your club. WE SAY Perfect for anyone who wants to stand out on the course. honma.co.uk BUYER’SGUIDE TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 171 FAIRWAYWOODS ATAGLANCE LOFTS ADJUSTABLE PRICE 13 13.5 14 14.5 15 15.5 16.5 17 17.5 18 18.5 19 19.5 20.5 21 22 22.5 23 24 25 TaylorMade M2 £199 Titleist 915 £220 Cobra King F6 £179 Nike Vapor Fly £179.99 Wilson Staff FG Tour F5 £199 Callaway XR16 £189 Ping G £220 Mizuno JPX EZ £219 Benross HTX £89.99 Srixon Z355 £179 Lynx Boom Boom 3 £199 Williams Racing £225 Honma S-05 £910 Dunlop DP1 £149.99

BUYER’SGUIDE 3 ways to pick the right shaft ô With custom fitting becoming an ever- increasing part of buying golf clubs, we sat down with Mark Gunther, MRC Golf’s vice president of sales and marketing, to discuss the key points you need to think about when buying a new shaft. 1.KNOWWHATYOU WANTTOACHIEVE “Are you actively seeking more distance, are you trying to sort something or are you just trying it out because you’ve been playing the same clubs for ten years? Either way, knowing what you want out of the fitting can make a big difference to your end result.” 2.KNOWYOUR PREFERENCES “If you are a fan of a particular brand or a specific look, you need to tell the fitter. Otherwise, they could spend ages looking at shafts you have no interest and then everyone’s time will be wasted.” 3.DON’TBEPRECIOUS ABOUTTHEFLEXYOUUSE “Our fitters see it all the time. Golfers come in and want to play a stiff or x-stiff shaft. The only thing is, they don’t have the swing to play it. Stay open minded and you’ll be better for it.” ‘Golf up’ your off course accessories ô When you’re buying your golf accessories, remember there are options that can be used away from the course as well as on it. In this list alone, we’ve picked out a pair of shoes that can be worn both while playing and in daily life, a belt that suits any situation, a watch that has subtle golfing connotations, a magnetic therapy band to improve your energy and a pair of sunglasses for everyday use. 172 BUNKERED.CO.UK ORGIVETHESEATRY... SrixonShag Bag -£60 srixon.co.uk NikeGolfTourShag Bag-£39.99 nike.com/golf Practicelikeapro Get rid of the carrier bags and invest in some stylish storage ETIQUS SPORT TOUR £279 etiqus.co.uk BIOFLOW SPORT SLIM £25.99 bioflow.co.uk FOOTJOY VERSALUXE £140 footjoy.co.uk BOLLÉ ANACONDA £51.99 bolle-europe.co.uk TITLEISTSHAGBAG WHY BUY Look like a pro on the range, even if you don’t perform like one. FEATURES As well as having plenty of space for golf balls, it has a durable handle that makes it easy to carry and plastic feet at the bottom to keep it stable. PRICE £59.99 WEBSITE titleist.co.uk DRUH BELTS £39.99 druhbeltsandbuckles.com

Stand out from the crowd this year with vibrant designs from top apparel brand ook good, play good. That’s a motto that many golfers live by. Stromberg is designed by golfers for golfers, meaning they really understand what a golfer wants to wear on the golf course. We’ve teamed up with the brand to give no fewer than 12 readers the chance to win items from their latest clothing range, as worn by Yorkshire tour star Chris Hanson. One lucky reader will win a pair of Sintra trousers, Sintra shorts and a belt, with 11 runners-up bagging a pair of Sintra trousers. Perfect for the warmer spring and summer months, Sintra, developed from technical fabric and with moisture management, helps to keep you cool in summer by transporting perspiration away from the skin to the garments outer surface. You can also take your pick from one of 11 vibrant colours: navy, orange, green, lime, graphite and white, as well as black, blue, cobalt blue, shark grey, grey and red To be in with a chance of being one of our 12 winners, simply follow the instructions below. TERMS AND CONDITIONS: All entries must be received no later than July 27, 2016. Only one entry per person can be accepted. Winner will be the first correct entry drawn after the closing date; runners-up will be the next 11 correct entries drawn. The editor’s decision is final. Prize is non-refundable and there is no cash alternative. Competition is only open to UK residents. Prize cannot be sold exchanged for profit. By entering this competition, you agree to share your data with our supporting partners. See our Facebook page for winners’ details: facebook.com/bunkeredmagazine HOWTOWIN TO STAND A CHANCE OF BEING OUR WINNER, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION CORRECTLY… STROMBERG AMBASSADOR CHRIS HANSON COMES FROM WHICH ENGLISH COUNTY? 2 A. YORKSHIRE 2 B. DEVON 2 C. ESSEX ENTER at bunkered.co.uk/competitions Or send your answer, name and contact details to: Stromberg Comp, bunkered, PSP House, 50 High Craighall Road, Craighall Business Park, Glasgow, G4 9UD L COMPETITION WINSTROMBERG TROUSERS, SHORTS AND MORE! TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 173 12 CHANCES TO WIN! “Itkeepsmecool anddry,whilstthe non-iron,easycare fabricalsomeansI don’tneedtoworry aboutironingwhile I’maway” Tour star Chris Hanson on his Stromberg gear

174 BUNKERED.CO.UK MichaellivinginDreamland Sweenie is reaping rewards of swapping Scotland for Azerbaijan zerbaijan isn’t an obvious golf destination but it’s literally a dreamland for Michael Sweenie. That’s because the Scot swapped Turnberry for a head PGA pro role at Dreamland Golf Club in the capital of Baku. More than a year into the switch, it’s proved an exciting move for the Glaswegian who is masterminding the launch of the club’s golf academy and its on-site European golf school - a first for the eastern European country. It was the prospect of putting his own stamp on the new facility that persuaded the 30-year-old Sweenie to leave his previous coaching post at Turnberry. “My brief at Dreamland was to develop and manage the golf academy and facilities - and to get it ready for opening - and to build the team of PGA pros, local coaching staff and academy range/retail team,” he said. Coaching has always been Sweenie’s main passion and has steered his career path to date. Among his achievements was to help Turnberry academy to become a Scottish Development Centre, while he also has TPI certifications and a real passion for physical and mental development. But it was an old-school PGA pro who has perhaps left the biggest lasting impression. “I was an understudy to Bob Torrance,” he said. “He was not only the most knowledgeable coach I have ever met but a great man to be around and who devoted his whole life to learning every day. “ With a six million population, Baku is a long way from the Ayrshire coast where Sweenie was living, so it has been a learning curve from a personal perspective too. “It was very much a culture shock for me,” he admitted. “However, I’ve been fortunate to have travelled all over the world playing golf and to be now living in a place that I am at the fore front of developing a sports culture, not only golf.” PGANews PGAROUTESUITS DEDICATEDO’HARA w P&H Championship winner Paul O’Hara is enjoying life on and off the course. The Motherwell golfer, below, beat Clydeway Golf stablemate Graham Fox in a play-off to lift the title at The Renaissance Club. However, the 29-year-old is also revelling in working his way through the PGA training programme. O’Hara, who previously played on tour, says PGA qualification has opened up new doors for his career. “The three-year PGA degree has been a steep learning curve but I have really enjoyed it,” he said. “The investment in my career will hopefully be well worth it when I get my final results in July.” See pga.info for more information about a career as a PGA Professional COMBINEGOLFAND STUDIES‘UPNORTH’ wAspiring golf professionals in Scotland have a chance to get PGA qualified through a new partnership with the University of Highlands and Islands. The Diploma in Higher Education in Professional Golf is delivered by the PGA training academy and the first cohorts will begin in the autumn. The programme is based around various modules relevant to a career in golf. It mixes theory and practice and is assessed by assignments and examinations. Assistants work for a minimum of 30 hours per week in a golf environment, employed by a recognised PGA Professional, and study via online distance learning. Check out the latest vacancies on pga.info. Registration for the PGA training programme closes on August 31. A

