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Country: gb Page generated at: Monday, 12 January 2026 at 8:36:55 Greenwich Mean Time

Author: Mark Townsend

Been watching and playing golf since the early 80s and generally still stuck in this period. Huge fan of all things Robert Rock, less so white belts. Handicap of 8, fragile mind and short game

Exclusive: Eddie Pepperell on Q School, sprained ankles and ditching the driver

DP World Tour

By Mark Townsend | Nov 10, 2025

Read full article Exclusive: Eddie Pepperell on Q School, sprained ankles and ditching the driver
Phil Mickelson 2010 masters

The inside story of ‘the greatest shot of Mickelson’s career’ – by those who were there

The Masters

By Mark Townsend | Mar 13, 2025

Read full article The inside story of ‘the greatest shot of Mickelson’s career’ – by those who were there
Seve

How Seve opened doors to Europe’s Masters champions

The Masters

By Mark Townsend | Feb 27, 2025

Read full article How Seve opened doors to Europe’s Masters champions
TPC Sawgrass

‘We fish out 65,000 balls a year at the 17th!’

The Players

By Mark Townsend | Feb 2, 2025

Read full article ‘We fish out 65,000 balls a year at the 17th!’
Sawgrass

What it’s like to work on the most dramatic hole in golf

The Players

By Mark Townsend | Jan 22, 2025

Read full article What it’s like to work on the most dramatic hole in golf
q school golf

This is how to fill time during six rounds of Q School

DP World Tour

By Mark Townsend | Nov 7, 2024

Read full article This is how to fill time during six rounds of Q School
golf driving range

The weird and wonderful characters who make up the driving range

Features

By Mark Townsend | Jan 1, 2024

Read full article The weird and wonderful characters who make up the driving range

‘If you built that course today you’d be sued’: Alliss and his love-hate relationship with St Andrews

19th hole

By Mark Townsend | Dec 7, 2020

Read full article ‘If you built that course today you’d be sued’: Alliss and his love-hate relationship with St Andrews

‘If you built that course today you’d be sued’: Alliss and his love-hate relationship with St Andrews

19th hole

By Mark Townsend | Dec 7, 2020

Read full article ‘If you built that course today you’d be sued’: Alliss and his love-hate relationship with St Andrews
Gordon J Brand

From the archives: Gordon J Brand

Ryder Cup

By Mark Townsend | Aug 12, 2020

Read full article From the archives: Gordon J Brand
Bernhard Langer

Bernhard Langer’s 10-step fitness programme

Fitness

By Bernhard Langer | Apr 16, 2020

Read full article Bernhard Langer’s 10-step fitness programme
scratch golfer

Self isolating? Seven tips to make the best of playing golf on your own

Features

By Mark Townsend | Mar 21, 2020

Read full article Self isolating? Seven tips to make the best of playing golf on your own
JB Holmes

‘I was hitting it 300 yards when I was 13’

By Mark Townsend | Feb 13, 2020

Read full article ‘I was hitting it 300 yards when I was 13’
genesis invitational 2025

How the pros tackle the best short par 4 in the world

Courses and Travel

By Mark Townsend | Feb 13, 2020

Read full article How the pros tackle the best short par 4 in the world
tournament ball

Would you use a tournament ball if bifurcation comes in?

By Alex Perry, Steve Carroll, Hannah Holden, Mark Townsend | Feb 7, 2020

Read full article Would you use a tournament ball if bifurcation comes in?
Sebastian Soderberg

Golfers playing quickly: A bit of fun or complete nonsense?

19th hole

By Alex Perry, Mark Townsend | Jan 27, 2020

Read full article Golfers playing quickly: A bit of fun or complete nonsense?
Colin Montgomerie

‘We need to do something about slow play – or else we’re in trouble’

Rules of Golf

By Mark Townsend | Jan 15, 2020

Read full article ‘We need to do something about slow play – or else we’re in trouble’
q school rules blunder

Tour pro disqualified for shocking rules blunder

Rules of Golf

By Mark Townsend | Nov 7, 2019

Read full article Tour pro disqualified for shocking rules blunder
Christina Kim rules

Should Christina Kim have taken to Twitter to discuss the Q School rules blunder?

Rules of Golf

By Mark Townsend, Joe Hughes | Nov 4, 2019

Read full article Should Christina Kim have taken to Twitter to discuss the Q School rules blunder?
Christina Kim

LPGA star calls penalty on both playing partners

Rules of Golf

By Mark Townsend | Nov 3, 2019

Read full article LPGA star calls penalty on both playing partners
Rules of Golf

‘The whole art of this game is in your hands’: Which of golf’s rules would you change?

Rules of Golf

By Mark Townsend | Oct 23, 2019

Read full article ‘The whole art of this game is in your hands’: Which of golf’s rules would you change?
slow play Japan

Why we need to look at Japan to solve slow play

Rules of Golf

By Mark Townsend | Oct 22, 2019

Read full article Why we need to look at Japan to solve slow play
'I’ve lost a little power over the years but I can still get it out there'

‘I’ve lost a little power over the years but I can still get it out there’

Tips

By Mark Townsend | Oct 17, 2019

Read full article ‘I’ve lost a little power over the years but I can still get it out there’
Old Course

An alternative guide to the Old Course

Courses and Travel

By Mark Townsend | Sep 26, 2019

Read full article An alternative guide to the Old Course
golf rough

Slow play still an issue? How we can shave half an hour off a round

Features

By George Oldham | Sep 6, 2019

Read full article Slow play still an issue? How we can shave half an hour off a round
medal play

How does counting every shot affect your game?

