NICOLAS COLSAERTS

Dubai’s resident golf ranking has been given a boost as former Ryder Cup star Nicolas Colsaerts has relocated his family within striking distance of The Els Club. The Belgium bomber won his fi rst DP World Tour event back in 2011, but it was his debut appearance the following year at the 39th Ryder Cup when he stole the headlines. Despite being a rookie, he teamed up with Lee Westwood in the Friday Foursomes carding eight birdies and an eagle to defeat the heavyweight pairing of Woods and Stricker on the fi nal hole. Colsaerts’ star was shining bright and the golfi ng world expected his stellar Ryder Cup performance to springboard his career to the next level, but he had to wait seven more years before he lifted his third DP World Tour title at the Open de France.

I always enjoyed watching him play, as his effortless power and calm demeanour is reminiscent to Davis Love III, the only difference being the short stick. Love was a solid putter and unfortunately Colsaerts rarely broke inside the top 150 putting stats on the DP World Tour. That was the heartbreak, as tee to green, he was arguably one of the best ball strikers in the history of the DP World Tour. This year, he turns 40 and his focus is more off the course than on. With a young family to look after he’s also been diagnosed with a rare kidney disease. We caught up with him in Dubai to discuss the challenges he’s facing and why living in Dubai has provided the perfect home base for him to get back on is feet.

That Ryder Cup winning feeling!

Nicolas Colsaerts of Europe celebrates a birdie putt on the 17th green during the afternoon Four-Ball Matches at the 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club.

The list is long, there are many reasons! My wife and I are parents to two young boys and we’re living in a place where all we have is an apartment, we’re after space, multilingual schools, the accessibility of practice for me so all of these reasons made Dubai the perfect choice.

I’ve been coming to the Els Club for quite some time but living here at Victory Heights in Sports City the Els Club was always the number one choice. They’ve been really nice to all of us, letting us use the golf course or the health centre or any facility that the place had to offer So I’m quite happy to call the Els Club home.

Well they have changed over the years because I have been coming here for about 20 years so we used to go out a lot when we were younger, we played in the Dubai Desert Classic and the Abu Dhabi Championship and also went to Qatar for many years. The level and the quality of the golf courses are always second to none, there is always so much to do whether we go on a safari in the desert or go to shopping malls, restaurants, the list is endless really.

The way it’s going to affect my golf is a little bit of a question mark, I’m sick but I don’t feel sick, I’m going through an immunosuppressant treatment so I’m going to be at risk for the next couple of months as I won’t be producing any antibodies so travelling is going to be very diffi cult for me . Then I am hoping I can play as many tournaments as possible. I’ve been a loyal supporter of the DP World Tour so I hope that I’m going to be able to go to the events that I’ve always liked playing over the last 20 years and see what this year has in store for– me.

Maybe I will, it’s one of the things that I’ve always been attracted to and enjoyed doing. The feedback hasn’t been too bad so far (laughs), I’m lucky enough to have been surrounded by English-speaking friends so I also understand the humour which is important. I do enjoy the on course commentary, though I don’t know whether it will be a reality for me in the next couple of years or later on but it’s defi nitely one of my options.

The love of music is always there, I always say that my life is golf but my real passion is music. The turntables are up and running in the living room, I had a little bit of spin in New Year which is going to be kept as a private matter!

I’m going to have to reassess my goals this year looking at my health situation. I’ve just played the Desert Swing events which was great being able to stay at home and with my family, instead of being in a hotel and away from them all.

The Majors are the biggest tournaments that we get to play and I do miss playing on the big stages, my results over the last couple of years have not really allowed me to get there but whichever it might be I would be quite happy to play in one of those Majors again. The courses are just so diffi cult and I really enjoy the challenge.

Belgian golf is pretty healthy considering how small our country is and how much is put into place for juniors. We’ve been able to produce two Ryder Cup players in four or six years which is quite incredible. It was only a matter of time before Thomas Pieters won again. What I really loved about Thomas Pieters’ win in Abu Dhabi, is that he seized his moment, he took control of the last diffi cult day when he could have lost patience around the turn. But he didn’t and that’s the evidence of him maturing into a phase where his career can only fl ourish. There are a few other young players who are doing well in the amateur scene in America. I think for a small country we have done very well and I think there are a few other surprises in store. ■ Worldwide GOLF 39

John E Morgan and Colsaerts commentating during the opening round of the 2021 DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates .

Colsaerts and Pieters of Belgium pictured with their caddies Brian Nilsson and Adam Marrow at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Colsaerts and the volunteers gather for a picture after his 2019 Open de France victory at Le Golf National near Paris.

With a host of star players to follow around Yas Links it made intriguing viewing, especially with the wind threatening to blow away a few egos, as well as a few scoreboards. Wasn’t it great to see our old friend Adam Scott golf his ball around this splendid coastal design, and to see Rory have to dig deep to make a birdie and make the cut. It was tremendous viewing for the keen golf watcher, of that there is no doubt.

How often do we witness the world’s great players just make it through to the weekend before scorching their way through the fi eld to become a challenger come Sunday afternoon. That’s how class rises to the top over time and Rory didn’t disappoint, thrilling his fans with a charge towards an unexpected victory.

Alas, golf pays tribute to no man and all 72 holes need to be played. In the end, a couple of mistakes on the way home did for the man from Northern Ireland and a top fi ve fi nish was all Rory could savour on the short trip down the road to Dubai. Although, I’m not sure that was how Rory was looking at things. Sometimes one cannot dwell on the positives like one should do, yet this is one of those moments to fear.