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 175 ̈ THE BACKGROUND Golf Care policyholder Ian Ringwood has had two injuries on the golf course in his lifetime, but was only in possession of a Golf Care insurance policy at the time of the second incident. He benefited from Golf Care’s Hospitalisation Cover after his second incident. ̈ INCIDENT 1 Ian didn’t have golf insurance when he suffered his first incident on the course, when a golf ball hit him in the ear. “It was around the time of my Ruby wedding anniversary and we were supposed to go to America - but I ended up in hospital instead,” he explained. He was playing with the Portland Society, a BT employees’ sports and social club, at Worsley Golf Club and was teamed with a couple of inexperienced golfers. One of them was particularly wayward and badly sliced a shot that hit Ian in the ear. “I felt this almighty thump and hit the floor,” he explained. “There was blood pouring out. I picked myself up and, although I was a little bit dazed, I carried on, thinking I'd be alright. I carried on for another two holes, but then the headache came and I couldn’t go on. I was sickly and unfortunately everyone was out when I got back to the clubhouse, so there was no one there to help. I had to drive myself home.” He started vomiting when he got home and was taken by his wife to Trafford General Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a subdural haematoma, also known as bleeding on the brain. ̈ INCIDENT 2 Ian’s most recent accident happened last Christmas. He was playing at Styal Golf Club on a very wet day and it was when he came to the par-3 fifth hole that things went wrong. “I had a hopeless shot to start with - it had gone way over,” explains Ian. “I chipped back onto the green again and went off on the other side. I chipped back up onto the green and then putted for a four, so I was quite euphoric at rescuing a respectable score when something much worse appeared likely. Leaving the raised green, which was three or four feet up a sloping bank, I went to walk down and my right leg slid, with my left leg falling underneath me. I sat on it and I heard it snap. I’d snapped my quadriceps tendon. My kneecap ended up half way down my shin.” The club had done a risk assessment. It says that you’re supposed to approach the green from the playing end, where it's a shallower approach, then walk back that way. “You’re not supposed to walk off like I did,” admitted Ian. “I’ve walked down much worse hills and things in the course of playing golf than that. It was just one of those things.” ̈ THE RESULT Ian only took out a policy from Golf Care after the first incident, so he wasn’t covered that time. However, he successfully claimed for Hospital Cover after his second accident. “The reason I got the cover was not so much to cover myself from injury, but more about covering damage to someone else,” he added. “When I first started playing, I was pretty wayward and that was the main reason. There had been stories in the paper about cases that had involved lots of money being paid out, so that’s why I took out Golf Care’s cover. It was not so much because I’d need it from my point of view, but to be on the safe side from everybody else’s.” ̈ THE NEED FOR INSURANCE Accidents can and do happen on the golf course, from something as simple as being struck by an errant ball to even the most innocuous thing, like slipping on uneven ground and badly injuring yourself. With a Golf Care policy, you can be protected against such misfortunes. As for Ian, he is hoping to get back on the course again soon after six months of rehabilitation. “I’ll be careful,” he added. “I haven’t got the flexibility back that I had before the second incident, so it’s going to be a bit of an adventure.” ̈ Golf Care is offering bunkered readers a special offer which includes 30% off the standard price of a new individual policy, three free Srixon AD333 balls, three free rounds of golf worth up to £289 and a limited edition poker chip ball marker for just £24.49 a year. Call 0800 158 5515 or visit www.golfcare.co.uk/ BKR616 GETINSURED CaseStudyNo.12 ‘ADoubleBlow’ The latest in our series of real-life incidents illustrating why having golf insurance is so important PROMOTION Itookoutcover fromGolfCare incaseIinjured somebodyelse

176 BUNKERED.CO.UK PLAY SAVE WIN JOIN TODAY FREE

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 177 Get special ‘member only’ offers As expected, members of the American Golf Club get special treatment. You get things like a £10 voucher on your birthday for those golfing essentials plus member offers so good they’re hard to believe. Plus, you also get a 30-day satisfaction guarantee on anything you buy. No questions asked! Play in member competitions All of the events are free to enter and with tournaments for men, ladies, seniors and juniors across the UK and Ireland. All members can take part in any tournament throughout 2016. If you make the Grand Final, you’ll even appear on Sky Sports! Vouchers for FREE GOLF As an American Golf Club member, you’ll get three free rounds of golf per year, so you can try new courses and test your game. Three times a year, we’ll email you a free round voucher with a huge range of courses to choose from. Incredible prizes to be won Everyone loves prizes, and the prizes to be won through the American Golf Club are superb. Members can win trips to the Ryder Cup, the final of the Race to Dubai and the Masters at Augusta, plus some amazing VIP brand days, and the chance to play with some of Europe’s leading tour players. Get advice from a PGA professional We run PGA Pro workshops across the UK & Ireland where you can ask our experts for help to improve your game. We give members access to the best advice, with at least one PGA Pro in most of our stores. americangolf.co.uk/club Join the American Golf community at 11storesacrossScotlandorvisitamericangolf.co.uk REASONSTOSHOP TRY ANY CLUB INSTORE All stores have full-size driving bays so you can try before you buy. You can also get an honest assessment from an American Golf PGA pro. FREE CUSTOM FITTING Every player is different. Every swing is different. That’s why you need to be custom fitted for new gear. At American Golf, custom fitting is free of charge. PRICE MATCH GUARANTEE We’re committed to offering you the best value in the UK. We are so confident that we promise to match any advertised price from any authorised UK retailer. We want you to have both the best shopping experience and the best prices! 30-DAY GUARANTEE American Golf Club members receive a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. Simply return any items you are not 100% happy with a we will exchange them for you. No questions asked. JOINTHE AMERICANGOLFCLUB £10

The BAMP Pro • Multi-functional • Picks up ball • Picks up marker Removable cup • Easy to fit • Fits virtually all putters Other bend-free devices available Products endorsed by Sam Torrance (OBE) To purchase visit: www.northcroftgolf.com Call: +44 (0)1488 685038 We have designed the JB1 driver with very simplistic lines, the much loved pear drop shape retained. The head is constructed in two parts as opposed to the usual 3 or 4 usually used. How is this possible? Well the main shell is cast from light but durable 6-4 titanium, whilst the deep face is forged from SP700 titanium alloy then plasma welded. This method of design requires just one weld, as opposed to the usual 3 or 4. So if this method is such a good idea, why don’t all manufacturers use it? In one word, cost! It is far more expensive to cast a one-piece shell, than it is to press out the various parts from plate then weld. This cast-constructed method directs more energy forward to the cup face; even an average player can feel the diference. It has a very solid sound on contact with the ball. As the player gradually tunes into the JB1, it will soon prove to become a very workable driver. MRRP £249. www.sukiragolf.com sales@sukiragolf.com SUKIRA GOLF m e MRRP £249

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 179 WHERETOPLAY The best of golf around the globe GET MORE bunkered.co.uk/travel ST MORITZ Head to the Engadine Valley and grab an ‘All You Can Play’ golf offer! PAGE 182 BAHAMAS Play the Bahamas’ best course - the ‘tropical links’ at the Abaco Club PAGE 184 PEBBLEBEACH Find out what it’s like to play one of the world’s most iconic golf courses PAGE 188 Swiss please! Roll out of your bed and onto the golf course in Ticino iardino Ascona has become Ticino’s premier golf resort as it now enjoys direct access to the course at Golf Ascona, allowing guests to roll out of bed and straight onto the fairway. Giardino Ascona and Golf Ascona, set on the banks of Lake Maggiore in the Italian- speaking canton of southern Switzerland, benefits from a unique micro-climate that creates temperate, balmy weather that allows the golf season to run until well into October. Established in 1928 as a nine-hole layout, Golf Ascona soon became a meeting place for local businessmen, wealthy tourists and celebrities who chose this little slice of paradise at the foothills of the Alps as their regular golf spot. Soon, the course became known as ‘the nicest nine holes in Europe’. A later expansion to 18 holes by Harry Colt and Charles Alison saw the course evolve into a classic, tree-lined parkland track that weaves its way down to one of Europe’s most famous lakes against a backdrop of magnificent Alpine mountains. Visit giardino-ascona.ch for somewhere new and exciting to play this summer. SWITZERLAND TOP PICKS 1. Golf Ascona Once known as the ‘nicest nine holes in Europe’, Golf Ascona is now a full 18-hole course and regarded as the best course in Switzerland. 2. Domain Imperial The visually striking clubhouse looks like Don Corleone’s holiday home, whilst the golf course looks like golf holiday heaven. Go there as fast as you can. 3. Bad Ragaz Bad Ragaz, a respected European Seniors Tour venue, is one of the best exponents of Swiss golf. Just an hour from Zurich, it’s an exceptional resort and worth the trip. G TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 179 PHENOMENAL The spectacular Golf Ascona, situated on the edge of Lake Maggiore

Bridge of Allan Golf Club Sunnylaw, Bridge of Allan FK9 4LY 01786 832332 • info@bofagc.com • www.bofagc.com MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES Ordinary.................£355 or £29.89 per month Senior.......................£267 or £22.48 per month Veteran:.....................£178 or £14.99 per month Young Adult.........£178 or £14.99 per month Junior............................£70 (13-17) Junior...........................£40 (under 13) Payment is pro rata and can be in full or by direct debit. Historic Old Tom Morris course | Magnificent views | Modern lounge, bar and catering facilities | Sheltered practice area | 9-hole and 18-hole competitions | Coaching for all ages, with Clubgolf coaching for juniors available. ‘TRY & BUY’ Play a round and if you join, your visitor fee will be deducted from your membership fee. PRO RATA FEES The membership fee is pro rata, e.g. if you join in July, you pay 1/2 the full fee. SPECIAL OFFERS

