What were once tricky par five holes have now become a drive and a mid iron for some players. Some par fours can now be driven from the tee, courses are being feverishly modified to ensure that courses remain competitive for players. This generally entails moving the tee as far back as possible, ideally into the next county.

So, given the games current obsession with length, why is it that the current world number one, and the winner of both the US and European Tour’s money list for 2011 (a unique honour in the world of golf) is one player who doesn’t tend to smash the ball a country mile?

The man in question is of course the incredible Luke Donald and his successes in 2011 have got the world of golf talking once again about what you really need to be the best in the world.

Donald ranked tied-147^th on tour for average driving distance (284.1 yards). And he did rank 57^th for driving accuracy. But these statistics don’t really display the characteristics of the golfer who has been the best in America, Europe and across the world in 2011.

Donald’s iron play played a bigger role in his success this year than his driving. He ranked 41^st in greens hit, but was 9^th in terms of landing his approaches closest to the hole. Furthermore, with a wedge in his hand Donald was nothing short of outstanding, ranking second on tour for approach shots under 125 yards, making birdie or better 1 in every 3 shots.
 

It was however on the greens that Donald really excelled, he’s been the best putter on the PGA Tour in the last three years and this year, the adage “drive for show, putt for dough” really came home to roost. Inside three feet, Donald was perfect in the year, hitting 529 out of 529 putts from inside this distance.

The other thing that is jarringly apparent from the statistics is Donald’s trademark consistency. In 16 final rounds played on the US PGA tour in 2011, Donald was under par a staggering 15 times and even par for the other round. He is the only officially ranked tour player without an over par final round in 2011.

The wealth of statistics show that Donald’s dominance is well deserved, yet there is a sense of intrigue about his success. How can a golfer, who is not archetypical of what we assume to be the blueprint for a ‘successful golfer’ in the world today, be so good on such a consistent basis?

Luke Donald isn’t tall or powerfully built; he can’t generate the same clubhead speed as Ernie Els or Alvaro Quiros; he doesn’t have forearms like Popeye and isn’t the most vociferous golfer on the course, but there are clues as to what make him the world’s best at present.

Chief amongst them is his swing. Donald’s swing is truly a thing of beauty; there is a certain velvet grace to it that appears as if it is the most natural movement for Donald to perform. His swing is a pure, simple yet elegant golf stroke that Donald has ingrained into his psyche and it is this provides the catalyst for all aspects of his game.
 

In addition to a majestic swing, Donald also possesses a fierce will to win. The Englishman may come across as somewhat laconic and affable in front of the TV camera’s but let there be no doubt that Donald is a fierce competitor. This was illustrated when taking on the then world number one, Lee Westwood, at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth this year when he held his nerve to not only take the title in a nail biting playoff, but install himself as the new world number one.

He has not relinquished that position since.

Donald has fully deserved being named PGA and PGA Tour player of the year in this past week and next year few would bet against him targeting a major title in his quest for golfing greatness. He may not be the longest or most spectacular player, but golf is so much more than being able to hit the ball vast distances from the tee.

As Donald has comprehensively proven throughout this record-breaking season.

(Stats kindly reproduced from PGA Tour)

Images by Keith Allison

My good friend Tommy Priest told me of a time when he was playing a shot into a green and slightly mishit it, the ball rolled to the side of the green, clattered into the prongs of a rake that had been left at the side of the bunker, deflecting the ball which rolled down, onto the green and into the hole. A freak occurrence this may be, but it does raise the issue of where do you store the rake when you have finished using it.

It is tempting to think that the Rules of Golf would provide a simple answer, only they don’t. There is no rule about where a rake should be placed, only a proviso from the USGA that “Ultimately, it is a matter for the Committee to decide where it wishes rakes to be placed.”

As such, many golf courses may have their own rules about where a rake should be placed when not being used, so it may be wise to find this out before playing, especially on a new course. However, at times there may not be a policy, or you may be unable to ascertain whether a course has such a policy or not before you start a round. In these situations, what are the best guides to follow?
 

While there are no official rules about rakes, the USGA does provide some helpful ‘rule of thumb’ guidelines about where to place a rake, stating:

“There is not a perfect answer for the position of rakes, but on balance it is felt that there is less likelihood of an advantage or disadvantage to the player if rakes are placed outside of bunkers.”

