The European Tour rolled into England last week for its flagship event, The BMW Championship at Wentworth. Although a rather depleted field at the prestigious Surrey course, there was still lots of home-grown talent on show with Masters champion Danny Willett the headline act. After being 12-under-par for his first 27 holes, including a front nine of 29 shots on Friday, Willett endured yet another frustrating weekend as several bogeys left him wondering what might have been. But one man’s loss is another’s gain – enter Chris Wood. The 28-year-old surged into the lead come Sunday afternoon after he matched Willett’s record-breaking six-under-par front nine from Friday, to lead by four. However, his momentum was severely halted after dropping three shots in four holes from the 14th, finding himself just one clear playing the 72nd hole. Wood revealed in his post-round interview that he hadn’t looked at the leaderboards all day, and it wasn’t until his caddy asked him to go SW, SW into the final hole that he realised the situation. A comfortable par gave Wood the biggest win of his career, with a place in the European Ryder Cup team now a very real target for the Englishman.

Here’s what Wood had in his bag…

Driver – Callaway Great Big Bertha (9 degree)
Fairway woods – Mizuno JPX 3-wood (15 degree); Callaway XR 16 5-wood
Irons – Mizuno MP-25 (3 & 4-irons); Mizuno MP-5 (5-PW)
Wedges – Mizuno MP-T5 (52, 56 & 60 degrees)
Putter – Odyssey Versa
Ball – Titleist Pro V1x
Clothing – Mizuno apparel

Finally, Jordan Spieth has ended his ‘four-month drought’ with victory in the Dean & Dulca Invitational on Sunday. The American headed into the final round of the latest PGA Tour event with a one-shot lead, determined not to replicate his Masters collapse where he blew a five-shot lead on the back nine. This time it was completely different. Spieth came in with six birdies on his back nine, comfortably winning his home tournament by three shots. There were certainly fireworks to finish as Jordan holed a 20-foot breaker on 16 for birdie, chipped in for birdie at the 17th and blew his opponents away when he holed a 35-foot birdie putt at the last. Three birdies in the final three holes. What nerves?

This win means that the ‘big three’ (Day, Spieth and McIlroy) have all won on their last outing….let the battle for the US Open commence.

Here’s what Spieth used en-route to victory…

Driver – Titleist 915D2 (9.5 degree)
Fairway woods – Titleist 915F (15 degree)
Irons – Titleist 716 T-MB 3-iron; Titleist AP2 (4-9-iron)
Wedges – Vokey SM6 (46, 52, 56 & 60 degrees)
Putter – Scotty Cameron
Ball – Titleist Pro V1x
Clothing – Under Armour apparel

An electric golf trolley can be a lifesaver for any golfer. Do you really want to carry your clubs around the course? This can make you feel more exhausted than playing the sport itself. An electric golf trolley is undoubtedly the best way to transport your golf clubs.

With electric golf trolleys, all you need to do is place your bag inside, and let the trolley do all of the hard work – it is as simple as that. Nevertheless, there are a few factors you need to consider when looking for the best trolley, as there are many different makes and models to choose from.

One of the most important factors to look into is the battery power of the trolley. Generally, most batteries will cover either one or two rounds of the course. You should definitely find out how long a single charge of the battery will last, how quickly it can be re-charged, and what the lifespan of the battery is.

Of course, price is a pivotal consideration when making any purchase from a golf shop, and a golf trolley is no different. Needless to say, electric trolleys will be more expensive than the manual version, but most would agree that it is an investment worth making, as it allows you to focus on the game. When considering price, you are not advised to simply go for the cheapest trolley you can find, as you could end up spending more in the long run if it is of a poor quality.

There may be a number of different things shown on the display screen of the trolley, which is another consideration. Power level, time, and battery indicators are a must. Other features include pedometers and distance measuring, which aren’t a necessity but may be of an interest to you.

