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Posted September 12th, 2023 by TheGolfersClub & filed under Interviews.

“I have had the same pre-round routine for nearly 30 years. It’s not complicated, but I think that’s important,” says two-time European Tour winner Markus Brier.

“That goes for what I eat just as much as how I warm up. I arrive at the course an hour and ten minutes before my tee time to start to warm up—but my routine has already started before then—with my nutrition.”

He’s not alone.

The days of a solitary banana being the extent of a ‘golf diet’ are long gone—and this development is not just confined to elite golfers either. The golf diet has certainly evolved, with many more amateurs taking more interest in what they fuel up with before and during a round.

A two-week-old banana that’s turned entirely black at the bottom of a bag might still be the extent of many club golfers’ nutrition, but there is an increasing awareness across the game that what you eat can help your golf game.

The golf diet

So, what should you eat before and during the round to give yourself the best chance of a low score?

“Most rounds start before lunch, so a good breakfast is key to any golf diet,” says Brier.

“I’ll usually go for cereal with yoghurt and fruit—substantial but won’t leave me feeling sluggish. If I have a later tee time, I’ll also have scrambled or poached eggs on toast.”

The Austrian’s start to the day provides plenty of fibre and sustainable energy—key for breakfast as far as golfers are concerned. A slow release of energy through the cereal and toast—especially wholemeal toast—is what you want.

But what should you eat when you’re actually on the golf course?

What do golfers eat during a round?

“We’re out there for probably five hours on average, and that’s too long to go without food,” says Brier.

“If I have an early tee time, I’ll probably just have some snacks with me, but I need a sandwich if it’s later. I avoid sugary snacks such as chocolate bars and so on—I avoid the high and low.”

Instead of sugar-filled snacks, the best on-course nibbles to keep you going are things like apples, bananas (of course), or cereal bars, which are often a good source of protein.

Nuts are another good choice; making your own ‘trail mix’ is a great idea. If that sounds too much like a hike in the mountains with Bear Grylls, fear not—it’s simply a case of buying some almonds, unsalted nuts, and fruit like raisins, dried pineapple, banana and apricot pieces and mixing them all together.

Pack a sandwich if you need something more substantial. We’ve all seen Tiger Woods munching a sandwich walking down the fairway, and you can be sure his are peanut butter or lean meat and salad. Golf is certainly no time for an ‘all-day breakfast’ feast between two big slabs of white bread.

The amateur golf diet

Amateur golfers will start their round in the afternoon more often than Tour pros do.

“Don’t go for a heavy meal before you tee off. If you need a decent meal, finish it at least 90 minutes before your tee time,” says Brier.

“And avoid burgers, chips, and other heavy foods like these as part of your golf diet—they’ll make you feel full, yes, but they’ll also make you feel tired.”

Your body has to work harder to digest processed foods, which can make you feel lethargic—and no one swings well when they’re lethargic.

Instead, opt for a chicken salad, a small pasta dish with some vegetables or a chicken or ham wrap (we’ll let you have a small packet of crisps too).

Beans on wholemeal toast is probably the easiest and cheapest way to load up on slow-releasing energy. A poached egg on top, too, is a good, easy source of protein.

If you’re eating closer to your tee time, you need to be more careful with carbs like pasta and bread, as they can make you feel sluggish. While chicken and beans might sound like a footballer’s pre-match meal from the 1980s, it’s not a bad option at all if it’s 12:10 and you tee off at 13:22.

Staying hydrated is important, too, naturally, and with many clubs having water fountains dotted about the course, it’s not difficult either. There’s no excuse not to stay hydrated—and the old saying is certainly not a myth—that if you feel thirsty, you’re already dehydrated.

Take on water every few holes, even when it’s not especially warm. A protein shake can also keep you feeling full as well as hydrated, and release some energy, too.

Caffeine is also a useful stimulant in the golf diet, so a nice cup of coffee with your breakfast is not a bad idea either.

Sweet treats for golfers

Is there ever an occasion when sweet tooths can justifiably get stuck into some chocolate in a golfing context?

“I wouldn’t really recommend it, but I know some players on the Legends Tour will have a bag of sweets and might have one now and again,” says Brier.

Colin Montgomerie made jelly babies popular when he started popping them at the Senior Open at Gleneagles in 2022, and three or four per round can actually give you a nice boost in energy without the crash.