Of course, this is of little consolation to a player who hits a slightly errant approach and watches his ball clatter into the rake and disappear into the woods, or down into a deep bunker.
 

However, the alternative would be for a ball to land in a bunker and come to rest, perhaps on a slope, against the rake. As such, this makes the bunker shot markedly more difficult for the player as the player has to proceed under Rule 24-1, which could see them forced to incur a penalty shot as any dropped ball could roll closer to the hole, forcing them to drop outside the bunker and incur a penalty stroke.

In addition to this guidance, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America recommends that rakes are placed outside the bunker, laying with the tines upwards, parallel to the direction of play on the hole. This seems sensible, until you witness the first golfer absent-mindedly stand on the tines, sending the handle of the rake crashing into their face, or somebody accidentally runs over the tines with the wheel of their golf cart.
 

Some golf courses have come up with creative ways to address the rake issue. One course sunk tubes into the ground outside bunkers so that rakes could be dropped down the tube with the tines of the rake lying flat against the turf. This sounds a good idea, but requires a huge number of very narrow and surprisingly deep holes to be drilled on any course wishing to follow this example.

Of course, one simple solution is to place rakes on golf carts, so there are no rakes out on the course. While practical for social or amateur play, it is a problem at a professional level where carts are not allowed and thus caddies would have to cart not only a players bag, but also a long and unwieldy rake with them around the course.

The issue of rakes is good example of a seemingly simple problem not having a perfect solution. Yes, even if you follow the guidance offered by the USGA and Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, there is still the chance an errant tee or approach shot can hit a rake and be propelled into the woods, a bunker, a pond or, if fortune smiles, onto the green and even into the hole.
 

But my feeling on the matter is this; that is all part of what makes golf a great game, why do we need to change anything?

Golf would be a pretty dull game if every round we were not subject to the vagaries of chance but simply played to our level of ability that day. Part of the beauty and attraction of the game is that things do not always go to plan. It allows us to be creative, dream up wacky and improbable shots, it is a part and parcel of the game which should never be eradicated because it does not need to be.

Part of the attraction of golf is that it has no rhyme or reason. Tommy’s mishit approach should never have ended up in the hole, but it did. In the same way that someone else who hits a beautiful shot directly at the hole, sees their ball clatter into the flagpole and be deflected into a bunker.
 
So the issue with rakes is an interesting one. We can follow the guidelines to make the game as fair as possible for sure.

But I thank goodness that sometimes, golf isn’t fair. One of the worst shots I have ever hit ended up being a mishit Eagle bump ‘n run chip in from around 80 yards.
 

It is still the best shot I’ve ever played.

So remember, tines up, rakes parallel with the direction of the course outside the bunker, unless your committee or course has its own rulings on the matter.

However, just don’t try to follow Tommy’s example of using the rake to help deflect the ball into the hole. That way lies madness!

On the other hand, buy the wrong pair of golf shoes and a round can quickly become an ordeal. Aching feet, blisters, sore ankles and heels can quickly turn even the most amiable round of golf into a painful rush to finish. In such circumstances, you cannot concentrate on your golf game as the pain and discomfort from your feet becomes overbearing.

It is the same in inclement weather. Good shoes keep the wet out and the warmth in, poor shoes do the exact opposite and can leave a golfer with two cold, muddy blocks of ice for feet at the end of a round.

Obviously, choosing your golf shoe is therefore very important and you should take care to ensure that the shoes you buy, are ones that will allow you to concentrate on improving your golf, rather than causing you discomfort while you play.

Listed below, in no particular order are three types of golf shoe that have stood the test of time and are a great starting point for those considering purchasing their first or a new pair of golfing shoes, we’ve organised them into budget, mid-range and top of the range pricings.

BUDGET

Adidas Tech Response 3.0 Golf Shoes approximate cost $54.95

Golfers who only play in warmer conditions will find the Adidas Tech Response offers the perfect solution. It is lightweight and breathable, which makes it ideal in warmer weather, but it is light and comfortable like a training shoe. Indeed its design looks very much like an Adidas trainer. If you are a fair-weather golfer who does not play too often and does not want to spend a great deal on golf shoes, then this is an ideal choice.

