IF ANYONE CAN, CANNES CAN!

The 18th green at Golf de Saint-Donat

Think Cannes and you conjure up images of the Film Festival, Sophia Loren, end-to-end Ferraris, Maseratis and Lamborghinis and altogether out-and-out opulence. Well you wouldn't be wrong but for the avid golf enthusiast this region of the south of France has so much more to offer!

Your first impressions of Cannes will not disappoint you - all of the above, and so much more. It is no wonder that this part of the world became a haven for painters and artists as the azure blue sea and sky will have you mesmerised from the outset. Ah but at what cost I hear you say! Well actually, you too can experience the wonder of Cannes on a reasonable budget as there is an unlimited choice of accommodation to suit almost every pocket. This, combined with the golfing promotions that you can find, make this a destination that you can realistically put on your bucket list.

For example, take Cannes Golf Week 2014, which this year takes place between 22-28 September. A consortium of 38 partner hotels from 2 to 5 stars, together with 5 superb golf courses have pooled their efforts to be able to offer a two night stay in Cannes with two green-fees, starting at €210 and going up to €360 per person. And there are some fabulous courses to choose from.

Let's begin with Golf de Saint-Donat, set in the heart of the perfume making industry near Grasse some 13 km from Cannes. Opened in 1993 and designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr, the course is skilfully integrated into the beautiful landscape with both a Par 71 18 hole course and a 9 hole pitch and putt. All of the facilities are as you would expect of such a resort and if quality dining is part of your expectations you will not be disappointed.

Chateau de Taulane

Our stop for the evening was at the 4-star Chateau de Taulane, some 50 km further inland through some stunning scenery but what a worthwhile journey it proved to be. Dining in La Marquise de Lisle restaurant provided the French with a further opportunity to show off their culinary skills. The chateau and the location are simply breathtaking and its 18 hole course is the first in France that was created by Gary Player in 1992 and I'm certain he had some fun in doing so! Closed for part of the year from around November to April, due to its altitude, we played it in late September with an early start as you can gather from this amazing picture taken just before 8 o'clock in the morning.

What a way to start your day!

Staying very much within the famous Grasse region our next destination was what I consider to be the region's Jewel in the Crown, Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort and it was a pity that we only had time to sample one of its two Championship 18-hole courses. However, having experienced both Le Chateau and Le Riou courses a year before during a Ladies European Tour event, I can testify to the excellence of both courses. They are both technically challenging combining splendid ravines and water hazards. The resort boasts one of the best golf academies to be found anywhere and it has proved its worth in the development of of France's current star and future Ryder Cupper to be, Victor Dubuisson.

Terre Blanche Infinity Pool - Courtesy of Terre Blanche

From Terre Blanche it is about a 45 minute drive back into Cannes where our hotel for the night was the Best Western Le Patio des Artistes, a very well appointed hotel right in the heart of the town and with just enough time to change before heading out for dinner at The Five Seas Hotel, a very chique boutique hotel complete with roof top bar offering amazing views over the harbour. This might be a good time to highlight a key point that may prevent your wallet emptying faster than you would like. Be sure to check the availability of the prix fixe that offers you a set menu within your budget. This was yet another great dining experience and set us up nicely for our tour of Le Suqeut, the old town of Cannes, the following morning. The old town of Cannes is extremely interesting and there is some beautiful art to be found in the Clock Tower and be sure to check out the market. This is a major tourist attraction with no shortage of good quality gourmet restaurants.

Heading west just 10 km from the centre of town and into the hills overlooking the bay of Cannes you come to Golf de Barbossi. This was to prove one of the most bizarre experiences in entering a golf club that you are likely to come across!

Welcome to Barbossi!

What on earth, I hear you say! Well this image along with our next image are only a part of the amazing sculptures to be found, not only in the clubhouse but dotted around the course as well, providing no end of amusement and diversion to your golfing experience!

 

Someone to guard your lunch perhaps!

One thing that the French appear to very keen on is to provide you with a slap-up banquet BEFORE your round of golf so you may wish to go easy and perhaps pass on the dessert!

Was that the third or fourth course?

I thoroughly enjoyed the golfing experience at Barbossi although the course could have been in slightly better condition on the day that we played it. Don't let that put you off though as this was more than likely purely seasonal  and when you have views like this on your round, who cares!

This amazing conception came about due to the owners love and patronage for the arts and what better way to display and enjoy it. When you visit be sure to take away a bottle or two of their home grown wines and olive oil.

