Rory McIlroy's Golf Swing In Biz Hub Swing Vision Slow-Mo Style and What's In The Bag with Donal Hughes Irish Examiner

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Robert Karlsson's Golf Swing In Biz Hub Swing Vision Slow-Mo Style with Donal Hughes Irish Examiner

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What's In The Bag Padraig Harrington

Check out the weaponry that led Padraig to two majors in 2008.

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The SpinDoctor’s Guide to the Ultimate Golfing Christmas Present

My auntie was also a great woman for Christmas presents. Every November she would ring my mother and after some small talk about hummel figures and the benefits of royal jelly she would always enquire as to what the kids were into this year. “Get Donal anything to do with golf” was my mother’s stock response when it came to me. The presents would duly arrive and I would spend two weeks rattling the pack, mad keen to unveil the wondrous contents. Alas the anticipation always proved the most exciting part as the presents, which ranged from three pairs of Ping winter socks, to a sleeve of pink Molitor balls and a warped wooden three piece putter never quite matched the expectation.

I may be all grown up now and suffer from a debilitating bald patch but I’m still like a Clarkson with a Bugati when I see a golf shop or find a new golfing website. Here are my five top Christmas gift ideas from low to high price range for the discerning golfer. Mammy if your reading, any of the expensive ones will be fine!

Level 1: Cheap and Cheery

The Pitchmaster Divot Tool

Okay these things may seem on the face of it a stingy present, but trust me, they’re ten times better than the likes of a digital scorecard kit and they will be used. The Pitchmaster is the Ferrari of pitchmark repairers with a shed load of designs available. I don’t know how many times I have looked at these on the counter of the pro-shops but could never quite justify the €10 price tag, but they make an excellent stocking filler that no golfer will turn their nose up at.

Level 2: I Love You, but not that much

Head Covers

A couple of years back some of the world’s top pro’s endorsed a range of personalised head covers. For instance Tiger’s headcover is a lion and Sergio’s is a Spanish bull. These are probably the most popular but I like the Tim Clark penguin which is surprisingly lifelike and the Pat Perez “Double P” boxing glove which nicely sums up his, let’s say, questionable temperament. Look out also for the Shrek, Puss in Boots and Donkey headcovers which may be a better present for juniors. Widely available from about €20 in golf shops and online at http://www.onlinegolf.co.uk/.

Level 3: I’m willing to pay to get you out of the house!

Shag Bags

Are you old enough to remember Peter Shilton running out at Wembley with a little purse to hold his Sondico gloves? If you are, and still cant play golf, you could do with one of these. Despite the unfortunate name, nothing sets you apart from the other hackers on the range more than tipping 75 muddy top-flites out of a pristine “shag bag”. Cheaper nylon bags cost about €20 while the top of the range leather Titleist bag will set you back around €50.

Level 4: I want an eternity ring in return.

Sunglasses

Even though our Irish climate is best described as “slobbery”, the Sun has been known to appear for a few minutes around 8am on a Summer’s morning. Whether you choose to wear sunglasses on the course or prefer to let them lie backways on your hat like the pro’s, these things are all the rage. The most popular brands as found on the tours are Bolle and Oakley and range in price from about €70 to €160 or sometimes more depending on the style. Equally cool when worn behind the wheel of a car, this is one present that will be appreciated.

Level 5: You’re a diamond in the rough.

GolfGlider

The ultimate golfing present. Unlike Bernard Dunne, when it comes to electric caddies the Golf Glider is still the lightweight champion. While the rubbish trolley imposters you buy in DIY stores crash and burn after six months, a Golf Glider will last a lifetime. The great news is they’re made in Ireland by a team of elves supervised by a Santa like figure called Mark Sturdy. It’s believed that faults with Golf Gliders are so rare that air accident investigators have to be sent in to investigate. The “Classic” golfglider is available from €450 while the top of the range “Microlite” is around €570. You can locate retailers on http://www.golfglider.com/.

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Who the hell is the SpinDoctor?

Hi, I'm Donal Hughes aka "The SpinDoctor". I write a weekly golf page for the Irish Examiner. In general its a humourous look inside the ropes of the golf world. I cover topics such as:

Tailored Shorts: The funniest golf stories of the week garnished with a fair dollop of lies

What's In The Bag: A look inside a tour players bag

Bet Your Balls: Odds and tips for the coming weeks big tour event

Four Lads In A Car: Course reviews based on four lads heading somewhere nice for the day

Golf Science: Decoding the daVinci code of golf terminology

Top Dogs & Chokin' Dogs: The big winners and losers on tour

Hot Off The Forge: The latest equipment and gear reviewed

Watch out for my new posts every week following its appearance in The Irish Examiner.

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