Other than lightning strikes and screaming line drives from the other fairway, a golf course is generally meant to be a refuge from thoughts of our own mortality.

Would you feel differently if you knew those thoughts helped you play better golf?

The topic is surprisingly relevant after both Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy this week turned questions about their legacies into existential reflections.

First Scottie: “I have never once thought about how I’m going to be remembered. To me, it truly doesn’t matter from a sense of accomplishment. Like when I die, ‘Hey, Scottie won four majors and 20 tournaments and he won this much money’. That has zero effect on me.”

Then Rory: “I would like to think that the people that love and care about me think a certain way of me, but yeah, I’ll be long gone. I’ll be dead. I don’t think I’ll be seeing what people say about me. I’ll be six feet under.”

Maybe this feels like weighty subject matter for guys just trying to navigate a ball around the golf course, yet there is evidence to suggest this perspective helps with even that. The reason is something called “temporal distancing”, which the University of Michigan psychology professor Ethan Kross describes as “mentally time travelling into the future.” In other words, by trying to anticipate how we might feel (or not feel) about an event in the future, we’re more likely to reduce its perceived significance now.

“Studies show that when people are going through a difficult experience, asking them to imagine how they’ll feel about it ten years from now, rather than tomorrow, can be another remarkably effective way of putting their experience in perspective,” Kross writes in his book Chatter. “Doing so leads people to believe that their experiences are temporary.”

Regardless of whether Scheffler or McIlroy had this concept specifically in mind when entertaining questions about their place in history, their answers still speak to a valuable tactic for handling competitive pressure that I’ve referenced before. When do golfers experience stress? When they sense something important is at stake. That response on its own is natural, and even needed. But as scientists have found, our nervous systems respond better when we feel we have the resources to meet a demand rather than believing we’re overmatched. Some of that can come from belief in our skills. But it’s also by recognising that the “demand” isn’t so daunting to begin with.

“What it does is it tends to reduce the meaning of a failure to you,” said Dr Jeremy Jamieson, a stress researcher and psychology professor at the University of Rochester. “If you’re immersed in something, this means everything right now, but if you can see yourself in a more third-person objective standard, the meaning becomes less intense.”

Distancing by time, by perspective, or by imagining the worst are all versions of the same move: shrinking what the moment demands of you until it’s something you can meet. If you’re dreading missing a putt at the end of a match, take a moment to remember what it really means. At some point in the near future, it’s not going to seem as important as it feels now. And as even McIlroy reminds himself on occasion, he’s likely to wake up the next morning regardless.

“If you’re trying to overcome anxiety or nerves around performance, I do try to think about, well, what’s the worst that could happen? I’m not going to die on the golf course.” McIlroy said on the Whoop podcast. “Imagining the worst-case scenario gave me a level of comfort cause I felt like any worst-case scenario that I could bring up in my head, I’ll be able to deal with.”

Follow Golf Digest Middle East on social media

Instagram

X

Facebook

YouTube

Main Image: Stuart Franklin

The post “We’re all going to die” is the swing thought you didn’t know you needed appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Rory McIlroy’s first task at Royal Birkdale ahead of the 154th Open Championship is to fix one of the oldest problems in links golf.

To stop the wind from wrecking his golf swing.

You can see Rory get to work on the R&A’s fantastic Live on the Range YouTube broadcast from Monday below.

Rory’s problem to solve, in theory at least, is fairly simple:

Rory likes to see a subtle draw. That was his stock shot shape growing up, and his general comfort zone.

The problem heading into the Open Championship started on the range of the Genesis Scottish Open, which had a strong left-to-right wind blowing across it. This is a common hazard in professional golf, and when it happens, players instinctively start hitting bigger shapes to compensate so their stock shot looks like their stock shot.

Then they get on the course, and it all goes wrong. Now the wind is different, and they realise the hard way what just happened: That the range wind was screwing with them.

In Rory’s case, it led him into his golf swing’s bad habit. He began swinging too far to the right, with a clubface too left relative to it. His small draw was now producing ugly left shots that were being masked by the range and exposed on the course.

As Rory himself explained:

“I just need to hit some balls in a right-to-left wind. That usually helps me. Again, it’s the same thing that I get a lot when I start hitting balls in a left-to-right wind like it has been over the weekend. My path and my face just get too far apart, in terms of like my face is just the further left than my path is and I start hitting these left shots, especially with the irons…I just get into that bad habit of hitting it further left than the path at impact.”

