A Year In The Life Of A Golfer

published 25 January 2018

Twelve months is a long time for an amateur golfer. From optimism and success to crushing defeat and despondency, here’s what to expect in 2018

A Year In The Life Of A Golfer

Twelve months is a long time for an amateur golfer. From optimism and success to crushing defeat and despondency, here’s what to expect in 2018

January

It all starts with a simple resolution.

“I hereby pledge that I will hit at least 100 practice balls per week for the whole year!”

Related: How to play more golf in 2018

February

Sliced tee shots, duffed chips, three-putts – that was the old you.

A package of lessons will almost certainly banish your oldest golfing foes.

This time next year, you’ll have the technical prowess of Faldo in his prime!

March

A new swing needs new clothes.

Your confidence is high and your wardrobe needs to reflect that.

“Bring me the Rickie Fowler collection...”

April

A mystical concoction of Augusta National, late night sporting drama and red wine combine to send you into a golfing frenzy.

May

Time to put your hard work to the test. You sign yourself up for a spate of club competitions.

June

Vindication!

Your effort and optimism are rewarded with some early success.

A low round to start the year should help you kick on nicely. Life is good.

July

Without warning, your worst golf returns.

Whatever your emotional expression of choice – venomous rage or wallowing self-pity – it all comes pouring out.

August

A much-needed break provides perspective – “go easy on yourself, you’re not a tour pro after all” – and you soon readjust your golfing goals.

September

Once again, the driving range becomes an important fixture in your life.

Ball after ball dispatched into the distance – that should do the trick.

October

You’re shrewd enough to know that a multi-layered approach is key.

You dust off your Bob Rotella book in a bid to regain control of your mind.

November

Your new laid-back approach yields success, but you’re leaning heavily on your playing partner.

Still, there’s no ‘I’ in team.

December

Time to devise a new plan for a new year.

Now, where do we start…

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In his current role, Neil is responsible for testing drivers and golf balls. Having been a part of the Golf Monthly team for over 15 years and playing off a handicap of 3, he has the experience to compare performance between models, brands and generations. For 2022 he thinks the main trend in drivers is: "In a word, consistency. Whilst all the brands are talking about ball speed (and the new drivers are certainly long), my biggest finding has been how much more consistent the ball flights are. Mishits don't seem to be causing the same level of drop-off or increase in the spin numbers. This means that more shots seem to be flying the way you want them to!" As far as golf balls are concerned the biggest development is in the, "three piece, non-Tour, urethane-covered section. For regular golfers, these models offer superb performance at both ends of the bag without denting your wallet quite as much as the premium Tour-played options."

Originally working with the best coaches in the UK to produce instruction content, he is now the brand's Digital Editor and covers everything from Tour player interviews to gear reviews. In his time at Golf Monthly, he has covered equipment launches that date back well over a decade. He clearly remembers the launch of the Callaway and Nike square drivers as well as the white TaylorMade driver families, such as the RocketBallz! If you take a look at the Golf Monthly YouTube channel, you'll see his equipment videos dating back over a decade! He has also conducted 'What's In The Bag' interviews with many of the game's best players like Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm. Over the years, Neil has tested a vast array of products in each category and at drastically different price-points.

Neil is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade Stealth Plus Fairway Wood: Titleist TSR2 Hybrid: Titleist TS3 Irons (4-9): Mizuno JPX 919 Forged Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 46˚, 50˚, 54˚, 60˚ Putter: Odyssey Triple Track Ten Ball: Titleist Pro V1X