asian golf – august, 2014

Long Thanh Golf Resort is a true paradise for any golfer.

Two world-class golf courses – one that traverses hilly terrain while the other meanders through spectacular lakes.

Both the Hill Course and the Lake Course are fascinating showcases of breath-taking landscapes

populated by a wide array of flora and fauna.

Golfing in Long Thanh Golf Resort is an experience of world-class golf combined with a unique brand of service and the warmth and friendliness of Vietnam.

All this delivered in a tranquil setting located in the southern economic triangle and just 40 minutes from Ho Chi Minh City’s centre.

National Highway 51, Tan Mai 2 Hamlet, Phuoc Tan Village, Dong Nai Province, Vietnam Tel: +84 61 3 512 512 Fax: +84 61 3 512 513

Long Thanh Golf Resort -A Golf Paradise Like No Other!

Come and Discover What Playing Golf in Paradise Really Feels Like

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FASHION TREND46 The World’s #1 Golf Shoe Company Unveils The AWD Casual

Street-style golf shoes have become the rage with golfers today. Besides looking ultra-cool, this style seems to fit the life-style of golfers today because it per-

mits them to be on the ready to play golf at any time.

48 Fashion Trend: Gripmore – The Future Of Golf Shoes Has Arrived!The golf giant has unveiled two new spikeless golf shoe designs they believe combine the best of both “spiked and spikeless foot-

wear into one revolutionary technology.

50 Nike Golf Draws On Proven DNAThe “swoosh” folks have hit the road running again – this time with some super cool golf shoes which draw from a rich 40-year legacy in athletic shoe design.

ISS

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167 AUGUST 2014

SPECIAL FEATURES18 The Exciting Resurgence Of WilsonThese days, more often than not, we just read about and listen to the gate-keepers of golf lamenting over what is happening with the game and how they are attempting to drag it out of life-support with “new concepts” that draw nothing more than a big yawn! The less said about the actions being taken by golf’s gate-keepers the better.

22 Serious Market Research Comes To Southeast AsiaFinally, the golf industry in Southeast Asia will have properly researched data to help it navigate through what is potentially one of the largest markets on the Asian continent.

24 Donald “You’re Fired” Trump Is Eyeing Asia?There are very few amongst us who can claim that we have done more than this man who once almost sank into business oblivion but man-aged to get up and give himself a reprieve. Mired in business contro-versy and marital battles, he re-built his sagging empire and gave it a new breath of life.

28 143rd Open Championship: The Prince Is Now The King!He came, he saw, he conquered. Rory McIlroy has ascended to the throne of golf and has conclusively proved to everyone that he deserves

COVER STORY

10

PING – A Family Run Power-House!This is the credo that has guided, di-rected and driven the Karsten Manufactur-ing company and PING over the past 60 years – it has served the companies and the Solheim family very well. And today, this same beacon that has paved a pathway for cutting edge innovation contin-ues to lead one of the most respected names in the golf industry to new frontiers in the 21st Century.

to rule over the professional game. The crowning glory came with his vic-tory at the 2014 British Open – a victory that has come as solid validation that he is the “real deal”.

30 Does Golf Need Another Putter?Asian Golf has been fascinated by Mantis Golf. It is undeniably a small player in a field that is dominated by 800 pound gorillas that will crush any competitor.

62 APGS 2014: New Drive New Energy A Re-vitalisedPlanning for the 2014 Asia Pacific Golf Summit (APGS) is beginning to move into high gear as the organisers start lining up their speakers for what promises to be a game-changing experience for the golf club indus-try in the Asian arena.

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EQUIPMENT FOCUS36 Equipment Focus: The Battle Of Supremacy For The Dimpled BallThe battle for leadership in the arena for golf balls is going to be expe-riencing a paradigm shift – a real sea change. This cataclysmic change, which comes at a time when the game of golf is in a languid state is due to an announcement made on January 1, 2014, by the USGA, the gate-keeper on rules governing equipment conformity.

42 Don’t Know What This Little Fella Is On – Whatever It Is, It’s Power Unlimited!Tour pros and elite golfers needed a club with the accuracy of a 3-wood, but built specifically to hit longer than one off the tee. So Tay-lorMade created the SLDR Mini Driver. It’s a whole new breed of club like you’ve never seen before. And the results are anything but mini.

44 Finally Custom-Fit Clubs For The Little Guys!Juniors are always a forgotten lot in golf. More often than not, many juniors play the game either with ill-fitting hand me downs or clubs off the rack. That’s all changing now that KZG has released its new and highly anticipated LCB Irons specifically geared towards junior golfers.

REGULARS6 Asian Golf Editorial Team 7 Shared Thoughts From Publisher 72 Next Issue

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ASIAN GOLF TOURISM56 Asian Golf Tourism: Kings’ Island Golf ResortIt certainly created an expectation and an air of anticipation of what lay in store but the visiting party opted to clear their minds of any imagery induced by the descriptions provided.

ISSUE 167 AUGUST 2014

66 Black Hat Tips: KISS Your Shots!Here’s a simple “thought” that you can follow to keep your round of golf more enjoyable.

68 Pro Tour Golf College: How to Go From Average Golfer to Excellent Golfer Faster By Practicing in the Stretch ZoneIt is truly amazing what any golfer with an ounce more determination than the next man or woman can achieve in golf if their determi-nation time line for achieving success is long enough and they practice their golf skills in the Stretch Zone.

52 New Balance – The New Kid On The Golf Block!New Balance Golf is off to a great start in its first year in the golf footwear business. The company known for its comfort, fit and per-formance in athletic footwear has just launched its new line of golf footwear.

53 Great Balls Of Fire – Loudmouth Is Hot!How would you like to blaze through your next round of golf all dressed up to the nines in an outfit that screams out that you are on fire?

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MIKE SEBASTIANChief Executive Officer/Managing Editor

[ [email protected] ]

ANGELA RAYMONDPresident [ [email protected] ]

RAQUEL M. ARCEGAArt Director & Ezine Development[ [email protected] ]

WAYNE LWEEVideo Editor/Streaming services[ [email protected] ]

MYRA PARASAccounts Executive


LAWRENCE YOUNGEditor (New Equipment)


ALICE HOMarketing Executive


SAIFUL SUFIANArt Director


Photographers GETTY IMAGES

Contributing Professionals IMG ACADEMY, TONY MEECHAI, CHRIS SMEAL, DAVID MILNE & LAWRIE

MONTAGUE (PRO TOUR GOLF COLLEGE), NICK RANDALL, STEVEN GIULIANO

Correspondents ROBIN BARWICK (EUROPE), RISHI NARAIN (INDIA)

Contributing Editors TERRY ANTON, ALAN CAMPBELL, KATHERINE ROBERTS, AAERISHNA SHAHSTHY

Printer SPECTRUM ZONE INTERNATIONAL PTE LTD

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Address ASIA PACIFIC GOLF GROUP (2014) PTE LTD

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06 07 ASIAN GOLF

SHARED THOUGHTS From The Publisher

For years, we have been reading and hearing tales about

the general decline in the game of golf in the United

States of America.

In that time, we have stood witness to millions taking

up the game and giving up the game. There have also been scary

stories about golf courses shutting down by the hundreds and now,

a new trend has emerged.

The down-turn has begun taking its toll on golf equipment

manufacturers. This news was revealed by Golf Datatech, LLC, the

golf industry’s leading independent research firm for consumer,

trade and retail golf trends.

In a report entitled “Assessing the Pyramid 2014,” a comprehen-

sive study of serious golfers and their post-recession buying habits,

the study quoting Golf Datatech’s John Krzynowek said, “In cer-

tain sectors of the golf industry, such as the equipment market, the

state of the business is not good and we use this study to analyse

why the market has stumbled since the recession, while providing

insight into areas which have held up.”

Krzynowek continued. “All indications are that serious damage

was done to the core economic beliefs and purchasing psyche of

the serious golfer due to the recession and the very weak recovery.

In fact, over half of all respondents to the study said they still don’t

feel financially secure in today’s economy, and their overall spend-

ing on golf-related purchases has not recovered to anywhere near

pre-recession levels.”

The timing of this study is particularly significant as it analyses

the lingering impact of the U.S. economic meltdown on the golf

industry, and its most engaged participants.

The study was conducted with 3,000 respondents from Golf

Datatech’s proprietary database of serious golfers, those who play

the most rounds and spend the most on the game, with the aver-

age respondent playing over 60 rounds per year, with a household

income of over US$156,000 per year.

A similar study is required for Asia and we feel that now is the

time to get the industry mapped in Asia. After all, Golf Datatech is

already in Asia in partnership with the Yano Research Institute of Ja-

pan. Let’s see if this team is up to conducting some serious research

on the golf industry in Asia?

Dark Clouds Of Gloom Hang Over Golf

“In certain sectors of the golf indus-try, such as the equipment market, the state of the business is not good and we use this study to analyse why the market has stumbled since the reces-sion, while providing insight into areas which have held up.”


SPORTYEXTERIOR.

Lightweight hosel: Adjustability with no loss of performance.

CUSTOM-ENGINEERED INTERIOR.On the outside, the new i25TM adjustable driver says performance and control. Inside, the multi-material driver has the horsepower to match. A CG positioned low and back reduces spin and delivers an extremely high MOI for forgiveness while stabilizing launch conditions to give you the distance you demand. To get the perfect

help keep you in the fairway. Of course, there’s a lot more to it, so

Fueled by patented Turbulator Technology and a new face material, the G30® adjustable driver is PING’s longest, most forgiving driver ever. In wind tunnel testing, crown turbulators are proven to reduce aerodynamic drag and increase clubhead speed. The T9S titanium face is thinner for higher ball speeds, and it’s lighter to keep the CG low and back for optimal launch and spin. The low/back CG – a proven PING innovation – also increases MOI for unmatched consistency. With 5 loft settings and high-balance-point shaft technology, the G30 is the fastest way to longer, more accurate drives. Visit a PING Fitting Specialist or ping.com. You’ll be better for it.

©2014 PING P.O. BOX 82000 PHOENIX, AZ 85071 AGM814

New T9S face material

5 loftadjustments

10 11 ASIAN GOLF

COVER STORY A Special Insight


I first met John A. Solheim, the chairman of the PING company back in 2007. It was an encounter full of surprises. He was very polite and very understated, sort of unbecoming of

company heads that I have met throughout my years in journalism and broadcasting. He spoke in a raspy voice that was both warm and friendly at the same time.

He seemed nervous when the cameras started to roll, but this belied the supreme confidence that the man had because this was very evident in his crisp and concise answers. That first meeting left a strong im-

This is the credo that has guided, directed and driven the Karsten Manufacturing company and PING over the past 60 years – it has served the companies and the Solheim family very well. And today, this same beacon that has paved a pathway for cutting edge innovation continues to lead one of the most respected names in the golf industry to new frontiers in the 21st Century.

pression on me – an impression grounded in my belief that John A. Solheim is a man who communes with God and who has tremendous respect for everyone that he comes into contact with. A man of true integrity which is reflected in the way his company conducts its day to day business and the products that it produces.

A lot has been written about John but he is always quick to re-direct all tributes to the man who started the philosophy and culture that drives the PING company today – his father, the late Kartsen Solheim, the legend-ary Hall of Famer who was golf’s very first

“techie”- a far-sighted and ingenious pioneer who revolutionized golf with his exceptional passions.

History records that John got his start in the family business when he was 13, work-ing alongside his father on early putter de-signs in the family garage. Young John had aspirations then to be an architect, but as the business expanded, he began designing golf clubs and helping his father grow the privately held entity into one of the most influential golf companies in the world.

According to him, the PING company is still managed with a hands-on approach.

“Even though we’ve grown beyond what Karsten and I could have imagined, we’ve always focused on the same principles – per-formance, innovation, and custom fitting – as the foundations for engineering products that make the game easier for golfers of all abili-ties,” John is quoted as saying.

Over the years, the family-managed business has grown exponentially and its headquarters in North Phoenix is now a sprawling complex made up of 27 buildings spread over 52 acres.

John’s achievements have been nothing short of being spectacular. But he considers his role at PING as transitional – between Kartsen and the “third generation” of Sol-heims. According to him, the third generation really runs the business today.

As the transition progresses, ASIAN GOLF felt that the time was appropriate to sit down with PING’s patriarch to discuss a wide range of issues about the company, its products and the state of the golf industry in general. The follow-ing is the full transcript of that discussion:

It’s been six decades in business and PING continues to set impressive milestones in

the golf equipment trade. What do you attribute this success to in what is now a very competitive business?John Solheim: As a family-owned compa-ny, we take a long-term view of the business. Our culture is built on always striving to be better, constantly creating knowledge that allows us to make the best product available. We don’t settle for the norm. We know the key to success long-term is better product. We hold true to the values Karsten founded PING on all those years ago and we come to work every day with the goal of improving on what we did the day before. That approach has served us well and will continue to be our focus.

12 13 ASIAN GOLF

A lot has been written about John but he is always quick to re-direct all tributes to the man who started the philosophy and culture that drives the PING company today – his father, the late Kartsen Solheim, the leg-endary Hall of Famer who was golf’s very first “techie”- a far-sighted and ingenious pioneer who revolutionized golf with his ex-ceptional passions.”

It must be very satisfying to have a front row seat to view your professional staff players

win multiple professional tournaments worldwide. This certainly goes to prove that you pack a real wallop when it comes to the technological power cache that PING has. Your thoughts?JS: We’re very fortunate to have the quality staff that we do. Besides being world-class players, they are world-class people. That’s very important to us. Our approach is to develop relationships early in the player’s careers -- either at the junior level or college – and grow together. They understand what PING stands for and they have confidence that our equipment will help them have success. It’s allowed us to develop a deeply loyal staff that we’re extremely proud of.

