Mehaffey & Craig set for LET Q-School exam at La Manga
LA Manga is the venue for this week's First Stage of Ladies European Tour Q-School and Olivia Mehaffey will be hoping to keep her hopes of possessing full playing rights for next year alive when she tees it up in Spain over the next four days. The Co Down woman missed...
Free tickets for everyone in the audience at Abu Dhabi HSBC
Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the DP World Tour have announced free general admission tickets for all tournament days of the 2022 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Island, the opening Rolex Series event of the season from January 20-23. To celebrate Yas Links Abu...
Tickets to go on sale for the 2022 British Masters
Tickets for the Betfred British Masters hosted by Danny Willett will go on sale on Thursday December 9, with pre-registered fans given priority access to a limited number of tickets available for an exclusive Launch Price. The Betfred British Masters returns to the...
Comment & Agenda
First year of WHS has not gone well
‘If every golfer played the game honestly, there would be no problems with WHS. In Ireland, that seems to be a presumption too far’
Fairer access for All Professional Golfers
‘What about the thousands of ‘starving’ pros locked out of the orchard and making do with a few blackberries earned by the roadside?’
Commissioner’s memo confirms Santa is coming to PGA Tour pros
In a memo sent out to PGA Tour players, this season looks set to be the most lucrative yet with bonus packages galore and increased prize funds across the schedule
Tiger gave me the greatest comeback in sport. I don’t need another
‘I’ve no doubt Woods will attempt a comeback. Whether or not it’s as successful as the last one doesn’t worry me. 2019 was more than enough. It will live with me forever’
Irish Open still feels lost in new Tour schedule
‘As much and all as the Irish people will descend on Mount Juliet in their droves if they’re let, the same can’t be said of the world’s best players’
Rebranding no big deal that opens new possibilities
‘Any development that makes Norman’s job more difficult has to be a good thing. What Norman has in mind is ‘too much disruption’ with no surety that it would last’
All bets are off in golf’s endless money games
‘People say sport and politics shouldn’t mix but when golf news is being dominated by a Saudi-backed Asian Tour and now a UAE-backed European one, perhaps ask yourself who’s doing the mixing?’
New green-reading book rules throw up more questions than answers
‘My heart goes out to Bryson having to use his own eyes to read a putt. I’ve always preferred to use my ears to engage with the grass and wait for it to give me directions, but each to their own’
Confirmation bias and why it rankles
We are all wise after the fact but is not short-sighted to judge everything based on a result that so often leaves out half the tale?
Featured Interviews
Reeling in the years with Pádraig Harrington
Liam Kelly on five decades in the life of Ireland’s trailblazing Major champion who returns to action at this week’s Portugal Masters
Lauren Walsh – The Warden of the Forest
From Castlewarden to Wake Forest & from there to the bright lights of The Open and a debut Curtis Cup, it’s been quite the ride so far for Lauren Walsh, and she’s only getting started
That winning feeling, with Seamus Power
Seamus Power gets his season underway at the Sanderson Farms Championship this week. We caught up with him recently to reflect on his breakthrough win on the PGA Tour
Eamonn Darcy – a lifetime in golf and a legend that will live forever
Darcy’s career-defining moment came in the Ryder Cup at Muirfield Village in 1987. Liam Kelly catches up with Eamonn for a brilliant chat about an extraordinary lifetime in golf
Forever knocking on the door – Caolan Rafferty
Dundalk’s Caolan Rafferty boasts an amateur CV more exciting than most but between his Walker Cup omission and a lack of pro invites, there’s a curious case to be made that the 28-year old is perhaps Irish golf’s most undervalued talent
Brendan Lawlor’s journey is only getting started
He might’ve seen his playing schedule stopped in its tracks by Covid-19 but Brendan Lawlor continues to put in the hours behind the scenes, chomping at the bit ahead of his eagerly-anticipated return to the fairways
Evergreen Langer still loving life on the fairway at 63
We caught up with Mercedes Benz Ambassador Bernhard Langer who made history in November when becoming the oldest player to make the halfway cut at the Masters. Who’s to say he’s not about to better his own feat?
