Hay fever is one of the most common allergies for golfers, with debilitating symptoms such as streaming eyes, sneezing, a runny, stuffed up nose and itching around the face. Thankfully, there are many ways golfers can reduce, prevent or combat the effects and symptoms of hay fever. As with many allergies, prevention can be better than cure. If pollen doesn’t get into your system, it can’t cause a reaction.

Try to time your round so it’s not when pollen counts are highest during the peak morning and evening periods. Pollen is released early in the morning then travels upwards as the air warms up. In the evening, as the air cools, it moves back down again and the pollen grains reach nose height. Symptoms are usually worst at these times, so avoid going outdoors then.

Try to keep in the middle of the fairway so you are as far away from any trees as possible!

Apply an organic drug-free allergen barrier balm, such as HayMax (www.haymax.biz), around the rim of the nostrils and bones of the eyes before you start your round. Independent studies have shown that HayMax traps over a third of the pollen before it gets into the body. As HayMax is drug-free with no drowsy side-effects, it won’t adversely affect your performance.

Wear a cap or hat and tie up long hair to prevent pollen being trapped in it. Wraparound sunglasses will help protect your eyes from pollen.

Change your clothes when you return home and wash your face or take a shower to wash away allergens so that they can’t cause a reaction.

Dry your clothes indoors rather than on an outdoor clothes line to stop pollen being blown onto them by the outside wind.

A healthy diet can also help with hay fever. Eating healthily helps to keep our respiratory system strong. Some foods such as ginger or fresh basil, ease blocked nasal passages, helping us to breathe more easily, whilst others such as spinach and almonds contain nutrients that can help boost our immune systems and help our bodies fight sinus and respiratory infections, which are linked to allergies and hay fever.

The post How to Enjoy Golf Despite Spring Hay Fever appeared first on Golf North.

Pre-Qualifying will be played across 18 holes at The Buckinghamshire in Denham on Monday, 11 July.

Final Qualifying will take place on Monday, 1 August at North Berwick, where after 18 holes a minimum of three golfers will earn a place in the AIG Women’s Open being played from 4-7 August.

The Buckinghamshire, which was designed by Ryder Cup Captain John Jacobs, is home to the Ladies’ European Tour and has previously hosted professional championships, including the Andersen Consulting World Championship of Golf won by Greg Norman in 1997 and Colin Montgomerie a year later. More recently it hosted Open Regional Qualifying from 2011 to 2015, the ISPS Handa Ladies European Masters on four occasions and two Rose Ladies Series events.

North Berwick has staged Final Qualifying for The Open on six occasions. It was also host of The Women’s Amateur Championship in 2008, which was won by reigning AIG Women’s Open champion Anna Nordqvist and held The Amateur Championship with Muirfield in 2010 when Jin Jeong of South Korea won the title.

Zoe Ridgway, Championship Director – AIG Women’s Open at The R&A said, “The Buckinghamshire and North Berwick are outstanding championship venues and will present a tough, but fair challenge to the players aiming to qualify for the 2022 AIG Women’s Open. We would like to thank the venues for their support and look forward to seeing which golfers emerge from qualifying to take their place at Muirfield.”

The AIG Women’s Open will take place from 4 – 7 August 2022 at Muirfield, with tickets now on sale via www.aigwomensopen.com. The Championship will follow government guidance in relation to spectator attendance.

Adult tickets will start from £30 with children aged under 16 years old admitted free of charge. Spectators aged 16-24 years old will be entitled to purchase youth tickets starting from £15. A £5 Mastercard discount is available once per person.

Hospitality options are now on sale with further information available at www.aigwomensopen.com/championsclub.

The AIG Women’s Open is proudly supported by VisitScotland.

For further information on the AIG Women’s Open or to purchase tickets, please visit www.aigwomensopen.com.

The post AIG WOMEN’S OPEN QUALIFYING VENUES CONFIRMED appeared first on Golf North.

The work is the latest step by the governing bodies to make the Rules easier to understand and apply and follows the modernisation process of the Rules of Golf in 2019.  The new Rules were informed by golfer and golf industry feedback as part of a comprehensive review, to ensure they continue to reflect how the modern game is played by millions of golfers around the world.

This review, along with global feedback received when the proposals were publicly shared earlier this year, reaffirmed amateur golf’s important position in the game and the value in maintaining amateur status Rules.

The result is a set of Rules that removes many of the restrictions that previously applied to amateur golfers, while ensuring that the integrity of the game is protected by limiting the form and value of the prizes an amateur golfer can accept.

As part of the modernisation effort, the new Rules identify only the following acts that will result in a golfer losing their amateur status:

• Accepting a prize with a value exceeding the prize limit (£700/$1000) or accepting prize money in a handicap competition.
• Playing as a professional.
• Accepting payment for giving instruction (although all current exceptions still apply, such as coaching at educational institutions and assisting with approved programmes).
• Accepting employment as a golf club professional or membership of an association of professional golfers.

To achieve this simplified approach, the following key changes have been introduced:

• Distinguishing between scratch and handicap competitions in terms of the prizes that may be accepted.
• The prize rule applies only to tee-to-hole competitions played on a golf course or a simulator but no longer apply to long-drive, putting and skills competitions that are not played as part of a tee-to-hole competition.
• Eliminating all advertising, expense-related and sponsorship restrictions.

