final shot
Nick Faldo
Charles McLaughlin meets the six-time major champion at his newest course design project – Laguna Lang Co in Vietnam
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hank goodness for the rain. It's absolutely bucketing it down and shows no sign of relenting. I'm not usually so pro precipitation – I'm from Scotland – but on this occasion it has its advantages. We, the media, have assembled for a tour of Faldo's latest design creation at Laguna Lang Co, the Banyan Tree Groupdeveloped and managed luxury retreat on the Central Vietnam coast, but given the conditions it's been decided that we skip this part of the itinerary and adjourn for an early lunch. Star of the show: Faldo's course design company is one of the most respected firms in the business
While Faldo's course is sure to be world class when it opens – aside from his postplaying career success as a TV commentator, the 54-year-old Englishman has established one of the most respected design firms in the business – and I'm disappointed not to see how its progressing – the weather means Faldo's schedule has relaxed a little. On media trips such as this, the amount of face time journalists get with the star of the show is dictated by any number of factors, but generally speaking a 15-20 minute interview is about as much as you can expect, given the typically whirlwind nature of the subject's visit. This time is different. With no course tour to host or coaching clinic to conduct (this too has been cancelled), Faldo has time on his hands and I make my move. I introduce myself on the minivan ride to the lunch venue and then – rather cheekily, it must be said – plant myself in the seat next to his at the restaurant. If he's at all irritated by my chutzpah , he does a very good job of hiding it. Indeed, Faldo is great company. Far from being the cold fish that he is often portrayed to be, the six-time major champion becomes more relaxed and humorous as lunch progresses, each new – and exotic – course that arrives prompting a lively – and often downright hilarious – discussion and obligatory Twitter update. Along the way, Faldo and I discuss all manner of subjects – from Tiger Woods to financial advice, with thoughts on his maligned Ryder Cup captaincy, the state of his own game and why he believes the tours should have their own rules when it comes to equipment:
World Rankings
It's a different points system now. I was number one for 98 weeks but I didn't get there until I won my fourth major, so that's quite interesting. You've got to understand the system. If you're super consistent – and Luke Donald is ridiculously consistent – you'll get there. In
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Dual roles: Faldo on site at his latest course design project at Laguna Lang Co in Vietnam (below); a three-time Masters champion, the Englishman won't play competitively until the 2013 Open Championship at Muirfield
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theory you'd like the world's number one to have a major title, but maybe for Luke this is the start of him becoming a major champion.
Recent Major Winners
There have been an amazing number of firsttime major winners. Phil [Mickelson] was the last multiple winner. In fact, over the last 15 majors it's been something like 12 first-time winners. I think sports need heroes. Look at tennis. They have three amazing players, plus an unlucky Scotsman [Andy Murray]. Of the last 27 Grand Slam finals, 26 have been won by either Federer, Nadal or Djorkovic.
The Long Putter
I've never had one in the bag competitively but I have tried it. I'm a traditionalist in the sense that it's called a golf swing, not a golf hinge. So I don't think you should be able to anchor it to your body. But it has lost its stigma of 20 years ago. Back then, if you went to the long putter it was a sign that you'd lost your nerve – or your mind! But now these kids, like Keegan Bradley, have been using them all their lives. It's here to stay. The R&A decided in the interest and enjoyment of the game to allow them.
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I'd like the tour to have its own rulebook on equipment. You can't turn the clock back but you could say, for a tour pro, the driver is back to 300cc, not 460cc. It took them two years to work out that square grooves worked, when we [pros] knew that after two shots. When the ball came back with bits hanging off it – with a sixiron – that was the giveaway!
Tiger Woods
He won't be as dominant as he used to be. We talk about this all the time. He's not comfortable on the range, he's not comfortable on the golf course and he's probably not comfortable in his family life. He's certainly not comfortable in the business world. So a lot of things have changed rapidly for him in the last two years. He was outstanding at the Masters. He got into contention, he did his usual and he was the normal Tiger on Sunday morning. The interesting bit was when got to 10-under. He stopped at 10 and eight or so guys went past him. That's the difference. [Past Formula One champion Jackie Stewart] used to say: "I controlled the speed of the race. If I went fast, they went fast. If I went slower, they went slower." And that's what Tiger used to be – until he went 10 shots ahead. Everyone followed him
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but now, these kids do their own thing. Also, in the last five years Tiger only had to take on one guy at a time. Now, and the Masters is the best example, there are eight to 10 guys who can have a go. That's the theme right now: anyone can and does win. Tiger can fend off one or two, but he can't fend off 10 guys. Look at the average age of the winners. It's under 30. Tiger has lost his aura, and it may never come back.