Our closing dinner took place in the Radisson Blu and if want to enjoy a superb dining experience with simply the best views over the port, this is the place to go! 

EVERYONE CAN DO CANNES!
In closing here are a few closing reasons as to why 'Cannes is Yours'!

• Cannes is 25 minutes by bus from Nice airport.
• The town is easy to walk around.
• There is great golf to be had in the region with many affordable promotions.
• The bay of Cannes is beautiful, and finally...
• The style and elegance is superb and as for people watching.....!

You can check out the Cannes Golf week and all other festivals by visiting http://www.cannes-destination.com/events-shows-cannes/cannes-golf-week

Personally, I can't wait to go back!

Written by 

GMacSpain

Follow me on Twitter @gmacespanya

GOLF ALONG THE WILD ATLANTIC WAY

Panoramic vista of Connemara Golf Links

It took millions of years for the wind and the waves pounding the west coast of Ireland to shape it's wondrous beauty but it took just the stroke of a pen, or rather a squiggle, for someone in Bord Failte to come up with the iconic symbol that signifies the Wild Atlantic Way that stretches from Malin Head in the north in Donegal to Kinsale in the south in Cork....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNjsFzyKJOI#t=96 This is one of a number of WAW videos you can watch on YouTube courtesy of FailteIrelandTV

I have driven the Pacific Coast Highway in California and seen Big Sur and in my opinion there is nothing to compare in terms of scenery with the Wild Atlantic Way.

We travelled with North and West Coast Links at the end of April/early May 2014 and we were blessed with unbelievably good weather which, to be fair, cannot always be guaranteed when visiting the Emerald Isle! But come on - they wouldn't be able to make the Guinness and the whiskey if it wasn't for the water!

If you are planning a golf and cultural trip anywhere we believe that the help of experienced professionals will enable you to make the most of your time and budget and you can be assured that North and West Coast Links will provide you with the best of service and value for money.

If you don't want to be bothered with driving and hiring a car you should consider the services of Spirit of Ireland Executive Travel who can collect you from any airport and take care of all your transport needs thereby allowing you to enjoy your trip to the full.

We arrived in to Dublin airport where we were met by Frank from Spirit of Ireland and our journey began through the midlands of Ireland to the first stop in our journey at the magnificent Harvey's Point Hotel on the outskirts of Donegal town. This luxurious 74 bedroom hotel nestles on the shores of Lough Eske and offers the very best in accommodation, fine dining and hospitality. Family owned, this hotel would offer the ideal location for those who wished to base themselves centrally between Donegal and Sligo.

Following a hearty Irish breakfast, of which there were to be many on our all-too short stay, our first golfing destination was about an hour north to Narin and Portnoo. This delightful and unpretentious club and course is a must for anyone visiting Donegal and receives a solid 5 Ball top rating from Top 100 Courses. One thing you must be sure to bring with you is your camera as the views from the course are possibly unrivalled.

After a bar snack and a pint or two of Guinness we headed south with enough time left in the day to fit in 9 holes at Donegal Golf Club, better known to most as Murvagh, sitting as it does on the peninsula of the same name just on the outskirts of Donegal town. I had played this course on a number of occasions in years gone by and remembered it fondly and I was not to be disappointed on my return. If you are ever visiting Donegal to play golf this course is a must to add to your list. As you will become used to when you visit the Emerald Isle, whilst you can't always depend on the weather, you can always depend on the welcome that you will receive and our sincere thanks go to everyone for the reception and fine food after our game.

By the way, if you do find yourself near Donegal town you must take a trip to nearby Slieve League where you will encounter some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe. Simply head west out of Donegal on the N56/R263 and maybe treat yourself to a wee coffee in Killybegs! This photograph is courtesy of the gallery of Slieve League.

Our next destination was the Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa in Sligo town and our journey took us about an hour further south along the Wild Atlantic Way through Ballyshannon and the popular resort town of Bundoran being treated the whole way with further stunning scenery as we departed the County of Donegal and into County Sligo. The Radisson is a renowned hotel group and definitely one for you to check out when planning your journey. A quiet night at the bar was the order of the day as the following morning we had one of the greatest treats that I had been looking forward to on this trip – the championship links at Rosses Point!

County Sligo Golf Club at Rosses Point, set in the heart of Yeats country, is renowned as one of the finest links courses in Ireland and indeed the whole of the British Isles and the week prior to our visit had been the host of the annual West of Ireland Amateur Championship. The week was a huge success as it always is although the weather this year was in stark contrast to that of the previous year – so be prepared when you go!

