Apart from the 14 clubs in your golf bag, a comfortable pair of shoes and a glove, one of the best accessories to help the golf game short of your own caddie is a distance finding device.  Over the last couple of years, GPS based devices and mobile apps have flooded the market.  Ive previously road tested the iSwing Mobile App and the Sureshot GPS.

Road Test

Historically the optical rangefinder has been the go-to device to help the golfer navigate their way around the course.  Not having used one, I took the Sureshot Laser out for a round at Yarra Bend Golf course in Melbourne. The Sureshot Laser device is robust, sturdy and comes in a carry pouch that clips to the golf bag.  It takes about 30 seconds to learn how to use the device.  Aiming at the target, the Sureshot Laser has crosshairs that make it pretty simple to lock onto your target whether its the pin, a bunker to measure carry, or a tree to determine layup distance.

Looking through the viewfinder of the Sureshot Laser, distance is clearly identified.

The huge advantage that a Laser rangefinder has over a GPS unit is the ability to know the precise distance to the pin.  A GPS will tell you distance to centre of the green but has no way of telling where the pin is located.  On a deep green this can have a big impact on club selection.  The Sureshot Laser picks up the pin easily and provides instant distance, which is disturbingly accurate.  Its also great at giving quick feedback on how far you just monstered your drive down the fairway. Another great advantage is being able to quickly pan across a hole and identify all of the key distances to hazards, carrys, greenside and pin. The Rangefinder also doesnt need to rely on downloading the course before you play.

A  great use of the Sureshot Laser was using the device to calculate accurate distances to the pins on my local driving range, I know to the metre how far each pin is, helping with managing shot selection and iron carry.

One main downside of a visual rangefinder is that it obviously cant provide distance on what you cant see.  That includes the green around a dogleg, the pin or hazard over a blind tee shot or, as I experienced last week, a green hidden behind a deep fog.

The Word

The simplicity of the Sureshot Laser is a huge selling point, it is easy to use and provides instant distance feedback.  I particularly liked being able to pinpoint the flag and know precise distances.  When placed head to head with a Golf GPS device, such as my Sureshot 8850, Im still a tech-head when it comes to devices and like the detail that comes from the GPS device.  The Laser Rangefinder is more than equipped to provide the same details, and perfect for someone that wants to keep it simple.

Website

Where to buy

Fog and golf do not make a great combination but make for some interesting imagery

And the winner is……. Royal Melbourne Golf Club West Course

Australian Golf Digest has just released their bi-annual ranking of Australia’s Top 100 Golf Courses. This eagerly awaited list of the best courses in Australia see’s Royal Melbourne’s West Course ranked as the best layout in the country.  After a rough couple of years throughout the recent drought, the West course which makes up 12 holes of the composite course, has emerged even better and was showcased to the world during the Presidents Cup and again this week for the Australian Womens Open.

Royal Melbourne takes over the top spot from Kingston Heath, now 2nd on the list but by no means shadowed by its neighbour.  Ellerston is a controversial pick for 3rd, this private of private courses is only playable by the lucky few and some critics argue that as it is virtually impossible to play, it shouldnt be on the list.  I agree with AGD that the ranking is on all the Nations’ courses, regardless of access.

New South Wales (5) has dropped three spots, and is sandwiched between Barnbougle Dunes (4) and Barnbougle Lost Farm (6).  This comes as no surprise to anyone that has ventured to the Northeast coast of Tasmania, now one of the Worlds new golfing mecca’s.  Given Lost Farm is less than two years old, it will continue to mature like a fine wine and could even overtake its sister course in years to come.  After playing both courses twice, I still cant seperate them, but came up with a damn fine composite course!

Of other notables, its great to see Victoria Golf Club (9) jump up a spot, and Woodlands (19), both relatively underated in some golfing circles.  Hamilton Island joins the list at 39 and is high on my wishlist, it fills a gap in the Whitsundays left after the sad demise of Laguna Whitsundays which ranked in 2010, but even when we played in 2009 was in very poor condition.

The listing again proves that Melbourne is one of the World’s great golf destinations with 6 of the top 10 courses in easy reach of the CBD (plus Barnbougle is only a short flight away!).  And 36 of the top 100 courses are located in Victoria.