The Masters
It gets better every year, it's unbelievable. We had 10 guys in with a shot [this year]. We didn't know which way to turn. So it's difficult for TV. If you have six guys putting for the lead at the same second, where do you go? You can miss the key putt. And it was hot. I was soaked. We sit in a little tower at the back of 18, with no aircon or anything. I was soaked through. But a great finish. [Charl] Schwartzel's four birdie finish was superb. I felt for Rory [McIlroy]. It was good that he bounced back [at the US Open]. He helps us out at the Faldo Series a lot. He came to our Grand Final and helped with clinics.
Ryder Cup Debut
The last Ryder Cup to be held on a links was [Royal] Lytham [& St Annes], which was when I made my debut. Me and Oosty [Peter Oosterhuis] were together. First morning was foursomes and he gave me the honour. We played [Ray] Floyd and Lou Graham. I was the youngest ever to play in it before [Sergio] Garcia pipped me. We used to lose back then ... we expected to lose. But I won, which was nice.
Ryder Cup Captaincy
I enjoyed some parts, some parts I didn't enjoy. I know I'm not going to get another chance, so there's not much point in thinking about it [laughs]. The boys did well last time [in 2010]. We won, that's what's important. We've held three Faldo Series finals at Celtic Manor, which is why I could speak authoritatively about the weather. And I could predict it! I've been there and felt the rain coming horizontally off the Severn Estuary. Gleneagles [2014 Ryder Cup venue] weather could also be challenging.
Faldo Series
When people like Rory and Yani [Tseng] were winning on the Faldo Series, you couldn't see the X-factor. You know, we always want too much now. We ask the question: 'Do you want to be world number one?' If the kid says no, or doesn't answer it, you think: 'Blimey, he lacks ambition.' HKGOLFER.COM
"I don't think about money. I don't watch it. I haven't a clue about my net worth. If it fluctuates then I'm not too concerned." But when I look back on my career I remember that all these things happened in stages. First goal was to be a pro golfer, then go on tour. Then you play a bit and think, 'Oh, I could win.' Then you win a bit and you want a major. I played a couple of years and I thought I could win an Open, but that didn't happen for nine years. Then the Number One thing came about and you think, that could be interesting. Then when you get close to it you really want to be number one. I didn't start at the age of 18 knowing I wanted to be number one, but the media forces these kids to say it now and then criticizes them for it. HK GolferăƒťDEC 2011
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weeks, especially since my Dad isn't so well. I was born and brought up in Welwyn Garden City, and that's where my parents are. My kids are old enough to fly to me now which is fun. That makes life a little easier.
Money
I pay taxes everywhere. I was advised not to get a green card, but I don't think about it. Some people structure their whole lives around it, and I did for a while. I had a management group telling me I should go to Bermuda, do this and do that. I don't see the point. I don't think about money. I don't watch it. I haven't a clue about my net worth. If it fluctuates then I'm not too concerned.
Management
"I had my era, I had my time, and I was motivated pretty well. Physically you change and I physically can’t survive a day going at the pace I used to. I used to play and practice so damn hard every day – I can’t do that anymore." Twitter
Off-course pursuits: Faldo's business interests even extend to wine. The Englishman has his own Nick Faldo Selection Cabernet, Shiraz and Sauvingnon Blanc, all produced in South Australia's Coonawarra region 76
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I l ove Tw it t e r [c h e c k Fa l d o o u t @ TheSirNickFaldo], but it shouldn't be taken seriously. Someone dangled a carrot and said if you have x number of followers it has a commercial value, and that's got these guys thinking. I think the danger is that you react too quickly to it. It's like mobiles in general; you react too quickly to it. If you've got a phone in your bag and it starts to ring, you always react to it. You walk over to see what's just happened; a call, a message, a posting – you react to it. I think the guys have lost the solitude, the wonderful solitude of going practicing and only thinking about hitting golf balls. Because I know it happened to me. Once I started changing, trying to become a businessman and all sorts of things then you lose that wonderful, you know, 'I'm gonna tip a bag of balls out and hit them.' You lose that 100 per cent concentration. There's so many distractions now. Every move of the day is recorded.
