IN THE NOVEMBER 2009 ISSUE THE MAN WITH THE MIDAS TOUCH Tiger Woods arrives back on Australian shores this month to contest the JBWere Masters. Brendan James looks at the success of the event and the World No.1’ s chances of grabbing a Gold Jacket. TIGER: what makes his a-game tick From tee to green, Tiger Woods has all the shots. The Swing Doctor reveals what you can learn from his great all-round game. ART ONE: THE EARLY YEARS Australia’s No.1 golfer sat down with John Huggan for an extended chat – starting with his beginnings in golf. ross fisher: In the fast lane The English hotshot has had a meteoric rise in world golf and is a favourite to win Europe’s biggest prize, writes Jock Howard. cOURSE Review: THE VINTAGE gc Like a good red from a nearby vineyard, the Hunter Valley course doesn’t lack for boldness, says Jeff Centenera. phuket: pars and spas Well-known to Australians, this iconic Thai destination offers more than just beaches and bars. Brendan James discovers that golf in Phuket measures up to its other attractions. centrefold: pound ridge gc Amid the old-school golfing ground of upstate New York, this new Pete Dye-designed public track and its 13th hole stand out. 8 western wonders Western Australia might seem a long way away for those on the east coast but it is well worth the trip. Brendan James takes a look at the eight best courses you will find within an easy drive of Perth. golfing getaways This month, the finest of Fiji, the golf tournaments that Lonely Planet doesn’t tell you about and Ian Baker-Finch goes on the Round Trip. EQUIPMENT are blades dead? They’re one of golf’s true classics, but the trends suggest that they’re also an endangered species. David Connor asks: is the popularity of the high-tech cavity back killing off the blade? TITLEIST’s new AP1 & Ap2 IRONS Our team puts Titleist’s new version of its multi-material irons to the test. GOLF AUSTRALIA WISH LIST Need a new club, bag or shoe that you know will make you play better? Check out these pages, full of the latest and best golf gear. INSTRUCTION buckle up to get on plane The Swing Doctor, Golf Australia’s resident therapist, gives you his easy tip to finding the swing plane – just belt it. point to the target A sound swing, such as Karrie Webb’s, should flow so freely that the club will end up in the direction of where the ball is going. STAY GROUNDED IN THE SAND The long bunker shot is not as hard as you think if your fundamentals are sound, like English pro Benn Barham. SHOOT LOWER SCORES NOW Better golf involves more than just striking the ball. Teaching editor Sean Somers shares his tips for what to do before, after and between shots. inding a few extra metres It’s a power game these days, and contributing pro Rohan Dummett shows you some small changes that could add up to big distance gains. REGULARS: TEEING OFF: BRENDAN JAMES WINNER’S CIRCLE: phil mickelson AROUND THE TRAPS LETTERS TO THE EDITOR golfopoly: golf business with jeff centenera INSIDE THE ROPES: MIKE CLAYTON wandering golfer: ted lazarus SUBSCRIPTION: Subscribe to the eagle club and win FOUR TICKETS TO THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN checklist: top 60 public access courses RESULTS AND RANKINGS COMING UP IN WORLD GOLF