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 181 BARCELONA They say that in order to stay at the top, you have to keep improving. That probably explains why the PGA Catalunya Resort, near Barcelona, is ready to splash €53million on its resort. The launch of a €33million ﬁve-star luxury hotel will be followed by an array of facilities, including a deli, a pantry garden, a kids’ club and a junior club. The 36-hole resort will also have its own vineyards, build a new equestrian centre and offer football and rugby camps for visitors and owners. Head to pgacatalunya.com for the latest news and special rates for visitors. COSTA BRAVA Spain’s award-winning Costa Brava region says golf visitors to the area have increased to more than 103,000 over the past two years. Figures collated by the Costa Brava Tourism Board show a 67% growth in European golfers to the region between 2013 and 2015. UK price comparison site, TravelSupermarket, identiﬁed the region as the ‘fastest- growing short haul destination’ for this season. WYOMING A trip to the States with your golf clubs is an adventure every serious golfer should do at some point. But don’t just single out renowned holiday hotspots such as Florida and California for your desires - seek out something different. Go somewhere few get the opportunity to see and head to Wyoming. Its famed Yellowstone National Park and Rocky Mountains make for quite the backdrop to your golf. Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club is the cream of the crop, a Tom Weiskopf design that is absolutely out of this world. Better still, you can play top- end resorts and places where the green fee starts at $9. Head to wyomingtourism.org for more details and special rates. Oceanicohailsnominations Algarve group chufed as four of its courses shortlisted for awards ceânico Golf, owner of eight leading golf courses in the Algarve, is celebrating after half of its venues were nominated for ‘Portugal’s Best Golf Course’ at the upcoming 2016 World Golf Awards. Portugal Masters host venue Oceânico Victoria and established classic Oceânico Old Course, above, are the two tracks in Vilamoura to receive a nomination. Meanwhile, both courses at the nearby Amendoeira Golf Resort - Oceânico O’Connor Jnr and Oceânico Faldo - join them on the same nominee roll. Amendoeira Golf Resort has also been nominated in the ‘Portugal’s Best Golf Hotel’ category. European Tour winner Ricardo Santos, who is based at Oceânico Golf, said he was very familiar with the Oceanico roster of courses and said one of their best assets is the fact that every one offers fantastic variety. World-class “I have played all of the Oceânico courses and I just love the variety they offer,” said Santos. “They’re very close together and all world-class, yet they’re all completely different tests. “For example, Oceânico Old Course is a great place to work on different shot shapes and ball flights around the pine trees, while Oceânico Victoria is a more open course with water hazards that test your nerve. Oceânico Faldo features blind shots and big elevation changes, while Oceânico O’Connor has a completely different character, even though it’s on the same property.” Guests attending the final announcement of the World Golf Awards winners will have the chance to try out Oceânico’s nominees, as this year’s ceremony will be held on the Algarve, which, incidentally, is celebrating 50 years of golf this year. If you have played any of the Oceanico courses, you can vote for them at worldgolfawards.com until July 17. The winners will be unveiled in November. O “Thisreallyisa five-starexperience everystepofthe way.Theclubhouse isasgoodasI’ve seen.” Ernie Els on The Els Club, Dubai WHERETOPLAY SHEER CLASS The brilliant Oceânico Old Course in Vilamoura is one of four Oceânico courses up for a major award

COOLHANGOUT YOURGUIDETOTHEBESTGOLFDESTINATIONS GET MORE bunkered.co.uk/travel 182 BUNKERED.CO.UK GOLFING PARADISE Clockwise from top: The Kulm Golf St Moritz course; the Samedan golf course in the Egadine Valley; on-site accommodation; the restaurant at Kulm Hotel; the fifth hole at Kulm Golf.

Offerofa lifetime Swiss resort ofers ‘all you can play’ special deal... his year, for the first time, golfers staying four nights or more at the world- famous Kulm Hotel St. Moritz can take advantage of an ‘All You Can Play’ offer, with free golf at the two courses at Samedan and Zuoz, as well as Kulm’s nine-holer. The Engadine Valley, where St. Moritz is located, has gained a reputation as a golfer’s paradise thanks to the Alpine panoramas of fertile green landscapes, dramatic mountain backdrops and deep blue summer skies. Over 120 years ago, in 1891, the Kulm Golf St. Moritz became the first nine-hole course in Switzerland, with vistas over Lake St. Moritz. A course upgrade in 2001 by Mario Verdieri improved the greens and brought the layout up to date. In 1893, Samedan became the first 18-hole golf course in Switzerland to open its doors. A classic parkland track, Samedan is set on gently rolling terrain and offers spectacular views from the valley up to the surrounding majestic peaks. It features broad fairways flanked by ancient, giant larch trees, some of which are over 700-years-old, whilst numerous water features of little lakes and streams ensure it is a challenging test for any golfer. Free access In addition to complimentary green fees at all three courses, guests at the Kulm Hotel St. Moritz have unlimited free access to the Kulm Spa St. Moritz, sports facilities, and all the open mountain railways in the Engadin/St. Moritz region and public transportation in the valley. To qualify for the ‘All You Can Play’ offer, simply book four consecutive nights at the hotel before September 3. Rates start from £380 for two sharing a double/twin room on a half-board basis. Reservations can be made by phone on +41 (0) 81 836 8000 or by email via reservations@kulm.com T PHOTOS SUPPLIED TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 183

184 BUNKERED.CO.UK TheAbacoCluboffersamix ofatraditionalScottishlinkswith theweatheroftheBahamas

Justlike heaven An insight into The Abaco Club... a real stunner! t has been described as the world’s first ‘tropical links’ and, going by these photos, it looks rather spectacular. This is The Abaco Club on Winding Bay in the Bahamas. It already looks out of this world and yet its owners Southworth Golf - the same people who own Machrihanish Dunes - are set to invest $10million in a first phase of developments to improve this 500-acre piece of paradise. The club has its own two-mile white-sand beach and what can only be described as truly incredible rental options for accommodation. The golf course is best described as a ‘tropical links’ that’s a mix of both the Bahamas and Scotland. “The Abaco Club offers the best of both worlds,” the website states, “a heralded Scottish-style links design set hard by the sea and a climate that’s ideal for enjoying the outdoors.” The Donald Steel and Tom Mackenzie design offers up classic pot bunkers, a rugged coastal border and huge sloping greens. It is routinely considered to be the No.1 course in the Bahamas. Throw in some kayaking, snorkeling, sailing and deep sea fishing and you’re in holiday heaven. Cool fact This is where European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke likes to chill out in his downtime. “It’s a true championship layout - a links-style design - not unlike some of the ones I grew up playing around Ulster,” said Clarke. “The only difference is you can play this course in warm sunshine almost every day of the year! When the wind picks up, as it often does, every hole becomes a real challenge.” Head to theabacoclub.com for more information on booking your stay. I PHOTOS SUPPLIED WHERETOPLAY

186 BUNKERED.CO.UK Main The beautiful Carnalea golf course Below, left to right Kirkistown Castle, set on the Ards Peninsula; the brilliant layout at Bangor; the stunning course at Mahee. o give you an idea of just how big an impact Rory McIlroy has had on this corner of Northern Ireland, a few years ago his home club, Holywood GC, spent £500,000 on a major refurbishment just to ‘accommodate the demand’ from international tourists. He’s kind of a big deal. Being honest, other places in Ireland might get more of the limelight - but Ards and North Down does rather well for itself. That’s largely down to a mix of McIlroy and a glut of excellent courses set in stunning surroundings. Holywood, of course, is where young Ulsterman McIlroy learned the game, and it’s well worth a trip, even if only to see the memorabilia inside the clubhouse where it clearly reminds you you’re in the ‘Home Club of Rory McIlroy’. It also has an undulating parkland course, which a fine test in its own right. If you fly into Belfast City Airport, then you’re a 30-minute drive from Carnalea, an absolutely beautiful course with panoramic views on the Bangor coast. Bangor course, meanwhile, has an enviable history on account of hosting various events down the years featuring players like Peter Alliss and Tony Jacklin. Expect superb fairways and greens and some truly beautiful views of Belfast Lough from the top of the fourth. The view from the clubhouse is special, too. Head a little inland through Bangor on the main road and you’ll eventually come to Clandeboye, which is recognised as one of the best inland experiences in the country. With masses of gorse and bracken accompanied by trees flanking every hole, it’s a brilliant layout and, better still, sits high up in the area, giving you great views of North Down. Sitting next door is Blackwood Golf Centre, widely recognised as one of the best ‘pay and play’ facilities in Northern Ireland. There’s a superb par-3 course called the Temple, which is worth a go, while the main layout, the Hamilton, has USGA greens and a myriad of water hazards, which make for an interesting knock. It’s also one of the most forward-thinking clubs in the area and is great for kids. On the eastern shores of County Down, more specifically on the stunning Ards Peninsula, you should actively seek out a jaunt around Kirkistown Castle. It’s a dream-like Irish links in the tiny village of Cloughey. There are shades of North Berwick about it. It’s one of the real gems of the region and an absolute ‘must. For a real ‘off the beaten track’ adventure, make some time for Mahee Island, which is set by the waters of Strangford Lough. On the map, it looks like it’s in the middle of nowhere but it’s only a 30-minute drive from Belfast - and it’s worth the effort. Noted for its relatively small undulating greens and picturesque setting of Mahee Bay, this is a wonderful example of golf in Ards and North Down. Brilliant fun from start to finish - how every golf trip should be. Get all the local info you need on accommodation and travel online at visitardsandnorthdown.com/experiences/golf T Northern hospitality Head to Ards and North Down for one of the best golf adventures in Europe

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 187 WHERETOPLAY WORTHY STOP-OFFS OUR PICKS 1. Ardminnan Golf Club, Newtownards 028 4277 1321 info@ardminnan.com 2. Bangor Golf Club, Bangor 028 9127 0922 office@bangorgolfclubni.co.uk 3. Blackwood Golf Centre, Bangor 028 9185 2706 info@blackwoodgolfcentre.com 4. Carnalea Golf Club, Carnalea 028 9127 0368 info@carnaleagolfclub.co.uk 5. Clandeboye Golf Club, Newtownards 028 9127 1767 nfo@cgc-ni.com 6. Donaghadee Golf Club, Donaghadee 028 9188 3624 office@donaghadeegolfclub. com 7. Helens Bay Golf Club, Bangor 028 9185 2815 mail@helensbaygc.com 8. Holywood Golf Club, Holywood 028 9042 3135 paul@holywoodgolfclub.co.uk 9. Kirkistown Castle Golf Club, Cloughey 028 4277 1233 office@ kirkistowncastlegolfclub.com 10. Mahee Island Golf Club, Comber 028 9754 1234 info@maheegolf.com 11. Royal Belfast Golf Club, Holywood 028 9042 8165 admin@royalbelfast.com 12. Scrabo Golf Club, Newtownards 028 9181 2355 admin@scrabogc.co.uk

