Latest Great Golf Articles

Alex Norén - Swede success Like Northern Ireland, Sweden is a country that seems to punch well above the belt when producing great golfers. Alex Noren is the latest Scandinavian golfer to make his mark on the international scene, so what’s the secret to his success?… Early days Growing up in Haninge, a little south of Stockholm, golf was just something that Alex and his friends did to pass the time. Not suffering from the same stuffiness that seems prevalent in the UK, the clubs in Sweden are much more laidback and welcoming to the younger generation.     “The putting green was a natural kindergarden,” says Norén. “Being long and narrow it gave us enough creativity to try the craziest shots when having contests. The bet was always ice cream to the winner, and we played golf all day. Our parents had to bring food out onto the course because dinner wasn't our priority; lowering our handicap was. We kids played rounds together; sometimes we let our parents join in if there

WINNERS OF THE 100 GREATEST GOLF RESORTS 2017 In our extensive travels, Great Golf have visited many top golf resorts, some of exceptional standard, some not so exceptional. So, our aim is to applaud those that go that little bit further to make their guests feel welcome. The first of our yearly reports will give you advice from some people who have more experience that anyone, our journalists. And who got the final vote? You, the public. If you did not vote this time, make sure you do for 2018.           WELCOME  to the 100 Greatest Golf Resorts 2017. The 100 Greatest is made up of five sub-categories, each consisting of 20 Golf Resorts that are considered candidates for a particular field. The fields voted for over 2016 are; Top 20 Romantic, Top 20 Exotic, Top 20 Family Friendly Top 20 Golf & Spa Top 20 Gourmet. So, why have we decided to bring out the 100 Greatest? There are other “Top 100” lists after all. But you see, the thing is, they all concentrate only o

Great watches - Parmigiani Fleurier There are watchmakers and then there are practitioners of haute horlogerie. Angus Davies casts his eye on the time makers and explains what makes some watches stand out from the crowd… Few watchmakers can match the independence of Parmigiani Fleurier, a high-end Swiss brand capable of making virtually every component from A to Z.Car manufacturers don’t make cars, they assemble them. Companies such as Bosch supply electronic systems, Brembo produces brakes, Lear provides seating and ZF makes gearboxes. Likewise, watch manufacturers usually assemble parts procured from an array of firms, including ETA and Nivarox. However, there are a few practitioners of haute horlogerie which make virtually every component in-house.     Parmigiani Fleurier is a manufacturer of high-end mechanical wristwatches and clocks. It makes all components in-house, save for sapphire crystals (watch glass), rubies and Hermès watch straps. There are very few other watch bran

Tenerife Golf Property- Island living If you are looking to invest in a property in sunnier climes, with great golf and fine dining, then Abama on the island of Tenerife could be just what you’re looking for… Tenerife has long been a favourite with travellers looking to escape the long cold winters of Northern Europe and with over 3,000 hours of sun per year, and an average temperature of 21ºC, the 7-island archipelago is an ideal holiday destination. If you are looking to buy a property that would allow you to enjoy the game of golf all year round, then Tenerife is definitely worth considering. ABAMA RESORT.  Tucked away on the islands’ southwest coast lies a 400-acre exclusive luxury resort, which offers Michelin star dining and a wonderfully challenging golf course. Surrounded by over 300 species of subtropical plant life and with stunning ocean views, this resort has everything you could possibly want. There is a secluded beach, a sumptuous spa, Michelin-starred restauran

100 GREATEST GOLF RESORTS 2017 The winners of the Great Golf Magazine “100 Greatest Golf Resorts 2017” have been announced. The categories which have been compiled from all locations visited by the team of Great Golf Journalists, and voted for by Great Golf readers, represent for the very first time, a definitive grading of golf resorts throughout the world. There are a total of five categories covering various aspects that customers expect from a high-quality resort when taking a golf holiday. The result is five winners, one for each category. Says Colin Morrison, chairman of Great Golf Media. “Great Golf Magazine is the most qualified Media outlet to feature this. With an array of award winning journalists who are constantly in the field experiencing the locations and all they have to offer, plus a clientele of well-travelled readers with strong and valid opinions, this is a very important list indeed. This celebration of the best is not only a source of information t

Golf Photographer Evan Schiller shares some of his favourite golf course images... I’ve had a keen interest in photography since I was young kid, but my decision to play tournament golf in high school, college and as a professional did not leave me much time to pursue the more artistic side of my personality. That changed in 1986 during a round of golf at PGA WEST.  As I walked down the 9th fairway of the Stadium Course, taking in the desert landscape and the Santa Rosa Mountains, I decided it was time to start bringing a camera with me to tournaments. I captured photos of the courses I played and initially gave them away as gifts. Several years later, working as an assistant professional at Westchester Country Club, a friend encouraged me to sell some of my work in the pro shop. That was 25 years ago and marked the beginning of my golf course photography career.  It’s been an incredible journey that has taken me around the world. I truly enjoy the entire creative process; fro

With the azure blue Adriatic as a backdrop, mile upon mile of olive groves and a scenic countryside dotted with trulli houses, Puglia has all the charm of Italy paired with one of the country’s finest golf courses... In addition to golf, Formula 1 racing is one of my great interests. The speed that the racing drivers manoeuvre around race tracks is breathtaking. I mention Formula 1 because the sport involuntarily enters my mind during a speedy transfer from Bari airport to the small Apulia hotel where my husband and I are staying for a few days on a leisure and golf break. Never have I held my breath or kept my eyes squeezed shut as long as during that everlasting 40 minutes’ drive.     Within minutes of landing in Bari and having jumped into the hotel transfer mini-bus, I am convinced the driver can be no other than Lewis Hamilton in disguise. Yes, I do enjoy watching high-speed racing – but not actually participating in it. And no, I will never, ever get used to the way Italians d