MID-RANGE

Nike Lunar Control Golf Shoes approximate cost: $149.95

Nike are a very popular manufacturer of golf shoes and trainers and their stylish Lunar Control range are excellent value for money. They are lightweight and provide ample support and cushioning to make them extremely comfortable to wear on a round. They come with a two-year waterproof warranty and a 45-day comfort warranty to ensure that the purchaser is more than happy with the shoes.

TOP OF THE RANGE

FootJoy Myjoys ICON Golf Shoes approximate cost : $259.95 

FootJoy are one of the biggest names in golfing footwear and used by tour professionals worldwide. Their Myjoys shoe come in a range of styles and are fully customisable by the user. The shoes are built to the unique specifications of the wearer and can be decorated with your name or a logo on the heel. They come with a two-year limited waterproof warranty and are available in a range of different designs.

Of course, how well your golf shoes last depends very much on how well you look after them. Always remember to keep your golf shoes clean and dry. It is a important to clean and dry them after every round and, ideally, have them professionally cleaned after 6-10 rounds. Always keep a check on the spikes to replace any deteriorating or missing ones. This will ensure your shoes stay comfortable on your feet, for longer and stops the sole of your shoes coming into contact with the ground and starting to wear.

When taken care of correctly, golf shoes can not only be comfortable, waterproof and durable, but they can also last a long time.

Images by FootJoy, fresh, Adidas

So what do we know about the forthcoming Olympic competition, its qualification system, the tournament itself and where it is likely to be played?

1. Organisation

The first thing to note is that the structure and organisation of the Olympic golf tournament has already been agreed upon by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Golf (along with Rugby) will be part of the 2016 and 2020 games for definite (as reported in an article in Golf World in October 2009), with its future participation after that somewhat dependent upon the success of this first tournament, with the IOC set to review its continued participation in the games in 2017.

The IOC have also confirmed that there will be individual golf tournaments for men and women. The format of the competition will be a 72-hole stroke play, the same format used in most professional tournaments across the world. In the event of a tie, each competition will be decided by a three-hole playoff. The field for both men and women’s tournament will be limited to 60 players and there are already guidelines in place which outline how golfers can qualify for the Olympic tournament.

2. How golfers will qualify

The IOC have decided that in order to qualify for one of the 60 places in the field, golfers will have to qualify for the Olympic Golf tournament via their world ranking, though to ensure a greater variation in the countries representatives competing, qualification is staggered.

The top 15 ranked players in the Official World Golf Ranking would qualify for the tournament, regardless of which country they come from.

The remaining 45 players would then be selected  based on their world ranking, but only if the country they represent does not already have two players competing in the Olympic tournament.

In effect, what this means is that in order to get a more balanced field in the Olympics, and to open up the sport for more countries to compete, it means that a lot of big name golfers will miss out, who are just outside the world’s top 15.

For example, if the IOC were to use the Official World Rankings as of 31^st December 2011 as their criteria for qualification, this is how the field for the men’s tournament would line up:

Qualified from World Top 15:

1.Luke Donald (GB & NIR),

2.Lee Westwood (GB & NIR),

3.Rory McIlroy (GB & NIR),

4.Martin Kaymer (Ger),

5.Adam Scott (Aus),

6.Steve Stricker (USA),

7.Dustin Johnson (USA),

8.Jason Day (Aus),

9.Charl Schwartzel (S.Af),

10.Webb Simpson (USA),

11.Matt Kuchar (USA),

12.Nick Watney (USA),

13.Graeme McDowell (GB & NIR),

14.Phil Mickelson (USA),

15.K.J.Choi (Kor),

16.Ian Poulter (GB & NIR)

Now what is notable from this list is that there are five golfers from Great Britain and Ireland, six from the United States and two from Australia amongst the 15 qualifiers. This would mean that no other players from the US, GB & Ireland and Australia would be allowed to enter the tournament.