Technology has always been the pillar of strength for PING – with this in mind, let’s look

at how much more technology can be pushed with golf clubs and the golf ball given the conformity restrictions imposed by governing bodies like the USGA and the R&A?JS: With the technology and tools avail-able, along with the expertise of our team of engineers and researchers, we’re confi-dent we’ll continue to develop the knowl-edge that will lead to better equipment. Our goal is to help golfers of all skill levels, not just the best players in the world. That’s where I have some concerns about what the USGA and R&A have done in recent years with such a focus on dialing back distance. In my opinion, they have tried to reel-in the long hitter but it comes at the expense of all the others, and as a result, has given the long hitter more of an advantage. The cur-rent ball and club rules give the advantage to the longer hitter. I can’t tune a driving

club to the vast majority of golfers as well as I can for a longer hitter, purely because of the rules. We’ve always advocated that they should let physics rule and everything else will take care of itself. We’re hopeful that go-ing forward the game’s regulators will keep this in mind as they consider modifications to the equipment rules.

As a major stake-holder in golf, can you give us a health check on the game? Is it healthy and

if so, why do you think so? And if you feel otherwise, what do you feel needs to be done to help the game grow and become relevant to today’s society? You have obviously heard of numerous initiatives designed to grow the game of golf and these call for anything and everything ranging from more tee boxes to larger holes on the green. Do you feel that this is the route to take? JS: I understand the game is facing chal-lenges but we need to promote the posi-tives of the game more. Some of the game’s stakeholders have suggested drastic changes. We don’t need to change the way the game is played. We need to continue to promote its benefits to the younger generations. All the dialogue is good, but we need to com-municate everything that golf has to offer and make it “cool” to attract new players. The tough economic times around the world have been hard on the golf industry. Is golf healthy? Yes, considering everything that has gone on in the world. Is it where it was a few years ago – No, it is not. I do think several groups are doing what needs to be done, which are long term programmes to grow the game. In football (soccer), kids can always find a place to play. How can we make golf more accessible for the youth? The First Tee in the United States is a great start. We need to continue with programmes like “Tee It

COVER STORY A Special Insight

“Even though we’ve grown be-yond what Karsten and I could have imagined, we’ve always focused on the same principles – performance, innovation, and custom fitting – as the founda-tions for engineering products that make the game easier for golfers of all abilities” - John Solheim

Forward” and “Get Ready Golf” and add more programmes to grow the game.

Let’s change gears and look at PING – I am sure that you are aware that some independent

tests on your drivers and putters have revealed that your products stack up very impressively at the top tier. This is solid validation of the quality and performance of your equipment. Talk to this.JS: Right now is the most exciting time in the 55 years that I have been working to develop better golf clubs. New alloys and new materials are being developed and we have amazing technologies and tools to ana-lyze how they can contribute to improved performance. Our goal is to lead the industry in product development and continually push technology. Product validation comes at every level, from the tour pros to the everyday golfers. That’s the part I enjoy the most, working with our engineers to see how we can improve on the performance of the previous product. When that valida-tion comes, it proves what we already know based on our own research and testing. It takes a lot of little things that add up to big improvements. If a test is truly independent,

we know we’ll do well because we know what we’ve put into the design really works.

Can we ask you to gaze into your crystal ball – where do you see PING in the general

scheme of things in golf say in the next ten years?

JS: I expect the next ten years to be really

exciting for our company. Our third genera-

tion, including my three sons, is assuming

more and more of the day-to-day responsi-

bilities. They are working together as a team

to improve the whole company. That gives

me more time to focus on the engineering

side of things which is my passion. It is re-

ally neat working with a team of Engineers

and members of the 3rd generation who

share my passion. We are planning to grow

our presence in other categories, including

soft goods, while continuing our extensive

research into electronics and software so we

can bring golfers and fitters innovations like

the iPING app and nFlight Motion. All those

learnings ultimately lead to products that

make the game easier and more enjoyable.

Finally, Bubba Watson, the man who wields a pink PING driver and drives it a country

mile, has become an excellent ambassador for the company not only in terms of performance but also in portraying PING as a corporation with a very strong sense of commitment to society. This must make you feel very proud.JS: Bubba is a special person who is a great fit for PING. We’re fortunate to have grown up with him and watched him develop into a major champion. He reminds me a lot of my dad, Karsten. He does things his way and he wants to give back to the game. Bubba’s a very creative marketer who uses his suc-cess to help others. We’re very proud of what he’s accomplished while representing PING, but more importantly, the person he is.

It is very obvious that John and ev-eryone around him continue to live and operate by the values laid down by Karsten Solheim - his passion for quality and belief in himself which serve as the hallmarks of his success and that of his business. The com-pany today employs approximately 1,200 people worldwide and conducts business in more than 70 countries.

Jeffrey Bose, manager of WinGolf, PING’s distributor in Singapore studied at the University of Arizona with members of the Solheim family. He also lived with the family for an extended period and during that time got to know the patriach of the family, Karsten. Recapping, Bose said, “Looking back, John believes God has been directing the course of the family busi-ness from Day One. What seemed like adversities turned out to be enor-mous blessings. Karsten had always been faithful in acknowledging God as the Creator and centtre of their lives and always gave thanks for everything they had. As Chairman and CEO today, John Solheim is resolute in maintain-ing and passing on the values he learned from his father. All PING meet-ings still begin with prayer. Many company employees, overseas distribu-tors, even golf professionals have come to know God and be blessed by the faith shown by Solheim family members over the years.


Jeffrey Bose

14 15 ASIAN GOLF

COVER STORY PING G30

A s most of us know, PING is an organization that is very conser-vative when it comes to the nam-ing of its products. The last time

that the Phoenix-based company came up with a product name that rocked the golf world was “Rapture”. But “Turbulator” – this was like hitting the ball right out of the park in the ball game of names! Naturally, we did

ogy was wind-tunnel tested at the University of Arizona’s R&D laboratory. This sounds like the rigid test that a new generation Ferrari Formula One racer is subjected to before it hits the race-track. PING does not kid around with new products – its pre-launch test pro-grammes are exhaustive and being a compa-ny founded on strict engineering principles, we were prepared to witness something that

a quick check on the word and discovered that it had its roots not in advertising hype but in hard-core science. Now, it all started to make sense – PING is renowned for its commitment to solid engineering principles in its entire product development process and the “Turbulator” is a technology heaped in pure aerodynamics.

Believe it or not, the “Turbulator” technol-


represented an absolute paradigm shift in club design and technology.

It’s time to meet the “Turbulator” in all its glory! Introducing the new PING G30 family of clubs with the “Turbulator” driver leading the cast. One look at this newbie will tell you that it is a total stand-out and its striking physical characteristics shout out loud that it’s UNIQUELY DIFFERENT! You know how boring the crowns of drivers are but that’s not the case with the G30 “Turbulator” – it’s got ribbed relief features on the crown that resemble rhino-horns, not dissimilar to the aerodynamic features that one would see on the Lamborghini Huracan. That’s impressive stuff!

And how impressive is the new G30 driver? For the answer, look no further than Marty Jertson, PING’s senior design engineer who exclaimed, “Our goal was not to make the most aerodynamic driver ever. The goal was to make the best driver ever!”

“With the G30 series, our engineers once again accomplished something that is unique to PING products -- they elevated performance significantly in key areas with-out sacrificing other important attributes,” said John A. Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO.

The most visible innovation on the G30 driver is the patented turbulators engi-neered onto the crown. Inspired by the aeronautics and sporting industries that put a premium on speed, Turbulator Technology reduces aerodynamic drag by significantly delaying airflow separation, maintaining attached airflow around the club-head as it

“With the G30 series, our engineers once again accom-plished something that is unique to PING products - they elevated performance significantly in key areas without sacrificing other important attributes.”

approaches impact, leading to more speed. In simple speak, Turbulators allow the G30 to move through the air like a smaller-faced driver while still maintaining the low/rear centre of gravity that is the mainstay of the G-series design.

“The turbulators are really exciting,” Solheim said. “Wind-tunnel testing verified with clarity the role they play in reducing drag on the driver head, but its real benefit was confirmed through our player testing. When Bubba Watson first tested the turbu-lators, he picked up two miles per hour in clubhead speed and four miles per hour in ball speed, which meant 10 more yards for him. We can’t promise that for everyone, but with the turbulators’ powerful, inspir-ing look we’re confident all golfers will be longer off the tee, thanks to Turbulator Technology,” Solheim added.

“Across the product line, we’ve proved you can hit the ball higher and farther while increasing forgiveness and control. We’ve also continued our focus on advanc-ing custom fitting in the driver and fairway woods by offering five loft positions. All of this promotes the consistent, reliable results that will help golfers of any skill level shoot lower scores and enjoy the game more,” ac-cording to Solheim who is undoubtedly the man who heads up the constant search for innovation at PING.

“With the G30 series, our engineers once again accomplished something that is unique to PING products - they elevated performance significantly in key areas with-

out sacrificing other important attributes,” said Solheim.

Besides the revolutionary “Turbulator” G30 driver, the family includes the G30 range of products made up of G30 adjustable fair-way woods, G30 irons and G30 hybrids.

The entire G30 series benefits from new face technologies and materials, includ-ing the introduction of T9S titanium in the drivers, which results in thinner faces and weight savings that help position the CG low and back. The fairway woods utilize a high-strength Carpenter 475 steel in the face, and the hybrids are heat treated with an H900 process. Both result in hotter, more forgiving faces. The G30 iron face is thinner for higher ball speeds while being stabilized by a new custom tuning port design for predictable distance control.

In summation, all of the innovations en-gineered into the G30 range place a special emphasis on significantly increasing ball velocity and accuracy through a combina-tion of advanced aerodynamics, plus new face designs and materials. For golfers, this translates into measurable distance gains without sacrificing key performance attri-butes such as control and forgiveness.

Heaps of kudos to PING and its engi-neers for stepping up to the plate to smack another home run in the race to bring the best equipment to golfers globally! You’ve aced it with the “Turbulator” – with a name like that, we think that PING should produce a full-length fast-ace action-packed thriller of a movie! http://youtu.be/XQOxZGGsYQs

16 17 ASIAN GOLF

A Quick Peek At The G30 Product Range:

What Is A Turbulator?

A turbulator is a device that turns a laminar flow into a turbulent flow. Turbulent flow can be desired on parts of the surface of an aircraft wing (airfoil) or in industrial applica-tions such as heat exchangers and the mixing of fluids.

Wind tunnel video: http://youtu.be/8-Tr7C26fog

G30 Adjustable Fairway WoodsFaster ball speeds and greater distance come from a

larger face made of a uniform-thickness Carpenter 475 steel, creating a thin but strong hitting sur-

face that maximizes face deflection. (Carpenter 475 steel is 44% stronger than 17-4 stainless

steel.) Weight saved by thinning the face has been redistributed to optimize

the CG and elevate MOI for added forgiveness.

G30 HybridsGreater ball velocity and longer distances with a higher trajectory ensure the stop-ping power to attack pins. The thin, uni-form 17-4 stainless steel face is processed with a H900 heat treatment to maximize

face deflection and increase ball speed for added distance with a higher peak

trajectory and a steeper landing angle. To inspire confidence, the

top rail is flatter and the heel section is higher, providing a

very square face at address that helps with aim and

alignment consistency.

G30 IronsProgressive lengths and lofts and a thin face that maxi-mizes ball speed help launch the ball farther and higher with control. Situated low in the sole of the undercut cavity design, the CTP structure helps lower the CG to ensure high launch with forgiveness, and it supports the 17-4 stainless steel face to provide distance control and

a solid feel. A softer lead-edge radius and precisely calculated additions to the bounce profile ensure a

smooth transition through the grass with a stable head, which adds to forgiveness. This versatile

sole design is engineered to perform well with any angle of attack. Progressive offset gener-

ates higher ball flights in the longer irons and penetrating, controlled trajectories with the scoring clubs.

TURBULATOR – It’s Awesome Long!

Asian Golf managed to hook up with one golfer who had the opportunity to test out the “Turbulator” at PING’s facility in Phoenix and this is what he had to say:

I was at the fitting facility with a group of other specially invited visitors and I had the opportunity to move through several drivers with differing results (shaft, loft, flex etc). Finally, I managed to lay my hands on a stiff 10 Straight Flight Technol-ogy stock shaft. On the first several hits, I was feeling out the shaft and did not bother to read the Trackman numbers. When ready, I gave it my best shot - and Trackman regis-tered my swing speed at 110mph, ball speed at 162mph and the total distance was a stunning 304 yards! I have never crossed 300 yards ever. Normally my best effort averages 295 yards at this facility. Working back the stats, I got 9 yards more so that could translate to about a 1-2 mph faster swing speed.

COVER STORY PING G30

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Olympic Mountains. It’s a public access course designed to be enjoyed by players of every ability, and it’s waiting just for you.

EXPERIENCE IT FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE ROPES Play Chambers Bay, site of the 2010 U.S. Amateur and the 2015 U.S. Open

68 69 ASIAN GOLF686868666888868686688686868686688688686686688668866866866868688668866866886668888668888 69696696669699669696999696969969669696996969996966999969699966996699999699669696699669696696969696666999966699999 ASIAAASASIAAASIASISASISASIASIASIASIAAASAAASASIASASIAAAASISASASIASIAAAASAAASISIASSASIASIAASASSASIASSISSAASAASSAASIIAAAASIIIIIIAAAAASSIIIIAAASSASSAASISSAAASSSAAASAAAASSSIIAAAASIIIAN ANAN AN AAANAANANNANANANAANANAAAAANNAAAANANNAN AAANAAANNANAAANNANAAAAAANNANANNAAAAAANNNNAAAANNAANNNAANNNANAANNNAANNNNNANNAANNNNNNNNN GOLGOLGOLGGOLGOLGOLGOGOLGOLGOLGGGOLGOLGOLGGGGGGGOLGGOLGOLGOLGOLLGOLGOLGG LLLLLGOLG LLLGGGOLLGOLLGOLGGOLLLG LLGG LLLLLGGG LGG LGOLGGOLGG LLGG LLLLGGOLGG LLLLLLLLLLFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF

SPECIAL FEATURE Tim Clarke Q & A

Against this gloomy backdrop, we

think instead of wallowing in hope-

lessness, our time would be better

invested by talking to the captains

of industry. These are the people who are sail-

ing the industry through uncertain waters and

they are the ones who have a vibrant and excit-

ing outlook for the future of golf.