Jaffa Cakes, too, are another light, acceptable option—but when you start talking about larger chocolate bars, like a Snickers, for example, you’re running the risk of having a sugar crash three holes later.

Posted September 12th, 2023 by TheGolfersClub & filed under Golf Equipment, Golf Travel.

It makes no sense whatsoever to spend hundreds of pounds on a new driver and some shiny new irons, only to then skimp on a travel bag.

In this article, we’ll look at the best golf travel bags to make your next golfing holiday as straightforward as possible.

We all love to get away for some golf in the sun, but we want to arrive there with our favourite possessions in one piece. All too often, we see photos on social media of an airline making a mess of some clubs with a driver in two pieces.

You should be looking for a strong and reliable golf travel bag. You want plenty of padding, great manoeuvrability and wheels that make things easy to move about the place. A great set of wheels can make all the difference between gliding from A to B or having to lug 14 clubs and half your wardrobe around an airport.

Here are some of the best golf travel bags currently on the market.

1. Sun Mountain Club Glider Meridian

RRP: £269.00

This travel bag is a fantastic investment with an integrated leg set that retracts easily, making moving about the place straightforward and easy on the back.

It’s also brilliantly well-made and will keep going for years, so it’s worth shelling out for. It can’t be stressed enough that travel bags are one part of your golf gear that you shouldn’t be skimping on—you’ll only be let down.

This golf bag has plenty of padding at the top, where your woods are housed, and there are two pockets to keep some of your other bits, leaving room in your other travel bags. Internal cinch straps secure everything nicely, too, and there are plenty of colour options.

2. Ping Rolling

RRP: £269.00

You don’t need to be a Ping advocate to take advantage of this. Even if you want to transport a full-size cart bag around, this will get the job done. One of the benefits of this golf bag is that it folds down to fit into its own bag, so it doesn’t have to take up a large chunk of your hotel room.

There are also interlocking skid rails to roll smoothly over curbs, and its strong base means it can stand up in airport queues. You’ll also see there are six handles, so you’re not wrestling with it at any point. It’s a pricier option, but there’s plenty to it.

3. Titleist Players

RRP: £180.00

This flight bag has a new U-shaped opening, so you can easily get in and out of it. Everything about Titleist is stylish, and this golf travel bag is no exception.

There’s plenty of room inside for your clubs and other belongings, and there are also two interior shoe pockets and straps to keep everything tightly tucked away.

It features durable skate wheels, a large carry handle, an external valuables pocket, and two external straps to tighten everything up.

4. Ogio Alpha

RRP: £179.00

If you were to describe this Ogio golf travel bag in two words, they might be ‘roomy’ and ‘dazzling’.

There is a black option, but otherwise, the colour options are off the charts. Ogio is renowned for being ‘out-there’ with its golf bags, and the travel bags are no different.

The bags are also renowned for their exceptional quality, and, despite all the space that the Alpha offers, it’s also lightweight, so it ticks all the boxes. There are plenty of strap options, and dense foam around your clubheads provides plenty of protection.

5. Sun Mountain Kube

RRP: £199.00

This bag is very clever as it collapses into a neat cabin bag with a robust hard-case shell (pictured). In terms of looking after your clubs, there’s a reinforced padded area at the business end, where your clubheads are, to make sure that your driver doesn’t arrive in two pieces.

Sun Mountain does golf travel bags extremely well, and the wheels make getting about very straightforward, too. There are also lots of colour options to choose from—we all have our favourite colourway, and you won’t be disappointed. The Kube is particularly light, despite its make-up, and it also has rubberised pull and carry handles.

6. OutdoorMaster Padded Golf

RRP: £75.99

Golf travel bags can be pricey, but sometimes, going for the cheaper option doesn’t have to mean missing out on quality. This bag offers excellent padding and protection, thanks to extra-foam cushioning, and the reinforced in-line skate wheels are reliable and hard-working.

OutdoorMaster has been clever in its design, with extra pockets and handles making it easier to get off an airport carousel. There’s loads of extra storage, too, which almost makes it like a second piece of luggage. Better still—it’s water and wear-resistant, so you won’t need to reinvest after your golf travel bag has begun to let you down.

7. Club Glove Last Bag Large Pro

RRP: £439.00

If anyone knows about travelling with your clubs, it’s the tour pros. And, while the superstars of the game might have their own private jets, they still have to look after their prized possessions.