Finally, you may want to buy an electric golf trolley that comes with a matching bag so that it fits perfectly into the trolley and looks stylish.

Golf clothing is something that you will need to buy if you are to enjoy the sport. While your set of golf clubs is the most important purchase, clothing can influence your performance, as it is vital to be comfortable if you are to play to your best ability. Not only this, but some golf courses have rules regarding what you can and cannot wear.

At most golf courses, the normal dress code will be golf shoes, smart trousers, a collared shirt, and a ‘V’ or round neck sweater. However, over the past few years it has become acceptable to wear roll neck sweaters, sweatshirts, chino trousers, and fleece tops.

There are a selection of golf clubs that allow denim jeans, although it’s not worth the risk. You are also advised to avoid wearing football or rugby shirts, as these are not permitted. Nevertheless, as mentioned, all golf courses are different and this is why it is worth heading to the club’s website to view their dress code before you acquire your clothing from a golf shop.

Not only do you need to think about the dress policy of the club, but also it is important to be comfortable if you are to play to the best of your ability. If your clothing is too tight, for example, you will struggle to play as effectively as you can because this could restrict your freedom when swinging.

You also need to purchase proper golf shoes. These are different to ordinary shoes because they are typically waterproof and they will have spikes attached to the soles. They are designed so that you can walk on the surface with ease and have the grip you need during your swing.

When purchasing golf clothing, it is important to buy something that you like. After all, you are going to be wearing the items again and again so there is no reason why you should have to compromise on style.

Golf bags are available in abundance nowadays, with so many different options to choose from. This can make it a little overwhelming for those who are shopping in a golf shop for the first time. But, there is no need to fret, as we are going to talk you through the different aspects that must be considered.

• Type of bag – One of the first things you need to think about is what type of bag you are going to go for. Popular options include pencil bags or Sunday bags, stand bags, cart bags, and tour bags. The latter is the largest type of bag, cart bags are designed specifically to fit in golf carts, stand bags have legs so they stand up, and a pencil bag is a lightweight carry bag.

• Dividers – Next, determine whether you want a bag with dividers. This means that you will have separate compartments for your golf putters, golf irons, golf woods, and golf drivers. Of course, you can opt to keep them all together. There is no right or wrong when it comes to this.

• Strap size – The strap size is vital, especially if you are purchasing one of the carry bags. Generally, you will find the bag a lot easier to carry if the strap is big, as the weight will be distributed more evenly.

• Pockets – The type, placement, and size of the pockets is also important. Most golf bags have a number of different pockets and some of them will have specialist functions as well.

• Material – The material of the bag is vital, as you want to make sure it is durable and long lasting. Three of the most common materials for golf bags are canvas, leather, and nylon. The latter is often the most popular, especially amongst those playing in all-weather conditions. However, if you are looking for something luxurious, consider leather.

New PING G Family - Review

Introducing a new generation of distance control…

As the most famous name in golf, there is always a unique pressure on PING to come up with something new and revolutionary in the build up to a new season. The ‘G’ Family is their latest offering. We review what it brings to the table to get the golfing juices flowing…

Styling

It’s difficult not to be impressed with the aesthetics of the brand, especially the G30 Driver. A stunning black matt finish and classy lettering, it will light up any golf bag.

On address the irons in particular ooze believe and confidence with individually crafted grooves and heavily refined finishing touches.

It shelters the adjustable technology which we like, avoiding the in your face approach of rival brands; proving no less effective in performance.

Our Assessment

The PING G Family is made of all the usual suspects; driver, fairway woods, hybrids and irons. The continuity throughout the range is remarkable and provides a genuine confidence on every address.

The Driver

The most noticeable feature is also the latest technology, the engineered Turbulators located on the crown ensure faster speed and ball velocity. This leads to longer drives and a more piercing connection.