Pieters on a roll

Thomas Pieters, the man with all the ability in the world, one so talented that 36 holes with The Ryder Cup Captain was all that was needed to get a Wildcard Pick from captain Darren Clarke in 2014, has bounced back into the limelight. Hooray for that. Now a father, Thomas has hit the grown-up part of his career, and has done it in superb fashion. A win in Portugal last year catapulted one of Belgium’s fi nest into the mix once more and supplied the much-needed confi dence, which, in sport, as we know, is everything.

Sunday in Abu Dhabi required all that was on offer for the Victor, cool heads, something that, at times, Thomas has not found so easy, but, to be fair, when in the mix and fi ring on all cylinders Thomas has always been able to close the event, and close he did, without a hitch, or, indeed much fanfare for the most beautiful striker of a golf ball you could ever wish to see, left everyone else trailing, back to the big time for a guy who should be gracing the world’s biggest stages consistently from this moment on.

Desert Classic had it all

The Dubai Desert Classic has entered a new era, with ‘Slync.io’ on board as title sponsor and the upgrading to a Rolex Series event, this most wonderful event has had a muchneeded upgrade to help entice the world’s best to the Majlis Course. A star-studded fi eld assembled on the newly re-laid greens and extended lay-out, and we were greeted by the largest crowds seen for a decade or more. What a treat we were blessed with.

The smiling Norwegian with the killer game graced the leaderboards all week; Rory brought his glamorous game with him to the town that sparkles and the newest oldest star in the game Richard Bland, (or Blandy as he must now be known) became a menace that wouldn’t go away for the stars of the game.

Golf doesn’t care about age, or looks, or style, it cares about a clubface that consistently strikes the golf ball in the middle. It cares about attitude and course management, discipline and courage, a steady nerve and endless positivity. This can come some players’ way at the age of 23; some never quite get to experience playing under these conditions, and a handful of players may take 25 years of slow progress to reach the pinnacle of their golfi ng ability. That’s a long journey.

‘Blandy’ is the man to ask who has the sweet smell of success 25 years in the making. How wonderful. On a course that suits a man with more power than Richard can now show the world just what can be achieved with grit and determination, with belief and confi dence and a swing that has worked so well for two decades.

A surge around the turn, book-ended by a birdie on 17 and then another putt from 25 feet on the last hole to join a playoff, is the kind of golf that ‘Blandy’ has never played in his life, and this is a man who has played superb golf for most of his life. It’s a lesson in never giving up; in having a plan and sticking to it; in trusting their own ability and savouring the moment. What a victory it would have been. Alas, others have confi dence, too.

Lay up or not?

Rory has it, in bucket loads, but sometimes confi dence can overspill into mistakes, and surely his shot choice to the last hole, from 267 yards to go for the green was a mistake. We all want to be wowed by the world’s best players; to see the amazing shot at the crucial moment; but I for one would have been wowed with a classy wedge to ten feet and a putt for victory. As I am sure Rory would have been, too. Still, we don’t have a crystal ball, a lay-up into a sanded divot could have been the outcome, after all if a different strategy had been employed, as it is we got to witness a disastrous last hole bogey, Rory had to fl y home knowing that his game is a match for anyone once more and Victor Hovland got to play his last three holes in four under par, to join the most unlikely playoff in the tournament’s history.

In the end, it was heartbreak for ‘Blandy,’ and delight for the Victor. They often say there is something in a name, so maybe we should accept that where Hovland is concerned, his parents knew something that the rest of us didn’t. Victor is indeed the Victor once more, of a very exciting Dubai Desert Classic. ■

Everyone knows what a talented lad, but he has not lived up to his full potential and I’m partly to blame for that for putting too much pressure on his shoulders. Last year at the BMW Championship we sat down together and had a long conversation about what he wanted to accomplish. It was clear he hadn’t achieved what he wanted to achieve and that is where I’ve made a mistake. I try to make my players perfectionists and sometimes, they don’t think they are good enough. That eventually becomes a negative, so I had to stop that and create more positivity. I might not have the letters behind my name, but I’ve become a psychologist to my players, as I’ve certainly given more mental than technical lessons over the years to help them win tournaments.

Another of my players that enjoyed the challenging conditions was Ian Poulter. As we all know from watching him at the Ryder Cup over the years, he is very strong mentally. What people do not appreciate is Poults is a true player and has the game to craft a score in all weather. I know thousands of great hitters, but I don’t know many good players.

The fi nal round at Abu Dhabi was a shining light for Henrik Stenson after he closed with a 65. Our team has got off to a great start with the win at Yas but the icing on the cake would be to see Henrik back on top. I’ve worked with him for close to 20 years and said everything I needed to say but he needs to listen to something else. Mike Walker who works with me is looking after Henrik now and even though we teach the same way Mike phrases things differently. To this day Henrik’s fi nal round to win the DP World Tour Championship in 2014 was one of the best I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen plenty. If he can get close to that form with Mike’s assistance a win will not be far away.

From the old guard in Abu Dhabi to the next wave of fresh talent, it was exciting to watch. Hovland and Morikawa are the future of the modern game. Both now winners of Rolex series events in the region and shown the world they can win anywhere. But leading UAE amateur Josh Hill also caught my eye, especially when he fi nished above the world number one. It’s hard to believe Josh is just 17 years old and to perform like he did in Abu Dhabi and Dubai he’s got the talent to make it on Tour. Not only does he have the length off the tee, but he obviously doesn’t suffer from stage fright. These are the two essentials these days to make it on the big stage.