The good news is that he knows what went wrong—all that’s left is figuring out how to fix it.

MORE GOLF DIGEST OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP COVERAGE

Everything you need to know about this year’s major at Royal Birkdale

The Open Championship is not called “The British”

After hitting the opening tee shot at the U.S. Open, James Nicholas qualifies

Here’s everybody in the field (so far) at Royal Birkdale

Follow Golf Digest Middle East on social media

Instagram

X

Facebook

YouTube

Main Image: Supplied

The post The Open 2026: Rory McIlroy’s range wind golf swing problem, explained appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

What happens when you mark a ball and then it moves? What about before you mark it?

When two balls are equidistant to the hole, who putts first?

If a ball is resting against the flagstick but resting above the surface of the cup, is it holed?

Is your ball on the green if only a sliver of it is on the putting surface?

You might know some rules on the green, but did you have the right answer to all of these questions? If so, kudos. If not, it might be worth remembering these nine things about what you can and can’t do on the putting green.

1. You’re on the green if even the tiniest portion of your ball is touching it. And if it is, you’re allowed to mark it and clean it. This rule is important to remember when a golf course subtly changes from fringe to green, like when red dots mark the border of the putting green.

2. You can remove loose impediments or repair damage on your line of putt. Just be careful what you attempt to repair. Spike marks and pitch marks are fine to fix. Aeration holes can’t be fixed (it’s a two-shot penalty in stroke play or loss of hole in match play if you do).

3. If you accidentally cause your ball or ball-marker to move, there is no penalty. This includes when making a practice stroke near the ball. Just remember to put the ball back on its original spot.

4. If natural forces such as wind, water or gravity move your ball, what you do next depends on two things. If you marked your ball, replace it on its original spot. If you didn’t mark your ball, play from the new position.

5. You can rub a green to remove loose impediments, but you can’t do it to test the surface. You can also rub the green on a hole you just completed or a practice green to test the surface, but that’s it. Do it anywhere else, and it’s a two-shot penalty or loss of hole in match play.

6. If your ball is resting against the flagstick, examine it closely. If any part of it is below the surface of the green, the ball is considered holed. If none of it is, then you still need to hole out. And if you remove the flagstick and the ball moves, even dropping into the cup, you have to replace the ball on the lip of the hole before holing out.

7. In match play, if two balls are equidistant from the hole, you can agree to play in any order or resolve the issue with some random method. In stroke play, there is no penalty for playing out of order, so it doesn’t matter who putts first.

8. When required to take relief on a green for any reason, you always place the ball. Don’t drop it from knee height.

9. If any part of your ball is on the wrong green—meaning another green than the one you are playing toward—do not hit a shot from that putting surface. It’s a two-shot penalty or loss of hole if you do. You have to take relief off the green, including where you stand, and it can’t be closer to the hole. It’s a one-club-length, slice-of-pie-shaped area where you drop.

MORE GOLF DIGEST RULES REVIEWS

My opponent drove in front of me and I hit his golf buggy. Who gets the penalty stroke?

Can you be penalized for playing music on a golf course?

Our match is going to extra holes

My ball is just outside a ‘no play zone.’ Can I stand in it to hit my shot?

Can I use a long putter when measuring my relief area?

I’m hitting a 6-iron on a par 3. Can I use my driver to measure the teeing area?

Can you hit a provisional ball after hitting a shot into a penalty area?

My opponent took a generous drop after hitting into a hazard. Can he be DQ’d for that?

Can I clean mud off my golf ball while playing a hole?

Can you repair divot holes or pitch marks in your line before hitting a shot?

I just played the wrong ball. What do I do now?

You’re playing a Titleist. Two holes later, it’s a Callaway. Is switching golf balls mid-round allowed?

Can you be penalised for putting tape on a golf glove? Actually …

My opponent’s ball is in my peripheral vision. Can I ask him to move it?

I knocked it stiff on a par 3 and didn’t putt it. What score do I put down for my handicap?

Some mud landed on my ball after my opponent hit a shot. Can I lift and clean it?

A tree is in ground under repair, but my ball is next to a root outside the marked area. Do I get relief?

