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GOLFHACKER.ORG<br />
ISSUE NO. 9<br />
GOLFHACKER<br />
T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R T H E A V E R A G E G O L F E R<br />
CHARLEY<br />
HULL<br />
We go "Inside the Ropes" at<br />
the Ricoh Women's British<br />
Open<br />
48 hours in Wiltshire:<br />
Kingsdown, Tidworth<br />
Garrison, West Wilts<br />
Golf Club and of course,<br />
Stonehenge!<br />
Save shots on the<br />
green with our<br />
putting special<br />
featuring<br />
Lee Slattery!
go "Inside the<br />
We<br />
with Charley<br />
Ropes"<br />
at this year's Ricoh<br />
Hull<br />
British Open<br />
Women's<br />
at the LET? What<br />
Crisis<br />
can do to turn it<br />
we<br />
greatest holes.<br />
Golf's<br />
Belfry: The 10th at<br />
The<br />
Senior<br />
European<br />
The new<br />
Masters:<br />
kid on the<br />
(old)<br />
block<br />
play at the British<br />
We<br />
3 Par<br />
Championship...what<br />
possibly go<br />
could<br />
Hours in Wiltshire:<br />
48<br />
Tidworth<br />
Kingsdown,<br />
West Wilts<br />
Garrison,<br />
of course,<br />
and<br />
Special: From<br />
Putting<br />
to practising in<br />
grips<br />
own home...we<br />
your<br />
you covered.<br />
have<br />
featuring tips from<br />
Also<br />
Tour star, Lee<br />
European<br />
CONTENTS<br />
Editor's Notes<br />
around<br />
the Brabazon<br />
wrong?<br />
Stonehenge<br />
Slattery<br />
Meet The<br />
Review:<br />
Frog DivA<br />
Twisted<br />
GOLFHACKER<br />
www.golfhacker.org
First, we went "Inside the Ropes" with Charley Hull at the Ricoh<br />
GOLFHACKER<br />
MAGAZINE<br />
www.golfhacker.org<br />
@kevern_nick<br />
@golfhacker1<br />
THIS ONE IS JAM<br />
PACKED...WE'VE BEEN<br />
BUSY INDEED<br />
EDITORIAL<br />
NICK KEVERN<br />
Editor-In-Chief<br />
CONTRIBUTORS<br />
It's been a busy time since our last issue but don't panic it is all<br />
Nick Kevern, William<br />
Murfitt, Champions PLC,<br />
right here for you.<br />
Medi8<br />
Women's British Open. For those that have ever wondered<br />
WITH THANKS TO:<br />
what actually happens at a major tournament then this one is<br />
Charley Hull, Daniel<br />
for you.<br />
Grieve, Lee Slattery,<br />
We also took a trip to Wiltshire to explore three of the counties<br />
Ashley Mason and<br />
VisitWilshire<br />
great courses. What a welcome we had from the clubs<br />
involved and we would like to thank them for the hospitality<br />
we received. If you've never been before we strongly<br />
it.<br />
recommend<br />
GolfPunk asked us if we wanted to play in the British Par<br />
Then<br />
Championship at Nailcote Hall. Naturally, we said yes. I mean<br />
3<br />
could possibly go wrong? Find out how we got on with<br />
what<br />
SUBSCRIPTIONS<br />
SUBSCRIBE FOR<br />
FREE BY JOINING<br />
OUR MAILING LIST<br />
www.golfhacker.org<br />
our Pro, Ashley Mason. Speaking of Ashley...he came 2nd at the<br />
event! We were in good hands with him indeed.<br />
N I C K K E V E R N<br />
Editor-In-Chief
Image: Ladies European Tour
is always interesting being in the same room as<br />
It<br />
Hull. Confidence is something she is not<br />
Charley<br />
on and her ability to talk frankly is to be<br />
short<br />
Here is someone not afraid to shy<br />
commended.<br />
from the media. Prior to her press conference<br />
away<br />
the Ricoh Women's British Open at Kingsbarns, I<br />
at<br />
around for a few holes inside the ropes as<br />
went<br />
was preparing for the tournament on her<br />
Charley<br />
one of her coaches, Daniel Grieve,<br />
Alongside<br />
looked cool, calm and collected. Her swing<br />
Charley<br />
as good as always. In fact, you wouldn’t<br />
looked<br />
know that she is getting over a wrist injury.<br />
really<br />
on a ball in the rough, it was one of her<br />
Taking<br />
partners, Jacqui Concolino that reminded<br />
playing<br />
offered Hull the chance to help her out:<br />
Concolino<br />
you don’t have to hit it from there if you<br />
“Charley,<br />
it’s alright. It’s a good lie. But thanks<br />
“Nah,<br />
anyway.”<br />
seems to be a good place going about her<br />
Hull<br />
on the practice round. Both she and her<br />
business<br />
were sharing plenty of laughs talking about<br />
coach<br />
“Northampton massive.”<br />
the<br />
have no idea what that is, but it shows the<br />
I<br />
relationship that they have. The key thing<br />
strong<br />
that she is relaxed. Last year it was not quite<br />
is<br />
same. With the Ricoh Women’s British Open<br />
the<br />
on her home turf, it became clear<br />
happening<br />
there was more pressure on her.<br />
that<br />
asked about if she felt more relaxed this<br />
When<br />
she said: “Yeah, a little bit. At the top of<br />
year<br />
far away from Woburn. Just feels<br />
Scotland,<br />
Like a normal event. Obviously a<br />
normal.<br />
breathtaking views at Kingsbarns may have<br />
The<br />
It had Hull's attention as her mind<br />
helped.<br />
Inside the<br />
Ropes with<br />
Charley Hull<br />
We went around a few holes with Charley Hull and her coach, Daniel Grieve as<br />
Charley was busy preparing for the Ricoh Women's British Open at Kingsbarns.<br />
Thankfully our Media Pass allowed us to go "Inside the Ropes" to give you an<br />
insight of what really happens on practice day. Sit back and enjoy.<br />
practice round.<br />
major.”<br />
drifted away from the golf.<br />
her to take it easy.<br />
think your wrist ain’t up to it”
moment, Hull whipped out her mobile phone and went<br />
a<br />
taking a panorama photo of the beautiful<br />
about<br />
Then it was time for golf again. Memories of<br />
coastline.<br />
year’s tournament have clearly already been blown<br />
last<br />
a different Charley now though. She has claimed her<br />