AGD have a dedicated panel of golfers, including professionals, journalists and course designers that combine to produce their Top 100.

Australian Golf Digest Top 100 Australian Golf Courses 2012

The full listing Rank, course, designer, year, distance, par

1  Royal Melbourne (West) VIC – Alister Mackenzie (1931) 6,061 72
2  Kingston Heath VIC – Dan Soutar (1925)/Alister Mackenzie (1926) 6,436 72
3  Ellerston NSW – Greg Norman & Bob Harrison (2001) 6,677 72
4 Barnbougle Dunes TAS – Tom Doak & Michael Clayton (2004) 6,148 71
5  New South Wales NSW – Alister Mackenzie (1928)/Eric Apperly (1937 & 1951) 6,240 72
6 New Barnbougle Lost Farm TAS – Bill Coore (2010) 6,263 72
7  The National (Moonah) VIC – Greg Norman & Bob Harrison (2000) 6,576 72
8  Royal Melbourne (East) VIC – Alex Russell (1932) 6,007 71
9  Victoria VIC – Oscar Damman, William Meader & Alister Mackenzie (1927) 6,278 72
10  Metropolitan VIC – J.B. MacKenzie (1906)/Dick Wilson (1959)/Michael Clayton (2005-) 6,500 72
11  Lake Karrinyup WA – Alex Russell (1928)/Michael Clayton (2008) 6,427 72
12  The National (Old) VIC – Robert Trent Jones Jnr (1988) 6,313 72
13  Royal Adelaide SA – H.L. Rymill & C.L. Gardiner (1904)/Alister Mackenzie (1926)/Peter Thomson, Michael Wolveridge & Ross Perrett (1997) 6,557 72
14  The Lakes NSW – Bruce Devlin & Robert von Hagge (1967)/Michael Clayton (2009) 6,290 72
15  Moonah Links (Legends) VIC – Peter Thomson & Ross Perrett (2004) 6,315 72
16  The Dunes VIC – Tony Cashmore (1997) 6,464 72
17  The Australian NSW – Jack Nicklaus (1976) 6,610 72
18  Joondalup (Quarry/Dune) WA – Robert Trent Jones Jnr (1985) 6,332 72
19  Woodlands VIC – J.D. Scott & R.J. Banks (1913) 6,097 72
20 Newcastle NSW – Fred Popplewell Snr (1915)/Eric Apperly (1937) 6,345 72
21  Royal Sydney NSW – Carnegie Clark (1913)/Ross Watson (2003) 6,344 72
22 Barwon Heads VIC – Victor East & Mick Morcom (1921) 5,856 70
23 Links Kennedy Bay WA – Michael Coate, Roger Mackay & Ian Baker-Finch (1998) 6,420 72
24 Thirteenth Beach (Beach) VIC – Tony Cashmore (2001) 6,391 72
25  Brookwater QLD – Greg Norman & Bob Harrison (2002) 6,505 72
26  Kooyonga SA – Herbert Lockett Rymill (1924) 6,214 72
27  Magenta Shores NSW – Ross Watson (2006) 6,305 72
28  St Andrews Beach VIC – Tom Doak & Michael Clayton (2006) 6,074 70
29  Royal Queensland QLD – Michael Clayton (2007) 6,414 72
30  Peninsula (North) VIC – Sloan Morpeth (1967)/Michael Clayton (2005) 6,158 72
31  Commonwealth VIC – Sam Bennett (1921)/Charles Lane (1926)/Sloan Morpeth (1938 & 1967)/Kevin Hartley (1994) 6,380 73
32 The Cut WA – James Wilcher (2005) 6,385 72
33 Moonah Links (Open) VIC – Peter Thomson, Michael Wolveridge & Ross Perrett (2001) 6,829 72
34 Yarra Yarra VIC – Alex Russell (1929)/Martin Hawtree (2011) 6,104 72
35 Links Hope Island QLD – Peter Thomson, Michael Wolveridge & Ross Perrett (1993) 6,417 72
36 The National (Ocean) VIC – Peter Thomson, Michael Wolveridge & Ross Perrett (2000) 6,552 72
37  Royal Canberra ACT – James Herd Scott (1945)/John Harris (1962) 6,395 72
38  Huntingdale VIC – Charles H. Alison (1941)/Jack Newton, Graeme Grant & John Spencer (1998-2006) 6,363 72
39 New Hamilton Island QLD – Peter Thomson & Ross Perrett (2009) 6,120 71
40  Glenelg SA – H.L. Rymill (1927)/Vern Morcom (1955)/Neil Crafter & Bob Tuohy (2004) 6,267 71
41  Peninsula (South) VIC – Sloan Morpeth (1967)/Michael Clayton (2007) 6,321 72
42 Elanora NSW – Dan Soutar (1929)/James Wilcher (2003) 6,264 72
43  The Grand QLD – Greg Norman & Bob Harrison (1997) 6,209 72
44  Portsea VIC – Jock Young (1925)/Sloan Morpeth (1962)/Michael Clayton (2002) 5,971 72