My ball ‘might’ be in a pond, but I can’t find it. Can I just take a drop, add a penalty stroke and move on?

Follow Golf Digest Middle East on social media

Instagram

X

Facebook

YouTube

Main Image: Tony Anderson

The post Rules of Golf Review: You’re on the green in regulation (congrats). Here’s a quick guide to putting-green rules appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

When it comes to keeping an eye on their shots headed toward water, professional golfers usually have the benefit of cameras, marshals and galleries to help. Even so, that hasn’t kept tour pros from disagreeing at times over exactly where a ball might have crossed into a penalty area and where the player who hit the shot should take a drop.

A famous example of this came during the first round of the 2024 Players Championship. On the seventh hole at TPC Sawgrass, Rory McIlroy hit an errant tee shot that hooked into the water left of the fairway. It was one of the few spots on the course that did not have a camera with a clear view of the ball, and one of McIlroy’s playing partners, Jordan Spieth, questioned where McIlroy was going to take his drop.

You, too, might flag or be flagged for taking a generous lateral-relief drop after hitting a ball in a penalty area. And while that might be the subject for a debate with the players in your group, one thing that is not up for discussion is what happens if you can’t find your ball but aren’t sure it actually went in the water.

There might be decent evidence that you hit a ball into a penalty area, which would entitle you to multiple relief options, including lateral relief or back-on-the-line relief. However, the evidence has to be overwhelming to proceed with those options. By overwhelming, there has to be at least 95 per cent certainty. In the Rules of Golf, the term is “known or virtually certain.”

Let’s role-play for a moment: You hit a rescue shot over a tree toward a green that is guarded by a pond. The shot appears to be coming up just short—and likely wet. However, no one in your group watched your shot, and you never saw or heard a splash. No one did. Upon reaching the pond, you see there are literally dozens of balls in the water, and there is no telling which one might be yours. The penalty area is marked with red stakes on your side, so you think you can take lateral relief by estimating the last spot your ball likely crossed over its border and dropping within two club lengths, no closer to the hole.

Adding a penalty stroke to your score, are you good to go with hitting a pitch shot onto the green?

The answer: Probably not.

Rule 17.1c covers this scenario. If it is not known or virtually certain the ball is in the pond—maybe it plugged on the bank or got deflected by the tree into high grass or fescue—then you cannot proceed with most of the relief options of Rule 17.1. In fact, you have to turn to Rule 18.2 and proceed with the ball being considered lost.

That means you return to the spot where you just played and hit another shot, adding a penalty stroke to your score. If you dropped by the water and played as if taking lateral relief, you would be penalised for playing from the wrong place (Rule 14.7). It’s a two-shot penalty in stroke play or loss of hole in match play.

Also, in stroke play, if it’s considered a “serious breach” and it wasn’t corrected by going back and playing from the right spot, you would be disqualified if you begin the next hole or return a scorecard after the final hole.

Under the Definitions section in the Rules of Golf, this is what is considered a serious breach: “When playing from a wrong place could give the player a significant advantage compared to the stroke to be made from the right place. … Factors to be taken into account include the difficulty of the stroke, the distance of the ball from the hole, the effect of obstacles on the line of play and conditions affecting the stroke.”

There is no concept of serious breaches in match play because you lose a hole the moment you play from the wrong place.

Back to the scenario of your ball maybe being in a penalty area, you’ll need to grab a ball retriever or go wading to identify it, and you’ve only got three minutes to get lucky.

MORE GOLF DIGEST RULES REVIEWS

My opponent drove in front of me and I hit his golf buggy. Who gets the penalty stroke?

Can you be penalized for playing music on a golf course?

Our match is going to extra holes

My ball is just outside a ‘no play zone.’ Can I stand in it to hit my shot?

Can I use a long putter when measuring my relief area?

I’m hitting a 6-iron on a par 3. Can I use my driver to measure the teeing area?

Can you hit a provisional ball after hitting a shot into a penalty area?

My opponent took a generous drop after hitting into a hazard. Can he be DQ’d for that?

Can I clean mud off my golf ball while playing a hole?

Can you repair divot holes or pitch marks in your line before hitting a shot?

I just played the wrong ball. What do I do now?

