As the late 1965 USPGA champion, Dave Marr, once famously said: “Never bet with anyone you meet on the 1st tee who has a deep suntan, a 1-iron in his bag, and squinty eyes.”

We all understand the sentiment and humour, but while golf’s real handicap bandits, sandbaggers - or whatever else you want to call them – can be less easy to spot with the naked eye, they are actually no laughing matter as they manipulate the World Handicap System (WHS) by finding ways to keep their handicap index artificially high so they can plunder the treasure when the biggest riches or most prestigious titles are up for grabs.

For all the issues professional golf has been going through, this is one that can’t be levelled at the paid ranks, as the absence of handicaps there means the best man or woman on the day always wins – no questions asked.

Club golf, on the other hand, depends on accurate handicaps for competitions to work fairly and effectively. While most golfers readily accept that every dog has its day, far outperforming general ability as a genuine one-off, it is the dogs who engineer things so they have way more than their fair share of days who undermine the system, which relies on honesty, integrity and good intentions.

So, what are the four main tricks bandits use to keep their handicaps artificially high, ready to pounce when the big prizes are on offer?

Deliberately throwing good scores away

This is one I can write about with confidence for it's the one I have genuinely heard someone admit they were about to do halfway through a round. Having reached the turn well under handicap, this fella, who I’d only met on the day in a competition at his home club, said to me, “It’s the senior club championship this weekend and the last thing I need is a handicap cut before that. I’m going to have to start dropping a few shots coming home.” He proceeded to do just that, thus keeping his handicap intact for the weekend’s big event. Unlike this chap, though, most wouldn’t tell you they were about to do it!

So, the first trick bandits use is to deliberately hit bad shots or putts down the stretch with a good handicap-reducing score going, to ensure that, come the end, their handicap won’t be dropping ahead of the big event they have in their sights. Some may even go to the trouble of putting in a succession of poor general play scores in the build-up to a big club competition or knockout event to even ‘earn’ themselves one or two extra shots.

Not putting in cards when they’ve improved

Golfers sometimes find some magic move that radically transforms their game and scoring potential - a sudden eureka moment that means they become much better almost overnight. For others, such improvement might come following an intensive period of lessons and practice.

While most of us would be desperate to see how much we can reduce our handicaps by with our new golf game, those with bandit tendencies will seek to use the improvements in their game to their advantage by delaying putting in any cards or entering any competitions until the one they really have their eyes on, knowing that they will be going into it off a handicap index several shots higher than it should now be. Most golfers don’t operate this way; sadly, a small number do.

Feigning injury or illness with a good score going

This is related to our first category but, in an attempt to legitimise things a little more or throw people off the scent, they pin the blame for a sudden loss of form down the stretch (with a handicap cut in sight) on the old back problem flaring up, or loss of stamina from the lingering effects of the head cold they’re just getting over.

The end result is, of course, the same. The golf game that had looked rock-solid and infallible for 14 holes suddenly falls apart and the artificially high handicap is preserved, ready to be taken full advantage of in the impending big club competition or knockout semi-final. And, without complete certainty about what has just happened, who is going to be mean-spirited enough to accuse a fellow golfer of feigning injury or illness?

Only entering knockout competitions

The final trick is to only play in knockout competitions when you know you’re playing much better than your handicap. Yes, technically match play scores can still count for handicap purposes if you read the detail in WHS and on The R&A’s website, but in reality, at most clubs they rarely do. For most of us, when was the last time we actually filled in a scorecard during a match, let alone submitted one? It’s all done via a quick, “I think that puts us 2-up, doesn’t it?” on the next tee, with no paper and pencil involved.

Certain types of bandit know this and will continue cleaning up disproportionately in match play events because their handicap index is too high. Or, they wait for a prime opportunity to use it to their advantage in the big summer competition or perhaps the handicap trophy on club championship day.

A note of caution

Having said all this, the only bandit I know for sure that I’ve played with was the chap mentioned in our first point because he admitted it! Is that because I’ve been walking around with my eyes wide shut or the problem is not as prevalent as some feel it is?

Many do feel it is quite a widespread issue, but as a note of caution before you go around accusing people of banditry... assuming that, unlike the chap in our first point, someone hasn't actually told you they're about to start throwing shots away, the symptoms can be pretty indistinguishable from choking. Was that feeble capitulation down the stretch the act of someone deliberately preserving their handicap, or someone who is desperately keen to get their handicap down bottling it with the finishing line in sight?

I only ask because my current handicap record is full of such rounds and you will have to take my word for it that I have zero interest in maintaining an artificially high handicap and every interest in keeping my handicap as low as possible for as long as possible.

There are some golf clubs, whether they are performing or not, that you could never be angry with. The years pass by and still they remain in your bag, and even if they do occasionally get dropped for a newer model, they’ll never leave your garage – and you wouldn’t dream of sticking them on eBay. Not a chance.

We’ve been blessed with some stunning designs over the years, so coming up with a list of the best-looking golf clubs of all time is no easy task. This is subjective, of course. There may be some golfers who fell in love with those square drivers (someone had to), or certain ones that had white crowns. These just happen to be our authors' favorites…

Wilson 8802 Putter

The Wilson Staff 8802 blade putter is a vintage model that is widely considered one of the best putter designs of all time. At the 2024 Masters, Tiger Woods was pictured hitting a few practice putts with it; it’s an old favorite that the former World No.1 and 15-time Major champion has spoken fondly of in the past.

“I really do practice with my 8802 probably the most because I like feeling that toe release and I like putting with my right hand,” Woods told NBC Sports in 2020, adding that he used it as a kind of “training aid”. It’s more than that, Tiger – it’s a work of art.

Miura MB 101 Irons

Designed and constructed by the legendary Katsuhiro Miura, each Miura club is individually made using the manufacturer’s forging process. Quite simply, they look incredible.

If you’re a good (very good) ball striker and you like a razor sharp look at address, these irons have probably already made it onto your radar. With zero offset, a thin topline, and a compact blade length, this is an iron that will make traditionalists weak at the knees.

Titleist Bulls Eye Putter

To the untrained eye, this much-loved flatstick could be mistaken for one of those putters you hire out at a crazy golf place. To be fair, it does look a bit like something you could pick up for a few bucks at a garage sale. Should you ever do so, be sure to buy it, for some of these are worth much gold.

In the late 1940s, Phoenix professional John Reuter set about designing a putter that swung like the pendulum of a clock. They were first known as ‘the sweet strokers’, before the name became ‘Bulls Eye’.

Titleist (Acushnet) put them into mass production in 1958 and they became one of the most popular, and successful, putters of the 20th century. Simple, unfussy and classic in the way it looks, this throwback to simpler times remains very pleasing on the eye.

Scotty Cameron Newport 2 Putter

Okay, so it was slightly predictable that a Scotty was going to feature on this list – but you’d have a hard time convincing us that the Newport 2 isn’t one of the best-looking golf clubs of all-time.

When Tiger Woods was in his pomp, he rarely seemed to miss inside 10 feet – he’d gently rock his shoulders and his Scotty would do the rest. It’s a model that has been refined by its master craftsman over the years and there have been various incarnations, but it remains one of the most popular putter styles out there.

Mizuno MP-33 Irons

Just as we were never going to not include a Scotty, you can’t have a best-looking list without at least one set of Mizuno irons – and while it was a tough call, we’ve gone with the MP-33s.

Golfers around the world will still have dreams about these curved muscle back blades; the name will no doubt bring back pleasant memories for a lot of decent golfers. Former World No.1 Luke Donald played with these beauties, as did many a Tour pro.

The Mizuno MP-33 irons hit the shelves in 2002, and they were still being produced four years later. In fact, after its retail life came to an end, it was still available for custom orders many years after that.

Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Driver

We were big fans of the original Paradym family, and although there were minimal improvements when the 2024 Callaway Ai Smoke arrived, some aesthetic improvements have made it one of the standout products of the year.

Some might say it’s a bit of a stretch putting this into the top-10 of all-time, but the combination of visual carbon and the gray give this driver a really sophisticated and cohesive visual.

Meanwhile, the smokey pattern from the original Paradym Triple Diamond continues but is sharper, and with the gray accent looks even smarter. The vibrant blue logo is also the perfect accent to the gray and purely for shelf appeal, this big stick stood from the competition this year.

TaylorMade BRNR Copper Mini Driver

The new TaylorMade BRNR Copper Mini driver is without question one of the coolest clubs to have launched in 2024 – its shelf appeal is off the charts.

This is a new-look version of its popular BRNR Mini-Driver Copper. The previous copper accent colors have become more prevalent and have given the crown a fantastic look. Meanwhile, the BRNR logo has been replaced with a retro TaylorMade engraving. Also very cool.

The features and tech of the previous model remain the same, so this is merely a cosmetic change – one that gets a big thumbs up from us.

Ping i59 Irons

These fantastic irons were a contender for the best new club launch of 2021. They weren’t just visually stunning – they offered surprisingly high levels of forgiveness for what was a better player model.

Replacing the iBlade (another very good looking iron, by the way), the Ping i59 irons featured a new groove figuration. There were a few extra grooves and they were more tightly spaced, whilst a white bottom grove framed the ball nicely and helped players to focus on the strike. A clean looking iron that really suited the eye of the better player from pretty much every angle.

Honma Beres Driver

Golf Monthly editor Neil Tappin bought this $5,000 Honma Beres driver on his credit card in 2019, and he still has $500 left to pay off before it’s officially his. We jest. This driver was sent back to Honma via armed couriers in layers and layers of bubble wrap.

For those who didn’t know, Honma is a brand that crafts high end, premium golf equipment, and it has a sub-brand/franchise called Beres (ultra-premium). If you thought Honma was expensive, Beres takes premium to a whole new level with customisation and its component parts.

“We've got 24 carat gold sprinkled pretty much throughout the whole of this golf club,” Honma Fitting Specialist Luke Peterken told us at the time.

A bit blingy? Well, yes, it probably is. Aesthetically pleasing? Absolutely.

Nike VR Pro Combo Irons

A belated happy 10th birthday to the Nike VR Pro Combo irons. If you’re still playing with a set of these, eight years ago the sports giant stopped making golf equipment, we don’t blame you.

When these irons arrived in the Golf Monthly offices (which were in Southwark, London at the time), the story goes that there was a mad scramble (fight) for who’d hit these irons first.

That honor went to Paul O’Hagan. Our former senior equipment writer may have gone on to work for an equipment brand that starts and ends with the letter ‘t', but rumor has it he still has a set of these in his garage.

How often have you looked around you during a medal or stableford – maybe on an elevated tee or in the middle of the fairway – and thought, ‘I’d love to hit a shot from here into that green?’

We do it all the time, especially at our own course, where we’ll often discuss how we’d like to tweak holes and picture how we’d play certain shots into different greens.

Perhaps, when no one has been looking, you’ve even played the odd shot into a different green. Certainly we’ve all thought about it. Sometimes on a quiet day, with no one else in sight, it’s too tempting.

When you do, the course you’ve been playing on for so many years can suddenly feel different – it’s like a whole new set of holes is waiting to be discovered. One shot, and a course you know so well becomes unfamiliar.

You’ll know what I mean if you’ve played in your club’s Cross Country tournament, which is where a composite course is created from the usual layout. What a brilliant idea – one that, for various reasons, is probably an underused competition.

I recently played in the Formby/Formby Ladies Golf Club Cross Country. It didn’t disappoint; it’s just a shame it’ll be another 12 months before I’m able to hit a tee shot from Formby’s 13th fairway into Formby’s 16th green – a slightly bonkers hole but very fun.

First up, in what was a shotgun start, we teed off on the 2nd tee of Formby. Ten minutes later, and after carefully negotiating some tricky heather and manoeuvring our trolleys onto Formby Ladies (it’s called Cross Country for a reason), we putted out on their 2nd green.

Next up, a par 3, 150 yards into a raised green (Formby’s 5th). It’s hard enough to find the putting surface from the usual tee, but from the 4th tee on Formby Ladies it was one of the hardest shots of the day. In fact, with two deep bunkers now in front of the green, and with steep runs off either side, it looked terrifying.

It’s not a hole that has been designed to receive balls coming in from this angle. It’s something we found ourselves saying throughout the round. In normal circumstances, we probably would have had criticised its design and moaned about a lack of fairness, but not today. Some holes were quirky, of course, whilst others blended in seamlessly.

Come the end of the 16-hole event, which was played as a Florida team scramble with two men and two ladies, everyone was genuinely left feeling disappointed that there weren’t more holes to play – something that’s not always the case, especially after a medal off the whites in blustery conditions.

Formby circles Formby Ladies, which makes it easier to set up a number of exciting composite courses. However, a club doesn’t need to have 36 holes to create its own Cross Country; many clubs are able to create 9-holers with the 18 holes they have at their disposal. Indeed, Formby Ladies has its own Cross Country.

At the Home of Golf, members occasionally play the famous Old Course in reverse. As far back as the 1400s, it was designed to be played either clockwise or anti-clockwise.

In its reverse configuration, the Old Course plays from the 1st tee to the 17th green, then down the 17th fairway to the 16th green and so on until the finishing hole, which is played from the 2nd tee to the 18th green. It's superb, so I hear.

Elsewhere, I'm told that it's possible to tee off on Royal Aberdeen and hole out on Murcar Links. Why not? These two super links courses sit side by side. I'm sure Mike Clayton would approve. The Australian golfer/architect quite often shares pictures of 'holes that aren't holes'.

Cross Country is the competition that every club needs to have on its calendar. Playing in it can only give you a greater appreciation for your course and the way it was designed. It’s sure to bring out your creative qualities, too, for you’ll likely face a number of shots that you’re not used to playing – and that can only be a good thing.

I’d change one thing. Laser rangefinders should not be allowed, at least just for this event. Despite pulling out my trusty Bushnell Tour V6 Shift rangefinder before every shot, you could argue that having to try and work out the yardages without one should be part of the fun. A ‘new’ course played with no yardage markers and no lasers. Pure golf.

Bring on the next Cross Country.

How many calories does a round of golf burn? It’s a question a lot of golfers might be interested in learning the answer to, especially those in search of reassurance that it’s Ok to eat a club sandwich with chips because it’s all going to get burnt off over the course of 18 holes.

Without igniting a big debate and pouring over lots of research papers, it’s safe to say that although walking for somewhere between eight and 10km – depending on how much zig-zagging you do across the fairways – can burn hundreds of calories, having the mindset that you’re then free to eat and drink however much you like probably isn’t the way to go.

Lecture over. We’ve digressed, slightly. What we do agree with is that golf is good for both body and mind. Back to the original question, because it’s still interesting to know how many calories a round of golf burns, and it can be a useful guide.

“You’ll find plenty of figures out there claiming that a round a golf can burn 1,500 calories,” says Golf Monthly strength and conditioning coach Jamie Greaves.

“Personally, I think that’s very high. An 18-hole round of golf will typically burn somewhere between 700 and 1,000 calories.”

For comparison, you’re probably looking at a 60-minute intense run or HIIT class to burn those kind of numbers. Greaves likes to put as asterisk next to this.

“I’m not a huge fan of going by the number of calories burnt as an indicator of how healthy something is,” he says.

“Don’t get me wrong, walking around the golf course is good for both your physical and mental health, but spending an hour lifting weights or doing a HIIT class, for example, has far more health benefits and is way more intense even if they burn fewer calories.”

In other words, don’t go cancelling your gym membership.

Back to the 700-1,000 calories that a round of golf can burn; there are a few reasons why this figure varies. Those golfers playing on more spaced out, hillier courses are likely to burn more calories than compact, flatter ones.

The good news for the high-handicappers out there, or anyone who’s playing badly, is that if you find yourself spending a lot of time searching for balls and walking from one side of the fairway to the other, you’re most likely going to finish up burning more calories. Every cloud and all that.

Does carrying a golf bag burn more calories?

If your sole reason for carrying a golf bag is that you think doing so burns significantly more calories than using a trolley does, you’d be best advised to have a rethink.

In fact, you might even wish to consider investing in a trolley to take the weight off your back and conserve your energy on the course, so you can focus on playing your best golf. After all, we can all be guilty of frittering shots away when feeling fatigued towards the end of a round.

“I’ve seen the research and there isn’t actually a great difference in calories burnt when you compare carrying your golf bag versus using a trolley,” says Greaves.

What food should I eat during a round of golf?

Of course, burning through those calories as you chase your little white ball around the countryside means you’ll need to pack some snacks.

“I’d recommend getting in three snacking opportunities during your round,” says Greaves. “Aim for about 200-300 calories per snack with a decent balance between proteins, carbs and fats.”

What about a cold beer and a bacon sandwich at the halfway hut? No one is saying you shouldn’t enjoy yourself with a treat or two. It’s all about moderation. 

Of course, if you really want to play your best stuff, you’ll stick to bananas, dried fruit and nuts, and give the confectionary items and bacon sandwich a miss. 

Golf has many different rules and a long list of terms, of which stroke index is just one. If you’re new to the game, this is an important one to familiarise yourself with, as it’s key to working out scoring in various competitions. You don’t want to be one of those saying, ‘How many points did I score there?’ on every hole.

The Rules of Golf states that “The Committee is responsible for publishing on the scorecard or somewhere else that is visible (for example, near the 1st tee) the order of holes at which handicap strokes are to be given or received.” This Rule - 5I (4) - requires that a club decides upon and allocates “Stroke Index.”

HOW DOES THE STROKE INDEX WORK IN GOLF?

Each of the 18 holes receives a unique stroke index number (1-18). These are listed for each hole on the scorecard or somewhere visible. Sometimes it’s shortened to SI or appears as hcp. These strokes indexes are designed to allow for handicap matches.

A strokeplay match between players of unequal handicaps is simple to determine – deduct each player’s Playing Handicap from the gross score and you get the net score – and lowest net score wins.

What about matchplay? Well, let’s say Sarah has to give Linda four shots during the round. Linda will receive these shots on stroke index holes 1-4 (not holes 1-4). Simple.

HOW DOES THE STROKE INDEX WORK WITH STABLEFORD?

Stroke index is also used in other competitions, such as Stableford – which, for a lot of clubs, is the most common competition format on the club calendar.

Here, points are earned on each hole in relation to each golfer’s net par for the hole. Net par is calculated using stroke index.

Let’s say Steve gets 10 shots – this is one extra shot on holes with a stroke index 1-10 inclusive. Brian gets 19 shots, which means two extra shots on the stroke index 1 hole and one extra shot on all the others. Is Brian a bandit? Let’s not go down that rabbit hole in this piece.

WHAT DOES STROKE INDEX MEAN ON A GOLF SCORECARD?

It’s a bit of a misconception that it’s a ranking of holes in terms of difficulty – so 1 is the hardest and 18 the easiest. It’s not quite that simple.

Here’s why. Stroke index was designed for matchplay. It’s rare that the 1st has a low stroke index, in case the match is tied after 18 holes and goes to sudden death. The same applies for the 10th hole at clubs where matches can sometimes start.

The reason the 18th is rarely of low index is because golfers object to giving a shot in what may be a crucial hole. It’s also because a lot of matches do not get to go down 18 and so the person receiving shots may not get to use the full allocation. For the same reasons, you’ll rarely see the 9th with a low stroke index.

In Stableford, par and bogey competitions, the need to have a uniform and balanced distribution of strokes is less compelling. In such competitions, it's more appropriate for stroke index to be aligned to the ranking of holes in terms of playing difficulty, irrespective of hole number.

Allocation must then take both matchplay and strokeplay into account.

HOW DOES STROKE INDEX WORK FOR NINE HOLES?

If playing a nine-hole competition on an 18-hole course, the committee has two options. Either strokes should be taken/given in ascending order from the published stroke index for 18 holes. For example, if a player would receive 10 shots for 18 holes, they receive shots on holes ranked 1-10 on that nine.

Or, a committee can amend the stroke index allocation on that nine from 1 to 9, relative to the ascending order of the published stroke index allocation for 18 holes. 

HOW IS STROKE INDEX DECIDED?

Stroke index allocation is covered in Appendix E of the Rules of Golf. It suggests that the allocation of stroke index is, overall based on difficulty relative to par but with certain caveats.

It is recommended that the course should be split into six triads (groups of three) with each hole ranked on its playing difficulty relative to par. This can be determined from data used for the course rating Procedure.

The Rules recommend the following methodology for stroke index allocation within the six-triad structure, in order to work for both matchplay and strokeplay:

* Apply odd stroke index allocations over the front nine and even stroke index allocations over the back nine. If, however, the back nine is significantly more difficult than the front nine, as determined by the Course Rating, the even stroke index allocations can be switched to the front nine and the odd stroke index allocations to the back nine.

* Spread stroke index allocations evenly over the 18 holes so that players receiving strokes will have the opportunity to use a high proportion of these strokes before a match result has been decided.

* Apply the lowest stroke index hole (1 or 2) on each nine in the middle triad. If no hole within the middle triad is ranked within the lowest six holes relative to par, then it can be moved into an adjacent hole at the end of the first triad or the beginning of the third triad on each nine.

* Apply the second lowest stroke index hole (3 or 4) on each nine in either the first or third triad, unless the lowest stroke index hole has been allocated in that same triad.

* If possible, avoid low stroke indexes (six or less) on consecutive holes.

* When a player receives more than 18 strokes, the same allocation order is used with stroke index 1 repeating as stroke index 19, 37 and 55, with all additional strokes going up sequentially.

WHO DECIDES ON THE STROKE INDEX OF A GOLF COURSE?

The committee decides upon the stroke index allocation of a golf course. They should do so based on the recommendations outlined above.

It’s rare for this device not to get a mention during television coverage of the golf, especially when the topic is the speed of the greens.

The stimpmeter, which is often shortened to ‘stimp’, is a crucial tool for greenkeepers and course managers. It’s a device that is used to measure the speed of greens, hence why we hear it mentioned a lot when players are lining up putts, especially at Augusta National, where the surfaces are famous for being very quick. 

How does a stimpmeter work?

The stimpmeter measures 36 inches (91cm) in length and has a V-shaped chute down which a golf ball can roll. It is designed with two notches in it on which can rest a ball. One of these notches is 30 inches from the tapered end that rests on the ground, and the other is 14 inches from the end.

To measure the speed of the greens, a flat area will be selected. A golf ball is placed on the notch which is 30 inches from the end – also known as the 1X notch – and that end of the stimpmeter is lifted slowly, with the other end still resting on the green, until the ball rolls down the chute and across the green.

A measurement is then taken from the end of the stimpmeter to the ball’s finishing position. This process is repeated three times and, so long as each reading is within eight inches of one another, the average of these three becomes one of the two measurements that will be used.

Then the process is repeated but with the start point now being the average point of where the three balls finished and the chute is pointed to roll the ball back in the exact opposite direction to the three previous rolls. This means that any slight slopes, or the effect of the grain, will be balanced out.

If the three readings are not within eight inches of each other, the process must be repeated. If the trio still fail to accord with one another, it may be that that section of the green has too much slope.

There will be times when it’s not possible to find a suitable area of flat green, in which case it might be necessary to use the other notch, 14 inches up the stimpmeter – the 2X position – so that the ball doesn’t roll as far. In this case, when you have determined the average of the three rolls, this average is then doubled.

The average roll going in one direction is then added to the average roll in the opposite direction; the total is then divided by two. We now have our final figure, which is measured in feet. This is the stimpmeter reading, or ‘stimp reading’.

Why is it called a Stimpmeter?

The device takes its name from its inventor, Edward S. Stimpson. In the 1930s, Stimpson created a wooden version which was, in effect, simply a chute for which a ball to roll down. Modern stimpmeters are made of aluminium.

What is an average stimpmeter reading?

Greenkeepers and course managers will aim to have greens running at a consistent speed across the entire course. If the greens at your golf club are running at around nine or 10, that would be considered average. Of course, this number might increase for the Club Championships or at certain times of the year when faster greens are more desirable because of the challenge they pose.

What is a fast stimpmeter reading?

Tour professionals are more used to putting on surfaces where the stimpmeter readings reach around 13 – and sometimes higher. There is a limit to how fast course managers will want the greens to play. Imagine an exposed links course on a windy day. In conditions like this, you could see the balls moving on the green – and play would most likely have to be suspended.  

How many wedges should I carry in my golf bag? It's a question many a teaching pro and fitting expert will get asked. It's a good question to ask, too. 

With room for just 14 clubs in the bag, it can be difficult deciding which ones to put in and which ones to leave out. In the video below, we look at some of the factors you should be taking into account.

To reach a decision on what wedges you’re going to carry, it’s best to start by evaluating your whole game. Questions you might want to ask yourself or discuss with your PGA professional and/or fitting pro, include: what are your strengths? How often do you use certain golf clubs? What sacrifices are you willing to make? How many different clubs do you hit chips with?

For many golfers, it comes down to a choice between losing a wedge and adding a fairway wood. By doing this, it improves your chances of hitting more long par 4s and par 5s. However, if you lose a fairway wood and add a wedge, it means you can hit more full shots into greens, therefore avoiding those awkward half and three-quarter shots from around 120 yards.

What lofts are wedges? 

Wedges typically range between 43-64°. The lofts are usually displayed on the heads. A standard set of irons will normally come with a pitching wedge, and it’s then down to you to fill the rest of the bag. Generally speaking, pitching wedges will be lofted from 43-50°, gap wedges from 50-54°, sand wedges from 54-58°, and lob wedges anywhere from 58-64°.

Two wedge system

Some players use the ‘clock face' system when it comes to hitting their wedges. This is where distance is controlled by the hand position in relation to an imaginary clock face (six o’clock being the ball position).

This method allows players to confidently hit certain yardages on a consistent basis. If you do decide on this method, then you may well benefit from dropping a wedge and carrying an extra fairway wood or hybrid.

If this is your preferred choice, we would recommend opting for a pitching wedge around 48° and a sand wedge around 56°. This will give you a reasonably even gap from your 9-iron, which is usually lofted between 40-42°.

This option will leave you with a reasonable gap from 48-56˚, but if you are confident hitting half shots with your wedge, it allows for another option at the other end of your bag.

Three wedge system

Arguably the most common choice for club golfers, the three wedge system leaves you with room for two fairway woods, which is often more important for players who lack the distance that Tour professionals produce.

If you do choose a three wedge system, we'd recommend something along the lines of a pitching wedge at 46°, a gap wedge at 52°, and a lob wedge at 58°. 

Four wedge system

Longer hitters will naturally leave themselves more wedge shots into greens. If you are hitting the ball consistently further than 280 yards off the tee, then this will most likely be best for your game. If you are not comfortable hitting half wedge shots, more options will also let you commit to a full swing more often.

If you go for this method, the best way to achieve your ideal gaps between clubs is to get even loft gaps. So, starting from a stock 46° pitching wedge, you can then add a 50° gap wedge, 54° sand wedge, and a lob wedge at 58°, which should equate to 8-12 yard gaps for the average golfer.

DO I NEED A 60 DEGREE WEDGE IN MY BAG?

A wedge with high loft like this can help you to get up and down if you're short-sided, and it’s a useful weapon to have for a number of other shots.

However, using a club such as this requires a lot of confidence and skill. Thin shots and duffs are common mistakes amongst club golfers when they have a lot of loft in their hands, so you need to be honest with yourself as to whether you have the skill level to get the most out of this club.

A lot of mid to high handicappers would be best advised to use less loft on shorter shots, if the situation allows, instead of going the aerial route. However, if you have a lot of small greens protected by bunkers, it would be wise to carry a 60° wedge – just make sure you practise with it. 

How do you identify a golf addict? If you check your phone in the middle of the night to see if your handicap has changed, that’s one possible sign. Collecting ball markers, keeping a list of all the golf courses that you have played and buying new golf gear when you really don’t need it are also signs of an addiction – albeit a healthy one.

One of the biggest tell tale signs of them all, however, is the golfer who can’t pass a beautiful piece of countryside or go on a coastal walk without remarking how such terrain would make for a wonderful golf course. 

We 're those nerds. In fact, we frequently discuss where we’d like to see new courses and, recently, we even started to give them names. Some might be a little far fetched; others might tempt a top architect to start laying out some plans.

Braunton Burrows, Devon

Anyone in the know will be aware that two world-class links already flank this incredible dune system on the north Devon coast – the East and West courses at Saunton. So why build another right next door?

To find the answer, head up to the Saunton Sands hotel, which gazes out over a vast sandy beach to the right and those two splendid Saunton courses away to the left. In between lie the Braunton Burrows, a spectacular, rollercoaster dunescape that any course architect worth his salt would happily sell his grandmother to get his hands on.

Think Trump International in Aberdeen, or Trump Doonbeg in County Clare… and then some! Several holes along the valleys between the dunes would simply present themselves as a fait accompli without any need to get creative. Other holes would climb the dune ridges or cascade back down from them. As for hole names, well, American troops trained here for the D-Day landings so a mix of military terms, regiments and the famous beach names of northern France would provide a fitting tribute to the land’s past.

Of course, the chances of land like this ever now being given over to golf are less than zero given that it is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. But we can but dream…

Wast Water Screes Golf Resort, Cumbria

The Lake District is one of England’s most popular tourist regions, so another golf course or two wouldn’t go amiss, right? Well, it’s never going to happen with most of the area part of a large National Park, but if it were to, you’d need to find somewhere well away from the tourist hotspots of Windermere and Keswick.

A golf course along the northern shores of Wast Water, one of the region’s most visually dramatic lakes, would be a must-play. It would get its name from the screes that drop steeply into its southern shores and which would form a distracting backdrop for the whole round. The lake is about three miles long and clever design would see an out-and-back routing along the northern shore in a narrow figure-of-eight configuration so the lakeside holes would be on the right for half of the front nine and then the left for half of the back nine.

As a final flourish, the closing hole would see you play across a narrow inlet at the bottom end of the lake to a green set close to a clubhouse at the foot of the screes.

Freshfield Heath, Merseyside  

England’s Golf Coast has more than its fair share of world-class golf courses: the three Royals (Lytham & St Annes, Birkdale and Liverpool), Hillside, Formby, Southport & Ainsdale, West Lancs and Wallasey, to name but a few.