It’s<br />
LPGA title since then and is preparing to take on<br />
first<br />
as she searches for her first major<br />
Kingsbarns<br />
Recovering from a wrist injury isn’t going<br />
championship.<br />
stop her in her tracks. She was striking it sweetly, so<br />
to<br />
that her playing partner heaped on the praise.<br />
sweetly<br />
is one of Charley’s favourite courses. Talking<br />
Kingsbarns<br />
the course she said: “I think it’s a really fair links<br />
about<br />
course. You hit a good shot, you’re going to get<br />
golf<br />
And I kind of like the greens. Actually, they<br />
rewarded.<br />
rolling quite nice. They are quite slow but I don’t<br />
are<br />
they can make them super fast because of the<br />
think<br />
And you’re near St. Andrews as well. You just feel<br />
wind.<br />
you’re at the Home of Golf.”<br />
like<br />
is no denying just how good Charley Hull is at the<br />
There<br />
That has become a given but she is also prepared<br />
game.<br />
answer anything you throw at her. With the LET (Ladies<br />
to<br />
Tour) struggling of late in terms of cancelled<br />
European<br />
Hull’s take on the matter was one of<br />
tournaments,<br />
and positivity.<br />
sympathy<br />
I feel sorry for the girls in the LET, but I reckon<br />
“Yeah,<br />
will be fine in the next couple of years hopefully.<br />
they<br />
I don’t really look into it too much. I just try and<br />
But<br />
on my golf.”<br />
concentrate<br />
is here where you can also see a different side to<br />
It<br />
Hull. Whilst there is no doubting that she is a<br />
Charley<br />
of fresh air in terms of her natural charms and<br />
breath<br />
there is also a serious side. Whilst her love of<br />
humour,<br />
is well documented (not sure if there are any in<br />
Nandos<br />
Andrews actually), there is also that steely desire to<br />
St.<br />
Once the competition starts she becomes a whole<br />
win.<br />
animal.<br />
new<br />
two time Solheim Cup player, former LET Order of<br />
A<br />
winner and now, a LPGA Tour winner, it will be a<br />
Merit<br />
Charley that takes to the course once it really<br />
different<br />
Cue the Kettering assassin as she aims to take<br />
matters.<br />
“Look at the sea, I’m so getting a picture of this!” Within<br />
photos of the week<br />
away.<br />
Image: Ladies European Tour<br />
Image: Ladies European Tour<br />
Image:Ladies European Tour<br />
the crown at the Ricoh Women’s British Open.
1 in 12 go Free!<br />
Special Offer-<br />
Winter from £73
Golfhacker does not work alone. In<br />
fact, we have the pleasure of working<br />
with the best in the business.<br />
So when GolfPunk asked us to attend<br />
the Media Launch of the European<br />
Senior Masters, then who were we to<br />
say no.<br />
They told us, "Don't forget your golf<br />
sticks!" Oh, don't worry about that<br />
guys...we won't.<br />
THE LET: FOR<br />
THE FUTURE OF<br />
GOLF, IT HAS TO<br />
BE SAVED AND<br />
WE ALL HAVE TO<br />
PLAY OUR PART<br />
as confidential, it was an email<br />
Marked<br />
was never meant to enter the public<br />
that<br />
However, for whatever reason,<br />
domain.<br />
message got to The Times. A<br />
the<br />
decided to leak that email<br />
whistleblower<br />
what has emerged is that the Ladies<br />
and<br />
Tour is looking fragile.<br />
European<br />
many within the game, the sense of<br />
For<br />
has been somewhat diluted. The<br />
shock<br />
has seen a reduction in tournaments<br />
LET<br />
the years. Back in 2014, the tour<br />
over<br />
22 events excluding any majors<br />
hosted<br />
European soil. Now that figure stands<br />
on<br />
15 following five cancelled events. One<br />
at<br />
those remaining events has been co-<br />
of<br />
by the LPGA. Even more<br />
sanctioned<br />
concerning is the lack of events in the<br />
first part of the year. Since the start of<br />
B y N i c k K e v e r n<br />
only four times. To make matters worse,<br />
2017 LET players have taken to the course<br />
one of the recent events cancelled is the<br />
tour’s flagship event, The Ladies<br />
European Masters.<br />
N O M A D I C | 2 4
Yet, the loss of events is something players are<br />
players. The knowledge of not knowing where<br />
tour. Now they face the prospect of gaps in<br />
However, there is hope. We seem to forget<br />
recession. The tour had only attracted 23<br />
events, the fewest number since 1972. The<br />
quickly. In the end, it was a player revolt that<br />
Image: Ladies European Tour<br />
Then there is the money. As we all know golf is<br />
becoming all too familiar with. Last season<br />
a cut throat profession. Miss the cut and take<br />
home nothing. It really is as simple as that.<br />
there were 18 events excluding the majors. It<br />
has been tough, gradual and painful. Whilst<br />
Then there is the gulf in prize money, not only<br />
between the men and women but also<br />
most tours experience the ups and downs of<br />
events and sponsorships, the LET, in particular,<br />
between tours. The LPGA is the where the<br />
money is and they all know that. Yet, when<br />
is stalling.<br />
LPGA Q-School comes around there are LET<br />
players who may not qualify due to the lack of<br />
As a freelance writer, I can empathise with the<br />
golf they have faced whilst on tour. It is not the<br />
best situation for them as they aim to break<br />
the next paycheck might come from is one<br />
particular concern. Having spoken to players I<br />
into the biggest tour for women’s golf.<br />
have been told stories of budget travel and<br />
room sharing just to save much-needed funds.<br />
that the LPGA faced a similar situation in the<br />
Then there is the schedule itself. It’s sporadic<br />