We were impressed with the impact of this aerodynamic advancement, producing noticeable gains for varying levels of player. Combined with Straight Flight Technology (SFT) the driver promotes a better, straighter flight. The secret is in the weight transference from heel to toe on impact for a consistent energy throughout the face.

The new thinner, lighter face was highly impressive too, making the swinging process less demanding and more controlled.

Fairway Metals

As expected with modern distance clubs, the metals include the fixed hosel adjustable technology (typically found in the driver). This allows for great shot making and versatile hitting. We experimented with low draws with great success and eliminated the need to carry an abundance of fairway technology.

The metals feature a super thin face to generate more ball speed and power. On address it offers a lower profile which in turn, lets the club perform like a long iron in terms of control but without cranking down on valuable yardage.

It performs equally well from the tee packing a great punch and tremendous launch.

Hybrids

The rescue club of the family features an extremely progressive centre of gravity that offers extreme control on landing. We found this hybrid performed better than most at approaching greens from distance. Complete with 17-4 stainless steel it allows for more distance with the steeper landing angle you need to hold shots on and around the green.

The top rail is flatter and the heel section is raised, providing a very square face on address that helps with alignment. It feels soft and allows for a regular strike that will not let you down.

Irons

Each iron is designed with an undercut cavity with help position the CG low-back to optimize launch and forgiveness while ensuring a solid feel, really inspiring confidence on a consistent basis.

The progressive offset ensures a more penetrating, controlled trajectory with the scoring clubs.

The irons are complete with a soft elastomer badge which further contributes to improved feel and sound in the perimeter-weight.

Under testing, we enjoyed the shot making capabilities, especially in the middle irons allowing the user to combat strong winds, narrow angles and tight lies with ease.

Conclusion

There is really not much to dislike about the new PING G Family. It offers improvements in all the right areas of performance but maintains the brands typical winning formula and consistency throughout the set.

Priced towards the top end of the market, it is fair to say that you get what you pay for in this instance.

Here at Foremost Golf, we supply all the latest brands and PING are no exception. Review all our listings today and find the perfect game changers for you.

Well, that was an eventful U.S. Open, wasn't it? From the stop-start nature of the first round, followed by greens trickier to navigate than Mount Everest, to the USGA's moment of madness late on Sunday which threatened to overshadow a wonderful final day. The second Major of 2016 had it all.

TaylorMade Brand Ambassador Dustin Johnson was centre stage. Heading into the final round four behind overnight leader Shane Lowry, Johnson mixed three birdies with two bogeys to card a one-under-par 69, winning the 166th U.S. Open by three shots.

But should it have been four?

The American was given a post-round one-shot penalty following the conclusion of his 72nd hole, due to an incident on the 5th green. Johnson was going through his pre-shot routine when his ball moved as he went to address it. He did the right thing, calling over a rules official to inform him what happened. The official told him to play it as it lies, no infringement. Seven holes later, standing on the 12th tee leading the U.S. Open by two, a USGA official informed Johnson that it would be reviewed after his round. It caused massive controversy, with many players, including Spieth and McIlroy, lambasting the USGA calling it ‘a joke’ and ‘ridiculous’ amongst other things.

Was this going to be another blow for DJ? Coming so close to his elusive Major win but to see it taken away from him in the cruellest of circumstances?

Thankfully it didn’t change the outcome. Dustin carried on, taking things one shot at a time, playing solid golf down the stretch and holing some crucial putts. He won it in style too: splitting the 18th fairway off the tee, striping a majestic iron to six feet before holing the putt for birdie. DJ deserved this one, make no doubt about it.

He averaged 30 yards more than the field off the tee, hit 64% of fairways and an astonishing 76% of greens around the monster that is Oakmont Country Club. Well played, sir. A worthy champ.

What equipment did DJ use?

