A round at St. Andrews with Roger Cleveland

Most serious golfers at some point over the past three decades have enjoyed the feel and diverse playability of a Cleveland wedge. In 1979, Cleveland Golf began as a company making excellent replicas of clubs from the 1940's and 1950's. Today, Roger Cleveland is Chief of Golf Club Design at Callaway Golf. Aside from having the lead input into new products and designs, he personally modifies and tweaks the clubs of many of the world's top golfers by hand. It was a pleasure for Connoisseur Golf to host Roger and his travelling party back in October, 2008. Their trip consisted of a St Andrews based tour playing three courses - Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and The Old Course. On arrival, the group were very keen for me to join them on the links, and I was more than happy to oblige. Having been a member at St. Andrews since 2000, I have probably been lucky enough to play The Old Course in excess of 300 times. However, teeing it up with my distinguished playing partner brought back those nervy feelings on the first tee that I hadn't experienced for quite a few years. Luckily, I managed to pull a decent swing out from somewhere, and sent the ball down the middle of the enormous opening fairway. I was only one shot into my round, and I was already reaching for my 49 degree, gunmetal Cleveland wedge. It felt a little surreal pulling it from the bag and preparing to line up my approach. The execution of this shot was wasn't quite as successful as it's predecessor. A little thin, and a long way right, the ball managed to somehow clear the burn and come to a stop on the right edge of the green. I quickly covered the clubhead with my hand and returned it to it's home, hoping Roger wouldn't see how I had just butchered a straightforward shot with one of his beautiful creations. Although at the forefront of golf design technology, Roger is a traditionalist on the course. His classical balanced swing, and tweed bonnet make him look like he's just played 18 holes with Bobby Jones. We probably play to a similar level, but Roger is one of golf's great gentlemen who prefers not to talk too much of handicaps - he simply enjoys the imagination of shot-making, and adapting his game to the challenges that the course throws up. There were quite a few friendly 'gimme's' over the next four hours, but Roger roughly shot 74 to my 76. He made four birdies, and didnt really look in trouble at any point. It was great to see how he approached many of the shots around the green. Where I would often pull out the putter from 20 yards, he was hitting these beautiful little checked wedge shots to within inches of the hole. Hopefully I will get the opportunity to pick up another few pointers in the not too distant future. There were a lot of laughs shared between our fourball, and I look forward with interest to the next installment.