Andrew Stone takes a big step in the right direction!
New member Andrew Stone has taken full advantage of the facilities here by having a new putter fitted in our all-weather studio. Golfers use their putter more than any club in the bag, so having one that suits is vital if you wish to maximise your potential. A putter fitting will ensure that you are using the correct length, lie angle, head type, grip style and loft.
Andrew had been using a 35.5 inch putter which compromised his posture, using our mirror (to get his eyes directly over the ball) and telescopic fitting club, we found that 34 inches was a better fit.
We also use the SAM Puttlab system to choose the correct type of putter head. Andrew was using a club with 45 degrees of toe hang which we swapped for a face balanced model, this helps him keep the club face square for longer in the stroke.
Click here if you would like to request a fitting.
Changes to the rules
In what is the most significant modernisation in generations, the USGA and R&A on Wednesday unveiled 30 proposed changes designed to make more consistent, fair and straightforward rules that are easier to understand and apply.
The changes span a wide range of issues - from grounding a club in a penalty area, to determining if a ball moved, to repairing damage on greens, to relaxing dropping procedures. It's the culmination of a five-year process - well before the high-profile major drama last June - that should reduce the prevalence of penalty traps, armchair rules officials and slow-motion, high-def examinations.
The governing bodies usually revise the rules every four years, but this new edition will be implemented a year earlier, on Jan 1, 2019. They alerted the major pro tours about the proposed changes at the beginning of this year.
Click here to view a list of the proposed changes.
WGC-Mexico Championship
The first World Golf Championship event of 2017 takes place this week at Chapultepec CC near Mexico City. Adam Scott of Australia defends the WGC-Mexico Championship.
There's a new venue, and a new country for the first WGC event of 2017. Previously known as the Cadillac Championship and held since 2007 at Doral, the tournament (now the WGC-Mexico Championship) has moved to Chapultepec GC in Mexico this season.
A supremely strong field has assembled for this event. Dustin Johnson makes his first start as World Number 1. Rory McIlroy, Jason Day, Jordan Spieth,Henrik Stenson and last week's winner Rickie Fowler will all play. In fact, as it stands, it looks like every player in the top-50 on the Official World Golf Ranking will start.
Although the tournament spent 10 years in Florida, it began very much as an international event. The first instalment was hosted at Valderrama in 1999, when Tiger Woods was champion. The tournament also visited Mount Juliet in Ireland and The Grove in Hertfordshire in 2006.
Last season, Adam Scott won at Doral by a single shot from Bubba Watson. Rory McIlroy and Danny Willett were tied for third.
The Club de Golf Chapultepec is one of the most historic in Mexico. Willie Smith, 1899 U.S. Open champion was first tasked with laying out a course on land between Mexico City and Naucalpan but plans were hampered by the Mexican Revolution. Smith died in 1916 and his brother Alex too over the construction of the course. It was finished in 1928. The Mexican Open began at Chapultepec in 1944. In 1972 the course was redesigned by Percy Clifford.
At 7,500 feet above sea level, the altitude will be a factor this week - the ball will be flying some 10% further than normal. Look for those who have done well in the European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre in the past to cope well with the conditions.
Player watch:
Dustin Johnson - It's tough to look past the new World Number 1 right now. He's driving the ball superbly well and his excellent wedge play is helping him pick up a huge number of birdies. He's won four times since last June.
Sergio Garcia - On great form after his win in Dubai, he currently leads the overall driving stats on the PGA Tour. He has a good record in the European Masters where he's a former champion.
Alex Noren - The Swede loves playing at altitude and has twice been a winner of the European Masters. He won four times in 2016.
Click here to keep up to date with the action.