This premium collapsible bag is relied upon by the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, et al., with plenty of room for a 47-inch driver or broomhandle putter. This bag ticks all the boxes; in-line skate wheels, an over-the-top zipper for easy packing and unpacking and—get this—there are 18 colour options!

Everything about this bag smacks of quality. Of course, it comes at a price, but this will likely be a one-and-done deal.

8. Motocaddy Flightsafe

RRP: £199.00

This might not look too different to the rest of the golf travel bags we’ve already mentioned, but Motocaddy, which has now entered this market having had huge success with electric golf trolleys and cart bags, have certainly delivered here.

There are no fewer than six wheels for easy transportation, and it neatly folds down into a small cube shape for easy storage. This bag is particularly strong on the protection of your clubs but, unlike others, offers a more comfy fit.

There’s room for additional storage, but the neater size of this bag makes it very easy to get about the place. It’s an ideal choice of travel bag as far as functionality goes.

Posted September 12th, 2023 by TheGolfersClub & filed under Golf Equipment.

Here’s your cut-out-and-keep golf essentials guide to what should always be in your golf bag.

1. Balls

No need to state the obvious here, but how many is too many? Some of us tend to panic and fill out the bag, while others are that annoying species who are always on the borrow by the turn.

You should have an idea of your own skills, and even on a horrific day, nobody should need more than 10 balls.

2. Food

You’re out there a long time, and you need sustenance. The experts say you should get carbohydrates into you at least twice a round, so after maybe the 4th and 14th holes. There also needs to be some protein at the turn. This will help to keep you focused and performing for all 18 holes rather than making a mess of the last few.

3. Water

Drinking water should be part of your routine on every hole. When the putter comes out, have a drink of water. We often come off the golf course dehydrated, but you can avoid it.

4. Plasters

Plasters are an absolute golf essential. A decent pair of shoes should render them futile, but we have to break new shoes in at some point, and golf can be played over some rough terrain.

Invest in some blister plasters to make sure you won’t struggle. Odd things can happen on a golf course, but you’ll be popular in the fourball if you’re carrying a box of plasters.

5. Painkillers

Similarly, some back-up for when the aches and pains crop up is essential. Again, it wouldn’t be unheard of for you or your fourball to start complaining about some back or other ache, so make sure you’re covered for all eventualities.

6. Bite repellent

This is another easy win and won’t take up any room in the bag. You might only need this once a year, but when you do, you’ll certainly be glad you’ve packed it.

7. Sunscreen

We should all be aware of why this is so important. Most skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun, and melanoma rates have doubled in the UK in the past 30 years.

Worryingly, though, only 42% of golfers use sunscreen—a sobering thought when as many as 44 people are diagnosed with melanoma every day.

8. Jacket

Waterproofs are so thin these days, and golf bags are so roomy that there’s no excuse for getting caught short in a downpour.

A good tip is to pack your bag neatly so your balls and gloves aren’t spilling over into your other compartments. If you look to pack the kitchen sink for every round, then invest in a cart bag which has room for all of these accessories.

9. Umbrella

Some golfers don’t like using an umbrella as it involves a lot of faff and getting your hands wet but similarly, most of us don’t like getting wet in the rain either.

Invest in something sturdy here as, if the umbrella is going up, you can be assured that the elements are pretty rubbish.

10. Tees

If you want to irritate your playing partners, asking to borrow a tee on every hole is a good way of going about it.

Have plenty to hand and keep them in a pouch to stop them from littering your bag, and get into the habit of putting them in there after each round.

We all have our preferences regarding tee shapes but make sure you’ve got some short ones for the par 3s, and if you use the castle-type ones, check with your pro to make sure they’re the right height for your swing path.

11. Pouch

Most of us have a few of these sitting around after a visit somewhere. Put them to good use and use them for your gloves, tees, balls and other bits so everything is easy to hand.

12. Gloves

If an old glove doesn’t serve a purpose, chuck it out. Other than in very hot or very wet weather, there’s no need to clutter up your golf bag with ten gloves, so have three neatly tucked away instead.

If you’re really good, keep the original packet your glove came in and always put it back there to keep its shape. Be sure to also have a decent wet-weather glove or two as well, as these will ensure your game doesn’t fall apart when the weather does.

13. Pitchmark repairer

This is another key addition to your bag. Don’t rely on a tee that might break—get a pitchmark repairer and use it as often as possible. Your fellow players and greenskeepers will thank you for it.