There’s more than enough room for one more, a links-heathland type layout in amongst all those lovely pine trees and dunes, right alongside Formby and Formby Ladies. A course did once exist here – Liverpool Banking & Insurance Golf Club, which was founded in 1908 and become Freshfield Golf Club.

The foundations of the old clubhouse can be seen on the nearby Montagu Road Triangle heathland. In 1941, the Ministry of Defence requisitioned the course and the northern part became an airfield for the defence of Liverpool.

Adding another 18 holes here is pure fantasy. Much of the land is owned by the National Trust and we’d sooner it was preserved for the natterjack toads and dwindling population of red squirrels. Still, it remains heavenly terrain for a golf course. Maybe just nine holes…

Mount Snowdon, Wales

Drawing on a similar sense of derring-do to that displayed by the ingenious Victorians who engineered a railway that climbs from Llanberis to the very pinnacle of Wales, Yr Wyddfa Golf Club would be one of a kind – a one-way course hugging the track from the summit down to an 18th green set between the railway and the Llanberis Path just above town. A Halfway House café already exists!

The railway runs for 4.7 miles, or 8,272 yards, but given that there would be a few precarious stretches with no room for golf holes where you would have to walk a little way from green to tee, it would probably play to about the same length as your average members’ club, but all downhill, so plenty of scope for some flattering drives. Obviously, the chosen architect would have to think long and hard about grass species for the upper sections of the course with their harsh climate.

Your round would start with a train ride to the 1st tee at the top – the ideal chance to check all pin positions for the day, mist permitting – and in true St Andrews Old Course-style, once a year the course would be reversed so you play up to the top from the bottom – strictly for the fitter golfer only.

Royal Tresco

There is just the one golf course on the Isles of Scilly: Isles of Scilly Golf & Bowling Club – and what a beautiful one it is too. It’s located on St Mary’s, the largest of the five inhabited islands, which are located 28 miles off Land’s End, the most south-westerly point of the United Kingdom.

The chances of another golf course being built here are slim, especially given the lack of space and how disruptive it could be to the environment. Prince William, who enjoys holidays on the idyllic island of Tresco with his family, may also take a dim view of a tee box popping up at the end of his garden.

However, should the future King ever take up golf and put forward the idea of a golf course here, it would be a stunner. Tresco features lush subtropical gardens and an abundance of heather. It’s more Bahamas than Britain and home to some of the most spectacular white sandy beaches you could ever imagine.

Buckingham Palace (‘The Palace’)

The building of a golf course at the home of the monarch would be met with fierce uproar, but let’s just fantasize for a moment: nine holes (this is just a 39-acre plot) set in the beautiful Palace gardens, a walled oasis in the middle of London, home to 325 wild-plant species, 30 species of breeding birds, and over a thousand trees, including 85 different species of oak.

Getting a game on ‘The Palace’ would be difficult but not impossible. Basically, do something to impress King Charles, like win a Ryder Cup, and you’ve every chance of being offered a tee time and enjoying an overnight stay in the Palace itself, which has its own clubhouse.

As for the course, the central feature is the huge lake that was created in the 19th century. The signature hole is a driveable par-4 3rd that plays alongside the famous 156-metre Herbaceous Border. There is out of bounds everywhere because the Head Gardener hates golf and detests people trampling over his beloved shrubs and plants.

As an avid golfer from an early age and the father of a sports-mad son, I’ve spent more than my fair share of time thinking about how we get kids into the game. Of course, I have a vested interest, but in a world of diminishing attention spans, understanding how sports can evolve to retain their interest is critical.

One of the things that always inspires my son is seeing top level sport in the flesh. Together, we’ve watched cricket at the Oval, football at various grounds from Premier to non-league and rugby at Twickenham. The two of us have both loved every minute of those experience. However, whereas these were loud and contained with around two hours of watch time, golf is a different beast. 

I’ll be honest and say that I’d held off taking him to a professional golf event because I was worried he’d find it boring, I was nervous of the potential for putting a player off and was concerned he’d find the whole experience, of something like The Open, intimidating. As a parent, knowing how and when to introduce them to this world is a challenge.

Last summer, at the age of 9, I took the plunge and we watched the leading female players competing in the Aramco Team Series at Centurion, just outside London. It was a revealing experience. 

We started our day standing on the viewing platform behind the first tee. We squeezed our way in and found a perfect position, looking straight down the hole from behind the players. This gave us the ideal vantage point to see how the best players dealt with this challenging tee shot (it was blowing about 20mph on the day). To my eye, there’s a greater array of strategies used within the women’s game as the difference between the longest and shortest hitters is bigger. Almost every player hit their driver off that tee and yet the ball flights were wildly different. This wasn’t lost on my son. 

What’s more, music was played in the gaps between the groups. It’s a relatively small touch and to my mind, it added to the atmosphere and alleviated any potential sense of intimidation. 

Whilst I might find the story of those battling to retain their playing rights compelling, kids are much more taken by catching a view of those at the top. And so, the two of us spent a fair amount of the day following the eventual winner, Nelly Korda. The crowds were big enough to create an atmosphere without blocking our view of the action or creating any feeling of intimidation. So we were able to follow the classy American, seeing how she plotted her way through the difficult, windy conditions and marvel at the precision of her ball striking. In truth, I needn’t have worried about him making noise at the wrong moment, he was fully engaged in the spectacle. 

Having said that, golf is a slow burn kinda sport. As I sensed his interest levels waning, so we made our way back up to the fan village area. We played crazy golf, hit some chip shots towards some unfeasibly small targets and ate ice cream. There were no queues to speak of and within an hour we’d had some fun competition of our own. 

One surprising element that captured his imagination was the golf course itself. The venue, Centurion, was dressed for the event and looked stunning. My son was clearly impressed by how beautiful the golf course was and he asked if I’d played it and how it compares to the course we play.    

In writing this article, I asked him about the event. He immediately reeled off three names of players we followed: Nelly Korda, Leona Maguire and Georgia Hall. That he could remember these players 10 months after we’d seen them compete just illustrates the impact professional sport can have on interested youngsters. 

In truth, our Aramco Team Series experience didn’t have the high-octane action of the other sports we’ve seen live and, as such, didn’t create in him the same visceral reaction to what he was seeing. However, as an introduction to a different type of sport, it was a very positive experience. He learnt that golf wasn’t stuffy, that the top players are incredibly skillful athletes and that different courses pose very different challenges. More importantly, we both had fun and are looking forward to our next golf-watching experience!

For many club golfers, competitions are for weekends. With most people off work, it gives the majority of members the opportunity to turn their small entry fee into a pro shop voucher. Stableford, Medal, Stableford, Medal, sometimes a Texas Scramble… this is the weekend diet for a lot of club players. It’s great if your weekends are your own, of course, but what if they’re not?

A lack of weekend golf, or golf in general for that matter, is something that has been troubling me for some time – about ten years, in fact. There are a number of reasons why my handicap has gone up over the years – an aggressive hook, bunker fear, fatting wedges – but the biggest influence has been having children. I estimate having played, at the very most, half a dozen weekend rounds a year, on average, over the last decade. I know, sad, right?

There are millions of golfers around the world all suffering with this kind of pain, the no-golf weekends, one after the other. It's awful. As well as missing the game itself, it’s the competition that you start to long for, and that true test of having a scorecard in your hand.

This brings me on to the subject of midweek competitions. Last year, I was delighted to discover that my club ran a Wednesday Stableford. Played off the yellow tees, it attracted a decent number of entrants – not anywhere near the type of figure we'd typically get for a weekend comp, but enough to make it worthwhile entering and to get those competitive juices flowing. I found myself giddy with excitement, once again, by the prospect of winning £10 for making a two. 

I’m fortunate, too, to have met a terrific group of members (mostly retirees), who have their own roll-up every Tuesday and Thursday morning. The format is simple: red tees (we skip round in 3 hours 20, usually), 85% handicap, two Stableford scores to count on each hole. Most importantly, it’s £1 to enter, and a win will see you double your money. There’s no trembling over two-foot putts, but it’s good, healthy competition. I love it.

It reminded me of just how important midweek competitions are. For parents who take on the role of taxi driver, and for anyone working Saturdays and Sundays, being able to tee it up in a midweek comp is important, especially for those who enjoy the occasional test where every shot counts.

If it were up to me, I’d actually pop a few more midweek competitions in the diary, certainly during the summer months; I might even suggest some kind of winter league/knockout. Nor would the Wednesday Stableford simply be named the Wednesday Stableford. Why should it just be the 'big' weekend comps that receive grand titles and fancy trophies? Let's give some of the midweek comps a bit more prestige. 

Every club is different, of course, and many will already have a great variety of different competitions across the whole year. Members will form their own roll-ups and competitions, too, which is one of the best things about being a member of a golf club.

However, having those ‘official’ midweek comps is something that should exist at every golf club. Weekend comps will always be the staple diet, but let’s not forget about Wednesdays. And, please, spare a thought for anyone suffering with no-golf weekends. 

Like most sports, golf has its own language, and we're not talking about rules or tips terminology here. No, in this article, we're referring to terms that typically get thrown about during your weekend four-ball. Some – no laughing at the back – are too rude to mention, so we’re keeping things clean(ish), here.

If golf were to have its own dictionary, it would be a thick one, so here’s our shortened version of golf slang and interesting sayings.

Perhaps there are a few you haven’t heard of, in which case you should try them out when you next play… see what kind of reaction you get from your playing partners.

A

Air mail – You’ve just played your shot, and it’s a poor one – you’ve airmailed the green. Basically, you’ve flown your ball over the putting surface (hit it too far).

Abominable snowman: A score of 9 (even worse than an 8, which is called a snowman) on one hole.

Army golf – left, right, left, right… like marching. It means you’re all over the place on the course, left, then right… etc. Also known as playing military golf. 

B

Barkie – A bet won by a player making par or better on a hole after hitting a tree.

Banana ball – When the ball travels in a banana-shaped curve. Usually, it’s not intended. Slicers tend to hit a lot of banana balls. 

Bandit – Players who play off dubious handicaps are often referred to as bandits (also known as sandbaggers).

Blade – A shot where the leading edge of the golf club, rather than the clubface, strikes the ball. It results in a shot that usually travels too far and doesn’t get that high off the ground. Also known as a thin or skull.

Bit – Wagers between golfers. “Are we going to play for bits?” A bit, for example, might be getting up-and-down from the sand. Also known as junk.

C

Cabbage – Thick, horrible rough. Nasty stuff, like cabbage, hence the name, we assume; or is it because of the rough/uneven surface of this particular vegetable?

Captain Kirk – Your shot went where no ball has gone before. Not good.

Cat box – A sand bunker.

Chef – A player who continually slices.

Chilli-dip – Chunking a chip. A mishit, where the clubhead hits the ground well before it hits the ball.

D

Dance floor – A player who hits an approach might say something along the lines of, “Yes, I’m on the dance floor.” In other words, they’ve found the putting surface.

Dawn patrol – Golfers who get up early to play at dawn. They frequently take the earliest tee times available.

Dead sheep – When after your putt, you’re still farthest away (Still ewe!). 

Dog licence – A match result of 7&6. This term stems from the fact that, in old money, the price of a “dog licence” used to be 7 and 6.

Dog track – No one wants to hear their golf course described this way – rough, uninspiring etc. Also known as a goat track.

Don Henley – An eagle. 

Duffer – “Played with Steve the other day – what a duffer.” Steve is most likely inexperienced, or just not very good. Duffers are also known as hackers, or choppers.

Dunch – A pitch or chip shot that barely moves from its original spot.

E

Elephant’s backside – A shot that is high and pretty, erm, poor.

F

Flake – An 18-hole score of 99. 

Four-Jack – A term that’s bound to be heard when playing on very tough greens – it’s where a player takes four putts to get the ball in the hole.

Fried Egg – When a ball lands in the sand, often when coming down from a great height, it can plug, so that the top of it resembles the yolk in a fried egg.

G

Gimme – A short putt that you can pick up if your playing partner/opponent doesn’t ask you to finish it off.

Golf widow(er) – Your significant other after you get addicted to golf.

Greenies – A bet won by a player whose first shot is closest to the hole on a par 3.

H

Hacker – An inexperienced golfer. 

Ham and egging – When two players gel and compliment each other in fourballs – they go together like ham and eggs. 

Horseshoe – When a ball travels around the edge of the cup, before coming back towards you.

J

Jail – When you and your ball and in very deep trouble.

Joe Pesci – a nasty five-footer. Known in the UK as a Dennis Wise, a former professional soccer player who was rather tough in the tackle. 

Jungle – The heaviest of rough. Not a place to be. It’s unlikely you’ll find your ball in here.

Junk – Golf wagers that might take place during the course of a round, such as making a par when you’ve found the sand, or getting up-and-down from off the green.

K

Knife – A thinned pitch or chip shot that flies low across the green. Also known as a blade. 

L

Leather wedge – When a player uses their shoe to improve their lie. Otherwise known as cheating. Also known as a foot wedge. 

Lay the sod – When you take a huge divot.

M

Mayor’s office – A long, straight drive. “Awesome drive – that’s in the Mayor’s office.”

Member's bounce – A lucky bounce of the ball. 

Moped – A shot that will get you there, but you’re not very proud of it.

Mud ball – When a ball has mud on it, often a big lump, making it difficult to work out in which direction it will go when it leaves the clubface.

Mulligan – A second attempt at a shot, often played on the first tee. In a friendly match, players might agree on all being allowed to take a mulligan if/when they hit a bit bad. 

N

Nassau – A bet in which a round of 18 holes is divided into three – front nine, back nine, and the full 18.

Nineteenth – The clubhouse bar.

O

Oscar Bravo – OB (out of bounds). 

P

Pigeon – An opponent that you are expected to beat easily.

Popeye – A shot with lots of spin (spin, spinnage… keep up!)

R

Rainmaker – A golf shot with a very high trajectory.

S

Sharkie – If you had a sharkie, you’d have found water and made a par on the same hole. 

Snowman – A score of eight (8) on one hole.

Sticks – Golf clubs. “I'm thinking about getting myself some new sticks.”

Stony – Often said when a player hits an approach very close – or stone dead. “I hit that one stony.”

Swing oil – An alcoholic beverage that’s taken close to teeing off, usually a beer. Some golfers find it helps them to produce a nice, smooth swing.   

T

Texas wedge – A term for a putter when used from off the green.

Three-Jack – Where a player takes three putts to get the ball in the hole.

W

Walking sticks – An 18-hole score of 77. 

Wall Street – The bailout area on a hole. 

Whiff – Where a player fails to make any contact with the ball. “Was that a whiff shot?”

Worm burner – A shot (not putts) that never gets off the ground, or just a couple of feet at the most. It puts worms in great danger of getting hurt. Also known as a daisy cutter. 

Y

Yips – A condition normally associated with putting (putting yips), where a player struggles with involuntary wrist spasms, which leads to missing from short range. 

Whether it's the person who's a stickler for the rules or seems to make time stand still with his deliberate pre-shot routine, we're sure these golfers will be familiar to you. It can really affect the momentum of your round or your overall mood when you get paired with someone that gets on your nerves, but sometimes for the sake of your score you just have to grit your teeth and endure it!

So sit back and enjoy our sub-optimal acting as we run through the seven most annoying golf playing partners. Be sure to let us know if we've missed any!

WATCH: The 7 Most Annoying Golf Playing Partners

1. The Early Praiser

Perhaps this is a bit harsh given the early praiser is trying to compliment you on the shot you've just hit. But it is annoying when you receive praise and then proceed to hit the ball fat, or the person repetitively thinks you are holing putts when they have no chance. Top tip from Golf Monthly, if it is you who is talking early, then perhaps wait until the person has hit the shot or the ball has come to rest before dishing out the congratulations!

2. Mr Angry

Playing with someone who erupts at the first sign of a poor shot or bad break guarantees a very long round in which you’re constantly on edge, and always on a self-preserving look-out for low-flying clubs. If you're guilty of this, remember it's only a game and that your demeanour could be ruining the round for others.

3. Mr Oblivious

Whether on the tee or as you’re steadying yourself over a crucial short putt, there they are, jangling away with keys, rattling their clubs, or even walking right across your line, usually absent-mindedly, but just occasionally bordering on frowned-upon gamesmanship. Either way, it’s just as annoying, and hard to shut out once it’s got under your skin.

4. The Cheater

Arguably the worst partner to be playing with, the cheater is someone who goes against the very essence of the game and leaves you feeling awkward and tense throughout the round. We recommend just keeping an eye out and dealing with it in the easiest way possible, which is usually a quick chat in private during or after the round.

5. The Amateur Coach

We have all played with someone who thinks they are Butch Harmon and with the best will in the world, even though their intentions are good, their swing tips and advice should be kept to themselves. During the round is never the time to talk about things like the straight left arm because then it just muddles the golf swing up for the rest of the round. Also, perhaps the swing tips should be left to the local teaching professional? Just a thought.

6. The Rules Guy

“I think I overheard you saying to George to keep his chin up and keep trying after that last tee shot,” says the Rules pedant, another worthy inclusion in the list of annoying golf partners. “I believe that constitutes advice and therefore breaches Rule 8-1.”

Cue four hours of fun where you’re afraid to open your mouth and feel compelled to tread on eggshells anywhere near your ball. If you end up playing with someone like this, try and keep yourself to yourself and don't look for your ball beyond the allotted three minutes!

7. The Snail

We live in tortuous slow play times, but if you’re the one constantly trying to gee people along, it tends to be your game that suffers rather than theirs as you’re forever anxiously looking over your shoulder to see how badly the course is stacking up behind you. Make a point by walking ahead or not engaging in idle chit chat, hopefully they get the message that they need to speed up.

Many of us will be able to recall a time when a non golf club member turned up for a competition and said, “Just put me off 18.” It can raise eyebrows when that person comes in with 44 points to take the money.

It used to be the case that you could only get an official golf handicap if you were a member of a golf club and went through the process of handing cards in to determine what you would play off.

These days, however, you can get a handicap online. It means that ‘Mr 18 Handicap’ can get an accurate index just like club members – and it also means casual golfers can record scores and track their performance just like their member friends.

Here’s how to get a handicap online.

United States

The nomadic golfer in America needn’t worry about feeling different to the golf club member, for the United States Golf Association (USGA) has created a community for non members where they can obtain a handicap index.

When you register online, you need to enter your state and zip code; you are then matched with the relevant association. For example, if you live in Virginia, it will be the Virginia State Golf Association that services your golf community, and the cost is $55.00 for a 12-month membership.

England & Scotland

In England, if you’re not a golf club member but want an official handicap index, you can join iGolf, an easy-to-use platform that allows you to obtain one under the World Handicap System (WHS).

iGolf, which costs £44.00 per year, is the only way to obtain a handicap index under the WHS, the same as a club member has.

Subscribers can enjoy access to a range of benefits including personal liability insurance – plus they will be given access to the MyEG app where golfers can enter and verify scores.

Scottish Golf has set up a similar platform called OpenPlay, a flexible subscription for non golf club members who want the ability to benchmark their performance with an official WHS handicap.

With OpenPlay, there are two forms of membership: annual and pay monthly, which cost £50.00 and £4.99 respectively, the latter of which you have the flexibility to cancel at any time.

Just like iGolf, it’s the perfect solution for casual golfers who, for various reasons, aren’t golf club members, but still want to enjoy the benefits that come with having an official handicap. 

Have a look around your house and there will be numerous items that can be used as golf training aids. Not only can you utilize items such as coins and towels on the range or on the practice ground/putting greens, but at home, too, with various drills that can be performed on your coffee break in your home office. It’s time to get creative. Here’s a selection of household items that can be used to help you work on your golf game. 

Coins 

You can use a coin to improve your long game. There’s a tendency for amateur golfers to hit hybrids with a shallow, upward strike. In fact, you’re after more of a downward impact, which is where this drill will help. Place a coin two or three inches in front of the golf ball and take your shot as you would do normally. If you miss the coin it’s because the sole of the club is travelling upwards too soon – the likely result is a thin contact. You want to hit the coin, which tells you that you have the right downward angle of attack, one that will lead to more consistent and purer strikes, which is going to give you added distance, too. 

A coin can also be used to improve your putting. Pop a couple of coins on top of each other. Take your stroke and try to brush the top one off of the other. This simple exercise will help you to focus on your stroke as it’s coming into the ball and, hopefully, promote more of a square contact.

Towel

Towels can be used by golfers in lots of different ways. One of the best training drills to help improve ball striking with long irons is to place one just out of the corner of your eye (as pictured). Remember, with long irons you want the ball just forward of center. Take a swing. This drill will help if you’re not getting your weight into your lead side as you strike the ball. If you lean back or sway, the spine angle will often be tilting back as you come into the ball – which will normally result in a heavy strike. The aim is to miss the towel as you come down and hit the ball. It will help you to groove that ball then turf strike. If you hit the towel, you’ve most likely been guilty of tilting back.

Chair

Give yourself a break from all those emails and stand up from your chair. Take your stance so that your read end is touching the back of the chair, and then take your swing. The idea of this drill is that you can feel yourself staying connected to the chair throughout in order to prevent early extension in the golf swing.

Blu Tack & pencil 

This drill will help improve your awareness of how the clubface is affected by the way you hold the club, and it’s easy to do at home. Apply some Blu Tack to the center of your clubface (use a mid iron) and attach a pencil, as shown. At address, the pencil should cover the alignment stick. From here you’ll get a good understanding of where your clubface is during the backswing; and whether you have a tendency to open it (pencil up), close it (pencil down) or keep it fairly neutral (pencil pointing directly away from you). A strong grip with lots of knuckles showing on the top hand will encourage more of a closed clubface when you take the club back, whereas a weak grip will see the pencil pointing more towards the sky. You need to work on presenting the club back to target without any twisting or manipulation.

Book

Are you struggling with a slice? This is the ‘waiter’s position’ drill, which helps you to groove a better downswing and get into the right positions using a book. The idea is that it doesn’t fall out of your hand. If it does, that’s your slicing action coming into effect. That book should remain nice and balanced in the palm of your hand.

Foot spray

Strike is king. To get a better understanding of where you tend to strike the ball with your driver, apply some foot spray on the clubface (Daktarin rubs off easily with a towel). Hit some shots. The visual feedback will tell you if you are good at hitting the ball out the middle or if you tend to favor the heel or struggle with how to stop toe strikes.

Tennis ball

The golf swing is all about rotation, flexion and extension. When you throw a ball, you do all that – which makes this tennis ball drill so effective. Executed correctly – and if there was a wall directly in front in the above picture – the ball would bounce down, hit the wall and offer an easy catch as the player rotated through to the finish position. This is a simple drill to try at home if you have a bit of space and a wall to throw the ball against.   

Coat hanger 

There are a number of golf drills that require a coat hanger, but for this one you’ll need one of those wire ones that you can bend. Straighten it out so you can stick one end in the ground, and then create a circle with the other end of the hanger; it needs to look something like the above. Put the non circle end into the turf. When you take your stance, position the ball so that when you're looking down, it’s in the middle of the circle (hole) that you’ve just created. When you take your backswing, you should still be able to see your ball in that hole. This will help you to stop swaying and teach you the importance of turning your shoulders perpendicular to your spine and around and through on the same plane.

Most recreational golfers probably don’t know their driver spin rate, let alone every golf club in the bag. However, ask elite Tour pros for these numbers and most would have a fairly good idea of what they are, for they spend hours on the range perfecting their equipment and tinkering with different ball flights.

What Is Spin Rate?

Spin rate is the amount of spin on the golf ball immediately after impact, and it has a major influence on the height and distance of a shot. There are many factors that affect spin rate, including club and ball design, friction, and impact location. However, spin rate is generated primarily by club speed and spin loft.

As a very general rule of thumb – and it’s important to note that there’s no one size fits all to driver spin rates, because everyone delivers the club differently to the ball – you’re probably looking for something in the region of 2,000 to 3,500rpm with a driver, but this depends on a number of factors.

PGA Tour Average Spin Rate

According to Trackman, average spin rates from the PGA Tour in 2022 for each club in the bag was as follows:

• Driver, 2,686
• 3-wood, 3,655
• 5-wood, 4,350
• Hybrid, (15-18°), 4,437
• 3-iron, 4,630
• 4-iron, 4,836
• 5-iron, 5,361
• 6-iron, 6,231
• 7-iron, 7,097
• 8-iron, 7,998
• 9-iron, 8,647
• PW, 9,304

These numbers might not mean a lot, but let’s consider what happens if your spin rate isn’t right. If you create too much spin at impact, the ball tends to start off low, before ballooning up into the sky. Conversely, if you don’t generate enough spin, the ball will have a tendency to just drop out of the air. In both cases, carry and total distance will be short of where it could be. 

Rory McIlroy's numbers makes for an interesting case study. According to the latest stats provided by the PGA Tour, the Northern Irishman averages 2,324.8 off the tee at the time of writing, which is below the Tour average of 2,570.6 and one of the reasons why he hits the ball so far. 

Interestingly, the average in 2007 was 2,814.2. This decrease of 300rpm over a 16-year period is proof that one of the reasons that drives are going further is due to lower spin.

For comparison, according to Trackman the LPGA Tour average spin rate for driver is 2,611, and 5,943 for 6-iron. 

How Pro Spin Rates Compare To Amateur Golfers

• Male scratch or better (driver), 2,896 v Female scratch or better (driver), 2,831
• Male 5-handicap, 2,987 v Female 5-handicap, 3,027
• Male 10-handicap, 3,192 v Female 10-handicap, 3,207
• Male 14.5-handicap, 3,275 v Female 15-handicap 3,287

The highest official golf handicap that a player can have changed with the introduction of the World Handicap System (WHS), which went live in early 2020 and was adopted in the UK&I in November that year.

Under the WHS, golfers are given a Handicap Index rather than a handicap and this is “a measurement of a player's potential ability on a course of standard playing difficulty". This Handicap Index – which is nothing to do with stroke index incidentally – is then used to calculate the number of shots that a golfer gets at a specified course according to that particular course’s playing difficulty.

This number of shots is the Course Handicap that a golfer gets for that round according to which set of tees they are playing from that day. Most clubs will have a WHS Course Handicap chart showing you how many shots you get from each set of tees on the club website and then either on the noticeboard or somewhere near the 1st tee.

The maximum Handicap Index is 54 for both men and women. But the handicap a player receives on the day varies from course to course and does not have to equal the Handicap Index - indeed, it rarely does. Instead a calculation based on the Handicap Index and the difficulty of the course gives a player their Course Handicap for that round.

The two measurements of the course’s difficulty which are relevant to this calculation are its Course Rating and Slope Rating. Course Rating is simply the score it is reckoned that a scratch golfer should make round the course. As such, it is normally pretty close to the par of the course, but need not be.

The difficulty of the course is expressed by its Slope Rating, with each set of tees at a course having its own rating. Slope Ratings range from 55 to 155, with the higher the rating the harder the course. A Slope Rating of 113 is considered to be the norm and it is this figure that is then used as a divisor in the Course Handicap calculation.

Examples of golf courses that have a 155 slope rating are the Albatros Course at Le Golf National, which hosted the Ryder Cup in 2018 and the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, which hosted the 1991 Ryder Cup.

How many shots a player gets at a course, that is to say a player’s Course Handicap, is then determined by this formula:

Handicap Index x Slope Rating/113 + (Course Rating - Par)

To provide the most extreme example, if a player with a 54 Handicap Index were to play the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island from the Championship tees, then their Course Handicap would be: 

54 x 155/113 + (79.1 - 72) = 81.2

In other words, 27 shots more than their Handicap Index!

That said, it would be more than a little unwise for a 54-index golfer to be tackling such a difficult golf course from the very back tees.

In this article we consider the Slope Rating. It’s a key number within the World Handicap System (WHS) that is part of the calculation used for determining a player’s Course Handicap, which varies according to which set of tees you are playing from at any given course.

What is Slope Rating?

Slope Rating is described by the USGA as demonstrating the “measurement of the relative playing difficulty of a course for players who are not scratch golfers, compared to scratch golfers”. The higher a course’s Slope Rating, the higher the expected difference of scoring between a scratch golfer and a bogey golfer. The Slope Rating is not purely an indication of a course’s difficulty, it is an indication of the difference in difficulty for scratch and bogey players.

How is Slope Rating Calculated?

To determine the Slope Rating for a course requires two key numbers – Course Rating and Bogey Rating. The Course Rating is the evaluation of the playing difficulty of a golf course for the scratch player (0 handicap). The Bogey Rating is the evaluation of the difficulty of a course for a bogey player of 20-24 handicap.

Course and Bogey Rating are calculated using the USGA Course Rating System. Course rating teams consider more than 460 variables on a standard course rating, from each set of tees.

The USGA Course Rating System takes into account: the actual measured length of a golf course, factors that can affect the playing length of the course and other challenges that influence the playing difficulty of each hole called 'obstacle factors'. For example, do any 'crossing obstacles' demand long carries; are the fairways particularly narrow with trees, penalty areas, rough or bunkers in close proximity? Slope Rating is calculated by subtracting the Course Rating from the Bogey Rating and multiplying it by a constant.

What Does a Slope of 113 Mean?

113 is the average Slope Rating signifying a course of standard relative difficulty. The number 113 is used in calculating a player’s Course Handicap. Each player with a WHS Handicap Index can calculate their Course Handicap for any course by dividing the Slope Rating of that course by 113, multiplying that number by their Handicap Index and then adding in Course Rating minus Par for the set of tees they'll be playing from.

So, expressed as a mathematical formula, your Course Handicap for any given round from any given set of tees equals...

Handicap Index x Slope Rating/113 + (Course Rating - Par)

The final additional element of 'Course Rating - Par' has been part of the calculation for some handicap jurisdictions around the world for some time with the UK&I embracing it from the 2024 WHS revisions.

Let's start by defining what ball speed is. Quite simply, it's the speed of the golf ball immediately after impact.

