Barry Plummer
- Staff Writer, Golf Monthly
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Articles by Barry Plummer
'Stop Digging And Start Gliding' — My Chip Shot Mantra For Increasing Spin On The Golf Ball
Barry Plummer hitting a chip shot around the green at Sand Moor Golf Club, with an inset image in a thought bubble of Keith Williams demonstrating how to spin chip shots and another inset image of Barry Plummer tending the flag as the ball approaches the hole. If I asked 100 amateur golfers which aspect of their short game they would like to improve, I would wager that many would want to know how to get more spin on chip shots.
'Stop Digging And Start Gliding' — My Chip Shot Mantra For Increasing Spin On The Golf Ball
If I asked 100 amateur golfers which aspect of their short game they would like to improve, I would wager that many would want to know how to get more spin on chip shots. When learning how to chip in golf, understanding how to spin the golf ball is aspect, but one that many amateurs get wrong. We see the best players in the world dance the ball around the hole, zip it back and stop it dead - but how can you get a slice of that action?
Bazza's Best Bets: Outright, Sleeper, First Round Leader And Top Finish Picks At The Genesis Scottish Open 2025
A paint brush stroke style Scottish flag, with an inset image of Tommy Fleetwood and a badge reading 'Bazza's best bets' with a sketch design of betting expert Baz Plummer's headshot. What a week of golf we have in store. The Genesis Scottish Open is the perfect amuse-bouche for the Open Championship, the Evian Championship is perhaps my favourite of the Women's Majors and LIV Golf Andalucia takes us back to an iconic European venue at Valderrama.
Bazza's Best Bets: Outright, Sleeper, First Round Leader And Top Finish Picks At The Genesis Scottish Open 2025
What a week of golf we have in store. The Genesis Scottish Open is the perfect amuse-bouche for the Open Championship, the Evian Championship is perhaps my favourite of the Women's Major and LIV Golf Andalucia takes us back to an iconic European venue at Valderrama.
5 Statistical Improvements That Could Slash Your Handicap From 20 To 10
When it comes to data in golf, many amateurs are obsessed with how far the average amateur golfer hits their driver or how many birdies they make in a round, but have you ever considered how these incredible stats can help you lower your handicap? Improving certain areas of your game could help you to swing the needle towards your target index, with data-informed knowledge helping you to source the best golf drills to support you in your pursuit of progress.
5 Statistical Improvements That Could Slash Your Handicap From 20 To 10
Neil Tappin at the top of backswing with driver, with inset images of Neil Tappin hitting a pitch shot and a hitting a putt. Improving certain areas of your game could help you to swing the needle towards your target index, with data-informed knowledge helping you to source the best golf drills to support you in your pursuit of progress.
5 Tips To Cope With Annoying Playing Partners... Should You Avoid Or Engage?
Sam De'Ath screaming in frustration on the golf course, while his playing partner Nick Bonfield pushes his golf bag over in anger. Playing golf with other people is part of what makes the game great, but in competition golf you won't always have the opportunity to tee it up with friends or those you feel comfortable with. In this article, I share 5 tips to cope with annoying playing partners, in an attempt to save your golf game and your sanity...
5 Tips To Cope With Annoying Playing Partners... Should You Avoid Or Engage?
Playing golf with other people is part of what makes the game great, but in competition golf you won't always have the opportunity to tee it up with friends or those you feel comfortable with. There are plenty of tips for being a good playing partner, but what can you do when the person your are playing with is getting on your nerves?
I'll Teach You The Greenside Bunker Shot Used By Most Tour Pros (And How To Adapt It For High-Handicappers)
Peter Finch in the correct setup position for a greenside bunker shot, with inset images of Peter Finch hitting a greenside bunker shot and Peter Finch pointing jovially to himself playing the shot as if he is indicating that he can teach you how to do it. Greenside bunker shots are something every golfer has to navigate on the course, but they can often take their toll on our scorecard and our sanity.
I'll Teach You The Greenside Bunker Shot Used By Most Tour Pros (And How To Adapt It For High-Handicappers)
Greenside bunker shots are something every golfer has to navigate on the course, but they can often take their toll on our scorecard and our sanity. Learning how to hit a bunker shot is a crucial skill for all amateur golfers, especially when you consider the impact that finding the sand around the green has on your scoring. Achieving better greenside bunker play requires the advice of an expert in the field, so I knew exactly who to reach out to for help.
