In the second instalment of our series on taming the Middle East’s toughest holes, Claude Harmon 3 Performance Golf Academy Director of Instruction Jamie McConnell tackles the water-hugged 15th at The Els Club Dubai

There’s irrefutable statistical proof but it’s not just the numbers that make the 15th the most difficult hole at The Els Club. It is also the most visually intimidating hole on Ernie Els’ Dubai gem and that often throws amateurs off their strategy as soon as they arrive on the tee. Indeed, it’s often the intimidation factor that results in all those scorecard blowouts and broken hearts.

The key to conquering the 15th is the tee shot. Finding dry land is the first step and for most amateurs, the odds of achieving this can be significantly increased by choosing the correct line from the tee. For most, the instinct is to take the “Tiger Line” between the bunkers and the water. Yet by taking this line you significantly narrow your “Safe Miss Zone” and instantly increase the odds of taking a water-infused penalty. To make matters worse your next shot will be from an even worse position, most likely a nasty lie in the sand.

Higher skilled, lower handicappers will be able to take a line tight to the right edge of the traps and allow the ball to simply slide right towards the fairway. This maximises the margin for error and almost completely removes the chances of taking a penalty.

Map illustration by 3deagleview.com

For higher handicappers, a more conservative strategy is the key. The prudent line is directly at the centre of the two bunkers on the far corner of the dogleg. There is nothing fancy needed here as this line affords the widest possible landing area while also reducing the risk of hitting the ball in the water and suffering a penalty. The worst-case scenario is a second shot played from one of the bunkers, followed by a wedge or a short iron in. This still means you take any potential for big numbers off the card. And remember, you get a shot or two here anyway depending on your handicap. Use them wisely!

Once your tee shot finds the fairway – or pretty much anywhere other than the water – the approach to the green becomes much easier to handle.

At first glance, the 15th green looks like a difficult surface to hit but it is actually an exceptionally clever design. When you look at it in more detail, the key to figuring out the approach is to look at the shape of the green. Essentially the green plays in a figure of eight: wide at the front, slender in the middle and wide at the back. This means that the pin has a huge influence on how you need to approach the green.

For a front pin, the best miss is certainly short left, while for a back flag ensuring that you have enough club almost completely takes the water out of play. Favouring these areas will mean that you either have a great look at birdie, or an easy up and down to save par. Remember, don’t allow that intimidating tee shot to knock your before you even tee off. Stick to a strategy consummate with your handicap and reap the rewards. Good luck! — with Kent Gray

BE AT 1 SERIES:
Tame ‘Sea View’, stroke index 1 at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
Tame the 5th, stroke index 1, at Tower Links Golf Club
Tame the 15th, stroke index 1, at Yas Links Abu Dhabi
Tame the 7th, stroke index 1, at Dubai Hills Golf Club
Tame the 12th, stroke index 1, at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club
Tame the 13th, stroke index 1, at Al Zorah Golf Club
Tame the 10th, stroke index 1, at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club
Tame the 5th, stroke index 1, at Abu Dhabi Golf Club

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The Middle East’s 18 favourite holes
The Middle East’s best par 3s
Top 10 Golf Courses in the Middle East: The Class of 2020

The post BE AT 1: Tame the 15th, stroke index 1, at The Els Club Dubai appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

In the final of his interconnected series of videos, McConnell works on an impact drill. Check it out and be sure to scroll down to follow the series from the beginning.

Riggs shows you how to avoid a common problem for amateurs, early extension, in the latest of his easy to follow tips.

Don’t forget to scroll down and check all the contributions to our #PLAYINGTHROUGH series. We want to take this opportunity to thank all the pros involved for the collection of tips and drills that will remain an invaluable resource to help keep your game sharp even now we can return to the region’s top courses and practice ranges.

ALEX RIGGS – PXG Middle East Ambassador

Pivot Checkpoints with ALEX RIGGS (PXG Middle East Ambassador)

Groove your putting stroke with ALEX RIGGS

Transition with ALEX RIGGS 

Swing Sequencing with ALEX RIGGS

Putting with ALEX RIGGS

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Ben Cannon- The Track, Meydan Golf 

Shoulder turn with BEN CANNON (The Track, Meydan Golf)

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Pitching drill with MIKE KINLOCH (Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club)

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Claudine Foong-Riggs – PXG Middle East Ambassador

Stretching with CLAUDINE FOONG-RIGGS (PXG Middle East Ambassador)

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JAMIE MCCONNELL – Claude Harmon 3 Performance Golf Academy Director of Instruction

Drill No.1: Sort your posture problems with JAMIE MCCONNELL

Drill No.2: Solid Takeaway with JAMIE MCCONNELL

Drill No.3: Controlling your backswing with JAMIE McCONNELL

Drill No. 4: Tempo with JAMIE McCONNELL

Drill No.5: Impact with JAMIE McCONNELL

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IAN BRENNAN – The Track, Meydan Golf

Slicer? Check these takeaway tips with IAN BRENNAN (The Track, Meydan Golf)

Clean up with this drill from IAN BRENNAN

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(Original post): These are extraordinary times with the majority of courses across the Middle East closed as golf plays its role in the global fight to combat the spread of COVID-19.