Keeping to the UAE, I think considering all that has been going through the pandemic it was ideal for the players to have back-to-back events at Ras Al Khaimah. The last two years has been exceptionally tough travelling, living in bubbles and being able to fi nd a rhythm on the course has been harder than ever. So, to have four events in a row in the UAE is the perfect start to any season and more important than ever considering the logistical impact of the pandemic.

To have these events in addition to the three Rolex Series tournament in the region shows how instrumental the UAE has become to the DP World Tour.

It will be interesting to see who wins at Ras Al Khaimah and don’t be surprised to see the same player claim both titles. If the wind blows it will certainly test the player’s ability to control their ball fl ight, this is why amateurs struggle in the wind. It will also be an advantage to the professionals who needed to master breezy conditions growing up. You can’t just play to a number. You must feel the distance and see the fl ight that is required to match the shot. ■

Finally, I’ve received the latest Callaway Rogue ST driver. Interestingly I was fi tted with more loft, this is something the amateurs could learn from. Getting the right loft and head weighting, paired with the right ball makes sense. But I see too many amateurs playing with too little loft and a high spinning ball. Instead, you would benefi t off the tee with more loft and a lower spinning ball. Remember loft is your friend!

Chase Buchanan is a highly regulated private wealth management company. highly regulated private wealth management company. Providing global finance solutions for those with a Providing global finance solutions for those with a global lifestyle. global lifestyle. global lifestyle. We are supporting expatriates around the worldglobal financial advisers, supporting expatriates around the worldglobal financial advisers, global financial advisers, supporting expatriates around the world supporting expatriates around the world from our regulated European headquarters. from our regulated European headquarters. "Trusted Advice Made Simple" "Trusted Advice Made Simple"

Commercial Pilot and business owner

Nationality: El Salvador

I wanted to experience something new in Dubai. A friend heard of Chicks With Sticks and suggested I join with her to learn more about golf and to meet new people. I loved the founder Jenny, and our instructors, they made me and the new girls feel welcome!

Being able to play golf has been a special opportunity, I’ve learnt to have more respect for golfers. Our instructors have given me a platform that I can build on for years with tips on how to be more focused when I practice my swing which has aided my balance. I’ve also learned to adjust and adapt to the pace of the game on the course.

Meeting new people was one of the main reasons I joined. I love the fact the group is getting bigger with each passing program and it’s enabled me to meet some great new people who are now part of my friendship group.

I’m from El Salvador, Central America. I was the fi rst female commercial pilot in El Salvador and have been fl ying for 15 years. I moved to Kuwait in 2017 for three years before coming to Dubai at the beginning of 2021 and have since started my own specialty coffee import/export and distribution business with my husband.

It has been another successful month for Chicks With Sticks at our home base in Dubai, the growth and success of the programme continues to go from strength to strength at the Claude Harmon III Performance Golf Academy, at The Els Club. A huge thank you to Jamie McConnell and his team for their support, and for continuing to believe in my vision! Beginner and intermediate lessons are currently running on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, with a more advanced group starting later this month. The ladies are all enjoying learning a new skill in a fun and social setting, gaining confi dence, forming new friendships and feeling empowered whilst taking their stride into the predominantly male dominated sport. There is no stopping Chicks With Sticks!

Chicks With Sticks is now fi rmly established in the capital. A new fl ock of Chicks joined our golfi ng tribe this past month, big thank you to Kieran Pratt and his team at Abu Dhabi Golf Club for a fantastic debut season. Ras Al Khaimah is next on my radar, with plans for our inaugural launch taking place at Al Hamra Golf Club later this month.

The efforts being made across the UAE to promote women in sport are very encouraging. The Abu Dhabi HSBC tournament held at Yas Links hosted an incredibly successful ladies day event. The Dubai Desert Classic also hosted a ‘Pink Day’ supporting one of the tournament’s main charities, Al-Jalila Foundation. Back to back European Tour events at Al Hamra this month will provide more showcases of world class golf in the Emirates.

More good news for ladies golf this month as we see major amendments being made to ladies professional golf prize winnings. Rising purses are becoming increasingly more common within women’s golf across the globe; the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open (Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club, June 2-5) will now see an increased prize fund of $10 million. This is a hugely positive step for women’s sport all over the world.

I welcome this opportunity to promote golf in the Middle East, a sport that has given me so much. I will keep growing this game, one Chick and one Emirate at a time. See you next month for more updates.

It’s more fun than you think – you’ve just got to give it a swing! Love the golf courses around the world and especially in Dubai. I’m really loving it.

BY JAMIE COUGHLIN

PGA PROFESSIONAL, TOPGOLF, DUBAI golfprojamie

Here at Topgolf, all our bays are fi tted with Toptracer technology. The screens give ball data on the carry distance, ball speed, peak height, hangtime and curvature. It’s a great place to get feedback on what your ball is doing. If you pay attention, you’ll notice that no ball fl y’s straight. Typically, golfers fi t in to one of two categories, slicers or hookers. Depending on the category you fi t in, if you want to hit the ball “straighter”, you’ll need to gain awareness for the other shape of shot.

One teaching strategy that has always worked for me is to fi gure out a student’s major fl aw and devise a plan for practicing the opposite of that fl aw. Exaggerate the fi x as much as possible; really feel the change.

