A message from the editor, Neil Tappin:
Despite having a keen interest in all areas of the game, I’m happy to admit that my greenkeeping knowledge could be described as somewhat ‘surface’. And yet, while I might not understand how they do it, as I sit here now and think about how golf course conditioning has changed in my lifetime, I can see that tremendous strides have been made.
This came across loud and clear as I read Dan Parker’s fascinating article on page 44. During the summer, we asked Dan to join the greenkeeping team at Edgbaston Golf Club for a day. He’s produced a window into a world that many golfers rarely see or think about. Dan discovered an operation that combines an enormous amount of specialist expertise, the latest technologies and some old-fashioned elbow grease.
The good news for golfers up and down the UK is that Edgbaston is not alone in its desire to elevate the quality of its course. It is my belief that when it comes to general levels of golf course conditioning, we’ve never had it so good.
And yet, the challenges posed by climate change – the regular deluges we saw in September being a case in point – are making keeping our courses pristine, that much harder. As we face up to those challenges it will be the same combination of expertise, technology and hard work that will keep our courses open and playing well. So, to all the greenkeepers who might pick up this issue, we salute you. Thank you for all your hard work.
See below for more highlights from the issue...
FREE Indoor Golf Mag
We've teamed up with SImSpace to bring you the ultimate guide to indoor golf. Whether it be at home or at a simulator venue, we've got 20 pages of tips and gear to keep your game in check this winter.
Putt Like A Pro
This game is great when it feels as though you can’t miss on the greens – when the hole looks the size of a bucket. Wouldn’t it be nice if that happened a little more often? This feature will help you to nail some of the basics, so that you can groove a more solid and confident stroke. We're certain these tips will help you to become a better putter, capable of shooting much lower scores.
Viktor Hovland
Twelve months ago, Viktor Hovland had the world at his feet, but some tinkering with his technique led to a slump in form. We look at what 2025 has in store for the happy-go-lucky Norwegian…
Winter Gear Guide
We showcase a selection of the best golf apparel and accessories for the upcoming winter season, all of which are designed to keep you comfortable on the course.
Greenkeeper For The Day
Dan Parker gets an early alarm call to learn the ropes with Edgbaston Golf Club’s course manager, Jake Field.
Cameron Smith Exclusive
We hear from Cameron Smith about what makes him tick, how he approaches the Majors and what to expect from him next year…
The Hottest New Gear
We feature all of the best new equipment to hit the market this month, including our review of the TaylorMade P7CB iron and much more.
The Best Courses You Can Play
Our team of course experts travel the length and breadth of the UK and Ireland to bring you a mix of well-known clubs and hidden gems to add to your wish list.
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DP World Tour Rookie Hit With Slow Play Penalty On First Pro StartJacob Skov Olesen was handed a one-shot penalty for slow play at the Australian PGA Championship in what was his very first start as a professional
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Nelly Korda Claims LPGA Awards Double After Seven-Win SeasonNelly Korda was handed the two top prizes at the LPGA Awards after a seven-win season including her second Major