The problem is our passion for the royal and ancient game knows no bounds even if heading outside our homes is out of bounds for all but essential services. Which led to this, our #PLAYINGTHROUGH series of tips and tricks that you can practice within the safe confines of your apartment or villa.

Golf Digest Middle East has enlisted the expertise of the region’s best professionals to share their best, bite-sized tips from their own living rooms and backyards to help you, our loyal readers, keep your game in shape for when golf returns. And it will, if we all play our part in ridding the world of this invisible adversary by staying within our family bubbles.

You may even find your game improves post the coronavirus pandemic if you work on the drills and tips we intend sharing throughout the lockdown period. Better still, the tips are timeless; even when things get back to the new normal, you’ll find these videos useful to return to.

Without further ado, welcome The Track Meydan Golf’s Ian Brennan, PXG Middle East Ambassador Alex Riggs and Claude Harmon 3 Performance Golf Academy Director of Instruction Jamie McConnell into your home for the first #PLAYINGTHROUGH videos.

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Clean up with this drill from IAN BRENNAN

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Swing Sequencing with ALEX RIGGS

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Sort your posture problems with JAMIE MCCONNELL

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Do us, and the pros who have given their time (more to come in the next days and weeks), a favour by liking and sharing this post and your favourite individual drills/tips with a @golfdigestme tag on your favourite social media channel. We’ll update it daily so make sure to check back for more great tips. Together, we will get through this. And take advantage of the downtime to work on our games.

Happy home golfing!

By the way, make sure to check out the awesome homemade putting/chipping green idea below from former Al Zorah Golf Club Professional, multiple UAE PGA Tour title winner and now South African-based Sunshine Tour player Stefan Wears-Taylor. Genius.

STEFAN WEARS-TAYLOR

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Spent a bit of time with my Polystyrene Green today. Starting to enjoy the challenge! ? ? ?? #lockdown #stayhome #staysafe

A post shared by Stefan Wears-Taylor (@stefwt1) on Apr 6, 2020 at 8:09am PDT

The post Tips and drills to improve your game from home appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Nobody in my entire family played or even plays now. Friends of mine were going to play at a local pitch and putt club when I was about nine and I tagged along. Fell in love with it straight away and when a driving range opened up beside my grandmother she encouraged me to go down. From then she gave me just about every opportunity to play from giving me lifts here there and everywhere to helping me enter tournaments.

I spent most of my time at Navan Golf Club and joined Royal Tara later in my junior years. Navan was always my home though as it was right next to my grandmothers, I practically lived there for 10 years!

I got to scratch handicap and hovered around that for a year or two, never broke far into the + figures though.

I turned pro when I was 18 and went to Euro pro qualifying with a good friend of mine, Emmet Staunton. It was a shock to the system, to say the least but I played on mini-tours, EuroPro and Jamega, for about two years before I realised there were just too many guys out there that were playing to a much higher standard than me.

After that, I went through the PGA system back home, began running pro shops and golf clubs at a very young age. I quickly realised that If I couldn’t play for a living myself the next best thing was to help someone else get better and even play for a living, that’s where the infatuation with coaching began.

I love Dubai. I moved out five years ago and the attraction was simply to work at one of the best golf schools in the world. Having received coaching from Butch when I was about 15, his three schools were always the ones that I wanted to work in and figure out why the Harmon family were so good at what they do. Luckily I had a few things fall into place and when JP [former Butch Harmon School of Golf DOI Justin Parsons] asked me if I would like to come over there was no hesitation, it was an immediate yes.

Becoming Director of Instruction is a real honour. Taking over from Justin first of all, he has been such a mentor to me since I arrived and to be the one that tries to fill his very large shoes is a huge task, but one I am extremely humbled to accept. Secondly being the first DOI at the new Claude Harmon 3 Performance Golf Acadamy is extremely exciting. Claude has been another huge influence on my coaching career and someone I am lucky enough to also call a great friend. We have some big plans for the school going forward so there should be some exciting times ahead.