If you asked a lot of recreational golfers what their average ball speed was, you’d probably get a lot of blank faces – as well as a few responses along the lines of, ‘I'm not sure, but I average around 300 yards.’

Hmm, do you? 

Most Tour professionals will know their ball speeds to the nearest 1/2mph, for hitting balls and making marginal gains where they can is all part of the day job.

Some, the forensic types like Bryson DeChambeau, would probably even be able to sketch a graph of how their ball speed has improved since they played college golf.

DeChambeau has spoken openly in the past about his quest to chase distance gains, and has managed well over 200mph when competing in the World Long Drive Championships.

These crazy numbers, however, are not the norm.

Still, pretty much all elite level golfers work with launch monitor technology, such as Trackman, as it helps them to understand where they are with their swing and what, if any, tweaks they might need to make.

According to Trackman data, the average ball speed, with driver, of a PGA Tour player in 2022 was 167mph.

A look at the 2022/23 ball speed numbers provided by the PGA Tour suggests that that number is now higher.

Of the 193 players listed, only 27 players average below 167mph, with Cameron Champ producing the fastest average at a fraction over 190mph.

Of course, average ball speed is only a number, and those who can boast a big number don’t necessarily have more titles on their CV.

To start with, we’ve not even talked about driving accuracy here. To put it simply, you could be up with DeChambeau around the 190mph mark, but that’s not going to be much use if you can’t keep the ball on the golf course.

However, those are the stats, and they make for an interesting debate.

What's also interesting is that, according to Trackman data, the average ball speed on the PGA Tour for a 3-wood is around 158mph, which would be higher than most average golfers' driver.

The data also shows that the average carry distance on the PGA Tour with a hybrid (225 yards) beats the average players' total driving distance (216 yards).

PGA pros can carry their hybrid further than the average player's total driving distance (216 yards)

As for the average ball speed of a PGA Tour pro... it's safe to say it’s around the 170mph mark.

Regardless of your background, identity or golfing ability, the chance to tee up on the Old Course, St Andrews, one of the world's most iconic and prestigious golf courses in the world, is considered a once-in-a-lifetime experience for those who love the game. So, Golf Monthly’s deputy editor Joel Tadman, women’s editor Alison Root, and Top 50 coach  Katie Dawkins jumped at the opportunity to play the hallowed links. Here they share their expectations and reflect on their first-time experience.

I’ve walked down Golf Place many times - after all, this is one of the most special places in golf, where so much history has been forged and iconic moments created. To stroll along it with my golf clubs on my back is one of the best feelings I’ve ever had, knowing I was about to tee it up on the most famous golf courses in the world. This euphoria very soon turned to anxiety as you step in front of the R&A clubhouse and see what awaits. 

At 127 yards wide, it is almost certainly the most generous opening tee shot in the game but seeing the out of bounds posts lining either side seemed to half its width. Factor in the nerves and a wind blowing firmly into and off the right, a seemingly simple task was turning into a stiff examination of both my technique and bottle. To cap it all off, the only sensible club selection for me was a 3-iron, a club I’d only used sparingly on the range prior and never in a full round. 

I finally took the club away and was relieved to make contact with the ball, but it was far from solid - a toe strike which trickled it’s way down towards the 18th tee. In play, but far from what I hoped for. Walking off the tee, the fear drained away from me as I was off, following in the footsteps of so many greats of the game. Regardless of the score, it would be a privilege to play golf on this hallowed turf, although it would be nice to make a half-decent fist of the challenge.

Many people describe the old course as only having three memorable holes - the 1st, 17th and 18th - given their location within the town and the drama that has unfolded down the years. While I disagree strongly with this, holes 2-6 do have lots of visual similarities. The blind tee shots mean that having a caddie, or playing with someone who knows the course well like we did in former Golf Monthly editor and R&A member Mike Harris, is crucial in order to aim correctly. The other advice I received prior to playing was to favour the left side - it is true that on most holes but in particular the front nine, the more severe trouble lies down the right side, as I found out on the third where a toe-shanked drive disappeared into a gorse bush. The pot bunkers are penal and plentiful - everyone in our group found one and failed to get out of one on the first attempt at least once. 

On reflection, many things surprised me about the bunkers. Firstly how deep some of the were and how the sand was very fluffy, which meant the ball sat down and was a lot harder to get out. The second was how colossal in size some of them were - the shell bunker on the 7th, for example, is the biggest I’ve ever seen! The third thing is how the position of many of the bunkers is quite random and never in play, a nod to the fact the old course actually used to be played in reverse.

Another thing that really took me by surprise was the size of the greens, in particular those where the greens were shared. Naturally you would expect them to be large, but the scale blew me away. The green shared by the 5th and 13th is comfortably the largest putting surface I’ve ever laid eyes on - it must take them all day just to mow it! 

From the 8th hole onwards, you’re able to see a little better what lies ahead from the tee, which on this particular hole has the added visual benefit of turning back the other way with the town of St Andrews sweeping into view on a clear day, which luckily we had. The 11th is the final hole that plays away from the town, a beautiful par three with a wide but shallow green guarded by Shell bunker, a devilishly deep trap to be avoided at all costs.

From here on in, with the sun shining and a warm blue sky gleaming, I was in golfing paradise. I was constantly shaking my head in disbelief, saying to myself “I can’t believe I’m actually here”. Stringing together some pars and the odd birdie certainly elevated the experience, although the bar was already extremely high. My only sadness was the realisation that it would be over soon - I just didn’t want it to end. 

Where the 1st hole was anxiety-inducing, the 18th tee shot coming back the other way with cars and buildings lining the right side wasn’t an appealing prospect either, especially coming off the back of a scorecard wrecking 40-yard slice. I have stepped on the Swilcan bridge many times, but never as a player and this time it felt vastly different as I posed for the classic photo with the clubhouse and town behind. It’s one of the most recognisable backdrops in all of golf and I couldn’t take my eyes off it as I approached the green. A small crowd had gathered to watch our group putt out and I regrettably let them down with a 3-putt from 18 feet. But it didn’t matter. 

Tapping in that bogey putt, I can now say I have played arguably the best golf course in the world. Objectively, there are probably better tests or courses that have a larger number of visually arresting holes, but none can compare with the experience of playing the old course. It is comfortably the most fun I’ve had on a golf course and it’s the one place I’d never get tired of playing.

For golfers around the world, the Old Course at St Andrews is a must-play on your bucket list, so having the opportunity to play at St Andrews was an absolute dream come true. Playing at the end of October, we faced a hit-or-miss weather situation. Due to the previous day’s torrential rain, squeegees were out early, but the weather Gods smiled upon us. The forecast promised bright sunshine and enough wind to deliver the expected links challenge. 

Our tee time just after midday felt like an eternity away, but it allowed us to savour the entire Old Course experience. We hit some balls at the range, enjoyed a coffee in the clubhouse by the 1st tee, and had a few practice putts. Even receiving an Old Course pouch with the scorecard and branded essentials felt more special than ever. I didn't want to lose my Old Course pitch mark repairer, break any St Andrews Links tees, and, although I'm not one for keeping golf course guides, this one was an exception! 

Standing on the 1st tee in front of the iconic R&A clubhouse felt surreal - a real pinch-me moment. After group pictures and a briefing with the starter, the moment arrived. If there was ever a tee shot that you want to be proud of, it was this one. I always feel nervous on the 1st tee, but this was another level of emotions, especially with some onlookers milling around to watch. Fortunately, there's no trouble off the tee; it must be one of the widest fairways in golf. A few deep breaths and I was so happy to make a good swing and decent contact to send the ball soaring. 

Katie had already hit a magnificent drive, so the pair of us were beaming with relief and excitement. It was only the 1st hole, but perhaps unlike many other courses, we’ll remember how we played this one for the rest of our lives. As I walked down the fairway, I can honestly say that I had to hold back a few happy tears. I was overcome with the emotion of the occasion, knowing that I was walking where all the best players in the history of the game had gone before.  

I didn’t want to spoil a good drive, so I laid up to the burn, on for three and two putts. I was delighted with a solid bogey. After the 1st hole, in many ways I felt my job was done. I didn’t want to worry about my score, which is just as well, I simply wanted to enjoy the company of Katie, Joel and Mike and take in the atmosphere and layout of each hole as much as possible. 

Before playing the Old Course, I had heard a mixed bag of comments. Some suggested that, given the stature of the course, apart from the iconic holes 1st, 17th, and 18th, much of the rest of the course is underwhelming. However, I have to disagree. For me, I found there to be a variety of holes and with lots of undulations they presented different challenges, and that's not even considering the strength of the wind.  

Mike has played the Old Course nearly 40 times, and having him on our 'bag,' so to speak, was incredibly useful. He guided us on where to hit, especially concerning the blind shots and where to try and land on the green. I was surprised by how gigantic some of the greens are - a perspective I hadn't appreciated watching on TV or even when I have attended Open championships at St Andrews. 

The bunkers – they are another story. I had many ‘cigar moments’ and found myself throwing the ball out on several occasions; otherwise, I might still be there now! That's another reason why this course is better for knowing. Even with Mike's advice, there were probably more holes than not where my ball rolled into a bunker. That's likely why I vividly remember the par-4 12th because, off the tee, I found the smallest gap to avoid the bunkers that scatter this fairway. 

One of my favourite holes on the course is the par-3 11th. Not because I made par, which would have been a miracle, given the local caddies refer to it as 'a very short par-5' - the score I actually achieved. It's a favourite because it’s one of the most scenic parts of the course. Directly behind the hole is the Eden estuary and beyond, and I really enjoyed taking a moment to soak in the amazing view. 

Once you’re on the back nine, it’s nice to know that you’ve still got two of the most famous holes in golf approaching. For me, I didn’t have a big decision to make on the 17th, whether or not to drive the ball over the corner of the Old Course Hotel, but I was happy to avoid the road alongside the green and make another bogey. I should add that at this point I was only remembering the good scores!  

Sadly, the round was coming to an end. Having previously had my picture taken on the Swilken Bridge on the 18th, this one would hold more significance for me. This time, I had actually played the course and was about to walk to my ball. That image now lingers fondly in my thoughts - not necessarily for the best golf I’ve played, but as one of my most memorable rounds of golf. 

It’s hard to put into words what it feels like to just stand and look out over the 18th hole on the Old Course at St Andrews. You feel like you’re part of a hugely important historical painting. You spend a moment taking it all in. It almost felt like a dream.

Getting ready to tee off on the 1st I felt strangely peaceful, like I was stepping onto hallowed ground. I’d given myself talking to whilst hitting balls on the range at The Academy. Today was going to be about soaking up the experience, appreciating and taking in every hole. The score wasn’t important, it was all about just being in the moment. 

Having hit it well on the range I stood on the 1st tee feeling focused and actually humming a tune in my head. I can’t explain why but I felt very calm out there, even with an audience. My drive flew straight and long and the swing felt great. It only really hit me as I pulled my head cover back on the driver and looked around at Rusacks and the other surrounding famous buildings that the immense honour hit me. Alison and I practically skipped down the fairway, feelings of sheer delight that we’d both hit it well and excitement of what was to come.

I will say that I spent the next few holes in gentle shock, soaking it up but really fighting to stay focussed on the ball. The fairways were soft from a huge amount of recent rain but the course was truly in immaculate condition. I love links golf and this really did take the biscuit, greens rolling smooth and true, semi-rough slippery and windswept and fairways tight.

Before I teed off I was also asked how I thought I’d get on in the bunkers. Having not appreciated the sheer magnitude of the lips on these things I had laughed and said "no probs, I love bunkers". Well I can honestly say I was not prepared for the one short and left of the 3rd green. I learned to open the club face a LOT more from then on! 

As we played the course the skies cleared, clouds parted and we were bathed in the most beautiful seaside sunshine. Yes it was cold and breezy but it was magical. I managed to hit my drive onto the green off the tee on the par 4 9th hole. A moment to remember and one I was a bit stunned by as the wind was fairly intense. 

There’s a surprising amount of room out there to get away with the odd errant drive. I kicked myself that my short game wasn’t on its usual top form as this isn’t a really tricky course. I imagine like me a lot of golfers float around in a bit of a dreamy daze. 

I think if I had a piece of advice for anyone playing the Old Course for the first time, it would be to just “soak it up”. I did a lot of looking around and breathing in the view with my eyes and lungs. The air at St Andrews feels medicinal, they talk about getting a dose of Vitamin Sea. This is like going to a health spa for your soul, the spiritual home of golf it really is. 

The finishing holes are truly iconic and coming down 17 with the hotel beckoning your ball on the right, you’d easily be overwhelmed by the stature of the buildings and the famous back drop.

The sun was on its way down and the light dancing across the fairways and through the wispy grass was mesmerising. I’d seen many a photo of the famous Swilcan Bridge and we’d had to wait some time on the tee whilst an excited father photographed his young son standing on it, oblivious that there were actual golfers playing. We didn’t mind, we got it. Standing on the bridge ourselves, grinning from ear to ear. I found myself wondering how many golfers had fallen in. It’s steep and narrow. A bit like Stonehenge, smaller than you thought it would be but just as magical. 

The buildings on 18 as well as parked cars down the right are hard to ignore, my ball gently slid towards them as I held my breath and covered my eyes. All was well and as I chased a half 6 iron onto the green my inner links golfer woke up. Better late than never. I do think the whole experience overwhelmed me but in such a good way, I’d play a lot of shots differently given the chance to go back. I’m inspired to not only play it again (knowing what I know now) but to also get my paintbrushes out and capture that light and the magic of St Andrews on canvas. 

I’ve found myself reflecting as we drove to the airport. On the experience as a whole, how it had got to the core of my heart, how excited I was to take my family back there. I’m officially in love with the very essence of St Andrews and all it has to offer. I cannot wait to go back. 

Where should you stay when you visit St Andrews?

St Andrews has a certain magic, and Rusacks Hotel, dating back to 1887, plays a central role in the town's unique charm. Ideally situated, the hotel provides stunning views overlooking the Old Course, just a stone’s throw from the 18th fairway, and across to West Sands Beach and beyond. So for golfers, there's no better place to stay to feel connected to the historic legacy of the famous links.

As soon as you enter the hotel, there’s a sense of warmth and intimacy. The wood-panelled reception area and the nooks leading to lounges with comfy sofas add to its inviting and snug atmosphere.  

The cosy warmth of wood and soft tones carries through to the luxuriously decorated bedrooms, with many offering a spectacular view of the golf course. A window seat for breakfast in the bright and airy all-day Bridge restaurant provides a similar view and just when you think the views can't get any better, the rooftop restaurant, 18, surpasses them all, complemented by sensational food, and there’s even a putting green on the balcony.

You'll notice constant reminders of the hotel's golfing history, like portraits of Mr Rusack and Old Tom Morris hanging over an open fireplace, and golf-themed paintings in the bedrooms and restaurants. All in all, if you're a golf fan, you're in for a unique and memorable stay. 

Slow play. It’s the topic of conversation among golfers that just doesn't seem to want to go away. Tap in to the post-round chat in virtually any clubhouse, and someone, somewhere will be moaning about how long it’s just taken to play a round of golf. 

Part of the problem with golf compared to other sports is that there are several clashes of culture, if you like, every time you venture out on the course. The same arena must accommodate simultaneously everyone from the scratch golfer to the 54-handicapper; the long-established player to the rank novice; the octogenarian to the lively youth; the nippy twoball to the inevitably slower fourball. It’s little wonder that this sometimes results in frustration and friction among the various parties.

Pace of play remains one of golf’s most talked-about issues and people do get very upset when they fall victim to an unacceptably slow round, so here, we highlight some of the many potential contributing factors. Are you or your golfing friends guilty of any of these...?

Not ringing the bell

Some blind or semi-blind golf holes will feature bells set alongside the fairway that you should ring after you have played your second shot to let those behind know that it is now safe for them to tee off. If you fail to ring the bell, that means those behind will have no real idea whether or not it’s safe to play, potentially leading to unnecessary delays. So, whenever there’s a bell on a golf hole, make sure you remember to ring it on your way past.

Not sticking to the rules on call-up holes

Call-up holes are typically either long par 3s, or sometimes short par 4s where there’s a good chance some golfers may be able to hit it up somewhere near the green off the tee. In reality, not many do, and the idea is that by standing aside to let the next group tee off, play then continues a little faster as the group behind can be walking up while the group ahead sets about its greenside tidying work, rather than them having to wait until everyone ahead has finished the hole. Not sticking to the script on call-up holes negates the intended benefits.

Not taking all clubs needed to finish a hole

We’ve probably all played with someone – often those newer to the game – who plonk their bag on one side of the green, grab a wedge to go and play a shot from beyond the other side of the green, but don’t take their putter with them. This means they have to then come all the way back to the bag to get the putter and then finish off the hole. Taking both clubs in the first place would prevent this to’ing and fro’ing. If you’re worried about lying a club down and getting the grip wet, simply prop it up on a tee-peg.

Playing badly

There’s no getting away from the reality that sometimes – although not always – playing badly takes more time. More shots, probably more ball searching and more recovery attempts from spots where decent progress is unlikely all take their toll. There’s not a lot you can do about this really other than to always pick up in a Stableford as soon as you can no longer score on a hole, and likewise in fourball betterball if your partner is 10ft away in two and you’re chipping on for five (subject to the number of shots you get, of course!).

Being new to the game

Unless you’re a complete natural and take to the game like a duck to water, golf is hard at first. Even if you’ve got the hang of getting it away somewhere off the tee, it’s likely that shots off the deck where turf interaction is required, or even more so from bunkers, will remain a greater challenge for longer. While more established golfers do need to exercise patience at times, it’s also probably wise for those new to the game not to venture out during peak times (if possible) for their sake as much as others’. 

Not thinking about putts soon enough

Some golfers don’t start thinking about their putts soon enough and only really give it their full attention when it’s their turn. A bit more advance preparation can save a little time here. You can get a general idea of your read when first approaching the green, and, as long as you're not in someone’s eyeline as they putt and aren’t distracting anyone, you can be working on your line while others are putting. Don’t wait until it is your turn to start the whole process.

Using a trolley

Yes, many of us like to use a trolley but it can slow things down because you simply can’t always take it where you want to go. It might mean having to take longer, safe routes from tees to fairways where slopes are involved; longer routes around green complexes, especially when traffic management is in force out of season via white lines, ropes or direction signs; and not being able to always get right to where your ball is when you’re out of position in trees, heavy rough or heather. Those carrying have more flexibility over where they can go.

Poor course signage

Inadequate course signage leads to confusion and can adversely affect pace of play, whether it’s a lack of ‘next tee’ signs, or call-up holes not being flagged up obviously. Not having a ‘next tee’ sign behind a green where it isn’t immediately obvious is a double negative – golfers won’t know where best to leave their bags before putting and won’t then be sure where to go afterwards. Some courses have bell holes that aren’t signed from the tee; others have holes crying out for a bell, where the only way to really play safely is to walk a long way forward to double check. Clear signage is better for everyone.

Waiting for an out-of-range green to clear

Watching the group ahead fail to hit it halfway up a long par 4 then wait for the green to clear can be hugely frustrating for those behind. Clearly, a degree of caution is needed as we’re all capable of suddenly flushing one or hitting the occasional distance-enhancing draw when a fade is our stock shot. But if you’ve hit it 200 yards off the tee into the wind and the green is still 250 yards away, there’s pretty strong evidence to suggest you won’t be reaching and can play quite safely to avoid delaying those behind.

Too much fourball play

Four people playing 18 holes of golf is clearly almost always going to take longer than two people, regardless of how good those four are. This is why some courses try to separate out twos and fours as much as possible via different starting tees for groups of different sizes. Understandably some courses are interested in optimising the revenue from each tee-time, but too much fourball play, especially where each player is playing his or her one ball rather than in a pairs format, is always going to slow things down.

Not watching playing companions' shots

Following the flight of a golf ball if your eyesight is not the best or you’re playing straight into the sun can be difficult for the person playing the shot. The more pairs of eyes following the ball, the greater the chance of someone seeing where it went and finding it quickly. The better idea you have of where someone you’re playing with has hit it, the less time you should then have to spend searching for it. So do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Excessive practice swings

Don’t take practice swings to too great an extreme out on the course. Yes, many of us like to take a practice swing away from the ball to rehearse the movement we’re then hoping to make. But no-one wants to see you taking swing after swing, especially if you’re taking a proper divot on every one and thus damaging the turf beyond that which is necessary. All things in moderation is a good mantra for a lot of things – practice swings would definitely be among them.

Double punishment under trees

This is one for golf clubs and course managers really. Surely hitting your ball into the trees is punishment enough for most golfers, without then finding yourself in thick rough or vegetation that will make your escape either problematic or impossible, or will result in a long walk back as you either can’t find your ball or it’s the only realistic unplayable ball option open to you. Thinning things out under trees keeps play moving and keeps golfers motivated.

Twos and fours don’t mix

Twos and fours are a bad mix when it comes to pace of play. One golf club sign we've seen highlighting anticipated round times shows an expected difference of 40 minutes between twoballs and fourballs. That’s a lot of time standing around waiting if twoballs are unable to get through the fourballs ahead on a crowded course. If course geography allows, a two-tee start, keeping groups of different sizes apart for as long as possible, goes some way to alleviating matters.

Green speeds and pin positions

There seems to be a growing obsession with ultra-fast greens, even though many older clubs’ greens were never designed to be played at such a pace. Some clubs also lose sight of ‘six easy, six medium, six tough’ when it comes to pin positions, all resulting in too many missed greens and much three-putting, both of which will only slow things down. Slightly less lively green speeds will help, especially on undulating surfaces (this is the Himalayas putting green at St Andrews), along with more pins in accessible positions.

Absence of yardage markers

Despite the arrival of GPS devices and rangefinders, many golfers are still happy with a cursory glance at the 150-yard marker. Not having them can slow play down for those who haven’t made the technological leap, especially if sprinkler head yardages are miles apart. Installing or retaining discreet, yet obvious, distance markers can only ever help when it comes to pace of play as they are still more than adequate for golfers who are perfectly content with rough, rather than ultra-precise, yardages.

Long rough too close to playing surfaces

Most of us find the game hard enough without having to contend with a course set-up that will either see us taking more shots or spending more time looking for balls. Long rough too close to the playing lines can be a big problem so it would be good for clubs to move away from a mindset of seeking to create a stern challenge, and set things up more to encourage, or even flatter, golfers. Overly long rough will only ever slow play down – why not cut it back more where it’s closest to the playing lines?

Leaving your bag on the wrong side of the green

Leaving your bag on the wrong side of a green delays your group and can be frustrating to watch for those behind. Try to leave your bag or trolley at the point where you’ll be exiting the green after putting out. Yes, sometimes you may not know a course well enough to be sure, or the logistics of where you’ve had to chip from or where trolleys are allowed to go may mitigate against it. But a good thought to have as you approach a green is, “Where am I heading next?”

Being on your phone when it's your turn

Most golfers these days accept that you might need your phone out on the golf course to occasionally keep on top of things discreetly if it doesn’t hold up play. But when you take things beyond that and end up being on the phone when it's your turn to play, that’s when other golfers’ patience levels begin to run out. If you absolutely have to use your phone occasionally, most people accept that; but it should never when others are waiting for you to play your shot. Ideally, it would be even better if we could just switch off from the outside world completely for four hours!

Not watching your shots all the way

Golf is a frustrating game. A woeful shot at a crucial moment can be too much to bear for some, and rather than following the wayward shot closely, it can be all too easy to spin away in disgust rather than keeping an eye on it. But at such times we’re actually best served by watching the ball as closely as possible to give ourselves the best chance of finding it quickly. It’s not in the best interests of others in our group or those following if we have to spend extra time looking for a ball we didn’t really follow.

Overly long pre-shot routines

We’ve all played with people whose pre-shot routines seem to go on so long that it becomes painful to watch. If your routine involves assessing the yardage, carefully selecting your club, standing behind the ball with club out in front of you, partial practice swings away from the ball then three more right next to it before hitting, there will quickly be a logjam of irritated golfers behind you and you’re unlikely to be the most popular person in the bar afterwards!

Not adopting 'ready golf'

The growing case for more ‘ready golf’ in stroke play has been heeded by the rulemakers and is now mentioned specifically in Rule 6.4b. For example, if you’ve only just got it out of a bunker and it’s still you to putt, it makes more sense for others to putt while you rake the bunker, get your putter out and so on. Or, if you’re shorter than your playing partners and can’t reach the green, you should play first even if it’s not your turn. It applies in stroke play only, though, as the order can have a greater bearing in match play.

Long walks from green to tee

This is not one you can actually do anything about, but round times will obviously be slower if you have to do significantly more walking from greens to tees. If every green-to-tee walk were 100 yards, for example, that’s over a mile a round so another 15-20 minutes. Perhaps this has more bearing when people choose to walk on a layout that has really been designed for buggy usage and the distances involved can be pretty significant, perhaps where housing is part of the overall project/facility.

Not hitting a provisional ball

Rule 18.3 specifically allows you to do something that will keep delays to a minimum when you’ve hit your ball into some undesirable spot. Yet golfers often spurn the chance to do so for unknown reasons. In a medal competition, if you don’t hit a provisional ball and can’t then find the original, the impact on your group’s round time could be ten to 15 minutes following the search and long walk back. There will be a negative impact on round times for those following as well, even if you do wave a group through. If there’s any doubt, play a provisional.

Walking too slowly

We’re all different, aren’t we? We possess different traits, different levels of fitness and come in all shapes, sizes and vintages. Some have a sense of purpose and urgency; others adopt a more leisurely pace. Golf may not be a race but some golfers do tend to amble along oblivious to what’s going on around – and particularly behind – them, rather than maintaining the pace required to keep up. If you’re losing ground, a slightly brisker pace may be required to prevent your group holding up those behind.

Marking your scorecard on the tee when it's your turn

If the fairway or green ahead is clear, the only priority on the tee is for the person with the honour to play in a timely fashion – or anyone, if you’re playing ‘ready golf’. There’s plenty of time to mark cards while others are hitting. If you know it’s you to go first, have your glove on ready and be working out your club as soon as you get to the tee. It’s frustrating for those behind to have to watch a group on the next tee milling about marking cards and chatting rather than anyone actually stepping up and hitting it.

Playing off inappropriate tees

Finding the balance between ego and realism can be a difficult one for golfers. Some seem irrationally driven to tackle the course at maximum length regardless of whether their ability and hitting distances are up to that challenge. Often, they’re not, and the game can grind to a halt as golfers continually have to remove headcovers for every approach... with the dispersion pattern that typically brings! Teeing it forward will probably be more enjoyable for them and for those following!

Not waving people through quickly when searching

The advice was always to wave those behind through as soon as it became apparent a ball would not be easily found, but precious few seem to remember that these days. Those behind typically have to watch the full search, without so much as a glance over the shoulder, followed by either the move across to the provisional ball or, worse still, long walk back to the tee. Mercifully, at least the search time is now down to three minutes from five.

Marking your scorecard on the green

Watching the scenario depicted here while standing in the fairway waiting to play into the green is likely to lead to a rapid rise in blood pressure. There are plenty of chances to fill in your scorecard during a round of golf and on the green after you’ve putted out and before you’ve put the flagstick back in would be the number one place not to do it. Expect someone to have a quiet, or less quiet, word with you at some stage if you’re guilty of this!

Tee-time intervals too close together

Some people see this as the number one cause of slow play – golf courses squeezing too many people out at the same time and creating bottlenecks. From an income perspective it might seem sensible to get as many green fees in as possible, but that could prove shortsighted if people stop returning because it takes five-plus hours to get round. The ideal interval is probably not a precise science and there are various factors at play, but many think ten to 12 minutes works best… if you can get it past the club management!

Not waving people through when the course ahead is clear

Rules 5.6b in the book is all about a prompt pace of play, encouraging us to let faster players through. But some golfers seem reluctant to be overtaken. We’ve all probably watched the group ahead almost running between shots rather than waving us through. Don’t be too proud to wave people through if they’re clearly playing faster than you and the course ahead is clear. At the end of the day, nobody likes feeling hassled, and nobody likes being held up, so surely it’s the best solution for all parties?

Not being ready to play

One of the biggest causes of slow play is the golfer simply not being ready to play when it is his or her turn on the tee, fairway or green or any time the course ahead is clear. Golf is not a race, so you don’t have to be relentless in your pursuit of the finishing post. But you do need to be ready to go as soon as it’s your turn rather than a minute afterwards, to prevent unnecessary frustration for others in your group and all those behind you. Rule 5.6b says “a round of golf is meant to be played at a prompt pace”.

We put these questions and more to three of the UK & Ireland’s top custom fitting experts - Chris Robinson of Portpatrick Dunskey GC in Scotland, Ciarán Hegarty of Millicent GC in Ireland and Daniel Skelcher of Fleetwood GC in England.

The trio are all partners of the TGI Golf Partnership - Europe’s leading golf retail services group owned by PGA Professionals - and were crowned as TGI Ping Custom Fitters of the Year.

Golf Monthly’s Mike Harris sat down with them in the USA during their visit to Ping HQ in Scottsdale, Arizona to talk about all things custom fitting.

Golf Monthly (GM)
How has fitting evolved since you did your first fitting as a PGA pro?

Chris Robinson (CR)
We’ve come a long way since when I started and we were working with a bag of 6-irons, where you’d be saying, ‘Well, it’s that head but it’s that shaft in that head over there.’ We’d be very unlikely to have the right club for each golfer and we didn’t have the ability to just switch heads and shafts so quickly like you can today. 

Daniel Skelcher (DS)
There were no launch monitors when I started fitting. It was all about standing down the line and observing the ball flight. If the customer was happy with the feel, the looks and the weight of the club, and you got a consistent flight, you were on to a winner. 

I remember when Mizuno’s Swing DNA system came in - it was the first of its kind and was such a great tool. It took the customer on a journey that I still kind of follow now.

Selecting the right category of shaft is a great starting point, getting the right weight of the club, getting the right feel and then fine tuning it to the head that the golfer is comfortable with.

We’ve now got the Ping Co-Pilot that can pretty much fit the full bag with optimised gapping through the set, all from 7-iron data. It’s an amazing piece of technology.