My Short Game Was Utterly Horrific... Until I Discovered This Magical Chip Shot!
A magical setting, filled with lit candles, a dusty spell book and blue smoke filling the room, with an inset image of a golfer setup to play a chip shot floating in an orb like shape above the spell book as if by magic. I won't try to gloss over this, my short game was utterly horrific for a short period recently - and I was struggling to put together anything close to a decent score.
If You Could Only Ever Play Golf Alone, Would You Continue?
Barry Plummer playing golf alone, hitting a putt on an island green with the sea in the background, with an inset image tucked behind the flag of Barry Plummer walking solo with his golf bag and trolley on the golf course. I am aware that my affinity with golf is in no small part down to the connections I have built around it, forming new social bonds and creating shared memories through incredible experiences on the great courses I have had the pleasure of playing.
If You Could Only Ever Play Golf Alone, Would You Continue?
I have been addicted to golf for as long as I can remember, from watching Majors and top tour events on television to starting to play the game as a young adult, and I can’t really imagine my life without it. I am aware that my affinity with golf is in no small part down to the connections I have built around it, forming new social bonds and creating shared memories through incredible experiences on the great courses I have had the pleasure of playing.
This Is The Most Overrated Piece Of Golf Advice Ever (As Voted By You)... And Why We Should Ignore It!
I am a huge advocate of listening to the experts when it comes to improving your golf swing, especially when you get the opportunity to hear from one of the best in their field. I learned so much from reading Marco Penge's top three driving tips for amateurs, after he recorded the longest drive at the 2025 PGA Championship, but I could really do without the random 16-handicapper sharing his 'wisdom' on the range.
This Is The Most Overrated Piece Of Golf Advice Ever (As Voted By You)... And Why We Should Ignore It!
A golfer hitting a shot on the driving range, with two other golfers watching on and offering advice. With an inset image of a cartoon male with his fingers in his ears to block out the noise. I am a huge advocate of listening to the experts when it comes to improving your golf swing, especially when you get the opportunity to hear from one of the best in their field.
More Than 70,000 Hit So Far In 2025… But How Many Fairways Does The Average PGA Tour Player Miss?
As amateur golfers, we often place emphasis on the importance of hitting fairways in order to setup scoring opportunities and shoot lower scores. But, if you actually compared your driving accuracy to the PGA Tour average, you will realise that the gulf between the best players in the world and the average amateur isn't that wide - perhaps indicating a relatively low level of importance on outcomes.
More Than 70,000 Hit So Far In 2025… But How Many Fairways Does The Average PGA Tour Player Miss?
Thorbjorn Olesen and Rory McIlroy playing shots out of the rough after missing the fairway, with an inset image of Scottie Scheffler hitting a driver off the tee at a PGA Tour event. As amateur golfers, we often place emphasis on the importance of hitting fairways in order to setup scoring opportunities and shoot lower scores. Despite finding the short grass more than 70,000 times combined, in 2025 so far, I was still surprised to learn just how many fairways PGA Tour players miss.
Top 3 Driving Tips For Amateurs — From A Tour Pro Who Outdrove Rory McIlroy And Scottie Scheffler
Marco Penge at the top of his backswing with driver, on a tee box at the 2025 PGA Championship, with inset images of the head and shoulders of Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler. When you are ranking higher than the likes of Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm at the 2025 PGA Championship, the second men's Major of the season, you know you are doing something right.
Top 3 Driving Tips For Amateurs — From A Tour Pro Who Outdrove Rory McIlroy And Scottie Scheffler
When you are ranking higher than the likes of Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm at the 2025 PGA Championship, the second men's Major of the season, you know you are doing something right. In a stacked field, appearing towards the top end of the driving distance averages table is something that will certainly hold you in good stead - as Marco Penge knows better than most.
Today Is The Day You Finally Break 90 In Golf... All You Need Are These 5 Practical Tips
A silhouetted golfer celebrating breaking 90 in golf, with his putter held aloft on the green in front of a sunset, with an inset image of a calendar tile reading 'break 90'. After ticking off a pretty momentous century-busting milestone last season, I have been working tirelessly to break 90 in golf - but, like many amateur golfers, I have consistently fallen short.