These past months, Asian Golf has had such

face-to-face sessions with industry power-

brokers like Chip Brewer of Callaway Golf, Bob

Philion of Cobra, Cindy Davis of Nike Golf

– just to mention a few. Their ideas are revolu-

tionary and fresh and they know how to lead

golf to better times.

Continuing our search for change in the

game, we caught up with Tim Clarke, President

of Wilson Golf to find what is re-charging the


I believe every player should go through the fitting process with a PGA profes-sional or a certified fitting facility. We know from test-ing hundreds of thousands of golfers that properly fit-ted equipment and golf balls can improve a player’s game and enhance the fun factor. So you are on to something here.”

batteries of this 100 year old company and

he provided some excellent insights into how

his organization is managing change and

recording impressive results. Asian Golf is

proud to present excerpts of that discussion:

You couldn’t have picked a better time for a resurgence of the brand – you are well

into your 100th anniversary year and things have never looked better for Wilson – this must make you feel real good.Tim Clarke: It has been a very enjoyable

year as we have had tour wins on the PGA

tour, European Challenge tour and Europe-

an development tour so that always brings

excitement. Kevin Streelman’s record set-

ting 7 straight birdies to win the Travelers in

Harford kind of says it all!

The brand is back in con-tention for top honours on the professional tour circuit.

Kevin Streelman’s win at the Travelers Championship could not have come at a better time. What’s on the cards for continued success? TC: Smart investments into Wilson Staff is

the Key to our future. We are introducing

innovative world class technology in all of

our products and this has really raised the bar

for our R & D team and they continue to meet

the challenge of continuous improvement

in everything we do! We have to continue to

grow our Tour Staff with the right players that

will help build our brand on a global scale.

Most importantly we have to continue to be

a consumer centric brand that anticipates

golf consumers’ needs by delivering products

that perform beyond their expectations.

energy” driving Wilson and this is clearly evidenced in

all of your new products. For exam-ple, the FG Tour golf balls are being

very well received – do you feel you have a product to seriously challenge the category leaders? TC: We have great energy around the brand

and it all starts with doing the right thing

every day – this is a culture and discipline

that we have developed at Wilson Golf. Our

engineers are excited about competing and

delivering products that perform for each

of our consumer segments of F-C-D (Feel

Control and Distance). The FG product for

the feel player are best in class and we enjoy

the challenge of bringing golf products to

market that make great players better.

The same applies to your

getting it right at all levels of play. Your putters are receiving good reviews and with the re-launch of the classic 8802, you are certainly making some strong statements. TC: The timing is right for more aggressive

moves with this being our centennial it was

pretty logical to come back with the most

iconic putter in our history – the 8802. This

putter was actually designed by Mr. Arnold

Palmer and it has been involved in tourna-

ment moments that will live forever so it is

only appropriate to have a modern day ver-

sion of this iconic putter that future genera-

tions of golfers can use and enjoy. I had the

pleasure of giving Mr. Palmer a personalized

8802 at his Bay Hill event in March. What an

honor that was for me. It falls right in line

with our launch of the FG Tour 100 button

back blades-both of these products are

timeless and played a huge role in Wilson

Golf’s heritage which has also had a major

impact on this wonderful game we all love.

Many in the golf world still have fond memories of your Fat Shafts and your Deep

Red range of clubs. These products were game-changers in many ways because they heralded the era of game improvement products. Do you see Wilson getting back to that era when your products possessed a special mark of innovation and ingenuity? TC: We are always on the cutting edge of

new concepts, technologies and materials.

Our biggest advantage in developing game

changing technologies is that we are part

of Wilson Sporting Goods and a Division of

Amer sports which has a reputation of inno-

vation leadership throughout their portfolio

of brands around the world.

As you continue to produce new products, how do you feel about the general state

of affairs with the golf game especially when viewed against the lack of growth? TC: I think it’s a complex puzzle and from

my seat it really is about creating excitement

around the game. If you look at history

industries and companies ebb and flow.

There are boom years and challenging years.

I believe golf is no different when you look

at the history of golf there have been game

changers like Gene Sarazen, Sam Sneed,

Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger

Woods to name a few. These types of players

and personalities bring golf to new heights

and coupled with product innovations are a

key driver in accelerating the sport of golf.

As golf equipment becomes more user friendly, how can this plus factor be put to

good use to get existing golfers to play more golf and to attract new golfers into the game? TC: Innovation in any sport is critical to

long term growth but the most important

question we have to ask is: 1. Are you having

fun doing it? 2. Does golf enhance your life?

As an industry we need to get potential and

current golfer’s to say yes to these ques-

tions. People love to do things that are fun

so fun has to be #1 in golf’s development. I

think this is where equipment brands come

into play with innovation helping new

players play better and making the game

more fun. #2 is golf life enhancing? I think

the First Tee does a great job in teaching

the values of golf which we as an

industry can talk more about

along with family, health

and fitness benefits.

Do you feel that manu-

facturers are doing enough, like working in collabo-ration with course owners

and

golf club operators to beef up prod-uct awareness aimed at growing the game? TC:I believe there are a lot of good efforts

going on by different groups and golf leader-

ship organization. The junior golf ideas of

organized team matches is a great concept

to bring more kids to golf. I still think the key

is for all of us in the industry to take personal

ownership, to pay it forward and introduce as

mentor 3 to 5 new players to the game each

year. I try to do this myself, who better to

introduce new players and teach them about

the fun of golf and the life skills it teaches

than the people who work and make a living

in and around this great game.

you believe that it can prove to be that elusive elixir to

help grow the game of golf? TC: I believe every player should go thru

the fitting process with a PGA professional

or a certified fitting facility. We know from

testing hundreds of thousands of golfers that

properly fitted equipment and golf balls can

improve a player’s game and enhance the fun

factor. So you are on to something here.

Wilson has been around for a whole century and you must know a thing or two

on how to re-invent processes to stay relevant to changing times. What do you think Wilson will and can do to keep golf relevant to these rapidly changing times? TC: I think staying focused on the golf con-

sumer is the key to a long successful run for

Wilson Golf. I believe that this insight is the

critical component because it drives all our

efforts in Research and Development. If you

focus on the Distance player hitting it longer

is very important but you must be clear on

what they want a product to look like and

their performance expectations. For the

F- Feel player it is more about understand-

ing the needs similar to a surgeon’s preci-

sion medical equipment. The feel golfers

are looking for precision and repeatability

benefits from their equipment whether it be

working the ball right to left or hitting out

of different lies and grasses – all this must

be considered in the development process

Then there are the big ideas! We have quite

a few in development and these are industry

changing concepts like Fat Shaft which can

take the game to a new heights.

SPECIAL FEATURE Tim Clarke Q & A

22 23 ASIAN GOLF

SPECIAL FEATURE Market Research

Finally, the golf industry in Southeast Asia will have properly researched data to help it navigate through what is potentially one of the largest markets on the Asian continent.

This is going to be made possible by a ground-breaking

initiative supported by the Asia Pacific Golf Group

(APGG) and conducted by Golf Business Advisory

Services (GBAS), headed by Australian industry advisor

Jeff Blunden and the Asia Pacific Chapter of the Club Managers

Association (CMAAAPC)

This much needed study, tagged the 2014 Southeast Asia

Golf Industry Report, will be conducted in ten countries over

a six week period. “We will be reaching out to general manag-

ers as we seek to build a current facility profile as a reference

point for golf businesses across South East Asia. Via a separate

survey to the active golf course architects in the region we will

also be seeking to establish the size of the future course supply

“The club industry in the region that we are responsible for can expect more specialised research projects to be launched from hereon.” - Sylvan Braberry

pipeline in South East Asia” revealed Blunden.

“Given this is the first time such a comprehensive assessment of the

market has been attempted we want to make certain that what we are

seeking to establish is the type of information the market wants. In our

meetings with general managers over the past month we have been

given an insight into what their concerns are and the themes shared

were very consistent. It has been really encouraging to find that there


is real want for industry wide information and benchmarks to help

direct the strategies being developed at club level,” he added.

This inaugural industry survey will form part of an on-going

commitment to research by the CMAAAPC. “The club industry in

the region that we are responsible for can expect more specialised

research projects to be launched from hereon,” revealed Sylvan

Braberry, chief executive officer of the CMAAAPC.

The countries that will be covered will include the Philippines,

Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore,

Brunei and Indonesia. “This is a massive market of 600 million

people and a collective GDP that comes in over two trillion U.S. dol-

lars,” pointed out Mike Sebastian, chief executive officer of APGG.

Covering membership demand, facility utilisation, golf opera-

“We will be reaching out to gen-eral managers as we seek to build a current facility profile as a reference point for golf busi-nesses across South East Asia. Via a separate survey to the ac-tive golf course architects in the region we will also be seeking to establish the size of the future course supply pipeline in South East Asia.” - Jeff Blunden

GOLF BUSINESS ADVISORY SERVICES

tions, food and beverage, course manage-

ment, technology, and gaming, the survey

will be very comprehensive and will serve

up data that has heretofore not been avail-

able to the golf industry.

Commenting on the appointment of

GBAS, Braberry said, “The past research

and report development experience in the

Australian market that GBAS brings to the

table is very compelling and is a very good

fit with the CMAA Asia Pacific. I have found

the GBAS data driven, grounded approach

to understanding facility operations quite

insightful. Having been a general manager, I

am certain that many of my peers will gain a

lot from this project and importantly will use

the findings to help make more informed

decisions.”

Talking about their approach to client

work, Blunden stated that “understanding

the market, its performance, and having numerous reference points

has been a constant in our past advisory work for clubs, resorts, de-

velopers, administration and tourism bodies, banks, and legal firms.

GBAS is pleased that this resonated with the CMAA Asia Pacific as

it sought out an appropriately credentialed firm to deliver this first

time report.

Blunden will present some of the key findings of the 2014

Southeast Asia Golf Industry Report at the 2014 Asia Pacific Golf

Summit to be staged in Singapore from November 14 – 15.

“The release of this survey and subsequent Report in November

will be a major milestone in the evolution of the golf industry in the

region and it will herald a new era in the way the business of golf is

conducted,” declared Sebastian.

24 25 ASIAN GOLF

SPECIAL FEATURE Donald Trump Q&A

ISSUE 165 JUNE 2014ISSISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSISSISSISSSSSSSSSSISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSISSISSSSSSSSSSSISSSSSSSSSSSSSSISSISSSSSSSSISSISSISSSSSSIISIISSSSSSSSSSSIISIISSSSSSSSSSIISIISSSSSSSSSSSSISIIISSSSSSSSSISIISISSSSSSSSSSSSIISISSSSSSSSSSSSSSIIISSSSSSSSSSSSIISSSSSSSSSSSIISSSSSSSSSSSIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSISIISSISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSISIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSISISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSUEUEUEUEUEUUEUEEEUEUEEUEUEEEUUEUUUUUUUUUEUEUUUUEEEEEUEUUUEEEEUEUEEUEUEUEUEEUEUEUEUUUEEEUEUEEEUUEUEEUEEEEEEEEUEUEEEEEUEUEEUUUEUEUEUEUEUEUEUUEUUEUE UEUEUEEUUUUUEUEUEUEUEUEUEUUUUUEUUE UEUUEEEEUEUUUUUUEUEEEUUUUEEE UUUUUUUUUUUEEE UUUUUUUUUUUUU 16565516516516116666565656166555511165165656555166655555551666666655555555551665555555555551616565555555555555161616166666655555555555161616655555555116666555555511616555551165616165555516565555555161616566555555516161655555516166555516665555516165555616165555651611165116551111 55555555666655555555555 JJJJJJJUUUUUUJUJJJJJJJJJJJUUUUUJUUUUUUJUJUJUJJJJJJJJJJJJJJUUUUUUUUJUUUJUUJJJJJJJJJJJUUUUUJUUJUUUUUJJJJUJJJJJJJJJUUUUJUUUUUUUUJJJJJJUJJJUJJJUUUUUUJUJUUJJUJJJJJJJJJJJJJUUUUUUUUJUUUJJJJJJUJJJJJJJUUUJUUJUJUJUUUJJJJUJJUJUJJJUJUUJUUJUUJUJUJUJUUUUUUJJJJJJJUJJJUJJJJUUUJUUUJUUJUUUUUUJJJJJJJUJJJJJJJJJUJUUUUUUUJJJJJJJJJJJJJUJUUUJUUUUUUUUJJJJJJJJJJJJJJUJUJUJUJUJUUUUUUUUUUUUUUJJJJJJJJJJJJUUUUUUUUUUJUUUUUUUJJJJJJJJUUUUUUUUUUUUUUJJJJJJJJUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJUUUUUUUUUJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJUJUUUUUUJJJJJJJJJUUUUUUUUUJJJJJJJJJUJUUUUUUUJJJJUUJJJJJJJUUUJJJJJUUJJJJJUUJJJJJUUUJJJJJJJUJJJJUNNNENENNNNNNNNENEENENENNNNENNNNNENENNEEEEENENENEENEENEENNNENENNENNNEEEEEEEENNENNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEENENENNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEENNNENNNNNENNEEEEEEEEEEENENNENNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEENENNNNNNNNENEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNEEEEEEENNENNNNEENEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNENEEEEEEEEENNNNNENNNNNENENNNEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNENENENENENNNNEEEEEEEEENENENNENENENNNNNEEEEEEEEEENNNENENNNNNNNENENENEEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNENENEEEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEENENENNNENNNNEEEENENNNNNNNNENNNNNENNENEEENNENENENENNEEEENEENENENENENNNNEEEEENNNNNEENEENNNEEEENNNEEEEE 222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222200100000000000000000001111111111100001010100000011110101101111000000100000111101011000000000001111010101001000000000000111111011001000000000010111101010100001000000010111010100000100101101000011101110111111111100001111101000000010111101111000000101001010111011111001010111111100011110000111010000001111001010000000101111000001001001010101010101111010010110001011001100001000000 4444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444

Today, this man is a legendary Ameri-

can billionaire business magnate, an

investor, a television personality and

author.