45  Coolum (Hyatt Regency) QLD – Robert Trent Jones Jnr (1988 & 2009) 6,085 71
46 Terrey Hills NSW – Graham Marsh & Ross Watson (1994) 6,501 72
47  Grange (West) SA – Vern Morcom (1956)/Michael Clayton (2007) 6,241 72
48  Bonville NSW – Terry Watson & Ted Stirling (1992) 6,206 72
49  Glades QLD – Greg Norman & Bob Harrison (2000) 6,431 72
50  The Vintage NSW – Greg Norman & Bob Harrison (2003) 6,310 71
51  Concord NSW – Dan Soutar (1916)/Ross Watson (1998)/Mark Parker (2010) 6,146 71
52 The Western Australian WA – Alex Russell (1928)/Graham Marsh (2001) 5,800 70
53  Pelican Waters QLD – Greg Norman & Bob Harrison (2000) 6,359 72
54  Capricorn (Championship) QLD – Karl Litten (1992) 6,542 72
55  Spring Valley VIC – Vern Morcom (1948)/Michael Clayton (1996-) 6,161 71
56 Pacific Harbour QLD – Ross Watson (2006) 6,402 72
57  The Heritage (St John) VIC – Jack Nicklaus (2000) 6,667 72
58  Sanctuary Cove (Pines) QLD – Arnold Palmer & Ed Seay (1989) 6,681 72
59  Avondale NSW – Eric Apperly (1927)/Ross Watson (2008) 6,059 71
60  Pacific Dunes NSW – James Wilcher (2005) 6,411 72
61  St Michael’s NSW – Michael Moran & C.W. Cole (1938) 6,282 72
62  Port Fairy VIC – club members (1963)/Kevin Hartley (1990)/Michael Clayton (2007) 5,887 72
63  Twin Creeks NSW – Graham Marsh (2006) 6,444 72
64  Links Lady Bay SA – Jack Newton, Graeme Grant & John Spencer (2000) 6,400 72
65  Meadow Springs WA – Robert Trent Jones Jnr (1993) 6,129 72
66  Paradise Palms QLD – Graham Marsh & Ross Watson (1990) 6,464 72
67  Mount Lawley WA – David Anderson & James Tinlin (1930)/Michael Coate (2004-) 6,213 72
68  Settlers Run VIC – Greg Norman, Bob Harrison & Harley Kruse (2007) 6,607 72
69  The Vines (Lakes) WA – Graham Marsh & Ross Watson (1989) 6,494 72
70  Cottesloe WA – David Anderson (1931)/Graham Marsh (1998-) 6,065 72
71  The Heritage (Henley) VIC – Tony Cashmore (2006) 6,353 72
72  Amstel (Ranfurlie) VIC – Michael Clayton (2002) 6,279 72
73 New Kalgoorlie WA – Graham Marsh (2010) 5,933 72
74  Sanctuary Lakes VIC – Greg Norman & Bob Harrison (2000) 6,489 72
75  Narooma NSW – John Spencer (1980) 5,941 72
76  Lakelands QLD – Jack Nicklaus (1997) 6,489 72
77 New Sanctuary Cove (Palms) QLD – Ross Watson (2011) 5,904 72
78  Secret Harbour WA – Graham Marsh (1999) 6,423 72
79  Tasmania TAS – Al Howard (1972) 6,200 72
80  Riversdale VIC – Alex Russell (1930) 6,057 72
81  Long Island VIC – Gordon Oliver (1938) 6,205 72
82  Castle Hill NSW – Eric Apperly (1951)/Jack Newton, Graeme Grant & John Spencer (1992) 6,187 72
83  Eynesbury VIC – Graham Marsh (2008) 6,577 72
84  Kooindah Waters NSW – Ross Watson (2006) 6,083 72
85  Sorrento VIC – J.D. Scott (1929) 5,694 70
86  Murray Downs NSW – Ted Parslow (1990) 6,197 72
87 New The Sands, Torquay VIC – Brit Stenson & Stuart Appleby (2004) 6,118 72
88  Alice Springs NT – Peter Thomson & Michael Wolveridge (1985) 6,196 72
89 New Sandhurst (Champions) VIC – Peter Thomson & Ross Perrett (2007) 6,240 72
90  Horsham VIC – Sam Berriman (1949) 5,919 71
91 New Sea Temple QLD – Peter Thomson, Michael Wolveridge & Ross Perrett (2000) 6,125 71
92 New Robina Woods QLD – Graham Marsh & Ross Watson (1989) 6,078 71
93  Araluen WA – Michael Coate & Roger Mackay (1994) 6,380 72
94 New Monash NSW – James Herd Scott (1950) 6,090 72
95 New Thirteenth Beach (Creek) VIC – Tony Cashmore & Nick Faldo (2004) 6,401 72
96 New Federal ACT – Prosper Ellis (1946) 6,240 72
97  Tallwoods NSW – Michael Hurdzan (1999) 6,100 71
98  Arundel Hills QLD – Fred Bolton (1992) 6,372 72
99  Macquarie Links NSW – Robin Nelson (2002) 6,278 72
100 Royal Hobart TAS – Vern Morcom (1956) 6,133 72