I was not to be disappointed with Rosses Point and the course and the magnificent views of the strand, the Atlantic and the surrounding mountains exceeded my expectations and simply added to enjoyment of the day. Needless to say the excellence of the golf course was matched by the reception in the clubhouse and our sincere thanks go to David O'Donovan and his staff and Jim Robinson in the Pro shop. I would be happy to return to Sligo any time if only to play Rosses Point again!

However, all good things must pass and all too soon we were heading off to our next destination, the Mount Falcon Estate in the county of Mayo, where we were to discover a very different facet to what is on offer along the Wild Atlantic Way!

The Mount Falcon Estate is a top hotel offering a wide range of accommodation from luxury suites to the Woodland and Lakeside lodges plus a number of self-catering lodges surrounding a private courtyard. As well as providing an excellent centre point for golf in this area the centre is the angling hub of the North West where it can offer a number of packages including fly fishing for salmon, wild brown trout, pike or a mix of all three depending on the time of the year. You can also indulge in some clay pigeon shooting, archery and you mustn't miss out on the exhibition of falconry (see the Dropbox file of high resolution images at the link) which was a treat in itself.

Gone Fishin'

 Mount Falcon served as our base for a couple of nights as we headed off the next day to play at Enniscrone. This is one of those courses that tends to be overlooked in comparison to some of the better known courses but omit this at your peril! This was definitely one of the most challenging courses played during our trip and the closing stretch from 12 to the final hole will remain in the memory for a long time.

Our next destination was Carne Golf Links the home of Belmullet Golf Club. Renowned course designer Eddie Hackett was quoted a saying, 'It's difficult to believe the course only opened for play in 1993. It feels as though it's been here forever!' However, it was suggested that we play the new 9-hole Kilmore course at the expense of the original front nine. This nine still has way to go in my opinion before it can be held in the same regard as the original layout as the back nine were far superior in terms of their condition. The closing hole in particular is a feast for the eyes and your game and will have you wanting to return before long.

Our evening stop for the night was the Station House Hotel in Clifden, a modern hotel set around the old station. An excellent stop off on your journey with a great welcome to be had in the Station Bar just across the road from the hotel entrance. An early night was had with a few pints before heading for our final day's golf at Connemara Golf Club.

Connemara Golf Links are yet another great testament to the work of renowned course designer Eddie Hackett. This was a fitting end to our journey as it is a course where you can really open your shoulders and the back nine has been referred to by as some as 'equal to any in the world'.  A big claim some would say but for sheer enjoyment this course was right up there. As in all the clubs we played we recieved a great welcome and it was with a certain sadness that the clubs were loaded into the bus for the final time.

However, if we thought our excitement was over for the trip we had one final surprise awaiting us at our final stop - Glenlo Abbey on the outskirts of Galway city. If you want to finish off a trip of a lifetime in 5-Star luxury then you need look no further. Between the wildness of Connemara and the vibrancy of Galway City just minutes away, you have the opportunity to finish off your journey with a touch of the Orient Express - literally! The Pullman Restaurant consists of a number of carriages from the original train, having been positioned on an original section of the old Clifden to Galway railway line in the grounds of the hotel. You can read more of its history and association with the movie, 'Murder on the Orient Express' and its part in Winston Churchill's final journey here.

I've talked about the golf, the scenery, the welcome but I have only really touched on the cuisine. I can tell you that everything from a beautiful piece of batterered cod and chips to the finest Michelin Star cuisine is available throughout your trip and it would be unfair to single out any of our destinations at the expense of any others. All I can say is that, if you are a bit of a 'foody' like me you are not going to be disappointed. My sincere thanks go to all of the caterers at each of the golf clubs and the hotels and restaurants that we visited - it makes me hungry just thinking about it!

And so our journey came to an all to sudden end. Mere words are insufficient to describe what a superb place this is to visit and so I would encourage to click on all of the links to the various destinations we visited.

I have a selected list of photographs you can view on this DropBox Folder.

If you are considering a trip to the Wild Atlantic Way, for golf or any other reason, you should contact John McLaughlin at North and West Coast Links and please use the reference Golf Links Spain 2014.

