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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Who Are The Favorites To Win Gold In The 2024 Olympic Golf Competition?
With plenty of top names participating in the men's and women's 2024 Olympic golf competition, who is likely to pick up a gold medal at Le Golf National?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Should Golf's World Handicap System Be Scrapped? The Arguments For And Against…
The World Handicap System is an emotive topic. Here, we consider whether it’s fit for purpose or if it should be abolished...
By Fergus Bisset Published
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What Is A Golf Handicap?
In this article, we explain one of the fundamental components of amateur golf by answering two basic questions, what is a golf handicap and how do I get one?
By Fergus Bisset Last updated
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Are We At Crisis Point With Golf Club Vandalism?
In recent months, there have been a spate of attacks by vandals on golf courses. What’s happening and what can be done about it?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Tiger Woods Reveals Which Tournament Defeat Was His 'Hardest Loss'
Ahead of The Open Championship at Royal Troon, Tiger Woods spoke candidly about the toughest loss in his glittering professional career
By Fergus Bisset Published
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'I Have Felt So Sorry For Rory' – Gary Player 'Pulling' For McIlroy To Win Open After Pinehurst Agony
Gary Player spoke to Golf Monthly about Rory’s struggles, Bryson’s bravado, Jon Rahm’s millions and Troon’s “easy” front nine.
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Why I’ve Been Addicted To Golf For 40 Years... And Always Will Be
Fergus Bisset considers what has made, and continues to make, golf so compelling and compulsive for him
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Can You Take Practice Swings In A Different Bunker To The One Your Ball Is Lying in?
Your ball has found the sand and you want to make a practice swing, is there a way to do it without breaking the Rules?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Are You Allowed To Practise Putting After Completing A Hole?
You’ve just missed a three-footer and want to see if you had the wrong line or simply mishit the putt, can you have another go?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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What Happens If You Don’t Complete A Round When You’re Putting In A Card?
You’ve signed up to play a round but can’t or don’t get all the way round. What happens if you’re putting in a card?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Why More Golf Clubs Should Open Their Doors To The Public
Welcoming non-golfers in can generate revenue, attract new players and, most importantly, improve golf’s wider image.
By Fergus Bisset Published
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What Is Stableford In Golf?
You may have heard of this popular scoring format, but what is Stableford in golf? Fergus Bisset explains all...
By Fergus Bisset Last updated
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I Don’t Care About The World Rankings… These Are The 10 Best Male Golfers In The World Right Now
Fergus Bisset gives his thoughts on the 10 best male golfers in the world right now – the players with the greatest current potential to win the biggest tournaments
By Fergus Bisset Last updated
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I Tasked ChatGPT With Taking 5 Shots Off My Handicap. Its 7-Point Plan Is A Great Blueprint For All Golfers
Fergus Bisset swallowed his pride and asked ChatGPT if it could help him improve his golf
By Fergus Bisset Published
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How Long Is Golf’s Rule Book Compared To Other Sports?
Golf has a reputation for possessing a long and complicated rule book, but is it that much lengthier than those in other popular sports?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Five Of The Most Common Immovable Obstructions In Golf
What is an immovable obstruction in golf? What immovable obstructions are you most likely to encounter and what’s the procedure if you do?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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'They've Lost The Golf Course', Mickelson's Moving Ball And 'We Played Twilight Golf' - 9 US Open Controversies
A look at some of the US Open controversies through the years - there have been quite a lot of them
By Fergus Bisset Last updated
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How Far Did Ben Hogan Drive The Golf Ball?
Ben Hogan was one of the all-time greats, accumulating 71 career wins, but how far did “The Hawk” drive the golf ball?
By Fergus Bisset Last updated
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I Play Off 1 But I Don’t Care About My Golf Handicap Anymore. This Is Why...
Under the World Handicap System, handicaps have become so fluid that Fergus Bisset no longer places much importance on the number after his name.
By Fergus Bisset Published
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6 Rules Every Golfer Forgets!
Our qualified rules expert clarifies six often forgotten golf rules, covering everything from red penalty areas to abnormal ground conditions...
By Fergus Bisset Published
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I Was A Golf Club Captain For Two Years... These Are The Five Best (And Five Worst) Parts Of The Job
Fergus Bisset, a former golf club captain, considers the pros and cons of the experience. It can be hugely rewarding, but it’s not without its challenges....
By Fergus Bisset Published
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'One Of Our Group Put 83 Balls In The Water' – We Set Out To Find The Highest Ever Single-Hole Score In Golf...
There’s so much that can go wrong in golf and sometimes it all unravels on a single hole, as these accounts demonstrate...
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Do You Get Relief From A Footprint In A Bunker?
A ball in a footprint in a bunker is an unfortunate predicament for any golfer to face, but do you get a free drop? Or do you have to take it on the chin?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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I’ve Been A Single-Figure Golfer For 30 Years. These Are The Seven Keys To Getting (And Keeping) A Low Handicap
It takes time and it takes a bit of work, but there are key techniques and strategies you can employ to reach your golfing goals
By Fergus Bisset Published