Try GOLD - Free
Alison Root
Golf Monthly
|January 2026
I'm not one for making New Year's resolutions, primarily because by March they've usually fallen by the wayside.
That's strange really, because I believe I'm very disciplined and genuinely want to succeed. Perhaps it's not a lack of discipline, but simply a case of being unrealistic with the goals I'm aiming for, especially when it comes to golf.
I need to accept where I'm at with my game and not keep trying to chase a score, thinking I can still pull rounds out of the bag like the player I used to be, especially since I haven't made any serious effort to practise and improve... until recently, that is.
This reminds me of my schooldays. Back then, I wouldn't study hard, but always just enough to get by. But as we all know, that 'just enough' philosophy doesn't cut it with golf. To be any good and play consistently, especially under the structure of the World Handicap System, you've really got to work at it.
This story is from the January 2026 edition of Golf Monthly.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Golf Monthly
Golf Monthly
What was the most popular second-hand club of 2025?
PGA professional Joe Ferguson investigates the various factors that help to explain why one particular club is still flying off the shelves 18 months after its release...
3 mins
January 2026
Golf Monthly
VICE PRO PLUS TRACER BALL £27 PER DOZEN
The Pro Plus is Vice's flagship ball in a comprehensive line-up. It is a four-piece, tour-calibre model that is engineered specifically for high swing speeds.
1 mins
January 2026
Golf Monthly
REMOTE ELECTRIC TROLLEYS
The remote electric golf trolley has moved from a niche luxury to an incredibly popular piece of on-course technology. Just a few years ago, the market offered only a handful of contenders worth considering. Today, it is brimming with innovation, offering golfers a mix of more high-quality options as well as new ‘value’ options.
5 mins
January 2026
Golf Monthly
PACKAGE SETS
Why would you buy a package set as opposed to selecting different irons, woods, wedges and a putter? Primarily, convenience - it can save you hunting around and doing lots of research for all the clubs you need. For a lot of golfers, especially those who don't play very often, it's a more appealing option. Although we always recommend going down the custom-fitting route, the fact is, this isn't for everyone.
1 min
January 2026
Golf Monthly
Basingstoke
With its roots dating back to 1907 and a rudimentary nine-hole course close to what is now the town centre, Basingstoke Golf Club has enjoyed a long evolution before settling in to its exciting new home less than two years ago.
2 mins
January 2026
Golf Monthly
Belfast
Jeremy Ellwood enjoys a mix of courses in and around Northern Ireland's capital, including a long-overdue maiden game at Rory Mcllroy's home club
3 mins
January 2026
Golf Monthly
ODYSSEY S2S TRI-HOT #7 PUTTER £499
The concept of the new Tri-Hot range is simple: “We’ve moved zero torque forward,” Odyssey says.
2 mins
January 2026
Golf Monthly
Basingstoke
With its roots dating back to 1907 and a rudimentary nine-hole course close to what is now the town centre, Basingstoke Golf Club has enjoyed a long evolution before settling in to its exciting new home less than two years ago. It is now situated on a gently undulating and perhaps surprisingly peaceful parcel of downland just south of the M3 in Hampshire. And while the club's new course is just a well-struck drive from its previous 15th green, in
1 mins
January 2026
Golf Monthly
HOW YOUR EQUIPMENT MIGHT BE ILLEGAL
ASK OUR EXPERTS
2 mins
January 2026
Golf Monthly
Clubs to move home in the modern era
All five of these long-established clubs have relocated to pastures new since 1970
2 mins
January 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size