For more information on the actual golf courses I am indebted to Top 100 Golf Courses of the World for their permission to include these links. They will tell you all you need to know about the courses covered in this article;

For Narin and Portnoo, click here

For Donegal Golf Club at Murvagh, click here

For County Sligo Championship Links at Rosses Point, click here

For Enniscrone Golf Club, click here

For Carne Golf Links, click here

For Connemara Golf Links, click here

Written by GMacSpain

Why not follow me on Twitter @gmacespanya 

 

RORY IS READY TO WIN AGAIN!

The Inspiration is there - honestly!

Having just watched Rory defeat Tiger for the second year in a row in their second big-money bash at Mission Hills I am going to predict that WeeMac is ready to win again - and soon!

Despite all the negative talk about his 'annus horribilis' of 2013, what with the equipment change and now his current ongoing battle in the Dublin courts with his management company, Rory was looking decidedly chipper as he tootled around for his million dollar bash with his adversarial pal Tiger.

If you get a chance to watch this, especially their back nine, just have a listen to the sound of Rory's ball striking. If you have ever been to watch the top players up close you will be aware, especially if you spend a bit of time watching these guys on the range, the different sound the top players make with their impact on the ball. It is something mere mortals like me can only dream of. Well watch and listen to Rory now with his new driver/ball combination. It is simply a thing of beauty.

His results weren't too bad either, crunching his drives well over 300 yards and more often than not, bang in the centre of the fairway. His approach play too was of stellar proportions generally, although he claims to need to fine tune his wedges a tad. Unfortunately, as of late, he has been prone to throw in the odd stupid 3-putt and he managed to do this on Monday again but I doubt if he would have missed his second putt had it been in tournament play. However, he needs to watch this and is no doubt fully aware of this sometimes cavalier approach.

Talking of cavalier (with no intended reference to Brandel Chamblee!), Tiger's play was of a pretty high standard as well, finishing at 5-under to Rory's 6-under finish, and he was very complimentary about the state of Rory's game and also confident that a win was not far away.

There was one thing about the broadcast that I found completely unbelievable! Here in Spain, I was able to watch it, unedited, on the CANAL+ GOLF channel. The players were both 'miked up' enabling the viewers to enjoy the banter and chat between players and caddies. However, in Tiger's case, the chat and banter was liberally littered with some fairly foul language and, along with his disgusting spitting habit we were regaled with the gutteral build-up to his expectorating throughout the match. No doubt, by the time it reaches SKY or the DVD release it will be suitably cleaned up so as not to offend anyone but come on, wouldn't you think a player in his position could learn to clean his act up a little!

Anyway, back to Rory. Going into the WGC - HSBC Champions tournament in Sheshan it is hard to believe that he is currently lying outside the required 60th spot to reach the final stage in the Race to Dubai and just inconcievable that he might not make it. He still has the option of playing in Turkey should he need to but somehow I don't think that will be necessary.

Remember when Rory was a 'bit off' in 2012 before bouncing back to win his second Major by 8 shots? It would not surprise me in the slightest were he to pull it off again this week. Maybe a tad premature but I'm going to have a few quid on him just in case.


GmacSpain

GOLF IN NORTHERN PORTUGAL

THINK PORTUGAL – THINK PORTO!

If you talk about Portugal to any golfer they will invariably think immediately of the many well-known courses on the country's popular destination of the Algarve on the south coast. However, there is a whole other world of golf to be had in the rest of this beautiful country on the Atlantic coast and we recently had the opportunity to experience a part of that in the northern part of the country.

A consortium of golf courses and hotels have got together and formed the Penta Package which allows you to play a combination of all or any of the five amazing golf courses on offer – each one offering something quite special and unique in our opinion.

The Penta Package allows you to create your own combination of venues and courses, which all lie within about an hour of the beautiful city of Porto. Should you choose to base yourself in Porto itself, there are a number of hotels available within the package.

Charles Skeffington

Our first stop was the Hotel Solverde which served as our departure point for our first round of golf at the Oporto Golf Club. Founded in 1890, this is the oldest course on the Iberian peninsula and the third oldest course in the whole of continental Europe and as such holds a very important place in the golfing history. The course remains very much as it has always been and as such, it is an absolute joy for the purists of the game without the tricked-up features that have become the norm for modern course designers. Stepping in to the clubhouse is like stepping back in time. Full of memorabilia, not least, the Skeffington Cup, wait for it, the oldest continuously played cup in the world and named after the founder and first president, since 1891. Now that takes some beating.