Features

By Mark Townsend | Aug 29, 2019

Read full article How does counting every shot affect your game?

Forget the stats – just start enjoying putting again

Putting

By Nick McCarthy | Aug 23, 2019

Read full article Forget the stats – just start enjoying putting again
improve your golf

What’s the strangest golf injury you’ve ever had?

Features

By Mark Townsend, Alex Perry, Hannah Holden, Dan Murphy | Aug 14, 2019

Read full article What’s the strangest golf injury you’ve ever had?
golf mental game

Is it possible to look forward to a round of golf?

Features

By Mark Townsend | Aug 7, 2019

Read full article Is it possible to look forward to a round of golf?
marking a golf ball

There is still one thing we need to get rid of to speed up play

Rules of Golf

By George Oldham | Aug 5, 2019

Read full article There is still one thing we need to get rid of to speed up play
should i change my putter

Should I change my putter? Dissecting golf’s oddest relationship

Features

By Mark Townsend, Alex Perry, Joe Hughes, | Jul 4, 2019

Read full article Should I change my putter? Dissecting golf’s oddest relationship
golf guest day

How do you go about picking your partner for Guest Day?

Features

By Mark Townsend, Dan Murphy, Steve Carroll, | Jun 27, 2019

Read full article How do you go about picking your partner for Guest Day?
golf dress codes

The Rules of Golf still lack some common sense

Rules of Golf

By Mark Townsend | Jun 23, 2019

Read full article The Rules of Golf still lack some common sense
Woodland driver

How to bomb it like US Open champ Woodland

Driving tips

By Mark Townsend | Jun 21, 2019

Read full article How to bomb it like US Open champ Woodland
Custom-fitted golf clubs

What’s the best thing about a custom fitting?

Features

By Mark Townsend, Alex Perry, Hannah Holden, Harvey Jamison | Jun 6, 2019

Read full article What’s the best thing about a custom fitting?
Playing through

It’s the simplest rule in golf – so why does everyone ignore it?

Rules of Golf

By Mark Townsend | Mar 26, 2019

Read full article It’s the simplest rule in golf – so why does everyone ignore it?
golf myths

Drive for show, putt for dough?

Tips

By Mark Townsend | Mar 8, 2019

Read full article Drive for show, putt for dough?
Driver

Why amateurs are better off hitting driver where possible

Tips

By Mark Townsend | Feb 15, 2019

Read full article Why amateurs are better off hitting driver where possible

What to expect from Walton Heath at the British Masters

Courses and Travel

By Mark Townsend | Oct 9, 2018

Read full article What to expect from Walton Heath at the British Masters
The worst Team Europe Ryder Cup outfits

The worst Team Europe Ryder Cup outfits

Apparel

By Mark Townsend | Sep 26, 2018

Read full article The worst Team Europe Ryder Cup outfits
Brookline 1999

The worst Team USA Ryder Cup outfits

Apparel

By Mark Townsend | Sep 25, 2018

Read full article The worst Team USA Ryder Cup outfits
Ryder Cup waterproofs

Kitting out Team Europe for the Ryder Cup

By Mark Townsend | Sep 20, 2018

Read full article Kitting out Team Europe for the Ryder Cup
Montrose

Played by NCG: Montrose

Played by NCG

By Mark Townsend | Sep 3, 2018

Read full article Played by NCG: Montrose
Billy Horschel

The power of negative thinking: Playing with the inner demons in full voice

Mental game

By Mark Townsend | Jun 5, 2018

Read full article The power of negative thinking: Playing with the inner demons in full voice
St Annes Old Links course review

Played by NCG: St Annes Old Links

Played by NCG

By Mark Townsend | Feb 7, 2018

Read full article Played by NCG: St Annes Old Links
Western Gailes

Played by NCG: Western Gailes

Played by NCG

By Mark Townsend | Feb 5, 2018

Read full article Played by NCG: Western Gailes
Ferndown

Played by NCG: Ferndown

Played by NCG

By Mark Townsend | Feb 2, 2018

Read full article Played by NCG: Ferndown
Golf psychology

Meet the man with the most interesting job in golf

Mental game

By Mark Townsend | Dec 7, 2017

Read full article Meet the man with the most interesting job in golf
The day I took winter golf to the extreme

The day I took winter golf to the extreme

Courses and Travel

By Mark Townsend | Nov 9, 2017

Read full article The day I took winter golf to the extreme
Mark Townsend putter fitting

How a putter fitting felt like falling in love all over again

Putting

By Mark Townsend | Oct 13, 2017

Read full article How a putter fitting felt like falling in love all over again
Sherwood Forest

Played by NCG: Sherwood Forest

Played by NCG

By Mark Townsend | Sep 25, 2017

Read full article Played by NCG: Sherwood Forest
Garcia Bent putter

Garcia forced to use irons and woods on greens after putter rage

By Mark Townsend | Sep 4, 2017

Read full article Garcia forced to use irons and woods on greens after putter rage
Kyle Stanley

Five years later Stanley back in the winner’s circle

By Mark Townsend | Jul 2, 2017

Read full article Five years later Stanley back in the winner’s circle