Monday 11 July 2016
It will be a speical moment for Colin Montgomerie when he hits the opening tee-shot at his home-town on Thursday morning at 6.35am. Montgomerie’s father, James, was secretary at Troon for over 20 years and will soon take over as club president. First round tee times 6:35 a.m. Colin Montgomerie Marc Leishman Luke Donald 6:46 a.m. Steven Alker ...
Written by Edward Colman on Monday 11 July 2016
Sweden’s Alex Noren won the Scottish Open title at Castle Stuart and here’s a look at the gear he used to do it. Alex Noren’s bag Driver: Callaway XR 16 Sub Zero (8.5°) Fairway Wood: Callaway XR 16 (15°) Hybrid: Callaway Apex (18°) Irons: Callaway Apex Pro (4-9) Wedges: Callaway Mack Daddy 2 (47°, 52°, 56°, 60°) Putter: Odyssey Works...
Written by Edward Colman on Monday 11 July 2016
We have delved into the Open archives and using these videos from The Open’s Youtube channel can take you back to the very first open held at Royal Troon in 1923 when the prize fund was just £200, within the winner receiving £75. The videos also show how the tournament played out in South Ayrshire through the years as well as...
Written by Garrett Johnston on Sunday 10 July 2016
Based on the stats, Aaron Baddeley ranks as one of the greatest putters in modern golf. Last year, he topped the ‘strokes gained putting statistic. In fact, since the start of his PGA Tour career in 2007, he’s only ranked outside the top-15 putters once, and he’s usually been in the top 10. He puts his success down to a simple...
Written by Edward Colman on Friday 8 July 2016
How many of these unusual golf courses have you played? 1 Bala – This ten-holer is short but exceptionally sweet. But the hilltop layout can turn sour from the word go – the opening hole is a severe 231 yards uphiller and if you fail to give it a mighty thump your ball could end up tumbling back towards you. Bala...
Written by Michael Catling on Thursday 7 July 2016
They are part of the identity of every single golf club. But just how much of an impact do grooves really have? Could you still generate spin without them and should we all be carrying a groove sharpener in our golf bag? We asked Scott Manwaring, Callaway’s Director of Irons R&D, to explain… What is the function of grooves? In layman’s terms, they...
Written by Simon Daddow on Thursday 7 July 2016
At TG we are constantly testing the latest clubs and technology. But with a new set of irons setting you back about a month’s mortgage payment, we know many of you will be looking to keep the costs down when it comes to an upgrade. So for £300 – half the cash of an average new set of irons – how...
Written by Edward Colman on Thursday 7 July 2016
Struggling with the driver? Dan Konyk, the winner of the 2015 American Golf Long Drive Championship is on hand to help. Speaking ahead of this year’s Championship, which is ran in association with Garmin, Dan who has made 11 appearances at the World Long Drive Championship told golfers to focus on their swing to improve. He said: “The biggest fault...
Written by Rob McGarr on Wednesday 6 July 2016
Tour pros often say that they don’t have any swing thoughts while they’re out on the course. It’s hard to believe that their mind is completely empty while they’re hitting pressure shots with millions of pounds at stake, but Richie Ramsay insists that the less you think, the better you’ll play. “I just need to keep it simple,” says 33-year-old Ramsay.
Written by Rob McGarr on Tuesday 5 July 2016
Rob McGarr is doing his best to get from a 10 handicap to scratch. Catch up on his journey so far: Part One: How hard can it be to go from 10 to scratch? Part Two: I’m trying to get from 10 to scratch, and now I’m off 11… Part Three: My first cut and two costly missed tiddlers Part Four: How many hours...
Tuesday 5 July 2016
Irish Olympic Team Captain Paul McGinley is looking forward to the Open at Royal Troon but is currently considering the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart as he puts pen to paper for this diary piece. “Of all the Scottish Open venues I’ve played over the years, Castle Stuart is the best – and we’ve had some strong venues,” writes the 49-year-old. “It’s...
Friday 1 July 2016
Glenmorangie – the Spirit of The Open – has teamed up with Today’s Golfer to offer one reader the ultimate Open Golf experience this summer. The lucky winner will receive a pair of tickets to the final round of The 2016 Open Championship at Royal Troon and a putting lesson with the 1969 Open Championship winner and Glenmorangie ambassador – golfing...
Written by Kevin Brown on Thursday 30 June 2016
Jordan Spieth started the 2015 season as an up-and-coming pro, one of a number of guys who had one victory on tour and lots of promise. Then this happened… ● He won the Masters, becoming the second-youngest player to win at Augusta and just the fifth man ever to lead from start to finish. ● He won the US Open, becoming the...
Written by Rob McGarr on Wednesday 29 June 2016
There’s something very special about a hole-in-one. It’s a pure example of the perfect shot. It doesn’t really matter whether you thin a 9-iron that would have shot off the back off the green but happened to hammer against the flag and drop in, or whether you hit a soaring 7-iron that pitches just past the hole and spins back...
Written by Rob McGarr on Wednesday 22 June 2016
Rob McGarr has been stuck on a 10 handicap for too long. He wants to get to scratch. Catch up on his journey so far: Part One: How hard can it be to go from 10 to scratch? Part Two: I’m trying to get from 10 to scratch, and now I’m off 11… Part Three: My first cut and two costly missed tiddlers Part Four:...
Written by Kevin Brown on Monday 20 June 2016
An all-star field has been announced for the Berenberg Gary Player Invitational at Wentworth Club in London on July 18, including 15 Major winners and current Masters Champion, Danny Willett. Black Knight International and title sponsor Berenberg will bring together stars from the men’s and women’s game, following The Open at Royal Troon, under the banner of a Union of Golf and...
Written by Michael Catling on Thursday 16 June 2016
Why are there dimples on a golf ball? They feature on every single ball. But how do the size, number and pattern of dimples affect what your ball does through the air? And why don’t balls in other sports bother with them? Nike Golf’s balls expert explains. Why do golf balls have dimples on them? Dimples, along with the amount of spin...
Written by Rob McGarr on Wednesday 15 June 2016
It’s only 112 yards from the Old Course, and it’s the place to be whenever The Open comes to town. It’s a favourite spot for golf fans and tour pros alike, and now you can own it – if you have £2.9 million going spare. Dunvegan Hotel owners Jack and Sheena Willoughby have decided to sell up after 22 years at...
Written by Rob McGarr on Tuesday 14 June 2016
On most golf courses, finding an old car bumper or some discarded cereal packets would be cause for concern, but at Junkyard Golf Club in Shoreditch, London, it’s all part of the charm. The three nine-hole courses put the ‘crazy’ in crazy golf, with slides, jacuzzis, pool tables, doghouses and treadmills to navigate. The emphasis is on fun, with four on-site bars...
Written by Denis Pugh, PGA Master professional, tour coach and Sky Sports pundit on Tuesday 14 June 2016
As feelgood stories go, Danny Willett’s victory at the Masters was about as good as they get. He had two days to prepare, no major pedigree and was still embracing fatherhood when he landed in Georgia, against the advice of his manager Chubby Chandler. All signs pointed to a missed cut, and yet he somehow managed to achieve the improbable...