Picturesque Valderrama is regarded by most as one of the best golf clubs this side of the Atlantic; a true test of golfing ability. The 1997 Ryder Cup venue played host to the Open de España last week and did not disappoint. Lightning fast greens and tricky conditions meant that scoring was always going to be tough, with a one-over-par total enough for Englishman Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston to claim his maiden European Tour title – the first regular Tour event to be won with an over-par score in 20 years. 27-year-old Johnston went into the final round one shot back from overnight leader Mike Lorenzo-Vera, but a stellar one-under-par 70 was good enough to see him lift the trophy by one, despite a final-day charge from locals’ favourite, Sergio Garcia. Titleist brand ambassador Johnston’s final round exploits saw him rank first in both driving accuracy (78.6%) and greens in regulation (70.8%) on the day – truly impressive golf when the pressure was at its greatest.

What equipment did he use?

• Driver – Titleist 915D3 (10.5 loft)
• 3-wood – Titleist 915F (15 loft)
• Irons – Titleist 716 MB irons; 3-9
• Wedges – Vokey SM6 wedges (46, 50, 54 & 58)
• Putter – Scotty Cameron Tour Only Newport 2
• Ball – Titleist Pro V1x

Over in the States, the PGA Tour arrived at Harbour Town Links, South Carolina, for the RBC Heritage. Many of the world’s best golfers take a break following a Major, but there were still a few stand-out names amongst the field. World number one Jason Day pegged it up at the start of the week, as did Bryson DeChambeau who, after finishing top amateur in the 2016 Masters, was playing in his first event as a professional. But come Sunday it was Callaway Staff player Branden Grace who grabbed the spotlight, a five-under-par 66 propelling him above overnight pacesetter, Luke Donald, to claim his second title of 2016.

What equipment did he use?

• Driver – Callaway XR 16 (8.5 loft)
• 3-wood – Callaway Big Bertha Alpha (16 loft)
• Utility Iron – Callaway Apex UT
• Irons – Callaway X Forged (4-PW)
• Wedges – Callaway Mack Daddy 2 Tour Grind (52, 56 & 60)
• Putter – Odyssey Versa V Line
• Ball – Titleist Pro V1x

To see the options we have available on our golf shop, head tohttps://www.foremostgolf.com/. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to give us a call on +44 (0) 800 500 3194.

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.

You've guessed it. There was another first-time winner on the European Tour last week as Nike Golf Haotong Li claimed the Volvo China Open on home soil. The 20-year-old started the final day two shots back but a flawless closing 64, mixing eight birdies with zero dropped shots, meant a fourth consecutive sub-70 round to claim his maiden victory by three. Overnight leaders Aguilar and Bjerregaard carded rounds of three-under and two-under respectively, but it could have been so much better for Aguilar. Whether it was pressure or just one of those shots, Aguilar will wish he could replay his tee shot on the par-3 16th which found the water 30 yards short of the green, effectively costing him the tournament. Regardless, Li birdied 17 and held his nerve down the last to record an emphatic win, possibly the first of many for this young gun.

What equipment did he use?

• Driver - Nike Vapor Pro (9.5)
• Fairway Wood - Nike Vapor Speed (15)
• Irons - Nike Vapor Fly Pro (3&4); Nike Vapor Pro (5-9)
• Wedges - Nike Engage (48, 54 & 60)
• Putter - Nike Method Matter B2-05
• Ball - Nike RZN Tour Platinum

Rain and thunderstorms shortened last week's PGA Tour event to 54 holes, with a Monday finish required to settle matters. In the end there was a three-way tie at the top of the leaderboard, with Brian Stuard, Jamie Lovemark and Byeong-Hun An all closing out their three rounds on 15-under-par - An and Stuard birding the final hole to tie Lovemark for the lead. So a playoff was the order of play, with the three golfers heading down the par-5 18th in this sudden death format. An was the first golfer to be eliminated after bogeying the first playoff hole, the other two making pars. On the second playoff hole, a beautiful 160-yard approach to two foot by Stuard saw him birdie the hole and claim his first victory on the PGA Tour - a common theme among this week's winners. That's not the only thing that Stuard has in common with other recent winners, as he is the 5th Callaway Staff winner in as many weeks. Surely this is telling you something?

What equipment did he use?

• Driver - Callaway Great Big Bertha (9.5)
• Fairway Wood - Callaway XR Pro (15)
• Hybrids - Callaway Apex (20 & 23)
• Irons - Callaway Apex Pro (4-PW)
• Wedges - Callaway Mack Daddy 3 (52 & 58)
• Putter - Odyssey Works Marxman Fang Tank
• Ball - Titleist Pro V1x

To see the options we have available on our golf shop, head tohttps://www.foremostgolf.com/. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to give us a call on +44 (0) 800 500 3194.