Our next stop was to prove to be something completely different, and something the like of which I have not experienced in nearly fifty years of my golfing life – Amarante. Our base for this visit was one of the most exquisite and unique hotels I have had the privilege of staying in – the Casa de Calçada. 

 

Amarante is a 'mountain' golf course – the only way I can describe it!. Starting on the first tee and hitting into the wide blue yonder against a most stunning backdrop of the region, the green seems like 100 feet below you, may even be more! A course like this is not going to be everyone's cup of tea and definitely not one I would even contemplate without the use of a buggy. Having said that, this is a golfing experience like no other you may have undergone before. Set among rolling, no, steep hills and valleys, with outstanding views which may help to soothe you as I guarantee your golfing patience will be tested to the limit! The pressures of the golf will be eased greatly by the wonderful hospitality of the folk, both at the course and the hotel. For any non-golfers the tranquility of the hotel is a haven for anyone.

Breakfast in Vidago Palace

Our next stop was yet another gem – Vidago Palace. Built in 1910 as a weekend 'playground' for the King of Portugal, although he never got to enjoy it, it was later turned into a luxurious hotel. In 1930, the renowned course designer, Mackenzie Ross laid out the original 9 holes in front of the palace and these were later incorporated in the redesign by Cameron and Powell. There are many fine golf holes on this course and you will not be disappointed with your two closing holes, the par 5 17^th and a testing par 3 to finish, downhill from 200 metres to a generous but severely undulating green.

The Vidago Palace Hotel itself is stunning but should you be working to a tighter budget you may want to consider the Hotel Perfume Primavera, situated right at the entrance to the palace gates. This is a very pleasant boutique-style hotel and also available within the Penta Package. As with every venue we stayed, the quality of the cuisine and the standard of service were excellent.

Our next destination was Ponte de Lima. Our hotel was one of three we stayed in belonging to the Axis Group. This is a fairly basic, dormitory-style hotel but nonetheless with comfortable accommodation. This serves the Ponte de Lima golf course which offers two contrasting nines, the first akin to the mountain-style to be found at Amarante, but the second nine is a most enjoyable parkland layout.

We then headed back to Porto itself where we stayed in another Axis Hotel, the Vermar. This is a busy resort hotel with much refurbishment taking place which should bring it up to the standard of one of its sister hotels, the Axis Porto, our final stop of our tour.

Our final golfing destination was Estela Golf Club – a true test of pure links-style golf and one which will appeal to golfers of all levels. Played in a prevailing wind off the Atlantic, this will put your golf to the test and one which will hopefully be one of the gems that will remain in your memory for years to come. As ever, we were treated to some superb local cuisine in an excellent location overlooking the course and the Atlantic in all its glory – like Donegal on a good day!

Taylor's cellars

To cap off our trip we were treated to an evening at the Taylor's Wine Cellars. If your budget will stretch to it and you can take in the tour of the cellars, I guarantee that you will not be disappointed. The restaurant boasts outstanding views over the city of Porto so don't forget to bring your camera.

So to sum up our thoughts on golf in the north of Portugal, this is definitely a destination you should be adding to your 'bucket list'. It is an unknown to the majority of travelling golfers, which is the reason why the region is keen to promote it. You will experience some courses quite different to those you may be used to and others that could possibly rank amongst your all-time favourites.

As I have said, the cuisine is of a superb and consistent calibre and depending on your budget, there is a broad choice of hotels and accommodation to choose from, be it a palace or a hotel!

However, the one thing that will stand out on your visit to this region will be the quality of service and the friendliness of the people we met at each and every one of our destinations.

In summary – thinking of Portugal? – think Porto!

You can contact any of the hotels or golf courses in order to put together your desired itinerary from the Penta Package. In order to help you put together a package that suits you, here are a list of links to help you choose. This can be from 210 Euros per person for 5 rounds of golf or 150 Euros per person for 3 rounds of golf when staying at Casa da Calçada Relais & Chateaux, Vidago Palace or one of the Axis hotels at Solverde and Primavera.

GMacSpain

You can now follow me on Twitter @gmacespanya 

Links to views of Northern Portugal courtesy of Turismo de Portugal: Follow link for views of Northern Portugal

Axis Hotels and Golf: The Axis Group
Casa de Calcada:  Superb Romantic Hotel
Vidago Palace:  Live like a Lord
Primavera Perfume Hotel:  Exquisite Boutique Hotel
Amarante Golf:  The Mountain Golf Experience

Transportation:  For all transports, parking and shuttle service

CAN RORY WIN THE MASTERS?