California dreamin’ Looking for the golf holiday of a lifetime? Look no further than Pebble Beach WORDS MICHAELMcEWAN PHOTOS SUPPLIED 188 BUNKERED.CO.UK

ere’s the deal. Money’s no object and you’ve got one whole week to invest in the golf holiday of a lifetime. Where are you going to go? For golfers outside of the UK, the answer is usually pretty straightforward: St Andrews, right? However, for those of us fortunate enough to live either in or on the doorstep of the game’s birthplace, the world is our oyster and the choice is considerable. Even so, there’s typically one place right at the top of most people’s lists - Pebble Beach. Situated on the Monterey Peninsula in California, Pebble Beach is golfing paradise - it’s as simple as that. Bordered by Carmel to the south, Pacific Grove to the north, Monterey to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west, it is home to not only a huge collection of courses but some of the world’s best, too. There’s the eponymous Pebble Beach Golf Links itself - a five-time host of the US Open - as well as the likes of The Links at Spanish Bay, Cypress Point, Spyglass Hill and Poppy Hills. And that’s just for starters. Any visit to Pebble Beach typically starts on 17-Mile Drive, a picturesque road that largely hugs the Pacific coastline and passes most of the top courses and attractions, including the Lone Cypress tree, Bird Rick and the Del Monte Forest. It’s a stunning introduction to the area and perfectly sets the tone for the treats that lie in wait. Naturally, Pebble Beach Golf Links is the main attraction. It’s a public course, so anybody can play. It’s not particularly cheap - a round there will cost you around £340 in British money - but it is absolutely worth every penny. Also, if you’re booking more than two days in advance, the best way to guarantee your tee time is to stay in one of the three Pebble Beach properties: The Lodge at Pebble Beach, The Inn at Spanish Bay and Casa Palmero. Guests enjoy special booking privileges for golf reservations when arranging accommodations. Iconic holes at Pebble Beach Golf Links roll off the tongue: the short seventh that plays down a hill towards a tiny green sitting in front of the lapping waves of the ocean; the mesmerising H WHERETOPLAY TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 189 ¢ Photo by Bart Keagy

190 BUNKERED.CO.UK sixth and eighth holes; the devilishly tricky par-3 17th with its sliver of a green; and, of course, the dramatic closing hole, which hugs the rocky shoreline and is protected by one of the longest bunkers in golf. It is the St Andrews of America and, as such, a ‘must play’ for any golfer visiting California. But don’t just take our word for it. Consider what some of the world’s greatest golfers have had to say about the course. Jack Nicklaus once called it ‘possibly the best in the world’, adding: “If I had only one more round to play, I would choose to play it at Pebble Beach. I’ve loved this course from the first time I saw it.” Tom Watson added: “Ask any golfer around the world to name a golf course in the US and Pebble Beach will be the first thing they say”, whilst two-time US Open champion Ernie Els once said: “I don’t think you can get a better venue any place in the world.” The aforementioned Tom Watson collaborated with Sandy Tatum and Robert Trent Jones Jnr on the creation of Spanish Bay, which is a Californian homage to the best of Scottish links golf. It even goes to the extreme of having a lone piper play by the side of the golf course every evening. It, too, is a simply wonderful experience. Spyglass Hill is another of the four Pebble Beach properties that is truly unmissable. Originally called Pebble Beach Pines Golf Club, it was renamed by Samuel Morse after a place in Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel Treasure Island. Indeed, ‘Treasure Island’ is the name of the opening hole, with the following 17 all taking their names from characters and places in the book. Just wait until you get to the par-4 fourth hole. Course designer Robert Trent Jones Jnr says it’s his favourite - and it’s not hard to see why. Eighteen-time majorwinnerJack Nicklausonce describedPebble Beachas‘possibly thebestcoursein theworld’ SMALLPRINT Average flight time 11hrs (London-San Francisco via British Airways) | Currency Dollar ($) | Current exchange rate ¢

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 191 Clockwise from main The incredible PPebble Beach Golf Links; The Inn at Spanish Bay; The 3rd at Spyglass Hill; The sixth at Spanish Bay. WHERETOPLAY Del Monte, meanwhile, is the oldest course in continuous operation west of the Mississippi. Opened in 1897, it is characterised by wide fairways, lined with oak, pine and cypress trees, and its 13th hole, appropriately enough for those who believe in superstitions, is incredibly tough. A 512-yard par-5, it is best described as ‘treacherous’. If you can get past it without dropping a shot, you’ll be doing very well indeed. These are the four courses operated by Pebble Beach Resorts. There are, naturally, others which you might be interested in playing, such as Cypress Point. It’s a private golf course and, therefore, a little harder to get on but it can be done. Its 16th is arguably the toughest par-3 in golf, playing around 200 yards directly over water and into the prevailing wind. Never mind making par, simply hitting the green is considered a boast-worthy achievement. Poppy Hills, meanwhile, is the newest golf course in Pebble Beach (it opened in 1986) and has undergone an extensive renovation in recent years. Unlike its neighbouring courses, it plays completely within a forest and has no rough. It’s a gem. As mentioned earlier, staying on-site in one of the three Pebble Beach properties is the best and easiest way to guarantee your tee times. With great restaurants and bars included as standard, there’s plenty for you to enjoy when the sun has gone down without the need to leave the resort. We recommend the Calamari and a glass of the Arnold Palmer red wine. If you are keen on a little exploring and sightseeing, there is plenty to do, ranging from whale-watching, to cycling, to boutique shopping. That’s another part of the appeal of Pebble Beach: you don’t need to be a golfer to enjoy it. Pay it a visit - it never disappoints. ̈ Unlikeits neighbouring golfcourses, PoppyHillsplays completelywithin aforest,with norough £1 = $1.44 | Time Difference GMT-8 | High Season May to Oct (80-92˚F) | Find out more pebblebeach.com / 001 800 877 0597 Photo by Bart Keagy Photo by Joann Dost Photo by Joann Dost Photo by Evan Schiller

WHERETOPLAYINGB&I inassociationwithscottishgolfcourses.com 192 BUNKERED.CO.UK FROM £40 PERROUND FROM £24 PERROUND FROM £16 PERROUND FROM £33 PERROUND CANMOREGOLF COURSE Dunfermline Par 67 Yards 5,455 canmoregolfclub.co.uk w Canmore is a pleasant, well-maintained parkland. The course is fairly moderate in length and demands a good short game. Canmore was founded in 1897 and has been at its present site since 1902. Until 1913 the course consisted of nine holes. The 18-hole course opened in 1914. The present day layout was designed in 1946 - the course having been used to help the war effort. It is always in great condition and a recent visitor told bunkered the experience was superb and ‘absolutely worth the green fee’. DOUGLASPARK GOLFCOURSE Bearsden Par 69 Yards 5,981 douglasparkgolfclub.co.uk w This course, in the leafy suburb of Bearsden on the outskirts of Glasgow, is a delightful test of your skills. The ﬁrst few holes run adjacent to the railway line, so wayward balls to the left are punished. The middle section of this course is the best, as a selection of neat par-3s pop up followed by quaint but testing par-4s. The ﬁnal hole is a great ﬁnish to your round. The tee sits some 90 feet above the fairway with trees and rough to the left and right, with hitting the fairway your only option. BLAIRATHOLL GOLFCOURSE Blair Atholl, Pitlochry Par 70 Yards 5,478 blairathollgolf.co.uk w Blair Atholl is a beautiful golf course right in the heart of some truly stunning Scottish countryside and not far from the gateway to the Highlands. Inland and flat, this parkland nine-holer was established back in 1896 and offers a memorable round of golf in wondrous surroundings. A river runs by three of the holes, so you will have to be wary or your ball may ﬁnd a watery grave. It is a relatively short, mainly easy walking course. You can expect a warm welcome from the friendly locals, too! ROWALLANCASTLE GOLFCOURSE Kilmaurs, Kilmarnock Par 71 Yards 6,284 rowallancastle.com w The stunning Rowallan Castle Golf Club at Kilmaurs, Colin Montgomerie’s ﬁrst golf design in Scotland, features Monty’s trademark pot bunkers, tricky undulating greens and a layout that requires careful course management to score well. Set in 600 acres of glorious country estates it boasts two of the ﬁnest castles in the land - but it really is the golf course itself that steals the show. A cool ﬁnish to your round is the 19th hole ‘Decider’, a 155-yard par-3 where you can settle your halved match in style. Theonlythingyou shouldforceinagolfswingis theclubbackinthebag. BYRON NELSON