You’re playing a Titleist. Two holes later, it’s a Callaway. Is switching golf balls mid-round allowed?

Can you be penalised for putting tape on a golf glove? Actually …

My opponent’s ball is in my peripheral vision. Can I ask him to move it?

I knocked it stiff on a par 3 and didn’t putt it. What score do I put down for my handicap?

Some mud landed on my ball after my opponent hit a shot. Can I lift and clean it?

A tree is in ground under repair, but my ball is next to a root outside the marked area. Do I get relief?

Follow Golf Digest Middle East on social media

Instagram

X

Facebook

YouTube

Main Image: warrengoldswain

The post Rules of Golf Review: My ball ‘might’ be in a pond, but I can’t find it. Can I just take a drop, add a penalty stroke and move on? appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

We lead with Scottie Scheffler, and rightly so. The cover feature is one of the most thoughtful pieces of golf writing you will read this year – a genuine attempt to place Scheffler in his proper historical context, drawing on the voices of Lee Trevino, Tiger Woods and Nick Faldo to ask whether we are watching the most complete player the game has ever seen. The answer, as Trevino himself puts it, is that Scheffler may have quietly retired everything he ever said on the subject. It is essential reading ahead of Birkdale.

Speaking of which, our Where to Play section offers a hole-by-hole guide to Royal Birkdale itself – a course that’s rightly described as the most even-handed test in the Open rota, and one that will reward straight driving and total command this July. If you are making the trip, read it before you pack your waterproofs.

We also mark a remarkable centennial with an account of Bobby Jones and the immortal shot at Royal Lytham & St Annes that not only won the 1926 Open, but arguably made the Grand Slam of 1930 possible. I will admit this was my personal highlight of the issue – a reminder that golf’s greatest moments are often separated from failure by the thinnest of margins. One hundred years on, the story loses none of its drama, and I suspect the golf buffs among you will enjoy the history lesson as much as I did.

Elsewhere, there’s a fascinating examination of how much real estate value is locked inside golf’s greatest courses – a thought-provoking read that reframes what these places actually mean beyond the ropes. There’s also an analysis of the swing adjustments helping Jeeno Thitikul chase LPGA history, and our Fringe feature catches up with Train frontman Pat Monahan on the unlikely parallels between life on tour and life on the road.

Finally, we spotlight one of the most exciting young golfers this region has produced – Emirati amateur Rayan Ahmed, whose journey from a Covid lockdown obsession to NCAA Division I scholarship is exactly the kind of story that reminds you why this game gets under your skin and never quite lets go.

All this and plenty more in the July/August 2026 edition of Golf Digest Middle East.

The issue is again free to our loyal audience. You can scroll through the ISSUU link provided here or download it to your favourite device for later. Alternatively, pick up a copy at your local golf club. Whatever option you take, we hope you enjoy the read.

The post Get your July/August 2026 edition of Golf Digest Middle East here! appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

There are the guys and gals who get paid to play golf, and then there’s the rest of us. That might be oversimplifying this a bit, but when it comes to hitting a shot off or next to a tree root, the decision to try definitely boils down to motivation.

Damage to clubs, wrists, elbows—even the poor tree itself—have to be taken into consideration. Is it really worth it? For Tiger Woods at the 2015 Masters, it was. Remember his famous quote after striking a root on the ninth hole (below)? “A bone kind of popped out and the joint kind of went out of place,” he explained. “But I put it back in.”

David Cannon

He really said that.

Golf’s mantra of “playing it as it lies” is often put to the test, but what happens when your ball might be impacted by ground under repair? Let’s take a closer look.

For starters, ground under repair is typically, but not always, marked in some way by a course or committee (paint, stakes, signs, etc). You might encounter a hole dug by the maintenance staff or a bunch of leaves piled for removal that isn’t marked. Doesn’t matter, it’s still considered ground under repair. Holes dug by most animals fall into this category, too.

If your ball is touching the boundary or inside it entirely, you are entitled to one club length (not two) of free relief away from GUR that is no closer to the hole. Same goes for your stance or swing if it would come into contact with GUR. You get a free drop if the GUR is not on the putting green. If there is GUR on a putting green, you also get free relief if it’s on your line of play. Just remember that you place the ball in the relief spot. Don’t drop it like you would if it were off the green.