The Callaway Razr Fit Driver is the latest design from the Callaway stable.  The Razr Fit is Callaway’s first adjustable driver with both swing weight and face angle settings.   The club looks great, sleek and futuristic with what looks like a supercar spoiler on the back of the clubhead.

Technical Talk

From the folks at Callaway: “The combination of Forged Composite and OptiFit Technology makes Callaway’s first driver featuring adjustability the performance leader. The OptiFit Hosel allows players to adjust the face angle for improved accuracy and trajectory while the OptiFit Weights can be adjusted to promote either Draw or Neutral ball flights. Golfers can dial in their ideal settings and hit drives like never before with simple adjustability that matters”

On the driving range

Went to a recent Callaway Demo Day at my local course where I took the Callaway Razr Fit for a test drive.  I currently have a Callaway Hyper X in my bag, which has been my driver of choice for the last 4 years.  But its time for an upgrade!    At address the club feels great, there are no alignment markers or strange colors, just plain and simple black.   It also doesnt look as though you are staring down at a letterbox, the clubhead looks decidedly small compared to some of the massive drivers of recent years.

Took a few swings with the club face set square with a draw bias.   Hit the ball well, but was hooking too much (probably more to do with my swing than the club!).  But the Callaway rep then showed my how simple it was to adjust the clubface and weights, Ikea simple, just a flick on an Allen key, and I had an open clubface.  Hit a couple of drives sweetly that flew off the clubface, straight and long,  this is a driver I could get to like, very easily.

On Par Rating

Birdie.  There is a very good chance I could have this driver in my bag in the next few weeks!  Golf Digest also recently awarded the Razr Fit the editors choice award in the 2012 Hot List review of latest golf equipment.

Update – April 2012

The Callaway Razr Fit now sits in my golf bag having purchased from the local course Pro Shop.  Definitely no regrets.  Have stuck with the open face and draw settings which suit my swing and game.  The feedback from the driver is excellent and I have increased distance on the drives.  Confidence on the tee is crucial and the Razr Fit has bought back confidence to attack the ball off the tee.  Recommend

Overview

Most golfers will tend to avoid a par 3 nine hole course, claiming it as glorified mini golf without the windmills. Having recently played the Melaleuca Links par 3 course, just out of Inverloch in South Gippsland, this stereotype is well and truly broken.  Would even use the words “hidden gem” as this course offers nothing from the highway outside and is truly surprising and fun to play.