Ciarán Hegarty (CH)
In the early days of irons fitting it may have been a case of, ‘Great, you’re 20 yards further than you were before!’ … but the ball might not have been stopping when it landed. Understanding spin and descent angle on irons has changed things a lot for me. In the early days, there wasn’t as much knowledge around fitting as there is now. It’s changed so much in the last 10 years, with a lot more detail.

GM
Do you think there is an ability level golfers need to get to before a fitting is beneficial?

CR
That’s changed. I think people used to think that it was only for better players, but now fitters and  golfers are much more switched on to the fact that a custom fitting is going to benefit golfers whatever level they are - the benefits and gains will just be different for different ability levels.

CH
It’s definitely for everyone. If you take a beginner who’s really struggling to get the ball airborne with their irons; and you get them hitting a forgiving head with the right sole width and it isn’t too heavy a swing weight; and pair that with a lightweight shaft that is aimed at helping the golfer launch the ball, all of a sudden they’re going to start playing better golf without having to change their technique.

If you then add on the expertise we can offer as a coach - as well as a fitter - then I know we can help golfers play better and enjoy their golf in a shorter time than if we’re only trying to get gains via a fitting.

GM
If someone turns up for a fitting and they’re swinging it really badly, how do you approach that?

CR
I’ve had situations where I’ve delayed the fitting and gone straight into lesson mode. I then get the golfer back a few weeks later, when they’re swinging it better. Golfers will appreciate that because they understand that you are actually trying to do the best for their game. 

DS
It’s interesting as there’s swinging badly and there’s also fatigue during a fitting where golfers can lose their swing if they’ve hit too many balls, or are trying too hard during a fitting. We call it ‘burnout’. I try to limit the number of shots they hit with each option of club/shaft to a maximum of seven. Sometimes it only takes three shots. We can eliminate options from there and find what’s best more quickly.

GM
Do you find yourself having to try and manage the desire for extra distance from golfers?

CR
Yes! A lot of golfers get hooked into distance straight away. For me, it’s about controllable distance and trying to educate a golfer that what we're really after is the right ball flight and that distance can’t be at the cost of accuracy. Sometimes golfers want a little bit more distance and you have to say, ‘Ok, but you might have to give up something else to get that, probably accuracy.’

CH
I hide the carry and distance data. I think if you start showing carry distance straight away, golfers just start swinging for the fences – and then you’ve lost control of the fitting. So, I start off the fitting by saying what we’re going to be looking for in terms of launch, spin and descent angle, and give them a ballpark of where we should be in terms of distance. At the end, I might say, ‘That’s given you an extra 15-20 yards.’ 

GM
What are the most important clubs to be fitted for?

CH
It depends on the player. For better players, it’s wedges. For your average golfer, it’s hybrids and that longer area in the bag where they’re going to be hitting most of their shots, because their driver is only going maybe 200 yards and they’re going to be mostly hitting 4-6-irons in all day. If they’re standing there with a 10-year old set of irons , they’re not giving themselves the best chance of hitting the green. It is important to give them that better understanding of what those high to mid irons are doing. 

GM
How important is grip size?

DS
Really important. If you get that right, you get a better feel, and then you get more consistency. It’s something we do for every fitting with a measurement. Actually having a grip that you can put into the hand with a built club, I think that’s where we’re going to invest more in the future, so having more shaft options with different grip sizes fitted, from oversize to undersize.

The sport we love is a game of paradox; simplicity balanced against complexity. At one extreme, all we need to do is hit the ball into the hole in as few shots as possible. But this is balanced against there being a million ways this can happen. There are minuscule complexities in how we grip the club and make our swing, new rules questions arise all the time, and just when you thought you had seen it all… you find that you hadn’t! To the outsider it can all seem a bewildering mix of lore and law, so let’s take a look at some of the most common golf expressions that may well add to the confusion. Rather than the most obvious terms such as par, bogey and out of bounds, we will concentrate on those about which even some more experienced golfers might not be sure.

Good Good

This occurs only in matchplay, when it’s head-to-head and par is irrelevant. Both players have hit their approach shots close to the hole in the same number of strokes, indeed so close that each would be reasonably confident of making the putt. Few would feel completely comfortable at benefiting from an opponent missing a tiddler, so rather than waste time with both players lining up and putting, one might make the ‘Good Good’ suggestion, offering that both putts are conceded. This is usually accepted, and the hole is halved with the players simply moving on to the next hole. Of course, it’s usually the player with the slightly longer putt who makes the suggestion!

A Mulligan

It’s the start of the round and you’ve just arrived on the first tee without having had a chance to warm up. Nervously, you grip your driver, you make your swing, and look up to see the ball disappearing into oblivion… the worst possible start. Happily, this is a friendly round, and your sympathetic playing partners tell you not to worry, to forget all about that shot, to take a Mulligan - effectively a free replay - and to start again. Although this obviously cannot happen in a competitive round, it is one of golf’s very positive features. If such a thing WAS possible in tournament play, then think back to the 2003 Open Championship at Royal St. George’s when Tiger Woods lost his opening drive. After four days, he finished just two strokes behind the champion Ben Curtis. In theory, with a Mulligan, he would have made a play-off!

Leaking oil

Many golfers are also car enthusiasts, and so it’s no surprise that some golfing expressions are related. Leaking oil refers to that unpleasant experience when you have been playing well up to this point, but then things start to go wrong. You may begin to run out of energy - physically or mentally, or both - or you may start to feel the pressure of the winning line being in sight but know there are others coming up on the rails. Just as a car can start to lose power if it is leaking oil, a golfer can leak his or her own hypothetical oil. Another term for this, especially in the mental game, is to choke.

Dogleg Hole

While there are golf writers who don’t like the term, this is simply the perfect way to describe a hole where the golfer cannot see the green from the tee as it veers one way or the other. This is a brilliant architectural device as it introduces strategic decision making. Can you reach the point where the hole turns, how close to the line of the dogleg can you go in order to shorten the approach, or can you even drive over the corner to straighten the hole. For dogleg, think the 17th on the Old Course at St Andrews or the opening hole at Pebble Beach... or even the pictured 15th at Lewes in East Sussex.

Slam dunk

This is a term borrowed from basketball and refers to a full shot that flies through the air, pitching straight in the hole. In essence, it is the perfect shot as you have hit the ball exactly the distance needed on exactly the right line. Just occasionally, this is even more thrilling, as it is the result of a tee shot and so leads to a hole-in-one. This happened to club professional Michael Block in the final round of the 2023 USPGA when playing alongside Rory McIlroy at Oak Hill.

Spanish hands

There is something beautiful about this term which is used to describe a golfer who has real touch and feel in their short game. It is almost certainly a throwback to the late, great Seve Ballesteros, whose artistry was frequently likened to that of a magician. He could conjur up shots that other golfers would not be able to play, or indeed be able to imagine. This silky inventiveness, mixed with his fiery, Latin temperament, is not something that can be taught. You either have them, or most likely, you don’t!

Texas Wedge

One of golf architecture’s more recent fashions is to have run-off areas around greens where the grass is short and manicured, and from where you can play a variety of shots. One very popular option that this has allowed, is the opportunity to putt from sometimes a long way off the green. Such a shot is known as playing the Texas wedge. Traditionally many courses in this hot, southern state used to have dry, burnt fairways which made regular chip shots more problematic as it was difficult to get under the ball. While modern agronomy and irrigation methods have eased this in recent years, the term remains.

A Wormburner

A wormburner is a full golf shot that barely rises and hence is considered to leave a heat trail close to the ground in its wake. A polite term for such a shot might be a stinger, as practised very successfully by Tiger, but more often than not, it is the result of a top, whereby the golfer has lifted up too early on the follow-though and so has hit the ball with the bottom part of the clubface or more likely the blade. Although such a shot can often lead to a decent result, the impact can really sting the golfer’s hands. 

Temporary Water

Formerly known as casual water, temporary water refers to water sitting on the surface of a golf course in a position where it is not intended to be. Either the result of heavy rain or water rising from a nearby stream or aquifer, the key element is that it is not supposed to be there. Consequently, the golfer has the right to relief, and may move his or her ball away from the water (or snow, or natural ice) to a position where it can be played. This is golf, so obviously it’s slightly more complicated than this, but you get the point!

A Snowman

While making a snowman is usually an activity that is supposed to be fun, this is a slang term for something that no golfer wants to see, the number eight on their scorecard! If you allow a little artistic licence, then the basic shape of a snowman is similar to the number 8, and this has therefore become a golfing expression that is to be avoided but still happens even at the highest level. Indeed, Rory McIlroy began his campaign at the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush with a snowman having hit his opening tee shot out-of-bounds.

The Big Dog

The big dog, also known as the big stick, is quite simply an informal term for the biggest club in your bag, the driver. When it works, we all love it, and there is no shot more thrilling than a well-struck drive that disappears into the ether straight down the fairway. For most of us, however, it is also the hardest club to hit accurately, and is more responsible for wayward shots and lost golf balls than any other club. It is thought to have been adopted into golf from the expression, leader of the pack.

A Fried Egg

This is something that even the hungriest golfer doesn’t want to see as it relates to a shot that has ended up in the soft sand in a bunker or trap. Coming in from height, the ball has plummeted down and displaced the sand, effectively ending up plugged deep down. This makes for a particularly tough shot as the golfer has to dig deep - literally and metaphorically - to get the ball out. The general area often resembles a fried egg, albeit with the white and yellow coloring reversed.

A Lay Up

We all love to watch our golfing heroes having to play strategically out on the course, and the most common decision they have to make is whether or not to go for something - effectively play a shot with a long carry to reach a particular target - or to play a safer shot short of the trouble, a lay up, such as at the water holes at Augusta in The Masters. While the former is obviously more exciting, the lay up can often pay greater dividends as it leads to a short approach that these brilliant players often hit very close to the hole.

A Sherman

One of the most destructive and deflating shots in golf is the shank, when we hit the ball so close to the hosel of the club that is causes the ball to fly off at a very undesirable angle. The hosel is the area where the shaft joins the clubhead, and it is often said that it is very close to being a perfect shot… which of course is scant compensation as we watch our Titleist land in the lake or dense undergrowth. Why Sherman? This is simply rhyming slang for the most commonly used American tank in WWII - Sherman tank, shank.

It’s still you

This is a phrase that is generally used on the green and is something that no golfer wants to hear said to them. As we know, other than the very welcome adoption of ready golf, it is the player furthest from the hole who plays next. If he or she has played a shot and it’s still them to play next, then it’s likely that the shot has not been too successful. When this is actually on the green and the player’s ball is still the furthest from the hole, then it is even more frustrating!

An Air Shot

When someone takes up golf and is a complete novice, it is extremely likely that a good many of their early attempts to hit the ball will actually miss completely. This is known as an air shot, or a whiff, when all we have managed to do is hit fresh air. Having said that, then especially when faced with a tricky lie with the ball sitting in a depression or perhaps between twigs, it is still something that can happen to even the most experienced golfer… often to the great amusement of his or her playing partners!

A Dog Licence

This British golfing expression is one that very much sees the recipient as someone who has their tail between their legs. In regular match play, an emphatic and surprisingly common win is a 7&6 victory where one golfer, or indeed pair, is seven holes up with just six to play, and so uncatchable. Even at the highest level, this still happens. Up until decimalization in the UK in 1971, dog owners had to pay seven shillings and sixpence for a licence for their pet, or in common parlance, seven and six. Hence, a 7&6 victory is widely still known as a dog licence.

Pin-high

There are two basic goals we try and achieve with a golf shot; hitting the ball in the right direction, and hitting it the right distance. Quite often we get one of these elements right without the other, and pin-high relates to getting the distance pretty much spot on regardless of whether we end up left or right of the hole. Therefore, when we hit an approach which misses the green but is the right distance, we can at least console ourselves with the fact that we managed to hit it pin-high.

Front Nine - Back Nine

These are perhaps two of the more obvious golfing expressions, but nonetheless they are worth consideration. There are somewhere in the region of 40,000 golf courses in the world, and the vast majority of these have 18 holes with the front nine denoting holes one to nine, and the back nine used to describe holes 10 to 18. Of these, probably the majority are laid out as two loops of nine, especially the newer ones, and so it’s important to know which you are playing first.

A Gimme

There is nothing more frustrating in golf than getting close to the hole and then missing a short putt. You’ve done all the hard work, but that much-needed par or rewarding birdie still eludes you. In friendly golf, i.e. not in a card-submitting competition, and in matchplay, a happy feature of golf is that you can concede short putts, which are known as a gimme. We all have friends and golfing acquaintances who don’t give putts to their playing partners, but it’s fair to say that if we wouldn’t give ourselves that putt, it’s probably not a gimme!

The flatstick

Just as the driver can be known as the big dog and many other less flattering things, the most frequently used club in our bag, our putter, is also quite often known as the flatstick. It’s not really flat, of course, with the degree of loft often being around three or four degrees as this delivers the best and most consistent roll on the ball. Being the one club that we need on every hole - unless we have chipped in... or had to pick up - it is unquestionably the most important club in any golfer’s armoury.

The Yips

Golf can be the most frustrating game as well as the most rewarding, but with so much of it being in the mind, even the most technically able golfer can develop a case of the yips. This dreaded affliction most commonly manifests in the putting stroke, and can best be described as involuntary wrist spasms when playing a stroke. Generally thought to be caused by anxiety, they effectively make it impossible to make a smooth putt and have impacted many of the sport’s biggest names. Most notable among these is Berhard Langer who had to change to a broom-handled putter and totally different technique, to brilliant effect.

Catch a flyer

When the golfer’s ball ends up in the rough, it will usually behave very differently from on the fairway, and can often lead to a flyer. This can occasionally work to his or her benefit, but more likely than not will be destructive as it means the ball will travel way too far. A flyer occurs because far more grass is trapped between the ball and the club face. This in turn means that there is less traction and backspin, so the golfer may well need to take substantially less club to achieve the desired carry.

A Lip Out

Rubbing salt into the wounds of a missed putt, a lip out describes the extremely frustrating occurrence of your golf ball almost dropping into the hole, but instead following the line around part of the rim of the cup and then agonisingly staying above ground. This can be as much as 360 degrees, even more, and is a whisker away from perfection. At its worst, the lip out can even put spin on the ball and expel it away from the hole, meaning the next one isn’t a gimme either!

Airmail The Green

Whether it’s the result of a flyer, not really knowing the distance to the hole, selecting the wrong club or a rush of blood to the head, we occasionally hit an approach that we are convinced is just right, only to see it fly beyond into thick, impenetrable rough... or worse. This frustrating occurrence is known as airmailing the green; completely clearing it without so much as the briefest touchdown.

Dormie

The word dormie comes from the French verb dormir - to sleep. It is used in matchplay to describe when a golfer is the same number of holes ahead (or behind), as there are left to play. So if you are three holes up standing on the 16th tee, you are dormie, or dormie three. The logic behind this is that you could fall asleep and still not lose. However, it should therefore only be used if matches can be tied. If extra holes/sudden death are an option, no-one can be dormie. A similar word, dormy, is used to describe accommodation at a golf club… where you really CAN go to sleep.

Ready Golf

This is a very healthy concept that entered into golfing parlance and general usage around 2020. Other than in matchplay, where tactics are so vital, then it is no longer necessary to wait strictly for the person furthest from the hole to play. If someone is simply chipping out sideways or escaping from sand, or if one player cannot possibly reach the green whereas someone further away is capable of reaching, then this makes perfect sense and leads to less wasted time and quicker rounds. Even if it is because one of your playing partners is simply unprepared, then ready golf is an excellent concept.

Handicap Bandit

Ah… golf’s most popular figure! Sadly, while the sport is very much one of honor and integrity, there are some for whom winning is everything. Also known simply as bandit, sometimes as pot-hunter, and sometimes as something not publishable on this website, these golfers do all they can - which is usually nothing - to keep a high handicap. This in turn puts them in a position to win more competitions, matches and prizes. Most clubs have them, and while the World Handicapping System is enabling us all to put in unlimited cards, there is nothing to stop the bandit from putting in bad ones!

Unplayable Lie

There are endless frustrations in golf, many of them of our own making, but one that is particularly galling is to find your ball sitting in a position where you just cannot hit it. This might be because it is sitting down in some dense jungle or stuck high off the ground in a bush. It might be because you cannot swing a club at the ball. Whatever the reason, the penalty incurred for taking a drop always feels hurtful, and completely unfair, even though it was you who hit it there in the first place! Sadly, it’s usually best to swallow your pride, take the penalty, and move to a playable position.

Plugged Lie

While a plugged lie sounds as though it might be something an electrician might fix, it refers to a ball which has come to rest in its own pitchmark, usually from height or on some particularly wet or boggy ground. All you can see is the top half of the ball, and the chances of getting much closer with your next shot are equally dead and buried. Also known as an embedded ball, thanks to one of the 2019 rule changes, then unless you are in a bunker or a penalty area, you are entitled to a free drop.

Knee Trembler

This is the term used to describe a putt - almost a gimme but not quite - that you really should get but which is still missable. Your only thought is “I’d better not miss this”, which in turn makes the putt twice as long. Playing in a friendly, or with nothing on it, you would hole it every time. But because it’s to win the match, or to beat your handicap, or to save face in front of your deadly enemy, nerves kick in and it becomes a real knee trembler. Good luck!

The Nineteenth Hole

This is the very place where golf course design is debated endlessly, but about which no budding architect should complain; the club’s friendly, banter-filled bar. You’ve played your match or medal, you’ve had some highs and lows, you’ve braved the elements or sweated in the sun, and you’ve definitely left some shots out on the course. But you’ve earnt your reward, and it’s now time to excite/bore your friends with stories of what happened, and what should have happened. If only…!

Golfing trophies come in all shapes and sizes with a nod to a tournament's history or culture or perhaps something more dazzling or plain classy. Here we celebrate some of the most recognisable trophies, which climax the biggest weeks of the year, as well as some of the more thoughtful offerings as we venture to the likes of Asia.   

CHEVRON CHAMPIONSHIP

This is traditionally the opening Major of the women's season and it's formerly been known as the Dinah Shore, Nabisco, ANA Inspiration and now the Chevron. The winner was better known for her jump into Poppie's Pond at Mission Hills but, with the move to The Woodlands in Texas in 2023, there might now be more emphasis on the trophy. The 24" Silver Cup was updated by Malcolm DeMille in 2022 with the winner receiving their own 12'' silver-plate replica with the Chevron logo and name on it.

AIG WOMEN'S OPEN

This isn't your traditional grand trophy that you might expect of a Major but it remains a thing of beauty for the champion. This trophy was first awarded to Lorena Ochoa in 2007, when it was the Ricoh Women’s British Open, and in 2023 Lilia Vu would get her hands on a second Major.

The trophy is a fluted design with floral pattern and it was created by Edward Asprey who has had a hand in many of the game's best-known bits of silverware, including the iconic falcon trophy awarded to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship winner. 

US WOMEN'S OPEN

This really is the one to get your hands on and in 2023 we saw the US Women's Open being played at Pebble Beach for the first time. The history of the Championship isn't maybe what you would think, dating only back to 1946. The Women's PGA ran it originally before the LPGA took over and then the USGA took charge in 1953. 

The winner would get a trophy donated by the Spokane Athletic Round Table and, when the USGA declined their offer of continued sponsorship, they produced this silver two-handled trophy produced by JE Caldwell and Co. The original trophy was replicated in 1992 by the family and friends of Harton S. Semple, who was the USGA president in 1974 and 1975. To get your name on this beauty remains the elite in the women's game.

WOMEN'S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

The men's Wanamaker Trophy, handed out to the winner of the men's PGA Championship, is noticeably on the large side and the women's version is no different. Again Malcolm DeMille was brought in to refurbish a trophy that has had many names and he added a new lower sterling silver base where the previous winners' names could be celebrated.

In 2015 DeMille also designed a winner's take-home trophy which was 60 per cent of the one we see on TV, then in 2022 he was asked to make the rhodium-plated replica two inches taller. 

SOLHEIM CUP

This might only weigh around 20 pounds and be 19 inches tall, including the mahogany base, but this cut-glass Irish Waterford Crystal represents the culmination  of one of the great weeks on the biennial calendar. It was designed in 1990, the inaugural year of the competition, by one of Waterford's top designers, Billy Briggs.

For four of the first five matches the US skipper got her hands on it but we are now on 10-8, in favour of the Americans, with the tie in 2023 the first halved match. In 2024 we will see a return of the matches as the Solheim Cup reverts to even-numbered years with Suzann Pettersen and Stacy Lewis again skippering the sides.

BANK OF HOPE LPGA MATCH-PLAY

This is something very different and very eye-catching and international glass artist Barbara Domsky is the creative mind behind the trophy. This is how the tournament organisers describe the thinking behind the trophy which recognises the hard work, determination and perseverance of the players.

"Throughout the design process Domsky paid specific attention to the mission of the LPGA and what they signify for women in golf. Knowing that she wanted to design something that spoke loudly to these women, she made the decision to use glass. Specifically, dichroic fused glass and sculpted aluminum. Often thought of as very fragile, under a lot of heat glass is incredibly strong - a true parallel to these athletes. 

"Domsky then brought in the metal to signify that path and the support system of the LPGA, giving opportunity and a platform, continuing to uplift these women throughout their journey. Finally, the trophy sits atop a crystal base - a base that further elevates this piece and reminds us all how important it is to continue to raise women up."

LPGA THAILAND

We might be seeing a lot more of this trophy depending on how Lilia Vu's career turns out. In February 2023 Vu won this title, her first victory on Tour. The trophy has had various iterations and the current one was designed by emerging Thai artist, Saruta Kiatparkpoom. The eagle was her source of inspiration with the bird 'an embodiment of strength and elegance which very much resembled the golfers who grace the green with their poise and determination'.

And with a golf ball thrown in for good measure.

COGNIZANT FOUNDERS CUP

The tournament is a tribute to the founders of the LPGA and began in 2011. In its inaugural year the players didn't receive a prize fund, instead donating half of the $1m purse to charity and the other half to individual charities chosen by the top-10 finishers. The following year a cash purse was brought in.

The trophy is another to be created by Malcolm DeMille and is a hand-sculpted and cast bronze trophy and it features 'polished highlights, heavy textures and stylised lines representing the fluidity and motion of the iconic LPGA logo'.

It's interesting how few of the game's elite trophies have a figure of a golfer as part of them and this is fairly eye-catching. 

MAYBANK CHAMPIONSHIP

The Tiger Trophy certainly stands out from the rest. It was designed by Maybank and intricately crafted by Royal Selangor, the world's largest pewter manufacturer and retailer with more than 40 outlets around the world.

The trophy weighs close to 7kg with the tiger part of the Malaysian coat of arms, symbolising national dignity and pride. The trophy also illustrates the aims of the Maybank Championship to be ‘courageous, creative and collaborative’ while encouraging golfing excellence. 

In 2023 we witnessed a nine-hole play-off before Celine Boutier claimed the victory.

PORTLAND CLASSIC 

We're unsure when this version of the trophy was brought in but, for sheer size alone, there might be nothing bigger in the game. With two wooden bases, highlighting the winners that date back to 1972, the trophy itself is big enough on its own. There have been 22 different titles of this tournament and no doubt tens of different trophies but surely none bigger than the one that Thailand's Chanettee Wannasaen hoisted in 2023 after coming through Monday qualifying.

Aside from the elusive albatross (three-under on a hole), the eagle, a score of two-under on a hole, is one of the rarer birds in the game of golf. Statistics provided by Arccos suggest a 5 handicap index golfer will make one every 52 rounds... so when I turned up at Sunningdale Heath Golf Club in Surrey tasked with making one within 24 hours, the odds were seemingly stacked against me. 

WATCH: Joel Tadman attempts to make an eagle in 24 hours

There were some factors working in my favour, however. The course is notably shorter than a 'standard' layout and while much of this reduced length comes from having no par fives and and abundance of par threes (a whopping 14 in total), there are also some drivable par fours measuring under 300 yards. It’s no doubt why the course was chosen to host this first episode of Challenge Accepted, a new series on the Golf Monthly YouTube channel, although securing a golden eagle would still be a very difficult task.

The rules stated I could play any hole in any order but I must complete every hole I started. Getting out on the course early, therefore, before the bulk of golfers would reach the holes I had identified as offering the best eagle chance, would be key. I began by easing my way through the first three holes, which were all par threes and realistically never going to yield and eagle. Nope, I’ve never had a hole in one before and my last eagle in a competition came seven years ago. Although I did make a somewhat famous eagle on the 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale playing with YouTube stars Rick Shiels and Peter Finch (video evidence can be found here). 

The fourth hole at Sunningdale Heath is a 328 yard par four, so not reachable for me, but after a solidly struck and accurate drive I found myself 30 yards short of the green in the fairway with a clear shot to the pin. The nerves were starting to jangle - would I complete the challenge less than an hour into it? It was a simple shot, but my Texas wedge came up woefully short and a mediocre par ensued. 

This would not be the hole so I moved on to the next par four, the 8th hole, which comes in shorter at 276 yards. Plenty of attempts with a fairway wood led to some short chip shots that came close, one in particular just shaved the lip of the hole but did not fall in. Switching to the driver didn’t help as my accuracy suffered so it was time to move on to the next par four, the 13th. This was shorter at 256 yards and played slightly downhill, so the three wood became the perfect club from the tee. The only drawback was the green was small and surrounded by thick rough left and long and trees to the right, which also overhung in front of the tee and prevented me from hitting my customary draw.

It proved far more difficult than I had foreseen, with even my best efforts often running through into the rough or eagle putts sliding agonisingly past the hole. After 36 attempts in total, I was nearly at my wits end and with golfers starting to come through and cause me to have to step aside, it looked like my time was up. I was out of my rhythm and closer to making a four than I was a two.

But on the 37th attempt, a well-struck three wood sailed narrowly over the trees and finished fractionally past pin high in the right hand fringe. “Never leave an eagle putt short,” is a phrase I often tell my nervous playing partners when they are trying to make an eagle of their own and now I was saying it to myself. This was never going to be short. To my delight and relief, the ball dropped in at the perfect pace and by 10.56am the challenge was complete!

What Are The Degree Loft Of Golf Clubs?

The degree of loft on a golf club has a significant influence on the flight and distance of a shot, and is the primary factor that distinguishes all the clubs in a set. A lower lofted club has the potential to hit the ball further, while a higher lofted club will see the ball launch quicker with more spin.

While some clubs are considered to have 'traditional lofts' such as bladed irons, there is no such thing as set lofts of golf clubs in the modern game. Manufacturers are bringing out numerous models with different lofts and technology to deliver a variety of performance characteristics for golfers of different abilities.

Many of the most forgiving irons tend to come with stronger lofts, which may sound counterintuitive, but thanks to the technology implemented in them, they often still produce a higher launch. This is usually down to a change in CG location compared to more conventional irons. Manufacturers can strengthen the lofts to add more distance whilst still delivering a towering ball flight.

Some more confident ball-strikers who have played weaker lofted irons for a long time may struggle using stronger lofted irons that boast more technology, because this will ultimately have an impact on distance control and shot-shaping ability.

These lower handicapper golfers are not necessarily looking for more distance within their iron line-up and focus far more on control and trajectory control. Tiger Woods has one of the "weakest" loft set-ups in the professional game as he prioritises spin and control over distance and so TaylorMade, who he is signed with, designed him custom irons with a custom groove pattern to match the launch and spin he looks for in his irons.

Driver Degree Loft

The average loft of most of the best golf drivers is around the 10^° mark, although this will very much change from player to player.

Most better players will tend to sit somewhere between 8-10.5° of loft in their driver, any higher than this and players with faster clubhead speeds will tend to produce excessive spin, although the shaft will have a big influence on this.

Most beginner golfers or higher handicapper golfers should consider looking at best drivers for slow swing speeds. These heads will often have lofts as high as 12-13° to help launch the ball at the correct angle with the right amount of spin. Many of the drivers on the market now have adjustable hosels which allow you to change the loft up or down around 2° degrees to tune in the optimal flight for your game.

Fairway Wood Loft

Most golfers will carry a 3-wood that sits around 15° as standard. Some players will carry a strong 3 wood at around 13-13.5 degrees of loft if it is a club that they want the ball to roll out as far as possible by reducing spin and launch or like using off the tee. Clubs like the TaylorMade R7 Mini Driver sit somewhere between driver and fairway wood and have lofts between 11.5 and 13.5 degrees.

Most equipment manufacturers also offer high-launching 3-woods up to 16.5 degrees. As with driver, many of the best fairway woods come with adjustable hosels and allow you to change the loft to your preference. So you may have a 3-wood that is waiting to be turned into a 2 wood or even a 4 wood, depending on what course setup you're playing on.

Traditionally, a 4-wood would be around 17 degrees and a 2-wood would be 12 degrees, although these clubs are lesser-seen these days. A 5-wood is usually 18-19 degrees, whilst a 7-wood will be around 21 degrees. 9-woods are becoming increasingly popular among professional golfers with world number one Scottie Scheffler having put one in play this year. These are great alternatives for long irons that may launch a little too low.

Hybrid Loft

There really is no set hybrid loft, with hybrids now available from 16°, with some beginners and higher handicaps using hybrid irons.

Most tour players with some of the best golf hybrids in the bag will have them between 18-22° to replace their 2, 3 and 4-irons or simply as another option in certain conditions. They're easier to hit and will generally launch higher and come down softer on the greens, making them perfect for longer courses with firmer greens.

A 3-hybrid is usually around 19˚and a 4-hybrid is around 22˚. Whilst these lofts might seem a bit low, the construction of the heads is designed to get the ball up in the air easily, so, again, stronger lofts offer the potential for more distance with the right combination of launch and spin.

Due to the head shape, it is easier for manufacturers to locate the CG lower and further back in the clubhead, facilitating a much higher launch than an iron of the same loft.