Today Is The Day You Finally Break 90 In Golf... All You Need Are These 5 Practical Tips
After ticking off a pretty momentous century-busting milestone last season, I have been working tirelessly to break 90 in golf - but, like many amateur golfers, I have consistently fallen short. After going back to the range to work on the perfect golf grip and cycling through the 10 best golf drills, I decided it was time to embrace a new way of thinking.
I Totally Lost My Confidence On The Greens — But Then I Used 5 Simple Putting Tips To Fire Up The Flatstick Original
When having a crisis of confidence on the greens, as I experienced very recently, investing time reading the best putting tips and trying the most effective putting drills is a great way to engage a hard reset. In the past I have tried to circumvent this process, by learning how to plumb bob a putt or going full Sergio Garcia and shutting my eyes, but nothing seems to do the trick quite like a few dedicated sessions on the practice putting green.
Stop Forcing It From 150 Yards... It's Time To Check Your Ego And Embrace This New Way Of Thinking
Peter Finch looking at his Shot Scope GPS watch, reading 150 yards from his position in the fairway to the pin, with a smaller inset image of Peter Finch appearing to stand on his own arm while at the top of his backswing with an iron. So, you've found the fairway with your tee shot and left yourself around 150 yards into the green - how often are you executing that shot as intended?
Stop Forcing It From 150 Yards... It's Time To Check Your Ego And Embrace This New Way Of Thinking
So, you've found the fairway with your tee shot and left yourself around 150 yards into the green - how often are you executing that shot as intended? The answer is, for most handicap golfers, not very often. When looking into how many greens in regulation an average golfer hits, I was surprised by the bleak picture the numbers painted.
I've Seen So Many Amateur Golfers Get This Chip Shot Disastrously Wrong... This Is How To Get It Right
When playing chip shots around the green, I think it's fair to say some are easier than others. When learning how to chip in golf, we tend to spend most of our time with the full putting surface in view, but the pressure ramps up when chipping to a raised green.
I've Seen So Many Amateur Golfers Get This Chip Shot Disastrously Wrong... This Is How To Get It Right
Three images of Sarah Bennett around the green. One of Sarah at the top of the slope assessing the lie, distance and landing spot for her chip shot to a raised green, another of Sarah in the backswing of her chip shot and another of Sarah just past impact after hitting her chip shot - signifying the three stages all amateurs should follow to master this short game shot. When playing chip shots around the green, I think it's fair to say some are easier than others.
Travelers Championship 2025 First Round Leader Picks: +5500 Mega Value Bet To Bank Birdies Early
Stylised print of an image where Scottie Scheffler standing in the fairway next to his golf ball, looking at the flag on the green with a gallery of fans and the giant Travelers Championship umbrella logo behind it. The utter carnage of the US Open is sadly fading into our rear view mirror, but we don't have to wait long until our next fix of top tier golfing action - next stop, TPC River Highlands.
Travelers Championship 2025 First Round Leader Picks: +5500 Mega Value Bet To Bank Birdies Early
The utter carnage of the US Open is sadly fading into our rear view mirror, but we don't have to wait long until our next fix of top tier golfing action - next stop, TPC River Highlands. Having immersed myself in an extensive pool of data and trends, in order to pick my 2025 Travelers Championship expert picks, I decided to dive a little deeper to find the best first round leader bets for this week's PGA Tour signature event.
5 Things Every Amateur Golfer Should Copy From JJ Spaun's Superb US Open Winning Golf Swing
The notion that the average club golfer can copy the complete golf swing of a Major Champion is pretty farfetched, but there are a number of things that the best players in the world do which any amateur golfer can copy in their own game. JJ Spaun emerged victories at at the 2025 US Open, after a resilient display in very challenging conditions, but that didn't happen by fluke. He relied on a fantastic golf swing, some very consistent fundamentals... and a 64-foot putt to win the US Open.
5 Things Every Amateur Golfer Should Copy From JJ Spaun's Superb US Open Winning Golf Swing
JJ Spaun at the top of his backswing with driver at the US Open, with an inset image of JJ Spaun in the finish position with driver at the Players Championship, as well as two further images of JJ Spaun holding the US Open trophy and celebrating his win at Oakmont Country Club.