Layout

This glorious short course was built on a former market garden and has been lovingly designed and developed.  The layout winds through an impressive forest of  handplanted Melaleuca trees, and a series of challenging water hazards.  Holes range from 110m to 70m, the layout provides a solid test for the short game with small greens, and hazards in play at all times.  The entire course would fit within a 200m x 200m area.

Condition

Simply amazing for a little known and hidden par 3 course.  The course is a labour of love for an ex greenkeeper.  The santa-ana  fairways would be the envy of many private clubs throughout Australia, tees are well grassed, and the small bent grass greens are receptive but considerably quick.

Favourite Holes

Playing with my 10 year old son, the holes present a family friendly environment, with two tees providing a less than daunting golfing experience to the younger golfer.  The look on Sam’s face as he landed his tee shot on the green on the 3rd hole and saw mine overcooked into the water at the back was priceless (Note: the distances on the tee are rough estimates, go with the head not the tee marker!)

The tee shot on the 4th hole (pic above)  presents a full water carry of approx 100m to a small green, tough for any golfer!  Other enjoyable holes included the 3rd, the tiny 5th and 7th, and the links style 9th.

The Word

Im not aware of many other layouts the could claim the title of best par 3 layout in Australia, but Melaleuca Links must be up there as one of the top courses.  If ever in the Inverloch area in Victoria’s wonderful South Gippsland, stop by to play 9 holes, you wont regret it. The course is a very good test for any golfers short game, and an excellent venue for a first game.  Oh, and its a bargain too.  Adults $10, Children under 12 $6.

Course Details

Melaleuca Links 9 hole Par 3 Course Bass Highway, 3kms West of Inverloch

ph: 56743722

E: mellinks@internode.on.net

Yarra Bend Golf Course is a short, yet chellenging public access course within 15 minutes of Melbourne’s central business district.  Located on the Yarra River, the course offers excellent playing conditions year round on an undulating layout surrounded by gum trees.   Over the last year Yarra Bend has gone through a significant transformation with the addition of a 60 bay driving range and golf academy, resulting in a re-routing of the course.

For those that know the course, the two nines have swapped.  The backnine is now played first, starting on the old 10th hole, a relatively simple par 4 and routing through the same layout finishing on the old par 5 18th, now the 9th.

The backnine has changed more dramatically, with the old 1st hole now part of the driving range, a new 120m par 3 starts the back nine.  As below, the rest of the holes have re-routed to accomodate the changes.

New Yarra Bend Golf Course Layout

The Layout The Par 70 Yarra Bend layout isnt long, measuring 5,409 metres but what it misses out in length it makes up for in the need for accuracy. Whilst the river doesnt come into play at all, large gum trees line all of the fairways with a number of drives needing pinpoint accuracy. The clatter of golf balls into trees is a common sound on the course. The layout is fairly undulating with holes heading downhill to the river, then uphill towards the clubhouse. A number of bunkers dot the course, though they have inconsistent lies and are often unraked, but then they are a hazard!

Condition Given the amount of traffic that this public course gets, Yarra Bend is always in very good condition. As at January 2012, the course is in excellent condition.  Following considerable rain and warm weather, the course is greener than kermits stomach.  The fairways are well grassed and great to hit off, off fairway is penalised by improvising shots through trees. The greens themselves are firm and fairly fast.

Favourite Holes

13th Hole – Over the hill

Previously the 2nd hole, the thriteenth hole is a dogleg left with a partially blind drive over the hill to a downhill green. The drive needs to be just right of the trees gaurding the left corner of the dogleg. The second shot to the downhill green is tougher than it looks. Anything left is gone. Par here is worth it.

16th Hole – Augusta Down Under

Yarra Bend has three short holes that all point roughly Southwest, following the Yarra river. The 16th is my favourite of the three, 148 metres to an elevated green, anything short will run back down the hill. Almost an Augusta feel to this hole (replace pines with gums!)

17th Hole – Pinpoint accuracy!