If you slice the ball, I want you to feel a closed clubface and a path that “feels” like it swings to the right post impact. Swing this back and forth over the top of the golf ball to create a pattern. Notice how your body moves and where you go to. Sensing the change is the key to creating awareness. Try replicating this as you hit a shot, moving through the same space and going to the same place.

Hookers of the golf ball need to feel the opposite. For a right-handed player, your ball curves to the left because your clubface is closed to the swing path at impact. A slice in tennis gives a good reference. Feel an open face and swing more to the left post impact. Do this back and forth to sense the difference in the movement.

Try not to over think it, we’re not trying to be perfect, just explore the other side and hit the opposite shape shot. The beauty comes when you can refi ne it to curve the ball less, thus looking like the ball fl y’s straight.

If you want to learn golf in a fun and relaxed environment then book in for a lesson at Topgolf Dubai. Tel: +971 4 371 9960 | Email: academy@topgolfdubai.ae www.topgolfdubai.ae

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MyGolf Dubai is edging ever closer to its grand opening with the indoor simulator business proving to be the most eagerly anticipated addition to the UAE’s golf scene of early 2022.

Construction on the 1500 m2 facility in International City is almost complete and VIP customers have been given an exclusive preview of one of the state-of-the art Golfzon simulators which the MyGolf experience will be centered around.

“Ideally I would want to open it yesterday!” says MyGolf Founder and CEO Michael Zhao. “But we want to make sure that we focus on every little detail so that when we open we can give the customer that promised experience. Everything is coming together now and we’re looking forward to having a grand opening where everyone can come and see what MyGolf is all about.

“It’s a very sizeable place and we want everything to be perfect,” he continues. “The setup is going to feature an open area where we have bars, dining areas and also an open aisle where people can go to practice and play. We also have a separate section for private rooms for VIPs to give people the privacy where they can enjoy themselves.

With the mercury traditionally rising to almost unbearable levels over the summer months in Dubai, MyGolf is set to provide a safe haven from the heat for golf lovers across the emirate with a astonishingly realistic playing experience while Zhao is also keen to provide a platform where the social aspects of the game can be fully enjoyed.

“MyGolf is essentially a membership club which gives you an experience to play golf indoors and weatherproof,” he says. “Eventually I want to build it into an interactive social platform where people really connect with each other in a very

CEO and Founder, MyGolf Dubai

relaxing environment through golf.

“What’s important as an indoor golf membership club is that the simulator is a crucial experience. I don’t have a golf industry background, I came from a strong financial industry and golf has been a hobby for me. I tried different simulators and there are two types of simulators: one is focused on training and the other is the one that we use, the Golfzon, which is a Korean brand and has been around for over 20 years.

“It’s really interactive which gives you this near to real experience. There are a lot of different cool functions - if I practice in a normal golf facility they don’t have the auto tee function which sets the ball on the tee for you. The whole playing surface tilts to different angles giving you the feeling of playing from different undulations on the course, and there are a variety of different playing surfaces, even bunkers, so you really get as close to the experience of playing a real course as you can get.”

MyGolf Dubai is coming soon…watch this space!

Aside from the unique and fun playing experience, one of the key elements of the MyGolf offering is coaching which is sure to be hugely popular due to the lack of daylight or weather restrictions. With the grand opening just around the corner, the first two PGA Professionals have flown into Dubai to join the MyGolf team.

Giovanni joins the team at MyGolf Dubai following successful tenures internationally at two world-class venues in London and then in Italy.

Born in northern Italy, he spent most of his early years playing individual sports and did not take up golf until the age of 13 at his local course. What started out as a recreational activity amongst friends, soon developed into a fondness for the game, quickly playing off handicap 3 just after one year and at the age of 16 he was a whopping +2.8 finding success at national and international amateur tournaments.

Since becoming a fully qualified British PGA Golf Professional, Gio has fine-tuned his ability to deliver unique player development programmes with the help of top 100 golf coach Gary Aliss– helping golfers find success by improving their knowledge and abilities within their own swing, how to practice efficiently, on-course management and mental stability during a round. He also enjoys delivering group sessions and specialist clinics and has run his own indoor golf studio back home in Italy. He’s in love with virtual golf data, making him a perfect addition to the MyGolf team.

“For me it was a no-brainer to join the MyGolf team,” says Giovanni. “I truly believe in the benefits of teaching golf in an indoor, virtual environment as there is so much flexibility in what you can do. I can’t wait to get started.”

Divan joins the MyGolf family from his home city of Pretoria, South Africa but has previous experience of the Middle East having lived in Saudi Arabia for several years.

A passionate golfer, he graduated from The Golf Management Campus in Pretoria in 2014, becoming a PGA Professional and beginning his career at the Zwartkop Country Club where he specialised in junior coaching.

For the past three and a half years he worked as one of the team of PGA Professionals at the stunning St Francis Links, on the Eastern Cape in South Africa. His lowest score is 68 at the Services Golf Club (Pretorial)!

When ECCO invited Henrik Stenson to design his own custom shoe you knew it was going to be as cool as the Iceman himself. Turn to page 59 for more...