He has built a major elite golf brand in the

United States and has exported this luxurious

brand to the home of golf in Scotland. Mega-

wealthy sheikhs have courted him and paid him

well to anchor his brand in the

desert strips of the Middle East.

Donald Trump has indeed

done well with his extravagant life-

style and has been hugely successful

in creating the world’s finest portfolio of

golf courses and their accompanying ameni-

ties. From Scotland to Palm Beach to Dubai,

Trump golf courses offer a whole new level of

challenge, luxury, service and performance

that have become synonymous with the Trump

brand experience.

There is no denying that the flamboyant

Trump has a big scheme to take his brand

global. He recently granted ASIAN GOLF an

exclusive interview which gave us the op-

portunity to find out if he had any plans

to expand into Asia.

There are very few amongst us who can claim that we have

done more than this man who once almost sank into business

oblivion but managed to get up and give himself a reprieve.

Mired in business controversy and marital battles, he re-built his

sagging empire and gave it a new breath of life.

To this, he gave a short but crisp response,

“Yes, Asia’s on the radar, but nothing definite

yet.”

Given his love for golf and the desire to

make his golf brand a global experience, a wa-

ger on Trump coming to Asia sooner than later

will definitely pay off handsomely!

The following are excerpts from the inter-

view with Trump which was conducted during

his recent trip to the Middle East:

26 27 ASIAN GOLF

SPECIAL FEATURE Donald Trump Q&A

You have made some very

Golf is a classic game – it

will not go away or just disappear. It’s also

a game that can appeal to people from age

7 to 87 or beyond. It’s a game of longev-

ity in several ways. Tennis, for example,

doesn’t extend itself for too long on the

human body, at least in most cases. It’s also

a wonderful way to get outside in beautiful

surroundings. I see it as healthy. It’s also a

brain game and the challenge is good for

everyone.

That could be true. But it seems that

golf appeals to individuals who know what

they want and how to arrange for it. There’s

an independent spirit that is prevalent

among golfers and those who want to golf.

I’d be interested to see what these pro-

grammes would be, but it’s not on my to-do

list at the moment.

Golf is as it is, and shortening the game

isn’t an answer to that. Golf provides the

time, which enhances the experience, for

people to concentrate on a different level.

I don’t think it needs to be re-engineered

– to do so would change the game which

wouldn’t benefit anyone.

I see it as healthy and thriving, and

there will be more Trump golf courses so

there will be plenty of fantastic courses to

play. It will be good for everyone.

Trump was in Dubai to check in on

progress at the 42 million square foot golf

community that the Trump Organisation is

collaborating with DAMAC Properties on

The Trump International Golf Course.

At a press conference hosted at the

project, Trump praised the progress of the

development and declared, “This is going to

be the greatest golf community in Asia!”

Golf is a classic game – it will not go away or just disappear. It’s also a game that can appeal to people from age 7 to 87 or beyond. It’s a game of longevity in several ways. - Donald Trump

Ivanka Trump, Hussain Sajwani and Donald Trump at Akoya by DAMAC.

Hussain Sajwani, Donald Trump and Ivanka Trump at Akoya by DAMAC

R E S E R V A T I O N S : 1 8 0 0 2 3 2 5 5 9 9 B A N Y A N T R E E . C O M

Emerald green paddy fields. Sun-kissed beaches. Meandering streams.

Tee off at the 18-hole Sir Nick Faldo championship golf course.

A g o l f e x p e r i e n c e

l i k e n o

o t h e r .

28 29 ASIAN GOLF

He came, he saw, he conquered. Rory McIlroy has ascended to the throne of

golf and has conclusively proved to everyone that he deserves to rule over the professional game. The crowning glory came with his victory at the 2014

British Open – a victory that has come as solid validation that he is the “real deal”.

“I’ve really found my passion again for golf …not that it ever dwindled, but it’s what I think about when I get up in the morning. It’s what I think about when I go to bed. I just want to be the best golfer that I can be. And I know if I can do that, then trophies like this are within my capability.” - Rory McIlroy

143RD OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

ISSUE 165 JUNE 2014SSSSISSISSISSISSISSSSISSSSSSISSISSISSISSSSSSSSISSSSSSSSSSSIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSISSSSSSISSSSISSSSISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSISSSSSSSSSISSSSSSSISSSSSIIISSSSSSSISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSUEUE UE UEUEUUE EUEUE UE UE E UE UE UEUUEUEUEUEEUEUEUUEUEUUUUEUUEEEUE UUEUEUE EUEUEUUUEUUEUEEUUUEUUEEEEEEUUUUUUUEEEEUUUUUUEUE UUEEUUEUUUUUUEUUUUEUUUUUUUUEUEEUEUUUUUEEEUUUUUUUUUEEUEUUUUUUEEEEEUUUUUEEEEUUEEEEEUUUUEUEUEEEEUUUUUUEUUUUEEEEEUUUUE 65165165161656165165165165161651651651651651616165116165165516511161611616516565666165655556551166661616165616555651161656566651655665666566565165165651665665555161111165665551166655555551116666556555511616511665555165666656666565666566556665556666556665556655656655556665556656 JUJUJUJUJUJUJUJUJUJUJUJUJJUJUJJJJJJUJUJUUJJJJJJJUUJUJUJUJJJUJUJJUJJJUUUJJJUJJJJJJJJUJUJJJUUUJUJJUJJJJJUUUJJJJUJJUJUJUJJJJUUUUJJUUUUUUUUJJJUUUJUJJUJUUUUJJJJUUJJJJJUJUJJJJJJUJUJJJJUUUUUUJJUUUUUJJJUUUUUUUJJJJUUUUJUUUNENENENENENENENENENEENENENENENENENENEEEENNNNNNENENENENNENNNEENENEEENENNENEENEEENENEENNEEENEEENENNEEEENNNEEEEEENNEENEEEEEEEEEEENEEEENNENNE 2222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222201010101010000101010101010000000000000011010110100010010000000100111100000000010101110000000001110000001111001111100000001010101000010111000010110000011100000000011010000001000001100000000110000001100000010000000000000000000000000000000001000001000 4444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444

The 2014 British Open has come and

gone. Royal Liverpool, looking like a

faded tapestry of shades of green and

brown surrounded with dull shades of

grey provided by the mud-flats of the shore-

line, was in its best behavior. The links course

did not turn nasty throughout the four days

and allowed for some high scores.

The traditionalists and the romantics

amongst golf loved the setting and had a

never-ending stream of compliments for the

course set-up including the clumps of hay

and bushes that provided the only vegetation

at Royal Liverpool. For a change, it would be

nice if this hallowed event breaks away from

tradition and is held on a course with beauti-

fully manicured fairways lined with trees and

flowers. Dream on!

Nonetheless, the competition was enter-

taining with drama kept to the minimum. The

defending champion, Phil Mickelson did what

he does best which was to spray his shots all

over the links course and cause the collapse of

his defense.

The other one-time wonder of golf, Tiger

Woods put up a performance that was good

enough to place him fourth from the bottom of

the leaderboard.

Of the Asian contingent, only four made the

final round - Byeong-Hun An (-4), Koumei Oda

(-1), Hideki Matsuyama (-1) and Thongchai

Jaidee (-1).

With victory at Royal Liverpool, McIlroy now

has three majors under his belt and at age 25,

he is well on his way to add many more. He beat

Sergio Garcia and Rickie Fowler who both

made valiant attempts to catch him but their

efforts were just not good enough. His victory

also proved his father right as the older McIlroy

had placed a bet with the bookies ten years ago

that his son would win the British Open by the

time he was 25 years old. And he pocketed some

good cash at the bookies!

Speaking of cash, this is what the top three

checked into their respective bank accounts -

RORY MCILROY £975,000

SERGIO GARCIA £460,000

RICKIE FOWLER £460,000

Not bad for four days of play!

After his win, McIlroy said, “I’ve really found

my passion again for golf …not that it ever

dwindled, but it’s what I think about when I get

up in the morning. It’s what I think about when

I go to bed. I just want to be the best golfer

that I can be. And I know if I can do that, then

trophies like this are within my capability.”

McIlroy’s win and his ascendency to the

world number two spot also validates the confi-

dence that Nike Golf had in him when the com-

pany’s president Cindy Davis signed him on for

a mega multi-million dollar contract. Not only

has Nike Golf got an accomplished new hero

in its stable but McIlroy’s victory at the British

Open has also validated the Nike Covert line of

equipment as being good enough to win!

SERGIO GARCIA RICKIE FOWLER

30 31 ASIAN GOLF

Against this backdrop, one wonders why Mantis Golf decided to make

a bold foray into the dense and crowded jungle of putters? The story-

tellers of this fledgling company informed us that the adventure started

in the summer of 2012. Apparently, the founder of Mantis Golf, Michael

Dill discovered that his eyes were in motion whenever he putted. He deduced that

colour was a cause for this movement and decided to go with a colour and finish that

blended with the putting surface.

Dill was able to conclusively prove that the colour green on the putter head would

reduce the amount of eye movement during the putting stroke. Hey presto! …. A

green putter is born!

“Mantis innovation positively impacts eye movement, an area of growing

interest in sports medicine. Our eye tracking research, a tool in-creasingly used in sports perfor-mance research, demonstrates that Mantis can improve eye sta-bility during the putting stroke.”

CHRIS MAHER [ CEO of Mantis Golf ]

Well, if the name of the compa-ny manufacturing the putter is “Mantis Golf” and if the product is green in colour, why not!

Asian Golf has been fascinated by Mantis Golf. It is undeniably

dominated by 800 pound goril-las that will crush any competi-tor. That aside, the putter cat-egory is over-crowded – just drop in to any golf store and do a visual scan of what’s available and you will be overwhelmed by the variety of brands on sale.

EQUIPMENT FOCUS Mantis Q&A

32 33 ASIAN GOLF

“Let me state that Mantis makes great-perform-ing putters. Testament to this fact is that both our mallet and blade have been in play on the PGA and Web.com tours in 2014.”

great-performing putters. Testament to this

fact is that both our mallet and blade have

been in play on the PGA and Web.com tours

in 2014.That said, there are many good-

performing putters available on the market;

our unique difference is our patented co-

lour and finish which blend with the putting

surface, increasing the eyes’ ability to focus

on the ball during the putting stroke.

What is the rationale for the colour green as the colour of choice for your putters?

CM: Our distinctive and patent pending,

non-reflective green colour and subtle

geometry have been proven to reduce the

eyes’ tendency to track the putter head dur-

ing the backstroke. By creating an environ-

ment where the golfer’s eyes are quiet dur-

ing the putting stroke, Mantis helps increase

stability and stroke consistency.

EQUIPMENT FOCUS Mantis Q&A

research that supports your theory on green being a

“noise-free” colour?

CM: Mantis has conducted two eye-tracking

studies to determine how putter color can

affect eye stability. During these studies,

participants wore special glasses with tiny

infrared cameras below the lenses. These

cameras used corneal reflection to measure

minute involuntary eye movements during

visual fixations. Our initial study demon-

strated that a subtle green colour that blends

with the putting surface, combined with a flat

non-reflective finish, measurably reduced the

amount of eye movement during the putting

stroke. Our second study, conducted in 2013

by research giant Millward Brown, helped

Mantis gain a better understanding of how

putter colour and finish can contribute to put-

It takes a lot of business fortitude for

a fledgling putter company to jump into

the ring and duke it out with the big boys.

Mantis Golf obviously has a lot of chutzpah

and reckon that they have a putter that’s

the best of breed among the pack.

To find out what drives Mantis Golf, Asian

Golf sat down with company chief executive

officer Chris Maher for an eye-ball to eye-ball

chat:

It’s always encouraging to see new products, especially products that feature innova-

tive concepts and designs. That aside, aren’t you entering a product category that is already quite crowded?

CHRIS MAHER: The putter category is, as

you say, quite crowded. However, we believe

that there is always room for new products

that are truly innovative. Mantis innovation

positively impacts eye movement, an area of

growing interest in sports medicine. Our eye

tracking research, a tool increasingly used in

sports performance research, demonstrates

that Mantis can improve eye stability during

the putting stroke.

What is it that is uniquely different about Mantis putters, both the blade and

mallet?

CM: First let me state that Mantis makes


ting accuracy. Participants were asked to rate

themselves in terms of their putting ability.

A small number rated themselves as strong

putters, while most participants indicated that

their putting could be improved. The second

study revealed a distinct correlation between

people who claimed that they would like to

putt better and the degree to which their

eyes tracked back with their putter during the

putting stroke. The amount of eye movement

from the same respondents when putting

with a Mantis was reduced noticeably.

We are impressed by your move into what is arguably one of the toughest mar-

kets for golf equipment, Japan. What has prompted you to move to this market?

CM: We were contacted by one of the top

distributors in the Japanese market, who

had heard of Mantis and believed that it

was a good fit for their market. While we are

still in the introductory phase, initial market

response to Mantis in Japan has been ex-

tremely positive.

The rest of Asia is also an important growing market. Do you see yourself enter-

ing markets like Korea, China, India and Southeast Asia?

CM: We agree that these markets are very

important to global golf growth. Mantis is

looking to find the right partners to allow us

to enter these markets in an impactful way.

Give us a peek into your future plans – what can we expect to see from Mantis

in terms of new products in the putter range?