14. Lip balm

You only need to look at the lips of some tour pros to realise what the sun can do to your lips. Lip balm rehydrates the lips and makes sure you’re constantly moisturised.

15. Sharpie

Marking your balls is part of the game. You only need a couple of penalty shots to realise its importance. You only need to do it once, as the marks tend to last forever—so they’re great value.

16. Towel

Wet your towel before you go out so you can keep your clubs and balls clean throughout the round. You’ll find it a lot easier to keep your grooves in good order with a wet towel. Likewise, you’ll want a towel when applying sunscreen, too.

17. Wire brush

Like your Sharpie, these cost next to nothing but can help to keep your clubs in much better nick. Again, this should be a habit—hit your shot and clean your clubface.

Look at the tour pros and caddies, for example. They’re always tending to their clubs, even though they get new ones every few months!

18. Ball marker

Another golf essential. Get a few of these as you’re guaranteed to lose a few, either by loaning them to your mates or it slipping to the bottom of the bag.

You can get a free ball marker if you take out a golf insurance policy with Golf Care.

19. Pencil

Like tees, anyone asking for a pencil every hole will get some antagonised looks.

They’re in every pro shop and cost nothing, so fill your boots and ensure you’re well covered. Like ball markers, these have a habit of getting lost, so keep stocking up.

20. Money

Even in these modern times, some loose change can be handy to either mark your ball or pay off a few fun debts from the round.

Posted June 14th, 2023 by TheGolfersClub & filed under Golf Travel.

Few things can be better than jetting off on a relaxing golf holiday in the summer sun. Be it in Europe or perhaps further afield, the best golf holidays all have a few things in common—gorgeous greens, challenging holes, and—of course—stunning views for that post-round drink.

If you’re thinking of taking your clubs on your next holiday, there are plenty of all-inclusive resorts around the world to choose from.

Here are the 10 best golf holidays and destinations for summer 2023.

1. Constance Belle Mare Plage, Mauritius

As golf holidays go, you can’t go wrong with this five-star resort in Mauritius. With two excellent golf courses (Links and Legend), white sandy beaches and clear blue skies, this island resort provides real escapism.

There are also multiple restaurants and bars, as well as a spa and a gym—so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to relax and unwind between your golf rounds.

Nearest airport: Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (approx. 40 miles)

2. H10 Costa Adeje Palace, Tenerife

Located on the seafront, within 15 minutes of four golf courses, this resort occupies an idyllic part of Tenerife. There’s also a great line-up of bars and restaurants here to enjoy between rounds.

The resort’s all-inclusive packages include golf options at all its nearby courses.

Nearest airport: Tenerife Sur Reina Sofia Airport (approx. 13 miles)

3. Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort, Mexico

Mexico might not be the first country you think of when it comes to the best golf holidays or destinations, but to describe the Moon Palace resort as luxurious would be an understatement.

Situated on the gorgeous Cancun beachfront, the resort is home to a 27-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course. There are also various other golf courses dotted around the local area, perhaps most notably El Camaleón, currently a LIV Golf venue—the first of its kind in Latin America.

Nearest airport: Cancun International Airport (approx. 7 miles)

4. Lighthouse Golf & Spa Resort, Bulgaria

With its unique collection of courses, Bulgaria is fast becoming one of Europe’s best golf holidays. Not only does the Lighthouse Golf & Spa Resort have its own course, but it’s also only a short drive from Thracian Cliffs and Black Sea Rama Golf—two more courses offering a great experience.

The Lighthouse Resort offers packages with unlimited golf rounds.

Nearest airport: Varna International Airport (approx. 40 miles)

5. Barceló Bavaro Beach, Dominican Republic

This Caribbean hotel resort has placed the majority of its rooms facing the beachfront, so it’s the ideal place for sitting back and admiring the view.

It’s not a bad place for a golf holiday, either. The Lakes Barceló course, in particular, is one of the more recent additions to the Dominican Republic’s growing golf offering. You’ll find 25 inland lakes and 122 sand traps on this course!

Nearest airport: Punta Cana International Airport (approx. 13 miles)

6. Pestana Delfim Hotel, Portugal

The Algarve is renowned for its golfing experience—there’s no denying that Portugal is one of Europe’s best golf holidays.

This four-star hotel is located conveniently near several golf courses and one of the best beaches in the Algarve—Praia dos Três Irmãos. It’s also close to the beautiful town of Alvor, so there’s plenty to do both in and around the resort.