nature often means that the players have to<br />
days before Michael Whan. The LPGA was in<br />
trouble back in 2009 following economic<br />
resort to other means of financing themselves<br />
such as pro-ams and corporate golf days.<br />
Some even have a part time job that they have<br />
to juggle in order to make ends meet. Plans<br />
LPGA at this time was going backwards<br />
and schedules are made to revolve around the<br />
saw then Commissioner, Carolyn Bivens, head<br />
to the exit.<br />
the schedule that potentially won’t be filled.<br />
N O M A D I C | 2 4
participate. After all, why would a sponsor stump<br />
attention? How do fans even know about events<br />
them? It will take all of us to make it thrive once<br />
fact, we use it so much that the value of the<br />
women. Young girls are picking up clubs inspired<br />
events. There I see players taking selfies and<br />
We often use the phrase “growing the game”, in<br />
Since taking over as Commissioner, Whan has<br />
increased events, prize money, sponsorship and<br />
statement is beginning to lose its impact. Yet, the<br />
television deals. The golfing media in the United<br />
States has also been a massive part of the project.<br />
game is actually growing and in particular, among<br />
The formula has been perfect. This is why the LPGA<br />
is the tour every female player wants to play on.<br />
by the players they see. I often see it when I go to<br />
signing autographs and in that moment, young<br />
So yes, the LET can be saved there is no question<br />
about that. However, the LET will need to take a<br />
girls around the world have new role models to<br />
aspire to be like. Little do they actually know that<br />
long hard look at itself in order to prevent a player<br />
revolt of the same scale that the LPGA endured.<br />
with each blow such as a cancelled event, their<br />
role models are feeling the pain.<br />
With no tour, the players can not play. With no<br />
players, there is no tour.<br />
The tour is far too important to lose not only for the<br />
future of golf but also for your daughters, nieces<br />
So how can we ensure the future of the LET? The<br />
solution is relatively simple but ultimately<br />
and every young child who wants to be the next<br />
Charley Hull. It’s never too late to save something<br />
challenging. It involves everyone getting behind it.<br />
From fans attending events, sponsors supporting it<br />
as important as that now is it? I only hope that now<br />
the lid has been lifted, it gives us all a chance to do<br />
and an increased media presence. All have to<br />
everything in our power to do just that.<br />
up the cash if their products are not getting the<br />
and players if media outlets don’t write about<br />
more.<br />
Image: Ladies European Tour<br />
N O M A D I C | 2 4
well, in 1978 he was simply beginning his<br />
Europe. Prior to Europe joining the Ryder Cup<br />
However, for a young Ballesteros, it was also an<br />
GOLF'S GREATEST HOLES:<br />
10TH BRABAZON, THE<br />
BELFRY<br />
For many fans of our wonderful game, there is<br />
Making history was something that Seve<br />
one name that is synonymous with greatness.<br />
would later go on to do, cementing his name<br />
Here was a man that did not see the game the<br />
amongst the greatest golfer who ever graced<br />
way we all do. For him, the impossible was<br />
the fairways. At the time he attempted his<br />
possible and almost effortless. Playing it safe<br />
now famous drive on the 10th at the Belfry, his<br />
was never an option. For him, the golf club<br />
name was well known within the golfing<br />
was a magical wand producing shots that left<br />
world, but he had yet to claim his first major.<br />
us in awe. His name was Seve Ballesteros.<br />
Whilst he would later go on to become a<br />
household name that even non-golfers knew<br />
Here was a man who possessed all of the<br />
necessary traits for greatness. Flair, humour,<br />
journey towards greatness.<br />
nerve and power. Seve had it all. We can all<br />
remember our favourite shots as if we were<br />
The 1978 Hennessy Cup was a Match Play<br />
there but one shot stays in the mind of<br />
event between Great Britain and Continental<br />
everyone who plays at the Belfry. Those who<br />
approach the 10th at the Brabazon are already<br />
party in 1979, it was seen as the ideal test<br />
considering replicating that moment. As Oscar<br />
before Great Britain and Ireland faced the<br />
Wilde famously said: “Imitation is the sincerest<br />
formidable United States one year later.<br />
form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to<br />
greatness.”<br />
opportunity to alert the Ryder Cup captain of<br />
his skill.<br />
N O M A D I C | 2 4
attle. Seve was one up against the<br />
easy. The edge of the green was slightly visible<br />
mind. He took out his Persimmon-headed<br />
driver. He was going to drive the ball to the<br />
green. He later recalled that: “It’s a risky shot<br />
circumstances, highly unadvisable. A fade was<br />
seen, Sam Torrence also attempted the shot<br />
sport. If he was the Captain then Ballesteros<br />
Although he hit the green the pace took it<br />
With Continental Europe now involved with<br />
the Ryder Cup, he had the opportunity to<br />
slightly off the green. Inspired by what he had<br />
show the world what he could do.<br />
and landed on the green.<br />
Ballesteros was beating Nick Faldo in their<br />
Torrence would later hole the winning putt as<br />
singles match however, it was a close fought<br />
Europe won the Ryder Cup for the first time<br />
since 1957 ending the American dominance of<br />
Englishman as they approached the 10th. The<br />
par four that stood before them was far from<br />