Justin Parson’s passion and drive was infectious from the word go. He was determined to be the best coach he possibly could and it was hard not to have that rub off on you. That is exactly why he is now, in my mind, one of the best coaches in the world. His players are also backing that up with some big results and it wouldn’t surprise me if later on this year at some point you will see JP and one of his guys with a major trophy in hand.

Toby Bishop was my very first lesson when I arrived in Dubai and even from a young age, he showed promise. Since then both he and his parents committed to a plan and have stuck to it for five years. As with all golfers we have had highs and lows but he is probably one of the most consistent improvers I have seen and he always surprises me with what he is capable of. He has always been a pleasure to teach and is a credit to his parents Mark and Kristen. Having their full support is always a big help and when you see the great bunch of talented guys that he is constantly around, it’s a big help for his development.

I think you could sum up my coaching philosophy with “do whatever is necessary to make them better”. As coaches, we often jump to a technical change which at times can be extremely important. However, I think what the Harmons, JP included, have mastered over the years is being able to quickly identify what each player needs and when. That could be anything from a technical change to an improvement in their movement or sometimes even something as simple as lending an ear and letting them vent to you about things away from the course. I feel that’s what truly makes a great coach over a teacher, anyone can learn the positions but knowing how and when to apply it is far more important.

I think if I could tell amateurs one thing it would be stick to the plan. I think most people expect each lesson to be a new theme, whereas more often than not, themes on swing changes could last months. If they want consistency they need to be consistent about what they work on rather than taking a number of tips from various different sources.

Claude has been fantastic to me over the years and has given me some great opportunities to watch and help him with some of his players. Every year since I have been here he has spent time with the instructors. He had originally set up the school 10 years ago with Justin so it’s a very natural progression for him to take it on and make it his own. It’s been particularly exciting over the last few weeks seeing the place get a spruce up, some new images and new equipment as he comes in to take over.

Jordan Spieth always comes to mind as a star we could all learn from simply because of how smart he is when playing the game. I think if most golfers played as smart as Jordan does they would instantly save shots on the golf course. His course management tends to be great and he really gets the most out if his game rather than trying to be someone else.

Tiger will always be a favourite deep down. Even at the Ryder cup despite him struggling it was his group that always seemed to have a buzz around it. Of the more recent players, I would say Brooks and DJ with their “all in, go for broke” attitude. I think it brings a huge amount of excitement to the sport and can only be good for the game.

I think had you asked me two years ago when he could only complete the first round of the Desert Classic, I would have said no, Tiger won’t win another major. But after seeing him get back into the top 20 in the world this year and then winning the Tour Championships, I think I would be a silly man to bet against him.

The post Meet new Claude Harmon 3 Performance Golf Academy DOI Jamie McConnell appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
One of Middle East golf’s better kept secrets is finally out with the Butch Harmon School of Golf at The Els Club Dubai set for a significant rebrand. But fans of the world renowned Harmon method of instruction needn’t fret.

From January 1, the academy will be overseen by Butch’s son Claude Harmon III and be known as the Claude Harmon ③ Performance Golf Academy Dubai.

The shake-up follows the departure of U.S.-bound Justin Parsons after he initially helped Claude open the BHSG Dubai 10 years ago. Parsons has been replaced as Director of Instruction by his deputy Jamie McConnell while Claude Harmon will spend at least a week at The Els Club annually hosting member only events, VIP clinics, Q&A’s and tournaments as well as working with his team of instructors.

Claude and Butch Harmon with Justin Parsons at The Open.

It’s a coup in a region that already boasts the Peter Cowen academies at Emirates Golf Club and Dubai Golf sister property Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club and the recently opened David Leadbetter academy at JA The Resort, more commonly known as Jebel Ali.

Claude Harmon, who was based in Dubai for several years before he made a move back to his native USA, has long since stepped out of the shadow of his famous pop with Dustin Johnson,  Brooks Koepka and Rickie Fowler among his stable of star players.

Jamie McConnell has succeeded Justin Parsons as Director of Instruction at the newly Claude Harmon academy.

McConnell has been mentored by Parsons during his near five years in Dubai and has already succeeded Parsons who starts a new role at prestigious Sea Island Golf Club on St. Simons Island in Georgia in February.

Irishman McConnell is an AA PGA and TPI Level 2 professional and has helped the BHSG Dubai become a production line for top amateurs, along with a beacon for touring professionals. Toby Bishop, who just won the Faldo Series European Grand Final, was McConnell’s very first lesson when he joined the BHSC in 2013. 