So, the likes of Paul Casey, Justin Rose, Hunter Mahan, Bubba Watson and perhaps most importantly for the game itself, Tiger Woods, would all miss out whereas some of the lesser known names in golf would qualify

The other 45 qualifiers (world ranking in brackets following country): 

17.Sergio Garcia (Esp: Wr 17)

18.Alvaro Quiros (Esp: Wr 22)

19.Robert Karlsson (Swe: Wr 24)

20.Kim Kyung-Tae (Kor: Wr 25)

21. Anders Hansen (Den: Wr 34)

22. Thomas Bjorn (Den: Wr 35)

23. Freddie Jakobsen (Swe: Wr 39)

24. Louis Oosthuizen (S.Af: Wr 40)

25. Francesco Molinari (Ita: Wr 41)

26. Ryo Ishikawa  (Jap: Wr 51)

27. Matteo Manassero (Ita: Wr 58)

28. Toru Taniguchi (Jap: Wr 61)

29. Vijay Singh (Fiji: Wr 63)

30. Joost Luiten (Ned: Wr 64)

31. Nicolas Colsaerts (Bel: Wr 72)

32. Padraig Harrington (Ire: Wr 85)

33. Camilo Villegas (Col: Wr 89)

34. Raphael Jacquelin (Fra: Wr 106)

35. Jhonattan Vegas (Ven: Wr 111)

36. Shane Lowry (Ire: Wr 119)

37. Gregory Bourdy (Fra: Wr 124)

38. Andres Romero (Arg: Wr 125)

39. Brendon de Jonge (Zim: Wr 144)

40. Thongchai Jaidee (Thai: Wr 151)

41. Danny Lee (NZ: Wr 152)

42. Juvic Pagunsan (Phil: Wr 157)

43. Siddukur Rahman (Ban: Wr 158)

44. Bernd Wiesberger (Aut: Wr 162)

45. Kiradech Aphibarnrat (Thai: Wr 177)

46. Jeev Milka Singh (Ind: Wr 187)

47. Felipe Aguilar (Chl: Wr 193)

48. Robert Jan Derkson (Ned: Wr 208)

49. Lu Wei-Chih (Tai: Wr 211)

50. Adam Hadwin (Can: Wr 238)

51. Fabrizio Zanotti (Par: Wr 241)

52. Ricardo Gonzalez (Arg: Wr 245)

53. Arjun Atwal (Ind: Wr 246)

54. Liang Wen-Chong (Chn: Wr 251)

55. Marcel Siem (Ger: Wr 253)

56. David Hearn (Can: Wr 254)

57. Mark Tullo (Chl: Wr 262)

58: Ricardo Santos (Por: Wr 269)

59. Martin Wiegele (Aut: Wr 270)

60. Mardan Mamat (Sgp: Wr 288)

The interesting question here looking at this field is if Olympic golf will have the same appeal, watching Martin Wiegele and Mardan Mamat battle it out against Luke Donald and Lee Westwood, while there is no place for the likes of Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Jim Furyk, Bubba Watson or Ian Poulter in the competition?

3. The Course

At first, it was mooted that the Itanhanga Golf Club, which has hosted a European Tour event in 2000, would be the venue for the tournament, however that has now been scrapped in favour of building a brand new development.

According to the official Rio 2016 website, the new complex will be based in Reserva de Marapendi, 5 kilometres from the athletes village. The IOC invited bids from parties interested in designing the course in October 2011 and late last month, they announced that they had agreed to review eight design bids from: Gary Player Design, Greg Norman Golf Course Design, Hanse Golf Course Design, Hawtree Ltd, Nicklaus Design, Renaissance Golf, Robert Trent Jones II and Thomson-Perret Golf Course Architechts.

The Rio 2016 website has said that an announcement on the winning golf course design bid will be made in “early 2012” but so far no news as to who the winning bidder is, has been announced.

The Conclusion?

In short, there is a lot of work to be done before 2016 to really set the golfing world alight at the prospect of an Olympic games. Currently, the prospect of listening to Tiger Woods commentate, while we watch Mardan Mamat play on a course that has not even been designed yet-let alone built- hardly fills the keen golfer with much enthusiasm for the event.

Over time though, this attitude will change. Once the course design is finalised, the course built and hopefully some of the world’s best stars at the top of their game, the 2016 Olympic Golf Tournament may well be the roaring success that both the Olympics and the Golf community at large, need it to be.

Images by rhurtubia, Will Clayton

That said, it is important to take care of your golf gear even if it is not being used and some of the top tips outlined below will help ensure that your golfing equipment is in perfect shape when the first few buds of spring start to bloom into life.