the biannual tournament. Tony Jacklin had<br />
masterminded one of the greatest victories in<br />
but the danger was everywhere. Protected by<br />
water and high trees the sensible play would<br />
was his lieutenant and talisman.<br />
be to use a mid-iron to the fairway then a<br />
Fewer holes in the world of golf are as<br />
wedge over the water to the green.<br />
significant as the 10th at the Belfry and even<br />
fewer players are as iconic as Seve Ballesteros.<br />
Despite the danger, Seve had only one shot in<br />
Only one question remains. As you approach<br />
the 10th at the Brabazon what will you do?<br />
and before that day no one had attempted it.<br />
Nobody had ever dared.”<br />
There was a good reason as to why no one<br />
ever dared. It was a tough shot and given the<br />
required to miss the trees with enough height<br />
to clear the water. Faldo looked on in disbelief<br />
as his young competitor even contemplated it.<br />
It was a clean strike as the ball flew through<br />
the air. It had the height that Ballesteros was<br />
hoping for. Rather than a fade, it was dead<br />
straight towards the target. It missed the trees<br />
and landed on the green only 10 foot away<br />
from the flag. Cue the cheers from those<br />
fortunate to witness quite possibly the<br />
greatest shot they have ever witnessed.<br />
Ballesteros made the birdie and with it, won<br />
the hole. He would eventually win the match<br />
2&1 with that shot proving to be the difference<br />
between the two men on the back nine at the<br />
Belfry.<br />
The hole would once again test the world’s<br />
best as it hosted the first of it’s four Ryder Cups<br />
in 1985. Once again Seve approached the tee<br />
with only one shot in mind and once again he<br />
repeated what he did six years earlier.<br />
N O M A D I C | 2 4
Golfhacker originally published this article in its sample edition. As Golfhacker<br />
Magazine has grown in popularity we thought it would be best to republish it.<br />
Mark Curtis is a Sport Physiotherapist with over 12 years experience who kindly<br />
wrote this piece to help fellow golfers prevent getting lower back pain. It is<br />
essential reading.<br />
______________________________________________________________________<br />
Whether a fellow hacker or a seasoned professional, you have more than likely<br />
picked up one or two injuries on the golf course in your time. Lower back pain is<br />
the number one injury sustained by golfers, accounting for up to 34.5% of all<br />
injuries.<br />
Several factors have been linked to causing lower back pain whilst playing golf,<br />
including altered posture and swing faults, inadequate warm up, and poor body<br />
conditioning (areas of weakness or stiffness). But how can you identify these<br />
problems and reduce the risk of injury to your lower back?<br />
Making sure your posture is correct when<br />
addressing the ball is extremely important. The two<br />
most common posture ‘faults’ that golfers adopt are<br />
an excessive C- Posture and S Posture.<br />
(C-Posture above, S-Posture right)<br />
C-Posture is used to describe a posture that occurs<br />
when your slump forward at the address and you<br />
have a definitive roundness to your mid back. This<br />
limits the amount of rotation available throughout<br />
the trunk. The golfer, therefore, has to compensate<br />
by excessive movement at the shoulders and legs to<br />
generate force.<br />
S-Posture is a postural characteristic that can be<br />
caused by the player creating too much arch in the<br />
lower back by sticking their tail bone out and lifting<br />
their chest up. This excessive curvature in the lower<br />
back is caused by tight lower back and hip flex or<br />
muscles and weak abdominal muscles.
GolfPunk acting as an official event<br />
With<br />
for the European Senior Masters,<br />
partner<br />
were given a real treat at the Media<br />
we<br />
for this new event.<br />
Launch<br />
European Senior Masters is one of<br />
The<br />
new events commissioned by the<br />
four<br />
Senior Tour. The event will be<br />
European<br />
by Champions (UK) PLC who<br />
organised<br />
have plenty of experience in<br />
already<br />
top quality events such as the<br />
hosting<br />
Par 3 Championship at Nailcote<br />
British<br />
The event will be held at The Forest<br />
Hall.<br />
Arden and they are delighted to be<br />
of<br />
it. This new tournament is part of<br />
hosting<br />
Golfhacker does not work alone. In<br />
fact, we have the pleasure of working<br />
with the best in the business.<br />
So when GolfPunk asked us to attend<br />
the Media Launch of the European<br />
Senior Masters, then who were we to<br />
say no.<br />
They told us, "Don't forget your golf<br />
sticks!" Oh, don't worry about that<br />
guys...we won't.<br />
EUROPEAN<br />
SENIOR<br />
MASTERS: THE<br />
NEW (OLDER)<br />
KID ON THE<br />
BLOCK<br />
a three deal with the course.<br />
B y N i c k K e v e r n<br />
N O M A D I C | 2 4
Liston, Director of Golf at the Forest of<br />
Fraser<br />
said: “We’re excited to have a European<br />
Arden,<br />
event back at the Forest of Arden, it’s a<br />
Tour<br />
to the great course and facilities we<br />
testament<br />
here. The Farmfoods European Senior<br />
have<br />
will add to our long-standing golfing<br />
Masters<br />
having hosted the British Masters and<br />
history,<br />
Open from 1993-2005. We’re looking<br />
English<br />
to welcoming the European Senior<br />
forward<br />
and its stars in October and hope to see<br />
Tour<br />
of support for the event, from both young<br />
lots<br />
old fans.”<br />
and<br />
player hosting The European Senior<br />
The<br />
is Peter Baker. Baker already has an<br />
Masters<br />