• Driver – TaylorMade M1 (10.5 loft)
• Fairway wood – TaylorMade M1 (17 loft)
• Utility Iron – TaylorMade UDI (2)
• Irons – TaylorMade Tour Preferred (3-PW)
• Wedges – TaylorMade Tour Preferred EF (52 & 60)
• Putter – Scotty Cameron
• Ball – TaylorMade Tour Preferred X

Golf shoes come in two general types – cleated or spiked golf shoes and spikeless shoes. If you have never played golf before, you may be at a bit of a loss regarding what type of shoes to go for. So, before you purchase shoes from a golf shop, read on to discover more about the two types of shoe.

Cleated Golf Shoes

Let’s begin with cleated golf shoes, which are also known as spiked shoes. This is the classic type of golf shoe and you will find many options available online. So, if you decide this is the type of shoe for you, make sure you browse carefully and determine what qualities are important to you. In general, however, these shoes are known for providing traction, breathability, water resistance, and comfort. One of the key benefits of this shoe is that the upper is more stable, which means you can expect better grip and stability when swinging. These shoes have advanced considerably over the years, and technology means that you now have the perfect balance between stability and being lightweight.

Spikeless Golf Shoes

The other type of shoe you should think about is the spikeless golf shoe. This is a recent development and it is something that more and more professionals are wearing. Previously, it was thought that these shoes were just for the casual golfer, but that is not the case. They are designed for comfort first and foremost, and they are exceptionally lightweight. Instead of golf spikes, there will be dimpled soles or rubber studs, which makes them great on firm surfaces, like the driving range, and they are ideal for the 19^th hole. One thing you do need to bear in mind is that these shoes don’t offer as much grip or stability.

So there you have it – the benefits of both types of golf shoes. It is worth noting that some people do wear golf boots or sandals. Nevertheless, most tend to go for one of the two mentioned above, and choosing your shoes is just as important as your golf balls or golf clubs.

On what was another weather-affected event, Henrik Stenson put his Callaway Golf clubs to good use to win the BMW International Open in Germany. This was Stenson’s 10th European Tour victory, something which didn’t look too likely a week ago when he pulled out of the U.S. Open through injury. His fitness was put to the test on Sunday as he endured 36 holes having been prevented from taking to the course on Saturday due to torrential rain curtailing play before he teed off.

A bogey-free 67 in his first round on Sunday meant that Stenson went into the final round with a one-shot cushion over the field. The Swede went on to birdie the first during his closing 18, before a mid-round stutter gave the chasing pack some hope. Four dropped shots in a wobbly seven-hole stretch meant the tournament was wide open once again. However, Stenson showed why he is in the world’s top 10, regaining his composure to birdie three holes on the back nine, claiming a three-shot victory in the process.

Stenson is widely known as a brilliant ball-striker who hits the ball a long, long way. This week was no different as he led the field in driving accuracy with over 83% of fairways hit, as well as in green in regulation at 86.1%. Well played, Henrik!

What equipment did Stenson use?

• Driver – Callaway XR 16 (9 loft)
• Fairway wood – Callaway Diablo (13 loft); Callaway XR 16 Pro (18 loft)
• Irons – Callaway Legacy Black (3-PW)
• Wedges – Callaway Mack Daddy 3 (52 & 58)
• Putter – Odyssey White Hot

Three shots was also the winning margin on the PGA Tour last week, as Billy Hurley III secured his maiden title at the Quicken Loans National. Hurley’s success couldn’t have been any sweeter, coming in his home tournament with his friends and family in close attendance.

A three-putt bogey at the 12th threatened to derail the American’s charge on Sunday, and when he was faced with a nervy 10-footer for par at the following hole, many started to question whether Hurley would be able to hold on. But any fears soon subsided as he chipped in for birdie at the 15th, followed by a birdie at the par-5 16th to extend his lead to three shots. Pars at the final two holes paved the way for Hurley to win his first PGA Tour event, a life-changing moment he will never forget.

What equipment did he use?

