Latest articles by Fergus Bisset
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5 Heinous Golfing 'Crimes' And My Suggested PunishmentsI have a fair few ideas on things that should be illegal in golf. Here are my selections and suggestions for the appropriate punishments...
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How Far Would 2000 Tiger Woods Hit The Golf Ball In 2026?Would 2000 Tiger Woods be up there with the longest hitters in today’s game? How far would he be hitting his drives?
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'A Slippery 8-Footer To Make The Cut… It's What I Live And Train For'Sponsored by The International Series
Golf Monthly catches up with 28-year-old German Dominic Foos in Singapore as he strives to make his mark on the lucrative International Series
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I Took Relief From A Ball Embedded In The Rough. Is That Allowed?Are you entitled to relief from a ball embedded in the rough? If so, how should you go about taking that relief?
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If I Stop Someone’s Hole-Bound Putt With My Foot, Am I Disqualified?Stopping someone holing a putt is a petulant and pathetic thing to do but what are the consequences for doing it? Is it a disqualification?
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‘I Congratulate Golf's Governing Bodies For Spoiling A Great Game' – A Disgruntled Member Speaks Out Against The World Handicap SystemFergus Bisset speaks to an experienced UK golfer who has some strong and compelling points to make against the World Handicap System
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Should Bad Etiquette Result In Shot Penalties?Golf is a game of sportsmanship and integrity and etiquette is central to the sport. Should penalty strokes be applied for not adhering to it?
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Does Golf’s Complicated Rule Book Give Rise To Cheating… Or Is The Opposite True?Golf is a complex sport and the rules must reflect that. But is the rule book too complicated and does that allow cheats to prosper?
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My Playing Partner Rubbed His Hand On The Green To Test The Surface Before A Putt. Should He Be Penalised?Are you allowed to rub the surface of the green to test it while you’re out on the course? If not, what is the penalty for doing so?
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'At 7-Under Through 11, The Thought Of A 59 Crossed My Mind'Sponsored by The International Series
In 2026, Golf Monthly will be hearing regularly from talented 28-year-old German Dominic Foos as he vies to earn a place on the LIV Golf League via the lucrative International Series
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I Dropped My Glove On My Ball And It Moved. Is That A Penalty?If your golf glove falls out of your back pocket and drops onto your ball, causing it to move, are you in line to face a penalty?
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I Realised I Had 15 Clubs In My Bag On The 9th Hole. Am I Disqualified?You’ve accidentally left an extra club in your bag, and you don’t notice it until you’re nearly halfway round…. What do you do? Is it a disqualification?
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To Snitch Or Not To Snitch... Should You Report Slow Players And Groups To The Committee?Do you simply put up with slow play, or should you let those in charge know about repeat offenders and try to bring about change?
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I Took A Stroke From The Bunker And My Club Hit The Grass Face On The Backswing. Is That A Penalty?Will you be penalised for striking the grass face of a bunker as you take the club back? How should you proceed if you do so?
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I'm A 1-Handicap And Driving Has Always Been My Strength. Here Are My Top TipsGolf Monthly’s Fergus Bisset has spent four decades trying to perfect his technique and tactics from the tee. Here are his keys to reliable driving...
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My Opponent In A Match Crouched Down Behind The Line Of My Putt. Is That Allowed?Are you allowed to take a look at the line of an opponent’s putt? Can you be blatant about it? Is there a penalty for crouching behind the line?
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What Were Standard Iron Lofts In 2000… And How Do They Compare in 2026?Has the average loft of individual irons decreased over the last three decades and if so why, and by how much?
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Would You Prefer A Hole-In-One Or An Albatross? Have Your Say!Any golfer would be delighted with either, but if you could only achieve one, which would you pick?
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I Picked Up My Wedge Before My Playing Partner’s Heavy Putt Hit It. What Is The Ruling?Is there a penalty for moving a club out of the path of an incoming ball? If you do so, what happens next?
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What Is The Difference Between 3-, 4- and 5-Layer Golf Balls?A modern, premium golf ball is non-wound and features multiple complex layers, but how do the 3-, 4- and 5-layer options differ?
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My Ball Came To Rest on A Cart Path – Do I Have To Take A Drop Or Can I Play It As It Lies?Do you have to drop away from a cart path, or can you have a go if you think that’s the most practical option?
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I Removed A ‘Stone’ From The Bunker But It Was A Clump Of Wet Sand. What’s The Ruling?You can remove loose impediments, including stones from bunkers if you don’t move your ball, but what if you pick up a big chunk of sand?
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My 10-Point Checklist For 2026 – What I Want To Achieve This YearI've been playing golf for more than 40 years, but I still think I can get more out of the game. This is what I'm planning for 2026...
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I Marked My Ball Using The Toe Of My Putter And Then Cleaned It. Is That Allowed?Are you allowed to mark your ball with the toe of your putter? Will you face a penalty if you do so?