If you’ve been following our blog over the past few weeks, you may have noticed two common themes running across recent winners: first-timers and Callaway Staff players. This week carries on that trend as Jeunghun Wang produced a wonderful putting display to claim the Trophée Hassan II in a fascinating playoff against Nacho Elvira. When on the 72^nd green, Wang was faced with a 15 foot birdie putt to tie clubhouse leader Elvira and force extra holes. He duly delivered. Going down the 18^th again in the playoff, Elvira looked in complete control after hitting the par-5 green in two whilst Wang was 35 foot away in three. As is the case in many matchplay situations – which a sudden-death playoff effectively is – Wang nails his birdie putt whilst Elvira two-putted for his four. Back down 18 they go. This time round Elvira missed the green in three, leaving Wang a putt for his birdie-four and the title, which he drains. That’s seven wins in a row for Callaway Golf players across tours, leaving us to think that there must be something special in their 2016 range…

What equipment did he use?

Driver – Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 816

Fairway Wood – Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 816

Hybrid – Callaway Apex

Irons – Callaway irons

Wedges – Vokey SM5

Putter – Odyssey White Hot RX

Form is temporary, class is permanent. How often have we heard this saying ring true? Well we can add James Hahn’s remarkable return to form on the PGA Tour to that list. Hahn has been struggling with his game over the past few months. Following a string of missed cuts (eight straight if you’re counting) and no round sub-70 in his last 18, not many people would have backed Hahn at the Wells Fargo Championship last week. After three-putting the 72^nd hole for bogey, Hahn finished the tournament tied for the lead with Roberto Castro, meaning a playoff was needed once again. Castro found water with his drive at the first playoff hole, handing the initiative to Hahn, who found the fairway and then set up victory with a solid second to the heart of the green. It just goes to show, a return to form may just be around the corner for us all…

Here’s what he had in the bag:

Driver - PXG 0811X (9 degrees)

FairwayWood - PXG 0341 (15 degrees)

Hybrid - PXG 0317 (17 degrees)

Irons - PXG 0311(3-iron), PXG 0311T (4-9)

Wedges - PXG 0311T Milled (47), Vokey SM5 (54 & 60)

Putter - Odyssey White Hot Pro 2.0

Ball – Titleist Pro V1x

To see the options we have available on our golf shop, head tohttps://www.foremostgolf.com/. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to give us a call on +44 (0) 800 500 3194.

Jason Day put on a golfing masterclass last Thursday when a nine-under-par 63 tied the course record and set Day on his way to a wire-to-wire victory at The Players Championship. Going into the final round with a four-shot lead, the world number one averted a potential disaster after playing the front nine in two-over-par, coming home with three birdies to regain his overnight cushion and take his sixth victory in his last 16 starts. This win puts Day amongst elite company, making him the fifth man to have won The Players, a Major and a World Golf Championship. Comparisons with Tiger are inevitably starting to rear their heads – which doesn’t come as a surprise – but it’s important to remember that this time last year it was Spieth, and the year before it was Rory. Until someone does it year after year, Tiger will be in a category of his own.

Here’s what Jason had in the bag:

Driver – TaylorMade M1 (10.5 degrees)

Fairway Wood – TaylorMade M2 (17 degrees)

Irons – TaylorMade RSi (2-iron), TaylorMade RSi (4-PW)

Wedges – TaylorMade Tour Preferred EF (47, 52 & 60)

Putter – TaylorMade Ghost Spider Limited Red

Ball – TaylorMade Tour Preferred X

That’s 8 in a row – if you’re counting. Jeunghun Wang made it back-to-back wins at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open after a closing stretch-collapse from Siddikur Rahman paved the way for Wang. Rahman was three ahead with just three holes left to play, but a double on 16 followed by a bogey on 17 turned the tournament on its head, both golfers tied for the lead going down the par-5 18th. A brilliant bunker shot by Wang led to a closing-hole birdie to finish on six-under-par, claiming his second victory in as many weeks and an eighth-straight for Callaway Golf. Wang will be facing far stiffer competition over the coming weeks as the European Tour returns to the UK, but with the bit between his teeth you can’t rule out this 20-year-old on current form.

What equipment did he use?

Driver – Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 816

Fairway Wood – Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 816

Hybrid – Callaway Apex

Irons – Callaway Irons

Wedges – Vokey SM5

Putter – Odyssey White Hot RX

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.