The 17th is a short 333 metre par 4 requiring an accurate drive (suggest dropping the driver to a 3 wood or an iron), the fairway is very narrow almost claustrophobic with the second shot needing an equally accurate shot to the green. Rated 8 for good reason

What used to be the 17th, the 8th hole at Yarra Bend has ruined many a good round. The 159 metre par 3 sits on the side of a hill with a steep drop to the right of the green. Anything right will kick down the hill and most likely finish under a large tree! Long or left of the green can take advantage of a friendly kick off down to the green.

The Word Yarra Bend is in a brilliant location for 9 holes before or after work, of for the visitor to Melbourne who doesnt have time to travel to golf courses further afield.   The summer twilight green fee deal is a good bargain, nothing better than 18 holes at ‘the bend’ on a balmy summers evening. Yarra Bend will never make the list of Top 100 courses in the country, but its a great public course and well worth the visit. Best value golf in Melbourne.  Be sure to book well in advance, and the course can get very busy on weekends.

The new driving range is a welcome addition to the Yarra Bend golf course, over 60 bays with instruction available.

Course details Yarra Bend Golf Course - Par 70 - 5,538 metres - Address: Yarra Bend Road, Melbourne - Proshop: (03) 9481 3729 - Bookings and Green Fees

The Australian Masters starts tomorrow at Victoria Golf Club, one of Melbourne’s sandbelt gems.   There has been no media hype, but the quality of course and the field sets up for an excellent tournament.   The lack of media attention has been deafening, with very little promotion and limited publicity.   It was always going to be a hard sell after the Masters was unceremoniously booted from its November spot to a week before Christmas.   Of course, something had to give in the hectic Presidents Cup period.  Unfortunately the PGA played on a resort course was given more prominence than the Masters played on a classic sandbelt layout.

The Masters also is Tiger-less for the first time in 3 years but the lineup is still impressive and stronger than the PGA field.   The headline act is another world number one, Luke Donald.  Two years ago, the Australian Masters hosted world number one Tiger Woods at Kingston Heath.   Whilst Donald doesnt have the Tigermania, he has had a pretty impressive year being the first player to top both US and European tours, a quick look at his year:

• PGA tour player of the year – 19 events, 2 wins, 14 top 10 finishes
• Leading PGA Tour money winner: $6.7 million
• European tour – 13 events, 3 wins, 10 top 10 finishes
• Leading European Tour money winner: 5.3 million euros

Very impressive stats from a player who is top of his game.  Donald is also supported by Ian Poulter (always referred to as the Flamboyant Ian Poulter), Italian young guns Matteo Manaserro, and a host of top Australians including Geoff Ogilvy, John Senden and Greg Chalmers aiming for the triple having won the Australian Open and PGA.

More information on the tournament available at http://www.australianmasters.com.au/

Melbourne’s central business district provides a diverse range of experiences from dining in world class restaurants, sourcing the latest fashions from designer shops, sipping a coffee in a cafe, and drinking cocktails in uber-funky bars that are hidden down laneways.   Now its possible to play 18 holes of golf in Melbourne city, indoors, and only a 9 iron distance away from some of the cities finest restaurants, bars and cafe’s.  (And only a lob wedge from my office!)

Golftec is a fully fitted out indoor golf centre located in Exhibition Street, near the corner of Bourke Street.  The Golftec centre is setup with the latest in sophisticated indoor golf systems.  10 virtual golf bays provide access to over 100 golf courses from St Andrews to Pebble Beach.  Play 18 holes on a course of your choice or the bays can revert to a more traditional driving range.   The centre also features an indoor putting green, and the first indoor practice bunker Ive ever seen!    Topped off with a cafe, this is a perfect location to work on the game whilst in the city.

Road Test

Sam, one of the owners, a coach at Golftec and writer for Golf Magazine was only too happy to show me around the complex.  The indoor driving bays are impressive.  Multiple camera’s and sensors track the swing and ball to provide a very accurate indoor golf experience.  Hitting the ball into the screen, the computer graphics take over showing the trajectory of the ball on the hole.  Swing dynamics including swing speed, angle and club face are provided after each shot.   Towards the rear of the centre is a full size practice bunker, and upstairs is a large putting green.  All aspects of the game can be practiced without putting a foot on the course!

