The Key Equipment Adjustment This DP World Tour Pro Is Making To Tackle Altitude At The Magical Kenya Open

Players won't just be taking on the challenge of Karen Country Club at the Magical Kenya Open, but also the altitude Nairobi possesses

Matt Cradock's avatar
By
published
Niklas Norgaard hits a driver off the tee
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Following a week-long break, the DP World Tour is back in action at the Magical Kenya Open, where players will tackle the old-school layout of Karen Country Club.

Opened in 1937, the course is famed for its narrow fairways that put an emphasis on accuracy over length. What's more, being at altitude, it possesses another challenge in getting distances correct.

A general view of Karen Country Club

Karen Country Club provides a tough test off the tee, thanks to its narrow layout

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Sitting at approximately 1,850 meters above sea level, the higher altitude makes the ball travel significantly further due to the thin air causing less aerodynamic drag.

Because of the thin air, players will have to adjust their yardages and, in the case of Niklas Norgaard, his equipment set-up, with the former British Masters winner changing his driver loft prior to playing in Nairobi.

Speaking to the DP World Tour, the 33-year-old stated: "Normally, my driver is set at 10-degrees, but I've lofted it up this week, so now it is playing at 11.5-degrees. It's so I can get it into a different window and create more spin."

In fact, the introduction of more loft in Norgaard's set-up plays an even more important part than first imagined, as he added "if I don't loft it (the driver) up on a week like this, where we are in 1800 meters of altitude, the air is so thin that my ball is going to fall out of the air.

"Normally, my driver is going 285 meters (311 yards) carry and, this week, it's closer to 320 meters (349 yards), so it's quite a big difference.

"(Overall) It all depends what window the clubs are coming out at. We can hit an 8-iron and, if it comes out low, it is going to go 160 meters. If it comes out high, it will continue and is going to fly almost 200 meters. It's a week to get those distances dialed in."

Regarded as one of the longest hitters on the DP World Tour, sitting third in Driving Distance for 2026 and never ranking outside the top seven for that category, Norgaard almost drove the 336 yard 12th hole with a 4-wood during his practice round.

Going into the tournament, Jacques Kruyswijk defends the title that he claimed at Muthaiga Golf Club 12 months ago.

He tees it up alongside Bahrain Championship winner Freddy Schott, as well as five-time DP World Tour champion Thriston Lawrence.

Matt Cradock
Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover news and social media.

Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round is a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine.

Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: Ping G430 LST 15°, 19°

Irons: TaylorMade P7CB

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.