Golf Shot

Ross Fisher’s 4th European Tour win has put him in an automatic selection position for October’s Ryder Cup. But the English golfer just wants to be the best he can.

We’ve got a video in which Fisher talks about how it felt to edge out local hero Padraig Harrington in last week’s Irish Open and reveals some of his secrets to being a world class player. He also talks about giving back to the community through golf with his involvement in the Putts4Chairty initiative, which raises funds for good causes around the world.

Scientists have exposed the secrets of counterfeit golf clubs by using forensic technology to uncover the shoddy truth behind their near-perfect exteriors.

Experts from Sheffield Hallam University’s Centre for Sport and Exercise Science and its materials engineering department put two clubs – one real and one fake – through a series of tests to determine how they differed.

They found that although some counterfeit clubs looked remarkably similar to the real thing, their shoddy engineering means that they will break quickly and could make a marked difference to the quality of a golfer’s game.

First, the clubs were put through their paces by a professional golfer, working with sports scientists at the University to improve his game. Initially, he was unable to tell the difference between the two, the counterfeit seemingly having been put together extremely well. But, after a number of strokes the counterfeit club began to rattle, a tell tale sign that things were not as they should be.

It was not until the clubs were taken apart and analysed by the University’s forensic engineers that the true extent of their differences were revealed.

Tests showed that despite the clubs being made of similar metals, the fake club had not been properly heat treated, meaning it would not be as strong as the real one. And inside the head, the counterfeit had been poorly welded showing the lack of expertise that had gone into making it.

The two clubs’ carbon fibre shafts were also markedly different. The counterfeit’s shaft was much thicker, making the club more rigid and liable to break.

Finally, the removable heel and toe weights found in the fake club’s head were significantly inaccurate – the toe weight marked two grams actually weighed 3.5 grams, 55 per cent heavier, while the heel weight marked 14 grams was actually 12 grams, 14 per cent lighter than it should be.

Professor Alan Smith, from Materials Analysis and Research Services (MARS) at Sheffield Hallam, said: “The quality of the welding on the two clubs was enormously different. The real club was made using far more complex manufacturing techniques and precision engineering.”

“The fact that the counterfeit club had not been heat treated properly is very significant, because this is an expensive process designed to ensure the metal possesses the requisite hardness and toughness. The carbon fibre shafts were also strikingly different, the counterfeit having much less flexibility than the real club.

“A counterfeit club wouldn’t last as long as a genuine club, so despite being cheaper they represent a false economy for amateur players.”

Tim Vernon, from the Centre for Sport and Exercise Science, said: “The counterfeit club certainly looked genuine and performed remarkably well in the hands of a professional player.

“It would be easy to see why amateurs could be fooled into buying a cheap fake off the internet, but the forensic tests showed just how badly the counterfeit was actually put together. These differences could certainly have an effect on a golfer’s game.”

Gamers will select a team and square off to try and bring home The Ryder Cup for their squad in Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 11 on all console platforms.

The Ryder Cup is one of the last great sporting events to be founded in prestige rather than prize money. Choose from the U.S. or European squad and participate in the various competition formats – foursomes where players hit alternate shots, fourballs and singles which traditionally bring the biennial event to a close with players going head to head.

When playing The Ryder Cup mode offline, gamers will have the option to swap matches, thus giving you the ultimate control over the outcomes of other matches.

Released 2nd July – preorder now by clicking here.

If your Dad’s a golfer, whatever his standard, a golf training aid that improves his game makes a great Father’s Day gift. The PGA professional golfers at www.internetgolfstore.co.uk have selected their top 5 golf training aids, any of which are guaranteed to polish up his game.

SKLZ Fly trap – £34.99
A lightweight, heavy-duty net perfect to hone your chipping and pitching. This umbrella-style net is the fastest up and down net available. Makes it easy for all golfers to practice their game just about anywhere. Five individually sized target pockets so you can play high/low shots and measures 3.5′ x 3.5′ once erected. Has a ball reservoir so no chasing balls after those missed chips.

The Pro’s view:-

• Great fun to pin point your pitching into various sized holes
• Not as easy as it looks, so definitely fine tunes your focus and concentration.
• Avoids the hassle of setting up targets, no excuses now Dad!

Auto-return Putting Mat with Hazards – £22.99

Every golfer needs a putting mat to practice their technique in the home or office, and the Golfer Club Auto-return Putting Mat with Hazards is one of the best on the market. At 2.7 Metres long, it’s deluxe soft touch material gives a realistic feel of the putting green, and even includes bunkers and water hazards! It automatically returns the ball from the hole.