 

LOOKING FOR INSPIRATION!

 

I had intended to write something in the lead-up to this year's Masters and then I received a nice heads-up from fellow LinkedIn member Roger Yates at www.rogeryatesgolfacademy.com and you can also Follow Roger @golfswami for all you Tweeters out there. Roger writes...

 

Greetings!  

  

April is the month of the first major of 2013, and the Masters from Augusta really is a perfect way to start things off.

 

The first few months of the year has seen some interesting golf played, with probably too much discussion about the difficulties of Rory McIlroy, and the 'return of Tiger'.

 

The top players build their schedules around the intention to peak their performance for certain events, namely the Majors, with the result that early season form is often unreliable as an indication of form for the year.

 

If a player wins early it might confirm that their winter preparation has been good,and it may well inspire confidence that carries them through the year, or it might just be a win against other players who are still trying to find their form.

 

If a player struggles early in the season it might just be a slow start, rather than any loss of ability or long term form.The best players understand this and continue to work towards their season's goals despite any early disappointments.

 

There is perhaps a lesson here for the club player, if you have worked hard through the winter months you can only judge it's effectiveness at the end of that season, not after the first event.

 

It is worth considering that mid way through last year, Rory McIlroy missed a few cuts, and golf's commentators questioned his dedication, and his lifestyle, yet by the season's end Rory won his second major, and became the World's No.1.

 

So stick with your plan for 2013, and if you don't have one.......best of luck.

 

Thanks Roger...

Regarding Rory and his well-publicised trials and tribulations, I have to say that I am somewhat surprised at his pre-Masters schedule. I know he has stated that he will try to cut back on his schedule this year, but the extent of his lack of play is a tad bewildering.

However, an encouraging finish at the WGC-Cadillac with a closing 65 and a gritty comeback in his first round at the Shell Houston Open, where he fought back from being +3 early on in his round, give me some indication of better days ahead. I am sure he feels some sense of relief with Tiger regaining the #1 spot in the world again.

Can he win the Masters? Yes, of course he can but this is maybe asking a bit much just yet. He is still lacking a degree of conviction with his ball-striking but his swing is looking good. Perhaps a little less paralysis by analysis is all it will take before he returns to his rightful slot - and next time I think he will be able to handle it better.

GMacSpain

 

NOTE ; You can now follow me on Twitter @gmacespanya

Bifurcation

No this is not where Sergio had to play his shot at the Arnold Palmer Invitational recently although you are right...it is a tree!

It looks like we may have to introduce a new word to our golfing vocabulary in the form of 'bifurcation', and yes, you may well say, 'what?'.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary definition of bifurcation states that it is, 'a division into two branches' and unless you have yet to come across this, it refers to a proposed change in the Rules of Golf which threatens to drive a stake through the fundamental principles of the game whereby we could end up with one set of rules for some and another set of rules for the rest. The rule makers of the game worldwide are the R&A and the USGA and they have proposed to impose a ban, not on long putters, but the anchoring of such devices to the body.

One of the fundamentals of the game is that the club should be 'swung' at the ball and that by anchoring the club to the body, this is no longer the case. Many golfers who have suffered from the 'yips' have found solace in the ability to anchor the putter to varying parts of their bodies, be it the belly, the chest and all the way up to the chin. Among the most famous golfers to have successfully extended their playing careers in the professional ranks, Bernhard Langer is possibly the most recognisable to those of us of a certain age.

However, within the past year or so we have now seen 3 out of the last 5 Major golf championships go to golfers using an anchored stroke namely, Webb Simpson, Keegan Bradley and Ernie Els. Of greater significance is the increase in younger players at the highest levels of amateur and professional golf who have never used anything other than a belly-type putter.

This proposal has created a huge furore in the golfing world with the US PGA and its associated tours, threatening to boycott this proposal, thereby creating a divide throughout the golfing world.

My question is, why did they ever allow these clubs to be permitted in the first place? Also, now that the ruling bodies have seen their precious Major trophies falling into the hands of those who use them, is this simply a knee-jerk reaction to their growth in the game.

There are many other areas of the game that should perhaps be given greater attention and focus such as the bane of slow play and the effects of technology with clubs and balls but I think we shall leave that for another day.

What do you think?

GMacSpain

Introduction

Hello to anyone out there who may get to read this...

I am trying this out as an add-on to my website at www.golflinksspain.com so please let me know if you receive this.

How do I change the layout such as background?

Hasta pronto...