Iron Lofts

As we have already mentioned, lofts can vary greatly between iron sets. To give you an idea, the 7-iron in the Ping Blueprint T model (a traditional, blade-like iron) is 33˚. This is relatively weak in the modern game, and as such, these irons are designed more with distance control rather than pure distance in mind. At the other end of the spectrum the Ping G440 irons (more of a distance iron) feature a 7-iron with just 29˚. 

Below, we have listed the lofts featured in the latest TaylorMade P770 set of irons. We've chosen this model as it is a popular iron that suits a wide range of players from low handicappers to game improvers. Here are the lofts of the irons in that set.

4-iron - 22 degrees
5-iron - 25.5 degrees
6-iron - 29 degrees
7-iron - 33 degrees
8-iron - 37 degrees
9-iron - 41 degrees
PW-iron - 45 degrees

Wedge lofts

A pitching wedge loft in the modern game is generally between 44-47°, with most golfers using one that comes with their iron set. However, better players often prefer to use a specialist wedge instead of the one that comes with the set as many of the best golf wedges can help with control and spin.

A gap wedge literally fills the gap between pitching and sand wedges and is usually somewhere between 48° and 53°. A sand wedge loft tends to be somewhere between 54° and 57°.

The loft of a lob wedge is traditionally 60°, however some players will carry 58° wedges, which can also be classed as a lob wedge. Players like Phil Mickelson have been known to carry lob wedges up to 64°.

Putter Loft

Most of the best putters will come as standard with around 3-4°. Some golfers may have less or more loft but that usually comes from a putter fitting where the club is tailored to the stroke. 

A lot of people assume that putters don't have any loft but to get the ball rolling on top of the grass quicker, some loft is needed.

If you have a downward attack angle you may want more loft and if you hit the ball on the up then you may want less loft. Your choice may also be determined by the greens you most regularly play on - slow greens may require a little more loft than faster greens.

While it may be restricted to the summer months and shortly before that or afterwards, the evening is a wonderful time to play golf for so many reasons. Your conscience is free as you’ve ticked off your daily chores, and now it’s time to head out and immerse yourself in your favorite activity.

The course is quiet… so faster golf

One of the very best things about evening golf is that you stand the best possible chance of having the course to yourself. At worst it should be quieter than earlier in the day, and this means that you are far less likely to be stuck behind a fourball of sleepwalking and wayward golfers meandering the fairways, looking for balls that they failed to keep an eye on. This means that you get to play at your own pace, so you finish more quickly and you don’t burst a blood vessel waiting for people to get out of the way.

Play a match against yourself

If the course is quiet and you are on your own, you can add spice and fun to your evening game by challenging yourself to a match! It’s less likely to be an option if you are the kind of golfer who follows a slice with a snap hook, but if you generally hit a consistent shot, you can play two balls and keep the score of one against the other. Just how generous you are with your gimme putts is entirely up to you, but there won’t be any arguments on this, and at least you are going to end up a winner!

Play cross country (e.g. 14th tee to 16th green)

Rather than the traditional routing from 1st tee to 1st green and so on, when the course is particularly quiet, you may well have the opportunity to plot your own path. You might want to finally try that drive that is 90 degrees from the normal line, and play over the valley to an unrelated fairway before lofting one over that stand of trees that would never normally come into play. And if you are stuck behind a slower group, you can simply head off elsewhere. You’ve always wanted to design your own course, well here is your chance.

Your playing partners can film your game

Slow play can be a big issue, and we normally only have time to prepare and execute our own shots while keeping up with the game in front. If there is no-one behind you - and please make sure there is a substantial gap - there is the chance to get one of your friends to film your swing on their phone. This can be an invaluable training tool as no matter what we think we look like, the reality is seldom the same. Film from behind, or sideways on, or from an elevated bank overlooking the tee, and there is much to be gained from seeing what we really are doing.

A great way to unwind after work

You’ve had a hard day at work, or elsewhere, performing some of the many tasks that life throws at you. An evening game is perfect for throwing off the shackles of the day and enjoying fresh air, good company, and your favourite hobby. It’s your reward to yourself for the earlier efforts you have put in, and the exercise and general wellbeing that comes with golf will do you nothing but good. But you might just want to avoid playing with your boss!

Into the setting sun, there is a real incentive to hit it straight

It’s all too easy to stand on the tee, look at the generously wide fairway ahead, and then not pick a precise target because “anywhere up there will do!” We all know this is wrong, but many of us still do it all the time. Playing into a setting sun is nature’s gift to keep us concentrating on a straight hit. We aren’t going to be able to look up and see where the ball is going, so hit and hope is not an option. A setting sun can be a real focus for the mind.

You can take just irons and work on them

There are few things more satisfying in golf than blasting your driver into oblivion or watching your fairway wood sail over that lake. But evening golf is a time for practice, and by introducing a little discipline, your overall game can reap great rewards. Leave your woods in your locker and make yourself practise the clubs that really are the key to better scoring - your irons. If you are worried about the carry on some holes, go to a forward tee. Familiarity with your less exciting clubs can really improve your confidence and handicap.

Meet up with other single golfers

It’s very easy to end up playing with roughly the same group of people whenever you are at your club. One of the joys of an impromptu, solo evening game is that you never know who you might bump into on the first tee or out on the course. Teaming up with other golfers is a brilliant way to make new friends and learn more about your club. Obviously not everyone will get along, but the majority of golfers will be like-minded people with whom you have plenty in common… including your favourite hobby.

Your playing partners are relaxed as the working day is done

We all know how frustrating golf can be, and many of us get very annoyed with ourselves when things don’t go exactly right. Worse, this can all too easily spill over into a bad demeanour which will also spoil the enjoyment of the others in the group. Playing when the labours of the day are done will hopefully have us all at least starting in a good mood, and more likely than not should lead to a lighter atmosphere for the entire round. Evening golf is often of a more informal nature too, which means there is less reason to get too het up.

Low sun creates shade and light that accentuates the topography

During the day, the overhead sun tends to flatten out the undulation changes in any golf course. As the sun gets low, the shadows it casts have two great benefits for the golfer. One is that you can see the humps and bumps more clearly, especially on the greens, and this is going to help you choose your lines more accurately. The other, for golfers and non-golfers alike, is that everything just looks so much more attractive and interesting. The shadows and the different colour textures can turn an appealing view into a stunner.

The challenge to get round before it is too dark

Predicting the length of a round of golf is an art that is riddled with potential pitfalls. Having the course to yourself removes most of these and so the golf ball is in your court on timings. One challenge that can be fun, especially when it works, is setting yourself the target to complete the round before it gets too dark to see your ball. This can lead to some rapid walking between shots and generous putt concessions, but there is great satisfaction in finishing just in the nick of time.

You can head to the 19th hole with no guilt

Few coffee table books of the world’s greatest golf holes feature the 19th, but it is one that is close to the hearts of many golfers. The sociability and laughter generated by sitting round with fellow golfers dissecting their games and debating the merits of this course over that one, is a key constituent of the game for many of us. By playing in the evening, probably the most natural time to be out socialising, there is minimum guilt associated with a visit to the bar, or better still, a drink on the terrace watching the sun go down.

Be alone with your thoughts

While golf can be a hugely social sport, it is also one that offers the opportunity for solo outings and the personal benefits that this can offer. An evening game on your own is the perfect time to reflect on anything important, or indeed not so important, that is of concern to you. Yes, you want to work on your game, but it actually might be more important to think about something in your personal life where the fresh air, tranquility and beauty of nature allow you to forget about everything else and see things more clearly.

Play a personal scramble

Ok, you are going to need a particularly quiet course for this one, but why not play three balls from each tee. You can then select the best one, retrieve the other two, and then play another three shots from there. The benefits are that you should be able to identify a common theme in your game for the more successful shots - you stayed down over it, you had a slower backswing - as well as realise what went wrong with the others. On top of this, you might just have your best score ever!

The low sun makes you keep your head down

When you are playing towards the sinking sun, there is absolutely no benefit from looking up early to see where your ball has gone. You just won’t see it, and looking into the light is uncomfortable in the first place. This therefore really promotes the idea of keeping your head down as there is no reason at all to look up. This should lead to a smoother, more balanced swing which will hopefully be something you can bring into your game at all times.

Play a personal betterball

While playing a solo game of golf is a great opportunity to practise, it can be hard to concentrate for a full round when the outcome of each shot doesn’t really matter. You can add a fun element that still gives you focus by playing two balls, but treating them as though they were being played by two golfing partners playing a betterball competition, using the lower nett score of each. If one is lost or unplayable, then you still have the other ball with which to score. A target of 40 points or more should still be viable, and the concentration you gain by keeping score and setting a target can really help your game.

Twilight rates

Playing at peak times, especially on better courses such as those that top the golf course rankings, can be very expensive. Happily, a great many clubs offer a twilight rate - typically from four hours before sunset - which makes playing a great course, or even one of the many brilliant hidden gems we have, far more affordable. Sometimes it is half price or better, and although clubs can change their approach to this quite regularly, a little research should reveal some bargains that make evening golf an even bigger draw than it already is.

Take the kids

What better time to introduce the next generation to golf than in the evening? The courses are quiet and so the intimidation factor, which is very naturally a real inhibitor for those new to the game, is way less evident. The speed of their play - perhaps just hitting a few shots while you show them how it really should be done(!) - will not be an issue. You can head to a quiet spot, just hit a few shots from around the green or maybe a few putts, and hopefully demonstrate in a very gentle and subtle way, golf’s great allure.

Work on your least favourite shots/club

Pretty much every golfer has a particular club, or a specific shot, that is his or her nemesis and potential downfall. The evening is a perfect time to head out with that rogue 5-iron and show it who is boss. Or, drop some balls just short of that malevolent greenside bunker and play a few gentle chips that head onto the putting surface and not into the sand. Confronting your golfing demons rather than avoiding them is the best long-term solution, and an empty course in the evening can be the perfect battlefield.

Take a drink with you

For many people, taking a drink out with you while you play can be just the gentle stimulant or nerve-calmer that will help you play better. There is also something fun about doing something that feels just a little bit wrong! It doesn’t have to be alcoholic, and there are plenty of sport’s drinks that have reviving or energy-giving properties that will give you a lift after a hard day’s work. Not that we would ever encourage drinking and driving, but how much fun is it to take a beer out with you while you play?

Something to look forward to all day as you work

The excitement of an evening game after work can make a real difference to how your working day goes. Knowing that you will later be out on the course puts a spring in your step and can even give you an impetus to get things done more quickly so that you can leave work in good time. There may be a particular club you want to try out, or a new pair of shoes you want to bed in, or you may simply be looking forward to a game with a couple of friends you haven’t seen in a while. All of these will keep you motivated during your working day.

Use a half set

Why not make the club selection process a whole lot more straightforward at the same time as taking the weight off your shoulders, and take just a half set in a pencil bag. You aren’t trying to set a course record or win the club championship, and if you don’t have the perfect club for every shot, then so what! You can adapt by gripping down the shaft, or playing a punch shot or a half-swing, any of which will be fun to try and even more rewarding when it comes off.

More of nature to enjoy as the course is quieter

Many of us get a real lift from seeing wildlife out on the course. When the cooler evening temperatures arrive and there are fewer people to scare them away, it can be a real joy to see birds of prey, deer or even something more unusual while playing. Many clubs now keep a record of different creatures spotted on their course, and the evening is a perfect time to see an owl out hunting for its supper, while the frog chorus you hear on some courses can sometimes be distractingly loud.

Work on just one particular shot shape (draw/fade)

An evening game can be perfect for really concentrating on your technique and working on one specific shape of shot. We all crave consistency, and if we set a target of hitting a soft draw or a baby fade for the entire round - with no veering from the script - there is a real chance of creating a muscle memory and a better knowledge of our game that will make that shot easier to replicate in the future. It will require great discipline, but isn’t that what the game is all about?

Best light for photography

There is a reason why professional golf course photographers often capture their best work either just after daybreak or in the hour before sunset, the golden hour. This is because the light is low and it often casts atmospheric shadows over trees, raised bunkers and other humps and bumps. It is also a particularly soft and flattering light that somehow makes everything in nature look at its best. With phone cameras now offering such excellent results, there is every chance in the evening to record your favourite view on your favourite course.

Learn your greens - chart them

By having a little more time at your disposal, and boosted by a low, evening sun, you have the opportunity to really work on your putting and get to know the greens on your course. The light accentuates any subtle undulation, and by spending a few minutes on one particular green without someone standing impatiently behind you on the fairway, you can effectively create your own map for future use when every shot counts. Knowing the greens can make a significant difference to your scoring, and yet it is surprising how many club members don’t take the trouble to do so.

Course is quiet so you can choose a different routing

Whether you are limited for time or find yourself up behind a slow group who seem to be unfamiliar with the concept of playing though, a real joy of evening golf is that you can very often divert from your current position on the course. You might cut through the trees from the 14th to the 17th, or even go back the other way to replay some holes you’ve already visited. You don’t have a scorecard in your hand, you’re out there for practice and for fun, so why not go exactly where you want, always bearing in mind that someone else might be doing the same!

Tackle your bogey hole

Most of us have one particular hole on the course that we fear, and where we know even before we play it that things are not going to go well! Oddly, this may change over time; last summer it was the dogleg 14th, now it’s the par-3 8th like the Postage Stamp at Royal Troon. The best way to overcome this, is to head to that hole when there are no other golfers around, and really work on it. Learn what works and what doesn’t, get to realise that you don’t ALWAYS go in that particular bunker, and gain the confidence that you are in control and the solution is in your hands.

Course is quiet so you can practise and replay shots

While there may occasionally be an evening competition at your club, a quick look at the start sheet or the club diary should reveal plenty of warm, summer evenings when you can go out and really work on your game. We all know that the best golfers in the world devote endless hours to practice, and it would be naïve to think we cannot all benefit from putting in the grind. The course is generally quieter in the evening, so the only person you are going to upset by practising and replaying less successful shots, is yourself!

It is cooler

Evening golf is largely a summer pursuit, and wherever you are in the world, the warmest time of the year has generally become even more so in recent years. By playing in the evening, you can avoid the real heat of the day and enjoy the course in far more comfortable conditions that will also help your game. If it does get a little cool, you can put on a lightweight top that will keep you at the perfect temperature without inhibiting the swing in any way.

The wind generally drops

While the wind tends to get up during the day, especially on links courses and those along the coast, the evening is very often a time when it eases off. This means you can concentrate on hitting the ball where you want it to go, not where the wind wants to take it. It also means that you shouldn’t need extra clothing to combat the breeze. Evening golf can therefore be the most comfortable time of day to play, both for you and your body, and for your golf ball.

Beautiful Sunsets

Is there anything more beautiful to look at than the golden light and fire in the sky as the sun falls gently below the horizon? Well possibly, but there is no doubting that as a backcloth for your golf, a sunset can be so captivating that it will be the icing on the cake if you have played well, and a more than adequate compensation if you have not. If you are lucky enough to be looking out to sea or playing along the hilltops, it is one of the most lovely sights in golf.

‘Etiquette’ may seem a slightly outdated notion these days, which is perhaps why the rulemakers decided to drop the word when major revisions to the Rules of Golf were introduced in 2019. But though the word may be gone, the principles of good ‘etiquette’ remain the same. Rule 1.2 in the book covers ‘Standards of Player Conduct’ and talks about playing within the spirit of the game, acting with integrity, showing consideration to others and taking good care of the course.

Here, we highlight a number of things to try and avoid when playing golf out of respect and consideration both to other players and those who prepare the courses for us to play…

Not getting your round in

Okay, this isn’t about on-course etiquette but just a generally accepted practice post-round in the clubhouse. If you’ve just been beaten in a match, however frustrated and disappointed you are with your performance, it’s good form for the loser to get the first round of drinks in. If you tend to be a “short arms, deep pockets” kind of golfer, you’re likely to very quickly run out of people keen to play with you. So do the right thing – congratulate them and buy the first round.

Not ringing the bell

Some golf holes that play blind or semi-blind over a hill or around a dogleg have bells beside the fairway for you to ring after you’ve played your second shot to tell those behind that it is now clear to tee off. Failure to ring the bell means that those behind have no idea when it’s safe to drive leading to unnecessary delays, frustration and ill-feeling. Whenever there’s a bell on a golf hole for safety purposes, always remember to ring it on your way past.

Driving when players ahead are still in range

There are two potential scenarios here – first, when you’re genuinely not sure if those ahead are out of range or you could perhaps reach the green on a short par 4 (like the 16th here at Marco Simone); and second, when you're getting frustrated about the speed of play and decide to take it out on the group ahead by deliberately firing into them. The latter is an obvious no-no as a golf ball is a rock-hard missile. As for the former, never play until you’re absolutely sure there’s no way your ball can reach those playing ahead of you.

Not attending the flagstick for someone

Yes, under the latest Rules you can now putt with the flagstick in, but some golfers do still prefer for someone to attend the flagstick for them on longer-range putts. It’s no great hardship to do so for them just as you might hope they would do for you if you were to ask them, even if the Rules don’t actually compel another player to attend the flagstick for someone. As with many etiquette-related matters, it’s just a matter of common courtesy really.

Standing too close behind someone

It’s always a good idea not to invade another golfer’s personal space out on the golf course, and the last place most golfers want another player lurking is right behind them while they're hitting, especially if they stray unnervingly close. This is particularly true on the putting green where anyone standing close behind can be a real distraction, but also on the tee and other shots too. Standing or hovering too close behind someone as they play is poor practice and an etiquette mistake to avoid.

Getting so angry it impacts others

We all have different temperaments and behave differently. While quieter golfers may not be the most chatty companions, that doesn’t really impact on those they’re playing with. But the more volatile golfer who tends to erupt verbally or physically at bad shots or ill fortune can be a very uncomfortable playing companion as others don’t know what to say, or feel like they’re having to walk on eggshells. Be considerate to those you’re playing with and don’t let your temper sour their experience.

Playing or walking too slowly

Golfers possess different traits, different levels of fitness and cover a wide age range. Some have a sense of urgency; others operate at a more leisurely pace. While golf is not a race, there has to be some kind of balance, and some golfers do tend to amble along oblivious to what’s going on around them rather than walking at the pace required to keep up. If you can see you’re losing ground, a slightly brisker pace may be required to prevent your group holding up those behind.

Allowing your shadow to distract someone

In bright, low sunshine, the shadows generated by you and your equipment can stretch a long way, so you need to make sure your shadow isn’t distracting someone else trying to play. This is particularly the case on the green but also on the tee, when players are typically standing closer together. A flickering shadow in your eyeline can be very off-putting especially as any little movements, perhaps with a club, become exaggerated when the shadows are long.

Rummaging for a ball while someone is preparing to hit

You’ve just sprayed your tee shot deep into the woods and fear you may never see it again so know it would be wise to hit a provisional ball. But in your agitated, slightly panicky state it can be all too easy to start rummaging around in your bag for another ball straightaway oblivious to the fact that another player is now on the tee and preparing to hit. Bide your time and let them play free from distractions before rifling through your bag for another ball.

Leaving ringtones and alerts on

Some might say that golfers are too fragile and easily distracted. While there may be an element of truth in this, there’s no doubt that all golfers will at some stage have been distracted by an unexpected noise at the critical moment causing them to flinch and mishit a shot. One of the most obvious distractions these days is a mobile ringtone or alert, so always make sure your phone is set to silent out on the course to ensure it doesn’t have the capacity to put a fellow player off.

Not hitting a provisional ball

Rule 18.3 specifically allows you to follow a procedure that keeps delays to a minimum when you’ve hit your ball offline, yet golfers often spurn the chance to do so for various reasons. In a medal competition, if you don’t hit a provisional ball and can’t then find the original, the impact on your group’s round time could be ten to 15 minutes following the search and long walk back to the tee. There will be a negative impact on round times for those following behind as well.

Talking so loudly people two fairways away can hear you

Some people have soft voices; some people have loud booming voices; some people have voices that get louder the more animated they get about things. If you fall into the last two camps, just be aware of how far loud voices can travel on a golf course, especially downwind. If you’re talking to a playing companion right by your side, no-one 200 yards or two holes away should be able to hear every word you’re saying, so try to adjust your internal volume control accordingly if possible. 

Not shaking hands at the end

This is a real no-no as however well or badly things have gone for you out on the golf course you need to do the right thing at the end of the round – and the right thing to do is to shake hands with your playing companions or opponents and thank them for the game. Sometimes this might seem harder to do than others, especially if there has been a bit of needle or you haven’t really got on, but in such circumstances, you just need to be the bigger man or woman! 

Marking the scorecard on the tee when it's your turn

If the fairway or green is clear, the only priority on the next tee is for the person with the honour to be ready to hit – or anyone if you’re playing ‘ready golf’. There’s plenty of time to mark cards while others are hitting. So, if you know it’s you to go first, have your glove on ready to tee it up as soon as you get there. It’s frustrating for those behind to have to watch a group on the next tee standing around marking their cards rather than anyone actually stepping up and playing.

On your phone when it's your turn

Most golfers these days accept that you might need your phone out on the golf course occasionally to keep on top of things discreetly if it doesn’t hold up play. But when you take things beyond that and end up being on the phone when it's your turn to play, that’s when other golfers’ patience levels begin to run out. If you absolutely have to use your phone occasionally, most people accept that; but it should never be when others are waiting for you to play your shot.

Excessive practice swings

Don’t take practice swings too far out on the golf course. Yes, many of us like to take a practice swing away from the ball to cement in our minds exactly what we’re trying to do. But no-one wants to see you taking swing after swing, especially if you’re taking a proper divot on every one and thus damaging the turf beyond that which is necessary for the shot in hand. All things in moderation is a good mantra for a lot of things – practice swings would definitely be among them.

Not sticking to the rules on call-up holes

Call-up holes are typically either certain long par 3s or short par 4s where there’s a good chance that a number of golfers may be able to get somewhere up near the green off the tee. Their purpose is to keep play moving better on holes where, in reality, very few actually do hit the green and there is usually a lot of greenside work to be done. Where such holes exist, it only really works if everyone sticks to the script. So, always step aside and call up those behind on call-up holes.

Not watching playing companions' shots

Following the flight of a golf ball if your eyesight is not the best or you’re playing straight into the sun can be difficult for the person playing the shot. The more pairs of eyes following the ball, the greater the chance of seeing where it went and finding it quickly. Always try to help fellow players follow the flight of their ball, especially from the tee where everyone is gathered around the same spot, but elsewhere too as and when circumstances allow.

Walking on someone’s line on the green

Spikeless and cleated golf shoes mean this is perhaps less of a practical issue than in the days of metal spikes. And yes, in firm conditions the chances of you damaging the line your playing companion is about to putt on are slim. But in soft conditions, it can make a big difference when footprints are taking a while to resettle, so it’s far more courteous just to avoid your playing companion’s line on the green completely and hope they will afford you the same courtesy.

Talking while someone is playing

Golf is an outdoor sport usually played in a quiet environment and when you’re preparing to play your shot every little audible distraction can be really off-putting. You might think you’re just whispering to your mate, but even that can be just enough to register with the golfer about to play. Yes, some golfers can be a little overly sensitive, but there’s plenty of time to talk during a round of golf, so no need to do so while someone else is hitting a shot.

Not watching your own shots all the way

Golf is a frustrating game. A bad shot at a crucial moment can be too much to bear, and rather than following the errant shot closely, it’s all too easy to spin away in disgust. Unfortunately, at such times we’re actually best served by following the ball as closely as possible to give ourselves the best chance of finding it quickly. It’s not in the best interests of others in our group or those following if we have to spend extra time looking for a ball we didn’t really follow.

Overly long pre-shot routines

We’ve all played with people whose pre-shot routines go on forever and some of us may even have started to walk on a practice swing we’ve wrongly assumed simply must be the real thing! If your routine involves assessing the yardage, carefully selecting your club, standing behind the ball with club out in front of you, partial practice swings away from the ball to groove key moves, then three more adjacent to the ball before hitting, you’re unlikely to be the most popular player at your club!

Leaving your bag on the wrong side of the green

Try to leave your bag or trolley at the point where you’ll be exiting the green after putting out. Yes, sometimes you may not know a course well enough to know, or the logistics of where you’ve had to chip from or where trolleys are allowed to go may mitigate against it. But a good thought to have as you approach a green is, “Where am I heading next?” Leaving your bag on the wrong side delays your group and can be frustrating to watch for those behind.

Marking your scorecard on the green

If you have to watch a scenario such as that depicted here while standing in the fairway waiting to play into that green, you’ll probably be wanting to scream, especially if the group ahead has been pretty slow anyway. There are plenty of opportunities to fill in your scorecard - on the green after you’ve putted out and before you’ve put the flagstick back in the hole is most definitely not one of them. Keep doing this and someone will eventually have a word with you!

Not helping others search

When you hit your ball into deep rough or somewhere where there is real doubt as to whether or not you will find it, you would hope that others playing with you would help you search as several pairs of eyes are better than one. So, when the boot is on the other foot, it’s only right that you help others search for their ball too. It’s only three minutes now, so not too arduous a task, and quite often if they're playing badly and their score is already gone they may curtail the search anyway to keep play moving.

Not letting faster players through

Letting faster players through keeps everyone happy, particularly on a less busy course where there is scope for them to then make good progress. There can be many reasons for not being quick – playing as a fourball, not playing well, being relatively new to the game and playing more shots. Whatever the reason, letting faster players through is better for all concerned. You’re not constantly looking over your shoulder, and faster players can enjoy their game at their preferred pace.

Taking your trolley on greens or tees

Greenkeepers spend hours and hours preparing greens and tees so they look and play as well as possible for golfers, so your trolley should be steering well clear of these areas. Admittedly, a handful of golf clubs – mostly high-end links and heathland courses blessed with firmer year-round conditions – aren’t worried about trolleys on tees, but the vast, vast majority of clubs are, so best to just lump tees in with greens as no-go zones for your trolley.

Going where greenkeepers don't want you to go

Greenkeepers are trying hard to make our courses as good as possible, which means there may be areas they really don’t want you walking or taking your trolley at certain times of year or sometimes all year round. If you see a roped-off area, a white line, a ‘trolleys this way’ sign or one asking you to keep out of the heather or an area that is healing or struggling to recover, don’t be tempted to ignore it because “one pair of feet or one trolley won’t really matter, will it?”

Not repairing pitchmarks

Every golfer will have walked onto a green – perhaps on a short par 3 or other hole where many are hitting wedges in – and been horrified at the number of unrepaired pitchmarks. There’s no excuse for it, especially in soft conditions when the golf ball can leave a bit of a crater. We all want good greens to look at and putt on, so repairing your pitchmarks should be second nature. Sadly, it isn't for everyone, so “make one, repair two” isn’t a bad mantra if you can do so without holding up play.

Not replacing divots

No free relief from divots is perhaps the number one Rules grievance for many, so it goes without saying that repairing the divots created by your shots should be second nature. For many it is; others are a little less diligent. Yes, sometimes the turf may disintegrate on impact and a divot may be hard to find. And yes, sometimes crows turn replaced divots back over in the search for food. But you should always replace your divots whenever possible, or use the divot mix often provided if you’re in a buggy. 

Not raking bunkers

Walking into a bunker to find your ball in an unraked footprint is a pet peeve for all golfers, so it’s important to always rake where you have played from and trodden in a bunker out of courtesy to other players, and to care for the course. Many golfers find bunker shots testing enough from a good lie let alone a deep footprint! Every golfer should be doing his or her best to leave the bunker they’ve just played from in the condition in which they would hope to find it.

Not shouting 'Fore!’

Even average club golfers achieve ball speeds of well over 100mph, which means that every time you hit a full golf shot you are despatching a potentially dangerous rock-hard missile at high speed. When it's heading well offline towards other golfers or towards a hidden part of the course where other golfers might be, it goes without saying that you should yell ‘Fore!’ to warn them of the danger so they can take suitable evasive action if possible. Golf balls can injure people badly; a warning shout is absolutely essential.

In recent years the likes of Annika Sorenstam and Lydia Ko have taught us that things change. Low scores and extraordinary exploits, the like of which we’ve never seen before, do happen but some records just look like they will never change. Whatever the reason, be it a different era or more defined playing opportunities, some numbers will never likely be exceeded.

MOST LPGA TOUR WINS

Kathy Whitworth’s 88 wins really is something else. Over a 23-year period the American captured six Majors along 82 regular wins. Her best season came in 1968 when she enjoyed her ‘only’ double-digit season and, on four occasions, Carol Mann was runner-up to Whitworth. Bizarrely Mann also won 10 times in the same year, Whitworth was second in half of them, and neither won a Major – there were only two that year. Incredibly Whitworth was also a runner-up 93 times in her career which is another stat that will surely never be surpassed. The next most successful golfer is Mickey Wright with 82 wins with Annika Sorenstam, over a span of just 13 seasons, in third on 72. For some sort of context Inbee Park is the highest of those still playing with 21 victories, one ahead of Lydia Ko.

MOST WOMEN'S MAJORS

Patty Berg won 15 Majors which sounds beatable but, in truth, the prospect of it ever happening is so remote. Think of all the expectation that there was on Michelle Wie and she ended up with one Major. Lydia Ko’s last Major success came in 2016. Lilia Vu might have won two Majors in 2023 but the last time that this happened was in 1999. To state the bleeding obvious winning a Major is hard and it takes an awful lot out of the modern-day player. Berg won three of her Majors at the Titleholders Championship, a tournament that was later designated a Major by the LPGA Tour. There have been four different periods of the women’s Majors and Berg’s came in the first of those – between 1937-58 the American picked up 15 wins in the big ones, seven apiece at the Titleholders and Western Open (five of them in a matchplay format) along with one US Women’s Open.

SOLHEIM CUP CAPTAINCIES

Mickey Walker captained Europe in the first four matches and we can probably say with some certainty that this will never again be repeated. These days the captaincy is a very different beast, with too many players having a claim to lead their continent. In the men’s game it tends to be a one-and-done deal, in the women’s game Suzann Pettersen and Stacy Lewis will have back-to-back captaincies given that the matches will run in successive years as they return to even-numbered years and away from the Ryder Cup years. Walker was the European skipper in the inaugural matches at Lake Nona before overseeing the shock victory at Dalmahoy. There would then be two heavy defeats before handing over to Pia Nilsson in 1998. Juli Inkster captained the US team in three straight matches, winning twice before being pipped at Gleneagles and that winning putt by Pettersen. 