pedigree with three European Tour<br />
impressive<br />
and a Ryder Cup appearance under<br />
victories<br />
belt. Now he enters the senior ranks with<br />
his<br />
European Senior Masters being his senior<br />
the<br />
said: “I’m excited to be hosting the very<br />
Baker<br />
European Senior Masters, it’ll be a great<br />
first<br />
to celebrate my debut on the European<br />
way<br />
Tour. The Forest of Arden is a great<br />
Senior<br />
with fantastic facilities, it’s going to be a<br />
venue<br />
weekend full of fun for fans of all ages.<br />
brilliant<br />
really excited to be playing competitive<br />
I’m<br />
against some friends and familiar faces<br />
golf<br />
part of the Media Launch event, GolfPunk<br />
As<br />
also able to sample the course. Taking on<br />
was<br />
final nine holes at the Forest of Arden we<br />
the<br />
given a taste of what the players at the<br />
were<br />
Senior Masters can expect. It's a<br />
European<br />
test that's for sure. Tough but beautiful.<br />
tough<br />
roam the course with freedom as the<br />
Deer<br />
attempt it hit the fairways. For those<br />
golfers<br />
as to whether the deer will be<br />
concerned<br />
at the event then you needn't worry.<br />
roaming<br />
will be treated like royalty away from the<br />
They<br />
for its duration.<br />
course<br />
I’ve battled with over the years.”<br />
debut.<br />
N O M A D I C | 2 4
this event comes down to the final hole then you<br />
If<br />
in for a real treat. A 211-yard par 3 over the water<br />
are<br />
enough to get anyone's heart racing. It certainly<br />
is<br />
me look at it with an element of fear. Now<br />
made<br />
a cheque for 50,000 Euros and the title on<br />
imagine<br />
line. It was the ultimate all or nothing hole. The<br />
the<br />
event will take place on the 19th-22nd October<br />
The<br />
is completely free for anyone to attend. A top<br />
and<br />
event with some of the best golfers<br />
quality<br />
more could you possibly want?<br />
around...what<br />
register for FREE tickets to the European Senior<br />
To<br />
please visit:<br />
Masters,<br />
https://europeanseniormasters.com/booking/eventticket/2017.<br />
course was simply sublime.<br />
N O M A D I C | 2 4
"Fancy playing in the British Par 3<br />
Championship Nick?" GolfPunk asked<br />
me.<br />
Well, who am I to turn that chance<br />
down. So I immediatley contacted Will<br />
asking if he wanted to caddy for a<br />
player?<br />
"Awesome! Who is it?"<br />
Then I told him that it was me.<br />
"We have a lot of work to do mate, I<br />
haven't picked up a club for a while<br />
now"<br />
The alarm sounded at 3.30 am. Although<br />
I wanted nothing more than to throw the<br />
alarm against the wall I couldn’t. My<br />
TAKING PART<br />
IN THE BRITISH<br />
PAR 3<br />
CHAMPIONSHIP!<br />
WHAT COULD<br />
GO WRONG?<br />
Golfhacker, William Murfitt, is a<br />
fellow<br />
man. We had agreed to leave at<br />
punctual<br />
and I knew he was already on his<br />
4.30am<br />
Groggy with a lack of sleep, I<br />
way.<br />
downstairs to make a coffee. It<br />
stumbled<br />
a restless sleep as I knew what laid<br />
was<br />
of me. Today I was going to be<br />
ahead<br />
my competitive golfing debut at<br />
making<br />
British Par 3 Championship at<br />
the<br />
Hall.<br />
Nailcote<br />
GolfPunk asked me if I wanted to<br />
When<br />
in the event for an article, I didn’t<br />
play<br />
need to think about it. I first went to<br />
even<br />
British Par 3 last year and had fallen<br />
the<br />
love with the event. Celebrities,<br />
in<br />
legends of the game such<br />
professionals,<br />
as Ian Woosnam, and now, me. Before we<br />
continue it would be wrong to assume<br />
B y N i c k K e v e r n<br />
described as average but in truth, I’m a<br />
I’m a great golfer. I’d settle to be<br />
hacker. Now I’m playing with the best.<br />
Funny how life works out I suppose.<br />
N O M A D I C | 2 4
ourselves. It was the perfect sanctuary. It was nice<br />
7.10am. The nerves were beginning to show. The<br />
However, we would have to wait for the rain to stop<br />
Needless to say, Will was on time. He looked<br />
excited but even at this ungodly hour, the nerves<br />
were kicking in for me. Hopefully, they would settle<br />
during the two-hour drive.<br />
Arriving at Nailcote Hall we had about 20 minutes<br />
for a quick warm up before our 7.10am tee time. I<br />
met our playing partner, Ashley Mason, moments<br />
before we began. As a young Euro Pro player from<br />
Leicester who had qualified for this event, I<br />
wondered if he was as nervous as me? He didn’t<br />
look it. Cool and composed he nailed his first tee<br />
shot onto the green. It was a good thing he did as I<br />
went right missed the target. Thankfully there<br />
weren’t many who saw it. The gates hadn’t even<br />
opened yet.<br />
The rain was certainly getting heavy and it was<br />
beginning to show on the greens. Some were<br />
becoming waterlogged. By the time we finished<br />
the fifth hole, the hooter had sounded. Two bogeys,<br />
two pars and an awful six. It wasn’t an awful start.<br />
and the groundsman to do their magic before any<br />
play could resume.<br />
Sitting and waiting, that was all we could we do<br />
until the announcement to play came. Rather than<br />
sitting around though we thought it would give<br />
the chance to actually do some work. So we<br />
decided to interview our pro, Ashley Mason. It was<br />
hard not to like him, we ventured to the clubhouse<br />
away from the others and had the place to<br />
to chat away with him, his caddy and family. It’s<br />
never easy starting your career in the cut-throat<br />
world of golf. There is no denying his ambition and<br />