The Big Interview – Gavin Moynihan
We caught up with Gavin Moynihan ahead of his return to work this week in Kenya, reflecting on a torrid time on the fairways in 2020 and his path back to the Promised Land of the European Tour
Big changes spell bright future for Olivia Mehaffey
We caught up with the world amateur number 17 to talk about the challenges of 2020, from dealing with online trolls to an unexpected fifth year at ASU that might just prove her most important ahead of turning pro
Power Play – an interview with Kilkenny’s Mark Power
Before playing all four days at the Irish Open, we sat down with Mark to discuss everything from once outplaying the latest European Tour sensation to the sandwich that cost him at this year’s Amateur!
Golf Ireland News
Fennelly “proud” to named Assistant Coach for 2022 Palmer Cup
Maynooth University’s Barry Fennelly admits it’s a real honour to be named as an Assistant Coach to the International team ahead of the 2022 Arnold Palmer Cup at Golf Club de Genève
Golf participation enjoying significant growth spurt across Europe
New data shows that there are over 10.6 million golfers now enjoying playing golf in Europe, a healthy increase from the 7.9 million last monitored in 2016
Golf Ireland reveal 2021/22 Area Development panels
Based in the North, West, Midlands-East, South-East and South areas, around 350 Under-12, Under-14 and Under-16 Boys and Girls qualify for the panels
Equipment
Keep up to date with the latest releases from all major golf brands.
Brooks Koepka joins Cleveland & Srixon Golf Tour Staff
“I am very excited to join my good friends Shane Lowry, Graeme McDowell and Hideki Matsuyama as a Srixon and Cleveland Golf Tour Staff member,” Brooks Koepka
Take a load off this winter with Big Max Dri Lite Feather
Weighing in at just 1.5kg, the Dri Lite Feather eliminates all excess weight while retaining a host of practical features including a full size top, hybrid trolley compatible base and plenty of storage space
Put a little Sugar on it
At €84 for a box of 27 balls, the Sugar Ball is a high-performing option at an extremely attractive price point, and they keep packaging to a minimum too
Supercharge with Motocaddy’s Hi-Tech GPS Models
Motocaddy has launched a new Cellular-powered Performance Plan across its premium GPS electric trolley range to supercharge the technology now available to new and existing hi-tech trolley owners
Innovative hybrid model headlines Sun Mountain’s 2022 Golf Bag range
Offering the dual capability of a flexible stand bag and a cart bag, both legs of the H2NO SPORT FAST model recess into the bag’s body to ensure they remain protected and concealed when secured to a trolley
Style
Sky’s the limit with Galvin Green’s new True Blue collection
The new limited-edition collection is ideal for those looking to embark on a golf trip to warmer destinations this winter, not to mention those who like blue
Boot up for winter with Skechers GoGolf
Winter is coming but the latest shoes from Skechers’ GoGolf range make ploughing through the harsh course conditions easier than ever this season
Limited edition Stan Smith Golf kicks to celebrate ZOZO’s return to Japan
adidas Golf has teamed with the Zozo Championship to bring the golf world a limited edition pair of Stan Smith’s ahead of the tournament’s highly-anticipated return to Japan after a one-year absence
FootJoy launch new HydroSeries range of waterproofs
Proven in the harshest conditions, the HydroSeries line features DryJoys Waterproof Technology and includes a protective option for every golfer during the colder and wetter months ahead
No Dye, No Problem for Adidas – New Collection Helps Save Water and Energy
Adidas latest footwear collection offers a new take on color: you don’t always need it.