As well as offering full rounds of golf and a driving range experience, Golftec have a team of coaches on hand to provide expert tuition.  I caught up with Dion for a lesson on my shortgame.  Dion has played professionally and caddied for some of Australia’s finest.  Being able to have a golf lesson before, during or after work is ideal.  And Dion was able to provide me with some great advise on my very average short game setup.  The virtual golf bays allowed practice from full drives and iron shots through to short chips and pitches, all from the one spot.   You can bring along your own clubs, or brand new Mizuno clubs are available to use as part of the golfing experience.

The Word

Golftec is an ideal location for the golfer working in the city, allowing the opportunity for a lunchtime 18 holes with mates or a lesson before or after work.  Its also perfect for a visitor to Melbourne who may want to work on their swing before heading down to take on the world class sandbelt or Mornington Peninsula courses.

Details

Golftec

• 136 Exhibition St Melbourne
• Mon – Fri: 7:30am to 9:30pm
• Sat, Sun: 10am to 6pm
• Bookings – (03) 9421 2049
• Website
• Email

Moonah Links - rain, rain and more rain

Golfers are an optimistic bunch.  So although the forecast was for rain, and the weather radar resembled a huge mutant swarm of zombies attacking the whole of South eastern Australia, golf was on!  Met Nige, Russ and Tim on the driving range at Moonah Links and even as we hit a few practice balls in the steady rain we were hopeful that by the first tee all would be clear.

The next nine holes were the wettest golf I have ever played, there was no break in the constant heavy rain.  By the time we got to the 10th tee, we were all soaked, everything and I mean everything, was soaked.  And with no sign of the rain clearing, the thought of another 9 holes drenched to the skin, cold and shivering,  was too much and we reluctantly made for the clubhouse.

Last week I was able to watch some of the World’s best golfers play in similar conditions at Royal Melbourne in the Presidents Cup.  Whilst they weren’t able to bail after 9 holes, they did have the services of a caddy and multiple sets of clothes, gloves etc, to stay dry – ish.  Rain adds another element of difficulty to an already difficult game.   And watching the Professionals deal with it shows their level of concentration and skill.

Our foursome also managed the conditions very well.  Before long grips become slippery, and gloves have the gripping properties of oil.  One benefit of this is forcing the swing to be more controlled to avoid the club flying out of your hands onto the next fairway.  This resulted in most of us sacrificing some distance but accuracy was improved.  Putting becomes an interesting lottery, with some areas of the green slower than others because of the rain.

Rain can be the golfer’s worst nightmare, but such is the nature of a game played thats exposed to mother nature.  Dressing and playing to the conditions can allow you to make the most of the conditions and not let the weather rain on your parade.

The Presidents Cup 2011 has been run and won.  Team USA was as imposing on the course as it was on paper.  Despite playing on foreign soil, a local crowd and all the weather Melbourne could throw at them, the USA players held strong and reflected their dominance in the World rankings.  Team International were in no way disgraced, and a number of games could easily have swung the other way.

Despite the dominance of the USA in the Presidents Cup, the format is compelling, competitive and provides a whole new angle and venue to watch the best golfers in the world play team matchplay golf.  With the US also playing Europe in the Ryder Cup, which has been the scene of epic battles over the years, there is now a missing piece to the team matchplay puzzle.  A competition between Europe and the Internationals.

Lets give this mythical event a working title of the “Kings Cup”.  Such an event would be logistically tough to squeeze into the tight timelines of the professional golf calendars but let assume that all could be in one place at one time.

A fictitious Europe team based on current rankings would be as strong as the US with 9 players within the top 25 in the world, and the best 4 golfers!  Ive gone with Bjorn and Clarke for Captains picks.  The International team stays relatively unchanged but Ive swapped Senden and Oosthuizen for Els and Allenby, sorry Big Easy and Rob.    It offers some tantalising matchups and world class golf.

• Captains picks

Of course, the first event would need to be played in Melbourne.  Royal Melbourne is the obvious choice, though Kingston Heath would be as suitable a venue.  Bring on the Kings Cup!