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 193 THEBLAIRGOWRIEGOLFCLUB Blairgowrie, Perthshire Par: 72/72 Yards: 6,866/6,630 theblairgowriegolfclub.co.uk w There are few places in Scotland that offer quite so much in the way of quality golf as Blairgowrie. As well as two championship courses in the form of the Lansdowne and Rosemount layouts, it also offers a devilish, but delightful, nine-hole ‘Wee’ course. That’s 45 holes, each and every one of them a pleasure to play. Maintained to the highest standards, the Lansdowne and Rosemount are firm but fair tests for all players, whilst the ‘Wee’ course is just the ticket for those who are starting out in the game. All of this is complemented by one of the finest clubhouses in the country. You’ll love it. FROM £65 PERROUND MACHRIHANISHDUNESGOLFCOURSE Campbeltown, Argyll Par 72 Yards 7,175 machrihanishdunes.com w How good a time will you have at Machrihanish Dunes? The fact that the superb Kintyre course is a previous winner of ‘Scotland’s Best Experience’ should answer that question for you. Designed by Scottish architect David McLay-Kidd, its majestic links is a tribute to the way golf was originally intended to be played, with only tees and greens needing to be formed from new; the fairways were simply the original terrain with the grass cut shorter. Providing sweeping sea views, with five holes sitting right on the water’s edge, this is a feast for the senses and a course you will relish time and again. FROM £39 PERROUND PETERHEADGOLFCLUB Peterhead, Aberdeenshire Par 70 Yards 6,417 peterheadgolfclub.co.uk w Home to both an 18-hole and a nine-hole layout, Peterhead is the 18th oldest club in the world. Nestled in the dunes where the River Ugie and the North Sea meet, the Old Course was extended to a full 18 holes in 1908. Great fun for all golfers, it still offers as much of a challenge today as it did back then. World-renowned golf coach Butch Harmon played here in 2005 and described it as a hidden gem, commenting that he had really enjoyed his visit. The nine-hole New Course, meanwhile, is the perfect warm-up for the Old Course as well as being ideal for players short on time. FROM £60 PERROUND TULLIALLANGOLFCLUB Tulliallan, Kincardine Par 69 Yards 6,022 tulliallangolf.co.uk w With tree-lined fairways and a burn that makes its way through most of the course, the layout at Tulliallan is renowned for its true greens as it presents an enjoyable test. Whether you’re an enthusiastic beginner or a seasoned golfer, a round here will live long in the memory. The signature hole is undoubtedly the 16th after it was redesigned with a new burn in front of the green and two new ponds to the left of it. A fantastic par-4, you’ll be glad to walk off this hole with a par. You definitely have to stop in at the clubhouse where visitors can enjoy the friendly welcome and atmosphere. FROM £25 PERROUND

CLASSIFIEDS 194 BUNKERED.CO.UK CLASSIFIEDS 194 BUNKERED.CO.UK At the heart of ‘The Home of Golf’ The Bay Hotel, Burntisland Road, Kinghorn, Fife KY3 9YE 01592 892222 • thebay@pettycur.co.uk • www.thebayhotel.net With over forty courses within the Kingdom of Fife there is no better place to stay than the luxurious Bay Hotel in Kinghorn. We are right in the heart of these glorious courses and with breathtaking views to Edinburgh, our capital city. Royal Dunkeld Hotel Atholl Street, Dunkeld, Perthshire PH8 0AR Situated in the historical Cathedral City of Dunkeld, this comfortable, modern, family run hotel is surrounded by HW; a ﾉ"IﾗﾐｷSW" ｷｴ" ﾗﾏW" ﾗa" ｴW"gﾐW "ｷﾐﾉ;ﾐS"ｪﾗﾉa"Iﾗ W " ｷﾐ" ｴW" ﾗﾉS" ｷｴｷﾐ"W; " W;Iｴく Excellent food in Woodlands 0ｷﾗく B&B from £45" ﾐ"ふﾗ" ｴ; ｷﾐｪぶ" or £60" ｷﾐｪﾉW"ﾗII ;ﾐI く ;ぎ" W W ; ﾗﾐをﾗ ;ﾉS ﾐﾆWﾉSくIﾗくﾆ"づ" Wﾉぎ"ヰヱンヵヰ"ΑヲΑンヲヲくﾗ ;ﾉS ﾐﾆWﾉSくIﾗくﾆ A warm welcome awaits you at THE SCHIEHALLION HOTEL… Recently voted ‘BEST PERTHSHIRE HOTEL ACCOMMODATION’ • Recently refurbished en suite rooms with a blend of traditional and modern styles • Varied menu using local produce • Fine selection of beers, ales, wines and spirits in the bar • Prices from £59 prpn – Group discounts available 01887 820421 | info@schiehallionhotel.co.uk www.schiehallionhotel.co.uk Schielhallion Hotel, 6 Dunkeld St, Aberfeldy, PH15 2AF Tay Street, Moniﬁeth DD5 4AX 01382 532911 gill.stewart@panmurehotel.co.uk www.panmurehotel.co.uk 1 night’s B&B and a round on the Moniﬁeth Links championship course from £99 • Ideal get away for golf enthusiasts • 13 ensuite rooms • 2 bars • Restaurant TheParkHotel,61JohnStreet,MontroseDD108RJ T:01674663400 | E: reservations@parkmontrose.com www.parkmontrose.com PACKAGE 1 The Glen Esk 1 night’s bed and breakfast plus 1 round on The Medal and 1 round on The Broomfield. £109 per person PACKAGE 2 The Glen Prosen 2 nights’ bed and breakfast plus 1 round on The Medal and 1 round on The Broomfield. £139 per person PACKAGE 3 The Glen Clova 2 nights’ bed and breakfast plus 2 rounds on The Medal and 1 round on The Broomfield. £169 per person Forbookings, reservations& moreinformation pleasecontact To advertise in bunkered please call 0141 353 2222 W I S H YOU W ERE H E R E BUNKERED SPECIALS £50 a fourball any day, any time £15 pp for 1, 2 or 3 players. or £28 pp for a visiting party regardless of party size which includes tea/coffee & hot roll on arrival, 18 holes of golf and then a 2 course meal afterwards. CANMORE GOLF CLUB Venturefair Ave, Dunfermline KY12 0PE Challenging layout, renowned for its fast, excellent quality greens t: 01383 728416 www.canmoregolfclub.uk The Lodge, Blackford by Gleneagles The Lodge is the front part of an architect designed Arts and Crafts house, built at the edge of the village in 1902. It has 3 bedrooms (1 double, 1 twin and 1 single) 2 spacious public rooms (bed settee in dining room), 2 modern shower rooms and modern kitchen. Suitable for up to 6 guests, or 4 in separate rooms. Seasonal prices from £450 / £550 T: 01764 682315 Moray Street, Blackford, Auchterarder PH4 1QP E: lodge@blackfordcottages.co.uk www.blackfordcottages.co.uk 10% OFF exclusive offer

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 195 HEARTLANDS / CENTRAL ‘One of the Best Moorland Courses in the West of Scotland’, a ‘Hidden Gem’ and a ‘Must Play’ experience. Superb 18 hole moorland course with spectacular views overlooking the Clyde Estuary and Loch Lomond. Easily accessible from Glasgow for a great golfing day out. Visitor and society packages available, full catering and bar facilities with a warm and friendly welcome. HELENSBURGH GOLF CLUB Early Bird £15 Twilight £15 NEW VISITOR OPEN STABLEFORD COMPETITION Every Thursday £15 with Prizes Par 69 | White 5942 | Blue Senior 4742 E: thesecretary@helensburghgolfclub.co.uk T: +44(0)1436 674173 www.helensburghgolfclub.co.uk Contact: professional@tulliallangolf.co.uk | Tel: 01259 730798 www.tulliallangolf.co.uk PRICES:WEEKDAY ROUND £25 WEEKEND ROUND £29 Tulliallan Golf Club FOR YOUR 2016 GOLF OUTING Our superb parkland course is only a 30 minute commute from Glasgow and Edinburgh WEEKDAY GOLF PARTY PACKAGES INCLUDE 2 ROUNDS OF GOLF,COFFEE & FILLED ROLL ON ARRIVAL, SOUP & FILLED ROLL & HIGH TEA ALL FOR ONLY £54.95.* Any parties of 12 or more will receive a 10% discount on their golf booking.In addition you will qualify for another game in the same season at half price.*DOES NOT INCLUDE £54.95 PACKAGE* ALLVISITORS QUALIFY FOR A RETURN ROUND AT HALF PRICE DURINGTHE SAME SEASON. Join now for under £10 a week (based on 5 day membership). Flexible membership for only £250 MEMBERSHIP OFFER Full Membership from ONLY £39 per month with no joining fee (deposit required). We have a membership category to suit all including Family/Junior/ Youth and our NEW FLEXIBLE membership for only £315 per year. Mount Ellen Golf Club www.mountellengolfclub.co.uk Lochend Road, Gartcosh, Glasgow G69 8BD For full details Tel: 01236 872277 or email secretary@mountellengolfclub.co.uk co uk The Blairgowrie Golf Club 3 Great courses – Lansdowne, Rosemount and the Wee Course, 1 Magnificent location Bookings accepted online via www.theblairgowriegolfclub.co.uk/opens-mixed Tel: 01250 872622 Option 3 E-mail: reservations@theblairgowriegolfclub.co.uk www.theblairgowriegolfclub.co.uk To celebrate its 40th year, an Open Texas Scramble is being held on Sunday 4th September 2016. Teams of 3 players can enter at a cost of £100 per team which will also include soup & sandwiches after golf. Times will be available from 9am – 3pm and entries will be accepted on a first come first served basis. Twilight times now available from 4.30pm from £30pp (subject to availability) Buchanan Castle Golf Club www.buchanancastlegolfclub.co.uk BRING THIS ADVERT AND ENJOY A 4-BALL ANYTIME FROM 12PM FOR £99 (book in advance and quote bunkered advert). Our Off-Peak membership offers 18 holes of golf after 4pm in the summer and 1pm in the winter. With regular 12 hole competitions for those of you who are short of time and priced at £360, this is the ideal package. Free reciprocal membership with Helensburgh Golf club - join Buchanan Castle and enjoy free golf at Helensburgh GC as well. New reduced Junior fees. 01360 660 307 or 330 Drymen, Glasgow G63 0HY 4-BALL FROM £99 30 minutes from Glasgow, a million miles from the office.