OLDEST SOLHEIM PLAYER

When Juli Inkster represented the US team at the age of 51 years and 91 days in 2011 at Killeen Castle she was 18 years older than the next most senior player in Ireland. The American played her way onto the team and it would be her ninth appearance as a player, she would also double up as an assistant. Inkster would feature in the two foursomes matches, she would lose both, before signing off nicely with a half against Dame Laura Davies who would also be making her final appearance at the age of 47.

"I never really expected to make this team and I ended up making it. I just felt like in the honour of the Solheim Cup that it would be not right to not play and my team-mates. So it was a tough decision. I don't think I really helped that much on the course and sometimes I didn't feel like I helped that much off the course. But it is what it is, and I tried to do my best," explained Inkster.

LARGEST SOLHEIM CUP MARGIN OF VICTORY

This is always a risky one to predict but Europe’s 18-10 triumph at Colorado GC in 2013 was a particularly stand-out result. For starters Europe had never won on American soil before and then they surpassed anything that any team had previously managed. In the last three matches, as the Americans’ powers slip a little while the strength in depth of the Europeans improves, the scores have never been more than two points apart. The 2013 matches were an extraordinary affair for the visitors; Lotta Neumann’s side whitewashed the Saturday fourballs to move five points clear and then also dominated the singles, only losing two matches. Furthermore Anna Nordqvist recorded the first hole-in-one in Solheim history, her fellow Swede Caroline Hedwall would win all five of her matches and a 17-year-old Charley Hull would thrash Paula Creamer in the singles.

“I had a gut feeling about my pairings and I stuck with it. And I thought it was important to rest some of the players for the singles, and it really worked out and I'm so happy,” said Neumann.

LOWEST ROUND ON LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR

This is a bit of a fudged stat but we have seen a couple of 58s on the LET, the reason being that Fleming Park had a par of 65 for the Bloor Homes Eastleigh Classic in 1991. The course was a municipal in Hampshire and it proved to be the final staging of the tournament and the course would actually close in 2008. It proved to be a happy hunting ground for the Scots as Jane Connachan shot a 58 in the first round and Dale Reid, who would win by eight shots, closed with the same score. It would prove to be Reid’s 21st and final win on the LET. 

MOST LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR WINS

Much like Kathy Whitworth on the LPGA Tour Dame Laura Davies’ dominance of the LET, in terms of victories, will never likely be threatened. Between 1985 and 2010 Davies amassed 45 wins which is more than double of her nearest peer. Given the strength and riches of the LPGA Tour most leading players will only play a handful of LET events per season and any player who makes strides in Europe will soon head to the States. Davies topped the Order of Merit seven times on the LET – in 1985 she actually doubled up as the Rookie of the Year as well as the leading money winner. Bizarrely 2010 would prove to be her most successful season in terms of wins (5) but they would also prove to be her final victories on the LET. 

MOST PLAY-OFF LOSSES ON LPGA TOUR

This is an incredible stat – Kathy Whitworth won 88 times on Tour but she also lost in 20 play-offs. There would be eight Ws in extra holes but on 20 occasions, three of them to Sandra Haynie, she would come away a loser after going into additional holes. The American would win six Majors but twice she would lose in a play-off for the then LPGA Championship, both of them over 18 holes. One of her big rivals, Mickey Wright, three times came up against Whitworth in a play-off and, on every occasion, Whitworth would emerge victorious. Whitworth only took up the game at the age of 14.  

MOST WINS IN ONE LPGA TOUR SEASON

Mickey Wright won 82 times on the LPGA Tour and 13 of them came in the 1963 season. Two of them came in Majors, the Women’s Western Open (by nine shots) and LPGA Championship, and she even won her own tournament as well as Babe Zaharias’ event. At one point she won four weeks on the trot. There were only 32 tournaments in the 1963 season and Wright picked up $31,269 for her efforts. The following season she would claim victory in 11 tournaments.

HIGHEST FIRST ROUND BY A WINNER

Carol Mann opened up with an 83 in the first round of the Women’s Western Open in 1964 and still won by two. The Major was Mann’s first of 38 victories on the LPGA Tour and, against a par of 75 at Scenic Hills Country Club in Florida, she would recover from her eight-over opening effort to land the first of two Majors. In 1969 the course hosted the US Women’s Open, this time with a par of 73, and it remains the only course in Florida to host a US Open. Played in oppressive heat Donna Caponi won with a winning score of +2.

If your clubs have been gathering dust and still have last round's mud and dirt on them, now is the time to clean them and get them as close to brand new as possible. Let's face it, a clean set of clubs in the bag is a beautiful sight and of course there are clear performance advantages too, especially when it comes to removing dirt from grooves. So then, what is the best way to clean your clubs? 

There are several ways you can clean your golf clubs, from making the most of vending machine style devices found at modern driving ranges, to a good old fashioned bucket of soapy water in your back garden. Of course, we should also mention that you should be cleaning clubs as you are playing. When playing from a muddy lie, it is worth getting something to clean your grooves after the shot and a towel to wipe the dirt away, too.

WATCH: Dan Parker demonstrates how to clean your golf clubs, grips and shoes

What will you need to clean your golf clubs?

To clean your golf clubs we recommend you start with a simple plastic bucket, but a bathroom or kitchen sink will do the job just as well. You'll also need lukewarm water, a splash of washing up liquid, an old towel, and a brush of some sort - an old toothbrush, nylon brush or a brush with plastic bristles will do the job.

How to clean your irons and wedges

Step 1

Squirt a little washing up liquid into your bucket or sink and fill it with enough lukewarm water to cover the heads of your irons without the water coming up over the ferrules if possible. Be careful you don't run the water too hot, as you could risk loosening the ferrules, which join the shafts to the heads.

Step 2

Set the bucket down (ideally outside if possible) and place your irons and wedges in with the clubheads submerged and allow them to soak in the warm water for a few minutes to loosen any dirt in the grooves. For the time being leave your woods and putter out of the water.

Step 3

After a few minutes soaking time, take each club in turn and use an old toothbrush, nylon brush or sharp tee peg to clean out the individual grooves. This is the most important step in cleaning your clubs, as removing dirt and debris from the grooves will help increase surface area contact with your golf ball at impact, which is how the grooves impart spin to give you added control.

Step 4

Once the grooves are clean, run the brush across the sole of the iron and over the back of the clubhead, removing any mud, sand and grass.

Step 5

Once all the mud has gone, use a hose or tap to rinse off the clubhead, checking the removal of any suds hasn't revealed any remaining dirt. Next use your old towel to dry off the clubhead and give the shaft a quick wipe down to ensure it doesn't go back into your bag wet.

How to clean forged irons

If you play forged irons you should favor a soft nylon brush, but otherwise you can follow all the steps above. If your forged irons start to show signs of rust, made possible when the mild carbon steel becomes exposed during a shot that chips their chrome plating, you can spray the surface with WD-40 and clean them with a nylon brush. 

It is also worth cleaning them in a bucket as opposed to a sink as contact with the sink could leave a little mark. Once you've done this, make sure you wipe them clean with a dry cloth.

How to clean your driver, fairway, hybrid and putter

Unlike your irons ands wedges, you shouldn't submerge these clubs in water. Instead, either dip them in and out and rub down with a cloth, or use a wet cloth to wipe them over. Then dry them thoroughly.

How to clean your golf club grips

While you're thinking about cleaning your golf clubs, don't neglect your grips. First off, if you don't clean your grips periodically, they will get slick, which can adversely affect performance on the golf course. Additionally, without regular cleaning, your grips aren't likely to last as long. And finally, slick, dirty grips will certainly create less value in your clubs should you ever want to trade them in.

The easiest way to clean your golf grips is to wipe them down with a moist cloth, then dry them gently with a towel. This removes surface dirt and grime, and only takes a few minutes.

Added Golf Pride development engineer Sara Bryant: “You can just use your hands and use soap and water and rub (them) down. You can use a cloth but never rub too much because you’re going to actually start to physically wear the grip depending on your pressure. You can use a soft toothbrush if you want to get into those grooves but never use anything abrasive or harsh.”

We also asked Bryant for her thoughts on what golfers can do to make their grips last longer. After all, a full set of re-grips can be a pricey proposition. Bryant's advice centered on golfers doing all they can to keep their grips clean and not subject their grips to prolonged heat.

"Wash them, clean them. Keeping them in the bag; that’s (also) good," Bryant said. "If you do like to keep them in the car, pull your car in the garage so that it’s at least a little bit more of a controlled environment. And you never want to leave them in the sun too long.

“Bringing them in the house in a temperature controlled environment, that’s always good, because if you leave them in the car in the heat that changes the material, just because it is rubber. Rubber is a natural material. If you heat it up it might get a little gummy. It’s never going to get to the point of things rubbing off on the grip, but heating up and cooling down can change the durability of material.” 

One handy trick to reinvigorate old grips that have become smooth or shiny is to gently rub them down with fine sandpaper. This will add some tackiness to the surface and should help you gain better control of the club, adding a new lease of life to your old grips.

In Praise Of Golfing In Winter

Cold winds gusting from the north, Four proud golfers setting forth; Across the links they bravely go, Through freezing air and drifting snow; 18 holes? No doubt. No fear, Bloody hell, they’ve earned a beer.

Every year when the clocks go back marking the end of British Summer Time, I raise a glass. I don’t relish the shorter days and I prefer warm weather to cold but, for me, the negative aspects of winter’s arrival are massively eclipsed by a single positive – the start of the golf season.

I know, I know – winter isn’t generally considered the best time to play golf and I accept it’s principally a summer sport. But, there are a number of reasons why I find golfing in the winter preferable and perhaps the main one is the fact I‘m in the significant minority when it comes to this argument.

As so few people are aware of the joys of winter golf, the courses are deserted. A typical round at my club in winter will go something like this - we’ll turn up in the empty car park, enjoy some banter with the unhurried pro before strolling onto the 1st tee when it suits us.

We’ll then play a peaceful round that takes less than three hours with no hold-ups whatsoever. And, on that perfect sunny, crisp day when there’s not a breath of wind and you can wear some of the best winter golf gear, it really feels like you’ve hit the jackpot. How good that post round pint tastes as you smugly consider what the summer-only golfers are missing out on.

I love the camaraderie of winter golf. As one of its exponents you’re part of an elite group of brave adventurers. In clubhouses up and down the UK, the mid-winter golfer can be heard echoing the words of Captain Lawrence Oates as he prepares to forge out into a sleet-filled gale, “I’m just going outside and may be some time.” Such men are the heroes of our sport - a dedicated and passionate band of champions with a never-say-die attitude.

When you spy another group across the fairway on a wet and windy winter’s day you’ll give a respectful wave. You may even join them for an ale in the clubhouse to compare tales of courage in the face of adversity. During the busy summer months the other groups on the course seem more like mortal enemies than fellow golfers. You’ll look across at them, scowl and say to your partner, “Ah, so it’s those scoundrels who are holding up the course.”

The fair weather player who hangs up his clubs for winter can’t consider himself a true golfer. Can you imagine Old Tom Morris refusing a game on the links because it looked a bit parky out? Certainly not. If you really love the game, how could you go for months at a time without swinging a club?

Battling through everything the winter weather can throw at you and still recording a score is one of the most rewarding achievements in golf. It’s a true test of your grit and determination and you must learn a multitude of different shots to counter the conditions - the low punch into the January wind or the runner that scampers across a frozen fairway to find an icy winter green.

You must learn to pick the ball cleanly off a muddy lie and to stroke the ball across greens more reminiscent of a non-league penalty area than a putting surface. But all these strange shots will stand you in good stead when the weather turns for the better. Imagine how easy that pitch from a perfect lie will feel or how confident you can be over a six-footer knowing there are no tussocks or divots on your line.

Through the winter you’ll also be testing your equipment to its limits. What’s the point in spending hundreds of pounds on the latest waterproofs and best winter golf shoes if you’re not going to put them through their paces?

If you want to improve your golf you simply must play during the winter. Not only because you learn to deal with so many different scenarios, but also because a five month lay-off every year will set you back.

How can you expect to return to the game stronger in March when you haven’t seen a fairway since October? You often hear people say, “a break is good, it gives you a chance to forget all the mistakes that have crept in.” Yes, but you’ve also forgotten how to hit the ball and there's only so much some of the best training aids can help with at home.

You didn't see Butch Harmon recommending Phil Mickelson takes six months off because he might just be better when he comes back.

I, for one, am delighted the winter golf season is upon us and I’ll make the absolute most of the deserted fairways until the masses return next spring. In closing, I’ve written a little poem to the winter golfer:

Cold winds gusting from the north, Four proud golfers setting forth; Across the links they bravely go, Through freezing air and drifting snow; 18 holes? No doubt. No fear, Bloody hell, they’ve earned a beer.

For many, the prospect of teeing it up in sub zero temperatures on a golf course where lush fairways and slick surfaces have been replaced by mud-covered terrain and imperfect greens doesn’t appeal. But personally, I can’t wait for early November to come around. I’m part of a 32-strong, unofficial Winter League competition at my golf club, which comprises 16 weeks of competition among the majority of low handicap players. It is well-organised, friendly but also extremely competitive - culminating in a gripping finale where the leaders grapple for pride and a few quid in prizes. But not only is it fun way to spend a Sunday morning, I also think it’s hugely beneficial to my game and is ideal preparation for when the season comes around officially in April. Here’s why, and why you should do it too…

Competitive sharpness

Playing in a structured league that consists of good golfers and serious competitors undoubtedly gets the juices flowing. Everyone wants to win so badly, and so every shot means something. This forces you to perform under pressure, and you find out a lot about how you handle those situations - learnings that you can carry with you into the qualifying tournaments in the spring and beyond. What are the swing feels you fall back on and resulting shot patterns when you feel most nervous? Which shot do you really struggle with? This allows you to not only adapt to ensure the big misses don’t materialise, but it also provides an area of focus for practice so you can become more comfortable when the situation arises again in the future.

Chance to test swing changes

Winter golf is often a period where golfers are looking to make technical improvements, hoping they bed in in time for when the competitions swing back into action. Playing competitively during the off season allows you to test any swing changes in a competitive environment and learn from the outcomes. That feedback loop means you’ll know what works and what doesn’t sooner, so by the time April arrives you’ll be able to trust any new movement patterns when the heat is on - a sure-fire way to getting near the tops of leaderboards.

Premium on ball striking

If your ball striking is off, you’ll certainly find out about it when playing off wet ground in the winter! In the summer when the ground is firm and bouncy, it can mask any deficiencies in your ability to hit ball first because the club glides rather than digs. If you catch the ground first when chipping off soft turf, the results can be both disastrous and embarrassing as the ball moves barely more than a foot in front of you, maybe not even as far as the divot. Playing in the winter means you have no choice but to strike iron and wedge shots cleanly, and engraining this habit will only be beneficial in the long run.

Improve your golf IQ

Winter golf presents its own set of questions that you need to find the answer to - fast. How much does the colder temperature reduce my carry distance? Does this vary from club to club? Where do I need to land the ball if the ground is frozen and how do I adjust this as the ground thaws? They’re not the most glamorous of challenges, but winter golf certainly gets you thinking about each shot in as much if not more detail than during peak season and developing your golf IQ will only enhance your strategy and decision making long term.

Make a name for yourself 

If you play well in the winter league, you’ll get noticed. If you hold ambitions to play in your scratch team or handicap league the following season, one way to increase your chances is to showcase your skills and scoring ability in the off-season prior. Post good numbers and make your case impossible to ignore.

The need for speed

Colder temperatures and softer fairways mean your driving distance will be as short as it ever will - not even the best golf drivers can perform to the level they're capable of in the summer. As a result, the ability to generate speed is crucial if you are to be competitive. I’ll often embark in some speed training during the winter to ensure the conditions don’t hamper my ability to score. It’s also more important than ever to warm up your muscles properly during the winter to reduce the risk of energy, so when I tee off in December I’m usually far more prepared than I am for a round in July and so learning how to warm up correctly is a crucial skill to keep you playing rather than being stuck on the sidelines.

For many, the reddening leaves and greyer skies are signs enough that the golf clubs can be retired to the garage until spring rears its head once again. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. Such is the variety of winter garments and accessories on offer now, a small investment in the right clothing and equipment can keep you enjoying golf all year round. 

WATCH: 7 Key Shots You'll Need This Winter

To combat the wetter and colder weather to the best of your ability, you’ll need a wardrobe that is ready to handle the harsher conditions and the equipment team at Golf Monthly has been busy testing out the latest waterproofs, mid-layers, practice nets, accessories and so much more so you can spend your cash wisely. While we can’t promise fair weather this winter, we can certainly point you in the right direction for how to equip yourself with the kit you need to enjoy your time on the course during the off season. 

Winter Golf Buying Advice

Best Golf Rain Gear

Best Golf Waterproof Shoes

Best Golf Windbreakers

• Best Golf Waterproof Jackets
• Best Golf Waterproof Trousers
• Best Golf Waterproof Bags
• Best Golf Shoes For Winter
• Best Golf Hats
• Best Golf Tops
• Best Golf Polo Shirts
• Best Golf Vests
• Best Golf Base Layers
• Best Golf Sweaters
• Best Golf Umbrellas
• Best Golf Snoods
• Best Golf Mitts
• Best Golf Gloves For Winter
• Best Golf Beanies
• Best Wet Weather Gloves
• Best Golf Pants
• Best Golf Socks
• Best Golf Hoodies
• Best Golf Boots
• Best Women's Golf Clothes

Winter Golf Deals

Winter Golf Gear Deals 2023

Winter Golf Glove Deals

Winter Golf Reviews

Galvin Green Armstrong Jacket Review

Under Armour Stormproof Cloudstrike Stretch Golf Jacket Review

Nike Air Zoom Infinity Tour NEXT% Shield Shoe Review

adidas Rain.Rdy Hooded Jacket Review

FootJoy Women's Hydrolite Jacket Review

Ping SensorDry S2 Pro Half-Zip Jacket Review

Peter Millar Winter Wind Gust Jacket

Duca Del Cosma Bologna Golf Boot Review

• Callaway Stormguard III Waterproof Rain Jacket Review
• Under Armour Golf Rain Pants Review
• Original Penguin Full Zip Waterproof Jacket Review
• Peter Millar Rain Walker Pant Review
• Sunderland Whisperdry Pro-Lite Jacket Review
• Galvin Green Ally Women's Waterproof Jacket Review
• Callaway Women’s Primaloft Chev Quilted Jacket Review

Winter Golf Practice

Best Golf Nets

Best Golf Mats

I Bought Three Golf Practice Nets On The Internet And This Is What I Found...

Winter Golf Tips

7 Shots That Will Save Your Game This Winter

• What Are Your Cold Weather Yardages?
• Wet Lie Chipping Method
• Stop Striking It Heavy
• How To Pitch From Muddy Lies
• Wet Bunker Tips
• How To Practice Golf Indoors
• 9 Things Every Player Must Do To Play Well This Winter

Winter Golf Features

10 Essential Winter Golf Items

25 Reasons To Love Winter Golf

5 Reasons You Should Wear Winter Golf Boots

How To Build The Perfect Winter Golf Wardrobe

Why Winter Golf Is Easier Than You Think

• Should You Use A Yellow Golf Ball?
• Should I Buy Golf Shoes For Winter?

Playing golf through the winter is always something I’ve done. I can’t really understand why you wouldn’t. Golf is the sport I love the most and I’d be sad to only play it for seven months of the year. I know many people who adamantly choose to put their clubs in the loft on October 31 and then don’t dust them down again until April. I feel they’re missing a trick. There’s a huge amount to enjoy about winter golf if one is prepared to embrace the differences and the challenges. There are social, physical, mental and competitive benefits to playing golf through the winter and I can’t recommend doing it highly enough. Here are my 25 reasons to love winter golf...

The camaraderie

There’s great respect between winter golfers. Those who are hardy enough to take to the fairways through the colder months recognise and admire fellow battlers and friendships are often struck up between winter golfers; friendships that wouldn’t otherwise be forged. There’s always a wave or a nod from other groups playing through the mud and the sleet and there’s a great mutual sense of achievement back in the clubhouse after a winter Stableford. The camaraderie of winter golf is reason enough not to put the clubs under the stairs until spring.

The kit

All golfers love their kit, whether they cherish old favourites or relish new acquisitions. Winter golf provides a multitude of options for considering new items of equipment or looking out trusted favourites to aid in the battle against the elements. From bobble hats, hand warmers and buffs to castellated tees and winter trolley wheels, from double rain gloves to mitts and mats and quilted caps, there’s so much tinkering to be enjoyed. Winter golf is perfect for the equipment fiend.

The pint after

A pint (or other drink of your choice) after a round is always hugely welcome, whether it’s required for refreshment, celebration or solace. In the winter, that pint becomes even more of a feature of the day’s play. It really is a beacon of light – something to keep you going in those low moments when horizontal rain is doing its utmost to battle through your waterproof zips. The pint (or other drink of your choice) after winter golf is like manna from heaven.

Quiet fairways

Since Covid, golf has been booming in the UK and around the world. That’s great news, but it does mean courses have been rather busy. During the summer, at many clubs up and down the country, getting a suitable tee time on popular days can be something of a challenge. That challenge is greatly reduced in the winter. Getting out onto an empty course, you can feel like you’re playing billionaire’s golf. And that leads to…

Short rounds

It’s quieter, so there are fewer hold ups and groups may be more inclined to let faster players come through. And, as the weather tends to be more testing, people are more likely to just get on with it – ploughing through to the finish with heightened purpose. Courses are often shorter, too, with forward tees and perhaps even the odd hole out of play. The tiresome five-hour round can be nearly halved, allowing far more of the day for putting up Christmas trees or visiting a home depot... maybe best to go round twice!

Target golf

Through the winter, courses are generally softer (unless they’re frozen) and you can really practise ‘throwing darts’ with approach shots. Everything stops quickly, so you work out your carry yardages more effectively and put that to use. Take dead aim and fire it in! It’s very satisfying, but it’s also good for improving your accuracy and control.

Cheaper green fees

Most courses in the UK and Ireland have winter green fee rates and there are great deals to be had, even at some of the most prestigious clubs in the country. The winter is a good time to plan a little road trip and visit some different courses. If you pick a links course, you’ll often find them in fine condition through the winter, but you might end up paying half the price you would in the summer. Have a look at club websites and check out the deals on offer.

The chance to socialise

In our dark northern isles, winters can be long and lonely. Outside of work (and more people now work from home), there are fewer reasons to get out and meet people during the colder months. Golf provides an opportunity to do so. It gives you the chance to spend a few hours with people you like, or even to meet people you might grow to like. Golf is one of the great social sports.

Those perfect days

Let’s face it, there are tough golfing days through the winter, but they make those perfect winter days on the links even more special. When the air is crisp and still and the sun is shining on the greens, it feels as though you’ve been let into some incredible secret. “Those summer-only golfers are missing a trick,” you quip as you stride out onto a deserted course.

The challenge

When the conditions are testing, winter golf can be tough, but rather than avoiding the difficulty, the challenge should be embraced. Learn how to deal with the wind, find a way to keep your kit dry and cope with those muddy lies and uneven greens. If you manage to battle to a reasonable score in winter weather, the satisfaction is heightened. And, when you face perfect summer conditions again, it should seem like a piece of cake.

The practice

If you don’t play through the winter, you will be rusty at the start of the following season. You may have forgotten some of the things you had been working on. Why would you spend a whole summer season making progress, only to take two steps back again by quitting for five months?

A chance to work on your game

There are fewer competitions, so you can go on the course with a plan to make the odd change or two that you wouldn’t have risked experimenting on during the main season. The practice grounds will be quiet, so you can spend time developing new shots or honing your skills. The best option of all is to take a course of lessons to come out all guns blazing in the new season.

The half set

There’s something more relaxed about winter golf. It’s not as serious – people nip out for a few holes or pop down to the club for a couple of hours before dark. Get yourself a pencil bag, sling in six or seven clubs and stroll off for a quick knock. There’s something liberating and refreshing about a half set and it helps you with shot-making to boot. You’ll have to adapt for certain distances and you’ll realise you can do it. Maybe a half set is all you need! 

The winter league

Many clubs will hold a winter-long event to keep your competitive juices flowing. It could be an eclectic, or best six scores perhaps, or maybe just a weekly event with points counting to an order of merit. It’s great fun to stay competitive through the winter and it keeps you sharp as a new season approaches. It’s also good for a bit of rivalry and banter with your clubmates. As is…

The winter knockout

At many places, this can be foursomes, which is a great format and one that’s really good for a bit of banter and the chance for bragging rights through the winter. You meet new people, forge a relationship with your partner and play some shots from some interesting spots. If you have a good run in the winter knockout, you’ll be the talk of the club and you’ll have something to focus on through the cold months. 

Winter golf holidays

You don’t need to be a masochist for the whole winter… why not jet off to play some golf for a week with the sun on your back? There’s nothing that offers hope in the bleak midwinter more than the prospect of a golfing trip to sunnier climes. Whether in southern Europe or more distant destinations, a winter golf holiday offers something to look forward to when the nights draw in. 

Indoor golf

There are other ways to avoid the cold, wind and rain and still play golf through the winter. Indoor golf simulators are now of such good quality that you can really feel you are playing some of the great courses in virtual reality. When there’s six inches of snow outside, what better than to spend an hour knocking it round Pebble Beach?

Waterproofs

Golf waterproofs are really cool, and really expensive! We all have them, but how often do we properly put them through their paces? These amazing garments have been constructed to withstand the most challenging conditions the elements can throw at us and they deserve us to take them out. What’s the point of buying stylish, £400 waterproofs and stowing them in your golf bag, never for them to see the light of day?

Peace and quiet

The fairways in the winter are lovely and quiet. There are fewer people out and about in general; fewer dog walkers, fewer barbecues in neighbouring gardens and fewer boy racers showing off the hole in their exhaust. On a clear winter’s day, all you’ll hear on the golf course is the sound of your breath and the strike of your club on the ball. It can be invigorating.

A chat in the pro shop

There’s no pressure on the tee sheet, so you’ve got time to spare. Pull into an empty car park and go for a chinwag with the pro or assistant. You might talk equipment, you might talk technique, you might just talk about what you had for dinner last night. It’s simply a pleasant way to spend 15 minutes.

The Sunday carvery

Winter weekends are greatly improved by a good Sunday roast and many golf clubs provide an excellent, hearty example of one. The Sunday carvery will not only fill you and warm you up, but it will also provide another opportunity to meet up with family and friends you might not otherwise see too often through the winter. 

Watching sport

After your game on the weekend, you might well find there’s some good sport to watch as you enjoy that post-round pint. It’s good socialising when you can go in to find a Six Nations game, an FA Cup match or a golf tournament from somewhere warmer.

Hot drinks on the course

What a joy it is on a chilly winter’s morning when your playing partner produces a Thermos from his bag on the 9th tee. It’s a welcome break, a chance to have a little chat with your playing partners and a great way to warm yourself up. Even better, they might produce a wee hip flask to turn the hot drink into something a little more interesting! 

The exercise

It’s all too easy to become sedentary in the winter. You’re either at your desk, driving to your desk or on your sofa looking out at dreich weathers. It’s hard to find motivation to get out and exercise. Golf will keep the engine room ticking and your muscles loose. It offers a five-mile walk while making athletic movements. Golf is good for you.

The alternatives

I guess you could go to church instead… or, really, what else will you do in the winter when you would otherwise be playing golf in the summer? Would you prefer to be deep cleaning the bathroom or re-painting the spare bedroom? Would you rather be visiting the in-laws or going ten-pin bowling? If you’re not playing golf, you’re putting yourself in a position where you have no excuses. Risky...

We will all have played golf courses and come off thinking, ‘That was hard’, or occasionally even, ‘That was easy’. But just what is it that makes a golf course hard or easy?

Obviously, we can come up with reasons one way or the other based on our experiences – for example, lots of long holes, narrow fairways, thick rough, tricky greens and so on one way; plenty of room to miss it, relatively few hazards of any type and flat, undefended greens the other way.

Some courses have a reputation for difficulty – St Mellion in Cornwall, for example, or Carnoustie up in Angus – but under the World Handicap System introduced in 2020, rather than mere reputation, it is the Course Rating and Slope Rating that seek to quantify the degree of difficulty as objectively as possible in a way the old Standard Scratch Score scheme perhaps never quite could.

Course Rating (playing difficulty of a course for the scratch golfer) and Bogey Rating (playing difficulty for a 20- to 24-handicapper) now combine to determine the Slope Rating, which in turn dictates how many shots you get on a given course (your Course Handicap) based on your Handicap Index.

If you get more shots than your index, it will be because the Slope Rating for the tees you are playing from is higher than average and therefore the course has been rated as more difficult than average (and vice versa of course). Slope Ratings can range from 55 to 155 with a golf course of standard relative difficulty having a Slope Rating of 113.

Course Rating and Bogey Rating

The keys to measuring course difficulty are Course Rating and Bogey Rating. The former is calculated via the 'effective playing length' and 'obstacle factors' for the course (more of which below) and is expressed in strokes to one decimal point. The difference between that and the Bogey Rating determines the Slope Rating.

Par and course length alone are just not accurate enough indicators of course difficulty, although course length undeniably has a bearing. The WHS Course Rating System is highly objective and takes into account all of the factors that might affect playing difficulty, including, of course, some of those mentioned anecdotally at the start here.

Course Rating teams use a comprehensive Course Rating System Guide that asks them to consider 460 variables on a standard course rating, from each set of tees. It uses table values, adjustments and formulas to calculate ratings and requires numerous specific measurements on each hole to ensure a very high degree of consistency among different course rating teams.

Of course, length is part of it – we all know that. But beyond that, the teams consider several factors that can further influence the playing length of the course along with ten ‘obstacle factors’ that affect the playing difficulty of each hole.