Launch date in the USA February 1

AVAILABLE IN LOFTS: 50o to 60o in two degree increments

 100% CNC MILLED  FULL FACE GROOVES  HIGH TOE WEIGHTING  3 x FORGED

If you are considering buying the latest $500 PXG Sugar Daddy II wedge don’t think you are buying a better short game. These latest wedges from PXG are works of art first and foremost that have been crafted to enhance not just your short game but also the look of your bag. This vision of perfection was a focal point for one of their lead R&D guys Mike Nicolette, who has exceptionally high standards. Plus when you are paying top dollar the product needs to be spot on. The fully milled wedge is unique and expensive to produce, but it gave Mike that consistent look and feel he wanted. MORE GROOVES ARE THE KEY ● Full face grooves expand the hitting area for shots played towards the toe side of the face.

● The expanded groove length provides greater conistency of strike when grass is trapped between the ball and clubface. So idea for controlling spin out of the rough.

BP-GRIND ● Deisgned for lush conditions and the golfer with a steeper attack angle. ● Offers more bounce. ● Slight taper from heel to toe. ● Wider sole. ● Deeper pivot point. C-GRIND ● Deisgned for firm turf conditions and the skilled player. ● Less bounce. ● Aggressive taper from heel to toe. ● Narrow sole. ● Shallow pivot point PERFORMANCE The C grind will be a popular choice for the firm fairways in the Middle East but it’s worth considering the BP grind if bunkers are an issue and you need more bounce. The 8620 steel gives the grooves longevity and generate some serious RPM out of the rough let alone off the fairway. We love the way you can utilize the full face and not be concerned about that ‘hot’ strike off the toe thanks the full-face grooves. If you like to open up the club, especially with a lofted wedge, you will get the full benefit of the high toe weighting. This not only enhances the consistency of strikes close to the toe but also cross the face.

If you play PXG, especially the latest GEN4 irons, the Sugar Daddy II wedges are a must to complete the look. The milled heads are a joy to be admired and who would have thought the most expensive club in the bag would become a wedge!

Callaway might not have the star-studded line up of TaylorMade these days on Tour but their latest Rogue ST driver is a star performer. We like the fact Callaway have kept things simple this year. No dramatic name change or some space age tech sheet that would leave a NASA scientist’s head spinning. What they have done is call upon all the R&D and product feedback over recent years to form a club that harness all the good points.

PERFORMANCE Unless you are Jon Rahm, you will more than likely spray the ball all over the face. Which is why I was the perfect Guinea Pig for this test. My swing speed is nothing to write home about averaging just over 103mph and I can get it out just over 270 yards on a good day. My issue, like many other weekend warriors is I have more bad days than good. So, unlike many tests you read that focus solely on max speed and yardage to polish those journalistic egos I wanted to see how effective a club could boost my poor shots, especially from the dreaded heal strike. I opted for the Callaway Rogue ST Max for the test, as it was claiming to have one of the most efficient heads in the market right now. I tested 15 drives straight off with just two warm up shots. As that pretty much simulates my realistic rush to the first tee practice. As you would imagine the first five had the slowest swing speed of just over 101mph and one was straight out of the neck. My best was just over 104mph, so the speed was consistent. My average drive was 264.7 yards with an average spin rate of 2,640rpm. Though it’s not going to provide me with a life as Tour player but the monthly medal win looks a little closer. My worst drive still totalled 258 yards and out of 15 drives 12 found the fairway. Two were in the rough and third was a borderline reload.

Probably the most stable driver face in the market right now with very little drop off in performance. The ST MAX is the most forgiving and that semi-draw bias is a perfect fit for most golfers and a great starting point when getting fitted. If you are still struggling to fight that slice, the ST MAX D will speed the toe up and reduce the face angle through impact. If you are striking the ST MAX well but struggling to drop the spin rate to optimise your speed it is worth trying the LS head, but keep an eye on the launch angle. If you are a 9 degree loft in the ST MAX you might need to increase it for the LS head. I’ve now swapped my reliable PING G425 gamer for the MAX LS in a 10.5o head, as I’m getting slightly more distance across the whole face and neutralise my ball flight a little more. In addition I’ve been able to optimise my spin and launch. The ST MAX range is not the longest but consistency is the key and I would high recommend it based on that alone.

2G HEEL WEIGHT

Rogue ST Max D is built for golfers who want maximum levels of forgiveness from their driver. It’s built for very high MOI, with a reduced face progression, and a more upright lie. Internal and external draw weighting have also been added, along with a generously stretched profile at address for maximum shot shape correction. It will not fix your slice but will improve your scorecard! Rogue ST MAX is Callaway’s highest MOI head with a slight draw bias that’s built for all levels of golfers. This is the best combination of distance and forgiveness in a Callaway driver. If you draw the ball the draw bias in the ST MAX could enhance the draw. So worth trying the ST MAX LS head and the same time but you might need to increase the loft in the LS head. The Rogue ST Max LS is a high MOI head built for lower spin along with a stronger trajectory. Players can expect to see a more neutral ball flight, more workability, and lower spin characteristics compared to the Rogue ST MAX. Though it is aimed at low to mid handicap players it is all about the set up and could benefit the higher handicapper that struggles with spin. The Rogue ST Triple Diamond LS head is a low spin option for better players. It is the lowest spining out for the range with a neutral-to-fade bias in a compact 450cc head. Hardly surprising to see this model being played by Callaway’s staff players and more of a specialist club. Most amateurs wanting a low spin and forgiveness will most likely find the MAX LS a better fit.