CLASSIFIEDS 196 BUNKERED.CO.UK CLASSIFIEDS Awarded Lanarkshire’s Best Tourism Business 2016 Taste our Best Food Award • Sky/BT Sports, Pool Table • • Free WiFi • DB&B Packages from £49pp 145 High Street Biggar 01899 220044 info@elphinstonehotel.co.uk www.elphinstonehotel.co.uk heclubwasfoundedin1897andthecourseboastsabeautiful parklandlayoutsituatedinapleasantenvironmentinBearsden, aleafysuburb6milesfromthecentreof Glasgow.helayouthas beencontinuallyimprovedovertheyearsandallourgreensare USGAstandardensuringexcellentputtingsurfacesthroughout theyear.At5981yards,par69forgentsand72forladies,the coursesetsafairchallengeforallstandardsofgolfer. Visitingpartiesandguestsareparticularlywelcomedwith excellentpackagesavailableandanimpressiveclubhousewhich cancaterforlargeparties.Pleasephoneoremailforcurrentdeals. T:01419420985 • ProShop:01419421482 E:secretary@douglasparkgolfclub.co.uk WWW.DOUGLASPARKGOLFCLUB.CO.UK Douglas Park Golf Club FOR A FREE COFFEE&BACONROLL BOOKAROUNDONMONDAYPM... ...FORALLBUNKEREDREADERS A warm welcome awaits you at Peterhead Golf Club, set in the idyllic surroundings of Craigewan Links, one of the finest links courses in Scotland. Craigewan Links is a natural links course with contours that are both enjoyable but challenging. • Groups and Societies welcome. • Full Catering and bar facilities to visitors. Advanced bookings required for large groups Join us during our 175th year Founded in 1841 Phone 01779 472149 Email enquiries@peterheadgolfclub.co.uk Visit www.peterheadgolfclub.co.uk Peterhead Golf Club EXPERIENCE CRAIGEWAN LINKS, THE 18TH OLDEST CLUB IN THE WORLD. Mon-Fri £60 (rnd.) Old Course Sat-Sun £80 (rnd.) Old Course New Course 9 Hole £30 all day ticket 2-3 Stars Craibstone Estate, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB21 9YA T: 01224 711012 E: accommodation@sruc.ac.uk www.sruc.ac.uk/holidayletsaberdeen With an abundance of fabulous golf courses, Aberdeen is the place to play golf in 2016. Craibstone Estate is surrounded by 7 golf courses including Royal Aberdeen, Deeside, Murcar Links and Trump International to name but a few. Craibstone Estate is perfect for both long and short term stay golf. Golfing in Aberdeen Great Golﬁng Offers: Per night including breakfast only: £45 single OR £77 twin en-suite room 7 day stays start from only £235 including breakfast A SOCIAL GAME A SOCIAL MAG twitter.com/BunkeredOnline facebook.com/BunkeredMagazine connect with us Luxury Apart Hotel www.printworks-peterhead.co.uk 15 Chapel Street, Peterhead, AB42 1TH Email: karen@printworks-peterhead.co.uk Tel: 01779 471548 / 07494 467 494 space ì comfort ì flexibility Stay Friday, Saturday & get Sunday HALF PRICE Kemnay Golf Club 6500 yard Championship course PLUS 6 hole par-3 practice course x"“One of the best and most successful inland courses in N.E. Scotland - a hidden gem” x"Stunning views of rural Aberdeenshire x Memberships available, very competitive subscription packages x"Corporate membership & sponsorship opportunities available x"Visitors welcome Tel: 01467 642225 option 3 Email: administrator@kemnaygolfclub.co.uk www.kemnaygolfclub.co.uk

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 197 CENTRAL / NORTH EAST / HIGHLANDS HOTEL If you’re ready to experience the comfort and relaxation of home with the added depth of sophistication and first class service then the Clubhouse Hotel in Nairn awaits you. The Clubhouse Hotel is a contemporary, chic venue that offers quality with a friendly, hands-on approach. A place of luxurious relaxation 45 Seabank Road, Nairn IV12 4EY T. 01667 453321 E. frontdesk@clubhousehotels.co.uk www.clubhousenairn.co.uk Elegant, luxurious and full of Scottish character, the house draws you in with the warmth of a highland welcome. So, kick off your golf shoes, sample our delicious food and relax with Glenmorangie’s ﬁnest single malt whisky in the heart of the Highlands of Scotland. Some of the Scottish Highland’s ﬁnest golf links can be found on the Ross-shire peninsula. • Tain GC • Torvean GC • Alness GC • Loch Ness GC • Invergordon GC • Royal Dornoch GC • Castle Stuart GC • Brora GC For reservations or to request a brochure please call 01862 871 671 or email: relax@glenmorangie.co.uk • www.theglenmorangiehouse.com Hay St, Elgin, Moray T: 01343 547799 E: info@sunninghillhotel.com www.sunninghillhotel.com Sunninghill Hotel Elgin Many excellent courses nearby including: Elgin, Forres and Moray. Good rates can be negotiated. Comfortable, en suite rooms available at excellent prices. We serve a la carte meals daily using the best local produce. A fine selection of malt whiskies and real ales are available in our friendly bar with new Scottish gin and cocktail list to try! ll b l d l The Royal Hotel in Elgin is your best destination for a golf break. We can offer reduced golf fees at most local courses, with rooms. www.theroyalhotelelgin.co.uk Station Road, Elgin, IV30 1QW T 01343 542320 E royalhotelelgin@btconnect.com ROYALHOTELELGIN The Priory Hotel he Square, Beauly, Inverness-shire IV4 7BX he Priory Hotel is a friendly family run business located in the picturesque Highland village of Beauly. here are more than 20 quality golf courses within an hour’s drive. he majority of which can be booked by us on your behalf. he hotel operates a very lexible policy in terms of dining and bar facilities and you can be assured we will cater for your requirements. We all love the game of golf ourselves – so you will be among kindred spirits. Please contact us for further details and keen quotations Telephone – 01463 782309 | reservations@priory-hotel.com WWW.PRIORY-HOTEL.COM Station Hotel Portsoy • We specialise in providing top class golf breaks at affordable prices • 15 modern, comfortable en-suite rooms • Many top class courses and ‘hidden gems’ to choose from including some of the best old traditional links courses in Scotland • Great food, friendly locals’ bar and large games room with all Sky & BT Sports shown • 2016 already filling up fast but we will do our best to accommodate you! Station Hotel Portsoy, Aberdeenshire, AB45 2QT Tel: 01261 842327 E: enquiries@stationhotelportsoy.co.uk www.stationhotelportsoy.co.uk 3 NIGHTS’ DBB AND 3 ROUNDS FROM £259 Muir of Ord Golf Club Great North Road, Muir of Ord, Ross-shire IV6 7SX E: muir.golf@btconnect.com | W: www.muirofordgolfclub.co.uk • Par 68 easy walking golf course • Beautiful setting - a wee highland gem • Weekday and Sun Round £25, Sat £35 • Twilight golf after 5pm Mon to Sat and Sun after 3pm £10 • Wed & Thur 1pm – 3pm £18 per round (£15.00 per round if booked online) • W/day Day Ticket £30 • Sunday 4Ball + 1 course Lunch £80 T: 01463 871311/870825 Aigas Golf Course Stunning location, perfect base to ‘Stay & Play’ and explore the Highlands. SPECIAL OFFER (code: AIGAS0616) 10% off 7 nights self-catering (in 2016) 18 holes for the price of 9 (max 4 people) T: 01463 782942/782423 E: enquiriesaigas@gmail.com www.aigas-holidays.co.uk