Golf Clubs

To maintain your clubs over the winter takes only a little time and effort, but can ensure that your clubs are not only in pristine condition when you come to play again, but stay in top class condition for longer.

1. Club heads

All you need to keep your club heads spotless is a bowl of warm soapy water, and a toothbrush. Use the toothbrush to clean the club head, removing all traces of grass stains, mud and sand. Pay particularly attention to cleaning the grooves on the club, these are what helps impart spin on the ball and they can easily be clogged up with mud and other debris if not cleaned frequently, which affects the control you can get on the ball. Don’t forget to check and clean the back of the clubface too.

Once you have washed the clubs, dry them with a soft towel (your golf towel is ideal) and replace the head cover for storage.

2. Shafts and grips

If you are not playing over the winter then this is a great time to check the condition of your shafts and grips. Look around the hozzle to ensure that the shaft is still in great shape, especially if it is a carbon fibre shaft. Check your grips for wear and tear and if you encounter any problems, take your club to the local pro shop to get it repaired while you are unable to play. It is much more sensible to do that, than get the clubs out for the April society competition, only to discover the problem then and then try to get it fixed in the few days before the competition.  It is always a good idea to wash down your grips with soap and water as well. This will put them in a practically brand new condition assuming they are not ripped or broken.

Golf Bags

Your bag can take a bit of a beating over the course of the year, so the winter down time is a great opportunity for that long-overdue sort. A good idea is to empty the bag completely of all its items and then work through the bag systematically, giving it a gentle clean with a gentle cloth and a small amount of soapy water.

Once the outside of the bag is pristine, now it is time to check the inside. Check the club compartment for errant golf gloves, receipts, chocolate bar wrappers or even golf balls and remove them and don’t forget to give the inside a clean, especially if you play frequently in wet and muddy conditions. Mud from the club heads will have dripped down the inside of the bag in such cases, so giving the inside a quick clean is a good idea.

Finally, it is time to check out the pockets. Look for any damage or holes appearing in the fabric, and if you have the skill to do so, try and mend them. Take out your waterproof items, such as the bags rainproof cover and give them a clean. Check them for any moisture, mould or damage. Damp items left in a bag can quickly go mouldy, so it is important that they are not just dry, but clean also.

Your bag should now be in pristine condition to be stored for the winter, but you’ll no doubt have a big pile of golfing accessories to sort through now.

Golf Accessories

Whether it is tees, balls, scorecards, pitch mark repairers, GPS systems or even a humble golf glove, the winter is a great time to take stock. Once you have emptied your bag and your clubs are clean, it is time to focus on your golf accessories and pare them down to what is required.

Over the course of the year, your bag will become clogged with many items it doesn’t actually need. Whether it is found golf balls and tees, forgotten drinks bottles, spare scorecards, these items can quickly amount up to a hefty amount of additional weight to cart around the golf course.

So take your time and sort through your accessories now. Get rid of any golf balls you will never use in a round, or that are in a poor condition and do the same with your tees and any golf gloves that have seen better days. This will also give you a heads up as to which items you are going to need to purchase before you head back out onto the course in April.

Golf Trolley

Now the bag is sorted, it is now time to check your golf trolley if you have one. Check that the wheels are still aligned correctly and if there are any annoying ‘squeaks’ when you wheel the trolley, check out the source and treat with a little WD40. It is important also to check the joints on the trolley for any signs of wear and tear or rust and treat accordingly. Lastly, giving the trolley a quick clean with warm soapy water will prepare it perfectly for next season.

Golf Shoes

Lastly, the final item to sort out is your golf shoes. Obviously, it is important that they are cleaned, dry and free from grass and mud stains over the winter but there are other things to check too. The first thing is to check that all spikes are present and correct and not only that, but that the threads are in a good condition too. Any threads rusting on spikes should be replaced and the housing treated with a little WD40 or similar to help keep them from rusting further.

It is also important to check the sole of the shoe for any signs of deterioration and give the laces a check over too, as there is nothing more annoying than pulling on your shoes in April, going to tie them, only for the lace to snap on the eve of your first round of the year. If laces are showing signs of wear and tear replace them.

Shoe trees are an excellent investment to make when storing your shoes (in the off-season or during the season). The shoe tree will let the leather and shoe breathe extend the life of the shoe.

