Inside: Golf Australia July 2017

The Open Championship, will play host to the game’s biggest names this month and we have a 16-page preview including features on defending champion Henrik Stenson, the chances of an Australian victory and the superb Royal Birkdale course.

COVER STORIES

STENSON’S RETURN

Henrik Stenson is battling a niggling injury and a dip in form but he still has eyes on keeping the Claret Jug for another year, writes Golf Australia Editor, Brendan James.

THE AUSSIE ASSAULT

It’s been 24 years since an Australian last won golf’s most prestigious tournament. Can one of the Aussies traveling to Southport break the drought? Michael Jones reports.

BRILLIANT BIRKDALE

Brendan James previews some of the key holes at Royal Birkdale ahead of this year’s Open Championship. Plus, Padraig Harrington explains why it’s the fairest course on the Open rota.

FEATURES

20 QUESTIONS: CHRISTINA KIM

We chat exclusively to Christina Kim about her golfing idols, her love of Tim Tams and where she thinks the women’s game is at.

SPEED KILLS

The push for faster green speeds is killing the game, writes Golf Australia Architecture Editor, Mike Clayton.

OLD SCHOOL

Armed with a set of hickories and dressed in plus fours, Alan Grieve won his club’s monthly medal against a full field of players using the latest technology, writes Michael Jones.

HAVE CLUBS, WILL TRAVEL

Jimmy Emanuel investigates the less glamourous side of professional golf and speaks to Dale Brandt-Richards, who is grinding it out week-to-week on Australia’s Pro-am circuits.

TRAVEL & COURSES

COURSE REVIEW: BALLARAT GOLF CLUB

Brendan James travels to one of the nation’s oldest golf clubs, which is firmly cemented among the Top-100 Public Access Courses in Australia thanks to Peter Thomson.

CLUB OF THE MONTH: LONG REEF GOLF CLUB

Michael Jones discovers why Long Reef Golf Club (pictured above) has been described as one the best properties in Sydney, and why it’s ranked in the Top-100 Public Access Courses in Australia.

WALKING ON SUNSHINE

If the thought of shivering through winter golf fills you with dread, you might want to consider making an escape to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, writes Brendan James.

GLORIOUS KENT

David Whyte travels to the county of Kent to play three Open Championship courses and uncovers a connection they share with the creator of James Bond.

INSTRUCTION

DISTANCE FOR THE REST OF US

Professional golf’s longest hitters average nearly 300 metres off the tee, and while that’s out of reach for us mere mortals, these tips will help you launch it further than ever before.

PRIVATE LESSON #1

PGA Teaching Professional Clinton Russell explains the importance of keeping the same tempo for every club.

PRIVATE LESSON #2

How can a towel help to improve your swing sequence? Find out with PGA Teaching Professional, Charles Kares.

EQUIPMENT

A NEW GEAR PLAYER WITH A FAMILIAR NAME

Jimmy Emanuel explains how the legendary Peter Thomson lent his name to Professional Golf Equipment and its new range of clubs and balls.

PLAYING WITH … CALLAWAY SURE OUT WEDGES

Struggling with your bunker play? Callaway’s Sure Out wedges are perfect for escaping any and every sand trap, writes Jimmy Emanuel.

PLAYING WITH … BUSHNELL PRO X2 LASER RANGEFINDER

Bushnell is synonymous with quality rangefinders and the Pro X2 more than lives up to the company’s name and reputation, writes Jimmy Emanuel.