The Pro’s view:-

• This is a great product because it’s more realistic to the putting green unlike your carpet!
• No batteries required so can practice for hours ( 70% of the game is putting)
• Practice with all the family – it”s more fun than any other putting aid because of the bunker and water hazards.

SKLZ Practice Pod – £12.99
The practice Pod will help you practice with purpose and focus. No need to use your own clubs . Lightweight and portable, it sets up quickly and is easily folded down then can be stored in your bag. Great for alignment of feet, knees, hips, shoulders and eyes.

The Pro’s view:-

• Helps eliminate golf swing faults before they start
• The easiest and most important teaching aids for railway alignment and ball position.
• This will change the way you practice forever!

SKLZ Power Sleeve – £19.99
The Power Sleeve is a great aid to increase shot distance and golf muscle strength and flexibility, whilst also helping your swing tempo. Fitted over your own club, it ingrains the feel of the correct swing path and improves ball contact. Used by leading pro’s on tour, it’s also great to reveal and correct swing flaws.

The Pro’s view:-

• Great for warm up, building flexibility and strength for the golf muscles.
• Because it uses your own club you don’t lose the feel of your grip. For best results hit balls at 70% your normal speed and tighten the straps every 5 shots.
• Awesome to create timing and tempo

SKLZ Swing Kite – £12.99
Another great tool to instil the feel of the correct swing path and improved ball contact, the Swing Kite fits over your own clubs and increases air resistance to slow down your shot. It increases shot distance, muscle strength and flexibility, and can be used all year round for practice and warm up.

The Pro’s view:-

• Promotes proper lag and resistance, stops casting.
• Can be used on own club again therefore more familiar with the grip and weight hence quicker swing improvements.
• Even after impact it helps release past the ball and creates speed.

All the above training aids are available online from www.internetgolfstore.co.uk or from their Surrey new store in Lower Kingswood, close to the M25, opened on 10th April 2010store (tel: 01737 833148).

The other week I was searching online for a new pair of golf shoes when I came across a men’s clothes website I had never seen before. The site was jam packed full of every brand imaginable from every walk of life, however I was more interested with the first brand on the long list down the left hand side – Lyle and Scott. For years this has been my favourite brand for both on the golf course and down the local with my mates. I think it all goes back to when I was much younger and my granddad had a few of the thick wool v neck Lyle and Scott jumpers he used to save for best on a Sunday when the family would all get together for a huge dinner, and even back then being so small I still remember the golden eagle on his chest, and being upset when one Christmas I was told that I couldn’t have a jumper like granddad’s.

Jump forward a few years and my wardrobe is full of the golden eagled brand. I’m pretty sure the wife keeps trying to throw out some of the older stuff, but I always manage to retrieve it, or simply add some new pieces to the ever growing space in my fit to bursting wooden wardrobe. Anyway, back to the real gem. This website was absolutely phenomenal. I mean, after a couple of clicks I quickly realised I was in a Lyle and Scott enthusiasts heaven. The website indicator told me I was currently viewing the first sixty of a collection that contained no fewer than 424 individual pieces of Lyle and Scott clothing. As I browsed further it felt like hundreds of thousands of polo t shirts, v neck jumpers, windbreakers, trainers, you name it and its there. It’s like a congregation of anything that Lyle and Scott have ever proudly stitched a golden eagle to.

I was always acutely aware of the history that Lyle and Scott has with golf. Being a Scottish knitwear brand like its neighbours Pringle, golf was in the brands heritage and for a time, was the blood that kept the designers pumping. Nowadays it’s all product placements and who’s wearing what on the television, but for a golfer, in my opinion, there is no better brand than Lyle and Scott. Since the huge soar in publicity it took around 2006/07 when it was on Soccer AM (among many other places) the brand has taken a leap onto the golf course, with the younger lads all wearing the gear now. This suits me fine, as I know I was one of the first on my local patch to head for a Sunday morning round wearing my favourite Lyle and Scott polo t shirt and carrying my Callaways.