Following these tips will help ensure that when your enforced winter absence from the course finally ends in a few months time, you will be back on the course in the best condition possible to start attacking pins and lowering your handicap from the first tee shot.

Images by Gorilla Golf Blog

Wounded soldiers, who have been injured while in action across the globe, are now benefitting from the rehabilitative effects of golf. In the Washington State, near Seattle, the organizers of the Wounded Veterans Golf Clinic, have quickly realised that golf can play a key role in helping soldiers learn to cope with their injuries.

The clinic offers free instruction, equipment and the use of their course to allow wounded veterans the chance to play the game. Furthermore, the course is organised and maintained by wounded veterans which means that there is a deeper level of understanding at this course of the particular difficulties that wounded veterans, or any golfer with a physical disability, may face.

As Korean war veteran and Wounded Veterans Golf Clinic organiser Pepper Roberts observed:

“When they come back from being injured, a lot of them [veterans] are very self-conscious about their body. They don’t want to be seen…and this brings them out.”

In the UK, a similar project is now being undertaken by the military. The Battle Back program is aimed at encouraging ex-service personnel who have been injured on service, to participate in a number of different sports “to aid their rehabilitation and return to an active life.”

Earlier this year a Golf 4 Heroes campaign was launched, attempting to get golf courses across the UK to allow wounded veterans the chance to play a round of golf for free at courses across the UK. As of January 2012, 781 golf courses across the UK had agreed to participate in the programme, which sees them offer two complimentary green fees a week to injured ex-service personnel.

 
So how does the rehabilitation program manifest itself? How does the game of golf help these injured veterans come to terms with their injuries and the effect it has on their everyday life? In short, the benefits come in a variety of forms.

There are physical benefits, the strengthening of core muscles and flexibility to name but two. Being out and about on a golf course also helps build up stamina and helps to fight weight gain. But the benefits are manifestly more than physical.

 
As the Ministry of Defense points out:
“When first faced with the reality of a disability, many individuals experience a loss of confidence, depression and believe that their active lives have ended. The sudden, traumatic change in physical ability makes them vulnerable to psychological and emotional stress which can alienate them from their friends and family.”

 
It is this additional therapeutic benefit that is so important. These programmes for wounded soldiers allow them combat these negative feelings in a positive way. Instead of life being about what they can’t do, golf empowers them to show what they can do. It is this benefit to confidence, self-esteem, morale and positive mental well-being that cannot be overstated.

Quite why golf seems to have such therapeutic benefits cannot be easily identified. There are no scientific studies into this that we are aware of and the medical community has not come forward to support golf as a particularly good activity to promote health and fitness.  Yet, in direct contravention to this, there is evidence that suggests otherwise.

 
Certainly, it is heartening to see wounded soldiers being given the chance to play golf and it is delightful to see many people benefit from this in a variety of different ways. It is also encouraging to see increasing numbers of golf courses, manufacturers and personalities supporting these initiatives.

The least that the golfing fraternity can do for those who have served us so bravely and who now have to live with the unfortunate consequences of that, for the rest of their lives.

If you are interested in learning more about any of the initiatives above, or would like to share your story, then please feel free to contact us editor[at]gorillagolfblog.com

Images by familymwr, The U.S. Army

Stayed tuned this year for even more thought provoking and stimulating articles!

Few golfers will say having no arms.

Within that, we include disabled golfers. Ask a disabled golfer what their handicap is and they will tell you exactly the same as an able-bodied golfer. After all, why shouldn’t they? Disabled golfers play with mostly the same equipment we do, they may require sticks or a chair to get about the course, or special equipment to help them grip the club, or other adaptations to their clubs to allow them to play, but in essence, the game is exactly the same.

Hit the white round orb into the hole, in the fewest amount of shots possible on each hole.

But, here’s something to consider: The handicap system in golf is designed so that golfers of all abilities can play together. Indeed taking that argument a stage further, the R&A published their booklet A Modification of the Rules of Golf for Golfers with Disabilities so that golfers with disability could still play under equal terms.

So why, when golf has a perfect handicapping system in place, is there still an assumption from many golfers that disabled golfers have their own version of the game?