FootJoy launch Harris Tweed edition ahead of Scottish Open
In collaboration with iconic Scottish brand Harris Tweed, the familiar “Packard” shoe will complement the theme of links golf and will be sent to FootJoy ambassadors to wear at this week’s Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club
Galvin Green launch its new limited edition Links Collection
Inspiration for designing this collection came directly from the two natural elements most closely associated with famous links courses – the ocean and the prevailing winds that invariably influence the playing conditions so much
Puma push the comfort, style and performance limits with PROADAPT ALPHACAT
Designed to provide players with the “Alpha” of all spikeless shoes, the new design combines exceptional performance and hi-tech materials with PUMA’s trademark fashion-forward aesthetic.
FootJoy upgrade its Pro|SL Carbon series to include BOA
The Pro|SL Carbon, one of FJ’s most popular and most technologically advanced shoe designs, has just unveiled an upgrade with the addition of its BOA WRAPID fit system.
Travel
My Favourite Golf Course on Spain’s Costa Blanca
To describe Lo Romero in one word, I’d say: natural. If allowed two: beautifully conditioned; four words: hard pars, easy bogies
Lahinch latest club to land prestigious GEO Certified award
Lahinch has joined an extremely exclusive club by becoming only the sixth golf club in the Republic of Ireland to be awarded as GEO Certified®
Irish PGA News
The end of an era
After 35 years at the helm of the PGA in Ireland, Michael McCumiskey looks back on a most memorable career in golf
Quigley & McDermott take top honours at Portmarnock Links
Bernard Quigley and John McDermott made light of brutal winds to take the top prizes at the latest TaylorMade Winter Series outing at Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links
Club Spotlight
Carton House opens its arms with a new name and new vigour
Carton House has enjoyed both a multi-million euro refurbishment and a rebranding as it becomes part of the worldwide Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Group., making it a must-visit national treasure
New owner. New ideas. New moves. Welcome to The K Club
‘Open arms, open doors… all are welcome. That is the new attitude here. Come and enjoy, bring the family, relax, have fun. This is key to the resort’s rebranding and new raison d’etre’
Watergate!
Palmerstown House Estate steps it up with a new island green and a reminder of the golf experience it offers
Club spotlight lands on Irish royalty
Velvet turf and greens of gold. Portmarnock has quality running through all 27 holes, writes Kevin Markham. A must for your bucket list
See The Point
Kevin Markham returns to Seapoint to admire the club’s development. Have you played it?
Video
Watch the latest Irish Golfer videos below, from coverage of tournaments to equipment reviews.
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Quick Tip with Niall Kearney - Turn the right hip in the backswing
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Niall Kearney - Importance of a good posture
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Quick Tip with Niall Kearney - Chipping with a neutral shaft
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Niall Kearney - Accurate alignment
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Niall Kearney - Take a neutral grip to improve your ball striking
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Quick Tip with Stuart Grehan - Load your right side for more power
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Quick Tip with Stuart Grehan - How to play the flop shot
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Brendan McCarroll - Set up for the perfect drive
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Quick Tip with Stuart Grehan - Hole more putts with correct setup
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Quick Tip with Stuart Grehan - Improve your iron play
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Quick Tip with Neil O'Briain - How to chip from the rough
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Quick Tip with Stuart Grehan - The Northwestern putting drill
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The CFM Group Straffan Pro-Am at the K Club 2021
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2020 K Club Pro Am
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Simon Thornton - 2020 Irish PGA Champion
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Irish Golfer Shootout supported by BMW and Modest! Golf
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2020 Straffan Golf Club Pro Am
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INTERVIEW - Damien McGrane, Winner of The 109th Irish PGA Championship
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Dubai Duty Free Irish Open qualifier 2019
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Titleist T Series Irons & Utility
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Cobra RAD Speed Driver for 2021
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Titleist TSi Drivers Review
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Rory McIlroy first look at TaylorMade SIM Drivers
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New Gear - FootJoy Fury
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TaylorMade M5 M6 Custom Fit Experience with McGuirks
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Enda McLaughlin - The science behind P2 Putting Grips
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First Look at TaylorMade M5 M6 Drivers for 2019