Nearest airport: Faro Airport (approx. 50 miles)

7. Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort, Morocco

This unique Moroccan resort has so much to offer. From fine dining, a nightclub and even a casino, you’ve got everything and more at your fingertips here.

When you book a stay at this all-inclusive resort, you can select an unlimited golf package for the Mazagan Golf Course, where you can play right next to the beachfront and soak in the views.

Nearest airport: Casablanca Airport (approx. 65 miles)

8. Sirene Golf Resort, Turkey

Sirene Golf Resort in Turkey has two of its own courses and is located close to the National Course. If you book a stay here, you’ll be able to get free transfers over to the National Course, so there’ll be plenty of opportunities to practice your golf.

Nearest airport: Antalya Airport (approx. 14 miles)

9. Marconfort Griego Hotel, Spain

This four-star hotel resort is one of only a handful of all-inclusive destinations in the Torremolinos area of the Costa del Sol.

With several golf courses dotted around the area and rounds included in the resort’s package options, it’s definitely a spot worth considering if golf holidays are your thing. Of course, you’ll also be very close to the beach so you can unwind after playing.

Nearest airport: Málaga Airport (approx. 5 miles)

10. Aphrodite Hills Hotel, Cyprus

Set in the Cyprus countryside overlooking the Mediterranean Coast, this stunning resort has plenty to offer people looking for that ideal summer getaway.

Located near the PGA National Cyprus, this resort should be on the bucket list of any keen golfer.

Nearest airport: Paphos Airport (approx. 7 miles)

Posted June 14th, 2023 by TheGolfersClub & filed under Golf Tips.

There are many different formats of golf to make the game more interesting and varied. Greensomes golf is one of them.

Greensomes is a variation of Foursomes (where alternate shots are played from the tee), where both players tee off, and then one of the two tee shots is chosen. From there, the player whose ball was NOT selected then plays the next shot, and each shot thereafter is played as alternate shots.

So, put simply, it is played as Foursomes after the tee shots. You can play under any scoring format, such as stroke play, match play or Stableford.

The hardest part, however, is working out the handicaps. After that, Greensomes is a very straightforward, fun, and tactical game.

Greensomes: How to work out handicaps

It’s recommended that the handicaps should be 0.6 of the lower player’s handicap and 0.4 of the higher player’s. If both handicaps are the same, simply halve the combined total.

For example:

Team 1: (0.6×6) and (0.4 x10) = 3.6 + 4 = 7.6
Team 2: (0.6×12) and (0.4×16) = 7.2 + 6.4 = 13.6

The difference is exactly six shots, so six shots are given. If the difference were 6.4, though, you would round it down to the lower number.

If you’re playing a Stableford or Medal, use the same calculation to work out your Handicap Index as a pairing. Some competitions might insist on each player hitting a certain amount of drives, so bear this in mind, as you don’t want to be left with one player having to hit a good one up the last.

Other names and versions of Greensomes

Different clubs and countries have different ways of describing versions of the game. For example, you may see Greensomes referred to as things like Scotch Foursomes, Canadian Foursomes, or even Foursomes with Select Drive.

According to the R&A, there are several variations for how to play Greensomes. Pinehurst Foursomes is where both players tee off, switch balls for the second shots, and then play alternate shots with the preferred ball.

A Chinese or St Andrews Greensomes is another variation where, before the start of the round, you decide on who plays the second shot on the odd holes and who plays the second shot on the evens. So, both players drive, but you know who’ll be playing next. From there, you then revert to playing alternate shots.

Greensomes tactics

If you get a choice of partner, pick one who complements your game. Some high handicappers can be great off the tee, and they would be an ideal partner—getting the ball in play and giving the team some shots—or you might have a low handicapper who can leave much shorter approach shots in.

You have to gel and get on as you’re playing one another’s ball. You never want to be saying sorry after a shot or feel under any undue pressure. This will inevitably happen as it’s golf, but find a partner with a similar personality to keep you both ticking along.

As for the ball itself, it might be a good idea to play the same ball as long as neither of you has too strong a preference.

You’ll both be hitting drives, so if one of you is wild off the tee, make sure that the other will be able to put the ball in play. Greensomes is genuinely fun, so there will be the option of both of you trying to take on a short par-4 off the tee, but you still need to play the hole.

It’s also best to decide your order before playing—play to whatever suits you as a pairing. It might be that the steadier player tees off first and frees up the longer, more erratic driver of the ball. Or vice versa. There’s a strong school of thought to get both balls in play and then pick the best line in should you both find the short stuff.