Home
I live in Orlando, that's my base, but England is still home. I pop back there every month or six
I went with IMG right from when I started and I did 20 years with them. If you're a golfer that's great because you just go play golf and they do your tax bills and everything else. When you want to then build your own identity a bit and you want to understand the business side then you tend to get involved more on that side of things. To be honest I would really advise young golfers to get someone they trust. Trust them on day one, don't ask questions until your golf career is over. If you find after 30 years something is wrong at least you've had peace of mind for 30 years. You may have been stupid for 30 years, but you didn't know. Seriously, that's the best. When you know there's a better way of doing business, or someone is abusing you for whatever reason, you're done. One it gets in your head you're done. But with common sense there are enough lawyers around to read the contracts for you. [laughs] If your manager's selling you, keep him. If he can't sell you, dump him. To be fair, you also have to perform. There's a lot of kids today who think 'I want a manager' and you say, 'Well, what have you done?' And they say, 'Not a lot, but I want you to sell me.' But you have to be a performance athlete. You have to perform. Of course, I'm now the opposite. I'm "selling" six majors, something that happened 20 years ago. You definitely need a different approach. I can't have them managing for a percentage of performance money, because that's what you get when you are a regular on tour. That's why my relationship with TaylorMade is so good. They know I'm a voice for them, I bring my six majors with me. I was with Nike for a while, and I said, 'I can't play like I used to play. Forget it!' HKGOLFER.COM
Semi-Retirement
I had my era, I had my time, and I was motivated pretty well. Then I geared up again to do it properly, and I looked pretty much the same and felt good but I’d changed physically. Physically you change and I physically can’t survive a day going at the pace I used to back in the day. I used to play and practice so damn hard every day – I can’t do that anymore. It's more fun not playing golf. I play exhibitions but I don't want a scorecard in my hand. I'm playing zero tournaments this year for the first time in 40 years. I actually had a summer holiday with my kids, which was way more fun: fishing, sightseeing and all sorts of things. I'm officially semi-retired. The next event I am going to play is the Open at Murifield in 2013, so I'm in dedicated training, serious practice, every day just for that! [laughs]. It's my goal – just to get to the first tee! [laughs]
On/Off Course Persona
Back in the day, I'd get my head down, go and play, try to focus and people ignored by good qualities and made a lot of assumptions about me and who I was as a person. I always like a good laugh with my friends, but they [the
media] didn't see that. I know I have a dark sense of humour at times but if you know me you know that I can be a bit nutty. Don't get me wrong. I know I've been very lucky. There are some stunningly gifted public speakers who freeze in front of a TV camera, and I've been shy all my life. That shyness perhaps led to my reputation and people forming an opinion of me.
Television Success
You have to be a natural, because you can't fake it. The key is to just think you are talking to yourself most of the time [as opposed to millions of viewers] and that's fine. Even when I turn to the camera I'm just talking to the camera. Still, sometimes it does get a little scary when you ask 'Where is this going?' and they say 'The world'. You do get those silly old moments when you're talking away and you don't even know if anyone can hear you. I try not to think too hard about it [but] I'm enjoying what I'm doing. As for the opinions [I make], well, I've walked the walk to back it up. That's my mantra. No one has said I don't know what I'm talking about. I've been there and done that. I've played in these events at the same courses.
About Laguna Lang Co
Located between the cities of Hue and Danang on Vietnam's central coast, Laguna Lang Co will, upon completion, be the first fully and legitimately integrated resort in the country. It will also be the largest, with 2,000 hotel keys under the management of seven international branded hotels and resort operators, award-winning spas, resort residences, convention facilities and a town centre replete with retail and recreational facilities. The resort is the next generation of Laguna's extraordinarily successful development in Thailand, Laguna Phuket. Faldo's course has been routed across stunningly diverse land. Starting on a coastal headland, the layout winds its way through mangroves and jungle and incorporates numerous rock formations and rice paddies. "Every hole is different – there's nothing worse than an unmemorable golf course – but this is going to be very good," said Faldo. "The course is shaping up nicely and already has some wonderful movement. The terrain allowed us to incorporate some very interesting and unusual features." The course is one of three key components of Phase One of Laguna Lang Co., the other's being Angsana Properties' condominium-style resort, which like Faldo's layout is slated to open in mid 2012, while a sophisticated portfolio of highquality Banyan Tree-branded villas will launch sales at the beginning of the year.
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