the backing that he has in the form of his parents<br />
is priceless. You can see how proud they are and<br />
just how committed he is. Qualifying for this event<br />
can be difficult enough, now the news came that<br />
the first day would be reduced to nine holes. All<br />
the good work Ashley and I had done had been<br />
washed away.<br />
Arriving back on the tee at 1.10pm it had already<br />
felt like a long day. With the crowds growing it felt<br />
like a different event to the one we started at<br />
first shot was a stinker further right. I showed Will<br />
my hand straight after.<br />
N O M A D I C | 2 4
Ashley, on the other hand, was a man on fire. Whilst I continued to enjoy the experience, eventually making<br />
“Look at that mate! I can’t stop it shaking” I said as the nerves had clearly got to me.<br />
some good shots, Ashley was posting a great score. By the end of the day, we found out that we would be in<br />
the penultimate group for the final round.<br />
After the round, I told Ashley: “I promise I’ll be better tomorrow mate.”<br />
“Don’t worry about it mate, just enjoy it.” He replied in a calm manner.<br />
He was right, we had a laugh and we are contending. He ended the day in fourth position and as a team, we<br />
were in the mid table. However, for him it is serious. This is his job and there are 50,000 Euros for the winner.<br />
Tomorrow is massive for Ashley, I have to remember that. Opportunities like this don’t come much bigger for<br />
a young pro aiming to make his mark on the game. All eyes will be on him tomorrow, Sky Sports are even<br />
sniffing for an interview with him. In terms of potential sponsorships, it is a big deal. I was proud to be part of<br />
his team. I did some practice, I liked him and I didn’t want to let him down.<br />
Having a later tee time is both a blessing and curse. A well needed lay in meant I was refreshed but it came<br />
with some pressure. We were in the contending groups for the championship and the crowds would be so<br />
much bigger than the previous day. On the plus side, I now knew what to expect. I was mainly thinking<br />
about Ashley, I hope he is ready for this. When we met, I knew the answer. He was ready.<br />
N O M A D I C | 2 4
line, I even made birdie. Boom! It was my highlight and no<br />
Whilst I had a shocking first three holes, Ashley had<br />
already made a push for the championship. A birdie on<br />
the first was a great start for him. It was time for me to<br />
actually prove my worth on the fourth hole. My wedge<br />
landed on the green. With Will’s guidance on the putting<br />
one will take that away from me.<br />
Ashley was putting together a great round. Three birdies<br />
and no dropped shots had seen him tie for the lead. All of<br />
a sudden, we were part of the story and it felt great. Whilst<br />
I was busy staring at leaderboards, Ashley kept his focus.<br />
Then we got to the 16th. My shot hit the water. Ashley was<br />
on the green but it was a tough one. A three putt saw<br />
Ashley go back into second.<br />
He recovered with two pars on the final two holes. Either<br />
way you look at it, it was a great round. Richard O’Hanlon<br />
held his nerve on the final hole to birdie and win the<br />
event by two shots. As for the team event, well we finished<br />
in a tie for 25th out of 60. Not too shabby.<br />
I loved every second, from the shanks, missed chips, to the moments where I proved that I can actually play<br />
this crazy game. But that was not the highlight. For me, the highlight was playing alongside Ashley Mason.<br />
What a guy and what a player. One day he will make his way onto the European Tour I have no doubt about<br />
that. When he does, I’ll bore my family and friends about the time I was his team mate.<br />
N O M A D I C | 2 4
Image: Champions PLC<br />
48 Hours in Wiltshire:<br />
Golf's hidden gem<br />
I have a confession to make. In all my of travels<br />
around the UK, I have never been to Wiltshire before.<br />
For whatever reason, it has just never crossed my<br />
mind. It was only when trying to find somewhere new<br />
to explore that the thought occurred.<br />
It was a long journey from Golfhacker HQ and I arrived<br />
at my first port of call at Kingsdown Golf Club just<br />
about making my tee time. I embarked to tackle the<br />
course complete with no practice. It showed as I drove<br />
the ball to the right. However, I quickly found my feet<br />
on this lovely course. High up near the town of Bath,<br />
Kingsdown Golf Club is a hidden gem.<br />
“The fairways are great and drain quickly, you can play<br />
here all year round,” a member told me as another<br />
drive strayed to the right. Fast and firm in the summer<br />
it was surely a stern test.<br />
“Whilst you are here, you have to check out the 17th” I<br />
was told.<br />
I’m glad I did. Here, a little piece of Augusta awaits for<br />
you. Tree lined, short but beautiful.<br />
"I'M GLAD I DID. HERE, A LITTLE<br />
PIECE OF AUGUSTA AWAITS FOR<br />
YOU. TREE LINED, SHORT BUT<br />
BEAUTIFUL."<br />
This really is a course with something for everyone.<br />
Friendly, welcoming and complete with a great mix of<br />
players all with golf at their heart. If I ever needed an<br />
introduction to Wiltshire hospitality then this was the<br />
perfect start.<br />
With the long journey and a nice round at a wonderful<br />
course under my belt, food was needed. Thankfully my<br />
hotel for the night, the Holiday Inn Salisbury-<br />
Stonehenge had my back. Minted lamb kebabs served<br />
on Couscous was delicious and I even managed to<br />
reclaim some of my youth with a banana split.<br />
Seeing that I was a short drive away from Stonehenge<br />
it would be criminal for me not to actually check it<br />
out.