It’s slightly misunderstood that Greensomes suits low scoring, but after the tee shots, you’re playing Foursomes, which is considered one of the trickiest formats to score well at. One of you might be a strong iron player, so lean on this as a pairing. If you’re 20 yards apart and the better player has a similar shot in, then, depending on how you’re playing, you might want them to play the approach.

Similarly, think of who the best chippers are on the team and think who might give you the best chance to get up and down should you miss the green.

If it’s a par-3, for example, and you’ve both hit the green, then, again, think about who will give you the best chance of making a par (or birdie). If one of you is a brilliant long putter (or a terrible short putter), try and play to the team’s strengths.

Golf is not a game of perfect, and Greensomes certainly isn’t either. You’ll find yourselves in some odd spots with some strange decisions to make. At times, you’ll get into a lovely rhythm where everyone is playing to their strengths, the game will feel easy, and the points and holes will be flying in—then, at other times, it will feel like you might not even score another point.

If you haven’t played Greensomes before, it’s well worth trying, as it’s a great way to stimulate your golfing brain and engender some team spirit.

Posted June 14th, 2023 by TheGolfersClub & filed under Blog.

The article below was written by Steve Carroll of National Club Golfer.

Alwoodley: 6am. The first players haven’t even teed off in the second round of the English Senior Men’s Amateur Championship but Toby Thorne is already looking ahead.

England Golf’s deputy championship director is plotting round the venerable layout performing a vital part of tournament administration: golf course set up, checking, and planning.

It’s an exercise in beating the clock – a set of tasks that must be performed with precision – and judging where the field will be as he traverses the 1st to the 18th. If he gets it right, the competitors will barely see it happen.

It’s importance, though, can’t be understated. He’s doing two things: inspecting the tees and pins for that day’s play and making sure they are in the right places, and then setting new flag spots for the pivotal final day.

You might think the former is merely a rubber-stamping exercise but it’s anything but.

With 288 players playing a round each at Alwoodley and Pannal, the test that every player needs to face should be comparable. A player turning out at Alwoodley on day two shouldn’t be playing a course 100 yards longer than those who did on day one.

They shouldn’t be hitting into flags that are in a completely different spot. The greenkeepers have had their instructions – and they carry out their maintenance work diligently – but nothing is left to chance.

And so Thorne checks every tee. Are the markers where they were planned? Has anyone moved them? Are they adequately spaced? Can a player, whether they are left or right-handed, play from each extreme of the markers – even if that means them standing outside of the teeing area?

He will check every hole, pacing out the distances (for example, 27 on, eight left) to ensure they are where he asked they should be.

Those numbers have already gone out to the players the night before in their round information, so they must be accurate.

Then the forecasting begins. By Thursday, Thorne had been on site for nearly a week. Long before the players even thought about putting their clubs in the boot, he was scouting Alwoodley – carrying out set-up and course marking duties and thinking ahead about where holes might go on each day of play.

At that stage, they were just thoughts. Weather forecasts, wind, and all manner of conditions nature can throw at you means it’s wise not to get fixated.

But now – still 24 hours before the final day’s players will take to the course – he’s looking to put down more concrete plans for the round where the trophy will be on the line.

It is not simply a case of wandering onto a green, sticking a finger into the air, and picking a spot. He’s looking at green positions. If the flags have been in more forward places over the first two days, he might look more to the rear of a green this time around. If they’ve been central, this time he may consider moving more towards the left or right side of the green.

Slope is hugely important. Break is fine, but he’s looking for the hole itself to be in a relatively flat spot. As a guide, he’s gauging no more than two per cent gradient.

Using a paint can as the hole, he then checks how that position will play. He rolls putts, and runs balls, from all around the proposed cup to see how they react.

He looks around the area where that hole will be. How does the green look? Is there a congregation of pitch marks, or irregularities, that might hinder a player’s putt? Are there any old hole plugs in the area that could prove a distraction? If what he sees is not to his liking, he will think again.

All the while, he’s checking where players are as the day’s play continues – always making sure he’s several holes ahead of competitors.

It takes as much as three hours to complete and it is a behind-the-scenes job you may never have thought about if you’ve never played, or watched, a top-class competition. But the reason is that Thorne, and his England Golf colleagues at the governing body’s events across the country, make sure it’s that way.

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