Luckily, if you’ve a golfer in your life, time is on your side to source the perfect Christmas gift. We’ve compiled a list of suggestions to help you do just that
Columns
How to become a better golfer
With winter upon us, the time is now to work on your game with the aim of coming into next spring ready to go
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?
What in the world is happening with the WHS?
‘The WHS was heralded as the great unifier: a universal handicap system to provide all golfers with a consistent measure of ability no matter where they are in the world. And to its credit, it’s united a fair chunk of Ireland against it’
They may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one
‘It’s addictive, this great game. 24 handicappers find it addictive hacking the ball around while chasing the dragon of that one crisp strike. Imagine what it must be like for those within reach of making a living from the thing?’
Peter O’Keeffe, the Walker Cup and WAGR
‘I’ll be honest. I was taken aback at first. Forty-plus year olds do not play for GB&I in the Walker Cup anymore, but then I thought: Why shouldn’t they?’
One of Ireland’s best golf weeks (for a long time, anyway)
On several levels, last weekend was one of the best in a long time for Irish professional golf. Long may the good times continue
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