Factors influencing effective playing length

Roll
How much fairway roll will you get depending on surface conditions and contouring?

Doglegs
Might a hole with a dogleg design prevent or discourage a full tee shot being played?

Wind
What is the strength and direction of the average or prevailing wind?

Elevation changes
How will differences in elevation between tee and green and on approach shots affect how far the ball goes?

Forced lay-ups
Do various obstacles that cross the fairway force you to play short of them?

Altitude
Balls fly further at higher altitude – does that have any bearing on effective playing length?

The 10 obstacle factors

Topography
What sort of stance and lie are you likely to get in the landing zone and do elevation changes impact on the approach shot?

Fairway
How wide are the fairway landing zones and how close the nearby obstacles, whether trees, penalty areas, bunkers or rough?

Green target
How easy or hard is it to hit the green, how receptive is the green and how visible is it for the approach shot?

Recoverability and rough
How easy or difficult is the recovery if you miss the intended tee-shot landing zone or green?

Bunkers
How big and deep are the bunkers and how close to landing zones and greens?

Lateral obstacle
How far away from the centre of fairways and greens are any lateral obstacles?

Crossing obstacle
How far is it to safely carry water, penalty areas, OOB or testing rough or heather?

Trees
How big, tall and dense are trees or woodland and how close to the centre of landing zones and greens? How difficult is the recovery from them?

Green surface
How testing are the greens in terms of speed, contouring, tiers etc?

Psychological
What impact do the other nine obstacle factors have on your mental game – do they put you under extra pressure or allow you to breathe relatively easily?

As with many rankings and ratings, it will never be a precise science and we will all have played courses where the Course Rating or Slope Rating raises eyebrows one way or another. But, as you can see, it isn’t for any lack of desire to be as objective and thorough as possible when measuring the difficulty of a golf course.

Cliches in all walks of life are often partly or wholly grounded in undeniable truths, hence why they take hold. It's the same in golf, where cliches relating to various aspects of golfing life, or common everyday scenarios out on the course, abound.

But even if you find yourself nodding in agreement about the sentiment they convey, that doesn't stop them occasionally becoming a little irritating if repeated too often...

Two-way miss

Imagine in the next photo, Scottie Scheffler is raising his left arm rather than his right. That could indicate he has a ‘two-way miss’ going on. No miss is ideal; a one-way miss can be managed to some degree if you know where your bad shot is likely to go; but where on earth do you aim if you have a two-way miss going on? The golfer’s nightmare.

Textbook swing

As with many things in life, there is, on the face of it at least, a ‘perfect’ way to swing a golf club and that way is often described as a textbook swing. Of course, in reality, there is more than one way to get it round the golf course, but that doesn’t stop people drooling over the likes of Adam Scott’s swing here, or perhaps now Ludvig Aberg’s.

Finding the dance floor

‘Dance floor’ is simply another term for the putting green as in, “It’s not particularly close but at least it’s on the dance floor.” The desirability of this is that it means you’ll be using a putter for your next stroke, and for most of us, that means fewer things that can potentially go wrong. If all goes well, you’re likely to get down in no more than two.

It’s not how but how many

One of golf’s very simple truths. Not all textbooks swingers are particularly good players because of weaknesses elsewhere – perhaps putting or the mental side – while some less-than-elegant swingers, like Eamonn Darcy here, know how to get it round. It can also apply to an individual hole – you might be all over the shop but hole a long putt for par, which counts for exactly the same as another player’s regulation par.

If you’d hit it, you had it

Probably exactly what you don’t want to hear from another player when you’ve left a putt short in the jaws of the hole… but that doesn’t stop them saying it. You’re already fully aware that your putt was on a perfect line, and if you’d just hit it a bit harder, you would have had it. But now you’re having to write four down on the card instead of three.

I don’t go that far on my holidays

Believed to have first been uttered by 1991 Open champion, Ian Baker-Finch, with reference to John Daly’s prodigious driving. The Wild Thing was way ahead of his time when it came to 300-yard drives, with his driving distances leaving people open-mouthed. Probably a less common phrase now as countless players hit it miles rather than just the odd one or two.

Take a chair

A slightly more eloquent way of politely asking your ball to stop rolling or to sit down as it approaches the hole with what you know to be too much pace. This would typically be a pitch or chip you’ve hit too hard or not as intended, or a putt where you haven’t factored in the full effect of the slope. Usually accompanied by a ‘whoa’ gesture with the hand, as demonstrated by Craig Stadler here.

To shortside yourself

This basically means you’ve missed the green in pretty much the worst possible spot. This might be behind a bunker playing up to a green where the pin is set close to the edge and you will either need to display the touch of a surgeon to risk trying to get it close or take your medicine and accept you’re going to be facing a long putt for a par.

Denied by the cellophane bridge

The concept here is that your ball has defied the laws of physics by not going in. The putt wasn’t too hard, has finished right behind the hole and appeared to roll pretty much straight over it. Yet it remains above ground. The only possible answer is that someone has stretched some invisible material across the hole to deny you, hence ‘cellophane bridge’.

Putting down a marble staircase

A term used when a downhill putt is clearly going to be so fast that you might as well be putting down a marble staircase. Not surprisingly, given the slopes and speed of the greens at Augusta National, there are several holes there where this might apply if you get above the hole, among them the 9th here, the 7th, 13th, 16th and 18th.

Out in 34, back in an ambulance

The scenario here is that you play a blinder to the turn, then suddenly everything goes catastrophically wrong on the back nine, turning a potentially great score into a bad one. The implication is that you needed figurative medical assistance to ease the pain on the way back to the clubhouse, like Jordan Spieth in the 2016 Masters, seen here being consoled by caddie, Michael Greller.

In the Mayor’s office

Just a more colourful way of saying that you have hit the ball into the perfect spot on the hole from where you are now ideally placed to take full advantage. Typically, this will be the perfect side of the fairway to attack the flag or far enough down a par 5 to be able to easily reach in two and potentially bag that eagle.

Beware the sick or injured golfer

The temptation may be to write off an opponent who is clearly not 100 per cent or is carrying some sort of injury, but sometimes you do so at your peril. Sometimes, they are able to overcome physical adversity – as Tiger famously did in the 2008 US Open – to still deliver out on the course. Don’t dismiss someone’s chances just because they’re struggling physically!

Couldn’t hit a barn door with a banjo

This refers to a player who is playing so poorly that he can’t even pull off the simplest of shots, such as this absolute tiddler that Craig Stadler somehow missed in the 1985 Ryder Cup. It is perhaps more associated with fuller shots – maybe missing a wide-open, undefended green from 100 yards with a wedge from the perfect spot in the fairway.

A bad day on the golf course is better than a good day in the office

This one is really a bit of a reminder to self that, even if you’re playing a long way from your best, you’re still out on the golf course in beautiful surroundings with friends rather than sitting behind a mountain of paperwork in the office, even if you’re up for the task that day and really getting stuck into that formidable workload. Hard to argue, really!

Stay in the present

One of the phrases you’ll hear most often in pre- or post-round interviews with modern tour pros. What they’re really saying is that the most important thing is the next shot you face – you can’t do anything about what’s already happened and can’t yet do anything about the future shots you’ll be facing, so stay in present and focus 100 per cent on the immediate task in hand.

You can’t win it on a Thursday, but you can lose it

Most tour events are played over four consecutive days from Thursday to Sunday. The sentiment here is that even if you have a great round on Thursday, you’ve still got to keep it going for another three days. But if you have a really bad round, you may well be so far behind that it’s impossible to recover enough over the next three days to challenge for the title.

The secret is in the dirt

This one comes courtesy of the great Ben Hogan. This phrase is simply saying that if you want to become great, there is no substitute for hard work and lots of practice. The dirt ‘The Hawk’ is referring to is the divots you make as you hit shot after shot on the practice ground in pursuit of excellence. There are no short-cuts.

Tee it high, let it fly

It’s probably always been the case to a degree but more so than ever these days when our large titanium-headed drivers are just itching to be hit on the up to maximise carry distance, especially downwind. Teeing it high encourages you to attack the ball on an upward angle, rather than a downward one that would impart too much unwanted spin on the ball.

When it’s breezy, swing it easy

A rhyming one that is oh so true. Any golfer will be aware of the temptation to hit it harder when playing into the wind in the mistaken belief that this is the only way not to lose distance. It’s actually just the opposite because the harder you swing, the more spin you create and that’s just what you don’t want into the wind. Swinging it easy helps you keep your rhythm too.

One shot at a time

This is another phrase trotted out week in, week out in player interviews but, despite hearing it ad infinitum, it’s another that is just undeniably true. The more you get ahead of yourself and start thinking about potentially difficult shots to come or realistic birdie chances ahead, the less chance there is that you are concentrating wholly on the only shot that matters – the next one.

To miss it on the pro side

A phrase to make you feel a little better about missing a breaking putt. The ‘pro side’ is the side where the ball is at least turning towards the hole rather than away from as it breaks. Even if it misses, you should leave yourself closer than missing on the other side. However, Nick Dougherty once told us, “Pros don’t use this phrase – they just say, ‘I missed it.’”

To be handed a dog licence

You really need to be British and of a certain vintage to get this one. A dog licence used to cost seven shillings and six pence in old money in the UK, or 7&6 as this was abbreviated to. So, if you’re handed a dog licence on the golf course you have basically been thrashed 7&6 in a very one-sided matchplay encounter.

You’d have to hit your Sunday best

If you’re standing in the fairway contemplating the carry over distant water or pondering whether you can get up in two on a par 5, someone might say, “You could, but you’d have to hit your Sunday best.” In other words, you’re going to have make your best possible swing, just as Nick Faldo did here on 13 in the final round at Augusta in 1996.

The game within a game

If you think about it objectively, the simple stroke used when putting is so far removed from the highly complex sequence of movements you have to accomplish to make a good golf swing, that there really are two completely different games that combine to produce the overall result in golf. Few would deny that putting is "the game within a game".

No pictures on the scorecard

A simple observation that conveys quite beautifully that the only thing you put on the scorecard other than name and handicap before signing it is what you scored on each hole. There’s no box on the card to draw the way in which you achieved that score, so whether you knocked it close and missed the birdie putt or played a miraculous recovery from the woods, then holed a 40-footer, the card makes no distinction. 

Hit it out of the screws

Those of a younger generation may not really understand this one. To do so, you need to look at the face of an old persimmon driver. The inlay or insert in the centre of the face was screwed to the wood, so it therefore followed that you really were hitting it out of the screws if your ball found the centre of the clubface . 

The Masters starts on the back nine Sunday

This one is all about the pressure the back nine at Augusta exerts on a player, with five opportunities to knock it in the water via Amen Corner plus 15 and 16. However much you appear to have been in control for the first three and a half rounds, you simply cannot count your chickens about what might unfold over the next two hours as you desperately try to close things out.

In the zone

This describes the kind of Utopian mental state golfers sometimes achieve, which seems to transcend all conscious thought as their minds home in fully on the task in hand without getting distracted by the mechanics required to achieve those goals. They’re almost performing on autopilot as they go about their business on the course, completely immersed in the moment.

The woods are full of long hitters

The notion here is that those whose primary goal is to hit the ball as far as possible off the tee tend to spend more time in the trees because they have to sacrifice a degree of accuracy to achieve their distance goals. It’s a slightly disparaging phrase really towards long hitters, and probably not entirely fair in an era when distance counts for more and more in golf.

Never up, never in

This one is very, very straightforward. On the putting green, if your ball doesn’t even reach the front edge of the hole, it has absolutely zero chance of going in. The message is that, if you want to at least have a chance of holing a putt, first you have to hit it with enough pace to actually reach the hole.

Drive for show, putt for dough

A classic cliche ever since someone realised ‘show’ and ‘dough’ rhymed and could be worked into a catchy little phrase suggesting you can be as impressive as you like off the tee, but if you can’t get it in the hole it will all be to no avail and little monetary reward. Looking at the stats, it can probably be ‘proved’ or ‘disproved’ at will, but this Tiger putt in the 2008 US Open got him into a play-off, which he won, so worth a lot of dough.

'Why Do Golfers Only Wear One Glove?'

One of the questions popping up in Google searches in relation to golf was 'why do golfers wear only one glove?' Other questions included 'why do golfers shout fore,' or where does the word birdie come from? which we have already answered elsewhere on this site, So here is the answer to why many golfers wear only one glove.

Most golfers wear only one glove, but there is no rule about this. They can wear whatever they wish. Although some golf clubs can have horrendously intricate dress regulations, fortunately no club has yet thought of bringing in a regulation concerning gloves.

Wearing a glove was principally initially as a protection against getting blistered. People grip the club differently, but in the popular overlapping grip, the top hand grips the club handle and the lower hand overlaps the top hand, so has less of a role in gripping the club. It is not the lower hand which will get blistered, so there was no need to protect that.

Many players wear a golf glove these days to improve their grip on the club. Golf glove design and manufacture has got more sophisticated and there are, for example, gloves designed to give better grip in the wet as a wet, slippery grip can be notoriously tricky to play with.

Glove manufacturers have also got expert at making thin winter golf gloves designed primarily to keep the hands warm. Unlike all other golf gloves, these are sold in pairs as players will want to keep both their hands warm. A few golfers, such as Tommy Gainey and Aaron Rai, ordinarily prefer to play in two gloves not just in cold weather.

Some golfers do not wear gloves, Fred Couples did so because he got fed uo of the expense of replacing worn-out gloves when he was growing up. But in Ben Hogan's case it was because he felt playing without a glove gave him a better feel. Many golfers who do wear a glove will take it off when putting for this reason.

Gimmes in golf: should they be allowed?

Gimmes are a weird thing, even the name of them is weird. A gimme is something you give to someone, not something you request. So they should be called giyyas if anything, not gimmes.

A gimme is a shot conceded by an opponent in matchplay. It is a concession that the opponent will hole the next shot, a recognition that it is a given that the player will hole the next shot, so one shot is added to the score with no need to actually play the shot.

An advantage of gimmes is that they speed up the pace of play if players are not being made to knock in those short putts all the time. They are also viewed of acts of good sportsmanship.

However they can give rise to unnecessary confusion and claims of bad sportsmanship. One of the infamous cases came in the 2015 Solheim Cup when, in a fourball match, Alison Lee picked her ball up thinking the European pair had conceded her putt as the European pair were waling away from the green as if to go to the next tee. The Europeans pointed out that had not said they had conceded the putt, and so the Americans lost the hole.

An admittedly less celebrated occasion came in one of my society knockout matches. My putt finished two inches wide of the hole. My grumpy opponent, standing behind me, muttered something to me I could not make out. I presumed he was giving me a gimme. Not wishing to insult him by putting out, I picked my ball up. On the next tee he asked if I had putted. I said no. “Oh, so I win the hole then,” he replied.

Another confusion relating to gimmes is when they can be conceded, as they should only be used in matchplay. But how many of us have seem gimmes given in society or charity golf days, when you are playing not against one opponent but the whole field? Gimmes are not allowed in such competitions, but many players are either ignorant of this or just simply ignore this rule. This means, in effect, that different groups in the same competition are playing by different rules. That is not fair.

Personally I would not want to see gimmes outlawed. But there are good reasons why doing so would certainly simplify matters.

If you had to pare down the contents of your golf bag to the bare essentials, what are the accessories you just have to keep in there? Fergus Bisset runs through the 10 most essential bits of extra golfing kit.

With so many items of golfing equipment on the market today, it’s possible to take a golf bag onto the course crammed full of more kit than the average Artic Explorer would pack for a 12-week expedition. Whether you’re trolleying or carrying, it’s good to be prepared but there’s no need to overdo it. Here are the 10 most essential golf accessories that every player should always have to hand...

Rain glove/s

Not all golfers wear a glove in normal conditions but all will benefit from being in possession of one, or a pair of the best rain gloves, when the weather turns wet. Without this innovative product, your grips are liable to become like cylindrical bars of soap after the heavens have opened. Simply holding on to the club through the swing will be an achievement, let alone making a reasonable pass at the ball. A good rain glove actually becomes more grippy as it gets wetter meaning you can focus on the usual worries: ‘Don’t duff it,’ ‘Don’t shank it’ and ‘Don’t miss it,’ without the fear of premature club release clouding your thoughts.

White wooden tees

It’s crazy to venture onto the golf course without a goodly supply of white wooden tees in your pouch. Yes, there are various novelty tees out there that purport to help you achieve more consistency or a better ball flight, but if you watch The Open, how many of them do you see on show? By all means try a new teeing option, but make sure you have those little white wooden ones as tried and tested back-up.

Golf pencil

How oft heard is this utterance on the 1st tee in the Saturday Medal: “Sorry, but could I borrow a pencil?” Don’t be the one to have to say it – Make sure you have a few pencils mixed in with those white wooden tees.

Pitch fork

If you don’t have one of these in your pocket when you tee off for any round; you are a bad person! It doesn’t matter what standard or type of golfer you are; you will make pitch marks. If every golfer repaired one pitch mark on every green, there would be no more visible pitch marks to contend with, we would all therefore hole more putts, and the world would just be a better place! 

Umbrella

Another one for those unexpected rain showers that are prone to test us in this country. It might only last for a few minutes and, if you’ve got one of the best umbrellas you can quickly sling up, you’ll avoid a soaking that could otherwise have left you feeling decidedly miserable for the rest of the round.

Dark coloured towel

You’ve got to clean your balls and it’s always best to do this on a dark towel so the evidence is less obvious. Yes, a white towel will do the job and this is what the pros generally use. But they’ve got a caddy to wash the towel after every round and you don’t. A dark towel can keep functioning with brown streaks on it as they’ll be camouflaged so as to save your blushes. Also when playing golf in the rain, keep some more towels in your bag to use sporadically throughout the round. Using one of the best golf towels to keep those grips dry is of paramount importance.

Peaked cap

It might not be sunny when you set off but if the clouds part mid-round you’ll be grateful of one of the best golf hats to provide your delicate face and noggin with a little shade. It might also just help you see where exactly that errant shot into the sun ended up.... Although you might rather not know!

Distance measuring device

This wouldn’t have made the list 10 years ago as we were all still able to use our eyes. But, much like the mobile device has taken away our ability to recall any fact or figure without furious googling, the “DMD” has totally destroyed our confidence in judging distance. 25 years ago most golfers could look at anything in the near distance and make a good estimate of how far away it was. Now we stand on a fairway staring blankly at the pin, unsure if we need a wedge or a 5-iron until we get some concrete evidence to guide us. Be it a laser or a GPS, the distance measuring device has become a crucial tool.

Marker pen

Marking your golf ball is important so you can identify it if and when you hit a bad shot. A pen takes up no room in your bag, so get one in there!

Water bottle

Whether you’ve purchased it in the pro-shop or filled up a “Bidon,” Tour de France style, it’s important to stay hydrated over a four-hour round of golf. Even if it isn’t a hot day, you’ll become more tired and lose concentration if you don’t drink enough water. Also, if you happened to over indulge the night before, it could just save your life.

For some it’s a regular routine, for others it’s a simple case of only letting go once the ball is lost. But how often should you change your golf ball? What should you be looking out for and how badly do scuffs and cut marks affect performance? We take a look…

The most simple answer to the question of how often should you change your golf ball is that there are no set rules. Some Tour players change their ball after a certain number of holes, but the truth is, this is more based on superstition than the diminishing quality of the ball itself. 

The chances are that an amateur doesn’t do this and instead will keep their golf ball in play for longer than the players on Tour. Partly because they aren't too focused on the brand of the golf ball, but also because of the cost of changing your ball frequently. 

In recent years, equipment manufacturers have made major strides to improve durability, with the best golf balls lasting significantly longer. The days of catching an approach shot slightly thin and seeing a smiley face on your Balata are well and truly gone. 

Nowadays, golf balls can withstand a multitude of different strikes and environments. Better paint finishes and more robust construction make modern golf balls far more resilient. However, there are some unavoidable marks to look out for…

How do scuff marks affect the performance of a golf ball?

More often than not these occur when the ball comes into contact with a tree or road. However, golf balls can scuff when they come into contact with wedges during pitch or bunker shots. The sharp grooves, combined with the length of time the ball stays on the face, can roughen the surface of the ball.

Either way, a scuff mark is not necessarily a sign the ball needs to be removed from play. Our advice would be to clean the ball and then see how bad it looks. 

Play with it for a hole or two and you are likely to find the scuff mark does not affect the performance of the ball. Take a close look at it and, of course, if the ball is out of shape, swap it, otherwise a scuffed ball is not necessarily a reason to change it.

Do cut marks affect the performance of a golf ball?

Cut marks, usually caused by thinned iron shots, are more problematic. The good news is, these are very rare. Thinned chip or pitch shots usually come away unscathed. Again, the damage might not be as bad as it first seems. 

Clean the ball and then give it a very close look. Has the smooth, rounded surface of the ball changed? The place where you will notice it most is on the green. Any sign that the ball is rolling strangely, wiggling off line, and you should think about using a new ball.

The truth is, most of the damage that can occur during a round of golf makes no real difference to the performance of the ball. We all like to use a fresh ball that’s come straight from the pack, but golf is played on a natural landscape and the look of your ball will change during the round. 

If you manage to keep the same one in play from start to finish, only then would we think about retiring it and adding it to the practice bag!

How many golf balls should I carry in my bag?

The answer to this will depend on a couple of things. Firstly, ability. Those with less control over the golf ball are more likely to lose them and as such should consider carrying more to avoid the embarrassment of running out! 

Secondly, the difficulty of the course you are playing should also be considered. A venue with lots of thick rough and water will likely necessitate more golf balls than a wide open course with minimal trouble. 

Does a golf ball deaden or lose compression?

The answer to this will depend on your clubhead speed at impact but for most players this should not be a concern. A premium golf ball should stand up to at least 100 driver impacts, even up to 120mph without any noticeable degradation.

A golf ball will almost certainly need replacing based on damage and wear and tear well before a loss of compression becomes any kind of issue. 

As a golfer, learning how to regrip golf clubs is really valuable and not just from a money-saving standpoint! Worn-out grips can cost you precious shots, especially in damp and wet conditions, and replacing them with some of the best golf grips can have a real impact.

Cleaning them often will help, but all grips have a lifespan and will eventually need replacing. However, for those who carry the full allotment of 14 clubs in their bag, the cost of the job can often be a major deterrent.

Do you go for a new set of grips, or do you purchase that new wedge you’ve had your eyes on? All too often, it will go the way of the wedge. But changing a golf grip is a lot easier than many golfers imagine. There will no doubt be subtle variations from pro shop to pro shop, but the basics haven’t changed much over the years, and it can easily be done at home.

How To Regrip Golf Clubs Yourself

You will need the following…

• New grips
• Double-sided tape
• White Spirit
• A sharp Stanley knife or similar (ideally with a hook blade)
• A cloth
• A receptacle as long as a grip
• A vice with a shaft protector

Step 1: Removing the old grips

First, you will need to cut and peel off the old grips, which may or may not be straightforward depending on how long they’ve been on. Take a sharp Stanley knife (ideally with a hook blade so as not to damage the shaft) and make an incision the length of the grip. With steel shafts, you can be relatively ‘aggressive’ with the knife, always making sure to work the blade away from you, not towards you. (You may find it easiest to do this with the club secured in a vice.)

With graphite shafts, you must proceed more carefully to avoid damaging them as they are most susceptible to breakage from slicing into the graphite fibers.

Next, you need to remove the old grip tape to prevent lumps and bumps from forming underneath your new grip. If you’re lucky, a careful incision at the narrower end of the grip may allow you to peel off easily, but sometimes it will be a painstaking process that you have to carefully repeat as you pick off all the remnants of old grip and tape. It can be useful here to heat the old grip tape gently with a heat gun. This softens the adhesive and makes peeling the tape off a lot easier. Take care not to overheat graphite shafts, however, as this could once again cause significant damage.

Dab an old cloth in White Spirit and rub it up and down the shaft where the old grip was to remove the final bits of residue.

Step 2: Preparation

Next, hold the grip up against the shaft and with a washable marker pen, draw a small mark to signify the end point of the grip. This will provide a reference point for how far down the shaft to apply your grip tape and also for how far down to pull the grip when installing. This is important to ensure the grip will play its designed thickness. Stretching a grip will make it feel thinner, and not having enough grip tape will make the bottom part of the grip unstable.

If you are working with spiral tape, start at the butt end, wrap the double-sided tape round the shaft working downwards and allowing sufficient space so that it doesn't start overlapping lower down as the shaft gets narrower.

You can also get double-sided tape in sheet form rather than on a reel. Leave a little extra at the top and don’t unpeel the other side of the tape until you are ready to fit the new grip.

Wrap the extra bit around the top so it is covered with tape as this will make it easier to slip the new grip on.

Step 3: Fitting the new grips

Place the club in a vice with the head pointing up, taking care to use a shaft protector (or similar) to avoid damage as you tighten. Now take one of the new grips, cover the little hole at the end, and pour in a little White Spirit. Cover both ends of the grip with your fingers and swill the White Spirit around so the whole of the inside is coated.

Place your receptacle under the grip (if your vice arrangement allows you to do so), then pour the White Spirit from the inside of the grip over the double-sided tape with any excess falling into your receptacle to re-use.

Take the grip and slide it on, making sure any alignment tweaks are done quickly, as there is a limited window in which you’ll be able to manoeuvre the grip. Ensure the bottom of your grip reaches the line you marked earlier.

Take it out of the vice and check it in the address position to make sure it’s correctly aligned, taking care not to damage the head on the ground. Give the butt of the grip a gentle tap on the floor to ensure the grip has gone all the way on and the grip cap is seated nicely on the end of the shaft.

If you’re quick enough, you’ll still be able to make final adjustments at this stage before it sets too firmly. Depending on how much lubricant you have used, generally your grips will be set and usable in around 30 minutes.

Repeat this process a further 13 times if you’re replacing a full set!

How to tell if you need new grips

There are a few tell-tale signs that it might be time to regrip a golf club. Firstly, any indentations on the grip, usually around the thumb positions, are a good indication of a worn grip. This is simply where the rubber has actually been worn away by the friction of the hand movement during the swing, and can actually make a club non-conforming to the rules if it has gone too far.

Secondly, when a grip is shiny and slippy to the touch. If this is the case, it can have a detrimental effect on your grip pressure, causing you to hold on to the club too tightly for security. This can quite often be addressed with some warm, soapy water and a scrubbing brush, but sometimes even this won't return the grip's original tackiness. If that is the case, it's definitely time for a change. 

What size grip do I need?

Grip size is a very subjective area. Traditional schools of thought suggested that the correct grip size was one that allowed the finger tips of the top hand to lightly touch the fleshy pad of the thumb when holding the grip.

Many top touring professionals do not subscribe to this theory however. Bubba Watson for example uses up to 18 additional layers of tape underneath his grips to achieve the thickness he wants, whereas Padraig Harrington has previously used no tape, and even stretched his grips to make them play as thin as possible. For context, these two players both play the same glove size, so it is clear there is no right or wrong! Trial and error is the key here. Find out what feels and performs best for you.

What type of tape do I need to regrip my clubs?

There is no industry standard when it comes to grip tape. Generally speaking, any double sided adhesive tape will do the job. It should be noted that tapes can differ in thickness, so keep that in mind if you are looking for consistent thickness throughout your set. Most grip tape will come in 2" widths now to be used as a solid strip, however some people prefer thinner tape that spirals around the grip as this doesn't leave a seam. 

How much do golf grips cost?

Prices can vary dramatically here, from as little as $3 for some budget options up to $30 for some of the best grips. Factor in that you may require up to 14 grips if you are intending to regrip your whole set, including your putter grip.

Some of the specialist, oversize putter grips can be even more expensive.

How soon can I use my clubs after regripping?

Depending on the amount of lubricant used, generally speaking, you will be safe to use your clubs around 30 minutes after regripping. Using the clubs too soon after regripping can cause the grip to slip and misalign. 

What Is The Wolf Golf Game?

The Wolf golf game is a format for four golfers. The golfers are arranged into a different team for each hole. On one side is the Wolf, who may take a partner; on the other side are the remaining two or three golfers.

There are various variations to the rules of the Wolf golf betting game, in particular when it comes to scoring points. But, in essence, one player is designated the Wolf before each hole, and this is decided by rotation. The Wolf then decides whether to hunt alone against his three opponents or in partnership with one of them. The hole is won by whichever team has the better ball score.

Before the round an order is established, as to who will be players 1 to 4. Player 1 tees off on then first hole followed by player 2, 3 and 4. This rotation is maintained throughout the round, so that on the second hole it is player 2 who tees off first, followed by 3, 4 and 1 in that order.

The player who tees off last is the Wolf. He chooses whether to play alone or to play with one of the others. He can make this decision at various set times. When he does it determines what the stake is.

The Wolf can decide to to go it alone before anyone has played a tee shot. This makes that player the Blind Wolf.

The Wolf can decide to go it alone having seen the other three tee off, so becoming the Lone Wolf.

Or the Wolf can decide to hunt in a pack by taking a partner. The Wolf is only allowed to choose a partner after that person has played their drive and before the next drive is taken. (This stops the Wolf from being able to watch all the other three tee of and simply choosing to play with the player who hit the best drive.)

Points systems vary, but a common feature to all of them is that Blind Wolves earn more points than Lone ones who in turn earn more points than a Wolf hunting in a pack. If a Wolf loses a hole, then the Wolf’s opponents wins points; so, too, does the Wolf’s partner if the Wolf wins a hole hunting in a pack.

Another key variation is what happens on holes 17 and 18 as by then all four players have been Wolf four times. Some variations award the position of Wolf to those who are 1st and 2nd at this juncture; others to those who are losing.

How Does Countback Work In Golf?

Countback is a way to separate tied players after the conclusion of a golf competition. If it's not possible to play more holes to settle the event on the course, this method is often employed by the club secretary or handicap secretary. 

The way countback is calculated can vary according to club rules or the rules of a particular competition. But here follows an explanation of the standard method.