The new opportunities provided by lifting sponsorship restrictions and the ability to accept prize money up to the increased limit of £700 or $1000 in scratch-only competitions will be of significant benefit to elite amateur golfers looking for ways to fund golf-related expenses.

Grant Moir, Director of Rules at The R&A, said, “We are delighted to be rolling out the modernised Rules of Amateur Status today. These Rules play an important role in protecting the integrity of our self-regulating sport but the code must evolve to meet the needs of the modern game. This is particularly important for modern elite amateur golf, where many of the players need financial support to compete and develop to their full potential. The new Rules give them this opportunity and will help to make the game even more inclusive.”

“Golf is unique in its broad appeal to both recreational and competitive golfers,” said Craig Winter, USGA Senior Director, Rules of Golf and Amateur Status. “This was emphasised in the feedback we received earlier this year and we believe these updates will help simplify these Rules and ensure the long-term health of the amateur game not only to those who compete at the highest level of amateur golf but for the millions of golfers at every age and skill level who enjoy competitive events at their home courses.”

The new Rules are accompanied by guidance notes, an overview document and explanations that detail the rationale for why changes have been made and, in some instances, why they have stayed the same. These materials can be found at www.RandA.org and www.usga.org.

The post Golf’s Modernised Rules Of Amateur Status Published appeared first on Golf North.

The R&A Scholars Education Day provides the chance for scholars to learn from industry leaders, and network with others also undertaking professional turf management qualifications.

Organised by Wendy Cole, Sustainability Manager of the R&A, the seminar consisted of crucial topics for course management, including sustainable development, integrated turf management, ecology and

water management, and tips for working alongside the wider course administration team.

We also welcomed Jim Croxton, CEO BIGGA; James Hutchinson, Sustainability Executive, BIGGA; Alistair Beggs, Head of Agronomy, R&A. Following the speaker presentations in the Egerton Suite, the group enjoyed a delicious lunch and round of golf to finish on our impeccably presented course.

In attendance was Knutsford Golf Club’s Course Manager, David Jones, who was selected to receive a place on the prestigious R&A Scholarship scheme in 2014 and completed his HNC in Golf Course Management in 2017. The scheme supports 411 scholars in 37 countries, who must go through a rigorous selection process in order to prove their commitment to continued professional development.

The Club is dedicated to supporting its employees in their professional development, and counting our own Course Manager among this elite group of scholars, together with Deputy Course Manager, Neil Sidebotham, studying HNC Golf Course Management and Assistant Greenkeeper, Ben Lambert, studying NVQ Level 2 “Sports Turf”, ensures that Knutsford remains at the forefront of industry developments, and the course continues to be better, healthier and more sustainable.

 Knutsford Golf Club recently commissioned an Environmental Report, conducted by James Hutchinson of BIGGA, who was also speaking at the Scholars Education Day, providing insight on best practices to develop the ecological aspects of the course. Forward thinking ensures not only the members and visitors’ enjoyment of the Club, but the longevity and preservation of an environment which supports an abundance of wildlife.

Phil Smeathers, Knutsford Golf Club Chair of Greens, said:

“All of us at Knutsford Golf Club were thrilled to host the R&A Scholarship Day. Seeing this group of forward-thinking Course Managers getting together with experts from The R&A and BIGGA to hone their approaches to Course Ecology and Sustainability was inspiring for me and our members.”

“Our Course Manager, David Jones, is an R&A Scholar who is passionately engaged with developing our course to best in class ecological standards. It was great to see David and the delegates playing a few holes and seeing the many positive changes we are making. Thank you for your feedback and encouragement. We look forward to welcoming The R&A back to Knutsford, where you are guaranteed a warm reception.”

 David Jones, Course Manager at Knutsford Golf Club, said:

“It was a pleasure to welcome fellow Scholars and The R&A representatives to Knutsford to enjoy a day of learning and golf together.”

 The Knutsford Golf Club is a welcoming and friendly members club in the heart of Cheshire. With 130 years of heritage and unique positioning next to Tatton Park, the club is dedicated to developing a modern and progressive culture, enabling players of all abilities to enjoy the fantastic course.

More information can be found at www.knutsfordgolf.com and via our social media channels Facebook www.facebook.com/knutsfordgolf , Instagram www.instagram.com/knutsfordgolf and Twitter www.twitter.com/knutsfordgolf

The post A Day of Learning with The R&A Scholars at Knutsford Golf Club appeared first on Golf North.

 It has been designed and built in as sustainable a manner as possible, using materials already available within the Park and locally. This facility will help open up the game of golf to people of all ages and backgrounds, introducing a whole new generation to the sport, and above all, making it a fun and entertaining experience for families and friends.

Speaking of the announcement Padraig commented:

“I have always been in awe of the popularity of the Himalayas Putting Course in St. Andrews and wanted to be involved in providing something similar for the people of Ireland to allow them to experience golf in a fun and family focused setting.