It came as no surprise to see the TaylorMade staff players put the latest Stealth driver straight in the bag. For once it wasn’t hard to fathom if they were playing the current or previous model, thanks to the Stealth’s bright red face. The one thing TaylorMade drivers excel at are distance and marketing. Over the years they have been at the forefront of driver tech, most notable being interchangeable head weights in the R7 Quad model back in 2004. Fast forward 18 years and they are at it again. This time the big selling point and breakthrough is the carbon face. Other manufacturers such as Wilson and Yonex have tried in the past to bring a full carbon head to the market but they failed to make an impact. Mainly due to cost and poor performance. Titanium proved to be more eff ective, harder wearing and easier to work with. Now TaylorMade appear to have made a huge breakthrough with their latest 60 layered carbon face and it has certainly got people talking. Is it the future or just clever marketing?

60x Carbon Twist Face – comprised of 60 layers of carbon sheets strategically arranged for better energy transfer and faster ball speeds.

PERFORMANCE TaylorMade drivers are long, always deliver when it comes to distance and the Stealth is no exception. Over the ball the matt carbon crown resting against the gloss black frame and the slight hint of red from the face certainly looks great but it also helps with alignment. From cold I struck my usual 15 balls using the Stealth in a 9 degree loft. Just like the SIM2 last year the Stealth is long but comparing data it isn’t noticeably longer. From the centre strikes my numbers were optimised and was over 280 yards, which is long with only a 104mph swing speed. It is claimed to have a Mid-Low spin rate but it’s more LowMid. When I increased the loft to 10.5 the total distance dropped slightly but the averages were much closer together and the carry averaged two yards longer. Which is why the fi t is essential. Make sure you look at carry distance and not just over all distance. The neutral bias was ideal, as my draw was only faint and out of the 15 shots I missed the fairway left just twice. Even though my dispersion was tight and I was long with good strikes, its the off-centre hits that did not perform as I hoped. They were not punished like the old SLDR head but the difference was easy to see. I might have been better trying the Stealth Plus, with the track weight located toward the toe to suit my strike pattern. Which is why it is so important to get fi tted for this club. If this was called the SIM Stealth it would make more sense. Carbon anything looks great and this club certainly stands out. It is brave of TaylorMade develop a carbon face and it certainly performs but not dramatically. It’s a cooler looking SIM2 in many ways. Do not expect to find 10 more yards and make sure you get fitted out doors if possible so you can see the ball flight. If distance is your thing, the Stealth is one I would certainly recommend but it might be worth paying that little extra for the PLUS in order to get fitted correctly.

The Sliding Weight Track includes a single 10g weight that can be positioned to dial in your preferred launch and trajectory.

The Stealth sits right in the middle when it comes to spin and launch. You don’t have the sliding weights to tinker with, so it is essential to get the right shaft and loft combination, fitting is key.

The Stealth HD has more weight positoned closer to the heel compared the the standard Stealth head. This will help reduce the face angle and minimise the dreaded slice

Everyone might be balancing the diff erences right now between the latest Stealth and Rogue LS drivers but let’s throw a third one in the mix, the new Cobra LTDX. It might not have a catchy name like its 2022 rivals but Bryson put it straight in the bag so that says something regarding face stability. In fact why don’t Cobra up their marketing game and call it the Bryson Boom Stick! As unfortunately the name alone might put people off . That should not factor into the decision, as ever since Cobra introduced the milled CNC face into their heads I’ve been a huge fan. More THE TECHNOLOGY importantly they are competitively priced considering the huge amount of tech they pack in. Once you get past the name, the PWR-COR TECHNOLOGY three models are easy to understand. There is the low spin PWR-COR Technology is a multi-material weighting system that positions as much rocket, the forgiver and the ‘don’t go right heads. weight as possible low and forward in order to transfer maximum speed to the golf ball at impact with reduced spin.

The new chassis design is 8.3g lighter and allows for up to 30% more carbon fibre to be used. This enables the saved weight to be repositioned low and forward in the PWR-COR to increase ball speed.

Using machine learning and CNC machining, Cobra created a new variable thickness design that is precision tuned for speed. H.O.T stands for “Highly Optimized Topology.” Using data from thousands of impact simulations, they optimizsed thickness in 15 different zones to maximize ball speed across a larger area of the face.

Two adjustable weights (a heavy 10g and a lightweight 3g) can be positioned in the heel and toe position. Position the 10g heavy weight in the toe for max fade bias (3-4 yards), or in the heel for a neutral to fade biased ball flight.

10g in heel delivers a neutral to soft fade ball flight 10g in the toe delivers up to 4 yards of additional fade bias

The track weight delivers medium launch with a neutral to soft draw ball flight. You can adjust to the “DRAW” loft setting to get +7 yards of draw.

With the10gweight in the back it delivers 5 yards of draw. With 10g in heel delivers 11 yards of draw and 10g in heel + “DRAW” loft setting delivers 18 yards of draw

Like the Callaway Rogue ST the Cobra LDTX has just enhanced a successful formula. The three models are so easy to understand and the headweighting is very well thought out. We all know the secret to distance is high launch and low spin and Cobra has got the formula spot on. For once their draw bias driver, the LTDX MAX, might appeal to more than just a slicer. If you have a low ball speed, its higher launch with the head set to a minimal draw could be the right one for you. I’m waiting to put them on TrackMan as it will be interesting to see if they are as forgiving as the Rogue ST and longer than the Stealth.

Developed by Titleist Golf Ball R&D engineers and validated in collaboration with a team of TrackMan experts, the New Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls with Radar Capture Technology are designed to enhance the data capture of launch conditions in an indoor environment and deliver the most accurate information possible.