I never have been one for keeping to my main point. This website of Lyle and Scott golfers heaven has every piece of clothing you will ever need for the course, and even got a little more of my money when I spotted a few pairs of never before seen trousers and smart shorts, perfect for when you need to look at your best and show off the golden eagle. After browsing the huge range of clothing that was available to me I settled on about half a dozen items, all for this summer on the course, with a new concept to me, Lyle and Scott Heritage even included in there. Not quite a golden eagle, but still looks really smart and does carry much more of a golfing feel to the range now that a few pieces of the vintage range seem purely for fashion purposes.

So, after listening to me rant on about how great Lyle and Scott is, but more importantly, how much of a heaven this website is you will be asking yourself, where is this magical place? It’s a website you may already have visited, namely Mainline Menswear. A top designer mens clothes site, based in sunny Scarborough that has by far the largest range of clothing I have ever seen in my life. I am 100% converted, and welcome you to join in the mind blowing experience I have recently undertaken a few times (time to hide the card statements from the wife) and browse the huge range, quality service and professionalism that has made me enjoy my Lyle and Scott, and my golf that little bit more this summer.

Keen golfers and non-golfers alike are challenged to produce the drive of their life to get the drive of their life in a novel competition, which will see someone win a brand new Mercedes-Benz worth £25,000.

Organised by the Golftorium, the UK’s biggest indoor golf centre, the competition is open to anyone who feels they have what it takes to land a hole-in-one.  Golftorium is in Ducie Street, just a few yards from Manchester’s Piccadilly station in the heart of the city, and it provides the ultimate in indoor golf to local golfers and non-golfers alike. The venue also has excellent parking facilities nearby.

The qualifying period takes place between 1 and 15 May, to make the final cut on 22 May. Entry for the qualification is free and participants will be pitching their way to winning the Mercedes-Benz by pitting their skills against the 7th hole at Pebble Beech, which has a famous 100 yard approach to the pin.

To progress to the final, golfers will need to land their chip nearest the pin to make the cut. The 100 finalists will then have the tougher obstacle of landing a hole-in-one at the 14^th hole at Harbour Town, which is a highlight of the PGA tour.

The first lucky driver to complete this challenge will pick up the keys to their new vehicle, courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Central.

“We are already getting a lot of interest in the competition and while the first shot is free, extra shots will have a small charge,” said Manchester’s Golftorium director, Craig Woodward.  “All the money raised is going to a good cause; we are donating the money to a newly formed local charity called HAWCS, the Habitat and Wildlife Conservation Society.”

“This is a great opportunity for golfers of any standard to come along and pitch themselves against the competition. Getting a hole-in-one isn’t just about skill, there’s a great deal of luck involved so it’s anyone’s game!”

Craig added: “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate an achievement like this than driving off in a new Mercedes Benz.  It’s a fantastic competition offering the change to win a brilliant prize, have some fun and help charity at the same time.”

More details can be found at www.golftorium.com or call the centre on 0161 228 0681.

Tomorrows Golfer are offering Skycaddie SGX for the cheapest price on the market.

The SkyCaddie SGX GPS rangefinder comes pre- loaded with 30,000 courses and has a 3 inch screen that is easy to read in any condition. The Skycaddie SGX can keep track of which club you use with the new SmartClub feature. SmartClub is a set of plugs that fit on the end of your grips and allow the SkyCaddie SGX to keep track of your club selection and club distances. Sky Club will also make club recommendations based on your distance from the green.

Tomorrows golfer are pleased to announce and give there customers a one off skycaddie DISCOUNT CODE making the price of this item just £300 , this DISCOUNT CODE can be redeemed by typing ‘caddie’ in at the discount coupon stage of the checkout.

Take advantage of this incredible offer, pre-order the SkyCaddie SGX now and become one of the first golfers in the UK to own this amazing piece of technology.

Pre-ordering with Tomorrow’s Golfer and using the exclusive discount code ‘caddie’ gives you a remarkable saving of £99.99!

If you want to save even more money, Tomorrows golfer are willing to trade in your old Skycaddie SG5 for £150 off your brand new Skycaddie SGX Rangefinder.

Pre-order yours now with this incredible offer, any golfer would be mad to miss out!!  Click here or on the banner below for more information.

Charlie Lidyard - 2009 Winner

The William Hunt Trilby Tour announces its Regional Championship Venues this week in its UK-wide search to find the next Amateur Golf Champion in a 12-part televised series on Sky Sports.

Created by Menswear Designer and golf aficionado William Hunt of Savile Row, the Trilby Tour aims to find the UK’s top amateur golfer and give him a taste of true Pro stardom with a chance to play head to head against the big boys.