 With this in mind, the Padraig Harrington Charitable Foundation, with the assistance of a golf development grant from The R&A to contribute towards the construction of the facility and also a grant from Golf Ireland, supported by Sport Ireland’s special projects scheme, will fund the design and construction of  a state of the art, undulating and unique putting course covering 3,000 square metres at Marlay Park, working in partnership with Turfgrass® and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

 My sincere thanks go to John Clarkin and his team at Turfgrass®, Anthony Bennett at Atlantic Golf Construction, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and it’s Parks team, all the contractors who have also offered their time and services for free or at preferential rates, as well as both The R&A and Golf Ireland for their generous grants.”

 An Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Cllr Lettie McCarthy said:

 “Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is dedicated to maintaining and developing the very best in publicly accessible sports and leisure facilities to the citizens of the county and is very proud of this new partnership with one of Irelands greatest sports stars. We very much look forward to its official opening in Spring 2022!”

The design and construction began in recent months, with the next step being to seed the putting green with a blend of grasses which are both indigenous and sustainable. The intention is to have an official opening in Spring of next year, depending on the growing conditions over the winter. Harrington, the Council and everyone involved in the inception and delivery of what will be a world class local facility very much look forward to bringing the game of golf in an accessible way to a new generation and a new audience.

For more information, please visit www.padraigharrington.com

The post dlr County Council tee off with Padraig Harrington appeared first on Golf North.

The latest development in the hugely successful BIOM^® HYBRID performance series, BIOM^® H4 allows golfers to walk more comfortably from tee to green, as well as experiencing advanced motion control throughout the swing.

A breakthrough in ECCO’s ever-evolving last technology, BIOM^® H4 features the new BIOM^® 2.0 last which offers a modern, updated look and feel combined with BIOM^®NATURAL MOTION^® Technology that enables the foot to move naturally, close to the ground, and forms like a second skin around the foot.

Powered by state-of-the-art motion technologies, the pioneering new ECCO MTN GRIP outsole includes three sections to provide the ideal blend of traction, stability, and rotational support, while ECCO FLUIDFORM^™ Direct Comfort Technology ensures a finely-tuned balance of cushioning and rebound to deliver dynamic comfort.

Wrapping around the foot from the outsole to the midsole, the T.PU element on the side of BIOM^® H4 enhances lateral stability while adding to the contemporary, premium design – with colour pops helping to create a vibrant aesthetic in certain styles.

The shoe’s uppers are crafted from premium, durable and thin ECCO performance leather, made in ECCO’s own tanneries, providing natural protection from wind and water. This is enhanced with 100% waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX technology that keeps feet dry and comfortable in all conditions.

The new BOA^® option comes in Black or White colourways for men; complementing the Black, White, Silver Grey and White/Concrete colourways available in the laced version of the shoe.

For women, BIOM^® H4 is available in three new colourways for Autumn/Winter 2021, with Ombre in the laced option, and Black or White/Silver Grey in the BOA^® Fit System. The design also comes in White, Limestone, and White/Silver Grey laced options.

BIOM^® H4 demonstrates ECCO GOLF’s dedication to innovation through a pioneering set of features and benefits, including:

• ECCO FLUIDFORM™ Direct Comfort Technology; a ‘state change’ process that uses specialised fluid materials to form around an anatomical last, ensuring a finely-tuned balance of cushioning and rebound, while also creating a flexible and durable bond without the compromises common with stitched or glued assemblies
• Natural motion, stability, and control with BIOM^® 2.0 technology that offers low-to-the-ground stability, anatomical support, and a glove-like fit
• The innovative new ECCO MTN GRIP outsole has three different sections for stability and traction, ground penetration, and rotational support throughout the swing
• The T.PU element wraps around the foot from the outsole to the midsole, providing stability while elevating the modern, premium design

Additional detailing includes:

• Reduced seam construction for lightweight flexibility
• X-TENSA INVISIBLE Technology links the sole unit’s T.PU blocks to the lacing system via internal enforcement for 360° stability and a freedom-fit.
• A removable, washable Ortholite^® foam inlay sole provides long-term cushioning and superior breathability, plus the option of extra width when removed.

ECCO GOLF shoes are worn in competition around the world by Henrik Stenson, Thomas Bjørn, Fred Couples, Erik van Rooyen, Lydia Ko, Minjee Lee and Caroline Masson, among others.

For further information about ECCO GOLF, please visit golf.ecco.com

The post ECCO GOLF INTRODUCES BIOM H4 BOA OPTION appeared first on Golf North.

Nestled in leafy parkland looking onto the Cairngorm mountains, Grantown has one superb 18-hole golf course, very different in style, character and golfing challenge which attracts many golfing societies due to its charm and playability factor. There is also a traditional Clubhouse offering hearty meals and tipples overlooking the first tee. Lewis Ware Head PGA Professional. Lewis provides a fully stocked PGA Professional Shop, custom fitting, repairs and a full coaching
service.

Visitors are always assured of a warm and friendly welcome at the Club.
Photography by Stewart Grant, Studio in the Square, Grantown-on-Spey
golf@grantownonspeygc.co.uk

The post Grantown-On-Spey Golf Club appeared first on Golf North.