CM: We are currently working on some

major innovations. While I can’t share the

specific details with you at this time, I will

tell you that these innovations will look

to offer patentable enhancements to our

current offerings. Any new offerings from

Mantis, similar to our current models, must

meet our standard to be able to measurably

improve putting performance. We will not

introduce a new model simply to have a “me

too” offering.

Give us a health check on the golf industry as you see it.

CM: The golf industry has been

and will remain highly competitive. Eco-

nomic factors over the last few years, and

weather issues in 2013, have created a chal-

lenging business environment. We believe,

however, and our market and Tour success

supports, that true innovation coupled with

brilliant design and production of the high-

est standards can be successful in even the

most challenging business environment.

Our success to date suggests that we have

reason for to be optimistic moving forward.

Our distinctive and patent pending, non-reflective green colour and subtle geometry have been proven to reduce the eyes’ ten-dency to track the putter head during the backstroke. By creat-ing an environment where the golfer’s eyes are quiet dur-ing the putting stroke, Mantis helps increase stability and stroke consistency.

Looks Who’s Talking To Us!Only The Captains Of The Golf Industry – That’s Who!

It’s quite an achievement

to have landed exclusive

interviews with the men

and women who are at the

pinnacle of the golf industry

today.

The movers and shakers of

golf who have spoken to

Asian Golf include Callaway

Golf’s CEO Chip Brewer,

PING’s Chairman, John

Solheim Sr.; Bob Philion,

President of Cobra Puma

Golf; Cindy Davis, President

of Nike Golf; Bob Bettinard

President of Bettinardi Putters

and Tim Clarke, President of

Wilson Golf.

Powerful men and women

who have shared with us

their thoughts, views and

perspectives of the state of

golf today. These are the

people who are moulding the

future of golf and no one can

read the pulse of the industry

better than these industry

captains.

Only Asian Golf has

been able to bring

you this treat – yet

another measure of

our standing in the

global golf industry.

f and no one can

se of the industry

these industry

Golf has

o bring

t – yet

asure of

in the

ndustry.

ASIAN GOLF – A PRODUCT OF DISRUPTIVE INNOVATIONPushing The Boundaries Of Change Beyond The Limit! A member of the Asia Pacific Golf Group

Print Digital On-line Apps TV Video Streaming Conferences Education

No Wonder Golf’s Industry Captains Talk To Us!

www.asiapacificgolfgroup.com

John Solheim

Bob BettinardiTim Clarke

36 37 ASIAN GOLF

EQUIPMENT FOCUS The Next Revolution

PHOTO CREDIT: KEVIN TAVAREZ


The battle for leadership in the arena for golf balls is going to be experiencing a paradigm shift – a real sea change. This cataclysmic change, which comes at a time when the game of golf is in a languid state is due to an announcement made on January 1, 2014, by the USGA, the gate-keeper on rules governing equipment conformity.

In its notice to manufacturers, the

USGA spoke to this potential sea

change, and which many in the

golf ball industry believe is going

to lead to a major shift in the

makeup of the ball industry in the

next five years and beyond.

While there have been mas-

sive changes and improvements in the tech-

nology of golf clubs during the last twenty

years, the USGA has kept tight control over

the “legal” characteristics of golf balls which

has had a stifling effect on innovation of

that critical piece of equipment! However,

the USGA notice has opened the door to an

entirely new approach to ball design and

construction utilizing new core materials

and impacting the performance characteris-

tics that can now be achieved.

Leading this new movement is an

unlikely group of young entrepreneurs

sitting, of all places, in Buffalo, NY! The

name of the company is OnCore Golf (it all

has to do with the magic in the core of the

ball – get it?) and their method of

infiltrating and growing the

game of golf. This new

upstart is responsible for the world’s only

hollow metal core golf ball.

“Golf has been called “a long walk

spoiled”. It is one of the greatest games on

earth but is also one of the most difficult.

It is a tireless challenge to one’s ability to

maintain a level head and enjoy that long

walk while trying to make a club head and

a golf ball sing in harmony to produce

a symphony of perfect shots,” said Bret

Blakely, president and co-founder of On-

Core Golf

The recent poor financial performance

of the major brands is a result of a number

of factors which include the sport’s difficulty

combined with the time and money it

takes to play the game. On top of all

that is the promise of innovative

and performance-enhancing

products being pushed into

the marketplace that really

aren’t nearly as innovative as

they claim.

With these challenges

and the lack of differentia-

tion in equipment, the

sport is not gen-

erating the interest and enthusiasm among

young recreational players.

“This is the demographic that the sport

needs in order to grow. These are players

who have decades of golf-playing ahead

of them, who use social media to promote

their lifestyles (perhaps excessively), and

who can serve as role models for the next

generation of players,” Blakely explained. He

went on to add, “Bringing “cool” to golf, mak-

ing it enjoyable and competitive quickly,

and creating positive associations with this

38 39 ASIAN GOLF

Golf has been called “a long walk spoiled”. It is one of the greatest games on earth but is also one of the most difficult. It is a tireless challenge to one’s ability to maintain a level head and enjoy that long walk while trying to make a club head and a golf ball sing in harmony to produce a sym-phony of perfect shots.” - Bret Blakely

EQUIPMENT FOCUS The Next Revolution

The irreverent team of youngsters at OnCore.

crowd will inject much needed interest

back into the game.”

With that in mind, OnCore set out

three years ago to create a piece of

equipment that would improve every

golfer’s game on potentially every

shot they take. After all, the golf ball

is the only piece of equipment that

you use on every shot. That objective,

however, was far from easy. Part of the

challenge to creating a truly innovative

and differentiated golf ball is because

of the limitations imposed by the

USGA and the Rules of Golf.

Maximum weight, symmetry,

maximum initial velocity, minimum

diameter, and the overall distance

standard make it hard for manufactur-

ers to come up with something truly

innovative yet stay within the confines

of the USGA’s conformance guidelines.

Although a daunting task, the

team at OnCore saw this as an exciting

challenge that, if achieved, had the po-

So what is this product that

OnCore has brought to an

industry to break off the

shackles on innovation? It is the

world’s only hollow metal core golf ball.

The MA-1.0’s patented core combines

high strength and high modulus for

optimum energy transfer, enhanced rifle

spin and perimeter weighting. Rifle spin

is unique to the MA-1.0 and is the same

spin you see a bullet take out of a barrel.

The perimeter weighting and rifle spin

result in maximum accuracy off the tee

and a truer roll on the greens. The tech-

nology is astounding and revolutionary

but even more amazing is the perse-

verance they showed in order to get

this approved by the USGA. They had

to take it all the way to the Executive

Committee and the result of their “never

say die” attitude is only the second rule

change regarding golf ball construction

and conformity since 1921.

“OnCore isn’t stopping with the

patented hollow core technology. In

late 2013 it filed provisional patents

that will allow them to develop a

myriad of golf balls utilizing advanced


High performance polymer layer maximizes energy transfer between club face and steel core

Modified 432 dimples increases lift and distance

Tough ionomer cover for durable performance

High strength “Proprietary Metallic Core” provides structural base enabling high moment of inertia

tential to remake the great game of golf in

much the same way Eli Callaway disrupted

the game with his Big Bertha driver.

OnCore knows it is different in every way

imaginable. Its co-founders are 32 and 29

years old. The principals of its PR firm are

26 and 27 years old. Its creative director is

a professional artist born in Baltimore and

residing in Brooklyn, NY. The majority of the

creative team comes from outside the in-

dustry and is not shackled by pre-conceived

notions of what works and what doesn’t in

the traditional and conservative box that

golf is usually confined to.

There is a certain swagger to this

company yet it is polished with a focus on

technology, creativity and a commitment

to infusing the innovation and energy

needed to help bring back the popularity of

golf and most notably among the younger

generation of golfers (18-35) who make up a

significant portion of the industries 25% loss

to golf’s “core” players.

materials to create combinations and

constructions never before seen – to deliver

tailored ball performance within the USGA

rules, and to generate renewed interest

amongst players, “Blakely revealed.

According to Blakely, “If technology

and innovation in a product that sells, on

average, for less than US$5 will change your

game, why spend US$400 on the latest

driver and kick yourself next year when the

newer models arrive?” Instead, focusing on

the enhancements that OnCore’s product

offer could be the kick-start to the golf

industry getting back on its feet. You may

be asking yourself…are they done yet? The

answer, “not even close”! said co-founders

Blakely and Steve Coulton. Coulton adds,

“The approach we are taking and the inno-

vative core technology we are commercial-

izing has caught the interest of some of the

golf ball industry gurus and has excited them

to the point of joining OnCore.”

It started with Joe White who called

OnCore after hearing them on Power Pitch

while in his car. Once he heard former PGA

professional and Golf Channel analyst Char-

lie Rymer say that he was “in”, Joe’s next step

was to get on a flight to Buffalo and pitch

himself as to why he needed to be a part of

OnCore. Joe brings several decades of golf

industry experience including running

Dunlop Golf and Gary Player golf. He

is the Phil Jackson of the golf ball

industry and since his addition he

has been connecting dots like an

astronomer plotting constellations..

He showed the hollow core

technology to a colleague named

Doug Winfield. His nickname is “Dr.

Dimples”. He created the urethane cover

and holds dozens of dimple pattern patents.

He was tired of the lack of innovation in golf

and left the industry to work on aerody-

namic modeling projects for the US military.

OnCore has recently brought him on board

to work exclusively for the company creating

dimple cover innovation to match the inge-

nuity of the core technology.

They plan to be the industry standard for

innovation from core to cover and from the

looks of it…they are off to a pretty good start.

OnCore is a young company but was smart

enough to bring the wise sages of the indus-

try on board to make sure that they remain at

the front of the pack. After all….who wants to

follow the trends….when you can set them!

EQUIPMENT FOCUS Taking the Test | SLDR Mini-driver

to hit longer than one off the tee. So TaylorMade created the SLDR Mini Driver. It’s a whole new breed of club like you’ve never seen before. And the results are anything but mini.

What’s even better, everything that makes - the Mini Driver long and accurate off the tee makes it long and accurate from the fairway too. That’s why you’re going to want to replace your 3-wood with it.

Say hello to your little friend………. And kiss your 3-wood good-bye!

I kid you not. The TaylorMade SLDR mini-

driver is anything but little. It may look

little in appearance but don’t be fooled.

It packs a wallop like nothing I have

seen in the 25 years that I have been trying

to play golf.

During that time, I have seen clubs

labelled as “game changers” designed to

help one play better golf. Some worked,

some didn’t and some were a total waste of

money.

But the SLDR mini-driver, sort of an Aus-

tin Powers mini-me, can be looked upon as

a souped up 3-wood or whatever, is every-

thing that its manufacturers claim it to be.

Surprisingly, this club has not received

the same rave reviews and universal acclaim

that many of its bigger predecessors have

been given. There was some hype, a little

buzz and the SLDR mini-driver was launched

with some fanfare and then seemingly set

aside.

What a shame! I plan to set everything

right! The SLDR mini-driver is the ultimate

game-changer and keep in mind that it is

not for tour professionals and elite golf-

ers only! The manufacturer is welcome to

disagree with me but I feel very strongly

that this little club by TaylorMade bundles

everything that is good about the company’s

club technology.

It is a club that will work for any golfer

who needs to improve his game. For me, the

SLDR mini was a special revelation because

it helped me play the best darn round of golf

ever. I am not going to get technical about

this wonder club because I don’t want to

confuse the millions who need to know why

this club has to be given a chance.

I put it to play in a tournament over 27

holes and not once did I fade or hook my

drive and every single drive that I smashed

42 43 ASIAN GOLF


from the tee-box, shot out like a missile that

screamed down the fairway and went further than

my usual shot whacked with a driver. This was not

by chance – I repeated this performance like a bor-

ing robot which led to my flight mates to suspect

that I was under the influence of some super tonic.

Can’t blame them because the SLDR mini did in

no way resemble a traditional big-headed driver. I

fooled them into thinking that I was hitting a teed-

up 3-wood off the tee-box.

That’s not all – this super adrenaline-charged

mini-driver is also a monster off the fairway. Note

that a standard 3-wood is my favourite club as it

gives me good distance off the fairway. The SLDR

mini is not only good off the fairway, it is a brute! It

packs so much power that it works better than the

conventional 3-wood in my bag It’s truly amazing

to see one club that is engineered to deliver so

much fun and excitement in one small package.

I played the full 27-holes without touching my

driver once. Also, I did not use any other club on

the fairway other than the SLDR mini-driver.

Just imagine, 27-holes played with

one club off the tee-box and the

fairway, pitching wedge and

a putter. That’s all – three

clubs and I was strut-

ting around with

the widest grin that my flight mates had never

seen before.

This is what the SLDR mini does to you.

It puts a smile on your face every time. It’s an

incredible club to hit and if there is one club you

have to seriously consider putting in your bag, it’s

the SLDR mini. It may be a cute little fella, but its

power is veiled to conceal its lethal force.

I don’t want this report to be viewed as public

relations puffery – it’s far from it because what I

experienced with the SLDR mini driver was epic and

life-changing for me as a golfer. Since that 27-hole FUN

episode, I’ve taken out the SLDR mini driver on two

other occasions and guess what? Again, the mini was

bloody good! TaylorMade, please take note – this club

is staying in my bag and you will not get it back into

your demo inventory!

44 45 ASIAN GOLF

EQUIPMENT FOCUS KZG LCB Iron

Modeled after the much acclaimed XCB iron,

20 grams of head weight were strategically

removed and redistributed to specifically suit

junior golfers and those with slower swing

speeds. The design is guaranteed to provide confidence

at address, ease of play, maximum forgiveness and stellar

performance.

