Today’s Golfer UK — December 2017

TODAYSGOLFER.CO.UK ISSUE 367 21

group behind’. No surprise, he

didn’t! I think his behaviour was

totally disrespectful to the

greenkeepers who had worked all

hours and done a fantastic job

presenting the course in difficult

conditions. This isn’t the first time

Hatton has behaved like this and I

think he should be reprimanded.

PR GARDNER, EMAIL

Biased coverage

I am a huge fan of Rory Mcllroy and

like so many people, want to see

him do well. However, I do think the

media are guilty of going a bit

overkill and making their coverage

just about him. After the first round

of the British Masters, the BBC’s

report online included the headline:

Mcllroy in solid British Masters

start. What about the other British

players who had a much better

round, such as Tyrrell Hatton, who

was the joint leader? I know Rory is

the highest-ranked British player

but other, lesser-known players

deserve recognition and exposure

for what they do in this great sport.

BERNARD BARNAVILLE,

EASTBORNE

What are the chances?
On a recent visit to the north-east
with a group of players from my
home club, I had the opportunity to
play in a Seniors Open Competition
at Hartlepool Golf Club. Having
enjoyed the congratulations from
my playing partners for a well-
struck tee shot which was making
its way above the 13th fairway, we
were amazed to see my ball
coming back towards us.
It soon became apparent that it
had collided in mid-air with a
wayward ball travelling in the
opposite direction from the
18th tee. This initially caused some
amusement, until I realised that my
ball had lost an estimated 50 yards
and that I would struggle to reach
the green with my second shot. As I
reached my ball, I then discovered
that the other ball belonged to one
of my fellow members from Knott
End Golf Club. I am pleased to
report that this incident did not
diminish my enjoyment of playing
this outstanding links course, but I
wonder if any mathematicians
among your readers would be able
to suggest the probability of such
an incident happening.
JIM CROUCH, EMAIL

Stop the moaning, Hatton
I have just watched the British
Masters (it was a tremendous
event) my viewing was spoilt by the
behaviour of Tyrrell Hatton. Every
putt he missed he cursed the
greens. Every bad shot he hit he
moaned... even after hitting
what looked to be a good
O en, he got so
f d hat he
thumped
the surface
with his
putter. Mark
Roe, who was
commentating for
Sky, noticed it and
said: ‘I hope he
repairs the dent in
the green for the

First

Te e

Membership with benefits

I have just read the article on page

62 of the November Issue (366)

entitled ‘Am I really getting value for

money by being a member?’ I am a

full member at Ilfracombe Golf Club

where the annual subscription is

£516 and I can see the sea from

every tee every time I play! On

average, I play three times a week

and as a senior, I compete in about

12 matches annually against other

clubs home and away, including

famous courses such as Saunton

and Royal North Devon. We get to

play these courses for just the cost

of the meal after the game –

normally £14 – so for my £516 I get

fantastic value for money.

PHILIP WEBB, DEVON

In praise of Paul Lawrie

Paul Lawrie, our 1999 Open

Champion, has not been sitting

twiddling his thumbs while the

numbers playing golf have steadily

declined in recent years. He has

done something about it! Based in

Aberdeen, The Paul Lawrie Golf

Foundation is a dream world for

golfers of all ages and at affordable

prices. An annual membership fee

for juniors under 12 years costs just

£50. Students and youths pay £175,

seniors £230 and adults £300. And

that includes full rights to the

course and facilities. The cost of

playing golf in the north east of

Scotland in no longer a barrier. The

R&A, the PGA and The European

Tour should look and learn from the

enterprise displayed by Paul. They

have the funds and resources to

fund such projects throughout the

UK and thus at least stop the

decline in golf.

PETER HUGHES. BURNHAM

Thank you TG!

I would like to express my gratitude

for your ‘Biggest Questions

Answered’ feature in the last issue.

Matters like SSS, buffer zones and

chipping with the flag in have been

recurrent topics for discussion in

my golfing circles for so long, with

wide-ranging opinions being aired

to no general consensus.

Naturally we’ve all had our

viewpoints, but to have the

definitive answer is really helpful –

even if we now consider the setting

of stroke indexes no longer random

but still, at times, ridiculous!

Brad Miller

Maybe instead of

always looking at

the ball/equipment,

we can discuss the

fact that players

have gotten better

over the past

century?

Carl Peirson

St Andrews has

always produced

low scores if there’s

no wind. Nothing to

do with equipment.

Curtis Strange shot

62 round there 30

years ago. One shot

improvement over

30 years isn’t that

bad.

George Cowan

Why don’t we admit

that these players

are fitter, stronger,

more flexible,

prepare better and

just do things ver y

well.

Alex Williams

It was

unfortunately set

up for a pro-am

and nothing more.

Firmer greens,

longer rough and

tighter flags were

needed to protect

with no wind.

Jeff Smith

Gary played with

most modern

equipment he

could in his day...

it’s a progression.

Embrace, don’t

whine.

Paul Lawrie

Helping to grow

the game.

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