It is an intriguing and perhaps controversial point. On the Golfshake.com forum message board there was an interesting post from a member stating that he’d been assisting at the Disabled British Open earlier this year and that he had noted:

“The beauty of the handicapping system [in golf] that is, as far as I’m aware, unique to this game is that it takes account of the widely varying abilities (and disabilities) of all golfers. It caters for all abilities. So if local clubs simply make the effort to integrate disabled golfers – by making reasonable adaptations to facilities where necessary and by agreeing local regulations/rules where, for instance, para-golfers are unable to enter bunkers or need to bring their vehicles/buggies on to greens – then, unlike so many other sports, golf is ideally placed to see disabled golfers competing alongside us, their (more or less!) able bodied colleagues.”  

The first telling issue is that this post only elicited two responses and the second point to note here is that both these responses were generally negative.

The first respondent wrote that he felt it was good “to just compete amongst your peers” and made the point that “for disabled golfers, I am kind of assuming 28 handicap may not be enough in all cases to fairly compete in club comps with able bodied golfers.”

The second simply used the telling phrase “birds of a feather flock together” and claimed that humans bond chiefly with those that have similar characteristics and any of these quirks, be it race, gender or even someone missing an arm, is somehow a defining element into how we elect to become part of social groups. Perhaps his last comment “They will integrate as much as they care to” is the most telling.

I have no doubt that these golfers answered this enquiry in good faith, and while what they have written in response is small, it reveals an attitude towards disabled golfers, or disability in general, that is somewhat disconcerting.

Why do club handicaps have a limit of 28 handicap for players? The R&A clearly states in the modification booklet they have produced that disabled golfers can play in club competitions with a handicap far greater than this. So this argument is entirely baseless, unless of course you don’t want to play against disabled people and would rather “play against your peers”.

Indeed, the comments of the first respondent seem to support the assertions of the second, that “birds of a feather flock together”. Indeed there is almost a counter-movement here that is asserting disabled golfers actually isolate themselves from the mainstream due to their disability.

Strange as it may seem, listening to many disabled golfers talk about their experiences, there is a degree of truth in this statement. Many are unsure of how able bodied golfers will react to them on course. Many worry that they will be castigated for slow play, viewed as undesirable on the course, will ruin the fairways and greens with their equipment.

In the face of such attitudes and notions, is it any wonder that disabled golfers are more confident when playing with other disabled golfers?

Unfortunately comments such as this do little to dispel the feeling that disabled golfers are not part of golfing society. That somehow they are a niche market, to be kept away from “those who want to play the game properly.” Yet as the man who witnessed the skill of the competitors at the Disabled British Open, why are these people not good enough to take part in the monthly club medal?

So, we have the great golfing handicap paradox, we have a game that, thanks to the handicapping system, can and is played by all people of all abilities and all disabilities and can be done so universally, but in many parts of the world, the exact opposite is true. Handicap, in the form of disability which these very rules are said to take into account to allow everyone to play together, instead of proving inclusive, proves divisive.

The fault of this lies not in the game of golf, but in outdated stereotypical thinking about disabled people.

There are no reasons why disabled golfers cannot compete against able bodied golfers. If Oscar Pistorius can at compete at the very highest level of athletic competition, why are so many golf clubs and individuals so ready to deny disabled people the same opportunity and access they afford any able-bodied golfer?

The answer lies not in regulation, but in changing attitudes and by people judging disabled golfers on their ability with a golf ball, and not the disability that they are afflicted with.

 
Images by Gorilla Golf Blog©

With that in mind, here are five worst golf gifts you want to avoid in 2012 at least if you wish to preserve your sanity on the golf course.

1. The ‘bargain’ pack of golf balls

There is seldom a more deflating feeling than hearing the distinctive rattle of a box of new golf balls, only to unwrap them and instead of finding a shiny new pack of Titleist Pro V1x’s, you have instead got the bargain basement pack of Domark Go-Furtha! Not only do these golf balls feel like you have hit the Elgin Marbles when you strike them cleanly, they have the aerodynamic properties of a bag of cement.

2. The ‘amusing’ Driver club head cover

Personally, I blame Tiger Woods for this. Ever since he opted to use a tiger driver cover, novelty covers have been all the rage. There are now a wide range of animals you can buy and better still, for those seeking a really quirky birthday purchase to irritate golfers across the globe, you can now buy head covers that chirrup a variety of inane sayings and slogans at you during a round. This is the kind of present that seems hilarious in the shop, but within 3-holes of actual use, is having the battery ripped out and being stuffed into one of the bags copious pockets.