19<br />
I was far from alone. Well over a million people visit the site every year. Now it was my time to see it. The visitor centre<br />
provides you with a small exhibition providing you exactly why the circle of rocks is what is and why it is. I don’t wish to spoil<br />
it completely for you.<br />
It can be a bit of a walk to Stonehenge from the Visitor Centre. Thankfully English Heritage provides a shuttle bus to and from<br />
the site. I could have walked but with a further two rounds of golf to play, I thought I’d conserve my energy.<br />
Stonehenge was stunning and the audio tour is a must to get the full experience. Young and old took their selfies with famous<br />
rocks and were enjoying their time at this historic landmark. For me though, time was short. I had to get to Tidworth Garrison<br />
Golf Club.<br />
There is nothing I love more than seeing a traditional starter’s hut at a golf course. It is the kind of thing that fills me joy. For me,<br />
it gives you an indication of what to expect straight away. The first hole was inviting you to smash your drive as far as you could. I<br />
did just that. Walking away with a par on the first hole I thought that this course could be a straightforward one.<br />
How wrong was I as the course opened itself up to me? The fourth hole was a long par four but don’t let that fool you. The<br />
fairway slopes to the right. Anything less than perfect means you will have a difficult scramble for par. The seventh presents you<br />
with a blind tee shot onto a down sloping fairway. With courage, you can really take this beast on. However, like the cowardly<br />
lion, I opted for safety.<br />
It was a course with an exciting mixture of holes allowing you to pick the shots you felt comfortable with. To put it mildly, I loved<br />
it. For those that love a Harry Colt designed course, you'll love it too!
19<br />
However, time was against me as I had yet another round to play. West Wilts Golf Club was the next to welcome and this time<br />
I had some company for my round. I was guided by a member who took me straight to the 11th hole.<br />
With only limited time I was able to sample the best of this course. Whilst it had a links feel to it there was no doubting both<br />
the challenge and its beauty. For those that love a good view then this is surely the place to come.<br />
The ever changing winds makes this course a fair challenge. One false move and there is trouble. This is a course that requires<br />
the best course management you can muster.<br />
“Every time I play here it is different”, my playing partner said. I’m not surprised. This course was something special. I could<br />
easily come here 100 times and never leave with the same score. That is the beauty of the game. To think about what you<br />
doing, play the conditions and the course and enjoy it. That’s exactly what I did. For those who like a challenge, this is the<br />
course for you.<br />
Driving home always allows you reflect on what you have just experienced. For me, I need to go back to Wiltshire soon and<br />
play these courses again because a little bit of my heart is still there.<br />
If you fancy taking a trip to Wiltshire to follow in our footsteps<br />
and want more information simply click the link below:<br />
https://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/things-to-do/activities/golf<br />
We stayed at the Holiday Inn Salisbury-Stonehenge. However,<br />
there is plenty of accommodation. Find out more here:<br />
https://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/accommodation/hotels<br />
For more information about Stonehenge click below:<br />
https://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/things-to-do/stonehengep133703<br />
http://www.kingsdowngolfclub.co.uk/<br />
http://www.tidworthgolfclub.co.uk/<br />
http://www.westwiltsgolfclub.co.uk/
DRIVER FOR<br />
SHOW, PUTTER<br />
FOR DOUGH<br />
There is an old saying in golf. “Driver for show,<br />
Here is another dilemma for you to think about.<br />
putter for dough.” There is a good reason for<br />
Have you ever thought if the grip on your putter<br />
that. The putter is the most used club in your<br />
is actually the right for you? Usually, we buy our<br />
bag and the one that makes all of the<br />
putter and only use the grip that came with it.<br />
difference when it comes to lowering your<br />
However, that grip might be costing you shots<br />
score. However, if we are honest, how much<br />
on the course and acts as the difference<br />
thought do you really give your putter? Chances<br />
between winning and losing.<br />
are you turn up to the course, have about five<br />
minutes of putting practice and then hit your<br />
With that in mind, we have looked at some<br />
first drive. You may have spent some time on<br />
putting grips that you might want to consider<br />
the range before that where you hit your driver<br />
in order to help you lower your score. Perhaps<br />
more than you spent with your putter.<br />
it’s time to treat yourself and your putter to<br />
something new in order to lower those<br />
handicaps.<br />
Flat Cat<br />
The Flat Cat is arriving in the UK and it is easy to see<br />
why people are getting excited. It is currently being<br />
used by Justin Rose who has seen an improvement<br />
in his putting that took him into contention at the<br />
Masters.<br />
The Flat Cat is available in five sizes from slim to “big<br />
boy” so it covers all areas for all golfers. The key to<br />
the Flat Cat is its square face which allows you to<br />
square your hands on the grip. This allows you to<br />
square your shoulders and have a consistent stroke.<br />
The square face also means that you are more<br />
accurate on your follow through.<br />
£29.95 (Free Delivery)<br />
www.adoregolfgrips.com
ProPutt ERGO<br />
For those that like the oversized putting grip<br />
similar to SuperStroke there is this great<br />
alternative. The ProPutt ERGO weighs just 49g<br />
making it lighter than the SuperStroke. It is<br />
designed to keep your hands “quiet” during your<br />
putting stroke whilst also removing wrist<br />
twitches. Those twitches are the difference<br />
between a successful putt and a miss. Because<br />
it is lighter than it’s competitor, it gives a greater<br />
sense of control and feel.<br />
This UK based company is certainly producing a<br />
quality product at a great price. You can also<br />
get your ProPutt Ergo in a variety of colours to<br />
give your putter the look it deserves.<br />