“So many in our KZG network of professional teach-

ers and fitters have been asking for custom fit and built

clubs for their juniors” reports Jennifer King, President of

KZG. “They ask, we listen, and we deliver. The new LCB irons

are ideal for the serious junior golfer. These clubs are manufac-

tured the same way as adult clubs - so they are not toys and the cost

is the same as an adult set of cast irons. But I know most parents will want

their children to play their best! And think about it, what better way to keep your

children focused on wholesome sport plus have a chance to win a golf scholarship?”

The LCB irons conform to USGA Rules, which is extremely important given that all juniors

must play with conforming clubs pursuant to AJGA rules since the beginning of 2014.

The LCB irons narrow top-line and traditional shape inspire confidence, while the cavity back, deep

perimeter weighting and wide, stable sole assure maximum forgiveness and launch angle. The LCB

irons have a high Moment of Inertia, creating greater stability on heel and toe misses. The sole features

a beveled leading edge for optimal turf interaction in any condition.

But the LCB Irons are more than just junior irons - they are also perfect for those with slower swing

speeds, smaller physiques, and are ideal for those who address the ball in a more upright position,

such as the “Natural Golf” technique popularized by the late Moe Norman.

Juniors are always a forgotten lot in golf. More often than not, many juniors play the game either with

THE WORLD’S ONLY ILLUMINATED BOOK ON THE GAME

46 47 ASIAN GOLF

FASHION TREND AWD Casual Shoes

It’s all about versatility and flexibility. Just

imagine, in a street-style golf shoe, you can

drive to work in, attend a business meeting

and rush out to the golf course for a quick

round of golf. And you can do all of the aforemen-

tioned without even bothering to change your

shoes. That’s street-style golf shoes for you!

FootJoy, the most desired brand in golf shoes

has just unveiled its latest street-styled spikeless

golf shoes and it’s called the FootJoy AWD Casual.

The AWD Casual is designed to provide

comfort, fit and performance, along with on-

and off-course versatility. The AWD Casual

is available in four colour options and is

designed to accompany any garment from

FootJoy’s Performance Apparel clothing

range.

The new FJ shoe’s upper is con-

structed from full-grain leather

for softness and comfort, while

a PU film membrane provides

excellent waterproof protection

without comprising on breath-

ability.

A PU with Nylex covered Fit-

Bed delivers excellent in-shoe

comfort and a new sole design

provides a platform for both on-

course stability and off-course

use.

“This is an exciting addition to

our spikeless range, which continues

to resonate extremely well with our loyal FJ

fan base, who continually choose our golf shoes

for the combination of pioneering designs and

outstanding comfort, fit and performance,” said

Timothy Yoong, FootJoy’s brand manager for

Southeast Asia.


Street-style golf shoes have become the rage with golfers today. Besides

because it permits them to be on the ready to play golf at any time.

“This is an exciting addition to our spike-less range, which continues to resonate extremely well with our loyal FJ fan base, who continually choose our golf shoes for the com-bination of pioneering designs and outstand-ing comfort, fit and per-formance.” - Timothy Yoong

“Our 2014 range is our most complete offering

to date and testament to our unerring ability to

incorporate inventive options and meet the varying

tastes of golfers.

“The design team has certainly struck the

right chord with this striking design, delivering

a new option for the golfer seeking the key

performance technologies synonymous with

FJ footwear alongside the convenience of

spikeless shoes.”

The FootJoy AWD casual golf shoes

come in the following colour schemes:

White/Grey/Blue, Light Blue/Grey/White,

Black/White and Light Grey/Charcoal/Hot

Pink.

48 49 ASIAN GOLF

FASHION TREND New adicross Gripmore Footwear

Blast From The Past: Remember the 2011 Masters when the super cool Fred Couples sauntered onto the tee box in a pair of shoes that looked like sneakers? It got everyone looking and talking. Not only did Freddy’s new shoes look relaxed and comfortable, further examination revealed that the shoes had no cleats! Incredible! Is this guy for real? Can he play the game at the highest level with what looks like a high school kid’s pair of sneakers? What about grip? Freddy’s got no cleats on his shoes?

Fast Forward To The Present: Couples started a fad which turned into a revolution with every major golf shoe brand jumping aboard the “street shoe” trend. All of sudden big names of the professional circuit and millions of club golfers switched to trendy spikeless golf shoes that they could use on and off the golf course. Real cool!

– The Future Of Golf Shoes Has Arrived!GRIPMORE


The New Cool Factor In SolesAnd then everything changed when Taylor-

Made adidas Golf decided to turn the spikeless

shoe craze on its head with the introduction of yet

another revolution in golf shoe technology. What did

they do? They’ve come up with a hybrid that blends

spikes with a spikeless sole and they’ve labelled it as

“GRIPMORE”!

The golf giant has unveiled two new spikeless golf shoe

designs they believe combine the best of both “spiked and

spikeless footwear into one revolutionary technology.

Are you still confused about this spike and spikeless

technology? Well, let’s explain - adidas believe that golf

cleats, or spikes, have changed little over the last century.

With the influx of spikeless and casual golf shoes on the

market, they wanted to create the next “ground-breaking

category of shoe”.

To provide what they believe is the “ultimate combina-

tion of versatility and performance” adidas have added

43 newly designed Gripmore cleats offering a total of 243

points of contact.

Unlike traditional spikes that must be screwed into the

sole, adidas’ Gripmore cleats are actually injected onto a

lightweight mess matting. As well as offering even more

traction to the golfer, adidas reckon the new design is also

among the “most green-friendly” shoe ever created by them.

Top professional golfer Justin Rose thinks this tech-

nology is fabulous. “I’m always looking for footwear that

provides

traction

without compro-

mising comfort, style

or on-course performance.

With Gripmore, I have the ver-

satility of a spikeless shoe combined

with the performance of a cleated shoe.

It’s the best of both styles,” is how Rose

described Gripmore.

There are now two new models available that

feature proprietary Gripmore technology. The first of

two models are adicross Gripmore which feature premi-

um sport-styling with modern aesthetics and colours and

a premium full-grain leather upper. The adicross Gripmore

line has outstanding comfort and casual crossover appeal

that delivers the performance golfers of all types demand.

50 51 ASIAN GOLF

FASHION TREND Nike Shoes

The new arrivals are the Lunar Waverly and the Lunar Mont

Royal. These new additions will be part of the Lunar Clayton

Versatility footwear family.

Commenting on the new shoes, Peter Turnbull, general

manager Nike Golf Southeast Asia & Pacific said, “The Lunar Waverly and

Lunar Mont Royal were really inspired by classic Nike footwear styles, and

we adapted those designs for athletes who want a golf shoe with versatile

appeal.”

Elaborating on the designs, Carl Madore, Nike Golf Innovation Design

Lead said, “These are shoes with incredible performance technology that

are great for playing 18 holes or wearing before or after the round, too.

You can hit balls at the driving range on your lunch break without ever

changing your shoes. These styles are modeled after some of Nike’s first

shoes but modernized to perform specifically for our sport.”

Since introducing Integrated Traction technology in its footwear in

2010, Nike Golf has continued to improve the tread design for a combi-

nation of incredible traction and off-course comfort. The iconic Nike waf-

fle sole featured on the Lunar Waverly and Lunar Mont Royal provides

a more aggressive tread for superior grip and control on course, while

echoing Nike’s storied history in athletic footwear.

Madore and team crafted the Lunar Waverly to be just as comfort-

able on the course as it is off. Partnering with the Nike Sports Research

Lab, Nike Golf designers used pressure-mapping analysis to zero in on

how the foot moves during the swing and determine the size, height,

hardness and overall configuration of the waffle lugs. “

“These are shoes with incred-ible performance technology that are great for playing 18 holes or wearing before or af-ter the round, too. You can hit balls at the driving range on your lunch break without ever changing your shoes. These styles are modeled after some of Nike’s first shoes but mod-ernized to perform specifical-ly for our sport.” - Carl Madore


“The footwear team brought that pressure mapping to life through

visible colour patterns on a traditional Nike waffle outsole reminiscent of

the company’s very first footwear styles, featuring superior grip and traction

within an iconic tread pattern,”Madore explained.

Nike Dynamic Flywire technology combines with a rubber cup-sole

for lateral support, surrounded by a premium waterproof full-grain leather

upper. For the first time ever, Nike Golf designers utilized cork for the sock

liner - incredibly comfortable and extremely lightweight, the anti-microbial

material helps prevent odor and provides a distinctive design detail, while

full-length Nike Lunarlon foam delivers maximum responsive cushioning.

The Lunar Mont Royal draws its heritage from the Nike Montreal

which was unveiled in 1975 and was the brand’s first signature shoe

designed for running legend Steve Prefontaine. Nearly 40 years later,

Nike Golf is bringing the Montreal’s iconic colour blocking design and

running-inspired silhouette to the golf course in the Lunar Mont

Royal.

“It features Lunarlon foam in the heel and modern no-sew

technology in the mid-foot, and it also utilizes the traditional

Nike waffle sole for incredible grip and control. Tapping into

insights from performance testing, Nike Golf footwear design-

ers constructed the outsole with waffle tread rolling up

around the toe and inner side of the foot to maintain trac-

tion through the swing as the foot pushes off the ground,”

Madore added.

These shoes are now available throughout the region.

FASHION TREND New Balance

52 53 ASIAN GOLF

Asian Golf has received a sneak peek at its 2015 golf

footwear collection which will go on show at the PGA

Fashion and Demo Experience in Las Vegas, August 19

and 20.

Its new shoes, will hit the market under the “Minimus Sport” and

“Minimus LX” names.

Minimus Sport is a spikeless golf shoe that features water

resistant air mesh upper with a stability cage for cool, comfortable

support. The 4mm drop midsole enhances ground feel, sensory

feedback and balance and the ReVlite® midsole provides light-

weight cushioning.

The spikeless outsole utilizes dual density integrated traction. The

Minimus Sport is available in three colours – black, grey and green.

The Minimus LX is a premium full-grain leather waterproof upper

with saddle stability cage, providing a comfortable and

dry fit with a two-year waterproof warranty. Built

on New Balance’s Minimus platform, the forefoot

is wider for a spacious and comfortable fit. New

Balance’s REVlite™ 4 mm drop midsole and lower

New Balance Golf is off

year in the golf footwear business. The company

and performance in athletic foot-wear has just launched its new line of golf footwear.

heel stack provides lightweight cushioning, sensory feedback and

dynamic stability.

The spikeless outsole utilizes dual density integrated traction.

The Minimus LX is available in three colours for men - white/black

saddle; white/brown saddle and is also available in a white and pink

saddle for women.

Other models include the NBG2001 which features a premium

waterproof leather upper and a saddle stability cage with a two-year

waterproof warranty. The NBG2002 is an ultra-lightweight athletic

model. Finally, the NBG574 is a golf shoe built on the New Balance

574 design platform.

FASHION FOCUS LoudMouthISSUE 167 AUGUST 2014

These are the sort of slacks that rock legend Jerry Lee Lewis would

be proud to wear – even now at age 79!

How would you like to blaze through your next round of golf all

dressed up to the nines in an outfit that screams out that you are on

fire? Now you can with the latest threads from Loudmouth Golf, the leader in

bold and bright golf and lifestyle apparel.

Loudmouth Golf is experiencing exponential growth with its unique

and irreverent designs. Its latest offering to those who want to look cool, be

different and make a fashion statement on the golf course is named ‘Liar Liar’.

A photo-realistic print featuring a blaze of flames is the perfect way to heat

up your golf game!

‘Liar Liar’ is made from 100% micro poly stretch fabric, which is light-

weight and breathable, making this piece suitable for all climates. This print

is available in men’s pants, men’s shorts and women’s skirts.

Rock on Loudmouth Golf – you’ve certainly got some hot pants!

JOE THIEL Three-time PGA Teacher of the Year

GROW

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THE GAME!

56 57 ASIAN GOLF

ASIAN GOLF TOURISM Kings’ Island Golf Resort

Kings’ Island Golf Resort enjoys a great rep-utation amongst both lo-cals and foreigners for its natural scenic beauty and for its high standard of maintenance.” - Mike Varney


Before we embarked on the 40 kilometer drive from the heart of the city of Hanoi in Vietnam, we were briefed on what to expect – we were told that the golf course we were to visit was surrounded by a massive body of fresh water and that it was set against a spectacular mountain range. It certainly created an expectation and an air of anticipation of what lay in store but the visiting party opted to clear their minds of any imagery induced by the descriptions provided.

W I T H

The one common feature that both courses enjoy is the rich natural vegetation made up of a mixture of mature trees that are native to the area juxtaposed with a vari-ety of imported trees with the white barked eucalyptus and pine trees adding a special character and colour to the tropical green tapestry of the courses.”

For those who have not had the

chance to visit Vietnam, we’d like to

let you in on a secret. Although the

country had been ravaged by wars

fought on its land, it still remains one of the

most stunning countries in Asia, endowed

with natural beauty that stretches from the

north to the south of this sprawling nation

of 90 million people.

When we arrived at our destination, the

first indication of a great experience awaiting

us revealed itself. We were ushered onto a speed boat that was

to ferry us across the calm and placid waters surrounding one

part of the golf course. The lake upon which the course sits cov-

ers an area of 1,500 hectares which is large by any measure. The

boat ride took a few minutes and at the end of this short trip, an

adventure was about to unfold.

We were driven up the clubhouse and this is where we

received our first proper introduction to one of Vietnam’s old-

est and grandest golf clubs – the Kings’ Island Golf Resort. The

welcome accorded was nothing short of being royal as our

party was led to the clubhouse, a very unique structure and yet

typical of Vietnamese culture. It’s a circular building designed to

resemble the traditional conical-shaped straw head-cover worn

by Vietnamese people, especially those who work on

the country’s rice fields. This alone is a feature that

distinguishes Kings’ Island Golf Resort apart

from all other golf clubs in the region.