• Driver – TaylorMade M1 (9.5 loft)
• Fairway wood – TaylorMade M2 (15 loft)
• Hybrid – TaylorMade SLDR (19 and 21); Adams Pro Mini (23
• Irons – Bridgestone J40 (4-PW)
• Wedges – Vokey SM6 (47); Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 (54 & 60)
• Putter – TaylorMade Itsy Bitsy Spider

What makes the Titleist Pro V1 golf ball the pick of the bunch?

Simply put, the Titleist Pro V1 golf ball is a golfing icon. Other balls have come and gone, trying to accomplish the lofty heights of Titleist’s premium offering, but have consistently come up short.

In this blog post, Foremost Golf looks at the reasons behind the dominance of the Titleist Pro V1 golf ball whilst trying to answer one simple question:

What makes the Titleist Pro V1 golf ball so special?

The golf ball is the only piece of equipment that is used for every shot on the golf course, so it’s vitally important that you can trust what you’re using. And trust is something that is synonymous with the Titleist Pro V1 golf ball.

Anyone who plays golf will know that the Pro V1 has dominated the ball market over the last decade. There’s no arguing it. The fact that the Titleist Pro V1 golf ball has been at the top for such a long time, without any drastic changes, speaks volumes for what Titleist has been able to achieve.

Never ones to rest on their laurels, Titleist undertook unparalleled research and comprehensive testing with both professionals and amateurs before releasing the 2015 version of the ball. When asked how the Pro V1 could be improved, the pros were adamant in their response:

“Don’t change anything, just add some more control around the green”

We don’t want to delve too much into the technical side of things, but the way Titleist has achieved this is quite remarkable. Now urethane covers aren’t new, but Titleist’s version certainly is. They’ve built their patented Elastomer cover in-house so that they’re in control of the characteristics it provides, rather than adding a pre-made urethane cover that isn’t necessarily designed for a golf ball. All this means that they have created an extremely soft ball offering premium feel off the clubface.

So what can you expect from the Titleist Pro V1 golf ball?

• Extra distance
• Softer feel
• Enhanced durability
• Greenside control
• Optimum trajectory

Most golfers would take one or two of these characteristics in a ball if it was going to improve their performance. So when you get all five in the Titleist Pro V1 golf ball, you can see why it’s the number one ball across worldwide tours.

But this ball isn’t just for professionals. The exceptional tee-to-green performance makes the Titleist Pro V1 golf ball a firm favourite for golfers of all skill levels.

How can added distance and increased greenside control not be beneficial?

Our rating?

Quite simply: 5 out of 5. Unbeatable.

Golf clubs are available in different shapes and sizes, and it is important to know what clubs to have in your golf bag if you are going to take up the sport. Most golf bags will consist of three woods, seven irons, a putter, and at least one hybrid, although it does differ from player to player. With that being said, continue reading to discover more about each type of club.

• Putters – A putter is a golf club that has one purpose, and this is to get the ball in the hole. There are different golf putters to choose from, including the mallet, heel-toe, bent, long, belly, short, and more. All of these are used on the green.

• Irons – Next we have irons, which is what you are going to use if you are approximately less than 200 yards from the green. A standard set of golf irons will have 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 irons, as well as the PW (Pitching Wedge). ‘3’ and ‘4’ are the most difficult to hit. Moreover, the higher the iron you will use the closer you are to the green.

• Wedges – Golf wedges are basically a special type of iron. You have the PW, which we have just mentioned. These tend to be between 46 and 48 in loft, making it the highest lofted iron. Aside from this, you have the LW (Lob Wedge), the SW (Sand Wedge), and the AW (Approach Wedge). Wedges are suitable for when you are close enough to the green that you require improved shot control and shaping.

• Woods – Woods are used to hit long shots. Golf drivers, which are also called the 1 wood, have the lowest loft of any type of golf club.

• Hybrids – Finally, we have hybrids, which have become very popular golf clubs over the last few years. Hybrids combine the length shaft of an iron and the head design of a fairway wood.