CLASSIFIEDS 198 BUNKERED.CO.UK Executive Private and Corporate Transfer Services for Inverness and the Highlands Albatross Inverness is the premier executive, private and corporate transfer professionals for Inverness, Nairn, Dornoch and of course Castle Stuart, host of the 2016 Scottish Open. TOP BRAND LEFT AND RIGHT CLUB HIRE AVAILABLE 07808 079489 enquiry@highlandgolftransport.co.uk www.highlandgolftransport.co.uk albatross Executive Transportation TRAVELLING TIMES FROM INVERNESS Location Distance Time Castle Stuart 6 miles 15 minutes Nairn 18 Miles 30 Minutes Dornoch 50 Miles 1 hour 10 Minutes Trump Int 100 Miles 2 Hours 15 Minutes LE E: oice@golflochness.com · T: 01463 713335 Fairways, Castle Heather, Inverness IV2 6AA www.golflochness.com OPEN ALL DAY, EVERYDAY, FOR EVERYONE • 18 hole golf course • 9 hole family course • Pro shop • 9 Hole Footgolf • Driving range • Restaurant • Function & conference suites • Sports / Lounge bar with Sky Sports & BT Sport • Practice pitching area • Travelodge • Sunday Carvery The home of he ideal location for your next goling trip. All itineraries arranged by the goling proprietor including the special ‘Play the Best’ package of 1 round on Southerness/Powfoot and Dumfries & County with 2 nights’ dinner B&B from £230pp. Start in the morning with the hearty Kings’ breakfast. Ater your round, relax with a malt in the golfers 19th hole snug bar. Private of-road car park/drying room/club storage/excellent food/late bar/free Wi-Fi. 01556 502626 | david@galloway-golf.co.uk | www.galloway-golf.co.uk St Andrew Street, Castle Douglas, DG7 1EL THE KING’S ARMS HOTEL Please visit our website for more details on Hospitality at e Open or call 01292 313343 Lochgreen House Hotel, Monktonhill Road, Southwoods, Troon, Ayrshire KA10 7EN www.lochgreenhouse.com Lochgreen House Hotel, overlooking Royal Troon Championship Golf Course, will be offering exquisite hospitality during e Open Championship Golf Tournament 2016, at Royal Troon. Breakfasts, lunches, afternoon teas & dinner. THE HARBOUR HOUSE HOTEL RBOUR HOUS PORTPATRICK CONTEMPORARY ROOMS • SELF-CATERING AVAILABLE FAMILY & DOG FRIENDLY WWW.THEHARBOURHOUSEHOTEL.CO.UK ARBOURHOUSEH 01776 810456 GOLF PACKAGES FROM £90 Open Competitions 2016 • Sat 25 Jun Mixed Pairs Stableford Open • Tues 19 Jul 2016 Ladies Open • Sun 24 Jul 2016 Junior Open Competitive membership packages from £180 | Members and non-members welcome | 9-hole and 18-hole parkland courses | Quality catering and bar services | Society deals available | Extensive ﬁxtures list | Equipment for hire ‘more golf, more of the time’ Maverston Golf Course Garmouth Road · Urquhart · Moray IV30 8LR 01343 843863 fore@maverstongolf.com www.maverstongolf.com Maverston …the perfect outing!

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 199 HIGHLANDS / SOUTH WEST / SOUTH EAST / ENGLAND Situated five minutes from the centre of the ancient town of Berwick upon Tweed, with scenic views to Holy Island and northwards to Scotland, “The Fields” is the first course in England. Visitors & Societies Very Welcome* *smallest party of 4 Special Offer – All For £150! 2 nights’ B&B at the Castle Hotel + 3 rounds of golf (1 at Magdalene Fields, 1 at Eyemouth, 1 at Duns Course). Great golf packages throughout the year. Contact Scott on 01289 306130 for further information or to book Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland TD15 1NE secretary.m.f.g.c@hotmail.co.uk The Most Northerly Golf Course In England Magdalene Fields MONDAYFINISH THE sign-upnowat bunkered.co.uk/mondayﬁnish START EVERY WEEK WITH A FINISH BUNKERED’S FREE WEEKLY EMAIL NEWSLETTER NEWS | VIDEOS | COMPETITIONS | EQUIPMENT TUITION | BLOGS | & MUCH MORE Download your freegolfapp Keep up to date on the go, wherever you go! GOLF, SOUP & SANDWICH ONLY £35PP BUNKERED READERS OFFER Valid Monday to Friday by calling 01563 530550 DeerParkGolf&CountryClub www.deer-park.co.uk 01506446688 TexasScrambleOpen Sat23rdJuly Teamsof4 perteam £48 GreenFees from£28 BookyourgolfdayattheWorldrenowned LinksCourse,votedbestopeningholeinthe world.Oneoftheworld’stop100courses 2016,ontheKintyrePeninsula,ratedasthe 4thbestvalueformoneycourseintheUK. •Tea/CofeeandBaconrollonarrival •Complimentaryuseofpracticeandputtingareas •18HolesofChampionshipGolf •1in16Playersgoesfree •DealonforMonthsofJune,July&Augsubject toavailability For further information please contact our club on01586 810213 E: secretary@machgolf.com | www.machgolf.com Quote Bunk001 when booking GOLF DAY AT MACHRIHANISH GOLF CLUB, ARGYLL Fourballfor£160.00

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TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 201 MAIL ORDER / MISCELLANEOUS

202 BUNKERED.CO.UK Ú DOONTHESTRETCH Timeto partyon ‘Downe’! Grab your pals and play in the Lansdowne Open Texas Scramble! he Lansdowne course at Blairgowrie is celebrating 40 years of golf this year by hosting an Open Texas Scramble which YOU can enter! The event, which is being held on Sunday September 4, is open to teams of three at only £100 per team, including soup and sandwiches afterwards. Times will be available from 9am until 3pm approximately. Entries will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. The Lansdowne was designed by Peter Alliss and the late Dave Thomas and opened in 1976. It offered members of the prestigious Blairgowrie Golf Club a second 18 hole course as a sister to the famous Rosemount. The Lansdowne has been redeveloped and refined over the 40 years and has hosted a number of notable events through the years. Back in 2011, Andy Sullivan, a potential member of Darren Clarke’s Ryder Cup team this year, won the Scottish Strokeplay over the Lansdowne course, kick-starting his career in the big leagues. A spokesperson told bunkered. “Those who play the Lansdowne always comment on how wonderful the layout and condition is, and wonder at why it doesn’t get the same adulation as Rosemount. They are different courses, with Rosemount having bigger greens and wider fairways, but the challenge and the sheer beauty are just as impressive.” This magazine played the course last year and can attest to the fact that it is absolutely one of the best challenges in the country. If you’re looking for a value golf day on one of Scotland’s very best golf courses - not to mention hospitality inside what we believe to be Scotland’s finest clubhouse - then call 01250 872622 and book your spot in the 40th Anniversary Open Texas Scramble. You won’t regret it. T 40TH ANNIVERSARY OPEN TEXASSCRAMBLE! CALL 01250 872622 TO BOOK YOUR TEAM OF THREE FOR ONLY £100! ANNIVERSARY TIME Blairgowrie’s Lansdowne course is 40 this year - and you can join in the fun by playing in the club’s special Open Texas Scramble this September for just £100 for a team of three.

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 203 DOONTHESTRETCH Majorbookreleasesunveiled Publications from Woods and Palmer to hit shelves months apart iger Woods and Arnold Palmer have both announced they will have books available to buy in the near future. Woods’ book will be written with acclaimed golf journalist Lorne Rubenstein and will take a detailed look at the 40-year-old’s maiden major triumph at the 1997 Masters. Scheduled for release next March, 20 years on from his sensational 12-shot victory, the book will see Woods recount, in his own words, his experience of winning his first major and becoming the youngest Masters champion in history. It will also explore Woods’ history with the game, the tournament itself, and how golf has changed over the last 20 years. Palmer, meanwhile, is set to publish his memoir on October 25 this year. Titled A Life Well Played: My Stories, the book promises to give ‘a treasure trove of entertaining anecdotes and timeless wisdom that readers will celebrate and cherish’. “Though I have written a number of books in the past, this one was particularly important to me, because, as I delved into the process, I realised just how much I still wanted to say to my friends in golf and to fans of the game in general.” T THREEGOLFBOOKS YOUMUSTREAD The Big Miss: My Years Coaching Tiger Woods From £4.99 Respected golf coach Hank Haney spent six years as coach to the world’s No.1 golfer. In this 2013 book, Haney ‘dissects what makes Tiger Tiger’. Unfriended: Power Brokers, Political Correctness & Hypocrisy in Golf £6.88 (Kindle only) After being unceremoniously removed as the president of the PGA of America, Bishop felt aggrieved. He says this book ‘takes you on a wild ride with some of golf’s biggest events and personalities’. Out of the Rough: The Caddy’s Story From £9.99 Released earlier this year by caddy Steve Williams, it reflects on Williams’ years caddying for Tiger Woods, Adam Scott, Greg Norman, Raymond Floyd, Terry Gale and Ian Baker-Finch.