ASIAN GOLF TOURISM Kings’ Island Golf Resort

58 59 ASIAN GOLF

Kings’ Island Golf Resort is made of two 18-hole

courses, one that meanders through the lake while the

other ascends towards the mountain range that serves

as an impressive backdrop for the resort.

The one common feature that both courses enjoy

is the rich natural vegetation made up of a mixture of

mature trees that are native to the area juxtaposed with a

variety of imported trees with the white barked eucalyp-

tus and pine trees adding a special character and colour

to the tropical green tapestry of the courses.

The Lakeside course is relatively flat with gradual

undulations and water comes into play on most of the

holes. The Mountainview course, skirts around 7000

yards offering fascinating glimpses of a mountain range

which is in view for all 18 holes.

Both courses are a major attraction to foreigners and

the annual number of international visitors averages

about 50,000.

“Kings’ Island Golf Resort enjoys a great reputa-

tion amongst both locals and foreigners for its natural

scenic beauty and for its high standard of maintenance,”

explained Mike Varney director of sales and marketing

– Golf and Real Estate Products, BRG GOLF. According

to him, both the courses at Kings’ Island have been a

favourite with golfers since the day they were open to

play. “Both of our courses are equipped for night golfing

and this is both an experience and an adventure to play

at night,” he added.

Varney went on to explain that there are plans a foot

to renovate both the courses at Kings’ Island. “We will be

looking at enhancing the existing courses with a view to

adding to the already breathing taking natural beauty.”

One of the new features to look forward to will be

the creation of a special sanctuary for a species of deer

thought to be extinct for over 85 years in Vietnam. “We

are engaged in discussions to build a nature reserve

and sanctuary that will serve as home to the Roosevelt’s

Muntjacs, also known as Roosevelt’s barking deer.” Var-

ney continued, “We are working with Vietnamese Insti-

tute of Ecology and Biological Resources in Hanoi, who

found a match from a DNA sample kept by the American

Natural History Museum and we are excited to bring this

deer back to be a permanent protected resident of Kings’

Island.”

Prior to the introduction of the barking deer, the

club will be working on an ambitious programme to

re-introduce plant species and other mammals and

birds to the golf course besides creating a special area

for the Roosevelt Muntjacs. As it is, both the courses are

a veritable sanctuary for a colourful assortment of birds

native to Vietnam.

It seems obvious that Kings’ Island Golf Resort is

entering a new phase that will further strengthen its po-

sition as Vietnam’s golf course to the world. It is definitely

a showcase of what is naturally beautiful about Vietnam

and playing golf at both the courses is both a challeng-

ing and rewarding experience.


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Singapore, one of the most dynamic and forward thinking countries in the world will be the staging point for the 2014 Asia Pacific Golf Summit. Innovation and cutting edge thinking will lead the thrust of the Summit and it will be powered by a theme that calls for a “New Drive. New Energy. A Revitalised Industry!”

APGS 2014 will push the envelope for change as far as it will go in its continuing efforts to grow the game in a rapidly changing landscape that challenges the growth of the game of golf. Singapore is the perfect fit for

change as it is widely regarded as the global laboratory for change – a nation that is constantly on the look-out for a better way to get things done!

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ENDORSED BY

SPECIAL FEATURE Asia Pacific Golf Summit 2014

Planning for the 2014 Asia Pacific Golf Summit (APGS) is beginning to move into

high gear as the organisers start lining up their speakers for what promises to be

a game-changing experience for the golf club industry in the Asian arena.

APGS 2014, the eighth in the series, will be staged at the iconic Marina Bay Sands

Hotel on November 14-15. The summit’s theme breaks away from the usual

mainstream talk about the problems of golf and instead breaks out into new

fields that have never been ventured upon in Asia.

62 63 ASIAN GOLF

ISSUE 167 AUGUST 2014ISISSISISSISSISSSSISIIISISIIISISSSSSSIIIIIIIISIISS UE UE E E EEE EEEEE EEEEEEEEEE E EEEE EEEEEE 1116716716616716767167167167716716716716716767676716761671671666716716661671671671671676167671666777777777166167767167671677677166166167677661667671116676 AUAUAUAUAAUAUAUAUAUAAUUAUAUAUAUUAUAUAUUUUAUUAUAUUUAUUUAAUUUUUAUAUAUUAUAUUUUUUAUAUAUAUAUAUUAUAUUAUAUAUAUAAAAUAUAUAUAAAAAAUAUAUAAAAUAUAAUAUAUAUAUAUAUAUAUAUAUAUAUAUAUAAUUAUUAUAUAUAUAUAAAUAUAUAUAAUAUAAAAAUAUAUUAUAUAUAAAUAUAUAUAAUAUAUGUGUGGGGUGGGUGUGGGGUGUGUGGUGUGUGGUGUGUGGUGUGUGUGUGGUGUGUGGGUUUUUGUUGUUGUGGGUUUUUGUUGUGUUGUGUGUUGUUUUGUGUUGUGGGGUUGUGUGGGGGUUGGGUGUGUGUGUGUGUGUGUGUUUGUGUGUGUUUGUGUGUGUGUGUGUGGUGUGUGUGUGUGUUGGGUUGUGUGUUGUGUGGGGGUGUGG STSSSSSTSSSSTSTSTSTSTTSTTTTTTTSTTTSTTSTSTSTSSSTTTTTSTSSSSSSSTSTSTSTSTSSSSSTSTTTTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTSTTSTSTTSTTTTSTTSTSTSSTSTSTSTSTSSSSSTSTSTSSSTSTTTSTTSTSTSTST 2222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222200001010101010010101001010101010101010010101010001010101001010100001111010100100 4444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444

There

is re

ally no need to

talk about

the p

roblem

s challe

nging th

e golf

industr

y – that’s

a given,” declare

d

Mik

e Sebastian, c

hief execu-

tive offi

cer of t

he Asia

Pacific Golf G

roup, th

e

owner and p

roducer o

f APGS. “W

hat we need to

embark

upon is a new adventu

re, a

n adventure

that w

ill help

us disc

over opportu

nities a

nd find

revolu

tionary

meth

ods of e

ngaging w

ith th

ese

opportuniti

es to get m

ore p

eople to ta

ke up the

game of g

olf in A

sia,” S

ebastian explain

ed.

The them

e for A

PGS 2014 is b

old and

visionary

- New D

rive. N

ew Energy. A

Revitalis

ed

Industr

y. “With

in th

is m

ulti-fa

ceted th

eme lie

s

the answ

ers to

how we , a

s an in

dustry, c

an lead

the se

arch for w

hat we can d

o to get a

languid

industr

y to p

ick up and hit th

e growth

path

again,” s

aid Sebasti

an.

The golf industr

y, esp

ecially th

e club se

ctor,

which driv

es the gam

e of golf,

has not b

een in

a very health

y state

globally

and while

many

have excluded A

sia fr

om th

is glo

om, th

ere is

no

denying th

at Asia

is experie

ncing si

mila

r pro

b-

lems. T

he only diff

erence is

that w

e in A

sia (w

ith

the exceptio

n of Japan and p

erhaps K

orea),

don’t have th

e rese

arch, sta

tistic

s and in

dustry

trends t

o be able to

arrive at a

conclusiv

e fix on

the health

of golf i

n the re

gion.

It’s re

ally iro

nic, bord

ering on th

e conical,

that n

o one quite

knows how m

any “activ

e” golf

courses t

here are

in A

sia. D

on’t even ta

lk about

the num

ber of a

ctive golfe

rs and th

e rounds

played! This

is not a

healthy tr

end to have and

it has t

o be corre

cted if,

as an in

dustry, w

e are

to get a

firm handle on w

hat needs t

o be d

one.

“Recognisin

g this appallin

g state

of a

ffairs,

we have com

missio

ned a gro

und bre

aking

initi

ative to

launch th

e first ever G

olf Industry

Survey o

f South

east Asia, a

nd this w

ill be

the first s

tep to

wards p

rovid

ing th

e industry

with q

uality re

search th

at is vita

lly n

eeded,”

announced Sylvan Bra

berry, c

hief executiv

e

officer o

f the A

sia Pacific C

hapter o

f the C

lub

Managers A

ssociation. T

he survey w

ill be le

d

by Jeff B

lunden, m

anaging d

irecto

r of G

B

SPECIAL FEATURE Asia Pacific Golf Summit 2014

64 65 ASIAN GOLF

Advisory Services of Australia, and a highly respected consultant

to the industry down under. The survey is currently in progress

and the full findings of the research project will be presented by

the Asia Pacific Golf Group at APGS 2014.

“This addresses the “New” in this year’s APGS theme,” said

Sebastian “and we will be making this survey available to the

industry at no charge whatsoever!” Blunden pointed out that

this survey is only the beginning of more surveys to come and

the industry can look forward to specialised projects unfolding

over the next few years.

“With scientifically researched data available, everyone in the

industry will have a common set of information to study industry

trends and launch new initiatives to charge up the industry with

new energy,” stated Braberry. Armed with the right market re-

“This is indeed a move in the right direc-tion – it is something that is way overdue and we are delighted that the Asia Pacific Golf Group, in conjunction with the Club Man-agers Association and Jeff Blundell have taken the bold step to launch what is a truly ground-breaking industry move.” - Peter Goh

search, the futile search in the dark will come to an end and new

light will be cast upon the golf industry – an age of enlighten-

ment to drive and energise the industry with revolutionary solu-

tions to help grow the game amongst Asia’s teeming population,

especially those who fall into the younger demographics.

Commenting on the Golf Industry Survey of Southeast

Asia, Peter Goh, president of the Club Managers Association of

Singapore said, “This is indeed a move in the right direction – it

is something that is way overdue and we are delighted that the

Asia Pacific Golf Group, in conjunction with the Club Managers

Association and GBAS have taken the bold step to launch what is

a truly ground-breaking industry move.”

This survey marks only the tip of the iceberg of the various

initiatives being undertaken by the Club Managers Association

and the Asia Pacific Golf Group. According to Braberry, “We have

been quick to recognize the need to develop human capital

within the golf industry, especially at the club management end

and towards this, we will be announcing a series of training and

education programmes designed to help the industry to develop

a pool of qualified human resource talent on a sustainable basis.”

The education and training programmes will be directed at

all levels within the club industry and these programmes will all

carry “educational credits” which will lead to industry certifica-

tion. The programmes will be launched as early as the fourth

quarter of 2014. “The partners that we will be engaging with to

deliver these programmes will be recognized training institu-

tions who already possess the various modules that we feel

our industry urgently needs,” said Braberry. The partners and

programmes will be announced in mid-August by the Club Man-

agers Association’s director of education, Lawrence Young.

“Training and education for the club industry is paramount

and we have taken all the time to secure the right partners, the

right structure and the delivery methods to ensure that what-

ever is done by the Club Managers Association is sustainable

over the long run,” Braberry added.

With research and a dynamic education and training pro-

gramme in place, the tools required are on the ready to help

revitalize the golf industry. “There is a definite sharp focus and

collectively, we hope that all sectors of the industry pull together

to take advantage of the data that is about to unfold and the

education that is about to roll out and use all of this to benefit

the industry as a whole,” concluded Sebastian.

APGS 2014 will be the platform for the launch of these excit-

ing industry developments and all of the partners who will be

engaged in the delivery of the various programmes will be on

hand to share their thoughts.

Asia is taking charge of its own destiny in golf and the seeds

that are being planted at APGS 2014 will flourish to help the

industry take affairs into its own hands and to grow the industry

the way it needs to grow in Asia without any interference from

external sources. The time has come for Asia to break free of its

shackles and move ahead on its own!

Come and be part of this exciting revolution. It will all be

happening at APGS 2014!

An Industry Milestone Undertaken By Golf Business Advisory Services and the Asia Pacific Chapter of The CMAA.

ASIA PACIFIC GOLF GROUP PRESENTS

A CMAA-Asia Pacific Chapter Initiative with Golf Business Advisory Services (GBAS)

IT’S CATACLYSMIC!A GAME CHANGER!

Presented By The Asia Pacific Golf GroupAsia Pacific Golf Summit | Asian Golf | Asian Club Business | Asian Golf TV

THE FIRST EVER GOLF INDUSTRY SURVEY COVERING SOUTHEAST ASIA

EXCELLENTIf you are engaged

in the golf industry

and would like to

participate in this

break-through market

research project, visit

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ASIA PACIFIC CHAPTER

66 67 ASIAN GOLF

GAME IMPROVEMENT Black Hat Golf Tips

The simple acronym noted by the U.S. Navy in 1960 refers to

“Keep it simple, stupid” and has had many popular varia-

tions over the years.

Some have referred to this acronym as “Keep it short

and simple”. I like “Keep it simple and straightforward”.

In golf instruction, K.I.S.S. is a good way for golfers to keep their

thoughts about the golf swing simple!

If the brain is cluttered with too many thoughts, the swinging

motion needed for the golf swing will never be consistent and you’ll

never hit a shot you are satisfied with. So, it’s time to follow a prin-

ciple I like to live by… “Keep It Simple Silly”!

When you are going to make a swing motion, think about a toss-

ing motion.

Here we go. Let’s start from the beginning.The point of golf is to send the ball towards a target and eventually in

to a small hole. The more proficient we are in our ability to send the

ball where we want it to go, the fewer strokes it will take to put the

ball in the cup. There are two main variables, which have the greatest

influence on the direction of that little flying golf ball. Those being

the direction that the golf club is swinging, and the angle of the

clubface at the moment in which the ball is struck. Bingo! If we know

that, then all we have to do is figure out how to make that happen

correctly.

Golf. It’s a real frustrating game. One day it can make you so happy and the next minute, so sad. When shots do not favour you, you can become irritated and confused. And, many

shot. Here’s a simple “thought” that you

enjoyable.

Hat Golf Tips

game. One day it can he next minute, so favour you, you can fused. And, many

ought” that you at you

“In golf instruction, K.I.S.S. is a good way for golfers to keep their thoughts about the golf swing simple!”