I Think The Major Schedule Is Fundamentally Flawed... But I Know How To Fix It
The PGA Championship trophy in front of a global map with various routes being taken by a plane, with an inset image of a 2025 calendar in the bottom left and an image of Royal Melbourne Golf Club. In the space of just 10 weeks, men's professional golf has held three of its four men's Major Championships - and I would say the results have been mixed.
I Think The Major Schedule Is Fundamentally Flawed... But I Know How To Fix It
In the space of just 10 weeks, men's professional golf has held three of its four men's Major Championships - and I would say the results have been mixed. We witnessed a truly iconic moment at The Masters in April, when Rory McIlroy finally got over the line to complete the Career Grand Slam at Augusta National, but that was followed by what I believe to be the worst Major I can remember at the PGA Championship.
'Thank You For Your Brief But Unyielding Reign Of Terror' - My Love Letter To Oakmont
An image of Oakmont Country Club looking ominous during the 2025 US Open, with an inset image of a love letter reading 'Oakmont x'. The 2025 US Open was exactly what we needed following a truly abysmal excuse for a Major at the PGA Championship last month, and the star of the show could not be more clear... the savage Oakmont Country Club.
'Thank You For Your Brief But Unyielding Reign Of Terror' - My Love Letter To Oakmont
The 2025 US Open was exactly what we needed following a truly abysmal excuse for a Major at the PGA Championship last month, and the star of the show could not be more clear... the savage Oakmont Country Club. The famous venue played its villainous part to perfection, exacting its wicked plan and tormenting the best golfers in the world as part of its stout defence of the previously slipping Major Championship standards.
Should Players Be Punished For Angry Outbursts At US Open?
An image of Rory McIlroy throwing his club at the US Open, with a judge's gavel to indicate the possibility of punishment, along with inset images of Scottie Scheffler and Shane Lowry looking frustrated at Oakmont Country Club. You only have to look at the 2025 US Open leaderboard to see the stern test being posed by Oakmont Country Club... and not all players are enjoying it.
Should Players Be Punished For Angry Outbursts At US Open?
You only have to look at the 2025 US Open leaderboard to see the stern test being posed by Oakmont Country Club... and not all players are enjoying it. The brutal rough and lightning fast greens are causing havoc, leading to angry outbursts from some of the best players in the world.
I'm Finding The US Open TV Coverage Hard To Watch... But These 4 Changes Would Re-Engage Golf Fans
3 hours ago As part of their Pride Night celebration, a Dodgers official received a commemorative scroll from Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath before the team opened its three-game series against the San Francisco Giants. “It is truly my pleasure to be celebrating Pride with the Dodgers,” Horvath …
I'm Finding The US Open TV Coverage Hard To Watch... But These 4 Changes Would Re-Engage Golf Fans
Like any golf fan around the world, I came into this week full of excitement and anticipation for what promised to be a blockbuster US Open. Fortunately, Oakmont has played its villainous part spectacularly - with the brutal rough and lightning fast greens terrorising players and providing the perfect opportunity for a score of par (or worse) to win this Major for the first time since 2018.
I'm Finding The US Open TV Coverage Hard To Watch... But These 4 Changes Would Re-Engage Golf Fans
An image of Ludvig Aberg on television, looking deflated at the US Open with his head in his hands, with a background of distorted television white noise. Like any golf fan around the world, I came into this week full of excitement and anticipation for what promised to be a blockbuster US Open.
I Get It's A US Open, But The Pace Of Play Is Soul-Destroying
The second hole at the US Open venue Oakmont, with an inset image of an alarm clock going off to indicate pace of play and another inset image of the US Open logo. As the week started at the 2025 US Open, I was excited to see the stern test that Oakmont threatened to pose to the best players in the world.
I Get It's A US Open, But The Pace Of Play Is Soul-Destroying
As the week started at the 2025 US Open, I was excited to see the stern test that Oakmont threatened to pose to the best players in the world. That feisty challenge materialised as the early wave of players battled with the juicy rough and fast greens at Oakmont, but I quickly lost enthusiasm thanks to a painfully pedestrian pace of play. My dejection escalated as some groups took an hour to complete their first three holes. That pace maintained its course, leading to what felt like a bit of slog.