You also can play the shot as it lies, but you’re probably not going to get a Christmas card from the superintendent if you do.

Now here’s the part of ground-under-repair relief you might not know: Any tree or plant that is rooted inside the GUR is considered part of the area that would entitle you to free relief. That includes any part of the tree or plant that extends up and outside the boundary (think of a tree branch).

But here’s the catch: “When [an] object is attached to or below the ground outside the edge of the defined area, such as a tree root that is part of a tree rooted inside the edge,” you do not get relief from it. You can take an unplayable lie, but that comes with a one-stroke penalty.

Still and unplayable might be the best option if you don’t want to find yourself saying something like, “A bone kind of popped out and the joint kind of went out of place. But I put it back in.”

MORE GOLF DIGEST RULES REVIEWS

My opponent drove in front of me and I hit his golf buggy. Who gets the penalty stroke?

Can you be penalized for playing music on a golf course?

Our match is going to extra holes

My ball is just outside a ‘no play zone.’ Can I stand in it to hit my shot?

Can I use a long putter when measuring my relief area?

I’m hitting a 6-iron on a par 3. Can I use my driver to measure the teeing area?

Can you hit a provisional ball after hitting a shot into a penalty area?

My opponent took a generous drop after hitting into a hazard. Can he be DQ’d for that?

Can I clean mud off my golf ball while playing a hole?

Can you repair divot holes or pitch marks in your line before hitting a shot?

I just played the wrong ball. What do I do now?

You’re playing a Titleist. Two holes later, it’s a Callaway. Is switching golf balls mid-round allowed?

Can you be penalised for putting tape on a golf glove? Actually …

My opponent’s ball is in my peripheral vision. Can I ask him to move it?

I knocked it stiff on a par 3 and didn’t putt it. What score do I put down for my handicap?

Follow Golf Digest Middle East on social media

Instagram

X

Facebook

YouTube

Main Image: oisobach

The post Rules of Golf Review: A tree is in ground under repair, but my ball is next to a root outside the marked area. Do I get relief? appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Cover star Chris Gotterup shares an honest look at the swing thoughts, misses and practice habits he’s working through, reminding us that even tour winners battle the same frustrations as everyday golfers.

We also explore the evolving world of professional golf, from Luis Masaveau’s move to LIV Golf to The Undercover Pro’s candid take on life beyond the PGA Tour rumour mill. Behind the scenes, we examine the changing face of tour life through the lens of the European Tour Performance Institute and the realities of making a living as a golf professional.

Closer to home, Golf During a Conflict looks at the resilience of the Middle East golf scene, while our travel features visit Al Mouj Golf and Shinnecock Hills Golf Club ahead of the 2026 U.S. Open.

Instruction remains central, with lessons from J. J. Spaun, Aaron Rai and Phil Mickelson, plus our 2026 Hot List guide to the year’s best golf balls. We also continue celebrating regional golf through The Gulf Club and standout performances from across the Middle East.

All this and plenty more in the June 2026 edition of Golf Digest Middle East.

The issue is again free to our loyal audience. You can scroll through the ISSUU link provided here or download it to your favourite device for later. Alternatively, pick up a copy at your local golf club. Whatever option you take, we hope you enjoy the read.

The post Get your June 2026 edition of Golf Digest Middle East here! appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

This month, we lead with cover star Robert MacIntyre, who opens up on returning home, the bonds forged through the Ryder Cup, and what it takes to perform under the brightest lights.

Elsewhere, we explore golf’s expanding global footprint. In Baku, Dreamland Golf Club is redefining destination golf, while in Dubai, Discovery Dunes showcases the seamless blend of design, exclusivity and luxury that continues to shape the region’s appeal.

Our Voices section offers a range of perspectives: Neal Shipley shares his personal journey, the debate around Brooks Koepka’s place in the professional game continues, and Jerry Tarde assesses Brian Rolapp’s challenging new role. Alex Myers also introduces the inspiring story of Chaz Bowker and his unconventional route into adaptive golf.

Innovation remains a key theme, with Rory Flanagan and PLATFORM Golf pushing the indoor game forward here in Abu Dhabi. Instruction, as ever, is central—featuring insights from Cam Young, Michael Kolar and more—while our Hot List, travel pages and Gulf Club coverage round out another diverse issue.