This you need to know.1. In order to send the ball towards a target, the object being used

to propel the ball must also be traveling in that same direction. It’s

simple physics. If you tossed a ball underhand which direction would

your arm have to move in order to make the ball go to your target?

Exactly!

2. The placement of your hands on the golf club has the greatest

influence on the position of the clubface. Most golfers never give

themselves a chance at becoming a good golfer because they never

establish a correct grip. You can work on your swing all you want, but

until your grip is fundamentally sound, you’ll always be stuck having

to make compensations to get the clubface back to square at impact.

Your hands should be placed so they are comfortable and are natural.

“Golf is more fun when we do it well. But in order to do it well we have to take the time to educate ourselves on the factors that affect each shot. And with that commitment to under-standing, you are committing to suc-cess. That is why we play golf! And how to play better!”

Born and brought up in the United States, Tony Meechai won his first golf tournament at the age of nine. He began working in the golf

industry when aged 15 and competed in various Mini Tour and PGA Tour qualifiers after turning professional in 1994. Armed with a Bachelor’s

degree in Business Administration from New Mexico State University and a degree in Marketing and Professional Golf Management, he has

made a name for himself in Asia over the past decade, during which time he has served as Director of Instruction at Thailand’s Heartland Golf

Schools and Springfield Royal Country Club as well as presenting tips on numerous region-wide golf television shows. Recently, he founded the

Tony Meechai Golf Academy that combines a curriculum including academics and golf education for aspiring Tour professionals. Programmes

are in conjunction with international institutions throughout the world. For further information, please visit www.tmggolfeducation.com

ABOUT TONY MEECHAI


www.tmggolfeducation.com

Centrifugal force created by the golf

swing has a pulling action. If your

hands are placed incorrectly on the golf

club at address, the position of them

at impact will not be the same and the

clubface will turn.

3. Having equal grip pressure through-

out the golf swing is essential to proper

direction of the golf club. If one hand

is more dominant over the other, your

path will most likely be incorrect. I’ve

heard some people swear by the theory

of taking the club back with their left

side and swinging forward with their

right. Leave that complication for

someone else, stick to equal pressure in

both hands.

The more you understand and

apply these principles, the more you

will be able to stand over a shot and

say, “I know where this golf ball is

going to go.” Golf is more fun when

we do it well. But in order to do it well

we have to take the time to educate

ourselves on the factors that affect each

shot. And with that commitment to

understanding, you are committing to

success. That is why we play golf! And how to play better!

Tossing the Ball: Throwing a golf ball is similar to swinging a golf club. In the tossing

motion my arm is responsible for propelling the ball. Notice that my

arm is traveling in the same direction that the ball is moving. This is

something that kids pick up instantly, but when

you put a golf club in the hands of an adult, the

principle behind the motion goes right out the

door! If I asked you to swing your arm to the tar-

get you could do it without even thinking. Now

put a golf club in your hands; nothing should

change.

To the Target:I am swinging the club right down the target

line in this practice swing. That means that

the toe of my club is pointing to the line of my

target. When golfers use their hands to hit a

shot, the club flips through, pointing to the left

of the target line. This is where you can get the feeling of, “I have no

idea where this shot is going!”

Overall, KEEP IT SIMPLE SILLY works and will enable you to avoid

frustrating, inconsistent golf shots.

Remember, next time you are faced with a shot, to “Keep it simple

silly” by creating a simple tossing motion-like swing with the golf club

towards the target!

GAME IMPROVEMENT Pro Tour Golf College

68 69 ASIAN GOLF

It is truly amazing what any golfer with an ounce more determina-tion than the next man or woman can achieve in golf if their deter-mination time line for achieving success is long enough and they practice their golf skills in the Stretch Zone.

David Milne (left) and Lawrie Montague (right).

“no challenge equals no stress, and no stress equals no progress.”.”


The sad fact is that many good golf-

ers with the potential to become

excellent amateur or professional

golfers never give themselves a

chance to become first-rate golfers because

they give up too early.

Now they give up for a range of reasons

but one of the most common is they don’t

keep working hard at their game when strug-

gling over a prolonged period.

They stop challenging themselves in their

practice and stop pushing their skills towards

the edge of their potential, and because

their golf practice becomes boring they stop

believing that they can keep improving.

At Pro Tour Golf College we remind our

students that; “no challenge equals no stress,

and no stress equals no progress.”

Progress requires continual stress. Stress

in this case is practicing in such a way that

your golf skills are put under a reasonable

amount of pressure.

We call this approach to practice “the

stretch zone.”

The rule of stretch zone practice is that

you should always make your practice more

This is a BIG mistake made by many

golfers.

Challenge and Your ResponseChallenge and determination (response)-

-both mental and physical is absolutely

necessary for growth and change in golf.

And here’s the thing we want you to

remember, and it is very important:

“Golfers who keep working hard at

their game in the stretch zone will achieve

a higher level of success in golf (in the

long-term) than those who might be better

players at the same stage but who don’t

practice in the stretch zone, and who lack

the determination to keep finding ways to

improve.”

Determination or grit combined with

hard, consistent and challenging practice

over a long time is the difference that

makes the difference for every golfer.

You must develop your determination

to overcome challenges like it’s a muscle.

Daily focus and determination towards

achieving challenging practice goals really

makes the difference on the golf course.

History shows that some golfers who

started out as average golfers turned

themselves into very fine and successful

golfers because they kept challenging

themselves to improve--even when every-

body around them

told them to give

up on their dream

constantly.

These golfers

were stubborn, very

determined and

exercised a high

level of patience

and tolerance, and

they didn’t listen to

their knockers and

detractors.

They thrived

on the challenge of

improving them-

selves through their

practice.

Two time major winner (79’ PGA and

81’ US Open) David Graham from Australia

won 38 professional events on 6 continents

and was one of these very stubborn and

determined types who just kept plugging

away at improving his game when many

around him told him to give up.

In David Graham’s case every set back

just made him more determined to succeed

and become a very tough minded and

extremely successful golfer.

You see, some golfers just need more

time to realize their potential than others.

Larry Nelson won 40 professional

events and is another multiple major win-

“Golfers who keep working hard at their game in the stretch zone will achieve a higher level of suc-cess in golf in the long-term than those who might be bet-ter players at the same stage but who don’t practice in the stretch zone, and who lack the deter-mination to keep finding ways to im-prove.”

amount of pressure.

We call this approach to practice “the

stretch zone.”

The rule of stretch zone practice is that

you should always make your practice more

stretch zone, anwho lack the dmination to keefinding ways toprove.”

difficult than what you are likely to

face when you’re playing.

When the challenge level is

slightly greater than your skill

level you are in the stretch zone

where progress can be made.

The idea here is to

practice challenging shots

to condition your nervous

system to accept this as

normal.

Then as your golf skills

improve you gradually

increase the challenge level

so you can keep a consistent

level of discomfort (stress)

when you practice, which is

key to long-term improve-

ment.

When you make your

practice sessions too easy--

that is you practice shots you

are very good at, it becomes a

boring and degenerative pro-

cess and sadly without know-

ing it you’re setting yourself up

for problems playing the

challenging shots

you will always

face on the golf

course.

GAME IMPROVEMENT Pro Tour Golf College

70 71 ASIAN GOLF

Average to excellent is a state of mind

that you turn into a habit; it’s not a gift from

the Gods. The way you practice your golf

skills and the determination you bring to it

truly makes the difference in the long run.

Calvin Peete an African-American

golfer took the game up in his 20’s and won

12 times on the PGA Tour during the 1980’s

(and also won twice on the Japan Tour)

even with a permanently bent left arm that

he broke as a child he was the straightest

driver on PGA tour for 10 straight years.

He was also the most successful African-

American golfer on the PGA Tour winning

the Vardon Trophy in 1984 for the lowest

score average for the PGA Tour season well

before Tiger Woods came along.

Challenge Level Plus Determination is the KeyAll these golfers turned themselves into ex-

cellent golfers because they practiced their

skills in the stretch zone and their challenge/

determination time-line was long enough.

They kept looking for ways to improve

over a long period of time and you can too.

When you practice in the stretch zone

with a long challenge/determination time-

line you give yourself the best chance of

achieving your goals.

Today the challenge/determination

time-lines of many younger golfers is simply

too short. A big part of the reason for this is

that information flows so easily and quickly

today that they fall into the trap of thinking

that getting good at golf should happen a

lot sooner than later.

It’s almost like you can Google golf

improvement and you get it!

They don’t practice in the stretch zone

enough, and they don’t practice and com-

pete for long enough to achieve more from

their potential.

It is admirable to want to learn some-

thing as quickly as you can but in our expe-

rience training many young golfers at our

college we have discovered that their de-

velopment timelines are too short placing

added pressure on themselves to fast-track

the learning experience which just makes

the whole process harder and longer.

But learning and acquiring the experi-

ence necessary to go from an average golfer

into an excellent golfer will always be de-

cided first and foremost by the determina-

tion of the golfer to keep pushing forwards

by constantly challenging themselves in

their practice for as long as it takes.

You should stretch your idea of how

long it takes to improve your golf game by

at-least doubling the amount of time as a

starting point.

Turn three years into six years and you

will be amazed at what is possible in golf

if you give yourself more time to learn and

improve the skills in your game.

It doesn’t matter how good your infor-

mation is because this has a lot more to do

with how long it takes to learn to move your

body correctly and then perform it skilfully

on the golf course.

Acquiring information and translating

it into a useful movement pattern are two

quite separate things.

Practicing the hours in the stretch zone

makes the difference. Yes, you need good

information, but then you need to habitu-

ate it the right way.

To take your game from average to ex-

cellent and to one day become a successful

amateur or indeed professional golfer, do

yourself a big favour and practice in a chal-

lenging and meaningful way and increase

your determination to succeed to a much

longer time-line.

Stay patient, work hard, challenge

yourself continually and do what’s required

to keep improving.

And just like David Graham, Larry

Nelson, Calvin Peete and many other golfers

before you, you can also transform yourself

from an average golfer into an excellent

golfer.

All you need to do is keep finding chal-

lenging ways to improve and do it for as

long as it takes.

Lawrie Montague and David Milne - Pro Tour Golf College

ner (81’ and 87’ PGA and 83’ US Open) actu-

ally took the game up at 21 after serving in

the infantry in Vietnam.

Larry basically taught himself how to

play from the famous golf instruction book

written by Ben Hogan “5 Lessons – The

Modern Fundamentals of Golf.”

Can you imagine what people would

have said to him when he told them he

wanted to play golf on a professional tour?

You can bet that many would have

thought him crazy, but it’s the crazy and

determined types that change ‘the rules’

and do the unexpected.

For all the latest news and views from the Asian golf scene, subscribe to Asian Golf – Asia’s most powerful golfing voice! www.asiapacificgolfgroup.com72 ASIAN GOLF

ASIAN GOLF ISSUE 168

The golf club industry in Southeast has been

around for more than a century but its real

growth has taken place only in the last thirty

years. This period witnessed an explosion of new

golf clubs, resorts and communities sprouting

up all over the region. However, no one has seen

it fit to map the club industry until now. Read all

about the exciting Southeast Asia Golf Industry

Survey and how its findings are going to help

improve the industry as a whole moving forward.

APGS 2014 With the staging of the 2014 Asia Pacific Golf Summit looming, preparations are underway

to make this world class conference totally relevant to the changing needs of golf in the

region. For the first time, there will be a special focus to encourage the industry to take its

destiny into its own hands and to look at ways and means to grow the industry not just

by thinking out of the box but to venture into new realms led by a thought process that is

“unboxed”. It is all about being revolutionary and to transform the golf club industry into

being world class in the region.

Outside of Japan and perhaps South Korea,

there are really no notable brands in golf in

Asia. However, this is beginning to change as

bold new entrepreneurs take on big names in

the industry to carve out a slice of the pie for

themselves. Asian Golf takes a look at one such

entrepreneur who has rolled up his sleeves, dug

in and is ready for a fight to earn his rightful

share of the market. This is a story of good, old-

fashion guts, true grit and determination to beat

the best and survive!

Japan, a major force in golf equipment, apparel and accessories will be making inroads into

the Southeast Asian market. This is an exciting development as golf enthusiasts will soon

be able to read about and obtain more information about the best that Japan has to offer

golfers in the region. This special service is part of a collaboration between Japan’s top golf

equipment magazine, Golf Equipment World and Asian Golf.

Long Thanh-Vientiane Golf Club is a rare gem in the exotic Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

Known to most of the outside world as Laos, this is an ancient land that was once a royal kingdom between the 14th to the 18th Century. Imagine

playing on a US$100 million golf development fit for kings.

Long Thanh-Vientiane Golf Club is planned as a 36 hole course and is part of a mega US$1 billion multi-project development plan that will include golf residences, a five-star hotel, hospital,

supermarket, restaurants and a host of other facilities.

If you’d like to experience a leisurely round of golf in a natural and beautiful setting, this is a facility that must be on your golfing schedule.

FIT FOR KINGS!FEEL LIKE GOLF ROYALTY FOR A DAY AND PLAY LIKE A KING!

LONG THANH–VIENTIANE GOLF CLUB – UNMATCHED IN LAOS!

A member of the KN Vientiane Group.

,

www.longviengolfresort.com

KN VIENTIANE GROUP CO., LTD: Km 17 Thadeau Road, Dongphosy Village, Hatsaiphon District, Vientiane Capital, Laos P.D.R Tel: (856) 21. 33 50 08 Email: [email protected]

1st Runner-up 2010 & 2011

Best Clubhouse in AsiaEight times since 2000

Best Championship Course in Asia2008

Best Course in Thailand2002 – 20101st Runner-up 2011 & 2013

Best Par-3 Signature Hole (#6)2001 – 2003

Website: www.thaicountryclub.com E-mail: [email protected] Tel: (66 38) 570 234 Fax: (66 38) 570 225

asian golf – august, 2014

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