204 BUNKERED.CO.UK DOONTHESTRETCH BITESIZENEWS VICE CAPTAINS NAMED Darren Clarke has appointed four of his ﬁve vice captains for the Ryder Cup match between Europe and USA at Hazeltine this September. Scotland’s own Paul Lawrie, Ian Poulter, Thomas Bjorn and Padraig Harrington will support Clarke during the week of competition. SINGH HITS OUT AT TOUR Vijay Singh has blasted the PGA Tour for singling him out over his admission of using deer antler spray – calling his treatment ‘absurd’ and ‘unfair’. The case is now at the New York Supreme Court where, according to Golf Channel, a jury trial will take place if a settlement isn’t reached. The trial isn't likely to occur until late 2016 or early 2017. HALL OF FAME FOR INBEE South Korean Inbee Park has become eligible for the LPGA Hall of Fame after earning the necessary number of points to meet the entry criteria. Park, who at 27-years-old is the youngest to reach the milestone, has won 17 LPGA Tour events and seven major titles over her ten years on tour. She said: “This is a very, very special feeling. I’m really going to enjoy Hall of Fame.” Isthisgolf'sslowplaysolution? New SPRINT6GOLF format has been supported by the European Tour eal Madrid superstar Gareth Bale is among a host of famous faces to have thrown their support behind a new quicker and shorter format of golf for players of all ages and abilities. SPRINT6GOLF, as it is known, is played over just six holes and uses a free mobile app with a 30-second shot clock to ensure the game flows at a continuous pace of play. The brainchild of Tom Critchley, son of Sky Sports commentator Bruce Critchley, it has also received backing from England Golf, the Golf Foundation and the European Tour. “It addresses many of the current issues with golf by shortening the time required to play and making it more accessible, thus bringing a whole new generation of fans into the sport and enabling existing golfers to play more often.” SPRINT6GOLF can be played on any golf course thanks to the app, with 32 clubs around the country to be invited to host events throughout this year. R 30 SECONDS OR OUT In the new format, each player is given a time limit to play their shot YOUR COMPLETE PRO-AM PACKAGE INCLUDES: FLIGHTS To/from Glasgow to Faro, including hand luggage and golf club carriage ACCOMMODATION 4 nights at Vila Sol Resort, based on twin rooms 2 sharing, B&B GOLF 3 rounds of tournament golf at Vila Sol Resort DRIVING RANGE Access to the driving range, with 50 balls per tournament day TRANSFERS Airport Transfers included WELCOME DRINKS Drinks reception at the hotel on the first night PRESENTATION DINNER Including drinks (beer, wine and soft drinks) OPEN HOUR at the BAR Free drinks (beer, wine and soft drinks) 17:30 - 18:30 on tournament days PRIZE FUND Professional prize fund of £6000.00* PGA TOURNAMENT CONTROLLER 3 amateurs and one professional (pro cost £199) per team *based on 20 teams Holiday4Golfers Ltd., 78a Stockport Road, Cheadle, Cheshire SK8 2AJ 0161 428 0963 | info@holidays4golfers.com | www.holidays4golfers.com PORTUGAL SCOTTISH WINTER PRO AM 5th - 9th February 2017 £699 per amateur Time to putt matters straight! Call 0161 428 0963 to enter now!

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 205 PrizeCrossword Once you have completed the crossword, re-arrange the letters in yellow squares to form a Scottish golfer ACROSS 7. 2016 tournament held at Oakmont Country Club (2,4) 8. ______ Alley, the sixth hole at Carnoustie (6) 10. First golfer after Arnold Palmer to successful defend the Open (7) 11. The Centenary Open in 1960 was won by this Australian (5) 12. The _____ Hole, the formidable 17th hole at the Old Course (4) 13. Scottish golfer who shot 63 at the 2013 Texas Open (5) 17. Very welcome golﬁng bird of prey! (5) 18. A lost one is very costly (4) 22. Tennis great who was brieﬂy married to Greg Norman (5) 23. New Zealander who tied second to Julius Boros in the 1968 US PGA (7) 24. Golfer who ﬁnished double-bogey, bogey to lose the 2007 Open (6) 25. See 5 Down DOWN 1. Broom-handle ones are now banned (7) 2. Irish county that’s home to Ballylifﬁn, the ‘Dornoch of Ireland’ (7) 3. Na, a leading player on the PGA Tour (5) 4. Scottish ﬁlm star well known for his passion for golf (7) 5. And 25 Across. Maybe cast haggles over this Scottish course! (5,6) 6. 9 Down was born in this county (5) 9. He won the Amateur Championship ﬁve times between 1961 and 1970 (9) 14. Danny Willett won it in April 2016 (7) 15. These are held to decide which golfers play the Old Course each day (7) 16. Exploded out of a bunker (7) 19. Kenny, a member of the US team which won the 2008 Ryder Cup (5) 20. The Ryder Cup involves ______ of twelve players (5) 21. Hideki Matsuyama’s country (5) Send your entry to ‘Prize Crossword’, bunkered, 50 High Craighall Rd, Glasgow, G4 9UD. Crossword produced by Jim McLaren / jim.mclaren5@gmail.com Answer...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Your Name.............................................................................................................................................................................................................. Address .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Email.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ISSUE 147 ANSWER: MARTIN LAIRD WINNER: JIM GILMOUR, SCOTTON WIN... A DOZEN SRIXON AD333 GOLF BALLS DOONTHESTRETCH 1 What was the ﬁrst English course to host the Open? 2 How many times did Greg Norman ﬁnish runner-up in a major? 3 Which golfer won the English Amateur Championship in 1975 aged 18? 4 In which year did Bernard Gallacher make his Ryder Cup debut? 5 If you were playing at Lofoten Links, which country would you be in? 6 In which year was the ﬁrst four-hole play-off for the Open contested? 7 ‘Supermex’ was the nickname given to which multiple major-winner? 8 In which country did Seve Ballesteros win his ﬁrst European Tour title? 9 Who was the ﬁrst golfer ever to have a hole-in- one in the Ryder Cup? 10 Who was the ﬁrst-ever winner of the US Open? QUIZTIME ANSWERS 1. Royal St George’s. 2. Eight. 3. Nick Faldo. 4. 1969. 5. Norway. 6. 1989. 7. Lee Trevino. 8. The Netherlands. 9. Peter Butler. 10. Horace Rawlins.

TWITTER.COM/BUNKEREDONLINE 207 Fromtheclassroomtothecourse... Golphin’s pilot schools programme is a ‘massive success’ - now, it’s rolling it out across Scotland ot content with revolutionising the equipment that children are using to get into golf, top Scottish brand Golphin is doing its bit to maximise opportunities for kids to experience the game at a young age. The Irvine-based company - whose pioneering golf club range for juniors won the prestigious HSBC Golf Innovation Award late last year - recently rolled out a pilot schools programme, designed to take golf into the classroom. The scheme, backed by Arnold Clark, has been trialled in North Ayrshire and Renfrewshire in recent months, with Golphin founder Calum McPherson planning to work with golf’s governing bodies, such as Scottish Golf, as well as the junior golf charity the Golf Foundation and local councils to roll out the program throughout the UK and Europe. “The whole purpose of our schools program is to introduce kids to golf and make them want to play, rather than be dragged to the course or the range by their mum and dads,” said McPherson. “We want to make golf accessible to all kids, a game to be enjoyed from the very beginning.” To help assist teachers in delivering the program, Golphin has created a Coaching Learning Resource that explains best practice and demonstrates fun skills- based games that children of all ages and abilities can play together. The resource is based upon the success of other sports’ schools initiatives and, in McPherson’s words, ‘puts the knowledge of PGA pros directly into the classroom’. Bruce McMaster, the Active Schools Coordinator for the St Matthews Cluster in North Ayrshire, was hugely impressed by the pilot scheme and expects it to become very popular when it gets more widely rolled out. “Golphin’s products, resources and quality of coach education are of a very high standard,” said McMaster. “The pilot programme in North Ayrshire schools has been very well received and will remain a key component to helping new generations of young golfers into the sport.” The program has been co-sponsored by Arnold Clark and every child participating in it receives a Golphin 7-iron of their own, as well as four brand new Golphin golf balls to practice with. David Cooper of Arnold Clark commented: “We love to support any initiative that helps kids get out in to the fresh air and enjoying sports. What Golphin is doing for accessibility to golf is admirable and it is a pleasure to support the program.” McPherson added: “Our pilot scheme has demonstrated to us that there is a real appetite for making golf a part of the primary school curriculum in Scotland. We would now encourage any parent of a primary school child or any primary school teacher keen to know more about it to get in touch so we can get golf into the consciousness of Scotland’s kids in much the same way as football has been for generations.” To find out more about how your child or school can get involved with the Golphin Schools Programme, log-on to golphin.co.uk or call 01294 537676. TOP MARKS! Teachers and pupils alike were full of praise for the pilot Schools Program delivered by Golphin in North Ayrshire N DOONTHESTRETCH

Call Us for great pay as you play rates and deals for outings contact 01620 810 733 or info@castleparkgolfclub.co.uk

#4•Honma5-Stargolfclubs elieve it or not, you are looking at the most expensive golf clubs in the world - the 5-Star Set from luxury Japanese brand Honma. How expensive are we talking? Well, let’s just say you won’t get much change out of $75,000 for them. Honma can trace its roots back to the late 1950s and, in 1991, initiated a star system for grading its clubs. It works much like a hotel’s star grading: the more it's got, the more luxurious the product. In the case of building Honma golf clubs, luxury isn’t just determined by the amount of ‘bling’ flung onto them. Instead, it’s determined by the skill- set and experience of the person who handcrafts them for you. The company employs a hierarchy of craftsmen, from senior club-makers to apprentices. The higher the star-rating, the more experienced the person who has made them. The materials in the shaft also have an influence on price. Again, the better the materials used, the more you should expect to pay. A company spokesperson said: “Honma's dedication to handcrafting golf clubs is a tremendous source of pride in a culture that has witnessed this same vision in those craftsmen who created the world-renowned Samurai swords. Honma takes this same approach and spares no expense in creating the world’s most beautiful designs with exquisite finishes.” Want to find out more (assuming you have a huge limit on your Visa)? Log-on to honmagolf.com B • T h e t h i n g s we want and the places we w a n t t o p l a y • LIST 210 BUNKERED.CO.UK

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Bunkered Issue 148 2016