Pro V1 and Pro V1x RCT golf balls improve the TrackMan experience for dedicated indoor fitting specialists committed to a premium, precision fitting; coaches and instructors aiming to give their players even better tools to work with; and Tour professionals and golfers seeking precision data capture from their indoor practice sessions. ABOUT PRO V1 RADAR CAPTURE TECHNOLOGY (RCT): Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x RCT models offer the same design, quality and performance as Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls but with the enhanced benefit of indoor radar signal capture:

● Pro V1 and Pro V1x RCT do not require application of reflective spin markers or precision orientation, benefiting indoor-only and seasonal golf facilities that operate a TrackMan simulator and enhancing the golfer experience.

● Testing of Pro V1 and Pro V1x RCT models shows a 99 percent signal capture that delivers true spin, resulting in even more accurate carry and total distance calculations.

● Spin is critical to deliver an accurate data set indoors, contributing to key data points such as peak height, angle of descent, carry distance, roll out, and overall distance.

● RCT has enabled TrackMan to improve the spin detection algorithm to require less ball flight to measure spin rate, benefiting, in particular, high ball speed/low spin rate scenarios.

● Pro V1 RCT ball models conform with USGA and R&A rules.

“Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x RCT golf balls combine the game’s greatest combination of speed, spin, and feel with new technology that more consistently captures precision performance and golf ball data from TrackMan units used in an indoor setting,” said Jeremy Stone, Vice President, Titleist Golf Ball Marketing. “We have worked closely with TrackMan for more than two years to optimise this embedded radar reflective, patent pending technology. The result is a reliably strong ‘signal’ that enables spin capture on all shots.”

“We’re delighted to partner with Acushnet on the launch of the Pro V1 and Pro V1x RCT golf balls,” said TrackMan CEO and cofounder, Klaus Eldrup-Jorgensen. “Titleist is a brand that goes to extraordinary heights to ensure the premium quality and performance of its products and that mirrors TrackMan’s approach to technology, innovation and development.”

ECCO GOLF ambassadors, Henrik Stenson and Erik van Rooyen, have each designed custom versions of the ECCO BIOM® H4 shoe for the SS22 collection – with the PGA Tour stars coming up with striking and unique designs that reflect their style and personalities on and off the course.

Paying homage to his nickname and following on from the popularity of his S-THREE ‘Iceman’ design - Stenson has helped with the design of another ultra-cool ‘Iceman’ inspired shoe in an ice-cold blue and white colourway, with the ECCO logo emblazoned on the sole. Stenson’s special edition shoe also features his now trademark tag reading “Henrik Stenson The Iceman”.

“I’m very excited to once again join forces with ECCO GOLF to create another ‘Iceman’ style,” commented Stenson. “ECCO GOLF is synonymous with crafting fantastic shoes, and it’s super cool that they continue to give me the chance to help create my own styles.

“I have stuck with the icy-cool colours for my BIOM® H4, and I really wanted to make it look like you’re walking with ice on the sole of your shoe, hence the bright white and blue colours. I can’t wait to get my hands on a pair and turn some heads out on the golf course.”

Van Rooyen, who has now established himself as a style icon out on tour, has designed a snazzy, eye-catching colourway. Erik has become known for pushing the boundaries of golfing attire, often sporting clothes that have never before been seen at a PGA Tour event. and a brilliant, patterned finish on the midsole. Hidden on the sole of the shoe is a blue and orange colour scheme that is bound to catch the eye. The design also pays homage to van Rooyen’s love of guitar, with a nod to guitar strings on the uppers of the shoe.

Commenting on his custom project, van Rooyen said: “I am chuffed to be working alongside the guys at ECCO GOLF to create an awesome custom shoe design. I really enjoy being different and innovative on the golf course, and I think my design really emulates that feeling for me. It’s awesome to be able to create my own shoe and BIOM H4 is such a great shoe to do it with.”

The ECCO BIOM H4 is one of the comfiest shoes on the market and are very stable when playing shots. We are huge fans of Henrik’s Iceman design but as you would expect Van Rooyen’s taste is a little out there and probably not to everyones liking. Unfortunately, both models are only available from the online ECCO store.

EMIRATES GOLF CLUB

The overall winner of the Emirates Amateur Open was Monty Scowsill with a gross score of +1 over two days while the runner up was Max Burrow from Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club with a gross score of +2 and in third place was Toby Bishop who scored a total of +3.

TRUMP INTERNATIONAL GOLF CLUB, DUBAI

The overall winner of the Medal was from Division A (0-10) with Nonita Chand taking top spot with a score of net 63 while Anne Gely Bouigue came in second place was with a net 64 and in third place was Arathi Appaiaj with a net 67.

In Division B (11-20), the winner was Ninu Smith with a net 63 while the runner up was Shiba Wahid with a net 67.

Phyllis Schulte won in Division C (24-36) with a net 66 while Chantelle De Villers claimed second place with a net 68.

Irene McNulty, Scott Fisher and Ruvelin Govendor won the Boxing Day Scramble at Trump International Golf Club, Dubai, with a score of 55.5 while the team of Chris Woods, Lucy Woods, Alan Clark and Jane Clark had a score of 56.2, to fi nish runner up, and Graeme Eglintine, Jo Eglintine, Holger Ostheimer and Serene Salloum settled for third with a score of 58.2.