All this and plenty more in the May 2026 edition of Golf Digest Middle East.

The issue is again free to our loyal audience. You can scroll through the ISSUU link provided here or download it to your favourite device for later. Alternatively, pick up a copy at your local golf club. Whatever option you take, we hope you enjoy the read.

The post Get your FREE May 2026 edition of Golf Digest Middle East here! appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

DP, when you reflect on your journey in the golf industry, what moment makes you most proud?

To have played a role in elevating the standards of the game in our region, to consistently serve golfers with world-class equipment and experiences and to push the industry forward in even the smallest way—that’s what truly stands out.

In an industry built on precision, discipline, and passion, I’ve always believed that excellence is not a milestone—it’s a responsibility.

And if, through our work, we’ve helped golfers play better, experience more, and expect higher standards—then that, to me, is something worth being proud of.

How does your role as General Manager of eGolf Megastore allow you to combine your love of golf with your entrepreneurial mindset?

As General Manager of eGolf Megastore, I’m uniquely positioned at the intersection of the golfer, the product, and the evolving ecosystem of the game. That vantage point allows me to think beyond transactions and focus on transformation.

Golf in the Middle East is at an inflection point. Participation is expanding, formats are evolving, and expectations are shifting rapidly. My role allows me to actively influence that evolution.

We are not just responding to demand; we are helping create it.

By integrating technology, reimagining retail experiences, and building deeper customer engagement models, we are redefining how golf is discovered, accessed, and enjoyed. From first-time players to seasoned golfers, the goal is to elevate every touchpoint.

At its core, this is where my entrepreneurial mindset comes alive; identifying where the game is going, not where it has been, and building platforms that can scale with that vision.

Because the real opportunity is not just to grow within the industry, it is to expand the industry itself.

eGolf Megastore

Dubai has a unique lifestyle—how does living here influence the way you approach golf, work, and leisure?

Dubai elevates your mindset; it pushes you to think bigger and execute faster.

In golf, it showcases how the game can be both premium and accessible, reinforcing the need to evolve formats and experiences.

In work, the pace and ambition demand constant innovation and global standards.

Even leisure becomes purposeful, driven by exposure, networking, and ideas.

Ultimately, Dubai shifts your perspective from limitations to possibilities and in a growing industry like golf, that makes all the difference.

What’s the most luxurious or memorable golfing experience you’ve enjoyed, either locally or abroad?

Two experiences stand out—Apogee Golf Club and The Grove XXIII.

Both represent golf at its absolute pinnacle—not just in terms of course design, but in the overall experience.

Apogee delivers a pure, performance-driven environment built around serious golfers, where every detail is designed to elevate the game.

The Grove XXIII, on the other hand, redefines exclusivity and hospitality—seamlessly blending luxury, privacy, and innovation.

What makes these experiences truly memorable is not just the infrastructure, but the intent behind them; a relentless focus on excellence, personalisation, and pushing the boundaries of what golf can be.

When it comes to building the perfect team or store experience, what’s your personal philosophy?

At the core of everything I believe is simple: business is people.

My philosophy is rooted in servant leadership; if you take care of your team, they will take care of your clients.

Building the perfect team or store experience isn’t about control; it’s about empowerment. It’s about creating an environment where people feel valued, trusted, and inspired to deliver their best every day.

Because when your team believes in what they’re doing, that energy naturally translates into how they serve customers.

Ultimately, great customer experiences are not engineered, they are a byproduct of a strong, aligned, and cared-for team.

Outside of the organisation, how do you stay connected to the game and improve your own swing?

It’s been over a decade with eGolf and the journey still feels as exciting as day one.

While we’ve grown into an established SME, we’ve consciously retained an entrepreneurial mindset. That curiosity and hunger to evolve is what keeps us connected to the game, we truly love what we do, and that reflects in how we operate.

More recently, as we build the next generation of leaders within the business, I’ve made a conscious effort to step out of the office and get closer to the ground, spending more time with our clients, understanding their needs, and experiencing the game through their lens.

For me, improving my “swing” is not just technical, it’s contextual. It’s about staying immersed in the ecosystem, listening, learning, and continuously refining how we serve the golfer.

Because the closer you are to the player, the sharper your understanding of the game becomes.