Players from all walks of life will get the chance to feel like a golf tour pro for a day as 9 clubs from across England, Ireland and Scotland host the UK’s biggest Amateur televised golf tournament between May-August 2010.

Amateurs face a white-knuckle tournament in a thrilling one day 18-hole game in what is widely acclaimed to be golf’s answer to Twenty20 cricket.

Players must be over 18 to enter and will be kitted out with everything they need for their experience of pro stardom – each receiving a complete William Hunt outfit, a Callaway Bag and Caddy Suit as part of their £250 online entry to the 12-part televised series on Sky Sports.

Each Regional Champion and Eleven Runners-Up will go through to the Amateur Final held at the Buckinghamshire Golf Club on 11 August, culminating in an exciting 3 hole play-off and a unique Winner Takes All Finale. The top three finalists and regional champions will then be invited back on 12 August to play in the Sky Sports televised Professional Trilby Tour.

The Amateur Champion will the following receive as their prize:

Lessons with top coach David Leadbetter,
An exclusive set of personalized clubs by Roger Cleveland of Callaway
The chance to play head-to-head against the top European Tour pros.

Amateurs will play under the the Stapleford rules with a maximum handicap of 18 with a 3/4 (three-quarter) allowance.

Regional Championships will be taking place at:

8-June The London Golf Club
Kent & South East Championship

30 June – The Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire & West Midlands Championship

6 July – Marriott Sprowston Manor
East of England Championship

12 July – Bearwood Lakes
Berkshire & South Central Championship

22 July – The Park
Avon & South West Championship

28 July – Murrayshall
Scottish Championship

4 August – KP Club
Yorkshire & North East Championship

11 August – The Buckinghamshire
Amateur Final, National Championship

Last year’s Amateur Winner 19yr old Charlie Lidyard from Leatherhead, Surrey says ”The Trilby Tour is the only tournament that makes you actually feel like you’re a Pro Tour player. There are a few nerves when you see the cameras and the people watching. Some of the other guys didn’t like the cameras but it didn’t bother me, I actually loved it.” Lidyard’s triumph was further boosted by going on to achieve every amateur’s dream and turned pro the same day.”

Lidyard went on to play against top pros David Howell and Graeme Storm in the Pro Event: “It was a dream experience to play with the big boys.”

Entries are still pouring in and anyone who signs up now via the website www.williamhunttrilbytour.com will join a waiting list.

Alvaro Quiros, may be the longest driver on the European Tour, however he is clearly no actor as you will see from the outtakes from his involvment with Callaway’s Demon Drive Challenge.

Callaway’s new online game, the Demon Drive Challenge (www.demon-drive.com), gives a whole new meaning to the words ‘brute force’, with players competing against each other to achieve the longest drive – and win a new Diablo Edge, or Diablo Tour Driver.

Golfers can hone their putting skills or nail that swing by heading out to the exclusive hideaway of Four Seasons Fairways Quinta Do Lago this winter. With over twenty courses to be played, all a short drive from private residential club Four Seasons Fairways – there is a course to test any level of ability.

All courses offer a golf academy, putting greens, club houses and driving ranges and are maintained to an immaculately high standard having played host to high profile competitions such as the Portuguese Open. Many of the courses were designed to challenge even seasoned golfers. Set in spectacular locations, meandering through Nature Reserves, lakes and woodlands – the most popular courses of Quinta have earned the area an international reputation as a world class golfing haven.

Winter is the ideal time to visit for golfing enthusiasts with guests at Four Seasons Fairways enjoying reduced green fees along with numerous course discounts including free golf buggy hire, breakfast and 18 holes for the cost of 9.

Four Seasons Fairways also arranges popular golfing competitions each week for guests at one of Quinta’s top courses culminating in a prize draw and three course meal at its popular Flor Da Quinta restaurant.

Located at the heart of Quinta Do Lago, Four Seasons Fairways is a collection of luxury villas and apartments nestled into the lush green manicured gardens. Perfect for lazing in after an exhausting day of golf, each villa and apartment offers a real ‘home from home’ experience.

Welcoming guests of all ages and nationalities, the resort offers a selection of membership options including short term holiday stays for weekends or weeks, club shares and flexi-time shares for those that fall in love with the area.

A spacious two bedroom villa with pool starts from £800 for one week’s stay at Four Seasons Fairways.

For further information on Fairways Four Seasons visit www.fourseasonsfairways.com