
Fergus Bisset
Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He has also worked with Golf Monthly to produce a podcast series. Called 18 Majors: The Golf History Show it offers new and in-depth perspectives on some of the most important moments in golf's long history. You can find all the details about it here.
He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly.
Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?
Latest articles by Fergus Bisset
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Why Do Golfers Complain So Much?
Golfers have a reputation for whinging. Fergus Bisset wonders if it is justified and, if so, where does it stem from?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Can A Playing Partner Shield You With An Umbrella While You Putt?
Is it within the Rules for a playing partner or anyone else to hold a brolly over your head while you make a stroke at the golf ball?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Debate: Can You Ever Enjoy Playing Golf In The Rain?
Is it always a bad experience when you take to the fairways in a deluge or the heavens open mid-round, or is there still fun to be had?
By Jeremy Ellwood Published
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Who Are The Least Heralded Men’s Major Winners Of All Time?
We look at players who have claimed one of golf’s biggest prizes, but whose names were not exactly at the top of people’s likely winner lists...
By Fergus Bisset Published
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How Far Would Peak Gary Player Hit The Ball With Modern Golf Equipment?
A hypothetical exercise to consider how far the great South African might have hit the ball in his prime if he had access to today’s golfing technologies
By Fergus Bisset Published
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My Club Just Touched The Ground In A Penalty Area During A Practice Swing. What Is The Ruling?
Is there a penalty for touching your club on the ground in a penalty area during a practice swing… Or at any other time for that matter?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Mateo Pulcini Wins Latin America Amateur Championship
Argentina’s Mateo Pulcini came through a playoff to win the Latin America Amateur Championship and secure three major starts in 2026.
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Segundo Oliva Pinto Leads Latin America Amateur Championship
Argentina’s Segundo Oliva Pinto leads the 11th instalment of the Latin America Amateur Championship with a round to play.
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Andy Schonbaum Leads Latin America Amateur Championship
Argentina’s Andy Schonbaum leads the 11th instalment of the Latin America Amateur Championship through 36 holes
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Schonbaum and Martinez Benedetti Lead Latin America Amateur Championship
Argentina’s Andy Schonbaum and Andres Martinez Benedetti of Venuezuela lead the 11th instalment of the Latin America Amateur Championship.
By Fergus Bisset Published
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What Is The Difference Between A Driver, A Mini Driver And A 3-Wood?
We give you the information you need on what each of these clubs is at the top of the bag and which one might benefit your game the most
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Open, Masters And US Open Spots Available At Latin America Amateur Championship
The Latin America Amateur Championship gets underway tomorrow at Lima Golf Club in Peru. We give you the full tournament lowdown.
By Fergus Bisset Published
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I Just Moved My Ball With My Club While Looking For It. Should I Be Penalised?
If you’re searching for your ball in the rough with a club and you move it while you’re doing that, are you in line to incur a penalty?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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I Just Tapped In My Putt While Holding The Flagstick. Is That A Penalty Shot?
If you pull out the flagstick with one hand before tapping the ball in while still holding it, are you penalised under the Rules of Golf?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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New Year's Resolutions: The 5-Point Golfing Plan I'm Sticking Religiously To In 2026
I'm fed up of falling into old habits and repeating the same mistakes year after year, so here's what I'm going to do differently in 2026
By Fergus Bisset Published
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How Far Did Bobby Jones Hit The Ball… And How Far Would He With Modern Equipment?
Bobby Jones was one of the all-time golfing greats. But how far did he hit the ball, and how far might he be able to hit it today?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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If You Run Out Of Golf Balls, Are You Disqualified?
What do you do if you’re having a wild day on the links and you lose every ball in your bag? Is that it… Is your race run?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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5 Golf Equipment Myths Debunked
We look at five commonly held beliefs when it comes to golf equipment and explain why they might just be unfounded
By Fergus Bisset Published
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This Might Be Scotland’s Best New, Old, Play And Stay Venue…
The sympathetically renovated Marine Hotel in North Berwick offers timeless sophistication and luxury with a world-class course out the back gate.
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Can You Put A Leaf On The Line Of Your Putt As A Target?
If you have a long-range putt and there are leaves on the green, can you use one as a target? Can you place one as a target?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Are You Allowed To Putt With Any Club In The Bag?
If your putter is misbehaving or has gone over your knee, can you use another club to putt with? Can you use any other club to putt with?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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'I Think We've Given The World Handicap System A Fair Shot. My Club Is Now Taking Matters Into Its Own Hands'
Fergus Bisset wonders if the administrators’ inaction on player dissatisfaction with the World Handicap System is forcing individual clubs to take steps
By Fergus Bisset Published
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How Important Is Sound When It Comes To A Golf Club… And Can It Be Misleading?
The sound of a well struck golf shot is highly satisfying. But is it that important how a club sounds? Is it an accurate measure of its performance?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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My Playing Partner Said, “It’s Nearest Point Of Relief, Not Nicest Point Of Relief.” What Does That Mean?
When taking a free drop in various situations on the golf course, you’re looking for nearest, not nicest point of relief. We explain the process.
By Fergus Bisset Published