An artists impression of the new leisure facilities at The Els Club Dubai.

Meanwhile, work on a new state-of-the-art leisure facility will begin at The Els Club Dubai, early next year. The Troon International managed facility is set to benefit from a gymnasium, large resort-style swimming pool, a swim-up pool bar, a children’s play area and an additional restaurant. It is hoped it will be operational by September 2019.

“We could not be more excited about this incredible development to our club and cannot wait for the changes to be made and for golfers to enjoy next year,” said Els Club general manager Karl Whitehead.

“This is a fantastic addition to the membership offering at The Els Club Dubai and we are confident of the success that it will bring to our property and the wider community.”

Mark Chapleski, the Dubai-based president of Troon International, applauded the developments at The Els Club Dubai.

“The Troon properties in the Middle East are of exceptional quality and we are delighted to be working alongside one of the region’s leading clubs on this expansion,” Chapleski said.

“It is a progressive move and one we wholeheartedly support. We are also delighted for Jamie, who has been exceptional over several years already. I’m confident he, and the new Claude Harmon ③ Performance Golf Academy Dubai, will thrive at The Els Club Dubai.”

The post From Butch to Claude III; The Els Club Dubai remains a Harmon haven for improvement hungry golfers appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
Al Ain might be the home of the Faldo Series’ Middle East Championship but you can bet there will be a gaggle of proud Jumeirah Golf Estates members following Thursday’s final round action 150km away in Dubai, not to mention three very interested Butch Harmon School of Golf instructors in nearby Dubai Sports City.

That’s because JGE clubmates Josh Hill, Arjun Gupta and Toby Bishop are locked in a fascinating battle for not only the U-16 title but the overall crown at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club in the first event of the 22nd season of Sir Nick Faldo’s global junior series.

A day after shooting 69 on his 14th birthday, +3 handicapper Hill signed for a best of the week 65 Wednesday to move to -6 for the championship. The Englishman will take a two-stroke advantage into the final round over Bishop (Wales) and Gupta (India) who fired 66s in the second round of the 54-hole event.

Hill plays one of his 65 strokes at AESGC in the second round.

Denmark’s Mikkel Mathieson, the overnight co-leader with Hill, is fourth on even par after a one-over 71 but leads the U-18 division by four strokes over Italian Sasha Sparacino.

Hill’s prowess has come to the fore in recent weeks after his Emirates Golf Federation Open men’s heroics at Trump International Golf Club Dubai and a runner-up finish at the Faldo Series Asian Grand Final in Vietnam.

Related: Josh Hill, just 13, fires Trump course record en-route to third successive EGF title

Gupta, playing off a +1 handicap, is another rising star. In fact, he was part of the “Constellation Clinic” during January’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic where he received a lesson (and a shiny new set of TaylorMade clubs) from Rory McIlroy and rubbed shoulders with boy band golfer Niall Horan and golf’s social media queen Paige Spiranac.

Related: 7 takeaways from the Desert Swing

Getty Images
Rory McIlroy watches Gupta during the Constellation Clinic.

Gupta is coached by Justin Parsons. The Butch Harmon School of Golf Director of Golf, currently in Texas working with PGA Tour rookie Peter Uihlein at the Houston Open, speaks highly of the young Indian lad, indeed all three front-runners; Bishop (+ 0.9 handicap) and Hill are coached by Parson’s BHSG Dubai colleagues Jamie McConnell and Joe Marshall respectively.

“We’ve worked with young Arjan at the golf school for three or four years now, an incredibly talented young player,” said Parsons.

Arjun Gupta’s sister Natalii is in contention in the under-16 girls division. Some family!

“He works at the golf school most days. I’ve been personally working with him coming up two years now and he shows an awful lot of promise and potential. We’ve got a great crop there with obviously Josh Hill, Spencer Goodin and young Toby Bishop. There’s Krishiv Tekchandani too who is one of the lads in our high school programme. We’re excited about all those young lads.”

Toby Bishop

Elsewhere, a second round 73 sees India’s Arkesh Bhatia lead the U-21 men’s division with a +7 aggregate, three shots clear of UAE national team player Abdullah Al Qubaisi who slipped with a Wednesday 76.

A single shot separates England’s Billie-Jo Smit (74-73) and Kenyan Kellie Gachaga (74-74) in the U-21 girls championship while South Korean Hyeonji Kang (73-73) takes a three shot buffer into the final round of the U-16 girls division over Natalii Gupta (76-74), Arjun’s sister.

The post JGE teen trio Hill, Gupta and Bishop set up epic Faldo Series finale at Al Ain appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.