I Want To See Players Struggle, Not A Bloated Birdie-Fest... Should A Score Of Par (Or Worse) Win The US Open?
An American flag style print background, with an inset image of the US Open trophy being lifted behind text that reads 'par', to signify the question around whether par should be able to win the US Open. You have to go all the way back to 2018 for the last time the US Open was won at par or worse, when eventual champion Brooks Koepka valiantly outmanoeuvred the field at a feisty Shinnecock Hills.
I Want To See Players Struggle, Not A Bloated Birdie-Fest... Should A Score Of Par (Or Worse) Win The US Open?
You have to go all the way back to 2018 for the last time the US Open was won at par or worse, when eventual champion Brooks Koepka valiantly outmanoeuvred the field at a feisty Shinnecock Hills. Since the turn of the century, five other US Open winners have secured the coveted Major with a score of par or worse, but do we want to see more stern tests for the best players in the world?
'I Want Carnage At Major Championships' – The 5 Hardest Holes At Oakmont Will Terrorise Players At The US Open
Call me a traditionalist, but I love the fact that the US Open is so hard. I want carnage at Major Championships. Some of the mollycoddled professionals will obviously complain about the brutal Oakmont test, but I enjoy the jeopardy and carnage that the right course can bring to a Major Championship. After an abysmal PGA Championship last month, this fear-inducing layout is exactly what we need - and I love that the toughest test comes at the first hole.
'I Want Carnage At Major Championships' – The 5 Hardest Holes At Oakmont Will Terrorise Players At The US Open
Gregory Bourdy playing an approach shot into the 10th green at the US Open in 2016, with inset images of Jordan Spieth and Tyrrell Hatton hitting golf shots on some of the hardest holes at Oakmont Country Club. Call me a traditionalist, but I love the fact that the US Open is so hard. I want carnage at Major Championships. After an abysmal PGA Championship last month, this fear-inducing layout is exactly what we need - and I love that the toughest test comes at the first hole.
‘I’m Certain They Wouldn’t Finish’ - US Open Stars Predict How An 18-Handicapper Would Fare Around Oakmont
Noah Kent and his caddie in the long rough at US Open 2025 venue Oakmont Country Club, with an inset image of the 125th US Open Championship leaderboard that is blank other than reading 'Oakmont awaits'. I was very interested to find out my course handicap at Oakmont, using the USGA's handy calculator, but I must admit I felt it was a little stingy based on how the course looks to be playing in practice for the best players in the world.
‘I’m Certain They Wouldn’t Finish’ - US Open Stars Predict How An 18-Handicapper Would Fare Around Oakmont
The 2025 US Open is set to be a true Major test, thanks in no small part to its treacherously tough host venue, the apparently 'unplayable' Oakmont Country Club. I was very interested to find out my course handicap at Oakmont, using the USGA's handy calculator, but I must admit I felt it was a little stingy based on how the course looks to be playing in practice for the best players in the world.
I’ve Predicted The Winner Of The Last 3 Consecutive Majors… This +750 Treble Is The Best Bet At The 2025 US Open
An American flag border to reference the 2025 US Open with three inset images of screenshots from the Golf Monthly website where I have predicted the winner of the last three Major Championships, with another inset image of the US Open trophy being lifted and text reading '+750 treble' to reference the price of the bet.
I’ve Predicted The Winner Of The Last 3 Consecutive Majors… This +750 Treble Is The Best Bet At The 2025 US Open
Finding the best bet at the 2025 US Open is a time-consuming process, but after picking the winner of the last three Major Championships I like to think I've cracked the formula for success. Whittling down our US Open expert picks at Golf Monthly HQ is something we take very seriously, as we want to provide every punter with the best possible information to make an informed decision.
I Asked Google Gemini To Pick The 2025 US Open Winner... But I Banned It From Picking Scheffler!
A silhouette of Bryson DeChambeau in the finish position with a golf club, hiding his image for suspense, with an inset image of Google Gemini on a mobile phone to signify using AI to predict the winner of the 2025 US Open and another inset image of Scottie Scheffler in the finish position with driver at Oakmont Country Club, surrounded by a red 'banned' symbol to signify the decision not to allow AI to pick Scheffler to win the US Open.
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