Backwards and Forwards...

Hello Golfers, How good are day light savings? People everywhere appear to be that little bit happier than at other times of the year, the anticipation of summer is a good feeling. Talking about summer, we mentioned in previous weeks about the hot, dry windy spells we are enduring, well unfortunately (for golf courses) they don't appear to be abating. Unless we get some good rain I think we may see the return of the bump and run shot. Too Much Too Young? Lydia Ko New Zealand's Lydia Ko has decided she wants to turn professional as soon as possible and the 16-year-old has asked the LPGA to waive their age limit to allow her to join the tour. Ko the youngest winner of an LPGA Tour event when she won the Canadian Open in 2012 aged just 15. The LPGA Tour has an 18-year-old age minimum for membership but commissioner Mike Whan can waive it as he did in 2011 for Lexi Thompson, then 16. "The commissioner plans to review it," the LPGA Tour said in a statement. "The decision on the petition will be solely up to the commissioner's discretion." Lydia Ko was born in South Korea but her family moved to New Zealand when she was only six years old. Lydia also became the youngest champion on the European Tour by winning the New Zealand Open in February before successfully defending her Canadian Open title. Let's hope it's not too much too soon for Ko. Faldo Walks Off Sir Nick Faldo withdraws from US Champions Tour on his debut. Six-time major winner Sir Nick Faldo failed to finish the first round of his American debut on the Champions Tour. Faldo withdrew after 12 holes in the SAS Championship in Cary, North Carolina because of an elbow injury. He tweaked a torn capsule in his left elbow as he made a gesture during a putt on the sixth hole before battling on to the 13th tee. The Englishman was one over at the time when he walked off the course after shaking hands with his playing partners. Nick Faldo's major record Masters: Won in 1989, 1990 & 1996 US Open: 2nd in 1988 The Open: Won in 1987, 1990 & 1992 PGA: Tied for 2nd in 1992 Another rookie in the field is Colin Montgomerie, who can you believe turned 50 in July, and the Scotsman shot a one-under 71 to finish five behind leaders Russ Cochran, Larry Nelson and Welshman Mark Mouland. "I think I'm here to find out how well could I play," said Faldo, who added he has played only 50 rounds since 2010. What's in the bag Name: D.A. Points Age: 36 Professional wins: 6 Clubs: Taylor Made Driver: Taylor Made R11s Fairway Wood: Taylor Made Burner Rescue: Taylor Made Rescue In February 2011, Points won his first PGA Tour title at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. He finished two strokes ahead of American Hunter Mahan. He won his second title on the PGA Tour in 2013 at the Shell Houston Open, sinking a 4 metre) putt on the 72nd hole to save par and win by a stroke. Points has regularly been featured in the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking. Mickelson To Cut Work Load Open champion Phil Mickelson is likely cut his schedule by a quarter in a bid for more consistency. The canny left-hander has already played 21 events worldwide this year. "I don't play at my highest level every single week. I have kind of ups and downs and I'm a very emotional player," said the 43-year-old. Phil Mickelson is currently third in the world rankings and fourth on the money list on the USPGA Tour "I am going to have to factor that into some of my scheduling and maybe cut out 25% of my events in an effort to play at a high level when I do play." Mickelson has triumphed three times this year, including wins at the Open at Muirfield and Scottish Open at Castle Stuart. His comments came after a closing 68 at the PGA Tour's season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta where he finished in a share of 12th place. "I know I'm not able to do it 25 weeks a year," said Mickelson. "Maybe I can do it for 18 or 20, though." Old clubs? We'll buy them from you... Golf Traders offer our customers a fantastic service whereby we can purchase, part exchange or swap your equipment. With the golf season in full swing, we all have clubs lying around that are basically redundant. Instead of letting them collect dust in the garage, turn them into cash... or at least let them go some way to buying the new clubs you so desperately want. View all of our stock here or come into our store and have a hit in our brand new practice facility and try before you buy! Golf Traders 02 9517 3471 33 Nelson Street Annandale, NSW 2038 Australia Golf Traders PRO TIP: Playing into the Wind You rarely want to swing full bore in high winds. Swinging flat out only makes the ball spin more, which causes it to balloon in the air and get caught up in wind, often resulting in a poor shot. Instead think of hitting long chip shots, take more club and grip down on the club, this technique will help reduce backspin so the ball stays lower, where it's less affected by the wind. In gusty conditions, a ball rolling along the ground is generally easier to control than one that flies high through the air. Happy golfing David Fearns (PGA) Golf Traders