Yana Jamieson was victorious the Past Captain’s Trophy at Faldo course with 39 points while Maura Duggan claimed second place with 37 points.

The overall winner of the Ladies Competition was Masayo Kozai with 41 points, Haide Wright won the Silver Division (0-18.5) with 34 points and in the Bronze Division (18.6-28) the winner was Sue Hopwood with 35 points

Sam Tundo took fi rst place in the January Medal after scoring an impressive net one under par while Ricky Dominquez came in second, carding two over par.

Phil Arnold took top spot in Division B with his four over par net 75 while Alan Clark fi nished in second place with six over par net 77.

The Ladies Division saw familiar faces at the top of the leaderboard, with DG O’Brien fi nishing in fi rst place with a strong 3-over par net 74, one shot ahead of Lucy Woods who settled for second place

JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES

The Men’s Amateur Open 2022 Champion and winning a spot in the Ras Al Khaimah Classic was Drew Foxcroft who scored a total 142 (two under par) while Craig Vance narrowly missed out on the top spot by one shot and took the runner-up place on a card playoff who scored and in third place after a card playoff was Viggo Sorensen who scored a total 143 (one under par).

The fi rst round of the Ladies Inter Club League saw Jumeirah Golf Estates fi nish top winning 3 points with a collective score of 234, Emirates Golf Federation were runners-up with a score of 215 and in third place with 206 was Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.

Winner of the individual stableford representing Jumeirah Golf Estates was Anna Abbott who scored 34 points and runner up in the individual stableford was Mitsuko Emmerson who scored 33 points.

ABU DHABI CITY GOLF CLUB

Privillege Mazemo was the overall net winner in the Monthly Medal with net score of 62 while Andre De Beer was the gross winner with a gross score of 70.

Division A was won by Wael Williams with net 69, Steven Vickery was victorious in Division B with net 66 and Division C was won by Mr. Andrew Rogers with net 69 on a count back victory over Hyung Chul Choi.

The overall winners at Jumeirah Golf Estates’ Kofax Texas Scramble was the team of Afzaal Ahmad, Parvez Ahmed, Vajahat Hussain and Anjum Beg with a net 50. In second place with a net 51 were Byron Kraemer, Ivan Kraemer, Russell Yeomans and James Yeomans and in third place with a net 52 came the team of Hassan Al-Sayegh, Yousuf Al Hashimi, Mohamed Abdulla and Essa Farooq.

SHARJAH GOLF AND SHOOTING CLUB

The pairing of Gurbax Singh and Satnam Kaur won the BMW Pairs Open Social with a brilliant score of six under par as the pair dovetailed effortlessly and put together a great round of golf.

Juber Ahmed secured his spot in the International Cup fi nal with an excellent stableford score of 40 points, four points over Neil Lakhani who posted a solid score of 36 points.

ORGANISED BY THE EMIRATES GOLF FEDERATION AT THE SLYNC.IO DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC

The DP World Tour solidifi ed its leading role in supporting young players, while providing a unique opportunity for local talents in the United Arab Emirates, to participate in a golf clinic organised by the Emirates Golf Federation in cooperation with Peter Cowen Academy, as part of the activities of the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club.

The legendary coach Peter Cowen, who trains the best players in the world during his long and distinguished career in international golf courses, himself supervised and led the golf clinic with the participation of 15 local players ranging in age from 11 to 18 years, where they received advice and guidance from the English coach. .

The workshop was attended by Major General Abdulla Al Hashmi, Vice President of the Emirates Golf Federation, who spoke on this occasion, saying: “Reputable tournaments such as the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic, play a major role in the growth of the game of golf in the United Arab Emirates. This is due to its role in promoting Dubai and the United Arab Emirates on the global stage, while at the Emirates Golf Federation we focus on the most important objectives of developing the game at all levels, including the junior sector, as we work to select and nurture emerging players from UAE citizens and residents.”

Favourite club in the bag and why? The putter, I just love putting in general, it’s probably the most relaxing aspect of golf. It’s very calming and very therapeutic, especially that sound. It’s between the putter and the new TSI 1 driver with the new shaft and I really have been loving that, but putting is still No.1 because of the euphoria of it! TSi1 Driver – 9.25° TSi2 Fairways – 16.5° and 21° T200 Utility Iron – 3 T100 Irons – 4 through 9 Vokey SM8 Wedges – 46.10F Vokey SM8 Wedges – 50.12F Vokey SM8 Wedges – 54.12D Vokey SM8 Wedges – 58.08M Putter – Custom Scotty Cameron Fastback 1.5 Ball – Pro V1x Glove – FootJoy CabrettaSof Grip P2

Best course in the UAE? Earth course, Jumeirah Golf Estates. It’s a beautiful course, it’s got great vibes and the condition of the course is beautiful. It is such a welcoming atmosphere, it’s so private and homey.

Toughest hole in the UAE? 18th on Earth course, especially from the 620-yard tee box. It’s a very strategic hole and you must be very precise off the tee and in your layup or whether you’re going for the greens.

Favourite clubhouse in UAE? I’m a tad biased but Jumeirah Golf Estates, it’s massive, the facilities are beautiful, you have access to everything. I’m there every day so I love it, I feel really comfortable there. Golf course you’d like to play? Coeur d’Alene, it’s the golf course with the famous floating green. I look forward to playing there one day. (Chiara didn’t actually know we had covered that in the magazine this month. What a crazy coincidence!)