RELATED: Quick 9 with… eGolf Megastore CEO Dean Cheesley

As someone who appreciates the finer things, which aspects of golf gear or apparel do you personally gravitate toward?

We’re fortunate to represent some of the finest global brands in the region—so choosing just one has never been easy.

I often find myself rotating between 3–4 mixed bags, each bringing together the best of different worlds. It keeps the experience fresh and reflects the diversity of innovation across the industry.

I’m also naturally drawn to vibrancy and expression. Brands like Peter Millar, G/Fore, J.Lindeberg, Greyson, and Puma consistently excite me—each season pushing boundaries and raising the bar in design and performance.

That said, I’ve always gravitated towards limited-edition pieces; especially those with a touch of exclusivity and subtle “bling.”

For me, it’s not just about performance—it’s about identity. The finer details, craftsmanship, and uniqueness of a product elevate the entire experience.

Because in golf, as in life, it’s the details that truly define the standard.

eGolf Megastore in Al Quoz, Dubai

Looking ahead, what’s your vision for taking eGolf Megastore to the next level?

The vision is clear—grow with strength, scale with intent, and elevate the standard of retail.

Our immediate focus is on expanding across the GCC, establishing a stronger physical presence while staying true to what we do best, delivering exceptional product and service.

At the same time, we’re actively looking at integrating AI and data-driven systems to enhance decision-making, personalise customer experiences, and build a more intelligent retail ecosystem.

Equally important is investing in people, developing a strong second generation of leaders who can carry the vision forward and scale the business sustainably.

Ultimately, this is not just about growth in size, it’s about raising the bar for what golf retail can and should be in the region.

And finally, when you need to unwind, what’s your go-to Dubai spot to relax after a busy week in golf retail?

For me, unwinding is about simplicity and perspective.

It’s either a quiet round of golf—where you can reset and reconnect with the game—or a bike ride with close friends along the mountain highways, away from the city’s pace.

Both offer a different kind of clarity; one grounded in focus, the other in freedom.

And in a fast-moving environment like Dubai, that balance is essential.

Main image: eGolf Megastore

This article was featured in the April 2026 issue of Golf Digest Middle East. Click here for a digital issue of the full magazine

Follow Golf Digest Middle East on social media

Instagram

X

Facebook

YouTube

The post Quick 9 with… Dyootiman Pal (or “DP” as he’s known!) appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

This month, we turn our attention to Augusta National with a Masters Preview special, one of the most anticipated weeks in golf.

Our cover star, Adam Scott, arrives on the eve of his 25th Masters appearance. The 2013 champion reflects on the nerves that never quite go away, the swings he still admires, and the subtle but significant changes that continue to shape Augusta National.

We also revisit one of the course’s most fascinating stories, the evolution of the par 3 16th. It remains the only hole not originally designed by Alister MacKenzie and Bobby Jones, and while it is now one of the most recognisable scenes in golf, the version we know today did not appear until 1948.

Elsewhere, we look back at some of the most popular Masters victories, the wins that resonated far beyond the leaderboard and captured the imagination of fans around the world.

Closer to home, Faycal Serghini, Head Coach of the Emirates Golf Federation’s elite squad, shares his insight into the rapid growth of the game in the UAE. From developing young players to building a pathway towards international success, his perspective highlights just how quickly the landscape is evolving.

We also sit down with Dyootiman Pal, better known as DP, General Manager of eGolf Megastore, to understand what lies ahead for the region’s largest golf retailer and how the modern golf consumer is changing.

Beyond Augusta, there is plenty more to catch up on. Bryson DeChambeau claimed another LIV Golf title in South Africa, edging Jon Rahm in a playoff as the event delivered one of the most significant crowds the league has seen. We also look ahead to the return of the Turkish Airlines Open at the National Golf Club in Belek, a venue with a long history of championship golf.

Our Hot List coverage continues with Part 3, focusing on the latest woods and hybrids making their mark this season.

As ever, there is something for every golfer in this month’s issue!

All this and plenty more in the April 2026 edition of Golf Digest Middle East.

The issue is again free to our loyal audience. You can scroll through the ISSUU link provided here or download it to your favourite device for later. Alternatively, pick up a copy at your favourite golf club. Whatever option you take, we hope you enjoy the read.

The post Get your FREE April 2026 edition of Golf Digest Middle East here! appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.