In an 18-hole event, ties are separated by the best score over the final nine holes. These are defined by the final holes on the standard scorecard, not the final nine holes a player may have completed. By means of explanation, if it was a shotgun start or a two-tee one, not every player would play holes 10-18 last. 

If the best score for the last nine holes does not separate out a winner, then the final six holes are used, and, if that still fails to provide a definitive outcome, the final three holes. If a tie still persists then the score on the final hole is used.

In 27- 36- 54- and 72-hole events, the last 18 holes are first used for countback. If this cannot separate a tie, then the countback method for 18-hole events is then applied, as described in the paragraph above. 

In a Stableford competition the point scores for each hole is used and totalled, and as such is nice and straightforward. But in a handicap strokeplay competition is gets a bit more complicated.

Rather than use the net scores on each hole, standard practice is to deduct handicaps in proportion. Thus for countback on the last nine holes, half the handicap is applied.

At most courses, they alternate the stroke indexes between the front and back nines, so this rarely has a noticeable effect on a back-nine countback. But, when it gets down to a third of the handicap for the final six holes and a sixth for last three holes, players can then start to get shot on parts of the course where they do not normally get them.

The 7 Scariest Shots in Golf

1 Next shot after a shank

You reach the top of your backswing and then… What's that?… Paranormal activity in the downswing causes a biblical hosel-rocket. You’re left searching for your ball and scratching your head. The feeling of utter disbelief will shortly be replaced by one of abject fear. ‘Maybe if I come more from the inside I’ll find the middle of the bat.’ Yeah… that’ll do it!

2 Chip off a tight lie

You’ve missed the green but not by much. Nothing to worry about there… Until you reach your ball and discover it sitting on a slab of turf with less grass on it than the M25. With fear in your eyes and panic in your heart, there’s only one option – the putter. But what about the bunker that’s in the way?... Just hit it hard!

3 That not-quite-a-gimme in foursomes

Anyone who has claimed ‘I’m not scared of anything’ has never played foursomes and had a short putt which is almost gimme range but not quite. Most particularly when this putt comes just after your partner has played a superb shot to set up this almost-but-not-quite-a-tap-in. Hit it firm and straight? Dribble it in? Shut your eyes and hope? All good tactics…

4 That shot after you've been called through

You’ve got to hit a good one now. We all have experienced that shot when we have been called through which we then can’t find when we have walked down to where we were sure it was. It was just off the fairway almost in line with that tree in the distance ... was sure it would be in this patch of light rough, but can’t see it anywhere ... what now? use the allotted three minutes searching for the ball as I have a score to protect ... or should I just forget it and march on and that hole and mark a blob on the scorecard ... oh heck it’s a medal today … do I now go back and play three off the tee ... should I have played a provisional? ... oh why didn't I play a provisional … if I go back and play three off the tee, the group ahead will just play on and never let us through again and they are so annoyingly slow ... oh why didn’t anyone in that group look to see where my shot ended up … they are so annoying … it must have landed quite near them ... oh why did they let us through on this hole of all holes…

5 Opening tee shot

The starter has announced your name, the gaggle of players currently on the practice putting green have stopped what they’re doing, the people in the clubhouse have put their coffees down and silence descends. You’re up and your prowess as a golfer is about to receive a series of snap judgements. Amateur-ville Horror.

6 40-yard bunker shot

This particular scenario has received the infamous moniker of ‘hardest shot in golf.’ Face it in competition (especially with out of bounds over the back) and your own version of The Shining will be running through your head. Knife it into the face, catch it fat, thin it over the back – all are on the cards.

7 Approach shot over water

Finally on our list of the 7 Scariest Shots in Golf - the approach over water. For many golfers the sight of water is like looking into the eyes of the grim reaper. With anything but the perfect strike receiving the ultimate punishment, now is the time to swing smoother than ever. Either that, or go on the attack like Freddie Kruger at a roller disco.

Foursomes and greensomes are both alternate shot, pairs formats of the game of golf. Both are great fun and ask some different questions from participants compared to individual golf. You have to play as a team, support and trust your partner to achieve success.

The two formats are similar, played in teams of two and can be played strokeplay, Stableford or matchplay or but there's a key difference to note between foursomes and greensomes. And that key difference comes on the tee shots.

In foursomes, partners use just one ball from tee to hole, and play alternate shots with it. In some places, the format is simply known as Alternate Shot - for fairly obvious reasons.

Players alternate tee shots - Player A takes the odd holes and Player B takes the even holes. After the tee shot is struck, players alternate shots until the ball is in the hole.

In greensomes, things are different in that, both players tee off on every hole. The team can then select which of the drives should be played and then the format becomes alternate shot. So, if Player A's tee shot is selected on a hole, Player B will hit the second shot. From that point on, the team plays alternate shots until the ball is in the cup.

What are the advantages of playing foursomes golf

Foursomes counts as a one-ball game... That's because, even though there are two players, only one ball is in play between them. Some clubs have slots in the day when only two ball or foursomes play is allowed. So, if you have four people wanting to play at that time, you can still play together.

If played correctly, foursomes should make for a speedy 18-holes. If Player B, who isn't teeing off walks down the fairway, they can be at the ball and ready to play as soon as Player A has hit off. Player B can not only act as a forecaddie to see where the ball has gone but can also play promptly when they've located it.

What are the best tactics in foursomes and greensomes

There are two schools of thought when it comes to the ideal partnership for foursomes and greensomes. One says that pairs with similar games work best together, particularly on courses they know well. The reason being - they find themselves in familiar positions and are firing into greens from similar distances and angles that they are used to in individual play.

The other side of the argument is that players with different games fair better as they get the best of both worlds. As an example, if one member of the pair fades the ball and the other hits a draw, some clever planning can ensure that each player faces the shots, (particularly tee shots) that are suited to their shot shape. Or, if one is a good driver of the ball and the other a good short game player, ordering can be planned to get the most from those attributes.

In greensomes, an often used strategy is for the shorter hitter to play off first from the tee and secure a "safe" drive in the fairway. That allows the longer hitter to have a go for it and try to play more aggressively. Ideal on risk and reward holes.

What are the handicap allowances in foursomes and greensomes

Working out handicaps for foursomes and greensomes is a little different under the World Handicap System.

Firstly, you work out each player's Course Handicap, rounding to a whole number. Then you work out the pair's handicap for foursomes or greensomes.

In foursomes the handicap is 50% of the pair's combined course handicaps. In greensomes you take 40% of the higher handicapper's course handicap and add that to 60% of the lower handicapper's course handicap, then round to a whole number after doing the maths.

So - if Player A is off 16 and Player B is off 11, then Player A will have a Handicap Allowance of 40% and Player B 60%. This will equal 6.4 and 6.6, which added together gives the team 13 shots.

How You Know That You Really Are Obsessed With Golf 

You think that you are a perfectly normal, balanced person, but other people say you are completely obsessed with golf. First of all, what's wrong with that, and secondly, are they actually right?

Here we detail 17 tell-tale signs that you are a true golfing fanatic...

1) You think it is perfectly normal to use the dishwasher to clean your golf balls

2) When looking at a new carpet all you can think is how suitable it will be for practising your putting on

3) You know the 18 times table. 

4) You described a puddle on a footpath as casual water

5) You can absent-mindedly practise your golf swing at any moment that you are standing up - waiting for the kettle to boil or for the lift, in a meeting with your boss, at a funeral

6) During the summer months you're guaranteed to have a deep tan on your left arm which starts below the shirt sleeve line and ends abruptly at the wrist

7) You have a collection of ball markers from almost every course you have played... and those ones you don’t have really bug you.

8) You want to turn your lawn into a putting green

16 Of The Coolest Back Garden Golf Setups

9) You think it perfectly normal when giving directions to say things such as ‘about a 5-iron from there take a left turn’

10) You named you daughter Augusta. Moreover when your registered the birth you absent-mindedly gave her the middle name National.

11) Every pair of trousers you own has either tees or a ball marker, or both, in the pockets

12) You can never bear to throw an old club away

13) When choosing a new car the most important thing is whether the boot is large enough to fit your golf bag

14) You cannot see a stretch of rolling landscape without wondering what kind of golf course you might be able to design over it

15) You can’t look at something, such as the building across from your office, without wondering what club you’d need to use to land a ball on it

16) You think everyone else enjoys your blow-by-blow accounts of your round as much as you do (don’t worry - they do, promise)

17) You think people who don’t like golf are weird. (Mind you, they are.)

Oversized putter grips have become more and more popular on tour in recent times as professionals look to find any edge possible. This has filtered down into the club golfer also, with many new best putter models now coming fitted with an oversized grip as standard. But do they actually help you hole more putts?

The theory behind thicker putter grips has to do with making the hands less active during the stroke. Some grip manufacturers suggest that because your fingers don't wrap all the way around a thick putter grip they naturally relax more than when using a traditional grip, whereas others feel that the thicker grip encourages the putter to be placed more in the palm of the hand rather than the fingers, which reduces leverage and as such the ability to manipulate the face.

It's this benefit that has wooed the likes of Sergio Garcia, a notoriously nervy putter who has tried every style going, and it's this same benefit that could help any of you looking for how to cure the putting yips.

Before you make a change, it's a worthwhile exercise to gather some simple data so you can later evaluate whether or not switching your putter grip has been successful. Traditional statistics such as putts per round, are unfortunately not a great indication of how you are putting as they are so heavily influenced by how close you are actually hitting the ball to the hole. For example, if you hit it onto every green at around 70ft from the hole, then 36 putts for the day would be an exceptional effort. However, if you hit it to 10ft on every hole, 36 putts might be considered a poor day. The most accurate data to judge yourself with is strokes gained putting. Arccos is a great way of collating this data.

How do I choose the correct grip?

Right, so you have decided that you would like to try an oversize putter grip. So how do you choose the best putter grip from the hundreds available?

Firstly, you need to decide how you would like to position your hands on this new grip because this could have a significant impact on the best design and size of the grip you choose. Are you going to use a standard, right below left, reverse overlap grip? Or are you going to be using something different? There are so many ways to grip a putter; claw grip, left below right, prayer grip, the list goes on. The reason that it is important to make a decision on this first, is that grip manufacturers now offer specific grips for different methods. For example, Superstroke offers a grip designed specifically for the claw method, with the geometry and taper of the grip built to fit your hands more comfortably in that style. Two Thumb produces grips that are designed with the prayer grip in mind. The prayer grip is when your palms are exactly facing one another, with your thumbs level on the front of the grip which facilitates level shoulders at address. Companies like Evnroll are now even creating specific grips for the arm lock style made popular by players such as Bryson DeChambeau and Matt Kuchar.

Once you have made your decision on your preferred method, how do you know what grip to choose? Well, with so many to choose from, the only real method of selection from here is getting your hands on some grips and seeing what sits comfortably with your chosen style. This may not be that easy, as your local pro shop may not have extensive stock, although companies like Superstroke often have displays of example grips in stores. If finance permits, there are several online grip retailers that will allow you to order multiple grips to try, then simply return (unused of course) those that didn’t suit your preferences.  

In my experience here, don’t rely on generic sizing charts or what tour players are using; trust your own judgment, and go with what feels most comfortable and gives you the most confidence.

Now that you have your new grip, get out and practice with it. Once you’re happy, start collecting some more data to find out if the new grip has made a positive difference to your game.

Are there any drawbacks?

Whilst I don’t believe there are any specific negatives inherent in using a thicker putter grip, there are a couple of points worth noting. Firstly, the feel of a putter can dramatically change when going from a standard-sized putter grip to an oversized model. This has to do with a couple of things.

Firstly, both the static mass and swing weight of your putter can be affected by this change. With putter grips varying between as little as 45 grams up to well over 100 grams, the feel of the putter during your stroke will certainly change depending on where your choice falls. For example, whilst a heavier grip will obviously add static mass to your putter, you may find you have less awareness of the clubhead or a lighter feel during the stroke. This is because the balance of the club has shifted slightly, with more of the club's total weight distributed at the grip end. These changes aren’t necessarily bad, just something that will take some adjusting to. A knowledgeable professional will be able to guide you through this and adjust the head weight if required.

Another point to note is that some players take a little time to adjust to the pace of longer putts after making this type of grip change. Some of this could be attributed to the aforementioned weight issues, but others feel that taking the fingers and wrists out of the stroke affects their ability to use their natural touch and feel the pace as effectively. My feeling on this is that this is simply a mental hurdle to overcome rather than anything physiological.

Should I give it a try?

If you aren’t holing enough putts with your standard-sized putter grip, or even struggling with the dreaded yips, trying out an oversized putter grip is certainly a worthwhile exercise. The concept of removing excessive hand manipulation is sound and with so many of the best players in the world now using them, there is a real chance you could benefit too. 

Experiment, pick your preferred method, find a grip that is comfortable for that style, and then hit the putting green. It could be the change you’ve been looking for.

 The area of your golf bag between irons and woods can be a tough one to navigate. Should you be carrying a long iron or perhaps a hybrid? It's a key question that you need to consider before buying your next set of irons or woods. Here, we take a look at a few key points to factor into your thought process when making your decision…

Club Design

Firstly, it’s important to understand that the traditional 3-iron of days gone by - the one that looked like a butter knife - is no longer the intimidating prospect it once was. There are alternatives! In addition to the long irons that come included with your main set, there is also the category of utility irons, which have some subtle design differences. These clubs generally feature a hollow body construction, wider soles, and lower CG than a standard “set” long iron making them a good alternative for players who maybe don’t like the look of a hybrid but crave some of the performance characteristics. 

Whilst very compact, bladed options are still available, the design of many modern “set” long irons has become a lot more playable than in days gone by. Larger head sizes, perimeter weighting, and higher MOI can all contribute to more forgiveness for shots struck from the toe or the heel. That said, generally long iron heads (even the utility irons) will still have a more compact profile and footprint than most hybrids and will produce a lower more penetrating ball flight with less backspin than that of a hybrid.

Hybrids, on the other hand, have some different design characteristics. They tend to be shallower in the face than long irons but deeper from front to back. The hollow body design of a hybrid allows for a lower and deeper center of gravity that encourages a higher launch, making it extremely versatile from tricky lies. Those with a more moderate swing speed may find the additional launch valuable when needing to carry the ball over obstacles.

For many years, hybrids (or rescues as they have also been known), were only really available in one shape. Now, however, with their rise in popularity, manufacturers have started producing not only very compact profiles aimed at more elite players but also larger, more confidence-inducing shapes for mid-to-high handicap players who prefer the reassurance of additional size to make them the most forgiving hybrids. In some instances, hybrids can now come with adjustable weight settings to fine-tune flight and launch characteristics.  

Sole Design

Long irons will generally have narrower soles than a hybrid and as such demand a little more precision at impact. The wider footprint of most hybrids will provide that little extra insurance for a shot struck heavy.

The larger footprint and sole design of the hybrid also tend to make it easier to extricate a ball nestled down in the rough, with the extra width and sole geometry allowing the club to slide through the grass a little easier than a long iron which can have a tendency to snag.

Shaft

Another factor to consider is shaft length. Hybrids will tend to be fitted with a longer shaft than an iron with the same loft. For example, the 21-degree Titleist T100 3 iron comes as standard at 39” long, whereas the TSR2 and TSR3 hybrids of the same loft come a full inch longer at 40”. 

This extra length will produce more clubhead speed and as such, a higher peak height. Because of this extra speed and height, you are likely to carry a 21° hybrid notably further than a 21° 3-iron, so it would be advisable to try these options prior to purchase to make sure you are covering the distance gaps you need. Some players may prefer the feeling of control that the shorter shaft of the long iron will promote.

Long iron or hybrid? The Verdict

There are a number of factors that you should consider when making your choice. What type of ball flight are you looking for? How much clubhead speed do you generate? What course conditions do you primarily play on?

Once you have answered these questions for yourself, hopefully, this article will help you get to the right conclusion.

Choose a long iron if…

- You prefer a compact head profile
- You are looking for a lower more penetrating flight
- You play a lot of golf in high-winds
- You have a mid-to-high swing speed

Choose a hybrid if…

- You value playability over aesthetics
- You want to launch the ball higher
- The course you play at has a lot of forced carries over hazards
- You are looking for a club to provide distance out of tough lies 

To the average amateur, the bunker can be a thing of golfing nightmare; a place where potential disaster lurks.

But, for the top professionals, the bunker provides an opportunity to showcase their skill and imagination.

Most elite players are undaunted by bunker shots and many would rather find their ball lying on sand instead of grass if they miss a green. Some players over the years have risen above their peers to become legends of the sand. These are men who have achieved a sublime mastery of the trap shot, from long range or close proximity.

Here, we count down the ten very best exponents of bunker play from golf’s modern era:

10 Best Bunker Players Of All Time

10. Lee Trevino

The American was a wizard around the greens and a supremely skilled bunker player. He utilised his own technique and, although he credits Gary Player with helping him to become better from the sand, his creativity and imagination from bunkers was instinctive and he relied on a variety of unorthodox methods.

One he would later teach Tom Watson was to play an open-faced blast shot from a plugged lie, when conventional wisdom was to hood the club. ‘Super Mex’ did it his own way, but it was effective. Well into his playing career, he remained one of the best exponents from sand. He led the Champions Tour’s Sand Saves stat in 1994.

9. David Frost

David Frost of South Africa has always been a natural when it comes to bunker play. In his book The Unstoppable Golfer, Dr Bob Rotella recalls asking Frost how he managed to be so consistently accurate from the sand. “I just kind of look where I want it to go, hit it and it goes there,” he said matter-of-factly.

Between 1985 and 2004, Frost ranked in the top ten for Sand Saves nine times on the PGA Tour. In 1990, the South African holed an incredible bunker shot on the 72nd hole in the New Orleans Classic to beat Greg Norman by a shot.

8. Ernie Els

The big South African has a famously soft touch around the greens and this is perhaps best evidenced by his silky skills from the sand. Using a slow, rhythmical swing combined with control and strength, he is able to produce a sublime selection of shots that others just don’t have at their disposal.

Ernie’s statistics consistently place him near the top of the Sand Saves rankings, but it’s his ability to produce great bunker shots when it really matters that secures his place on this list.

His sand skills were showcased in the 2002 Open at Muirfield, where he eventually got up and down from sand to win a playoff. But earlier on the final day, he played a shot that would later be named European Tour Shot of the Year. After finding a hugely awkward position at the base of a pot bunker on the 13th, Els committed fully to an incredibly difficult blast shot, popped the ball up and watched it finish just a foot away.

7. Chi Chi Rodriguez

In the early days of the Champions Tour, Chi Chi Rodriguez was a regular fixture at the top of the Sand Saves stats. He led the list in 1990 and was in the top ten six further times between 1988 and 1994, but it was a skill ‘Cheech’ had always possessed. He was named Golf Magazine’s All-America sand player for 1979 and many of his contemporaries would be quick to give his name when asked who was the best bunker player they’d seen.

Rodriguez had a reputation for being able to escape from seemingly impossible situations in the sand. He was never the greatest putter and it was often said in jest that he would aim for the bunkers as he could get it closer from the traps than from distance with his flat-stick.

6. Phil Mickelson

‘Lefty’ makes this list not for his stats – although they have been solid over the years – but for his sheer genius when he has a wedge in his hands. Sometimes Phil has so many options at his disposal that he finds it hard to select which shot to play. But when he chooses right and executes correctly, the result can be spectacular. Spinning shots, running shots, short or long bunker shots – no situation fazes Phil.

In the 2006 Memorial, Mickelson holed from a plugged lie for birdie on the 16th hole when most would have struggled to get the ball out. In the 2015 Presidents Cup, Phil holed a greenside bunker shot on day one and then holed a 138-yarder from sand on day two.

5. Gary Player

The South African worked incredibly hard to perfect every element of his game and he spent countless hours practising from bunkers.

Once, when he was practising in Texas, a local in a Stetson hat stopped to watch. The first bunker shot Player hit went into the hole. The Texan said, “You got $50 if you knock the next one in.” He did. Then, “You got $100 if you hole the next one.” In it went.

Player was supremely confident in his own abilities and happy to share his knowledge of the short game. Many pros today, particularly from his native South Africa, credit Player for helping them improve their bunker play.

4. Seve Ballesteros

Seve famously began playing golf with a 3-iron on the beach at Pedrena. From an early age he learned to manipulate the club and the ball with supreme skill and dexterity. Throughout his career he continued to enjoy demonstrating how he could escape from deep bunkers by opening up a straight-faced club and cutting under the ball.

Seve was a genius from sand, not just from short range but also further out. In his 1983 Ryder Cup singles match against Fuzzy Zoeller, the Spaniard played a 3-wood from a fairway bunker on the 18th when many would have chosen to blast back to the fairway with a wedge. From 245 yards, he picked the ball cleanly, ended up just off the putting surface and got up and down for the half.

3. Paul Azinger

‘Zinger’ was a superb greenside bunker player and consistently able to produce shots of incredible quality under the greatest pressure. The American’s PGA Tour Sand Saves stats were impressive and he led the rankings in 1986, 1987 and 1990. But it was in the crunch moments when his sand skills really stood out.

In the 1993 Memorial, he holed out from a near-impossible spot on the 72nd hole to win the tournament by a shot. To get the ball close, he had to almost leave it in the sand, but he judged it to perfection and it rolled into the cup. In the 2002 Ryder Cup, he (and the US team) looked buried when he found sand on the 18th at the Belfry. But, with the weight of a nation on his shoulders, he holed out to keep American hopes alive and produced one of the event’s best celebrations shortly afterwards.

2. Tony Johnstone

Ask European Tour players of a certain generation to name the best bunker player they’ve seen and a large percentage will quickly respond “Tony Johnstone”. The Zimbabwean possessed an almost preternatural touch, but he also worked extremely hard to perfect his sand play. “I used to literally wear out two Ping sand irons a year,” he told Golf Monthly.

Sand Saves stats only date back to 1998 on the European Tour, at which point Johnstone was nearing the end of his career, but he topped the rankings in 1998, 1999 and 2000 and was second in 2001 and 2002.

On the 71st hole of the 2001 Qatar Masters, Johnstone’s tee shot caught a gust and ended up plugged in a right-hand greenside bunker. He faced a long and testing shot with the pressure on, popped it out and rolled the ball up to within a foot, saving par and setting up victory.

1. Luke Donald

No man has looked so in control from the sand as Luke Donald did for a spell at the start of this decade. In 2010, 2011 and 2012 he topped the Sand Saves stats on the European Tour. In 2009 and 2010 he also topped the stats on the PGA Tour. During that period, he won the Order of Merit on both sides of the Atlantic and became World No.1.

Donald has the skill to get the ball close almost every time from a good lie in the sand, but also the ability and imagination to make saves from more difficult spots. In the 2015 Open, the Englishman found himself up against the face of St Andrews’ notorious Road Hole bunker. Undaunted, he escaped the predicament with a sublime splash shot and saved par. Displaying consummate technique and a wonderfully smooth rhythm, Donald has come as close as anybody to perfecting bunker play.

Arnold Palmer was a charismatic golfer who helped change the image of the game, especially in the growing television age. He was stylishly dressed and great with the fans and the media. He played bold golf.

He was nickname the King, although he said: "There is no king of golf. Never has been, never will be. Golf is the most democratic game on Earth. It punishes and exalts us all with splendid equal opportunity."

Arnold Palmer won 95 professional titles in his career including seven Major championships. 

Here we round up 10 of our favourite Arnold Palmer quotes, enjoy!

10 Of The Best Arnold Palmer Quotes

1) "I think I've heard somebody say that I was a well-dressed golfer. I guess that has something to do with the fact that a lot of people who play golf don't dress very well."

2) "Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated; it satisfies the soul and frustrates the intellect. It is at the same time rewarding and maddening - and it is without a doubt the greatest game mankind has ever invented."

3) “Concentration comes out of a combination of confidence and hunger.”

4) "What other people may find in poetry, I find in the flight of a good drive."

5) "Success in golf depends less on strength of body than upon strength of mind and character."

6) “I never rooted against an opponent, but I never rooted for him either.”

7) "I've always made a total effort, even when the odds seemed entirely against me. I never quit trying; I never felt that I didn't have a chance to win."

8) “Why hit a conservative shot? When you miss it, you are in just as much trouble as when you miss a bold one.”

9) "Golf is a game of inches. The most important are the six inches between your ears."

10) "I've learned the great value of diplomacy and seeking an honorable peace. But part of that wisdom is knowing when to fight and another part is knowing when to fight even harder."

Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have produced some incredibly talented golfers through the years from Ryder Cup legends to World No.1s and multiple Major champions.

Similar to rugby, the island of Ireland is united when it comes to golf with both Republic of Ireland golfers and Northern Ireland golfers playing under the Golfing Union of Ireland at amateur level as well as in the Olympics.

Irish golfers have also produced some truly iconic moments in the game. So who are the best?

We have taken a look at 13 of them here, starting with modern great Rory McIlroy.

Best Irish Golfers Of All Time

Northern Ireland Golfers

Rory McIlroy

• Born: 1989
• Tour Wins: 37
• Majors: 4

McIlroy was tipped to be the next big thing as a youngster and he has delivered on that early promise in his career so far. Four Major titles, 24 PGA Tour wins, three FedEx Cups, four Race to Dubais and over 100 weeks as World No.1. He has played in six Ryder Cups for Europe, winning four times.

When his career is all said and done, he will go down as one of the greatest ever.

Darren Clarke

• Born: 1968
• Tour Wins: 21
• Majors: 1

A winner all over the world, Darren Clarke is considered to be one of Europe's great modern ball strikers. He famously won the 2011 Open Championship, where he saw off the challenges of Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson to win his only Major title.

He also played in five Ryder Cups and captained the Europeans in 2016. Clarke also won the 2022 Senior Open.

Fred Daly

• Born: 1911
• Tour Wins: 26
• Majors: 1

Fred Daly was the first player from either Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland to win a Major title and play in the Ryder Cup.

His Major win came at the 1947 Open Championship at Royal Liverpool and he also represented Great Britain that year too.

Graeme McDowell

• Born: 1979
• Tour Wins: 16
• Majors: 1

An 11-time winner on the European Tour, McDowell has several moments that have defined his superb career.

He won the 2010 US Open at Pebble Beach, holed a crucial birdie putt on the 16th hole at Celtic Manor at the 2010 Ryder Cup which would go on to help Europe secure victory, and he also once beat Tiger Woods in a playoff to win the 2010 Chevron World Challenge.

Ronan Rafferty

• Born: 1964
• Tour Wins: 14

Another multiple time European Tour winner, Rafferty's finest career moment came at the 1989 Ryder Cup in which he delivered a crucial singles point on Sunday. He beat Mark Calcavecchia 1-up to help Europe retain the Cup in a famous 14-all tie.

The Northern Irishman won seven European Tour titles including the 1989 Volvo Masters at Valderrama.

Republic of Ireland Golfers

Padraig Harrington

• Born: 1971
• Tour Wins: 37
• Majors: 3

Padraig Harrington is one of Ireland's greatest players thanks to a resume that includes two Open Championships, a PGA Championship, 15 European Tour wins and six Ryder Cups (four victories).

The Irishman also won the 2022 US Senior Open following his Ryder Cup captaincy in 2021. Harrington is known as one of the grittiest competitors on tour with one of the very best short games.

Joe Carr

• Born: 1922
• Amateur Wins: 3

Perhaps a lesser-known name compared to others on this list, Joe Carr has a strong case for being Ireland's greatest ever amateur.

He won three British Amateur titles, was a semi-finalist in 1961 for the US Amateur, and was the first Irishman to play in The Masters. He did so in 1967 and played the first two rounds at Augusta National with Jack Nicklaus.

Shane Lowry

• Born: 1987
• Tour Wins: 6
• Majors: 1

Lowry turned professional after winning the 2009 Irish Open as an amateur, and ten years later he would win his first Major title at the 2019 Open Championship, which was famously hosted at Royal Portrush. 

The popular Irishman won the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in 2015 and went on to win the 2022 BMW PGA Championship. He made his Ryder Cup debut in 2021, playing under good friend and European captain Padraig Harrington.

Christy O'Connor Senior

• Born: 1924
• Tour Wins: 65

During the 1950's and 60's, O'Connor Sr couldn't stay out of the winners circle as he eventually racked up 65 wins as a professional.

He also played in ten Ryder Cups, being on the winning side once in 1957.

He and Harry Bradshaw won the Canada Cup, now more commonly known as the World Cup of Golf, in 1958 for Ireland.

Harry Bradshaw

• Born: 1913
• Tour Wins: 18

Bradshaw won many times as a pro on the European circuit and in Ireland as well as the 1958 Canada Cup, but perhaps his most famous moment came in 1949 at The Open.

During the second round his ball came to rest near broken glass of a beer bottle but instead of getting relief he played it as it lied and dropped a shot at the hole. It would prove crucial as he tied with Bobby Locke after four rounds of regulation play and then lost in a playoff the next day.

Christy O'Connor Junior

• Born: 1948
• Tour Wins: 16

Another iconic O'Connor, Christy Junior is best known for beating Fred Couples at the 1989 Ryder Cup with his iconic 2-iron on the 18th hole at The Belfry.

He won four times on the European Tour, including the 1975 Irish Open and 1992 British Masters. He was also T3 at the 1985 Open.

Des Smyth

• Born: 1953
• Tour Wins: 26

A total of 22 years separated Smyth's first and last wins on the European Tour. His first came in 1979 and last came in 2001 which makes him one of three golfers to have won in four different decades. Mark McNulty and Lee Westwood are the others.

Smyth won eight times on the European Tour and five times on the European Senior Tour. He played for Europe twice in the Ryder Cup and had a best Major finish of T4 at the 1982 Open.

Eamonn Darcy

• Born: 1952
• Tour Wins: 16

Darcy's crowning achievement as a professional was beating Ben Crenshaw during the singles of the 1987 Ryder Cup which staved off the charging Americans.

He won four times on the European Tour, including the 1983 Spanish Open. His best Major finish of T5 came at the 1991 Open and he made four appearances for Europe in the Ryder Cup between 1975 and 1987.