
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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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
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Best Amateur Performances At The Masters
A look at some of the greatest performances by amateurs at Augusta National through the years
By Fergus Bisset Last updated
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Can You Play A Ball From GUR?
If your ball lands in an area marked as ground under repair, do you have to take relief or can you play it as it lies?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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If I Could Build A Golf Club From Scratch, This Is How It Would Look…
With a magic wand and bottomless pockets, what would the ultimate golf club look like? Here's my version of golfing utopia
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Injury, The Yips And No Form... How Ben Hogan Almost Pulled Off The Unthinkable In His Last Masters Appearance
At Augusta National in 1967, 54-year-old Ben Hogan rolled back the years with an incredible back nine of 30 in the third round of his final Masters
By Fergus Bisset Published
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How Many LIV Golfers Have Won The Masters?
The LIV Golf player roster includes some star names and multiple Major champions have signed up. How many of them have won The Masters?
By Fergus Bisset Last updated
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'Exclusive, Inaccessible and Male-Dominated' – We Asked 20 Non-Golfers To Describe The Game In Three Words. The Results Don't Make For Great Reading...
Golf has been fighting hard to change its image and to be viewed as progressive by the general public. It would seem the general public don’t quite see it yet
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Do The Rules Of Golf Vary From Country To Country?
Are there variations to the Rules of Golf in different parts of the world, or are they consistent in every country across the globe?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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10 Golf Rules That No Longer Exist
We take a look at some old golfing laws that have either been changed over the years or discarded completely...
By Fergus Bisset Published
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What's The Longest Recorded Golf Club Throw? Our Five Favourite Stats From The Guinness Book Of World Records...
We look at five amazing golfing stats from the famous Guinness Book of World Records – From PGA Tour appearances to club throwing!
By Fergus Bisset Published
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How To Plumb Bob A Putt
Learning how to plumb bob a putt could help you identify subtle breaks on the green... but only if done correctly!
By Fergus Bisset Last updated
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How Would The Unstoppable Tiger Woods Of 2000 Get On Against Today's Best Golfers? We've Crunched The Numbers To Find Out...
In 2000, Tiger Woods played golf that seemed, and was at times, out of this world. Was it the best anyone has ever played? How would it compare to the best of today?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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What Happens If Your Golf Ball Hits Another Golf Ball?
In the unlikely event of your golf ball making contact with another ball on the golf course, what should you do?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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From Sleepy Hollow To St Enodoc... 10 Of Our Favourite Golf Club Crests From The UK And USA
Here, we look at 10 of the best golf club crests and logos, from putting boys and lighthouses to churches and wild animals...
By Fergus Bisset Published
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What Happens If You Play Out Of Turn In Golf?
Ready golf is now encouraged, meaning the etiquette on always playing “in turn” has been relaxed, but not in all circumstances…
By Fergus Bisset Published
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100 Years Of Golf Gear Innovation
Fergus Bisset charts some of the biggest equipment advances, and most iconic pieces of kit, in each decade over the last century
By Sam Tremlett Last updated
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Have You Ever Witnessed Cheating On The Golf Course? Many Of You Have And Hundreds Believe It's 'A Problem' In The Amateur Game
Anecdotal evidence suggests cheating is prevalent in golf, but is it often more a case of misunderstanding than wilful rule breaking? We investigate...
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Santiago De la Fuente Wins Latin America Amateur Championship And Will Play in The Open Championship Plus Masters And US Open
Santiago De la Fuente of Mexico has won the Latin America Amateur Championship at the Santa Maria Golf Club in Panama and will play three majors this year as a result.
By Fergus Bisset Published