Fergus Bisset
Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He has also worked with Golf Monthly to produce a podcast series. Called 18 Majors: The Golf History Show it offers new and in-depth perspectives on some of the most important moments in golf's long history. You can find all the details about it here.
He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly.
Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?
Latest articles by Fergus Bisset
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Can Anyone Help You Look For Your Golf Ball?
If you’ve sprayed a tee shot into the deep rough, can you recruit any old passerby to give you a hand looking for it, or are you on your own?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Do You Get Free Relief From A Divot Hole In The Rough When It’s Preferred Lies?
If the committee has declared that preferred lies are in operation, do you get a free drop from a divot hole in the rough when your ball has landed in one?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Golf Club Membership Is In Decline. So What Does The Future Hold?
Is time running out for the traditional structure of members’ golf clubs in this country? What do clubs need to do to adapt, continue to appeal and survive?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Do You Get A Free Drop If You’re Standing On A Sprinkler Head In The Rough?
What happens if you go to address your ball in the rough and find your foot slipping about on a sprinkler head. Are you entitled to a free drop?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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25 Players Poised To Take The Golf World By Storm In 2025
Fergus Bisset selects 25 players to look out for in 2025. From rising stars to household names, these men and women could be in line for a stellar season...
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Five High Profile Rules Incidents of 2024
A look at five rules incidents that took place on the professional tours through 2024. David Wilson, Rules Manager at The R&A explains what happened in each case.
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Are You Disqualified If You Play A Ball From Out Of Bounds And Carry On?
If you find your ball is out of bounds and you decide to play it anyway, what happens next? Are you immediately disqualified or is there a way back?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Golf Rules Quiz! Adjusting Clubs, Raking Footprints And Improving Lies
See how good your Rules of Golf knowledge is and whether you would follow the correct procedure in these scenarios...
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Quiz! How Much Do You Know About Ben Hogan?
Ben Hogan was one of the greatest golfers in the history of the game. He was a brilliant swinger of the club and is an icon of the sport. How much do you know about him? Test yourself here…
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Golf Rules Quiz! Building A Stance, Sprinkler Heads and GUR
Golf Monthly offers up another multiple-choice quiz on the Rules of Golf. How much do you know about free drops and putting green repair work? Give it a try…
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Quiz! Golf In The Roaring 20s – How Much Do You Know About Walter Hagen and Bobby Jones?
Walter Hagen and Bobby Jones were the standout star golfers of the 1920s. How much do you know about their golfing careers? Test yourself with this quiz
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Quiz! Can You Name Every American Golfer To Win The Open Championship?
In 152 instalments of The Open Championship, 47 have been won by players from the USA and there have been 32 American champions. Can you name them?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Golf Rules Quiz! Damaged Balls, Staked Trees And Out of Bounds
See how you get on in this multiple-choice Golf Rules quiz. We test your knowledge on a variety of scenarios that you might encounter on the golf course
By Fergus Bisset Published
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All-Century Golf Bag: Which 14 Clubs From 2000-2024 Make The Cut?
Fergus Bisset considers popularity, reviews, innovation and his own opinion to select an all-century bag, driver to putter. Do you agree with his selections?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Is There A Penalty If You Accidentally Knock Your Ball Off A Tee?
If you address the ball on the tee and your club touches it causing it to fall off, what do you do next? Are you facing a penalty shot or shots?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Do You Have To Carry A Minimum Number Of Clubs In Golf Competitions?
If you’re playing in a golf competition, do you have to carry a certain number of clubs? Is there a maximum and is there a minimum? Golf Monthly has the answer here.
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Quiz! Can You Name Every US Course To Have Hosted The Ryder Cup?
Since 1927, 22 different courses in the USA have played host to the Ryder Cup. No course has held it more than once. Can you name all the venues?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Quiz! Can You Name Every British And Irish Winner Of A Men’s Major Since The Second World War?
Since 1945, 16 men from Britain and Ireland have won major titles, claiming a total of 28 majors between them. How many of those 16 men can you name?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Quiz! Can You Name Every Masters Winner Of The 1980s And 1990s?
14 men shared the 20 Masters victories on offer through the 1980s and 1990s. How many of them can you name? One man won three over the period…
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Quiz! Can You Name Every Player From Australia Or New Zealand To Have Won A Men's Major?
14 men from either Australia or New Zealand have won a men’s major title. The first was secured in 1947, the most recent in 2022. Can you name them all?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Quiz! Can You Name Every Player To Win On Either The PGA Tour Or European/DP World Tour As An Amateur Since 1945?
11 men have achieved the feat between 1945 and 2024. A number went on to enjoy significant success in the professional game. Can you name them all?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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Quiz! Can You Name Every Player To Have Won A Men’s Major With A "Z" In Their Name?
There are 12, can you get them all? With wins between 1935 and 2022 there are some famous figures, but there’s one very tricky one in there!
By Fergus Bisset Published
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What Is The Longest Club Length Allowed By The Rules?
Is there a limit to the length of golf club you are allowed to use. What is it? Would it be of any benefit to use a golf club longer than standard?
By Fergus Bisset Published
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5 Ways Golf Could Save Your Marriage
Golf is a miraculous sport with the power to deliver all sorts of thrills and memorable experiences. It teaches us a great deal about life and it could just save your marriage…
By Fergus Bisset Published