3. Golf clothing

There seems to be an implicit understanding on the behalf of some of the giddiest members of the family that seeing as you enjoy golf, you have an innate desire to wear clothes that even Vivienne Westwood would look at and gravely intone “No, that’s a step too far.” Not everyone who plays golf wants to look like Ian Poulter or John Daly. Yet each year, you’ll unwrap a golf polo shirt, jumper or pair of trousers that would do Rupert Bear proud.

4. The Golf ‘Gadget’

You know the kind of thing, the combined drinks flask, scorecard holder, cigarette lighter and ball marker in one. The blurb usually advertises this item as the next ‘must have item in the world of golf’ and informs the user that ‘never will ball cleaning, replacing missing spikes or repairing divots on the green be so tiresome as this fabulous new tool does it all”. Only it doesn’t and within a week or so it will be at the back of the cupboard with the automatic putting machine, collecting dust and occasionally annoying your partner when they want to spring clean.

5. The “I bought one of these and became a better player than Tiger Woods overnight” golf gift

Almost as bad as someone with no idea of golf buying you a present is another well-meaning amateur hack deciding they have seen enough of your tired attempts of a golf swing and need their help. As you unwrap your strange looking golf gift, a look of bemusement will cross your face and this is where your golf companion will step in. They’ll inform you, at great length, just as to how this item transformed them from a dreadful amateur hacker, into probably the world’s greatest golfer (as yet undiscovered) overnight. Furthermore, using it will not only shave shots from your game, you’ll also lose weight, become four years younger and the opposite sex will no doubt find you incredibly attractive too.

So for all those golfers out there who receive gifts like these  for your birthday, you have our sympathies but remember, there is hope.

There is always eBay.

Images by Gorilla Golf Blog©

1. TaylorMade R11 TP Driver (approximate price : £379)

It’s distinctive white club head has made the TaylorMade R11 the most eye-catching club used on tour this season. With so many pros deciding that the R11 not only looks great, but offers them additional length and distance from the tee, not to mention greater accuracy, with Luke Donald, Dustin Johnson, Justin Rose, Martin Kaymer and Sergio Garcia all using the new driver, it seems likely that many weekend golfers will soon follow in 2012.

2. Titleist Pro V1x Golf Balls (Dozen) (approximate price: £40)

If there is one golf ball likely to sell out of golf shops in the run up to Christmas 2011 it is the ubiquitous Titleist Pro V1x. The Pro V1x, according to the Titleist adverts, is the most popular golf ball used on tour and its ardent followers also extend into the amateur ranks too. It affords great feel for the amateur golfer, without compromising distance. Plus at over £3 a ball, it means amateur hackers will thoroughly search for them when they are smacked into rough.

3. Adams Golf Idea Pro A12 Hybrid (approximate price: £159)

When the frustration of too many poor shots with your 3 and 4 irons starts becomes too annoying, then a hybrid club offers a great alternative. Many pro’s, like Y.E.Yang, are now electing to place a hybrid in their bag at the expense of a 5-wood or long iron. For the amateur struggling with their long irons, the hybrid offers the perfect compromise, easier to hit than either choking down on a 5-wood or trying to thrash a 3-iron, hybrid clubs will be a popular choice in 2012.

4. Odyssey Golf White Hot XG Sabertooth Belly Putter (approximate price: £149)

Odyssey putters have many converts in the professional ranks and the trend for belly putters, which has reversed the fortunes of players like Adam Scott during 2011, may well be one that amateurs struggling on the greens are tempted to follow. As such, this brand new, strikingly designed Odyssey putter may be a popular choice for those seeking to try out a new method of putting on the greens in the New Year.

5. Golf Trip to La Manga Resort, Spain (approximate price: a lot!)

If money is no object and you fancy a chance to hit some balls while the weather is not conducive to a good game where you are, then a week at La Manga in Spain would be the perfect present for any golfer. La Manga features three 18-hole courses, full practice facilities and superb accommodation and dining in one of the largest resort complexes in Europe. If money is no object and a holiday is required to enjoy some winter golf, then La Manga is the ideal choice.

 
Images by TaylorMade Golf Facebook Page, Odyssey Golf