£18.95 (Free Delivery)<br />
www.proputt.co.uk<br />
Garsen G-Pro EDGE<br />
The oversized putter is not for everyone so here<br />
is an alternative for those who like a smaller<br />
grip. It might be a mid-sized grip but has all the<br />
qualities of the bigger boys. It weighs 73<br />
grammes which is similar to the SuperStroke.<br />
The first thing you will notice is just how firm<br />
the grip is. It also has a semi tacky feel designed<br />
to keep your hands firmly in place.<br />
Unlike a traditional putter grip, the G-Pro Edge<br />
places your hands in a position so the palms<br />
face each other and the wrists are in a neutral<br />
position. It turns your elbows into your body and<br />
sets your shoulders back. This relieves arm and<br />
shoulder tension, inhibits wrist action, which<br />
takes “the hands out of the putting” and<br />
promotes shoulder rotation, creating a solid<br />
putting stroke, which will give you a one-piece<br />
feel, leading to a more consistent stroke.<br />
£13.95 (Free Delivery)<br />
www.adoregolfgrips.com<br />
Issue 27 | 234
NOW YOU CAN PRACTICE<br />
YOUR PUTTING<br />
ANYWHERE!<br />
The luxury of your home is a great place to practice your putting. For those old enough to remember<br />
those home putting mats that lived in your attic, you'll be happy to know to things have changed. Now<br />
there are some more compact putting devices out there that can fit in your bag. You can even take them<br />
in your garden or anywhere else you can think of. There is no excuse not to get that practice in.<br />
Rite-Line Smart Target<br />
A flat A4 sized mat that is thin. A hole...but it's<br />
not a hole. It looks like any regular golf hole yet<br />
flat with a raised sticky pad that captures the<br />
ball. The slightest touch of the ball to the pad<br />
and the ball is trapped. Of course, if you miss<br />
the putt the ball will continue to roll. The pad<br />
itself is a "special nanotechnology polymer<br />
sticky pad. As someone who possesses little<br />
scientific knowledge, I have no idea what that<br />
means but whatever it is...it works. As I was<br />
putting in my living room the ball stuck<br />
beautifully each time I hit the target. Removal<br />
of the ball from the pad was also as easy as pie.<br />
It may just look like a flat mat with a sticky pad<br />
and a visual hole but the truth is that it is so<br />
much more than just that. As a putting device it<br />
can be taken anywhere...even outside on a<br />
putting green or short grass in your garden.<br />
www.riteline.co.uk<br />
Price: £7.50
Puttout: Pressure Putt Trainer<br />
The perfect putt is the aim and the ball will only<br />
stay in the "microtarget" if the direction and speed<br />
Be warned, the PuttOut is highly addictive. The<br />
are perfect.<br />
simplicity of its design is there for all to see but do<br />
This is the part that becomes really addictive. Near<br />
not be fooled. The genius of the product lays in its<br />
ability to get you hooked. With PuttOut, putting is<br />
misses encourages you to search for perfection<br />
even more. Needless to say here at Golfhacker, we<br />
a joy.<br />
were hooked.<br />
Small enough to fit in your bag you can take it<br />
It is ideas like this that make putting less of a<br />
anywhere. However, it is in the luxury of you own<br />
home where it can become really addictive.<br />
chore. Considering that you use your putter<br />
around 40% of the time on your average round of<br />
Aiming at the white simulated hole you have<br />
options. You can use it as a ball returner as your<br />
golf, this will certainly encourage you to practice<br />
more.<br />
ball travels up the back slope and comes back to<br />
you. When the ball returns then, congratulations, it<br />
was a good putt. If it doesn't then you would have<br />
We have also heard it on the grapevine that<br />
PuttOut are putting the finishing touches to a<br />
lipped out of the cup.<br />
putting mat to compliment this wonderful device.<br />
If you thought that was clever then there is more.<br />
Watch this space.<br />
The backslope has a smaller hole called a<br />
"microtarget". If your ball hits the "mircotarget" and<br />
£19.99<br />
http://puttout.golf/<br />
stays trapped, then you have just completed the<br />
perfect putt.<br />
Issue 27 | 234
to improve your putting? Well, we caught up with Lee Slattery from the European Tour at the<br />
Looking<br />
Par 3 Championship who has some sound advice and tips to help you out.<br />
British<br />
PUTTING MASTERCLASS<br />
FROM EUROPEAN TOUR<br />
PRO, LEE SLATTERY<br />
N O M A D I C | 2 4
Image: Champions PLC<br />
Meet the "Twisted Frog"<br />
DivA Pro<br />
Sometimes a great product just falls into your lap.<br />
Whenever you go to a media day or play in a Pro-Am,<br />
you get a nice goody bag. With Twisted Frog being the<br />
official pitch-mark repair tool of the British Par 3<br />
Championship, we were all lucky enough to have one<br />
in our bags.<br />
I'm glad they did as I left my pitch-mark tool at home.<br />
If anything it gave the chance to give it a proper<br />
review as I played at Nailcote Hall.<br />
There are lots to love about the nifty tool. For a start<br />
the push button opening allows the repairer to open<br />
like a switchblade. Personally, I loved this as you<br />
could close it up to store safely in your pocket. It also<br />
made you feel pretty cool in the process.<br />
Once you've impressed your friends with this it is also<br />
important to remember to repair those pitch-marks.<br />
The patented 3-prong design actively encourages the<br />
golfer to use the push repair technique advocated by<br />
greenkeepers all over the world.<br />
The design allowed me to repair the marks a lot<br />
quicker and the blades cut through the green with<br />
ease.<br />
"THERE ARE LOTS TO LOVE<br />
ABOUT THE NIFTY TOOL. FOR A<br />
START THE PUSH BUTTON<br />
OPENING ALLOWS THE REPAIRER<br />
OPEN LIKE A SWITCHBLADE."<br />
There was no denying that the DivA did exactly what<br />
it was designed to do but it certainly does it style.<br />
This is a top quality product indeed. Looks great, feels<br />
great and it will certainly get your friends talking.<br />
Repairing a pitch-mark no longer need to feel a chore<br />
with this by your side.<br />
Now you can feel like a DivA on the greens. I know I<br />
certainly did as I was repairing my marks around<br />
Nailcote Hall.<br />
Price £12<br />
http://www.twistedfrog.co.uk/product/diva-pro/